THE WEEK >
Your government
Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, April 21, in Normandy Villa, 41 E. Elmwood Drive, Chicago Heights. The agenda is available here. The meeting livestream will be available here.
Flossmoor Board of Trustees will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, April 21, in village hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road. The agenda is available here. The livestream of the meeting will be available here. Meeting ID 852 1089 4513, passcode 60422.
Highlights:
- Resolutions honoring outgoing trustees Joni Bradley-Scott and Brian Driscoll.
- Consider approving the 2025-2026 budget.
- Consider approving water and sewer rates.
- Resolutions requesting county and state road closures for the 2025 Hidden Gem Half Marathon.
- Consider an ordinance regulating filming on public property.
Thornton Township Board of Trustees will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, in township hall, 333 E. 162nd St. in South Holland. The agenda is available here.
Homewood Board of Trustees will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, in village hall, 2020 Chestnut Road. The agenda is available here. The livestream of the meeting will be available here. Meeting ID 980 4907 6232, passcode 830183.
Highlights:
- Consider an ordinance directing the village manager to seek bids for the sale and redevelopment of vacant village-owned property at 17701 Bretz Drive. The property is not in a TIF district. Sealed bids would be opened at the June 10 board meeting.
- A presentation updating progress on the water rate study.
- Consider endorsing the renewal of Homewood Disposal’s Cook County Class 8 property tax relief designation, originally granted in 2004 and renewed in 2015.
Stuff to do
Tuesday, April 22
Bingo for Teens. Bingo with prizes at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Self Defense for Seniors. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host a self-defense workshop for seniors from 6 to 8 p.m. with Lindsey Daehnke from Strictly Self Defense. Registration and a signed waiver are required for this program.
All-Star Star Wars. A special concert will feature 30 local all-star student musicians and 35 professional IPO musicians performing the iconic Star Wars Suite by John Williams. Two concerts, one at 10 a.m. and one at noon at the Center For Performing Arts at Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, University Park. Tickets are available here.
Blue Mind. Green Drinks will host a discussion led by Debbie Podwika on the benefits of biophilia, the human tendency to connect with nature, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Soundgrowler, 8201 183rd St. in Tinley Park.
Wednesday, April 23
Art in the Park. Explore and play at Millennium Park, Heather Road and Harwood Avenue, and make an outdoor-themed art project from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
H-F Park District Master Plan Update. The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District will provide an update from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Clubhouse at Dolphin Lake, 183rd Street and Governors Highway, on the Comprehensive Master Plan currently under development. Representatives from Upland Design will present a summary of the planning process, highlights of community input and the preliminary master plan recommendations.
Trivia Time. Put your knowledge to the test and win prizes at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Chicago Southland STEM Network Spring 2025 Convening. Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway, will host a presentation from 7 to 8 p.m. by Flossmoor resident Scott Tillman-Franklin, who will describe STEAM & Dream Liberation Labs, a non-profit that seeks to close the STEM exposure gap and improve the futures of Black and brown youth.
Thursday, April 24
Arbor Day Celebration. The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District will host a tree planting in Indian Foothills Park, Willow Road and Riegel Road, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., starting the process of restoring trees that were lost when the park was hit by a tornado in July 2024.
Gnomes and Gnosh. The Village of Homewood is partnering with the Homewood Public Library and the H-F Park District to host an event for Homewood and Flossmoor seniors ages 55 and up from 10 a.m. to noon at Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood. Participants will be able to create coasters and enjoy a light breakfast at no charge. Registration is limited.
Friday, April 25
Adult Flashlight Egg Hunt. From 8 to 10 p.m. at Irons Oaks, 20000 Western Ave., adults will have a chance to hunt for prize-filled eggs hidden along the trail. Bring a flashlight and a basket. For anyone age 21 and up. Fee is $30. Click here to register.
Saturday, April 26
Youth Baseball and Softball Opening Day. Flossmoor Baseball and Softball will hold its opening day parade starting at 9:30 a.m. from the Parker Junior High Parking Lot to Flossmoor Park ball fields. Opening day festivities will start after teams arrive at the fields. Homewood Baseball and Softball has not posted a starting time for the parade, but it traditionally begins at 11 a.m. at Irwin Park in the 1800 block of Ridge Road and ends at the ball fields near Izaak Walton Preserve, 1100 Ridge Road. Festivities begin following the parade.
