Categories
Events & Announcements Garden Walk

Neighborhood Updates: Plant Sale, Garden Walk Registration, & More!

We have a lot of exciting Graceland West updates, events, and community news to share with you this weekend. Take a look below at what’s happening in and around the neighborhood!

SATURDAY JUNE 13: SNA Native Plant Sale If you are reading this on Friday or Saturday morning, don’t miss out! The Southport Neighbors Association (SNA) Native Plant Sale is happening Saturday June 13, from 9:00 AM until sold out. Come down Southport, right under the Southport Brown Line station, to grab some beautiful new additions for your garden.

Storm Cleanup & Tree Debris Following the major storms our area experienced this week, many blocks are dealing with fallen branches. If you need to request the removal of tree debris on public property, please remember to file a request through the CHI 311 app (or via 311chicago.org) so the city can address it efficiently.

Kid’s Pollinator Planting: A Huge Success! Our recent Kid’s Pollinator Planting event was an absolute blast. The kids did a fabulous job getting their hands dirty for a great cause. Next time you pass by Warner Park, be sure to stop by and see just how well their new plantings are doing!

New Art Installation at Warner Park The Warner Park and Gardens board is thrilled to announce the permanent installation of Sentimental Sentry by Charles Yost. This beautiful sculpture is dedicated in loving remembrance of Lois Buenger (Park Founder) and Georgie Yost (Park President). Please go check it out next time you visit the park, and keep an eye out for news regarding an upcoming official dedication ceremony.

44th Annual Garden Walk (Sunday, July 12, 1–4 PM) The countdown is on! Our neighborhood’s signature summer event is less than a month away. If you’d like to showcase your hard work this year, please use this link to register your garden if you haven’t already. It is always a wonderful day for the community!

  • Volunteer Opportunity: The garden walk planners are still looking for an enthusiastic neighbor to lead the post-walk potluck for our displaying gardeners. If you’re interested in helping out, please reach out to Pat (pat.spaulding@comcast.net) or Linda (lmbw5@comcast.net).

POSTPONED: Fitness in the Park Fitness in the Park, led by our wonderful neighbor Kelly, is being temporarily rescheduled. We want to give Warner Park’s new grass plenty of time to become strongly rooted before we start working out on it! This is a free event you won’t want to miss, so watch your inbox for future scheduling announcements.

POSTPONED: June Environmental Meeting Please note that the June Environmental Meeting has also been postponed due to the new grass in the park. We will share the rescheduled date and meeting topics in an upcoming e-blast and in the physical newsletter delivered to your door.

Zoning Update: 1410-12 Warner Ave. Neighbors are currently gathering information regarding the rezoning changes requested by the property owner of this site. The community is reviewing the details, so please watch for future updates as we learn more.

Thank you for making our neighborhood such a vibrant place to live. Have a wonderful weekend, and we hope to see you at the plant sale tomorrow!

Categories
Neighborhood Safety

Community Safety Alert: Montrose Graffiti Incident & Key Safety Best Practices

We are writing to update you on a recent incident of vandalism in our neighborhood and to remind everyone of the simple, everyday safety practices we can all use to protect our community.

In the early morning hours of Tuesday May 26, between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM, a series of etched glass graffiti attacks occurred along both sides of Montrose Ave, stretching from Clark Street to Ravenswood.

Over 10 windows were damaged, targeting local businesses and neighborhood schools—including Ravenswood School (4332 N. Paulina), the newly renovated Dunkin’ Donuts (1441 W. Montrose), and Quantum LEEP Forward Academy (1447 W. Montrose). The suspects left behind initials tagged as “KOM”. Repairing etched glass is incredibly costly and a massive and unfair burden for our local small businesses and schools.

Thanks to our highly connected network, GWCA neighborhood leaders jumped into action immediately. Security camera footage capturing two suspects has already been retrieved and shared with Alderman Matt Martin’s office, Alderwoman Angela Clay’s office, and the 19th District CAPS team.

How you can help right now

Check Your Cameras: If you have security or doorbell cameras facing the street, sidewalk, or alleys near Montrose, please review your footage from Tuesday, May 26, between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM. If you spot any suspicious behavior or individuals matching the timeline, please forward clips or stills to GWCA and the 19th District CAPS office.

