Kathy Headley

Kathy Headley

Something smells at 62nd and Washtenaw

Spread the love

.

.

By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

From time to time I’ll mention something I’ve caught on the downtown TV news that I know won’t make the front page here, but I think you’ll be interested in, since it has a connection to our neighborhood.

That being said, watching the news on a recent evening, as they were giving us a hint on what will be in the next segment, a picture comes up of Fairfield Academy (the former St. Rita Grammar School) with emergency vehicles surrounding the 62nd and Washtenaw entrance! Did you see it?

My daughter texted me, as she is an alumna of St. Rita. She also saw the photo of her old school on the news. We both waited anxiously, through commercials, the sports highlights and more commercials.

kathyheadley2021

Kathy Headley

Finally the story comes on. Geez, according to the report, “A student set off a stink bomb in one of the classrooms.” Remember those? I didn’t even know they made stink bombs anymore.

So if you didn’t see that segment, it was determined that the spray was non-toxic and the five ambulances they dispatched were unnecessary. However, it was good to see how seriously they took the situation, and how necessary they felt the emergency responders were.

As a precautionary measure the report said they did transport a child who has asthma to Holy Cross to make sure. I’m glad the kids are fine and thankful it turned out to be a childish prank, as opposed to any number of horrible things that have gone on at schools in the country the last few years. But it was surprising to see a stink bomb make the 10 p.m. news.

Coming up this Saturday, March 25, the Sand Ridge Nature Center and Forest Preserve District of Cook County will be holding an open music jam at the Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, corner of 87th and Western, at 11 a.m. Bring your instrument and create music with the community. All instruments and music types are welcome.

As I mentioned recently, Archbishop Lionginas Virbalas is visiting Lithuanian communities in the United States and coming here to Nativity BVM this Saturday, March 25, for recollections at 3 p.m. and Mass at 4 p.m. Then this Sunday, March 26, he will celebrate the 11 a.m. Mass, followed by a dinner in the parish hall. For more information, call the rectory at (773) 776-4600.

Coming up on Tuesday, March 28, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office has made a date to come to the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie, for seniors that would like to renew their Illinois State Identification card and driver’s license. For those of you who showed up last time only to find out they were a no-show, I double-checked. The bosses at the Center did the same, so we should be able to expect them for sure this time. Timing on the event is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Senior Center is devoting the rest of the week to driving, beginning with the Illinois Secretary of State Rules of the Road on Wednesday, March 29 at 10 a.m. And then the following two days, Thursday and Friday, March 30 and 31, with the AARP Driving Safety Class at 9 a.m. For more information on any of the events, call the Center at (312) 747-0440.

Greater Southwest Development Corporation has announced that Churchview Supportive Living Apartments, 2626 W. 63rd St., will be undergoing a tenant in-place rehab updating all major mechanicals and refreshing all senior apartments. The opening ceremony will be Wednesday, March 29 at 11 a.m.

Coming up on Palm Sunday, April 2, Nativity BVM Parish will host an Easter-themed painting class for people of all ages and abilities, with Ieva Bagdonas. The event will take place in the parish hall after 11 a.m. Mass. For reservations or more information, call Ieva at (708) 288-2067.

Tickets are now on sale for the annual Augustinian Gala which will take place at The Drake Hotel on Friday, April 21. The 2023 Honorees are Rev. John Sotak OSA, Peggy and Matt Coughlin, The Augustinian Contemplative Nuns of Good Counsel Monastery and The Augustinian Sisters of St. Rita. For tickets, donations, sponsorships and additional information visit augustiniangala.org.

For those that attended St. Thomas More Grammar School, you may remember Sister Virginia Kinsella (Angelique), who recently passed away at the age of 83. A member of the Sinsinawa Dominicans, Sister taught at the school in the mid-1980s.

Now let’s return to 1973. When last we met, we were visiting Water Wonderland Pet Center, billed as the area’s largest seller of tropical fish. Jim D. remembered it well. He said, “Once you mentioned walking into the front door and everything was black except for the glow of all the aquariums, I knew it was the shop on 63rd and Mozart. It was fun to go in and just look around. It was so big, it was like it was never-ending to a kid.”

Yep, it sure was big, taking up several storefronts as I recall. As long as we are almost to California Avenue, how about we go a little further east to 63rd and Campbell and pick up a small party tray? They are so good. Remember where we are going?

