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 Northlake community news editor Jeanette Lach at least 10 days in advance.
* E-mail: jeanette.lach@nwi.com.
* Fax: (219) 933-3249.
* Address: 601 W. 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321.
* Questions? Call (219) 933-3267.
TODAY
The Hammond Public Library board of trustees will meet at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 29 in the main library's Harriet M. Schlesinger board room, 564 State St.
FYI: (219) 951-5100.
FRIDAY
PROGRAM OF FREEDOM | Gary
Christians, Jews, and Muslims will celebrate the 49th Emancipation Proclamation Program of Freedom at 10 a.m. Jan. 1 at Zion Progressive Cathedral, 1169 Connecticut St. Clergypersons will be joined by school principals, political leaders, and business leaders, and the public is invited. This year’s speaker will be the Rev. Cyprian Davis, OSB, professor of history at St. Meinrad School of Theology. Donations will be used to support the Interfaith Clergy Council Scholarship Program and other worthy projects in the community for people at risk. The Emancipation Proclamation consists of two executive orders issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. The first one, issued Sept. 22, 1862, declared the freedom of all slaves in any state of the Confederate States of America that did not return to Union control by January 1, 1863. The second order, issued Jan. 1, 1863, named the specific states where it applied.
FYI: Call (219) 880-6769.
YEARLY MEMBERSHIP PASS | Whiting
The Whiting Parks and Recreation Department is offering a yearly special pass for membership to the Whiting Community Center. Membership entitles users to exercise machines, swimming pool, water and land exercise classes and more. Discount rates only apply to January and February. Rates will be $150 for residents of the 46394 zip code and $120 for senior citizens residents. It's $300 for nonresidents and $180 for nonresident senior citizens. Senior citizens must be 60 years old or older.
FYI: (219) 659-0860 or visit www.whitingindiana.com.
SATURDAY
KIDS WORKSHOP | Hobart
The next Kids Workshops will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 2 at The Home Depot, 2851 E. U.S. 30. Children will Build a Calendar with blocks featuring numbers that can be turned to change the date. 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.
SUNDAY
LADIES AFTERNOON | Hammond
Join a ladies afternoon meet and greet from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 3 at the Hammond Moose Lodge, 7500 Cline Ave. service road. It will be an afternoon of relaxation after a stressful holiday season. A guest speaker, light lunch and pampering ideas available.
FYI: (219) 844-9905
MONDAY
T'AI CHI CHIH | Hammond
Starting in January, the Hammond Area YMCA located at 7322 Southeastern Ave. will offer an eight-week T'ai Chi Chih session for ages 16 and above from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Mondays for from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Saturdays. Tai Chi Chih - Joy Through Movement is a newer nonmartial form of T'ai Chi. The purpose is to circulate and balance the flow of Chi (energy) in the body. All movements are very slow, gentle, and powerful. T'ai Chi Chih is suitable for all fitness levels, movements can even be performed while seated.
FYI: Call (219) 845-1507 or visit www.HammondAreaYMCA.org.
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
TWELFTH NIGHT | Whiting
The city of Whiting, Whiting Parks Department and the Chamber of Commerce will off their annual Twelfth Night ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 6 in the lot adjacent to Whiting Park and 117th Street. The ceremony is the traditional closing of the Christmas season with the burning of the Christmas tress, caroling and refreshments. Whiting residents may put their trees in the alley and neighboring residents may take their trees to the lot adjacent to Whiting Park and 117th Street.
FYI: Call (219) 659-0860.
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
ART FOR ALL TIME | Merrillville
Merrillville Community Planetarium will present a program titled Art For All Time at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 8, Jan. 15, Jan. 22, Jan. 23, Jan. 29 and Jan. 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 around us in paintings throughout history. Explore the world of art in the midst of winter and add some color to your palette. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children. Seating is limited and reservations are suggested. The gift shop will be open and, weather permitting, and outdoor observing session will be available following the program. Large groups can arrange private shows.
