THE WEEK >
Meetings
Flossmoor Board of Trustees will not meet on Monday, July 3. The next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 17.
Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, at Normandy Villa, 41 E. Elmwood Drive, Chicago Heights.
- Find the agenda here.
- Highlights: The board will consider authorizing the issuance of $13 million in working cash fund bonds and hiring a new assistant principal at Serena Hills School. The board also will discuss options for kitchen expansion, the new assistant principal, and the bid for designing new kitchens.
Homewood Appearance Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 6, in village hall, 2020 Chestnut Road.
- Find the agenda here.
- Attend virtually here. Meeting ID 844 1118 8079, passcode 170845. Or by phone at 1-312-626-6799.
- Highlights: Buffalo Wild Wings at 17510 Halsted St. is proposing facade and signage improvements. Munir Bawadi is proposing facade and signage improvements at 18250 Harwood Ave., a building that has been vacant for more than a decade. Joseph Peters is proposing facade and window improvements to the Hibbing Buildling at 18123 Harwood Ave.
Stuff to do
Flossmoor children’s bike parade
The Flossmoor Volunteer Fire Corporation is hosting its annual children’s bike parade at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 4. The parade will start at Parker Junior High and ends in downtown Flossmoor. Refreshments will be available after the parade and Flossmoor Fire Department will provide a demonstration. Lineup will begin at 9:30 a.m. The parade starts at 10 a.m. Kids are invited to decorate bikes, wagons and other manually operated devices in red, white and blue and join the parade. For the safety of participants, battery operated and motorized vehicles are prohibited in the parade.
Homewood 4th of July parade
The parade will step off at 10 a.m. from the parking lot at St. John Neumann Church, 17951 Dixie Highway. The parade heads south on Dixie Highway, then heads east on Ridge Road and concludes at Izaak Walton Nature Preserve, 1100 Ridge Road. The portion of the parade from St. John Neumann Church to Ridge Road is designated as a quiet zone so anyone who is sensitive to loud sounds can enjoy the parade.
Izaak Walton Nature Preserve community picnic
play a game of bag toss at the 4th of July community picnic. (EC)
Izaak Walton volunteers will host a community picnic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4. The event will feature food and refreshments for sale. There will be games and activities for all ages, including foot races for the kids, a water balloon toss, a three-legged race, sack races and a slow bike race sponsored by GoodSpeed Cycles where the winner will be the cyclist who reaches the finish line last without crashing or leaving the lane.
Fireworks displays
Local fire department officials have been reminding residents that shooting fireworks at home is dangerous. (More about fireworks safety in last week’s edition of The Weeks.) Fireworks are also illegal. Fireworks can be disturbing to people and pets who are sensitive to loud sounds. A better option is to take advantage of community fireworks shows. Here are some planned for our area:
Chicago Heights
Monday, July 3. Family-friendly viewing area located on Bloom High School’s north field opens at 6 p.m. Food vendors, craft vendors music and more. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Fireworks at dusk.
Tinley Park
Tuesday, July 4. The celebration will take place in the north parking lot of the 80th Avenue Metra train station, 18001 S. 80th Ave. Live music, food and beverages. Fireworks at dusk.
Frankfort
Tuesday, July 4. DJ at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. at Main Park, 200 S. Locust St.
Glenwood
Tuesday, July 4. Parade at 1 p.m. from Glenwood Oaks Restaurant, 106 N. Main St. east to village hall. Music, food and vendors at Glenwoodie Golf Course at 6 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dusk.
South Holland
Tuesday, July 4. Celebration at Veterans Memorial Park, 500 E. 160th Place. Kiddie Bike Parade at 12:15 p.m. Live music from noon to 1 p.m., 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Fireworks shortly after dusk.
Thornton
Tuesday, July 4. Fireworks at sundown. The public can view from Hubbard Park, 200 N. Wolcott. Concessions will be available.
Wednesday farmers’ market begins
The Wednesday evening Homewood Farmers’ Markets begin July 5. The market will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday until Aug. 9 in Martin Square between Ridge Road and Chestnut Road.
< THE WEEK
Apparel Redefined relocating to Homewood
Homewood trustees approved a property deal with Apparel Redefined that will enable the company to move its operations to the village. Included in the deal is an office building at 1313 175th St. and a long-vacant adjacent lot. Reporter Jalyn Edwards reported the details of the agreement.
Local Pokemon Go! community remains strong
Reporter Chris Weber followed local Pokemon Go! players recently and wrote an account about why they continue to play the outdoor digital game.
Greek boutique opens in downtown Homewood
Reporter Nuha Abdessalam interviewed Valeaka Freeman for a story on her recently opened store, Creations by Pure Inspirations at 2015 Ridge Road, former home to Bookie’s New and Used Books. Her sorority affiliations shape the boutique’s inspirational gifts.
Homewood seeks community input
Village officials are assessing how information can best reach residents and are asking for input. An online survey is available until July 15.
Thornton Township assessor situation
We republished a story by Lansing Journal managing editor Josh Bootsma about the continued controversy in Thornton Township as Assessor Cassandra Elston struggles to operate her office after being denied access and being accused of abandoning her responsibilities.
Columnist lauds Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Former Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass posted a column with appreciation for Homewood’s Shirley Ryan Ability Lab for the care he received there recovering from a heart attack, bypass surgery and stroke.