🌱 Oak Parker Bound For Olympics + Local Author Donates Profits

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest! This is my final Daily newsletter of 2021, so let’s get to your quick recap of the latest local news.

I also wanted to give a special shoutout to some of our Patch Supporters: AJ Massie, Jacqueline Anderson, Oak Park Regional Housing Center, Angela Atwater and Carole Embry. Thanks for helping make local news happen in Oak Park-River Forest! If you want to support local news in Oak Park-River Forest, click here to learn more about becoming a Patch Supporter.

First, today's weather: Clouds breaking for some sun. High: 39 Low: 36.

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

1. About 300 new laws will go into effect Jan. 1 in Illinois. Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park shared a list of 10 important new laws, including one allowing students to take mental health absences from school. (Twitter)

2. Oak Park and River Forest High School graduate Emery Lehman is preparing for his third consecutive Winter Olympic Games in Beijing this February. The speed-skater told Wednesday Journal, “I’m always proud to represent Oak Park. People are really surprised to hear how many Olympians and other successful athletes come from there.” (Wednesday Journal)

3. Oak Park Public Library is seeking assistance with its search for the next executive director. The board of trustees put out a request for proposals with a deadline of Jan. 28, 2022. (OPPL)

4. Oak Park resident Virginia Martinez penned and published a new children’s book. She will donate 100 percent of the profits from sales of "Adventures with Abuela: Let’s Go to the Zoo" and said she wrote the story for her grandson and the Latino community. (ABC)

5. Oak Leaves is celebrating the milestones of 2021 with its “Year in Review.” This year saw the swearing in of a new village president, a change in village managers, the return to in-person learning and more. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Open skate at RCRC Ice Rink. (Noon)
• Sam Robinson Quintet performs at the Eastgate Cafe. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Fenwick High School’s basketball team could not participate in the Proviso West Holiday Tournament after a player tested positive for COVID-19. (Fenwick)
• Kadampa Meditation Center will host an in-person and online talk tomorrow about “ringing in the new year with genuine inspiration and purpose.” (KMC)
• “The Tragedy of Macbeth” opens tomorrow at Lake Theatre. (Classic Cinemas)
• Registration is open for 2022 Park District of Oak Park fitness classes. (PDOP)
• Wright Plus Architectural Housewalk tickets go on sale Saturday. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)
• Some spots are still available for River Forest Park District’s virtual craft beer tasting on Jan. 6. (RFPD)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Focus Point Training — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Get a medical cannabis card in 24 hours, and for 33 percent off, for the rest of 2021 (December 31)
• Watchnight New Year's Eve ("An Evening with Kingdom Impact Theater, Ep. 12") (December 31)
• Ring In the New Year With 15 Percent Off Beautiful Blooms From FTD! (December 31)
• Protect yourself & Family-Illinois Concealed Carry Classes / 3 Hour CCL renewals and a free law class (January 15)
• Add your event

Loving the Oak Park-River Forest Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Become a supporter (there are perks!)
• Get your local business featured in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at georgi.presecky@patch.com

That's all for Dec. 30! Thank you so much for spending some of the year with Patch. Getting to know this community has made 2021 that much better.

We appreciate you and look forward to bringing you plenty more news in 2022; I'll be back in your inbox on Jan. 4. Until then, happy new year, stay safe and be a goldfish.

— Georgi Presecky