Community pride is flying high

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By Patti Tyznik

Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge

(708) 496-0265 • ptyznik@gmail.com

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It’s a “banner day” in Garfield Ridge! If you take a look around the neighborhood, you’ll see brand new Garfield Ridge community signs hanging from the light posts running along Archer. What a wonderful way to highlight the neighborhood that we love so dearly.

There are many changes abounding, thanks to Alderman Silvana Tabares and our Midway Chamber of Commerce.

Well, we “sprang” ahead last weekend so hopefully all the babies and dogs are back on schedule from the time change and life has returned to normal. Now let’s see what’s going on in our neck of the woods.

At the Garfield Ridge Branch Library

• Join our knitting/crochet circle on Saturday, March 23 from 2 to 4 p.m., at the library, 6348 S. Archer. Bring your finished or unfinished projects to share or to help others finish. This is a meet up–not a tutorial. It’s to have fun and talk. Discuss what book you just read or what movie you just saw. Let’s get together and make something happen! For adults age 18 and older. If interest continues, we’ll continue in April as well.
• Stories & Songs Story Time meets on Wednesdays, March 20 and 27 and April 10 at 10:30 a.m. for children ages 15 months to 4 years. Play time follows each session.
• Spring Break Programs on March 25: Spring Crafts at 3:30 p.m. Ages 5-10 years. March 26: UNO and other games at 1 p.m. Ages 5-12 years. March 27: Lego Free Build at noon. Ages 5-10 years. March 28: Spring Story Time 12:30 p.m. Ages 4-6 years.

At the Clearing Branch Library

• Join Ms. Kim for Thursday Story Time on March 21 and 28 at 11 a.m., for children ages 0-5 years, at the library, 6423 W. 63^rd Place. We share songs, rhymes and books, plus suggestions for at-home activities.
• Join the Clear-Ridge Historical Society at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 as author Aleco Julius discusses his book Endless Depths: Cosmic Themes, Weird Lore, & Hidden Knowledge about the wonderful and strange aspects of our world: of fascinating books, obscure histories, art, mythology, astronomy and more.

Church events

The Ladies Guild of St. Faustina Parish will meet on Tuesday, April 9 for bunco. The cost to play is $10. Join the guild in the St. Pope John Paul II Parish Center, 5201 S McVicker. Contact Andi at (773) 610-5686 for more information.

Two Holy Martyrs Parish will host their Casino Fundraising Night on Saturday, April 20 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the Sharp Center, 5940 W. 62^nd St. Enjoy a night of gambling, a live DJ, 50/50 raffles, food and drinks. All proceeds will benefit St. Symphorosa School. All gambling is to win prizes, not cash. Ticket cost is $40 and includes $100 in chips, five raffle tickets and a complimentary beverage. Additional food and drink are available for purchase.

Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 5550 S. Merrimac, will host a “Sharing a Meal” event on Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m. They invite anyone from the community to join them for a free meal and conversation. RSVP at gspc5550@aol.com or call (773) 585-1094.

Also of note

The Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center, Archer and Laramie, will have two culinary delights this month with their popular DFSS Passport of the World luncheons. The first, on Thursday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m., celebrates Greek Independence Day and features gyros, pitas, Greek salad, mini Kok for dessert and more. The second luncheon celebrates Puerto Rican Emancipation Day, on March 28 at 11:30 a.m. and features Pollo Guisado, arroz y gandules, fresh fruit and tembleque for dessert. Call (312) 745-4255 for more information on registering.

The next CAPS Beat 812 meeting will be held at the Clearing Branch Library, 6423 W. 63^rd Place, on Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m.

Hale Park, 6258 W. 62^nd St., will host their annual Bunny Hop on Thursday, March 28 from 11 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Parents can register their children ages 2-5 years online at chicagoparkdistrict.com. The cost is $10 per child. Children can get their picture taken with the Easter Bunny, dance and enjoy an Easter egg hunt.

Dore Early Learning Center, 6108 S Natoma, is hosting a spring open house on March 20 and April 3 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Take a tour of this wonderful early learning center which specializes in 4-year-old pre-school (full day). For more information, call (773) 535-3610. Sign up for 2024-25 school year starts in April.

Until next time, keep being nice to one another and share a smile!