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

HOMEMADE GOODIES | Hammond

The women of the First United Methodist Church of Hammond are selling home made spaghetti sauce with meat made from an authentic Italian recipe.  The sauce contains no preservatives and may be frozen for last-minute dinners.The sauce sells for $5 a quart or buy 4 and get one free. Reservations must be made by March 7 with pick up on March 14.

FYI: Call (219) 322-4255 or (219) 932-5915.

BUFFET LUNCH | Merrillville

O Club's annual all-you-can-eat soup and salad buffet luncheon will be served at noon (after Divine Liturgy) March 7 at Protection of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church, 8600 Grand Blvd. Cost is $8 for one adult or $15 for two, and $3 for teens 13 to 19; younger children eat free. Proceeds benefit the church and/or mortgage fund.

FYI: Call (219) 947-4748 or visit www.ptvm.com.

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 March 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 Aintly 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.

POLICE, FIREFIGHTER TRAINING | Chicago

The Chicago Public Schools Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy seeks high school sophomores who may be interested in applying to the program for careers in public safety, law enforcement, criminal justice and fire science. The program recruits and trains up to 250 public and nonpublic high school students each year.

FYI: Contact Sandra Castillo at (773) 553-2486 or e-mail at CPFTA@cps.k12.il.us or visit www.cpfta.com.

PRIDE PARADE SEEKS PARTICIPANTS | Gary

NW Indiana Rainbow Days, a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender group, is seeking sponsors and participants and vendors, such as bands, dancers, groups, businesses, performers, etc., for their third annual Gay Pride Parade and Pride Picnic on June 5. For those interested please visit www.nwirainbowdays.com or call Tyona at (219) 810-3775.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Munster

Munster Lions Club hosts its 54th annual pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 7 at Munster High School, 8808 Columbia Ave. Donation is $5 per adult and $2 per child. Tickets available from any Munster Lion or at the door. Menu is all-you-can-eat pancakes with sausage, coffee, orange and apple juice and milk. Proceeds donated to community projects.

FYI: (219) 838-9232.

ST. PATRICK'S FEAST DAY | East Chicago

St. Patrick's Parish, 3810 Grand Blvd., hosts its annual celebration of St. Patrick's Feast Day on March 7 with Mass at 10:30 a.m. followed by a catered family-style luncheon at noon. World Academy of Irish Dancers to perform. Adult tickets cost $15, children 12 and younger are $8. Doors for the luncheon open at 11:30 a.m. and the program begins at 1:30 p.m. No tickets sold at the door.

FYI: Call (219) 398-3191 or (219) 398-1036.

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.

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.

TUESDAY

LENTEN SERIES | Whiting

The Whiting/Robertsdale Faith Enrichment Committee invites the public to attend its Lenten Series with Scripture scholar the Rev. Jerry Schweitzer, who will speak on St. Paul's Pastoral Letters and the Letter to the Hebrews.  The event is at 6:30 p.m. on March 9, March 16 and March 23 in the Sacred Heart "Rose Room," the lower level of the school at 1731 Laporte Ave. Bring a Bible. 

FYI: Call (219) 659-4138.

THURSDAY

HIGHLAND HOMEMAKERS | Highland

Highland Homemakers Club meets at 10:30 a.m. March 11 at First Presbyterian Church, 8727 Delaware St. A potluck lunch with follow the meeting. Guests are welcome. Meeting will be about life made simple.

FYI: Call (219) 838-6490.

CORNED BEEF DINNER | Whiting

The American Legion Whiting Post 80 hosts a corned beef and cabbage dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. March 11 at the Boulevard Club Rooms, 2003 Indianapolis Blvd. Dinner includes corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, bread and coffee. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children, carry-outs available.

FYI: Call (219) 659-0215.

SPAGHETTI DINNER | Hobart

A Workman family memorial dinner takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. March 11 at John Meister Elementary School gymnasium, 3300 Jay St. A memorial service and mural dedication will be held immediately following the dinner. Dinner will include spaghetti, salad, and bread sticks. Desserts and drinks will be available. Children's meals for ages 3 to 5 cost $3. Adult advance tickets for the all-you-can-eat dinner are $5 or $6 at the door. All proceeds go toward the memorial mural.

FYI: Call (219) 962-9431.

