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.
TODAY
BRIDGE BASICS | Merrillville
Merrillville Parks and Recreation Department is now offering classes to learn how to play Bridge. Instructor Jennie Alsobrook will teach the basics from 2 to 4 p.m. Fridays at the Pruzin Community Center, 5750 Tyler Place. Classes are free, but participants need to buy a book.
FYI: Call (219) 980-5911.
SATURDAY
VENDORS NEEDED | Hobart
First Church, 939 S. Wisconsin St. is looking for vendors and crafters for a craft, bazaar and collectible show, set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 24.
FYI: Call (219) 942-3651 or info@hobartfirst.com.
CARIBBEAN DINNER | Munster
The Salvation Army World Services Mission Fund will host its annual Caribbean Dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. April 24 at The Salvation Army, 8225 Columbia Ave. Menu includes jerk chicken, rice & beans, green beans, plantains, dessert and a beverage at a cost of $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and younger. Reservations accepted.
FYI: Call (219) 838-0380.
SPRING FLING | Hammond
Purdue University Calumet hosts its annual Spring Fling 5K Ramp Run/Walk at 9 a.m. April 24.
The distinctive 5K route on campus and through the campus neighborhood includes a trek up and back down PUC’s four-level parking garage. Participants may register in advance online at www.pucraces.com or at 7:30 a.m. race day at the Student Union & Library, one-third mile north of Interstate 80/94 to 173rd Street, three blocks east of U.S. 41 to the traffic light and north. Fee is $22 with a running shirt and $17 without a shirt. Race proceeds support the Jennie Hamilton Scholarship Fund for fitness management and nursing students.
FYI: Call (219) 989-2175 or (800) HI-PURDUE, ext. 2175.
RE STORE SALE | Gary
Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana will hold its Fifth Anniversary ReStore Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 24 at 6114 W. Ridge Road. Customers will receive 25 percent off sinks, counter tops and doors, in addition to already low prices. Hot dog, chips and pop will cost $1. Door prizes will be awarded every half hour. The Hobart Humane Society will have puppies and dogs to adopt, and visitors can spin the wheel and win prizes from Abuelos Mexican Restaurant. Bidding for silent auction items continues at the ReStore until 4 p.m. April 24. Auction items include White Sox tickets, autographed Mike Fontenot photo, Deep River Waterpark tickets, Wise Cracker Comedy Club tickets, a ladies’ watch, Starbucks gift basket, Vera Bradley purse and gift certificates donated by local retailers.
FYI: Call (219) 923-7265.
YOUNG EAGLE FLIGHTS | Valparaiso
Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagle Flights, introducing youth to aviation, will be offered free to youth 8 to 17 from 8 a.m. to noon April 24 (rain date April 25) at the Porter County Municipal Airport, 4207 Murvihill Road. Sponsored By Northwest Indiana EAA Chapter 104, youths must register from 8 to 10 a.m. in the EAA Chapter 104 Room and a parent or guardian must sign the consent form. Visit www.eaa104.org.
FYI: Call (219) 669-0253 or (219) 462-1095.
PARENTING PANEL | Gary
Indiana Parenting Institute will host a lively and informative discussion, "Advancing the Well-being of Hoosier Families," from 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. April 24 in Conference Room 103 at Ivy Tech Community College Northwest, 1440 E. 35th Ave. A panel of experts in the field of family and relationships, including Dr. Lorraine C. Blackman, associate professor, researcher, and family-life education author with the Indiana University School of Social Work in Indianapolis; Dr. Vernon G. Smith, educator, Indiana State Representative, and chairman of the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males; Judge Deidre Monroe, city of Gary civil and criminal court judge; and Michael Green, founder and president of MENS, Inc.; will answer questions and address concerns. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Visit www.indianaparentinginstitute.org.
FYI: Call (219) 886-1111 or e-mail indianaparentinginstitute@comcast.net.
GROUP GARAGE SALE | Lowell
A huge group garage sale will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 24 at Indian Trail Grange, 109 E. 181st Ave. (Ind. 2), west of Interstate 65. More than 30 booths featuring everything from baby clothes to antiques inside the building. Food will be available for purchase.
