Mortgage help | Lansing

A free seminar for homeowners is from 6:30 to 7:15 tonight at Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. They will learn about the mortgage lending industry and achieving financial goals. Counselors will be available until 8 p.m.

FYI: Call (708) 214-5826.

Discount tickets | Calumet City

The Calumet Memorial Park District is selling discount tickets to Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor. Purchase an adult ticket for $35, a child's ticket for $29, or a two-day pass for $52. Tickets may be purchased at the Memorial Park Fieldhouse, 612 Wentworth Ave. Availability is limited. Only cash can be accepted as payment.

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

Writers' group | Lansing

A writers' special interest group will meet from 10 a.m. to noon July 19 at Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. It's for ages 18 and older.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447, ext. 122.

Youth group | Lansing

St. Ann Parish in Lansing recently started a youth group. Students in eighth grade through high school from Lansing and surrounding communities are welcome to attend. The group meets in the parish hall, 3014 Ridge Road.

FYI: Contact the parish office at (708) 895-6700.

Registration | Calumet City

Lincoln School District 156 will have registration from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 12 and 13 and from 2 to 7 p.m. Aug. 14. The first half-day of school is Aug. 25. The first full day of school is Aug. 26.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6620.

Bazaar | South Holland

A Treats and Treasures Bazaar is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19 at United Presbyterian Church, 16440 Cottage Grove Ave. Household items will be sold - no clothing. The Presbyterian Women will have a bake sale at the same time.

FYI: Call (708) 333-0921.

Pennant Race | South Holland

Registration begins today for Pennant Race, taking place at 2 p.m. July 23 at South Holland Public Library, 16250 Wausau Ave. Ages 9 to 13 can show their team spirit by designing a pennant for their favorite team.

FYI: Call (708) 331-5262 to register.

Movie in park | Lansing

Lan-Oak Park District will host a movie in the park at 8:30 p.m. July 26 in Lan-Oak Park, 180th and Arcadia. Register for this free event at least one week ahead of time.

FYI: Call (708) 474-8552.

Trip | Chicago

Governor State University's Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park will sponsor a daylong trip July 26 to Chicago's Millennium Park, the galleries of the Chicago Cultural Center, and the Illinois State Museum Chicago Gallery in the J.R. Thompson Center. Participants will ride the 8:57 a.m. train from University Park to Millennium Station. The fee for the daylong event is $10 plus rail fare and food. Participants must have a photo ID for admission to the Thompson Center.

FYI: To register, contact the NMSP at sculpture@govst.edu or call (708) 534-4486.

Groovin' | Beecher

Groovin' at Goodenow, an outdoor music series for ages 17 and older, will be from 6 to 10 p.m. July 26 at Plum Creek Nature Center. The concert is free. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, fill a cooler with food and beverage and enjoy the music of two bands. The Wrecker Brothers will begin the show with their style of rock, original music and country. They will be followed at about 7:30 by Chicago recording and national touring artists Eat a Peach. Plum Creek Nature Center is in Goodenow Grove Forest Preserve, 1.25 miles east of the intersection of Routes 1 and 394 on Goodenow Road in Crete Township.

FYI: Call (708) 946-2216.

Soccer camp | Crete

Crete Park District's Summer Soccer Camp for ages 5 to 10 will be led by Crete-Monee High School's soccer coach, Christina Kreil. All levels are welcome from beginners to advanced as instruction will focus on fundamentals and foot skills with a positive coaching attitude. This program will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 28 to Aug. 1 at Heritage Park, 1550 Sangamon St. The fee is $75, while Crete Park District residents pay $50.

FYI: Call (708) 672-6969.

