CHILI COOK-OFF | Griffith

Beiriger Elementary School will be hosting a chili cook-off from 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at the school, 601 N. Lillian St. Sample chili and then vote for a favorite. Hot dogs, chips, corn bread, drink and baked goods will also be sold. Tickets purchased in advance are $10 for 25 tickets. If purchased at the door, tickets will be 50 cents each.

FYI: (219) 924-4030

TURKEY DINNER | Whiting

A turkey dinner is from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 8 at Whiting Elks Lodge, 1521 119th St. Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, vegetables and dessert will be served. Donations are $9 per adult and $5 for children 3 to 12. Those who bring in two nonperishable/canned good items, get $1 off one adult ticket. The nonperishable/canned goods will be given to the Whiting Food Pantry.

FYI: (219) 659-6816

GALA DEADLINE | La Porte

Opening night for the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra's season is Nov. 15 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium featuring a benefit dinner and the Pops Classique concert. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the benefit dinner and the silent auction. Tickets are $80, $65 for season ticket holders and today is the deadline. Separate tickets are available for the concert which will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the concert are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors; children are free.

FYI: (219) 362-9020

GRECIAN FOOD FEST | Hammond

Grecian Food Fest is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 8 and noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 9 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 7021 Hohman Ave. Greek and American pastries will be available. Lamb, chicken, gyros and pastistio dinners will be sold. Lemon rice soup, spinach and cheese pies, and loukoumades also will be offered. Attendees can visit the Orthodox book and gift store.

FYI: (219) 932-7347

SPAGHETTI SUPPER | Crown Point

St. Mary Catholic Community School will hold its 46th annual Spaghetti Supper, including lunch, on Nov. 12 at 405 E. Joliet St. Along with its famous spaghetti and special sauce, Caesar salad, Italian bread, coffee or milk and a homemade dessert, diners can visit The Country Store for crafts, gifts and St. Mary's items. First prize in the Spaghetti Supper Raffle is $2,500, second prize is $1,000, and third prize is $500. Tickets for the raffle are $5 each or 6 for $25. Tickets are available through the day of the supper. Dinner tickets are $8 for adults 15 and older and $5 for children 5 to 14 and seniors 60 and older. Younger children eat free. Lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner is served 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. for dine in and carry-out meals. Delivery service will also be available; have lunch delivered to your office. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance in the school office.

FYI: (219) 663-0676

COUNTRY BREAKFAST | Gary

Miller-Dunes American Legion Post 279 holds a country breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 9 at the post home, 6601 Old Hobart Road in Miller area. Menu includes biscuits & gravy, eggs, pancakes, sausage, potatoes and more. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children.

FYI: (219) 938-9856

WINE TASTING | Merrillville

Second annual wine tasting will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 8 at The Patio Restaurant & Lounge, 7706 Broadway. Choose from more than 30 wines paired with just the right appetizers. Tickets Are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Register to win a gift basket. RSVP.

FYI: (219) 769-7990

PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Portage

United Way pancake breakfast is set for 7:30 to 9 a.m. Nov. 20 at Miller's Senior Living Community, 5911 Lute Road. The fundraiser breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee, all for $5 per person. this is open to the public but reservations are recommended.

FYI: (219) 764-0628

CHILI SUPPER | Griffith

St. Timothy's Episcopal Church is hosting a Getting To Know You Chili Supper from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at 1115 North Cline Ave. The meal is free to the public while the chili lasts.

FYI: (219) 838-8379

WOMENS SHOW | Valparaiso

Northwest Indiana Womens show is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road. Admission is $3. some of the exhibitors or sponsors include Au naturel market, Avon, Decatur Vein Clinic, Gil Drugs, Lia Sophia, Tastefully simple and Premier jewelry.

FYI: (219) 464-0133

HAWAIIAN LUAU | Hobart

Hobart Elks will hold a Hawaiian Luau beginning at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at 3580 W. 61st Ave. The Royale Polyneisian Revue will bring the islands alive with music, singing, dancers and costumes of hawaii-Samoa-Tahiti - New Zealand and Fiji. There will be a salad bar with an entree and desserts for $25. There will be dancing before and after the show with a cash bar. Make reservations.

FYI: (219) 942-1152

VET BREAKFAST | Hammond

American Legion 232 and VFW 7881 will have a breakfast to honor veterans from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 8 at Post 232, 6523 Kennedy Ave. It's $4 for nonveterans and free for veterans. Menu includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, coffee and orange juice.

FYI: (219) 844-0230

LATE HARVEST CELEBRATION | Gary

The Miller Business Association and the Miller Bakery Cafe are inviting everyone to a "Late Harvest Celebration" fundraiser for the Miller Community Fund, from 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 9. The celebration will feature a wine, seasonal beers, bourbon and whiskey tasting, Kleine-essen (German inspired appetizers), live music, and silent auction. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. For tickets call Lake Street Gallery. Also being raffled is an all inclusive deluxe vacation for two to the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort on the Mexican Riviera for 3 nights (must be taken between May 1 and June 31) for $25 a ticket or 5 for $100.

