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Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2 at Normandy Villa, 41 E. Elmwood Drive, Chicago Heights. The agenda is available here. The livestream of the meeting can be viewed here.
Highlights: The board will take action on residency hearings, snow removal bid, Serena Hills construction bids, 2024 property tax levy, acceptance of the 2025 Property Tax Relief Grant and a resolution providing for abatement of 2024 and 2025 taxes.
Flossmoor Board of Trustees will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, in village hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road. The agenda is available here. Watch the livestream of the meeting here. Use ID , passcode 60422.
Highlights: Adoption of the full-time staff salary schedule and a statement of purpose and intent for the village’s Community Relations Commission, updating the 2020 statement.
Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Board of Commissioners will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the Goldberg Administration Center, 3301 Flossmoor Road. The agenda is available here.
Highlight: A public hearing on the proposed property tax levy increase and take action on the 2024 Tax Levy Ordinance.
The Republican Party will hold a caucus at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at South Holland Heritage House, 443 E. 157th St., South Holland. The purpose of the meeting is to nominate candidates for the Thornton Township offices of supervisor, clerk, four trustees, assessor and highway commissioner. The caucus notice was published in the Lansing Journal.
The Democratic Party will hold a caucus at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, in Homewood Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road. The purpose of the meeting is to nominate candidates for elected positions in township government, including supervisor, four trustees, clerk, assessor and highway commissioner. The caucus notice was published in the Lansing Journal.
Flossmoor Public Library will be closed all day Friday, Dec. 6, for a staff in-service.
Stuff to do
Monday, Dec. 2
Craft with Claire: DIY Holiday Cracker Party Favors. Make your festive table pop. Make these at home with Claire (via on-demand video), and learn a bit of the history behind how these lively little parcels from Victorian times became a British cultural staple. Offered as a take-and-make craft with supplies, instructions, and pre-recorded talk. Video will be available to view from Monday, Dec. 9 through Monday, Jan. 6. Registration is required and limited. Registration begins Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m. and lasts until supplies are gone. More information at flossmoorlibrary.org.
The Wiz & A Very Jackson Holiday. The South Suburban Special Recreation Association Show Choir & Drama Club will present “The Wiz” and “A Very Jackson Holiday” from 7 to 9 p.m. at Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest. Tickets available here.
H-F Park District Holiday Lights Recycling. Any strings of holiday lights that no longer work can recycled and kept out of landfills. Drop broken lights and extension cords in a bin at one of the collection locations during normal business hours. Containers will be located at Park Place, H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, 2920 183rd St., Homewood; Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave., Homewood; Goldberg Center, 3301 Flossmoor Road, Flossmoor; and Irons Oaks, 20000 Western Ave., Olympia Fields, through Jan. 21.
Tuesday, Dec. 3
Giving Tuesday Holiday Happy Hour Toy Drive. You Matter 2 will host an evening of community, holiday cheer and giving back at our Giving Tuesday Holiday Happy Hour Toy Drive from 5 to 8 p.m. at Vintrendi Wine Company, 3408 Vollmer Road in Olympia Fields. Enjoy wine and light bites while helping You Matter 2 reach its IGNITE the Future campaign goal of $5,000 to support youth empowerment. Suggested donation is $20 or a new, unwrapped toy for the Adopt-A-Family program. Please RSVP at bit.ly/YouMatter2HappyHour. Must be 21 or older to attend.
Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial Giving Tuesday Campaign. FVM is targeting a record-breaking $7,500 fundraising goal with the theme of “Join Forces for Flossmoor.” The organization will offer a number of premiums for donors. Fundraising updates will be posted during the with the hashtag #joinforcesforflossmoor. For more information, or to support FVM’s Dec. 3 Giving Tuesday effort, visit @honoringflossmoorvets on Facebook, @FlossmoorVWH on Instagram/X, flossmoorvets.square.site on the web, or [email protected] via e-mail.
CEDA Street Art Mural Event. The Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA) will hold the Street Art Mural Project from 10:30 a.m. until the participating artists complete their murals at the CEDA Building Science and Weatherization Training Center, 450 W. 169th Street, South Holland. The event will feature work by selected young artists aged 16 and up who will create 4-foot by 4-foot murals. The event offers an opportunity to watch artists in action.
Thursday, Dec. 5
Elf Treats and Sweets. From 2 to 4 p.m. at Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood, learn how to make holiday treats, including chocolate saltine toffee and Oreo balls. All supplies and ingredients will be provided. For anyone aged 55 and up. Fee is $30 for district residents, $40 for non-residents. Click here to register.
Holiday Yard Cards. H-F Park District is hosting holiday yard card workshops from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays through Dec. 12. Click here to register. Once registration is complete, participants need to email an electronic copy of their holiday card to [email protected] or bring their chosen card to the Irwin Center and provide an email address for communication. For more information, call the Irwin Center at 708-957-7275.
Friday, Dec. 6
Holiday Lights in Homewood. Homewood’s annual holiday festival will be from 5 to 9 p.m. downtown. Stores, boutiques and restaurants will be filled with gifts and recipes you won’t find in any mall. Watch Santa flip the switch for the annual tree lighting ceremony in Irwin Park from 6:45 to 7 p.m. Santa will be available for photos from 7:05 to 8:45 p.m. There will be ice sculpture demonstrations, an antique car parade, and the grand holiday carousel downtown. “Frozen” characters will sing, dance and pose for pictures throughout the evening. Souvenir holiday mugs will be for sale.
