🌱 Weekend Event Preview + New Deli Opens + Forest Cleanup

Happy Thursday, Oak Park and River Forest! Let's get to the top stories for Sept. 8.

First, today's weather: Warm with plenty of sunshine. High: 83 Low: 64.

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

1. Teachers at Oak Park and River Forest High School received a new four-year contract last week. The average pay raise in the new deal is 3.5 percent. According to the Wednesday Journal, new teachers at OPRF have a higher starting salary than surrounding high schools in Evanston, Hinsdale and Riverside-Brookfield. (Wednesday Journal)

2. The Village of Forest Park is teaming up with Housing Forward to “find a more permanent solution” to the homeless encampments along the CSX railroad. Commissioner of Health and Safety Maria Maxham told the Review that the nonprofit’s work is needed because the village “simply doesn’t have the resources to provide the housing and support homeless individuals need.” (Review)

3. At the first of many community meetings, West Side neighbors shared ideas for the future of the Mars candy factory after it closes in 2024. A job training facility, museum, arts or nature center made the list of potential uses for the 81,000 square-foot space. Mars is “donating” its Galewood factory to the surrounding communities after more than 100 years. Its next meeting is Sept. 24. (AWN)

4. Fritzi’s Delicatessen made the Tribune’s round-up of new Chicagoland restaurants to try this fall. The Jewish-style deli opened last month at 113 N. Oak Park Ave. (Paid source: Tribune)

5. The Village of Oak Park is seeking nominations for the annual Cavalcade of Pride, Historic Preservation and Sustainability awards. The deadline for all three categories is Oct. 15. (VOP)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Join Triton College for a monthly 30-minute forest cleanup event. (11 a.m.)
• A “Trails and Tales” class is held at Austin Gardens. (Noon)
• Support Beyond Hunger with a Trivia Night at One Lake Brewing. (7 p.m.)
• Anfora Wine Merchants offer a “Tour of Sicily” tasting at Cheney Mansion. (7 p.m.)
• Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs” opens at Theatre of Western Springs. Performances run through Sept. 18. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

An extra-busy weekend is ahead in Oak Park, River Forest and surrounding areas. Mark these dates down on your calendar and plan ahead with Patch!

Friday:

• Check out the Elmwood Park Sip ‘N Stroll, or head to the Oak Park Public Library’s Maze branch for “Stranger Things” Night. (Village/Library)

Saturday:

• A shred event and Ribfest are held in Forest Park. (Chamber/Facebook)
• Barriefest and stand-up comedy at Salerno’s are on the Saturday schedule in Oak Park. (Fest/Facebook)
• You can also take a walking tour with OPRF Museum, check out the Nineteenth Century Club’s community yard sale or attend Ascension’s Annual Oktoberfest. (Museum/Club/Ascension)

Sunday:

• Forest Park will host a community clean-up event across the village (Review), with the annual Bonnie Brae LemonAid Stand raising funds in River Forest. (VRF)

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Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (September 13)
• The new favorite, Pizza Friendly Pizza headed to you! Order by Wednesday. (September 15)
• Howdy Kolache savory pastries are coming to you on Saturday! Order by Thursday. (September 17)
• Inventive slices from Five Squared Pizza is coming to you! Order by Friday. (September 17)
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Gigs & services:

• Personalized Italian Language Lessons (Details)
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That's all for Thursday, friends. Thanks for being here!

— 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.