EAST CHICAGO

Pabey plans Labor Day celebration at marina

East Chicago Mayor George Pabey will have a Labor Day celebration Sunday at the East Chicago Marina, 3301 Aldis Ave.

Doors will open at 6 a.m. Music by Everardo y Su Flota Musical and DJ Joweto will begin at 7 p.m. The evening also will include fireworks and food. No coolers will be allowed inside the marina.

HAMMOND

Funding requests must be submitted by Oct. 1

The Hammond Department of Planning and Development is preparing its budget for the 2009 Community Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant and Community Housing Development organizations' programs.

Any agency that wants to request funding from those allocations will have to fill out an application.

Applications are available beginning Sept. 2. They must be completed and returned to the Department of Planning and Development, 649 Conkey St., by Oct. 1. Applications received later than Oct. 1 will not be considered for funding.

For more information, call Rosetta Franks Foster at (219) 853-6371.

HIGHLAND

Town department offers Citizens Police Academy

The Highland Police Department will begin its next Citizens Police Academy on Sept. 30.

Applicants must be 18 years old and live or work in Highland.

The academy is a 10-week program designed to give the public a working knowledge of the Police Department.

Classes are from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the south fire station, 2647 45th St. Instruction includes lectures, demonstrations and tours. There also will be a ride-along program with members of the Highland Police Department.

Questions may be directed to Sgt. John Banasiak or Detective Shawn Anderson at (219) 838-3184.

Applications may be picked up at Town Hall or printed from the Police Department Web site at http://www.highlandpolice.com.

HAMMOND

Neuter Scooter to visit Civic Center on Sept. 3

The Neuter Scooter will visit the Hammond Civic Center Sept. 3.

The mobile cat spay and neuter clinic will open at 8 a.m.

Each surgery is performed by a licensed veterinarian. The fee is $40 if paid in advance and $50 if paid at the clinic.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit http://www.neuterscooter.com or call (219) 853-6378.

HAMMOND

Holiday affects schedule for city garbage pick-up

The Hammond Sanitation and Recycling department will not be working Monday in observance of Labor Day.

Because of the holiday, garbage and scheduled recycling pick-ups will be handled one day later. That means crews will be working Sept. 6.

CEDAR LAKE

Foresters reach out to Griffith tornado victims

The National Catholic Order of Foresters Our Lady of Help Court 865 of Cedar Lake is holding a benefit to help Griffith tornado victims.

The group is hosting a Heart and Hands event, something called a bakeless bake sale.

There is no cost for tickets, no cakes to bake. Those who would like to participate should simply write the price of a "pie or cake" down for their donation. The benefit will be held during Mass on Saturday and Sunday at Holy Name Church, 11100 W. 133rd Ave., Cedar Lake.

Donations will be accepted for the people of Griffith during the second collection. Checks should be made payable to Our Lady of Help Court 865. The Foresters will match funds raised up to $1,000. All money raised will benefit Griffith residents.