Last Saturday, the Chicago Lawn Library held its annual Block Party. And the sun was shining this year. (Last year, the weather forced the library to move the party indoors.) For this event, they block off part of the street on the south side of the library, set up games, host vendors and local representatives, and just invite everyone to come for a good time. And this was the best one yet.
The library provided free lemonade and popsicles, which was a perfect treat on a warm August afternoon, and County Fair donated bags of popcorn. There was a huge box of sidewalk chalk for the kids to decorate the sidewalks all around the library and games like Basketball and Ring Toss. Add to that, 15 organizations manning informational tables, most with freebees, and four tables set up by government agencies.
But, by far, the absolute favorite that had kids running back for more was Wild Bill’s Bubble Madness. If you’ve never seen this before, it reminded me of television shows where someone puts too much soap in the washing machine and bubbles erupt and spill out all over. Even adults were joining the kids in the plethora of bubbles shooting out repeatedly.
Representatives from 14th Ward Ald. Jeylu Gutierrez’s office set up shop offering information and freebees, which included backpacks and a neat Illinois Senate Activity Book for all ages provided by state Sen. Javier Cervantes.
I’ve got to tell you we enjoyed that book. Kayla enjoyed doing the puzzles as soon as we got home and we both got a kick out of learning facts about the state we didn’t know like – Did you know we have an official State Snack, State Pie, State Reptile, State Rock and more?
To save you the trouble of looking those up, here they are: Our State Snack is popcorn, our State Pie is pumpkin; our State Reptile is the painted turtle; and our State Rock is the Dolostone.
Thanks to Kaye Friberg, Branch Manager at Chicago Lawn, and her whole staff for a fun neighborhood event.
The Chicago Lawn Historical Society Glass case at the library has one more new set of Ford City photos from the past. The display will be there for another week or two before it changes.
A DIY for Adults is this Saturday, Aug. 15, at the library from 2 to 3 p.m. This month’s feature is Sand Art and gives adults ages 18 and up a chance to bring the beach home in a vase. Light refreshments will also be served.
Tuesday, August 18, is the next meeting of the Chicago Lawn Book Discussion Group at the library at 6 p.m. This month’s featured book is Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
And, next Thursday, Aug. 20, is Teen Read and Ramen Night at the library for ages 13 to 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Teens can enjoy a bowl of ramen while listening to a good audiobook.
Over at the Gage Park Library, 2507 W. 55th Street, on Thursday, Aug. 20, is a Family DIY from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This month’s feature is Pom-Pom Critters. The library asks: ‘Why buy it from a store when you can make it yourself?’ This will be an afternoon of crafting and creativity making critter friends out of pom-poms, google eyes, and pipe cleaners. All materials will be provided.
And at the Wrightwood-Ashburn Library, 8530 S. Kedzie Avenue, there’s an Adult DIY from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Turn your favorite graphic tee into a beanie hat. Be sure to bring your own tee. For more information, call the library at (312) 747-2696.
Coming up at the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie Avenue, on Monday, Aug. 17, is Lunch & Learn with the Legal Aid Society at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, is a seminar by the U. S. Securities & Exchange Commission at 10 a.m. Then on Thursday, Aug. 20, it’s Expressive Art with Healing Arts Chicago at 10:15 a.m. And on Friday, Aug. 21, the White Crane Wellness Center in conjunction with the City of Chicago will bring a presentation to the Center on how to protect yourself from falling victim to Medicare fraud beginning at 10 a.m.
And next Saturday, Aug. 22, there will be Family Fishing at the Marquette Park Lagoon from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants must be at least 8 years old. The event includes instruction, equipment, and bait. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Now, back to the late 1970s. When we left last week, Elaine P. was wondering if anyone remembered J & T Gyros at 60th and Kedzie because she says they were her favorite. The answer is an overwhelming “yes.” The first to answer was Brad O. who remembers them as being the best around. He tells us that people are still talking about them. Seems like there are an awful lot of people with fond memories of John and Tom and the great Greek food they served up.
Dick M. adds that the Chicago Lawn post office had their Christmas parties there for several years.
Recently we talked about Sharko’s East at 78th and Western. Den O. tells us he was at a New Year’s Eve party in the basement of the restaurant with a group from the Ashburn neighborhood. The party broke up around 1 or 2 in the morning. The next day, turning on the news, he learned that a fire had erupted at Sharko’s and the restaurant burned to the ground. He said, ‘I often wondered, if the fire had started earlier, would we have been able to get out?’ Now that is scary.
After reading our first question about Sharko’s East, Joe M is wondering if anyone remembers the diner across the street from Sharko’s?
Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor correspondent Kathy Headley can be reached at 773-776-7778.