Thank you, Karen Sala

By Joan Hadac

GSWNH Columnist At-Large

As we all know, longtime Gage Park correspondent Karen Sala has decided to conclude her time with this column.

Like every Greater Southwest News-Herald correspondent, Karen made the neighborhoods she served a better place. Thank you, Karen!

That said, the search now begins for a new Gage Park correspondent. The paper is looking for a person active in the community, is naturally curious and enjoys writing and passing along news—nothing big or earth-shattering, but rather the smaller stuff.

You know, the kind of news that won’t make the front page, but which is just as important, in its own way, as the big stuff: birthdays, anniversaries, birth announcements, engagements and weddings—plus news tidbits from our local schools, libraries, parks, churches, Scout troops, Little Leagues, senior citizen clubs, veterans’ posts, small businesses and such.

If you want to give it a try, send an email to [email protected] swnewsherald.com and the editor will respond and discuss things further.

In the meantime, here are a few bits of news from the neighborhood this week.

• Even though it’s barely February, this is the time to sign up your sons and daughters for baseball and softball.

The folks at Gage Park Baseball & Softball will host their first registration from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 at Gage Park, 2415 W. 55^th St.

At the same time, they will host winter workouts for kids age 14 and up.

All prospective players and their parents must show proof of vaccination in order to go into the field house, according to Chicago Park District regulations.

For details on the upcoming season, send an email to [email protected] or call/text Fonze Medina at (312) 330-3784.

• I see that the good folks at the Acero Schools have just finished celebrating National School Choice Week.

Acero has about 15 tuition-free public charter schools in the city. Here in Gage Park, they have Soto High School, 5025 S. St. Louis; Idár Elementary, 5050 S. Homan; and Tamayo Elementary, 5135 S. California. Acero also has nearby schools in Brighton Park and Archer Heights.

To learn about enrolling your child for the 2022-23 school year, visit aceroschools.org.

• Last I checked, there are still eight spots remaining if you want to take part in Family Game Night/Lotería at the Gage Park Branch Library, 2807 W. 55^th St.

Game Night is set for 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8. The activity is suitable for all ages, and there is no admission charge. For details, call Pedro Leon at (312) 747-0032.

• If you live in ZIP code 60632 (or 60608, 60609 or 60623), you and your family are offered a membership at no charge this year at the Rauner Family YMCA, 2700 S. Western.

Additionally, people living in those ZIP codes may enjoy complimentary use of all 13 of the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s local Y centers across the city and suburbs.

To find out how you may join, call (312) 667-7911 or come into the center and speak with a customer service representative.

• I see from the Chicago Park District website that there are still a few openings in the Mexican folkloric dance class at Gage Park, 2415 W. 55^th St.

Class is in session from 6:30 to 8 p.m. weekdays now to March 18. There is no tuition charged, and classes are for boys and girls ages 5-12. For details, stop by the field house or call (312) 747-6147.

• Looking for a Valentine’s Day gift to “wow” your sweetheart? Look no further than Sara’s Sweet Studio. Check out the company’s Facebook page and see what owner Sara Leung has available. I’d post a photo here, but you really must see her creations in color. Personally, I like the Sweet Heart Box Option 6, but the other five look tempting, as well!
• If you’re a Gage Parker keeping your walk and steps shoveled and salted, thank you! By doing that, you’re helping your neighbors, not to mention Postal Service workers, delivery drivers, home healthcare workers and others.

If you live in the 15^th Ward, you may even call Ald. Raymond Lopez’s office at (773) 823-1539 to ask for assistance. As best they can, they’ve been helping senior citizens and people with disabilities shovel out of the snow.

• Well, this week’s column was much longer than usual. I worked up a bit of an appetite pulling it together, so I’m going to order dinner from Hong Kong Restaurant, 2757 W. 55^th St. I’ll probably order the Egg Foo Young. My younger daughter will go for the Pad Thai, and my husband usually can’t decide between orange chicken and sesame chicken.

Hong Kong Restaurant has been here in Gage Park since 1965. It’s a very nice, family-run business. Check them out at hongkongchi.com; and if you order delivery, please order directly from the restaurant to help them keep profits reasonable and enable them to avoid paying fees to third-party delivery services.

• Well folks, stay safe and enjoy the month. If you’d like to be the next Gage Park columnist, please send an email to [email protected] swnewsherald.com.