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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A painting crew from the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation swooped down on Garfield Ridge earlier today, thwarting the efforts of juvenile gangbanger taggers who had hit about two dozen garages late Thursday night.

"We take graffiti very seriously, and we count on citizens to be extra sets of eyes and ears to

Streets and San (stock photo)

help us spot it and eliminate it as quickly as we can," said Al Cacciottolo, Streets and Sanitation superintendent in the 23rd Ward. "In this case, the people in Garfield Ridge did exactly that, and we got on top of it right away. We are grateful to them for their calls, as well as for the praise they had for us when we were on the scene."

The garages were mostly from 51st to 53rd Streets, near Melvina and Moody.

One of the admitted juvenile gangbangers arrested by police is a 16-year-old boy from suburban Cicero who also was charged with a home invasion near 51st and Mobile that occurred at about the same time.

One of the home invasion victims (a 56-year-old woman) told police that she heard floor boards creaking shortly before she discovered the boy crawling around in the house. She woke up her husband, and the two chased the criminal from their house and outside. A short time later, the husband said he discovered $117 cash missing from his pants, police said.

Police who a short time later apprehended the graffiti taggers noticed that one fit the description of the home invader. He was brought back to the house and positively identified by the victims, according to police. The $117 was found and returned to the homeowner.

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A fairly routine CPD traffic stop near 52nd and Mason resulted in a drug bust on Wednesday, April 23, police said.

Derry Johnson, 28, and Tawanna Robinson, 28, were arrested on charges relating to possession of marijuana and heroin.

Police said that when they stopped the vehicle, a 2007 Cadillac, for blowing a stop sign, they saw white smoke wafting from the inside and detected the aroma of marijuana. They said they found both pot and heroin.

Johnson and Robinson, who live near 52nd and Massasoit, were taken into custody. The three children sitting in the back seat (ages 3, 7 and 9) were also taken to the Eighth District Station and then released to an adult relative.

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A 28-year-old Gage Park man and a 24-year-old West Humboldt Park man were arrested at 3:45 p.m. Sunday, police said, in connection with an argument that reportedly started at a Bedford Park car wash and wound up five blocks east.

Arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery were Fortino Corona of Grand and Karlov

7459 South State Road

and Jose Corona of 56th and Homan.

The two allegedly used their vehicles (a 1995 black Chevy Tahoe and a 2002 tan Chevy Avalanche) to chase and ram the victims' vehicle (a 2001 red Buick). All three vehicles sustained damage, police said.

The conflict, which began at the Fuller Car Wash at 7459 South State Road, reportedly came to a head near 72nd and Kostner (an industrial street just north of Ford City) where the victims bolted from their car and started running west on

72nd and Kostner

72nd Street. At that point, Fortino allegedly used his vehicle to run over one of the victims, a 24-year-old Bridgeview man, and drag him under the car for a short distance.

After the Coronas were taken into custody, the victim who had been dragged, as well as another person (another 24-year-old Bridgeview man) were treated and transported by CFD ambulance to Christ Hospital, where police said they were in serious condition.

The victims' car belonged to another occupant of the car, a 24-year-old Westchester woman.

* * *

Burglars forced open the side door of a home near 56th and Tripp and stole a laptop computer, a PlayStation 3 video game console and 15 games, and a Glock G22 .40 caliber

Glock G22 (stock photo)

pistol (fully loaded).

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 32-year-old man, at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, April 21.

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Burglars pried open the front door of a house near 61st and Kilbourn and stole two TVs, a camera, an Xbox 360 video game console, and assorted jewelry.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 46-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 1:10 p.m. Monday, April 22.

A neighbor told police she had seen two men believed to be the burglars, loading their take into an old white Jeep (with an Indiana license plate). The two were described as white Hispanics 19-20 years old, 5'7 and 120 pounds, brown eyes, black hair, light complexion, "shaved" hair style, wearing latex gloves.

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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 St. Bruno School (south entrance) at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 1. 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.

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A 41-year-old woman left her new home near 57th and Mason for only an hour, but returned to find it burglarized at 8:45 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Both the front and back doors were ajar.

The woman told police that she is still in the process of moving in and was not sure what, if anything, was stolen; but the home was in disarray.

* * *

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

 in Beat 834 (see map), come to Bogan High School at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 2. 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.

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Burglars kicked in the service door of a garage near 56th and Merrimac and stole a bicycle. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 22-year-old woman, at 8:00 a.m. Sunday, April 21.

