Yoga in the Park, tomorrow, Saturday 7/13, 9:30-10:35 at Warner Park and Gardens. Free event hosted by GWCA. Weather looks great. Bring a mat or throw rug. Arrive a little earlier. RSVP to info@gracelandwest.org.
Dear Neighbor,
We are just one month away from the 42nd annual Graceland West Garden Walk! Details include:
- Sunday, July 28, 2024
- 1-5pm
- Garden Walk Potluck to follow at 6pm
Please use this online form to sign up for the 2024 Garden Walk. Please fill out as much of the form as you are able to today; you can come back to the survey to add additional details through early July.
We will follow up with additional details, including day-of logistics, more information on the potluck, and opportunities for volunteering, which include:
- Staffing the registration table at Warner Park & Gardens
- Set-up at Warner Park & Gardens
- Takedown after potluck at Warner Park & Gardens
Similar to last year, we are directing attendees to Warner Park & Gardens as a central hub for information tables, sign-in, and a limited number of paper maps. An online map available through will be included on publicity materials and signage (available through a QR code or hyperlink).
Please contact the Garden Walk Committee with general questions. Please email Chad with specific questions about the form or to sign up directly (chad.rathmann@gmail.com).
Between June 19 and today, June 25th, we have had 5 separate vehicle incidents:
- Car parked at Cullom and Greenview had window smashed
- Car parked on the 1400 block of Warner had window smashed
- Car parked in driveway on 1400 block of Belle Plaine was broken into
- Car parked on 1400 block of Warner near north/south alley east of Greenview had Catalytic convertor stolen
- Unlocked car on 1400 block of Warner near north/south alley east of Greenview was entered and were contents tossed around.
Please contact info@gracelandwest.org if you know of any other vehicle or other crime incidents.
Please help deter crime in the neighborhood by doing the following:
- Maintain a bright front porch light from dusk to dawn all year.
- Maintain either a bright rear door light or motion lights.
- Install and a video camera.
- Always lock your vehicle, house and garage and secure open windows on 1st and 2nd floors.
- Remove all valuables from your vehicle.
- Lock bikes and vehicles that are garaged.
- Look outdoors when you’re up at night. Not a bad idea to have a few indoor lights on timers.
- Report all alley and street lights out. Report all suspicious activity.
- Attend the 19th Police District Council meetings (tonight and July 24th, flyer attached) and the next Police 1912 Beat Meeting, July 16, 6:30 pm, Sulzer Library.
- Please be extra alert to suspicious activity and sounds at any hour.
Please join the Graceland West Community Association, GWCA. Membership dues help support our website, newsletters, meetings, events, an annual donation to Warner Park and Gardens and a scholarship for a college bound Lake View High School student.
SUMMER SOLSTICE POTLUCK AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY MEETING
After a wonderful yoga session in the park last Saturday, we’ll be back at Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner, this Thursday, June 20, 6:30 – 8 pm for our quarterly community meeting.
Judy Pollock, President of Chicago Birding Alliance (former Chicago Audubon) will return by neighborhood request and share information on local and migrating birds and their needs.
Neighbors Ben and Sarah Conley are certified TreeKeepers, who will provide support information on habitat for birds and tree care.
Neighborhood updates, Garden Walk sign-up, semi-annual Council election.
Summer Solstice Potluck, bring a finger food app, main or dessert to share. BYO beverages, compostable plates and reusable utensils.
Yoga in the Park, June 15, 2024
Yoga in the Park, tomorrow, Saturday 6/15, 9:50-11ish. Weather looks great. Bring a mat or throw rug. RSVP to info@gracelandwest.org.
Categories
June 2024 GWCA Newsletter
You’ll be receiving the attached newsletter at your door this week. Visit gracelandwest.org for details on GWCA’s initiatives + updates & details on all these upcoming events. Save these dates and join us!
Events
YOGA IN THE PARK
Saturday, June 15, 9:50 – 11:15 am
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner
The event is free and open to all Graceland West residents over 18 years old. Bring your own mat or rug. Weather permitting. Please RSVP to info@gracelandwest.org by June 14 and check gracelandwest.org for possible additional summer dates.
SUMMER SOLSTICE ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY MEETING
Thursday, June 20, 6:30 – 8 pm
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner
Judy Pollock, President of Chicago Birding Alliance (former Chicago Audubon) will return by neighborhood request and share information on local and migrating birds and their needs.
Neighbors Ben and Sarah Conley are certified TreeKeepers, who will provide support information on habitat for birds and tree care.
Neighborhood updates, Garden Walk sign-up, semi-annual Council election.
Summer Solstice Potluck, bring a finger food app, main or dessert to share. BYO beverages, compostable plates and reusable utensils.
42ND ANNUAL GARDEN WALK
Sunday, July 28, 1 – 5 pm
Throughout neighborhood, start at Warner Park and Gardens, 1444 W Warner
Sign up by 7/15 at gracelandwest.org/garden-walk to show your apartment, condo, house, school or business garden of any size and type.
Printed and virtual maps and garden descriptions will be available. Information Tables to include Master Gardeners, TreeKeepers, Native Plant Pollinator Pathway and Stormwater Absorption Initiative and Pizzo Native Plant Landscape.
