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Events & Announcements

This Sat: Halloween Fun & Food Drive at Warner Park

The date is set, the costumes are planned, and the caramel apples are being prepped! Just a quick reminder that the Graceland West Community Association Annual Halloween Party is happening this Saturday, October 25th, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Warner Park!

The party will be full of fantastic, free fun for all the little monsters: a Pumpkin Decorating, Costume Contest, Ghost Sack Races, Mummy Wrap games, and, of course, Halloween Caramel Candy Apples and plenty of treats.

Don’t forget to bring donations for those in need

While we love seeing creative costumes and smiling faces, the most valuable item you can bring this year is a donation for our neighbors. We are hosting a drive for Nourishing Hope (formerly Lakeview Pantry) to help stock their shelves for the fall and winter months.

We will have a collection point right at the entrance of the party. If you are planning to attend, please consider bringing one or more non-perishable items from their most-needed list. Your generosity makes a direct impact on local families!

We look forward to celebrating Halloween with you on Saturday and making a difference together!

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Events & Announcements

Save the Date! Graceland West Annual Halloween Party is Back at Warner Park!

Get your costumes ready, Graceland West! The annual Graceland West Community Association Halloween Party is right around the corner, and we can’t wait to see all the ghosts, goblins, heroes, and villains that show up this year!

Event Details

Date:Saturday, October 25th
Time:11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location:Warner Park
Cost:FREE for all Graceland West residents and their families!

What to Expect

We’re bringing back all the fun favorites you loved last year. Join your neighbors for two hours of festive fall fun perfect for kids of all ages:

  • Costume Contest: Show off your creativity! We’ll have prizes for the best, most creative, and silliest costumes.
  • Spooky Games: Get ready for some spirited competition! We’ll have classic fun like the Ghost Sack Race and the hilarious Mummy Wrap station.
  • Pumpkin Decorating Station: Grab a mini-pumpkin (while supplies last) and decorate it with stickers, markers, and crafty bits to take home!
  • Candy & Treats: Plenty of sweets for all the little monsters, including our famous Halloween Caramel Candy Apples and other seasonal snacks!

Get Involved! (Two Ways to Support Your Community)

The success of this party—and our community—relies on your fantastic involvement!

  1. We will be collecting non-perishable food items during the event to benefit those in need this fall.
  2. Take Our Community Survey: We also need your input! Before the event, please take a few minutes to fill out our quick survey to share your thoughts on participating in and contributing to our community.

We can’t wait to celebrate the season with you and your family!

To volunteer or if you have any questions, please email info@gracelandwest.org.

See you on October 25th!

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Events & Announcements

Special invite for tonight’s show at The CheckOut

Have you experienced live music at The CheckOut yet? Below is a special invite to Graceland West neighbors from Seth Boustead, Executive Director of ACM, for TONIGHT’s show:

National Space Week lands at The CheckOut with a concert of music inspired by the cosmos Saturday night. You’ll hear new works for string quartet evoking orbiting satellites, the awe-inspiring Apollo moon landing missions, and a meditative journey through space by one of the founders of minimalism.

We’ll also feature two striking pieces for cello and interactive video that incorporate human voices to create an elaborate tapestry as part of the Earthling Project, a recording which was launched to the moon as part of the Arch Mission Foundation’s Lunar Library.

As our neighbors, you’re invited to join us at half off the regular ticket price with the code “graceland”

Walk up and be part of this unforgettable evening of music, community, and space-themed slushies!

Music of the Cosmos featuring Terry Riley Saturday, October 4th – Doors at 6:30, concert at 7:30 $20 – half off with promo code “graceland” https://thecheckout.org

Terry Riley’s Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector

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GWCA Fest

Thank You for Making the Graceland West Neighborhood Fest a Success!

We are still buzzing from the energy of this year’s Graceland West Neighborhood Fest! The weather held out and it was so wonderful to see so many of you gathered together, celebrating our incredible community.

The success of this event wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our amazing volunteers and our sponsors. We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who helped, with special recognition to Brad, Sarah, Liza, and Kristi for their leadership and tireless efforts. Your hard work behind the scenes truly made this year’s fest a memorable experience for all.

