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 Jen Pallay.
E-mail: jpallay@nwitimes.com.
Fax: (708) 474-2897.
Address: 601 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321.
Questions? Call (219) 937-5741.
June brides | Lansing
Lansing Historical Society's annual June Brides exhibit will be on display this month at the Lansing Historical Museum, located in the lower level of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. The exhibit includes wedding dresses from the past century worn by different Lansing women. The lobby of the museum has a blue wedding dress from 1954 on display. Hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.
FYI: Call (708) 474-6160.
Festa Italiana | Calumet City
A trip to Festa Italiana in Milwaukee will take place July 21 and is hosted by the Women's Club of St. Victor's Church in Calumet City. Cost is $35, which includes bus fare and admission to the festival. It features entertainment on eight stages from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. Performances include rat pack impersonators, Bill Acosta, the man of 1,000 voices; the Gaylords; the Three Tenors and many more. There are also restaurants and bakeries, gondola rides and dancing. For more festival information, visit www.festaitaliana.com.
FYI: Call (708) 862-2525.
Summer trips | Calumet City
The Calumet Memorial Park District will be offering the following trips this summer:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 29 - Fair Oaks Farm on Friday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 20 - Splash Down Dunes
Depart at 6 p.m. July 27 - RailCats vs. RedHawks
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 3 - Shedd Aquarium
Aug. 27 and 28 - Wisconsin Casino Overnight
Registration for all trips is being taken at the Memorial Park Recreation Office, 612 Wentworth.
FYI: Call 708/862-6443 or visit calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com.
JAZZ CONCERTS | Chicago Heights
Jazz lovers can attend two upcoming jazz concerts featuring the Prairie State College Extreme Big Band and Supersax Ensemble. Both concerts are free and open to the public.
At 7:30 p.m. June 28, both ensembles will be featured in a performance at Prairie State College in the auditorium, on the main campus, 202 S. Halsted St. Veteran saxophonist Salerio Amatulli, of Dyer and one of the saxophonists in the movie "The Glenn Miller Story," is just one of the musicians to perform.
The ensembles include high school and college students, community members, professional musicians, and music teachers from the south suburbs and Northwest Indiana.
FYI: Call (708) 709-3742.
Wine tasting | Lansing
Friends of Lansing Library will have a wine tasting fundraiser from 6 to 9:30 p.m. June 29 at the library, 2750 Indiana Ave. Wine diva Christine Blumer, of WGN radio, will talk at 6:30. There will be wine tasting, guitar music and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets cost $20 and must be paid for in cash at the Adult Services Desk.
FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.
Concerts | Homewood
An evening of free music under the stars takes place at Homewood-Flossmoor Park District's 44th annual community band concerts. Each concert features classical masterworks, showstoppers from Broadway to Hollywood and light popular favorites. Community Band Concerts, led by conductor Bob Evans, are held from 8 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at the Irwin Community Center Bandshell. Performances are June 28, July 5 and July 12. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy an evening of free music.
In case of inclement weather, the Community Band Concerts will be moved indoors to the H-F Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut St.
Irwin Community Center Bandshell is at Ridge Road and Highland Avenue.
FYI: Call (708) 957-7275 or visit www.hfparks.com.
Chess Club | Steger
Chess Club meets from 6 to 7 p.m. June 28 and July 12 and 26 at Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library, 54 E. 31st St. An expert will be on hand for questions and techniques. Register.
FYI: Call (708) 755-5040.
Pet food | Chicago Heights
The South Suburban Humane Society will hold a monthly dog and cat food distribution from 1 to 3 p.m. June 28 and the fourth Thursday of each month. Anyone on social security, unemployment, disability or public aid is invited and must be able to show proof of these services to qualify. There is a limited supply of food, so first come, first served. The shelter is at 1103 W. End Ave.
FYI: Call (708) 755-PETS.
Bike champion | Crete
Matt Wilhelm, National BMX bike champion, will give a bike show at 2 p.m. June 28 at Crete Public Library, 1177 Main St. Wilhelm has won two national titles, three medals from the X-Games, and a silver medal from the World Championships during his BMX flatland racing career.
