Sunday, June 30, 2013

Chicago Glass Blocks: Privacy, Security, Style from a Local, Family-Owned Business

In a world where high-tech surveillance is on the rise and privacy seems increasingly difficult, people across the city and suburbs are turning to glass block windows as a simple solution to low-tech surveillance by burglars and plain-old snoops.

“My basement is the place where my wife does the laundry
Single-pane windows = lack of privacy
and my daughters play with their friends,” says Clearing homeowner Dave Bauer, 36. “The last thing I want is people on the outside snooping in, for whatever reason and especially if I’m not home. So I had my four windows—the original, single-pane windows that came with the house in 1955—removed and replaced with glass blocks. I feel better, my wife feels more secure, and my kids—innocent that they are--don’t know the difference.”

Empty nester Ted Wesolowski of Garfield Ridge agrees. “My youngest son graduated from college last year and moved out into an apartment. So with plenty of space and no more tuition bills, I decided to remodel my basement at long last and make it into a ‘man cave’ or whatever we’re calling a den these days.”

“Well, I did it up right and added a home theater system, a wet bar and few other expensive upgrades,” he adds. “Then one night, I’m hosting a Monday Night Football party for a few buddies; and what do I see but some punk peeking in, like he’s casing my house for a burglary or something. We ran outside and chased him away, but that did it for me. Next day I started looking into glass blocks. In the end, it worked out well. No more uninvited guests.”

While glass block windows add an important measure of security and privacy to any home or business, they offer many other benefits.

“The right glass blocks can add a whole new dimension of beauty on the outside and soft natural light on the inside,” says Carol Basic, a Clearing resident and owner of Chicago Glass Blocks, headquartered at 6036 S. Central. “Plus they add value to your home, and they are generally maintenance free.”

Chicago Glass Blocks creates and installs custom-made
Brian and Mike Basic at a home window installation.
windows using top-quality Pittsburgh Corning glass block, the only glass block manufactured in the U.S. The company is the only Pittsburgh Corning distributor in the Chicago area.

The company also is known for using superior mortar mixed to manufacturer's specs, a high-quality blend of Type I Portland cement and lime. This, Basic says, is unlike the big-box, discount home improvement stores, where the glass blocks are stuck together with merely a fraction of an inch of caulk.

Joe Leonard applies mortar, while Brian Basic checks inventory.
Celebrating its 26th anniversary this year, Chicago Glass Blocks is locally owned and managed by a family with decades of experience in masonry and masonry restoration for homes and businesses. Well known and highly respected in the Chicago-area construction industry, the Basic Family has a deep understanding of local construction methods and materials, enabling them to quickly and accurately assess your home or business needs. The highly trained technicians--mostly family members and all area residents--who will come to your home are fully insured and leave your home in better shape than they found it.

To learn more about Chicago Glass Blocks, go online to chicagoglassblocks.com or call (773) 581-5081 for a free energy consultation from a friendly, experienced expert.

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Thursday, June 27, 2013

Crime News Update

Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---is not by any means an exhaustive catalogue of all crime reported in the Chicago Lawn (8th) District. For example, it typically does not include news of crimes committed in the eastern and southern sectors of the district---because the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area is primarily the neighborhoods that border Midway Airport and secondarily because including the relatively large volume of crime news from elsewhere in the district would be a logistical challenge. We make this note to offer a little helpful perspective and remind everyone that while crime is definitely a concern in all parts of the district (as it always has been), crime remains relatively low overall in Sector 1. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

* * *

A 47-year-old woman looking at plants outside the Shop & Save grocery store at 5829 South Archer struggled with a strong arm robber but managed to hang onto the gold chain he tried to snatch away.


The crime occurred at 12:27 p.m. Monday, June 24. The attacker walked up from behind and
5829 South Archer
yanked on the chain. Unable to grab it away from the victim, the criminal gave up and walked away north towards Archer and then east.


A passing motorist followed the would-be robber but lost him near 52nd and Long. The victim refused medical treatment. The chain was broken, but in her possession.

The criminal is described as a white Hispanic man age 20-25, 5'2 to 5'5 and 125-135 pounds, brown eyes, medium-length brown hair, olive complexion, goatee that hangs just below his chin, and wearing a tan baseball cap, a white polo shirt with blue/green stripes at the shoulder and khaki cargo shorts.


* * *


A robber hit the U-Haul store at 4705 West 47th Street, making off with $300 cash.

4705 West 47th Street
The crime occurred at 1:44 p.m. Saturday, June 22. The robber saw the manager near the front door and ordered him to "step the other way." He put his hand near his waistband, implying he had a weapon and said "You got two minutes to empty the drawers."

