Austin Renewing Itself

The Parents Political University of Austin, convened by Rep La Shawn K. Ford, was on the case September 20. Meeting minutes are here. Other PPU materials are here.

Attendees settle in at the Sep 20 PPU committee-forming meeting at BUILD, Inc, with Rep Ford on the far right

The meeting's major outcome: the formation of four issue-centered committees, with agendas and tasks, for transportation, education, seniors and re-naming the West Chicago Library Branch.

Cheezborger, Cheezborger II: Ideas for our May 12 On The Table event at Billy Goat's, 420 Michigan Avenue, 5 to 9 pm.

For details of the event, which runs from 5pm to 9pm, see our May 6 post, below. We'll be looking for answers to this question:

How can dynamic uses of PRINT and ELECTRONIC media in Chicago empower CHICAGOANS OF ALL AGES to address YOUTH VIOLENCE as no American city has ever done before?

These young men know the score. Given the chance, they will help Chicago address (and solve) youth violence as no American city has ever done before:

Members of the 50-strong Delivery Team for THE AUSTIN VOICE NEWSPAPERS serving Austin, Lawndale and Garfield Park

 On Monday we'll discuss the four ideas below.
For a printable version with two informative links, click here (in color) or here (black).

For Discussion Monday. Got ideas? 
Write a comment below or  email me (Steve) at sewall2020@comcast.net

Cheezborger, Cheezborger I: Join us May 12 at our ON THE TABLE at Billy Goat's, 420 N. Michigan Ave., lower level, 5 to 9pm

On the VIP Table in the rear of Billy Goat's, that is

From 5pm to 9pm: that's four full hours. Come and go at any time. Expect to meet from 3 to maybe 10 people when you arrive. Young people, media people, education people, and the Thinking Man's Rapper, DA Smart:

Diagnosing the Problem: "Walk With Me": 
Your Tour Guide to Chicago Gangs is Rapper DA Smart

Link to Part II

This Feb 18 Sun-Times story announced the event. And it's a good one from the Chicago Community Trust (CCM). Quite creative. On Monday May 12, an anticipated 10,000 Chicagoans will be convened by hundreds of volunteer hosts (like me) in order to 

At its website, CCT has created nifty online pages for each host. Here's ours.

If you can join us, and so we can hit the ground running, feel free to state your ideas and/or add links in the Comments window at this page. (We are table 18 but at Billy Goat's ask for the VIP table).

Since CCM is all about young people and media, we're hoping this question will guide our discussion, at least at some points:

How can dynamic uses of PRINT and ELECTRONIC media in Chicago empower CHICAGOANS OF ALL AGES to address YOUTH VIOLENCE as no American city has ever done before?

Event Details:

• Young people are welcome at Billy Goat's tables but not Billy Goat's bar.
• We'll be holding forth from 5pm to 9pm. 
• Kindly let me know what you plan to arrive and if you'd like to bring a guest.
• Space is somewhat limited. Email Steve Sewall at sewall2020@comcast.net if you can attend 

Here's how CCM has given students a voice in media since 1989:

Read more »

A State of Mistrust: Civic Discourse in Chicago

Here it is, folks, the whole sorry (yet nonetheless somewhat promising) picture. Below is a mini-version of the full mind-bending graphic:

Whither the Windy City Now?