Schools Prepare To Open + Country Concert In The Park

Welcome to a special Sunday edition of the Daily, your five-minute guide to what's new in OPRF.

First, today's weather: Clear throughout the day. High: 79 Low: 63.

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

1. Oak Park and River Forest High School students return to the classroom tomorrow. Trinity High School begins classes Aug. 19 and Fenwick High School returns next week. Gwendolyn Brooks and Percy Julian Middle Schools begin Aug. 25, along with William Beye Elementary School and many others. (Burbio)

2. School districts across the area are encouraging vaccination as they prepare for the fall semester. About 35 percent of Oak Park residents ages 15- 18 were considered fully-vaccinated in July, according to OPRF District 200 Superintendent Greg Johnson. (Wednesday Journal)

3. On this date in 1914, Oak Parkers sent word from abroad that they were fleeing Europe at the start of World War I. More than 2,400 locals ended up serving in the war, with 185 deaths, immortalized in bronze at Scoville Park. (OPRF Museum)

4. Oak Park-born rapper Christian Robinson is reflecting on the release of his new album “On the Horizon.” (Wednesday Journal)

5. A Chicago man originally from Australia is renovating a historic home in the 800 block of Gunderson Ave., originally constructed in 1908. “My rehab goal is to keep as much original character while making the home work for modern living,” Matthew Eade said. (Wednesday Journal)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest

• A silhouette artist visits Geppetto’s Toy Box. (12 p.m.)
• Learn the art of Batik painting at Dole Center. (1 p.m.)
• Teen Drawing Club at Magical Minds Studio. (1 p.m.)
• Ascension Catholic Church hosts a food drive for St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry. (All day)
• Pet blessing at Pilgrim Congregational Church. (1:30 p.m.)
• Celebrate “Doggy Day” at BeerShop. (2 p.m.)
• Ethan Bell Band performs “fun country rock” at the weekly concert in Scoville Park. (6 p.m.)

Oak Park-River Forest Patch Notebook

• More than 8,000 books were sold in Scoville Park on this day in 1970, when the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library hosted its first used book sale. (OPRF Museum)
• River Forest will consider updates to its building code next month. (VORF)
• The River Forest-Oak Park Junior Citizens Police Academy wrapped up its summer session last week. (VORF)
• The Oak Park Public Library is hosting an Anti-Racism Resource Challenge. (OPPL)
• The Illinois State Fair kicks off this weekend with mask and testing requirements. (WROK)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! (Want to feature your business in the Daily? Click here.)

Events:

• Blackfoot Poetry from Einstein to Spacetime (August 20)
• Free Family Mini Photo Sessions! (September 4)
• Add your event.

Job listings:

• Head custodian/handy person (Details)
• Add your job listing.

That's all for today in Oak Park and River Forest. Drop me a note if you enjoy having a Sunday edition, and feel free to share any other thoughts on the Daily!

— Georgi

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Oak Park-River Forest Daily? Reach out anytime to georgi.presecky@patch.com.