FRIDAY

BEER, WINE TASTING | Munster

The Friends of Centennial Park hosts a beer and wine tasting from 7 to 10 p.m. March 12 at Centennial Park. Proceeds will be used to promote the arts in the park. Tickets are $40 each or two for $70. Ticket price includes wine and beer tasting, an open bar and appetizers. National Wine and Spirits hosts the wine tasting with beers available from Calumet Brewery and North Coast Brewery. Tickets can be purchased at Centennial Park or Munster Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road. Tickets can be purchased by mailing a check made payable to town of Munster and sent to Friends of Centennial Park, Attn: Ashley Porta, 1005 Ridge Road, Munster, IN 46321. Include a mailing address where tickets can be sent.

FYI: Call (219) 836-6900.

QUARTERLY SOCIAL | Gary

The Roosevelt class of '63 Lady Panthers and supporters will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. March 13 at Chops Place, Fifth Avenue and Chase Street. Planning the 25th celebration is on the agenda. RSVP required by March 12 to Gwen Hemphill at (219) 938-8792. Contact the group at 'Velt Lady Panthers, P.O. Box 2644, Gary, IN 46403 or by e-mail to daisy21007@sbcglobal.net.

HUNTER SAFETY | Crown Point

Lake County Parks Department hosts an Indiana Department of Natural Resources hunter's education safety course from 6 to 9 p.m. March 12 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 13 at Lemon Lake County Park, 6322 W. 133rd Ave., just east of Cedar Lake. This two-day class is recommended for hunters of all ages and experience levels. It is required by state law for hunters born after Dec. 31, 1986. Participants will learn about firearms safety, survival, first-aid, wildlife identification and management, hunter responsibility and ethics. After 10 hours of class, participants will take a written exam. Those who pass will receive a certified hunter's education card good for life, required for those hunting out-of-state and or participating in state-sponsored hunts. Children 12 and younger are required to have an adult present at class. Registration is required. For information on other Hunter’s Education dates or other DNR educational programs, contact the DNR at (219) 879-5710 or visit www.in.gov/dnr.

FYI: Call (219) 947-PARK.

SCHOLARSHIP | Lake/Porter counties

Drs. Kenneth Hyde, Michael Koufos, Charles Hurst and David Albright of Orthodontics Inc. are again offering a scholarship opportunity to past or present patients (who had/has upper and lower braces) who are college-bound high school seniors. They will award seven $500 scholarships. Applications can be picked up at any of the firm's seven locations in Lake and Porter counties or through the guidance office at local high schools. The entry deadline is March 12.

FYI: Call (219) 924-1440.

GOSPEL CONCERT | Gary

Pilgrim Baptist Church, 1301 W. 21st Ave., is hosting a gospel concert at 7 p.m. March 12. The concert features The Jackson Southern Aires, The Heavenly Aires, Tones of Faith, True Faith and Brothers in Unity as well as other guests. Doors open at 6 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 or $25 at the door. Tickets are on sale at the church, The Bible Book Center, 3885 Broadway in Gary, and at Cornerstone Christian Books, 3801 Main St. in East Chicago.

FYI: Call (219) 977-3237 or (219) 884-4402.

SENIOR MOMENTS LUNCHEON | Highland

Senior Moments Ministry of Calvary Baptist Church, 9516 Kennedy Ave., will have a potluck luncheon followed by an interacting and learning presentation on the bagpipes by Bill McCoy at noon March 12. Call (219) 924-4600 to register and whether you'll bring a main dish, side, or dessert to share. Age 55 and older are welcome.  A free-will offering will be taken.

 

SIGN UP FOR COLLEGE | Indiana

The registration deadline for Undergraduate Session 7 in the College of Professional Studies at Indiana Tech University is March 12. Session 7 runs from March 28 through May 1. The College of Professional Studies offers classes at Indiana Tech locations in Elkhart, Fishers, Fort Wayne, Greenwood, Hammond, Huntington, Indianapolis, Kendallville, Merrillville, Mishawaka, Plainfield and Warsaw as well as online.

FYI: Contact an admissions representative at (800) 288-1766 for information on programs, admissions, and registration or visit www.IndianaTech.edu/CPS.

SATURDAY

FINE ARTS FAIR | Gary

A fine arts fair is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 13 at the Gary Area Career Center, 1800 E. 35th Ave. All Gary schools will participate in this event by displaying their best student art. There will also be performances by the Glen Park Academy and Williams Elementary School choirs and the Wirt/Emerson Visual and Performing Arts Academy jazz ensemble.

FYI: Call (219) 881-5481.