As temperatures rise, rats become more active in Clearing and Garfield Ridge. The problem is preventable with proactive attention.
Did you know that rats have an average life span of one to two years. At two to three months old, a female rat can reproduce four to seven litters each year, with each litter consisting of 12 pups, according to the City of Chicago.
In warm months, rats are drawn to food sources: garbage, dog feces, and shelter.
Residents should keep trash cans closed and not overflowing. If your bin is damaged or missing a lid, call your alderman’s office to request a replacement or special pick-up.
Dog feces left in the yard should be picked up daily or else it becomes rat food. Residents can also put up signs on their front lawns, reminding neighbors to pick up dog feces. Additionally, remove or monitor bird feeders that are overflowing, as they may be a source for rat food.
Other tips to prevent rats is to clear overgrown weeds, mow the lawn, and pick ripe or rotten fruits and vegetables from gardens.
If rats are already a problem, the city offers free services. Start by calling your local alderman or making a request on 311 to send our rodent control and bait your backyard.
Midway Chamber of Commerce:
The Garfield Ridge Farmer’s Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Archer and Narragansett. Fresh goods, local vendors, Marketplace merch, and a new Saturday morning tradition brought to you by the Midway Chamber of Commerce!
The Midway Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the Midway Retail Market Portable Sheds, a new small business incubator located at Archer and Narragansett. This program is designed to help local entrepreneurs test their business ideas, build a customer base, and grow into a permanent storefront within the Midway community. Applications are open for Artisan and handmade goods, apparel and retail brands, pre-packaged food vendors, and unique small business concepts.
Veterans/nilitary pole banners are back! The Midway Chamber of Commerce is giving residents the chance to honor their active military, ROTC, or veteran with a personalized photo pole banner. The banners will be displayed on Archer Avenue or 63rd Street! The deadline to order is September 30. Price is $160 per banner. The Chamber’s goal is to have them installed before Veterans Day and keep them up for the remainder of the year. Banner Info needed: Name, Branch of Service, photo. After placing your order, please send an email with the photo and include your invoice number and contact info, email address midwaychamber@gmail.com. Residents who would like to have their banner from last year rehung must pay the banner fees and bring their banner to Midway Storage to be rehung.
Take a break from the hustle of everyday life and join M&M Yoga Momma for a relaxing, one-hour yoga session at the Midway Chamber BizHub on Friday, August 14, at 6:30 p.m. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yogi, this welcoming class is designed for all fitness levels and focuses on movement, mindfulness, and relaxation. Bring your own yoga mat and enjoy a peaceful indoor setting while stretching, strengthening, and recharging your mind and body. $10 per person by registering online or walk-in (cash). Space is limited to 20 participants per class. Advanced registration is strongly encouraged to reserve your spot.
The annual Back to School Backup Give-A-Way is on Saturday, August 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring the whole family and join us for a fun-filled morning as we kick off the new school year! We’re excited to support our local students with a Backpack Giveaway featuring: Brand new backpacks filled with school supplies and fun activities for all ages! These backpacks have been generously donated by our incredible community partners and sponsors to ensure every child starts the school year ready to learn. We believe in the power of education and are proud to help equip students with the tools they need to succeed. Come out, connect with neighbors, and celebrate the start of a great school year—we can’t wait to see you there!
YSV Candles & Gifts:
Unleash your creativity in this Sticker Art Class on Wednesday, July 22, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Participants will design unique 5×5 art pieces using a variety of stickers. Whether you love vibrant colors, intricate patterns, or quirky designs, this class offers the perfect opportunity to express yourself. Bring your imagination and get ready to create a miniature masterpiece entirely from stickers. Register here.
Kid’s Market Big Ideas Little Makers is returning to YSV Candles & Gifts – 6623 W. Archer Avenue on Saturday, July 25, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For the third time this year, kid-entrepreneurs will be setting up shop and selling their handmade creations. Come cheer on: Little Things Boutique, Ocean Sparkle Bracelets, Starry Flower Crochet, My Melanie Mart, Peter’s Cupcakes and shop local! Kids interested in selling their handcrafted creations can also inquire about getting a space.
