CANAL TRIP | Munster

Munster Parks and Recreation Department offers a trip Sept. 12 at north central Illinois' newest attractions: the LaSalle Canal Boat and Lock 16 Visitor's Center in LaSalle. The canal, a 96-mile hand-dug waterway connecting the Illinois River with Lake Michigan, opened in 1848. Enjoy a boat ride on a replica 1800s canal boat pulled by horses on the IM Canal, while costumed guides tell the story of how the Canal changed Illinois history. Later, enjoy lunch at the Starved Rock Lodge before returning home via motorcoach. The fee is $70 for residents, $75 for nonresidents and $68 for Keen-Ager members. Register at Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road.

FYI: Call (219) 836-PARK.

RAILROAD FAIR | Griffith

The Griffith Historical Society seeks vendors and exhibitors of early transportation-related items for the silver anniversary of the society's Railroad Fair. This year's fair will be titled A Tribute to Old-Time Transportation and will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27 to 28 at Griffith Historical Park, 201 S. Broad St. Anyone with vintage cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors, or other modes of transportation is invited to exhibit at the fair. The fair welcomes vendors of transportation-related, antique or collectible merchandise, but space is limited. In addition to the vendors and exhibits, the fair will feature its hobo stew cooked over an open fire, a raffle, and the Tower, Depot Museum and the railroad cars will be open for inspection. Applications are available by phone.

FYI: Call (219) 923-4110.

ART CLASSES | Hammond

Children 7 through 17 years old can register for free mixed media art classes at the Hammond YMCA, 7322 Southeastern Ave. The one-hour classes meet Wednesdays for a month. A South Shore Arts Association grant is funding the program.

FYI: Call (219) 845-1507.

FLAG FOOTBALL | Hammond

The Hammond Area YMCA flag football program starts Sept. 6 and will teach all players the importance of fun, sportsmanship and teamwork. Each session will consist of teaching skills and fundamentals in a Christian-centered environment. The Y is at 7322 Southeastern Ave. Three- to 5-year-olds will play from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m., 6- to 8-year-olds will play from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; and 9- to 12-year-olds will play from noon to 1:30 p.m. Program fees are $30 for members and $60 for nonmembers. Parent volunteers are welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 845-1507.

CRIME WATCH | Hammond

The East Hammond/Pullman Crime Watch invites the public to its next meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Ophelia Steen Community center, 5927 Columbia Ave. The organization will celebrate its one-year anniversary and will feature Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. as the guest speaker. It also will have current information on criminal activities in the community and the city, presented by representatives from the Hammond Police Department. Door prizes will be given away, and refreshments will be served. Also, a video presentation will be shown to commemorate the past year's activities.

FYI: Call (219) 852-6379.

BIKE RUN | Hammond

American Veterans Motorcycle Riders Association Hammond Chapter has its fourth annual Sponsorship Run on Aug. 16 starting at Pioneer Tap, 6826 Kennedy Ave. Cost is $15 for singles and $25 for doubles. Signup starts at 10 a.m. and the first bike leaves at 11 a.m. Ride ends at Bone Dry, 3805 Ridge Road in highland, with the last bike in at 4 p.m. It's open to the public. All bikers are welcome - whether on two wheels, four wheels or all wheels. A raffle will be drawn at 6 p.m., and the winner need not be present. There will be 50/50s, food, cash bar and music. Poker hand will be played at the end of the ride, and the map route will be available at registration.

FYI: Call (219) 473-1823.

RUMMAGE SALE | Hammond

Maywood Civic Club offers a group indoor rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 16 at 921 169th St.

FYI: Call (219) 853-0190.

Crime watch | Hammond

A Hessville neighborhood crime watch meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21 at Jean Shepherd Community Center, 3031 J.F. Mahoney Drive.

FYI: Call (219) 852-6376.

Date change | Hammond

The date for Mayor's Night Out has changed. It is from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 21 at Irving Elementary School Cafeteria,

4727 Pine Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 853-6301.

Youth program | Hammond

Hessville Baptist Church, 6423 Arizona Ave., will have AWANA from 6 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday for ages 3 through sixth grade.

