THE WEEK >

Your government

The meetings below are open to the public.

Monday, Jan 5

Flossmoor Board of Trustees meeting is cancelled. The next meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 20, one day later than usual to account for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Tuesday, Jan. 6

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

Thursday, Jan. 8

Homewood Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. in village hall, 2020 Chestnut Road. The agenda is available here. The livestream of the meeting will be available here. Use ID 991 8481 1606, passcode 573812.

Highlight:

• Consider a request by Hertz Corporation for a special use permit to establish a motor vehicle rental business at 1149 175th St. 

Notices

Mail ballots. Registered suburban Cook County voters may request a mail ballot for the March 17 primary election. The deadline to apply is March 12, five days before the March 17 election. Click here to apply.

MLK Day of Service Volunteers. Flossmoor is seeking hosts for service projects in the village’s 11th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 19. Community organizations, government agencies, local businesses or groups of neighbors are invited to host a service project. For more information, email [email protected]. To register as a site host and to request volunteers, visit www.Flossmoor.org/506/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Day-of-Service. 

Leave It for Love. New, unused gifts will be collected through January and then distributed among low-income, isolated older adults throughout the Chicagoland area. Gifts can be dropped at Beyond Borders Café, 1036 Sterling Ave. in Flossmoor and Loulou Belle, 2049 Ridge Road in Homewood. Suggested items include trinkets, tchotchkes, hostess gifts, personal care items, warm weather gear, household décor and non-perishable food. For more info, visit www.leaveitforlove.com or follow Leave It for Love on Facebook @leaveitforlove.

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 between Dec. 26 and 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. 5

Daytime Documentaries: Dior & I. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host a discussion from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. for adults and seniors in the meeting room about “Dior & I,” a behind-the-scenes look at the Christian Dior fashion house.

Nutrition Basics. Part 1 of a five-part series of sessions on nutrition will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. at the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, 2920 W. 183rd St. in Homewood. The series will offer lessons on nutrition basics, how to fuel for fitness, learn to make smarter choices at the grocery store, understand nutrition labels, and learn about meal prepping and planning. Each session will end with a sample of a healthy recipe. For anyone age 18 and up. Fee is $5. Register here.

Teen Leadership Council. Teens meet from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. in the FORT at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. Teens help with programming ideas, book suggestions or anything else that will help make the world around us a better place. Register here.

Tuesday, Jan. 6

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.

Make a Vision Board. Teens and tweens are invited to stop by The Attic in the Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. to make a vision board to represent what 2026 has in store.

Cookies & Comics. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host an opportunity to discuss comics and enjoy treats from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Register here.

H-F Park District Children’s Theater: Jungle Book. Participants will audition to spend four weeks rehearsing to perform the classic “The Jungle Book.” Auditions will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Irwin Community Center, 18120 Highland Ave in Homewood.  After auditions kids will be notified on their level and part in the play. The performance will take place at 6:15 p.m. on Feb. 12 at Irwin Community Center. For kids age 8 to 12. Fee is $115 for park district residents, $145 for non-residents.

Youth Chess Club. Beyond the Book, 18063 Dixie Highway in Homewood, will host an all-ages chess club from 6 to 7:30 p.m. weekly on Tuesdays. Learn strategy, build confidence, and connect with new friends.

Pickleball Primer. From 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Jan. 27 the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, 2920 W. 183rd St. in Homewood, will host a class that will cover the basics of pickleball rules, terminology, primary skills, coordination and more. Paddles and balls will be provided if needed. For anyone age 19 and up. Fee is $74 for H-F Park District residents, $109 for non-residents. Click here to register.

Story From Start To Finish. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host in the meeting room from 6:30 to 8 p.m. a workshop to learn tips, tricks and a step-by-step method to take the story you’ve always wanted to write from your brain to the page.

Wednesday, Jan. 7

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.

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

Little Dragons Pre-Karate. From 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through Feb. 18 H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, 2920 W. 183rd St. will host Wado-Ki pre-karate class. Students will get a good workout while developing coordination, confidence, self-discipline and self-defense. This program can advance you through the belt rank certification process. Karate uniforms are not required but are available from the instructor for a fee. For kids ages 4 to 6. Fee is $59 for H-F Park District residents, $74 for non-residents.

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.

Cozy Movie Night. Teens and tweens are invited to bring a favorite blanket or stuffed animal to the Helen Wilson Meeting Room in Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m. for a cozy movie night at the library. Popcorn and juice will be provided. Pajamas encouraged.

Thursday, Jan. 8

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.

Afternoon Book Discussion: Do Not Disturb. Book discussion for adults in the conference room from 3 to 4 p.m. at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., will focus on “Do Not Disturb” by Freida McFadden.

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.

Mix & Mingle Event: Topic Podcasting 101 Presentation. Beyond the Book, 18063 Dixie Highway in Homewood, will host an opportunity to learn about podcasting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

Fit Body Challenge. The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District will offer sessions each Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. through March 12 at the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, 2920 W. 183rd St. in Homewood. Includes weekly for weigh-ins and a total body workout with a certified personal trainer. At each session participants will receive a workout for the week and a healthy recipe. For anyone age 18 and up. Fee is $100 for district residents, $120 for non-residents, $10 discount for club members. 

