🌱 Pleasant Home Preservers Clash With Park District + KidsFest Plans

Happy Friday, Oak Park and River Forest. As we wrap up this unseasonably warm week, let's recap the latest local news, including:

• A road rage incident this week led to a stabbing and carjacking.
• Oak Park officials will discuss electric vehicles and tree species today in honor of Earth Month.
• A local school alum was named managing news editor of the Chicago Sun-Times.

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Here are the top 4 stories today in Oak Park-River Forest:

1. A Berwyn resident was stabbed Tuesday during a “road rage incident” in the 500 block of South Harlem. According to Oak Park police, the offender stole the victim’s Buick Regal and fled. The car was later recovered in Forest Park. (OPPD)

2. The Pleasant Home Foundation is unhappy with the Park District of Oak Park after the historic home’s original oak flooring was removed over the weekend, the Wednesday Journal reports. Structural engineer Stephen Kelley resigned from the foundation because of the conflict, telling the paper: “[The park district’s] position is that the floor was in really bad condition, and someone was going to fall through it. My position is that the flooring was in fairly good condition and that Pleasant Home is one of the most firmly built houses in all of Oak Park.” The landmark house dates back to 1897, with tours resuming April 20. (Wednesday Journal)

3. Two Earth Month events are being held at noon today in Oak Park. Attendees can learn about the village’s green fleet of electric vehicles at the Public Works Center or discuss tree species on a walk with the Oak Park forestry superintendent. (Sustain Oak Park)

4. The lightning prediction system used by the River Forest Park District is now “on duty” through November. The signal system uses horns and lights to warn park patrons of impending severe weather. It is in place at Centennial, Constitution, Keystone and Priory parks. (Park District)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• The North Berwyn Park District hosts a senior screening of “Father Stu.” (1:30 p.m.)
• Learn about Leonardo da Vinci at Dole Center. (6 p.m.)
• Sample French and Italian wines with Anfora Wine Merchants at Pleasant Home. (7 p.m.)
• OPALGA+ hosts its monthly potluck. (7 p.m.)
• OPRF High School presents its 2023 Noteworthy Showcase. (7 p.m.)
• The Park District of Oak Park hosts “Mystery, Murder and Folly on the Trolley,” with stops at the Conservatory, Cheney Mansion and Austin Gardens. (7 p.m.)
• The Artists of Concordia Theatre present the opening night of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Oak Park trustees are one step closer to implementing a Vision Zero plan in the village, “aimed at reducing traffic and pedestrian crashes, fatalities and serious injuries.” (Paid source: Oak Leaves)
• A free KidsFest event will be held Sunday at the Oak Park Conservatory. (PDOP)
• OPRF High School graduate Dave Newbart was named the managing news editor of the Chicago Sun-Times this week. (E&P)
• Renovations are underway at River Forest Public Library. (Wednesday Journal)

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Featured businesses:

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• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Spring '23 Weekend Wonders in Elmhurst (1st-5th grades) (April 15)
• Wedding Band Event at Bella Cosa Jewelers (April 15)
• Artisan Market @ Imperial Oak Brewing Brookfield (April 15)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (April 18)
• A Charcuterie Happy Hour: Networking Event (April 19)
• Spring Dance with the Falconaires Big Band (April 22)
• Add your event

That's all for April 14. Have a great weekend!

— 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.