Soaring Strings. The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s 47th anniversary gala will be held at Olympia Fields Country Club, 2800 Country Club Drive. The event will feature the CoverGirls Violin Show. Cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Music and dancing until 10:30 p.m. Tickets are available here.
Sensory STEM Saturday. The Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway, offers this low sensory STEM time from 9 to 10 a.m. for families with children who would benefit from a more relaxed atmosphere. The reduced levels of noise and stimulation can help children feel more at ease, allowing them to explore activities and exhibits at their own pace. Registration required.
STEM Saturday. Science learning play from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway.
Skin Cancer Awareness and Treatments. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host Advocate Aurora Health representatives who will talk about skin cancer from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The presentation will cover causes and treatments and is open to all ages.
Barb & Dan’s Road Ride. Riders of all experience levels can join the group which leaves at 8 a.m. from GoodSpeed Cycle, 2125 183rd St. in Homewood. There is a no-drop group that rides about 20 miles and stronger riders sometimes go farther. Helmets required, daytime lights strongly recommended.
Off-leash Ride. A leisurely just-riding-around nine-mile ride every Saturday. Route includes Butterfield Creek bike path, Rovers Run and Izaak Walton Preserve. Starts at GoodSpeed Cycles, 2125 183rd St. at 8:30 a.m. sharp, ends back at the shop 9:45ish for donuts.
Sunday, April 27
Women’s Adventure Day. From 1 to 5 p.m. women can climb the high ropes course at Irons Oaks, 20000 Western Ave. Register as a single or bring a group. For women and girls 12 and up. Fee is $30. Click here to register.
Plan ahead
Monday, April 28
Pickleball Birthday Bash. From 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, 2920 W. 183rd St., pickleball enthusiasts will have a chance to honor the birthday of Bill Bell, one of the founding creators of pickleball. There will be open play pickleball for $4.28 on 14 pickleball courts. There also will be clinics from 9 to 10 a.m., noon to 1 p.m., 5 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Click here to register for clinics.
Wednesday, April 30
Pool Pass Discount Deadline. Passes for the 2025 season at Lions Club Pool are available now at discounted prices until April 30. The discounted price of membership is $55 for residents and $80 for non-residents Click here to purchase.
Friday, May 2
Native Plant Sale. Online pre-orders can be made through May 2. Pickup will be Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Irons Oaks, 20000 Western Ave. Click here to shop.
Saturday, May 3
Park Pride. Volunteers will converge on H-F Park District parks from 9 a.m. to noon to help get everything ready for the summer season. Park Pride is a great opportunity for kids, scout groups, churches and other service organizations to give back to the community. Email [email protected] or call 708-957-0300 for more information.
Saturday, May 10
Mother’s Day Tea Party. Celebrate mom with a relaxing tea party. Sip tea and lemonade, play fun games and show off your best hat for a friendly contest. Two sessions: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. Cost is $50 for district residents, $60 for non-residents. Maximum of five per table. Limited spots available, so register here.
Reimagining Cabaret. Lynn Colbert-Jones will present Reimagining Cabaret: The Genres Explored at 7:30 p.m. at Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Blvd. in Park Forest. Experience a concert that unites and uplifts. Tickets available here.
Saturday, May 17
Homewood Public Works Open House. A day of discovery and delight as kids and families get a chance to play and learn about how public works operates from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 17755 Ashland Ave.
< THE WEEK
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All the stories
- Flossmoor earns 2024 Tree City designation (April 19).
- Ahrendt quarterbacks H-F volleyball through early season (April 19).
- Thurman steps up in H-F softball’s walk-off win (April 18).
- Kids ride free on Metra on Take a Child to Work Day (April 18).
- H-F Parks accepting candidates to fill open board seat (April 17).
- H-F school board appoints two new administrators (April 17).
- Trump administration FEMA review puts Flossmoor project on hold (April 16).
- Marian wins event at SouthWorks Engineering and Robotics Olympics (April 16).
- Residents of Homewood oppose Harwood Avenue TIF District at April 8 public hearing (April 15).
- H-F High School asks the community for feedback on communications (April 15).
- Letter: Village board meeting structure fails to make residents’ views welcome (April 15).
- D161 recognizes All-State Chorus participants (April 14).
- State health department updates school vaccination dashboard (April 14).
- Homewood Stories to feature tellers with eclectic backgrounds April 15 (April 14).
- Homewood Science Center annual report shows growth in programs (April 13).