Time to Get Your Flu Shot is Now

Have you had your annual flu vaccination yet?

Flu shots used to be just for senior citizens, as well as

younger people with underlying medical conditions.

These days, however, they are recommended for everyone and are more available than ever.

The best place to get a flu vaccination is your own physician. Some useful alternatives are local pharmacies, as well as your local health department.

We thought about that today when we were contacted by Bansari Patel of the Immunization Project of EverThrive Illinois (formerly the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition), who reminded us that the Chicago Department of Public Health and Alderman Edward M. Burke's 14th Ward Office will be hosting a flu shot clinic from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00

p.m. Friday, November 15 at the Polish Highlanders Hall, 4808 South Archer.

Shots are delivered at no charge, although if you are enrolled in Medicare, please bring your Medicare Part D card with you.

If you miss Friday's event, CDPH will offer shots at several Southwest Side sites next month, including 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 14 at the 15th Ward Office, 3045 West 63rd Street; and noon to 5:00 p.m. that same day at Ford City Mall.

If you work in the Loop, shots will be offered from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 13 in the second floor lobby of City Hall.

The time to get your flu shot is now. Don't wait until flu season hits in January or February. After you receive your shot, it will take your body a couple of weeks to build up antibodies. So do it now, for your sake and everyone you come into contact with.

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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.

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Two men are in custody after they allegedly broke into at least one vehicle parked on the street near 57th and Mason at about 5:00 a.m. Thursday, November 7.

Patrick J. Purtell, 31, of suburban Justice, and Dillon J. Budzyn, 18, of 53rd and Monitor,

Dillon Budzyn

have been charged with burglary, criminal trespass to vehicle, and criminal damage to property, according to police. They are scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48-4, 155 West 51st Street, on Thursday, November 14.

Budzyn is an admitted gang member, police added.

Police responding to a citizen call of two suspicious men looking in parked cars said they spotted Purtell and Budzyn, who allegedly bolted when they saw police. A chase ensued, with Purtell being apprehended in a yard at 5720 South Mayfield after he failed to climb over a six-foot-tall vinyl fence and instead damaged it when he tried to crash through it, according to police.

Patrick Purtell

Budzyn was apprehended at 5732 South Menard, police said, and added that they recovered a screwdriver they believed to be used by Budzyn as a burglary tool.

Police said the pair had earlier broken into a 2004 Nissan parked near 57th and Mason, pried off the dashboard and damaged a stereo inside. They also allegedly stole change inside the vehicle. Police said they confiscated $16.27 in change from Budzyn's pockets.

At least one other neighbor (and possibly more) later reported that their vehicles had also been broken into at about the same time. Police said they continue to investigate the situation.

* * *

At least seven garages in the general vicinity of 57th and Merrimac were tagged by gangbangers between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 7, according to police. While the offenders remain at large, the markings were eradicated swiftly---within hours---by a crew from the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, once again thwarting punks' efforts to deface the community.

* * *

A diamond engagement ring worth $6,500 was stolen from Kay Jewelers in Ford City.

According to a store manager, a man posing as a customer walked in at about 12:20 p.m.

Friday, November 8 and asked to look at the ring. He admired the ring, saying "I really like this f~cking ring. I'm gonna take this f~cking ring."

The manager, a 34-year-old woman, mistakenly assumed the foul-mouthed customer was paying for the ring. When she began to process the purchase at the cash register, the man

said "You don't understand. I'm taking this motherf~cking ring. I have a gun, and I will shoot you. One way or the other, I'm getting this ring."

The robber then took the ring and ran out of the store, into the mall and then out a north corridor. He is described as a black man age 40-49, 5'7 and 210 pounds, dark complexion, brown eyes, long black hair in a ponytail, wearing a gray hoodie, black leather jacket, black pants and gray gym shoes.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you

live in Beat 812 (see map), come to St. Symphorosa Church at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday,

November 13. 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.