Invite family, friends, or neighbors to enjoy our neighborhood gardens with you.
LAKE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL 150TH ANNIVERSARY
Late Summer, Early Fall, Details shared when available
Lake View High School, 4015 N Ashland
In 1873 the citizens of Lake View Township voted to establish a High School. Built on land donated by the Graceland Cemetery Company, Lake View High School was constructed at a cost of $16,000 and opened its doors to 73 students on May 4th, 1874.
After a massive fire nearly destroyed the entire building in 1885, Lake View reopened in 1886, with a new four-story addition.
In 1916 a new 5-story building was erected and in 1939 another section was added.
Today Lake View High School encompasses 77,000 SF and a full-city block. A $27 million renovation project was completed in 2018.
44th ANNUAL GRACELAND WEST NEIGHBORHOOD FEST
Saturday, September 14, 3 – 8 pm
4100 block of Greenview between Belle Plaine & Warner
Now on Saturday!
DJ, euchre tournament, trivia contest, raffle, silent auction & experience parties, bounce house, basketball, miniature golf,
tie-dye t-shirt creation, magic show, pizza truck, cotton candy, beer, wine, craft cocktails and more!
FALL COMMUNITY MEETING
Thursday, September 26, 7 – 8:15pm
See website and social updates for topic and location
CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN PARTY
Saturday, October 26, 11am – 1pm
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner
11TH ANNUAL VOLUNTEER STREET LEAF CLEAN-UP
November 16-24
Kickoff 11/16 at 10am at Greenview & Belle Plaine, Berteau & Cullum
Reduce stormwater flooding and increase pedestrian safety.
WINTER COMMUNITY MEETING & HOLIDAY SOCIAL
Thursday, December 5, 6 – 7:30pm
See website and social updates for topic and location
News
Congratulations Lake View Class of 2024!
Congratulations graduates on receiving over $1.9M in scholarships and acceptances to over 180 Universities. Lake View is home to over 1476 students grade 9-12. Lake View’s Core Belief is Honor…for self, school, and society. Ownership…of learning and leading. Mastery…of skills and growth. Education…for the future.
4116 North Clark Zoning
Thank you Alders Pawar, Martin and Clay, the GWCA Council and neighbors for helping with the 5+ year vacancy at
the former 7-11. We are told that the 7-11 lease ends in July 2024. On May 7th GWCA held an in-person Community Meeting and joined Alderwoman Clay’s on-line Presentation with potential tenant Seth Boustead, Executive Director of Access Contemporary Music. ACM wants to bring their fourth neighborhood site to Graceland West to teach music and hold recitals and small indoor concerts. GWCA Members voted 89% Yes, 11% No to change zoning from RS-3 to B3-1 if ACM is the tenant. Members voted 84% Yes, 16% No to allow ACM to sell alcohol during indoor music concerts if ACM becomes the tenant.
9 Ashland Bus Extension
Alderman Martin has announced that the CTA 9 Ashland bus will be rerouted from its current turnaround on Clark
north of Irving Park to continue north on Ashland to a new terminal at the Ravenswood Metra Station. The extended route will also provide direct connections to the Metra, #78 Montrose bus, and #81 Lawrence bus. Additional details are forthcoming.
Pollinator Habitat Donations + 3 New Sites
Thanks to a $1,000 donation from Congressman Quigley and a matching $1,000 donation from neighbor Mark Signa, the GWCA Native Plant Pollinator Pathway and Stormwater Absorption Initiative established 3 new sites in May. Each will provide pollinator habitat and absorb more than 2,000 gallons of stormwater annually. All will be on our July 28 Garden Walk. Contact GWCA if you’d like to develop a corner parkway, or share information about your native plants, grasses, shrubs, trees, rain gardens, green roofs and green efforts.
Cicada Photos Wanted
Celebrate our 2024 double cicada brood emergence, the first in 221 years. Email photos to info@gracelandwest.org
Neighborhood History Sought
Lake View High School was established in 1874, 150 years ago and neighborhood development began in the early 1890’s. GWCA’s September meeting will focus on our history. Please contact membership@gracelandwest.org if you have a property built before 1900 or if your family has information or photos dating from 1870-1970.
Fest Donations + Volunteers Sought
Looking for individuals to help the day-of event in a variety of roles. Have a connection to a local business or a unique activity/experience you can donate to our silent auction? Please contact info@gracelandwest.org
Categories
LVHS turns 150 years old
Lake View High School celebrated the graduation of its class of 2024 over the weekend and it’s a very special year because LVHS is turning 150 years old. Stay tuned for more updates on Lake View High School’s 150th sesquicentennial anniversary (1874-2024).
The CTA 9 Ashland will be rerouted from its current turnaround on Clark north of Irving Park to continue north on Ashland to a new terminal at the Ravenswood Metra Station. Register for a virtual presentation on Thursday, June 6, at 6:00 PM here: bit.ly/ashlandbus
This change will eliminate the idling CTA buses on Clark St. near Belle Plaine.
