Purls of Wisdom | Lansing

Lansing Public Library hosts a knitting and crochet circle from 6 to 7:30 Sept. 24 at the library, 2750 Indiana Ave. Get together with others who share this hobby. Register for this free program.

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

Family campout | Flossmoor

Homewood-Flossmoor Park District's Fall Family Campout is Sept. 27 and 28. Campers will enjoy family games, a campfire, dinner, movie, stories and more. Participants should bring a tent, sleeping bag, snacks and flashlights. Fall Family Campout will begin at 4 p.m. Sept. 27 and end at 9 a.m. Sept. 28 at Flossmoor Park & Field House, 2523 Flossmoor Road. Fee per campsite is $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents.

FYI: Call H-F Park District at (708) 957-PARK or visit hfparks.com.

Defensive driving | Homewood

The H-F Park District is accepting registration for its AARP Defensive Driving program for adults ages 55 and better.

Participants will learn current driving safety skills and receive practical tips for safer travel in an atmosphere that provides social interaction amongst their peers. Eight hours of class work on two consecutive days may make participants eligible for a reduced auto insurance rate. The next session meets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 1 and 2 at the Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. Registration fee is $10 per person.

FYI: Call (708) 957-PARK or visit hfparks.com.

Pack registration | Chicago

Annunciata Pack 773 will hold an open house and registration from 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Annunciata School Gym, 3750 E. 112th St. Registration fee is $25. It's for boys in first through fifth grades.

FYI: Call Joe Cordero at (219) 473-9240.

Land of Lincoln | Illinois

The Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission has planned a series of events throughout the state to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.

FYI: Visit www.lincoln200.net.

Photo exhibit | Chicago Heights

The Prairie State College annual Student Exhibit/Photographer of the Year features selected works by students in fine arts, photography and graphic communications. The gallery is on the college's main campus, 202 S. Halsted St.

The exhibit also honors the college's Photographer of the Year, Krystal King, of Homewood.

Other local student artists featured in the exhibit are Kevin Stuart and Zachary Sala, of Beecher; Robert Jamison, of Chicago; James Alejandro, Miriam Meade, Blanca Martinez, Lisa Galea, and Eric Marshall, of Chicago Heights; Elnora McDaniel, Katie Narcisi, Celeste Miller, Ryan Niksic, and Ryan Meder, of Crete; Steve Surma, of Glenwood; Kerri Swiatnicki, Candy Fassnacht, Armand Salin, and Tayler Lenoir, of Homewood; Maureen Rinella, of Flossmoor; Hannah Swidergal, of Sauk Village; Lena Torres, of South Chicago Heights; and Michelle O'Sha, of Steger. The exhibit runs through Oct. 1.

FYI: Call (708) 709-3636.

Purdue University Calumet's International Film Series features a campus showing of "Iko shashi mgalobeli (There once was a singing blackbird)" at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in YJean Chambers Hall in the Student Union & Library, room 353. A Georgian/USSR film by Otar Iosseliani produced in the Soviet Union, it is about a young orchestra percussionist unsure of his role in life. All films are presented in their original language with English subtitles. A faculty-led discussion will take place before and after each film viewing.Admission is free.

FYI: E-mail Steve Lombardo at lombardo@calumet.purdue.edu or James A. Miller at millerja@calumet.purdue.edu

GIANT FALL SALE | Crown Point

The annual giant fall Garage, Antique and Bake Sale will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 25 and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 26 at St. Mathias Church, 101 W. Burrell Drive (south of St. Anthony Medical Center). No early birds.

FYI: Call (219) 663-2201.

PUERTO RICO NIGHT | Gary

ALMA, the Latino Student Organization at Indiana University Northwest, is celebrating Puerto Rican History and Culture with a night of dance, music, and food Sept. 25 in the Savannah Center Auditorium on campus, 3400 Broadway. The evening begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. featuring Puerto Rican music and refreshments followed by an overview of Puerto Rican culture and dance traditions at 6:30. The event is open to the public and admission and parking is free.

FYI: Call (219) 980-6665.

PAVAROTTI FOREVER | Hammond

Join the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and Music Director/Conductor Kirk Muspratt for an opening concert, "Pavarotti Forever!," at 8 p.m. Sept. 26 at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino. The concert will feature three tenors from the world-renowned Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. NISO's season begins with a tribute to Luciano Pavarotti, one of the worlds most well-known and beloved opera singers and the best selling classical recording artist of all time. Tickets range from $20-$60, and subscriptions are still available.

FYI: Call (219) 836-0525 or visit www.NISOrchestra.org

RAILROAD FAIR | Griffith

Griffith Railroad Fair will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a break from tradition and feature A Salute to Olde-Time Transportation with a display of antique autos and other vehicles. The fair, sponsored by the Griffith Historical Society, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27 and 28 at the Griffith Historical Park, 201 S. Broad St. A variety of railroad and transportation-related merchandise, antiques and collectibles will be available, along with a trackless train ride for all ages, Moonwalk and kids games. The society's famous Hobo Stew cooked over an open fire and home-made cornbread will be available. For pre-fair information, call (219) 924-4026.

FYI: Call (219) 924-9701.