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: (708) 474-2897.

• Address: 601 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321.

• Questions? Call (219) 937-5741.

Food drive | South Holland

The South Holland Professional Firefighters Association is sponsoring a Christmas in July food drive. Items can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. during July at South Holland Fire Station 1, 16230 Wausau Ave. All nonperishable food items will be accepted.

FYI: Call (708) 331-3123.

Summer reading | Calumet City

Calumet City Public Library's Youth Services' summer reading program, Get in the Game, runs through July 19. Register at the Youth Services reference desk and receive a packet of information. Rewards will be offered. The library is at 660 Manistee Ave.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6220.

Youth group | Lansing

St. Ann Parish in Lansing recently started a youth group. Students in eighth grade through high school from Lansing and surrounding communities are welcome to attend. The group meets in the parish hall, 3014 Ridge Road.

FYI: Contact the parish office at (708) 895-6700.

Tie dye | Steger

Sharpie Tie Dye will be taught at 6:30 p.m. July 7 at Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library, 54 E. 31st St. Register.

FYI: Call (708) 755-5040.

Festa Italiana | Calumet City

A trip to Festa Italiana in Milwaukee will take place July 19 and is hosted by the Women's Club of St. Victor Church in Calumet City. Cost is $40, which includes bus fare and admission to the festival. It features entertainment on eight stages from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. There are also restaurants and bakeries, gondola rides and dancing. Visit www.festaitaliana.com.

FYI: To register, call (708) 862-2525.

Independence Day | Whiting

At 10 a.m. July 4, the 89th annual Independence Day parade will begin at 116th and Indianapolis Boulevard, head east along 119th and end in Whiting Park. Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. in the Whiting Park Pavilion, along Lake Michigan. The Meteors will perform at 7 p.m. At 9:40, the Park Road closes to clear the area for the fireworks show. At 10 p.m., an expanded fireworks show will include both ground and aerial extravaganzas. Festivities conclude at 11.

FYI: Call (219) 659-7700.

Silent auction | Chicago Heights

Patricia Moore, a regional artist whose paintings are in many art collections nationwide, has donated an acrylic painting titled, "Taylor's Garden" to Union Street Gallery for a silent auction. The painting is valued at $2,600 and is on view at Union Street Gallery. Tickets can be purchased for $10 each or three for $25. The raffle will be held on July 12.

FYI: Visit www.unionstreetgallery.org.

Donate items | Lansing

Lansing Historical Society will host a garage sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19 in the Community Room at Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. No clothes will be accepted but other donations are needed.

FYI: To donate, call Tony at (708) 895-0993, Marilyn at (708) 474-8399 or Bud at (708) 895-2671.

BEACH PARTY | Dyer

Dyer United Methodist Church invites all children to ride the wave of God's love at its vacation Bible school, Beach Party: Surfin' Through the Scriptures, from 9:30 a.m. to noon or 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 7 to 11 at the church, 2016 Church St. This program is a celebration of God's love and a chance for children to learn new Beach Be-Attitudes. Each lesson will be supported with Bible Stories, science activities, songs, crafts, games and snacks. Register.

FYI: Call (219) 865-8947 or visit www.dyerumc.org.

Golden Opportunity | Lansing

The Lansing Chamber of Commerce has just received a shipment of the Golden Opportunities books that will be sold for half price - $13. The books offer savings on dinners, carry out, home improvement, automotive, sports, entertainment and personal care. The coupons are good through Oct. 1. Books are available every weekday morning at the chamber office, 3404 Lake St.

FYI: Call (708) 474-4170.

TOUR DA FUN | Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake Parks and Recreation Department will host Indoor Track and Foolish Field Events from 9 a.m. to noon July 3 at Hanover Central High School, 10120 W. 133rd Ave., as their part of the Tour Da Fun, hosted by 12 park departments working together to offer free programs for men and women. Advance registration is required. Track events include: 3-lap walk race, 200 m, 100m, 50m. javelin (pool noodle) throw, disc (Frisbee) throw, and shot put (tennis ball). Ribbons will be awarded for first, second and third place. Carnival games include Pick a Duck, Jenga, Paper Airplane Toss, Tailgate, Stack Cups, Pick a Sucker, Penny Toss and Knockout Cans. Play for raffle tickets to possibly win your choice of 1 of 5 baskets. Lunch will be served at noon at the Cedar Lake Town Hall, 7408 Constitution Ave. Cedar Lake Summerfest will be hosting additional Senior Games at 2 p.m. at the Park of the Red Cedars, 7408 Constitution Ave., including Peeling a Apple, Bean Spitting, Name that Tune, and

free bingo.

FYI: Call (219) 374-4444.

CAR CRUISES | Crown Point

City of Crown Point hosts Car Cruises from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through September around the Courthouse Square downtown. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. and the public is invited to stroll the square and visit with owners while checking out the vintage and classic vehicles and listening to oldies music played at the courthouse. Some merchants stay open late and refreshments are available to purchase.

FYI: Call (219) 662-3290.

Computer literacy | Chicago

Knowledge Hook-Up, 3457 E. 106th St. in Chicago's Southeast neighborhood, works to improve computer literacy and offer Internet access to the underserved, low income community. Free online and onsite instruction is offered.

FYI: Call (773) 221-9111.

Donations needed | Chicago Heights

South Suburban Humane Society always needs donations of the following: Purina brand Kitten Chow, Cat Chow, Dog Chow and Puppy Chow; old blankets, plastic colored snap clothes pins, postage stamps, bleach, laundry detergent, dish soap, Frontline flea control in all sizes, used rugs, newspapers, postage stamps, ball point pens, 60 lb. white offset paper and office supplies. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter, 1103 West End Ave.

FYI: Call (708) 755-7387.