AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/residents/)
The 25th District invites West Siders to National Night Out from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 1 at 5555 W. Grand Avenue. The annual event promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, better places to live.
The 25th District CAPS office invites West Side residents to a free smoke-out at Leclaire Avenue and Concord Place.
Residents took jabs at Ald. Deborah Graham (29th) Tuesday night, accusing her of going behind their backs when she wrote a letter of support to the city in July for a special permit for an EZ Pawn.
Local leaders and advocates talk about solutions to the problems behind the violence plaguing the West Side. Some say building hope – like youth centers and community gardens – is a step toward finding peace.
Rickie P. Brown Sr., president of the West Side Historical Society, says the National Guard is not the answer to stopping violence; it’s up to residents and leaders to make changes to restore order and improve the quality of life for citizens.
The June 23 event was hosted by International Free & Accepted Modern Masons, Inc. & Order of the Eastern Star William V. Banks Grand Lodge and Lillian Gill Grand Chapter members.
West Side residents sat in classrooms and pitched tents outside the building until the school board agreed to meet with them and discuss plans to overhaul the school.
Facility administrators say the problems have been fixed, but health officials say there are still unresolved issues.