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Vol. 33 No. 17
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April 24, 2019
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austinweeklynews.com
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Davis i celebrates l b t Second S d Chance Act, page 10
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Towering Austin activist dies Bob Vondrasek, longtime activist and former head of South Austin Coalition Community Council, died April 19 By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor
West Side residents are mourning the loss of a long-time community activist who Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) once described as “the base of the Austin community.” Robert “Bob” Vondrasek, the former executive director of the South Austin Coalition Community Council, died on April 19. His death was confirmed by an official with Hursen Funeral home and close friends. Vondrasek had recently retired from his leadership position with the council due to illness. During an appreciation ceremony held last August at the Austin Satellite Senior Center, 5071 W. Congress Pkwy., community leaders from all across the West Side and beyond heaped praises on Vondrasek, who sat quietly at a table near the front of the room. ““If there ever was a white person who could really deal with the black community, they need to come see you,” Mitts told Vondrasek, according to an article Austin Weekly News published in 2018. See BOB VONDRASEK on page 6
SHANEL ROMAIN/Contributor
Great American spellers
Jimerreiah Nash, 10, and Janiyah Johnson, 9, hold up their trophies after the Great American Spelling Bee on April 19, at the Austin Branch Library. Story and more photos on page 4.
Healthy food service prompts skeptical response in North Lawndale FoodQ delivery service, booming on South Side, met with resistance on West Side By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter
A delivery service that aims to bring healthy meals to neighborhoods that don’t have many healthy food options hasn’t gotten as far on the West Side as it has on
the South Side and members of the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council’s Health and Wellness Subcommittee could think of a few reasons why. Known as FoodQ, the service was developed by BCBS Institute, a subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Launched this winter, its basic concept is similar to certain diet meal plans. The customer pays a subscription in exchange for healthy, cooked meals delivered every day. The idea is to provide an affordable,
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See FOOD Q on page 8
Larry Williams,Agent 5932 W. Lake Street Chicago, 60644 (773) 379-9010 larry.williams.b0bk@statefarm.com