Peggy Zabicki

Peggy Zabicki

Celebrate National Beach Day on August 30

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!

Local News

football-stock

Mike Walsh’s Football Top 10, Week 12

1. LYONS (11-0) Last week: 8A, Beat Downers Grove South 63-20 This week: vs. Naperville Central, 7 p.m. Friday Comment: Two playoff games with 101 total points for the thriving Lions. 2. ST. RITA (9-2) Last week: 7A, Beat Willowbrook 21-9 This week: vs. Quincy, 3 p.m. Saturday Comment: Quarterback Steven Armbruster has a program-record…

st. laurence logo

St. Laurence reaches Class 4A quarterfinals, but wants more

Making the state quarterfinals is a nice accomplishment.  But after finishing second in the state in Class 4A last season, St. Laurence wants more. The Vikings took another step in the process on Nov. 9 as they defeated Wheaton Academy 26-14 in a Class 4A second-round game in Burbank. Next for St. Laurence (8-3) is…

Logo-Chicago Christian

Chicago Christian advances to state quarterfinals for first time since 2007

In his first season, coach CJ Cesario has helped Chicago Christian make some history. With a 24-14 victory at Tri-Valley on Nov. 9 in the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs, the Knights are in the quarterfinals for just the second time in program history. The Knights’ other quarterfinal berth came in 2007…

A blue ribbon flutters lightly on a tree outside West Lawn’s Hubbard High School in honor of slain police officer Enrique Martinez, a neighborhood graduate. The ribbon, a symbol of fallen police officers who died serving their community can sometimes be seen with a black background representing mourning. The color blue represents the “thin blue line” officers are sworn to defend, according to memorialribbon.org.

Slain West Lawn CPD Officer Martinez shooting suspect charged

A 23-year-old man has been charged with the shooting death of Officer Enrique Martinez, a Hubbard High School graduate and West Lawn resident, who was killed in the line of duty on Chicago’s South Side. The fatal encounter has reignited citywide concerns over rising gun violence and its toll on both residents and law enforcement.…

Wolniak Funeral Home has erected a huge Day of the Dead altar. (Photo by Kathy Headley)

Wolniak Funeral Home celebrates Day of the Dead

The 102-year-old Wolniak Funeral Home has served generations of families throughout the years. Sitting on the southwest corner of 57th and Pulaski, the Polish Funeral Home is reaching out with what they are calling a “legacy of love to the community.” Respecting the traditions and heritage of the Hispanic members of the community, the folks…

Damian Macias

Bridgeview man faces felony charges in carjacking, armed robbery spree

Two men were charged Thursday with multiple felonies after a series of armed robberies and a carjacking in Chicago, authorities said. James Robinson, 21, of the 100 block of East 119th Street in Chicago, and Damian Macias, 21, of the 8800 block of South Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, were arrested by the Citywide Vehicular Hijacking…

Tommy Lotto and Crew split the purchase of a Lucky Day Lotto ticket – and were shocked and thrilled when they realized it was worth a cool $1.4 million. (Photo courtesy of Illinois Lottery)

3 Midway-area friends win $1.4 million playing Lucky Day Lotto

Three Illinois Lottery players went in together on a Lucky Day Lotto ticket and struck big – winning $1.4 million. The lucky three, nicknamed “Tommy Lotto and Crew,” have been friends for decades. Tommy purchased the jackpot-winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket for the Monday, October 4, midday drawing at his local Mobil gas station near…

2

Chicago Riots junior roller derby forges fast friendships

After reading Roller Girl, a young adult graphic novel by Victoria Jamieson, Yoshi McKee developed a growing interest in roller derby. The Orland Park native found the fast-paced, full-contact sport on quad roller skates captivating and resolved to not only read about it but also participate. “I had started with rollerblading, so the transition to…

WWII Army veteran Rich Olund (center) celebrated his 100th birthday at Lumes in Palos Heights. Also pictured, Palos Park Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters, John Wall and Ernie Yamich.

WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday at favorite pancake spot

World War II veteran Rich Olund celebrated his 100th birthday sipping coffee with his best friend at his favorite diner, Lumes Pancake House in Palos Heights. He drew quite a crowd. Palos Park Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters and Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau even stopped by to wish the local centenarian a happy birthday at a…

Newly elected 8th District school board member Angel Gutierrez celebrates his win at Moe's Cantina in downtown Chicago on Nov. 5. (Photos by Robin Sluzas)

Gutierrez wins Chicago’s 8th District school board seat; CTU’s Lopez takes 7th District

While Tuesday’s election night at Moe’s Cantina on West Hubbard Street was filled with supporters of new Illinois Attorney General Eileen O’Neill Burke, Angel Gutierrez celebrated his 8th District school board victory in Chicago with a small group of supporters at the same venue. Gutierrez, a pro-school choice candidate, defeated Felix Ponce, who was backed…

Neighbors

Federal judge strikes down Illinois assault weapons ban, setting up likely appeal

Federal judge strikes down Illinois assault weapons ban, setting up likely appeal

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – A federal judge in East St. Louis on Friday struck down Illinois’ assault weapons ban on the grounds that it violates the Second and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution and issued an order barring the state from enforcing it. That order, however, was stayed for 30 days, giving the…

Illinois school Superintendent Tony Sanders discusses strategy to boost math scores

Illinois school Superintendent Tony Sanders discusses strategy to boost math scores

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education recently released the 2024 School Report Card, showing a record-high proficiency rate for students in grades 3-8 in English language arts while math scores still have not fully recovered from the low point they hit during the pandemic. In response, ISBE has announced plans…

Jury sees relentless ComEd job placement requests from Madigan co-defendant

Jury sees relentless ComEd job placement requests from Madigan co-defendant

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – Had they been any other job applicants, electric utility Commonwealth Edison likely wouldn’t have given a second look to candidates who made “politically inappropriate” comments during an interview, failed basic screening tests or didn’t even show up to take those tests – twice. Some of the company’s top executives wouldn’t…

Wiretaps show McClain arranging checks for Madigan loyalist fired after #MeToo allegations

Wiretaps show McClain arranging checks for Madigan loyalist fired after #MeToo allegations

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – It had been a tumultuous winter and spring for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan as he was forced to fire or distance himself from several top allies, three of whom were accused of sexual harassment at the height of the #MeToo movement. But after the seismic events of June 6,…

Utility assistance applications open for low-income Illinoisans

Utility assistance applications open for low-income Illinoisans

Capitol News Illinois The state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is accepting applications for all households beginning Friday, Nov. 1. The program offers financial assistance for utility bills to low-income families. Other discounts are also available, even if someone is not enrolled in LIHEAP. Applications opened on Oct. 1 for adults age 60 and…

Statewide effort planned to boost student math scores

Statewide effort planned to boost student math scores

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Illinois education officials plan to launch a statewide initiative over the next several months aimed at boosting student performance in math. State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders made that announcement during a recent media briefing to unveil the most recent school report card. That annual report shows how individual schools,…

Pritzker’s budget office projects $3.2B deficit in early look at upcoming fiscal year

Pritzker’s budget office projects $3.2B deficit in early look at upcoming fiscal year

Capitol News Illinois The first extensive public look at next year’s state finances contains a warning to lawmakers from the governor’s office: “The ability to fund new programs will be severely limited” next fiscal year. That comes from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, which projected a potential budget shortfall of $3.2 billion for…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Jury sees more evidence surrounding payments to Madigan campaign worker ousted for sexual harassment

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – On the eve of his retirement announcement in late 2016, longtime Statehouse lobbyist Mike McClain wrote letters to longtime colleagues, expressing his appreciation for them. In one letter – shown to four federal juries in the last two years – McClain effusively praised his close friend, then-Illinois House Speaker Michael…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

It’s Election Day. Officials ask for patience in waiting on the results.

Capitol News Illinois By Matt Vasilogambros,Stateline It’s Election Day in America. Voters are heading to the polls in one of the most consequential elections in American history. In a politically polarized country, potential delays in reporting results might further fuel conspiracy theories that have spread widely. Across the country, more than 77 million voters already…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

‘They were being paid as a favor to Mike Madigan’: Feds’ star witness takes stand

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – As chief lobbyist for electric utility Commonwealth Edison, Fidel Marquez had an expansive role that put him in charge of “approximately 130, 135 people.” But in June 2013, more than a year into that job, Marquez received an email about someone he was ostensibly supposed to be overseeing – but…