🌱 Brown Elephant Closes + Betty White Day Plans + Ice Rink Opens

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest readers! Let's get to the news for Saturday, Jan. 8.

First, today's weather: Icy mix in the evening. High: 32, low: 29.

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

1. Two Oak Park residents died this week after contracting COVID-19. The Oak Park Department of Public Health confirmed 659 new cases of the virus since Dec. 29. Cases are up by more than 400 percent since Dec. 14. (VOP)

2. A group of suspects stole 17 catalytic converters from a Forest Park cab company in December, according to the police department’s latest crime report. Two Chicago men were arrested and charged with felony burglary. Police have responded to five similar thefts over the past three weeks. (Forest Park Review)

3. Oak Park will host “The Betty White Centennial Celebration” next Saturday in honor of the late television icon who was born in the village in 1922. A ceremony will be held outside Lake Theatre and local businesses will offer “Be Like Betty” specials honoring the comic actress. (Patch)

4. The Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation announced $50,000 in new Rapid Response and Recovery Fund grants. Funds will benefit five Cook County nonprofits, including Hephzibah Children's Association and Austin Child Care Providers Network. (Patch)

5. The outdoor ice rink at Constitution Park is now open through March 1. Free skate hours today are from 9 a.m. to noon and 3 to 6 p.m. A red flag will be raised if the rink is closed due to inclement weather. (Park District)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Take a winter bird walk at Trailside Museum. (8:30 a.m.)
• Free electronic repairs are available at Fox Park. (10 a.m.)
• Paint a rainbow landscape at Dole Center. (10 a.m.)
• Smart Love Family Services offers free support for families of color. (1:15 p.m.)
• Take part in a virtual yoga meditation and sound bath with River Forest Public Library. (2 p.m.)
• Teen Video Game Club meets at Dole Center. (2:15 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Oak Park residents can sign up to receive monthly newsletters from residential beat officers with the police department. (VOP)
• Morton Arboretum will plant more than 1,000 trees in honor of its upcoming centennial. (Paid source: Daily Herald)
• The River Forest Park District is looking to hire a basketball site supervisor. (RFPD)
• The Brown Elephant locations in Andersonville, Lakeview and Oak Park are temporarily closed due to the omicron surge. (HBH)
• Food and drink are now prohibited in Oak Park Public Library to encourage proper mask-wearing. (Instagram)

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That's all for today, OPRF! See you tomorrow for more local news.

— Georgi Presecky