Local News

The Weeks | June 14: Pride Fest, Fido’s Landing, Flossmoor townhomes, Halsted building purchase, viaduct project delay, Homewood TOD development community meeting, petting zoo, fishing derby

by on

More in Local News:

Your government | Notices | Stuff to do | Plan ahead | Last week

THE WEEK >

Your government

Monday, June 15

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.

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 approving the planned unit development, special use permit and plat of re-subdivision for BG Park Centre, a townhome development proposed for 2611-2633 Flossmoor Road.

Tuesday, June 16

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 6:30 p.m. in the Viking Room, South Building, 999 Kedzie Ave. The agenda is available here.

Wednesday, June 17

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

Notices

Libraries closed. Homewood and Flossmoor libraries will be closed Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.

Homewood Public Library Cookbook. The library is putting together a community cookbook. Submit your recipes here.

Apollo Park After-Hours Access. The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District announced that it is working with the Homewood Police Department to control after-hours access to Apollo Park to improve park security effective Monday, June 15. Two new swing gates are being installed at the Morgan Street entrance and the 191st Street entrance by the dog park. The Homewood Police Department will handle the nightly closing and locking of these gates from sundown to sunrise. All district parks are officially closed from dusk to sunrise.

Dixie Highway Viaduct Project Delay. The latest target date for crews to start the viaduct drainage system project officially is expected to begin Thursday, June 18. Village officials said on Saturday that date is not certain, though, and updates will be provided as soon as possible. The 90-day closure of the viaduct to traffic will require detour routes, one of which will follow 175th Street, Governors Highway and 183rd Street and another will follow Ridge Road to Ashland Avenue and 171st Street.

Participate in Homewood’s 4th of July Parade. Homewood is inviting floats, entertainers, marching groups, performers, businesses, community organizations and creative minds who want to be part of this historic celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence. Please fill out this registration form no later than June 20.

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 15

Friends of HPL. The Friends of the Homewood Public Library will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the library, 17917 Dixie Highway.

PokéClub. Kids from age 6 to 18 are invited to The Attic in Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from noon to 1 p.m. where Pokémon trainers of all experience levels come together to trade cards, battle with friends, share your favorite characters and take part in fun themed activities and mini challenges. Register here.

Amplify Queer Joy. Chicago Playback Theatre and HF PFLAG will bring queer joy to the forefront at 6:30 p.m. in the Helen Wilson Meeting Room at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., with crafts and refreshments. The originally scheduled theater performance has been canceled.

Karaoke at the Library. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host karaoke from 7 to 8 p.m. for teens and adults.

Tuesday, June 16

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.

Park Storytime. Kids up to age 8 and their parents can meet at Heritage Park on the southwest corner of Riegel Road and Idlewild Lane from 10:30 to 11 a.m. for stories. Bring your own blankets or chairs. In case of inclement weather, storytime will move inside to the Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. Register here.

Pollinator Pals. Kids in grades 3rd through 6th can participate from 2 to 3 p.m. in a lesson about local pollinators and how to support them at Homewood Public LIbrary, 17917 Dixie Highway. Participants will work on crafts and projects like bug hotels, watering stations and other wildlife helpers.

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.

Homewood TOD Development Community Meeting. Holladay Properties will hold an open house-style community meeting to answer questions about its redevelopment plans and gather feedback from residents. The developer was chosen by the Homewood Board of Trustees to pursue the construction of two buildings in the downtown area, one on the site of the current village hall parking lot and the other at 2066 Ridge Road. The meeting will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway.

Imagination Storytime. Kids age 5 to 9 are invited to The Attic in Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 6 to 6:45 p.m. to hear Miss Emily read mystery picture books and draw what you think the characters look like. Then, we will compare participant artwork with the original illustrator’s drawings. Register here.

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.

Choo-Choo Ride. GoodSpeed Cycle’s slow roll bike ride for all ages. Meet at the shop, 2125 W. 183rd St., at 6:30 p.m. The ride is about four miles at a leisurely pace. The ride ends at the shop around 7:30 p.m. with Dilly Bars for riders. Helmets required.

Pathfinders Documentary and Discussion. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host in the meeting room from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A film with eight LGBTQIA+ leaders will share their histories and stories of transformation.

Evening Book Discussion: A Place For Us. Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., will host in the Conference Room from 7 to 8 p.m. a discussion of “Yellow Wife” by Sadeqa Johnson. Everyone is welcome.

