🌱 Oak Park Cancels Fireworks After Mass Shooting + Food Aid Festival

It's a sad day in Illinois, friends. Our community is still coming to terms with Monday's shooting at the Highland Park Independence Day parade. As we grieve with our nearby neighbors in Highland Park, I'm filling in for your usual curator for the next couple of days. Please note that your newsletters may be a bit lighter during this time. - Nicole Fallon-Peek

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First, today's weather:

A stray t-storm; not as warm. High: 81 Low: 72.

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Shoutout to the awesome local business that keeps this newsletter running:

Are you a parent in Oak Park looking for summer activities for your child? Magical Minds Studio hosts a series of week-long summer art camps for children from PreK through Middle School, from June 13 to August 19th. Programs include puppet making, Legos, ceramics, clay, painting, photography and Outdoor Adventure for middle schoolers. Enroll by May 15 with the code PATCH2022 and receive a 10% discount. To learn more and to see this summer's schedule visit Magical Minds Studio today.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

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

1. Oak Park officials canceled the scheduled Fourth of July fireworks display after the tragic events of the Highland Park mass shooting on Jul. 4, 2022. While there was no known threat to Oak Park residents, the village made the decision to cancel the festivities "out of an abundance of caution and deference to the victims." Oak Park was one of many municipalities and organizations that canceled their Fourth of July events in response to the shooting. (Wednesday Journal)
2. According to Oak Park police, Chicago juveniles have been cited for tagging property on four local streets. Two male juveniles from Chicago were issued local ordinance citations for criminal damage to property on Jun. 28. The incidents took place on Harrison Street, Taylor Avenue and Harrison Street and on Oak Park Avenue. (Subscription: Chicago Tribune)
3. The first annual Food Aid Festival is coming to Oak Park later this month. The two-day musical event will include venues on either side of Austin Boulevard and will benefit food-insecurity nonprofits in Oak Park, Proviso Township. and Austin. The festival will feature talent with roots in all these communities. (Wednesday Journal)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Women in Business July Meeting 2022 At Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce (6:00 PM)
• Campfire Stories At River Forest Public Library (7:00 PM)
• Zoning Board of Appeals At Village of Oak Park (7:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• The Oak Park Health Department's next kid-friendly COVID-19 vaccine clinics for children ages 6 months and older are scheduled for 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Jul. 5 and Tuesday, Jul. 12 at Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid Ave. (Village of Oak Park, Illinois via Facebook)
• Anna Comstock was a 19th-century scientist who pioneered a curriculum for students to learn about nature, while in nature. The Oak Park Public Library: invites you to explore a book about her and explore out in the park. (Oak Park Public Library via Instagram)
• Attorney Aileen Bhandari is projected to win 11th Subcircuit judge race against Chicago Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) based on the preliminary results from the Chicago Board of Elections and the Office of Cook County Clerk. (Wednesday Journal via Facebook)

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You're all caught up 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.