National Night Out was a big success

By Peggy Zabicki

Your correspondent in West Lawn

3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327

Did you go to the National Night Out Against Crime event at West Lawn Park on Aug. 2? I wanted to go, but I couldn’t make it.

I had been wondering how it went. My friend, Fran, called to let me know that she attended the event. She said it was wonderful to see so many people there. Fran enjoyed seeing old friends and talking with many police from the Chicago Lawn (8^th) District. There were activities for kids, vendors and free snacks, too. What a fun way to show support for our police!

Events like this remind us there is strength in numbers. There are more law-abiding citizens than criminals.

Connect with our police by attending a CAPS meeting. The next CAPS meeting for Beats 823 and 825 is scheduled to take place Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. at the 8th District Police Station, 3420 W. 63rd St. Until recently the meetings were not held in person, but took place online. I was told to call the CAPS office at (312) 747-8724 on the day of the meeting just to be sure.

Have you seen the mural at Pasteur School, 5825 S. Kostner? This giant mural is painted on the side of the school. It was completed on July 3. The mural is entitled Children’s Dreams, Chicago’s Hope. The artists are Mateo Zapata and Osiel Meza.

I drove over to see it the other day. The mural is dedicated to victims of gun violence. It depicts not only the depressing sadness of crime, but also the light and hope that comes to us through our children. It is truly inspiring. I hope everyone gets a chance to see it.

The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St. continues to provide lots of activities for our neighborhood children. On Saturday, Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. the library will have an activity for kids ages 6 to 8 years old. It is called My First Book Club. The book Even Robots Aren’t Perfect by Jon Thomas will be read. You can pick up a copy at the library’s front desk.

On Sunday, Aug. 14 at 11 a.m. the library will have a preschool story time. There will be a fun-filled 30 minutes of stories, rhymes, songs and movement, plus arts and crafts especially for kids ages 3 to 5 and their parents. Call the library for more information at (312) 747-7381.

As you doubtless read in Bob Bong’s comings & Going column in last week’s edition of the Greater Southwest News-Herald, Mabenka Restaurant in Burbank—a longtime local favorite–will be closing their doors on Aug. 14. I have probably eaten a thousand of their pierogi over the last few decades. My hubby, Ro, usually ordered their amazingly thick pork chops. Where am I going to go for beet soup and hunter’s stew and cabbage rolls and Polish sausage and sauerkraut? I will miss Mabenka’s wonderful staff and wish them all well.

Speaking of restaurants, when was the last time you had a good bowl of chili? Ro and I were out and about and drove by the Lindy’s Chili and Gertie’s Ice Cream restaurant at 7600 S. Pulaski. We were hungry and decided to stop in.

Even though it was hot outside, it was nice and cool inside. We got bowls of chili. It had been a long time since we ate there; and I must say, I forgot how good their chili is. Not overly spicy and nice and thick. It is served with those little oyster crackers. We were so full we didn’t even get ice cream.

We’ll have to visit again soon. They still have the big comfy booths and lots of stuffed animals hanging from the ceiling. The staff is super friendly, too. I bet the students at Daley College are happy to have this South Side institution right across the street. Call for days and hours at (773) 582-2510.

Thank you for all your calls last week!