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| Issue: # 75 | December 8, 2010 |
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Holiday Lights in Homewood
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As most of you know, we recently celebrated our fourth annual Holiday Lights in Homewood event, which compliments the long tradition of lighting the giant evergreen in Irwin Park, coordinated by the H-F Park District. The expanded event moves residents from the tree lighting onto trolleys that travel to shops and holiday activities throughout the downtown. The ice sculpting on Hickory Road and the antique car parade, along with visits from holiday characters round out the holiday experience in Homewood. The event has truly become a favorite among residents and shop owners alike. Click here to view pictures from last Friday evening. Photos courtesy of Thomas Photographic Services, coordinators of The Homewood Project.
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Find Homewood's Special Snow Flake
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As we know, each snowflake is unique; however, in Homewood, we have one exceptional snowflake that lights up the winter sky. Mayor Hofeld challenges the community to locate the one unique snowflake ornament that hangs from a light post. Once identified, join Mayor Hofeld at Village Hall on Saturday, between 9:00 AM -12:00 PM, to reveal the location and receive a $5.00 gift card to Grady's Grille, 18147 Harwood Avenue.
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New Program! Art in Storefronts
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The Art in Storefronts Program rolled out last Friday evening during the Holiday Lights in Homewood event. The program places pop-up art galleries in vacant storefronts. It is coordinated by the Village's Economic Development Committee and Program Curator Jeff Stevenson, Art Director for the Visual Arts Gallery of Governors State University.
Pop-up galleries transform dead, vacant storefronts to bring color, attention, life and energy to otherwise unused spaces. New installations are on Ridge Road: 2045 Ridge Road and
1948 Ridge Road. Look for more and stay tuned for pop-up gallery strolls through the downtown.
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Giving Tree Program
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For the past four years the Village of Homewood has participated in the Giving Tree Program. This wonderful program gives local residents an opportunity to share in the holiday spirit and purchase gifts for a Homewood youth that may not have the opportunity to open a gift on Christmas morning.
The tree is filled with local children's information, age, size, and desired gift. The Giving Tree can be found in the lobby of Village Hall, 2020 Chestnut Road. Gifts can be wrapped or unwrapped; attach the child's information on the gift and deliver it no later than December 16, at noon, to Department of Public Works, 17755 Ashland Avenue. For more information, please call Lisa Syren at (708) 206-2906.
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H-F Park District News
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BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Saturday, December 11
9:00 AM -10:00 AM & 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Irwin Community Center, 18120 Highland Avenue
Sponsored by the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District
Music, merriment and wishes for holiday toys will be found at this event for ages 6 & under and their parents at the Irwin Community Center. Bring your children to visit with Santa and enjoy donuts, milk and orange juice. Get in the spirit with songs, face painting and a special gift from Santa. Digital pictures with Santa included in your fee. Both adults and children must register for this event by December 8. Fee: $6 H-F Resident / $9 Non-resident (ages 6 months & under are free). Call (708) 957-PARK to register for Code #420302-01 (9-10 AM.) or Code #420302-02 (10:15-11:15 AM) today.
OUTDOOR SKATING & HOCKEY
Sponsored by the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District
The H-F Park District will begin flooding Homewood's outdoor ice rink located at Willowview Park during the winter season's first prolonged cold spell. At least four consecutive days at or below 22F is needed for safe ice. Check out hfparks.com for rink availability or call (708) 957-0300.
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Opportunities to Spread Good Cheer
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South Suburban Toys for Kids
The Village of Homewood will be accepting gifts on behalf of the South Suburban Toys for Kids program. Residents wanting to contribute will find two blue barrels at the west entrance of Village Hall. Please donate an unwrapped new or gently used toy or game for pick-up on December 24.
South Suburban Family Shelter Adopt-A-Family
South Suburban Family Shelter is looking for individuals, families, or businesses interested in the Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program. The program is designed to help victims that have experienced hardship as a result of domestic violence. This program supports families that otherwise would have nothing for the holidays without the help of generous donors. Donors purchase and wrap gifts for their adopted family. Those wishing to "adopt" a family should contact Gail at (708) 798-7737 for further information.
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Community-Wide Luminaria Lighting
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Friday, December 17 | 5:00 PM
Throughout Homewood and Flossmoor
Coordinated by the Infant Welfare Flossmoor Juniors
 Light Up the Night...Light Up a Child's Life
Infant Welfare Flossmoor Juniors hope to initiate a new tradition in the H-F community, a village-wide lighting event to be held on Friday, December 17.
Luminarias are festive accents to brighten outdoor spaces, walkways, and porches during the holiday season. Select retail shops in Homewood and Flossmoor will be selling kits through the month of December: Art 4 Soul in Homewood and Poppies in Flossmoor. Each kit will be sold for $6.00 (contains bags and candles for five luminarias). Every purchase helps Infant Welfare Society of Chicago bring community-based healthcare to underinsured and uninsured children and women who lack access to basic medical services.
