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Events & Announcements

The Cubs win! Now let’s talk about parking

If you live in Graceland West, you should have received your 2025 LV2 sticker and guest pass in the mail. Remove last year’s sticker and place the new sticker on the passenger side of your windshield as soon as possible. For more information about LV2, please see the Alderman’s helpful Parking page.

Important Reminder: As of 2023, the LV2 zone expanded to include parking restrictions for all Cubs home games and Wrigley Field concerts. Through 2022 it did not apply to day game dates. This means that when there is a day game, don’t forget to have guests display your guest pass after the game, between 5 and 10 PM.

Our first 47th Ward Street Sweeping is scheduled for April 17 and 18. The 47th Ward section is Montrose to Irving from Ashland to the west side of Southport. This part of the neighborhood receives four street sweepings a year.

  • April 17th and 18th
  • June 13th and 16th
  • August 12th and 13th
  • October 8th and 9th 

The last sweeping is well before the final leaves will fall which is why we’ll be having our 13th annual volunteer street leaf cleanup in November.  More Street Sweeping info can be found here.

Our first 46th Ward Street Sweeping is scheduled for April 9th and 10th.  The 46th Ward section includes Warner to Irving from the east side of Southport to Clark.  This part of the neighborhood receives eight street sweepings.

  • April 9th and 10th
  • May 7th and 8th
  • June 5th and 6th
  • July 7th and 8th
  • Aug 4th and 5th
  • Sept 2nd and 3rd
  • Sept 30th and Oct 1st
  • Oct 29th and 30th

For the 46th Ward you can find more Street Sweeping information on here.

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Events & Announcements

From the LVHS Principal – Playground Closures Next Week

On Tuesday April 8th and Thursday April 10th, our students will be engaged in high-stakes testing from roughly 8am until 1pm. While we’re generally glad to have children play in our playground during school hours, during those two time periods, we’d really appreciate quiet so that students can focus on their ACT and Pre-ACT testing.

We will be posting signs on the playground asking community members not to use the space during those two times.

Paul J. Karafiol, Ed.D.
Principal
Lake View High School

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Events & Announcements

Bioswales in Graceland West: A Community Effort to Manage Stormwater

Heavy rains can leave behind standing water and puddles, creating inconvenience and potential hazards in our neighborhood. Fortunately, bioswales help mitigate these issues by capturing and filtering stormwater, reducing runoff, and preventing flooding. Here in Graceland West, we are fortunate to have several bioswales that play a crucial role in managing water flow and keeping our streets drier during rain events.

Bioswales function by using vegetation and soil to slow down and absorb rainwater, filtering out pollutants before the water reaches the sewer system or natural waterways. These green infrastructure elements are designed with a gentle slope and deep-rooted plants that help capture excess rainwater, reducing strain on storm drains and improving overall water quality.

However, bioswales don’t maintain themselves! These natural drainage solutions require ongoing care to remain effective, and that’s where community support comes in. Recently, a dedicated group of volunteers—Colin, Teddi, Linda, and Kim—came together to revitalize the bioswale at 4200 N Clark St (Clark and Berteau). Their efforts included clearing debris, which helps maintain proper water flow and prevents blockages, refreshing plant life, and ensuring the bioswale remains a functional and attractive part of our neighborhood.

The native plants are already sprouting and birds are finding earthworms there.

If you’d like to get involved in maintaining our bioswales, keep an eye out for future volunteer opportunities and review our Stormwater Solutions page! Small efforts from community members help keep our neighborhood beautiful and resilient.

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Support Truman College: Clothing Drive & Blood Drive

We’re excited to support Truman College—where our former GWCA council member, Joanne Yonan, now works—through two meaningful initiatives this spring.

Business Attire Clothing Drive (March 22–31)
Joanne is collecting gently used business attire for Truman College students to wear to job interviews. If you have professional clothing you’re no longer using, this is a great way to give it a second life while helping students take a big step toward their careers. Students will present their Truman IDs to select clothing.

To donate, please contact Joanne Yonan directly at jsyonan@gmail.com to arrange drop-off.

Blood Drive at Truman College (April 23)
GWCA has partnered on blood drives before, and we’re proud to support this upcoming one at Truman College. It’s a simple way to make a life-saving difference in our community.

Location:
Harry S Truman College
1145 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

Let’s show our Graceland West spirit and support Joanne and the students of Truman College!

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Events & Announcements

Meeting Tonight, Featuring Jensen Allen from Graceland Cemetery and 46th Alderwoman Clay

Join Us TONIGHT, March 13th for the GWCA Quarterly Meeting

We’re excited to invite all Graceland West neighbors to our GWCA Quarterly Meeting. Below is the full agenda for the evening:

Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM Location: Quantum LEEP Academy, 1447 W Montrose Ave

Agenda:

  1. Welcome and Introductions
  2. Neighborhood Updates and review of full GWCA 2025 calendar
  3. GWCA Budget Review and Council Election
  4. Virtual Guest: 46th Ward Alderwoman Angela Clay
  5. Guest: Seth Boustead, Executive Director of Access Contemporary Music
  6. Guest Speaker: Jensen Allen from Graceland Cemetery
  7. Open Forum and Other Community Announcements

We encourage all residents, whether in the 46th or 47th Ward, to attend this meeting. Your participation is vital in shaping the future of Graceland West. Come, engage, and be a part of the conversation that makes our community thrive.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, IL – Daniel Burnham’s Grave. Photo credit: Linda Oyama Bryan
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Did you know? Graceland West is in both the 46th & 47th wards!