A Look Back at a Wonderful Day

The fest was a fantastic reminder of the spirit that makes Graceland West so special. We hope you enjoyed everything from the caricatures to the comedic juggler, the live music, and of course, the incredible pizza. It was a day filled with laughter, community, and great fun.

Get Involved: Your Neighborhood Needs You!

The fest is just one of many events that bring our neighborhood to life. It’s never too early to start thinking about how you can help with our upcoming events and initiatives. We’re already planning our annual Halloween Party next month, and we need volunteers to help with everything from handing out candy to setting up games.

Looking ahead, we also need volunteers for:

  • Pollinator Pathways: Help us keep our green spaces beautiful and healthy.
  • Serving on the GWCA Council: Shape the future of our neighborhood by joining the council.
  • The Annual Garden Walk: Share your green thumb and help coordinate this popular event.
  • 46th Annual Neighborhood Fest: It may seem far away, but planning for next summer’s fest is already underway!

Your time and energy are what make these events happen. If you want to get involved, please reach out! Just send an email to info@gracelandwest.org to learn more about our opportunities.

Thank you again for your support and for making Graceland West such a great place to live. We can’t wait to see you at our next event!

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Events & Announcements GWCA Fest

The Sun is Shining! Let the Graceland West Neighborhood Fest Begin!

Picture from 2024 Graceland West neighborhood fest.

The rain has cleared, and the sun is out, making today absolutely perfect for our annual Neighborhood Fest!

Come on out and join us from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Greenview Ave. It’s the perfect time to meet up with neighbors, enjoy some great food and entertainment, and support our community.

  • Caricatures by Kenny Durkin: Get your own custom caricature drawn between 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
  • Access Contemporary Music Performance: Enjoy a special piano performance at 4:30 PM.
  • Euchre Tournament: We have one spot open for the tournament. The fun kicks off at 3:30 PM. Reach out to Paul at pmonzella@gmail.com to join.
  • Andy Head Comedic Juggler: Prepare to be amazed by his incredible show at 5:30 PM.
  • Five Squared Pizza: Grab a slice of one of Chicago’s best pizzas, available from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

We’ve got something for everyone—from the bounce house and carnival games for the kids to a silent auction and craft cocktails for the adults. We can’t wait to see you there!

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Events & Announcements GWCA Fest

Get Ready for the Graceland West Neighborhood Fest This Saturday!

Saturday September 13
3-8 PM

4100 North Greenview between Belle Plaine & Warner

Get ready to connect with your neighbors and celebrate our community this Saturday at the Graceland West Neighborhood Fest! This is our largest fundraiser of the year, and it’s a great opportunity to have a blast while supporting our special corner of Chicago. Everyone is invited, so bring your family, friends, and anyone who wants to join in the fun.

We’ve got a fantastic lineup of activities this year, including some exciting new additions we can’t wait to share with you.

Can’t-Miss Main Attractions

This year’s fest features an incredible new group of performers and artists to keep you entertained all afternoon and into the evening.

  • Andy Head Comedic Juggler • 5:30-6:15 PM: Prepare to be amazed! Andy Head brings a trunk full of tricks and a ton of laughs to his show. With hilarious audience participation and incredible circus stunts, this performance is perfect for all ages. As one fan said, it’s “the perfect blend of juggling, comedy, and audience participation.”
  • Caricatures by Kenny Durkin • 3:30-5:30 PM: Take home a fun and personalized souvenir from the fest! Kenny Durkin is a professional cartoonist with over 20 years of experience, including work with Disney, AMC, and The Jim Henson Company. You may have seen his work on TV or in his online comic strips—now’s your chance to have him draw you!
  • Access Contemporary Music • 4:30-5:00 PM: Join us for a special piano performance by Seth Boustead, the Executive Director of Access Contemporary Music (ACM). Seth is an award-winning composer and visionary who will be kicking off the completion and grand opening of The CheckOut, ACM’s new venue at 4116 N. Clark. Stop by their booth to learn more about their mission and the new space.

Food, Drinks, and More!

We’ve got something for everyone to eat and drink.

