🌱 Holiday Inn Proposed In Oak Park + Turano Founder Dies At 79

Happy Sunday, OPRF! Here's the news for Dec. 12.

First, today's weather: Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 45 Low: 38.

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Here are the top 5 stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. One person was killed Saturday in a shooting at a River Grove bowling alley. Two others were injured at the Bowlero on River Road. (CBS)

2. The Village Board will consider a proposed Holiday Inn Express & Suites in downtown Oak Park. Zoning officials expressed concerns about traffic and parking around the 1140 Lake Street location, which would feature 68 hotel rooms on the building’s upper floors. (Wednesday Journal)

3. Carjackings in Cook County are up more than 40 percent from last year, according to the County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Tom Dart is seeking help from automobile manufacturers to help with real-time tracking improvements. (Patch)

4. Turano Baking Company co-founder Renato Turano died this week at the age of 79. The head of the longtime Berwyn bread company had been diagnosed with ALS. (Eater)

5. Rural farmers met with urban food co-op owners (including Oak Park’s Sugar Beet Food Co-Op) last week as part of the Illinois Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting. The Dec. 4 event “highlighted similarities between different types of food production and shared values within agriculture across the state.” (Austin Weekly News)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Unity of Oak Park opens a photography exhibit. (11 a.m.)
• Hop aboard the Park District Santa Trolley. (12:15 p.m.)
• River Forest Public Library and Township host “Edith Head: The Woman Who Dressed Hollywood.” (2 p.m.)
• Chicago a capella performs a holiday concert at Pilgrim Church. (4 p.m.)
• Family Yoga at Brewpoint Craft Oak Park. (4 p.m.)
• The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest performs at Concordia. (4 p.m.)
• “A Carpenters Christmas” holiday concert is held at Dominican. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Cook County Health will host a free COVID-19 booster vaccine clinic today in North Riverside. (NBC)
• The Park District of Oak Park is offering scholarships to help families in need pay program fees. (Patch)
• Oak Park author Kelley Kitley will virtually present a free short film on addiction and anxiety on Dec. 14 in partnership with local townships. (Eventbrite)
• Up to $10,000 in grants are available for residents who help fight climate change in Oak Park. (Sustain Oak Park)
• The River Forest Police Department recognized Human Rights Day on Dec. 10. (VRF)

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Events:

• Chicago Artisan Market (Holiday Edition) in Fulton Market - Sun, Dec 12 | 10am-4pm (December 12)
• Our Holiday Gift Is Waiting For You - The Month Of December (December 12)
• Taxes In Retirement Webinar (December 14)
• The Nutcracker (December 17)
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Announcements:

• Family Law Book Makes Practical, Thoughtful Stocking-Stuffer! (Details)
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That's all for today! See you tomorrow for the Monday edition of the Daily.

— Georgi Presecky