Open houses | Crete

On Aug. 22, the Crete Public Library District will hold Teacher Appreciation Open Houses from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the library, 1177 N. Main St. Teachers who live or work in Crete are invited to stop by to learn about the new services, materials and databases available to them and their students. There will be refreshments, goodie bags and raffle drawings.

FYI: RSVP to the library at (708) 672-8017 or visit www.cretelibrary.org.

Hearing screening | Lynwood

The Lynwood Lions will sponsor free hearing screenings for ages 18 and older and 10- to 17- year- olds with written parental consent. The Lions hearing bus will be at Liberty Park from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 22. Liberty Park is at U.S. 30 and Burnham Avenue behind the fire station. No appointment is necessary.

FYI: Call (708) 466-7698.

ANNUNCIATA FEST | Chicago

Annunciata Fest will take place beginning at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 22 and at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 23 at the parish, 3750 E. 112th St. in Chicago's East Side neighborhood. There will be food booths, live music entertainment, beer and wine tent and raffles. Games of chance, children's games, a bean bag tournament, freethrow competitions, kids karaoke in the gym, face painting and much more.

FYI: (773) 221-1040 or www.annunciataonline.com.

Audition | Homewood

The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District has announced a casting call for The Stage Theatre's fall production of "Nevermore!," a drama that presents the story about the last days of Edgar Allan Poe. Director Dawn Leader-Peloso is hoping to cast approximately 12 men and seven women to play 52 roles. There is also one role for a 12-year-old girl in this dramatic production. Auditions will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 11 and 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at the H-F Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut. Auditions will last at least 30 minutes; there will be a $35 participation fee for those selected for the play.

FYI: Call (708) 957-0300 or visit hfparks.com.

Steger Days | Steger

The Village of Steger will present Steger Days Aug. 23 and 24 at Veteran's Park, 35th Street and Phillips Avenue. Activities will begin at 1 p.m. each day. Food vendors and craft, product vendors will set up in the park both days. There will be free activities for kids including, games, train rides, Moon Walk, and Magic Show with Brutus the Psychic Bunny Rabbit.

FYI: Call (708) 754-3395.

Furniture sale | Lansing

Brook Furniture Rental will have a back-to-school furniture sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 22 and 23 at Trinity Lutheran School Gym, 18141 Glen Terrace. Part of the proceeds will benefit Trinity's Guatemala mission team. Delivery will be available within a five-mile radius.

FYI: Call (708) 474-7997.

Summer festival | Burnham

The Village of Burnham will have a summer festival and movie night for all residents starting at 2 p.m. Aug. 23 at Lawhead Park, 14450 Manistee Ave. There will be free food, music and a water slide. With proof of residency, kids can get free school supplies. A movie will start at dusk and attendees should bring their own chairs.

Meatloaf dinner | Whiting

Sons of the American Legion Squadron 80 will have a meatloaf dinner from 4 to 7:30 tonight at American Legion Post 80, 2003 Indianapolis Boulevard. Meal includes meatloaf, potatoes, baked beans, green beans, bread, coffee and dessert. Adults eat for $6, children for $3. Carry-outs are available.

FYI: Call (219) 659-0215.

Open house | Dyer

Midwest Training and Ice will hold an open house from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 24. Events will include a free open skate with free skate rental, an opportunity to take pictures with the Zamboni, on ice demonstrations by center skaters and hockey players and more.

FYI: Call (219) 558-8811 or visit www.midwesttrainingandice.com.

SENIOR ARTISTS | Hammond

Hammond Public Library seeks artists 55 and older for its 18th annual Senior Art Exhibit, which runs Sept. 2 to Oct. 26. Artists may enter up to two original works in this juried show. A flyer with further rules is available by calling Scott Kingery.

FYI: Call (219) 931-5100, ext. 302.

