Find events going on in your community, and plan your week's activities with The Times.

To get listed in the calendar, contact Illinois community coordinator Jennifer Pallay.

• E-mail: jpallay@nwitimes.com.

• Fax: (708) 474-2897.

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

• Questions? Call (219) 937-5741.

Raffle tickets | Chicago

St. Florian School, 13110 S. Baltimore Ave. in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood, is selling chances to win a trip for two to Las Vegas. Tickets are $5 each. The drawing will be held March 8 during March Madness, the seventh annual silent auction benefitting St. Florian School. Tickets are available from any school parent or at the school office. Only 3,000 tickets are being sold.

FYI: Call (773) 646-2868.

FINANCIAL TALK | Dolton

Georgelyn Hicks wil present What a Woman Wants: Financial Security! at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Dolton Public Library, 14037 Lincoln Ave. The program will show women how to create wealth and grow a nest egg a little at a time. Refreshments will be served. Register in advance.

FYI: Call (708) 849-2385.

Book talk | Crete

The Crete Public Library's Children's Department will hold mother/daughter book talk at 7 p.m. Feb. 25. The chosen book is "Counting on Grace" by Elizabeth Winthrop. This novel is set in a Vermont mill town in 1910 and brings child labor issues into focus. Twelve-year-old Grace must leave school to work on the looms with her mother. She would rather be in school learning than working and longs for a connection to the world. The library is at 1177 Main St.

FYI: Register online, in person or by calling (708) 672-8017.

Kid Cooks | Calumet City

Kids can learn to make some simple snacks and kitchen safety tips from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 23 in the Calumet Memorial Park District's Kid Cooks. This program is for third- through eighth- graders, and the fee is $5 per participant. Registration is now being taken at Memorial Park, 612 Wentworth Ave.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6443 or visit calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com.

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY | Park Forest

The Illiana Jewish Genealogical Society meets at 2 p.m. Feb. 10 in the library at Congregation Am Echad, 160 Westwood Drive., for an afternoon of fun. Simchas will be celebrated with cake and ice cream. Members and guests can also play genealogy bingo. Beginner and advanced bingo players will use genealogical words in friendly, competitive games. The meeting is free to members; guests are asked for a $2 donation. Family memberships cost $20 per year.

FYI: Visit jigs.home.comcast.net.

Authors speak | Glenwood

Write and Publish African-American Romance is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Glenwood-Lynwood Public Library, 320 Glenwood Lansing Road. Local writers Dyanne Davis and Barbara Keaton will conduct a workshop on how to become a published author. Seating is limited.

FYI: Call (708) 758-0090.

Book discussion | Lansing

Mystery Hour Book Discussion meets at 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. The book is "The Flower Master" by Sujata Massey. Copies are available at the circulation desk. The group is open to everyone who has read the book and this is a free program.

FYI: Register by calling (708) 474-2447, ext. 122.

Let It Snow | Calumet City

Calumet City Public Library, 660 Manistee Ave., will host Let It Snow from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 19 for ages 6 and older. Make a snowflake snowman picture frame. Register.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6220.

Baby Play | Steger

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library, 54 E. 31st St., will host Baby Play for ages 6 months through 2 years old. Children, with an adult, can come at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Spend time together at the library for stories, songs, and open play.

FYI: Register at the library or call (708) 755-5040.

Coloring contest | Illinois

The 17th annual National Children's Dental Health Month Coloring Contest sponsored by the Illinois State Dental Society is currently under way. The contest is open to children in kindergarten through third grades and several prizes will be awarded in each category. Entry forms are available from participating members of the Illinois State Dental Society and at www.ISDS.org. No purchase is necessary to be eligible to participate or win. This year's contest features the theme "Fight Tooth Decay 24/7!" The Illinois State Dental Society sponsors the coloring contest to remind children about the importance of oral health as a contributor to overall health. The coloring sheet features "Flossie," the Illinois State Dental Society mascot. Participants may use any medium they like to complete the entry form, including crayons, markers, paint and/or pencils. Entry forms must be returned to the Illinois State Dental Society at P.O. Box 376, Springfield, IL, 62705 and postmarked by Feb. 29.

Winners will be notified by April 15.

FYI: Visit www.ISDS.org or call (217) 525-1406.

Valentines for vets | Sauk Village

Valentines for Veterans is accepting donated valentines, in addition to copy paper, card stock, stickers and donations for mailing cards. The group has sent thousands of cards to veterans in the United States for the past few years. They are sent to veterans homes, hospitals and outpatient clinics. A drop box is at 22459 Yates Ave. in Sauk Village (60411) at the home of Barb Petner. Or cards can be mailed to her at the same address.

