Santa’s sleigh coming soon to West Lawn

By Peggy Zabicki

Your correspondent in West Lawn

3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable Christmas season.

Here’s something that will make the season even more enjoyable. The West Lawn Neighborhood Watch is having its Second Annual Santa’s Adventure Through West Lawn. This will take place on from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19. Santa will ride his sleigh throughout our neighborhood.

His sleigh is so big, the planned route cannot include every single street; but he will be visiting as many streets as possible. If you see Santa on his sleigh, call your friends and neighbors so that they might hurry over to see him. Thank you to AA Restoration Company and Crossfit Warehouse for providing the sleigh vehicle. Ho Ho Ho!

Are you looking for some tasty last-minute Christmas gifts? I suggest shopping at Villas Nuts and Candy, 4635 W. 63rd St. They specialize in homemade, chocolate-covered strawberries and nuts, candy apples, caramel corn and so much more. Villas Nuts and Candy is open from noon to 6 p.m. every day except Sunday and Monday. Call them at (773) 581-8313.

Soon, the kiddies will be on Christmas vacation. How about taking them to Lawn Lanes, 6750 S. Pulaski, for an afternoon of bowling? Their holiday hours are noon to midnight Christmas Day, noon to 8 p.m. New Year’s Eve, and noon to midnight New Year’s Day. They will be closed on Christmas Eve. Call for more information at (773) 582-2525.

Thank you to the Chicago Lawn (8^th) District Police for continuing to serve and protect us. A special thanks goes to Officers Tracy and Sepulveda for collecting toys for the Chicago Police Toys For Tots drive. Your efforts make a big difference in the lives of children in Chicago.

Thank you to neighbor Eddie Guillen and all the West Lawn residents who have been restocking the Love Fridge at 66th and Pulaski. These generous food contributions help to make the Christmas season better and brighter for so many people in our neighborhood. The Love Fridge is always open. Take what you need.

The next senior citizen meeting will take place at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 17 at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski. These monthly meetings give seniors a chance to meet with 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn and learn about what is happening in West Lawn. Feel free to bring a friend. Call Barb at (773) 581-1313 for more information and to be placed on the mailing list for a monthly reminder.

Congratulations to Palermo’s Restaurant, 3751 W. 63rd St., on the occasion of their 60^th anniversary. Longtime owner Frank Caldarone recently accepted a City Council resolution of congratulations from 23^rd Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares.

Palermo’s has Sicilian style pizza, pastas, salads, appetizers and tasty sandwiches, beef, chicken, ribs and shrimp entrees and so much more. I suggest a Palermo’s gift certificate for those special people on your Christmas gift list. Call them at (773) 585-5002. I could go for one of their Italian beef sandwiches right about now!

Here’s something funny. I was driving down Central Park Avenue near 60th Place and saw three chickens running ahead of me. A neighbor told me she saw a goat at 59^th and Central Park. I guess we’re living in a farm community now!

Speaking of Central Park Avenue, when are the viaducts getting repaired and painted? Many months ago I saw that the viaduct at 59th and Central Park had finally been painted; however, the rest of the viaducts from 60th Street to 63rd Street have been neglected. These viaducts look disgusting and make our neighborhood look shabby. I hope our local politicians will put some time and effort into seeing that these crumbling eyesores are repaired.

I am thankful for all the sparkling Christmas decorations that residents put on their houses. This helps to make our neighborhood look beautiful.

I am taking some time to express gratitude during this Christmas season. I am grateful that all my Kentucky cousins are safe after the devastating tornadoes last week.

I am thankful for my friend, Pat, who lives just a few blocks from me. She is a constant voice of happiness and encouragement for me.

I am grateful for my friend, Jennifer, and her beautiful children, Layla and Tommy. These children have brought me so many laughs and fun during the Christmas season.

I am grateful for my brother, Steve, who reads this column faithfully every week. Steve and I keep in touch on the phone almost every Saturday night while we watch the Lawrence Welk show on TV. It reminds us of when we were children sitting around the TV long ago with our mom and dad and siblings.

I am very humbled and grateful for all you neighbors and friends who read my column and for all your kind messages you send me. Thank you.