Residents are asked to light their luminarias at 5:00PM to create an elaborate display throughout the streets of Homewood and Flossmoor and a reminder of the care and services provided by the Infant Welfare Society for women, infants, and children. Contact event co-Chair, Carla Franz for details.
Downtown merchants will be open late on the 17th for last minute shopping too! Stroll the bright streets of downtown Homewood and shop local.
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New Years Eve Day Celebration
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New Years Eve DAY Celebration
Friday, December 31, 2010 | 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
H-F Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road
Sponsored by the Homewood Community Relations Commission and COMCAST
COME CELEBRATE 1-1-11! The world may tune in to Time Square (NYC) at midnight, but in Homewood, families gather together for a countdown and balloon drop - at the stroke of noon - on Friday, December 31. Join the Community Relations Commission for a family Hawaiian luau celebration. Doors open at 10:30 AM for a vibrant performance by the Barefoot Hawaiians. Watch a dazzling Samoan Fire Knife dance, the thrilling visual Poi Balls dance from New Zealand and, of course, the famous Hula dance from Hawaii. The auditorium will thunder with sounds of the Log Drums of the Islands. Leis and light refreshments provided - grass skirt optional. Plan on having your 2011 family photo taken by Thomas Photographic Services. Photos under $10.00.
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Five Popular Holiday Shopping Scams
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By Homewood Police Officer Curt Wiest
Fake/Bogus Charities
Many charities will come knocking, calling or mailing/emailing their requests for donations because during the holidays people often seek ways to help those less fortunate. Unfortunately, many of those so-called charities are fakes. According to the Federal Trade Commission, many of the calls you get this year will be from scam artists. Your best bet is to not make any quick decisions, ask for information in writing and research the charity before cutting any checks.
Naming a Star
Still a popular scam. What a better gift could you give someone than the symbol of the first Christmas - a star? Various companies claim they can sell you a star - for a fee. You will receive a certificate with the name and location of "your star" and promise that your star's name will be in a star registry. Stars aren't for sale according to the International Astronomical Union.
Spam Solicitations
Never buy anything from unsolicited email. No matter how good a deal you think you are getting, it is not worth it to risk losing your money or giving any of your information to a possible scam artist. By responding to these emails, you are unknowingly requesting to receive event more junk emails or spam. It is unfortunate that spam scams have become so prevalent that they are virtually indistinguishable from legitimate advertisers. Don't take the risk.
Craig's List & e-Bay
Watch out for unfamiliar website offers, great deals on hot toys and must-have gadgets for the Christmas season. Make sure you are the initiator for your holiday shopping. If you get a "deal" email, ignore it and if you think you want to check it out, go to the website by your own search without using email links that lead to scams. If the sale is legit the website will be advertising it.
Shopping on e-Bay and Craig's list can save you money. There are deals on e-Bay and Craig's list shopping sites but the BBB wants you to watch out for sellers that will take advantage of Christmas spirit and pocket your shopping by following these tips: Do shop locally on Craig's list and make the transaction in person. Don't wire transfer money. Do research sellers on e-Bay. Don't ignore instincts that something isn't right about the deal.
Gift Cards
Be careful when purchasing gift cards through auction sites or classified ads. It is safest to purchase gift cards directly from the merchant or retail store. If the gift card merchant discovers that your card is fraudulent, the merchant will deactivate the gift card and refuse to honor it for purchases. Victims of this scam lose the money paid for the gift card purchase.
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Cold Weather Warning
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| Each winter a few homes around Homewood will experience major damage due to frozen water pipes. When a homeowner vacates a property and turns off the heat, below freezing temperatures will cause water pipes to burst. Damage to the homes is considerable. Water can so flood a home that water has been seen pouring out the doors and sometimes windows. Water must be turned off at the street when pipes have burst. Village staff depends on neighbors to report these cases promptly. If you are aware of a vacant property on your street, please contact the Community Development Department at (708) 206-3858.
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| Electronic Neighborhood Watch Alerts |
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 The Homewood Police Department has moved its Electronic Neighborhood Watch Alerts to the same email marketing service as the e-Newswire. If you are a subscriber, make sure to update your profile by adding the Electronic Neighborhood Watch list to your interests.
If you are not a subscriber of the e-Newswire or Electronic Neighborhood Watch community, sign up now. |
Welcome to Homewood's e-Newswire, a bi-weekly electronic newsletter, containing information pertinent to Homewood's residents and business community. The Village has transitioned to this format to provide up-to-date information on its projects, programs,and plans. Subscribe today!
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| The appearance of external links within Homewood's e-Newswire does not constitute endorsement by the Village of Homewood for the information , products or services contained therein. The Village of Homewood does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these websites. Contact the external sites for answers to questions regarding its content. | |
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