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.

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

LUPUS FUNDRAISER | Hobart

Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter is inviting busy holiday shoppers to eat at Uno’s Chicago Grill from today through Dec. 2 to raise money to support the nonprofit organization.  Uno's in Hobart, located at 2385 South Lake Mall Drive, will donate 20 percent of dine in and carry-out order amounts to the LFA when customers submit a designated coupon. The coupon can be found on www.lupusindiana.org in the "programs & events" section of the web site.  Coupons are also available at the chapter office at 2642 Eleanor St. in Portage. 

FYI: E-mail info@lupusindiana.org for a copy of the coupon.

THURSDAY

BAND IN PARADE | Merrillville

Merrillville High School Band of Pirates Marching Band has been invited to participate in McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from 8 to 11 a.m. Nov. 26 on State Street in downtown Chicago. The parade will be televised live on WGN-TV Channel 9 and WGN America on Channel 307 – Direct TV.

FYI: Call Mark Danielson, director of bands, at (219) 650-5307.

FREE DINNER | Merrillville

A free Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at Simon Sez, 2250 W. U.S. 30. Menu includes turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls and cranberry sauce along with a soft drink. Dine in only.

FYI: Call (219) 769-6868.

DINNER & FELLOWSHIP | Crown Point

Trinity Lutheran Church is hosting its fifth annual Thanksgiving Day dinner at 2 p.m. Nov. 26 in the church Fellowship Hall at, 250 S Indiana Ave. The free dinner is open to anyone who may not have family in the area or cannot get away. Individuals and couples alike are invited, as is the general public. In addition, there is no request for commitment of any kind, just an interest in sharing a Thanksgiving Day meal and fellowship with others. Reservations are requested, and anyone needing a ride, can let the registrars know.

FYI: Call Joyce or Dennis Mills at (219) 661-8565 or Dennis Hodges at (219) 887-1351.

THANKSGIVING DINNER | Merrillville

SS. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral will be serving Thanksgiving Dinner to the needy from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26 at the church, 8000 Madison St. There is no charge. 

FYI: Call the church office at (219) 769-2481.

TURKEY TROT | Valparaiso

Sixth Annual Valparaiso Swim Club Turkey Trot will be held Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26, at the Valparaiso High School Field House. Along with the 10K competitive run, there will be a 5K run/walk. Both events start registration at 7 a.m., followed by an 8:30 race start. All participants who preregister are guaranteed a shirt.  Hot/cold beverages and food for all participants along with chip timing, overall masters and age group awards for both 10K and 5K finishers. 

FYI: Visit thtiming.com or valparaisoswimclub.com or contact Heather Henderlong at (219) 462-8605 for registration forms.

OFFICES CLOSED | Lowell

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Lowell Town Hall offices will be closed Nov. 26 and 27. They will reopen at 8 a.m. Nov. 30. Also, due to the holiday, garbage collection for town residents will take place this week on Nov. 28.

FYI: Call (219) 696-7794, ext. 16.

FRIDAY

HOLIDAY BAZAAR | Cedar Lake

Holy Name Church will hold a Holiday Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 27 and 28 in the Holy Name School gymnasium, 13209 Schneider St. Slightly used Christmas decorations, toys, books and more. Proceeds benefit the church restoration project. No early birds.

FYI: Call (219) 374-7160.

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR | Lowell

Get started on holiday shopping from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 27 and 28 at a Holiday Craft Fair hosted by Lowell Public Library, 1505 E. Commercial Ave. Handcrafted items will be available, including woodwork, quilts, home accessories, candles, jewelry and holiday items. The Children’s Department will be selling PartyLite candles and popcorn as a fundraiser while the Young Adults will be selling hot dogs, baked potatoes and coffee.  The Friends of the Library will be having a bake sale. Inside the library will be the Scholastic Book Fair. With any purchase from the book fair, entered a raffle for a free book. 

FYI: Call (219) 696-7704.

CHRISTMAS WALK | Lowell

Lowell Mainstreet Association presents the 12th Annual Christmas Walk from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 27 and 28 in downtown Lowell. Every Christmas Walk Shop will be offering promotions that may include refreshments, door prizes, free gift with purchase, or other offers. Each will have a numbered sign in their window to identify them. The Christmas Walk Market at the V.F.W. Post 6841, 17401 Morse St., will offer a huge array of crafts and vendors such as coffees, jewelry, antiques, kitchenware, games, purses, cosmetics, collectibles, gourmet food, candles and chair massages. The association will offer soup, chili, coffee and wassail to warm up shoppers. Watch for posters and pick up detailed Christmas Walk Brochures from Lowell shops.

FYI: Call (219) 696-2389. 

SANTA LIGHTS TREE | Schererville

Schererville Parks and Recreation Department and Schererville Chamber of Commerce will host the arrival of Santa Claus and the Town Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Schererville Town hall, 10 E. Joliet St. Children can visit with Santa and everyone can enjoy refreshments inside the town hall after the ceremony.

FYI: Call (219) 865-5530.

PARADE OF LIGHTS | Lowell

Lowell Parks and Recreation Department.will host its Holiday Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. Nov. 27. The parade begins at the Lowell Public Library, 1505 E. Commercial Ave. and heads west on Commercial Avenue, ending downtown at American Legion Post 101, 108 E. Commercial Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 696-1570.

SANTA PARADE | Crown Point

Santa Claus arrives by helicopter at 10 a.m. Nov. 27 at Pointe Mall on North Main Street and will ride a fire engine south on Main Street to the Old Lake County Courthouse on the square. He will stay until 4 p.m. to visit with children at the Old Courthouse Shoppes on the lower level. Local youth and civic group that would like to take part in the parade are welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 663-1800.

LAKESHORE CLASSIC | Gary

The Lakeshore Classic, a two-day, family-oriented event, includes a college and university recruitment fair, holiday hoops classic featuring a basketball competition between four universities, local and Indianapolis area high school basketball challenge, the Mayors' Lakeshore Classic corporate luncheon, live entertainment and more. The luncheon features speaker Gene Keady, retired Purdue University basketball coach. Tickets for the event and corporate luncheon are available by calling the Gary Chamber of Commerce.

FYI: Call (219) 885-7404 or visit lakeshoreclassic.com.

ONGOING

LEAF PICKUP | Merrillville

The Merrillville Public Works Department is running a week behind schedule for fall leaf pick up. Areas 1 through 5 will be serviced this week for its final leaf collection. The final pick up for Areas 6 through 10 will take place the week of Nov. 30.

FYI: Call (219) 769-6784 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.