AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/category/community/page/49/)
Anyone 50 or older is invited to enjoy a traditional German lunch and live entertainment from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26. MatherLifeWays is sponsoring Wednesday’s event, which is in partnership with Catholic Charities and Catalyst Schools.
Stop by 5051 W. Chicago Av. on Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a large selection of affordable fresh produce, recipe demonstrations, free samples and giveaways.
Registration is still open for Saturday’s race – the fifth annual – and organizers hope to surpass 700 participants. Walkers and runners can register in person on Friday at 5840 W. Chicago Ave. until 5 p.m. and on race day beginning at 7 a.m. Loretto Hospital and Ald. Chris Taliaferro’s office are among the groups and businesses that will be fielding teams.
Beth Anne Place will be holding its fall festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28. at 1143 N. Lavergne. There will be pumpkin carving, entertainment, arts and crafts, and more.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford is serving chairman of the Illinois House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force, which will review the issue of gun violence and make recommendations designed to reduce violence.
There will also be roundtable discussions to gather the perspectives of Austin residents to ensure the monitoring efforts – part of the consent decree the Chicago Police Department is under – “reflect the priorities of Chicago’s diverse community members.” Refreshments will be served at the meeting, which will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 21 at Austin Town Hall, 5610 W. Lake St.
The $1 million gift from Rick and Cate Waddell, given to United Way of Metro Chicago, will be used to support economic development over the next five years in Austin through the Neighborhood Network Initiative. Austin Coming Together will play a key role in the initiative.
Anyone age 50 or older is invited to Catalyst Circle Rock, 5628 W. Washington Blvd., to dine and dance. Cost is $3, and there will be a prize drawing.
The Veterans group of South Austin is hosting the get together at the 29th Ward Veterans Peace Garden, 5413 W. Madison. Please RSVP.
Friendship Baptist Church, 5200 W. Jackson Blvd., is holdings its monthly free community meal from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 14. All are welcome.