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Do you live in Archer Heights and want to help build a safer and stronger community? Please consider joining the neighborhood watch committee of the Archer Heights Civic Association. Easy work, minimal time commitment. Great chance to meet like-minded neighbors who care about the neighborhood, just as you do! For full details, attend the next AHCA meeting, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 at the UNO Veterans Memorial Campus, 47th and Kildare, or call the AHCA at (773) 843-2232.

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Midway Historian to Talk About New Book

Historian Dave Kent will talk about his new book “Images of

America: Midway Airport” at a Clear-Ridge Historical Society event set for 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 at the Clearing Branch Library, 6423 West 63rd Place.

Kent is a founding member of the Midway Historians.

According to CRHS, Kent's book "...captures the ethos and thrill of the Midway experience during a time when people

Rock Hudson at Midway, 1955.

dressed up for air travel or just visited the airport, dined at the Cloud Room, and gazed from Midway's observation platforms at the incredible aerial ballet before them."

Admission to the event is free, and the Society encourages everyone to join. For more information, call the library at (312) 747-5657.

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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.

* * *

A 27-year-old Clearing woman told police that her Rottweiler came to her aid and scared off

Man's Best Friend. (stock photo)

two thugs who had attacked her in her back yard near 61st and Natchez.

The woman said that at about 3:25 a.m. Friday, April 19, she heard a noise near her back gate. She related that when she went outside to investigate, two men emerged from the shadows. One reportedly punched her in the face and knocked her to the ground. The other held her down on the ground while the first offender cut her on the chest and arms---reportedly saying "We are gonna leave something for you and your husband to remember us by."

The victim said that when she started screaming, her Rottweiler charged out of the house and scared the attackers, who fled on foot.

The assailants were described only as a black man and a white Hispanic man.

The victim was treated and transported via CFD ambulance to MacNeal Hospital.

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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 West Lawn Park at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 23. 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 51-year-old man from south suburban Harvey was arrested on Saturday, April 20 and charged with misdemeanor battery after he allegedly used a box cutter to slash two men during a fight.

Arrested was Earnest Singleton of 152nd and Lexington.

The incident occurred at 6:10 p.m. on the street near 4100 South Cicero. The victims were a 31-year-old Brighton Park man and a 35-year-old Bridgeport man. One was cut on his hand; the other on his head. Both were treated and transported by CFD ambulance to MacNeal Hospital.

* * *

A 38-year-old Archer Heights woman was stabbed in the arm during an argument, allegedly by her roommate's boyfriend.

The incident occurred at 3:49 a.m. Sunday, April 21 at the victim's residence near 51st and Keeler. The victim was treated and transported by CFD ambulance to Holy Cross Hospital.

The CPD incident report did not indicate if the boyfriend was in custody.

* * *

Get a $1,000 reward for a tip that helps solve a crime? Believe it! Contact the Cook County Crime Stoppers for full details.

* * *

Burglars forced open the patio door of a garage near 52nd and Parkside and stole an auto jack and an air compressor. They also damaged a 2008 Honda CR-V parked inside.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 41-year-old man, at 9:00 a.m. Friday, April 19.

* * *

Burglars pried open the back door of a home near 50th and Lawndale and stole two TVs, a pair of earrings and $1,500 cash.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 55-year-old woman, when she came home from a dental appointment at 1:20 p.m. Thursday, April 18 to discover her bedrooms ransacked.

* * *

Burglars pried open the service door of a garage near 52nd and Kilbourn and stole four tire rims. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 32-year-old man, at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17.

* * *

Burglars broke through the window of a garage near 54th and Kilbourn and stole assorted tools, as well as a set of stereo speakers from a 2008 Scion parked inside.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 48-year-old man, at 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17.

* * *

Burglars entered the back window of a home near 53rd and Ridgeway and stole assorted jewelry and an Xbox 360 video game console.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 46-year-old woman, at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 17. The crime was apparently interrupted, because a TV that had been stacked near a window by the criminal was not stolen.

* * *

Burglars forced open the front doors of a home near 82nd and Tripp and stole $1,000 cash and several important personal identification documents.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 56-year-old woman, at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 17.

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Protect yourself, your loved ones and your property! Learn how to reduce your risk of being a burglary victim, with tips straight from ex-burglars themselves. Mark your calendar for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 24 and come to the west entrance of Kennedy High School, 56th and Narragansett. Sponsored by the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch.