Sip N. Paint “Soundtrack of Our Lives” is on Sunday, July 26 at 1 p.m. Join an afternoon filled with fun and laughter, while painting a mix tape, and sharing songs that helped shape who we are. $20 per painter and BYOB. RSVP a partyingpartychicago@gmail.com
Eco-Friendly Toxin Free Workshop is on Wednesday, July 29, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. It’s held every last Wednesday of the month with the intent of showing residents how to live more sustainably and reduce toxins in their home. Register here.
‘Come Doodle With Me!’ is on Wednesday, August 12, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. It’s an interactive activity designed to spark creativity and fun for all ages 12 and up. A Zentangle video usually demonstrates the process of creating structured patterns in a calm, mindful way. This class is offered on the second Wednesday of the month. Register here.
Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center:
The Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center’s Semi quincentennial Buzzer Trivia on Wednesday, July 22, at 1 p.m. American and Chicago trivia in celebration of the 250th Birthday of America. Refreshments will be served, and the top three scorers will win prizes. Registration is required.
The Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center is hosting Friday Films starting at 1 p.m. There will be action films set on the Fourth of July with popcorn and pink lemonade. Steven Spielberg’s Jaws (1975) will be playing on Friday, July 17, and Roland Emmerich’s Independence Day (1996) on Friday, July 24.
Ukulele Club with the senior center is on Thursday, July 23, 1-2 p.m. Join the senior center, most of whom are just beginners who like to ham and sing easy ukulele songs together. If you play or want to learn, bring a ukulele and jam with the music there. You can also come along to sing or enjoy the company. No registration is required.
Celebrate the Semi quincentennial (250th) Birthday of America with a Bingo Party at Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center! Happy Birthday America Bingo Party is on Friday, July 31, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be 10 Bingo games with Gift Card prizes. Purchase a ticket and dress in Red, White, and Blue to celebrate at the seniors center. Your advance ticket purchase includes admission to the party, a morning snack, lunch, and two free bingo cards to play 10 games of bingo with gift card prizes. There will also be a guessing game, Split the Pot, and a raffle (Raffle tickets are $1 each or six tickets for $5). Tickets will be available for purchase until Friday, July 24, or until all seats are full. ADMISSION BY TICKET ONLY: NO TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR. TICKETS ARE SOLD ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS. NO REFUNDS ARE ACCEPTED.
Clearing Library:
Swaggy Shades is on Wednesday, July 22, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Decorate your own sunglasses at the library. Good shades, good vibes, good day! Presented by the teen interns. Sunglasses and swag provided. For kids aged 6- 17. Register here.
Sing and Soar with Nanny Nikki is on Thursday, July 23, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Grammy nominated artist Nanny Nikki loves to sing and to bring life to classic children’s songs for early childhood, as well as some original music. Join her for a fun, high-energy, and interactive musical show featuring sing-along songs, dancing, puppets, and more! For ages 0 to 6. Register here.
Film Screening: The SpongeBob Movie (2025) is on Thursday, July 23, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Film synopsis: Hoping to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob follows a mysterious, swashbuckling ghost pirate known as the Flying Dutchman on a seafaring adventure that takes him to the deepest depths of the ocean. For kids 6 and up. No registration is required.
Czech Chicago is on Saturday, July 25, 11 a.m. to noon. Learn from local expert Dr. Dominic Pacyga! The Czech community was once one of the most important and fascinating ethnic communities in Chicago. The original community began near Lincoln Park and then moved to the South Loop, and then Near West Side before moving again to Pilsen and beyond. It thrived along Cermak Road and Blue Island Avenue from Halsted to Berwyn. Czech Chicago gave the city its only immigrant mayor, Anton Cermak, as well as many important institutions including Pilsen Park in what was once called Czech California and is known today as Little Village. Register here.
Join the Clearing Library for Summer Story Time on Thursday, July 30, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and noon to 12:30 p.m. Little readers will share songs, rhymes and books, plus suggestions for at-home activities. Register here.
Film Screening: Lilo & Stitch (2025) is on Thursday, July 30, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Film synopsis: A live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, “Lilo & Stitch” is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. For kids 6 and up. No registration is required.
Retro Video Game Expo is on Friday, July 31, Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join Clearing Library for a flashback to the golden era of video games. Play on old video game machines from the 1970-2000s. Check out the old home video game consoles from Atari to the Nintendo Switch. Play pinball on our virtual pinball machine. Fun for the whole family. All ages.