File a Police Report: If your property or business was tagged, please ensure you file an individual police report immediately. Police reports are required for every separate crime so that law enforcement can officially track patterns.

Report to 311: Several locations have already been reported for graffiti removal (including SR numbers tracked by Ald. Martin’s office), but if you notice any missed tags or other neighborhood damage, please snap a photo and submit it using the Chicago Works / 311 app.

Incidents like this remind us how vital our Neighborhood Safety Guidelines are. To deter future vandalism and property damage, we encourage every household and business to reinforce these collective steps:

  • Light Up the Night (Dusk to Dawn)
  • Install and Utilize Video Security
  • Know Your Neighbors & Keep the Lines Open
  • Report Everything: never hesitate to call 911 for crimes or suspicious behavior in progress

GWCA Announcements & Upcoming Events

While we stay vigilant about safety, we also have plenty of exciting ways to bring positive energy to our community

  • TODAY 5/30/26, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM: 47th Ward ECO Fest: Don’t forget that Alderman Matt Martin’s EcoFest is happening this Saturday! Come out to support local environmental initiatives.
  • TOMORROW 5/31/26 10:30 to 11:00 AM: Kids Pollinator Planting Garden Event in Warner Park.
  • 44th Annual Garden Walk: Mark your calendars for Sunday, July 12 from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM! If you would like to join the Garden Walk Committee, help with the Pot Luck Committee, or open up your own garden to be showcased, please contact Linda Welsh to get involved.
  • Join the GWCA Council: We currently have two open positions on the GWCA Council! If you want to bring your ideas and energy to help shape the neighborhood, please reach out to us at info@gracelandwest.org.

Thank you to all the block leaders, business owners, and neighbors who stepped up so quickly to look out for Montrose Avenue. Together, we keep Graceland West safe, vibrant, and strong!

Categories
Events & Announcements Green Council

Hey kids, let’s save the pollinators! This Sunday at 10:30

Spring is in full bloom, and our local butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds are looking for a place to call home. That’s where our amazing community kids come in!

Our annual Kids Pollinator Planting Garden Event returns this Sunday, May 31, from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Warner Park and Gardens.

Pollinators do a massive job for our planet, helping grow the fruits, veggies, and flowers we love. They need our help to find safe, healthy places to feed and rest. Our kids will create a pollinator sanctuary that will support local wildlife all summer long.

Please dress your kiddos in clothes that are okay to get a little dirty. If you have kid-sized gardening gloves and a hand shovel, feel free to bring them along—otherwise, bare hands work beautifully, too!

One quick favor to help our park: You might notice some roped-off sections at Warner Park and Garden. The grass has been freshly reseeded. Please help us keep the kiddos (and grown-ups!) off those spots so the new grass can thrive. Because we’re giving the lawn some time to mature, we are postponing our upcoming events like Yoga and Fitness in the Park. Our pollinator planting is happening in a separate area, completely clear of the baby grass.

Categories
Events & Announcements Green Council

Celebrating Our Big Gardening Milestones this Spring!

What an incredible Earth Week and first half of Spring it has been for our neighborhood! Thanks to the hard work of our amazing volunteers, donors, and partners, we have some massive achievements to celebrate. We are officially seeing the beautiful, compounding results of a journey that began over a decade ago.

A Milestone 11 Years in the Making

We are thrilled to announce that on Saturday, April 25th, GWCA officially hit its 2026 Pollinator/Stormwater Absorption goal for the entire year with the installation of our 18th site at Greenview and Warner!

This milestone is the culmination of a vision that started back in 2015 to expand the GWCA Pollinator Pathway.

A Massive Thank You To:

  • Our Donors & Members: Your donations and membership funds made this expansion possible.
  • Congressman Quigley & Landlord Marty Signa: Thank you for your incredible support of our green initiatives.
  • Our Hardworking Crews: A huge shoutout to the GWCA members, the 2025 LVHS JROTC, and the 2026 LVHS Garden Club (who also added gorgeous new native plants to the LVHS campus on Earth Day, April 22nd!).
  • Our Newest Team Members: A warm welcome to TJ and Karolina, who helped us cross the finish line on our 18th site!

