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 Eastlake community coordinator Marlene A. Zloza at least 10 days in advance.

• E-mail: mzloza@nwitimes.com.

• Fax: (219) 662-5296.

• Address: 2080 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN 46307.

• Questions? Call (219) 662-5340.

BONE MARROW DRIVE | Crown Point

A National Bone Marrow Drive sponsored by the National Bone Marrow Program will be held by the friends of Andrew Bagnara from noon to 6 p.m. April 20 at Crown Point High School, 1500 S. Main St. Bagnara is a CPHS student who is battling leukemia. The testing to become a donor is a simple cheek swab that will lead to the potential donor being listed on the National Bone Marrow Registry. Testing is free since fundraisers have been successful, but donations will be accepted.

FYI: E-mail kook2900@sbcglobal.net

BENEFIT HOG ROAST | Lowell

A hog roast, bake sale and silent auction will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. April 12 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 631 W. Commercial Ave., on behalf of the Jeff Smith family of Lowell. Proceeds will go to assisting the family, including three children, with everyday expenses during his stay at The University of Chicago Burn Unit. Jeff was burned in a work related accident on March 9, suffering third-degree burns over 50 percent of his body. He has had multiple surgeries and skin grafts and faces many more. The silent auction, through 7 p.m. April 12, includes many items, including a queen pillow top mattress; Ducks Unlimited framed print and a diamond anniversary ring. To make a monetary donation, send it to Trinity Lutheran Church, 631 W. Commercial Ave., Lowell, IN 46356 with "Smith Family" on the memo line.

FYI: Call (219) 696-6056.

TAX PARTY | Hobart, Portage

Liberty Tax Service will host End-Of-Th-Year Tax Parties from noon to 6 p.m. April 12 at its local offices. A Life Source blood drive will be held at the Hobart office, 1679 E. 37th Ave., with a Moonwalk for children, free lunch, a live band and free giveaways. Cell Phones for Soldiers will be collected in cooperation with the Portage High School JRROTC Unit at the Portage office, 2686 Willowcreek Road, with a free lunch and giveaways.

FYI: Call Hobart at (219) 945-1040 and Portage at (219) 764-3130.

AGES & STAGES | Crown Point

Wittenberg Village is focusing this month's meeting of "Ages & Stages" on gardening to reduce caregiver stress. The purpose of this meeting at 6 p.m. April 17 in the Crown of Life Chapel at Wittenberg Village, 1200 E. Luther Drive, is to provide monthly education and support to caregivers and is open to the community in partnership with Harbor Light Hospice. This month's speaker, Jean Wiley, is an avid gardener for many years and will give away a free "Starter Violet Plant" and explain how to care for it. In addition, Hubinger Landscaping has donated a $25 Gift Certificate to be given away along with other surprise gifts. RSVP by April 16.

FYI: Call (219) 663-3860.

JEWELRY SALE | Crown Point

St. Anthony Home and Albert's Diamond Jewelers are sponsoring a Jewelry Sale on from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 18 at St. Anthony Home, 203 Franciscan Drive.

Proceeds from this event will help defray the cost of patient care and services on the St. Anthony Campus. Sale items include 14k gold rings, chains, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, charms, gem stone earrings, pendants and rings, and fashion watches.

FYI: Call Blossom Mabon at (219) 661-5105.

PANTRY NEEDS FOOD | Hobart

Hobart Food Pantry is in need of nonperishable food items to feed the 76 families that now rely on the food pantry each week, up from 45 at this time last year. The shelves are practically bare. Churches, schools, and individuals are welcome to donate items. "There is a large food drive organized by the post office on May 10, but we will have a hard time waiting until then for assistance," said Director Theresia Larimore. Citizens can drop off items at the pantry, 200 S. Hobart Road, or call for more information and hours of operation.

FYI: Call (219) 947-7779.