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Vittum Park Man Missing; CPD Issues Alert

Update: CPD reported on Sunday evening that Mr. Genetz "has been located." Thanks to everyone who spread the word and kept eyes/ears open.

The bulletin below was released by Chicago Police shortly after midnight Sunday. If you spot Mr. Genetz, please call 911 and alert them to his whereabouts so he can be brought to safety.


Last Name: Genetz
First Name: Alex
Age: 85
Gender: Male
Height: 509
Weight: 150
Eyes: Blue
Hair: bold
Race: white
Date of birth: 14-May-1927
Date of last contact: 20-Apr-2013
Scars, marks, tattoos: None
The above subject missing from 4800 block of South Leamington. Subject last seen driving a 2001
Mercury Grand Marquis, four door, blue in color with an IL license of F793180. Subject last seen in
the area of 79th and Harlem, Bridgeview, Il. Subject is forgetful and is a diabetic.

Soukal to Address Midway Garden Society

Southwest Side gardeners are invited to attend the next meeting of the Midway Garden Society, set for 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 24 at the Clearing Branch Library.

The group will conduct its regular business meeting until about 6:30 p.m., and then guest speaker Jerry Soukal of the popular Soukal Floral & Greenhouses will lead a discussion of gardening.

The group meets monthly, hosts guest speakers, conducts plant exchanges, publishes a newsletter, stages an annual Urban Garden Walk every summer, and works to make the Midway area a more beautiful and peaceful place by encouraging gardening among people of all ages.

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Clean-Up Advice to Avoid Injury, Illness

When you clean up after a flood, please remember these safety tips, issued by the Chicago Department of Public Health in 2010:

City Health Dept. Offers Advice

On Flood Clean-Up Safety

Heavy Rains Bring Potential Hazards

In the wake of today's heavy rains, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is reminding all Chicagoans to exercise caution when cleaning up basements and other flooded areas.

Although disease outbreaks after floods are not common, floodwater can contain various bacteria, viruses and other infectious organisms that may cause disease Our hope is that everyone uses common sense to prevent flood-related illness and injury.

Protecting Yourself from Injury

Public Health officials warn that Chicagoans should not enter a flooded basement unless

they are certain that the standing water is not in contact with electrical outlets or other energized appliances (such as sump pumps). Call a qualified electrician to disconnect the power before you enter a flooded basement. Everyone should avoid handling live electrical equipment in wet areas. Such equipment should be checked and dried before being returned to service. Specific questions about electricity and flooded areas may be directed to ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1.

Anyone entering a flooded basement or other area should wear protective clothing – such as boots, rubber gloves and long-sleeved shirts – to reduce contact with potentially contaminated items. This is especially important for individuals who may have a burn, rash or open cut anywhere on their skin.

Children should always be kept away from flooded areas.

Preventing Disease

After a flooded basement or other area has been cleared of water, it should be thoroughly scrubbed down with hot, soapy water. Special attention should be given to areas where children play (including toys) and to food-surface areas (such as counter tops, pantry shelves, refrigerators, stoves, cutting boards and TV trays). Everything that is scrubbed should then be rinsed with a solution of warm water and laundry bleach (1 cup of bleach per 5 gallons of water).

All linens and clothes that have been touched by floodwater should be washed in hot water, or dry-cleaned. Items that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned (such as mattresses and upholstered furniture) should be air-dried in the sun, and then thoroughly vacuumed and sprayed with a disinfectant. Steam-clean all carpeting.

Everyone involved in flood clean-up should pay special attention to personal hygiene to minimize the risk of disease transmission. Hands should be washed regularly with warm, soapy water – especially before preparing and eating food, and before handling babies and children. Hands also must be washed after using the toilet and after changing a diaper. The hands of infants and toddlers also should be kept clean, since children frequently put their fingers in their mouths. Make a special effort to keep washcloths and dish towels clean.

Avoiding Tainted Food

Generally speaking, do not eat any food that has come into contact with flood water. Food in cans and bottles that still have their seals intact may be safe after being cleaned with warm, soapy water and then rinsed in a water/bleach solution. However, if the seal appears to be compromised in any way (such as cans with dents, rust pits, or bulging ends), the items should be discarded. The basic rule on food safety is: when in doubt, throw it out.

The same rule applies to food in refrigerators and freezers affected by power outages. Food in a typical freezer will stay safe for about 24 hours without electrical power – assuming the freezer door stays closed. Food in a refrigerator will stay safe for about 4-6 hours during a power outage. Pay special attention to high-protein foods, such as meat, fish, poultry and dairy products; they tend to spoil more quickly than anything else in the refrigerator.

