Gottschalk-the-Walk postponed
Homewood’s chalk art event scheduled for Sunday, July 21, is being postponed, according to Community Engagement Specialist Antonia Urbanski. Complications following Monday’s damaging storm is part of the reason. Village hall was still without power Wednesday afternoon, July 17.
Homewood Property Assessment Town Hall
Homewood will host a town hall meeting with Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 20, in the village auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road. There will be an opportunity for residents to ask questions about increases in property value assessments and taxes.
Truck traps (aka viaducts)
Nine days after a rare truck jam in Homewood’s 183rd Street viaduct, Flossmoor officials announced that the Flossmoor Road and Vollmer Road viaducts simultaneously captured trucks.
Village officials posted on Facebook that at 4:50 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, trucks were obstructing traffic in both viaducts. Flossmoor Road was cleared at about 5:30 p.m. and Vollmer Road about 6 p.m.
I’m always mystified by the frequency of these mishaps. Presumably, truck drivers don’t want to get jammed under a viaduct. It makes them late. It costs them money. It’s a serious dent in their popularity from inconveniencing every other driver in the vicinity. It’s embarrassing, and it damages their vehicles.
Presumably, drivers know the height of their trucks. Presumably, they can see the prominent signs advertising the height of the viaduct.
I guess I’m doing too much presuming.
Save the date: Chamber Night
The Chronicle always reports on Chamber Night, but this year we’ll have a table set up, too, as part of our 10-year anniversary celebration. Stop by and let us know how your community newspaper can serve you better. We plan to have anniversary shirts for sale, too!
Chamber Night starts at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 25, with dining and shopping in downtown Flossmoor followed by the Bel Canto Choir at 5:45 p.m. and an Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra ensemble at about 6:30 p.m. performing in front of Flossmoor Public Library.
One very cool addition to the event is the plan for five plein air painters to be on hand from 2 p.m. on to create Flossmoor-inspired works that will be auctioned off during Chamber Night in the evening. Half the proceeds will go to the artists and half will be donated to the Flossmoor Public Art Fund, which manages and maintains the village’s sculpture collection.
Check out Bionic Content’s Chamber Night promo video:
D153 seeks board candidates
With the resignation of long-time board member Deb Havighorst, Homewood School District 153 is seeking someone to fill her seat until the local election in April 2025. According to the district, candidates must be a United States citizen18 years of age or older, a resident of Illinois and the district for at least one year immediately preceding appointment, a registered voter and cannot be a child sex offender as defined under Section 11-9.3 of the Illinois Criminal Code.
Anyone who is interested in being considered for the school board seat should submit a letter of interest and resume to the district office, 18205 Aberdeen St., in person or by email to [email protected]. Anyone with questions about what the role of board member entails should contact Superintendent Scott McAlister at 708-647-2320.
The deadline is Monday, Aug. 12.
Support Flossmoor public art
I had a great time on the pop-up sculpture walk in Flossmoor on Saturday. Three members of the village’s Public Art Commission, Chairwoman Nancy Burrows and members Jeff Stevenson and Jody Lawrence, provided information about the artists and their work on a number of sculptures from Flossmoor Park, through downtown, to Leavitt Park.
They also talked about the commission’s process of selecting sculptures and where to place them, and the need for financial support to help with the costs of installing and maintaining the works in the collection.
One way to help is the current online garden art auction. Some of the pieces were contributed by artists whose sculptures are part of the village’s collection. Thursday, July 25, is the last day of the auction.
Spotlight performers sing with zing
Amy and I went to see the Spotlight Performance Academy production of “Matilda Jr.” on Saturday. The kids (and the adults who supported them) did a terrific job. The stage was filled with energy and talent from the beginning to the end of the show.
Take your pooch for a walk
The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District’s Trailhounds program invites dog owners to join the 7 p.m. walk on Sunday, July 21, at Apollo Park, Morgan Street at Bowling Green Road in Homewood. This is a free on-leash walk for dogs of all ages and sizes.