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

To get listed in the calendar, contact Illinois community coordinator Jennifer Pallay.

• E-mail: jpallay@nwitimes.com.

• Fax: (708) 474-2897.

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

• Questions? Call (219) 937-5741.

Art exhibit | University Park

Segments of Life, a graduate art exhibition by Donna Franks-Tapley, of Lynwood, will be on display at the Visual Arts Gallery at Governors State University through July 9. Portraits are created using a combination of frontal and profile views of the artist's face, creating a visual conflict with the foreground and background leaving the viewer to question what is positive and what is negative space. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. The Visual Arts Gallery is in E-Wing, Governors State University, 1 University Parkway.

FYI: Call (708) 534-4021.

Common Ground | Flossmoor

A Common Ground lecture is at 7 p.m. July 9 in the Flossmoor Village Hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road. Jim Kenney will lead the evening's lecture/discussion. His doctoral work at Northwestern University is in comparative religions. Admission is $10 per person. Free parking is available in the Flossmoor village hall lot or in the church lot immediately adjacent to it.

FYI: Call (708) 799-4102.

Puzzle party | Calumet City

A puzzle party for ages 4 and older is from 2 to 2:45 p.m. July 12 at Calumet City Public Library, 660 Manistee Ave. Color and put together a puzzle to keep. Then play with a variety of puzzles. Register.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6220.

Library Olympics | Calumet City

Ages 6 and older can attend Library Olympics from 2 to 3 p.m. July 23 at Calumet City Public Library, 660 Manistee Ave. Register for this event. Kids will test their abilities with balance, throwing, bouncing and other skills.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6220.

Basketball camp | South Holland

The South Suburban College basketball program will host a championship basketball camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 11 through 13. The camp is designed for boys and girls ages 7 to 17, and will be directed by Coach John Pigatti and players from the 2008 basketball team that finished fifth in the nation. The cost of the camp is $70 per camper for all four days of instruction and a T-shirt. Each camper will need shorts, basketball shoes, and a T-shirt or practice uniform. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase every day of camp.

FYI: Call Pigatti at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2524.

CELEBRATION | South Holland

South Holland has planned fun for people of all ages today at Veterans Park. The all-day event promises a day of food, friendly-competition and entertainment. Music lovers are in for a treat with the sweet harmonies and melodies of acts such as the Mystic Fire Band, Zemrah & Co and the South Holland Municipal Band. A "Rib-Fest" cookoff will kick off the day at 9 a.m. and will show off the skills of South Holland's finest grillmasters. A fireworks display is scheduled for 9 p.m. In between will be games for kids and adults, balloon designs, face painting and food. Free parking is available at five different locations near Veterans Park, at 160th Place and South Park Avenue.

FYI: Call (708) 708-210-2918 or visit southholland.org.

GRAND OLE 4TH | Lansing

Lan-Oak Park District will have its Grand Ole Fourth celebration today at Lan-Oak Park, 178th and 180th and Arcadia and Oakley. There will be carnival games and Taste of Lansing food booths open from 4 to 9 p.m. Good Times Band will perform from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Contests will take place throughout the day including a big bounce contest at 5:30 p.m., potato sack races at 6:30 p.m. and a watermelon eating contest at 8:30 p.m. Fireworks are at 9:30 p.m.

FYI: Call (708) 474-8552.

FAMILY FUN FEST | Homewood

Celebrate Independence Day with fun for the entire family at Homewood-Flossmoor Park District's annual Family Fun Fest taking place today. Family Fun Fest runs from noon to 3 p.m. at Izaak Walton Preserve, 1100 Ridge Road. It features food, carnival games, six different inflatable attractions including waterslide and obstacle courses, interactive DJ entertainment and more. Tickets for games may be purchased at Family Fun Fest. Attractions and games range from 50 cents to $1.50. Wristbands will also be available this year for $12, allowing unlimited visits to games and attractions. Food and beverages will be available and are coordinated by the Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve.

FYI: Call H-F Park District at (708) 957-PARK or visit hfparks.com.

Workshop | Hammond

New Hope Outreach will hold a free R&R Stress Awareness and Management Workshop from 1:30 to 3 p.m. July 11 at 5246 Hohman Ave. Some stress is a part of everyday lives and the first steps to being content and relaxed is to realize how stress is influencing our lives and then practice stress strategies to prevent the unhealthy and costly effects of stress. This workshop includes media segments by the Stanford University Center for Research in Disease Prevention and Joyce Saltman on Humor and Healing.

FYI: To register, contact New Hope Outreach at (219) 838-1093 or e-mail reservations to new-hope-outreach@sbcglobal.net.

FESTIVAL | Highland

Independence Day will be celebrated at Main Street Park, Ridge Road and 5th Street. Hours are noon to midnight today and July 5, and noon to 9 p.m. July 6. There will be bands, rides and food. Wristband specials are available. A kiddie parade is at 11 a.m. today. Fireworks are at 9 tonight.

FYI: Call (219) 838-0114.

BEER GARDEN | Highland

Our Lady of Grace Church holds its 11th annual Beer Garden Festival from 6 p.m. to midnight through July 6 at 3035 Highway Ave. Beer and other beverages, soft drinks and Langel's food court will be featured. A bake sale will take place after all Masses July 5 and 6 in the school cafeteria.

FYI: Call (219) 838-7838 or (219) 838-9094.

MUSICAL BENEFIT | Merrillville

The July 19 performance of the Broadway musical "Chicago" at the Star Plaza Theatre will be a benefit for St. Jude House. Opening night for this Tony Award-winning show will raise funds for programming at the Crown Point shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The shelter provides all services, including food, clothing, advocacy, education, and legal support at no charge to those needing assistance. Tickets for the July 19 show, which cost $25 and $20, are available at Star Plaza Theatre Box Office, Ticket Master or St. Jude House. A raffle for items with a Chicago theme will be offered during intermission. Sponsors are welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 662-7066, ext. 15.

CRAFT SHOW | Schererville

Cal-Ridge Moose Family Center 1258 will have a craft show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 12 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 13. The lodge is at 176 Kennedy Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 313-0091 or visit www.calridgemoose.com.

COOKBOOK SOLD | Crown Point

Surgical Services, a group of nurses and surgical technicians based in Crown Point, has collected 448 of their best family recipes and compiled them into a keepsake cookbook that is being sold for $10. All proceeds will benefit St. Jude House shelter for victims of domestic abuse. Copies of the cookbook are available from any contributor and at Centier Bank, Citizens Financial Bank and The Conservative Cafe, all in Crown Point.

FYI: Call Joy Heminger at (219) 662-7066, ext. 17.

FEST & CAR SHOW | Highland

St. James Festival, Car and Bike Show is July 19 at 9640 Kennedy Ave. Registration is from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and the show follows. A participant fee of $15 is asked, with a free T-shirt given for those who sign up by July 3. The fee is $20 after that date. Spectators are admitted free. Bike and car blessings, beer garden, food, music, trophies in 16 classes, magnetic plaque, goody bags and free give-a-ways will be featured.

FYI: Call 924-5186 or e-mail sjcarshow@sbcglobal.net.