Have you heard of Operation Uplink? Enlisted men and women can use the system to phone home. Steger VFW 8283 and Ladies Auxiliary will host a fish fry at 4:30 tonight at the VFW at 3332 Chicago Road in Steger. All profits aid veterans in many ways including Operation Uplink. The menu includes codfish, fries, cole slaw, bread, dessert and coffee or tea. Ask for a dessert Evelyn made.

* What do Orbert Davis, Ed Petersen and Valerie Nicholson have in common? They will perform at 7:30 tonight at Prairie State College's auditorium, Chicago Heights. It is the 20th annual Jazz Festival. This will be an exciting kickoff concert because it is also PSC's 50th anniversary. Call (708) 709-3577. Tickets will be available at the door.

* Take a break from the indoors, put on your hiking boots and stroll over to Plum Creek Nature Center for one last winter night out at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve. From 6 to 8 tonight you can use the moon to light the path as you trek the forest. The evening will end with a cup of hot chocolate and a warm fire. Call (815) 727-8700.

* Come out and enjoy a winter walk exploring nature's wonders of the season. Explorations will take place on snowshoes if conditions permit at 10 a.m. Saturday at Monee Reservoir. Call (815) 727-8700.

* Tube after hours from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Goodenow Grove. Giant truck tire inner tubes will be available for rent. A warm fire will await you as you take a break to regenerate with some hot chocolate. This program is weather dependent, and will be canceled if snow conditions are not favorable. Call (815) 727-8700.

* Something new and exciting is happening at Calumet Memorial Park. Hot Shots will start at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sandridge Center, 600 Oglesby in Calumet City. In this free special event, participants will test basketball skills by trying to score against the clock from fixed spots. Call (708) 862-6443.

* When the green flag falls on 43 participants in the 2008 Daytona 500, it will signal the start of the 50th running of NASCAR's Great American Race. This takes place Sunday at Daytona International Speedway. This 70-lap exhibition pits last season's Sprint Cup pole winners and past champions in an all-out "sprint" for the checkered flag. My friend Brian Cann, owner of Brian's of Monee, belongs to the Monee American Legion. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of NASCAR, the Monee American Legion Post will host a Daytona party with proceeds going toward the American Legion Scholarship Fund. Call (708) 534-8833.

The opinions are solely those of the writer.