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The Weeks | Nov. 16: Learn about TIFs, learn about owls, food drives, veterans’ stories, brass choir concert, ‘Suessical Jr.’ performance, country club to close, Flossmoor streetscape

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Your government

Monday, Nov. 17

Flossmoor Board of Trustees will meet at 7 p.m. in village hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road. The agenda is available here. The livestream of the meeting will be available here. Use meeting ID 852 1089 4513, passcode 60422.

Highlights:

Tuesday, Nov. 18

Flossmoor Green Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. in village hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road. 

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

Highlights:

  • Consider adopting the tax levy and property tax abatement. 
  • Discuss the 2025 Illinois Report Card results.
  • Hear an update on the International Baccalaureate for All plan.

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

Wednesday, Nov. 19

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

Notices

Holbrook Road Paving Project. Pavement patching work on Holbrook Road are scheduled to take place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17. The project should be completed by Tuesday, Nov. 18, weather permitting. The patching will be a moving operation working on one lane at a time starting on the Holbrook Road eastbound lane at Dixie Highway moving toward Halsted Street then turning around and working on the westbound lane of Holbrook Road from Halsted Street. Holbrook Road will remain open during pavement patching, however, motorists are encouraged to find a different route to avoid delays up to 15 minutes. 

D153 food drive. Students at District 153 schools will be collecting food Nov. 17 to Nov. 25 for those in need. Donations are being collected at Willow, Churchill and James Hart Schools and the Mitchell Administrative Offices. 

Flossmoor Food Drive. The Village of Flossmoor is conducting a food drive through Wednesday, Nov. 19 to replenish the Bloom and Rich Townships food pantries. Drop-off sites are Flossmoor Village Hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road; Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave.; Homewood-Flossmoor Park District’s Goldberg Center, 3301 Flossmoor Road and the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, 2920 W. 183rd St. Most wanted items are breakfast items, Mac & cheese, canned goods, boxed potatoes and rice and pasta dishes.

Anew Annual Coat Giving Tree and Adopt-A-Family Program/Food Help. Anew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse is inviting anyone who is interested in purchasing a coat or adopting a family for this holiday season, please complete this form. Anew also is helping survivors of domestic violence who depend on SNAP benefits that have been disrupted by the government shutdown. Donate grocery store gift cards that can provide survivors with autonomy, dignity, and flexibility to feed their families during this uncertain time. To donate, call 708-794-2140 ext. 311.

H-F Holiday Lights Tour. The villages of Homewood and Flossmoor are teaming up for the second annual trolley tour of community holiday decorations. Anyone wishing to have their home on the tour map should sign up by Nov. 28. Send questions to [email protected].

Stuff to do

Monday, Nov. 17

Men’s Health. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host a session in the meeting room with Advocate Aurora Health from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on men’s health. Enlarged prostrate glands affect 40 million men in the U.S. and are the number one reason men visit a urologist. This is a great opportunity to get information and ask a doctor questions without going to the doctor. Register here. 

Tuesday, Nov. 18

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 0 to 6 years old with stories, songs, bubbles and more.

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.

Sounds of Illinois Brass Choir.  The concert at 7 p.m. at FCC Community House, 847 Hutchison Road in Flossmoor, will feature the music of Taylor Swift, Yosuke Fukada, Gustav Holst, the Beatles, Handel, a pirate and a Canadian.

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, Nov. 19

Read, Rock, n’ Rhyme. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host story time for kids age 0 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.

Read, Play, & Grow: A Storytime for Babies and Toddlers.  Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., will host a story time for kids under 2 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. The program helps develop early literacy skills for babies and toddlers and includes stories, songs, fingerplays, nursery rhymes, playtime and movement.

Homeschooler’s Study Group. The group will meet from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the FORT, upstairs in Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. Register here.

Wacky Snack Attack. Interested in what teens from other countries snack on after school? Join in every month for a trip around the world through snacks. This month snacks served from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the FORT, upstairs at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, are from Scandinavia. For grades 7 thru 12. Register here.