Small Spaces, Massive Impact: The Science of Our Gardens

These aren’t just pretty flower beds—they are hard-working environmental assets. Each of our 18 sites is about 100 square feet, but look at what they do:

  • Incredible Water Absorption: Each 100 sq. ft. site absorbs more than 2,000 gallons of stormwater per year, keeping it out of our city sewer system.
  • Supercharged Soil: We amended the soil 6 inches deep for maximum absorbency using coconut coir and compost.
  • Symbiotic Roots: Plant roots were dusted with mycorrhizal inoculate fungi to help them grow strong and resilient.
  • Wildlife Habitats: We planted deep-rooted native species specifically chosen to provide essential habitats for birds, butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects.

Bring the Pathway to Your Yard!

We encourage all neighbors to adopt this model! The magic ratio is 100 square feet of native planting for every 3,000 square feet of lot.

You can make a huge difference right at home by swapping out non-permeable hardscapes (like concrete or non-permeable pavers) and non-absorptive landscapes (like standard grass turf) for deep-rooted native plants. If you need recommendations for great local native plant nurseries, Janice is happy to help!

Need some cleanup inspiration? Just take a look at the fantastic progress made by the team over at Access Contemporary Music (ACM)!

How You Can Get Involved Right Now

1. Volunteers Needed: Help Us Maintain Our Beautiful Corners

To keep our gardens thriving, we are looking for everyone to help pick up any litter you see in the neighborhood, specifically at our parkways, corners and the bioswales.

We’re also looking for a few helping hands to do light weeding and trash pickup at:

  • Southport & Cuyler – SE and SW Corners (2–3 volunteers needed)

No expert experience is required—we will train you! If you or a neighbor love plants and beautification, please email Janice (jhorwich@sbcglobal.net) and Linda (lmbw5@comcast.net).

2. Share Plants & Grab Compost
  • Native Plants: Please let Linda and Janice know if you have native plants to share, or if your specific site needs a few more.
  • Mushroom Compost: We have extra bags of mushroom compost available to help your garden beds thrive. Reach out to Janice and Linda to claim what you need.
3. Coming Up Next: Fun for the Whole Family!

We have a wonderful event coming up perfect for our youngest gardeners…We are thrilled to invite you to our annual Kids Pollinator Planting Garden Event on Sunday, May 31, from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Warner Park and Gardens.

Why Pollinators?

Pollinators do a massive job for our planet, helping grow the fruits, veggies, and flowers we love. But they need our help to find safe, healthy places to feed and rest. In just 30 minutes, our kids will create a vibrant sanctuary that will support local wildlife all summer long.

What to Expect:
  • Hands-on Fun: Kids will get to dig in the dirt and plant their very own pollinator-friendly flowers.
  • Mini-Lesson: A super quick, kid-friendly chat about how bees and butterflies help our gardens grow.
  • Community Connection: Connect with other local families and watch your hard work grow week after week!

We can’t wait to dig in with you and make our community a little greener, one flower at a time!

Categories
Neighborhood Safety

Community Safety Update: Tips for a Secure Neighborhood

In the spirit of keeping our community informed and looking out for one another, we wanted to share a summary of recent activity reported by neighbors and provide some practical tips to help keep our streets safe and well-monitored.

While there has been an uptick in vehicle-related thefts in the area—specifically involving catalytic converters and airbags—we can take simple, collective steps to discourage this activity.

Recent Neighborhood Activity

Several neighbors have reported thefts over the past week, primarily focused on vehicle parts:

  • Catalytic Converters: Targeted thefts occurred on the 1400 block of Warner and the 4200 block of Greenview.
  • Airbags: Incidents were reported on the 1400 block of Belle Plaine and near 4001 Greenview. Reports suggest that Honda models (specifically CRVs and HRVs) are being frequently targeted for their airbags.
  • Work Vans: There have been reports of break-ins to work vans on Greenview during daylight hours. A suspicious vehicle and an individual wearing a high-visibility vest were spotted in the area.

