THE WEEK >

Your government

Tuesday, Jan. 20

Flossmoor Green Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the village hall committee room, 2800 Flossmoor Road. The agenda is available here.

Flossmoor Board of Trustees will meet at 7 p.m. in village hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road (meeting moved to Tuesday because of the MLK holiday). The agenda is available here. The livestream will be available here. Meeting ID 852 1089 4513, passcode 60422.

Highlights:

• Consider a development agreement between the village and OBE Studios to build a studio facility on land currently owned by the village at 3638 and 3648 198th St.  
• Mid-year budget presentation and discussion.

Homewood-Flossmoor School District 233 Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. in the Viking Room, South Building, 999 Kedzie Ave. in Flossmoor. The agenda is available here.

Highlights:

•  Consider approving a $9,000 contract with You Matter 2 for the Discover U Program.
• Consider approving a $17,259 Certiport subscription to provide Microsoft Office Specialist credentials to all freshmen and sophomore students through existing dual credit coursework in Computer Applications and Advanced Computer Applications.
• Consider obtaining Kaplan ACT Preparation Services to all junior students at Homewood-Flossmoor High School for $265,000.
•  Consider purchasing an Anatomage Table and subscription for instructional use for $115,490.

Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Board of Commissioners will meet at 7 p.m. in the Goldberg Administration Building, 3301 Flossmoor Road. The agenda is available here.

Wednesday, Jan. 21

Homewood Public Library Board of Trustees will meet at 7 p.m. in the library, 17917 Dixie Highway. The agenda is available here.

Notices

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Closures. Homewood and Flossmoor village halls will be closed for business, although Flossmoor village hall will be open to host Day of Service projects. Flossmoor public library will be closed.

Trash Pickup. There will be no holiday service changes for Homewood Disposal customers. 

Homewood Farmers Market Call for Vendors. Homewood invites local businesses, farmers, bakers, artisans, chefs and others to apply for the 2026 Homewood Farmers Market outdoor season. Click here to apply.  

Holiday Tree and Light Recycling. Bring undecorated and unwrapped holiday trees to the Irons Oaks Vollmer Road parking lot just west of Western Avenue any time through Friday, Jan. 23. Stack trees with the trunks pointed toward the parking lot. Containers for holiday lights are located at H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, 2920 183rd St. in Homewood; Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood; Park Place, 2523 Flossmoor Road in Flossmoor; and Irons Oaks, 20000 Western Ave. in Olympia Fields.

Stuff to do

Monday, Jan. 19

MLK Day of Service. For the 11th year, Flossmoor is coordinating a number of service projects to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, including food drives, blood drives, blanket making, educational programs and much more. Click here to see a list of projects that are seeking volunteers or donations.

Open Gym. Play basketball, shoot around with friends, or enjoy a pickup game over the MLK Day holiday. The H-F Sports Complex, 18211 Aberdeen St., will be open for grade school students from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open for kids in middle or high school from noon to 3 p.m. Participants must bring their own basketball. Anyone under 18 will need a parent to come to sign the waiver if it is their first time. Fee is $5 for H-F Park District residents, $10 for non-residents.

We Have a DREAM Rally. Local residents invite the community to a protest, Democracy Restored; Every Action Matters, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Homewood Veterans Memorial on Harwood Avenue.

Holiday Skating. The H-F Ice Arena will be open for public skating from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission is $7. Skate rental is $5. Skate helpers $5. Family Stick & Puck from 3:15 to 5 p.m. For those age 18 and up, gear requirements are hockey helmet, elbow pads, hockey gloves, shin pads and hockey skates. For those age 17 and younger, gear requirements are helmet with face shield, chest protector, elbow pads, hockey pants, hockey gloves, shin pads, and hockey skates. Fee is $15. Click here to register.

Friends of the Homewood Library Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner. Members and anyone interested in joining the organization will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. in the meeting room at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. 

Valuable Voices. The teen group formerly Adolescent Activists will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. in The Fort at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. Do you want your voice to be heard? Do you have thoughts and concerns about world issues? This teen meeting is a platform for an open-ended discussion about issues. Register here.

Good Vibe Mondays. Teddy Campbell Bands bring the music to Copper Still every Monday starting at 8 p.m. Tickets at www.copperstillmartini.com.

Tuesday, Jan. 20

Rising Readers. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host story time from 10:30 to 11 a.m. in Rauch Reading Room for ages newborn to 6 years old with stories, songs, bubbles and more. Register here.

Senior Bagels & Bingo. Meet in the Helen Wilson Meeting Room in Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to enjoy bagels, bingo and good company. Sponsored by an AgeOptions Senior grant, so participation is limited to seniors only.

Year in Review Journaling. From 6 to 7 p.m., adults and seniors can take a look back and preserve memories from 2025. Meet in the Makery at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. Email 12 photos from your year, and library staff will print them on a lab quality printer. Reservation required and there will be a $5 fee. Event intended for those age 18 and up. Must be a Homewood resident with a library card in good standing or a member of a SWAN network library with card in good standing to attend.

Bingo for Teens. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host bingo for teens in the FORT upstairs from 6 to 7 p.m. There will be prizes for winners.

Just For Fun: Name That Tune. Adults are welcome to gather in the meeting room at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a Name That Tune competition.

Evening Book Discussion: ‘James.’ Meet in the conference room at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 7 to 8 p.m. to discuss “James” by Percival Everett. The book tells the story in Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” from the perspective of Jim. Everyone is welcome. Light refreshments served. Pre-registration is not required.