He won many of these competitions while attending college. Graduating magna cum laude from Millikin University with a bachelor's degree in marketing and a minor in music, he now travels the world competing. FYI: Register in person or by calling (708) 672-8017.
HOLIDAY PARADE | Gary
The city will present its annual Independence Day parade starting at 9 a.m. July 4 from 25th Avenue and Broadway to Fifth Avenue. Special guests, clowns, floats and local high school bands will participate. Applications still are available. The theme this year is "The New Gary." The public is invited to join Mayor Rudy Clay, the city and Gary City Council members at the New Gary downtown festival starting at 5 p.m. July 4 on the plaza of Genesis Convention Center, Fifth Street and Broadway. Entertainment includes The Temptations Review and Avant.
FYI: Call 9219) 881-1314.
SEE SHOW | Schererville
Omni 41 will offer a bus trip Oct. 3 at see "Tony 'N Tina's Wedding." The cost is $6 for Omni members and $75 for nonmembers an includes buffet lunch, show tickets, round-trip transportation and driver tip. Limited space is available. Fee is due by June 30.
FYI: Call (219) 865-6969.
CANCER SUPPORT | Munster
Cancer Resource Centre offers free education programs and support groups for those with a cancer diagnosis and their families. The center is at 900 Ridge Road, Suite J. A yoga lecture on the body/mind connection is from 6 to 7:15 p.m. June 27; discover how the body/mind interacts and learn how to apply this knowledge for long-time growth and well-being. Wellness Support Group meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 28; it provides support and reduces the emotional impact of having cancer through enhancing coping abilities and fostering problem-solving skills. Chi Gong is from 10 to 11 a.m. June 28; it's the precursor of Tai Chi and fosters balance, energy, strength and flexibility. Knit One, Nurture Too meets from 12:30 to 2 p.m. June 28; no matter what their knitting ability, attendees learn how to make afghan squares, scarves or something simple to start. Yarn and No. 10 needles will be provided. Tai Chi meets from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; classes emphasize balance, posture, breathing
techniques, concentration and complete relaxation. Register in advance for classes and support groups.
FYI: Call (219) 836-3349.
DINNER CRUISE | Hammond
Tickets are being sold for the Odyssey Dinner Cruise to kick off the fourth annual Festival of the Lakes. The luxury cruise vessel, normally docked at Navy Pier in Chicago, will board passengers at 6:30 p.m. July 17 at the Hammond Marina and cruise the shoreline from 7 until 11 p.m. Tickets cost $90 each, which includes appetizers, a sit-down dinner, dessert buffet, beer, wine, juice, soda and three decks of live entertainment.
FYI: Call (219) 853-6378.
INFANT CARE CLASS | Crown Point
Parents and grandparents are invited to a fun, hands-on Infant Care Class from 7 to 9 p.m. June 28 at St. Anthony Medical Center, 1201 S. Main St. Topics include bathing, diaper changing, home safety and when to call the doctor. Fee is $10 per family.
FYI: Call (219) 757-6368.
DISCOVERY SERIES | Hobart
Lake County Parks Department hosts its Historical Discovery Series for three age groups this summer at Deep River County Park, 9410 Old Lincoln Hwy. at County Line Road. Explorers, ages 3 and 4, meet at 11 a.m. Tuesdays to July 31, Pioneers, ages 5 and 6, meet at 11 a.m. Wednesdays to Aug. 1, and Settlers, ages 7 and older, meet at 11 a.m. Thursdays to Aug. 2. Program does not meet July 3-6. Upcoming topics are "Horseshoes" today through June 28, "Sounds Corny!" on July 10-12, "Campfire Songs and Stories" on July 17-19, "Fishing" on July 24-26, and "County Fair" July 31-Aug.2. Fee is $1 for each one-hour program, and no reservations are required. Meet in front of the Visitor Center.
FYI: Call (219) 947-1958.
