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September 10, 2024

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Greetings Skokie73.5! 

🌱 Landscapers, facilities managers, and schools can try commercial grade electric-powered landscaping tools at the Village’s Field Day event on Thursday.

🎨 Are you a Skokie artist? Apply to showcase your work at the Village’s pop-up gallery.

🚨 It’s National Preparedness Month! Sign up for Smart911 emergency notifications.

Pickleball, anyone? Last week, the Skokie Village Board approved plans from Pickledilly, LLC to establish a recreational indoor pickleball facility at 4919 Main St.

The blueprint: Plans include 11 full-size pickleball courts, one half-size court for training, and on-site parking. Yoga and stretch classes are also anticipated.

From vacant to activated: Business owners plan to renovate and adaptively reuse the existing vacant industrial space at 4919 Main St., bringing more activity to the area, which includes Sketchbook Brewing and the Skokie Valley Trail.

SunBerry Orchard Market, now open at 4861 Oakton St., offers a wide selection of traditional European sausages, delicacies, and farm-to-table goods.

Glow up: The Village’s Storefront Enhancement Program supported exterior improvements for the building.

Photo by Rich Cahan.

Last fall, Skokie's Health and Human Services Department administered more than 1,000 flu shots at two free vaccination clinics. We're ready to do it again!

Why it’s important: Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent and reduce the severity of flu infections. 

Sleeve up: Book your appointment for October 1 or 8 at Oakton Park. Appointments are available for Skokie residents ages 4 years and older. A high-dose vaccine tailored for residents 65+ is also available.

Did you know that there's a real farm in Skokie? The Talking Farm urban farm doesn’t just grow produce in a sustainable way, this 501(c)(3) not-for-profit also partners with local organizations to offer hands-on educational programs for all ages. 

See what's growing on the Explore Skokie Instagram or Facebook account.

Lend a helping hand: You can support The Talking Farm's efforts by donating, volunteering or attending their Raise the Barn! Fall Fest on September 28.

This Wednesday, the Skokie Fire Department will host ceremonies in remembrance of those lost in the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.

Join us: Ceremonies will take place beginning at 8:57 a.m. at all three Skokie fire stations.

Photo: Storm sewer installation on Old Orchard Road.

Old Orchard Road

Major improvements to Old Orchard Road are progressing. Work currently underway includes storm sewer installation, bridge widening, and northbound I-94 exit ramp construction. Overnight bridge work will begin soon. Visit Cook County’s project web page for updates.

Oakton Street Bridge

Replacement of the Oakton Street bridge over the Edens Expressway is also progressing. Last week, IDOT implemented the next phase of traffic control; left turns onto Gross Point Road from eastbound Oakton Street are prohibited. Detours are in place to assist affected motorists with getting onto Gross Point Road from Oakton Street.

Composting is great for your garden and the earth; however, if done incorrectly, discarded food scraps can benefit the local rodent population, too. Don’t let it happen!

Keep pests away: Only compost containers that are sealed on all sides with holes smaller than one-quarter inch are permitted.

Three ways to compost: 

Why it’s important: When organic material decomposes in the landfill, it creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas that’s more potent than carbon dioxide. Diverting organic material from the landfill is one of the strategies of the Village’s Environmental Sustainability Plan.

Photo: Village staff upgrade a street light with an LED bulb.

Last week, the Village Board approved a one-year contract extension with MC Squared Energy Services (mc2).

If you received a renewal notice in the mail: No action is needed. You will remain enrolled in the program and pay the same rate for electricity supply as ComEd’s published tariff rates unless you choose to opt out.

No solicitations: MC Squared will NOT solicit door-to-door or by phone for this program. 

How Skokie benefits: By participating in the program, the Village receives a civic grant to support sustainability initiatives. To date, funds have helped the Village convert 1,690 streetlights to LED bulbs, saving taxpayers on energy costs and reducing Skokie’s carbon footprint.

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