Court Advocates Remember Bill Ruzgis

The Chicago Police Eighth District Court Advocates recently shared a few fond memories of one of their own: the late William "Bill" Ruzgis, a tireless and effective crime fighter who helped make the West Lawn neighborhood a great place to live, work and raise a family.

The Southwest Chicago Post adds a tip of our cap to the memory of Mr. Ruzgis for helping make the Southwest Side a better and safer place.

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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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.

* * *

Burglars broke the side window of the Sprint store at 4654 South Pulaski, cut the lock on an

4654 South Pulaski

inside storage cage and stole 20 cell phones and 20 speakers. The crime was discovered by police responding to a burglary alarm at 10:36 p.m. Sunday, October 27.

The criminals exited via a rear door, which tripped an alarm.

Store employees told police that the burglary was the second such crime at the store in a week.

* * *

A 36-year-old Back of the Yards man, said by police to be a gang member, was beaten by two assailants at the Midway Hotel, 4849 South Cicero.

4849 South Cicero

Police responding to a "battery in progress" call at 8:25 p.m. Sunday, October 27 said they found the victim lying in the motel parking lot, bleeding from the mouth. He had been pulled from a room at the motel and was beaten by two men who claimed he owed them money, the victim told police. They also reportedly stole $60 cash from the victim.

According to a motel employee, the two offenders initially came to the front desk and asked which room the victim was staying in. When she refused to say, the two claimed they would find the victim anyway and said as they walked towards his room, "You better call the police, because some sh~t's gonna go down."

The victim was transported by CFD ambulance to Christ Hospital. The attackers are described as black men age 20-25, 5'6 to 5'8, one wearing a white t-shirt with the number 23 on the back, the other wearing a black hoody and black sweatpants.

* * *

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, November 6. 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 pried open the service door of a garage near 52nd and Tripp and stole two bicycles, a weed trimmer, a leaf blower, a vacuum and a heater. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 43-year-old man, at 7:30 a.m. Monday, October 28.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the basement door of a home near 68th and Kedvale and stole assorted jewelry worth $10,000. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 46-year-old woman, at 11:05 a.m. Monday, October 28. She told police she had just left home for a short time to run an errand.

* * *

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, November 7. 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 removed a screen and forced open a rear window of a home near 70th Place and Lawndale and stole two laptop computers, a tablet computer, a cell phone, a PlayStation 3 and video game, assorted jewelry and $500 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 49-year-old man, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, October 27.

* * *

Burglars opened the overhead door of a garage near 61st and Hamlin and stole a copper pot, an aluminum pot, two boxes of tools, a propane tank, two packages of paper towels and two packages of toilet paper. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 53-year-old man, 3:30 p.m. Sunday, October 27.

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Burglars entered a garage near 62nd and Kolin and stole an air compressor and assorted tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 23-year-old woman, at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, October 26.

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Burglars forced open the side window of a house near 69th and Lawndale and stole a TV, a laptop computer, a PlayStation 3 and assorted jewelry. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 55-year-old man, when he came home from work at 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 25.

* * *

Burglars entered the front door of a condominium unit near 54th and Melvina and stole a silver ring and assorted clothes. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 40-year-old woman, at 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 25. There was no sign of forced entry, and the victim told police she thinks she may know who committed the crime.

* * *

Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 64th and Kenneth and stole a lawn mower, a weed trimmer, a leaf blower, assorted power tools, two ladders, two bicycles and three shovels. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old man, when he came home from work at 7:15 p.m. Friday, October 25.

* * *

Burglars raised the overhead door of a garage near 62nd and Meade and stole a bicycle, a snow blower and a mitre saw. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 46-year-old man, at 10:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 22. He did not report the crime to police until 9:50 a.m. Saturday, October 26.

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Kids Line Archer to See Pumpkin Parade

The annual Pumpkin Parade along Archer Avenue stepped off at 11:00 a.m. today.

The weather was brisk, but the sun bathed everyone with

warmth.

Hundreds of boys and girls in costume lined the parade route---along with moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles.

We plan to post video on Sunday. In the meantime, here are a few photos of the real stars of the show: the children themselves! (A couple of dogs and mascots, as well.)

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Chicago Police Make $3.6 Million Drug Bust--Plus $147,000 Cash--in West Lawn

Just released by the Chicago Police Department at 9:10 p.m. this evening:

CHICAGO – Chicago Police Narcotics Division officers arrested two men and seized cannabis valued at more than $3.6 million on Tuesday morning. The investigation additionally resulted in the recovery of more than $147,000 in illegal monies and the submission of property to the Drug and Gang House Enforcement program.

Eduardo Magana-Solano, 48, of the 3800 block of W. 71^st St.

Eduardo Magana-Solano

and Braulio Saucedo, 28, of Kingser, Calif. each were charged with one felony count of Possession of More than 5000 Grams of Cannabis.