The manager complied, and the criminal ran out the door--east on 47th Street, then south on Kilpatrick, then west through a gangway.

He is described as a black man age 30-40, 5'10 and 160-180 pounds, brown eyes, light complexion, black hair in a shaved style, wearing a black baseball cap, a light blue jacket, black faded jeans, and brown square-toe dress shoes.

* * *

A 34-year-old Burbank man was robbed of his keys and wallet as he stood in front of Austin Cash 4 Gold, 6011 South Pulaski.

The crime occurred at 6:40 p.m. Friday, June 21. The victim, who works at the store, was
6011 South Pulaski
confronted by two thugs as he was putting away advertising flags outside the shop. One had a pistol and ordered him to "get in the building."

The other crook urged the gunman to "just shoot him," the victim told police. At that point, they punched the victim in the head and took his belongings before fleeing in a dark blue two-door car that sped away east on 60th Place.

The criminals are described as white Hispanic men age 18-24, 5'7 to 5'9 and 140-160 pounds with brown eyes.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live
in Beat 815 or 821 (see map), come to the St. Bruno School (south entrance) at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 3. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.


* * *

A 41-year-old West Lawn man was robbed by two criminals who walked up from behind and hit him in the head and face before taking his cell phone, metal chain, and wallet which contained $30 cash and his matricula card.

The crime occurred at 10:30 p.m. on the corner of 70th and Hamlin. After the attackers fled, the victim walked back to his home a block and a half away to call police. He refused medical attention and described the robbers as white Hispanic men age 20-25, 5'8 to 5'10 and 160-170 pounds, short black hair, both wearing black shorts. One wore a black t-shirt; the other, blue.


* * *

Burglars broke through the service door of a garage near 69th and Hamlin, entered a 1999 Mercury SUV inside and stole a wallet with credit cards, as well as ripped out and stole a mounted TV and a dashboard radio. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old man, at 8:25 a.m. Tuesday, June 25.


* * *

Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 57th Place and Hamlin and stole a lawn mower and a grass edger. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 30-year-old man, at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 23.


* * *

Burglars broke the side window of a garage near 64th Place and Leclaire and stole a keg of beer belonging to a friend of the owner of the garage. The crime was discovered at 3:00 a.m.
Sunday, June 23 by the garage owner, a 45-year-old man, who told police through an interpreter that he saw the service door open.


* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 55th and Kildare and stole a garage door remote control, a bicycle, a tile cutter and a tool box with hand tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 48-year-old man, at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 25.


* * *

Burglars pried open the service door of a garage near 53rd and Kolmar and stole a circular saw, a concrete saw, a miter saw and assorted other tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 71-year-old man, at 5:48 a.m. Wednesday, June 26.


* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 56th and Kolmar a lawnmower, a grill, a caulking gun, and a toolbox with assorted tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 36-year-old man, at 6:45 a.m. Monday, June 24. The garage was locked with no sign of forced entry. The victim told police he had just moved in and was not sure if anyone else has keys to the garage.


* * *

Burglars forced open the back door of a bank-owned vacant house near 62nd and Mayfield and stole a water heater and copper pipes. The crime was discovered at noon Wednesday, June 12 but not reported until a week later.

* * *

Burglars opened an unlocked side window of a home near 78th and Kilpatrick and stole a laptop computer, an Xbox, a camera, and assorted jewelry. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old man, when he came home from work at noon Wednesday, June 19.


* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 63rd Place and Nashville and stole a lawnmower. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 47-year-old man, at 1:15 a.m. Thursday, June 20 when he heard loud noises behind his garage and went outside to investigate and saw the door ajar. Police said there was no damage to the door, although the CPD incident report did not say which door.


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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch to Salute Two Local Companies in Parade

While the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch group usually marches in local parades as its own unit, at this year’s Patriots Day Parade they will walk with two local businesses:
ChicagoGlass Blocks and Best Home Insulation.

The parade, set for Tuesday, July 2, is scheduled to step off at 7:00 p.m. from Mark Twain School and head southwest on Archer, ending at Wentworth Park.

“Crime prevention will always be at the heart of what we do,” stated GRNW President Al Cacciottolo. “But we have recently expanded our efforts into neighborhood improvement as a way to fight crime indirectly.

People of all ages enjoy the annual parade on Archer!
“One way to improve the neighborhood is to build bridges between residents and local businesses,” he added. “So we have started an initiative to highlight and salute businesses—especially those that are locally owned, which hire local men and women, and share our commitment to community improvement.”

