Find events going on in your community, and plan your week's activities with The Times.
To get listed in the calendar, contact community coordinator Jennifer Pallay.
E-mail: jpallay@nwitimes.com.
Fax: (219) 933-3249.
Address: 601 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321.
Questions? Call (219) 937-5741.
Discussion | Dolton
Starting in January, the Dolton Public Library will host a new book discussion group focusing strictly on women's fiction. Titles will deal with issues faced by women and may contain elements of romance, suspense or humor. Relationships take center stage, at home or at work, and focus on family and friends. The January title, to be discussed at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 7 and at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 8, is "The Book Club" by Mary Alice Monroe. Multiple copies are available for checkout. The Dolton Library is at 14037 Lincoln Ave.
FYI: Call the library at (708) 849-2385.
Library hours | Lansing
Lansing Public Library will close at 1 p.m. today for New Year's Eve. It will be closed Jan. 1. The library is at 2750 Indiana Ave.
FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.
Read to Succeed | Calumet City
The Youth Services Department at Calumet City Public Library is participating in the Chicago Wolves Read to Succeed program. Readers 12 and younger can participate to win game tickets, notebooks, key chains and more. Registration runs through Jan. 15 and the program ends Jan. 30. The library is at 660 Manistee Ave.
FYI: Call (708) 862-6220.
Open house | South Holland
South Suburban College is hosting a human services open house from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 8 in the Heritage Room of the main campus, 15800 South State St. Students who are interested in social work, counseling and addictions studies will find out about this curriculum designed to give them an overview of the helping field, and an opportunity for experience through field practicum and internship. Graduates of the program receive an associate degree in human services.
FYI: Call (708) 596-2000, ext. 2275.
Writer's Group | Lansing
The Writer's Special Interest Group will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 3 in the Community Room at Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. For experienced writers and beginners, the Writer's Group can offer support and advice. Share and receive constructive criticism at monthly meetings. Special guest speakers will be announced. The group is for ages 18 and older.
FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.
Help critters | Chicago Heights
Paws Critter Crossing is in need of volunteers. They will help with a variety of tasks ranging from feeding newborn animals, cleaning the barn, mowing, grooming, feeding, giving vaccinations and repairing and painting fences. Critter Crossing is at 20227 Stoney Island Ave.
FYI: Call (708) 758-2761.
Wish list | Lansing
A variety of items can be donated to help LARC with its day-to-day operations. Residents need items such as tote bags, new kitchen towels, rugs, patio furniture, VCRs, pots and pans, picture frames and new bath towels. The office can always use donations of copy paper, a new laser printer and stamps. LARC is a nonprofit that serves people with developmental disabilities. LARC is at 19043 Wentworth Ave.
FYI: Call (708) 474-1540.
Fireworks | Highland
Highland Parks and Recreation will have a fireworks display at midnight tonight at Main Square Park, 3001 Ridge Road. A limited number of noisemakers will be available. Hot cocoa will be served.
FYI: Call (219) 838-0114.
Christmas card recycling | Highland
Calvary Baptist Church will be accepting Christmas cards from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at 9516 Kennedy Ave. They will turn them into postcards and mail them to soldiers next year so they can send the cards to family and friends back home.
FYI: Call (219) 838-1315.
Support group | Munster
The Smiling Hearts Support Group, for patients and loved ones dealing with heart failure, will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 8 at Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave.
FYI: To register for this free support group, call (219) 836-3477.
Coached weight loss | Munster
A free introduction to the six-week Coached Weight Loss Class will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Community Hospital Fitness Pointe at 9950 Calumet Ave.
FYI: To register for this free program, call (219) 836-3477.
HYPNOSIS WORKS | Merrillville
Find out how hypnotism works at a free class celebrating World Hypnotism Day from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at Shurr Success Hypnosis, Suite 210 of the Twin Towers at Interstate 65 and U.S. 30 (Use Entrance D). Mental Strategies For Achieving Your Goals in 2009 will be hosted by Tim Shurr, State Certified hypnotist, author and motivational speaker. Seating is limited; call to register.
FYI: Call Cindy or Tim at (219) 756-7645.
Twelfth Night | Whiting
The City of Whiting, the Whiting Parks Department and the Chamber of Commerce will be holding an annual Twelfth Night Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 6 in the lot adjacent to Whiting Park and 117th Street.
FYI: Visit www.whitingindiana.com.
LOANS FOR MILITARY | Indiana
U.S. Small Business Administration will conduct an online workshop on Business Loans for the Military Community from 8 to 9 a.m. Jan. 9. Participants can log on from any computer. The Patriot Expressworkshop will provide guidance to prepare small business owners for meeting with a lender. Attendees will learn how SBA is involved in the loan process, what documents to take to the lender, and how to make a good first impression. The workshop will also review SBA programs and services that can help an entrepreneur start or grow a business. Reservations are not required, just log on to the session from any computer anywhere. For the presentation, visit www.readytalk.com and for the audio portion call (866) 740-1260; the access code for both is 3056202#.
FYI: Contact Paul Wyatt at (317) 226-7272, ext. 120, or paul.wyatt@sba.gov for more information.
BENEFIT SHOW | Hobart
A special benefit performance of "Late Nite Catechism, " an interactive comedy by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan, will be held for St. Bridget Catholic School at 2 p.m. Jan. 11 at The Art Theatre, 230 Main St. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, with premium tickets for front three rows priced at $50. Cash, check or credit cards will be accepted. Dinner will be available immediately following the performance at the St. Bridget Parish Center. The show has been described as "a gleeful, playful - but never vulgar - send-up of Catholic schools in particular and Catholicism in general."
FYI: Call St. Bridget Church rectory at (219) 942-6441.
Pancake breakfast | Griffith
The Griffith Masonic Lodge will host an all-you-can eat pancake and French toast breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 11 and Feb. 8 at the lodge building, 209 N. Broad St. Breakfast will include pancakes, French toast, sausage links, fruit cups, coffee, tea and milk. Prices are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3.50 for children younger than 12.
FYI: Call (219) 924-9681 or (219) 924-1920.
Bridal fair | Munster
Munster Parks and Recreation is having a winter bridal fair from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 18 at Centennial Park, 9701 Calumet Ave. Exhibitors will include floral companies, limousine services, jewelers, tanning salons, photography studios, tuxedo rentals, wedding planners and more. Vendors are needed and the fee is $125 per vendor booth. It includes a 6-foot table and two chairs. Or companies can display their advertising materials for a $30 fee.
FYI: Call (219) 836-PARK.
BOBSLED RIDES | Lowell
Horse-drawn bobsled rides will be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in January and February, weather permitting, at Buckley Homestead County Park, 3606 Belshaw Road. Dolly and Molly, Belgian horses that call the park their home, will pull visitors along the snowy paths of the historic farm. Dress for the weather and bring a lap blanket. Rides depend on snow and temperature conditions - there must be adequate snow, not ice, and it must be warm enough for the horses. Rides last 20-25 minutes and the bobsleds hold 8 to 10 people. Cost is $2 per person. Call ahead and push the option for "Park Information" to check weather conditions before coming to the park.
FYI: Call (219) 696-0769.
