DECEMBER
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
SATURDAY
CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST | Munster
A Christmas breakfast will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 19 at St. Paul’s Lutheran School, 8601 Harrison Ave. The breakfast is sponsored by the school’s Lutheran Parent-Teacher League and will include pancakes, sausage, doughnuts, bagels, coffee, hot chocolate, milk and orange juice. There also will be games and crafts and Santa will be a special guest. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 3 to 11. Family tickets are available for $15. Game tickets cost four for $1.
FYI: Call (219) 836-6270.
PENNIES FOR PAWS | Calumet Area
Humane Society Calumet Area seeks groups of up to 40 youngsters to compete in a penny war for its Pennies for Paws competition. Raise money through Dec. 19 and the winning group will get a pizza party, private shelter tour and animal play time. Youth groups and classes are encouraged to join in. All proceeds will go to care for the animals.
FYI: Call (219) 922-3811, ext. 308 to register.
VISIT WITH SANTA | Calumet City
Visit with Santa Claus from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Sandridge Center, 600 Oglesby. The visit is free, and an optional keepsake photograph is available for $3.
FYI: Call (708) 862-6440, or visit www.calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com.
DANCE PARTY | Sauk Village
Fans of old time country music, bluegrass, blues, oldies and rock 'n' roll from the '50s, are invited to a dance party from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Ed Paesel Community Center, located on Torrence Avenue behind the Police Department, 21701 Torrence Ave. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Performing will be Acie Cargill and the Sunshine Band, featuring Tom Gurney on lead guitar, and Al Joseph on the fiddle. Gurney and Joseph also play with Country Roads Band and were formerly with Freddy Fender. Cargill is a prolific songwriter with more than 400 songs on the Internet. He has been a Grammy nominee twice, and is a multiinstrumentalist. Bring an appetizer/snack or dessert to share if you like. Beverages will be available for a donation. No alcohol or smoking. Admission is $5 per person, either in advance or at the door. RSVP requested.
FYI: Call (815) 545-9984.
CHRISTMAS SHOW | University Park
The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University presents the touring children's theater company Theatre IV with its new musical adaptation of the timeless holiday poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," or as it's more commonly known "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," at 11 a.m. Dec. 19. The show is part of The Center's "Especially for Kids" series, providing an enjoyable morning of entertainment appropriate for families with children ages 4 to 10. Single tickets and subscriptions for The Center's 15th anniversary 2009-2010 season are currently on sale. Single tickets are $10.50 to $11.50. For single ticket and subscription information call The Center's box office at (708) 235-2222 or visit centertickets.net. For group ticket (parties of 20 or more) information, call (800) 386-6321. The Center is located at 1 University Parkway, Governors Highway and University Parkway. Parking is free.
TOY DRIVE | Calumet City
Alderman Magdalena "Leni" Wosczynski, 2nd Ward, is hosting the 15th annual Christmas toy drive through Dec. 19.
Donate unwrapped new or like new toys and drop them off at First Savings Bank of Hegewisch, 1100 Sibley Blvd., between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays.
They can also be dropped off at Bank Financial, 1901 Sibley Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Toys will be distributed by Calumet City Resources to needy families in Calumet City.
FYI: Call (708) 891-8192 or e-mail mwosczynski@calumetcity.org.
TOY COLLECTION | Lake County
Kempo Jujutsu Martial Arts Academy in conjunction with Becoming We The People has organized a toy drive throughout Lake County to collect used and new toys for distribution to children in the county. The toy drive continues until Dec. 19 and toys will be distributed Christmas week. Drop-off locations are: Kempo Jujutsu Martial Arts Academy, 8929 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland; First Baptist Church of Schererville, 1802 Edison St., Schererville; Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 20 E. U.S. 30, Schererville; Central District Organizing Project, 2452 Massachusetts St., Gary; Cavalier Inn, 735 Gostlin St., Hammond; Fuel Fitness, 12937 Wicker Ave., Cedar Lake.
FYI: Call (773) 597-7887 or (219) 838-9875 or e-mail jordan@becomingwethepeople.org.
HAVEN HOUSE BENEFIT | Hammond
Support Haven House while visiting with Santa at a breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 19 or a brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 20 at Shortstop's Clubhouse, 3943 Hohman Ave. Cost is $4.99.
FYI: (219) 933-1976
SUNDAY
ADVENT SERVICE | Chicago
Lebanon Lutheran Church, 13100 S. Manistee Ave., will present a "Candles and Carols" advent service, featuring the adult choir at 5 p.m. Dec. 20.
FYI: Call (773) 646-1747.
MUSICAL AND SONGFEST | Hammond
Hammond Christian Reformed Church will sponsor two special Christmas events Dec. 20 at 167th Street and Baring Ave. . "The Christmas Story," the annual Christmas program, is at 11 a.m. Children and adults will participate in this musical presentation. Songs of the season will be sung by all at a 6 p.m. program and hot wassail and snacks will be served.
FYI: Call (219) 844-3331.
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY | Park Forest
The Illiana Jewish Genealogical Society will meet at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 20 in the library at Congregation Am Echad, 160 Westwood Drive, Park Forest. The meeting is free to members. Nonmembers are asked for a $2 donation. Family memberships are $20 yearly.
FYI: http://ijgs.home.comcast.net.
DEC. 26
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. to 1 a.m.
Dec. 31. Food, party favors and Good Times band with special guests Jake and Elwood.
FYI: Call (708) 474-5906.
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.
