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 news editor Jeanette Lach
- E-mail: jeanette.lach@nwi.com
- Fax: (219) 933-3249.
- Address: 601 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321.
- Questions? Call (219) 933-3267
FRIDAY
FREE CRISIS MANAGEMENT | Munster
Two local board certified psychiatrists, Drs. Sanker Jayachandran and Vijay Jayachandran, will offer free crisis management to anyone on Christmas Day. They have served adults, adolescents and addiction patients in Northwest Indiana for 20 years. Participants are asked to call first before coming in to their office, 720 45th St.
FYI: 24-hour answering service (219) 934-6410.
SATURDAY
CONFERENCE | Chicago Heights
"A Love Worth Finding," conference is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 26 at Sunsaray Center, 1605-7 Otto Blvd. The event is free and features Ministers Linus and Kay Lefever, "the relationship gurus." To register online www.annettelewisministries.org.
FYI: Call (708) 862-1754.
DEC. 31
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY | Lansing
American Legion Post 697, 18255 Grant St., hosts a New Year's Eve party from 9 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1. Food, party favors and Good Times band with special guests Jake and Elwood.
FYI: Call (708) 474-5906.
NEW YEAR'S EVE | Munster
Family Christian Center is hosting its annual New Year's celebration beginning at 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31, featuring live and video entertainment. At 10 p.m., the celebration continues with musicians and speakers along with the Family Christian choir. Fireworks and thousands of balloons round out the celebration.
FYI: Call (219) 922-6500 or visit www.familychristiancenter.org.
BELLABRATION SET | Lake Station
A 2010 New Year's Eve BeLLABration will be held for children from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center, 28th Avenue and Colorado Street at Three Rivers County Park. Enjoy the "royal" Treatment at Bellaboo’s Castle. Cost is $15 for princes and princesses 9 and younger, $10 for each additional child, and $6 for each lord and lady 10 and older. Royal babies 6 months and younger attend free. Wear Sunday best attire and enjoy live music for dancing, a cooking class, art and stories as well as sweet treats.
FYI: Visit mybellaboos.com or call (219) 963-2070.
SKATING EVENT | Merrillville
Bring in the new year with Paddles T. Otter at a family friendly New Year's Eve celebration from 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 31 at the ice skating plaza in Deep River County Park, 9100 E. U.S. 30. Count down to 2010 in Paddles' Time Zone, which is at 8 p.m. Admission is $5 per person and regular skate rental fees apply. Kids can make New Year’s Eve crafts from 5 to 8 p.m., followed by a countdown and sparkling juice toast in the plaza with Paddles at 8, while ice skating with a DJ and concession items for sale continues from 5 to 10.
FYI: Call (219) 947-7850 or visit lakecountyparks.com/events.html.
GRANDE FINALE | Crown Point
Sixth annual Grande Finale is set for Dec. 31 around the historic downtown square with two event locations. The family fun event is set for 5 to 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, still giving adults the opportunity to ring in the new year with friends later in the evening. South Shore Arts' Crown Point Arts Center at 138 S. Main St. will host the Grande Finale kickoff event as magician Jerry Herzog performs a 45-minute show live at 5 p.m. Also, Patti Mac the B’loon Lady will be twisting balloon animals, crowns, swords, and much more before she makes her way over to the dance and pizza party beginning at 6 p.m. in the Crown Point Civic Center, 101 S. East St. Cost is $5 per person; children younger than 1 attend free. Each ticket includes unlimited pizza at the party while supplies last. Only 265 tickets are available.
FYI: Call (219) 662-3290 or e-mail jenyoung@crownpoint.in.gov to purchase tickets.
JAN. 1
YEARLY MEMBERSHIP PASS | Whiting
The Whiting Parks and Recreation Department is offering a yearly special pass for membership to the Whiting Community Center. Membership entitles users to exercise machines, swimming pool, water and land exercise classes and more. Discount rates only apply to January and February. Rates will be $150 for residents of the 46394 zip code and $120 for senior citizens residents. It's $300 for nonresidents and $180 for nonresident senior citizens. Senior citizens must be 60 years old or older.
FYI: (219) 659-0860 or visit www.whitingindiana.com.
