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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.
Since the dawn of the civil war, blacks have psychologically struggled with identity, and they do not have a unified opinion of their experiences in America, writes columnist John W. Fountain III.
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.
Markell “Kell-O-G” Mooney, spoken word poet and founder of Word Life Productions, started the patio shows at his family’s home in the 5100 block of West Concord Place in March 2003 after the death of his father, Willie E. Mooney Sr.
The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 14 at The Loretto Hospital, 645 S. Central Ave. A panel of experts will share their knowledge, and there will be free screenings and lunch, raffles and prizes.
Organizers hope at least 700 people will participate in the fifth annual event, which kicks off in the heart of Austin the morning of Sept. 28. Registration is $35 per person, or $300 for a team of 10.