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
TODAY
COMMUNICATION SEMINAR | University Park
Relationship problems often stem from communication difficulties. Governors State University is hosting a free, one-hour workshop on communication and relationships from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 11 in Room B1241.
The GSU Academic Resource Center sponsors the workshop, which is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Governors State University is located at 1 University Parkway.
FYI: Call (708) 235-2228.
FRIDAY
FELINE ADOPTIONS | Chicago Heights
On Valentine's Day weekend, the South Suburban Humane Society, 1103 West End Ave., will offer cat adoptions for $14. Adoption includes spay/neuter, microchip, feline leukemia test, first distemper vaccine and rabies deposit. The shelter is open for adoptions from noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 12 and Feb. 13 and from 1 to 4 p.m Feb. 14.
FYI: Call (708) 755-7387 or e-mail office@sshspets.org.
SATURDAY
HOMEBUYERS SEMINAR | Lansing
The public is invited to visit the Lansing offices of Coldwell Banker, 2 River Place, Suite K, and join agents/brokers, appraisers, attorneys, house inspectors and other housing representatives for a seminar at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 13 followed by break out sessions and one-on-one face time with the experts. In addition, there will be refreshments, raffles and a few fun surprises. Broker/Manager Jim Oster will be joined by many of the 90-plus agents to answer questions and talk about values in individual neighborhoods in Southeast Chicago, southeast suburbs and Northwest Indiana.
FYI: For reservations call (708) 889-2610.
KIDS COOK | Calumet City
Children in the third through eighth grades will learn to make some delicious breakfast foods, along with kitchen safety tips, at the Calumet Memorial Park District's Kids Cook class from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 13. The fee is $10 for residents, $15 for nonresidents. Registration is required, and is now being taken at the Sandridge Center, 600 Oglesby Ave.
FYI: Call (708) 862-6440, or visit www.CalumetMemorialParkDistrict.com.
PULLMAN HISTORY | Hazel Crest
The South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society will meet at 10 a.m. Feb. 13 at the Hazel Crest Municipal Center/Police Department, 3000 W. 170th Place, for a seminar on Pullman history. Jane Eva Baxter, of the Anthropology Department at DePaul University in Chicago, will present the program "The Archaeological Dig at the Pullman Arcade Building." She has studied various sites across the Chicago landscape in order reconstruct what the daily life was really like for Pullman residents during the 19th and 20th centuries. The Pullman Arcade Building contained a 500-seat theatre, post office, library, the Pullman Trust and Saving Bank, the town management offices, as well as office and storefront spaces that were rented to private businesses.
Public and new members always welcome. Nonmember fee is $3. Refreshments will follow at the Society's library on the west side of the building.
FYI: For directions or additional information visit the Web site www.ssghs.org or call (708) 335-3340.
MODULAR TRAIN DISPLAY | Calumet City
The Hi-Rail Modular Train Club hosts a display of a 48-foot by 23-foot modular train layout and run the trains from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 13 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 14 at the VFW Ehinger Brothers Post No. 8141, 664 Hirsch. Admission is free.
FYI: (708) 474-8414.
BOOK SALE | Lansing
Friends of Lansing Public Library host a book sale Feb. 13 at the library, 2750 Indiana Ave. Members only can shop from 9 to 10 a.m. A membership at the door is $5. The general public can shop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cash only is accepted for sales.
FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.
BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM | Dolton
The Dolton Public Library, 14097 Lincoln Ave., will host a special Black History Month program, An Uncommon Journey, at 2 p.m. Feb. 13. Through an interactive slide show, art historian Jeff Mishur will highlight the major African-American artists and sculptors of the 20th century, and will talk about Chicago's role in the history of African-American art. This free program is appropriate for older students and adults. Seating is limited. Reservations required.
FYI: Call (708) 849-2385.
BMX SHOW AND SWAP | Chicago
The ninth annual Midwest Oldschool BMX Show and Swap takes place beginning at 9 a.m. Feb. 13 at Ford Union Hall Local 551, 13550 Torrence Ave. Voting on the bicycles begins at 10 a.m. and a banquet starts at 3 p.m. with Midwest Oldschooler Jason Parratt as guest speaker. Entry, parking and displaying bikes are free.
FYI: Contact Ed Nowdomski at (219) 381-5134 or visit www.freedombmx.net.
HEART-TO-HEART DINNER | Munster
The Salvation Army Hammond/Munster Corps is hosting a heart-to-heart dinner fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at the offices, 8225 Columbia Ave. Roast beef dinner served tableside will include salad, potatoes, vegetable and dessert. Reservations required. Cost is $10 per person, proceeds benefit The Salvation Army World Services.
FYI: (219) 838-0380.
ROMANTIC RHYTHMS | Highland
Join the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and Music Director/Conductor Kirk Muspratt for "Romantic Rhythms" at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at Monbeck Auditorium at Highland High School, 9135 Erie St. The concert will feature Lana Wordel on the marimba, and the Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra, directed by Philip Bauman. This Valentine’s concert celebrates love with emotionally engaging works from Romantic composers, including Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, a classic tribute to fate. Modern, young composer Kevin Puts’ Marimba Concerto, performed by NISO principal percussionist Wordel, is lively and entertaining. The Symphony Youth Orchestra will perform side-by-side with the professional orchestra on Howard Hanson’s Romantic Symphony No. 2.
FYI: Call the symphony office at (219) 836-0525 or visit NISOrchestra.org to order tickets.
