One thing is certain: life goes on

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Peggy Zabicki

Your correspondent in West Lawn

3633 W. 60th Place •  (773) 504-9327

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I get a lot of calls from residents who are discouraged about our neighborhood. There are so many car accidents, shootings and violent crimes being committed in West Lawn and surrounding areas. It certainly is challenging to stay hopeful and positive.

Here is a paragraph from an editorial I read:  “…corruption is rampant, the country is almost bankrupt, and there is a pervasive loss of faith in leadership.”

Sounds like the writer is talking about our own country today; but in fact, this is from an editorial written in 1783 describing England.

As we can read in the Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes 1:9, there is nothing new under the sun.

In the meantime, have faith that things will grow and change as they have in the past. We have seen this in our world’s history, in planet earth and its climate–which thankfully continues to change, and even in our own selves. We learn. We grow. We realize. Leaves will die, but the tree continues to live. People will come and go. Babies are born.

The poet Robert Frost once said, “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”

Peggy Zabicki

We are fortunate to have places to go to continue to learn and be students all our lives. The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St., is such a place. Among other useful subjects, the library now offers English classes every Monday from noon to 2 p.m. Using vocabulary, grammar and other teaching tools, this English course helps people improve their ability to communicate in English. The classes are offered at no charge. Call to register at (312) 747-7381.

The library will be celebrating the Day of the Child and Books or Dia de los Niños y Libros on Friday, April 26 by presenting a comedy show for children of all ages and their parents. The show features a storyteller who uses puppets, music, bubbles and magic tricks to encourage kindness and creativity. The show is presented in English and starts at 11 a.m. Call the library to register for this event.

I was looking for computer classes for a West Lawn neighbor who called me. I found out that the Archer Heights Branch Library, 5055 S. Archer, has a class called Technology Help For Adults. Classes are held every Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. You can learn about computer basics and library digital resources using your cell phone. Call the library at (312) 747-9241.

Did you know that Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski, provides computer lab access–not only for its students but also for the public? All you need is a valid I.D. The computer lab is located in Room 2118 and is open Monday through Friday. Call (773) 838-7521 for more information.

I was surprised to see that the White Castle at 79th and Pulaski is closed. I was told it was because of low sales. With Daley College close by and Bogan High School just across the street, you’d think a burger place would be continuously packed with students. It seems that young people are always hungry, especially those in high school.

By the way, Bogan High School ranks approximately number 500 in the state of Illinois. There are almost 1,300 high schools in our state. Hubbard High School, 6200 S. Hamlin, ranks number 254.

Hubbard High School is having a flea market in their back parking lot on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Queen of the Universe School, 7130 S. Hamlin, is having a rummage sale on the same day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be food and pastries for sale as well. Call Lourdes at (773) 920-8248 or Amanda at (773) 807-2342 for more information.

As we support our neighborhood schools by attending their events, may we find treasures of all kinds.