THE WEEK >

Your government

Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education will meet Monday, June 9, at 6 p.m. in Normandy Villa, 41 E. Elmwood Drive, Chicago Heights. The agenda is available here. The livestream will be available here.

Highlights: 

• The board will hold two public hearings, one on a budget amendment and one regarding the transfer of funds. 
•  There will be two items for discussion, the 2025-26 budget and the food service contract.
•  The board will consider approving a new principal for Western Avenue School.

Homewood School District 153 Board of Education will meet Monday, June 9, at 7 p.m. in the James Hart Media Center, 18220 Morgan St. The agenda is available here. 

Highlights:

• Hold a public hearing on the 2024-25 budget.
• Award food service bid.
• Set student meal service prices.
• Consider renewing the Kickert transportation service contract. 

Flossmoor Public Art Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 9, in village hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road. The agenda is available here.

Homewood Board of Trustees will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 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:

• Consider a transfer of responsibility for Harwood Avenue from Pine Road to Ridge Road. The street currently is under state control. The transfer would make it the village’s responsibility and would allow the village to maintain and improve it, including reconfiguring traffic patterns and adding parking.
• Consider an ordinance authorizing the village to apply for $4.1 million in Lead Service Line Replacement Loan Program funds for lead line replacement during 2026. 
• Open sealed bids submitted to purchase village-owned 17701 Bretz Drive and consider approving one of the bids. 
• Consider advertising for alternative bids to purchase and redevelop 18155 Dixie Highway, formerly Delanoe’s Pizza.
• Consider an ordinance establishing a 1% local grocery tax effective Jan. 1, 2026, to compensate for the loss of the statewide 1% grocery tax, which ends Jan. 1.

Flossmoor Public Library Board of Trustees will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the library, 1000 Sterling Ave. The agenda is available here.

Stuff to do

Monday, June 9

Card Gamers Unite. Anyone in grades 7 through 12 who likes playing card games (even if you just want to watch), can come to the FORT in Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, every other week during the summer to compete against peers. Pick a card game, be the winner and get a prize. Registration is preferred, not required.

Chicago Playback Theatre Presents: Amplify Queer Joy. Join the Chicago Playback Theatre Ensemble from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., for a fun blend of storytelling and theater celebrating true stories of queer joy offered up from the audience. During this performance the audience will be invited to tell stories from their lives, then the stories will be “played back” by the actors using improv and music. Personal sharing is encouraged and entirely voluntary. Feel free to tell a story or to enjoy the stories of others. Registration required.

Tuesday, June 10

Park Storytime. Homewood Public Library will host story time from 10:30 to 11 a.m. in Heritage Park on Idlewild Lane just west of Riegel Road. Registration required.

Storytime in the Park. Flossmoor Public Library will host story time from 10:30 to 11 a.m. in Leavitt Park, 1010 Leavitt Ave. Registration not required.

Summertime Science Series. Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., will host a hands-on workshop series for curious minds from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Explore the chemistry of color and movement as we experiment with bubbles, create mesmerizing liquid light shows, and uncover the surprising reactions between everyday liquids. Each session blends scientific exploration with artistic expression — perfect for young creators who love to get curious, think outside the box, and see the beauty in experimentation. Registration required.

Manga Club. Are you looking for new manga to read? Come to our Manga Club from 7 to 8 p.m. in the FORT in the Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, to read the first volume of a new series and discuss it over snacks. Registration is encouraged but not required.

Homewood Stories. Homewood Stories will feature five storytellers at the Tuesday, June 10, show, which will be hosted by Jill Howe. The monthly storytelling event is an intimate evening of true, personal storytelling at the FCC Community House, 847 Hutchison Road, Flossmoor. Each show features storytellers who share honest, moving and often funny tales from their own lives. Tickets are $15 at the door, cash or check only. Guests can bring their own beverages, dinner or snacks. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show starts at 7:30 p.m.  

Wednesday, June 11

Homewood-Flossmoor Community Band Concert. The band will offer a free classical music concert from 6 to 8 p.m. at Irwin Park, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood.

IPO Summer Concert. The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra will open its summer concert series with “A Dash of Brass” at Olympia Fields Country Club, 2800 Country Club Drive, Olympia Fields, with two sets from its brass quintet. Tickets are $40. Buy tickets for the 6:15 p.m. set here. Buy tickets for the 7:45 p.m. set here.

Thursday, June 12

Slime Scientists. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host a fun time making slime from 4 to 5 p.m. The library will supply all the ingredients. Registration required.

Trivia Night & Mocktails. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host trivia and  mocktails from 7 to 8 p.m. Melissa from The Quarry Ballroom in Thorton will demonstrate how to make two mocktails before the team trivia competition.

Friday, June 13

The Lowest Pair. Trail Mix presents roots duo The Lowest Pair at Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve, 1100 Ridge Road. Live mingling music by folk duo Bugs Still Fly starts at 6 p.m. under the concessions pavilion. Main stage performance begins at 7 p.m. with special guests, Bad Hand. Tickets are available at www.trailmixmusic.org. Advance tickets are significantly discounted and to avoid online fees, buy in person at The Rock Shop, 18109 Dixie Highway, Homewood.