Friday, Jan. 9

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.

Let’s Go Shopping. The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District is sponsoring a trip for seniors to Woodfield Mall & Pilot Pete’s in Schaumburg. Departure is at 9 a.m. from Irwin Community Center, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood. The excursion includes lunch at Pilot Pete’s restaurant with an afternoon of shopping at Woodfield Mall. Bring money for shopping. For anyone age 55 and up. Fee is $60 for district residents, $70 for non-residents. Register here.

Saturday, Jan. 10

Weekend Documentary: SEED: The Untold Story. The documentary film showing from 10 a.m. to noon in the meeting room at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, tells the story of seed keepers who protect our 12,000 year-old food legacy.

Big Screen Rewatch: Superman. The film will be showing in the meeting room at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Plan ahead

Sunday, Jan. 11

Valentine’s Chocolate Class. The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District will offer a hands-on class from 2 to 5 p.m. at Irwin Community Center, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood, to learn techniques for decorating and dipping a variety of treats in rich, melted chocolate. Create your own chocolate-covered strawberries, drizzled chocolate pretzels, and decadent chocolate popcorn. All supplies are provided, and everyone will take home their delicious creations. No prior experience needed. For anyone age 18 and up. Fee is $100 for district residents, $125 for non-residents. Register here.

South of Chi Family Improv. South of Chi will offer a family friendly afternoon of improv starting at 3 p.m. at the Nathan Manilow Theatre in Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Blvd, Park Forest. Participants will play improvised games that develop teamwork, confidence, public speaking and creative thinking. All ages welcome. No experience necessary. Tickets are $5. Purchase South of Chi tickets.

Poetry Writing Workshop with Ralph M. Paulk. A workshop at Beyond the Book, 18063 Dixie Highway in Homewood, for middle and high school students from 4 to 5:30 p.m. led by Ralph M. Paulk.

Saturday, Jan. 17

MLK Day of Service: The Center for Food Equity In Medicine/A More Perfect Place. There will be two free showings of the new Flossmoor history film, “A More Perfect Place: The Story of Flossmoor,” at 3 and 4:30 p.m. in the Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway. Guests must reserve a seat and bring a food item for entry. Food will benefit The Center for Food Equity In Medicine. More details and register here.

Monday, Jan. 19

MLK Day of Service: You Matter 2. You Matter 2 is sponsoring a Day of Service project from 10 a.m. to noon at Heather Hill Elementary School, 1439 Lawrence Crescent in Flossmoor. Volunteers will prepare lunches for South Suburban PADS and create tie blankets for Project Kennedy. Volunteers should bring at least one supply to support the service projects (lunch meat, bread, cheese, lettuce, or fleece fabric). Register at youmatter2.org/events.

MLK Day of Service: Sand Ridge Nature Center. Forest Preserve District of Cook County is sponsoring a chance for volunteers to help clean up forest preserves at the Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15981 Paxton Ave. in South Holland from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. Volunteers also are needed between 10 a.m. and noon to help remove invasive species and participate in a brush pile burn. Register by email at [email protected]. 

Wednesday, Jan. 21

Career Pathways Realignment at H-F. Homewood-Flossmoor High School administrators invite parents to an information session at 6 p.m. on the Career Pathways realignment of the H-F school curriculum. The program begins in the auditorium in the South Building, 999 Kedzie Ave., followed by break-out sessions.

< THE WEEK

Popular stories < 7 days

• Southern cuisine, soulful sounds: Mitchell & Michaels grand opening set for Saturday
  2.2k views
• Little Hands, a daycare center and preschool, opens in eastern Homewood
  1.5k views
• Daughter donates a kidney to save her mother’s life
  509 views
• New state public health laws take effect Jan. 1
  284 views
• Next Gen: Homewood, Flossmoor staff are EMTs paramedics
  280 views

All the stories

• H-F High continues to deal with residency issues (Jan. 4).
• District 233 board approves building improvements at H-F High (Jan. 4).
• District 233 gets top ratings for financial position (Jan. 3).
• Cook County reports drops in homicides, opioid overdose deaths in 2025 (Jan. 3).
• Southern cuisine, soulful sounds: Mitchell & Michaels grand opening set for Saturday (Jan. 2).
• Obituary: Joan Marquardt Overgaard | Dec. 7, 2025 (Jan. 2).
• D233 superintendent stresses student achievement (Jan. 2).
• Daughter donates a kidney to save her mother’s life (Jan. 1).
• Next Gen: Preparing for compassionate care: Prairie State College EMT and paramedic programs are growing (Jan. 1).
• Next Gen: Homewood, Flossmoor staff are EMTs paramedics (Jan. 1).
• New state public health laws take effect Jan. 1 (Dec. 31).
• Obituary: Sharon Talarek | Dec. 25, 2025 (Dec. 31).
• Little Hands, a daycare center and preschool, opens in eastern Homewood (Dec. 29).
• Two receive student teaching scholarships (Dec. 29).
• At 70, Flossmoor Service League continues charity aid (Dec. 29).