LANSING

Luther East walk-a-thon is scheduled for Friday

Luther East High School's annual walk-a-thon is set for Friday.

It's the second-largest fundraiser for the private school. Students gather pledges and walk on a course to raise money for the school.

The students will begin walking at 8:15 a.m., and the event will continue until each student completes the six-mile course.

Again this year, St. John Lutheran School in Lansing also will walk Luther East's course.

To make a pledge, call the school at (708) 895-8441.

FRANKFORT

Jobs program for D.215 cancelled due to floods

Coordinators of a program aimed at helping struggling students stay in school and develop job skills had to reschedule the Jobs for Illinois Graduates program Tuesday because of flooding-related problems throughout the region.

Although Lincolnway North High School, where the program was to take place, was not in any way affected by floods, two of the high schools whose students were to participate -- Thornton Fractional North in Calumet City and Thornton Fractional South in Lansing -- were affected by the floods.

Both of those schools were closed Monday because of floods, and that closure caused them to be unable to group together to participate in the program with Lincolnway High School District 210 officials.

Officials said they did not want to conduct the program just for their district's students and were willing to reschedule so students from Thornton Fractional Township District 215 high schools could participate.

The new date is Oct. 6. The event is expected to bring about 160 students from the two school districts together.

LANSING

Copper Muggers Club offers flapjacks Saturday

Our Saviour Lutheran Church and the Copper Muggers Club will sponsor a pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday at 19058 Burnham Ave., Lansing.

Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for children younger than 12 and senior citizens.

All proceeds will go to Our Saviour's Sunday school program. For information, call (708) 474-0119.

SOUTH HOLLAND

Awesome Blossom run, walk to be this weekend

Runners and walkers of all ages can help South Holland support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital during the Awesome Blossom at 8 a.m. Saturday at Paarlberg Park, 172nd and Paxton Avenue.

St. Jude works to find cures and save children with pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

Awesome Blossom includes a 5K, 10K, senior one-mile and kids dash. Teams are welcome. New this year is a special invitation for sponsors to join in the fun with a team of runners or walkers or as volunteers. Register at http://www.southholland.org or visit Village Hall, 16226 Wausau Ave.

In addition to entertainment, the race will feature voice actor and race announcer Todd Busteed. Courses have been measured and certified.

Cash prizes and trophies will be presented to the top finishers in various age categories. Race registration is as follows: adult 5K run or 5K walk, $25; adult 10K run, $35; youths 11 to 16 years old, 5K run or 5K walk, $10; youths 10 and younger, dash, free; seniors 60 and older, 1-mile walk, $10. Group rates may be available for teams of five or more.

LANSING

Governors State offers master's degree details

Representatives from Governors State University will host an information session for certified teachers interested in earning a master's degree in education and increasing their skills, qualifications and, potentially, their income.

The program is set for 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Tuesday at Calvin Coolidge Elementary School, 17845 Henry St., Lansing.

Cohort classes will meet two days a week after school at Calvin Coolidge. The cohort is limited to 25 participants and open to certified teachers with two years of experience.

The application deadline is Oct. 15. Classes begin in the winter trimester. For more information, call (708) 534-4536 or email d-fitzgerald@govst.edu.

CHICAGO

Benefit proceeds go to environmental task force

A fundraiser is planned for 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Papi Chulo's Restaurant, Sunset Bay Marina, 13602 S. Calhoun.

The Southeast Environmental Task Force will be raising funds to help keep the Calumet River clean. The event costs $30 per person, which includes barbecue, games, music and a cash bar.

Green E, the environmental Elvis, will perform at 5:30 p.m. and will sign autographs. For more information, call (773) 646-0436.

HAMMOND

Three tenors step up to mike for symphony gala

Indiana University Northwest, in partnership with South Shore Arts and the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, will present "Pavarotti Forever," the opening concert gala for the 2008-09 symphony season.

The gala is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 26 at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino Hammond. The event will feature Pavarotti-inspired performances by three tenors from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

The evening begins with a feast of Italian dishes and champagne. Tickets are available starting at $175. Table reservations for 10 and premium tickets with preferred seating and program recognition also are available. Concert-only tickets cost $20 to $60. Attendance is restricted to guests 21 and older.

For information or tickets, call the symphony office at (219) 836-0525.

SOUTH HOLLAND

South Suburban exhibit features Chicago artist

The art and design department at South Suburban College is showcasing an exhibition of art through Sept. 25 featuring Chicago artist Luis DeLa Torre. A "meet the artist" closing reception is planned for 1 p.m. Sept. 25.

The exhibition, titled Observations, and the artist reception will be in the Dorothea Thiel Gallery on the fourth floor of the main campus near the department. The college is at 15800 S. State St., South Holland.

DeLa Torre lives and works in Chicago. His goal is to illustrate the duality of growing up Mexican-American while creating a dialogue between the surfaces and images he creates and the viewer.

For more information, call (708) 596-2000, ext. 2445.

SOUTH SUBURBS

Group unveils its plans to assist homeowners

Neighborhoods Inc. has unveiled its upgraded 2008 Healthy Neighborhoods Home Improvement Initiative for Burnham, Calumet City, Lansing, Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood, South Holland and Dolton homeowners.

Neighborhoods Inc. has partnered with First Savings Bank of Hegewisch to continue its initiative, which offers flexible term loans, project supervision and consultation.

Besides helping homeowners in securing financing, Neighborhoods Inc. staff offers professional advice and tips for economical and efficient design and flexible term financing of home improvements. Staff also can assist in finding a contractor of the homeowner's choice to make upgrades.

Since 1999, Neighborhoods Inc. has obtained more than $2 million in loans for residents and has helped improve more than 1,000 homes.

For more information, call (708) 862-3232.