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play. The Governors State University Center for Performing Arts will present a live radio play adaptation of “It’s a Wonderful Life” that takes the audience back in time to the 1940s. Experience the nostalgia of classic radio theater as talented actors bring George Bailey, Clarence the angel and the residents of Bedford Falls to life. The show will be from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 1 University Place in University Park. Visit bit.ly/GSUWonderfulLife for information and tickets.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Homewood Holiday Market. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Homewood Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road. Hot chocolate will be served, and there will be many vendors available.
Holiday Story Hour and Crafts. Families are invited to stop into the Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon for holiday stories and crafts with helpers from H-F High School VAST program and Student Government. No registration required.
Janet Gustafson’s Gingerbread Village Display. Sign up for an exclusive viewing of Flossmoor resident Janet Gustafson’s amazing Gingerbread Village — one of a kind and open to the public one day only from 4 to 6 p.m. Click here to register.
Mele Kalikimaka Ukelele. Hawaiian ukelele music at H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, 2920 183rd St., Homewood, from noon to 1 p.m.
Pictures with Santa. Thomas Photographic Services, 18676 Dixie Highway in Homewood, hosts its annual photo op with Santa from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prices start at $25.
The Grande Prairie Singers Concert. The choir will present “Welcome Yule!” music for the season for chorus, organ, brass and percussion at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 6201 Vollmer Road in Matteson.
Cancer Support Center Holiday Spirits. The Cancer Support Center hosts this fundraising holiday event starting at 6 p.m. at Wiley’s Grill, 800 Kedzie Ave in Flossmoor. Food and drinks, unique vendor shopping experiences, and the chance to win exciting raffle baskets. For anyone 21 and up. Tickets can be purchased here. Proceeds benefit the Cancer Support Center.
Chicago Knockouts Roller Derby. Youth roller derby bout at Homewood Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., action begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10. General seating is first come, first served. Accessible seating available and reserved at no extra charge.
Democratic Women of the South Suburbs Annual Open House. There will be special guest speaker at Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood. Starts at 11 a.m. Admission is free but donations of new hats, gloves, scarves or socks for a local shelter will be accepted. The Linda Ester Volunteer Service Award will be presented. All are welcome to attend.
Sunday, Dec. 8
Bel Canto Winter Concert. Celebrate the season with beautiful music and multigenerational singing with the Bel Canto Choirs at 3 p.m. in the Mall Auditorium at Homewood-Flossmoor High School South Building, 999 Kedzie Ave. Ticket info can be found at bit.ly/SpotlightAcademyEvents.
Trail Mix Presents Palmyra. Palmyra will perform from 7 to 9:45 p.m. at Rabid Brewing, 17759 Bretz Drive in Homewood. “Palmyra explores the fusion of traditional folk string instruments, lush harmony and earnest songwriting.” Tickets are available here.
Plan ahead
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Santa’s Driveway Visits. From 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 10, 11 and 19 Santa will visit families in H-F. Sign up for Santa to visit your driveway and tell him what you want for Christmas or take a personal photo with him by registering at bit.ly/SantaDriveway2024. The fee is $20 per visit.
Thursday, Dec. 12
H-F Holiday Lights Trolley Tour. A new holiday event: Hop on one of two trolleys for a tour of the best holiday lights in the villages of Homewood and Flossmoor from 5 to 10 p.m. Register at bit.ly/HFlightstour2024.
< THE WEEK
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All the stories
- South Suburban Housing Center settles complaints against Joliet apartment complex (Nov. 30).
- Letter: Parents overwhelmingly want the Kids Online Safety Act (Nov. 30).
- Homewood businesses ready for local shoppers on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 29).
- Kids production of ‘Wonka’ raises money for diabetes research (Nov. 29).
- Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial seeks community support on Giving Tuesday (Nov. 29).
- Richard Condon: Witness to and steward of local history (Nov. 28).
- Homewood approves bid for replacement of 183rd Street fence (Nov. 28).
- Illinois Department of Revenue offers safety tips for online holiday shopping (Nov. 28).
- Volunteers, donors help Open Access feed families in need on Thanksgiving (Nov. 27).
- Black Friday blood drive in Homewood (Nov. 27).
- Food drive Saturday, Dec. 7, at St. John Neumann (Nov. 27).
- Column: A Tribute to Homewood Stories’ Karen O’Donnell: Love was in the room (Nov. 27).
- New physicians join Specialty Physicians of Illinois (Nov. 26).
- Glow Run raises more than $28,000 for Homewood PTA (Nov. 26).
- Chronicle partner: Governors State University (Nov. 25).
- H-F expects its new science wing will begin serving students in March (Nov. 25).
- 3 injured in crash Monday on Harwood (Nov. 25).
- H-F boys wrestling again focuses on peaking in February (Nov. 25).
- FEMA: 5 Safety Tips to Kick Off Your Holiday Season (Nov. 24).
