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.

FRIDAY

FOOD PRESERVATION | Crown Point

Register by Jan. 22 for a Home Food Preservation 101 course being offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, March 2 through 30, at the Lake County Purdue Cooperative Extension Service offices, 880 E. 99th Court, Suite A, Crown Point. Hosted by the Lake County Purdue Cooperative Extension Service for individuals interested in learning basic food preservation techniques and how to preserve food safely, topics include: Introduction, Food Safety & Freezing Foods on March 2; Boiling Water Bath on March 9; Pressure Canning on March 16;  Pickling and Dehydrating on March 23; and Jams and Jellies on March 30. Each class will consist of instruction by Consumer and Family Sciences Extension Educator Corinne Powell, demonstrations and hands-on food preservation. Cost is $150 per person. Completed applications are due by Jan. 22.

FYI: Contact Stephanie at sfogaras@purdue.edu or call (219) 755-3240 for an application.

LEARN ARCHERY | Lowell

Register by Jan. 22 to learn basic archery skills and safety in a course sponsored by the Lowell Parks and Recreation Department and taught by hunter safety instructors and certified paramedics. Ages 8 and older will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. or 7 to 8 p.m. Jan. 27 and 28, Feb. 2, 3, 9, 11, 17 and 18 indoors at American Legion Post 101, 108-1/2 E. Commercial Ave. All equipment is provided, including safety glasses. Cost is $40 for residents and $45 for nonresidents.

FYI: Call (219) 696-1570.

COED VOLLEYBALL | Lowell

Lowell Parks and Recreation Department offers adult coed volleyball open gym sessions for ages 18 and older on two courts from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 22 and 29, Feb. 5 and 26, March 5, 19 and 26 and April 9, 16 and 23 at Lake Prairie Elementary School, 11601 W. 181st Ave. Donation is $2 a session for development of Freedom Park.

FYI: Call (219) 696-1570.

FISH FRYS | Schererville

Fish 'n More dinners will be held through Lent from 3 to 7 p.m. Fridays at Descent of the Holy Spirit Orthodox Church, 545 E. 77th Ave. Pollock, shrimp, tilapia, catfish, ethnic plates (stuffed cabbage, pierogi, haluski) dinners include fries or haluski (cabbage and noodles), cole slaw, bread, dessert and coffee. Cost ranges from $6 to $9.50. Soft drinks, strudel and nut rolls available for purchase.

FYI: Call (219) 864-1529.

SPAGHETTI SUPPER | Winfield

A Spectacular Spaghetti Supper will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Church of the Four Seasons, United Methodist, 9100 E. 109th Ave. The menu includes meat or meatless spaghetti, bread sticks, salad, dessert, coffee and iced tea. A free will offering will be taken and proceeds will help send a child to camp. 

FYI: Call (219) 663-7803.

ART FOR ALL TIME | Merrillville

Merrillville Community Planetarium will present Art For All Time at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 22, 23, 29 and 30 at the facility inside Pierce Middle School, 199 E. 70th Ave. This new program explores how humans have captured the beauty of the world in paintings throughout history. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children. Reservations are suggested. Weather permitting, outdoor observing session will be available. Large groups can arrange private shows.

FYI: Call (219) 650-5486.

TACOS & TOSTADOS | Griffith

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 66 is serving tacos and tostados for $2 each from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 22 at the post home, 132 N. Wiggs Ave. Margaritas will be available for $1.25. Desserts are available for purchase. Carry-outs are available.

FYI: Call (219) 924-1415.

MONEY FOR AUTISM | Nationwide

Hobart mother Lisa Fox has joined parents and caregivers around the country in asking Facebook users to vote for the National Autism Association in the Chase Community Giving challenge. NAA is in the running for $1 million dollars to be awarded to the top vote-getter in the program, which ends Jan. 22. Autism rates have risen sharply in recent years, with one in 110 children now affected. "With so many children and families impacted, autism is truly a national emergency, yet funding in all areas of need is extremely low," said Fox, president of NAA’s Northeast Indiana chapter. "One million dollars would go a long way in assisting so many families in dire need." In addition to its family care programs, NAA advocates for the most relevant scientific research, legislation for access to medical care, coverage for medical and safety devices, services and support over the life span and protection from abuse towards individuals with autism. "The unmet needs in the autism community are overwhelming," added Fox. "This is such an easy way to help. With just one vote, we all can help make a difference." To vote for NAA in Chase Community Giving on Facebook, go to http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/486243?

SATURDAY

SOCCER SIGNUPS | LOFS

Lakes of the Four Seasons soccer offers opportunities for children 4 to 14. The in-house league includes coed divisions U6, U8, and U11. The travel league includes both boys divisions and girls divisions for ages U8, U10, U12, and U14. Register in-person and online. Registration will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 23 at the LOFS 19th Hole (under the pro shop). Cost is $65 ($55 fee plus $10 processing) for the in-house league and $90 ($80 plus $10 processing) for the travel league (plus $25 for uniform if needed). Online registration costs $60 ($55 plus $5 processing) for the in-house league and $85 ($80 plus $5 processing) for the travel league (plus uniform if needed). Visit seasonssoccerclub.org and click on "REGISTRATION" and follow prompts. The last day for registration is Jan. 24 with a $25 late fee afterward pending team availability.

