Use our dog park, but responsibly

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By Peggy Zabicki

Your correspondent in West Lawn

3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327

I am still getting calls and texts about Woof Lawn Dog Park at West Lawn Park. As you may recall, I asked for your opinions in a column a couple of weeks ago. I still haven’t gotten any positive calls.

Recently, one caller said the dog park should be renamed Poop Lawn Park. I actually thought that was kind of funny. I do wish dog owners would use the free poop collection bags located at the dog park.

I visited Woof Lawn Park recently. There were plenty of collection bags. I saw a sign posted with all the rules and instructions. Hopefully, dog owners will read the sign.

One of the rules states that all dogs must display a permit tag in order to enter the dog park. The day I went I saw only one little dog and its owner there. The dog was not wearing any kind of tag. I went into the field house and asked a staff member about permit tags. He said, “You do not need permission to use the dog park.” I asked him why the sign outside the dog park states that each dog needs one. He then stated that permit tags are available at the office of 13^th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn (6500 S. Pulaski). I felt like I had missed part of the conversation. My hubby was there with me. He was also puzzled.

We laughed about it later as we enjoyed a pleasant lunch at Huck Finn, 6650 S. Pulaski. They still have a great “breakfast served all day” menu and of course, the yummy doughnuts.

Yes, the prices have gone up as they have at most restaurants, but we didn’t mind because earlier that day we enjoyed a free jazz concert at Marquette Park. I figured that what we ended up paying that day for a meal and a concert was a bargain. This is an example of “Peggy logic.”

Another example of “Peggy logic” is when I stated in last week’s column that it was good that we had very hot weather the night before the ammonia leak at the ice house on 59th Street on July 26. I reasoned that everyone had their windows shut and their air conditioners on, so we were all safe from the ammonia fumes.

I ended up speaking too soon about that, though. I later discovered that a window had been left open in the room I slept in that night. For the next week I had a scratchy throat, headaches and a lot of nosebleeds. I am better now and feel back to normal, whatever normal is.

St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish is celebrating their 75th anniversary with a gala dinner-dance on Oct. 14th. There are so many people in our neighborhood and beyond with a connection to St. Mary’s. All are invited to attend. There will be dinner and an open bar and dancing featuring live music and a DJ. The celebration starts at 6 p.m. and goes to midnight at Nikos Banquets, 7600 S. Harlem, Bridgeview.

Reservations must be made before Sept. 30. You can call the rectory at (773) 767-1246, make your reservations in person at 6435 S. Kilbourn or go to smsschurch.org.

St. Mary Star of the Sea School is having a fundraising car wash from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 at the Parish Center, 63rd and Knox. Get your pick-up trucks and minivans washed for $12 , SUVs for $10 and cars for $8. You can enjoy some delicious snacks while your car is being washed. Proceeds will go to the Class of 2024 graduation celebration.

The next CAPS Beats 813/833 will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22 at West Lawn Park, 4233 W. 65th St.

Thank you to my neighbor, Gladys, for sharing some veggies from her garden!