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The Weeks | April 19: D161 superintendent search forum, Shatter the Silence, Irwin playground rebuild, Knockouts move, Hidden Gem sells out, Bel Canto concert, community bike rides, paintball

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Your government

Meetings listed below are open to the public. Some include livestream access.

Monday, April 20

Flossmoor School District Superintendent Search Community Forum. The forum at 7 p.m. in Normandy Villa, 41 E. Elmwood Drive in Chicago Heights will enable community input into the search for a new district superintendent. The forum also will be available through livestream in English or Spanish.

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

Highlights:

  • Consider an ordinance replacing the village’s annual vehicle sticker requirement with a vehicle use fee as discussed at the April 6 meeting. 
  • Consider implementing a places-for-eating tax as discussed at the Feb. 16 meeting. 
  • Consider updating the ordinance section allowing for outdoor dining at local restaurants, which during the pandemic allowed the use of downtown parking spaces. The streetscape improvements completed last year make outdoor dining on the sidewalk more practical than in the past. 

Tuesday, April 21

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.

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.

Highlight:

  • Consider approving a grant application to support the agricultural science pathway of animal systems and environmental science systems.
  • Consider approving a teacher for agricultural science.

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

Notices

New One-way Streets in Flossmoor. Traffic patterns will change starting Monday, April 20, near Western Avenue School and Flossmoor Park to improve safety for pedestrians, students and motorists. Vardon Place will be one way, westbound-only from Western Avenue to Brassie Avenue. Brassie will be one way, southbound-only from Vardon Place to Flossmoor Road. New parking restrictions are also in place on both streets.

Public Input: District 161 Superintendent Search. The Flossmoor District 161 Board of Education is seeking public input to help with its search for a new superintendent. Residents are invited to complete a survey in English or Spanish that will be open until midnight Wednesday, April 22.

Registration Open for Homewood Block Parties. Applications are available to host block parties in Homewood this spring, summer and fall. Organizers can request optional visits from police and fire departments.

Food for Fines. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will celebrate National Library Week by accepting unexpired canned food donations every day this week in lieu of overdue return fines (no lost/damaged fines). 

Stuff to do

Monday, April 20

Animals Around the World. Everyone is invited to come to the Helen Wilson Meeting Room in Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 6 to 7 p.m. to see some unique animals from all around the world, including sugar gliders, Egyptian bats, a fennec fox and more. Register here.

Shatter the Silence. Homewood-Flossmoor High School, in partnership with Live Free 999 Foundation, will host its second annual “Shatter the Silence” Mental Health Panel & Performance from 6 to 8 p.m. in the H-F Performing Arts Center, Door 9, 999 Kedzie Ave. in Flossmoor. This event is free and open to students, families and community members.

Tuesday, April 21

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.

Senior Bagels & Bingo. There will be small prizes for each game winner, bagels for all (or until supplies run out), and conversation with neighbors from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Helen Wilson Meeting Room at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave. The program is sponsored by an AgeOptions Senior grant and participation is limited to seniors only. Contact Jamie Paicely at [email protected] for more info.

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.

Evening Book Discussion: The Personal Librarian. Join the discussion about “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray from 7 to 8 p.m. in the conference room of Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave. Light refreshments served. Pre-registration is not required. All are welcome.

Wednesday, April 22

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.

Green Drinks: Prairie Stewardship. Volunteers at Gensburg-Markham Prairie share their knowledge and expertise at the Green Drinks discussion from 6 to 8 p.m. at Thornton Distilling Company, 400 E. Margaret St., in Thornton. Questions and to reserve a place, email Dave Ward at [email protected].

Wine Down Wednesday. Small bites, wine and cheese pairings from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Dolphin Lake Clubhouse, 183rd Street and Governors Highway in Homewood. Musical entertainment by Roger Burks & Home Team Band. Catering by Wiley’s Grill including baked mostaccioli dinner. This program is in partnership with the villages of Homewood and Flossmoor. This is a H-F VIP Senior event; however, anyone 21 and older is welcome to participate. Pre-registration required. The fee is $39 for H-F Park District residents, $49 for non-residents. Click here to register.

Crocheting Workshop. Beyond the Book, 18063 Dixie Highway in Homewood, will host a free crocheting workshop. It will be a beginner-friendly crocheting experience where you’ll learn the basics and start creating your very own cozy blanket. Register here.

Good Vibe Wednesday. Copper Still Martini Lounge & Speakeasy, 1961 Ridge Road in Homewood hosts Teddy Campbell Band’s weekly session starting at 8 p.m.

Thursday, April 23

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.

Garden Club. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host the monthly meeting of the Garden Club from 7 to 8 p.m. in the meeting room. Everyone is welcome, from beginners to seasoned gardeners. 

Ukulegends Ukulele Ensemble. New to ukulele? Seasoned strummer? Either way, the Ukulegends Ensemble from 6 to 8 p.m. at Robin’s Nest, 585 North Williams Street, Thornton, is for you.

Friday, April 24

Fiber Friends Drop-In. Knitters, crocheters, embroiderers and quilters are welcome to stop by the conference room at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to share your projects with people of all skill levels. Bring your materials and group members can help you learn.

