Brain on the wane after sun-soaked Sox game

By Peggy Zabicki

Your correspondent in West Lawn

3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327

As most of you know, today is National Orange Chicken Day. How do you all celebrate this popular holiday? My family gathers around a chicken and we sing orange chicken carols. Then we exchange chicken gifts. Usually, one of us gets drunk and then we argue and debate over which one of us is the prettiest. We celebrate all important holidays this way.

I’m kidding. I’m also sunburned, and I think this has affected my ability to think rationally. My brain got cooked. Hubby and I went to a Sox game recently to celebrate his 73rd birthday, and the sun was intense. We got baked.

Anyhoo, it really is National Orange Chicken Day. This dish is purely American and has no Chinese origins. Most Chinese restaurants have it on the menu because the owners are smart enough to know that everyone loves it.

Ro and I usually go to a Chinese restaurant outside of our neighborhood. I would love the convenience of going to Panda Express just minutes from our house at 6501 S. Cicero, but for years they have been causing major traffic problems.

Their entrance is on Cicero; and because of design flaws in their drive-thru and parking lot, drivers attempting to enter the drive-thru must sit in their cars on Cicero Avenue, blocking the entire right lane. Other drivers must veer around and merge left. I have seen so many near crashes, especially during rush hour.

I’ve reported this problem in previous columns, I’ve called Panda Express, written to their corporate offices, and filled out online forms with no success at all. So, I never go there. If they ever take some responsibility and correct the problem, I will be the first in line (in the drive-thru).

In the meantime, I travel out of West Lawn for orange chicken or I make my own. I have a pretty good recipe. Let me know if you’d like the recipe. I’d be happy to share it.

Here’s some good news. Thirteenth Ward Ald. Marty Quinn responded to the problem of drag racers driving their cars in the parking lot at 71st and Pulaski. The residents living near the lot no longer have to listen to these lawbreakers racing around and making noise all night.

Alderman Quinn oversaw the construction of permanent barriers that block drivers from entering the lot after hours. The drivers still race down Pulaski on their way to parking lots further north. In more than one instance, they caused damage to private property.

A community clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, July 16 at West Lawn Park. If you would like to help out, meet at the corner of Marquette and Kildare at 9 a.m. All supplies will be provided. This will be a fun family activity. What child wouldn’t want to get up early on a Saturday morning and pick up trash with Mom and Dad? Help make a difference and get some exercise at the same time.

Universidad Popular, 3701 W. 60th St., is now offering basic computer classes for all ages. Classes will take place on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Call (773) 352-8494 for more information. I’ve visited Universidad Popular a few times. It is really nice inside. If you take the classes, let me know about it.

Calling all teens. The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St., will be presenting a program called Wind Down Arcade. Teenagers are invited to hang out, relax and play a variety of video games using the Nintendo Switch game system. Games include Super Smash Brothers Ultimate and Mario Kart. This takes place on Thursdays, July 14 and 21 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Call for more information at (312) 747-7381.

The library also invites teens to stop by on Thursday, July 21 from 3 to 4 p.m. to play Uno. Teens can play or just hang out and watch the games.

The marvelous Calvary Lutheran Church Seniors would like to wish a very happy July birthday to Katie G. May the dear Lord bless you on your birthday and every day in the coming year.