Simple Steps to Protect Your Property

There are several easy ways to make our blocks less appealing to those looking for an opportunity:

  • Light Up the Night: Keep your front and back porch lights on from dusk to dawn. Motion-sensor lights are also highly effective. Ensure lights are angled downward rather than toward the sky.
  • Secure Your Vehicle: If you own a Honda or park on the street, consider using a steering wheel lock (like “The Club”), which can deter airbag thieves. As always, ensure no valuables are left inside your car.
  • Home Security: Double-check that all home and garage doors are locked. For those on the first or second floors, using ventilation locks on windows is a great added layer of security.
  • Know Your Neighbors: Having the phone numbers and addresses of the neighbors on all sides of your home makes it easier to look out for each other and communicate quickly if something seems amiss.

The Importance of Reporting

If you see a crime or suspicious behavior in progress, please call 911 immediately. For reporting past incidents, contact the 19th District CAPS office at 312-744-0064 or email caps.019district@chicagopolice.org.

Even if it feels like a minor incident, reporting it is vital because police patrol staffing is determined by crime statistics. If it isn’t reported, the city doesn’t know we need the extra coverage.

Get Involved

We are looking for four volunteers to attend the 19th District Beat 1912 meetings over the next year (meetings occur every other month) and report back to the community. If you can help, please reach out (info@gracelandwest.org)!

By staying vigilant and keeping our neighborhood bright and connected, we can continue to make Graceland West a safe place for everyone.

Take care,

Your Graceland West Neighbors

Categories
Events & Announcements

🎭 Inside the Uptown: A Night of Neighborhood History with Robert Loerzel

Don’t miss out on our conversation with Robert Loerzel about The Uptown Theatre, a topic that always sparks a lot of nostalgia and curiosity for Chicagoans.

This Tuesday, March 10th at 7:00 PM, join GWCA at Quantum LEEP Academy (1447 W. Montrose Ave). Robert will be sharing stories from his new book, The Uptown: Chicago’s Endangered Movie Palace, co-authored with James A. Pierce.

Looking Ahead: Celebrate Pi Day at Lake View High School

On Saturday, March 14 (Pi Day!) from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Lake View High School opens its doors for STEM Day. It’s a wonderful opportunity to step inside our local high school and witness the incredible work being done by neighborhood students. From high-tech robotics to the mysteries of forensic science, come see the future of innovation right here in our backyard.

Categories
Events & Announcements

Join Us: March 10th Graceland West Community Meeting

When: Tuesday, March 10th at 7:00 PM
Where: Quantum LEEP Academy (1447 W. Montrose Ave)

We are thrilled to welcome Robert Loerzel, a renowned Chicago freelance journalist and photographer. Robert will be sharing stories from his new book, The Uptown: Chicago’s Endangered Movie Palace, co-authored with James A. Pierce.

He will take us through the history of the legendary Uptown Theatre—from its glory days to its decades of disrepair and its potential future. Robert will also present fascinating findings from his history project, The Coolest Spot in Chicago: A History of Green Mill Gardens and the Beginnings of Uptown.

Robert’s work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Crain’s, and WBEZ. This is a presentation you won’t want to miss!

While we’re excited to host an incredible guest speaker, these meetings are also a great way to meet the people living right next door. We’ll have time before and after the presentation to chat, catch up on neighborhood happenings, and meet your fellow Graceland Westers in person.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Categories
Uncategorized

Remembering Mark Riehle: A Pillar of Graceland West

Mark Riehle - GWCAFest 2015

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Mark Riehle, a longtime neighbor, business partner, and devoted supporter of the Graceland West community. Mark passed away peacefully early Sunday morning at the age of 66, following a courageous battle with heart disease and brain injury.

To many, Mark was the face of the beloved Ranalli’s on Montrose. His restaurant wasn’t just a local business; it was a neighborhood staple where many of us shared meals and memories. Whether we were enjoying his famous quick delivery or stopping in for a slice, Mark always made his customers feel like family.

Beyond the restaurant, Mark’s dedication to our community truly shined at GWCAFest. For many years, he was the engine behind the food tent, tirelessly organizing and serving the neighborhood he loved. Most will remember Mark not just for the food he provided, but for his infectious warmth and generous spirit. He cared deeply for Graceland West and its residents, a devotion he proved time and again through his friendship and service.

