Find events going on in your community, and plan your week's activities with The Times.

To get listed in the calendar, contact Illinois community coordinator Jennifer Pallay.

• E-mail: jpallay@nwitimes.com.

• Fax: (708) 474-2897.

• Address: 601 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321.

• Questions? Call (219) 937-5741.

Karate | Calumet City

Wado-Ki Karate, offered by the Calumet Memorial Park District for ages 6 to adult, helps build discipline and promote fitness. The next session will be from July 23 until Sept. 24. It's from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. The fee is $35 per participant. Registration is now being taken at the Memorial Park Recreation Office, 612 Wentworth Ave.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6443 or visit calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com.

Exhibit extended | Chicago Heights

Union Street Gallery has extended the run of its exhibit, "Whiskers & Tails". A special event is from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 8. The first floor atrium gallery is filled with images of the animal world. Union Street Gallery, a not-for profit organization, maintains regular hours from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Groups may call to arrange tours by appointment. The gallery is at 1527 Otto Boulevard.

FYI: Visit www.unionstreetgallery.org for news of other coming events.

FESTA ITALIANA | Calumet City

A bus trip to Festa Italiana in Milwaukee will take place July 19 and is hosted by the Women's Club of St. Victor Church in Calumet City. Cost is $40, which includes transportation and admission to the festival. Visit www.festaitaliana.com.

FYI: To register, call (708) 862-2525.

Splash down | Calumet City

Beat the heat with the Calumet Memorial Park District at Splash Down Dunes on July 18. The fee is $24 per participant. Ages 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required, and is being accepted at Memorial Park, 612 Wentworth Ave.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6443 or visit calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com.

Food drive | South Holland

The South Holland Professional Firefighters Association is sponsoring a Christmas in July food drive. Items can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. during July at South Holland Fire Station 1, 16230 Wausau Ave. All nonperishable food items will be accepted.

FYI: Call (708) 331-3123.

Dog walk | Calumet City

Neighborhoods Inc. will have a dog walk at 9 a.m. July 19 at Memorial Park on Wentworth Avenue. In past years, the event has included an acrobatic show, contests for things such as best trick and best dressed dog and animal related nonprofit groups raising awareness of their groups.

FYI: Visit www.neighborhoodsinc.com.

Acro-Cats | South Holland

South Holland Public Library, 16250 Wausau Ave., will present Samantha's Amazing Acro-Cats at 7 p.m. July 17. All ages are invited

Registration is necessary. Be amused and amazed by the Chicago's only trained domestic acrobatic cat show. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

FYI: Call (708) 331-5262.

Ice cream | Lansing

Ice Cream Social is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. July 23 at Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. It's for all ages. No registration is required.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.

Wiffle Fest | Homewood

Ages 18 and older can join in the fourth annual Wiffle Fest tournament at 9 a.m. July 19 at Apollo Park, Morgan Street and Bowling Green Road. Teams of three to five players can compete in two divisions: fast pitch or recreational. Teams from at least four states are expected to participate in this event. A round-robin leading to single elimination format will be used. All pre-registered players will receive a lunch and T-shirt. Prizes will be awarded to winning teams. A youth event will be held for kids in fifth through eighth grades and high school at 10 a.m. July 18.

FYI: Call (708) 957-PARK or visit wifflefest.net.

JumpSTART | Hazel Crest

Advocate South Suburban Hospital is hosting a special JumpSTART train-the-trainer program. The JumpSTART course is intended for emergency medical services (EMS) instructor level personnel, including physicians nurses, and emergency medicine technicians (EMTs). The course will provide an educational module related to pediatric disaster triage concepts and the JumpSTART algorithm. Classes will be offered on three separate dates: July 28; July 29; and Aug. 7. Interested participants can choose between an 8 a.m. to noon session or a 1 to 5 p.m. session. All sessions will be held in the auditorium at Advocate South Suburban Hospital, 17800 S. Kedzie Ave. There is no cost to attend.

FYI: Call (708) 213-4218.

Free lecture | Homewood

The South Suburban Archaeological Society will present a slide lecture titled "Inside the Briggs Project" by Roger Barski, founding member of the Briggs Project - The Alpha Wreck Odyssey. The program is free and open to the public. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. July 17 at the Marie Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. The Briggs team has been investigating a 19th century wooden schooner located in Lake Michigan that was believed to have transported fugitive slaves to Canada for the Underground Railroad. The team has plans to excavate the wreck this year.

FYI: Call (708) 748-7806.

Library Olympics | Calumet City

Ages 6 and older can attend Library Olympics from 2 to 3 p.m. July 23 at Calumet City Public Library, 660 Manistee Ave. Register for this event. Kids will test their abilities with balance, throwing, bouncing and other skills.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6220.

