Community Corner
š± Patch AM: How new Wright Home volunteers are reshaping tours in Oak Park
Make time for Oak Brook Artisan Market - Oakbrook Center (Sat-Sun, Oct 3-4) on the Oak Park Patch calendar

Hey hey Oak Park! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️
Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Oak Park PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
- Drop & Dash Laundry Service — (773) 436-1994
- Cathy Yanda | Baird & Warner | Oak Park & River Forest — (773) 315-7005
- RowCal - Arlington Heights — (630) 296-9991
- Cathy Yanda | Baird & Warner | Oak Park & River Forest — (773) 315-7005
- Art Studio 928 - Oak Park, IL — (312) 371-9526
- Oak Park Conservatory — (708) 725-2400
- British International School of Chicago, South Loop — (773) 599-2472
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In today's newsletter:
- How new Wright Home volunteers are reshaping tours in Oak Park
- What we know about the Fenwick High School parking garage fire
- How OPRF's no‑bus decision could change your student's commute
Also on today's calendar: Oak Brook Artisan Market - Oakbrook Center (Sat-Sun, Oct 3-4) and 11 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a one-legged Big Foot? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Warm with periods of sun, with a high of 77 and low of 63 degrees.
- Wednesday: Occasional afternoon rain, temps: high: 74, low: 67.
- Thursday: Rain, with a high of 71 and low of 56 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Frank Lloyd Wright draws volunteers from 'all walks of life' to Oak Park to help interpret his architectural legacy (chicagotribune.com) — Oak Park residents and architecture fans are stepping up as new volunteer interpreters at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, helping guide tours and share the village's rich architectural heritage. With an eight‑week training program underway, locals from varied backgrounds are finding community, purpose, and a deeper connection to Oak Park's world‑famous Wright landmarks.
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2. Parking Garage Fire Damages 5 Vehicles, Forces Fenwick HS Evacuation in Oak Park: Officials (ground.news) — Students and staff at Fenwick High School in Oak Park were evacuated Monday after a vehicle fire on the third floor of the school's parking garage sent smoke billowing through the structure. Oak Park fire and police crews responded quickly, the blaze damaged five vehicles, and officials reported no injuries while they continue investigating the cause.
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3. OPRF votes against adding any student bus service (oakpark.com) — Families in Oak Park and River Forest should know OPRF's school board has voted to seek a state waiver so it can continue not providing yellow‑bus service, relying instead on PACE and CTA transit. Parents from northwest River Forest and southeast Oak Park argue current buses are unreliable, while officials cite multimillion‑dollar costs and driver shortages as key obstacles.
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4. Ohio State Highway Patrol investigating crash that killed Akron woman (kentucky.com) — Three Oak Park residents suffered minor injuries in a fatal two-car crash on I-480 near Akron late Saturday night, in which a 26-year-old Akron woman was killed. All occupants were wearing seat belts, and westbound lanes were closed for several hours as Ohio authorities investigated.
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5. Community news: New tennis courts at Elmhurst park, Hinsdale hospital certified, more (chicagotribune.com) — Oak Park music lovers can hear the Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest open its 95th season Oct. 4 with American music at Concordia University in nearby River Forest. The roundup also highlights new Elmhurst tennis courts, a Hinsdale hospital stroke certification, Triton College's Oct. 7 career fair, and a Franklin Park parade and Pumpkin Fest.
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📸 Around Oak Park
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Oak Park
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Oak Brook Artisan Market - Oakbrook Center (Sat-Sun, Oct 3-4) →
100 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook
10:00 am - The Therapy Players: I'm Oak-ie Dokie, You're Oak-ie Dokie! →
Madison Street Theater, 1010 Madison St, Oak Park
7:30 pm - America 250 →
Concordia University Chicago, 7400 Augusta St, River Forest
4:00 pm - Mary Cassatt: After Impressionism →
The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave, Oak Park
1:15 pm - Dinner + a Show with Comedian Vik Balaji →
Salerno's Pizza & Pasta of Oak Park, 7128 Roosevelt Rd, Oak Park
7:00 pm - The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet →
1521 S. Linn White Dr., Northerly Island, Chicago, IL 60605,
11:00 am
Saturday October 3
Sunday October 4
Monday October 5
Saturday October 10
Saturday October 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Nicor Gas to promote natural gas safety at Village of Oak Park Fire Department →
Oak Park Fire Department, 100 N Euclid Ave, Oak Park
10:00 am - "A Bit Spacey" Sip and Paint 🎨 →
Toast To Paint, 7185 W Bloomingdale Ave, Chicago
7:00 pm - "Therapy Players: I'm Oak-ie Dokie, You're Oak-ie Dokie!" →
Madison Street Theater, 1010 Madison St, Oak Park
7:30 pm - Oak Brook Artisan Market - Oakbrook Center (Sat-Sun, Oct 3-4) →
100 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook
11:00 am - 'Aqui en Chicago' curator to speak →
Oak Park River Forest Museum, 129 Lake St, Oak Park
7:00 pm - Stories from '76: A Bicentennial Remembrance →
Oak Park River Forest Museum, 129 Lake St, Oak Park
3:00 pm - The Hidden Crisis of Child-to-Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA) →
The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave, Oak Park
1:15 pm - The Sandra Delgado Experience →
Dominican University Performing Arts Center, 7900 Division St, River Forest
7:30 pm
Saturday October 3
Sunday October 4
Tuesday October 6
Sunday October 11
Monday October 12
Friday October 16
📣 Oak Park Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Lost dog.
Ran away from my house about an hour ago, his name is AJ and he is friendly. If you see him please call 708-616-2480. (Nextdoor Southtown Oak Park)
- Advantage Solutions posted a job opening for Retail Merchandiser - Overnight in Oak Park. Apply here.
- Belmont Village Senior Living posted a job opening for Dementia Caregiver in Oak Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Oak Park here.
Ok Oak Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Hop Squatch! (Thank you Terri R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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