Headquartered at 6036 South Central Avenue, Chicago Glass Blocks and Best Home Insulation are companies owned and operated by the Basic family, longtime Southwest Siders engaged in building and home repair and improvement since 1949.

“We are pleased to join with the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch in this fun celebration of our nation’s independence,” said Carol Basic, owner of Chicago Glass Blocks, the only
Chicago-area firm that sells and installs American-made Pittsburgh Corning glass blocks. “We help make the neighborhood more stylish and secure, one building at a time; and the Watch does the same in its way.”

“In just a few short years, the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch has established itself as the gold standard of citizen-led crime prevention organizations in the Chicago area,”
added Best Home Insulation owner Brian Basic. “We are honored that they would salute us in such a public way. We share their commitment to making the neighborhood a better place.”

Cacciottolo added that the GRNW plans to highlight and honor at least one local business at each of its monthly meetings going forward. “The Basic family is well known and highly respected in Garfield Ridge and elsewhere across the city and suburbs,” he said. “By saluting them—and others in the months ahead—we are also reminding everyone about the importance of shopping locally for goods and services.

“Whether it’s shopping for groceries, dining at a restaurant, choosing a health care provider or legal professional, hiring a tradesman or home improvement company and so forth, ‘think local’ first. When we spend our money right here where we live, the neighborhood benefits.”

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Monday, June 24, 2013

Fans Flood Archer Avenue to Celebrate Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Win

In just 76 seconds Monday night, the Chicago Blackhawks snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and the Stanley Cup away from the stunned Boston Bruins.


The explosion of joy on Archer Avenue was equally sudden, with Hawks fans bursting out of such watering holes as Lawlor's, Bobby G's, Solofra's, the bar at Lindy's/Gerties, and others.

They were joined by Garfield Ridge residents of all ages: men, women and children who literally ran from their homes north and south of Archer to join the celebration.

Also, jubilant motorists in all types of vehicles: cars, vans, SUVs, pickup trucks, CTA buses, commercial trucks and even 18-wheelers helped make Archer into a parade of red
and black.

As planned, Eighth District Police were out in force--especially near the bars--to occasionally nudge the throngs back towards the curb. As was the case in 2010, the crowds were loud and rowdy but civilized---as sports fans ought to be.


Here are a few stills we captured on the fly. Southwest Chicago Post video highlights coming later tonight! Update: video embedded below!

Congratulations, Blackhawks, 2013 Stanley Cup Champions!





















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Sunday, June 23, 2013

St. Jane Scouts Clean Up at Car Wash

The Garfield Ridge area is a little cleaner today, thanks to the boys from Cub Scout Pack 4466 from St. Jane de Chantal Parish---with an assist from the Girl Scouts at St. Jane's---who hosted a car wash in the parking lot of Soukal Floral & Greenhouses, 6118 South Archer.

Way to go, kids! (And Scout moms and dads.)




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Saturday, June 22, 2013

Klingbeil Honored by Court Advocates; Others Are Needed to Step Up, Fight Crime

The Chicago Police Eighth District Court Advocates bade a fond farewell recently to one of their own: Clearing resident
Gerald Klingbeil, who is leaving the group because he is moving out of state.

The Southwest Chicago Post adds our thanks to Mr. Klingbeil for helping make the Southwest Side a better and safer place; and best wishes for a future that is filled with good health and happiness!

And we remind everyone that volunteers are always needed to join the ranks of the court advocates--good men and women who show up in criminal court to support victims and witnesses, back up police and prosecutors, and demand justice from judges.


Sounds like a tall order; but in reality, it's quite easy. Try it for just one day and see for yourself. Just call (312) 747-8724, ask to speak with the CAPS office, and then tell them you want to be put in touch with the court advocates.


It's no accident that the Eighth District court advocacy program is widely recognized as the largest and most effective in the entire city. It has strong leadership and some dedicated men and women in its ranks. So make the call, won't you?





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Friday, June 21, 2013

Crime News Update

Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---is not by any means an exhaustive catalogue of all crime reported in the Chicago Lawn (8th) District. For example, it typically does not include news of crimes committed in the eastern and southern sectors of the district---because the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area is primarily the neighborhoods that border Midway Airport and secondarily because including the relatively large volume of crime news from elsewhere in the district would be a logistical challenge. We make this note to offer a little helpful perspective and remind everyone that while crime is definitely a concern in all parts of the district (as it always has been), crime remains relatively low overall in Sector 1. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

* * *

A 38-year-old West Englewood man was arrested and charged with trying to rob the currency exchange at 4715 South Cicero.