FYI: (219) 938-4566

TACO DINNER | Westville

Westville Sons of the American legion will hold an all-you-can-eat taco dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7 at

The Westville American Legion Post No. 21, 107 N. Flynn road. There will be tacos, chips and salsa. Cost is $6 for adults and $5 for seniors and kids 9 and younger.

FYI: (219) 787-4112

FISH FRY | St. John

4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 the St. John Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 717 and Ladies and Men's Auxillarys will host its monthly fish fry at 10400 W. 93rd Ave. Carry-outs are available.

FYI: (219) 365-8224

PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Westville

The Westville American Legion Post No. 21, 107 Flynn Road, hosts an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 7 am. to noon Nov. 9. The menu includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, milk and coffee. The price is $5.75 for adults, $4.75 for senior citizens, $4.25 for kids 12 and younger and preschoolers eat for free.

FYI: (219) 785-2923

A BENEFIT DINNER | Highland

5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7 friends of Steve Carpenter are hosting a benefit dinner for the family at the Highland Elks, 3120 45th Ave. Carpenter was diagnosed with stage four adenocarcinoma in July and is currently in the care of Hospice. He had been self-employed prior to his diagnosis, Proceeds will be used for medical expenses and the care of his family. Call Lynn for more information.

FYI: (219) 663-2773 or (219) 781-7999

BALLROOM DANCING | Portage

A free ballroom dance class will be held from 7 to 8 tonight at Woodland Park in Sycamore Hall. Mary Chandler is the instructor. This is a free beginner level class. The six-week course begins Nov. 3. Sign up for the classes the night of the free class. Deadline to sign up for Nov. 3 classes is today and the fee is $60 for singles, Portage residents; $95 for couples, Portage residents; non residents, $65 for singles and $100 for couples.

FYI: (219) 680-9261 or 762-1675

FISH FRYS | St. John

St. John Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 717, its ladies' auxiliary and its men's auxiliary will host monthly fish fries from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and the first Friday of each month at the post, 10400 W. 93rd Ave. Perch, shrimp, crab cakes and combo dinners include fries, cole slaw or cottage cheese, bread and coffee or tea. Desserts available. Carry-outs are $1 more.

FYI: (219) 365-8224

LINEN BINGO | Valparaiso

Ladies Moose lodge 437, 108 Indiana Ave., will hold a linen bingo Nov. 9 at 108 Indiana Ave. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with early bird at 1:30 and regular bingo at 2. cost is $10 for one packet and the salad bar. There also will be a silent auction.

FYI: (219) 462-2311

LOCAL AUTHOR READING | Whiting

7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 Calumet College of St. Joseph graduate, Jennifer Lawrence, will present a reading from her books and discuss her writing. This free event will be in the Specker Library, 2400 New York Ave. Lawerence writes books for White Wolf publishing, an American gaming company that is known for its role playing games such as Scion and Vampyre: The Masquerade. She has written books on Celtic mythology, vampires, and other supernatural and gothic topics.

FYI: (219) 473-4272 or bgoodman@ccsj.edu

BENEFIT DINNER | Portage

Rolling Inferno Motorcycle Club will hold a Ron Talley chili cook off benefit dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Portage Yacht Club, 1370 Ind. 249. There will be raffles, music and food. Cost is $25 to enter a chili and a $5 ticket fee for dinner. Tally has been a member of the Union Township Volunteer Fire Department sicnce 1991 and has been diagnosed with lunch cancer. All proceeds will go to help with Ron's medical expenses. Donations can be made to Rolling Inferno motorcycle Club, attn: Ron Talley fund; PO Box 542, Beverly Shores, IN 46301.

FYI: (219) 762-1675

FALL BAKE SALE AND LUNCHEON | Lowell

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 631 W. Commercial Ave. Stock up on a large selection of home-made pies, cakes, cookies, breads and a few suprises. (Most items freeze well.) Lunch is chicken and noodles, barbeque, chips and pie and coffee.

FYI: (219) 696-9338

TEXAS HOLD 'EM | Valparaiso

Texas Hold 'em tournament to benefit Saint Paul Catholic School will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at St. Paul Catholic School, 1755 W. Harrison Blvd. Full details and application can be downloaded from stpaulvalpo.org under "fundraising." There is a $100 per person entry fee, and players must be 21 or older.

FYI: (219) 477-2515

GOOD TIME CHARLEY | Highland

Good Time Charley Singles Dance at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 at Wicker Park Social Center, 8854 Indianapolis Blvd. Admission $6 before 8:15 p.m. and $8 after.

