Join me for the Windy City Rodeo, the 12th annual Illinois Gay Rodeo, at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Six Guns Ranch & Arena, 26926 S. State Line Road in Crete. Proceeds from the rodeo will benefit Howard Brown Health Center, Vital Bridges and Direct Aid. Watch barrel racing, flag racing, pole bending, bull riding, team roping and other traditional rodeo events, plus steer and goat dressing and a wild drag race. There will plenty of entertainment, food, drinks and memorabilia.

* Steger Days is here. Activities start at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Veterans Park, 35th Street and Hopkins Avenue. Food vendors and craft, product vendors will be set up in the park both days. There will be free activities for kids, including games, train rides, inflatables, and magic show with Brutus the Psychic Bunny Rabbit. The Steger Fire Department Street Dance will be under the tent at 5:30 p.m.

Sunday's activities start off with Brackman's Car Show starting at noon and running until 4 p.m. In the midst of the car show is the Keeping Our Children Safe parade. The parade kicks off at 1 p.m. at 34th and Morgan. Starting at 2 p.m. the great local band with my friend Jim Hanus, Near Beer, will perform under the tent. At 3 p.m. the Steger Junior Widgets football game will begin at the football field on 36th Street.

* Halloween is right around the corner and this year the Crete F Men haunted house returns with the same frightful fun that makes it a community favorite. Interested in volunteering? Starting at noon Aug. 30 maze makers are needed at the Crete F Men Hall on the corner of Exchange Street and Kings Road in Crete. Call (708) 672-9615.

* Looking for a cool place to show off that classic car? You can at a place with beautiful models, a movie being filmed and 28 trophies and awards. The Chicago Dubs & Dimes Custom Car and Bike Show is from 1 to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at Pampered Auto Club, 6370 W. Emerald Parkway in Monee. Call (773) 297-4786.

* Want to help out a great kid who has kidney disease? David Nardi, of Steger, is 13 and needs a kidney transplant. A fundraiser is from 6 p.m. to midnight Sept. 13 at the Steger VFW Post 8283, 33rd and Chicago Road. There will be plenty of bands, food and raffles. All proceeds go to the David Nardi Medical Fund. To donate to the auction, e-mail PHanus.nardi@yahoo.com.

* The Crete Township Fire Protection District has started a cadet program for high schoolers 16 to 21, who live within the Crete Fire Protection District. This program is designed to assist students who wish to be firefighters or may want to pursue a career in the EMS or fire service field. For information, call Lt. Chris Veste at (708) 672-7111.

* A big thanks to everyone who attended the Simon Legal Fund benefit Friday. The music performed by Westphal was great. The food prepared by Cathy, Mike's sister, was super. The new Star Bar owned by Paul is incredible. All of the prizes were won by great people.

The opinions are solely those of the writer. She can be reached at i_hva_dream@yahoo.com.