August 30 is National Beach Day. I do love going to the beach. When I was a kid, my mom used to take me and my siblings to the beach throughout the summer. One summer in the month of June, when school was still in session, she said, “It’s too nice to go to school. Let’s go to the beach.”
Obviously, all of us were thrilled and ready to go in minutes. We could walk to the beach from our house. We hung our sand pails on the handles of our baby stroller. There was always a toddler or two riding in that.
I loved the way the sun felt on my skin. I happily jumped in the water thinking that this was much more fun than sitting in a hot classroom. Schools weren’t air conditioned back then.
Years down the road, I brought my own kids to that same beach. Now my grown kids are bringing their kids to that same beach.
My hubby and I still drive to that same beach. Sometimes our grandkids meet us there.
So, happy beach day to all. Life’s a beach as they say.
School is back in session. While I don’t advise moms and kids to skip school and go to the beach, I’m glad my mom did this. That’s just the way she was. Obviously, none of us ever received perfect attendance awards, but I think if there was an award for the most eccentric mother, my mom would have won it.
The West Lawn Branch Library at 4020 W. 63rd Street will soon have after school activities and homework help for all the neighborhood students. While their little scholars are in school, parents can go to the library and take a yoga class. These classes will continue now through December on Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. All skill levels are welcome.
The Chicago Artopia Company will present a concert at West Lawn library with the Kaia String Quartet on Saturday, September 21, from 7 to 8 p.m. Registration is required for this event. Call the library at 312-747-7381.
Every time I call the West Lawn library, the nicest people answer the phone. The staff is so pleasant not only on the phone but in person as well. I called recently to see if they still had a donation box for old eyeglasses. The person I talked to said they did not but told me that the Mount Greenwood branch at 11010 S. Kedzie has one. Call them for more information at 312-747-2805. I hope they are as nice as our West Lawn library staff.
I lead such an exciting life. After calling the library, I visited the re-opened Family Dollar store at 6540 S. Pulaski. I wanted to see what it looked like after being closed for such a long time. It looks exactly the same inside and carries the same products as before. Most are $1.25 and up. I must say, the aisles seem wider. Maybe they consolidated some merchandise displays. It is a bit easier to navigate now and not so crowded when two or more people are in an aisle. So, thumbs up for that.
Heads up. The Starbucks at 6520 S. Cicero is now hiring. They need baristas and shift supervisors. Call them at 708-552-9650. Starbucks is open seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Last week, I contacted the Save A Lot grocery store at 4439 W. 63rd Street. I asked what their expected reopening date is. Their main office sent the following answer: “We continue to make progress and have completed a substantial amount of work in the Save A Lot store at 4439 W. 63rd Street. Barring any further unexpected project delays we are projecting a November opening date.”
So, there you have it. This is a bit of a wait, but it will be right in time for holiday food shopping.
In a previous column, I mentioned a few pizza places. A reader called and recommended Waldo Cooney’s Pizzeria at 8541 S. Pulaski. I decided to check it out. I bought a slice. I feel the best way to judge pizza is to get plain cheese but they do have lots of toppings to choose from. The slices are thick crust. It was really very good. The bready crust was freshly baked. Actually, Waldo’s smelled like bread baking when I entered their dine in or to go restaurant. I enjoyed the slice and will go back some time to get a whole pizza which they prepare in a thin crust style. I will report back to you. In addition to pizza, Waldo’s has sandwiches, calzones, pasta, chicken, shrimp and more. They have a convenient parking lot and are open every day till 11 p.m. Call them at 773-585-0965. The staff is super friendly. You can also order online at www.waldocooneyspizza.com
I know what you are thinking – will she eat the entire pizza when she goes back to Waldo Cooney’s for a thin crust? Well, maybe I will for the sake of accurate reporting. The sacrifices I make!