🌱 Dominican Awarded $2.5 Million Grant + Stolen Cars Found In Chicago

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! In today's edition of the Patch newsletter:

• Local leaders gather to speak on the challenges facing refugees
• The health department provides a COVID-19 update
• A change is coming for the Des Plaines Trail

But first, today's weather: Colder with partial sunshine. High: 35 Low: 22.

These are the great local businesses who sponsor the Oak Park-River Forest Patch newsletter. We love what they do, and we think you will, too:

• Want to give your home a new look? Elite Decorating & Remodeling is a local full-service home improvement company, providing expert services to update and upgrade your home without breaking the bank. Got a painting project, need a new deck, or want a total home remodel? Mark and the team at Elite Decorating & Remodeling have you covered. Check out some of their work here, or email Mark at elitebymark@gmail.com

• New to Yoga and don’t know where to start? YogaSix is a community-minded yoga studio offering a “101 Beginners” series for those new to the art. These classes explore yoga’s most common postures, all while increasing flexibility, building strength, and having fun. Classes are Sundays at 1 p.m. starting Feb. 12. Get ready to explore the world of yoga and see what your body can do. Visit YogaSix here to learn more, or join them for a free 101 Beginner Community Class on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

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

1. An Oak Park resident died last week after contracting COVID-19, the health department reports. At least 88 people have tested positive in the village so far in February. (VOP)

2. Chicago police recovered two additional vehicles which had been reported stolen from Oak Park streets. Both cars were found Feb. 8 with “broken windows and pulled ignitions,” according to the Oak Park Police Department. (OPPD)

3. Dominican University has received a $2.5 million grant to improve its internet and technology network. The grant stems from the Biden Administration’s “Internet For All” initiative and “will allow the university to bring its broadband and IT capacity up to a robust level,” the school announced this week. (DU)

4. A Refugee Shabbat was held last week at West Suburban Temple Har Zion in River Forest. Religious leaders and business officials from across Chicagoland discussed their contributions and responses to the crises facing refugees in the area. (Wednesday Journal)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Take a winter bird walk at Trailside Museum. (9 a.m.)
• It’s Sustainable Saturday at Austin Gardens. (10 a.m.)
• A winter exploration day is held in Thatcher Woods. (11 a.m.)
• A Valentine's Sweetheart lunch is held at Cheney Mansion. (Noon)
• Dima Jewelry Atelier + Boutique celebrates its first anniversary. (Noon)
• The Rising Stars Valentines Concert is held at Unity Temple. (7:30 p.m.)
• Triton College hosts a B52s-themed cosmic light show. (8:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Forest Preserves of Cook County is planning to change the name of the Des Plaines Trail. (FPDCC)
• Several downtown Oak Park businesses are hiring, including Lake Theatre, Kalamata Kitchen, Sephora and Wise Cup. (DTOP)
• Housing Forward has established a new Wraparound Services Program. (Housing Forward)
• Registration is open for Oak Park-River Forest Youth Football. (OPRFYF)
• The Maze Branch Library is featuring work by Oak Park artist Chris Brown this month. (OPPL)

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:

• Chicago Artisan Market in Ravenswood — this Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 11-12 (February 11)
• Winter '23 Weekend Wonders in Elmhurst (1st-5th graders) (February 11)
• Teen Open Mic (February 11)
• Add your event

That's all for today's OPRF newsletter. Have a great weekend and see you tomorrow for the Sunday edition!

— 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.