AustinTalks | News and information covering Chicago's Austin neighborhood on the West Side

Summer block party Friday in Austin

By AustinTalks | July 19, 2019

The Westside Health Authority along with its sponsors will be hosting its annual community playstreets event today from 3 to 6 p.m. at 5000 W. Van Buren. There will be music, food and a moon bounce.

Six Austin businesses receive grants through Neighborhood Opportunity Fund

Fifteen Austin businesses have been awarded grant money by the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund since 2017.

Local residents take to the stage to share views of the West Side

Resita Cox and Keith Kelley asked a group of Chicagoans who gathered recently at The Lab, 3450 W. Lake St., to answer the question: What does the West Side mean to you? See what they had to say. Some of what was shared will be incorporated into a documentary titled “Regrowth” that Cox is making.

teachers

Two Austin educators stand out in the classroom

Marchanelle Flowers, who teaches at Spencer Elementary Technology Academy, and Samiena Singleton, who teaches at Howe Elementary School, were honored earlier this year during CPS’ teacher appreciation week.

News

Dozens of Michele Clark seniors participate in annual grad ride

Dozens of Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School seniors - complete with graduation caps - took to the streets of Austin for a bike ride this past week to visit eight nearby elementary schools: Oscar DePriest Elementary School, Plato Learning Academy, Edward K. Duke Ellington Elementary School, Brunson Math and Science Specialty Elementary School, Ronald E. McNair Elementary School, Henry H. Nash Elementary School, Spencer Elementary Technology Academy and George Leland Elementary School. This is the second year Michele Clark has held a "grad ride" for its graduating seniors.
Austin student reflects on the impact of a new Chicago mayor

Just a few week after Chicago’s new mayor, Lori Lightfoot, took office, an Austin high school student reflected on what's ahead for the city. Darien McGee, an Austin College and Career Academy High School senior, plans to attend Paul Quinn College this fall and study engineering.
Austin resident Dwayne Truss appointed to Chicago Board of Education

Dwayne Truss, a longtime Austin resident and Chicago Public Schools graduate, has been appointed to the Chicago Board of Education. Truss, who ran unsuccessfully for the 29th Ward aldermanic seat earlier this year, had backed Mayor Lori Lightfoot in her mayoral race.
Kehrein Center for the Arts officially unveiled

The Circle Rockets student orchestra - 50-students strong - now call the Kehrein Center for the Arts and Sistema Ravinia Auditorium home. And so, too, should Austin residents.
Austin groups compete in ‘elevating voices’ fair Saturday

Katherine Korey, director of development and marketing for Bright Promises Foundation, remembers her fondest memory of working in Austin. “We spent the whole afternoon talking with (an) Austin community member, and I will never forget, he said, ‘You white girls are parked out front like it’s no big deal.’ And for us it really wasn’t a big deal,” Korey said.
21 Austin students receive college scholarships from Third Unitarian Church

Vivian Matthews, former founding committee member of Third Unitarian Church's Austin Scholars Award, held back tears last weekend while thanking each person in the room for their support. Twenty-one Austin high school seniors were receiving scholarships worth $1,000 each; this is the 45th year the church has awarded scholarships.
West Side triage and wellness center invites residents to use its services

It’s easy to miss the building in the 4100 block of West Madison Street. Tucked among other storefront businesses, the Westside Community Triage and Wellness Center, located at 4133 W. Madison, could be mistaken for just another business or social service provider.
Austin group honors local officers and teachers as good neighbors

The Westside Health Authority's Good Neighbor Campaign is honoring the work being done in Austin by first responders and teachers. “[We] are here to show people that we are coming together in the Austin community.
Two Austin high school students win Posse Foundation scholarships

Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School guidance counselor Gregory Dean just knew his student was going to win a Posse Foundation scholarship. “I told Lamaria every time I saw her she was going to win,” Dean said.
Fresh market popup returns to Austin this weekend

A fresh market popup will return to Austin this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The event – presented by Forty Acres Fresh Market and the Austin Av 72 Chicago SSA – will offer a large selection of affordable produce, recipe demonstrations, free samples and special Mother’s Day giveaways.