Neighborhood News
The Chicago Police Department is warning residents of a string of daytime robberies in which perpetrators rob people in their garages or back yards, according to a report by the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper. One robbery took place at 5:40 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, in the 3800 block of South Honore Street.
In the robberies, one or two males demanded property while being armed with a handgun and then absconded in an older model Chevy Cavalier. Other daytime robberies occurred on Tuesday, January 30, in Brighton Park and on Friday, February 2, in Gage Park.
Citizens with information on the robberies should call Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8382.
The geographic center of Chicago here in McKinley Park plays host to a major political event this Saturday, February 10. Leading candidates in the upcoming March 20 primary election, including Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, Marie Newman, Theresa Mah, Alma Anaya and others, will speak from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the 2018 Southwest Side Candidate Forum. Sponsored by the 12th Ward Independent Political Organization, the forum takes place at Crosspoint Community Church at 37th and Honore streets; it even offers free childcare.
Also on Saturday, Chicago Blackhawks Hockey Clinics provide instruction to kids who want to learn how to play hockey. Hit the McKinley Park ice rink starting at 11 a.m. and get free lessons along with available equipment to use and a complimentary Chicago Blackhawks jersey. But act fast: Reservations are required.
The family business of C&J Auto Parts is closing after over 65 years at its current location at 3200 S. Archer Ave. This Saturday, February 3, will be the last chance for customers to shop on the final day of C&J's going-out-of-business sale, ending the work that ran through four generations of the Zalon family.
"It's bittersweet," said business owner Arnold Zalon, who spent much of his early childhood growing up above the family auto shop on Archer Avenue. "We've had so many good customers and made so many friends, including some employees who have been with us for 20 or 30 years."
Read more: Final Days at C&J Auto Parts Portend New Development, Neighborhood Changes
Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL) is renewing his calls for cleanup of the South Fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River, more commonly known as Bubbly Creek. The extremely polluted waterway, which gets its name from century-old slaughterhouse sludge still pushing bubbles to the surface, suffered another befoulement by diesel oil this past fall. Lipinski said the cleanup related to this event should now allow a stalled U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project to move forward.
"I would like to ensure that we are taking every feasible action to restore the creek to an ecologically healthy state," Lipinski said in a letter written to the corps and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). " I believe that some of the work planned for Bubbly Creek may help prevent or mitigate future oil spills and other pollution."
Read more: Lipinski Calls for Bubbly Creek Cleanup to Move Forward
The Aquinas Literacy Center hosted another training session this past weekend, bringing 20 new tutors online to assist its mission of providing literacy training to local adult immigrants. The Friday night and Saturday sessions are part of a total of 13 hours of training each tutor undergoes, resulting in their certification to teach English as a Second Language learners.
Although the center continues to grow, a backlog of 35 new pupils are waiting in the wings for their chance at instruction. To meet the demand, Aquinas will continue its tutor training sessions, setting the next one for the weekend of Friday, March 9.
