Graceland West Community AssociationPlease note that there were a few mistakes in the post that went out yesterday and the blue flyer that will be delivered shortly:
The June Summer Community Meeting is Thursday, June 20th.
The Graceland West Neighborhood Fest is Saturday, September 14th.
The Children’s Halloween Party is Saturday, October 26th.
Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for emails with additional information and event announcements.
Subscribe to our online calendar:
Wednesday, March 20 | 7:00 – 8:15 pm
SPRING COMMUNITY MEETING
Quantum LEEP Academy, 1447 W Montrose
March 1 – April 26
NATIVE PLANT SALE
Pickup May 26 1-3pm, North Park Center Nature Preserve, 5801 N Pulaski
Saturday, April 20 | 10:00 am
EARTH DAY TREE PLANTING
Meet at NE corner of Lake View High School (Greenview & Belle Plaine)Tuesday Thursday, June 20 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
SUMMER COMMUNITY MEETING: ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner
SUMMER YOGA
Look for details on Yoga in Warner Park coming this summer
Sunday, July 28 | 1:00 – 4:00 pm
42ND ANNUAL GARDEN WALK
Throughout neighborhood, start at Warner Park and Gardens, 1444 W Warner
Sunday Saturday, September 10 14 | 3:00 – 7:00 pm
44th GRACELAND WEST NEIGHBORHOOD FEST
4100 block of Greenview between Belle Plaine & Warner
Thursday, September 26 | 7:00 – 8:15 pm
FALL COMMUNITY MEETING: NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORY
Location TBD
Saturday, October 28 26 | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN PARTY
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner
November 16-24
11TH ANNUAL VOLUNTEER STREET LEAF CLEAN-UP
Kickoff 11/16 at 10am at Greenview & Belle Plaine, Berteau & Collum
Thursday, December 5 | 6 – 7:30pm
WINTER COMMUNITY MEETING & HOLIDAY SOCIAL
Location TBD
GWCA is wondering if we have any professional or hobby entomologists in the neighborhood. Please connect with us at info@gracelandwest.org.
This May and June, the Northern Illinois Brood, or Brood XIII and the Great Southern Brood, Brood XIX will both be out in force in the greater Chicago area. “The world hasn’t seen cicadas like this since 1803“, but according to our friends at Illinois Extension (see attachment) “besides the noise, which may be substantial, this large group of insects is harmless and can be appreciated and enjoyed by nature lovers of all ages.”
On Monday, Feb 19 (President’s Day) a carjacking incident occurred at 4 am on the 4200 Block of Greenview. Please check your video cameras for a red SUV and email CAPS019district@chicagopolice.org with any information, please copy info@gracelandwest.org.
Help us prevent crime in the neighborhood by always reporting crime, suspicious activity & dangerous driving to 911. Confirm that your porch lights and rear lights are working from dusk to dawn.
More safety tips at: https://gracelandwest.org/neighborhood-safety/
You may have heard about the recent attempted carjackings at the gas stations in our neighborhood. Members of GWCA and GWCA council members have contacted both the 19th District police station and Alderwoman Clay’s office as well as attended CAPS and District 19 meetings.
Please be sure to visit our Neighborhood Safety page for recommended best practices to prevent crime. It is very important that you call 911 and report any suspicious activity or crime happening “now”. It is equally important that you report any criminal damage or theft and get a report number. Our police coverage is based on actual reports.
Specifically related to the recent gas station incidents, please see the attached flyers from the CPD.
If you contact CAPS (CAPS.019district@chicagopolice.org) or Alderwoman Clay (info@46thward.com), please copy info@gracelandwest.org.
If you are interested in participating in our Block Rep program, please reach out to info@gracelandwest.org.
There are a few spots still available yet for GWCA’s upcoming and new Next Gen Experience Bowling Party. Please join us!
GWCA will be taking over the entirety of Timber Lanes (1851 W Irving Park) on Saturday, January 20, from 2-4 pm. We’ll have light snacks for the kids, along with bowling and fun for everyone. Parents, note that the bar at Timber Lanes is cash only.
