Staff Writer
Oct 30, 2026
Tip of The Day |
Take a ten-minute reset in Skokie's hidden oak savanna Tucked inside a residential pocket just east of Skokie Boulevard, the Emily Oaks Nature Center preserves a rare remnant of native woodland that stays deeply quiet even during peak traffic hours. If you need a quick mental break, enter from Brummel Street and bypass the outer paved loop in favor of the unpaved dirt trail that hugs Woodland Pond. The dense stand of mature bur oaks dramatically dampens suburban noise within thirty paces. Keep your eyes trained about ten to twenty feet up along the water’s edge—the secluded pond bank is one of the most reliable spots on the North Shore to glimpse resting black-crowned night herons and barred owls on quiet weekday afternoons. |
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This Weeks Movie Review : Wildwood
Travis Knight's stop-motion film Wildwood is an engrossing, high-quality adventure that succeeds through serious dramatic weight, emotional heart, and unmatched visual craft.
The stop-motion animation is the smoothest and most technically advanced the reviewer has seen, making the film's reported 16-year development visible on screen.
The plot follows a girl and her friend Curtis venturing into an enchanted, forbidden forest to rescue her kidnapped baby brother, creating a 1990s role-playing game feel with distinct, richly detailed locations.
The film earns its PG-13 rating and is not suitable for young kids, featuring heavy, tragic moments and a large fantasy battle comparable to The Lord of the Rings with visceral weapon combat.
The expansive cast of characters and diverse fantasy settings are juggled effectively, giving each location distinct flavor reminiscent of exploring Baldur's Gate 3. The film balances tone well, keeping its comedic beats restrained so the jokes never undermine the primary drama.
The main negative element is the protagonist's parents, who are portrayed so unfavorably that they come across as less respectable than the murderous villain. |
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Quote Of The Day |
Skokie remains an enduring reminder that a quiet suburban village can become the moral crossroads of an entire nation, where the weight of memory and the demands of freedom meet face to face. |
Wondering what to do with your carved jack-o'-lantern once Halloween wraps up? Skokie residents can give their old gourds a second life at the annual Pumpkin Smash.
The free event takes place on Nov. 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the corner of Oakton Street and Floral Avenue, across from the Skokie Farmers' Market.
Organizers will accept plain or acrylic-painted pumpkins, but be sure to remove any candle wax, stickers, or non-compostable decorations beforehand.
Can't make it to the drop-off? Residents can also dispose of leftover pumpkins by placing them directly into their regular yard waste carts alongside leaves and grass clippings. |
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Joke Of The Day |
Why did developers design an upscale outdoor shopping mall in Skokie, Illinois? Because nothing motivates a person to buy a heavy winter coat quite like having to walk outside to pay for it. |
Up Comming Events |
For the weekend of Friday, October 30 through Sunday, November 1, 2026, there is a great mix of Halloween festivities, live performing arts, outdoor outings, and community staples happening in and around Skokie:
🎃 Halloween & Seasonal Events
Scream Scene Haunted House When: Friday, October 30 & Saturday, October 31 (Doors open at 7:00 PM) Where: Skokie Water Playground (4701 Oakton St.) Details: Hosted by the Skokie Park District, this local favorite haunted attraction features eerie walkthrough scenes, a chaotic clown maze, and chainsaw maniacs. Tickets are $14 (recommended for ages 10+).
Haunted Heritage Cemetery Walk: BOOm & Bust When: Saturday, October 31 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Where: Skokie Heritage Museum (starts at 8031 Floral Ave.) Details: Explore local history and spooky lore with a guided walking tour covering historic resting grounds such as St. Peter and St. Paul's Lutheran cemeteries.
Neighborhood Trick-or-Treating When: Saturday, October 31 Details: Official Village residential trick-or-treat hours typically run from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Halloween evening.
🎭 Live Theater & Stage Shows
Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville (Closing Weekend) \When: Friday, Oct 30 at 7:30 PM Saturday, Oct 31 at 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM Sunday, Nov 1 at 2:00 PM Where: North Shore Center for the Performing Arts (North Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd.) Details: Music Theater Works presents this feel-good, tropical musical packed with Jimmy Buffett favorites. It’s the final weekend of the run, making it a great escape to warm vibes.
The Sinatra Experience When: Friday, October 30 at 8:00 PM Where: North Shore Center for the Performing Arts Details: A classic tribute evening celebrating the music and swagger of Frank Sinatra.
🍁 Community & Outdoors
Skokie Farmers' Market (Final Day of the Regular Season!) When: Sunday, November 1 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM Where: 5127 Oakton St. (parking lot outside Skokie Village Hall) Details: Sunday marks the finale of the 2026 outdoor farmers' market season. Stop by for fresh fall produce (apples, squash, pumpkins), baked goods, cider, artisanal pantry items, and live morning music.
Emily Oaks Nature Center & Hiking Club When: Open daily; Hiking Club outing Saturday, October 31 (9:30 AM) - Where: 4650 Brummel St. Details: Take a stroll through 13 acres of oak woodlands around a peaceful pond. Peak autumn leaves make this one of the prettiest spots on the North Shore for a morning walk.
Skokie Public Library Teen Zine-Making Workshop - When: Sunday, November 1 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM - Where: 5215 Oakton St. - Details: A creative, hands-on autobiographical zine-making workshop for teens.
⛸️ Fun Evergreen Activities Around Town - Public Ice Skating at the Skatium: Check the Skokie Park District schedule for open skate sessions at the Skatium Ice Arena (9300 Weber Park Pl.). -
The Exploritorium: If you have younger kids and want an indoor option, this imaginative play space inside Oakton Community Center has a water play area, dress-up stations, and climbing walls.
Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park: Bundle up and walk or bike along the paved multi-use trail adjacent to McCormick Boulevard, viewing more than 60 large outdoor contemporary sculptures.
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center: A world-class cultural institution located on Woods Drive featuring powerful permanent exhibits and virtual reality survivor journeys.
Old Orchard Shopping & Dining: Stroll the open-air pathways at Westfield Old Orchard, browse seasonal collections, and grab dinner at places like Hampton Social, Uncle Julio’s, or Shake Shack. |
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Interesting Facts |
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Q/A Questions |
Q: Can you reach Skokie by train from Chicago? A: Yes. The CTA Yellow Line runs from Howard to two Skokie stops: Oakton-Skokie and Dempster-Skokie. Q: Where can you find art outdoors in Skokie? A: The Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park places public artworks along a path beside the North Shore Channel. Q: Is there a place to explore history through personal stories? A: The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie features survivor testimony alongside exhibits about the Holocaust and human rights. |