Today
CHRISTMAS PLAY | Gary
A play entitled "A Dream Christmas" will be presented at 6:30 tonight at First Baptist Church, 626 W. 21st Ave., by the drama team, choir and praise dancers. Refreshments will follow the production. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
FYI: Call (219) 883-3216.
DINNER THEATER | Gary
TNT Productions will present "I'll Be Home for Christmas," a dinner-theater series premiere, at 8:30 p.m. today and Dec. 19 at 4 p.m. Dec. 20 at Theatre by the Lake, 436 S. Lake St. Tickets are $10. Dinner packages available by reservation only.
FYI: Call (219) 614-9543 or visit lakestreettheatre.com.
LASER LIGHT SHOW | Hammond
Join the Challenger Center of Northwest Indiana on Purdue University Calumet's campus, 2300 173rd St., for its newest addition, Holiday Magic: A Laser Light Show, at 6 tonight. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children 13 and younger and PUC students. Reservations are required as seating is limited.
FYI: Call (219) 989-3250.
FESTIVE FRIDAY | Lake Station
Bellaboo’s final Festive Friday will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Bellaboo's Play and Discovery Center, 28th Avenue and Colorado Street at Three Rivers County Park. Photos with Santa and fun with Bellaboo, Jolly Jingles, artful ornaments, holiday treats and merry tales for children age infants to 9.
General admission prices apply.
FYI: Visit mybellaboos.com.
EVENING WITH SANTA | Portage
The Portage Township YMCA preschool academy is hosting an evening with Santa from 5 to 8 tonight. There will be games, sundae bar, raffles, pictures with Santa, crafts and more. Prepurchase a $3 dinner tickets now this dessert includes or $3 at the door without dessert.
FYI: Call (219) 762-9622.
DECEMBER 19
TOY DRIVE | Calumet City
Alderman Magdalena "Leni" Wosczynski, 2nd Ward, is hosting the 15th annual Christmas toy drive through Dec. 19.
Donate unwrapped new or like new toys and drop them off at First Savings Bank of Hegewisch, 1100 Sibley Blvd., between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays.
They can also be dropped off at Bank Financial, 1901 Sibley Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Toys will be distributed by Calumet City Resources to needy families in Calumet City.
FYI: Call (708) 891-8192 or e-mail mwosczynski@calumetcity.org.
VISIT WITH SANTA | Calumet City
Visit with Santa Claus from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Sandridge Center, 600 Oglesby. The visit is free, and an optional keepsake photograph is available for $3.
FYI: Call (708) 862-6440, or visit www.calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION | Gary
The Brunswick Community Organization is hosting a Christmas celebration for the children of the 2nd District from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Brunswick Pavilion, 775 Clark Road. Toys, food and refreshment will be provided.
FYI: (219) 886-2316.
FOOD GIVEAWAY | Gary
The Always Recovery Centered Alumni Association in partnership with Prayer Outreach Deliverance Church is giving away 200 holiday food baskets at 10 a.m. Dec. 19 and noon Dec. 20. Individuals are asked to reserve a basket. The church is at 2894 Dallas St.
FYI: (219) 201-7676 or (219) 588-1096.
COOKIE SALE | Gary
A Christmas cookie sale will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 19 and 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 20 at the church entrance at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 330 E 45th Ave. Cookies, nut rolls and sarma will be featured.
FYI: Call (219) 942-0095.
RADIO SHOW | Hobart
M & M Productions and Ross Music Theatre will bring back "Merry Christmas George Bailey" at 7:30 p.m. Dec.19 at the Center Street Studio Theatre, 227 Center St. This is the third year the 1940's radio style show will be presented, using the original 1940's LUX radio show script. The show has become a seasonal favorite and will also includes some songs of the season. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online or by phone.
FYI: Visit m-mproductions.com or call (219) 947-4922.
TOY COLLECTION | Lake County
Kempo Jujutsu Martial Arts Academy in conjunction with Becoming We The People has organized a toy drive throughout Lake County to collect used and new toys for distribution to children in the county. The toy drive continues until Dec. 19 and toys will be distributed Christmas week. Drop-off locations are: Kempo Jujutsu Martial Arts Academy, 8929 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland; First Baptist Church of Schererville, 1802 Edison St., Schererville; Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 20 E. U.S. 30, Schererville; Central District Organizing Project, 2452 Massachusetts St., Gary; Cavalier Inn, 735 Gostlin St., Hammond; Fuel Fitness, 12937 Wicker Ave., Cedar Lake.
