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May 12, 2026

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Celebrate Skokie’s cultural diversity at the Festival of Cultures this weekend, May 16-17, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Oakton Park!

What to expect: The free event will include interactive cultural booths, food and beverage vendors, live performances, the festival’s famous flag display, and a Festival of Colors finale (Sunday at 5:45 p.m.). View the event schedule.

Visit us: Stop by the Village’s booth to pick up some Skokie flag swag, complete a color-your-own-flag activity, and enter a raffle to win a full-size Skokie flag to display at your home.

Shoppers at the Village’s 2024 garage sale. (Photo by Rich Cahan.)

Whether you’re clearing out clutter, downsizing or looking to make a little extra cash, Skokie’s annual Community-wide Garage Sale is a great opportunity to connect with bargain hunters from across the community and beyond. 

Sellers, start here: Register your household sale to be included on the official event map and help shoppers find your treasures.

Shoppers, mark your calendar: This year’s event will take place Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sale hours vary by location. Last year, approximately 300 Skokie households throughout the community participated!

Why it matters: This annual event supports the Village’s Environmental Sustainability Plan goal of reducing household waste.

Skokie Public Works staff grade an alley. (Photo by Rich Cahan.)

Skokie Public Works is continuing annual alley grading operations. Crushed stone alleys are typically graded once per year, with work occurring from the spring through fall, weather permitting.

Complete: Alleys located north of Golf Road have been graded. 

In progress: Alleys located between Golf Road and Church Street will be completed this week. Crews will then grade alleys between Dempster and Church Streets.

In planning: An updated schedule for alleys south of Dempster Street will be released in early to mid-summer to reflect revised timelines, as alley grading progress is weather dependent.

Reminder: You're responsible for cutting back any overgrown vegetation along your property line. Please take time to check your alley and make sure it’s clear, safe and accessible. 

Last Friday, Mayor Ann Tennes delivered her 2026 State of the Village address, highlighting accomplishments, opportunities and priorities for the Skokie community. Watch the video recording.

Local milestone: The luncheon, which was hosted by the Skokie Chamber of Commerce and Industry, celebrated the organization’s 101 years supporting Skokie businesses and our local economy.

Turning 65, planning for retirement or just want to better understand your Medicare options? Join the Skokie Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) for a free Medicare 101 seminar led by an experienced SHIP Counselor. 

Plan to attend: The seminar will be held on Thursday, May 14, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., at Oakton Community Center. Call 847-674-1500 to register.

What to expect: This educational session provides a clear overview of Medicare and helps you make informed healthcare decisions.

Looking for one-on-one guidance? Call Skokie Health and Human Services at 847-933-8252 to schedule an appointment with a SHIP Counselor.

Skokie Health and Human Services is hosting an STI Testing Pop-up Clinic in partnership with CALOR on Monday, May 18, 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Skokie Village Hall (Lower Level). Pop-up clinic services include:

No insurance or payment is required. Walk-ins welcome. Questions? Please call 847-933-8252.

The Village will continue to host monthly pop-up clinics in 2026 to support healthcare accessibility. 

Register today for the Niles Township Food Pantry’s annual color Fun Run on Saturday, June 6, starting at 9 a.m. at Old Orchard Junior High School! Act fast – registration closes this Wednesday.

What to expect: The 5k color run promises fun for all ages, with exciting extras like face painting, a balloon artist, Kona Ice, coffee truck and treats, and a touch-a-truck experience. 

Why it matters: The goal is to raise $25,000 to support the Niles Township Food Pantry Foundation, which supports local families in need. The Village is an event sponsor.

You already have a great camera right in your pocket! This 3-session course at The Storefront teaches you how to actually use it well.

Instructor Robert E. Potter III walks you through composition, lighting, storytelling and basic editing. No technical background needed. All skill levels welcome.

📍The Storefront, 4051 Main Street
📅 Wednesdays, July 8, 15 and 22, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
💲 $95 tuition | $45 optional public exhibit (includes a professionally framed print of your work)

The class is limited to 20 students so register now to hold your spot!

Rachel and an audience volunteer demonstrate how movement triggers changes in lighting effects at a recent workshop.

Storefront Artist Fellows Tim Corpus and Rachel Molinaro are bringing something new to the stage with The Resonance of Form, opening at The Storefront on May 29–30. It's a free live show that combines dance, music and technology in one performance.

Here's how it works: Rachel wears small gyroscopic motion sensors while she dances. Those sensors send data to Tim's software, which turns her movements into live sound and visuals. When she jumps or spins, the sound or visuals change. The more she moves, the more the software responds. Because of this, every single show sounds and looks a little different.

Get your seat: Don't miss your opportunity to experience it in person. The performance is free, but seats are limited. Reserve your seat today.

About the fellowship: The Storefront Artist Fellowship is an initiative of the Village of Skokie Fine Arts Commission, designed to support an artist in creating and presenting new work at The Storefront. Fellows receive a $5,000 stipend, Village staff support and the chance to connect with Skokie residents through community engagement activities and a culminating public event.

UL Research Institutes (ULRI), UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), and Northwestern’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations are offering the Sustainable Communities Grant Program available to support projects affiliated with a nonprofit organization in Skokie and Evanston.

Apply: The grant program will award two grants of $5,000 each to projects that advance sustainable practices, strengthen community engagement and collaboration around environmental challenges, and support innovative, scalable solutions. Apply by June 26.

EVENTS

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held at Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton St.