🍁Spooky fall update

Susan B. Clark

30 Oct 2025 — 2 min read

Nine pumpkins, 2006 -- We had a family tradition of carving a pumpkin for each of my grandparents' nine children. After putting them on the roof, we gathered below and sang Charlie Brown pumpkin carols. While my grandparents are both gone, this memory remains a highlight for me.

Eek!

It never feels like the "right" time to send a newsletter... so in this spooky season, I am getting over that fear!

Here are some updates on what I am working on, what's happening in Chicago, and how we can stay connected.

Capture the Urban Canvas

As a Chicago native, and a photographer who mostly uses her phone, I realized that sharing my love of Chicago AND some tips and tricks with your smartphone camera makes for a fun time. So I started doing photography walks last year.

I would love for you to join me!

My final Chicago art & architecture cell phone photography tour of the year is November 14th, and it's $10 off if you register by November 4th.

Sitting in front of the Picasso at Daley Plaza, a favorite visit on my walking tour!

If you're too far away for an in-person Chicago tour, stay tuned, as I'm working on an online course! Let me know if you'd be interested in that.

My image of a neighborhood protest that got into the local news site Block Club Chicago.

Chicago is under attack - Here's how you can help

Over the past month, federal agents have been kidnapping our neighbors off the streets, tearing apart families and scaring children, and teargassing peaceful protestors. Having our government invade our city and region has left us shaken...

And we've been fighting back with whistle brigades to get kids to school safely and grocery and food deliveries for those at risk of profiling.

Below I've listed a couple ways you can help, here in Chicago or from afar. I am working on an easier-to-update Google doc, which you can access here.

Donate to Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) which shares Know Your Rights information and runs ICE watch trainings (which you can attend online).

Volunteer for or donate to Care for Real, which serves the far North Side neighborhoods of Edgewater and Rogers Park with food and clothing distributions.

Support someone's immigration case.

Donate to The Chicago Street Vendor Relief Fund.

Grocery runs and errands, funded and run by neighbors.

Read updates from Chicago community organizer and writer Kelly Hayes.

Visit Here for You for ways to plug into grassroots organizing, mutual aid, & the arts in Chicago, New Jersey, and beyond.