FYI: Call (773) 597-7887 or (219) 838-9875 or e-mail jordan@becomingwethepeople.org.
PARTY WITH POTEMPAS | Lowell
Philip Potempa, daily entertainment and food columnist for The Times of Northwest Indiana, will present his From the Farm 2009 Holiday Party at noon Dec. 19 at the Lowell Public Library, 1505 E. Commercial Ave. Cohosting the event are Potempa’s parents, Chester and Peggy Potempa. At the party, the Potempas will serve refreshments while giving participants great holiday party ideas and recipes for last-minute holiday planning and holiday decorations. Each attendee will take home one of more than $700 in giveaway items. Party space is limited, and registration is required. A $3 donation is requested to cover party preparations.
FYI: Call (219) 696-7704.
VENDOR/CRAFT FAIR | Lowell
A Last-minute Christmas Shopping Vendor/Craft Fair will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 19 in the Meadowbrook Clubhouse at 510 Creekside Drive.
FYI: Call Diane Bochenek at (219) 218-5965.
EMPTY MANAGER SERVICE | Merrillville
Join the Northwest Indiana Pro-Life Action Team for the first Empty Manger Christmas Caroling and Prayer Service from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 19 in front of Planned Parenthood offices at 8645 Connecticut St.
The empty manger anticipates the birth of our King and Savior and symbolizes the loss of hope and
life when a women aborts her child because she believes she has no other choice or source of support.
Bring a gift of diapers, wipes or formula, or other baby items to be donated to Birth Choice. Monetary donations will be used to purchase cribs for the NWI Help Centers.
FYI: Visit Lake County Right To Life at lakecortl.org or call (219) 838-1138.
NUT ROLL & STRUDEL | Merrillville
A Nut Roll and Strudel Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church,
9191 Mississippi St. Nut rolls and cheese, cherry, and apple strudels will be priced at $10 each. Call to pre-order.
FYI: Call (219) 736-9191
FLIPPIN' WITH SANTA | Portage
Flippin with Santa at Northwest Indiana Gymnastics Center is from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 19 at 6625 DanielBurnhamDrive,suite B. Costis $5 per participant.
FYI: Call (219) 762-0150.
VISIT WITH MRS. CLAUS | Porter
Mrs. Claus is coming to Hageman Library, Westchester Public Library's Porter branch. Since Santa is busy with last-minute details, he will send his wife to visit the patrons at 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at Hageman Library, 100 Francis St.
Mrs. Claus will read stories to those who attend. She will also be ready to answer questions children might have about life at the North Pole, Santa, and even Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. Mrs. Claus is looking forward to visiting with the children and having her picture taken with them. Refreshments will be served.
FYI: Call (219) 926-9080.
COOKIE WALK | Schererville
Descent of the Holy Spirit Church is hosting a cookie walk from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 19 in the church hall, 545 77th Ave., (Seberger Road). Holiday cookies, ethnic pastries, roshky and breads for sale.
FYI: Call (219) 864-4342.
GINGERBREAD HOUSES | Shelby, Schneider
Children will decorate their own Gingerbread House in a craft program at 10 a.m. Dec. 19 at the Lowell Public Library's Shelby branch, 23321 Shelby Road, and at 1 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Schneider branch, 24004 Parrish Ave. Registration in advance is required.
FYI: Call Shelby at (219) 552-0809 or Schneider at (219) 552-1000.
CHRISTMAS SHOW | University Park
The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University presents the touring children's theater company Theatre IV with its new musical adaptation of the timeless holiday poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," or as it's more commonly known "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," at 11 a.m. Dec. 19. The show is part of The Center's "Especially for Kids" series, providing an enjoyable morning of entertainment appropriate for families with children ages 4 to 10. Single tickets and subscriptions for The Center's 15th anniversary 2009-2010 season are currently on sale. Single tickets are $10.50 to $11.50. For single ticket and subscription information call The Center's box office at (708) 235-2222 or visit centertickets.net. For group ticket (parties of 20 or more) information, call (800) 386-6321. The Center is located at 1 University Parkway, Governors Highway and University Parkway. Parking is free.