SWEETHEART BALL | Hammond
Devoted2Healing Inc. invites the public to the first sweetheart ball healing day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Ophelia Steen Center, 5927 Columbia Ave. Registration with continental breakfast starts at 9 a.m. The event is to encourage and motivate people with life-threatening illnesses. Guest speaker is Dr. Chiedu Nchekwube, founder of the Family Medicine & Wellness Center in Merrillville, who uses herbs, nutritional therapies, homeopathy, biopuncture and mainstream or allopathic medicine to help patients. Booth space is available for $75. General admission to event is $35. Registration required.
FYI: Contact Carolyn Fears-Williams at (219) 309-9522 or (219) 578-1793 or register online at www.devoted2healing.org.
SUNDAY
CHINESE NEW YEAR | Calumet City
Celebrate the Chinese New Year by listening to stories and making a dragon from 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Calumet City Public Library, 660 Manistee Ave. For ages 5 and older. Registration required and begins Feb. 8
FYI: Call (708) 862-6220.
VALENTINE BINGO | Hammond
Ladies Aid Society will host a Valentine bingo at 1 p.m. Feb. 14 at Faith United Church of Christ, 3030 175th St. Cost is $3 for a master card and dessert, or $10 for a full set-up that includes special games. Lunch will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring a couple of canned goods (expired dates not acceptable) for the food pantry and/or dog or cat food for the animal shelter and receive a ticket for each item in a special prize drawing.
FYI: Call Karen Kil at (219) 374-7314 or the church at (219) 845-2288.
NATURE CRAFTS | Hammond
Lake County Parks and Recreation Department will again host Family Nature Crafts at 1 p.m. the second Sunday of the month at Gibson Woods Nature Preserve, 6201 Parrish Ave. The Feb. 14 topic is "Chocolate" - learn about chocolate and other tasty things that grow on trees and make a treat to take home. Spend an afternoon with your family at Gibson Woods and learn something new about nature while making a craft project to enjoy at home. Fee is $2 per project. Registration is required at least three days in advance. Space is limited. The March 14 topic is "Wind" - try your hand at some wind experiments and make a wind chime to hang outside.The April 11 topic is "Earth Day: Celebrate the earth and all its bounty." Make a recycled sculpture.
FYI: Call (219) 844-3188 to sign up.
THURSDAY
HEALTH FAIR | Hazel Crest
Advocate South Suburban Hospital, 17800 S. Kedzie Ave., will host An Affair for the Heart from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 18 in the hospital's east lobby. The free health fair will feature educational booths related to cardiovascular disease. Topics include smoking cessation, heart healthy eating, stroke and diabetes. Free health screenings will be offered.
FYI: Call (800) 323-8622.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL LECTURE | Homewood
The South Suburban Archaeological Society will present a slide lecture "Walking in Phrygian Footsteps: Using Green Technology to Excavate a City from the Times of Kind Midas" by Scott Branting, director of the Center for Ancient Middle Eastern Landscapes, and research assistant professor of The Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago. Program is at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Marie Irwin Center, Highland and Ridge Road.
FYI: Call (708) 748-7806.
EDUCATION FOR INFANTS | University Park
The Family Development Center and the College of Education at Governors State University are sponsoring an enriching and educational playgroup experience for infants, ages 6 months to 2 years old, and their parents.
The program includes activities for infants designed to enhance physical and mental development using fun and inventive materials. Students in the early childhood degree program at GSU lead the sessions under the supervision of College of Education professors and certified Family Development Center staff. The eight-session program is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 18 through April 8. The fee is $10. The Family Development Center is located on the campus of Governors State University, 1 University Parkway.
FYI: For more information or to register, call (708) 235-7300.
ANIMAL TALES | South Holland
Storytellers Kucha and Tony Brown will weave a rich tapestry of interactive folktales such as Anasi the Spider and Brer' Rabbit at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at the South Holland Public Library, 16250 Wausau Ave. Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required and begins Feb. 6.
FYI: Call (708) 331-5262.
EDUCATION CAREER FAIR | University Park
Calling all teachers and teaching assistants. The Office of Career Services at Governors State University is sponsoring a career fair for educators. Current students, alumni, and community members interested in finding employment in schools are invited to attend. Potential employers will be on hand from both public and private institutions and representing all grade levels. The education career fair is from 3 to 6 p.m. Feb. 18 in the Hall of Governors. While the Education Career Fair is free and open to the public, employers who wish to participate must register and pay a registration fee. Governors State University is located at 1 University Parkway.
FYI: Call (708) 235-3974.
FEB. 21
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY MEETS | Park Forest
The Illiana Jewish Genealogical Society meets at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 21 in the library at Congregation Am Echad, 160 Westwood Drive. Remembering the 1940s is the theme for the program and attendees are invited to bring a maximum of three photos and/or artifacts from the '40s to recall the decade. Nonmembers are asked for a $2 donation. Annual family memberships are $20.
FYI: Visit http://ijgs.home.comcast.net.
FEB. 23
LADIES NIGHT | Chicago
Advocate Trinity Hospital, in conjunction with Power Circle Congregation, will host a Go Red event to support the fight against women's heart disease. The event is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at Power Circle Center, 9350 S. South Chicago Ave. Participants will enjoy inspirational messages, chair massages, facials, nutritional consultations, raffle prizes and dinner. Dr. Claudia Johnson, a Trinity physician who specializes in internal medicine, will be the guest speaker. All registered guest will receive a complimentary gift bag. Attendees are encouraged to wear red.
FYI: To register call (800) 3-ADVOCATE.
