Kathy Headley

Kathy Headley

Preserve the park, preserve the planet

Spread the love

By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

Last week we talked a bit about Earth Day plans in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor. Today let’s add another. This time it’s an opportunity to beautify the centerpiece of our neighborhoods: Marquette Park.

For more than 30 years, Friends of the Parks has been coordinating annual Earth Day spruce-ups, and this year is no different. In partnership with the Chicago Park District and Forest Preserves of Cook County, Friends of the Parks will provide the supplies needed for volunteers. All ages are welcome to join from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 23. Register to help rid the park of winter’s debris at fotp.org/earth-day.htm. Contact Site Captain Sandra Castillo at sca652@yahoo.com with any questions.

I really like this year’s theme: Invest in our Parks, Preserves, Planet; along with the slogan “Go all in to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for our parks.”

kathyheadley2021

Kathy Headley

Alicia Espinosa from the Greater Southwest Development Corp is still collecting bottle caps for the planned mural at 63rd and Kedzie. Bottle caps of all kinds, as long as they are round and made from plastic, are needed. Caps can be dropped off at GSDC, 2601 W. 63rd St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. If you have questions call Alicia at (773) 436-1000.

Also in connection with Earth Day, St. Rita of Cascia Parish and St. Clare Chapel are still pursuing their goal of planting as many trees as possible in the neighborhood. You can request a tree to be planted in front of your house as long as you promise to keep it watered and live within the parish boundaries of Western to Kedzie, 55th to 67th Streets. If you would like to find out more or if you’d like to sponsor a tree, call the parish office at (773) 434-9600.

For the last several years, with the exception of the pandemic years, St. Rita Parish has offered couples that were married civilly or are living in a free union, the opportunity to be a part of a community wedding and have their union be blessed in the Catholic Church. The parish is offering formation and preparation for this year’s event, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 8. The last day to register is Tuesday, May 3. To register or get more information, stop by the parish office at 6243 S. Fairfield or call (773) 434-9600.

Does your child have a hobby they would like to turn into a business? Jeanette Arteaga is holding a “kidpreneur” pop-up at the Monarca Event Room, 3300 W. 63rd St. This fun event will feature food, raffles, music and more. It is coming up on from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 6. To register your child, go to forms.gle/zkcZusxHwKshwURN8.

Remember, the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie, offers Yoga in the Library on Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Stretch, meditate and relax. Classes are provided by Esperanza Health Center and are great for beginners. Registration is required. Call (312) 747-0639.

Also please note the library will be closed this Sunday, April 17.

Before we return to 1992, let’s make note of the fact that the Chicago White Sox home opener was this week. I mention that because 30 years ago, a couple of our local high schools were continuing a nine-year tradition of walking to Comiskey Park. Sound familiar to anyone?

St. Rita students were once again participating in a pledge drive which culminated every year with the students walking to the home opener. To be eligible to walk, students had to raise at least $50 in pledges. Proceeds helped to keep down tuition. The first 700 turning in their pledges received free tickets to the game, and the top two sellers received free limousine service to their prom. Joining the Ritamen this year were students from both Maria and Lourdes High Schools.

Last week when we visited 1992, we were stopping at a popular local restaurant that was celebrating its sixth anniversary. Miami Joe was the first to recognize T. J. Michaels at 5931 S. Kedzie. He tells us he ate there quite often. Let’s take a look at one of their breakfast specials: three eggs, sausage, hash browns and toast for $1.99!

Now, speaking of specials 30 years ago, and being that we must prepare for Easter dinner, let’s choose a place to go out so Mom doesn’t have to cook. Two special ads caught my attention. One was giving away free chocolate Easter rabbits to every child with their Easter dinner. It was then located at 3300 W. 55th St. The other was offering a special Easter Brunch for just $6.95 a person and was at 3321 W. Columbus. What do you think? Can you guess where we might go?

Welcome back to Miami Joe, who has just returned from a visit to his son in Florida.

A very happy Easter to all of you.

Local News

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

Neighbors

Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance

Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance

By HANNAH MEISEL & DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear the case of actor Jussie Smollett, who was convicted for staging a hate crime against him in 2019 in a case that drew criticism for Cook County’s top prosecutor. Smollett made what turned out to be…

Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds

Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds

By PETER HANCOCK  Capitol News Illinois  phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com  SPRINGFIELD – Illinois continues to suffer from a shortage of teachers and other education professionals, although recent efforts by the state to ease the strain have made an impact.  That’s according to the latest annual survey of school officials from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools,…

Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal

Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal

COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Two bills that would regulate battery disposal and storage are awaiting action from the full Illinois Senate after unanimous committee approval.   Senate Bill 3481, sponsored by Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, would require facilities that store electric vehicle batteries to register with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency…

Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate

Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com The longtime chair and a relatively new member of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board have resigned, Gov. JB Pritzker’s office announced Monday. The governor’s office announced the pair’s resignations within hours of each other nearly two weeks after Crosetti Brand was released from Stateville Correctional Center. Brand is…

Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify

Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify

By ALEX ABBEDUTO   Capitol News Illinois  abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com  The night before Rebecca Hooks started at the Illinois State Police Academy in 2002, she spoke on the phone with her father and her brother – both of whom worked in law enforcement.  Her father encouraged her, telling her she was strong and could get through the…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

Capitol Briefs: Insurance reforms advance as Pritzker announces California trip

Capitol Briefs: Insurance reforms advance as Pritzker announces California trip

By PETER HANCOCK, JENNIFER FULLER & ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposal for sweeping reforms in the state’s health insurance industry passed out of a committee Thursday and will soon make its way to the full House for consideration. Pritzker first outlined the proposal in his State of the…