Uptown Events For National Night Out Against Crime

From the always informative News-Star:

Next Tuesday, Aug. 5, neighborhoods across the city will be observing the 25th annual National Night Out. The designated theme of this year's citywide National Night Out is "Imagine a World without Violence."

The first National Night Out began in 1984 to heighten crime and drug awareness, generate support for anti-crime programs and strengthen community and police partnerships in fighting crime. The annual event is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. In 2007, over 35 million people participated in National Night Out in communities both large and small.

News-Star encourages all of its readers to get out and meet your neighbors and take back the street corners from drug dealers and gangbangers, instead of carping about it on the neighborhood blogs. For those of us fortunate enough to have running cars, jobs that pay a decent wage, flat-screen televisions and quiet buildings to live in, we also encourage you to walk a mile in our less fortunate neighbors' shoes, for they are the most greatly impacted by street crime and violence.

Uptown (20th and 23rd District)

St. Augustine's College, 1345 W. Argyle - National Night Out kicks off at 4 p.m. with a block club convention hosted by 20th District CAPS, with green tips, refreshments, children's games, prizes, face-painting, jumping jack, community tables and K-9 and mounted police demonstrations taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. Free trolley rides through the beautiful 20th District will also be available on a first-come basis starting at 6:10 p.m. For more information, call (312) 742-8770.

Aster Playlot, 4639 N. Kenmore - CAPS 2312, along with Chase Park, will sponsor an outdoor barbecue for neighbors from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Face painting, art projects and other activities for children are also planned. Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend. For more information, call (312) 744-4247.

Sunnyside Mall, on Sunnyside, between Malden and Magnolia - "Taking the beat to the street," CAPS 2311 will hold its regular monthly meeting outside. Neighbors will be grilling hot dogs and hosting activities for kids starting at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (312) 744-4247.