FYI: (219) 650-2111

ONE-DOLLAR BOOK SALE | Gary

This week, more than 5,000 titles will be available for $1each from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 11,12, 13; and 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at Indiana University Northwest in the Moraine Student Center, next door to the Savannah Center at the southeast corner of the main campus parking lot at 33rd Avenue and Broadway. with discounts for quantity purchases. On Friday, all remaining books will sell for only 50 cents each. Funds raised will support Anthropology Club scholarships. Anyone wishing to donate books may bring them to the event. Anyone wishing to donate books to the Big One-Dollar Book sale may bring them to the event.

FYI: (219) 980-6607 or rmucci@iun.edu

NUTROLLS AND STRUDELS | Merrillville

St. Sava Serbian Sisters Circle will be offering presales while supplies last of their $10 homemade nutrolls and ready-to-bake strudels for Thanksgiving. Call to pre-order the church no later than Nov. 12. All items need to be payed for and picked up by Nov. 22 at St. Sava, 9191 Mississippi St.

FYI: (219) 736-9191

TOYS FOR TOTS | Gary

Northwest Indiana's annual Toy for Tots for Bikers is at 9 a.m. Nov. 15 staging at the Bennigan's Park Lot, 500 E. 5th Ave. Refreshments will be served.

FYI: (219) 808-1888

HAM DINNER | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Band Parents Assocatiion will sponsor its 52nd annual ham dinner Nov. 12. Proceeds from the dinner go to help support the Valpariaso middle and high school bands. The dinner is 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, 2727 N Campbell St. Tickets are available from any band student or may be purchased at the door. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children 11 and younger. Carry outs are available from 4 to 7 p.m. In addition there will be several drawings for various door prizes donated by area businesesses.

FYI: (219) 531-3070, ext. 5368.

RED AND PURPLE BALL | Gary

Classy Ladies United Chapter 6053 of the Red Hat Society will host the Red and Purple Ball Dec. 13 at Majestic Star Hotel ballroom, 21 Buffington Harbor. All Red Hatters and the general public are invited for cocktails, dining and entertainment. The attire is black tie and attendees must be 21 and older. Cash bar is available. Tickets are $40.

FYI: (219) 944-3412 or (219) 949-9683

PARK PROGRAMS | Hobart

Hobart Parks and Recreation Department has a full schedule of classes and programs starting now and detailed in a brochure available at the park office, 111 E. Old Ridge Road, as well as other locations in he community. Included are fitness classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the community center, porcelain painting classes on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings at the park annex building, a duplicate bridge learning program and scrapbooking classes for adults, as well as an activity program for preschoolers and a cheerleading program for youths.

FYI: (219) 942-2987

OPEN-SKATE | Flossmoor

H-F Ice Arena has open-skate sessions for practice or recreation from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and 8 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is $6 per person. Families can attend open skate from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sundays. A family of four can skate for $20. Skate rental is available. The H-F Ice Arena, 777 Kedzie Ave., also offers youth hockey leagues, adult hockey leagues and clinics, a women's-only and girls-only hockey team (the H-F Novas), birthday parties and private rentals.

FYI: (708) 957-0100 or hfparks.com

STEPPIN' CLASS | Merrillville

Merrillville Parks and Recreation Department sponsors a Chicago-style Steppin' Dance class at the Pruzin Community Center, 5750 Tyler Place. Chicago-style steppin' is an urban-style ballroom dancing with intricate spins and turns to an eight-beat count. Wear leather-soled shoes to class. Cost is $45 for residents and $50 for nonresidents.

FYI: (219) 980-5911

DANCE LESSONS | Valparaiso

Just Us & Friends Dance Club is holding Beginners Line Dance Lessons from 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the Valparaiso American Legion, 4 Monroe St. Cost is $3 per class per student. Classes will be ongoing and geared to the student who has little or no experience in this type of dancing. Jack and Roxanne Anderson will teach basic steps and beginner choreographed dances.

FYI: (219) 462-3874 or linson5678@verizon.net

NEW HORIZONS | Schererville

New Horizons singles dance is 8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Halls of St. George, 905 E. Joliet St. Cost is $5.

FYI: (219) 465-5111 or (219) 844-1824

FISH FRY | Westville

Westville United Methodist Church hosts Chef Charley and Crew's all-you-can-eat fish fry from 4 to 7 p.m. every Friday. The menu is Alaskan pollock (baked or fried), French fries or baked potato, coleslaw, roll with butter, a drink (coffee, punch or water.) Shrimp, chicken strips and hot dogs also available. The United Methodist Youth will sell soda for 50 cents to fund mission projects. The United Methodist Women will have a variety of desserts for $1 each. The cost is $7.50 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4.50 for children ages 3-10, and free for children younger than 3.

FYI: (219) 785-2314

NATIVITY BINGO | Portage

Nativity of Our Savior offers bingo Monday evenings at the church hall, 2929 Willowcreek Road. Early-bird games start at 6 p.m., followed by regular bingo at 6:45 p.m.

FYI: www.nativitybingo.homestead.com