AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/community/page/10/)
At this month’s meeting of the 29th Ward residents aired concerns about vaccine appointments and the alderman shared how the Chicago Police Department is preparing for summer violence. Residents also heard an update about a new grocery store that will be opening in the now-closed Salvation Army building in the 5300 block of West Chicago Avenue.
Fresh Start Fathers, the Greer Family and Austin residents will hold the 13th annual anti-gun violence prayer vigil from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the corner of Lotus Avenue and Congress Parkway. Since 17-year-old Marcus Greer was killed in 2008, an annual prayer vigil has been held in his memory to speak out against gun violence.
The community-focused mural by local artist Tia Etu was unveiled last week at the store, 4650 W. North Ave. Etu said she featured the things she thought were wonderful about the community in the mural, which is right inside the store’s entrance.
About 50 Austin residents came out last weekend to clean up several blocks for Wecycle’s first annual spring cleaning rally. Wecycle CEO David Fleming said Saturday’s cleanup went great, but there’s still work to do. “We’re going to get this place nice. We’re going to go green. And we’re going to get it beautiful,” said Fleming, an Austin native.
Austin residents are invited to the event, which starts at 10 a.m. April 1. There will be raffle prizes, food distribution, COVID-19 testing, PPE distribution and a community cleanup.
The Oakland, California-based Family Independence Initiative awarded 400 Black leaders across the country direct investments of $3,500. While none of the Chicago recipients are Austin residents, some do work on the West Side.
West Siders are invited to share their ideas about what kind of art they’d like to see in Austin on Jan. 26, either at 12 or 6 p.m. The meeting will be held over Zoom and led by Antonia “Toni” Ruppert.
A number of events are being held this weekend to honor the civl rights leader, starting with an interfaith celebration at 10 a.m. Jan. 15. Other events are planned by Nonviolence Chicago and the Community Renewal Society on Jan. 18 and 19.
See Christmas trees decorated in different cultures and meet others celebrating life on the West Side. The socially distanced event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at 622 and 623 N. Lorel – two vacant lots that have been transformed into community gardens with the help of Block Club President Dollie Sherman. Refreshments will be served. Please, wear a mask.
Austin Coming Together is one of several organizations involved in a new initiative unveiled Monday by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago’s Office of Racial Equity and Justice. The “Together We Heal” initiative calls on all residents to play their part in fostering connection, restoration and learning around the topic of racial healing. Chicagoans are encouraged to join in this challenge by hosting candid conversations, healing circles and other activities. The challenge will run from now until the end of January with a culminating, virtual healing summit that will reflect on progress made and build a path forward together.