🌱 ‘Dino Works’ Returns To Wonder Works + Call For Mural Artists

Hi all. I'm here right on time with your fresh copy of the Oak Park-River Forest Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's going on locally.

But first, today's weather:

Breezy in the morning; cloudy. High: 44 Low: 29.

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

1. The Wonder Works Children's Museum in Oak Park is bringing back the "Dino Works" exhibit from Mar. 29 to Apr. 2, featuring dinosaurs big and small. The family-friendly event caters to aspiring paleontologists of all ages and offers a variety of activities, including a giant T-Rex skeleton display at the entrance. Admission prices start at $13 for members and $26 for non-members, with discounted rates available for Wonder Works and Wonder Works CLIMB members only. (WLS-TV)
2. The Oak Park Area Arts Council is seeking artists to participate in their Mini-Mural program, which aims to transform the dull, blank concrete walls along the Green Line corridor into canvases of public art. The selected artists will receive $750 for materials before and after the project, with mural sizes ranging from 6-by-8 feet to 6-by-11 feet. The deadline to apply for the first round is May 12, with a second round of submissions accepted through Jun. 16, and interested artists can submit their designs online. (Village of Oak Park)
3. Groves 6 & 7 is hosting a volunteer cleanup event for friends and families to participate in, providing bags, gloves, and trash grabbers for litter disposal. The event includes giveaways, information on volunteering in the forest preserves, and tips for sustainable living. SCARCE, AMVETS, Working Bikes, and the Cook County Sheriff's Office will collect books, musical instruments, clothing, electronics, and more. A t-shirt giveaway is available for the first 50 participants. (Forest Preserves of Cook County)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• How Oak Park And River Forest Were Shaped by the Ice Age At The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association (1:15 PM)
• 4th Monday Book Club (Virtual) Hosted By Oak Park Public Library (2:30 PM)
• Crafternoon At River Forest Public Library (4:00 PM)
• Listening Session: State Representative Camille Y. Lilly At Oak Park Public Library (5:00 PM)
• BIPOC Affinity Group March Meeting At Styles4Kidz (5:30 PM)
• Oak Park Meditation Group At Oak Park Public Library (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• In case you missed it, the Illinois House officially passed a ban on single-use foam containers and other disposable restaurant items by a 67-43 vote late last week. If approved by the Senate and signed by Governor Pritzker, the bill would go into effect beginning in 2024. (Patch)
• Have you completed the River Forest Village-Wide Traffic Survey yet? As a reminder, the survey closes on Mar. 31, and the results will be used to improve traffic flow and road safety throughout the village. (Village of River Forest)
• Mark your calendars for a “Greening From the Ground Up” sustainability talk happening in Oak Park on Apr. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Featured speaker Mark Nussbaum will be at Village Hall Council Chambers to share information about the integration of ground source heat pumps into local historic buildings. The 45-minute talk will be followed by a brief Q&A. (Village of Oak Park)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday off right. I'll see you soon!

— 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.