🌱 Fenwick Names New Principal + Health And Wellness Fair This Weekend

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest! In the news this Thursday:

• Neighbors are opposed to a new development at the corner of Chicago and Ridgeland.
• A Chicago woman faces charges after a rollover car crash near a Forest Park gas station.
• Upcoming events focus on music, health, wellness and sustainability.

But first, today's weather: A shower and t-storm; windy. High: 77 Low: 47.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Oak Park-River Forest:

1. The "Oak Parkers for Wright-Sized Development" group has formed in opposition to a building development on Ridgeland Avenue. “We support some kind of development on this corner…[but] this type of development is not right for the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District and this area,” neighbor Ben Brimeyer told Wednesday Journal of the plans to construct a five-story apartment building at the intersection with Chicago Avenue. Historical society director Frank Lipo told the paper, “We’re just trying to understand why this number of units and why this height.” A public meeting on the development will be held tonight at the Dole Branch Library. (Wednesday Journal)

2. Mark Rasar will serve as the next principal of Fenwick High School, the school announced this week after a six-month search. Rasar has been the principal of Holmes Junior High School in Mount Prospect since 2019 and officially begins the new role July 1. (Fenwick)

3. More than 70 vendors will be onsite for this weekend’s Community Health and Wellness Fair. The event is presented by the OPRF Chamber of Commerce and Rush Oak Park Hospital. (Chamber)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Learn about Oak Park’s green fleet at the Public Works Center (Noon) or about local forestry on a walk with village staff. (Noon)
• Trailside Museum of Natural History hosts a drop-in nature event. (2:30 p.m.)
• Ike Reilly performs a concert at Unity Temple. (6:30 p.m.)
• OPRF High School presents its spring choir concert. (7 p.m.)
• Several Oak Park organizations collaborate to host “Your Energy-Smart Home: A Money & Energy Savings Workshop.” (7 p.m.)
• “Bring Your Own Vinyl” to Beershop tonight. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A Chicago woman faces several charges in connection with a fight and car crash at a Forest Park gas station. The Review reports an online video of the crash is “going viral.” (Review)
• A paper-shredding event will be held Saturday at the Public Works Center. Residents can bring up to two bags of paper items to shred from 9 a.m. to noon. (Sustain Oak Park)
• Forest Park Public Library is recognizing Autism Awareness Month with sensory-friendly tours. (Review)
• Dominican University’s “Borders of the Mind” event has been postponed to the fall semester. (DU)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

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

• 7th Annual West Loop Spirits, Cocktails & Wine Festival with Artisan Delicacies, April 22 & 23 (April 22)
• Spring Dance with the Falconaires Big Band (April 22)
• Delicious Savory Crust empanadas delivered to your door! Order by Tuesday. (April 26)
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That's all for April 20! See you tomorrow for the Friday 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.