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July 9, 2024

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Greetings Ivan! 

🎤 Don’t miss: The Skokie Idol singing competition this Wednesday on the Green.

😁 Jump for joy: The World’s Biggest Bounce House is coming to Skokie in August.

🎭 Now on stage: Catch Grease and The Lighting Thief at Skokie Theatre.

🌺 Last call: Submit your property to be considered for a Property Owner's Beautification Award by July 15.

Take a storefront storybook stroll through Downtown Skokie this July as part of the first-ever Tour de Skokie! 

What you’ll read: Pick up a map card at Skokie Public Library to begin your page-by-page journey through “Ride Beside Me,” by Lucy Knisley. You’ll stop at 26 Downtown locations on your way to Al’s Cycle Shop, which is celebrating 80 years in Skokie!

Along your reading route, admire creatively embellished bicycles decorated by Skokie businesses, including Village Inn Pizzeria’s pepperoni pizza bike.

This Sunday, July 14, from noon to 2 p.m., pedal over to Sketchbook Brewing, 4901 Main St., for the “Tales from the Trails” storytelling event, presented by the Skokie Bike Network and the Village’s Fine Arts Commission.

Skokie Police Pawwficer Meri recently celebrated her “gotcha day” with the department! 

The backstory: Meri (short for America) was found wandering last July 4 and was rescued by Skokie Police. Since then, Meri’s received seven months of service dog training, returning to Skokie earlier this year to offer comfort and cuddles to department members and the community.

The quote: Deputy Police Chief Denise Franklin told the Chicago Tribune that Meri’s gentle demeanor makes her a great fit for the position: “She’s just so relaxed and cuddly and awesome.”

Keep an eye on your mailbox! This July, randomly selected Skokie households will receive an invitation in the mail asking them to complete an important community benchmark survey.

Your input matters: This scientific survey, conducted every three years, is used to make recommendations to the Village Board to enhance services and quality of life in Skokie. A report of survey results will be available this fall.

Get your tickets for the Out of Space outdoor music festival, July 26-28, at Downtown Skokie’s Illinois Science + Technology Park!

Headliners: Guster, Thee Sacred Souls, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, and Courtney Barnett will headline three nights of music.

Looking to serve your community through a rewarding and exciting career? The Skokie Fire Department is hiring!

Apply: Firefighter candidates must apply by Friday, August 9. A mandatory written exam will take place on Saturday, September 7. View details (PDF).

Our Health and Human Services Department is partnering with Howard Brown Health to provide free STI and HIV screenings and free MPOX vaccines on Monday, July 22, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Village Hall.

Open to everyone: No medical insurance or ID required; no appointment necessary.

Skokie served up a spectacular Independence Day celebration! A special thank you to the many Village staff, first responders, parade and fireworks organizers, volunteers, participants and behind-the-scenes supporters who made the festivities possible.

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