Trivia Tuesday at Lassen’s Tap. Bring a team and compete in Lassen’s trivia contest from 8 to 11 p.m. at 2131 W. 183rd St. in Homewood.

Wednesday, Jan. 21

Read, Rock, n’ Rhyme. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host story time for kids age birth to 7 years old. Kids will be able to dance, shake and wiggle as we share stories, songs, rhymes, and more from 10:30 to 11 a.m. in the Rauch Reading Room. Register here.

Read, Play, & Grow!: A Storytime for Babies and Toddlers. Meet in the Helen Wilson Meeting Room at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 10:30 to 11 a.m. for fun activities that help develop early literacy skills for babies and toddlers. Register here.

Homeschoolers Study Group. Homeschool teens can meet in The Fort at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, for a study session from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register here.

H-F High Parents Town Hall. Homewood-Flossmoor High School will host a town hall meeting for parents starting at 6 p.m. in the South Building, 999 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor. Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Norrell and the administrative team will discuss how H-F is preparing students for life after high school. This event will begin with a keynote message followed by breakout sessions. Topics will include career pathways, academic rigor, workplace experiences and internships, bell schedule and adolescent anxiety. The event is for parents of incoming freshmen and rising sophomores and juniors. Enter through Door 9.

Anime Hangout. Teen anime fans can meet in the Fort at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to find some new manga to read, do some anime-themed activities, and watch some anime shows together. Register here.

Thursday, Jan. 22

Baby Bloomers. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host story time for children aged birth to 2.5 years old and their caregivers. There will be stories, songs, bubbles and free play in the Rauch Reading Room from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Register here.

KinderCamp. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host the session from noon to 1 p.m. in the meeting room for kids as they prepare to start school. KinderCamp hopes to ease the transition with new topics each time through stories, video, crafts and simple lessons. Register here.

Winter Science Series. Get ready to experiment with the coolest science around from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in The Attic at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave. In this hands-on winter workshop, kids ages 9 to 12 will explore the science behind snow, ice, and everything chilly. From testing our own “blubber” to ice melting races discover the magic (and chemistry!) of winter. Register here.

Style Your Space. A creative workshop for teens from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood. Participants will design and create custom room decor pieces that reflect their personal style. For teens age 12 to 15. Fee is $65 for H-F Park District residents, $80 for non-residents. Click here to register.

Stage to Screen: “Hamilton.” Watch the filmed Broadway version of “Hamilton” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway.

Friday, Jan. 23

Crafty Tots. From 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. youngsters can finger-paint, doodle, and put together their own works of art at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave. All supplies provided. Register here.

Thomas’ Photographic Sale. The studio is downsizing (not closing) as part of a transition to a home-based business. The sale will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 18676 Dixie Highway. Tables, couches and chairs; photography equipment; backdrops and studio items; and miscellaneous studio furnishings will be available. 

Saturday, Jan. 24

PJ Shopping Progressive Sale. Participating Homewood Business Association members will be offering specials, the earlier the better, for shoppers (pajamas welcome). Discounts typically start at 50% off from 7 to 8 a.m. and decrease by 10% each hour until the last hour from 11 a.m. to noon, when discounts will be 10%. Shops include Art 4 Soul, 18135 Harwood Ave.; Art Corner Frames, 18703 Dixie Highway; Beyond the Book, 18063 Dixie Highway; Gaia’s Market & Refillery, 1948 Ridge Road; Loulou Belle, 2049 Ridge Road; The Village Gift Shop, 2007 Ridge Road; and UpsaDaisy, 18100 Martin Ave.

U.S. Senate Candidate Forum. The Links South Suburban Chapter and The Lego Academy will sponsor a candidate forum from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. at South Suburban College Performing Arts Center, 15800 State St. Register here.

Forest Bathing Experience. Take a therapeutic, immersive walk through the forest at Irons Oaks, 20000 Western Ave. in Olympia Fields from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A guide will prompt you with a series of invitations to foster connection. Interacting with nature during a forest therapy walk supports our mental health, helps to release stress and encourages the mind/body connection. For anyone age 12 and up. Fee is $40 for H-F Park District residents, $50 for non-residents.  Click here to register.

Ceramic Winter Gnome Painting. Adults age 18 and up are invited to gather in the Helen Wilson Meeting Room at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  to paint two  three-inch ceramic winter-themed gnomes. All supplies provided. Remember to wear something that can get dirty. All skill levels welcome. Register by calling 708-798-3600 extension 114 or click here. 

Red & White Social. Vikings Baseball Booster Club sponsors a Red & White Social from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Flossmoor Community House, 847 Hutchison Road, featuring appetizers, drinks, raffles and games. Tickets are $40.

Plan ahead

Thursday, Jan. 29

Community Art Swap. Homewood Creative Alliance and Gaia Market & Refillery will host an art swap from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Homewood Public Library’s meeting room, 17917 Dixie Highway. Swap a piece (or a few). Only hangable wall art this time around. Framed or unframed, original or store bought. No mirrors, clocks, decorative shelves, candle holders, knick knacks, etc. Bring your art to the event, get a ticket to swap, or drop off art at Gaia Market & Refillery, 1948 Ridge Road in Homewood, before Jan. 28.

Thursday, Feb. 26

Thornton Distillery Tour. Participants will meet at Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood, at 6 p.m. For anyone age 21 or older. This will be a chance to step inside Illinois’ oldest standing brewery. Trip will include distillery tour, a meal and transportation to and from Irwin Center. Fee is $60 for H-F Park District residents, $75 for non-residents. Click here to register.

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