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.

Historical society | Whiting

The Whiting Roberstdale Historical Society will meet at 1 p.m. Sept. 25 in the lower meeting room at Whiting Public Library, 1735 Oliver St. There will be a guest speaker and refreshments. The public is welcome.

FYI: Call the library at (219) 473-4700.

Support | Munster

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 8601 Harrison Ave., will hold support group meetings for anyone affected by the floods. The first meeting is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 25. Enter through door K on the south side of the building. Meetings will be facilitated by licensed social workers.

FYI: Call (219) 836-6270.

Flood claims | East Chicago

The East Chicago Property Owners Association will present a program open to the public at 6 p.m. Sept. 25 at the East Chicago Public Library, 2401 E. Columbus Drive. The program is about the process for filing claims for the hundreds of basements in homes and businesses that flooded during the recent rain storms. The presentation will be made by East Chicago FEMA Executive Director Herbert Cruz. There will be a question period following the presentation.

FYI: Call (219) 398-6878

Final registration | Hammond

Hessville Youth Basketball will be holding the final registration for boys and girls ages 5 to 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Jean Shepherd Community Center at 3031 Mahoney Drive. Cost is $50 per child and $25 for each additional child or immediate family member. Birth certificate is required for all new players. A mandatory fundraiser is required.

FYI: Call (219) 844-4709, Carol McCormack (219) 845-9390, or Bobby Herron (219) 588-7488.

RAILROAD FAIR | Griffith

Griffith Railroad Fair will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a break from tradition and feature A Salute to Olde-Time Transportation with a display of antique autos and other vehicles. The fair, sponsored by the Griffith Historical Society, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27 and 28 at the Griffith Historical Park, 201 S. Broad St. A variety of railroad and transportation-related merchandise, antiques and collectibles will be available, along with a trackless train ride for all ages, Moonwalk and kids games. The society's famous Hobo Stew cooked over an open fire and home-made cornbread will be available. For pre-fair information, call (219) 924-4026.

FYI: Call (219) 924-9701.

PAVAROTTI FOREVER | Hammond

Join the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and Music Director/Conductor Kirk Muspratt for an opening concert, "Pavarotti Forever!," at 8 p.m. Sept. 26 at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino. The concert will feature three tenors from the world-renowned Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. NISO's season begins with a tribute to Luciano Pavarotti, one of the worlds most well-known and beloved opera singers and the best selling classical recording artist of all time. Tickets range from $20-$60, and subscriptions are still available.

FYI: Call (219) 836-0525 or visit www.NISOrchestra.org.

Remote control show | Hammond

Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. and Hammond Parks & Recreation will host an indoor and outdoor remote controlled air show and static display hosted by the Midwest Sundowners. It's from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Jean Shepherd Community Center, 3031 J.F. Mahoney Drive. C

FYI: Call (219) 554-0155. To view video of last year's event, visit www.gohammond.com and click on the Video Central page.

Free tetanus shots | Munster

Those who are affected by the flood can receive free tetanus shots from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Sept. 25 and 26 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8955 Columbia Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 838-3131.

Classic movie | Highland

The Highland Branch Library, 2841 Jewett St., will offer a free showing of a classic film starring Doris Day and Cary Grant at 2 and 6 p.m. Sept. 29. Refreshments will be served. Register.

FYI: Call (219) 838-2394.

Popcorn social | St. John

Time for Kids will host a popcorn social for children with special needs from 6:30 to 8:30 Sept. 25 at 8307 Wicker Ave. There is a $3 admission fee. There is no fee for parents/guardians, who are asked to stay.

FYI: Call (219) 742-2803.

Clothing give-a-way | Hammond

The Helps Ministry of New Hope Baptist Church will have a clothing and coat give-a-way from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 27 in the church parking lot, Merrill Street and Columbia Avenue. In case of inclement weather, it will take place inside the church.

FYI: Call (219) 932-5955.

Harvest Market Day | Hammond

Unity Church of Christ is holding a Harvest Market Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 27 at the church, 740 River Drive. There will be arts, crafts, market items and food.

FYI: Call (219) 931-5284.

GARAGE SALE | Griffith

Indiana Youth Ballet Company will sponsor group garage sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26, and from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 27 (rain dates Oct. 2 and 3) at 914 E. Lake St. Proceeds will help provide scholarships for members to attend dance conferences and experience educational dance programs.

FYI: Call (219) 922-9331.

Fish fry | Munster

Munster Knights of Columbus Council 10596 is hosting a fish fry from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 26 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 pop, dessert, coffee, beer and wine 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.

