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.

Film presentation | South Holland

South Holland Public Library, 16250 Wausau Ave., will show a movie about Arkansas at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 4. No registration is necessary for this program.

FYI: Call (708) 331-5262.

Book discussion | Lansing

Avid Reads book discussion group will discuss "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 2 and 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3 in the Community Room at Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. New members are welcome.

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

Blood drive | University Park

The Governors State University Student Life Unit and the American Red Cross are hosting a blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. Sept. 3 in Engbretson Hall on the GSU campus. While appointments can be scheduled, walk-ins are welcome. The Red Cross reminds donors to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water prior to donating. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weight at least 110 pounds, and be in good health. A photo ID is required. Governors State University is at 1 University Parkway.

FYI: Call (708) 235-7362.

Performance | Chicago Heights

Internationally known R&B and jazz vocalist Marcus Gentry and his band, First Class, will make an appearance at Prairie State College. The concert will take place Sept. 6 in the Business & Community Education Center auditorium of Prairie State College, 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights. The concert begins at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m. Gentry will perform a two-hour show. The cost for tickets is $20 general admission; $10 for students and seniors. Advance tickets are available for purchase in the Prairie State College Business Office. Half of the concert proceeds will benefit the Prairie State College Protégé program, a mentoring and support system for historically under-represented men.

FYI: Call (708) 709-3636.

Story time | Lansing

Story time for newborns to 5-year-olds will begin Sept. 8 and continue through Oct. 16 at Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. Register.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.

Irish studies | Chicago, Orland Park

Registration has started for St. Xavier University's highly successful noncredit Irish studies certificate program this fall at the Chicago and Orland Park campuses. Students explore Ireland's heritage through an interdisciplinary program of history, the Gaelic language, literature, art, film and music. Registration for a single class is $185, and students will receive a $30 discount if registering for more than one class per semester. Classes begin in October.

FYI: Call (708) 633-4711 or e-mail casillas@sxu.edu. For a complete course description, visit the School for Continuing & Professional Studies home page (http://www.sxu.edu/cps/) and click on the link titled "Certificate in Irish Studies."

Open house | Griffith

True Light International, 1257 N. Cline Ave, has announced the grand opening of its child care ministry for children 6 weeks through 6 years old. Everyone is invited to attend the open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 30 and 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 31. There will be inflatables, concessions and tours of the facilities.

FYI: Call (219) 794-463 or (219) 805-5585.

Single moms | Highland

Outreach to Single Moms will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at Suburban Bible Church, 3010 41st St. The group is designed to encourage and support, both physically and spiritually, single moms who have children younger than 25.

FYI: Call (219) 838-1638 or (219) 924-6240.

Art group | Munster

Art enthusiasts are invited to attend South Shore Arts Art in Focus group for video and discussion on "Landscape: The Invention of Nature." It will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 8 in the Bachman Gallery at the Center for Visual & Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road.

FYI: Call (219) 836-1839.

Extension Homemakers | Highland

Highland Extension Homemakers will meet at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 at the First Presbyterian Church, 8727 Delaware St. Members will discuss topics from the Purdue Family Conference and prepare the agenda for the following year. A potluck luncheon will be served at noon. New members are welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 838-9077.

Daughters of Isabella | East Chicago

Daughters of Isabella Twin Circle 59 will meet at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at Sacred Heart Church, 4427 Olcott Ave. This is different from the usual meeting date due to Labor Day. Members in attendance will make plans for the card party.

FYI: Call (219) 844-8610.

Needle Artisans | Munster

Needle Artisans of Northwest Indiana will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 2 at Munster Community Park, 8751 Lions Club Drive. Topic is lacing. Guests are welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 663-6391 or e-mail echein@yahoo.com.

Youth program | Hammond

Hessville Baptist Church, 6423 Arizona Ave., will have AWANA from 6 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday for ages 3 through sixth grade.

FYI: Call (219) 844-6523.

Swinging Seniors | Griffith

Griffith Swinging Seniors will be entertained by the Senior Sounds of Music at the regular meeting beginning at 1 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Griffith Senior Center, 349 N. Indiana St. A donation will be taken to offset the cost of the group. Guests are welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 923-5559.

Free support | Merrillville

"Crossing the Bridge: Maintaining Connections with Persons in Late Stages of Alzheimer's Disease" will take place Aug. 29 in meeting rooms B & D at Lake County Public Library, 1919 W. 81st Ave. The program will focus on understanding the later stages of Alzheimer's disease/advanced dementia and discuss ways for families to maintain meaningful connections with their loved ones, even when they are no longer able to verbally communicate. Although classes are free, registration is required.

FYI: Call (219) 789-2470.

MORE CONCERTS | Hobart

The Hobart Arts League has added Clock Tower events at 7 p.m. Tuesdays through the month of September at Third and Main streets downtown. The line-up includes children's entertainment with Leonardo on Sept. 2, classical guitarist Marco Villarreal on Sept. 9 rock and roll with Hero Syndrome on Sept. 23 and contemporary rock & folk with Dave Hutchins on Sept. 30.

FYI: Visit www.hobartarts.net.

BALLET AUDITIONS | Merrillville

Auditions for Indiana Ballet Theatre's 13th annual production of "The Nutcracker" will take place Sept. 6 at IBT's studios, 8888 Louisiana (one block west of Mississippi and 89th Ave.) for the following age groups: ages 15 to adult, 1:30 to 3 p.m.; ages 12 to 14, 2:30 to 4 p.m., ages 8 to 12, 3:30 to 5 p.m., and ages 5 to 8, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Call backs will be held Sept. 13 with a parent meeting. Part assignments will be posted Sept. 14. Performances will be Dec. 3 and 4 at the Star Plaza Theater.

FYI: Call (219) 663-7950.

GARAGE SALE | Crown Point

The Annual Boy Scout Troop 45 Garage Sale will be held from 7 a.m. to noon Sept. 20 at the south end of the weekly Crown Point Farmers' Market on South Main Street. The troop is accepting donated merchandise for the sale from 7 to 8 p.m. every Thursday prior to the sale and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Aug. 30, Sept. 6 and Sept. 13 at the First Presbyterian Church, 218 S. Court St. Troop members will be available to help unload and, to arrange a pick-up, contact Mary at (219) 662-8047. The scouts are looking for household items, toys, clothing and tools. They do not accept building materials or large appliances. All items donated need to be in good repair/condition; donations are also tax deductible. All proceeds support the scouts and their camping trips.

FYI: Call (219) 662-8047.