Find out all the events going on in your community, and plan your week’s activities with The Times.
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.
SATURDAY
KIDS WORKSHOP | Hobart
The next Kids Workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to noon March 6 at The Home Depot, 2851 E. U.S. 30. Children will be making a rain gauge that looks like a bird house. Children not registered in advance may complete an alternate project. Register and get more info at www.homeimproverclub.com/workshops.
FYI: Call (219) 942-2136.
OPEN HOUSE | Hobart
Caring Heart, Open Arms Childcare and Development Ministry, 3440 W. 61st Ave., is sponsoring an Open House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 6 for its full-day kindergarten, preschool, childcare and summer camp. Take a tour, learn about the curriculum and activities, bring the children for some learning fun, and ask questions. Check State Inspection Reports and other health and safety information at www.in.gov. Enrollment for spring, summer camp, and fall will be accepted for children 2 to 12.
FYI: Call (219) 942-0839.
WILD ONES | Hammond
Gibson Woods Wild Ones is a local chapter of the Wisconsin-based Wild Ones-Native Plants, Natural Landscapes, helping educate plant enthusiasts of all ages about the benefits of using Native Plants in their yards and gardens. The next general meeting is at 10 a.m. March 6 at Gibson Woods Nature Preserve, 6201 Parrish Ave., when a one-hour program will be presented by Zann Wilson on "A Fleeting Gift - Ephemeral Spring Beauty." Each year, early ephemeral wildflowers are an anticipated sign of spring and many of them can be grown in a home garden. Join other native plant enthusiasts to learn more about these plants and "think spring." The 10 a.m. April 10 meeting will include a plant study, "What is a fern?", the 10th Annual Native Plant Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 1 and the 10 a.m. meeting June 5 will include a plant study on "Indiana Endangered Plants."
FYI: Call (219) 844-3188.
PRAYER BREAKFAST | Gary
Praise House Women's Ministry will host its first Prayer Breakfast at 9:30 a.m. March 6 at Barbara Leek Wesson Center, 300 W. 21st Ave. Theme is The Building Blocks of Faith and the messenger is Mother Hurt. Speaker is evangelist Diane George, associate minister of Jesus Gift Apostolic Church. Vocalist/musician Lisa Gooch will entertain. Donation is $10.
FYI: Call (219) 292-0008.
DINNER AND SHOW | Highland
First Presbyterian Church of Highland will host "Saturday Nyte Live," a talent show, dinner and auction March 6 at the church, 8727 Delaware St., across from Main Square Park. Enter Door "B." Dinner will begin at 5 p.m., and a free will offering will be taken, followed by the comedy show and an auction offering artwork, blankets, homemade apple pies, caramels and toffee All proceeds support the Youth Mission fund.
FYI: Call (219) 838-6850.
SUNDAY
CHILI COOK-OFF | Merrillville
Merrillville High School Key Club and the Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter are hosting a Chili Cook-off Contest & Tasting from 3 to 6 p.m. March 7 in the freshman wing cafeteria on the northeast side of Merrillville High School, 276 E. 68th Place. Admission is $5, which includes a sample of every chili in the contest. Hot dogs and baked goods will be sold. Door prizes will be awarded every 30 minutes and a live and silent auction will take place. The Key Club will offer several games for children, Jo Jo the Clown and Friends will offer face painting for donations, and all proceeds will benefit the LFA, Indiana Chapter. Applications for the chili contest are still being accepted. Contestants can register online at http://lupuschilicookoff2010.kintera.org. Judging will take place between 4 and 5 p.m. First-place winners, announced at 6, will receive $50. The contestant with the most donations will win the Lupus Award. The public also can make donations for registered contestants at http://lupuschilicookoff2010.kintera.org.
FYI: Call (800) 948-8806.
MIDWEST MANIA | Dyer
Junior Olympic Trampoline and Tumbling Inc and Midwest Training and Ice Center are hosting Midwest Mania, a USA Gymnastics sanctioned event that will feature local and regional athletes competing in Tumbling, Trampoline, and Double Mini from levels 1 through elite. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7 at Midwest Training and Ice Center, 10600 White Oak Ave. Tickets, available at the door, are $4 for adults and $3 for children 11 and younger. Various vendor tables will be located in the lobby.