* * *

Burglars broke into a garage near 61st and Komensky and stole four toys, two tables and two screwdrivers. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 43-year-old man, at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 8.

* * *

Burglars broke the lock off the service door of a garage near 58th and Hamlin and stole a lawn mower, a leaf blower, a snow blower, a lawn edger and eight large boxes filled with collectibles. The crime was discovered by a friend of the victim, a 62-year-old woman, at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, November 7.

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Thwart burglars and make your home more beautiful and energy efficient at the same time? Click here for details!

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Burglars forced open the side window of a home near 45th and Springfield and stole a watch and a ring. The crime was discovered and interrupted by the victim, a 36-year-old woman, when she came home at 11:40 a.m. Friday, November 8 and saw a man fleeing out her home's back door.

She also saw other belongings of hers stacked in the back yard, awaiting removal. The burglar she saw is described as a white Hispanic man age 28-30, 5'5 to 5'7 and 120-140 pounds, light complexion, with short, spiked black hair.

* * *

Burglars entered a home near 51st and Merrimac and stole a TV, a DVD player and assorted jewelry. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 49-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 3:30 p.m. Friday, November 8. Police said they were following up on a lead provided by a witness.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you

live in Beat 814 (see map), come to Vittum Park at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 14. 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 36-year-old Scottsdale man who told police he was away from his home (near 78th and Kostner) for just a few hours to do some holiday shopping, returned to find his residence ransacked at 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 8.

Stolen were several video gaming systems and about 40 games, two cell phones, an iPod, two laptop computers, a camcorder, assorted jewelry, $1,000 cash and more, according to the victim. The burglars made entry by forcing open a back bedroom window.

* * *

Burglars forced open an overhead sliding door at Prairie State Exterior Products, 4240 West 40th Street, and attempted to steal a heated power washer worth $5,000. The break-in was discovered by a manager, a 41-year-old man, who was alerted by a burglar alarm at 11:58 p.m. Wednesday, November 6. The next day, he told police he had found the power washer in the rear of the property, covered with cardboard boxes.

* * *

Want to fight crime and make Archer Heights a safer and better place? Come to the next meeting of the Archer Heights Civic Association, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 13 at the UNO Veterans Memorial Campus, 47th and Kildare. Learn how you can participate in neighborhood watch patrols, graffiti patrols and more. The AHCA does not put up with crime and is a very effective organization. Please join them!

* * *

Burglars broke a back window of a home near 54th and Avers and stole four TVs. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 43-year-old man, when he came home from work at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 7.

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Burglars entered the unlocked side door of a home near 50th and Kilpatrick and stole assorted jewelry and a video gaming system. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 42-year-old woman, when she came home at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 7. She told police that a family member had forgotten to lock the door.

* * *

Burglars forced open the back door of a vacant house near 72nd and Ridgeway and stole a furnace, duct work, a cast-iron laundry sink, a clothes washer and dryer, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a toaster oven, and five ceiling light fixtures.

The crime was discovered by a 70-year-old Hickory Hills man, the son of the 93-year-old owner, at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, November 5. The home's owner has been living in a nursing home, the son explained to police.

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Honor Flight Volunteer Seeking Teachers, Students to Write Thank You Letters to World War II Vets

A local volunteer with Honor Flight Chicago is appealing to leaders of local schools, Scouting troops and other youth organizations to help write letters thanking World War II veterans for their service to America.

The letters will be given to veterans served by the Honor Flight Chicago organization, which gives Chicago-area military veterans (primarily World War II) free round-trip air transportation (as well as VIP treatment) to Washington, D.C. to tour the National World War II Memorial.

"I'd love to be able to recruit some teachers and kids who would be willing to write some letters/create some art for our upcoming Honor Flight Season. I am happy to pick up any artwork and get it to the Honor Flight office," wrote Christin Hannon Kennedy in a Facebook message to the Southwest Chicago Post.The next Honor Flight season should start in April of 2014.

