🌱 Austin Gardens Closed + COVID Update + Easter Events

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest! Here's a quick guide to the latest local news.

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 63 Low: 42.

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Here are the top 4 stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. The Oak Park Department of Public Health reports 37 new cases of COVID-19 in the village this week. The case count has decreased more than 28 percent from this time last month. (VOP)

2. Senate President Don Harmon is expected to lead the process of filling Brandon Johnson’s seat on the Cook County board. “There will be plenty of time for politics after everyone gets a moment to relax from the election,” a spokesperson for the Oak Park senator told WBEZ. Johnson was elected the next mayor of Chicago earlier this week. (WBEZ)

3. Austin Gardens will remain closed through Monday following storm damage. “Clean-up will begin when the weather allows,” according to an online message from the Park District of Oak Park. (PDOP)

4. Local bureau Visit Oak Park curated a list of local Easter events in Oak Park, River Forest, North Riverside, Brookfield and Berwyn. Several egg hunts, Easter bunny photos and Sunday brunches are on the calendar this weekend. (Visit Oak Park)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• River Forest Park District hosts “Eggstravaganza” events in Keystone Park West. (8 a.m. and 11 a.m.)
• Take a morning bird walk at Trailside Museum. (8 a.m.)
• An Egg Dash and Doggie Scramble are held in Maple Park. (9:15 a.m.)
• Carnival Grocery hosts an Easter Egg Hunt with cookies and crafts. (10:30 a.m.)
• The Easter Bunny will drop in for photos at Beer Shop. (Noon)
• Join the forest preserve district for a “wellness walk” in Thatcher Woods. (1 p.m.)
• A National Arab American Heritage Appreciation Workshop is held at Oak Park Public Library. (2:30 p.m.)
• Telescope Night returns to Fox Park. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Oak Park Farmers Market vendor Geneva Lakes Produce was “devastated” by a recent fire that destroyed three buildings on its Burlington, Wisconsin farm. (Wednesday Journal)
• The Austin neighborhood is “buzzing” following Brandon Johnson’s mayoral election win. (NBC)
• Food Network chef Jeff Mauro shouted out Maria’s Mexican Restaurant in a recent re-airing of “The Kitchen.” (Food Network)
• Unity Temple Restoration Foundation is celebrating its 50th anniversary. (UTRF)
• Candycopia is selling kosher candies this Passover week. (Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Wedding Band Event at Bella Cosa Jewelers (April 15)
• A Charcuterie Happy Hour: Networking Event (April 19)
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You're all caught up on the news for April 8. Happy Easter to those who celebrate! The Daily will be back in your inbox Monday morning.

— Georgi

About me: Georgi is a Chicago-based newsletter writer and partner content curator. She spent five years on the entertainment beat for FF2 Media covering film festivals across the U.S. Her feature articles have been recognized with awards from the Illinois Women's Press Association and National Federation of Press Women. As editor-in-chief of the Lewis University newspaper, she and her staff earned honors from the Associated Collegiate Press and American Scholastic Press Associations. She began working for Patch in 2019.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Oak Park-River Forest Patch newsletter? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.