FYI: Call (219) 650-5486.
INDOOR SOCCER | Hammond
The Hammond Area YMCA will be offering toddler indoor soccer for ages 2 to 5 years and youth soccer for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The seven-week session starts Jan. 16 at the Hammond Area YMCA located at 7322 Southeastern Ave. Children in grades 2 through 6 will also have a practice one day during the week, the day and time to be announced. Registration deadline is Jan. 8. Fees are $35 for members and $65 for nonmembers.
FYI: Call (219) 845-1507 or visit www.HammondAreaYMCA.org.
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.
JAN. 9
FREE THROW CONTEST | Merrillville
The Knights of Columbus announces its annual free throw contest at 10 a.m. Jan. 9 at St. Andrew's Ameling Hall, 801 W. 73rd Ave. Boys and girls ages 10 to 14 as of January are eligible to participate. Birth certificates must be presented. District championship will be held 10 a.m. Feb. 13 also at Ameling Hall.
FYI: (219) 865-3466.
MARTIAL ARTS | Hammond
The Hammond Area YMCA will offer martial arts focusing on karate, jujitsu, and kickboxing for ages 8 years to adult. The monthly sessions will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Saturdays. Classes start Jan. 9 and will be held at the Hammond Area YMCA located at 7322 Southeastern Ave. The fee is $25 for members and $50 for nonmembers.
FYI: Call (219) 845-1507 or visit www.HammondAreaYMCA.org.
JAN. 14
SCHOOL MEETING | Griffith
The School Board of the Griffith Public Schools will meet at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at the high school, 600 N. Wiggs St. in the LGI room. The board meets the second Thursday of each month.
FYI: Call (219) 924-4250.
JAN. 15
SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE | Hammond
The Hammond Gammu Nu chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa is looking for applicants to sponsor for a $1,000 scholarship at the state level of Tri Kappa. Any full-time student enrolled in a baccalaureate or graduate program that has completed at least one academic year and has a Hammond home address may apply. The criterion used by the Tri Kappa selection committee are academic achievement, strong goals, extracurricular activities, work experience and volunteer service. Contact Cindy Bolger at (219) 972-0332 by Jan. 15.
JAN. 16
GOSPEL AWARDS | Gary
The African American Achievers Youth Corps Inc. will host their second annual Stellar Gospel Awards - Gary Style at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 in The Glen, 20 W. Ridge Road. The event features the best gospel talent in Gary. Finalists were nominated by the public and the public has until Jan. 16 to vote for them using ballots from Gary newspaper weeklies. There is a maximum of five nominees in each category and the winners for each category will be announced at the Stellar Awards celebration. Tickets for the event are $20 and may be purchased at Beautiful Things, 3570 Village Court. Cost at the door is $25.
FYI: Call (219) 887-2046.
JAN. 17
BINGO FUNDRAISER | Highland
Our Lady of Grace Parish hosts a bingo fundraiser Jan. 17 in the school cafeteria, 3025 Highway Ave. Enter via the north school entrance. Early bird bingo starts at 1 p.m. and regular bingo is from 2 to 4 p.m. There is a $20 entry fee which includes one bingo card and eligibility to win a door prize. Additional bingo cards may be purchased for $1 each. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and tickets will be sold at the door. Hot dogs, chips, desserts, soda pop, coffee and tea will be available for purchase. All proceeds to benefit Ephesus Home for senior citizens.
FYI: (219) 972-1944.
HOOPS LEAGUE | Hobart
A winter men's basketball league for ages 18 and older will be sponsored by the Hobart Family YMCA, 601 W. 40th Place. All games will be played on Sundays between noon and 5 p.m. The 8-week season begins Jan. 17 and ends with a single-elimination tournament. Cost is $450 per team and registration ends Jan. 10.
FYI: Call Jeff Renn at (219) 942-2183, ext. 16 or e-mail jrenn@hobartymca.org.
