Mary Stanek
Paczki Day just before Valentine’s Day in 2024
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By Mary Stanek
Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon
3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796
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Hopefully the worst of Chicago’s winter is over. But February is right around the corner. Who knows what it will bring? In a little over two weeks, it will be Paczki Day, a great time to visit our neighborhood bakeries for those delicious stuffed bismarks.
Eat as much as you can because this year, one might not be filling up on Valentine’s Day. It turns out Valentine’s Day falls on Ash Wednesday this year. So, we practicing Catholics might not be indulging in any chocolate.
Mary Stanek
But you could celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 9, when the Midway Chamber of Commerce will host their Valentine’s Comedy Jam at the European Chalet, 5445 S. Harlem, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. For more information, please visit business.midwaychamber.org and click under Events. In the events tab there is also mention of restaurant week from Feb. 9-18. Local restaurants in the area will be featuring specials to be enjoyed.
If you have a grade school age child and are interested in a school that provides a rigorous, diverse academic curriculum from preschool through eighth grade, visit Sts. Bruno & Richard School this Sunday, Jan. 28. There will be an open house from 10 a.m. to noon. You will get a chance to meet the teachers, take classroom tours and ask questions. The tours will start from the cafeteria.
Over at SBRS there are some budding scientists. The STEM Club has recently begun to meet on Thursdays. The students explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics along with artistic expression. Students are busy with hands-on activities and projects.
CAPS Beats 822 and 824 will be having their meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6 at Peck School, 3826 W. 58th St. Twenty-third Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares will be joining the meeting. These meetings are an ideal platform for staying informed about crime and ward updates. If all goes OK at the home front, I hope to be there and see you there as well.
I missed one week with a few important birthdays I should mention. Happy Belated Birthday wishes go to Mary Loye Potter and Jazzy Zajac. I did have the opportunity to meet up with them for a little while on the 13th, where we enjoyed tons of great pizza at Angie’s on Pulaski. Happy Birthday wishes go to Vanessa Crowley on Feb. 1.
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