The next correspondent could be you

By Joan Hadac

GSWNH Columnist At-Large

This week, it’s my privilege and pleasure to write the Greater Southwest News-Herald’s column for Greater Ashburn (the Wrightwood, Ashburn, Parkview and Scottsdale neighborhoods).

Greater Ashburn has not had a correspondent in this newspaper since Carolina Franco stepped away from writing this column back in late 2019.

Anyway, the offer is still open to anyone in the community who wants to give this column a try.

You don’t need to be a trained journalist or anything like that at all. In fact, the large majority of neighborhood correspondents at this newspaper had no formal training.

Joan Hadac

We’re looking for a person who is 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 we’ll discuss things further.

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

• The Scottsdale Neighborhood Watch is hosting a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3 at Durkin School, 8445 S. Kolin, to discuss the coming construction at Durkin Park. As you know, the deal between the City Hall and the City of Joliet regarding the sale of Lake Michigan drinking water will affect Scottsdale—particularly Durkin Park. This is a 90-minute meeting you won’t want to miss, and thanks to the SNW for organizing it.
• A celebration of Black History Month is set for 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 at Hayes Park, 2936 W. 85^th St. Food will be served, and students from local schools will be in attendance. Thanks to 18^th Ward Ald. Derrick G. Curtis for hosting this, in conjunction with an alliance of black-owned businesses. This is a joyful and important event. If you want to attend, please call the aldermanic office at (773) 284-5057.
• With the pandemic appearing to ease up, CAPS meetings may possibly be returning to an in-person format. But for the immediate future, plans remain for them to be held remotely, via Zoom and in webinar format. If you live in Beat 835 (everything south of 75^th Street and east of Kedzie) you are invited to a meeting set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23. The access link to join (best to log in at about 6:55 p.m.) is us02web.zoom.us/j/84887606174. The monthly meeting for Beat 834 (everything west of Kedzie) is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3. The access link is us02web.zoom.us/j/87547187912. For details, call the Chicago Lawn (8^th) District CAPS Office at (312) 747-8724.
• Are you interested in getting more involved in your local public school? You may want to explore serving on a Local School Council. To learn more and apply, visit cps.edu/lsc. The typical LSC includes teachers, parents of current students and residents of the community. You have until March 4 to fill out your application and present it (with two forms of ID) to the front office of the school where you hope to serve. LSC elections are scheduled for April 20 for grade schools, April 21 for high schools. My thanks to Stevenson School for sharing this important information.
• Well, that’s it for now. I’ve worked up an appetite, so I may head over to Angie’s Sports Bar & Pizzeria, 8352 S. Pulaski, to try their chicken, bacon and ranch wrap. Or the turkey club. Or one of my favorites, the patty melt. Robbie Corso and crew run a great little place with delicious pizza and much more. Please try Angie’s if you haven’t!
• Well folks, stay safe and enjoy the month. If you’d like to be the next Greater Ashburn columnist, please send an email to [email protected] swnewsherald.com.