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

Address: 601 W. 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321

Questions? Call (219) 933-3267.

TODAY

COMMUNITY DINNER | Highland

St. James the Less, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, is hosting its eighth annual community fellowship Thanksgiving Day dinner from noon to 3 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, in the parish hall at Kennedy and 45th avenues. The dinner is free and everyone is welcome. Reservations requested, but not required. 

FYI: Call Jerry at (219) 924-2907.

FREE DINNER | Highland

Les Brothers Restaurant is hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner for area seniors age 65 and older from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26. The restaurant is at 2708 Highway Ave.

FYI: (219) 972-7831.

THANKSGIVING DAY MASS | Griffith

A Mass of Thanksgiving takes place at 9 a.m., Nov. 26, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 525 N. Broad St. All are invited to bring nonperishable food items that morning before Mass. The donations will be given to St. Mary Family Services to be distributed to needy families in the area. 

FYI: (219) 924-4163.

FRIDAY

LAKESHORE CLASSIC | Gary

This 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: (219) 885-7404 or visit www.lakeshoreclassic.com.

SATURDAY

LAS VEGAS NIGHT | Highland

Play blackjack, poker, Texas hold'em, dice and big wheel at the Highland Elks No. 981, 3120 45th St., from 6 p.m. to midnight Nov. 28. There is a $7 entry fee, which includes two sandwiches and draft beer.

OPEN HOUSE | Highland

Highland Christian School is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a Huskies homecoming/open house from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 28. Refreshments will be served. All alumni, former students and staff, parents, grandparents and friends are invited. RSVP requested.

FYI: www.highlandchristian.org or (219) 924-4404.

GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP | Gary

The public is invited to attend a free grant writing workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 28 at then DuBois Branch Library, 1835 Broadway. Registration is required. The workshop, presented by Urban Development Consultants and the Historic Midtown Chamber of Commerce, will feature how to start a sustainable nonprofit organization, how nonprofits create for-profit enterprises and much more.

FYI: (219) 886-9120.

VETERANS AID SEMINAR | Whiting

The Veterans Aid and Attendance special pension is a benefit that may be available for veterans and/or surviving spouses and widows, to assist with the cost of long-term care. It is a nonservice connected disability benefit. Eligible periods of war are: World War I: April 6, 1917 through Nov. 11, 1918; World War II: Dec. 7, 1941 through Dec. 31, 1946; Korean War: June 27, 1950 through Jan. 31, 1955; Vietnam War: Aug. 5, 1964 (February 28, 1961, for veterans who served "in country" before Aug. 5, 1964) through May 7, 1975. Learn how to qualify for up to $l,949 a month, tax free. Jim Sandrick, professional member of the Veterans Assistance Association, will be providing information at a VA benefits seminar at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Whiting Elks Lodge No. 1273 at 1521 119th St.

FYI: (219) 659-7120        

TUESDAY

OPEN HOUSE | Hammond

Bishop Noll Institute will host its second open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1. Families from area communities are invited to see the school in action. Prospective students with their families will have the opportunity to meet with BNI students, teachers, administrators and tour the building.

FYI: Admissions coordinators Lorenza Jara and Drew Trost, (219) 932-9058.

WEDNESDAY

TEEN SPEAKER | Hammond

Rodney Walker, a youth featured in the documentary "Ten9Eight" will speak at Bishop Noll Institute at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 2 and will also speak at the school's Parents Club meeting at 6:30 p.m. "Ten9Eight" is a thought-provoking film which tells the inspirational stories of several inner city teens as they compete in an annual business plan competition run by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. The documentary also articulates the dramatic statistic that in America a kid drops out of high school every nine seconds. Walker will be on the Bishop Noll Institute campus to talk to students and share the obstacles that he has had to overcome throughout his life. Walker is currently at Morehouse College and majoring in business. Also appearing in the film is BNI Assistant Principal Michael McGrone Sr.

FYI: (219) 932-9058

BULLS TRIP | Chicago

Tickets are still available for the Chicago Bulls-Detroit Pistons Dec. 2 outing with the Munster Parks and Recreation Department. Other game time entertainment includes Benny the Bull, the Incredibulls, LuvaBulls and much more. Cost is $50 for residents, $60 nonresidents.  Bus departs at 5:45 pm.  Fee includes both school bus transportation and game ticket.

FYI: (219) 836-7275.

DEC. 3

POKER TOURNEY | Highland

Early registration for the Highland Elks No. 981 Texas hold'em tournment ends at 10 p.m. Dec. 3. Register at the lodge, 3120 45th St., between noon and 10 p.m. Early registration earns $500 bonus chips. Event signup is 6 p.m. Dec. 5 and play starts at 7 p.m. There is a $60 entry fee and there are limited rebuys. The tournament is limited to the first 120 players.

FYI: (219) 922-8253.

NOVENA | Hammond

Join others in reciting the rosary and hearing a portion of Our Lady of Guadalupe's story each night at 6 p.m. from Dec. 3 through Dec. 11 at St. John Bosco Church, 7113 Columbia Ave. Participants are invited to bring nonperishable food for the food pantry. Use the double doors on the church's south side.

FYI: (219) 844-9027.

COMMUNITY DINNER | Hammond

Hammond Christian Reformed Church will sponsor a free community dinner from 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 3. Ham, scalloped potatoes, corn, tossed salad, rolls, dessert and a beverage will be served. The Hammond Christian Reformed Church is located at 167th Street and Baring Avenue, across from Woodmar Mall. 

FYI: (219) 844-3331. 

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER | Hammond

Wendy's Restaurant, 1844 165th St., will join the National College Funding Services on Dec. 3 and Dec. 17 to raise college scholarship funds specifically for the Hammond schools: Hammond High School, Clark High School, Morton High School and Gavit High School. Juniors and seniors from these schools attending Wendy's on these days will receive a $500 college scholarship application at the restaurant. The application will be entered into a drawing in March 2010, and will be applied towards the fall college semester. Each high school is eligible for two $500 college scholarship drawings in March.

DEC. 5

HOME PARTIES | Hammond

Shop for the holidays with home parties all in one place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Ave. Lia Sophia, Avon, Tupperware, Usborne Books, Stampin'Up and other home party businesses will be represented. There will also be a bake sale and door prizes. Admission is $1 and lunch is available for $4.50.

FYI: (219) 844-3030.