🌱 Hyundai Thefts Continue + Officials Remember Civic Leader

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! In today's newsletter:

• A local school faces an uncertain future
• The OPRF Museum celebrates Black history
• Lake Theatre is planning special anniversary screenings

But first, today's weather: Breezy in the morning. High: 43 Low: 28.

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

1. Three Hyundai cars were stolen from Oak Park streets over the weekend, according to the police department’s summary report. "Attempted" thefts were made on two additional Hyundai model cars. Four catalytic converters were also stolen between Feb. 2-4. (OPPD)

2. State leaders are remembering Oak Park resident Laurence Msall, who died over the weekend at the age of 61. The longtime president of the Civic Federation “will be remembered for his advocacy in confronting complex policy challenges," Gov. JB Pritzker said. (NPR)

3. The Children’s School is facing an uncertain future, according to the Ascension and St. Edmund Parish bulletin. The Archdiocese of Chicago is not renewing its lease of the property due to “the discovery of extensive and expensive repairs to the building.” More information will be made available in March, according to the bulletin. (Ascension-St. Edmund)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• It’s New Book Tuesday at The Book Table. (9 a.m.)
• Join the Oak Park Public Library for a midday meditation. (Noon)
• The jazz ensemble performs at OPRF High School. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The OPRF Museum is honoring Black History Month with a series of online resources, from virtual exhibits to book recommendations. (Museum)
• The Village of River Forest is recognizing Safer Internet Day today. (VRF)
• Trinity High School’s robotics team the “BlazerBots” won the Judges’ Choice Award at a recent competition. (THS)
• A full week of “Titanic” screenings is planned at the Lake Theatre in honor of the iconic film’s 25th anniversary. (Classic Cinemas)

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

• Consumer Fraud Prevention Tips for Seniors (February 9)
• Winter '23 Weekend Wonders in Elmhurst (1st-5th graders) (February 11)
• Teen Open Mic (February 11)
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Housing:

• Trade in your snow shovel for a condo! (Details)
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You're all caught up! See you tomorrow for more local stories.

— 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.