🌱 2023 Illinois Solar Tour + Oak Park Community Biodiversity Survey

Hello, Oak Park-River Forest. I'm here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 71 Low: 62.

Here are the top three stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. The 2023 Illinois Solar Tour will showcase homes in nearly 40 Chicago suburbs on Saturday, Sep. 30, including Oak Park. This event is free and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., offering both in-person and virtual experiences. This is an opportunity for the public to see how homeowners and businesses have adopted solar energy to reduce utility costs and lower their carbon footprint, featuring open houses, video tours, and local events in various communities. More information can be found on the Solar Tour website. (Daily Herald)
2. Oak Park residents are encouraged to participate in a community biodiversity survey conducted by the Village’s Office of Sustainability & Resilience. This survey hopes to identify existing biodiversity-supporting projects in Oak Park, such as monarch gardens and dark-sky-approved lighting, while collecting data on green infrastructure like permeable pavement and rain barrels. The information gathered will be used to set goals and develop programs to enhance biodiversity and green infrastructure in the community, aligning with the Climate Ready Oak Park plan's objectives to protect biodiversity for a well-functioning ecosystem. (Village of Oak Park)
3. From Oct. 1-12, the Main Library in Oak Park will be accepting gently used and freshly washed Halloween costumes and accessories for children aged 0-11 in the Children's Services Area during regular library hours. Additionally, on Thursday, Oct. 12, there's a free costume swap event for those looking for Halloween costumes in the same age range from 10:00 a.m. to noon and 4:00-6:00 p.m., open to everyone, even if you don't have a costume to exchange. For any inquiries, you can reach out to Children's Librarian Eileen Saam. (Oak Park Public Library)

Here's to our local sponsor. Check out what they can do for you:

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

Tuesday, September 26

• Tinkergarten Nature Class At Main Library (10:30 AM)
• West Suburban Building Association Meetup At Salerno's Pizza (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Heads up house hunters, new homes have hit the market in Oak Park-River Forest! Click the link to learn more. (Oak Park-River Forest Patch)
• On Thursday, Sep. 28 at 6:00 p.m., the Village is hosting a Latinx Roundtable Talk at the Oak Park Public Library's Veterans Room. This event is part of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration and complimentary refreshments will be available during the event. (Village of Oak Park)
• Today (Sep. 26), the Oak Park Public Library will host a Baby Lapsit event in the Storytime Room, designed to foster one-on-one interactions between caregivers and their non-walking babies. The event will take place at the Main Library from 11:00-11:30 a.m. (11:00 AM)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Laura Ruiz, REALTOR® at REALTY OF CHICAGO — (Visit website)
• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In The Village — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• The D&D Jazz Duo play at Q-BBQ Restaurant on Tuesday, Sept. 26 (September 26)
• Oak Brook Artisan Market - Sat-Sun, Sep 30-Oct 1 (Oakbrook Center) (September 30)
• Illinois Woman's Press Association Fall Writer's Workshop 2023 (September 30)
• Crafts & Drafts Handmade Market (October 1)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.