Hot Topics: TIFs. Homewood village staff will host the first of what might become a series of informative workshops about how the village operates. The first session will cover tax increment financing districts, an economic development tool Homewood uses. The session will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave.

IGNITE Open House. You Matter 2 will host an introduction to its after-school program for 6th to 8th grade students from 6 to 7 p.m. at Flossmoor Community Church, 2220 Carroll Parkway.

Honoring Flossmoor Veterans: Stories of Local Heroes. Flossmoor Veterans’ Wall of Honor official Kris Condon will share stories about Flossmoor veterans who inspired the new memorial that will be built adjacent to Flossmoor Park. The event will start at 6:45 p.m. and will be held at Beyond Borders Cafe, 1036 Sterling Ave. in Flossmoor.

Owl Prowl. Irons Oaks, 20000 Western Ave., will host from 7 to 8 p.m. a session on owls. Ever wondered if an owl really is as smart as they say? Why don’t we hear them when they fly? Just how far can an owl see? Learn about owl calls, behavior and habitat during a short walk into the surrounding habitat to call for owls and listen for whooo might call back. Fee for H-F Park District residents is $6, for non-residents $8. Click here to register.

Thursday, Nov. 20

Baby Bloomers. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host story time for children age 0 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.

The Service Hour. Teens can meet in the Attic at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. to explore opportunities to help the community.

Computer Class for Adults: Introduction to Internet & Email. Adults who register for this program must be able to use a computer mouse. Meet in the Helen Wilson Meeting Room at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon. Please call the library at 708-798-3600 to register for this program. 

Sahar Mustafah Book Signing. Beyond the Book, 18063 Dixie Highway in Homewood, will host a book signing from 4 to 5 p.m. for Homewood-Flossmoor High School teacher Sahar Mustafah and her newest book, “The Slightest Green.”

Chess Club for All. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host chess club from 4 to 5 p.m. in the meeting room. Practice chess skills or learn the basics of playing the game. Open to all ages.

Protest Song Night. The Rock Shop, 18109 Dixie Highway, will host “Protest Music Night — an I.C.E. Breaker” at 6 p.m. Musicians will be playing new songs of resistance and proven protest standards. RSVP by email to [email protected].

Suessical Jr. Seussical Jr. the musical will be presented at James Hart School, 18220 Morgan Ave. in Homewood at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. Kids under age 3 are free.

Horton Archaeological Site in Flossmoor. The South Suburban Archaeological Society will host at 7 p.m. in Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave., a presentation on the Horton archaeological site in Flossmoor. J. Vernon Grubisich, who discovered the site in 1964, will describe how archaeologists studied the site to document the lifeways of Native Americans during the centuries leading up to their first contact with Europeans. The Lego League division of the Homewood-Flossmoor Robotics Club will present their work based on the site.

Family Reading Night & Stuffed Animal Sleepover. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host this event from 6 to 7 p.m. in the youth area to celebrate National Family Reading Night. Drop off your stuffed animal for a sleepover at the library. Pick it up the next day to see what your stuffie was up to over night. No registration is required to come read, but please register if you are dropping off your stuffed animal. That way the library can return it to the right owner. Register here.

Holiday Mixology Class. Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery will partner with Thornton Distilling Co. to host a class on how to mix cocktails starting at 6 p.m. Participants will receive their own 10-piece mixology kit with bamboo base, insight into and samples of barrel-aged beer from Flossmoor Brewmaster Jake LaDuke. Tickets are $48. Limited space.

Writers Club. Gather in the meeting room at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be two writing prompts to help stretch those creative muscles. 

Friday, Nov. 21

Crafty Tots. Kids from age 2 to 5 are invited to the Attic at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. to finger-paint, doodle and put together their own works of art. All supplies provided. Registration here.

DIY Holiday Ornament. Stop by Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the makery to create a personalized holiday ornament.