FYI: Call (708) 758-4461.

Animal campaign | Chicago Heights

South Suburban Humane Society is having a Frosty Feline Fix Campaign through March 31. Vouchers will be available that will provide $25 cat or kitten spays/neuters. Low-income households can receive vouchers for $10 spay/neuters. Proof is required. Rabies vaccines are required or can be bought at time of surgery at owner's expense. Additional evaluation costs may apply per individual vet office policies. The shelter is at 1103 W. End Ave.

FYI: Call (708) 755-7387.

Art display | Lansing

Local artist John Klompmaker will display his art through Feb. 15 at Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.

Tax help | Steger

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library, 54 E. 31st St., will offer AARP - Free Income Tax Help from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 13, 20 and 27.

FYI: Register at the library or call (708) 755-5040.

Black History Month | University Park

Governors Sate University begins its celebration of African-American culture and history with a series of cultural, musical, artistic and educational events. Each event is open to the public "Men Cry in the Dark" a play depicting the life of African American men, will be produced at 5 p.m. Feb. 9 in Sherman Hall. Tickets are $5 and available at the door. Governors State University is at 1 University Parkway.

FYI: Call (708) 534-4552.

Van trips | Homewood

Homewood-Flossmoor Park District is offering van trips this month.

Enjoy a stampede of song and dance as performers African Footprint bring South Africa's longest running show to America. Participants will travel to the Paramount Theatre in Aurora for an evening of Kwela-jive, traditional gumboot, tap, contemporary ballet and hip-hop dance that tells the vibrant and diverse history of South Africa. African Footprint show trip is from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Feb. 17. Fee of $76 per person includes van transportation and show admission. Journey to Michigan Avenue for a lunch buffet in the Signature Room atop the John Hancock Building. After lunch, participants will have time to shop along the magnificent mile. Signature Room lunch trip is from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 26. Fee of $76 per person includes van transportation, parking and lunch. Trips depart from and return to the Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. Registration for trips is required.

FYI: Call (708) 957-PARKS or visit www.hfparks.com.

Basketball games | South Holland

The South Suburban College men's basketball program will host two special game events this month. First, it will have Community Night at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 for the home match-up with Parkland College. Residents of the entire SSC District 510, local businesses and their employees are encouraged to attend for free. At 3 p.m. Feb. 16, the Bulldogs will host Kids Day for their home game vs. Carl Sandburg College with free admission for all kids 16 and younger. There will also be a raffle, split the pot, and refreshments that will be sold to raise money for the men's basketball program at both events.

FYI: Call (708) 596-2000, ext. 2524. South Suburban College is at 15800 S. State St.

Lunchtime Yoga | Crete

Certified yoga instructor Virginia Angellotti will lead an introduction to yoga poses and principles from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Crete Public Library, 1177 Main St. All ages and experiences are welcome. Bring a mat or beach towel.

FYI: Call (708) 672-8017.

Valentine Friends | Calumet City

Calumet City Public Library, 660 Manistee Ave., will host Valentine Friends from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Feb. 11. Youths 3 to 8 years old can attend this story time program with stories, music, a game and craft. Register in advance.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6220.

Author event | South Holland

Meet two South Holland residents who have written children's books at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at South Holland Public Library, 16250 Wausau Ave. They will share their experiences and books will be sold and available for autographing. This is a family program. Register.

FYI: Call (708) 331-5262.

Bookmark | Crete

Come to the Crete Public Library, 1177 Main St., at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 to create a beaded bookmark with Lilly Staehlin from the Bead Tribe in Homewood. There is no charge, but class size is limited.

FYI: Call (708) 672-8017.

Black History | South Holland

The South Suburban College Office of Student Life & Leadership will host an H. Mark Williams and the Cultural Messengers Performance from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 12. PAC. H. Mark Williams and the Cultural Messengers perform music and dance of the famed Harlem Renaissance era. History Professor Art T. Burton will give an overview of the Harlem Renaissance era and introduce H. Mark Williams and the Cultural Messengers. The event is open to SSC students, staff and the public. The college is at 15800 S. State St.

FYI: Call Justin Papp at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2337.

Story hour | South Holland

Preschool story hour is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays or Thursdays, Feb. 13 to March 20, at South Holland Public Library, 16250 Wausau Ave. Ages 3 to 5 can attend with an adult. This program series includes stories, songs and a variety of activities. Register.

FYI: Call (708) 331-5262.