Spring, winter having annual tug-of-war

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By Peggy Zabicki

Your correspondent in West Lawn

3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327

Greetings, neighbors and friends. After one week of summer weather, we are back to the chilly weather of early spring. I hope no one started planting flowers and veggies too early. Spring weather is always kind of iffy. Spring is anxious to arrive, but winter isn’t quite ready to let go.

In the meantime, the West Lawn Gardeners Facebook club has been sharing tips and ideas and photos of their early flowers like grape hyacinths, tulips and daffodils. One gardener recommends placing a TUMS tablet in the hole you dig for tomatoes.

I have had good luck by placing trimmed fingernails in the hole you dig before putting your tomato plants in. After you trim your nails, save them in a baggie until you are ready to plant your tomatoes. Human nails contain nitrogen, which is good for tomatoes. They also contain carbon and oxygen.

Human and pet hair also contain nitrogen. Tomatoes do really well with that as well. The nitrogen slowly releases into the soil. You won’t need to buy plant food. Now you know what to do after you get a haircut or a nail trim, or clean up dog and cat hair.

Moving on. Did you know that the Chicago Public Library is now 150 years old? The very first branch was located at 78 East Washington at what is now the Chicago Cultural Center.

The second branch was the Hild Library, 4500 N. Lincoln. It was built in 1931. It has been replaced by the Sulzer Library, about a block away. My dad got his first job at the Hild Library. He worked every day after school, putting books on shelves. He loved the beautiful building, which had circular-shaped levels and stained glass windows. He also loved the smell of old books.

The West Lawn Branch Library current location, 4020 W. 63rd St., opened in 1986. On Saturday, April 22 at 7 p.m., the library will present a free concert featuring classical guitarist Cinzia Milani. Coincidentally, my dad was born on April 22 in the year 1913. I think he would have liked the idea of a concert held at a library on his birthday.

Calvary Lutheran Church, 6149 S. Kenneth, will be celebrating their 100th anniversary on Sunday, April 23. There will be a special service at 10:30 a.m. and a catered lunch from Palermo’s following the service. Several former pastors and members will be there. For more information, call (312) 206-9480 or send an email to [email protected].

Neighborhood activist Eddie Guillen has started up a West Lawn Park men’s softball league once again. He will be coaching what he calls The Dream Team. Men 18 years old and up can come to 4300 W. Marquette Road at 7 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to register. Eddie needs you to register by May 1. Good luck, Dream Team!

The next CAPS Beat 813/833 meeting is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 25 at West Lawn Park, 4233 W. 65th St. There is no April meeting scheduled for Beat 823.

My sincere condolences to the Hresil family on the recent passing of John Hresil, who was a beloved son, father, brother, uncle and friend to many.