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.

Open house | Lansing

Lansing Fire Department will have an open house from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Fire Station 3, 19300 Burnham Ave. Pancake breakfast is from 7 to 10 a.m. Activities include fire safety house, simulated black-out maze, live fire demonstrations, rescue demonstrations, puppet show, Pluggie the fire hydrant, hands-on fire extinguisher training and free raffles courtesy of Lansing Lions Club.

FYI: Visit www.villageoflansing.com.

Pancake breakfast | Chicago

The Southeast Lions Club will sponsor a pancake breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at St. Kevin Hall, 10509 S. Torrence Ave. in Chicago's Southeast Side neighborhood. It's $4 per person for pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. There will also be a raffle.

FYI: Call (773) 213-3787.

Open house | Calumet City

Nicor Gas will participate in 54 fire department open houses across its service territory to educate the public about natural gas safety. Calumet City Fire Department will have an open house from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 11 at Station 2, 1250 Pulaski Road.

FYI: Visit www.nicorgas.com.

Youth group | Lansing

First United Methodist Church has a youth group that meets the first and third Sundays of the month. It's for children in junior high and high school. Different activities, topic studies and field trips are planned. The church is at 18420 Burnham Ave.

FYI: Call (708) 474-1144.

Bingo | Chicago

Bingo takes place every Sunday at St. Florian School Gym, 131st Street and Houston Avenue in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Games start at 2:30 p.m. It will continue throughout the school year. It is smoke-free and free coffee is available.

FYI: Call (773) 646-2868.

Family program | Hammond

Purdue University Calumet is inviting parents and their children to spend the afternoon of Oct. 25 on campus, learning about wildlife and watching a movie. A free, live and educational program about respecting wildlife, titled "Birds of Prey," begins at noon in Calumet Falls in the Student Union & Library. Kim Hoover, of Hoots to Howls Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, will be present and accompanied by owls. "Fly Away Home," a story of a young girl who helps raise abandoned goslings, will follow the program at 1 p.m. The program is free, but parents are encouraged to register by Oct. 17.

FYI: Call (219) 989-4141.

Craft show | Lansing

The Harvest Arts and Crafts show will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 11 at Luther East High School, 2750 Glenwood-Lansing Road.

FYI: Call (708) 895-8441.

Fish dinner | Lansing

United Methodist Men is sponsoring a fish dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at First United Methodist Church, 18420 Burnham Ave.

Tickets cost $8.50 for adults, $4.25 for children, 4 and under eat free.

FYI: Call (708) 474-1144 or visit www.fumclansing.org.

Harvest Fest | Lynwood

Lynwood Church of God is hosting its second Harvest Fest Event from 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at 20721 Torrence Ave. The free family event will include music, food, bouncer, games, face paintings, pumpkin give-a-ways.

FYI: Call (708) 757-6159.

Writer's group | Lansing

The Writer's Special Interest Group will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 18 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.

Pajama stories | Calumet City

Pajama Storytime is from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. Oct. 29 at Calumet City Public Library, 660 Manistee Ave. It's for ages 3 to 8. Register.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6220.

Weavers' Guild | Flossmoor

Weavers' Guild South will have a show and sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 11 at Flossmoor Community House, 847 Hutchinson. There is free admission and parking. There will be a variety of weavings, felt items, jewelry, knitting, pottery, baskets and other textile arts. Demonstrations will be given all day.

FYI: Call (708) 747-9246.

FOOD DRIVE | Lake County

Advance Financial Federal Credit Union invites its members and neighbors across Lake County to donate to its annual food drive benefiting The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. The credit union is accepting monetary donations as well as nonperishable food items at all three office locations, 31 W. U.S. 30 in Schererville, 4035 Alder St. in East Chicago and 1544 W. 36th Ave. in Gary, through Nov. 15.

FYI: Call (219) 392-3900.

Luncheon dance | Merrillville

The 18th annual Indiana Harbor's Hispanic Old Timers luncheon dance is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at Avalon Manor, 3550 Ind. 30. Music by John Trimmel's Right of Way Band. Tickets are $30 and include dinner, dancing and door prizes. There will be a cash bar. The ticket deadline is Oct. 15.

FYI: Call (219) 923-1358 or (708) 895-2484.

