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The Weeks | March 22: Local government meetings, election results, H-F spring sports previews, egg hunts, musical anniversary

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Your government

Monday, March 23

Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. at Normandy Villa, 41 E. Elmwood Drive, Chicago Heights. The agenda is available here. The meeting livestream will be available here.

Highlights:

  • Discuss preschool expansion.
  • Discuss Experience Survey results.
  • Discuss 2026 and 2027 construction plans.
  • Discuss Creative Learning Systems STEAM Lab updates.
  • Discuss 2026-2027 food service contract renewal.

Flossmoor Community Relations Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. in Village Hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road. The agenda is available here.

Highlights: 

  • Discussion of the village’s new residents event.
  • Discussion of June events, including Pride Fest and Juneteenth Parade.

Tuesday, March 24

Homewood Board of Trustees will meet at 7 p.m. in Village Hall, 2020 Chestnut Road. The agenda is available here. The livestream will be available here, meeting ID 980 4907 6232, passcode 830183.

Highlights:

Thursday, March 26

Flossmoor Green Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. in Village Hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road. The agenda is available here.

Highlights:

  • Discussion of Recyclepalooza.
  • Review of plans for Village Hall.

Notice

Homewood Citizen Civics Academy. The academy is a six-week course that introduces Homewood residents to the various functions of village government, from street maintenance to budgets, from public safety to economic development. Includes tours of village facilities. Classes are held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays from April 13 through May 18. Space is limited. Register here.

Stuff to do

Monday, March 23

Slime Scientists. From 4 to 5 p.m. slime scientists in grades kindergarten through sixth will take over the meeting room at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. The library will supply slime ingredients. Register here.

For Reel! Book & Movie Club. Meet in The Fort at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss whether the book is better than the movie. This month, “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio.

Tuesday, March 24

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.

Myths and Magic Book Club. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host a discussion from 6 to 8 p.m. of “Witchcraft for Wayward Girls” by Grady Hendrix. Books will be available for checkout at Circulation Services.

Books Without Borders. Meet from 6:45 to 8 p.m. at the Rock Shop, 18109 Dixie Highway in Homewood. This meeting will be an opportunity to unpack lessons learned from the previous three books the group read: “So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluom, “Stamped – Racism, Antiracism, and You“ by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi and “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson. Come for the discussion, stay for the cookies.

Wednesday, March 25

Read, Rock, n’ Rhyme. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host story time for kids age newborn 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.

A Women’s Month Event. Beyond the Book and South Suburban Small Business Association will host connection, conversation and collaboration in honor of Women’s History Month from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Beyond the Book, 18063 Dixie Highway. 

The Knit Wits. A session for new and experienced knitters third through sixth grades from 6 to 7 p.m. in the meeting room at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. Start a new project or bring a project you’re working on. Register here. 

Green Drinks: Birding. Nick Paarlberg from Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland will be the presenter at the Chicago Southland Green Drinks meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, 1035 Sterling Ave. Also, Sheetal Khedkar Roa, chief health and engagement officer at Nordson Green Earth, will introduce the Markham Public Library Birdwatching Community Science Project. Limit 50 people. Organizers recommend bringing cash to make it easier for the group to pay for food and drinks.

As We Go Marching, Marching: Songs of the Women’s Movement. Clarence Goodman will present the soundtrack for the first two waves of the modern feminist movement from 7 to 8:15 p.m. in the Helen Wilson Meeting Room at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave. 

Thursday, March 26

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.

District 153 Fine Arts Show. View student art from 5 to 7 p.m. in the James Hart School gym, 18220 Morgan St. in Homewood.

Teen Trivia. Teens are invited to meet from 6 to 7 p.m. in The Fort in Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, to stretch brains and compete for prizes. Come with a team or form one here.

Bedtime Snack & Story. Meet in The Attic at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 6:30 to 7 p.m. for a pajama story time. This event is for registrants age 6 and younger. Register here.

Friday, March 27

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.

Gaming Night-Special. Teens are invited to meet from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in The Fort in Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, to play games. Pizza will be served. Register here.

Flashlight Egg Hunt. The annual flashlight egg hunt will be hosted at Irons Oaks, 20000 Western Ave., from 7 to 7:45 p.m. For ages 3 to 10. A non-paying adult must accompany child. Fee is $12 for H-F Park District residents, $15 for non-residents. Click here to register.

Saturday, March 28

Lucky Egg Hunt. The annual egg gathering event for kids will start at 10 a.m. in Apollo Park. A few lucky eggs will include an extra prize. The bunny will be available for photos after the hunt. For Homewood and Flossmoor kids age 10 and under only.

