Save Your Plastic Caps/Lids, Help Girl Scouts Build Benches for Summer Camp

Members of Girl Scout Service Unit 275 (which includes girls mostly from Garfield Ridge and Clearing) stand ready to collect literally thousands of bottle caps from households and businesses in the area.

Pausing for a photo are (back row, from left) Kelsey Simon, Vivian Korolewicz, Julia Gonzalez, Janessa Mosqueda, Donna Dlugopolski, Kayla Garrity and Emma Garrity; (middle row, from left) Amber Hahn, Sophia Centeno, Isamar Espinoza; and (front row, from left) McKayla Rogers, Lorraine Korolewicz and Sophia Gonzalez.

The caps, once collected, will be turned into durable plastic benches that will be installed at several Girl Scout camps in 2017, according to Service Unit 275 Co-Manager Teri Korolewicz. They will replace wooden benches, some of which are showing their age.

Needed are clean plastic caps and lids from medicine bottles, soda pop bottles, milk jugs, yogurt and cottage cheese cups, peanut butter and mayonnaise jars, detergent bottles, toothpaste and ointment tubes, ice cream buckets, butter tubs, hair spray and deodorant cans, cream and cheese and butter tubs. Caps and lids should be marked with recycling numbers 2, 4 or 5.

In the days ahead, several collection points in the neighborhood will be announced. The first is the popular Dulce V frozen treat shop near Archer and Austin.

If you have caps/lids to donate now, please send an email to stjanescouts21531@yahoo.com.

Not wanted for the drive are drink bottles, plastic bags, trigger sprays, food containers, soap pumps, lotion bottle pumps, grocery bags, fast-food drink lids and any caps with silicon/rubber lining.

Will you please help our local Girl Scouts?

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Sweet Idea: Enjoy Treats at Dulce V, Help the Boys and Girls at St. Jane de Chantal

By Joan Hadac
Editor and Publisher
Southwest Chicago Post

Here's a sweet idea: a cool four-day fundraiser to help the

boys and girls at St. Jane de Chantal, one of the best schools on the Southwest Side!

Stop in at the Dulce V frozen treat parlor, 6140 S. Archer (Archer and Austin) from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 10 through Thursday, October 13, and 10 percent of what you purchase (frozen treats, warm favorites, beverages, you name it) will be donated to St. Jane's.

Please note: You must present this flyer when you make your purchase:

Click here to see and print the flyer.

Or--easier--simply have this Southwest Chicago Post story on your iPhone screen or other device when you make your purchase, and show it to the cashier.

Dulce V plans to do similar fundraisers with at least two other neighborhood schools later this month.

Want to partner with Dulce V to raise funds for your school, church, Scout troop, etc.? Stop in and ask to speak with a manager.  

Dulce V is without a doubt one of the brightest and most

cheerful businesses opened on the Southwest Side in years. Locally owned and operated, family owned and operated. Very kid friendly, a place for the young, as well as the young at heart!

Click here to read the Southwest Chicago Post story from a few months ago.

A tip of my cap to Dulce V for once again showing its community spirit and sharing its profits with our local schools.

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The Consequences of Our Actions: Both Unintended and Far Reaching

Opinion by John T. "Red" Ryan

IT IS CERTAINLY no secret that the American election process has a great deal of the showbiz-type elements infused into it. Long has this been an undeniable truth and we seem to not only accept this; but we even have come to expect it. This phenomenon's presence rings true at all levels, be it municipal, county, state or federal.

BEING THAT WE are aware of this, we should be able to safely navigate through all of the ballyhoo and arrive at intelligent choices in candidates and any referendum, be they binding or advisory) that appears on the ballot. Recognizing what are the issues at stake and scrutinizing the contending candidates and parties give us a foot up on cutting to the chase as to what is important in a particular election cycle. The last cog in this wheel is weighing the credibility of a candidate as well as their trustworthiness in keeping (or attempt) in keeping election promises.

AN INTELLIGENT APPROACH to the marking of the ballot naturally includes the choosing of the best candidate, regardless of any political affiliation. Although in theory the candidate who defines his party as being the same as yours will most likely be the one who agrees with your position, but not necessarily. The inclusion of a (D) or an (R) behind a candidate's name is not enough. Doing some investigation of what positions and actions were taken prior to seeking this particular office proves to be a useful prescription. This brings to mind the old song, "Practice What You Preach" as "Actions do speak louder than words!"

