Illinois State Treasurer, Dan Rutherford, will be in Homewood promoting the Cash Dash program. The Cash Dash program unites residents with unclaimed property. The Treasurer and his staff will arrive on Friday, January 20, 2012. The Treasurer's staff will be available at 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM to assist residents. Treasurer Rutherford will address the public and answer questions at 2:00PM. This event is open to the public and will be held in the Village of Homewood Board Room, 2020 Chestnut Road.

Information on the Cash Dash Program:

The Cash Dash program assists people in identifying if they are entitled to unclaimed property which is money or assets that have been separated from their owner for at least five years. Often the owner does not know the property exists. Businesses and banks are required to turn over the unclaimed accounts to the Treasurer's Office. This program was developed to connect owners to their property.

On January 1, 2012 electronics will be banned from all 48 Illinois landfills and prohibited from being placed at curbside or in a waste container or recycling totes on collection day. Under the new law, Homewood Disposal and Skyline are no longer allowed to accept/dispose of electronic items. Electronics contain high amounts of toxic materials such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium that end up in landfills and eventually seep into the environment. However, unwanted electronicS also have valuable reusable materials - copper, gold, plastic, glass circuit chips that are recovered and utilized.  There are two local recyclers that will be able to accept electronics.

New seat belt law took effect January 1. All drivers and passengers regardless of their age will have to wear their seat belt at all times, even in the back seat.

The only exceptions to the new backseat seat belt rule are passengers inside taxi cabs, emergency vehicles, and buses can still ride without safety belts.

Those who choose not to use seatbelts will subject the driver of the vehicle to a ticket and a $25.00 fine. 

Wednesday| January 11

7:00 PM

Homewood Library

17917 Dixie Highway

The Homewood Historical Society will meet on Wednesday, January 11, in the meeting room of the Homewood Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, at 7:00 p.m.  Following the meeting and a short refreshment break, author and professor of history Bruce Allardice will discuss the ten worst Civil War generals and the reasons why they failed to justify their promotions to high rank.  The meeting is free of charge and open to the public. For more information please call 708-799-9055.

EXPERIENCE OPERA IN HOMEWOOD 

Homewood Public Library Sunday| January 22

2:00PM

17917 Dixie Highway

708-798-0121

Learn about Giuseppe Verdi's opera, "Aida," with an intriguing lecture given by Carla Thorpe. The lecture will be held at the Homewood Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, on Sunday, January 22, 2012, at 2:00 PM.  The lecture is free of charge and open to the public.  For more information, please call the Homewood Libraryat 708- 799-9055.

Even though we have only had a few flurries this winter, we still have months to go. To assist during the snowy winter, Vineyard Church would like to offer assistance to shovel sidewalks for our senior Homewood residents.

 If you are interested in this generous opportunity, please call Shannon Olison of The South Suburban Vineyard Church at 708-960-4483. This is a volunteer program from Vineyard Church and they are eager to help as many seniors as they can handle. 

Irons Oaks |Vollmer Road Parking Lot

Saturdays| January 7 and 14

9:00AM until 12:00PM

17917 Dixie Highway

January 7 and 14| 10:00AM until 5:30PM

Sponsored by Friends of the Library

Join the Friends of the Library, at Homewood Library, for a book sale, Saturday January 7 and 14, on the second floor. New items will be restocked frequently. For more information, please contact Sue Dralle at 708-798-0121.

Saturday|February 4

7:30 AM  until 11:30 AM

Marie Irwin Community Center

18120 Highland Avenue Rooms A and B

Cause and Effect: You Give and People Live, consider donating blood on Saturday, February 4, between 7:30AM and 11:30 AM, at Marie Irwin Center. Donate blood and receive an exclusive t-shirt as a way of saying "thank you". Walk-ins welcomed, photo identification required to donate blood. To schedule your donation time, contact Laura at 708-890-4425 or www.heartlandbc.org 

 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.