BRIAR FEST | Schererville

Humane Society Calumet Area and Briar Ridge Country Club present All Paws On Deck! starting at 5 p.m. July 19 at the country club. Dine at four cuisine-themed tents such as backyard barbecue, south of the border, taste of the East and the dessert extravaganza. Tickets cost $75 for adults, $20 for those 6 to 20 years old and are free for youths 5 and younger. They include unlimited food and beverages, dancing to the 12-piece band Together, croquet, a beanbag toss, bocce ball, volleyball and mini-golf. Kids can enjoy a moonwalk, clowns, face painting, obstacle course and balloon animals. A 30-minute fireworks display caps off the evening.

FYI: Call (219) 922-3811.

INSURANCE PROGRAM | Munster

The Community Hospital will host a free presentation on the Healthy Indiana Plan from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 21 at Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave. HIP is a new, affordable health insurance program for uninsured adult Hoosiers sponsored by the state. Attendees will find out if they are eligible and what's covered. Register for this free program.

FYI: Call (219) 836-3477 or (866) 836-3477.

PERFORMERS NEEDED | Calumet Area

Neighborhoods Inc., SKI Surplus Building Materials and Construction Site Refuse Air Band seeks wacky performers to participate with them in various events this summer. They include the Pierogi Fest Polka Parade on July 25 in Whiting and Calumet City Labor Day Parade on Sept. 1. Schedule an audition.

FYI: Call (219) 844-1876.

FISHING DERBY | Hammond

Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., Hammond Parks & Recreation Department, Mik Lurch Fishing Tackle Outlet and Optimist Club of Hammond announce the return of the Festival of the Lakes Fishing Derby from 8 a.m. to noon July 19 on the Indiana side of Wolf Lake. The entry fee is a $1 donation to support Wolf Lake stocking and the first 175 participants 15 and younger will receive a free rod and reel combination. This year, the John G. Shedd Aquarium's Listen to Your Lakes conservation program geared toward kids will be there. A free kids' fishing seminar will be held at 10 a.m. Trophies will be awarded for the largest catches in two divisions - younger than 12 and those older than 12. Trophies will be for first to third place for largest bass, walleye and pan fish catch. Any youth who wins a trophy also will receive two admission tickets to the aquarium. Trophies will also be awarded for oldest and youngest angler at the derby. No boats allowed. Fishing poles and live bait will be

available. Rain date is 8 a.m. July 20.

FYI: Call (219) 989-0575 or (219) 853-6378 or visit http://www.festivalofthelakes.com.

CALLING ALL BRICKIES | Hobart

All Hobart Brickie football letter winners and guests are invited to the first Hobart Football Hall of Fame Banquet at 6 p.m. July 18 at the Ambassador Banquet Hall on U.S. 6. Cost is $55 per person, which includes an open bar. The induction ceremony will begin at 8:15 p.m. Former players will have the opportunity to introduce themselves, years played, honors won and collegiate career and will have the opportunity to tour the new Hobart High School and new Brickie Bowl before the banquet. The 1987, 1989, 1991 and 1993 state championship teams will be recognized as well as the inductees.

FYI: Call Tom Kerr at (219) 942-8139.

CAR SHOW | Crown Point

Road Hog Corvette Club presents its third annual Road Hog Car Show July 19 at Buddy and Pals, on Randolph Street, just north of 109th Avenue. Registration, which costs $15, is from noon to 4 p.m., with the show starting at 1 p.m. Trophies and awards will be given out at 6 p.m. All Corvettes, street rods, trucks and U.S. muscle cars are welcome; no imports. A beer garden, food and music will be available throughout the event.

FYI: Call (219) 980-1133.

GARDEN WALK | Lowell

Take a Garden Walk with owner Wayne Gruber at 8 a.m. July 19 at Gardens on the Prairie, 3242 W. 169th Ave. Admission is free. A chicken grilling demonstration and sampling will be held at 10 a.m., and the cost is $10.

FYI: Call (219) 690-0911.

ART IN THE GARDEN | Lowell

An Art in the Garden program will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 20 at Gardens on the Prairie, 3242 W. 169th Ave. A Second Flower Dollar Auction will be held from 2 to 3 p.m.

FYI: Call (219) 690-0911.