Thank you, Ald. Silvana Tabares
By Peggy Zabicki
Your correspondent in West Lawn
3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327
As a resident of the 23rd Ward, I often feel a bit isolated. Most people in the 23rd Ward live in the Garfield Ridge and Clearing neighborhoods, north and west of the airport.
It was that way for decades, until just after the 2010 Census, when ward boundaries were redrawn and (against the wishes of then-23rd Ward Ald. Michael R. Zalewski) a lot of precincts east of Midway were tacked onto the 23rd Ward.
As a West Lawn resident, I live too far away to walk to the 23rd Ward’s main office at 6247 S. Archer. I have to drive or take two buses. Those of us in West Lawn, especially those living east of Pulaski, are actually closer to the 13th Ward office than the 23rd Ward office.
This problem created by the politicians who re-drew the ward boundaries made us feel disconnected until last week, when 23rd Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares opened a second office at 63rd and Pulaski. I can actually walk to her new office.
I went to the grand opening of her new office last Saturday. It was fun seeing my neighbors, talking with Silvana and looking at all the amazing artwork decorating the walls of her new office. I met some of the artists. Most of them are local residents.
Visit the new office at 3954 W. 63rd St. Call (773) 582-4444 for office hours. Let me know what you think of all the artwork. Thank you, Alderman Tabares, for all you do!
There was another grand opening last week. A new skateboard shop called Prosper Skateshop opened its doors. Prosper is located at 6050 S. Pulaski.
I met the owner and longtime West Lawn resident, Homer. He is friendly and knowledgeable. His store has a huge collection of skateboards and accessories for everyone from beginner to advanced level. Homer also does skateboard repairs.
I remember when my oldest son used to skateboard. He encouraged me to get on his board and try it. There was a lot of screaming involved, as I recall. I did not inherit a skateboard gene. My youngest son, Joe, also liked skateboarding. He used to go to the old skateboard area at West Lawn Park. It has since been torn down. Such a shame. There were so many youngsters who loved that skateboard area.
Prosper Skateshop owner Homer is now working with 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn on opening up a new skateboard area in West Lawn Park. They have a design completed. An empty location in the park where the old batting cage used to be has been selected for a new skateboard area. I hope they can make this happen. Our young people need something to do at West Lawn Park.
In the meantime, call Prosper Skateshop for store hours and information at (773) 277-0950. Even if you don’t skateboard, perhaps you have a young person in your life that would like a skateboard gift. One of my grandsons is now skateboarding!
The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St., has lots of activities for teens this summer. I mentioned a few last week. On Thursday, July 28 from 4 to 5 p.m. the library will host a manga and anime discussion group about these Japanese print and animated cartoons, which are so popular with young people.
On Monday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m., the library will present a workshop for adults covering basic principles of personal finances. This event will go over how to get started in investing and what you need to know about it. Call the library for more information at (312) 747-7381.
St. Nicholas of Tolentine School, 3741 W. 62nd St., will be showing the movie Sing 2 on Thursday July 28 at 8:30 p.m. All are invited to this free family event. They will even have free popcorn. The movie will be shown outside in the church courtyard.
The CAPS meeting for Beats 813 and 833 is set for Tuesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at West Lawn Park, 4233 W. 65th St.
Ald. Marty Quinn will meet with neighborhood seniors at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski, on Friday, July 29 at 9 a.m. Seating is limited. Call Barb before July 26 at (773) 581-1313 to register.
Thank you for your calls and texts last week!
1 Comment
Local News
Twisted Shamrock hosts Masters-inspired fun
Spread the love. The drive from Chicago to Augusta, Ga. (home of the 2024 Masters professional golf tournament) is more than 800 miles, but those unwilling to make the trek recently had the option of simply heading over to Twisted Shamrock Pub, 6462 S. Central, for some Masters-inspired fun on Sunday, April 14. Both golfers…
St. Laurence grad Brett Buzzelli hurling for Carroll
Spread the loveBy Mike Walsh Correspondent Carroll University senior right-hander Brett Buzzelli has been named the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin’s Pitcher of the Week for April 8. Buzzelli was the winning pitcher in an 8-3 victory over visiting Elmhurst University in Game 1 of a CCIW doubleheader. The St. Laurence graduate tossed seven…
Fire II wins, draws
Spread the loveBy Jef Vorva Correspondent The Chicago Fire FC II earned its first regulation victory of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season in a 2-0 clean sheet against Crown Legacy April 10 at SeatGeek Stadium. Defender Diego Konincks and captain David Poreba scored goals for the Fire. On April 14, the team had a…
Red Stars sans Swanson fall to Angel City
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Playing without scoring star Mallory Swanson, who was nursing a hip injury, the Chicago Red Stars lost for the first time this season, dropping a 1-0 decision April 13 to Angel City in front of an announced crowd of 3,168 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Angel City (1-2-1) started…
Hunt man who tried to rob Chase Bank
Spread the love. FBI looking for tips from public . From staff reports FBI officials are appealing to the public for help in finding a man who attempted to rob a Southwest Side bank branch. The bandit tried to rob the Chase Bank branch at 5687 S. Archer (just west of Laramie) at about 11…
Chicago Red Stars and Bay FC to play at Wrigley Field
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Chicago Red Stars forward Ally Schlegel loves Wrigley Field. “I adored Wrigley the second I went to my first Cubs game,” Schlegel said. “I fell in love with it thinking it was the perfect sporting experience with how they built it up down there.” She will go from a…
