The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will hold a virtual forum on criminal justice at 7 p.m. Feb. 11. The panel will include state Rep. La Shawn Ford.
37th Ward
City to soon pick developer for Laramie State Bank building
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Two of seven groups vying for the right to develop the iconic building received the highest score in a community survey as the city moves closer to selecting a winner. 548 Development’s ”Soul City Steam Center” and Brinshore and Westside Health Authority’s “Soul City Center” each earned a 3.6 score. The winning proposal could be announced as early as this week.
art center
Austin is home to one of the few creative communities in Chicago
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The building at 5339 W. Lake, which welcomed its first occupants nearly five years ago, is one of the few, affordable artist spaces in the city, according to studio manager Noah Singer.
coronavirus
West Side officials encourage residents to get COVID-19 vaccine
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A virtual town hall held last weekend addressed the reservations some people have about getting the vaccine. Officials said it’s especially important that African Americans get vaccinated, since Black Chicagoans are dying at a higher rate than other groups.
29th Ward
Austin Town Hall gets funds for repairs, renovations
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The facility at 5610 W. Lake St. will be getting up to $1.5 million in TIF money. That funding will partially cover costs associated with upgrading the building’s electrical service, improving ADA access, and remodeling and restoring parts of the interior including the auditorium.
News
Depression is personal to me
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Austin native John Fountain III shares his struggles with depression and urges African Americans to not be afraid to get help. “I’m never alone in the struggle. And neither are you.”
coronavirus
Free COVID-19 shots available Saturday in Austin
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Five hundred doses will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 27 at By The Hand Club For Kids, 415 N. Laramie Ave. Register ahead of time online or by calling.
News
New businesses coming to Chicago Avenue
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Austin native Marseil Jackson plans to open an art gallery, wellness lounge and recording studio along a stretch of Chicago Avenue being developed as the Soul City Corridor. He’s purchased a vacant building in the 5800 block of Chicago Avenue to house Soul City Studios, which after renovations he aims to open early next year.
coronavirus
Will you get the COVID-19 vaccine?
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Learn more about the importance of getting vaccinated at a virtual town hall sponsored by The Loretto Hospital. Speaking at Wednesday night’s event will be the hospital’s president and CEO, George Miller Jr., and its chief clinical officer, Dr. Nikhila Juvvadi. Tune in at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24.
Austin
More local residents can dine in at MacArthur’s, other West Side restaurants
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Indoor dining capacity increased this month, which helps MacArthurs, the popular soul food restaurant on West Madison Street. But the increased capacity is far more helpful to other parts of Chicago that have more restaurants. “One of the things we’re fighting right now is the lack of opportunities to sit down in a restaurant” in Austin, said Malcolm Crawford, executive director of the Austin African American Business Networking Association.
News
Rethinking hospice care
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JourneyCare, the city and state’s largest nonprofit offering palliative, supportive and hospice care, wants to empower West Side residents to be proactive in making end-of-life decisions. “Talking about death is difficult,” Deborah McDonald said. “Nobody wants to think about that impending moment. Being well-informed is what it’s all about.”