Find out about events going on in your community, and plan your week's activities with The Times.
To get listed in the calendar, submit items at least 10 days in advance to community editor Melinda Moore.
E-mail: mmoore@nwitimes.com.
Fax: (219) 933-3249.
Address: 601 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321.
Questions? Call (219) 933.3396.
BLOOD DRIVE | Hammond
Calumet College of St. Joseph will host an American Red Cross blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. March 31 in Room 200 at 2400 New York Ave. Standard and double red cell donations will be accepted. Those presenting to donate will receive a free T-shirt. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments may be made.
FYI: Call (219) (219) 473-4303 or e-mail nzivanovic@ccsj.edu.
BABY CARE | St. John
Community Hospital will offer Taking Care of Baby from 6 to 8:45 p.m. April 7 at the Community Hospital Outpatient Centre, 9660 Wicker Ave. This free class covers basic baby care for the new and not-so-new parent. Topics include health issues, safety, immunizations, crying and survival tips, all taught by a Community Hospital neonatal nurse clinician. Adoptive parents are welcome. Register for this free program.
FYI: Call (219) 836-3477 or (866) 836-3477.
AUTHOR READING | Hammond
An Indiana native and author will discuss and read from her latest book, which relates her search for love with the fondness she holds for the Indianapolis Colts football team, at 7:30 p.m. March 27 in YJean Chambers Hall on the third floor of the Student Union & Library at Purdue University Calumet, on 173rd Street east of Indianapolis Boulevard. In her book, "Comeback Season: How I Learned to Play the Game of Love," single, college professor Cathy Day parallels her experiences and strategies for finding love on the dating playing field with her beloved Colts' march on the football field to the 2007 Super Bowl championship. In addition to talking about her book, Day will share stories about her family bonding over Colts games and living in Indiana. Refreshments and a book signing will take place after the talk, which is sponsored by Purdue Calumet and the Northwest Indiana Writing Project. Day also teaches writing at the University of Pittsburgh. Free parking is available in the lot
south of the building.
FYI: Call (219) 989-2217 or 989-2207.
CHOIR, JAZZ CONCERT | Gary
The concert choir and jazz band from of Xavier University, a historically Black Catholic college in New Orleans, will perform at 7 p.m. March 27 at SS. Monica & Luke Catholic Church, 675 Rhode Island St. The free concert is sponsored by SS. Monica & Luke, Christ United Methodist and Marquette Park United Methodist churches. This is the first concert tour of the Midwest for the musicians since Hurricane Katrina.
FYI: Call (219) 805-5899 or 730-9548.
PARENTING CLASSES | Highland
Mental Health America of Lake County offers Systematic Training for Effective Parenting classes to all residents of Northwest Indiana. The class meets from 5:20 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays, April 4 to May 9, at Mental Health America, 9722 Parkway Drive. This class is designed to help parents better understand their child's behavior and find ways to increase effective communication, build cooperation, and find ways to discipline that are effective and make sense. Through class discussion, parents can build a more satisfying and productive connection with their child, which will help enhance the parent/child relationship. Sign up in advance.
FYI: Call (219) 922-3822.
ACRYLICS CLASS | Schererville
Painting With Acrylics meets from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 1 at the Lake County Public Library's Dyer-Schererville branch, 1001 W. Lincoln Highway. Beginners are invited to learn acrylic painting in this class taught by experienced instructor Pat Mahns. The project, Book Blank, is on canvas attached to a blank book. There is a $14 fee to cover materials provided and is due at the time of the class. Register in advance.
FYI: Call (219) 322-4731.
BOOK TALK | Highland
Tuesday Book Discussion is at 2 p.m. April 8 at the Lake County Public Library's Highland branch, 2841 Jewett St. Readers will discuss "We Need to Talk About Kevin" by Lionel Shriver. The novel is a searing and complex look at the reason couples decide to have children, the parent-child relationship and the limits of love and loyalty. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Refreshments will be served. Register in advance.
FYI: Call (219) 838-2394.
SCHOOL BENEFIT | Merrillville
Crown Point Christian School Parents' Club has partnered with Culver's for a fundraising event. From 5 to 8 p.m. April 1, Culver's in Merrillville will donate a portion of all sales at the store to the school. The club has designated the proceeds be used to help offset the costs of this year's eigth-grade trip and banquet.
CARING FOR ELDERLY | Schererville
A seminar on legal issues and documents for those caring for an elderly relative is set for 7 p.m. April 3 at Andorra Banquets, 1112 U.S. 41. Do doctors or banks refuse to deal with you? Is your parent facing medical or mobility problems? The free seminar will discuss the importance of legal competency, Medicare and Medicaid, financing long-term care, guardianships, advance directives, powers of attorney, wills and trusts. It's offered by lawyer Meghann LaBadie, community outreach director at Hilbrich Cunningham Schwerd Dobosz & Vinovich. RSVP by phone or to mel@hilbrich.com.
FYI: Call (219) 924-2427.
DISCUSS BOOK | Whiting
Morning Book Discussions take place monthly from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Meeting Room of the Whiting Public Library, 1735 Oliver St. The next adult book discussion group is April 10. The book is "The Night Journal" by Elizabeth Crook. Feeling oppressed by romantic accounts of her famous family's history, Meg Mabry (a 37-year-old administrator in an Austin hospital), the great-granddaughter of a Southwest frontier woman, accompanies her sharp-tongue grandmother to a family property being excavated. New members are welcome to join the group at any time.
FYI: Call 9219) 473-4700, ext. 10.
COMPUTER CLASS | Merrillville
Meet the Mouse is offered at 2 and 6 p.m. April 2 at the Lake County Public Library, 1919 W. 81st Ave. Beginning computer users will learn basic skills including how to hold, move and click a mouse effectively. Register.
FYI: Call (219) 769-3541, ext. 346.
RETIREMENT SEMINAR | E.C.
A free retirement seminar is planned for 6 p.m. March 27 at Healthy East Chicago, 100 W. Chicago Ave. It's offered by Emmet Mosley and representatives of Primerica Financial Services in Merrillville. Attendees can find out what to do with their 401k, 403b or 457 or rollover funds and get questions answered about all investments. Make a reservation.
FYI: Call (219) 755-0355.
EXPLORE WORLD | Munster
Children in kindergarten and older will explore the world with Geronimo Stilton as their guide at 4 p.m. April 9 at the Lake County Public Library's Munster branch, 8701 Calumet Ave. Adventurers will make a useful tool to aid in their exploits.
FYI: Call (219) 836-8450.
YOUTH BASKETBALL | Hammond
The Hammond Area YMCA will offer basketball for kid's 3 to 12 years old starting March 29 at the Y, 7322 Southeastern Ave. Three- to 5-year-olds play from 9:30 to 10;30 a.m.; 6- to 8-year-olds play from 10:45 to 12:15 p.m.; and 9- to 12-year-olds play from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. Coaching and training will be provided by Clifton Rhodes and Reggie Brooks. The program will cost $30 for members and $60 for nonmembers.
FYI: Call (219) 845-1507.