FYI: Call (219) 844-6523.

IMMUNIZATION FAIR | Gary

Bring children to the Lakeshore Kids Immunization Fair - a new back-to-school event for Northwest Indiana offering free vaccinations, entertainment and health education. With the help of many local organizations - including The Times - Lakeshore Public Television will produce this fun-filled day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 16 at the home of the Gary RailCats, U.S. Steel Yard. Children from preschool to grade school and their families are encouraged to attend. Kids will receive free immunizations, free lunch, fingerprinting and school supplies (while supplies last). Fair attendees can meet PBS favorites Curious George and Clifford the Big Red Dog. Entertainment includes performances by the cast of Star Plaza's Regional Theatre Production of High School Musical, the Jesse White Tumbling Team, Draco Academy of Martial Arts and Beach Front Dance School.

FYI: Visit www.LakeshorePTV.com, under Special Events.

VIRTUAL TOURISTS | Schererville

Venice is the destination of Virtual Tourists at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Lake County Public Library's Dyer-Schererville branch, 1001 W. Lincoln Highway. Visit Venice's most treasured sites, its legendary palazzo and an underground casino in a 50-minute travel video. Refreshments will be served.

FYI: Call (219) 322-4731.

SPAY/NEUTER DAY | Gary

Humane Society NWIN has a low-cost spay/neuter day scheduled for Aug. 20 at 6100 Melton Road. Cost is $55 for dogs and $35 for cats. All animals must have a current rabies vaccination, or pay $15 additional for the vaccine. Call for an appointment.

FYI: Call (219) 938-3339.

SUMMER SYMPHONY | Whiting

Whiting Park festival Orchestra, a 45-member professional ensemble of musicians, performs at the historic Whiting Park Pavilion. It's conducted by Robert Vodnoy. All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. and are about two hours long, including intermission. "The Mikado" is Aug. 16. The orchestra and Whiting Park Festival Chorus with soloists Sharon Quattrin and Bob and Geri Hildreth perform a concert version of Gilbert & Sullivan's masterpiece. From Sea to Shining Sea is Aug. 31. Samuel Barber's "Violin Concerto," with guest soloist Gregory Maytan from Valparaiso University, highlights this year's Labor Day concert. The musicians perform a tribute to Satchmo Armstrong, "Armed Forces Salute," and

the chorus rings out patriotic favorites. Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" sparks a fireworks display over Lake Michigan to cap off another season.

ELKS LODGE OPEN | Hobart

Despite ongoing road construction on 61st Avenue, Hobart Elks Lodge 1152 at 3580 W. 61st Ave., remains open. Bookings for weddings, banquets class reunions are available. Bingo, Sunday Night Ballroom Dancing and other lodge activities continue. The 25th Annual Elks Festival will be held Aug. 23 and 24 with a beer garden, casino, and dining room open from noon to 8 p.m. both days.

FYI: Call (219) 942-1152.

BOOK CHAT | Griffith

Book Chat features a talk on the 1934 novel "Appointment in Samarra" by John O'Hara at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Lake County Public Library's Griffith branch, 940 N. Broad St. Julian and Caroline English are at the center of the social elite until Julian breaks with polite society and embarks on a rapid spiral toward self-destruction. Join the group for dessert and an informal discussion of the novel.

FYI: Call (219) 838-2825.

Hunter education | Hobart

Indiana hunter education classes will be given from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 16 and 17 at Springlake Izaac Walton League, 4700 W. 49th Ave. Students will receive information on firearms safety, wildlife conservation and other topics. Register for this free class.

FYI: Contact Tim Ferguson at (219) 934-9550 or Mary Wilusz at (219) 947-2276.

Celebration | Munster

First Reformed Church of South Holland will have an anniversary celebration starting at 6 p.m. Sept. 26 at The Center for Visual & Performing Arts on Ridge Road. Tickets cost $35 and include dinner. Keynote speaker is the Rev. David Bast, president and broadcast minister of Words of Hope, Grand Rapids, Mich., and former senior pastor of First Church (1981-89). Guest speaker is the Rev. Tim Brown, president of Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Mich., and former co-pastor of First Church (1981-83). A celebration worship service is at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 28 at the church, 15924 S. Park Ave. in South Holland. Reservation deadline is Sept. 1.

