Find out all the events going on in your community, and plan your week's activities with The Times.
To get listed in the calendar, contact Southlake community coordinator Marlene A. Zloza at least 10 days in advance.
E-mail: mzloza@nwitimes.com.
Fax: (219) 662-5296.
Address: 2080 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN 46307.
Questions? Call (219) 662-5340.
GIVE BLOOD | Crown Point
A Heartland Blood Center blood drive is from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 29 in Suite D of the Marian Education Center at St. Anthony Medical Center, 1201 S. Main St. Every donor will receive a Heartland nautical jacket and a coupon for a $15 Starbucks gift card. Bring a photo ID.
FYI: Call the blood bank at (219) 757-6344 to schedule an appointment.
HOLIDAY CLOSING | Jasper County
All three branches of the Jasper County Public Library, Rensselaer, DeMotte and Wheatfield, will be closed today and Dec. 25 and 31, and Jan. 1, 2009, for the holidays.
FYI: Call (219) 866-5881, (219) 987-2221 or (219) 956-3774.
CANDLELIGHT SERVICE | Gary
A Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held at 4 p.m. today at Bethel Lutheran Church, 411 N. Montgomery St. in Miller. Candles, children's procession to the manger, carols and communion will be included.
FYI: Call (219) 938-6677.
LANGUAGE CLASSES | Merrillville
Join adults learning English as a second language at 6:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 5 through March 11, at the Lake County Public Library, 1919 W. U.S. 30. Four levels are offered - Non-English Speaking, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. Individuals will be assessed to determine their appropriate level. Classes are free and no registration is required. Bring a pencil and paper.
FYI: Call (219) 769-3541, ext. 309.
COLLEGE REGISTRATION | Indiana
Early registration has begun for the spring 2009 session and pre-registration for the summer semester at Ivy Tech Community College Northwest. Web and telephone registration is also available. Classes begin Jan. 12.
FYI: Call (888) IVY-LINE or visit www.ivytech.edu.
VEGETABLE GROWERS | Schererville
Purdue University and University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Services will sponsor the Illiana Vegetable Growers' School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 6 at Teibel's Restaurant, U.S. 41 and 30. "The speakers this year are focusing their discussions to help growers prepare for next year's crop and how to improve production through better management," said Gene Matzat, Purdue Extension educator. Among other topics, pest management specialists will present new information about biorational and organic insecticides and managing bacterial diseases of tomatoes and pumpkins. Lunch is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Register by Dec. 28 by completing a registration form and mailing it with a registration fee of $25 per person to Purdue Extension Lake County, ANR Dept., 880 East 99th Court, Suite A, Crown Point, IN 46307. Checks should be made payable to Purdue CES Education Fund. Fee includes the luncheon, refreshments, and handouts. Registrations will be accepted at the door
beginning at 8 a.m., but a meal cannot be guaranteed without preregistration. Individuals who hold a valid Indiana private Pesticide Applicator License can receive credit toward recertification by attending the morning session and paying a $10 fee. Indiana Commercial Pesticide Applicators may receive continuing certification hours. Certified Crop Adviser continuing education units have been approved in pest management and crop management.
FYI: Visit www.hort.purdue.edu/fruitveg/events/events.shtml or call (219) 755-3240 or (219) 785-5673.
CAMP COLD | Hammond
Camp COLD! will be held for ages 7 to 10 from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 29 at Gibson Woods Nature Preserve, 6201 Parrish Ave. Fee is $5. Though winter may seem cold and desolate, it's really full of animal activity. Take a winter hike and spend some time looking for signs of life outside. Warm up inside, enjoy a snack and make a craft to take home. Registration is required. Dress for cold weather.
FYI: Call (219) 844-3188.
BOOKreMARKS | Lake County
The featured book for January for readers participating in the online book discussion hosted by the Lake County Public Library is "Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw. To join the discussion, e-mail remarks@lakeco.lib.in.us.
FYI: Visit www.lakeco.lib.in.us/remarks.htm for more information.
FILM SERIES | Schererville
See a foreign film as part of the Independent Film Series at 1 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Lake County Public Library's Dyer-Schererville branch, 1001 W. U.S. 30. For mature audiences, this Belgian film in Flemish with English subtitles is the story of a youngster bullied to the point where he must plan his own survival. It has not been rated by the MPAA, but is for adults only. Refreshments will be served.
FYI: Call (219) 322-4731.
STAMP CLASS | St. John
Adults can create rubber stamped paper products with Stampin'Up!'s Melissa Krenkel-Sullivan at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Lake County Public Library's St. John branch, 9450 U.S. 41. There is a $5 fee due at the time of class for the cost of materials. Registration is required.
FYI: Call (219) 365-5379.
PENGUIN PARADE | Cedar Lake
Preschoolers 3 to 5 will enjoy stories, songs and a craft as they learn all about penguins at 10 a.m.or 1 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Lake County Public Library's Cedar Lake branch, 10010 W. 133rd Ave.
FYI: Call (219) 374-7121.
BUY A BOOK | Lowell
Friends of the Lowell Library are selling 2009 Entertainment coupon books as a fundraiser. The cost is $20 and the books include savings for movies, dining, sporting events, theatres, etc. Books are available at the library, 1505 E. Commercial Ave.
FYI: Call (219) 696-7704.
CIRCLE OF READERS | Merrillville
Readers are invited to a discussion of "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman at 6:15 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Lake County Public Library, 1919 W. U.S. 30. Call to register or reserve a copy.
FYI: Call (219) 769-3541, ext. 340.
ENTRANCE EXAM | Merrillville
Andrean High School is hosting a second entrance exam for incoming freshmen on from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 10 at 5959 Broadway. Please enter through Entrance A in the front of the school, bring $20 for the test fee and two No. 2 pencils.
FYI: Call Dawn Wojkovich at (219) 887-5281, ext. 228 or e-mail dwojkovich@andreanhs.com.
FOOD DRIVE | Portage
TS Cheer & Rising Star Martial Arts, 5347B U.S. 6, is holding a holiday food drive. Any new student who brings in six canned or dry food items will receive a free, two-week beginner class. Choose from Tae Kwon Do, tumbling or cheerleading. Donations will be split between Hobart and Portage food pantries and will be accepted until Jan 4.
FYI: Call (219) 762-4337.
BOOK CLUB TO GO | Merrillville
Have you ever wanted to do your own book discussion? The Lake County Public Library is giving others the chance to use library materials for their own book discussion at home. Book Club to Go kits are now available for checkout for up to two months. These kits contain 10-15 copies of a selected book, information about the author, questions that will stimulate discussion and other resources, all packed in a tote bag on wheels. They are easy to obtain quickly from the library, too. Interested groups may visit the library's website at www.lakeco.lib.in.us to view available titles or visit their local branch and fill out a request form.
FYI: Call (219) 769-3541.
