🌱 Restaurant Closes + Keystone Park Plans + Memorial Day Honor Roll

Happy Wednesday, Oak Park and River Forest! In today's news:

• An Elmwood Park middle schooler is cited for marijuana possession.
• The River Forest Traffic and Safety Commission will "continue its discussion" tonight on northeast neighborhood modifications.
• City Voices returns to Oak Park this weekend.

But first, today's weather: Sunny and cooler. High: 66 Low: 50.

Shoutout to the awesome local businesses who keep this newsletter running:

• Ready for dinner with the family on the patio, or an at-home date night? Ema, one of Chicago's premier Mediterranean restaurants, is coming to Oak Park on Wednesday, May 24! They've put together an incredible meal for two, complete with kebab add-ons, spread samplers and even wine and prosecco. Experience Mediterranean cuisine at home — order here by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 22. Patch readers can save 20 percent off Ema with code MAYPATCH.

• Spring is here — are you ready to enjoy your outdoor living space? Let the team at Elite Decorating & Remodeling get your home ready for backyard BBQ’s and relaxation with repairs to your deck or even a whole new build. Ready to upgrade your pergola? Elite has you covered, using the best wood and composite materials so you know it’ll stand the elements. Exterior spots are filling up fast — Contact Mark at Elite Decorating & Remodeling today.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

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

1. A student at Elm Middle School was cited for cannabis possession, Elm Leaves reports. Elmwood Park police issued the 13-year-old girl a citation. (Paid source: Elm Leaves)

2. Lathrop House Cafe has closed, the Wednesday Journal reports. Its owner Patrick O’Brien said in a social media post he will focus on operations of his other restaurants, Scratch Kitchen & Lounge and Scratch on Lake. (Wednesday Journal)

3. River Forest will host its 98th Memorial Day Parade on May 29, the village announced this week. Names can be added to the annual honor roll now through May 22. (VRF)

4. City Voices will present “Musicians Wrestle Everywhere” this weekend in Oak Park. Concert dates are May 19 and 21 at First United Church. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Duly Health and Care offers free blood pressure screenings at Oak Park Public Library. (11 a.m.)
• Take a one-mile senior fitness walk in Thatcher Woods. (1 p.m.)
• Lake Theatre hosts 25th anniversary screenings of “The Mask of Zorro.” (1 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
• Stop by the “Fill a Bag, Fill a Bus” event outside the Jewel-Osco in River Forest. (3 p.m.)
• Illinois libraries host a virtual event with Jonathan Van Ness and Kristi Yamaguchi. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The River Forest Traffic and Safety Commission will meet tonight at Village Hall “to continue its discussion on the northeast neighborhood traffic modifications.” (VRF)
• Two OPRF High School students will receive the state's new College and Career Pathways endorsement. (OPRFHS)
• The Styles 4 Kidz hair training program in Oak Park is featured in Midwest Living’s “12 Editor Picks for the Summer.” (Midwest Living)
• Keystone Park tennis courts are expected to open June 9 after asphalt resurfacing. (Park District)
• Brookfield Zoo announced the lineup for its summer concert series, beginning July 14. (CBS)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Laura Ruiz, REALTOR® at REALTY OF CHICAGO — (Visit website)
• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In The Village — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

That's all for May 17! See you tomorrow for another Daily.

— 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.