What do you want on 60655 blog?

I get a lot of email bashing the site....oh well, so be it. This site is actually for all of you, so what would you like to see on the site. I have my people who love the polls and those who don't. Someone out there loves the hangman game. What do you like or dislike that you want to see added or deleted. This blog has been up for almost 5 months and is still a work in progress. Thanks to all of you who contribute.

Fat Tommy's is Open

Fat Tommy's is open and looks good. The new location is way bigger than the old one, with tons of seating.

The menu has been e x p a n d e d and they are now serving Breyer's Ice Cream.

There is to be outside seating coming soon.

Check it out. They are located at 3031 S. 111th Street (the old Veggie Bite location), across from Founder's Bank.

Open Post ~ 5/4 through 5/10

Some Misc Info

There will be an information-packed meeting for business owners in May at Fat Tommy’s new location, 3031 W. 111th St . It’s guaranteed to be a worthwhile use of everyone’s time.
(Date and Time to be announced). See the Mount Greenwood Local Redevelopment Corporation.

LaFiesta will be expanding their parking lot this Spring/Summer (looks like they will taking over the old used car dealership next door).

Looks like the new Fat Tommy's will be opening very soon. It looks good. There will be outdoor seating and they will be selling ice cream too.

That's all I have right now... happy Friday!

This One's for Gina

On December 6th, 2008, Chicago Police Sergeant and long-time Mount Greenwood resident, Gina Dwyer-Meliska, suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of a condition called Apical Ballooning Syndrome (ABS). Although she was fortunate enough to receive CPR moments after her collapse, Gina was without oxygen for several minutes and remains in a minimally conscious state, changing the course of her life.

Although Gina's condition has stabilized, her biggest concern remains to be any neurological damage that may have occurred due to her loss of oxygen. Gina initially spent 17 days in ICU and has transferred to acute long-term care facilities. Unfortunately, Gina has faced many setbacks that interrupt her therapy. At this point, Gina faces indefinite, long-term care which will put a financial burden on the family.

Through this ordeal, it has become increasingly obvious how many hearts and lives Gina has touched throughout the years. First and foremost, Gina has always put her family in the number one position. Gina has a husband and three children all of whom Gina adores. Although they have been devastated by her illness, the family has been surviving with an outpouring of love from family, friends, and community.

With that being said, Gina is a remarkable, dedicated individual that has always contributed her time and efforts to others, working on countless benefits and in organizations going above and beyond the call of duty. Gina has been a dear friend and mentor to many, always seeing the good in a person and pushing those she knew to do their personal best, all while achieving her own personal goals: whether it be running a marathon or working towards her Masters degree, Gina has always been an inspiration.

It is at this time that we are asking for your help to aid the Dwyer-Meliska family. Please join us for a benefit:

11 July 2009

115 Bourbon Street

3359 West 115th street

3-8 pm

There will be food, fun, beverages and prizes! If you are unable to make it, but would like to send or make a donation - non-monetary gifts to:

This One's for Gina

c\o Maggie Engstrom

11118 S. Washtenaw

Chicago, IL. 60655

link for $$$ donations: http://thisonesforgina.mltprojects.com/donate.html

It is at this time that we need to take action for someone who has always given 110% to others...... This One’s for Gina.Thank you in advance for your generosity and consideration,

~The Committee

Additional links for Gina:

http://thisonesforgina.mltprojects.com/

http://www.prayersforgina.com/

http://www.thisonesforgina-sales.com/shop/page/1?shop_param=

The New McKiernan Park

Bits and pieces from the Southtownstar article.

A new playground is being installed at McKiernan Park, 10714 S. Sawer Ave.

The new playgrounds will be completed in about six weeks. Thanks to a donation from Team Reil, a playground company based in northwest suburban Union. The company is also installing artificial turf beneath the playground, eliminating muddy shoes or those messy woodchips one often finds in parks.

The value of the project has been placed at $500,000 by a grateful Chicago Park District, spokeswoman Michele Jones said.

The new playground could lead to more of the same around the city. At least that's the hope of John Cederlund, the president of Team Reil, which represents Missouri-based Miracle Recreation. Miracle makes the playground equipment being installed while Team Reil specializes in fake grass.

Two years ago, Cederlund approached park district officials with the offer of a free playground. Eventually, word got to Ald. Ginger Rugai (19th), who liked the idea.

Cederlund knows that the gesture is appreciated, and hopes it translates to more business for his company. If not, that's OK, too, he said.

"Chicago is too big an account to not try to get back. A lot of influential people live there," Cederlund said of the politically-connected 19th Ward. "All in all, it's great for the kids. This will be nice for them, and we're happy about it. Everybody is happy about it," Cederlund said.
The park district is certainly happy because it's getting a new playground for free.

McKiernan will be the first park in the city to have artificial grass, she said. Cederlund said the product is durable and, perhaps best of all, needs no watering.

Rugai provided $80,000 in city funds to pay for the demolition and a sub-surface drainage system that had to be installed before construction, Jones said. The old playground equipment "was fairly dated," Jones said.

There will be two separate playground structures, Jones said. One is for children ages 5 and younger. The other is for children ages 5 to 12.

Open Post 4/27 - 5/3

Here is the post for miscellaneous comments, questions, etc.