Austin Weekly News

1 week ago | austinweeklynews.com | Jessica Mordacq

Back in February, we told you about Elizabeth Jamison-Dunn. She’s the principal of Catalyst Circle Rock charter school in Austin. At that time, she had been nominated for a school leadership award by Teach for America. Now comes news that Jamison-Dunn took the top prize for Outstanding School Leadership earlier this month.

1 week ago | austinweeklynews.com | Jessica Mordacq

Six years ago, David “Malik” Fleming was driving for Uber on Chicago’s North Shore. He opened a piece of gum and thought about throwing the wrapper out the window but didn’t because of how clean the neighborhood was. But when he found himself in the same situation a week later while driving near Douglass Park, Fleming tossed the gum wrapper on the street. “I was more apt to do it in my own neighborhood because it was already dirty,” Fleming previously told Austin Weekly News.

1 week 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.

2 weeks ago | austinweeklynews.com | Jessica Mordacq

Ashley Johnson, a 25-year-old Austin resident, grew up dancing in what she describes as a creative household. Her dad was a Jesse White Tumbler, and she started ballet classes at age 3 at Le’gere Dance Center in River Forest.  “I like to say it was my mom’s intuition. She knew I was going to be a dancer,” Johnson said.  Now, Johnson has opened her own dance studio, a longtime dream of hers, to ensure that children living in Austin have the option to take classes in their neighborhood.

2 weeks ago | austinweeklynews.com | Jessica Mordacq

Habitat for Humanity has broken ground on its first project in Austin. On April 7, the national housing nonprofit, Austin-based partner organizations and public officialsgathered at 5320 W. Ferdinand St. to celebrate the start of construction on four affordable homes there, plus three in the 400 block of North Lockwood Avenue. All homes will be 1,800-square-foot, two-story structures. Each will have four bedrooms, a two-car garage and energy-efficient appliances.