FYI: To sell, call (219) 696-8525.
SCOUTING CENTENNIAL | Munster
Calumet Council Boy Scouts of America will kick off its 100th Anniversary of Scouting celebration at 10 a.m. April 24 at the Calumet Council office, 8751 Calumet Ave. An open house, Scout shop sale, food drive, and tree planting will be held. Information on other events that are scheduled to celebrate the 100th anniversary will be available, and birthday cake and punch will be served. Guests are asked to bring nonperishable food items to donate to Second Harvest Food Pantry.
FYI: Call Tom Hoogland at (219) 836-1720, ext. 230 or e-mail thoogland@calumetcouncil.org.
MEN IN KILTS | Crown Point
The Pipes & Drums of Lake County will hold Men in Kilts VIII, its annual fundraiser from 5 to 10 p.m. April 24 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S. Court St. Cost is $10 and includes food and beverage. Children 9 and younger will be admitted free. Bagpipe bands and Irish dancers will be featured. Members of the Lake County Sheriff's Department and municipal departments in Crown Point, Lake Station, St. John, Schererville and Thornton, Ill., the Pipes & Drums participate in police, military and firefighter funerals, memorial services and civic events throughout Indiana, volunteering their time and paying their own expenses. Each May, they are invited to participate in the National Police Memorial Week ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and proceeds from this event help fund that trip.
FYI: Call (219) 755-3020.
SIT & STITCH | Schererville
Bring knitting, stitching, or crochet projects to work on in the company of others at 9:30 a.m. April 24 at the Lake County Public Library's Dyer-Schererville branch, 1001 W. U.S. 30. All levels welcome.
FYI: Call (219) 322-4731.
CRAFT, BAZAAR SHOW | Hobart
First Church, 939 S. Wisconsin St. will hold a craft, bazaar and collectible show from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 24.
FYI: Call (219) 942-3651 or info@hobartfirst.com.
READ TO THE DOGS | Crown Point
Power Paws Group invites young people to read to their trained and certified dogs on Saturdays at the Crown Point Community Library and its Winfield branch. Reading sessions are from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 8 at the Winfield branch, 10645 Randolph St., and from 2 to 3 p.m. April 24 and May 22 at the Crown Point library, 214 S. Court St. This program is designed to help improve the literacy skills of Children who are often stressed from being self-conscious about making mistakes, when reading with a dog begin to relax and forget about being nervous. Registration is not required.
FYI: Call Paula Newcom at (219) 663-0270.
SPRING BANQUET | Schererville
RSVP by April 24 for Lake County Right to Life's 2010 Spring Banquet on April 30 at The Patrician Banquet Center, 410 E. U.S. 30 between Austin Street and Cline Avenue. A silent auction begins at 5 p.m. and dinner and the program start at 6:30. Guest speaker is the Rev. Dr. Johnny Pope, senior pastor of Christchurch Baptist Fellowship in Houston, Texas. He is in constant demand by youth conferences and churches on the subject of chastity and abstinence. He spent 10 years in evangelism and three years on the faculty of Hyles-Anderson College. Tickets are $35 ($20 for students) and can be ordered by phone.
FYI: Call (219) 924-8370 or (219) 838-1138.
BEETLES AT THE BARN | Hobart
Three bands will perform at 6 p.m. April 24 at County Line Orchard, 200 S. County Line Road, to raise money for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. Doors open at 5:30. Featured bands include Chris & Lou, the Dan Holmes Group and The Crawpuppies. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 12 and younger, in advance or at the door.
FYI: Call (219) 947-4477.
SUNDAY
FASHION AND FLAVOR | Crown Point
"Fashion and Flavor," a fashion show, wine and martini tasting, will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. April 25 at Amoré Ristorante, 109 W. Joliet St. Tickets are $25, and $5 from each ticket and all proceeds from a silent auction will go to St. Jude House, a family violence shelter and prevention center providing comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault since 1995. Vanis Salon is providing the hair and makeup, Moda Boutique is providing the fashions, and Amoré Ristorante will serve hors d’ouevres and drinks.