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, June 17

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 age newborn 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.

Petting Zoo. Little Starr Farm will bring animals to Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center, 20000 Western Ave., from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., giving kids a chance to see, pet and feed farm animals. Registration $7 per person for H-F Park District residents, $9 per person for non-residents. Click here to register.

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.

Prank Lab. Kids age 8 to 11 are invited to up their practical joke game and learn some science in the process from 6 to 7 p.m. in The Attic at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave. Register here.

Community Crocheting Circle. A relaxing and beginner-friendly crocheting experience where you’ll learn the basics and start creating your very own cozy blanket. Meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Beyond the Book, 18063 Dixie Highway. Register here.

Thursday, June 18

Fishing Derby. From 8 to 11 a.m. Dolphin Lake at Governors Highway and 183rd Street in Homewood will host an opportunity to introduce kids to the relaxing pastime of fishing. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Poles will be available to borrow. Worms will be available. No fishing permits are required for the event.

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.

Computer Class for Adults: Powerpoint Fundamentals. Adults can get hands-on practice with creating, formatting and running a PowerPoint slide show.  You’ll also learn how to package a slide show to present it on another device and to print handouts for your audience. Previous experience with a mouse and keyboard is a prerequisite for this class from 10 a.m. to noon at Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave. Call the library at 708-798-3600 to signup for this program.

Mahjong for Beginners. Stop by Beyond the Book, 18063 Dixie Highway, from 5 to 7 p.m. to learn the game. RSVP here.

Book Signing Event: Darrin Dewitt Henson. Beyond the Book, 18063 Dixie Highway, will host a book signing with Darrin Dewitt Henson from 6 to 8 p.m. He is an actor, choreographer and bestselling author.

Writers Club. The club for adult writers will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the meeting room at Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. Come stretch those creative muscles. Two writing prompts will be provided.

Friday, June 19

Juneteenth Parade and Block Party. You Matter 2 will present a day of celebration, culture, and community at the fifth annual Juneteenth Parade and Block Party in Flossmoor. The day kicks off with a parade at 10 a.m. featuring local groups, performers, and businesses, followed by a block party in the commuter lot at 2616 Sterling Ave. filled with music, food, games and connection. 

Fireside chat with author Adrienne N. Spires. Beyond the Book, 18063 Dixie Highway, will host a book signing featuring “Roaring Resilience” by Adrienne Spires. RSVP here.

Saturday, June 20

Homewood Farmers Market. The market will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Martin Square between Chestnut and Ridge roads in downtown Homewood.

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 who show up. Explore our local streets and trail system with Barb & Dan Lawler.

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.

STEM Saturday. Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway, hosts its free weekly science play time for the whole family from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Play opportunities include Pixel Pegs, Nano, Early Math Counts Activities, Makerspace, Imagination Playground, Dinosaur Bones, LEGO Wall and more.

Big and Little Pairs Art Project. Homewood Public Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, will host from 1 to 3 p.m. an opportunity for adults and children to make art together. Each child should have an adult to participate with them, 1 child with 1 adult. Both should register here. 

Plan ahead

Monday, June 22

Dungeons & Dragons Camp. Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway, will host a D&D camp for kids aged 8 to 12. Camp meets from 4 to 6 p.m. each day through Thursday, June 25. Fee is $100 per child. Register here.

Friday, June 26

Coffee with a Cop. Flossmoor police officers will be available for informal conversation with residents from 10 a.m. to noon in front of Yesterday’s Gentlemen Barbershoppe at the corner of Park Drive and Central Drive in downtown Flossmoor.

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.

Sunday, June 28

Fido’s Landing Pivot Party. The dog rescue service is closing its location at 2207 W. 183rd St. and is holding an adoption event and sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be raffles to raise money for the organization’s medical program and sales of items in the building.

Saturday, July 4

Flossmoor Children’s Independence Day 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.

Wednesday, July 8

Flossmoor Public Sculpture Tour. The tour will begin at 6 p.m. in the South Commuter 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.

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 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.

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 that will perform “Bridgerton“-inspired music. Food vendors, local refreshments and an auction of plein air paintings.

< THE WEEK

Popular stories < 7 days

All the stories

Popular stories < 7 days

Newsletter

Meet the Candidates: U.S. Senate

Conversations with the Chronicle