Your government | Notices | Stuff to do | Plan ahead
THE WEEK >
Your government
Monday, June 29
Flossmoor District 161 Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. at Normandy Villa, 41 E. Elmwood Drive, Chicago Heights. The agenda can be viewed here. The meeting livestream will be available here.
Highlights:
- Consider a superintendent’s contract.
- Consider the tentative 2026-27 budget. The final version will be voted on in September.
- Consider renewing the Outdoor Education Program in partnership with Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center.
Notices
Heat Warning. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for the area from noon Monday through at least 10 p.m. Wednesday. High temperatures are expected to be in the mid-90s with heat indices of about 105 degrees.
Trash Pickup. Homewood Disposal trash pickup will follow the normal schedule this week and next week because the 4th of July holiday is on Saturday this year.
Holiday Closures. Homewood Public Library will be closed all day July 3 and July 4. Flossmoor Public Library will be closed July 4.
Dartmouth Bridge Closure. The Dartmouth pedestrian bridge in Flossmoor was damaged by flooding last week and will be closed until repairs can be made.
Flossmoor Garden Art & More Online Auction. The auction to benefit the Flossmoor public art fund is open. It is an opportunity to support public art and add unique art to your collection. The auction is now open through Friday, July 10. Place bids here.
Book Donation Hiatus. Friends of the Homewood Library are unable to take donations from June through August. Anyone who has books to donate, might consider donating to nearby libraries or Good Will this summer, including Chicago Heights Public Library, 25 W. 15th St.; Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave.; Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Blvd.; Glenwood-Lynwood Library, 19901 Stony Island Ave. (children’s books only).
Village Door Still Open. The Cancer Support Center announced in April that the Village Door store on Ridge Road in Homewood would close at the end of the year, but store manager Diane Matthews said the store and its volunteers are still welcoming donations of gently used household items and furniture. Smaller items can be dropped off at the shop anytime during shop hours. For donations of furniture items, send photos to [email protected] along with contact information to coordinate the intake.
Stuff to do
Monday, June 29
Friends of HPL. The Friends of the Homewood Public Library will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the library, 17917 Dixie Highway.
Women Spies of the Revolution. Kit Sergeant, author of “355: The Women of Washington’s Spy Ring” will present “Who Was the Original Agent 355?” from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the meeting room at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. The program will tell the story of the first female spies and the roles they played in securing independence from Britain.
Tuesday, June 30
Protect Your Money: Avoiding Phone & Internet Scams. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office will offer advice on how to guard against common scams that target older adults from 11 a.m. to noon at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave. The goal is to reduce seniors’ risk of fraud and financial exploitation. The program is being sponsored by Pathlights and an AgeOptions Senior grant. Participation is limited to seniors only.
Sapling Science. Kids aged 8 to 12 are invited to The Attic at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 2 to 3 p.m., to engage in fun science learning about self-watering planters, sun paper prints and clay seed bombs. If the weather is good, the session will be outside on the library lawn.
Make It Take It Tuesday. Teens are invited to The FORT in Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, from 5 to 6 p.m. to learn a new craft you can make out of everyday supplies. Make the craft at the library or take it home as a grab and go kit. Supplies are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Youth Chess Club. Weekly all-ages youth chess club from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Beyond the Book, 18063 Dixie Highway. Children can learn strategy, build confidence, and connect with new friends. Whether the child is just learning the game or ready to sharpen their skills, the club encourages critical thinking. Register here.
Wednesday, July 1
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.
It’s a Taste-Off. This week is an Oreo taste-off from 4 to 4:30 p.m. in The FORT at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. Vote for your favorite. Enjoy the winning food from each category at the last event on July 29. Register here.
Homewood Backyard BBQ. For some pre-4th of July fun, Homewood is offering a Backyard BBQ from 5 to 8 p.m. in the village hall parking lot, 2024 Chestnut Road. There will be food, music, games and family-friendly fun, plus a pie eating contest. Spots for the contest are limited, so register here.
Pokémon Club. Youngsters and teens are invited to the meeting room at the Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, from 5 to 6 p.m. to trade Pokémon cards and play games. Bring your battle decks, doubles, and extras to the library to battle and trade with other collectors. Register here.
Movie Night. Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., will host a movie for kids aged 10 to 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Helen Wilson Meeting Room. Cozy attire and blankets are encouraged. The library will have popcorn and drinks available but you can bring your own favorite movie snack too. Register here.
Thursday, July 2
Afternoon Book Discussion: The Word is Murder. Everyone is welcome to join the Afternoon Book Club to discuss “The Word is Murder” by Anthony Horowitz from 3 to 4 p.m.
Mahjong for Beginners. Stop by Beyond the Book, 18063 Dixie Highway, from 5 to 7 p.m. to learn the game. RSVP here.