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Beware of Post-Flood Scammers

A helpful word of caution to all Southwest Siders: as much as

floods do damage, post-flood scam artists can make a bad situation worse.

Here are a few tips from the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection:

Tips to Avoid Post-Storm Damage Scams

Avoid any so-called "contractors" that knock on your door, tell you they're working in the neighborhood, and ask if you need assistance.

Make sure you get information about any contractor you hire: his name, business name, business address, phone numbers, and references. Look at the vehicle the contractor drives . . . is the business name / address / phone number on the truck? Take a few minutes to check out the contractor on the internet or with the BBB.

DO ask for a copy of the contractor's City of Chicago business license and current certificate of insurance. Make sure the documents you see are up-to-date. Check for a company's business license on the city's website.

Roofers working in Chicago must have 2 licenses: a home repair license and a limited business license.

If your roof is leaking, don't assume you need a brand new roof. Get at least 2 or 3 estimates before you hire a contractor to install a new roof. Leaks may be simply repaired by re-sealing openings.

Plumbers working in Chicago to rod out drains need a Sewer License, issued by the Department of Water Management. Ask to see the current license.

Ask if water backup in your home may be due to blockage in the street that the City will repair. Call 311 if your plumber suspects sewer line blockage not on your private property.

DO make sure that any contract you sign details all of the repairs that you discuss with the contractor. DON'T assume the contractor will do what you want unless you have it in writing.

DON'T make the final payment unless you are satisfied with the work. If it's dark when the work is completed, tell the contractor to come back in the morning so that you can see the repairs when it's light to make sure the work is ok.

DO be wary of companies advertising flood clean-up services. Make sure you understand all potential charges before you agree to the services. For example, how will you be charged for fans brought into your home to dry out the carpet, by the man-hour or per fan? What if fans are left overnight? How will you be charged for removal of water, by the time it takes to remove the water or by the amount of water removed?

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Musichorale Singing This Sunday in Palos

Here is a flier from our friends at Musichorale, a Southwest Side favorite since 1947.

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 23-year-old Gage Park man was injured when a concrete brick was thrown through the front door window of the Royalty Fades barber shop, 5914 South Pulaski.

5914 South Pulaski

The attack occurred at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13. The victim was seated near the door. After the attack, the offender ran away north on Pulaski, then west through an alley.

CFD paramedics arrived and treated the victim's head wound. The victim told police the attack may have occurred because there are so many fade shops in the area, hinting that a rival shop may have been behind the crime.

* * *

A 52-year-old employee of Pro Excavating, 3939 West 41st Street, scared away two would-be thieves at 1:15 p.m. Saturday, April 13.

3939 West 41st Street

The man told police that he spotted two criminals about to steal steel plating stored in the Pro Excavating yard. When he confronted them, one pulled a knife and said "If you come closer, I'll stab you."

The men, empty-handed then jumped into a red 1991 Chevy pickup truck and sped away north on Pulaski. The victim got a license plate number. Police said the truck is owned by a man living on the 600 block of north Central Park.

The two crooks are described only as black men age 40-50.

* * *

Get a $1,000 reward for a tip that helps solve a crime? Believe it! Contact the Cook County Crime Stoppers for full details.

* * *

A 28-year-old South Side woman was robbed at gunpoint minutes after shopping at Ford City.

The crime occurred at 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 12. The victim told police that she had just

finished shopping at the Conway store and was walking with another woman (who she thought was a customer in the store) towards a bus stop.

Suddenly, the other woman ran away in a southwest direction. At that moment, a thug walked up behind her, stuck a hand gun in her back and said "Give me your money and everything you got."

The victim surrendered $100 cash, her engagement ring and a bag of clothing she had just purchased. The gunman then fled on foot in the same direction as the woman.

The victim told police she had seen both in the store. They had thought they were customers and not with each other.

The gunman is described as a black man age 30-40, 6'3 to 6'5, dark complexion with a "bald" hair style. The accomplice is described as a black woman, 5'3 to 5'5, dark complexion with a wig or wig-like hairstyle.

* * *

A 48-year-old West Lawn woman startled and frightened two home invaders, causing them to flee.

At about 12:40 p.m. Thursday, April 11, the woman heard a knock on the door of her home near 65th Place and Lawndale. She told police she looked out the window and saw a man standing there. She did not answer the door.