As part of an ongoing investigation, members of Chicago Police Narcotics Division were conducting surveillance on the 3800 block of W. 71^st St. Tuesday morning when they observed Magana-Solano removing a large plastic bag from a vehicle located in a garage at that location. At that time, the plastic bag ripped open, revealing large bundles of cannabis in plain view. Saucedo began to assist Magana-Solano in recovering the spilled contents. Officers responded to the scene and placed both subjects into custody.

Braulio Saucedo

Further investigation revealed a total of 226,796 grams of cannabis valued at more than $3.6 million. Additionally, officers recovered more than $147,000 in cash. The property was submitted to the Drug and Gang House Enforcement Program for appropriate action.

Magana-Solano and Saucedo were scheduled to appear in bond court on October 23, 2013.

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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 36-year-old Ashburn man--said by police to be a city worker and an admitted gang member--was arrested after he allegedly threatened a 33-year-old Scottsdale man with a pistol.

Anthony D. Garcia of 77th Place and Hamlin is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit

Court Branch 34-4, 155 West 51st Street, on Tuesday, November 5, according to police.

At about 10:45 p.m. Monday, October 14, Garcia reportedly was driving his SUV near Bogan High School, allegedly pointed a pistol at a man waiting at a bus stop and hollered "You want to get crazy, motherf~cker?" The man called 911 and gave a description of the vehicle. Police responding said that Garcia's SUV matched the description, and they curbed him near Garcia's home.

Police said that as they approached Garcia's SUV, they saw him throw something onto the back seat, which reportedly turned out to be a handgun with nine live rounds. A plastic bag with five grams of marijuana was found in his pants, police added.

Garcia was positively identified by the man at the bus stop, according to police.

Police officials have not released a mug shot of Garcia because the charges he faces are misdemeanors.

According to City of Chicago records, Garcia is paid $44,782 a year to work as a garage attendant with the Department of Fleet and Facility Management (2FM).

David J. Reynolds

When contacted by the Southwest Chicago Post for a response to several questions about the incident, 2FM Commissioner David J. Reynolds wrote:

"Mr. Garcia was not on duty at the time of the alleged assault. When the Police Department learns that an arrestee is a City employee, standard practice is that the Department provides the report to the Office of the Inspector General who then provides the report to the employee’s department.  The employee’s department examines the report, does additional investigation if needed, and determines if the arrest impacts the employee’s ability to do their job."

* * *

A 36-year-old Scottsdale man--said by police to be a gang member--was arrested and charged with burglarizing a house near 51st and Lavergne.

Adolfo Delgado of 78th and Komensky is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court

Adolfo Delgado

Branch 48, 155 West 51st Street, on Wednesday, October 23.

Delgado was arrested by police responding to a residential burglary call as he stood in a back yard at 5119 South Lawler at about 9:35 p.m. Wednesday, October 16.

The victim, a 28-year-old man, told police that he had heard noises near the back of his home. When he went to investigate he allegedly saw Delgado inside the house, walking up a set of steps. The home invader fled when confronted, the victim told police. The victim followed him outside, called 911 and gave police a description and direction of flight.

After police took Delgado into custody, they brought him back to the victim, who positively identified him. Further, police said they searched Delgado and found a stainless steel wristwatch that the victim said belonged to his father.

* * *

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, October 22. 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.

* * *

Two thugs snatched a purse away from a 73-year-old West Elsdon woman and knocked her to the ground as she walked down a sidewalk near 54th and Kildare at 6:45 p.m. Friday, October 18.

The woman refused medical treatment and described the robbers as white Hispanic men age 18-25, 5'9 to 5'11 and 150-180 pounds, light complexion, and one with long black hair, the other short.

* * *

Two people--a 36-year-old Chicago Park District employee and a 19-year-old Hearst area

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man--were slightly injured trying to break up a fight between two small groups of young men near the basketball courts at Vittum Park, 5010 West 50th Street, at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, October 17.

Police said the fight may have been between two rival gangs. One of the men involved in the fight used a baseball bat to hit the Park District employee in the mouth and chin. The other victim was hit in the mouth with the bat. Neither required medical attention, police said.

Those involved in the fight fled when police arrived. The person wielding the bat is described as a black Hispanic boy or man age 16-18, 5'5 to 5'9 and 120 to 145 pounds, short black hair, wearing a black baseball cap, gray sweatshirt and black sweatpants.

* * *

A 44-year-old Clearing man told police he was robbed by two teen thugs as he waited for a bus at 63rd and Central at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, October 12.

The victim said that as a bus approached, he pulled his wallet out of his pants to get his bus pass. At that point, one of the two offenders grabbed his wallet, while the other shoved him to the sidewalk. They then fled on foot south on Central. They are described only as white Hispanic boys age 16-17.