Cost of attendance is $30 per family (up to 5 people)
Advanced registration and payment is required – please email sarah.maxwell@gmail.com to RSVP. Payment can be sent via Zelle (info@gracelandwest.org) or Venmo (@graceland-west-community-assoc)
The list below highlights the GWCA activities throughout the year.
January GWCA & Southport Neighbors Association 46th Ward Aldermanic Forum, Music Box Lounge
March First Quarter Community Meeting, Lakeview Taproom. This was an opportunity for GWCA Block Reps and 19th District Police to get to know each other. 19th District Police Cpt. DelPilar and CAPS Sgt. Hernandez led the update. 19th District Police Council elect Samuel Schoenberg attended. Alderman Martin provided updates for a Traffic Circle for Greenview and Belle Plaine and an update on construction of protected bike lanes on Clark from Irving Park to Montrose. GWCA approved zoning for renovated and new condo construction on Cuyler.
April Earth Day Cleanup. GWCA has held neighborhood cleanups since its 1979 inception.
May GWCA received not-for-profit status again. Donations to GWCA, not including membership dues, are now tax deductible.
June Second Quarter Community Meeting and semi-annual election, Warner Park. Celebrated the Summer Solstice with an annual outdoor Environmental Topic Meeting. Live Roof and Pizzo Native Landscape were our 2023 panel. The Environmental committee focus includes neighborhood Climate Change, pollinator habitat, stormwater flooding, diesel air pollution, composting, recycling and more. Semi-annual elections are held in June and December for 18-month Council terms.
May Annual Yard & Garage Sale
July 41st Annual Garden Walk. 31 Gardens & 7 Pollinator Sites. Information tables included GWCA information, Master Gardeners, Native Plant Pollinator Pathway and Stormwater Absorption Initiative and Tree Keepers.
September 43rd Annual Neighborhood Fest. GWCA was established in 1979 and our first event was our Fest.
September Third Quarter Community Meeting, Warner Park – this meeting was cancelled. The bike maintenance and safety clinic was postponed and the Alder led bike ride will happen when the new Clark Street protected bike lanes open.
September GWCA Native Plant Pollinator Pathway and Stormwater Absorption Site Gardeners received a Chicago Excellence in Gardening (CEGA) Honorary Mention for their seven parkway sites. 5 sites are available for this initiative at Berteau and Ashland, Belle Plaine and Ashland, Cullom and Greenview, Cuyler and Greenview and Warner and Southport.
October Guys of GWCA gathering, Long Room Chicago
October Children’s Halloween Party, Warner Park
November Gals of GWCA gathering, Long Room Chicago
November 11th Annual Street and Crosswalk all-volunteer Leaf Cleanup. 20 volunteers kicked off the cleanup on Greenview intersections filling almost 100 bags with street and crosswalk leaves in 90 minutes. Our 9-day 2023 goal was 500 bags.
December Fourth Quarter Community Meeting, Port & Park. Semi-annual elections, holiday social & Golden Rake Award.
Every year, our final quarterly community meeting is a celebration and social gathering. This year it will be held Thursday December 7th at 5:30 at Port & Park. We’ll have some fun and announce the winner of this year’s golden rake for amazing work during our annual street leaf cleanup. As always, reach out to info@gracelandwest.org with any questions.
Lakeview Taproom, located within Graceland West and friends of GWCA, is proud to announce they have opened a coffee house! Sticking to their goal to connect local Chicago businesses to neighbors, their coffee is provided by Hexe Coffee Co.
The coffee house is open from 7am-3pm every day. Their menu has fresh coffees, tea, espresso, and baked goods. The taproom drink menu will be available during these hours as well.
Lakeview Taproom and Coffee House is located at 1426 W Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL. You can reserve this space for a private event through their contact page, or you can just stop by and try one of their treats.
Use this link to view their new menu.
Who wants to win the “Golden Rake” Award for raking and bagging the most street leaves in Graceland West by the end of the day today, Sunday Nov 19.
Borders are Montrose, Clark, Irving Park and Ashland. Rake and bag your street leaves and place the bag on your parkway for pickup after the 19th.
Take a photo and share it with us info@gracelandwest.org with your name and number of bags of street leaves.
Thanks to all the energetic and kind neighbors who raked and bagged almost 100 bags of street leaves in 90 minutes last weekend at five Greenview intersections.