Legal course | Hammond

Purdue University Calumet's Center for Entrepreneurship Success is offering a course, beginning Oct. 23, that focuses on various legal issues of starting or operating a small business. The course will cover topics such as intellectual property law, employment law, tax implications, liability and vulnerability to lawsuits. Written materials will be provided. Class sessions are scheduled Thursdays through Nov. 13. The enrollment fee is $299.

FYI: Call (219) 989-2100.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Whiting

Whiting American Legion Post 80 will hold a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at the post home, 2003 Indianapolis Blvd. It's $6 for adults and $3 for children. Proceeds will benefit the Whiting American Legion Baseball program.Carry-outs available.

FYI: Call (219) 661-8679.

Senior art | Hammond

The public is invited to view the 18th annual Senior Art Exhibit now through Oct. 26 at the Hammond Public Library Main branch, 564 State St. This juried show features works by artists ages 55 and older.

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

Food drive | Hammond

Greater Hammond Community Services and Hammond Parks & Recreation have teamed up to host a food drive in an effort to replenish the food pantry that serves Hammond and the surrounding community for the holiday season. Donations of nonperishable food items can be dropped off at the Hammond Civic Center, 5825 S. Sohl Ave., until Nov. 7. No clothing or paper products are needed at this time.

FYI: Call (219) 853-6378.

SHRED-IT DAY | Schererville

Advance Financial Federal Credit Union welcomes its members and friends throughout Northwest Indiana to bring in unwanted personal documents to be securely disposed of at its Shred-It Day 2008 from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 18 at its Schererville office, 31 W. U.S. 30.

FYI: Call (219) 392-3946.

Benefit | Highland

A casino and royale poker event is from 6 to midnight Oct. 11 at St. James Hall, 45th and Kennedy avenues. It will benefit needy families through Knights of Columbus Council 8082. It's for ages 21 and older. Admission is $10 and includes food and beverages.

FYI: Call (219) 924-4220.

RUN FOR ROSES | Schererville

Campagna Academy's annual Run for the Roses is set for Oct. 25 at 7403 Cline Ave. The race is a 5K Run/2.5 Mile Walk and .25 Mile Kids' Fun Run that helps raise funds for the therapeutic and educational needs of at-risk adolescents at Campagna. On site registration is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. The kids' fun run will begin at 8:30 and both the run and walk begin promptly at 9. Registration forms and a map showing the course are available at www.campagnaacademy.org.

FYI: Call (219) 322-8614, ext. 332.

Rummage sale | Hammond

A rummage sale is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11 at First Presbyterian Church, 6021 Hohman Ave. Proceeds will benefit community flood victims.

FYI: Call (219) 931-2174.

Bake sale | Highland

The Highland Grandmothers Club will host a bake sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Highland Elks Lodge 981, 3120 45th St. All proceeds from this event will help support the children's organization CURE.

FYI: Call (219) 924-6429.

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE | Gary

The Salvation Army is registering children for its Striving for Excellence in Academics after-school program at its Gary/Merrillville location, 4800 Harrison St. The program offers computer-based learning for children in kindergarten through grade 9 who desire to excel in school. Cost is $50 per child for the duration of the program, held from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, October to November and January to May. Off-site participation is available.

FYI: Call (219) 887-5688.

Pancake breakfast | Munster

A pancake breakfast is from 8 to 10 a.m. Oct. 11 at Munster Applebee's, Ridge Road. Proceeds will benefit flood victims. It's $5 per person. Price includes a raffle ticket.

FYI: Call (219) 864-8624 or e-mail Theresa-Weakland@worldnet.att.net.

COW SHOW PREVIEW | Hobart

Join Lakeshore Public Television from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 11 at Westfield Southlake Mall for a sneak peek screening of "The Udderly Amazing Cow!," a brand new, high-energy television show for kids on the history and highlights of cows. Preschool through grade school children and their families are encouraged attend screenings every 30 minutes in the mall's Center Court. Children will enjoy gift bags, raffle prizes and more. After the screening, kids can stop by Fair Oaks' interactive trailer, featuring a live cow. Filmed at Fair Oaks Farms near Winamac, the show will teach children about dairy farming with fun and factual twists and adventures.

FYI: Call (219) 756-5656 or visit www.LakeshorePTV.com.