Find out all the events going on in your community, and plan your week’s activities with The Times.
To get listed in the calendar, contact Southlake community coordinator Marlene A. Zloza at least 10 days in advance.
* E-mail: mzloza@nwitimes.com.
* Fax: (219) 662-5295.
* Address: 2080 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN 46307.
* Questions? Call (219) 662-5340.
ONGOING
SPONSOR NEEDED | Dyer
A local youth and young men's hockey team is seeking a company sponsor to help offset the cost to play in a league at Midwest Training and Ice Center in Dyer. The sponsor will be allowed to name the team as well as have their company name and/or logo on the team jerseys. Total cost for the team is $3,000 but any amount is welcome. A team photo and game photos can be provided for company promotional material. The sponsorship must be provided by March 22.
FYI: Contact Nichole Odijk at (219) 308-3058 or nichole_odijk@yahoo.com.
BURN CAMP FUNDRAISER | Schererville
Watson Elementary School's PTO recently held a fundraiser at Red Robin Restaurant in Schererville and raised $1,200 to donate to Hoosier Burn Camp in Dayton, Ind. The camp provides a free summer camp experience to children and young adults that have been burned in accidents and fires. The Red Robin mascot visited the school and held a mini-pep rally during the students’ lunch periods to raise awareness for the event and the students received a coupon. Schererville Fire Department provided an ambulance and fire truck in the parking lot for families to explore. The PTO is planning an additional opportunity for families to donate to the cause by doing an upcoming "wish list" drive for families who could not attend.
FYI: Donate to Hoosier Burn Camp by logging on to http://hoosierburncamp.org.
M.A.T.H. BOWL RESULTS | Northwest Indiana
Several area schools finished among the Top 10 by class in the 14th annual Indiana Academic MATH Bowl, held at 40 sites simultaneously statewide March 11. Purdue University and the Indiana Association of School Principals sponsored the Math Academic Teams for Hoosiers Bowl, with statewide rankings based on scores. The 447 participating schools were divided into four divisions based on enrollment. In Class 2, both Forest Ridge Academy in Schererville and St. Mary School in Griffith finished among the Top 10; in Class 3, both Jane Ball Elementary School in Cedar Lake and Oak Hill Elementary School in Lowell finished in the Top 10, and in Class 4, Union Center Elementary School in Valparaiso finishing in the Top 10. There were no area schools in Class 1 ranked among the Top 10.
FYI: Visit www.iasp.org/dspcompetitions.aspx for a complete ranking of participating schools.
ART CLASSES | Crown Point, Munster, Hammond
South Shore Arts begin its spring term of classes this week at its three locations in Munster, Crown Point and Hammond. At the South Shore Arts Munster facility, classes are held in fully equipped art studios located on the lower level of the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road. Discounts apply for South Shore Arts members on most classes. The Crown Point Community Art Center, 138 S. Main St., offers classes in pottery, drawing, painting, and various children’s and adult classes. New this session is Picture Book Writing & Illustrating for Kids grades 3-5. South Shore Arts Hammond site, Substation No. 9, 435 Fayette St., offers classes in painting, drawing, airbrushing and more. Visit www.southshoreartsonline.org.
FYI: Call (219) 836-1839, ext. 103.
TODAY
POT OF GOLD | Lowell
GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman's Club will hold its Pot 'O Gold cash drawing at 1 p.m. today in the lobby of Centier Bank, 1914 E. Commercial Ave. Tickets will be available from members until the drawing is held. Prizes are $100 for first, $50 for second and $25 for third and fourth place. Proceeds benefit community projects undertaken by the club.
FYI: Call (219) 696-8879.
BOOKS AND CHAT | Cedar Lake
Readers will discuss "A Three Dog Life" by Abigail Thomas at 6:30 p.m. today at the Lake County Public Library's Cedar Lake branch, 10010 W. 133rd Ave. It is a memoir that describes the author’s life as she rebuilds it after her husband is hit by a car and sustains terrible brain damage.
FYI: Call (219) 374-7121.
DINNER & PARADE | Crown Point
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the city of Crown Point. A corned beef dinner will be served from 4 to 6:30 p.m. today at the Crown Point at the Crown Point Fire Rescue Department, 126 N. East St. Advance tickets are $7.50, or $9 at the door. The second annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held at dusk downtown, from Wells Street north on Main Street and around the square.
FYI: Call the parks department at (219) 661-2271 or visit the office at 11065 Broadway, Suite F for dinner tickets.
FOOD PANTRY | Dyer
St. Joseph's Helping Hands Food Pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to noon, and 6 to 7:30 p.m. today in the Gathering Room on lower level of St. Joseph Church, 440 Joliet St. (U.S. 30). Those in need from Dyer, Schererville, St. John and Griffith are eligible for assistance, and should bring two proofs of residency.
