🌱 Threat At Elmwood Park School + Jazz Thaw Returns + Momenta Is 40

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

• As car thefts continue, so do police recovery reports.
• An icon of the Chicago restaurant world has died.
• Local schools are partnering to celebrate women's history.

But first, today's weather: Intervals of clouds and sun. High: 38 Low: 31.

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Here are the top 5 stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. Elmwood Park High School shifted to remote learning Friday after a potential social media threat, the district said. Students had planned a walkout over safety concerns this week after a student was reported to have a gun on campus. (CBS)

2. Another Hyundai was stolen from an Oak Park street Wednesday. The car was taken “by unknown means” from the 700 block of North Humphrey, according to police. (OPPD)

3. Jazz Thaw returns to downtown Oak Park this afternoon. The annual event features live music inside 12 local restaurants, including Lea French Cafe, Wise Cup and Katy’s Dumplings. Performances begin at 1 p.m. and run through 10 p.m. (DTOP)

4. Unity Temple has made the semi-final round of WTTW’s “Most Beautiful Places in Chicago” bracket after receiving more than 1,900 votes in historian Geoffrey Baer’s online competition. It’s the final day to vote for the Oak Park landmark, which is up against Ping Tom Park, Tribune Tower and BAPS Mandir. A winner will be announced Wednesday. (WTTW)

5. Local dance company Momenta is marking 40 years in Oak Park with a special performance today at the Academy of Movement & Music. An additional show is planned for next weekend in honor of the inclusive dance company, which has been “embracing dancers with disabilities” since 2003. (Wednesday Journal)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Oak Park Public Library hosts its 13th Annual Oscarthon. (9 a.m.)
• Join the Women’s History Month Walk in Thatcher Woods. (10 a.m.)
• Head to Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center for a lesson on native plants. (10 a.m.)
• Ascension-St. Edmund hosts a St. Patrick’s Day party. (6:30 p.m.)
• See the final performance of “Mamma Mia!” at OPRF High School. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Mr. Beef founder Joseph Zucchero will be laid to rest today. He died earlier this week at the age of 69. The River North beef stand inspired the hit FX series “The Bear.” (AP)
• Two Hyundais were recovered by police after being stolen in Oak Park earlier this week. (OPPD)
• Registration opens today for the Park District of Oak Park’s spring and summer programs. (PDOP)
• Tickets are on sale now for the upcoming ice show at Ridgeland Common. (PDOP)
• Trinity High School and St. Luke School partnered to celebrate Women’s History Month with a special story time. (THS)

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Featured events:

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That's all for this Saturday! See you tomorrow for another edition.

— 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.