bike
Bike ride for peace this weekend in Austin
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Ride for peace Friday night and Sunday morning in two separate events. Friday’s ride begins at 8 p.m. at 819 N. Leamington, while Sunday’s ride starts at 9 a.m. at Columbus Park, 500 S. Central Ave.
Community
Ride your bike for peace
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The Austin peace ride will take place Sept. 19. Meet at the BUILD Chicago office at 5100 W. Harrison St. at 9 a.m.; the ride begins at 10 a.m. Water and light snacks will be provided. Bring your bike; a limited number of Divvy bikes will be available.
Community
Share your West Side story during a community open mic
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The virtual session will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 16 and hosted by Darlene Hightower. The event is sponsored by Rush’s office of community health equity and engagement. Email ahead of time to get participant password.
youth
West Side youth create their own quality-of-life plan for Austin
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A group of about a dozen youth created their own quality-of-life plan for Austin this summer, modeled after a similar plan being implemented by Austin Coming Together. The youth’s plan focuses on public safety, mental health and youth empowerment, and will be unveiled later this fall by the group Territory.
Community
Drive-in movies today in Austin
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The first showing will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 19, while the second showing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. There is a 30-vehicle capacity for both shows, which is sponsored by BUILD Chicago and Michele Clark Magnet High School. Enter on Leamington. Food will be available for purchase; you’re welcome to bring your own snacks and beverages. No smoking or alcohol is allowed. Restrooms will be available.
Community
Block club hosts community beautification event
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The Austin Adams Block Club hosted the event last weekend. They planted rose bushes along Adams Street, ate barbecue from Smoky Zo’s and were visited by the mayor. Another community event is planned for this Saturday.
Uncategorized
Juneteenth celebrated on West Side
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West Side organizations hosted events in celebration of Juneteenth on Friday. Commemorating Juneteenth this year was seen as especially important in the wake of the national movements sparked by the police killing of George Floyd.
Action Now
Local nonprofit calls for unity in black community at food giveaway
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During Thursday’s event, organized by Action Now, leaders from community groups spoke about the need to empower black neighborhoods, heal divisions and affect lasting change. Deborah Harris, executive director of Action Now, said while they needed to “serve people right then and there,” the bigger mission is to start “rebuilding unity in the black community, rebuilding power in the black community, rebuilding resources of the black community.”
Community
Pray, march for peach in Austin
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All are invited to gather at 1 p.m. June 4 at the former Emmet School, at the corner of Madison and Central, to pray and organize. Each of us is needed to restore justice and peace; rebuild West Side businesses; reduce violence and COVID-19; and strengthen relationships. Thursday’s event is sponsored by the Westside Health Authority, state Rep. La Shawn Ford, Alds. Chris Taliaferro and Emma Mitts, and faith-based leaders.
Opinion
America must value the lives of black millennials and others in our communities
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Raheem Cooper-Thomas, Cortez Watson Jr., Chukwuka John Okafo and Herb Howard have these questions on their minds: When do we fight back? How and when do we seek justice for all the lives lost? And when will we have any opportunity in this country?