FINALLY, WE MUST think of what other forces will be entrusted to the successful candidate and what could be unleashed somewhere down the road, long after this president has dedicated his library somewhere.

REMEMBERING THAT THE length of any President's being in office is limited to two four-year terms or 10 years; if because of death, the remainder of the previous President's term was finished by his successor. This was the case for Lyndon B. Johnson; who succeeded JFK on November 22, 1963. He was elected on his own in November of 1964, but declined to seek a second term on his own in 1968.

THE POINT IS that long after these chief executives are gone, the Supreme Court justices that they choose to appoint remain in office, for life on good conduct. So it stands to reason that if some so called "liberal" or "progressive" judge with an agenda to change our country with far and wide interpretation of our United States Constitution can and will continue to do so for 30, 40, 50 years. I don't know about you, but we've had our belly full of nonsensical federal court rulings. There's no telling just how far these activist judges will go. Ten years or so ago, who would think that marriage was anything but between one woman and one man. Even more recently, our public lavatories and school locker rooms are no longer subject to designation by one's sex; but rather by how one feels.

JUST IMAGINE WHAT the next wave of judges may decree! Will they order the churches to follow their decisions and compel our priests, ministers and rabbis to marry any and all in religious service marriage ceremonies? "Oh, we got you that time, Ryan!" we hear you saying. "Religious freedom is guaranteed under the First Amendment of our Constitution! That could never happen!"  We tend to agree to a degree, but think of how our rights are being eroded.

THIS PAST YEAR, the Little Sisters of the Poor had to appeal to the United States Supreme Court because lower federal courts said that this Catholic order of nuns should be compelled to provide both birth control and abortion funding in the hospitalization plans for employees at their various facilities. They were being forced into paying, even though coverage could be obtained separately by any dissenting employees at no extra cost in other similar plans.Now we must ask the question, "Ten years ago, who would've thunk it?"

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO think about these incremental losses of our freedoms and how far reaching are the consequences of anointing/appointing the wrong type of judges. Here's hoping and praying that whoever our next chief executive may be, that those chosen to fill any and all vacancies on the Supreme Court share at least one common virtue.

AND THAT WOULD be the old fashioned quality of common sense! 

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John T. “Red” Ryan is a retired Chicago police officer and Garfield Ridge resident.    

CPD Invites Public to 'Coffee With Cops'

Just released to the news media at 6:33 p.m. Thursday, October 6.

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The Chicago Police Department will be hosting "Coffee with

Cops" events in districts all over the city.

The mission of this event is to break down barriers between police officers and the citizens of the district they serve by removing agendas and allowing opportunities to ask questions, voice concerns and get to know one another.

In the Chicago Lawn (8th) District, the "Coffee with Cops" is set for 10 a.m. to noon Friday October 7 at the Dunkin' Donuts at 5448 S. Pulaski.

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We Owe It All to a Dreamer

Opinion by John T. "Red" Ryan

ONCE AGAIN WE come to one of our traditional, if not major,

holidays. After periods of observance in different States and countries in various titles, Columbus Day was declared to be a National Holiday by Act of Congress in 1937. Although originally the date was affixed at October the 12th, in order commemorate that date in 1492, modern scheduling has moved it to the second Monday in October. This year (being 2016) brings it on Monday, October 10.

WE HAVE ALWAYS heard about on how the first voyage of Columbus, he discovered America. But many dispute this claim because it was not the main part of the North American continent that was the point of their landing; but rather an island in the Caribbean Sea; which Columbus named San Salvador (Holy Savior). This island is now a part of the Bahamas. Other arguments abound that other European mariners' having visited North America many years before. Icelandic Viking, Leif Ericson (970-1020 AD) is said to have visited what is now Newfoundland in Canada; unsuccessfully attempting to establish a permanent settlement. Irish born St. Brendan the Navigator is believed to have visited the cost of what is now our New England states; although there is little solid evidence to support this; save for some Indians' remains having been found buried Christian style . 

ALTHOUGH WE CAN argue the merits or lack there of

concerning any one of several ancients' legendary voyages, there is one strong argument that  Cristoforo Colombo (in Italian) is the true winner of the navigational & exploration sweepstakes. There is no denying that it was because of his voyages that the New World was opened for colonization by European nations.

ANOTHER SORT OF challenge to our traditional Autumn holiday comes from those who advocate the institution of an American Indian Day. Under the title of Native American Celebration or whatever title, the plan of at least some of its proponents would eliminate Columbus Day from the calendar, replacing or superseding it with the new holiday. We beg to differ with this approach. After all, there are certainly enough other second Mondays to go around.     