Lucky Dog Egg Hunt. It’s local dogs’ turn to gather eggs at 11 a.m. in Apollo Park. Humans can dash around the park with their dogs to collect treat-filled eggs. Families and all friendly dogs are welcome at this free, on-leash event. Dog owners under the age of 12 should be accompanied by an adult.

No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings. Action for a Better Tomorrow South Suburbs will host a non-violent rally from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial on Harwood Avenue in Homewood to protest Trump administration policies. Live music and speakers.

Trail Mix Local Music Spotlight. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., concert starts at 7 in Senior Hall at the Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve, 1100 Ridge Road. Performers will including Butterfield Creek, Patti Santyna & Doug, Annabelle Rudan and the Southside Ukulodies, The event supports the preserve. Suggested donation of $10 per adult, $5 per youth.

An Evening with Keya Trammell. Singer Keya Trammell will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Blvd. in Park Forest, as part of a concert celebrating the legacy of Black women in American music. Tickets available here.

Sunday, March 29

Skate with the Bunny. From 1 to 3 p.m. families can enjoy skating fun at the H-F Ice Arena, 777 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor.  Admission is $7. Skate rental is $5. A skate helper is $5.

Plan ahead

Monday, March 30, through Friday, April 3

Spring Break Camps. Camp will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. The H-F Park District will offer structured activities, arts and crafts, and recreational games each day. Fee is $42 for district residents, $52 for non-residents. There will also be an After Camp session from 3 to 6 p.m. each day. Fee is $18 for district residents, $23 for non-residents. Click here to register for Spring Break Camp. Click Here to register for After Camp.

Saturday, April 4

H-F Community Cleanup Day. The H-F Park District and the villages of Homewood and Flossmoor are collaborating on one big communitywide clean-up day from 8 a.m. to noon. The event will begin with breakfast at Wiley’s Grill, 800 Kedzie Ave., then individuals and groups will fan out to tidy up. Sign up here.

Thornton Township Kid’s Bingo. Kids will enjoy exciting bingo games, prizes, lunch, and pictures with the Easter Bunny from 1 to 3 p.m. at Thornton Township Hall, 333 E. 162nd St., South Holland. For ages 4 to 12. Lunch will be served. Free for Thornton Township residents. Registration required. Email [email protected] or call 708-596-6040, ext. 3148.

Thursday, April 9, through Saturday, April 11

Chicago Southland International Film Festival. Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, University Park, will host the eighth annual Chicago Southland International Film Festival in the amphitheater. The festival brings international shorts and local feature films to campus in a three-day event. Details and tickets are available here or email [email protected] or call 708-534-4099 to reserve seats.

Friday, April 10

Dodge Ball and Pizza Night. Enjoy fast-paced dodgeball games led by park district staff, followed by delicious pizza with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at the H-F Sports Complex, 18211 Aberdeen St. in Homewood. For kids ages 7 to 12. Fee is $25 for H-F Park District residents, $30 for non-residents. Click here to register.

Saturday, April 11

Songs of Resistance. A benefit concert and art auction starting at 3 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 2640 Park Drive, Flossmoor. Sponsored by Spotlight Performance Academy in partnership with Homewood Creative Alliance. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here. Proceeds to benefit the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

Sunday, April 12

The House on Mango Street Ballet. Ballet 5:8 will perform a ballet version of “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros at 3 p.m. in the Nathan Manilow Theater at Freedom Hall in Park Forest. It’s a coming-of-age story about living between two worlds: American and Mexican, and that familiar feeling of being “not enough” of either one. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

Saturday, April 25

Recyclepalooza. The annual community recycling event will be held this year from 9 a.m. to noon in the Parker Junior High parking lot, 2810 School St., Flossmoor. Bring hard-to-recycle items. Click here for more details about accepted items.

Saturday, May 2

Bessie Coleman Centennial Aviation Film Festival. The aviation-themed film festival will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bult Field, 28261 S. Kedzie Ave., Monee. The event is sponsored by the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the event and how to become a sponsor, click here.

Sunday, May 17

House Walk. The Flossmoor Service League’s annual house walk fundraiser moves to Sunday this year. The stroll to view featured houses will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Visit flossmoorserviceleague.org for more information.

Friday, May 22

Walk Through Our Mission. You Matter 2 will host an immersive evening at Flossmoor Community Church, that introduces the organization’s work with youth through storytelling, creativity and connection. Guests will journey through interactive stations led by students, alumni and volunteers, experiencing firsthand how You Matter 2 supports youth from middle school through career readiness. The evening will conclude with a Spotlight Program featuring student stories, a live auction, and a collective paddle raise, which is a fundraising practice for attendees to raise their bidder paddles to commit to specific donation levels, to support  programs. Tickets are on sale now. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, visit youmatter2.org.

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