MEET THE AUTHOR -- THOMAS CROWEL | Merrillville
Barnes & Noble, 2240 E 80th Ave., hosts author Thomas Ray Crowel as he discusses his newest novel "The Passerby" at 2:30 p.m. May 30 in an open forum. "The Passerby" was inspired by the murder of an 11-year-old girl just two weeks before Christmas in 1986. Crowel was drawn to the girl's rural Indiana gravesite. He spent the next two-and-a-half years researching her murder. Because of the release of "The Passerby," the case was taken from the County Sheriff's Department and is now being reinvestigated by Detective Tom Littlefield of the Indiana State Police Cold Case Division. In addition to taking questions from the audience, Crowel will also show actual news footage taken in 1986 by WNDU (an NBC television affiliate) out of South Bend. The author will remain after the discussion to autograph books.
FYI: (219) 736-7788
FUNDRAISER DANCE | East Chicago
East Chicago Civic Little League is having a Fundraiser Dance from 7 p.m. to midnight May 30 at Club Ki-Yowga, 5220 Indianapolis Blvd. There will be door prizes, raffles, 50/50, food for sale and a cash bar. Music provided by DJ Crunch. Tickets are $5.
FYI: (219) 670-5990 or (219) 629-0120.
CELTIC FEST | Highland
Opens at noon May 31 at Wicker Park at Ridge Road and Indianapolis Boulevard presented by the Pipes and Drums of Orak featuring four pipe bands Irish Dancers, Scottish Sword Dancers, vendors, clan tents, food and drink and much more. Buffet dinner is at 5:30 p.m. with a cost of $25. Call for tickets.
FYI: (219) 924-0960
PORK CHOPS | South Haven
American Legion Unit 502 Honor Guard, South Haven, hosts its annual pork chop dinner or drive thru from 2 to 6 p.m. May 31. Dinner is $8 for two chops, potato, vegetable and roll with butter.
FYI: (219) 759-2121
FLEA EXTRAVAGANZA | Crown Point
Lakes of the Four Season's House and Garden Club is announcing a Flea Extravaganza at the clubhouse lower parking lot 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 30. It's a bit of flea market and a bit of group garage sale. Everything from new to used goods and crafts will be available. No soup or nuts but maybe the kitchen sink. Vendors spaces are still available, but limited for, only $20. Vendors will need to provide their own tables, chairs and display racks we just provide the space. All applications need to be in by May 23.
FYI: (219) 988-4585
MUSEUM FREE DAYS | Chicago
Enjoy free general admission to the Museum of Science and Industry on June 1 through 5 and June 19, the Museum's 76th Anniversary. Take in spectacular exhibits like Earth Revealed, the U-505 Submarine and The Great Train Story as well as free live science demonstrations that allow you to dissect an eye, learn how "poop happens," explore the magic of chemistry and test your taste buds! General admission does not include Omnimax films, Smart Home, the U-505 on-board tour or Harry Potter: the Exhibition. An additional ticket will still be required for these experiences.
FYI: (773) 684-1414
TEXAS HOLD 'EM WTP | Winfield
A free tournament from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 31 and 7 to 9:30 p.m. June 3 at Mighty Mick's Pub, 10727 Randolph St.
FYI: (219) 662-2244
SMART HOME FARMERS MARKETS | Chicago
In conjunction with the exhibit Smart Home: Green + Wired, Powered by ComEd and the Mayor's Office of Special Events, the Museum will be hosting free farmers markets in our East Parking Lot from June through October on the first and third Fridays of the month. Browse seasonal offerings from local growers and purveyors including fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, local goods, plants, and flowers. On opening day, June 5 a grand opening celebration will take place with a live cooking demonstration at 11:30 a.m. by The Hearty Boys, as seen on the Food Network. Guests will also enjoy music, food vendors, and treats that have been cooked in a solar-oven. Following the event, guests are invited to stay at the Museum for free general admission. Additional markets and cooking demos will occur, weather permitting, on the following dates: June19 (museum general admission is also free this day); July 3, 17; Aug. 7, 21; Sept. 4, 18; Oct. 2, 16. See msichicago.org for additional
details. Admission to the Museum or Smart Home is not required.
FYI: (773) 684-1414
CALUMET COLLEGE WOMEN'S GUILD TO HOLD LUNCHEON | Hammond
The Women's Guild of Calumet College of St. Joseph will hold its Spring Luncheon, "Hats Off to Spring" June 6 at Dynasty Banquet Hall. Feel free to wear your favorite hat. The luncheon will include vendors, share the pot, raffles and table prizes. Vendors and social hour will begin at 11 a.m. and the luncheon at 1 p.m. Donation is $30.00 per person. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call Gabrielle Manson. The Women's Guild provides financial support for the College's programs and scholarships.