  • Five Squared Pizza • 4:00-8:00 PM: The legendary Five Squared Pizza is back! Known for their “non-standard Detroit style pizza using organic ingredients & scratch-made everything,” they were called one of the “Best 25 pizzas in Chicago” by the Chicago Tribune. Don’t miss this tasty local favorite.
  • Off Color Brewing Beer, Wine & Craft Cocktails: Our friends at Off Color Brewing will be on hand with a selection of delicious beer, wine, and cocktails.
  • $1 Bake Sale: Bring a handheld, wrapped treat to share and grab one for just a dollar. We’ll also have cotton candy, popcorn, and other snacks available.

All-Day Activities and Entertainment

The fun doesn’t stop there! Get ready for a day packed with activities:

  • Live Music: DJ Dan Larson will be spinning tunes all day.
  • Games & Fun: We’ll have a bounce house, carnival games, basketball hoop, and cornhole.
  • Creative Stations: Kids can get creative at the sensory play station and collaborative art mural, and everyone can participate in the piñata, egg toss, and musical chairs. You can also create your own custom tie-dye t-shirts from 3:30-5:30 PM.
  • Friendly Competition: Test your wits at the Youth (5-5:30 PM) and Adult (6:30-7:00 PM) Trivia Contests with Stewpendous Trivia.
  • Euchre Tournament: Ready to play? Join the Euchre Tournament Fundraiser from 3:30-5:30 PM. It’s a $30 buy-in per player with cash prizes. Contact Paul at pmonzella@gmail.com to sign up.
  • Silent Auction & Raffle: Bid on amazing items in our silent auction and try your luck with the 50/50 raffle.
  • S’mores & Glowsticks • 7:00-8:00 PM: End the night with a special treat and some glowing fun!

Don’t forget to stop by the booths from Friends of Lake View High School, Lakeshore Sport & Fitness, Quantum Leep Academy, and Access Contemporary Music. And while you’re there, you can purchase your GWCA membership and grab some new GWCA tumblers, cozies, and magnets!

We can’t wait to see you there!

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Events & Announcements

Yoga in the Park – Saturday September 6th at 9:45 am

Graceland West Community Association Hosts YOGA IN THE PARK at Warner Park and Gardens (1444-46 Warner Ave).

Join us Saturday, September 6th, from 9:45 – 10:45 am for a yoga session in the beautiful Warner Park. The event is free and open to all Graceland West residents over 18 years old.

Bring your own mat or throw rug. Weather Permitting.

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Events & Announcements

Battling Rats: A Community Effort

Battling Rats: A Community Effort

Recent water main and drain work on Greenview appears to have stirred up rat populations, leading to increased sightings in our neighborhood. We believe this construction may have disrupted their nests, forcing them to seek new homes.

What We’re Doing:

  • We’ve requested rat abatement from the 47th Ward for all alleys bordering Greenview, from Pensacola to Belle Plaine. We’re ready to extend this to Montrose or Irving Park if needed, so please keep us informed!
  • We’ve also contacted the 46th Ward to address alleys between Clark and Southport, from Belle Plaine to Irving Park.

How You Can Help:

Your participation is crucial in curbing this issue. Please report all rat activity:

  • Immediately report rat holes, droppings, and sightings using the 311 app or by contacting Alderman Martin’s office directly.
  • Clean up: Scrubbing walls and sidewalks with biodegradable soap where you’ve seen activity can disrupt rat scent trails. Regularly clean your garbage and recycling bins.
  • Inspect trees: We’ve found rat nests in trees, so please check them.
  • Pick up pet waste and litter: Dog feces and even the slightest food scent on wrappers are major attractants for rats.

Remember, 311 can also provide abatement for individual properties or alleys. Let’s work together to make Graceland West rat-free!

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Events & Announcements

Yoga in the Park – Saturday August 23 at 9:35 am

Graceland West Community Association Hosts YOGA IN THE PARK at Warner Park and Gardens (1444-46 Warner Ave).

Join us Saturday, August 23, from 9:35 – 10:45 am for a yoga session in the beautiful Warner Park. The event is free and open to all Graceland West residents over 18 years old.

Bring your own mat or throw rug. Weather Permitting.

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Events & Announcements

Correction: GWCA Survey Link

Our apologies. The survey link in our previous email was not working correctly.

Please use the link below to share your input on the future of our community.

Survey Link

Thank you for your understanding and participation!

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