Earl Payne of 62nd and Wood is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch
Earl Payne
48, 155 West 51st Street, on Monday, June 24.


At about 10:15 p.m. Monday, June 17, an alert witness who saw what appeared to be an armed robbery in progress called 911. Police responded and said they saw an offender bolt out the back door of the currency exchange and run east, jumping in a 2006 Chevy Avalanche SUV (owned by Payne) parked in front of 4725 South Keating and speeding away south towards Archer Avenue.

Another police unit spotted the vehicle and curbed it in front of the Bobak Sausage Company, 5275 South Archer.


4715 South Cicero
A search of Payne's vehicle showed a loaded .357 caliber revolver on the back seat, police said.

Currency exchange staff told police they were just locking up for the night and were leaving the building when Payne and an accomplice (still at large) walked up from behind and ordered them at gunpoint "Get your asses back in there." The employees complied, but the robbers fled when interrupted by police.


* * *

A thug made off with $555 cash after using a .357 caliber hand gun to rob the Oil Express at 6330 South Cicero.

At about 4:10 p.m. Saturday, June 15, employees were closing up for the day when a gunman entered the shop via a back door. He pointed the weapon at the manager and said "Give me
6330 South Cicero
the money."


The manager complied, and the robber ran out the back door, hopped a back fence and ran west. He is described as a black man age 30-35, 5'9 to 6'3, wearing a black shirt, blue jeans and a black skull cap.


* * *

A 19-year-old man from the South Side's Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood has been arrested and charged with robbery after he allegedly snatched a woman's cell phone at a CTA bus stop near 51st and Pulaski.


Shaquille Sankey
Shaquille Sankey of 68th and Perry is scheduled to answer charges in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 155 West 51st Street, on Monday, June 24.

At about 8:55 p.m. Sunday, June 16 a 20-year-old Brighton Park woman flagged down police to say that a man had just snatched her phone and ran north on Pulaski.

Police said they saw a man fitting the victim's description (a black man wearing a dark t-shirt with an image of reggae icon Bob Marley) boarding a CTA bus near Archer and Hamlin. When Sankey saw them, police said, he jumped off the bus and started running south on Hamlin. He reportedly slipped and fell in front of 4859 South Hamlin and was taken into custody.

He was positively identified by the victim. Police said Sankey had the victim's cell phone in his possession. It was returned to her.


* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live
in Beat 813 or 833 (see map), come to the West Lawn Park at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 25. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.


* * *

A 14-year-old boy who was one of six reputed gangbangers arrested near 51st and New England on June 14 (story posted here) has been arrested on an unrelated matter, accused of robbing a 13-year-old boy at knifepoint on the playground of Edwards School, 4815 South Karlov.

The boy, who lives near 44th and Karlov, and a 12-year-old boy were detained by police at about 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 17 after they were spotted near where a witness reported two boys breaking windows at an abandoned home near 49th and Komensky.

Police released the 12-year-old after questioning; but while still detaining the 14-year-old, two women walked up and claimed that the two boys had robbed their sons (both age 13) at Edwards 10 days earlier---at about 8:45 p.m. Friday, June 7.

The 14-year-old allegedly was brandishing an 8-10 inch butcher knife when he asked the victims "What are you?" (a common question relating to gang affiliation). The two victims, according to their mothers, said they were not in a gang and then were robbed of two cell phones, a set of house keys and a yellow bracelet.

The victims were allegedly told to keep their mouths shut about the robbery. The offenders reportedly made veiled, we-know-where-you-live type threats against the victims.

The 14-year-old was taken into custody and transported to a juvenile intervention center. His mother was called to pick him up.


* * *
Protect your home, improve your home!
Protect your home, improve your home!

* * *

A 20-year-old West Lawn man told police he was robbed of his cell phone as he stood in front of his home near 71st and Springfield.

The crime occurred at 8:50 p.m. Monday, June 17. The victim said a robber snuck up and punched him in the back of the neck and his right shoulder before snatching away his phone. The criminal ran into an older red Cadillac DeVille (with a cracked tail light) and sped away south on Harding and east on 72nd Street.

The victim refused medical attention and described the crook as a black man age 20-25, 6'0 and 170 pounds, brown eyes, black hair in a "shaved" style, dark complexion, wearing a white tank top, gray baseball cap, black pants and black gym shoes.


* * *

Burglars pried open the service door of a garage near 48th and Karlov and stole assorted tools and plumbing equipment. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 48-year-old man, at 9:00 p.m. Saturday, June 15


* * *

Burglars kicked in the service door of a garage near 49th and Karlov and stole a weed trimmer and a leaf blower. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old man, at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, June 16.


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