FYI: E-mail info@seasonssoccerclub.org.

SOFTBALL SIGNUP | Hobart

Hobart Girls Softball will conduct its 2010 player registration on from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 23 and 24 at Rosser Hall, 1421 W. 37th Ave. Registration fee is $60 per player for 5- and 6- year-olds and $90 for players 7 and older (with new rule change there is no upper age limit.) Each additional family member is $45 (with older player’s fee paid first). In addition, players must participate, or buy out of, the fundraiser. Registration is open to all girls and women 5 and older who are residents of Hobart, Hobart Township, Lake Station, New Chicago, Ainsworth, and Ross Township. Ages determined as of Dec. 31, 2009. This will be the only scheduled registration, and roster sizes are limited.

FYI: Visit hobartgirlssoftball.com.

FAMILY DANCE | St. John

St. John VFW Post 717 Ladies Auxiliary Unit is hosting its Sixth Annual Family Dance from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 23 at the post home, 10400 W. 93rd Ave. Tickets are $5. There will be a DJ and chances to win raffle prizes; refreshments will be also be served. Tickets are available in the canteen. Proceeds benefit veterans programs. 

FYI: Call Jackie at (219) 365-7351.

BRIDAL FAIR | Crown Point

Fourth Annual Bridal Fair will be hosted from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 23 at First Financial Bank, 11890 Broadway. Admission is free. Enjoy networking, refreshments, and door prizes. Limited vendor space is still available at no charge. 

FYI: Contact Judith Mariola at (219) 226-2066 or Judith.mariola@bankatfirst.com.

OIL PAINTING CLASSES | DeMotte

Interested adults are invited to learn oil painting in a class from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the DeMotte Library, 901 Birch St. SW. Instructor Susan Young will ensure that each student takes home a finished product. Cost is $55 and a roll of paper toweling, and all art supplies will be provided. No experience or skills are necessary. Wear old clothing or bring a paint shirt and a sack lunch. A sample of the painting is displayed at the library. Registration is required by visit, by phone or online at www.myjcpl.org.

FYI: Call (219) 987-2221.

DYER CENTENNIAL | Schererville

Join the Dyer Chamber of Commerce as it salutes the Town of Dyer's 100-Year Anniversary with a dinner-dance Jan. 23 at Banquets at St. George by H & R Catering, 528 W. 77th Ave. Cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7. Tickets are $60 for open bar and gourmet menu. This event will kick off Dyer’s Centennial Celebration. 

FYI: Call Ruben Calvo at (219) 864-1458.

RECLAIMING AMERICA | Crown Point

Tea Party of Lake County will host a candidates' event from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 23 in the 4-H Building at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S. Court St. Doors open at 12:15 for Meet and Greet with the candidates. Speakers include Peter Heck, Emery McClendon, Richard Mourdock, Thomas Tabback and U.S. Senate candidates Don Bates Jr. and John Hostetler. A $6 donation is requested and seating is limited to 250.

FYI: Visit the Event page at TeaPartyofLakeCounty.org or call Mark at (219) 688-7694.

SUNDAY

CHILI COOK-OFF | Dyer

Dyer VFW Post 6448 holds its 11th annual Chili Cook-Off from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 24 at the post home, 2125 Gettler St. Entry is free; but no pasta or rice is allowed in the recipe. Coast is $2 to taste chili if you don't bring an entry.

FYI: Call (219) 865-9730.

ITALIAN SUPPER | Cedar Lake

Holy Name Church will be hosting its first authentic Italian Supper from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 24 in the church basement, 11000 W. 133rd Ave. Dinners will include mostaccioli, salad, garlic bread, dessert and a beverage. Cost is $7 for those 13 and older, $5 for seniors 62 and older and $4 for children 4 to 12; younger children eat free. Also available for purchase will be meatballs, Italian sausage, soft drinks and homemade desserts. All proceeds will be used for church renovations. 

FYI: Call Roberta Allan at (219) 374-5769 for tickets.

MONDAY

BOOK CHAT | Crown Point

Third Monday at 1 Book Group will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 25, a week later than usual, at the Crown Point Community Library, 214 S. Court St., The group will discuss the "Olive Kittredge" by Elizabeth Stout. Copies are available at the circulation desk. New members are always welcome. The Feb. 22 selection, also meeting a week late, is "Founding Mothers" and the March 15 title is "Walking Across Egypt."

FYI: Call Barb Houk at (219) 663-0270.

ONGOING

CHILD CARE | Hammond

Openings remain in the Purdue University Calumet Charlotte R. Riley Child Center for youngsters 3 to 6 who are eager to learn and engage in active, hands-on experiences and activities. Full- and part-time enrollment slots are available in the center, which is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The full-time option includes morning and afternoon preschool. Full day kindergarten, including wrap-around care, is available for children who meet State of Indiana age requirements. The center is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and serves as a laboratory setting for PUC students studying early childhood development.

FYI: Call (219) 989-2343 or (800) HI-PURDUE, ext. 2343, visit webs.calumet.purdue.edu/rcc/ or e-mail rcc@calumet.purdue.edu.