FYI: (219) 473-4325
GOLF OUTING FUNDRAISER | Valparaiso
The Seventh Annual Deacon Jack McGuckin/Saint Paul Catholic School Golf Outing will be June 7 at The Course at Aberdeen. Registration begins at noon with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. The $110 fee includes golf, cart, driving range, beverage tickets, dinner and prizes. A portion is tax-
deductible. Call or register online.
FYI: (219) 462-5929, (219) 364-2074 or stpaulvalpo.org
BENEFIT FOR LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES | Valparaiso
Taltree and Banta Feeds have partnered in a food drive for the benefit of our local food pantries. From 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 6 Taltree will be offering free admission to anyone who brings a non-perishable food donation. A Banta Feeds container will be located at the Taltree gatehouse where the donations will be collected. The donations that are collected will be distributed between two food pantries in Northwest Indiana. Banta Feeds Food Drives is a local organization that was founded in February 2009 to collect and distribute food donations to our local food pantries. Christine Hisick, Organizer of Banta Feeds, has performed a series of food drives to benefit those who have lost their jobs in the Porter County area.
FYI: (219) 464-9319
LA TEA DA LUNCHEON | Merillville
Tickets are available to both Red Hat groups and the general public for the La Tea Da Luncheon June 26 at Turkey Creek Banquet on the Green, 6400 Harrison St. The theme is aprons, recipes, and memories. Each attendee will receive a colorful handmade half apron made by Lake County Parks' volunteers who are invited guests. An entertaining "walk down memory lane" program will be presented. Doors open at 11 a.m. The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1: p.m. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance.
FYI: (219) 769-7275
CASINO TRIP | Calumet City
Join the Calumet Memorial Park District at the Blue Chip Casino on June 8. The fee is $20 per person and includes coach bus transportation, a buffet lunch, and E-Play rewards. Trip is for ages 21 and older only. Registration is now being taken at the Sandridge Center, 600 Oglesby Ave.
FYI: (708) 862-6440 or calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com
POKER RUN | Burnham
The military HEROS Foundation(MHF)is having a poker run on June 13 from the Waterfront bar in Burnham. Five stops including Pick Ups Lynwood, Dunn Inn Grant Park, St. John Pub St. John, Bone Dry Highland, VFW Lansing, ending back at Waterfront for cash prizes, a big cook out, 50/50 raffles and other raffles with prizes. Bikes out between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. bikes in by 5:30 pm. Car loads welcome. $15 per person, $25 per bike and car loads at $25 dollars.
FYI: (219) 729-9440 or mheros.org
WOOD'S MILL OPEN | Hobart
Wood's Historic Grist Mill and the adjacent Visitor Center at Deep River County Park are now open for the 2009 season. Building hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and are closed Fridays and holidays. Admission to the mill is by donation. The park is at 9410 Old Lincoln Hwy. at County Line Road, southeast of Hobart. Wood's Mill, built in 1876, houses a flourishing grist mill that began operations at the current location in 1838. Today, corn is still ground on huge stones and the resulting cornmeal is available for purchase. Wood's Mill Gallery features photographs by members of the Lake County Parks Photography Club through June. Adjacent to the mill is the Visitor Center, where park information, trail maps and program guides are available. The gift shop offers Deep River Pure Maple Syrup and Indiana souvenirs as well as history books, toys, jellies and preserves, teas, candy and nature items.
FYI: (219) 947-1958 or lakecountyparks.com
37TH BLOOMINGTON GOLD CORVETTE SHOW | St. Charles, Ill.
June 25 through the 28 at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St. As America's Original Corvette Show since 1973, Bloomington Gold offers flagship car judging, educational and restoration seminars, auctions, museum-quality displays of America's fastest and rarest Corvettes, road tours and more. Gates open at 7 a.m. Admission is $15. Advance registration closes June 1.
FYI: (309) 888-4477 or BloomingtonGold.com
WEEKLY TOURS | Michigan City
Save the Dunes Conservation Fund offers weekly tours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays until June 13 at it of its one-of-a-kind solar greenhouse to the public to learn about the construction of the greenhouse and why native plants are important. The 576 square-foot greenhouse space is used to grow native plants for restoration projects and rain gardens. It also demonstrates solar power and energy conservation. The greenhouse is open.
FYI: (219) 879-3564
COOKBOOK FUNDRAISER | Portage
The Be Thankful Club of the Portage Bonner Senior Center is selling cookbooks containing 300 recipes collected from it's members. Included in the book is a special diabetic section, history of the center, recognition of founding trustee and namesake, membership and activity information, and pictures. To receive a copy, call or stop by at 5800 Lexington Ave. Cost of the book is $12. Proceeds will go to the Be Thankful Club to benefit our seniors. This will make great gifts for family and friends.
FYI: (219) 759-1548
HOBART FOOD JAMBOREE | Hobart
2 to 8 p.m. June 13 the City of Hobart hosts a day of fun, food, cake walk, music and more on Main Street (Ind. 51.) The street will be closed to traffic for the pubic to enjoy another hometown special event. Vendors are still needed, so call the Mayor's office to register.
FYI: (219) 942-6112
