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.

TODAY

OPEN MIC NIGHT | Highland

Kolas Christian Bookstore, 2635 Highway Ave., will hold an adult open mic night at 6:30 p.m. today. Free coffee will be served. A piano also will be available, if needed.

FYI: Call (219) 972-1000.

WORLD COMMUNITY DAY | Hammond

Church Women United of Greater Hammond will observe World Community Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 6 at Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Ave. Lunch will be served at 11:30, followed by the annual meeting. Theme is "Piecing Earth Together," focusing on the environment and how all are called to be good stewards of the earth. Thanksgiving food and monetary donations for Greater Hammond Community Services will be appreciated. RSVP by today.

FYI: Call (219) 922-6109.

PARADE OF LIGHTS | Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake Chamber of Commerce will host its first Autumn Harvest Parade of Lights at 7 p.m. today, starting at MacArthur Elementary School at 12900 Fairbanks St. and proceeding around the north end of the lake to Hanover Central High School, 10120 W. 133rd Ave., where refreshments will be served. Businesses are asked to lie the route with scarecrows.

FYI: Call (708) 308-4818.

SATURDAY

ALL HALLOWS EVE BLESSING | Griffith

St. Mary Church, 525 N. Broad St., will hold its annual All Hallows Eve Blessing of Trick or Treaters at 4 p.m. Oct. 31 in church. Children, accompanied by a parent, are invited to come for a special blessing from the Rev. Theodore J. Mens, pastor, and receive a special trick or treat bag and candy.

FYI: Call the rectory office at (219) 924-4163.

NEW SCHOOL | Merrillville

Heritage Institute of Arts & Technology will host a community meeting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 31 at Spill the Beans, 7992 Broadway, to introduce a new school coming to the area in 2011. Refreshments will be served.

FYI: Call Dr. Darlene Henderson at (219) 381-5908 or Lori Lane at (219) 736-0458.

HALLOWEEN FUN | Dyer

Dyer Lions Club will host a Halloween Party for all children, young and old, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the St. Joseph School gym, 430 Joliet St. Costume contest, games, snacks, music and prizes.

FYI: E-mail bcrawley@comhs.org.

HALLOWED HALLS | Chicago

Celebrate Halloween with Barrel of Monkeys and fun-filled family activities at the Chicago Cultural Center from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 31. The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs celebrates Halloween with theater ensemble Barrel of Monkeys in HALLOWED HALLS: ON STAGE!, a full day of interactive workshops and performances for families. Theater professionals will train young trick-or-treaters to be their very best costumed character. The activities include a mask and costume accessory-making craft, a playwriting and acting workshop, and a hilarious performance by Barrel of Monkeys. All of the activities are free and open to all families in the spookily decorated GAR Hall and Claudia Cassidy Theater of the Chicago Cultural Center, at 78 E. Washington St. Activities are recommended for children ages 7 to 12, and all young participants should be accompanied by an adult.

FYI: Call (312) 744-6630 or visit www.explorechicago.org.

WEDNESDAY

VETERANS PROGRAM | Highland

First Financial Bank's Crossroads Department presents a special veterans program, "War Dogs of the Pacific," at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Munster Public Library, 8701 Calumet Ave. This documentary tells the story of the Marine Dog Platoons of World War II from the invasion of Guam to operations on Saipan, Okinawa, and Iwo Jima. Filled with historical footage and never-before-seen photos, a special introduction will be given by Edmund Adamski who served in the 3rd Marine War Dog Company while fighting in Guam. RSVP.

FYI: Call (219) 972-7353.

UPCOMING

ARTISTS & CRAFTERS | Munster

Artists and crafters are wanted for the 23rd Annual Juried Art & Craft Fair & Holiday Bazaar to be sponsored by the Altar & Rosary Society on Nov. 7 and 8 at St. Thomas More Church.

Call for a vendor application.

FYI: Call (219) 836-5079.

VENDORS SOUGHT | Crown Point

First Financial Bank, 11890 Broadway, is seeking vendors for will its fifth annual At Home Party & Crafts event from 10 a.m. until noon Nov. 14.

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

ONGOING

TOILETRY DRIVE | Lake County

The Staff Association of the Lake County Public Library is sponsoring Trick-or-Treat-for-Toiletries, a collection to replenish the needs of area food pantries that trying to meet the needs of families affected by economic conditions. Anyone visiting the Central Library (1919 W. U.S. 30, Merrillville), Cedar Lake Branch (10010 W. 133rd Ave.), Dyer-Schererville Branch (1001 W. U.S. 30, Schererville), the Griffith Branch Library (940 N. Broad St.), the Highland Branch Library (2841 Jewett St.), the Black Oak Branch Library (5921 W. 25th Ave., Gary), Hobart Branch (100 Main St.), Lake Station-New Chicago Branch (2007 Central Ave., Lake Station), Munster Branch (8701 Calumet Ave.) or the St. John Branch Library (9450 U.S. 41) can drop sundries such as toothpaste, soaps, shampoos, lotions, tissues, Q-tips, cotton balls, toilet tissue, and other personal care items into the bins located at these locations.

FYI: Call (219) 769-3541, ext. 317.

FREE VACCINES | Hammond

Escanaba Animal Hospital, 9333 S. Escanaba Ave., Chicago, is offering free rabies shots to cats and dogs of Hammond residents through the end of the year. Call to make an appointment.

FYI: Call Dr. Raju at (773) 375-2433.

SHARE PHOTOS | Hammond

The City of Hammond celebrated its 125th Anniversary Day in April. To commemorate this historic day in Hammond's history, area residents are invited to share their old photos of experiences in Hammond. Upload photos by visiting gohammond.com and on the left side of the screen under the Navigate column, click on the "Celebrating 125 Years" heading. All photos must be under 5MB in size.

FYI: Visit http://www.gohammond.com often.