Many neighbors may not realize that Graceland West spans both the 46th and 47th Wards—which means we have two alderpeople representing different parts of our community. This unique positioning gives us the opportunity to work with both offices on neighborhood improvements, infrastructure projects, and local initiatives.

To help highlight this, we’re excited to (virtually) welcome 46th Ward Alderwoman Angela Clay to our GWCA Quarterly Meeting this Thursday, March 13! This is a great opportunity, hear about issues affecting our ward, and ask questions about city services, development, and more.

We’ll also be sharing important updates on neighborhood projects and upcoming events, so whether you’re in the 46th or 47th Ward, we look forward to seeing you there.

As previously announced, you also won’t want to miss our main speaker, Jensen Allen from the Graceland Cemetery and Arboretum. Seth Boustead, Executive Director of Access Contemporary Music will also be joining us for an update on their plans for the long vacant former 7-Eleven space on Clark. Finally, GWCA Members will discuss and vote on the 2025 Budget and Council Election.

Date: Thursday, March 13
Location: Quantum LEEP Academy, 1447 W Montrose Ave.
Time: 7:00 to 8:15 PM

Check out the map below to see how our neighborhood is divided between the two wards.

Graceland West is bounded by Irving Park to the south, Ashland to the West, Montrose to the north and Clark to the east. In 2022 ward boundaries were redrawn and the portion of Graceland West east of Southport became part of the 46th ward.

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Are you curious about historic Graceland Cemetery & Arboretum?

We’re excited to welcome special guest Jensen Allen from Graceland Cemetery & Arboretum for our next GWCA Quarterly Meeting on March 13th! Jensen who will share insights and stories about Graceland’s past, present and future in our community and answer any questions you have about our neighbor to the east.

Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, IL. Photo Credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

The event will be graciously hosted by Lorell Marin and Quantum LEEP Academy at 1447 West Montrose Ave. We’ll get started at 7:00 PM and finish up by 8:15.

In addition to Jensen Allen, we’ll also be joined by Seth Boustead, Executive Director, Access Contemporary Music who will update us on the renovation of the former 7-Eleven.

Alderwoman Clay from the 46th Ward will join also us virtually. The portion of Graceland West between Southport, Clark and Irving Park is in the 46th Ward. 

Finally, we’ll be sharing key updates on neighborhood initiatives, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area, this is your chance to stay informed and help shape the future of Graceland West.

Beyond the updates and guest speaker, our quarterly meetings are a great way to meet active members of the community—neighbors who care about making Graceland West an even better place to live. Whether you’re looking to get involved or just want to stay in the loop, we’d love to see you there!

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Celebrating Our Environmental Committee’s 2024 Successes & Looking Ahead to Spring!

While winter holds us in its grip, let’s warm up with a look at the incredible work our GWCA Environmental Committee accomplished in 2024! From planting native shrubs to launching pollinator gardens, our dedicated volunteers have been working year-round to make Graceland West greener and more sustainable.

Growing Green Spaces

  • Earth Day 2024: Volunteers planted three native shrubs in key locations, bringing more biodiversity to our neighborhood.
  • Pollinator & Stormwater Sites: Three new native plant pollinator pathway and stormwater absorption sites were developed, increasing our total to 11 active locations. Native plants provide habitat for birds, bees, butterflies and beneficial insects. And each site absorbs over 2,000 gallons of stormwater annually via native plant root systems and by returning stormwater to the aquifer.
  • Kids Pollinator Garden: A new children’s garden at Warner Park & Gardens is in the works to engage young environmental stewards.

Advocacy & Community Engagement

  • Committee members continue working with elected officials and local groups on stormwater management solutions, including the possibility of green alleys for Graceland West.
  • At the Annual Environmental Meeting, guest speaker Judy Pollock of the Chicago Bird Alliance shared insights on bird-friendly gardening, followed by a community potluck.

Composting & Leaf Cleanup

  • Pumpkin Smash 2024: Thanks to collaboration with Lake View High School, their JROTC, the 47th Ward, other partners and your support, over 19,000 lbs. of pumpkins were composted – 40% of the total city-wide!
  • Annual Street Leaf Cleanup: Volunteers collected 216 bags of leaves to reduce flooding, improve pedestrian safety, and make winter shoveling easier.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for another impactful year, we invite you to get involved! Whether it’s joining a planting day, attending an environmental meeting, or simply spreading the word, every effort helps make our neighborhood a greener place.