FYI: Call (708) 333-0622.

POETS GATHER | Lowell

If you like to write poetry or want to learn the art of poetry writing, join the Northwest Indiana Poetry Society at 10 a.m. Aug. 16 and the third Saturday of every month at the Lowell Public Library, 1505 E. Commercial Ave. Read your poetry, share a poem by a favorite author and enjoy listening to fellow poets.

FYI: Call (219) 696-3338.

SATURDAY MARKET | Gary

Spirit Land Saturday Market is 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 16 and Sept. 20 at Spirit of God, 1010 Roosevelt St. The outdoor market will feature handcrafted merchandise from artists from and around the community, fresh fruits and vegetables and food vendors. Local musicians, along with gospel and other choirs, will participate. booths for Spirit of God and Live Up Art, as well as other community groups, will be available.

FYI: Call (219) 882-0200.

GREENFIELD VILLAGE | Munster

Munster Parks and Recreation Department offers a trip Sept. 5 to 7 to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Mich. Participants get picked up at home and taken to Union Station in Chicago to travel via Amtrak. They will stay at the Doubletree Hotel Dearborn. The next day they will enjoy the longest-running car show in the nation, celebrating the 100th birthday of Henry Ford's Model T. More than 500 cars are displayed; explore Greenfield Village, which has more than 90 historic buildings. The village is next to the Henry Ford Museum, which has more than three centuries of technological changes. The fee is $589 for singles, $489 for doubles and $469 for triples. Register at Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road.

FYI: Call (219) 836-PARK.

DVD SALE | Gary

The Gary Public Library holds a used DVD sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays in August at the main library, 220 W. Fifth Ave. The DVDs cost $3 for one or $5 for two, cash only. There is a limit of six titles per person per visit. The DVDs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. All are previously viewed and are sold as is; all sales are final.

FYI: Call (219) 886-2484, ext. 301.

Summer concerts | Chicago

Lincoln Park Zoo Jammin' at the Zoo concerts all summer long. Soul Asylum will play Aug. 22. Zoo grounds close at 5 p.m. for setup. Zoo members with tickets and Lincoln Park Zoo Member ID can enter 15 minutes early at 5:45 p.m. Gates open to the public at 6 p.m. Concerts end at 10:30 p.m. Opening act starts at 7 p.m. Headliner starts at 9 p.m.

FYI: Tickets are on sale at the zoo's Web site, www.lpzoo.org.

ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS | Munster

Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Philip Bauman, announces fall auditions for the 2008-09 season for Violin, Viola, Bass, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, and Percussion. Auditions will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road. Open to highly accomplished musicians in grades 8 through 12 and post-high school students younger than 22, the orchestra offers a dynamic and educational musical environment which places a strong emphasis on artistic excellence, personal growth and providing exceptional performance experiences. The Youth Orchestra presents two concerts each year, one in December and one in May, and will also perform a concert with the Northwest Indiana Symphony in October. Sunday rehearsals begin Sept. 7. E-mail yo@NISOrchestra.org or call (219) 836-0525 with questions.

FYI: Visit www.NISOrchestra.org and follow the Youth Orchestra link for audition requirements, application form, required music selections, and to schedule an audition.

AUDITION FOR CHORUS | Munster

Auditions for the Northwest Indiana Symphony Chorus' 2008-09 concert season will take place on from 3 to 8 p.m. Aug. 15 and 18 at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road. Previous choral experience is recommended. Vocal range, aural abilities, rhythmic comprehension and sight reading will be tested; no prepared vocal selection is required. The 120-voice chorus, under the direction of Dr. Nancy Menk, performs regularly with the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra. Weekly rehearsals are held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, and will begin Sept. 9.

FYI: Call the NISO office at (219) 836-0525 to arrange an audition time.