We wish you a healthy, joyous and happy new year. We are thankful to be serving the Austin community for another year. AustinTalks will soon be starting its 11th year of operation, providing news and information about the West Side.
Community
West Side faith leaders demand congressional hearings on police raids
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The Leaders Network, a social justice group based on the West Side, sent letters earlier this week to four of Chicago’s U.S. House members demanding there be congressional hearings. The letter was sent to Reps. Danny K. Davis, Chuy García, Bobby Rush and Robin Kelly. Congressman Davis will meet with faith leaders Dec. 31.
celebration
Make a craft for Kwanzaa, which begins Saturday
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This year, Kwanzaa will be held from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Each day, The Black Mall will live stream a five-hour celebration, from 4 to 9 p.m.
health
9 things to know about the vaccine
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State Rep. La Shawn Ford shares this information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the COVID-19 vaccines are given to healthcare personnel and nursing home residents. Essential workers and those 75 years and older will be able to get the shots next.
Community
Austin churches distributing food to those in need
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Several churches and organizations are distributing food to those in need on Chicago’s West Side and nearby suburbs. No one should go hungry, especially at this time of year.
cancer prevention
Men gather for some fellowship and to talk health
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A few dozen people stopped by “No Shave November,” which was held earlier this month at AJ Styles Beauty & Barber Salon, 6624 W. North Ave. See who stopped by to get a haircut and share in some fellowship.
Business
Website launches to promote Black-owned businesses
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The newly launched website -www.BlackShopFriday.com – provides a guide to more than 500 local Black-owned businesses – more than 40 of them in Austin – that can be searched by category and/or neighborhood. Black Shop Friday is a partnership of the city of Chicago, the Chicago Urban League and advertising agency O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul (OKRP).
Community
Don’t forget to get your flu shot
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City health officials are advising that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot this year. The Chicago Department of Public Health has relaunched the Chicago Flu Vaccine Finder, a web-based app that shows where you can get a flu shot. In Austin residents can go to one of two Walgreens, one at 5222 W. Madison St. and the other at 1546 N. Central Ave.
Community
Turkey giveaways Monday
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Turkeys will be distributed on a first come, first served basis starting at 11 a.m. Nov. 23 at 5713 W. Chicago Ave.; and beginning at 12 p.m. at Michele Clark High School, 5101 W. Harrison St., and 5744 W. Chicago Ave. If you aren’t able to stop by one of the Austin sites during these times, turkeys are being distributed elsewhere throughout the city.
education
Local School Council elections held this week
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Elementary school LSC elections are Nov. 18, and high school LSC elections are Nov. 19. In-person polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Local school councils — made up of parents, students and community members that can make school budget and principal hiring decisions — were once seen as a bastion of school-level democracy, according to Block Club Chicago.
health
Prostate screening at Loretto
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The Loretto Hospital is offering free prostate cancer screenings for uninsured or underinsured men living in Austin and surrounding communities throughout the month. For more information or to schedule a screening, call (833) TLH-LOVE.