Joan Hadac

Joan Hadac

Time for Grandma to smile again

Spread the love

By Joan Hadac

Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge

(708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com

As sad as my columns were for the last two weeks (if you missed them, they’re posted at southwestregionalpublishing.com), it’s that much of a relief to write about something joyful.

Something wonderful is happening to me next week. My grandsons are coming to town!

This is the one “vacation” I look forward to all year long. Since my older daughter, son-in-law and their four boys live out of state, I only see them in person once, maybe twice a year.

joanhadac

Joan Hadac

The rest of the time it’s over Facebook, but that’s not the same. Hugging a computer screen is not the same as hugging the kids in person. (I don’t hug the screen, but I’m tempted.) I want to hug the stuffing out of them, but the boys get a look on their face like, “OK, Grandma, that’s enough for now.”

My four grandsons are 7, 4, 3 and 11 months. The three youngest are having birthdays soon. I can only wish them happy birthday electronically and get a little depressed. I miss them when they are not here, but I try to be a part of their lives. That’s why when they are here, we have a schedule of things to do—yes, a schedule. There’s so much to do in the neighborhood, city and wider area. We want them to experience Chicago.

Timing is a dance when they visit, because Grandma and Grandpa want to take them here, there and everywhere. We also want to give my daughter and her husband time to visit friends and family in the area. I hand over my car keys (I have a minivan that holds four car seats and two adults) and let them meander at will.

So, if you don’t hear from me next week, don’t be alarmed. I’m with my grandsons and watching them have the time of their lives. If your grandkids live far away, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you have the luxury of having your grandchildren nearby, please feel fortunate and give them an extra hug.

Gospel good news

It’s always a good day when I hear from Pastor Julio Pena over at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 5550 S. Merrimac.

Pastor Julio tells me that a community prayer vigil is held at the church at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. People of all faiths are welcome to the prayer vigil, and you do not have to a member of or attend Good Shepherd.

Prayers center on the church, community, families, youth, children, world issues and our own private prayers.

School age-children can spend time Walking with Jesus during Good Shepherd’s Vacation Bible School, happening from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, Aug. 8 through Aug. 12. The week-long event will feature games, arts and crafts, music, Bible study and a simple meal each night. Registration is required for each participant and parents who would like to volunteer are welcome.

There are more Good Shepherd community events coming your way starting in September, such as The Spirit of Love Community Youth Group, an open house with a chance to tour the church and meet with Pastor Julio, the church becoming a safe haven for those who need it and a mental health program. I’ll give you details in the following weeks.

To register for programs or for more information, call Good Shepherd at (773) 585-1094 or email gspc5550@aol.com.

Here’s a gentle reminder that we have our very own farmers market sponsored by the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce. It happens every Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Mayfield Banquets, 6072 S. Archer. See what food and other goodies are available. Thanks to the chamber for sponsoring this event.

As always, I invite you to send me your news, whether it be a birthday, anniversary, graduation, birth of a child or grandchild, a wedding or anything important to you and your family.

Until next week, take care.

Local News

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi

Kaegi hosts webinars on affordable housing

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom staff reports The Cook County Assessor’s Office has announced dates for its upcoming informational webinars about a new affordable housing property tax incentive. Created by state statute, the Affordable Housing Special Assessment Program provides property tax relief to incentivize the creation, rehabilitation and maintenance of affordable housing units in Cook County. While…

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle

County offers help with water bills for people in poverty

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom staff reports A new program to assist low-income residents with water utility bills has been announced by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County. Funded with dollars provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, the Low-income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides financial…

The late CPD Officer Ella French. --Supplied photo

St. Patrick’s Day parade dedicated to Officer Ella French

Spread the love

Spread the loveHeroism, sacrifice to be honored By Tim Hadac A 29-year-old woman remembered as a hero and martyr among many—in Chicago and elsewhere—will be saluted at the Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day parade, set for Saturday, March 12. The late Chicago Police Officer Ella French, shot to death during a traffic stop near 63rd…

CRRNH_EagleScoutCongrats_022322

Eight years later, an Eagle takes flight

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. I want to tell you about the eight-year journey of one young man, which started in fourth grade at Kinzie School and ended just recently. His journey took him from Cub Scout Pack 3625 at Kinzie School through…

CRRNH_StDanSpiritDay_022322

A crazy fun day

Spread the love

Spread the love Dahlia Walkosz and Olivia Lopez, fifth graders at St. Daniel the Prophet School, were among many having fun during Crazy Hat Day–part of St. Dan’s efforts to promote good spirit during this year’s Catholic Schools Week. Parents looking for a school for their children for the 2022-23 school year are invited to…

Amelia Garcia

Naz teacher earns Golden Apple nomination

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom staff reports A teacher at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park has been named a Golden Apple Award Finalist for Excellence in Teaching. Amelia García is one of just 30 finalists for the prestigious award. Hundreds of high school teachers across the state were nominated. Winners will be announced this spring—surprised individually…

State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr.

Pandemic relief funds available for business, Gonzalez says

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom staff reports State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. (D-21st) is calling attention to a new round of Back to Business grants available to local businesses dealing with financial hardship related to the pandemic. “For years now, the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for small business owners throughout Illinois, but they have largely…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound February 23, 2022

Spread the love

Spread the love

Chris Petrucelli is the new Red Stars coach. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Red Stars)

New Red Stars coach wants to bring ‘joy and positivity’

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff writer The Chicago Red Stars have found their new coach. The team announced February 18 that Chris Petrucelli will replace Rory Dames, who resigned a day after the 2021 NWSL championship game. Dames has since been the subject of national stories regarding his alleged abuse of players both on…

De La Salle senior DaJuan Bates launches a shot against Marian Catholic on Friday. He finished with 33 points in the upset blowout win over the Spartans. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Upset Specials: De La Salle girls crowned regional champs; Meteors boys shock Marian Catholic

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer It was quite a 24-hours for De La Salle’s basketball teams. And it started out wrong. So wrong. On a snowy night when some area games were canceled because of a winter storm, the Meteors’ girls squad made the trek to Burbank to take on host St. Laurence…

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…