SO HOW WILL you and the family celebrate Columbus Day this year? We know how we Post War Baby Boomers did it in the 1950s & 60s. Back in the day, kids out of school would head for their local movie house at about 10:00 AM for what was an old Chicago tradition. Be it at the Midwest, the Brighton, the Highway or the Ogden theaters, we gathered for what was called a "25 Cartoon Show."  Obviously these were much simpler times as our Grandsons, Jack (4 years) and little brother Patrick (2 years) could see many more cartoons in any day without leaving their living room!

BUT, HOWEVER WE celebrate, let us never lose sight of what we have here and remember that we owe it all to an Italian dreamer, working in the service of the Spanish crown. And until the day of his death, he believed that his efforts were a failure for not reaching Asia.

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John T. “Red” Ryan is a retired Chicago police officer and Garfield Ridge resident.   

Meet CoCo, the Cool Monkey Mascot at the Dulce V Frozen Treat Parlor!

The cutest cartoon monkey in Chicago--who has been

searching for a name for weeks--now has one.

Meet CoCo, the smiling, happy mascot of Dulce V, the new frozen treat parlor at Archer and Austin!

The contest to find a name of the quirky, cool monkey was won by Dulce V customer Patti Clarke-Vargas. She was one of 10 customers who suggested "CoCo" as a name--and the winner of a raffle among the 10. For her suggestion, Patti earned a $50 gift card to Dulce V.

Patti Clarke-Vargas

Sweet!

So congratulations to Patti and everyone who participated in the "Name the Monkey" contest.

CoCo has a name!

Stop on by to Dulce V and raise a frozen treat in CoCo's honor!

Dulce V is without a doubt one of the brightest and most cheerful businesses opened on the Southwest Side in years. Locally owned and operated, family owned and operated. Very kid friendly, a place for the young, as well as the young at heart!

Check out the Southwest Chicago Post story from a few months ago.

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Café 63 Brings Back--and Improves--Popular Friday Fish Fry on 63rd Street

By Joan Hadac
Editor and Publisher
Southwest Chicago Post

Many of Southwest Siders--hundreds, possibly--groaned

when the catering operation at the Desplaines Valley Memorial VFW Post 6863 (just west of 63rd and Harlem) shut down last July, and then groaned again last month when it was announced that the post itself is closed for good.

That meant, of course, that the post's popular Friday fish fry was gone for good.

So, what's a fish lover to do?

Well, here's good news.

Café 63, 6411 West 63rd Street, one of the best little

restaurants anywhere on the Southwest Side, will start hosting a fish fry on Friday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m., starting Friday, October 7.

But rest assured, this isn't your grandpa's fish fry.

According to Café 63 co-owner Chef Dale Andrews--a man well known for his culinary creativity and putting 21st century twists on old favorites--the Friday night offerings will include fried perch, shrimp, cod, smelt and a combination plate.

Chef Dale and his wife, Donna.

Café 63 may also add some "south of the border" dishes like spicy shrimp with cilantro and red snapper to the fish menu.

There also may be some baked fish for the more health conscious--probably a honey-bourbon glazed salmon, cornmeal-breaded fresh catfish, and maybe a tortilla-encrusted tilapia.

We may even see fresh mahi, flounder or snapper.

Since this cool new venture is launching in October, Chef

Opening night menu.

Dale says he plans to offer some Oktoberfest items initially on the menu like beer brats and sauerkraut, as well as veal cutlet served with German-style potato salad.

If that is enough, Café 63 will offer chicken wings, spinach lasagna, mac and cheese and even "poutines"--"Our version will be over-the-top of tater tots instead of fries, and can be served with your choice of toppings, such as cheese curds and brown gravy, which is traditionally the way its served in Montreal, or we can 'South Side' it up with cheddar cheese, bacon, chili, sour cream and chives, you name it," Chef Dale says.

The fish fry is planned for every Friday, now through Lent 2017.

Reminder: Café 63, is BYOB if you want to bring your own libations.

Normal Friday hours of 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. will remain, with Café 63 closing down for two hours to shift gears, and the back open at 5 p.m. for the fish fry.

Don't want to eat in the restaurant. Carryouts are available! Just call 1-872-267-5101.

Please give it a try, and bring your neighbors and friends. I know my family will!

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