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By Peggy Zabicki
Your correspondent in West Lawn
3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327
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Were you out and about last week? I was. It was like a skating rink out there. Almost slipped a few times. Maybe I should have worn ice skates.
I remember when I was a kid, I actually liked sliding on the ice. My hubby walks a few miles every day. One day it was so slippery he gave up and came back home.
Driving was even worse. My son was driving home from work and found the streets in our neighborhood so slippery that his brakes stopped working. He remembered to pump the brakes to avoid hitting another car. One West Lawn neighbor told me that she and her little girl almost got hit by a car on their way to school because the driver couldn’t stop due to the icy streets. There were several accidents. Many people slipped and fell. I heard that a mailman slipped and was injured.
I realize that icy conditions can sometimes go along with winter weather, but we did have a lot of weather warnings ahead of time. Our side streets do need to be salted and plowed in a timely manner. Maybe I was spoiled because the neighborhood I grew up in was always taken care of. All side streets and even the alleys were plowed and salted. I’m still waiting for the day that the streets in this neighborhood are also taken care of.
Last week, I almost decided not to visit a new gift shop on 63rd Street because of the slippery conditions. The shop is called Emvi and is located at 4218 W. 63rd St., just west of the West Lawn Branch Library. I am so glad I decided to go in spite of our neglected, icy streets.
Emvi is a charming gift shop and the perfect place to find gifts for all occasions. There is a huge variety of soaps and candles all homemade by the owner, Mairany Rojas. In addition, there are lotions and skin care products with healthy ingredients.
As I wandered through the store I also saw lots of trendy toys for kids. Mairany helped me decide on some toys called Squish Mellows for my godson, Tommy, and his lovely big sister, Layla. Mairany is very friendly and kind. I hope everyone will visit her shop. Emvi is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:30 to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Are you looking for local exercise opportunities for your kids or yourself? A neighbor recommended a place called Fitness Chicago at 6504 S. Laverne, Bedford Park, located just west of the hotel complex at 65th and Cicero. Fitness Chicago offers Zumba classes, kids’ boxing and mixed martial arts. Call them for more information at (773) 469-2879 or send them an email at gofitnesschicago@gmail.com.
The next meeting for 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn’s Senior Club will take place on Friday, Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. The location is the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski. Please call Barb at (773) 581-1313 by Tuesday, Feb. 6 to register.
The people of West Lawn continue to help one another by contributing food to the community refrigerator called Stuffed Love at 6601 S. Pulaski. Recently, over 70,000 pounds of food was donated and given out to neighbors in need. You can visit the Stuffed Love refrigerator seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Take what you need, give what you can. Thank you to the many volunteers and donors.
Looks like the temperature will be mild for a while. I guess I can put my ice skates away for now!