Photo: Honor Flight Chicago website

Honor Flight Chicago, founded in 2008, is part of a nationwide Honor Flight Network---which, since 2005, has flown tens of thousands of military veterans to and from our nation's capital. The flights, as well as the war-hero receptions that volunteers give to the vets, are designed to honor and thank those who answered the call and served their country. The flights have been well covered by the Chicago-area news media.

As described by Honor Flight Chicago,

"After a day of camaraderie and reminiscence, these veterans think that their day is over. But waiting for them, on the flight home, is the sound of “MAIL CALL,” the same call that kept their spirits alive during the war.

We ask families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to write thank you letters to the veterans. However, many have little or no family, may live in a nursing home, and have few friends or neighbors left. We want to ensure that each veteran gets a packet of mail.

Photo: Honor Flight Chicago

THIS IS WHERE WE NEED YOUR HELP. We ask that students write letters to these veterans to thank them for their service. The letters will be bundled with letters from other volunteers, other local school children, and elected officials. We have received many, many “thank you” notes from veterans that say that “Mail Call” was the highlight of their trip.

The following note is just one example of a mail call letter. You may even want to get your parents to write one! We appreciate your help making our next MAIL CALL the best ever. If you have any questions or would like to find out about further opportunities to join our volunteer team, please feel free to contact us."

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear WWII Veteran,

I wanted to thank you for the service you provided our country. We are currently
studying WWII history in school. I read a lot of information about the war, the Holocaust
and how it affected the whole world. I have great respect and appreciation for what you
did for the World.

(You can put in your own story perhaps about a family member or friend that served in
WWII, escaped from the Germans or fought in the Pacific, tell them why you are
interested in history and what their contribution means to you.)

In closing, thank you for all you have done for our country and for me. I can enjoy a lot
of freedoms because of what you did.

Many thanks,

Your First Name (First Names ONLY, please!)
Your Grade
Your School

A few reminders:
*No dates--We will use these letters throughout the year for our flights.
*ONLY first names
*NO HOME ADDRESSES (Feel free to provide your school address.)

~ ~ ~

For more details, send an email to christinkennedy@sbcglobal.net.

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Clearing, Garfield Ridge Civic Leagues Set Holiday Party

The Clearing Civic League and Garfield Ridge Civic League are jointly sponsoring a holiday party at New Warsaw Restaurant, 6250 West 63rd Street, on Saturday, November 16 at 5:30 p.m. Semi-private room. Smorgasboard. Cash bar. $20 per person. Open to the public. For more information call Joe at (773) 229-2273 or Rick at (708) 269-9094.

Comedy Night Coming at St. Bede Parish Hall

Passing along a flyer from our friends at St. Bede Parish.

Looks like loads of fun!

Kinzie School PTC Thanks Local Businesses

The letter below was sent to us by our friends at Kinzie School.

November 7, 2013

Dear Neighbor and Friend,

In the past, we the members of the PTC (Parent Teacher Club) here at John H. Kinzie Elementary School have asked for your help & support through donations to our school; and you were always willing to oblige, and for this we truly thank you.  We are firm believers in Paying It Forward.  

On Tuesday, November 12, from 11:00am to 3:00pm and from 4:00pm to 6:00pm we are having our Report Card Pick Up (this is when the parents come to the school to speak to the teachers, pick-up their child’s/children’s report card and peruse the halls for information and to chat with other parents.  This is a great time and opportunity to supply our school’s families with your company information. 

We the members of the PTC would like to help promote your business by having a Get To Know Your Neighborhood Event.   Therefore, we are extending an invitation to our local community businesses and asking for copies of your flyers, pamphlets, business cards, menus or other informational paraphernalia to be displayed at a vendor table the day of our report card pick-up.  You are also welcome to personally join us, if you would like to speak with the parents at our school.  We will have tables set up for your convenience. 

