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By Peggy Zabicki
Your correspondent in West Lawn
3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327
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Crime is one of our top concerns, according to feedback I get from readers of this newspaper, in addition to opinions expressed at neighborhood meetings.
Thirteenth Ward Ald. Marty Quinn and State Rep. Angelica “Angie” Guerrero-Cuellar (D-22nd) are attempting to address those concerns by launching a community-wide petition drive to send to the CPD Superintendent to create a new and smaller Chicago Lawn (8th) District. The district is one of the largest in the city.
The proposed boundaries would extend from I-55 on the north to 87th Street on the south; and going east to west from Central Park to Harlem. This new map would reduce the residents in the district from 250,000 to 150,000, which proponents say would improve public safety by making it easier and more efficient for police to serve and protect us.
If this issue is important to you, now is the time to visit the 13th Ward Office, 6500 S. Pulaski, and sign their petition. If you have any questions, call them at (773) 581-8000.
A celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month will take place at West Lawn Park, 4233 W. 65th St., on Friday, Oct. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. There is no admission charge, and all are invited. There will be arts and crafts for the kids, live entertainment and displays from several countries. If you have questions, call (773) 284-2803.
The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St., will be hosting a Teen Video Game Zone on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. Everyone age 13-19 is invited to hang out and play video games on Nintendo Switch game consoles. lf you have any questions, call Beatriz at (312) 747-7381.
In last week’s column I asked what you would like to see at the old Kmart site at 7050 S. Pulaski. I got a lot of calls about that, and I appreciate every call. The majority of the callers would like to see a grocery store there. I would like to see something really big like the Shop and Save store on Archer near Central. They have a little restaurant and bakery, a huge deli and produce department, in addition to a big meat department and international grocery items.
Another suggestion for the space is a convention center because of its size at 96,000 square feet and close proximity to Midway International Airport and the Midway hotel complex. Other suggestions are a concert and entertainment venue, a Costco, a Sam’s Club, indoor batting cages, a Kidzone indoor play place and an IKEA store. Thank you for your great suggestions.
Recently, Queen of the Universe School hosted a 50-year reunion party. Donations from the class of 1973 totaled $1,350 and will be used for the purchase of two new basketball hoops for the school. Congratulations and best wishes to all. Go Cobras!
The Calvary Lutheran Church Senior Club would like to extend happy birthday wishes to Juanita V., Ruth W., Lorretta W., JoAlice R., Xueyan Z. and Lorrie L. May the dear Lord bless each one of you with happiness and good health on your birthdays and the coming year.
Columbus Day takes place on Oct. 9. This is a good day to display our flag on your front porch. I am grateful for Christopher Columbus’ bravery, knowledge and leadership as he followed the orders of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, to find a faster route to India—but instead discovered our great land.
Happy Columbus Day to all!