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
WEDNESDAY
NEW YEAR'S LUNCHEON | Lansing
The Lansing Golden-K Kiwanis will have their pre-New Year's Eve luncheon at 11 a.m. Dec. 30 at the Golden Crown restaurant, 17904 Torrence Ave. Visitors are welcome.
FYI: (708) 474-1882.
THURSDAY
NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION | Homewood
The village of Homewood hosts its own countdown and balloon drop at noon Dec. 31 for families to usher in the new year together complete with horns, hats and balloons. Festivities start at 11 a.m. with entertainment provided by Circus Boy performing stunts and physical comedy. Families can have their picture taken or bring their own cameras for a New Year's photo keepsake. The celebration is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. The free event is sponsored by the Community Relations Commission.
FYI: Contact Rachel Jones, (708) 206-3375.
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY | Lansing
American Legion Post 697, 18255 Grant St., hosts a New Year's Eve party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31. 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.
SUNDAY
LADIES AFTERNOON | Hammond
Join a ladies afternoon meet and greet from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 3 at the Hammond Moose Lodge, 7500 Cline Ave. service road. It will be an afternoon of relaxation after a stressful holiday season. A guest speaker, light lunch and pampering ideas available.
FYI: (219) 844-9905
MONDAY
T'AI CHI CHIH | Hammond
Starting in January, the Hammond Area YMCA located at 7322 Southeastern Ave. will offer an eight-week T'ai Chi Chih session for ages 16 and above from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Mondays for from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Saturdays. Tai Chi Chih - Joy Through Movement is a newer nonmartial form of T'ai Chi. The purpose is to circulate and balance the flow of Chi (energy) in the body. All movements are very slow, gentle, and powerful. T'ai Chi Chih is suitable for all fitness levels, movements can even be performed while seated.
FYI: Call (219) 845-1507 or visit www.HammondAreaYMCA.org.
JAN. 5
NEEDLE ARTISANS | Munster
The Needle Artisans of Northwest Indiana, Chapter of the Embroiderers Guild of America Inc. host a meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Community Park Social Center, 8751 Lions Club Drive, about a quarter mile south of the intersection of Ridge Road and Calumet Avenue. Must be a member of the guild and register to participate in any class. Guests are welcome.
FYI: Contact Elaine Hein (219) 663-6391 or e-mail ECHein@yahoo.com.
JAN. 6
GAME SHOW | Munster
Join First Financial Bank Crossroads Department at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 6 for the return of the "Liars Club," a game-show version of wacky word definitions that test vocabulary dexterity. Staff from First Financial Bank will try to fool contestants with bogus definitions, and participants will have to figure out who's telling the truth. Event held at the Munster Public Library, 8701 Calumet Ave. No membership required. Guests welcomed. RSVP required.
FYI: Call (219) 972-7353.
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.
INDOOR SOCCER | Hammond
The Hammond Area YMCA will be offering toddler indoor soccer for ages 2 to 5 years and youth soccer for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The seven-week session starts Jan. 16 at the Hammond Area YMCA located at 7322 Southeastern Ave. Children in grades 2 through 6 will also have a practice one day during the week, the day and time to be announced. Registration deadline is Jan. 8. Fees are $35 for members and $65 for nonmembers.
FYI: Call (219) 845-1507 or visit www.HammondAreaYMCA.org.
DIAPER DRIVE | East Chicago
The Holy Innocents Center and Tauscher Center run by the St. Joseph's Carmelite Home for Girls needs donations of diapers and pull-ups of all sizes or monetary donations. The centers use 480 diapers or pull-ups a day, or 14,400 a month. Diapers can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. through Jan. 8 at the St. Joseph's Carmelite Home visitors entrance, 4840 Grasselli Ave. Monetary donations can be mailed to the Carmelite Home, 4840 Grasselli Ave., East Chicago, 46312. Make checks payable to St. Joseph's Carmelite Home, Diaper Drive. Mail-ins should include attention: diaper drive.
FYI: Call (219) 397-1085.
JAN. 9
MARTIAL ARTS | Hammond
The Hammond Area YMCA will offer martial arts focusing on karate, jujitsu, and kickboxing for ages 8 years to adult. The monthly sessions will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Saturdays. Classes start Jan. 9 and will be held at the Hammond Area YMCA located at 7322 Southeastern Ave. The fee is $25 for members and $50 for nonmembers.
FYI: Call (219) 845-1507 or visit www.HammondAreaYMCA.org.
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.
JAN. 17
STAGE PERFORMANCE | Homewood
The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District's The Stage performance of "The Shoes," is offered one day only at 2 p.m. Jan. 17. "The Shoes" tells the story of Marissa, a dancer looking for a dance team, and a wizard, Willard, who offers her magical shoes. The audience will help choose the ending in this interactive performance.
Directed by Dawn Leader-Peloso, "The Shoes" will be performed at the H-F Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. They will be available at the door. Bring in three nonperishable items for a local food pantry and receive $1 off the admission price.
FYI: Call (708) 957-PARK or visit hfparks.com.
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.
DONATE GLOVES | Griffith
Studio 4 Salon will have its third annual Warm Hearts, Warm Hands campaign now through the end of January. Drop off donations of new gloves, scarves, and socks for adults and children, which will be given to the Griffith Emergency Fund. Four sets of gloves will earn a $4 discount off the next service at the salon. Hours are 10 a.m to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. The salon is at 420 N. Broad St.
FYI: Call (219) 922-4444 or visit www.Studio4SalonSpa.com