JAN. 2
WRITERS GROUP | Lansing
Writers are welcome to join the Lansing Public Library's writers group from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 2 and Jan. 16. Anyone age 18 or older can join and listen to poems, stories, journaling or anything that participants have written. Critiques can be given if desired. The group offers writing challenges to its members and encourages different types of story ideas. Tips on creative writing and information on publishing will be shared.
FYI: Call (708) 474-2447, ext. 122.
JAN. 4
FOOD DRIVE | Crete
Northwoods restaurant, 968 E. Steger Road, is hosting a food drive and Wii raffle to benefit the Crete Food Pantry. Restaurant patrons can receive a raffle ticket for cash or cans. A three-can donation gets a ticket as does a $1 donation. Online donations of $5 for six entries are accepted at www.northwoodssaloon.com. Drawing is Jan. 4.
FYI: Call (708) 672-1167.
JAN. 6
BOOK DISCUSSION | Lansing
Discuss "The Christmas Sweater," by Glenn Beck at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. Book discussions meet in the upper level conference room. Copies of the book are available at the circulation desk. Registration for this free program is required.
FYI: Call (708) 474-2447, ext. 122.
JAN. 8
POLISH FOLK DANCE | Lansing
Watch the Wesoly Lud Polish Folk Dance Ensemble of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America perform at 6 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. The ensemble's repertoire includes full costume regional dances and vocal suites from eastern Krakow, Lowicz and a variety of areas throughout Poland. Registration for this free program requested.
FYI: Call (708) 474-2447 or visit www.lansing.lib.il.us.
JAN. 9
TEXAS HOLD 'EM | Lansing
The Save Schultz Park organization is hosting a Texas Hold 'Em tournament beginning at noon Jan. 9 at Kilroy's Bar and Grill, 3502 Ridge Road. Cost is $35 to buy in with additional buy ins available. Beer and food will be provided by Kilroy's.
FYI: Call Ted for tickets and information at (708) 710-7533.
BOOK SALE | Lansing
Friends of the Lansing Public Library hosts a book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 9. Members only can purchase from 9 to 10 a.m. and the general public can shop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fill a bag for $5. The library is at 2750 Indiana Ave.
FYI: Call (708) 474-2447, ext. 122.
JAN. 10
ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS | Munster
Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra is open to highly accomplished musicians by audition only. Spring auditions for the 2009-10 season for violin, viola, cello, bass, bassoons, trombone and percussion will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 10. The orchestra offers a select group of young musicians a dynamic and educational musical environment, which places a strong emphasis on artistic excellence, personal growth and providing exceptional performance experiences. Applicants should log on to www.NISOrchestra.org and follow the youth orchestra link for complete audition information and to schedule an audition time.
FYI: Contact Emily Warner at (219) 836-0525, ext. 207 or yo@NISOrchestra.org.
JAN. 12
CHICAGO HISTORY | Lansing
Chicago Tribune columnist Rick Kogan will speak on Daniel Burnham's legacy at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. Kogan is host of WGN Radio's "Sunday Papers with Rick Kogan." He'll talk about the city behind the skyscrapers, telling stories of people and a city that exists apart from grand plans. Registration for this free program requested.
FYI: Call (708) 474-2447 or visit www.lansing.lib.il.us.
FEB. 13
TRIBUTE NIGHT | Lansing
American Legion Post 697, 18255 Grant St., hosts an evening tribute to Elvis, Tom Jones and Rod Stewart from 8 to 11 p.m. Feb. 13. Show stars Irv Cass as Tom Jones and Elvis and Steve Bobbitt as Rod Stewart. Doors open at 6 p.m. and buffet dinner is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cash bar. $30 per ticket.
FYI: Contact Chuck Mabry for information and tickets (708) 474-5906 or (708) 895-6101.
ONGOING
WINTER READING | Lansing
Lansing Public Library's adult winter reading program begins Dec. 1 through Jan. 9. Bingo game cards can be picked up at the Adult Services desk anytime between those dates. All participants who complete a reading Bingo game card will receive a free books and entry form for the grand prize drawing.
FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.
FUNERAL DONATIONS | Lansing
Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home in Lansing will donate five full-service funerals to be used by local churches in Illinois and Indiana in 2010. The donation consists of a casket, vault and all professional services by the funeral home and staff. Outside charges such as grave, grave opening and vault setting not included. Church officials can contact Schroeder-Lauer directly to help families in need without the ability to pay for a funeral.
FYI: Call (708) 474-0024 or e-mail Schroeder lauer@msn.com.