Friday, July 3
DIY Hair Accessories. Teens are invited to the Helen Wilson Meeting Room in Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from noon to 1 p.m. to create one-of-a-kind hair accessories using unique buttons and charms. Choose from a colorful array of headbands, claw clips, barrettes, or hair bands to use as a base for your creativity. Register here.
Saturday, July 4
Flossmoor Children’s Independence Day Bike Parade. The annual parade of decorated bikes, wagons and scooters will begin at 10 a.m. in the village hall parking lot, 2800 Flossmoor Road. Line up will start at 9:30 a.m. Sponsored by the Flossmoor Volunteer Fire Corporation.
Homewood 4th of July Parade. The parade will start at 10 a.m. from St. John Neumann’s parking lot in the 17900 block of Dixie Highway, turn east on Ridge Road, and end at Izaak Walton Preserve, 1100 Ridge Road.
Games for Everyone: Izaak Walton Community Picnic. Preserve volunteers will be selling brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, corn on the cob, corn pudding, gourmet wraps, watermelon slices, ice cream and more from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A bag toss tournament will begin at 11:30 a.m. Other games will begin at noon by the east meadow pavilion. Games include foot races, three-legged sack races, water balloon toss, egg toss, pickup volleyball and tug-of-war.
Plan ahead
Wednesday, July 8
Flossmoor Public Sculpture Tour. The tour will begin at 6 p.m. in the south commuter parking lot on Sterling Road south of Flossmoor Road and will be guided by members of the Public Art Commission, an enlightening tour of part of Flossmoor’s public art collection.
Friday, July 10
America 250 Birthday Cookout. Homewood-Flossmoor Park District will host a cookout celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. at Homewood Estates Park, 18200 California Ave. It will be a fun-filled, family-friendly evening with grilled hot dogs, classic lawn games, caricatures and balloon twisters.
Flossmoor Station 30th Anniversary. Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery will celebrate three decades in business as one of the first microbreweries in the Chicago area. Stop by from 4 to 10 p.m. at 1035 Sterling Ave. for a cookout and live music.
Saturday, July 11
Christopher McBride at Trail Mix. Grammy winner and Homewood-Flossmoor High School alum Christopher McBride and his band will perform outdoors at 7 p.m. at the Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve. Opening set by the Homewood Flossmoor New Orleans Brass Band. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers. Food and drink concessions, including adult beverages from Flossmoor Station, will be available. Tickets available here.
Sunday, July 12
H-F Beast Obstacle Course Dash. From 8 to 11:30 a.m. at the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, 2920 W. 183rd St., participants will be able to test themselves on an obstacle course. The dash for kids ages 6 through 14 will involve eight obstacles and a one-mile run. For participants age 15 and up, there will be 16 obstacles and a two-mile run. Fee is $45 until July 10. After July 10 the fee is $50. Register here.
Southland Community Garden Walk. The National Council of Jewish Women South Cook Section will hold its annual garden walk from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, featuring a number of gardens in the area. Tickets are $25 in advance and can be purchased at Art 4 Soul, 18135 Harwood Ave. in Homewood, Ebel’s Ace Hardware, 18410 Governors Highway in Homewood and Gypsy Fix, 1056 Sterling Ave. in Flossmoor. Tickets are $30 the day of the walk and can be purchased at Goldberg Park, 3301 Flossmoor Road. Proceeds will benefit Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness Center and Respond Now.
Thursday, July 16
Fireflies, Fairies & Gnomes. Kids ages 3 through 12 are invited to Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center, 20000 Western Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m. to experience the magic of the forest. This program blends storytelling, hands-on creativity and nature exploration. Children will enjoy a story, create their own wands and build their very own tiny fairy or gnome house in the woods. They will learn about fireflies and play a glow-inspired game. A non-paying adult must accompany the child. Fee is $15 for H-F Park District residents, $18 for non-residents. Register here.
Monday, July 20
Hobo Jungle. The annual summer camp will have sessions from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. from July 20 through July 31 at Flossmoor Park. Kids will learn how to use basic carpentry tools while building full-size, themed structures. Safety is stressed and reinforced. Campers will spend part of their day in the construction area and the rest playing organized games. For kids ages 7 to 13. Fee is $159 for H-F Park District residents, $189 for non-residents. Click here to register.
Thursday, July 23
Summer Fest. Homewood Science Center’s annual fundraiser will celebrate the center’s 10th anniversary from 6 to 10 p.m. at Idlewild Country Club. Purchase tickets before July 4 to get early bird prices.
Wednesday, July 29
IPO Chamber Night. The annual evening of music and shopping in downtown Flossmoor will begin at 5 p.m. The Bel Canto Community Choir will sing, followed by a group from the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra performing “Bridgerton“-inspired music. Food vendors, local refreshments and an auction of plein air paintings.
Thursday, July 30
Martin Square Block Party. Shopping, food and karaoke in downtown Homewood from 6 to 10 p.m. Food and craft vendors will be set up on Martin Square between Ridge and Chestnut roads.
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