🌱 Naming New Parishes + Small Business Sale + Anfora Fundraiser

Happy Friday! Here's your five-minute guide to today's news in Oak Park and River Forest.

First, today's weather: Very cold with clouds and sun. High: 25 Low: 8.

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

1. Oak Park and River Forest saw more than nine inches of snowfall Wednesday and Thursday. OPRF High School returned to in-person learning, but local colleges, elementary schools and private high schools went remote again Thursday. (NBC)

2. The Oak Park Village Board heard informal requests for American Rescue Plan Act funds this week, but the Wednesday Journal reports overall “bewilderment” among trustees about how to proceed. Nonprofits and other community partners requested a total of $6 million. (Wednesday Journal)

3. The health department is hosting a vaccine clinic today for residents 12 and older. Appointments for all doses are available between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Oak Park and River Forest High School. (VOP)

4. Oak Park parishioners are asked for feedback on naming the two new consolidated parishes, which will officially become communities on July 1. Cardinal Blase Cupich will ultimately choose from five suggested names. (Wednesday Journal)

5. Today marks the end of Identity Theft Protection Week, according to the River Forest Police Department. Residents who believe they have been targeted by identity thieves should contact the department’s crime prevention unit or The Identity Theft Resource Center. (VRF)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Join the “Winter Animal Olympics” at Trailside Museum. (9 a.m.)
• Several businesses are participating in downtown Oak Park’s “Small Business BIG Sale,” including CarefulPeach Boutique, 16 Suitcases and Fitzgerald's Fine Stationery. (10 a.m.)
• River Forest Public Library hosts Virtual Family Story Time. (10 a.m.)
• Join Oak Park Art League for Open Studio events every Friday in February. (1 p.m.)
• Forest Park Public Library begins its “Bringing Black History to Life” series. (1 p.m.)
• Make Valentine’s Day crafts at River Forest Park District’s “Family Create Night.” (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Anfora Wine Merchants is selling a special “Share the Love” wine trio in February to raise funds for the OPRF Infant Welfare Society. (OPRFIWS)
• Oak Park Public Library suggests snow-themed activities this week. (OPPL)
• Triton College is celebrating Black History Month with a library display and upcoming film screenings, including “Judas and the Black Messiah” on Feb. 10. (Triton)
• For a $15 donation, Brookfield Zoo will “name a cockroach after your ex” this Valentine’s Day. (Zoo)
• Former basketball player and “Hoop Dreams” star Shawn Harrington is now coaching youth sports on the West Side. (AWN)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Focus Point Training — (Visit website)
• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In The Village — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Protect yourself & Family-Illinois Concealed Carry Classes / 3 Hour CCL renewals & a free law class (February 5)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (February 8)
• Social Security Seminar (February 10)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (February 10)
• Chicago Artisan Market (Love & Local) in Ravenswood — Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 12-13 (February 12)
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Job listings:

• Full Time Accounting Asst for Oak Park Property Management Co (Details)
• Clerical Support to Oak Park Property Management Team (Details)
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Loving the Oak Park-River Forest Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at georgi.presecky@patch.com

That's all for Friday! 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.