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: (219) 933-3249.

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

• Questions? Call (219) 937-5741.

Poker run | South Suburbs

A poker bike run benefit to benefit Barry Allen Wagoner will take place Sept. 27 with registration at 10 a.m. and first bike out at 11 a.m. The route starts at Bottom's Up, 1696 Thornton-Lansing Road in Lansing, and includes stops at Sollitt Tap in Beecher, Reicherts Tavern in Brunswick and Billy Bear's in Hammond. The route ends at sponsor location Pudlo's Bar and Grill, 3803 Hohman Ave. in Hammond. There will be food, music and 50/50. It costs $20 for singles and $25 for doubles.

Wagoner is a 4-year-old who was diagnosed with biotinidase deficiency, which makes his body unable to recycle the vitamin biotin. The condition causes seizures, weak muscle tone, breathing problems and delayed development. He has also been diagnosed with autism and mitochondria disorder. The fundraiser will help pay medical expenses not covered by insurance for a surgical procedure available in Texas that may help rebuild the boy's organs.

FYI: Call (219) 933-9561 or (219) 670-9870.

Mini marathon | Calumet City

The Calumet Memorial Park District's 36th annual Mini-Marathon will be held Sept. 28. The 13.1-mile course is flat and fast. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the race starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. The advance fee is $15 per runner, and the fee on the day of the race is $20. Race begins and ends at Memorial Park, 612 Wentworth Ave.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6443 or visit calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com.

Banned books | Lansing

In honor of Banned Book Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4) Lansing Public Library will hold book discussions on various banned books for various age groups. Register.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.

Ragtime pianist | Homwood

The Homewood Library and the Friends of the Homewood Library will co-sponsor a program by noted ragtime pianist Bob Milne after hours Sept. 28 at the Homewood Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Show starts at 6. Also featured will be guest performances by the Homewood-Flossmoor High School's Barbershop and Beauty Shop Quartets. Admission is free.

FYI: Call (708) 799-9055.

Opera preview | Homewood

A free Lyric Opera preview of Massenet's opera "Manon" will be presented by Barbara DeBolt at 2 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Homewood Library, 17917 Dixie Highway. The public is invited to attend.

FYI: Call (708) 799-9055.

Sierra Club | Park Forest

The Sauk Calumet Group of the Illinois Sierra Club will meet at 7:15 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Ringering Room of the Park Forest Library at Lakewood and Orchard Drive. Volunteers Connie and Jerry Heinrich of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie will show slides and talk about the prairie restoration efforts and new hiking trails available at the 23,000 acre Midewin site, formerly known as the Joliet Arsenal. Sierra Club meetings are free and open to the public.

FYI: Call (708) 923-1550.

Dance | Chicago Heights

The Prairie State College Black Student Union will host the Praise Explozion Dance Show at 7 tonight in the auditorium of Prairie State College, 202 S. Halsted St. Performances include mime, inspirational dance, singing and poetry by local community church members. Admission is $5, and proceeds benefit the Black Student Union. Darryll King, WYCA 102.3 radio personality, will host the event.

FYI: Call (708) 709-3631.

Is shoulder pain keeping you from enjoying a few laps in the pool? Has that knee-buckling pain been progressing over the last few years? Does your hip pain keep you from walking up and down stairs? If you are experiencing chronic pain in your shoulder, knee or hip, chances are you stopped doing a lot of the things you enjoy. There's no need to suffer any longer.

Discover solutions for your shoulder, knee and hip pain and learn what you can do to start living life without pain by attending a free Shoulder, Knee & Hip Pain Seminar, to be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday, October 3, at Ingalls Family Care Center in Flossmoor. The seminar will be presented by David Smith, M.D., orthopedic surgeon on staff at Ingalls who has special expertise in treating shoulder, knee and hip pain and improving mobility with a focus on using the least invasive treatments.

Dr. Smith will be discussing joint related problems such as pain, arthritis, rotator cuff injuries and meniscal tears of the knee, as well as provide an overview of the anatomy and latest surgical procedures for repair of the shoulder, knee and hip. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

The Ingalls Family Care Center is located at 19550 Governors Highway, between Kedzie Avenue and Vollmer Road, in Flossmoor. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Please call 1.800.221.2199 to reserve your seat today.

Memorial ride | Highland

The ninth annual Victory for Veterans Memorial Ride is Sept. 28 at Wicker Memorial Park, at U.S. 41 and Ridge Road. Registration is from 9 to 11 a.m. Cost is $20 singles and $30 doubles and includes ride, lunch, live entertainment and souvenir pin. Proceeds will benefit Wicker Park Veterans Memorial.

During the event, military veterans in Northwest Indiana can receive free counseling and assistance with government benefits through Harley's Heroes Tour, which is making stops throughout the country. Assistance will be given from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at Wicker Memorial Park.

FYI: Call (219) 932-2530, ext 331. For information on Harley's Heroes, call (219) 934-6366, ext. 320 or ext. 313.

Guitar Hero fundraiser | Griffith

Coruscant Comics and Gaming will host a Guitar Hero competition and fundraiser from noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at the store, 2053 W. 45th Ave. The event is a fundraiser for James Joshua "JJ" Golub, a 16-year-old Highland High School student, who has a form of bone cancer. The competition is double elimination with prizes for first, second and third place. There is a $5 entry fee and prizes range from gift cards to T-shirts, hats and demo games. The competition will take place on two difficulty levels. There will also be a Yu-Gi-Oh card tournament with prizes for the winners. A silent auction will feature pop culture items and food will be sold. A DJ and live music are also planned.

FYI: Call (219) 922-0008.

Opening reception | Highland

Uncle Freddy's, 2635 Highway Ave., will be the home of A Brave New World, a new exhibit that opens Sept. 27. A public opening reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. This exhibit includes a lineup of three contemporary artists, Julien Colombier (Paris), Brian O'Dell (Los Angeles) and Casey Roberts (Indianapolis). For artistic analysis of the exhibit, the public is invited to attend Walk the Talk discussion series with Gregg Hertzlieb, director/curator of the Brauer Museum of Art at 7 p.m. Oct. 2. Admission is $5.

FYI: Call (219) 923-1909.

Fish fry | Munster

Munster Knights of Columbus Council 10596 is hosting a fish fry from 4 to 8 p.m. today in the Social Center at St. Thomas More Church, 8501 Calumet Ave. Price is $9 for fish or shrimp or fish/shrimp combo. There will be beverages for sale. All proceeds will go toward local, nonprofit organizations and the disaster relief fund designed to help the flood victims.

FYI: Call (219) 922-6392.

Rib Fest | Highland

Highland Elks 981 will host Rib Fest from 5 to 8 p.m. today. The club is at 3120 45th St. Tickets are $15 at the door. Meal includes ribs, slaw, potato, green beans and salad. Carry-outs are available. Dessert will be sold by the Lady Elks.

FYI: For advance tickets or information call the lodge at (219) 922-8253.

Steak fry | Whiting

Whiting American Legion Post 80 will hold its annual steak fry from 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the post hall, 2003 Indianapolis Blvd. Ribeye steaks, cooked to order, will be served with baked potato, a vegetable and salad. It's $15 for adults. Carry-outs available.

FYI: Call (219) 659-0215 for reservations.

Shrimp boil | Griffith

Griffith Izaak Walton League of America will have its 11th annual Shrimp Boil from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 27 at 1532 E. Main St. It's $10 for adults and

$5 for ages 12 and younger. Carry-out is available. Hamburgers and hot dogs are available.

FYI: Call (219) 924-0650.