🌱 Oak Park Native Bids Farewell To 'SNL' + Blue Line Improvements

Happy Monday, Oak Park and River Forest! Let's get to today's Daily.

But first, today's weather: Mostly cloudy and chilly. High: 28 Low: 26.

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

1. Temperatures are expected to take a “polar plunge” this weekend across Chicagoland. Windy and cold temperatures are expected to continue through Christmas, with highs in the single digits. (CBS)

2. The CTA approved a contract to improve a section of Blue Line track running through Forest Park. A $105 million project will go toward reconstructing more than a mile of tracks, along with other improvements. A timeline has not yet been announced. (Paid source: Forest Leaves)

3. Longtime “Saturday Night Live” cast member Cecily Strong bid farewell to Studio 8H this weekend. The Oak Park native spent 11 seasons on the sketch show and was nominated for two Emmys. (TVLine)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• The OPRF Chamber of Commerce hosts Meditation Mondays. (12:15 p.m.)
• Singers from the Lyric Celebrate the Season at the Nineteenth Century Club. (1:15 p.m.)
• The First United Methodist Church hosts a “Blue Christmas” observance. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Save the date: a "Light in All the Colors Unity Event" will be held Dec. 21 in Scoville Park. (VOP)
• Trinity High School is celebrating more than 30 years since the school choir was featured in "Home Alone." (Facebook)
• The Dole Branch of Oak Park Public Library is celebrating Hanukkah with an artifact display. (Library)

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Events:

• Singers from the Lyric Celebrate the Season (December 19)
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That's all for today! See you tomorrow for another Daily.

— Georgi Presecky