2 Comments

  1. Mary Clancy on April 3, 2023 at 12:21 pm

    Hi Kathy,

    Did you not have a column this week? Nothing seems to be updated. Thank you, Mary



  2. Tim Hadac on April 3, 2023 at 1:58 pm


Local News

Oak Lawn sophomore Jack Dempsey loads up as a pitch approaches during the Spartans 12-5 win over Crete-Monee on March 11. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Baseball | Oak Lawn rolls over Crete-Monee to open season

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Oak Lawn traveled to Ozinga Field in Crestwood to open the season against Crete-Monee at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, home of the Windy City Thunderbolts. The Spartans climbed to a big lead early and never turned back as they went on to defeat the Warriors, 12-5. Sophomore starting pitcher…

Stagg defeated Chicago Christian on opening day, march 11. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Baseball | Stagg tops Chicago Christian in season-opener

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Spring has a different set of challenges for high school sports compared to those played in the winter and fall. The most common and most unpredictable hurdle is the weather, without fail. The start of 2024 high school baseball season lucked out, with temperatures in the mid-to-high 60s and…

The De La Salle-Southside Occupational Academy Unified Basketball team beat St. Patrick-Vaughn Occupational, 64-59, on March 9 for its second consecutive state title. Photo by Mike Walsh

Hoops team featuring De La Salle players wins 2nd straight Unified Basketball state title

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Mike Walsh Correspondent For the second consecutive season, the team comprising students from De La Salle and Southside Occupational Academy are IHSA/Special Olympics of Illinois Division II Unified Basketball state champions. The De La Salle-SOA unified team etched its name into the state annals via a 64-59 victory over St. Patrick-Vaughn Occupational…

Mother McAuley junior Abbey Williams delivers a pitch during last week’s 18-1 loss to Benet. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Softball | Mother McAuley seeks to right ship

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom Staff Reports The 2024 season is off to an uneven and somewhat rocky start for Mother McAuley. The Mighty Macs opened the spring with consecutive losses — 9-3 to Oak Forest on March 11 and 18-1 to Benet on March 13 — before getting off the schneid with an 18-1 win over…

Evergreen Park senior Nolan Sexton (right) will play in the Illinois Hoop Prospect Senior All-Star Games at Joliet Junior College. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Boys Basketball | Players from Evergreen Park and Brother Rice to ball at prospect showcase

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Five players from the area have been invited to play on the South Suburban Team at the Illinois Hoop Prospect Senior All-Star Games scheduled to be played March 24 at Joliet Junior College. Brother Rice’s Zavier Fitch and Ty Wooten join Evergreen Park’s Nolan Sexton, Marist’s Darshan Thomas and…

George Shimko, who coached the Queen of Peace girls basketball program and its de facto successor St. Laurence, has been named head coach of the Mustangs girls basketball program. Supplied photo

Girls Basketball | George Shimko takes reins for Mustangs

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent One longtime area basketball coach will succeed another at Evergreen Park. George Shimko, who brought success to the girls basketball programs at Queen of Peace and St. Laurence, has been named the new girls hoops coach at Evergreen Park. He will succeed Bruce Scaduto, who retired after 27 years…

Harold Blackmon (right) is welcomed to De La Salle by Meteors athletic director Tom White. Photo courtesy of De La Salle

De La Salle tabs Harold Blackmon as next football coach

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent A pair of familiar coaches from the area have landed in new spots. Harold Blackmon, who has been head football coach at St. Laurence and Oak Lawn, has been named coach at De La Salle. George Shimko, a former girls basketball coach at Queen of Peace and St. Laurence,…

SEATGEEK

Red Stars, rugby will highlight big weekend at SeatGeek

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Things will get busy in Bridgeview this weekend. The Chicago Fire II will host its season opener against Toronto FC II at 6 p.m. Friday, March 22 at SeatGeek Stadium. The following day, the Chicago Red Stars make their 2024 home debut against Seattle at 3 p.m. Rugby invades…

Chicago Red Stars players celebrate a goal against Utah in the season-opener for both teams on March 16. The Red Stars won, 2-0. Photo courtesy of Chicago Red Stars

Red Stars Report | Cooks provide recipe for success in Red Stars’ win over Utah

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Lorne Donaldson era is already Cook-ing. The new Chicago Red Stars coach enjoyed a victory in his debut with a 2-0 triumph over Utah in the NWSL season-opener for both teams on March 16 at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. The game was the first in franchise…

Angelo Luna

College Sports Wrap | Morton College OF Angelo Luna slugs two grand slams in one day

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Area college baseball sluggers had a grand time on March 16. Former St. Laurence standout Angelo Luna, a sophomore outfielder at Morton College, hit two grand slams and drove in 10 runs over two games as the Panthers beat Highland, 7-3 and 18-5, in a doubleheader at home. Luna…

Neighbors

Appeals court skeptical of Mike Bost’s case to stop ballot counts after Election Day

Appeals court skeptical of Mike Bost’s case to stop ballot counts after Election Day

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – A panel of federal appellate judges on Thursday seemed skeptical of legal arguments made on behalf of Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, who claims Illinois’ law allowing counting of mail-in ballots for two weeks after an election is in violation of federal law. Bost’s late 2022…

DCFS hires on-the-spot at hiring events

DCFS hires on-the-spot at hiring events

By BETH HUNDSDORFER  Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com Cyrenthia Threat spent Wednesday morning at a hiring event in Fairview Heights waiting for word on whether she was hired by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.  Threat wants to move to Illinois from Georgia where she works as a social worker. She has 20 years…

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…