From the Alderman Martin’s social media:
I am thrilled to have worked with the CTA to extend the #9 Ashland bus route to a new terminal at the Ravenswood Metra Station bringing this bus north of Irving Park on Ashland for the first time in its history! This will expand access to one of the busiest bus routes in the city to within ½ mile of an estimated 21,000 new residents and 15,000 new jobs. The extended route will also provide direct connections to the Metra, #78 Montrose bus, and #81 Lawrence bus. Join our office and the CTA for a virtual presentation on this route extension.
Alderwoman Clay’s office has notified us that she is approving the zoning change from RS-3 to B3-1 at 4116 N Clark Street to allow Access Contemporary Music (ACM), the prospective tenant, to operate a music school. As part of this overall proposal, Alderwoman Clay will lift the liquor moratorium on Clark Street from Byron to Berteau for one year to allow ACM to apply for their liquor license. Note that should any other business in the affected area apply for a liquor license, the Alderwoman will consult the neighborhood before supporting.
Lease negotiations for 4116 N Clark are ongoing. The Alderwoman’s office reports that they will continue to work with ACM, along with the Department of Transportation and the Department of Buildings, on the possibility of removing the curb cut on Clark Street. ACM has agreed to provide 7-9 parking spaces for concert nights depending on the outcome of closing that curb cut.
The Alderwoman’s decision letter is copied below and attached here. We will pass along additional information as it becomes available.
Alderwoman Clay has decided to approve the request for a zoning change from RS-3 to B3-1 at 4116 N. Clark to allow Access Contemporary Music, the prospective tenant, to operate a music school for children and adults as well as a small venue for classic and jazz music. Access Contemporary Music (ACM) is a local non-profit organization with a strong track record in our community, with multiple other locations throughout the City.
Our office conducted a process to engage community feedback on this proposal. We released a survey and held a meeting for neighbors to learn more and share feedback. We also solicited written feedback from the neighborhood organization and the local Chamber of Commerce. After the conclusion of our process, this zoning change is supported by the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and by the neighborhood organization, Graceland West Community Association.
As part of this proposal, ACM will sell concessions that include alcohol. Alderwoman Clay will lift the liquor moratorium on Clark St. from Byron to Berteau to allow ACM to apply for their liquor license. After the mandatory one-year lift, Alderwoman Clay will lay the moratorium back down. Should any business on that corridor apply for a liquor license during the one year, she will consult the neighborhood organization before supporting or denying the license. Please note that gas stations cannot apply for liquor licenses in the city of Chicago. Alderwoman Clay has also requested that ACM provide a plan of operations for their license that restricts service of liquor to ACM concerts; liquor will not be served outside those events.
Our office feels confident that ACM will bring great added value to our community and replace a blighted, vacant property with a true community asset.
The 7-Eleven lease at 4116 N Clark St. will end on July 31, 2024. This address is represented by the 46th Ward and Alderwoman Clay. A Zoom meeting was held on May 7 for Graceland West residents to meet with 4116 N Clark potential tenant, Access Contemporary Music, ACM, about their proposed use, interior renovation plan and zoning and liquor license requests.
The Graceland West Community Association, GWCA, joined the Zoom presentation from an in-person community meeting. GWCA members and non-member residents who attended the in-person meeting represent 10 of the 13 different neighborhood streets in Graceland West.
Based on ballots and surveys, Graceland West Community Association, GWCA, members and Graceland West non-members support a zoning change from RS-3 to B3-1 for 4116 N. Clark, if music school Access Contemporary Music, ACM, becomes the tenant. Residents have asked that the curb-cut from Clark Street to the parking lot be eliminated to help with bicyclist and pedestrian safety and to improve overall safety to the site.
Question 1 (ballot for eligible members, survey for non-members). I support a zoning change at 4116 N Clark from RS-3 to B3-1 for prospective tenant, Access Contemporary Music and their shown plans to renovate and open a contemporary music teaching and concert location. Yes / No.
1) Graceland West Community Association Members attended in person and online and voted 89% Yes, 11% No to changing zoning from RS-3 to B3-1, if Access Contemporary Music is the tenant.
Question 2 (ballot for eligible members, survey for non-members). I support lifting the Liquor License Moratorium on Clark from Berteau to Byron for one year for prospective tenant, Access Contemporary Music to apply for/receive an indoor liquor license until 10 pm for ACM programs. This is not a bar. Yes / No
2) Graceland West Community Association Members attended in person or online and voted 84% Yes, 16% No to lifting the Liquor License Moratorium to allow ACM to apply for an indoor liquor license, if they are the tenant.
Non-members attended in person or online and received the same ballot questions as a survey. Had each been eligible to vote, the tallies for Question 1 are 74% yes, 26% No and Question 2 are 55% Yes, 45% No.
GWCA Members and Graceland West residents, thank you all for participating on May 7th. GWCA especially thanks 46th Ward Alderwoman Angela Clay for hosting the meeting and Andrew Pillman, owner of the Lakeview Taproom and Coffee House, for hosting us for the in-person meeting. Additional thanks to Seth Boustead, Executive Director, Access Contemporary Music, potential 4116 N. Clark tenant.