COOKIE WALK | Valparaiso
St. Iakovos Greek Orthodox Church will hold a cookie walk from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 19 at 352 W. Chicago St. All proceeds benefit the building fun. There will be a variety of cookies, especially Greek, and nutrolls and spinach and cheese rolls.
FYI: Call (219) 462-4052.
COOKIES & BAZAAR | Portage
A Cookie Walk and Bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to noon today in the Salem Fellowship Hall at Salem United Methodist Church, at 756 W. 350 South. Purchase homemade cookies of your choice at $5 per pound. Containers and plastic gloves will be provided. There will also be home made candies and gift baskets available.
FYI: Call (219) 988-4700.
COOKIES AND MORE | Hobart
Seventh Annual Cookie Walk will be held from 10 a.m. to noon today at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 954 State St.
Cookies will be sold by the pound, and also available will be stuffed cabbage, cheese Cakes & pumpkin rolls, cabbage & noodles and homemade nut rolls. No phone orders.
FYI: Call (219) 942-5981
CHRISTMAS CANTATA | Gary
A presentation of the Christmas Cantata "Born To Die," written by Glenn Burleigh, will be hosted by St. Timothy Community Church Senior Choir, under the direction of Minister of Music Dolena Mack, at 6 tonight at the church, 25th and Grant Street. This will be the first of planned annual performances of this Christmas musical involving a 125-voice choir composed of singers from Koinonia Church, The Gary Civic Chorale, St. Luke AME Zion, Primera Iglesia Christian Church, Lively Stone C.O.G.I.C., Chicagoland churches, and St. Timothy Community Church. Admission is free.
FYI: Call (219) 977-0079.
DECEMBER 20
CHRISTMAS PRESENTATION | Gary
Pentecostal Church of God offers a Christmas presentation at 6 p.m. Dec. 20 at Ridgelawn Funeral Home, 4201 Ridge Road.
FYI: Call (219) 805-4066.
DECEMBER 22
CHRISTMAS DECORATING CONTEST | Lake Station
The Lake Station Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its annual Christmas decoration contest for residents and businesses. Judging will take place beginning at 6 p.m. Dec. 22. Individuals wanting their residence or business judged should call the Lake Station mayor's office at (219) 962-2081 or the Lake Station superintendent's office at (219) 962-1159. Monetary awards will be given to the top three residential winners.
DECEMBER 23
KIDS DAY | Cedar Lake
Mom, do you need a little time to work with Santa? The Cedar Lake Parks and Recreation Department will help out by hosting a kids only event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Cedar Lake Town Hall. Children 4 to 10 will make crafts, watch movies, play games, make goodies and eat lunch while parents are busy with holiday chores. Register by Dec. 21, since the event is limited to 25.
FYI: Call (219) 374-4444.
DECEMBER 27
CHRISTMAS MUSIC | Munster
The Pueri Cantores of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Millennium Chorale present "A Program of Christmas Music" at 3 p.m., Dec. 27, on Holy Family Sunday, at the Carmelite Monastery, 1628 Ridge Road. Admission is free. Free will offerings will be collected for the Carmelite Monastery and the St. Joseph Soup Kitchen.
FYI: Call (219) 931-5405.
DECEMBER 31
NEW YEAR'S PARTY | Cedar Lake
Children are invited to ring in the new year with the Cedar Lake Parks and Recreation Department from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 31 at the park office, 7408 Constitution Ave. There will be a countdown at noon and party hats, horns, games, dancing, and snacks are included. Cost is $3 and children must be registered by Dec. 28.
FYI: Call (219) 374-4444.
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY | Lansing
American Legion Post 697, 18255 Grant St., hosts a New Year's Eve party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Dec. 31. Food, party favors and Good Times band with special guests Jake and Elwood.
FYI: Call (708) 474-5906.
ONGOING
VISIT WITH SANTA | Hobart
Santa Claus arrives at 2 p.m. daily from Dec. 16 through Dec. 23 at County Line Orchard, 200 S. County Line Road. The orchard is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is accepting donations of nonperishable food items for local pantries. Vendors needed.