The man told police he then made his way to a V.A. hospital, complaining of soreness in his right shoulder. He reported the crime to police the following day.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 62nd and Mayfield and stole two bicycles. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 29-year-old man, at 5:30 p.m. Friday, October 18. The victim told police the service door may have been unlocked.

* * *

Want to make your home more secure and more elegant at the same time?

 Check out this Southwest Chicago Post article about glass block windows!

* * *

Burglars pried open the rear door of a home near 85th and Kolmar and ransacked the master bedroom. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 48-year-old woman, at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, October 17. The victim told police she was not immediately certain what had been stolen.

* * *

The next meeting of the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch is set for 7:30 p.m. Monday, October 21 at Bridgeview Bank, 6366 South Archer. One of Chicago's most active and successful citizen-led crime prevention organizations. If you live and/or own a business in Beat 811 (Garfield Ridge west of Central Avenue), this is the group to join and get active with. Hear updates on a wide range of community concerns and learn how you can help build a better and safer Garfield Ridge. This month's featured topic--dealing with nuisance wildlife and nuisance pet owners, as well as steps everyone can take to keep pets safe. Featured speaker from Chicago Animal Care and Control.

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Burglars pried open the service door of a garage near 48th and Kildare and stole a snow blower, a leaf blower, a battery charger, a power washer, and various hand and power tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 65-year-old man, at 9:00 p.m. Thursday, October 17. The criminals also scratched the exterior of a 2011 Subaru parked inside.

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Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 67th and Springfield and stole a generator, assorted tools, and a stereo from a vehicle parked inside. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old woman, at 5:30 a.m. Friday, October 18. She told police that the crime was the third burglary at her residence in the last two months.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 49th and Knox and stole a car stereo and two shovels. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 34-year-old man, at 10:00 p.m. Friday, October 18. The victim told police he may have left the service door open.

* * *

Burglars pried open the patio door of a home near 49th and Kilpatrick and stole assorted jewelry, personal identification and bank checkbooks. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 67-year-old woman, at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, October 12, who said the home was ransacked.

A neighbor told police he had seen two white Hispanic men in the victim's backyard at about 4:00 p.m., but did not call police because he assumed they were workers hired by the victim.

* * *

Burglars pried open the service door of a garage near 68th and Karlov and stole a lawn mower, a weed whacker, a hedge trimmer and a leaf blower. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 42-year-old man, as he took out the trash at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, October 12.

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St. Laurence Hosts Tailgate Trivia Night

Our friends at St. Laurence High School want everyone to know about their upcoming Viking Tailgate Trivia Night. Check out the flyer below for more information. Sounds like fun!

FBI Releases Info on TCF Bank Robber

At 3:23 p.m. today, the FBI released information about an

armed robbery that occurred yesterday at the TCF Bank branch inside the Jewel/Osco at 6107 South Archer.

If you have relevant information that can help solve the case and bring the armed thug to justice, please call the FBI at the number listed below.

Date:	2013-10-13
Location:	TCF Bank
Address:	6107 S Archer
City:	Chicago
State:	IL
Zip:	VC-1
Race:	Black
Sex:	Male
Hair:	Head Covered
Eyes:	Unknown
Height:	5’ 4"   to  5’ 6"
Description:	Male/Black; Late 20's to early 30's; Approximately 5'5" and 150 lbs; Wearing a hat and black sweatshirt; Facial hair. 2:58 P
Reward:	$YES
Narrative:	Non-Takover Robbery
Contact:	FBI Chicago - (312) 421-6700

European Chalet Wins GRNW Award

Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch board members congratulate John Kapusciarz (center), general manager of European Chalet Banquets, 5445 South Harlem, winner of a monthly "business partner" award from the GRNW that salutes local businesses with a demonstrated commitment to being a good neighbor working to make Garfield Ridge a better place. Past winners include Chicago Glass Blocks, Best Home Insulation, Archer Pharmacy, and the Southwest Chicago Post.

History of Archer, Unpublished for 50 Years, Now in Print, Thanks to the CRHS

A message from our friends at the Clear-Ridge Historical Society:

We are pleased to announce the completion of the printing of

our newest title, Gleanings of Archer Road, a history of Archer Avenue from its earliest days as a Native American trail to the time this book was written in 1961.

Written by Joseph Hamzik, the preeminent Brighton Park historian, who wrote over 300 historical articles for the Brighton Park LIFE newspaper, it sat unpublished for 50 years at the Chicago Historical Society. Thanks to the Hamzik family we were able to publish this important historical title.

Copies can be purchased online at Lulu.com:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/joseph-hamzik/gleanings-of-archer-road/paperback/product-21219515.html

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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.

* * *

Two South Side men and an Ashburn boy have been arrested and charged with burglarizing

Brian Daniels

a house near 83rd Place and Hamlin.

