🌱 Heart Testing Event + New Lake Theatre Seating + Community Fridge

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! Let's get to today's top stories for Sunday, April 2.

But first, today's weather: Some sun, breezy and warmer. High: 60 Low: 44.

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

1. More than 30 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the village this week. The average weekly count in March was about 48 cases. The health department report does not include at-home tests. (VOP)

2. OPRF High School is seeking more than 100 volunteers to help administer heart health tests to students at an upcoming event. The Young Hearts for Life® Cardiac Screening Program will provide training to volunteers Monday night for the Tuesday testing event. Medical experience is not necessary. (OPRFHS)

3. Moviegoing numbers are up 40 percent this year at Classic Cinemas, CEO Chris Johnson told Wednesday Journal. Lake Theatre is in the process of converting entirely to heated recliner seating. Filmgoers can sit in the new seats inside the cinema’s largest auditorium beginning Wednesday. (Wednesday Journal)

4. A community fridge opened earlier this week at Mohr Community Center in Forest Park. A group of volunteers created the space for unhoused people to receive perishable and non-perishable food items. (Review)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• St. Catherine-St. Lucy and St. Giles host a pancake breakfast. (9 a.m.)
• Brunch with the Bunny is held at Cheney Mansion. (10 a.m.)
• The Oak Park Department of Public Health hosts a spring break COVID-19 testing clinic at Lindberg Park. (10 a.m.)
• Animal Care League hosts a "Spring Bunny Spa Day." (Noon)
• See “Jungle Jim: A Musical Wildlife Adventure” at Madison Street Theater. (1 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• OPRF High School officials hope to vote April 27 on a funding source for its $100 million renovation project to replace the school’s athletic facilities. (Wednesday Journal)
• More than $25,000 were raised for the OPRF Historical Society at last month’s museum gala. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)
• Yard waste collection resumes Monday for Oak Park homeowners. (VOP)
• River Forest residents can receive vouchers for Oak Park pool passes beginning April 4. (Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Laura Ruiz, REALTOR® at REALTY OF CHICAGO — (Visit website)
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• Add your business here

Featured events:

• "An Afternoon with Tanya Egler – A Heritage of Black Gospel Music," a concert by Tanya Egler (April 2)
• Tre Sorelle Sunday Jazz Jam with John Scoville & Friends (April 2)
• Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest Presents Berlioz Te Deum and World Premiere Symphony (April 3)
• Berlioz Te Deum and a World Premiere Symphony (April 3)
• Wedding Band Event at Bella Cosa Jewelers (April 15)
• A Charcuterie Happy Hour: Networking Event (April 19)
• Add your event

That's all for today! See you tomorrow for another week of news.

— 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.