I hope everyone can attend the 42nd annual National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 4, starting at 5:30 p.m. The 8th District Police will be hosting this popular summer event at West Lawn Park, 4233 W. 65th Street. There will be train rides for the kiddies from 4-5:30 p.m., a Peace March at 6:30 p.m., and a family movie, plus lots of food and fun. Come out and meet the men and women who serve and protect. Call the 8th District Police for more information at 312-747-8724. I hope to attend. Maybe I’ll see you there!
The 8th District CCPSA (Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability) recently held a neighborhood meeting at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church. The focus was to bring awareness to today’s drug trends facing our youth and to discuss strategies on building a stronger and healthier community. The CCPSA will be holding regular meetings focusing on public safety and police oversight at various locations around the community. I believe the next meeting will take place on September 24. All are invited. If you would like to attend a meeting and need information on location, send an email to Jason.Huff2@cityofchicago.org
Here’s some news on a fun event. St. Bede the Venerable at 4450 W. 83rd Street will be hosting a summer market on Saturday, August 8, starting at 2 p.m. There will be food, DJ music, a beer garden, and lots of items for sale like jewelry, cosmetics, handmade crafts, house essentials and more.
Also taking place on August 8 will be a Resource Fair at Karlov and 63rd Street. There will be resource vendors, food vendors, raffles, music, and back to school supplies. The fair starts at 10 a.m. and goes to 2 p.m. so you will actually have time to attend this fair and then go to the St. Bede summer market. Call 773-581-1900 for more information on the Resource Fair.
It might seem early to start buying school supplies but a visit to the Resource Fair will be a good way to get a head start.
Speaking of school supplies, last week a friend of mine spotted a dumpster full of math books, phonics books, reading work books and more behind the Azuela School at 4707 W. Marquette Road. Most people probably aren’t into “dumpster diving,” but most of the books looked like they were in very good condition. Such a shame that the books weren’t simply offered to parents and neighbors instead of simply thrown in the trash. I personally know a lot of families that would love these books to use during summer break.
I called the school to ask about the books but as of this writing, I haven’t heard back. I also called the Chicago Public Schools and left a message about repurposing school books. I haven’t heard back from them either. Sometimes schools will discard old books when they receive new books. Even if the books aren’t being used anymore, they shouldn’t be thrown in the garbage.
The books can be donated to Goodwill and the Salvation Army thrift stores. The Open Books organization collects books including textbooks. They have a 24/7 book drop off at 905 W. 19th Street. Books4Cause accepts book donations including textbooks that are less than 5 years old. Visit their website at www.books4cause.com
Our own Chicago Blue Bin Recycling is an easy and convenient way to repurpose your old, worn-out books. Paperback books can be put in your blue bin. If you take the cover off hardcover books, they can also be put in your blue bin as well.
Our neighborhood libraries are a great place to get all the books you want. The last time I checked out a book, I received a receipt that stated that I have saved more than $11,000 over the past few years by using a library instead of buying books. I guess the library keeps track of these things. Anyhoo, they say nothing in life is free, but I would say that our libraries disprove that.
The West Lawn Library will be showing the movie Hoppers on Sunday, August 2, from 2-4 p.m. This is a fun, family movie about a girl named Mabel. She is an animal lover and uses clever technology to hop into animal robots as she learns about the world of animals. Call the library with any questions about the movie at 312-747-7381.
Did you know that in addition to hundreds of books, the Clearing Library at 6423 W. 63rd Place has a big collection of flower and vegetable seeds available to all patrons? Visit the library on Saturday, August 8 anytime from noon to 5 p.m. and pick out some seeds.
Summer is the season for garage sales. Especially popular are the block long yard sales. If the people on your block are planning on having one, just call your alderman for a permit and let me know in advance so I can include your information in my column.
West Lawn correspondent Peggy Zabicki can be reached at 773-504-9327.