Please note we are NOT asking for anything from you, we would like to help promote your business.  This is our opportunity to show our appreciation for all that our neighborhood businesses do for our community.  Also note, this is strictly a day of exchanging information from our local businesses to our community homeowners.   Our “Get To Know Your Neighborhood Event”.  We will provide contact information sheets for any businesses interested.  This is a contact list that our student’s parents will complete, if they choose to be on a mailing list and will consist of their name, phone number and e-mail address.

Our community is an excellent place to raise a family and our school students reflect that.  This is in part due to our wonderful neighborhood and local businesses.  With so much technology and so much changing around us, life flashes by and we want to stop and teach our children by example that it is so important to help your neighbor; just one of many Fundamentals of Life.

Finally, we want you to know that we would like to have this event at all of our Report card pick-up days and we will send this letter out to your business prior to each one.  Our hope is that in some small way we can help keep our community of families and businesses thriving strong and well connected to ensure a tight knit community and a safe and friendly neighborhood for our children and future entrepreneurs.

If you have questions, contact us at kinziepac@yahoo.com. 

Thank you again for all you do!

Sincerely,

Kelly Lucas, President, PTC

Ria T. Ceska, Vice President, PTC

CUB Releases "Myth" List About Gas Heating Bills

Our friends at the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) have just released an interesting "myths" list just in time for cold weather. Check it out:

Top 5 myths about your gas bills

Newsroom | Consumer News | Top 5 myths about your gas bills

General inquiries: 
800-669-5556

 

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October 29, 2013—As cold weather blows into Illinois, with it swirl a lot of errors and misconceptions about your natural gas bills. The first step in cutting costs is separating the fact from fiction. While working with tens of thousands of consumers over the years, CUB has gathered a list of the top myths about your winter utility bills. 

Myth No. 1: There's nothing you can do to cut your energy bills.
You can't count on the energy markets, or the utilities, to cut your costs, but energy efficiency is the most reliable way to take control of your electric and gas bills. CUB's free online tool, CUBenergysaver.com, helps consumers build a money-saving plan perfect for their home. It's been showing households how to cut their bills by $100 a year. Plus, check out our library of efficiency incentives available to Illinois consumers this winter.

Winter is here! Know the myths about your gas bill.

Myth No. 2: The gas utility CANNOT turn off your service in the winter.
Don’t let a gas debt build in the winter, assuming you’re protected from getting your service shut off. While a gas utility may impose its own moratorium on winter shut-offs, a company can shut off service as long as the temperature is expected to be above 32 degrees for the next 24 hours. There are some rights that a gas utility must extend to you before disconnecting your service. Call CUB's Consumer Hotline,1-800-669-5556, if you have questions about what those rights are. 

Myth No. 3: The gas company always reads your meter.
Did you know the gas utility can delay reading your meter for months, and instead just estimate your usage? CUB gets complaints from people slammed with huge make-up bills after the gas company spent months underestimating bills. If you get two estimated readings in a row, call the company to ask why it's not reading your meter, and consider doing your own meter readings. (CUB's fact sheet can help you do that.) CUB has been pushing for rules changes that would require the utilities to read meters more often. 

Myth No. 4: An alternative gas company can protect you from utility rate hikes.
Even if you buy gas from an alternative gas company you're not shielded from utility rate hikes. The regulated utility still charges you to deliver that gas to your home—and those "delivery rates" are subject to the increases that CUB fights all the time. (CUB's review of the natural gas market has found that most plans from alternative suppliers would lose customers money, to date. See CUB's guide to alternative gas suppliers in Nicor Gas and Peoples/North Shore Gas territories.) 

Myth No. 5: Your utility profits off of high gas prices. 
Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, Nicor and Ameren DO profit off the "delivery rates" on gas bills—what the companies charge to deliver the gas to your home—but they DON'T profit off the actual supply of gas. The utilities are legally obligated to prudently buy the fuel and pass the cost onto customers, with no markup. Producers and marketers that sell gas to the utilities, however, are making big profits. CUB for years has called for stronger oversight of the wholesale gas market.

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Want to really save money on your heating bills?

Replace your drafty, single pane windows

 with energy efficient glass block windows!

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