🌱 Extreme Heat Forecasted + Brookfield Zoo Welcomes Baby Giraffe

Morning, neighbors! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out the most important things going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and very hot. High: 101 Low: 71.

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

1. As dangerously hot weather with heat index values of up to 115 degrees is forecasted in the Oak Park and River Forest area, safety measures are being taken by the Village of Oak Park and District 90. The village encourages residents to check on vulnerable individuals, stay hydrated, avoid sun exposure, and wear appropriate clothing. District 90 schools, which are fully air-conditioned, will implement indoor recess, and physical education classes on the first day of school will also be held indoors. (Wednesday Journal)
2. The Chicago Zoological Society celebrated the birth of a female giraffe after a 15-month watch by Brookfield Zoo staff. Arnieta, a 16-year-old giraffe, gave birth to a 6-foot-tall, 130-pound calf, with both expected to debut publicly in early September. The zoo closely monitored Arnieta's pregnancy due to previous miscarriages, providing medication and special care to ensure a successful birth, highlighting the importance of reproductive efforts in professional care for various species. (NBC Chicago)
3. Illinois State Police conducted an investigation into a shooting on I-290 near Elmhurst on Tuesday, leading to a temporary closure of all inbound lanes for about an hour. The incident occurred near North Avenue, prompting troopers to block the inbound lanes entirely by 4:30 p.m. Authorities were searching for shell casings following reports of shots fired at a vehicle, with no reported injuries resulting from the incident. (WBBM)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

Thursday, August 24

• Book Bike: Thursday Night Out At Oak Park Public Library (5:00 PM)
• Riley And The Red Hots At Encore! By Little Gem (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Danielle Mio Songo is among the artists contributing to the Oak Park Area Arts Council's Min Mural program, which aims to add vibrancy to the Green Line's railroad retaining walls, with Songo's mural located on South Boulevard between Oak Park and Grove avenues. (Village of Oak Park via Instagram)
• River Forest's annual Food Truck Rally is scheduled for Aug. 26 at 4:00 p.m. at Keystone Park West's The Depot parking lot, featuring a selection of food trucks, a beer tent, family entertainment, and live music. Details can be found here. (Village of River Forest via Facebook)
• During a patrol in nearby Chicago's Austin neighborhood, Cook County Sheriff's Office police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with an expired registration, leading to the discovery of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition carried by a passenger who lacked a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card or Concealed Carry License, resulting in felony charges being filed. (Cook County Sheriff's Office (Official) via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Irish Fest - Day 3 (August 27)
• What is the Difference between Palliative Care and Hospice Care at Oak Park Arms (August 29)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar on August 29th and 31st at DePaul University - Levan Center (August 29)
• Happy Lobster fresh lobster rolls make a delicious, easy dinner. Order by Tuesday (August 30)
• Malnati Brain Tumor Institute Summer Rooftop Celebration (August 30)
• Tortas, Burritos, + More from Fan Favorite Irazu Costa Rican on Thursday. Order by Wednesday. (August 31)
• How To Protect Your Business: Avoiding 6 Common Mistakes (August 31)
• High Holiday Services 2023 (September 15)
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That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!

— 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.