Finalist | Harvey

Restoration Ministries is one of 10 finalists for the 2008 Samaritan Award, created by the Acton Institute to honor grassroots nonprofit organizations. More than 300 organizations from across the country applied for the Samaritan Award. Applications were reviewed and scored by a team of social science experts at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. As one of the top finalists, Restoration Ministries is now in the running for a $10,000 grand prize to be announced in early August. Restoration Ministries and the other finalists were visited by WORLD magazine journalists and will be profiled in a special issue on Aug. 15.

The Samaritan Award is given to a highly successful, privately funded charity whose work is direct, personal and accountable. Its purpose is to encourage charities who, like the Good Samaritan, get intimately involved with individuals and work to bring about real change in the lives of those in need. "To be recognized by the Acton Institute in this way is a tremendous honor and very encouraging," said Ray Banks, Restoration Ministries' executive director.

VictorFest | Calumet City

St. Victor Parish will host VictorFest 2008 from noon to 10 p.m. today. Entrance is free. The church is at 553 Hirsch Ave. Soundz of Santana starts at 6 tonight. VictorFest will also feature food concessions, a beer garden and a variety of other activities for families.

FYI: Call (708) 891-8920.

String Fever | South Holland

String Fever will perform at 7 p.m. July 31 at South Holland Public Library, 16250 Wausau Ave. Registration is required for this group that plays hammered dulcimer and acoustic guitar.

FYI: Call (708) 331-5262 or www.southhollandlibrary.org.

Raffle | Calumet City

The Knights of Columbus Coronata Council 3806 are going to be selling raffle tickets today and Aug. 1, 2 and 3 at the following locations: Ted's Restaurant, 580 Burnham Ave.; Tom's Restaurant, 894 Burnham Ave.; and Aunt Sally's Restaurant, 1215 Burnham Ave. There are 72 cash prizes, and first prize is $10,000. Tickets cost $1 per ticket. Bring address labels to use for filling out tickets.

FYI: Call (708) 877-2816.

Polka picnic | Glenwood

A polka picnic begins at noon today at PACF Farm and Grove, 18600 Glenwood-Thornton Road. Music will be from 2 to 6 p.m. and other activities include free paddle boat rides, bingo, a fishing derby and door prizes. Bring your own lawn chair. Food and beverages will be available and no coolers or BYOB are allowed. Tickets will cost $10 at the gate. Children 12 and younger are admitted free.

FYI: For tickets call (219) 397-2486 or (708) 709-0365.

Vacation Bible School | Chicago

St. Florian will host Vacation Bible School: Rainforest Adventure from 9 a.m. to noon July 28 to Aug. 1 at 13145 S. Houston Ave.

in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood. Ages 4 to 10 can attend for $15 each. It will be set in a rainforest environment. This lively program will engage kids through kid- friendly bible stories, combined with a jungle of hands-on, fun-filled activities.

FYI: Call (773) 646-4877 to register or for more information.

Book battle | Lansing

Battle of the Books! is from 6 to 8 p.m. July 28 at Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. It's for children in sixth through eighth grades who signed up for the battle in June.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.

Best house | Calumet City

Neighborhoods Inc. is organizing the annual Best House on the Block Contest in Calumet City. Homeowners, landlords, owner-occupied multiple unit and single family home renters can enter this free contest, which requires submitting written plans for improvement. The deadline for entries is Aug. 15 and judging begins Sept. 15. First prize is $600, second place is $400, third place is $300 and fourth place is $200, for each ward.

FYI: Get an entry form from Neighborhoods Inc. or call (708) 862-3232.

Indoor picnic | Homewood

The Illiana Jewish Genealogical Society will hold its annual indoor picnic from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Marie Irwin Community Center, 18120 Highland Ave. Everyone is invited. The fee is $8 per person. Cold cuts and salad will be provided, but attendees are asked to bring a side dish or dessert.

FYI: E-mail ijgs@comcast.net.

SEE 'GREASE' | Highland

Highland Performing Arts Department presents "Grease" at 8 p.m. July 31 and Aug. 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 at Main Square Park, 3001 Ridge Road. C. Dale Kelley, who has been involved in community theater or 14 years, directs the show. Bring a lawn chair. The performances are free and offered by the Highland Parks and Recreation Department.

FYI: Call (219) 838-0114.

PUCKER FACE RACE | Highland

The Highland Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the Pucker Face 5K Race/2.5K Walk scheduled during the Midwest Zest Fest. The event will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 6. Prizes and awards will be announced at 7 p.m. Applications are available at www.midwestzestfest.com. This event is open to the public, and the cost is $20 per person through Aug. 24 and $25 after for the 5K race, and $15 before Aug. 24 and $20 after for the 2.5K walk. Send application with payment to the Highland Chamber of Commerce, 8536 Kennedy Ave., Highland, IN, 46322 or sign up online at www.midwestzestfest.com by clicking on signmeup.com.

NEW FRIENDS | Highland

New Friends meets to play cards from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays at Porte de L'eau Clubhouse, 2033 Porte de L'eau, off of 45th Avenue. The group welcomes single, divorced and widowed men and women who are older than 50. Activities include meeting for dinners, shows, picnics, golf, bowling, potlucks and other events. Drop-ins are welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 844-0925.

IRISH FEST | Munster

Munster Parks and Recreation department offers a trip Aug. 16 to Milwaukee Irish Fest, the world's largest Irish festival celebrating Irish culture and music with more than 300 performances on 16 stages, food booths, a cultural village with shopping and a children's area. This fest takes place at Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Lake Michigan. This is a motorcoach-only trip. Admission is on your own: $15 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 60 and older, 12 and younger free. The fee is $38 for residents, $43 for nonresidents and $36 for Keen-Ager members. Register at Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road.

FYI: Call (219) 836-PARK.

FALL HARVEST | Griffith

Applications are being accepted for the annual Fall Harvest Craft Show held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27 and 28 at Central Park on Broad Street. Only hand-made items are accepted.

FYI: Call (219) 922-6590 or (219) 838-1025 or e-mail jmepme6059@att.net or e-mail kencarol@sbcglobal.net.

BIZARRE BAZAAR | Hammond

Artists, crafters and direct sales vendors are needed for the third annual Bizarre Bazaar event to be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20, hosted by the Downtown Hammond Council. The outdoor festival features a free concert by the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, community yard sale, children's chess tournament, adult bean bag tournament, canine costume contest, and kids games and arts activities and more. Vendors can print an application at www.downtownhammond.org or e-mail to info@downtownhammond.org.

FYI: Call (219) 937-0111.