The Addams Family Musical. Infant Jesus of Prague School, 1101 Douglas Ave. in Flossmoor, will stage “The Addams Family Musical,” billed as “a spooky and hilarious tale of an eccentric family.” Show begins at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children under 14, available at the door. 

Gaming Night. Teens in grades 7 through 12 are invited to The FORT in Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, from 6 to 8 p.m. to enjoy gaming and pizza. Games include Xbox One, Wii, Nintendo Switch, board games, card games, and more. Register here.

Saturday, April 25

Barb & Dan’s Road Ride. A 25-mile fitness bike ride. Everyone stays together. Leaves GoodSpeed Cycles, 2125 W. 183rd St., every Saturday (weather permitting) at 8 a.m. Returns before 10 a.m. Pace dictated by the riders that show up. Explore our local streets and trail system with Barb & Dan Lawler.

Paintball Field Trip. H-F Park District is organizing a trip to Badlandz Paintball Field from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. Participants will enjoy transportation to and from the paintball field, as well as entry for two hours, rental equipment, and 500 paintballs. Individual, team and objective games will be played throughout the session. Additional paintballs will be available for purchase onsite. For anyone age 18 and up. Fee is $110 for park district residents, $135 for non-residents. Click here to register.

Off-Leash Ride. A nine-mile bike ride at about a 9-to-10 mph pace every Saturday. Route includes Butterfield Creek bike path, Rovers Run and Izaak Walton Preserve. Starts at 8:30 a.m. from GoodSpeed Cycles, 2125 W. 183rd St. in Homewood. Ends back at the shop about 9:30 a.m. for donuts. Kid trailers welcome.

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.

Homewood Baseball and Softball Opening Day. Homewood Baseball and Softball will hold its opening day parade and first pitch ceremonies. The parade will start at 11 a.m. from Irwin Park. Teams march east on Ridge Road to the ball fields adjacent to Izaak Walton Preserve, 1100 Ridge Road.

Wellness in the Woods. Irons Oaks, 20000 Western Ave., will host a nature-based community wellness event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to connect individuals and families with holistic practices that support physical, mental and emotional well-being. This is an open-house style event. Guests are invited to arrive anytime. Activities will run continuously or on a rotating schedule to promote ease and accessibility. Fee is $5. Kids age 3 and younger are free. Click here to register.

Food Drive. St. John Neumann Parish is collecting nonperishable foods for Catholic Charities pantry and two local pantries from 9 to 11 a.m. at the parish parking lot, 17951 Dixie Highway in Homewood. Cash donations also accepted.

Kid’s Crafternoon. There will be a craft project set out in the youth department at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. Kids can swing by any time between 1 and 4 p.m. to make a little art.

The Addams Family Musical. Infant Jesus of Prague School, 1101 Douglas Ave. in Flossmoor, will stage “The Addams Family Musical,” billed as “a spooky and hilarious tale of an eccentric family.” Show begins at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children under 14, available at the door.

Sunday, April 26

Women’s Adventure Day. From 1 to 5 p.m. at Irons Oaks, 20000 Western Ave., this all-women climbing experience will help participants feel the support and encouragement of others as they climb the high ropes course. Register as a single or bring your pals. Fee is $30 for H-F Park District residents, $40 for non-residents. Click here to register.

Bel Canto Spring Concert. Spotlight Performance Academy will present the Bel Canto Spring Concert at 3 p.m. in Homewood-Flossmoor High School auditorium, 999 Kedzie Ave. Four choirs will perform, directed by Carrie Bonanotte and Angeline Pope, accompanied by Jeff Hamrick. General admission is $10. Tickets are available here.

Plan ahead

Thursday, April 30

Homewood Arts Council: Wesley Stace. A solo performance by Wesley Stace, with special guest Casey McDonough (The Flat Five, NRBQ) in Senior Hall at Izaak Walton Preserve, 1100 Ridge Road. Capacity is limited. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

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 3

Melody Mart Open House. Melody Mart at 18062 Dixie Highway in Homewood will celebrate its 70th anniversary during the open house from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The free, family-friendly day will give guests an opportunity to explore instruments, meet educators, learn about lessons and group programs, and get a feel for what makes Melody Mart a true music community.

Mother’s Sip, Stretch & Spa. Celebrate Mother’s Day early with a soothing stretch, a relaxing mini facial, and a sip in hand. Help mom unwind, recharge and feel appreciated head to toe. Includes one mimosa. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, 2920 W. 183rd St. For women 21 and older. Click here to register.

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.

Saturday, June 12

Pride Fest. Homewood-Flossmoor Park District in partnership with the villages of Flossmoor and Homewood will host the annual community-wide Pride celebration in Flossmoor Park starting at 5 p.m. The free party will include live music, food trucks, vendors and fun.

Saturday, June 27

Dancing Away Domestic Violence. The annual fundraiser for Anew: Building Beyond Violence & Abuse, will be from 3 to 6 p.m. at Our Lady of the Heights gym at St. Kieran Parish, 724 195th St., Chicago Heights. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids 12 and younger, kids 5 and younger are free. An event T-shirt is $12. All proceeds benefit Anew’s programs. Tickets can be purchased here.

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Eric Crump started his first newspaper with his best friend when he was 9. It was four pages and folded after one issue. Possibly as many as two or three people read it. In 2014, about 46 years later, he started another paper, the H-F Chronicle, which is still going and has a few more readers.

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