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

To get listed in the calendar, submit items at least 10 days in advance to community editor Melinda Moore.

• E-mail: mmoore@nwitimes.com.

• Fax: (219) 933-3249.

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

• Questions? Call (219) 933.3396.

DIGGING FOR ROOTS | Griffith

A program on genealogy resources is set for 6 p.m. July 24 and 10;30 a.m. July 25 at the Lake County Public Library's Griffith branch, 940 N. Broad St. This beginning class for genealogy will introduce online and book resources, including census, obituary, cemetery, military records and ships' manifests. Each participant will have a computer available and time to actually do some research. Attendees can find out what's available from the Lake County Public Library. Registration is required.

FYI: Call (219) 838-2825.

FREE CONCERT | E.C.

Lionel Richie performs at 6 tonight at Ameristar Casino Lakefront. A few thousand tickets to this free concert will be available at the gate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Shuttle service will be offered at Central High School, Carrie Gosch Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, Michigan Avenue near Guthrie and overflow parking at 145th and Railroad, 5200 Indianapolis Blvd. and Commonwealth Avenue. The last shuttle leaves for the concert at 6:30 p.m. and the last shuttle leaves the concert at 10 p.m. Coolers and large umbrellas will not be permitted.

FYI: Visit www.eastchicago.com.

OPEN HOUSE | Northwest Indiana

Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana will host and organizationwide open house from 3 to 7 p.m. July 24 at its facilities in Cedar Lake, 13000 Fairbanks St.; Gary, 2285 W. Fifth Ave.; East Chicago, 2009 E. 138th St.; Lake Station, 4700 Central Ave.; Hammond, 5840 Calumet Ave., and Merrillville, 1400 W. 61st Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 881-1060, ext. 402.

WOMEN'S CONNECTION | Schererville

Schererville Women's Connection offers Pleasing Our Palates - Food Fabulous Food from noon to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at Briar Ridge Country Club, 123 Briar Ridge Drive. Diane Gasing of Crest Hills, Ill., will speak on "A Tale Without The Fairy." Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Lunch costs $15. Make a reservation by July 25.

FYI: Call (219) 937-4240 or 374-7769.

GARDEN TOUR | Munster

Munster Parks and Recreation Department offers a trip Aug. 20 to Chicago Botanic Garden. The motorcoach leaves at 8 a.m. from the Centennial Park north lot, 9701 Calumet Ave., and returns about 5 p.m. The fee is $55 for residents, $60 for nonresidents and $53 for Keen-Ager members. It includes admission, a tram ride, box lunch, 10 percent discount in the garden shop and transportation. The tram ride provides an overview of the garden's 385 acres, including the Japanese Garden, 100-acre oak woodland and the native prairie. Register at Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road.

FYI: Call (219) 836-PARK.

RONALD VISITS | Schererville

Ronald Mcdonald visits at 10:30 a.m. July 23 at the Lake County Public Library's Dyer-Schererville branch, 1001 W. Lincoln Highway. Children in kindergarten and older can meet McDonald and see his program. Free tickets will be available at the library and are required.

FYI: Call (219) 322-4731.

EXPERIMENTAL ART | Joliet

Calmer House Gallery reveals its experimental side with an Alternative Teckniken show. The group collection, which runs until July 31, capitalizes on different ways to create imagery. The public is welcome at the artist reception from 3 to 6 p.m. July 20 at 352 Union St. Alternative Teckniken will feature the art of four photographers, including Paul Shukin, a Purdue University Calumet Art and Design professor; Cedar Lake resident M. Vandercar, fresh from his appearance at the Blues, Jazz & Fine Art Festival in Munster, displaying his previous two collections. This six-piece collection, High Velocity Voyeurism, is something completely different. Gary Millard, a former PUC professor and naturalist photographer, reveals his 360-degree "High Rock Lookout Panoramic," and PUC Professor Tom Roach will be debut a highly pixilated photograph of spring daisies.

Gallery hours are 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and by appointment.

FYI: Visit www.calmerhousegallery.com

GRIFFITH GAB | Griffith

Discuss "Breaking Clean" by Judy Blunt at 1 p.m. July 28 at the Lake County Public Library's Griffith branch, 940 N. Broad St. Blunt was born into a third generation of Montana homesteaders. Join participants as they discuss Blunt's survival skills in what was, and is, essentially a man's world, a place where she must redefine herself in order to stay in a part of the country she loves.

FYI: Call (219) 838-2825.

STOP SMOKING | Munster

A free smoking cessation seminar is set for 9 a.m. to noon July 26 in the Medical Meeting Room on the third floor of the Hammond Clinic's Specialty Center, 7905 Calumet Ave. Nurse practitioner Pat Konvalinka of the clinic's pulmonary department leads the session. Registration is required.

FYI: Call (219) 836-3600 or visitwww.hammondclinic.com.

BOOK CLUB | Schererville

Between the Lines book club meets at 7 p.m. July 30 and 10:15 a.m. July 31 at the Lake County Public Library's Dyer-Schererville branch, 1001 W. Lincoln Highway. Based on a true story, "The Widow of the South" by Robert Hicks flashes back 30 years to the afternoon of the Battle of Franklin, five of the bloodiest hours of the Civil War. This best selling, historical novel captures the end of an era, the vast madness of war, and the courage of a remarkable woman who claims life from the grasp of death.

FYI: Call (219) 322-4731.

WORLD OF BUGS | Gary

Exploring the World of Bugs is at 2 p.m. July 24 at the Lake County Public Library's Black Oak branch, 5921 W. 25th Ave. Children in kindergarten and older can visit with the Orkin Man as he talks about the world of bugs. He'll bring special visitors with him that are sure to spark an interest. Register.

FYI: Call (219) 844-8809.