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
TODAY
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.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS | Northwest Indiana
Lakeshore News Tonight’s "Holiday Lights," a special program highlighting Northwest Indiana’s best light displays, airs at 9 p.m. Dec. 25 on Lakeshore Public Television, with an encore presentation at midnight. Hosted by Lakeshore News Tonight Anchor Jodi Juhl, the half-hour program takes viewers on a tour of the region, from Valparaiso to Hammond to Wheatfield, set to a soundtrack of classic Christmas songs. Lakeshore PTV can be viewed over the air and on satellite through DirecTV and Dish Network on Channel 56, on cable channel 17 in most Northwest Indiana communities, and on 17 and 21 in Chicago and its suburbs.
FYI: Call (219) 756-5656 or visit LakeshorePTV.com.
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.
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. 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
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.
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.
JAN. 9
UNIVERSITY WOMEN MEET | Schererville
The American Association of University Women, Calumet area branch, will meet at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 9 at the St. John Community Center, 1515 U.S. 30. The speaker will be Linda Eyemann, director of education at South Shore Arts. Prospective members are welcome to attend.
FYI: (219) 865-2413.
ENTRANCE EXAM | Merrillville
Andrean High School is having a second entrance exam for the class of 2014 at 8 a.m. Jan. 9. All incoming freshmen are required to take the exam. Enter through entrance A in the front of the school, bring $20 for the exam fee and at least two, No. 2 pencils. No registration required and no calculators allowed.
FYI: Contact Dawn at (219) 887-5281, ext. 228 or dwojkovich@andreanhs.com or visit andreanhs.com.
RR SWAP MEET | Schererville
A Winter Railroad Swap Meet and Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Movie Program will be held Jan. 9 at American Legion Post 485, 7485 Burr St. Sponsored by the Blackhawk Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, the swap meet starts at 1 p.m. and the movie program starts at 3:30. The program will take a look at "the J" between Kirk Yard and South Chicago as it looked in the summer of 1972. Buy, sell or swap model railroad equipment and socialize with area rail fans. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Eight-foot vendor tables are $15 each to rent. Admission is free.
FYI: Call (815) 834-0835 or visit blackhawknrhs.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.
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.
