🌱 River Forest Educator Is Teacher Of The Year + Stolen Cars Located

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest! In today's newsletter:

• A "very transparent" safety meeting is held at OPRF High School.
• A Chicago city official could enter next year's congressional race for the 7th district.
• One Earth Film Festival will host an Earth Day documentary screening in River Forest.

But first, today's weather: Showers. High: 73 Low: 62.

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

1. Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin is “eyeing” a run for Rep. Danny Davis’ congressional seat. Davis represents the 7th district, which includes Oak Park and River Forest. He has been in office for more than 20 years and plans to run again in 2024. (Politico)

2. It’s been a busy week for Oak Park and River Forest High School. District 200 officials are moving ahead on a finance plan for a $102 million renovation project, with no referendum. More than 100 people also attended a meeting to discuss campus safety concerns, and the board recently recognized students who attended the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (Wednesday Journal/Oak Leaves)

3. In other public school news, District 90 social studies teacher Samantha Stearns received a 2023 Cook County Co-Regional Teacher of the Year award. The Roosevelt School educator is also a finalist for the Illinois Teacher of the Year Award. (Wednesday Journal)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Today’s topic for “Duly Health at Dole Center” is preparing a garden for healthy eating. (10 a.m.)
• The American Lung Association presents a webinar on the “State of the Air.” (11 a.m.)
• The Park District of Oak Park hosts a battery-powered lawn equipment demonstration in honor of Earth Month. (Noon)
• Special screenings of "Josie and the Pussycats" are held at Lake Theatre. (1 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
• Dr. Nicole Symmonds gives the St. Catherine of Siena Lecture at Dominican University on the subject of "Embodied Culture and Faithful Living." (6 p.m.)
• Documentary “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire” screens at Thatcher Woods Pavilion as part of the Earth Day Mini Film Festival. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Chicago police recovered two cars this week which had been reported stolen from Oak Park streets. (OPPD)
• It’s the final day to recycle yard signs at the Oak Park Public Works Center. (VOP)
• National Library Week will be celebrated beginning April 23. (OPPL)

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Featured events:

• A Charcuterie Happy Hour: Networking Event (April 19)
• 7th Annual West Loop Spirits, Cocktails & Wine Festival with Artisan Delicacies, April 22 & 23 (April 22)
• Spring Dance with the Falconaires Big Band (April 22)
• Add your event

That's all for Wednesday! 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Oak Park-River Forest Patch newsletter? Contact me at OakPark@Patch.com