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AUSTIN WEEKLY news ■
Vol. 32 No. 15
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April 11, 2018
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A dialogue on racism,
austinweeklynews.com
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Also serving Garfield Park
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@AustinWeeklyChi
@AustinWeeklyNews
Richard Ri h d Townsell, T ll page 3
On the West Side, Airbnb is rising
Listings up big in North Lawndale, East Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, company says By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor
Tanya Petty, a 65-year-old who lives on Warren Blvd. and California in East Garfield Park, usually meets her guests with a warm greeting and a ceremonial house tour. Last month, the Loyola University Chicago graduate’s attention was affixed to the TV as the Ramblers played in what would be one among a string of heart-stopping NCAA tournament games during their recent unlikely run to the Final Four. Her house guest — a sports journalist visiting Chicago from Chile to attend Bulls and Blackhawks games — would have to wait for Petty’s pomp and circumstance. There were two minutes left in a close game. “Loyola is my team,” she said in a phone interview last month. Petty is among the many West Side residents who share their homes through Airbnb, the short-term lodging company based in San Francisco. According to data the company released last month, roughly 1,800 West Siders opened their homes and apartments to 152,000 Airbnb guests in 2017 — up 35 percent from 2016. Airbnb hosts, the company said, earned a combined $21 million in revenue — up 23 percent from 2016. See AIRBNB on page 6
FIFTY YEARS LATER
ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Ald. Emma Mitts (37th), state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (8th) and Rev. Ira Acree during an April 4 wreath-laying ceremony in front of a statue of King outside of the Westside Health Authority’s Austin headquarters. More photos on page 9.
Retired postal worker still in service business Rev. Henry Farmby now delivers messages from his West Side pulpit
By BONNI McKEOWN Contributing Reporter
Henry Farmby may have retired from the U.S. Postal Service after nearly five decades, but he won’t stop serving the West Side. During a March 31 retirement party held at Bethel New Life Center’s Amberg Hall, 1140 N. Lamon Ave., Farmby said he’ll just have more time to devote to a higher service — his role as pastor of New Rock of Ages Bap-
tist church, 5222 W. North Ave. “For 28 years, I’ve had a ministry, too,” Farmby said during last month’s retirement party. “I did both jobs full-time, so I’m going to keep doing my ministry.” The veteran mail carrier, who started his long career as a mail handler at a post office downtown, said that his two life’s callings are similar in some key respects. “My job at the post office was the same as ministry,” he said. “I delivered physical let-
ters through the post office and spiritual letters from the Lord. All He’s telling us is the same thing He’s told us since the Garden of Eden — Get right!” Farmby was born in Chicago. He was his high school’s valedictorian, but he turned down a scholarship to attend college in order to accept a job offer from the post office. “At that time we needed the money more
Austin Chamber of Commerce on the move... 773.854.5848 • www.austinchicagochamber.com
See HENRY FARMBY on page 8