🌱 Couple Arrested On Gun Charges + COVID Emergency Ends

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest! In the Thursday edition of the Daily:

• An Oak Park Arms resident is honored for more than a decade of volunteering.
• The Village of River Forest will invest $100,000 in parking lot resurfacing.
• Dozens of events are planned for Celebrating Seniors Week, which kicks off today.

But first, today's weather: Becoming cloudy and very warm. High: 84 Low: 62.

Big love to our local sponsors. We couldn’t keep the community informed without you!

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• No special Mother’s Day plans made? No problem! Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe is coming to Oak Park on Sunday, May 14 — and they’re bringing everything you need for a stay-at-home-brunch with your special lady. Enjoy deep-dish quiche and side salads, breakfast pastries, and cinnamon rolls, to name a few. And don’t forget the tea sandwiches and cake for Mom! Order here by 8am on Friday, May 12th.

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Here are the top 5 stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. Today marks the end of the federal public health emergency declared at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chicago Public Health Department Commissioner Allison Arwady said “COVID-19 continues to circulate and still causes 150-200 deaths a day nationally, especially in older Americans who are not up to date with COVID vaccines and not taking the early treatments that help keep serious outcomes in check… I’m thrilled that COVID doesn’t have to be top of mind anymore, but it’s also not completely over.” The Oak Park Department of Public Health will offer free testing through at least June 30. (City)

2. An Oak Park couple was arrested for a gun-buying scheme they ran in Wisconsin, FOX Chicago reports. Simione Dunn, who has been on parole since June after serving more than a decade for attempted murder and armed robbery, posed as a police officer to buy guns. According to FOX, Dunn's girlfriend, Sonya Brown, bought more than 20 guns for him as a “straw” purchaser. (FOX)

3. Oak Park Arms resident Delores Newell was named “Volunteer of the Decade” after years of service at the retirement community, Oak Leaves reports. “Delores has been an amazing volunteer over the last 13 years, and we love seeing her smile at our activities and events,” Oak Park Arms Resident Engagement Director Renee Steingard said. “Now that she is a resident, we’ll see her smile even more.” (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

4. The River Forest Village Board approved plans to repave the public works garage parking lot, which Department Director Jeff Loster said has not been resurfaced in at least 20 years. The project will cost more than $115,000 and is expected to be completed by the end of June. (Wednesday Journal)

5. Celebrating Seniors Week begins today in Oak Park, River Forest and surrounding communities. A full schedule of events runs through May 18, including film screenings and live music. Workshop topics include decluttering, downsizing, retirement nutrition. Health screening and sporting events are also planned. (Celebrating Seniors)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Today is the last chance to see the “Abstracted Abstractions” exhibit at Oak Park Art League. (1 p.m.)
• “Corks and Conversations: A Community Wine Event” is held at Trattoria 225 to benefit the Day Nursery. (7 p.m.)
• Einnim and the Park District of Oak Park host a Mother’s Day candle-making workshop at Pleasant Home. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Two OPRF High School track athletes will compete today at the IHSA Class 3A St. Ignatius Sectional. (Wednesday Journal)
• Local recording artist Kara Jackson is featured in Crack Magazine this week discussing her musical influences, Oak Park upbringing and debut album “Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love?” (Crack Magazine)
• Housing Forward’s 25th Have a Heart Gala is set for Saturday. (Chamber)
• More than 100 short-term rental licenses have been approved in Oak Park since the program began last year. (VOP)
• OPRF Museum will host a tour of the Gunderson Historic District on May 13. (Museum)

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Featured businesses:

• Laura Ruiz, REALTOR® at REALTY OF CHICAGO — (Visit website)
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Featured events:

• Engineering Escapades:"Design-A-Dragster" (May 13)
• A Special Menu Just for Mother's Day at Tre Sorelle Ristorante by Mancini! (May 14)
• Apps, Salads, and Incredible Mains from Beatrix Are Coming on Wednesday! Order by Monday. (May 17)
• Bloom Plant Based Kitchen Award-Winning Vegan Food for All is coming to you, order by Tuesday! (May 18)
• Try quinoa + chicken tikka masala meals from Bhoomi Modern Indian Friday! Order by Xday. (May 19)
• Add your event

That's all for May 11! See you tomorrow for another Daily.

— Georgi Presecky

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.