FYI: Call (219) 865-2271.
MORNING DANCING | Merrillville
Merrillville Parks and Recreation Department offers morning ballroom dance lessons from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays starting today at Pruzin Community Center, 5750 Tyler Place. Robert Lenten, with 20 years of teaching and performing experience, will teach this aerobic exercise in a six-week program that costs $40 for individual residents and $70 for couples who are town residents, and $45 for individual nonresidents and $80 for nonresident couples. Register in person or at activenwi.com.
FYI: Call (219) 980-5911.
SUMMER ENRICHMENT | Hammond
Middle school and high school students and their families can learn about the availability of various summer academic enrichment programs during a free workshop from 5 to 7 p.m. today in Alumni Hall of the Student Union & Library at Purdue University Calumet. Purdue Calumet’s Office of Educational Talent Search is sponsoring the workshop. While admission is free, attendees and their parents are asked to RSVP by phone.
FYI: Call (219) 989-2460 or (800) HI-PURDUE, ext. 2460.
THURSDAY
VIDEO IT | Cedar Lake
Youths 11 and older can brainstorm a concept, write a script, cast, & shoot a (very) short film at 5 p.m. March 18 at the Lake County Public Library's Cedar Lake branch, 10010 W. 133rd Ave. The video can be about the library or a favorite book -- a book trailer. Bring ideas and be ready to shoot.
FYI: Call (219) 374-7121.
EMAIL FOR NEWBIES | Schererville
The first step in checking e-mail is signing up for a free, web-based e-mail account. Learn how in class at 1 p.m. March 18 at the Lake County Public Library's Dyer-Schererville branch, 1001 W. U.S. 30. Sign up and then learn about sending, receiving, reading, replying, and forwarding messages. Web familiarity is required. Registration is required.
FYI: Call (219) 322-4731.Please register by calling 322-4731.
MOVIE TIME | Crown Point
Join the Crown Point Parks and Recreation Department for a free 55 & Better afternoon movie screening at 1 p.m. March 18 at the Civic Center, 101 S. East St. Popcorn and beverages will be served.
FYI: Call Jordan at (219) 661-2271 or e-mail jbrumm@crownpoint.in.gov.
GRIEF SUPPORT | Merrillville
Consoling Hearts is a grief support group that meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 18 and the first and third Thursday of the month at St. Joan of Arc Parish Hall, 200 E. 78th Ave. Call to register for this free group.
FYI: Call (219) 836-3477 or toll-free (866) 836-3477.
MEALS ON WHEELS | Merrillville
Meals on Wheels provides more than 1,600 nutritious meals daily to homebound elderly, ill, disabled, and children in daycares in Lake County. Volunteers help seniors remain in their homes by delivering meals one day a week in their neighborhood. Prospective volunteers are invited to a Volunteer Orientation and Training Session from 1 to 2:30 p.m. March 18 or 10:30 a.m. to noon April 13 at the MOW Central Kitchen, 8446 Virginia St. Registration is preferred.
FYI: Call Stephanie at (219) 756-3663.
STEEL RETIREES CLUB | Chicago
Republic Steel Retirees Club will meet March 18 at Steve's Lounge, 13200 Baltimore Ave. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner follows at 6:30. Cost is $15 for club members, $18 for nonmembers. Any Republic/LTV retiree is welcome to join.
FYI: Contact Cass Wapinski at (773) 307-5675 or Dan Gordon at (773) 721-9631.
CAREER FAIR | Hammond
Calumet College of St. Joseph will host its annual spring 2010 career fair from 3 to 6 p.m. March 18 at the main campus, second floor, 2400 New York Ave., with employment opportunities in the areas of education, human services, health care, business, management, sales and marketing, accounting and finance, computer science and information technology and law enforcement. Employer profiles and contact information available on the college Web site; click on "Job Fair." Bring plenty of resumes and wear business attire.
FYI: Contact (219) 473-4341 or cpeek@ccsj.edu or visit www.ccsj.edu.
FRIDAY
50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA | Hobart
Center for Possibilities-Cerebral Palsy of NWI Inc. will host a 50th Anniversary Celebration on March 19 at the Ambassador Banquets, 1967 E. 37th Ave. The black-tie optional event is themed "When we wished upon a star, our dreams came true" and past students, family members and board members are invited to attend. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with cocktails and a reception at 6. Dinner and performances by "Dancing with Our Stars" adult students and "Little Stars" preschool students. Founders Awards will be presented to businesses, groups and individuals that have supported the center since 1960, followed by music and dancing. Advance tickets are available at Center for Possibilities, 22 Tyler Ave., Hobart. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children 3 to 11; younger children attend free.
FYI: Contact Michelle Higel at (219) 962-5751 or mhigel1@ayhoo.com.
