🌱 Lake Street Carjacking + International Women's Day Events

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

• A building demolition was suspended in River Forest after asbestos was detected
• A $424,000 grant will go toward renovating Remembrance Park
• Johnnie's Beef is voted among the best sandwiches in Chicagoland

But first, today's weather: Mostly cloudy and breezy. High: 44 Low: 31.

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

1. An Oak Park woman was removed from her vehicle by force Tuesday outside of the School of Rock on Lake Street. According to Oak Park police, the driver was sitting in her vehicle when the offender approached, asked to use her phone and proceeded to force her out of the car. The Subaru was later located by police in Chicago. (OPPD)

2. Demolition of the Lutheran Child and Family Services Building was paused last month when asbestos was found on the site. Wednesday Journal reports that River Forest trustees are expected to hire an asbestos removal contractor at their March 13 meeting. (Wednesday Journal)

3. OPRF High School students were featured on WBEZ Chicago Monday. “Budding scientists” Emily Porrez and Nadya Dhillon were recognized for advancing to the national round of the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. (WBEZ)

4. The Park District of Forest Park will use its $424,000 state grant to renovate Remembrance Park, the Review reports. The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development funding will cover about half the cost of the project. (Review)

5. Several local organizations are celebrating International Women’s Day today. Beer Shop, Einnim and Selleria Veneta are hosting special events with vendors and live music. The Village of Forest Park will celebrate women leaders at Foundry FP. A Women’s History Month Walk in Thatcher Woods will be held March 11 in honor of local conservationist Isabel Bassett Wasson. Oak Park Public Library is offering book suggestions and hosting an American Girl Tea Party and author cafe, along with other events throughout the month. Two films by women directors are also screening at Lake Theatre this week: “Cocaine Bear” and “Emily.” (Beer Shop/Eventbrite/FPDCC/Library/Classic Cinemas)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• The Annual Landlord Management Housing Seminar is held at Oak Park Village Hall. (9:30 a.m.)
• River Forest Public Library hosts an afternoon book club. (1:30 p.m.)
• The Park District of Oak Park invites residents to a community webinar to discuss features at Rehm Pool. (6:30 p.m.)
• A One Earth Film Festival screening of “Powerlands” is held at Oak Park Public Library. (6:30 p.m.)
• The OPRF High School Huskie Boosters host a bingo night at One Lake Brewing. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• An Indiana woman was arrested March 3 in connection with a retail theft from the Old Navy on Harlem Avenue, according to Oak Park police. (OPPD)
• Mailbox thefts continue across the Chicagoland area. Two boxes in Elmhurst were broken into over the weekend. (Patch)
• WGN viewers voted Johnnie’s Beef in Elmwood Park among the best Italian beef sandwiches in Chicago. (WGN)
• Trinity High School will host a math competition April 22 for seventh graders. (THS)

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Featured events:

• One Voice for Arts Launch Party (March 10)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (March 14)
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That's all for today!

— 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.