DOO-WOP GROUP | Calumet Area

Remember When, a doo-wop, a capella vocal group, will perform at the 50th reunion for the 1958 class of Hammond Tech on Sept. 6. The group is made up of 1958 and 1959 graduates of the school. They are Harold Hull, who sang with The Kingsmen from 1955-621 Bob Luther, who sang with The Kingsmen from 1955-62; Bill Schmidt, who sang with The Gents in 1957, The Premiers from 1958 to 60, Yesterdays' Rhythm from 1976-79 and with Chorus of the Dunes 1968-72; and Mike Whitmore, who sang with The Gents in 1957, the Premiers from 1958-60, Yesterdays' Rhythm from 1976-88 and Stormy Weather from 1988-92. They came together about a year ago following Hammond Tech's annual Music Night. Since then, the group has been practicing weekly and sings at benefits and community events.

FYI: Call (219) 845-6909.

ELKFEST | Hobart

BPO Elks Lodge 1152 will host its 25th annual Elkfest from 2 to 11 p.m. Aug. 23 and 24 at the lodge hall, 3580 W. 61st Ave. Menu both days includes BBQ lamb, fried chicken and spaghetti, with the dining room open 2-8 Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 Sunday. Bake sale, casino, bingo, food tent with burgers, hot dogs, sausage and soft drinks, beer garden and music by Hit & Run. A Texas Hold 'Em Tournament will begin at noon Aug. 23; buy in is $100 with one $50 re-buy and 200 extra chips for those who register in advance.

FYI: Call (219) 942-1152.

CORN ROAST | Cedar Lake

A Church Picnic and Corn Roast will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 23 at First Baptist Church, 13419 Parrish Ave. The Brown Family of Mokena, Ill. will perform a gospel concert at 4 p.m. There will be games and horse back rides for the kids.

FYI: Call (219) 374-6430.

DINNER CRUISE | Gary

Gary Chamber of Commerce hosts a Spirit of Chicago Dinner Cruise from 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 29 boarding from Majestic Star Casino's Buffington Harbor. Cost is $80 for a buffet dinner, dancing and entertainment while cruising on Lake Michigan. Boarding time is 6 p.m. Sponsorships are available.

FYI: Call (219) 885-7407.

TOUCH OF ELEGANCE | Hobart

St. Mary Medical Center Auxiliary will host its ninth annual Touch of Elegance Luncheon at noon Sept. 13 at Avalon Manor, 3550 E. U.S. 30. The event features the easy listening music of Charlie Blum and Friends from the Star Plaza along with gourmet food, door prizes and a cash raffle. Doors will open at 11 a.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Hospital Gift Shop, 1500 S. Lake Park Ave., or by phone.

FYI: Call (219) 942-3922 or (219) 942-7019.

GRINDERS PLAY | Hobart

Deep River Grinders play vintage base ball at 2 p.m. Aug. 24 vs. the Downers Grove Plowboys from Illinois on Grinder Field at Deep River County Park, 9410 Old Lincoln Hwy. Spectators are welcome; bring a blanket or chair for seating. Refreshments will be available. Admission is free.

FYI: Call (219) 769-PARK.

ARTISTS MEET | Hobart

The newly-formed Deep River Artists will meet at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 25 in the meeting room of the Visitor Center at Deep River County Park, 9410 Old Lincoln Hwy. Artists enjoy demonstrations, learn new techniques, present exhibits in Wood's Mill Gallery, learn of area classes and exhibits and offer classes to members. Artists are asked to bring to the meetings examples of their work to show and talk about - in the form of a photo or the actual artwork, if not too large. There are no dues and no registration.

FYI: Call (219) 947-1958.

ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS | Munster

Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra will hold auditions for the 2008-09 concert season Aug. 25 and 26 for violins, violas, cellos, and bass trombone. To audition, please send a resume to Karen Dickelman, personnel manager, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN, 46321 or e-mail Karen@NISOrchestra.org.

FYI: Visit www.NISOrchestra.org for repertoire