Brian Daniels, 18, of 21st and State, and Darius Spraggins,18, of 36th and Michigan were apprehended at about 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 1 after they and a 16-year-old Ashburn boy allegedly sped away from the crime scene in a minivan that had been parked in the alley behind the home. Pursued by police responding to the home's burglar alarm, the three later fled the minivan and ran away on foot, according to police. Daniels and Spraggins were apprehended near 84th and Karlov. The youth was taken into custody near 85th and Komensky.

Property reportedly found in the minivan, including a Sony PlayStation 3 and a TV, were returned to the owner of the home. Police said the burglars had broken a rear window of the home.

* * *

Marquis Cage

A 22-year-old South Side man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after he allegedly waved a black handgun and threatened to shoot two people--a 21-year-old South Side woman and a 26-year-old Scottsdale man--in a parking lot near the Saratoga Motel, 7701 South Cicero, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 5.

Marquis Cage of 76th and Colfax is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 34, 155 West 51st Street, on Thursday, October 10.

* * *

In what police describe as a gang-related incident, five men beat a 19-year-old Back of the Yards man as he was walking to a car after leaving a friend's house near 66th and Hamlin at 6:35 p.m. Sunday, October 6. The victim told police that the attackers hit him with a wooden object. He was transported via CFD ambulance to Holy Cross Hospital, where doctors used six staples to close a head wound and treated his broken left hand. He described the offenders only as white Hispanic boys or men age 16-21.

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A 36-year-old Clearing man described by police as a gang member said he was robbed as he walked on a sidewalk on the 4900 block of West 63rd Street, along the south fence of Midway Airport.

The crime occurred at about 11:00 p.m. Monday, October 7. The offender rode up on a bicycle and snatched an Oakland Raiders cap off the victim's head and a silver chain off his neck before pedaling away west on 63rd Street. The victim told police he would have chased the robber, but was still recovering from an ankle injury. The robber is described as a white Hispanic man age 25-30, wearing a black and cream colored, flannel hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants.

* * *

A 31-year-old West Lawn man was robbed at gunpoint as he exited his car near 60th and Hamlin at 1:10 a.m. Tuesday, October 8.

The victim told police that two thugs grabbed him and threw him to the ground. Moments later, one brandished a black handgun before taking the victim's cell phone, car keys and $500 cash. They then fled on foot west to Springfield and then south towards 61st Street. They are described as black men age 20-25, 5'5 to 5'8 and 130-150 pounds, brown eyes, dark complexion, wearing dark hoodies. The victim refused medical attention.

* * *

A 30-year-old Archer Heights man told police that several gangbangers beat him in an alley near 48th and Pulaski as he walked home from the Blue Sky night club, 4807 South Pulaski, at 4:05 a.m. Sunday, October 6. He had previously gotten into an argument with one of them in the club, he told police. There were five attackers who jumped out of two vehicles, he told police. One of them hit him from behind with an unknown blunt object, causing a three-inch laceration on the back of his head. Relatives drove him to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was treated and released. The attackers were described only as white Hispanic boys or men age 16-21.

* * *

Burglars broke the rear window of a boarded-up home near 63rd Place and Oak Park and stole the air conditioning system, according to a representative of Chase Prime, the Columbus, Ohio-based company that owns the foreclosed home. The crime occurred between early May and 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, October 2, when it was discovered.

* * *

Burglars pried open the rear door of a home near 60th and Kostner and stole two TVs, a silver watch and assorted jewelry. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 92-year-old woman, when she came home from running an errand at 11:30 a.m. Monday, October 7. The victim told police she had been gone for only about an hour.

* * *

Burglars broke a garage window near 65th and Kolin and stole a snow blower, a generator and two tool boxes with tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 55-year-old man, at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, October 5.

* * *

As part of what appears to be a recent pattern of crimes, a 31-year-old Scottsdale woman told police that thieves broke into her SUV while it was parked at the CTA Orange Line station near 51st and Pulaski. The crime was discovered by the victim at 5:00 p.m. Friday. October 4. Stolen from the vehicle's glove compartment was an iPod memory hard drive.

* * *

Burglars broke a side window of an apartment on the 4200 block of West Ford City Drive and stole a notebook computer, a DVD player, two iPods and a Nintendo Wii. The crime was discovered at 6:05 p.m. Thursday, October 3. The victim, a 49-year-old woman, complained to police that her apartment had been burglarized twice before since she has lived there.

* * *

Burglars forced open the overhead door of a garage near 55th and Meade and stole a sod cutter. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 53-year-old man, at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, October 1.

* * *

Burglars broke the side window of a garage near 76th and Springfield and stole $4,000 worth of silverware, as well as a drill, a circular saw, a hedge trimmer, a power washer, two barbecue grills and a set of golf clubs. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 69-year-old man, at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 29.

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