🌱 Search Intensifies For Sergio Brown + 47th Frank Lloyd Wright Races

Hello, everybody! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Oak Park-River Forest Patch newsletter. Let's get this Friday started off right, with a quick review of everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

An a.m. shower; partly sunny. High: 78 Low: 62.

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

1. The search for former NFL player Sergio Brown continues as authorities in nearby Maywood have initisified the search. Brown remains missing, and police recently searched his mother Myrtle's home as part of their investigation. Myrtle was found unresponsive shortly after Brown's disappearance. A series of Instagram posts, including a recent video resembling Sergio, have added a mysterious dimension to the case, while authorities are considering various scenarios, including the possibility that Sergio may be out of state or even in Mexico. (WGN9)
2. The 47th Frank Lloyd Wright Races in historic Oak Park will be on Sunday, Oct. 15 and will feature a 5K Run/Walk, a 10K Run, and a Youth Mile for ages 7-14. The scenic course for the 10K passes by eight Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, including the Home and Studio, while the 5K takes you by Forest Avenue homes and the iconic Home and Studio. All proceeds from the event support the Park District of Oak Park scholarship fund, and participants can earn FLW-inspired long-sleeved shirts and race medals. Strollers are allowed in select events, and timing is done using the B-Tag system. For more details, visit www.flwraces.com. (flw.enmotive.com)
3. The River Forest Police Department has collaborated with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for Child Passenger Safety Week, which continues until Sep. 23. The week's summit will be National Seat Check Saturday on Sep. 23 at the River Forest Town Center parking lot, where parents and caregivers can receive free child safety seat checks and instructions on the correct installation and use of appropriate car seats for their children. This initiative is particularly significant as recent research indicates that 46 percent of car seats are being misused. Learn more here. (Village of River Forest via Facebook)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

Friday, September 22

• Building With Blocks At Main Library (10:00 AM)
• Oaktoberfest At Downtown Oak Park (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Oct. 14, a partial annular solar eclipse will be visible in the Chicago area, where it will appear as if the moon has taken a bite from the sun. This event occurs when the moon passes before the sun but doesn't fully block it, creating a red-orange ring effect at the sun's edges. However, the full "ring of fire" will only be visible in a narrow path covering parts of Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, with the eclipse lasting about five minutes and 17 seconds. (Illinois Patch)
• The Oak Park Conservatory is hosting a Fall Mum & Bulb sale, offering homegrown Conservatory mums and bulbs for fall planting. Shop in-person at the Conservatory, open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., or online here. (Park District of Oak Park via Facebook)
• Curious why leaves change their color in the fall? Click the link to watch a video discussing leaves and their changing colors. (Oak Park Public Library via Facebook)

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

Featured events:

• Oaktoberfest 2023 (September 23)
• Oak Brook Artisan Market - Sat-Sun, Sep 30-Oct 1 (Oakbrook Center) (September 30)
• Illinois Woman's Press Association Fall Writer's Workshop 2023 (September 30)
• Add your event

Featured announcements:

• Board Certified Neuropsychologist opens practice- Riverside Psychology- in River Forest (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.