DONATIONS NEEDED | Lake County
The Staff Association of the Lake County Public Library is sponsoring Trick or Treat for Toiletries, a collection to replenish the supplies of victims of the serious flooding in September. Anyone visiting the Central Library, 1919 W. U.S. 30, Merrillville; Griffith Branch Library, 940 N. Broad St.; Highland Branch Library, 2841 Jewett St.; Black Oak Branch Library, 5921 W. 25th Ave., Gary, or St. John Branch Library, 9450 U.S. 41, St. John; can drop off toothpaste, soaps, shampoos, lotions, tissues, Q-tips, cotton balls, toilet tissue, and other personal care items into the bins located at these locations.
FYI: Call (219) 769-3541.
STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE | Gary
The Salvation Army is registering children for its Striving for Excellence in Academics after-school program at its Gary/Merrillville location, 4800 Harrison St. The program offers computer-based learning for children in kindergarten through grade 9 who desire to excel in school. Cost is $50 per child for the duration of the program, held from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, October-November and January-May. Off-site participation is available.
BOOSTERS MEET | St. John
Lake Central Athletic Boosters will meet at 7 p.m. today in the Freshman Center at Lake Central High School, 8400 U.S. 41. Guest speaker will be Sandy Wright of the Guidance Office, discussing the NCAA and college application process.
FYI: Call (219) 865-8551.
GALA PLANNED | Hammond
The sixth annual gala to support Nazareth Home will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 16 at Hammond Federal Courthouse, 5400 Federal Plaza. There will be live and silent auctions, raffle tickets and celebrity chefs. Tickets are $60 per person.
FYI: Call (219) 947-8559 or visit www.nazarethhome.com.
PARK IMPACT FEE | Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake Park and Recreation Department will meet at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Cedar Lake Town Hall, 7408 Constitution Ave. This meeting will include the Impact Fee Committee, Cedar Lake Park Board and consultant Lehman and Lehman, and the public is welcome
FYI: Call (219) 374-4444.
HEALTH EVENT | Gary
The NWI Healthy Start Project will be having its second community event, A New Release On Life. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Genesis Convention Center, 478 Broadway. The objective is to promote community awareness of health and safety issues that impact the community. Some of these issues include drug abuse, breast cancer, domestic violence and taking care of one's physical health.
FYI: Call (219) 989-3939.
VENDOR FAIR | Schererville
American Business Women's Association, Indinois Chapter, will host a fall vendor fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18 at St. John Township Community Center, 1515 W. Lincoln Highway. They are looking for vendors, crafters and home party consultants. Booths are available.
FYI: Call (219) 769-2927 or (219) 365-9274.
FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT | East Chicago
St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 4021 Elm St., will host its first Fall Festival, with great food, pastries, and music and dancing to live entertainment Oct. 17 and 18. Bake sale with pastries, pita, krofne, cookies and tortes will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 17, with roast lamb and pork cevapcici for sale as well. Music at 4 p.m. Oct. 18 will feature Cedo Kabic from Milwaukee and a dance at 7 p.m. featuring the Nocna Smena orchestra. Admission is free.
LUNCHEON DANCE | Merrillville
The 18th annual Indiana Harbor's Hispanic Old Timers luncheon dance is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at Avalon Manor, 3550 E. U.S 30. Music by John Trimmel's Right of Way Band. Tickets are $30 and include dinner, dancing and door prizes. There will be a cash bar. The ticket deadline is Oct. 15.
FYI: Call (219) 923-1358 or (708) 895-2484.
NIGHT HIKE | Griffith
Become a nocturnal animal on a free Night Hike at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Oak Ridge Prairie County Park, 301 S. Colfax St. Nature at night can be full of surprises, and sensory experiences in the dark are very different than in the daytime. Discover what it takes to be an owl, bat, or even a raccoon. Call to register.
FYI: Call (219) 844-3188.
ALL SYSTEMS GO | Merrillville
"All Systems Go!" is a presentation that will be featured at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 17 and 24, and Saturdays, Oct. 18 and 25, at the Merrillville Community Planetarium inside Clifford Pierce Middle School, 19 E. 70th Ave. Look back at the 50-year history of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, milestones and tragedies, including the first Americans in space, the first moon landing and space exploration.Cost is $3 for adults and $2 for children. An outdoor observing session will be held, weather permitting. Seats should be reserved.
FYI: Call (219) 650-5486.
GHOST WRITER | Hobart
M & M Productions and Ross Music Theatre present the play "Ghost Writer" at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 and 30 at 3 p.m. Oct.
26 at its Center Street Studio Theater, 227 Center St. The play tells the story of Taylor Jamerson, who travels every year to a secluded, but creepy, cottage to get inspiration for his next mystery novel. This year he brings his family and gets a little more inspiration then he bargains for. Tickets are $9 for adults $8 for students and senior citizens, with special discount coupons available for Thursday night performances. Cast comes includes Adam Clough, of Portage; Sheree and Wally Richardson, of Highland; Eric Thomas and Sheila Deasy, both of Crown Point; Mike Glorioso, of Merrillville, and Kathy Smederovac, of Lowell.
FYI: Call(219) 947-4922 or visit www.m-mproductions.com
NOT SO SCARY GOLF | Cedar Lake
Play Not So Scary Mini Golf from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 through 31, with extended weekend hours until 9 p.m. Oct. 17, 18, 24 and 15, at the Lake County Parks and Recreation Department's Cedar Creek Family Golf Center, 10483 W. 109th Ave. There is a spooky atmosphere, but not too spooky for youngsters who are not fond of the dark. Bring the little princesses and pirates dressed in costumes of their choice and they will receive a special treat. Cost is $5.50 for adults and $4.50 for children 12 and younger. No registration is required.
FYI: Call (219) 365-2902.
STAGE PLAY | Gary
Comedy, drama and family secrets all come to life in "Big Girls Need Love Too," a stage written and directed by Kevin L. Bride. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at The Glen Park Theatre, 20 W. Ridge Road. Starring Courtney "Goldie" Jackson of VH1's "Flava of Love" and "Charm School," Kenya "Kizzy" Cage, Jheri Walker Jr., and Gary's own Nathaniel Tate. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
FYI: Call (219) 614-9543 or visit www.lakestreettheatre.com
OCTOBER FUN | Hobart
Eighth annual October Fun Fair will begin at 4 p.m. Oct. 18 at Christian Assembly Church, Ind. 51 and 73rd Avenue. Trick-or-treating, games, clowns, food, Moonwalk, prizes and fun for the whole family, all free and indoors.
FYI: Call (219) 947-3668.
FALL FESTIVAL | Winfield
A Fall Festival is planned from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at Church of the Four Seasons United Methodist, 9100 E. 109th Ave. Crafters, vendors, flea market, Grandpa's Garage and Granny's Sale as well as pumpkin decorating, kids games, turkey sandwiches, cider, donuts, bake sale and popcorn. FYI: Call 219-663-7803.
POETS GATHER | Lowell
If you like to write poetry or want to learn the art of poetry writing, join the Northwest Indiana Poetry Society at 10 a.m. Oct. 18 and the third Saturday of every month at the Lowell Public Library, 1505 E. Commercial Ave. Read your poetry, share a poem by a favorite author and enjoy listening to fellow poets.
FYI: Call Tom Spencer at (219) 696-3338.
