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.

• Questions? Call (219) 937-5741.

Guest speaker | Steger

Nobel Peace Prize nominee the Rev. John Dear will tell his story during a program from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 2 at St. Liborius Church, 71 W. 35th St. Dear is a peace activist, lecturer and has written many books on nonviolence.

FYI: Call (708) 672-3971 or (312) 531-2259.

Wiggles | Calumet City

Wiggles & Giggles from the Calumet Memorial Park District lets 2- and 3-year-olds, along with a parent, express their creativity by sharing quality time together, and learning to get along with others. Paints, crayons and clay are just some of the artistic mediums that will be explored, along with active play time, songs and games. This program will be held from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 9 to 30. The resident fee is $10. Registration is required, and is now being taken at the Sandridge Center, 600 Oglesby Ave.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6440 or visit calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com.

Craft show | Burnham

Paul Price AMVETs Post 43 will host a craft fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 12 at 14032 Torrence Ave. Crafters will offer a variety of handmade items including florals, clothing, candy, jewelry and more. Food will be sold and there will be raffles.

FYI: Call (708) 862-9540.

Wrestling | Calumet City

The Calumet Memorial Park District's Wrestling Wolverines are preparing for another season. This program is open to kingergarteners through eighth-graders. Practices are held 6:45 until 9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and some Saturday mornings. Meets and tournaments are held on weekends. The fee is $50 per participant, and includes uniform, IKWF card and insurance. The Wolverines are offering a free wrestling clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 11 at Memorial Park, 612 Wentworth Ave. Come out and meet the coaches and learn about the program.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6440 or visit calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com.

South Holland

In celebration of World Card Making Day, independent Stampin' Up! demonstrators will hold various stamping events to kick off the holiday card making season. Redeemer Lutheran Church, 651 E. 166th St., will host an event at 10 a.m. Oct. 4. For $15, attendees will create eight cards to enjoy and an additional card to create and donate to Ronald McDonald House.

FYI: Call (708) 525-2709 or (708) 476-0518.

Preschool | Lansing

The child care practicum class at T.F. South High School will host preschool for children three days a week. Preschoolers will attend from 10:15 to 11:40 a.m, Oct. 21 to May 14. Children will experience a wide variety of learning activities including language and number skills, music and creative arts. Children must be 3 to 5 years old to participate.

FYI: Call (708) 585-2152 or e-mail eskelton@tfd215.org.

Writer's group | Lansing

The Writer's Special Interest Group will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 4 in the Community Room at Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. For experienced writers and beginners, the Writer's Group can offer support and advice. Share and receive constructive criticism at monthly meetings. Special guest speakers will be announced. The group is for ages 18 and older.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447, ext. 122.

Performance cancelled | Chicago Heights

The Oct. 3 performance of "The Conventry Players" at First Presbyterian Church, 900 Thomas, has been cancelled due to illness in the cast.

FYI: Call (708) 481-3754.

Re-opening | Calumet City

There will be a re-opening celebration for the expanded Ingalls Family Care Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4 on the grounds of the new campus, 170th Street and Torrence Avenue. There will be free hot dogs, free health screenings, tours, face painting and family activities.

FYI: Call (708) 915-6838.

Veterans fair | Calumet City

Ehinger Brothers Veterans of Foreign Wars 8141 will have a veterans fair beginning at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at 664 Hirsch St. There will be representatives from the state, federal agencies and the VFW. Michelle Smith, Ehinger post chaplain and assistant state service officer with the VFW, will also be available to answer questions.

FYI: Call (877) 842-6528.

Book sale | Lansing

Friends of Lansing Public Library will have a book sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 4 at the library, 2750 Indiana Ave. Only cash can be accepted.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.

Florian Fest | Chicago

Florian Fest is from noon to 9 p.m. Oct. 5 in the St. Florian Gymnasium at 131st and Houston Avenue in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood. There will be music by A Touch of Class and a DJ, along with ethnic foods, $5,000 raffle, kids' games, bean bag tourney, Guitar Hero contest, Power Shower, Zingo and more. Parking is free.

FYI: Call (773) 646-4877.

Concert | Lansing

The Kappelle Choir from Concordia University will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2505 Indiana Ave. They will perform works in celebration of the Christian reformation and All Saints Day. An offering will be collected.

FYI: Call (708) 474-7997.

Daughters of Isabella | Chicago

The Daughters of Isabella, Hegewisch Circle 859, will meet at 1 p.m. Oct. 7 at St. Columba Social Center, 133rd and Green Bay Avenue. Cake and coffee will be served.

FYI: Call (773) 646-6444.

Career fair | University

The Office of Career Services at Governors State University is sponsoring a Criminal Justice and Public Safety career fair from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 in the Hall of Governors. Prospective employers from the fields of law enforcement, public administration and security services will meet with job candidates. The career fair is open to current students, GSU alumni, and members of the community seeking employment in these fields. There is no charge for job seekers. Participants are advised to dress professionally and bring resumes. Register. Governors State University is at 1 University Parkway.

