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2 weeks ago | 
austinweeklynews.com | Hector Cervantes
TaskForce Prevention and Community Services has been named the Out Front Leader of the 2025 Chicago Pride Parade, marking the first time a local community organization will lead Chicago’s Pride Parade on June 29. The West Side nonprofit is recognized as it celebrates 35 years of service to LGBTQ+ youth of color.
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3 weeks ago | 
austinweeklynews.com | Hector Cervantes
Runners from 49 states and 35 countries filled the streets of Chicago’s West Side on Sunday for the Bank of America Chicago 13.1 half marathon. Participants had a total of three hours and 15 minutes to complete the 13.1-mile course, requiring them to maintain a pace of at least 15 minutes per mile to finish within the time limit.
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1 month ago | 
austinweeklynews.com | Hector Cervantes
The 2025 Bank of America Chicago 13.1 half marathon will take place on Sunday offering a free festival, youth races, wellness activities and a community pop-up in Garfield Park, drawing thousands of runners and visitors to the West Side. Now in its fourth year, the race will follow the same course used for the past three years, with only minor adjustments. The race winds through Chicago’s West Side, starting and finishing in Garfield Park.
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1 month ago | 
austinweeklynews.com | Hector Cervantes
West Side Forward hosted a 3D printing workshop on May 17, gave the local community the chance to design and create their own custom action figures. Sponsored by United Way of Metro Chicago, the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and West Side Forward, the event sought to expand access to emerging technology and inspire innovation among residents with no prior experience required.
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1 month ago | 
austinweeklynews.com | Hector Cervantes
Bikes rolled through the streets of North Lawndale on May 7 for a six mile anti-violence ride, as community members took part in the fifth annual Biking Out Negativity, organized by Boxing Out Negativity. Boxing Out Negativity focuses on promoting peace and empowering local youth through positive community engagement. The event united residents in reclaiming their neighborhood, raising awareness and inspiring hope for a safer future. Prior to the ride, an Impact Expo was held at St. Agatha, 3147 W.
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1 month ago | 
austinweeklynews.com | Hector Cervantes
North Lawndale will be the site on May 17 of the fifth annual Bike Out Negativity, a free, anti-violence bike ride and youth celebration organized by Boxing Out Negativity. The free, family-friendly event will begin at 12 noon with an Impact Expo showcasing local organizations, followed by a six-mile community bike ride at 3 p.m. starting across from St. Agatha Catholic Church, 3147 W. Douglas Blvd, Chicago. The event is expected to draw several hundred people.
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1 month ago | 
austinweeklynews.com | Hector Cervantes
Root2Fruit Youth Foundation led a youth-driven effort at Austin Town Hall, where they cleaned the park, planted trees and created a safer space, all while encouraging the community to pledge support for their Protect Our Hood initiative on April 26. The Protect Our Hood project fosters unity in Austin through youth-led beautification and a community code of shared values.
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2 months ago | 
austinweeklynews.com | Hector Cervantes
Front Porch Art Center in Chicago’s west side this summer will launch a storytelling and healthy eating campaign in Austin. With a grant from Austin Fresh, the goal is to improve access to nutritious food in the community, reshape how residents engage with and discuss healthy food options and improve mental health. “Food significantly impacts our daily quality of life,” said Keli Stewart, the founder of Front Porch.
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2 months ago | 
winteriscoming.net | Hector Cervantes
The new Harry Potter Shop on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile has opened its doors to eager fans. Discover exclusive merch, the largest Butterbeer bar in the U.S., and a magical tribute to The Goblet of Fire. Whether you are a Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin, the Harry Potter Shop in Chicago opened its doors to you on April 10, and if you can, you should pay it a visit. I went to check out the new Harry Potter Shop on opening day to experience the magic this new shop offers.
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2 months ago | 
winteriscoming.net | Hector Cervantes
"Nosedive" is as relevant today as it was a decade ago, reflecting the evolving impact of technology on digital reputation and social approval. Today, social media is a never-ending quest for affirmation, where worth as an individual is quantified by followers, likes and comments. “Nosedive,” an episode from the third season of Black Mirror, hooked into this theme, giving a glimpse of how a person's reputation can be determined based on their online presence.