FYI: Call Vanis Salon Crown Point at (219) 663-5200 for tickets.
SPRING BOOK SALE | Crown Point
Friends of the Crown Point Community Library will hold its Spring Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 26 to 28 at the library, 214 S. Court St. Fill a bag with books and other items for only $5. Children's, adults' and large print books, CDs, videos and DVDs and talking books will be available. Member preview sale is from 1 to 3 p.m. April 25. Senior Membership costs $2, Family is $10, Individual is $5, and Life is $100, and forms are available at the Crown Point and Winfield libraries. Members receive the library’s monthly newsletter by mail. Volunteers are need at noon April 24 to help set up for a couple of hours.
FYI: Call (219) 663-0270.
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Hobart
Hobart Family YMCA is offering an adult men's basketball league for ages 18 and older. Registration continues through April 25. The eight-week season and tournament runs from May 3 through June 28. Games will be played on Monday evenings at 6, 7 or 8. Cost is $450 per team.
FYI: Contact Jeff Renn at (219) 942--2183, ext. 16, or jrenn@hobartymca.org.
STYLE SHOW & LUNCH | Schererville
St. James Women's Guild, of Highland, hosts a style show/luncheon/boutique on April 25 at Villa Cesare, 900 Eagle Ridge Drive. The theme is "a walk in Paris" and fashions by Dress Barn of Schererville. Tickets are $25. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and luncheon served at 1:00 p.m. FYI: Call (219) 864-7438 or e-mail mary.lamott@gmail.com.
CLOCK MART | Cedar Lake
Peacepipe Chapter 83 of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors is holding its annual mart and open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 25 at the Cedar Lake Eagles Hall, 13140 Lake Shore Drive. There will be more than 40 tables of clocks, watches and other horologic items for sale, and questions about timepieces can be answered. Small admission charge includes refreshments and door prizes. The NAWCC is the largest horological organization in the world and encourages interest in the art and science of timekeeping.
FYI: Call (708) 895-8974 or Bill Carter at (219) 972-1499.
MONDAY
GED TESTING | Merrillville
Merrillville Adult Education will offer GED testing from 4:45 to 9 p.m. April 26 and 27, May 10 and 11, and May 24 and 25, at Merrillville High School, 276 E. 68th Place. Test fee is $60, payable in cash only. Advance registration is required between the hours of 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Merrillville Adult Education Office in the Administration Center, 6701 Delaware St. Class size is strictly limited to 10.
FYI: Call (219) 650-5310.
ONGOING
TEACH TO SAVE | Lake, Porter counties
American Bankers Association has designated April 27 as National Teach Children to Save Day, a national campaign that raises awareness and teaches lessons in financial literacy. Representatives from Centier Bank will visit numerous fourth- through sixth-grade classrooms throughout April and May to provide students with lessons towards a positive financial future. In an effort to reach as many students as possible, Centier will offer presentations in areas where the bank has a presence throughout April and May. Centier representatives will teach children about checking, savings and interest, and give students an opportunity to apply concepts and practices through hands-on activities. Centier partners with teachers to ensure all presentations enhance the classroom curriculum and benefit students.
FYI: Contact Victoria Bukowski at (219) 755-6120, ext. 1815 or vbukowsk@centier.com to schedule a presentation.
PHOTO CONTEST | Lowell
Deadline for the seventh annual Amateur Photography Contest sponsored by the Lowell Parks and Recreation Department is April 30. Age divisions are grade school, middle school, high school and adult, and categories, both black-and-white and color, are nature scene, wildlife, pets, people, still life, sports, architecture and historical, open and artistically enhanced, a new category. Photos must have been taken April, 2008 through April, 2010, except for the historical category. One entry per category per photographer, and no matting or frames are permitted. An open house for public viewing of the entries and presentation of first- through fourth-place ribbons and participation certificates will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. May 7 at the Lowell Town Hall, 501 E. Main St. Rules for submission are available from the park office.
FYI: Call (219) 696-1570.