FYI: Call (708) 235-3974 or e-mail career@govst.edu.

Camera club | Munster

The 3H Camera Club will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8225 Columbia Ave. It's the first competition of 2008-09. Members meet the first and third Mondays of the month at this location.

FYI: Call (708) 476-8502 or (219) 865-8082.

Drawing class | Highland

Young Rembrandt's Preschool Drawing Class will meet from 11 to 11:45 p.m. Mondays, starting Oct. 6. It's held by Highland Parks & Recreation and costs $40 for residents, $50 for others.

FYI: Call (219) 838-0114.

Entertainment needed | Hammond

Norm Catt, coordinator of USO IV Fundraiser, is seeking individuals or groups to entertain at the event Nov. 15 at First United Methodist Church in Hammond. All proceeds will be used to send care packages to soldiers and to help soldiers who are recuperating in hospitals.

FYI: Call (219) 932-5915.

BOWLING SOCIAL | Highland

A group of children with special needs meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Plaza Lanes, 8101 Kennedy Ave. Games cost $3 each, and shoes are free. RSVP so enough lanes are reserved.

FYI: Call (219) 742-2803.

Twain's Tales | Hammond

Hammond Community Theatre presents "Twain's Tales," a children's play including five short stories by the American storyteller.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Oct. 3 and 4 at the Hammond Civic Center, 5825 Sohl Ave. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for children, and are available at the door.

FYI: Visit www.hammondcommunitytheatre.org.

Hunger banquet | East Chicago

The 16th annual Mothers Against Hunger banquet, sponsored by the four Circles of Serbian Sisters of Northwest Indiana, will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 5 at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 4021 Elm St. The other three participating churches are St. George of Schererville, St. Sava of Merrillville and St. Elijah of Crown Point.

FYI: Call (219) 397-0240.

MOLD REMEDIATION | Munster

Purdue Cooperative Extension Service offers a program on mold remediation for flood victims Oct. 2. One session will be held at 11 a.m. at Ridge United Methodist Church, 8607 Columbia Ave.

FYI: Call Steve Conger at (219) 757-1109.

Pet blessing | Munster

The Humane Society Calumet Area will have its annual pet blessing at 10 a.m. Oct. 4 in front of the rectory at St. Thomas More, 8501 Calumet Ave. Pets will be blessed in an outdoor setting. They should be current on vaccines and restrained.

FYI: Call (219) 922-3811.

Volunteer luncheon | Hammond

The Mayors Annual Volunteer Luncheon is from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 30 at Jean Shepherd Center, 3031 Mahoney Drive. Tickets are required. A number of awards will be given to individuals, organizations and businesses that exemplify volunteerism. Attendees and award recipients do not have to reside in the city, but should contribute to Hammond-based organizations and programs.

FYI: Call (219) 853-6371.

Life chain | Northwest Indiana

Lake County Right to Life and area churches will sponsor their annual Life Chain from 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 along Ridge Road. The event includes peaceful prayer. It begins at Wicker Park in Highland and proceeds west to Burnham Avenue in Lansing.

FYI: Call (219) 838-1138.

Texas Hold 'Em | Hammond

St. Catherine of Siena School will hold a Texas Hold 'Em Tournament Oct. 17 at the school, 6525 Kentucky Ave. The buy in price will be $75 per person. The dinner will be from 6 to 7 p.m. with the tournament following immediately.

FYI: Call (219) 845-1217.

Bazaar, crafts | Hammond

Hammond High All School Booster Club will host its first community bazaar, craft and fun fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 4 in the parking lot at the high school, 5926 Calumet Ave. There will be a concession stand, games and sale items. It's a school fundraiser.

FYI: Call (219) 933-9135.

Bus trip | Griffith

GFWC Ridgeland Federated Woman's Club will have its annual Long Grove bus trip leaving at 8 a.m. Nov. 15 from United Methodist Church, 45th and Cline avenues. Shop for the day and return at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $40, which includes a goodie bag. Make checks payable to GFWC Ridgeland Federated Woman's Club and mail payment to GFWC, 434 Deerpath Drive, W, Schererville, IN 46375.

FYI: Call (219) 865-8738.

Bus trip | Chciago

I Too Sing America of Northwest Indiana will host a bus trip to see "The Marriage Counselor" performed at 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Arie Crown Theater. Bus leaves at 2 p.m. Cost is $60.

FYI: Call (219) 306-5041.

Car wash | Whiting

The Whiting/Robertsdale Campfire Girls will sponsor their third annual Help the Animals car washes from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at Owens-Ruzich Funeral Home, 816-119th St. All proceeds will be donated to animal shelters and rescue groups.

FYI: Call (219) 659-0977.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING | Crown Point

Get an early start on holiday shopping at a Holiday Extravaganza featuring a variety of home party vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 at First Presbyterian Church, 218 S. Court St. Shop The Pampered Chef, Creative Memories, Tastefully Simple, Gold Canyon Candles, The Body Shop at Home, Lia Sophia and Home and Garden Party.

FYI: Call (219) 696-9253 or (219) 743-5350.