News
Back-to-school parade in Austin today
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Don’t miss the largest back-to-school community event on the West Side. It takes place from 12 to 5 p.m. Aug. 13 at Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School, 5101 W. Harrison St.
By the Hand Club for Kids
$31 million project will be state-of-the-art campus for youth
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The sports, education and wellness facility at 1841 N. Laramie will open in fall 2022. It will feature 150,000-square-feet of indoor space, new outdoor turf fields and Chicago’s only FIFA regulation turf arena for year-round indoor sport. The campus also will house after-school programming for more than 400 youth and offer over 100 free community hours per week. The Fire will offer more than 20 hours per week of free soccer programming for the community.
budget
West Siders to make plea for funding in next year’s budget
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West Side residents’ input is being sought tonight at one of three forums the city of Chicago is holding as it prepares for the 2022 budget.
biking
Divvy bike share expanding in Austin, seeks your input
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A total of 20 Divvy stations are planned for North Austin and West Humboldt Park, building off the existing network in South Austin that was installed in 2016. The Chicago Department of Transportation is seeking input as it decides on the new locations.
alternate response model
Public safety initiatives discussed at community briefing
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A virtual briefing on public safety and policing was held this week that covered the city’s newly passed civilian oversight ordinance and also touched on the alternate response model that calls for more involvement by mental health professionals.
Opinion
Chicago needs to focus on Black lives
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What does a focus on Black lives look like? asks state Rep. La Shawn Ford.
“First, we have to VALUE Black lives. We have to be honest about the history of Black lives in our country and in our city. Stories have to be told about the past and the present, Ford says.
Community
West side residents invited to back-to-school event Sunday
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Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford will be hosting her 12th annual back-to-school event at Brookfield Zoo. Registration is from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Aug. 8, with the event following from 12 to 3 p.m.
AFSP
With suicide increasing among Blacks, help is available
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Nearly 45,000 Americans died by suicide last year – far more than were killed in car crashes or murdered. Mental health advocates urge everyone to pay attention to how their friends and loved ones are doing. Help is available from a variety of groups and by calling (800) 273-8255.
Community
Small business owners to meet Monday about growing commerce in Austin
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Austin business operators who want to help make Austin a competitive commercial district are invited to a meeting Aug. 2, which will be held at Kehrein Center for the Arts at 5628 W. Washington Blvd. Come in person or participate via live stream.
Community
Stand up for peace on Wednesdays in Austin
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Join Austin residents, businesses, neighborhood groups and the faith-based community tonight at 6 p.m. – and every Wednesday throughout the summer – to unite against violence. Meet at any one of six Austin corners as part of the 100 Blocks/100 Churches initiative.