Mark was a true friend to this neighborhood, and he will be profoundly missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.

May he rest in peace.

Categories
Events & Announcements

LAST CALL: Only 3 Days Left to Join Our Neighborhood Bowling Bash!

Can you believe it’s already Wednesday? That means we are just three days away from our Annual Neighborhood Bowling Event!

If you’ve been meaning to sign up but the week got away from you, this is your official Last Call. We have a few lanes left, and we’d love to see your family filling them.

When: This Saturday, January 24
Where: Timber Lanes, 1851 W Irving Park
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW

Let’s make this the biggest turnout yet. See you on the lanes this Saturday.

2025 in Review: New Traditions, Green Spaces, and Community Growth

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

As we welcome 2026, we wanted to take a moment to look back at a vibrant year in Graceland West. 2025 was defined by the launch of exciting new traditions, strong partnerships with our local schools and businesses, and a renewed focus on the future of our neighborhood.

Here is a look at what we accomplished together.

New Traditions & Community Milestones

This year we introduced new ways to gather and celebrated significant milestones for our neighborhood partners.

  • Warner Park Winter Wonderland: We launched a dazzling new tradition in November with the first-ever lighting of Warner Park. It was wonderful to share hot chocolate with neighbors as our park sparkled for the holidays.
  • First Annual Celebration of Cycling: We hosted our inaugural celebration of cycling, bringing together bike enthusiasts of all ages to promote safe riding and sustainable transit in our community.
  • Welcoming “The CheckOut”: We were thrilled to host the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for Access Contemporary Music (ACM) at their new venue, “The CheckOut” (formerly the 7-Eleven). It is a joy to have a new cultural anchor in the neighborhood.
  • Neighborhood Fest & Garden Walk: We continued our longest-running traditions with the 44th Annual Fest—featuring Five Squared Pizza and Off Color Brewing—and the 43rd Annual Garden Walk, which showcased the incredible greenery of our community.

Greening Graceland West

Our commitment to sustainability and beautification reached new heights this year through collaboration and education.

  • Pollinator Pathways & LVHS Partnership: We significantly expanded our pollinator habitats, most notably with new installations at Lake View High School, supported by the LVHS JROTC and the school’s first-ever Gardening Club, and our annual Kids installation event at Warner Park.
  • Leaf Cleanup & Pumpkin Smash: Our eco-efforts bookended the fall season, from the “Pumpkin Smash” composting event to the Annual Street Leaf Cleanup, where volunteers cleared storm drains to prevent flooding.
  • Yoga in the Park: We kept moving all summer and early fall with our regular Saturday morning yoga sessions in Warner Park.

Governance & Community Voices

Our quarterly community meetings were packed with special guests and important dialogue about the direction of Graceland West.

  • Q1 (March): We kicked off the year at LEEP Academy with 46th Ward Alderwoman Clay and Jenson Allen from the Graceland Cemetery and Arboretum, who joined us to discuss ward updates, public safety, and the history of our beautiful neighbor to the east.
  • Q2 (June): We focused on environmental sustainability with a meeting at Warner Park and Gardens, hosting Olivia Reda from the Alliance for the Great Lakes and discussing green roofing initiatives with Kevin Serena.
  • Q3 (August): Following the ribbon cutting, we held our summer meeting at ACM’s “The CheckOut,” enjoying a special piano performance by Seth Boustead.
  • Q4 (November): Responding to your survey feedback regarding local history, we hosted Marty Sandberg and Cristina Gallo from Via Chicago to discuss adaptive reuse and preserving our neighborhood’s architectural legacy.

Looking Ahead

As we step into 2026, we are excited to continue these efforts but we need your input! Please help us define the next decade for Graceland West. The initial feedback from our “Shaping Graceland West’s Future” Survey directly led to the architectural preservation topic at our November meeting. If you have not yet completed the survey, please take a few minutes to share your priorities with the GWCA Council.

Thank you for your membership, your volunteer hours, and your spirit. It’s neighbors like you who make Graceland West a true community.

Happy New Year!

The Graceland West Community Association Council

info@gracelandwest.org

Verified by MonsterInsights