Aladdin | University Park

The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University presents "Disney's Aladdin" at 11 a.m. July 17 at The Center for Performing Arts at the university, 1 University Parkway. This one-hour show will fly you to Agrabah, where Jasmine and Aladdin will share their adventures and perform the Academy Award winning score and songs, including "A Whole New World" and "Friend Like Me." Tickets are $7 each for groups of 20 or more and $9 each for individuals.

FYI: Call the box office at (708) 235-2222 or visit www.centertickets.net.

Craft project | Lansing

Sand jars and sticky bracelets will be made from 1 to 2 p.m. July 24 at Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. Children in second through fourth grades can bring their own jar for a personal creation or use one of the library's. Sticky bracelets are a fun way to accessorize for boys and girls. Space is limited; sign up at the Youth Reference Desk.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.

VictorFest | Calumet City

St. Victor Parish will host VictorFest 2008, a two-day festival, from noon to 11 p.m. July 26 and noon to 10 p.m. July 27. Entrance is free. The church is at 553 Hirsch Ave. Families are invited to gather and see live entertainment including The Good Timez Band performing from 7 to 10 p.m. July 26 and Soundz of Santana starting at 6 p.m. July 27. In addition, the festival will feature the Heavenly Rods Car Show from noon to 4 p.m. July 26. To register for the car show, contact Jim Nanista at (708) 730-1121. VictorFest will also feature food concessions, a beer garden and a variety of other activities for the whole family.

FYI: Call (708) 891-8920.

Vacation Bible school | Chicago

St. Florian will host vacation Bible school: Rainforest Adventure from 9 a.m. to noon July 28 to Aug. 1 at 13145 S. Houston Ave.

in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood. Ages 4 to 10 can attend for $15 each.

FYI: Call (773) 646-4877 to register or for more information.

Visit the Shedd | Crete

On Aug. 5, the Crete Public Library will escort a group downtown to the Shedd Aquarium. The group will meet at the library at 8:30 a.m., ride the Metra train downtown, spend the day, and return around 5 p.m. Tickets are $24.95 (adults)/$17.95 (seniors and children 11 and younger) for museum admission, plus Metra fare. Lunch is on your own. Be prepared to walk from the train to the Aquarium.

FYI: For more information or to register, call (708) 672-8017.

SEE 'PIPPIN' | Hammond

Genesius Guild presents "Pippin" at 8 p.m. July 18, 19, 25 and 26 and at 3 p.m. July 20 and 27 at First United Methodist Church, 6635 Hohman Ave. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. The musical is directed by Ed Griffith, with musical direction by Michael Barr and choreography by Julianne Slater. Tickets may be reserved.

FYI: Call (877) 724-7715.

SIBLING CLASS | Munster

Children 3 to 10 years old can attend a sibling class from 10 to 11 a.m. July 26 at Community Hospital, 901 MacArthur Blvd. The class will prepare parents and children for the arrival of a new sibling. Register for this free class.

FYI: Call (219) 836-3477 or (866) 836-3477.

GRANDMOTHER CLUB | Highland

Highland Grandmother's Club has its annual potluck luncheon at noon July 17 at Lincoln Center, 2450 Lincoln St. Guests are invited.

FYI: Call (219) 924-6429.

POLKA PARTY | Hammond

Polka enthusiasts are invited to attend the fifth annual Festival of the Lakes Polka Party from 2 to 6 p.m. July 20 at The Hammond Marina, 701 Casino Center Drive. Bring your dancing shoes or sit back and listen as New Phaze performs. Admission and parking are free. Cavalier Inn will sell food, and a cash bar will be available.

FYI Call (219) 853-6378 or visit www.festivalofthelakes.com.

HEALTH FAIR | Gary

The Original General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Indiana hosts a health fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 17 during the annual session at Jerusalem MB Church, 1741 Fillmore St. Faith and community organizations have partnered to provide, free vision, blood pressure and blood glucose screenings, counseling and HIV/AIDS testing, health presentations and other health-related services and information. Health presentations are as follows: 9:15 to 9:30 a.m. - Northwest Community Action Group, 9:30 to 10 a.m. - American Heart Association, 10 to 10:45 a.m. - CVS Pharmacy medication management representative, 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. - The Aliveness Project of NWI, 11:15 to 12:00 noon - Brothers Uplifting Brothers.

FYI: Call (219) 883-9157 or (219) 885-4014.

SUMMER MUSICAL | Gary

The St. Paul Mass Choir will have its choir's summer musical - Magnify the Lord with Me - at 4 p.m. July 20 at 2300 Grant St. Special guests include The Voices of Carter, Strength and Unity Choir from Mizpah, soloist Sister Birdine Gilliam, Charmaine Palmer and Ministry with Purpose, Aaron and Amber Reese, Elizabeth Campbell and a duet by Joe Archibald and Victor Bacon. The public is invited.

FYI: Call (219) 944-7314.