FYI: Contact Margo Brown at (219) 947-4477.
GIVING TREE | Hobart
Hobart Tri Kappa is hoping to make it a special holiday for many needy families with its City-Wide Giving Tree project. Tri Kappa members are again seeking sponsors to help buy holiday gifts for children who might not receive a gift if not for the City-Wide Giving Tree. Sponsors can also make tax-deductible donations and Tri Kappa elves will purchase and wrap the gifts. There are five locations in the Hobart community where gift tag trees are available: WiseWay Food Center, Strack and Van Til Supermarket, Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Wal-Mart and the downtown Dollar General store. Send a monetary donation to: Hobart Tri Kappa City-Wide Giving Tree, P.O. Box 805, Hobart, IN 46342.
FYI: Call Theresia Larimore at (219) 942-4850 or e-mail TriKappa.GivingTree@gmail.com.
TOYS NEEDED | Lake County
The Salvation Army is in need to toy donations at all of its locations and is asking for resident to help provide Angel Tree gifts for needy children.
FYI: Call the East Chicago Corps Community Center at (219) 398-2939, the Gary/Merrillville center at (219) 887-6588 or the Hammond/Munster center at (219) 838-0380.
DONATE A TOY | Lowell
Lowell Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 186 and Family Video are teaming up to brighten the holidays for needy children. Donations of unwrapped new toys for children of any age and cash will be accepted until Dec. 20 at the Lowell Police Station, 1333 E. Commercial Ave., or Family Video, 1520 E. Commercial Ave. All donations will benefit families in need in the community. Anyone with questions about the program or who knows of a family in need can call Cpl. Robert Hornickel.
FYI: Call (219) 696-0411, ext. 112.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS | Merrillville
Holiday Lights at the Lake, organized by the Ross Township trustee's office, is open p.m. at Hidden Lake Park, 6355 Broadway. The light display features about 100 illuminated displays scattered throughout Hidden Lake Park, including the popular 120-foot long Tunnel of America, 20 animated displays and a number of new offerings. Holiday music is played while vehicles drive through the park to view the displays, and can be heard on car radios at FM 88.9. Holiday Lights at the Lake will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. daily from through Dec. 26. A fireworks display is featured at 8 p.m. Saturdays from the lake. Santa Claus will greet children Dec. 23. Admission is $5 for cars and small vans, $10 for large vans and $25 for buses and recreational vehicles. Advance tickets can be purchased for $4 per car at the Ross Township Office, 24 W. 73rd Ave.
FYI: Call (219) 769-2111.
RESALE SHOPS | Munster
PAWS Resale Shoppe and PAWS Holiday House are open from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays for holiday shopping. The shops are also both open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. PAWS Resale Shoppe is at 2817 Jewett St. and PAWS Holiday House is at 2825 Jewett St. Proceeds benefit Humane Society Calumet Area.
FYI: Call (219) 838-7237.
DONATE TO NEEDY | Northwest Indiana
Convenient drive-through drop off of food and clothing is available through December at all seven Clean Air Car Check emissions testing stations in Northwest Indiana to make the holiday season warmer for less fortunate residents of Lake and Porter counties. Clean Air Car Check stations will accept donations of coats, gloves, hats and other cold weather gear, as well as nonperishable food items to be distributed to the Salvation Army and the Northwest Indiana Food Bank. Donate at 755 N. Industrial Blvd., Crown Point; 3901 W. Fourth Ave., Gary; 232 Ivanhoe Court South, Griffith; 1231 Gostlin St., Hammond; 325 Sullivan St., Hobart ; 5777 Melton Road, Portage; and 2503 Beech St., Valparaiso.
FYI: Call toll-free (888) 240-1684.
MILITARY TREE | Portage
Make it memorable holiday season by helping the Portage Township YMCA honor U.S. soldiers. The YMCA is collecting items to be shipped overseas to soldiers. Pick up a list of needed items at the YMCA. Also, help fill our Honor Christmas Tree with pictures of active, veteran and fallen soldiers.
FYI: Contact Lindsey Miller at (219) 762-YMCA (9622) or lindsey@ymcaofportage.org.