FYI: Contact (219) 558-8811 or www.midwesttrainingandicecenter.com.
BOOK STORE FAIR | Hobart
Three Creeks Elementary PTO in Lowell will host a book fair from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 7 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 2240 E. 80th Ave. The PTO will receive a percentage of purchases made and guest teachers will be reading stories and leading activities from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Children's Section. An art show will feature student works from the year. Bookfair vouchers will be available all day in the Children's Section or tell the cashier you support Three Creeks PTO. Those who cannot attend but would still like to support the school can visit bn.com/bookfairs up to five days after the event and use the Three Creeks Bookfair ID.
FYI: Contact Julie DiFiore at (219) 308-1209 or jmdifiore27@hotmail.com with any questions.
OSCARS PARTY | Hobart
Writers Connecting Writers Across the Planet will host a free Academy Awards viewing party March 7 at The ART Theatre, 225 Main St. Doors open at 4 p.m. Guests are encouraged to dress and arrive "red carpet fashion" and bring canned or dry cat food for local animal rescue agencies. Light refreshments will include Red Carpet chocolates inspired by Chef Wolfgang Puck and special entertainment. Boomer of Boomers Bar in Portage will emcee, and prizes include an original 2010 Oscars poster. Cameras are welcome.
PARISH MISSION | Lowell
"Were Not Our Hearts Burning," a parish mission featuring the Rev. David Simonetti of the Archdiocese of Chicago will be held at 7 p.m. March 7 through 9 at St. Edward Church, 216 S. Nichols St. Sunday's topic is "Return to the Father's House" and Monday's topic is "The Seven Deadly Sins & their Saintly Solutions." Tuesday's service will begin with a Mass featuring an extended homily on "Healing in His Eucharistic Presence" and conclude with Eucharistic Meditation/Benediction. DVDs will be available, and a free will offering will be taken.
FYI: Call (219) 696-7307.
COMMUNITY CARES | Merrillville
American Red Cross of Northwest Indiana invites the public to learn lifesaving skills and what to do in an emergency, in a fun and engaging atmosphere, by attending Rockin’ with the Red Cross: A Community CARES Event, from 1 to 4 p.m. March 7 at The Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, Interstate 65 and U.S. 30. Trained volunteers will demonstrate first aid, lifesaving skills, CPR, burn treatment, water and pet safety, and baby sitting certification requirements. Guests can learn how to create their own home disaster kit and have their children’s fingerprints and safety information recorded on a personalized ID card by the Crown Point Police Department. Activities for families and children will be held, and refreshments will be served. Prizes and giveaways will be awarded. Advance reservations are $5 per person or $15 per family, by phone or at the Web site. Admission at the door will cost $15 per person or $25 per family.
FYI: Call (219) 756-5360 or visit ww.nwindiana-redcross.org.
BONE MARROW DRIVE | Hammond
A bone marrow drive to benefit a mother of three from Illinois will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 7 at St. John Bosco Church, 7113 Columbia Ave. Denise Devine, of Elmhurst, was diagnosed in October with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare bone marrow cancer. A family member lives in Northwest Indiana and is organizing the drive. Persons 18 to 60 who meet health guidelines are eligible to donate.
FYI: Contact Lisa Kawalec at (219) 730-0466 or e-mail beaselyk@sbcglobal.net.
MONDAY
SHOP & HOP | Crown Point
Mommy's Turn to Wine, a local mother's group, will sponsor a charity event from 5 to 8 p.m. March 8 at Jump! Zone, 1237 Arrowhead Court, to benefit Doma International. Cost is $10 for open play for children 2 to 12. Parents attend free and can shop with 15 vendors while the kids hop. There will also be a raffle. A portion of proceeds will benefit a boarding house for former Ukrainian orphans who are currently mothers themselves.
FYI: Call Kara Graper at (219) 661-1025 or visit www.domaconnection.org.
