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.

Big band | Schererville

Schererville Parks will host "Evening Under the Stars" with big band music performed by Ron Smolen's Orchestra. The event will be held from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sept. 5 at Redar Park. Admission is free. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Grimmer Middle School.

FYI: Call (219) 865-5530.

Football | Hammond

The Hammond Area YMCA flag football program starts Sept. 6 and will teach all players the importance of fun, sportsmanship and teamwork. Each session will consist of teaching skills and fundamentals in a Christian centered environment. The Hammond Area YMCA is at 7322 Southeastern Ave. Program fees are $30 for members and $60 for nonmembers.

FYI: Call (219) 845-1507.

Scavenger hunt | Dyer

Dyer United Methodist Church will do a scavenger hunt at 6 p.m. Sept. 5. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade will go door to door to collect specific items that are needed for the food pantry. Items that are especially needed include toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, laundry soap, toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo and deodorant. Donations can also be dropped off at the church during church hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FYI: Call (219) 865-8947 or visit www.dyerumc.org.

Spay/neuter | Northwest Indiana

The Humane Society of Northwest Indiana will have a low cost spay/neuter day Sept. 8. The price for dogs under 80 pounds is $70. It's $90 for dogs more than 80 pounds. It is $40 for male cats and $50 for female. All animals must be current on their rabies vaccine or an additional $15 for the vaccine will be added.

FYI: To make an appointment, call (219) 938-3339.

Guitar lessons | Whiting

The Whiting Parks Department will be offering guitar lessons for ages 7 through adult. Beginner or advanced students are welcome to join the new 10- week session. Classes for advanced students are from 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 8 and for beginners they are from 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 12. Fees are $100 for 46394 area residents and $110 for nonresidents. Registration is required.

FYI: Call (219) 659-0860.

Order now | Highland

St. James Women's Guild of Highland is taking orders for potato, kraut, cheese and prune pierogis; nut and poppyseed rolls and cheese and apple strudels. Items will be available to pick up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the Holiday Bazaar.

FYI: To order, contact Betty at (219) 838-3899 or Evelyn at (219) 972-3359.

FREE SCREENINGS | Merrillville

Three free medical screenings that help save lives and improve the quality of life will be offered from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Neuroscience Institute at the Center for Advanced Clinical Studies, Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus, 200 E. 89th Ave. Stroke screenings Include blood pressure, nutritional assessment and carotid bruit check;

Prostate Cancer Screening, recommended for men 50 and older (age 45 if you have a family history or are African American) includes a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam, and Bone Density Screening, performed by a certified technologist using an x-ray to determine the presence of or potential for osteoporosis and is recommended for post-menopausal women. Methodist Hospitals physicians and medical professionals will be on hand to answer questions.

FYI: Call (219) 886-4474.

Group fitness | Schererville

Omni 41 has a new program call Body Combat, a noncombat, martial arts-based group fitness program with moves drawn from karate, tae kwan do, kung fu, kickboxing, Muay Thai and Tai chi. Each 55-minute class is choreographed to the latest music. Classes open to the public will be at 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Sept. 13. Register. Light refreshments will be provided.

FYI: Call (219) 865-6969.

Seminar | Northwest Indiana

HC Investing, LLC is sponsoring a two-day Business Development and Real Estate Intensive Sept. 12 and 13. Some of the topics that will be covered include business development, funding, multi-unit family rentals and foreclosures.

FYI: Call or e-mail Heather at (219 218-3359 or hcteacher@aol.com.

MEMBERSHIP TEA | Valparaiso

Northwest Indiana Community Associates of The Art Institute of Chicago will hold its annul Membership Meeting and Tea for members and prospective members at 1 p.m. Sept. 11 at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1755 W. Harrison Blvd. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. Jeff Nigro, director of adult programs, Museum Education at The Art Institute, will speak at 1:30 p.m. on the topic "Estimating Lace and Muslin: Dress and Fashion in Jane Austen and Her World." There is no charge, and refreshments will be served at 2:30 p.m. Group is open to all adults interested in expanding their appreciation of the visual arts with a focus on The Art Institute of Chicago. Membership includes membership in The Art Institute.Reservations are required.

FYI: Call (219) 662-7636.

NAACP OFFICERS | Gary

Next year, the NAACP will turn 100, while the Gary branch will celebrate its 93rd birthday.

Gary Branch President Tammi Davis is seeking " a new generation of leadership," with all offices open. Anyone interested in being an officer of the Gary NAACP Branch must be at least 25, a member in good standing of the Gary Branch and should attend the next NAACP meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Gary NAACP office, 4517 W. 5th Ave. (The Commons).

FYI: Call Tammi Davis at (219) 644-6433.

RUMMAGE SALE | Hobart

Hobart Jaycee Foundation will hold a charity rummage sale to benefit Camp About Face, an Indiana based summer camp for children born with cranial and facial anomalies, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 12 and 13 and from 9 a.m. until noon Sept. 14 at 206 Main St. next to the Hobart Police Station. All sale items have been donated and include clothing of all sizes, housewares, books, a large holiday section and much more.

FYI: E-mail Tiffany at Tippadie@yahoo.com or visit hobartjaycee.com.

Bingo resumes | Chicago

Bingo will resume Sept. 7 at St. Florian School Gym, 131st Street and Houston Avenue in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood. It will continue every Sunday throughout the school year. It is smoke-free and free coffee is available.

FYI: Call (773) 646-2868.

POKER RUN | Cedar Lake

American Legion Riders will hold its second Bike Run for Vets on Sept. 13 starting at American Legion Post 261, 13050 Washington St., rain or shine. Registration for the 100-mile run begins at 10 a.m. and first bike out is at noon, with last bike in by 5:30 p.m. Donation is 20 per rider or $30 per couple and includes food and music. Free T-shirt to the first 50 registrants. Leather vendor will be available. Proceeds will be donated to the Indiana Veterans Home in West Lafayette.

FYI: Call Eryck at (219) 577-6316.

BIG BIRD DAY | Wheeler

Midwest Sundowners hosts its Big Bird Day for IMAA size airplanes on Sept. 13 at Rainford Field. Food will be available on site. To reach the field, take U.S. 30 to 725 W, and go north to 450 North., east to 650 West and north to the flying field.

FYI: Call Stan Zolodz at (219) 662-1199.