Saturday, June 14

Homewood Car Cruise. The new car show will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Harwood Avenue commuter lot. The event is a fundraiser for Anew: Building Beyond Violence.

Homewood Outdoor Farmers Market. The market will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Martin Square on Martin Avenue between Chestnut and Ridge roads in downtown Homewood. Vendors will offer fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafted jewelry, skincare and more. Food trucks will be on hand and ready-to-eat meals will be available.

STEM Saturday. The theme of the session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is “Let’s Make Ice Cream” at Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway.

Drama Group: Sylvia. A talking dog could steal your heart in the Drama Group’s production of “Sylvia.” The play will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 12, 13 and 14. Afternoon performance at 2 p.m. will be staged Saturday, June 14, and on Sunday, June 15. The Drama Group has online ticketing at BookTix or tickets can be purchased through the box office at 708-755-3444. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors or members of the military, $19 for students with ID.

Pathlights 101. Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 1 to 2 p.m. for pizza and Pathlights. Pathlights is the “go-to” non-profit community resource for people needing assistance along the path to aging. Information will be provided about comprehensive and coordinated services helping older adults age in place. A gift certificate to Marcus Chicago Heights Cinema will be awarded. Winner must be present. Registration is not required.

Canvas Under The Clouds. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host an opportunity for anyone in grades 7 through 12 to get creative painting under the clouds from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Supplies will be provided. Gather at the north parking lot.

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, June 15

Drama Group: Sylvia. A talking dog could steal your heart in the Drama Group’s production of “Sylvia.” The play will be presented at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 15. The Drama Group has online ticketing at BookTix or tickets can be purchased through the box office at 708-755-3444. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors or members of the military, $19 for students with ID.

Plan ahead

Thursday, June 19

Juneteenth Parade and Block Party. You Matter 2 will present the annual Juneteenth parade on June 19. The parade will step off at 10 a.m. from Western Avenue School and will end at Parker Junior High. It will be followed by a block party in the Parker Junior High parking lot until 2 p.m. as H-F celebrates freedom, diversity and Black culture.

Friday, June 20

H-F Pride Fest. There will be entertainment from MC Queen Sasha Love, the Bel Canto Community Choir and The Divas from 5 to 9 p.m. in Irwin Park as the H-F community celebrates diversity and supports LGBTQ+ pride.

Wednesday, June 25

Animal Encounters: Mammals and More. Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center, 20000 Western Ave., will host Animal Encounters: Mammals and More by the Flying Fox Conservation Fund from 11 a.m. to noon. Learn about creatures from around the globe. Participants might even get to meet a few up close. Cost is $7 for H-F Park District residents, $9 for non-residents. Register here. 

IPO Summer Concert. The second in the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra summer concert series is “All Beethoven: String Quartet No. 5” at Olympia Fields Country Club, 2800 Country Club Drive, Olympia Fields. Tickets are $40. Buy tickets for the 6:15 p.m. set here. Buy tickets for the 7:45 p.m. set here.

Sunday, July 13

Garden Walk. The National Council of Jewish Women South Cook Section will host the organization’s annual garden walk. Details coming soon.

Thursday, July 24

Chamber Night. The fifth annual Chamber Night will bring the music and family fun to a new location, Flossmoor Commons, starting at 5 p.m. There will be food, local business vendors and more great music, headlined by an Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra ensemble playing showtunes. Bel Canto Community Choir will open, and this year there will be an after party featuring Return 2 Soul with Keya Trammell.

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All the stories

• Parker students win trip to NYC to attend ‘Hamilton’ production (June 6).
• 7th Hats off event salutes South Suburban women (June 6).
• Trail Mix brings 2 summer roots music concerts to the South Suburbs (June 6).
• Homewood to consider implementing local grocery sales tax beginning Jan. 1 (June 5).
• Heather Hill community gathers to talk about neighborhood safety (June 5).
• Illinois Department of Public Health celebrates Pride Month (June 5).
• H-F teachers stress to every student the importance of reading (June 5).
• Obituary: Wendell ‘Wendy’ Earl Yonker | Jan. 15, 1924 – May 29, 2025 (June 4).
• H-F reading specialists learn science to improve students’ skills (June 4).
• IEPA announces air pollution alert for June 5 (June 4).
• Rabid Brewery owners, patrons say they feel betrayed by Homewood board bid decision (June 3).
• Wear Orange: Kelly, Williams lead gun violence prevention event at PSC on May 31 (June 3).
• New approaches for reading win H-F national honor (June 3).
• Crowd of teens create noise, disrupt traffic but no serious incidents reported (June 3).
• Page 4: The season of pride: Pope pride, gay pride, Black pride (June 2).
• Flossmoor Police enforce seat belt protocol (June 2).
• Pride Fest 2025 is June 20 at Irwin Park in Homewood (June 2).