Crafternoon Cart. Flossmoor Public Library Youth Services Department, 1000 Sterling Ave., will host crafts for tweens and teens from 3 to 4 p.m.

Suessical Jr. Seussical Jr. the musical will be presented at James Hart School, 18220 Morgan Ave. in Homewood at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. Kids under age 3 are free.

Teen Fall Fest. Celebrate autumn with a late night in the meeting room from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, enjoying games, food, crafts, and a movie with friends. For anyone  in grades 7 thru 12. Register here.

Saturday, Nov. 22

STEM Saturday. Science play and learning from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway.

Young Writer’s Club. Meet from noon to 1 p.m. in the multipurpose room at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. Register here.

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.

Chicago Knockouts Roller Derby. Wreck League bout will start at 8 p.m. Doors of the Homewood Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road, will open at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $15 online, $20 at the door. Trackside tickets are $20, front row $25. Accessible seating available at no extra charge. Tickets are available at chicagoknockouts.com.

Sunday, Nov. 23

Butterball Burner 5K Fun Run. The annual run will begin at 8 a.m. at the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, 2920 W. 183rd St. in Homewood. All ages and abilities welcome. The untimed event is great for family and friends wanting to burn off some calories before the Thanksgiving feast. Fee is $30 until Nov. 18, then $35. Click here to register.

Community Thanksgiving Gathering. Everyone is welcome to this free gathering at 7 p.m. at All Nations Community Church, 18620 Kedzie Ave. in Homewood. Non-perishable food and monetary donations to benefit Respond Now will be accepted. There will be performances by H-F Inspirational Voices and H-F Viking Choir.

Plan ahead

Monday, Nov. 24

Favorite Things Holiday Party. The deadline to register for the holiday meal and gift exchange at Wiley’s Grill, 800 Kedzie Ave., is 9 a.m. The event will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Everyone will bring a favorite thing (under $12) wrapped in brown paper to place on the gift table. Each person at the event can leave with a gift. Lunch, entertainment, door prizes and a raffle included. For anyone 55 or older. Fee is $39 for H-F Park District residents, $49 for non-residents. Click here to register.

Saturday, Nov. 29

Small Business Saturday. Homewood and Flossmoor small businesses will be open for holiday shopping. The annual observance is an opportunity for residents to show their appreciation for the businesses that are integral to the community’s identity and economy.

A More Perfect Place Launch Event. The launch of a new Flossmoor history, “A More Perfect Place: The Story of Flossmoor,” will be hosted at the Flossmoor Community Church Community House, 847 Hutchison Road. There will be two film showings, the first at 1 p.m. and the second at 3 p.m. Trolley tours of the village will begin at 1:45 and 3:45 p.m. Admission to the film will be $8. For $45, guests will get a trolley tour, film viewing and beverages. Tickets and book copies can be purchased at flossmoorhistorybook.com or at Gypsy Fix, 1056 Sterling Ave.

Flossmoor Streetscape Ribbon Cutting. The village will host a grand reopening ribbon-cutting ceremony of the downtown district at 2 p.m. at Sterling Avenue and Flossmoor Road. The streetscape renovation started in July and concluded at the end of October. The project included repaving and reshaping streets and sidewalks downtown to improve safety and aesthetics. 

Flossmoor Holiday Celebration. Downtown will look festive with luminaries displayed by the Flossmoor Service League. Donations are being accepted at www.flossmoorserviceleague.org.
The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District will offer free holiday kids’ crafts inside the Park Place at Brassie Avenue and Flossmoor Road from 3 to 5 p.m. Hot chocolate and s’mores will be served as a fundraiser by the Flossmoor Firebirds, one of the village’s traveling baseball teams. At 5 p.m., members of the Homewood-Flossmoor High School Viking Choir will lead the community in carols as everyone waits for Mayor Michelle Nelson to light the community holiday tree with help from Santa at 5:30 p.m. The Flossmoor Community Relations Commission will be collecting non-perishable food items to help fill area food pantries. 

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