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About an hour later, she was in her basement when she heard a knock at the door and a loud crash on the first floor. When she walked upstairs to investigate, she saw a man standing on the stairway landing.

Upon seeing her, the criminal and his accomplice fled. The woman pursued and saw them jumping into a green van and speeding away east on 65th Place.

The offenders are described as black men 20-25 years old, 6'0 and 150 pounds.

* * *

Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 52nd and Kilpatrick and stole assorted tools.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 35-year-old man, at 6:00 a.m. Thursday, April 11. He did not report the crime until more than 48 hours later, telling police he had been too busy to report it.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the service door of a garage near 64th and Knox and stole a lawn mower and a snow blower.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 74-year-old man, when he arrived home at 8:30 a.m. Monday, April 15 and saw the overhead door open.

* * *

Burglars entered a home near 60th and Kolin and stole a TV, a laptop computer, and Xbox 360 video game console, a cell phone, assorted jewelry and an unknown amount of cash.

The crime was discovered by the victims, a 57-year-old man and his wife, when they got home from work at 4:00 p.m. Monday, April 15 and saw the back door ajar.

They did not report the crime to police until more than six hours later, saying they were making the report for insurance purposes.

* * *

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

in Beat 813 or 813 (see map), come to West Lawn Park at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 23. 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 forced open the service door of a garage near 61st and Keating and stole a vehicle battery charger.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 40-year-old woman, at 5:15 p.m. Monday, April 15.

* * *

Burglars forced open the back door of a home near 57th and Kenneth and stole a TV, The crime was discovered by the victim, a 42-year-old woman, at 3:45 p.m. Monday, April 15.

* * *

Burglars forced open the side door of a house near 69th and Springfield and stole $10 cash.

The crime was discovered by the victim, an 86-year-old woman, when she arrived home at 2:05 p.m. Monday, April 15 and saw her bedroom ransacked.

* * *

Burglars broke through a window of a garage near 54th and Hamlin and stole an air compressor, a leaf blower, a power drill and screwdriver, and assorted hand tools.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 50-year-old man, at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, April 14, although he did not report the crime to police until nearly seven hours later.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 49th and Kilpatrick and stole a lawn mower. The crime was discovered by the victim, an 81-year-old woman, when he came home from shopping at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11 and saw the service door open.

* * *

Burglars broke through the back door of a home near 58th and Lawndale and stole a TV, a PlayStation 3 video game console, four watches and a safe containing jewelry.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 30-year-old man, when he came home from work at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, April 11.

* * *

While a West Lawn family enjoyed a barbecue in their garage near 65th and Hamlin, burglars slipped in the unlocked back door of their home and stole three purses.

The crime occurred at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 6, although it was not reported to police until five days later. Family members said they suspected two unknown white Hispanic men who drove by in a gray Chevy Astro van during the barbecue.

* * *

Protect yourself, your loved ones and your property! Learn how to reduce your risk of being a burglary victim, with tips straight from ex-burglars themselves. Mark your calendar for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 24 and come to the west entrance of Kennedy High School, 56th and Narragansett. Sponsored by the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch.

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GR Civic Hears GR Chamber President

Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce President Mary Ann Dybala was the featured guest speaker at the April meeting of the Garfield Ridge Civic League.

Here are about 10 minutes of her remarks to the group:

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Clear-Ridge Historical Society Planning Bus Tour of Garfield Ridge Sites of Interest

CRHS President Rob Bitunjac at the 2012 bus tour

Leaders of the Clear-Ridge Historical Society will host “An Historical Tour of Garfield Ridge” at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, June 2.

The three-hour bus tour is designed to offer a wealth of information on the people and events that helped make Garfield Ridge the unique and interesting place it is.

Some of the highlights may include the Chicago Portage, remnants of Mud Lake, Long John Wentworth's "Summit" farm at Archer and Neva, a church that was a key part of Garfield Ridge's little-known Dutch heritage, remnants of the time when Garfield Ridge was a "gated" community, the quirky "house in the alley" and much more.

Bus tour tickets are on sale for $15 each ($10 for CRHS members).

The tour will start at the Chicago Portage National Historic Site, 4800 South Harlem.

To sign up for the tour, drop off or mail payment to Midway Jewelers, 5635 West 63rd Street, or call Rob Bitunjac at (773) 507-3108. Make checks payable to: Clear-Ridge Historical Society.

This popular tour was sold out last year, so purchase your tickets soon.

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