Bus trip | Highland

Take a bus trip to the ethnic north side of Chicago with Highland Parks and Recreation Department. The trip departs at 9 a.m. and returns at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 15. Passengers will travel through Wicker Park, up the Polish corridor and see Irish-American and German points of interest. Lunch is included and will take place at the Chicago Brauhaus. Registration deadline is Sept. 30.

FYI: Call (219) 838-0114.

Football competition | Hammond

Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr., Hammond Parks & Recreation and NFL Youth Football invite all area children to participate in their Punt, Pass & Kick competition to win a trip to the NFL Playoffs this fall. The competition will be held Sept. 27 in Dowling Park behind the Jean Shepherd Community Center, 3031 J.F. Mahoney Drive. Children will be broken up into age divisions. A copy of a birth certificate is mandatory. Registration is at 8 a.m. and the competition begins at 9. This is a free event.

FYI: Call (219) 853-6378, ext. 311.

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.

WRITING GRANTS | Crown Point

A two-day Beginner's Guide to Grant Writing workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 16 and Nov. 20 at the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service office, 880 E. 99th Court. Develop a proposal outline and learn of all the resources necessary to complete it at the first session, then return with a full proposal and become a reviewer, learn strategies for finding funding and polish your proposal. Cost is $150 and includes program materials, food and beverages. Register by Oct. 1. Brochure and registration is available at www.pcrd.purdue.edu/documents/gww brochure.pdf

FYI: Contact Brad Clinehens at (219) 755-3240 or bclinehens@purdue.edu.

Pet blessing | Whiting

The Whiting/Robertsdale Catholic community invites pets and their owners to the annual Pet Blessing at noon Oct. 4 in front of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1849 Lincoln Ave. This annual event coincides with the feast of St. Frances of Assisi. Certificates of blessing will be presented to all participants. Pets should be contained or on a leash.

FYI: Call (219) 659-0023.

Trivia Night | Munster

Trivia Night at St. Thomas More School will allow participants to answer trivia questions for a chance to win prizes. It's at 7 p.m. Oct. 11. A table of 10 is $100. Must be 21 to participate. Only tables of 10 will be sold. Reserve a table by Oct. 1. It's sponsored by St. Thomas More Home and School Association.

FYI: RSVP to Sam at samhofferthfrancis@sbcglobal.net or Chris at (219) 934-9284.

PORK CHOP DINNER | Merrillville

Msgr. Ralph Hoffmann Council 13003 Knights of Columbus will host a pork chop dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 25 in the of St. Joan of Arc Church Hall, 200 E. 78th Ave. Cost is $9 for two pork chops, baked potato, vegetable, salad and coffee. Children's hot dog platter is $3. Carry-outs will be available.

Tickets are available by phone or at the door

FYI: Call Dave Gough at (219) 942-8378 or Doug Kullerstrand at (219) 688-6518.

Author talks | Lansing

Author Diane Martin will discuss her book "Autumn Leaves" at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in the Community Room at the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.

Banned books | East Chicago

The East Chicago Public Library celebrates Banned Books Week Sept. 27 to Oct. 4 at both the Main and Pastrick branches. The main library is at 2401 E. Columbus Drive and the Pastrick Branch at 1008 W. Chicago Ave. The library will have a book display, bookmarks and a raffle. Patrons who check out books from the banned book list or any book now through Oct. 4 will qualify to enter the raffle for a chance to win a $25 Border's gift card and "I Read Banned Books" tote bag. The raffle is open to all East Chicago residents and the drawing will take place at both locations on Oct. 6.

FYI: Call (219) 397-5505.

Retirees meet | Chicago

Republic Steel Retirees will meet at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at Steve's Lounge, 13200 Baltimore Ave. in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood. Dinner is at 6:45. It's $13 for dues-paid members and $18 for others.

FYI: Call (773) 307-5675 or (773) 721-9631.

Rummage sale | Glenwood

St. John Women's Club will have its annual rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27 and 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 28 at

St. John Church, 301 Cottage Grove Ave. There will be household items, toys, jewelry, crafts, holiday decorations and tools. No clothing will be offered.

FYI: Call (708) 758-5098.

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.

COUNTRY-A-FAIR | Schererville

Country-A-Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 27 at Redar Park, Gregory & Austin streets. Activities, crafts, produce, games, food and fun for all ages. Children and adults will enjoy shopping, storytelling, toe-tapping music and more. Back by popular demand, the Bertrand Ranch will be returning with all of their young farm animals including a miniature horse, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, and rabbits for children to pet, feed and hold. String Fever, an instrumental hammered dulcimer and guitar duo, will perform from 11:30 to 2.

FYI: Call (219) 865-5530 or visit www.schererville.org