Trinity Christian College names new hoops coaches
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Trinity Christian officials were busy on April 11 ushering in new eras for its basketball programs. Trolls Athletic Director Wendy Reid announced that Jordan Mast is taking over the men’s basketball program, while Jasmine Porter has been named women’s hoops coach. Mast comes to the school in Palos Heights…
Reavis baseball coach and Hall of Famer Don Erickson to retire after season
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent A deal is a deal. Longtime Reavis baseball coach Don Erickson has said he would retire after his son, Sam, graduates from high school, so he can watch Sam play in college. Erickson doesn’t get to many of his son’s high school games because Sam plays at Downers Grove…
Stickney Public Health confirms measles case in Bedford Park
Spread the loveFrom staff reports The Stickney Public Health District has confirmed that a person with measles related to the ongoing situation in the City of Chicago was at the Walmart Supercenter at 7050 S. Cicero Ave. in Bedford Park on Friday, March 22, roughly between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m. Anybody who…
Moraine Valley Speech and Debate Team headed to nationals to defend title
Spread the loveWhen the Moraine Valley Community College Speech and Debate Team heads to the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament in Reno, Nevada, for nine days this month, they’ll have a target on their back as incoming consecutive champions. But they’re ready. “Last year’s team was amazing. Everyone was on their A game. This year…
Neighbors
Advocates renew push to tighten firearm laws aimed at protecting domestic violence victims
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Advocates for stricter gun laws rallied at the state Capitol Tuesday for a measure aimed at protecting domestic violence victims and two other criminal justice reforms. The bills are backed by organizations such as Moms Demand Action and One Aim Illinois among others. “These policies support…
Komatsu mining truck named 2024 ‘coolest thing made in Illinois’
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A mining truck manufactured by Komatsu was crowned the winner of the 2024 “Makers Madness” contest, earning the title of “the coolest thing made in Illinois” at the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday. The truck was one of more than 200 entries in the 5th annual contest hosted…
Capitol Briefs: Pritzker appoints first-ever Prisoner Review Board director; Chicago advances migrant funding
By JERRY NOWICKI & DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com Weeks after two high-profile resignations at the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday appointed the first-ever executive director to help lead the beleaguered agency. To fill the newly created position, the governor tapped Jim Montgomery, who most recently served as director of…
INVESTIGATE MIDWEST: Farmers have clamored for the Right to Repair for years. It’s getting little traction in John Deere’s home state
By Jennifer Bamberg, Investigate Midwest, Investigate Midwest Originally published April 10, 2024 During the 2023 harvest season, one of Jake Lieb’s tractors quit working. A week later, his combine stopped working, too. Both were new — and he was locked out from making any repairs himself because of software restrictions embedded in the machines. Instead,…
Illinois Senate advances changes to state’s biometric privacy law after business groups split
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – It’s been more than a year since the Illinois Supreme Court “respectfully suggest(ed)” state lawmakers clarify a law that’s led to several multi-million-dollar settlements with tech companies over the collection of Illinoisans’ biometric data. On Thursday, a bipartisan majority in the Illinois Senate did just that,…
Capitol Briefs: Bill creating new early childhood agency among 244 to advance
By ALEX ABBEDUTO HANNAH MEISEL & COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan to create a new state agency to oversee Illinois’ various early childhood programs moved forward on Friday after the state Senate’s unanimous approval. It was one of 244 bills that cleared the Senate this week. Early childhood…
Lawmakers, cannabis industry calls for ban on ‘delta-8’ and other psychoactive hemp products
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ largest cannabis business association is pushing to ban the sale of delta-8 THC, an increasingly popular psychoactive substance that’s popped up in corner stores across the country in recent years. New legislation filed in Springfield this week revives an ongoing debate over delta-8 and other…
As state continues to inventory lead pipes, full replacement deadlines are decades away
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com Lead pipes in public water systems and drinking fixtures have been banned in new construction since 1986, when Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, but they are still in use across the U.S. and in Illinois. The presence of lead pipes has persisted due in part to…
Illinois Senate advances changes to state’s biometric privacy law after business groups split
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – It’s been more than a year since the Illinois Supreme Court “respectfully suggest(ed)” state lawmakers clarify a law that’s led to several multi-million-dollar settlements with tech companies over the collection of Illinoisans’ biometric data. On Thursday, a bipartisan majority in the Illinois Senate did just that,…
Giannoulias calls for disclosure of lobbyist contracts
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – For decades, lobbyists in the Illinois Statehouse have been required to report how much they spend wining, dining and entertaining lawmakers. Currently, though, there is no law requiring lobbyists to disclose how much they are paid by corporations, industry groups or other special interest organizations.. That…
Good morning Peggy ????. First time I come across with your editorial and I found it very interesting it’s good to know all this news to keep informed about the West Lawn area. My parents used to live on 63rd and St. Louis for a long time and so did I. I’m so glad nice and family oriented new business are opening. Keep up giving us news.