Stay tuned for updates on upcoming initiatives, including our new pollinator garden sites and kids planting day, a celebration of cycling for Earth Week 2025, and the next Pumpkin Smash.

Want to help? Email us at info@gracelandwest.org to learn more.

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Events & Announcements

Access Contemporary Music Begins Renovation of Former 7-Eleven

Many of you may already be familiar with the exciting news that Access Contemporary Music (ACM) has officially begun construction on its new home at the former 7-Eleven site in Lakeview. The long-vacant lot at 4116 N. Clark St. is being transformed into ACM’s first dedicated performance and education space, marking a major milestone for the organization and the local arts community.

ACM, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing contemporary classical music to wider audiences, has been a staple in Chicago for years. This new venue will house a music school, rehearsal spaces, and a performance hall, creating a vibrant hub for musicians and music lovers alike. For our community, the renovation signals not only an investment in the arts but also a revitalization of a long-empty property that will now serve as a center for creativity and learning.

As construction gets underway, ACM is committed to keeping neighbors informed and engaged. If you haven’t already seen the recent coverage, check out these articles from WBEZ and Block Club Chicago for more details on their plans and vision:

🔗 ACM Starts Construction on North Side First Classical Music Venue (WBEZ)

🔗 ACM School Breaks Ground on Long-Vacant 7-Eleven Lot in Lakeview (Block Club Chicago)

We’ll continue to provide updates as ACM’s renovation progresses, your next opportunity to find out more about the renovation will be at our March 13th Meeting where we’ll be joined by Seth Bousted, ACM Executive Director.

ACM is currently enrolling students for Spring and Summer piano and voice lessons at this location.

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Events & Announcements

An Exciting Year Ahead in Graceland West!

We’re thrilled to announce our 2025 event calendar, packed with activities and opportunities to connect with your neighbors and community. From seasonal celebrations to unique experiences, there’s something for everyone this year. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and event reminders. Don’t forget to subscribe to our online calendar to stay in the loop and never miss a moment (Google, iCal, Outlook). Let’s make 2025 a year to remember together!

JANUARY • FAMILY BOWLING PARTY
Saturday, January 25 • 3-5 pm
Timber Lanes, 1851 W Irving Park
$50/family, pre-registration required contact info@gracelandwest.org

FEBRUARY • ADULTS-ONLY TRIVIA NIGHT PARTY
Saturday, February 22 • 7-9 pm
4200 North Block of Greenview
$50/person, pre-registration required contact info@gracelandwest.org

MARCH • Q1 COMMUNITY MEETING
GRACELAND CEMETERY & ARBORETUM HISTORY 
Thursday, March 13 • 7-8:15 pm
Quantum Leep Academy, 1447 W Montrose
Graceland Cemetery history, Former 7Eleven update by Access Contemporary Music., Alderwoman Clay update & more.

APRIL • EARTH WEEK: BIKE MAINTENANCE & SAFETY
Saturday, April 26• Time TBD
Lake View High School Parking Lot

MAY • NATIVE PLANT POLLINATOR + STORM WATER ABSORPTION SITE WORKDAY 
Saturday, May 10 • 10:30 am
Work at 1 of 6 new neighborhood street parkway corners

JUNE • KIDS POLLINATOR SITE PROJECT
Sunday, June 1 • 10:30-11 am
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner

JUNE – SEPTEMBER • YOGA IN THE PARK
Saturdays June 7, July 12 & September 6 • 9:45-10:45 am
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner

JUNE • Q2 COMMUNITY MEETING: ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM
Thursday, June 19 • 6-7:30 pm
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner
Neighborhood updates & Council elections. Join the Summer Solstice potluck with a dish to share. BYOB.

JULY • 43RD ANNUAL GARDEN WALK
Sunday, July 27 • 1-5 pm
Throughout neighborhood, start at Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner

AUGUST • Q3 COMMUNITY MEETING: TOPIC TBD
Thursday, August 14 • 7-8:15 pm
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner

SEPTEMBER • 45th ANNUAL GRACELAND WEST NEIGHBORHOOD FEST 
Saturday, September 13 • 3-8 pm
4100 block of Greenview between Belle Plaine & Warner
Our annual fundraiser including a DJ, magic show, games, raffle, silent auction, creation stations, Five Square Pizza, beverages, treats & more!

OCTOBER • CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN PARTY
Saturday, October 25 • Time TBD
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner

NOVEMBER • CITY PUMPKIN SMASH
Saturday, November 8 • Time & Location TBD

NOVEMBER • Q4 ANNUAL MEETING 
Thursday, November 13 • 7-8:15 pm
Location TBD
Bylaw vote, alderpeople & representative visits & Council election

NOVEMBER • VOLUNTEER NEIGHBORHOOD STREET LEAF CLEAN-UP 
November 15-23 • Kickoff Saturday November 15 at 10 am
Greenview & Belle Plaine, Berteau & Cullom

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