REGION IDOL | Crown Point

Fourth Annual Region Idol Contest will be held at 7 p.m. consecutive Fridays, today through May 23 at the Hall of Justice, 220 S. Main St. Admission is a minimum $5 donation at the door and $10 on the final night of competition. Proceeds benefit Multiple Sclerosis Society, Indiana chapter. Since 2005, Region Idol has raised more than $30,000 toward charitable programs. To learn more about multiple sclerosis, go to www.nationalmssociety.org/ini.

FYI: Call (219) 661-1811.

BE A VOLUNTEER | Crown Point

St. Anthony Hospice, 203 Franciscan Drive, is seeking volunteers to help patients with a life-limiting illness and their family members by providing companionship, offering respite for caregivers, running errands and performing chores as well as providing assistance with hospice public relations, fund raising and clerical work.

FYI: Call Ray Hanish, volunteer coordinator, at (219) 661-5327.

ROBO DOG NIGHT | Crown Point

RoboDog Night will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. April 14 at Beef 'O' Brady's, 10851 Broadway. The RoboDogs robotics team from Crown Point High School will receive a percentage of all sales during the event to fund its trip to compete at the national championships in Atlanta, Ga.

FYI: E-mail patti_d0@yahoo.com

RUMMAGE SALE | Lake Station

A benefit rummage sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 24 and 25 at 2852 Huntington St. Half of the proceeds will benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society and half will benefit Girl Scout Troop 37 in memory of Jacque Rushing. Donations of new and used items and cash will be accepted through April 13.

FYI: Call Amy at (219) 963-2619 or 617-1428.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED | Crown Point

Mayor Dave Uran's Office of Special Events, 101 N. East St., and the Crown Point Parks Department, 1313 E. North St., are looking for community oriented volunteers to help at various programs throughout the spring and summer seasons. The Office of Special Events is in need of volunteers to assist as docents at 4th Friday Arts, Crown Point's monthly art walk from 6 to 9 p.m. the fourth Friday of every month. Docents are responsible for welcoming and guiding attendees along the walk. Crown Point's Car Cruise is back again 5 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday, May to the end of September. Duties for the car cruise may include acting as hospitality docents, directing and registering cars, assisting the team in the overall event production. All car cruise volunteers receive an exclusive Crown Point Car Cruise t-shirt, volunteer hours for high school, an invitation to the end of season recognition dinner, a volunteer certificate and more. Crown Point Parks Department is looking for volunteers

to assist at parks programs, senior programs, sports programs and Clean-Up Day on May 17; with flexible hours available.

FYI: Contact Jennifer Bzdil at (219) 662-3290 or jbzdil@crownpoint.in.gov, or contact Jennie Burgess, assistant parks director, at (219) 661-2271 or jburgess@crownpoint.in.gov.

SALE POSTPONED | Lake Station

The rummage sale scheduled for April 12 at Riverview Park has been postponed until May 10.

FYI: Call (219) 962-7508.

ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST | Wheeler

Elvis tribute artist Leo Days will perform at 7 p.m. April 12 at Wheeler High School, 587 W. County Road 300 North. Tickets cost $15, $12 and $10. All proceeds go to the school's drama department.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2561, ext. 6, or (219) 759-1442.

FISH FRY | Lowell

American Legion Post 101 will host an All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry from 4 to 7:30 p.m. April 18 at American Legion Post 101, 108 E. Commercial Ave., to support its Flag Education Program, American Legion baseball and Hoosier Boys State. Cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children 5 to 12, while younger children eat free.

FYI: Call (219) 696-9120 or (219) 696-4822.

SCRABBLE CLUB | Crown Point

Crown Point Parks Department will cosponsor a free Scrabble Club for senior citizens, organized by two Crown Point High School seniors working on a project to impact their community in a positive way. The club will meet from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday through May 17 at the Civic Center, 101 S. East St. An all-day tournament will be held May 17. Call to reserve a spot.

FYI: Call Jennie at (219) 661-2271 or e-mail jburgess@crownpoint.in.gov.

Y-ME MEETING | Munster

Northwest Indiana Group of Y-ME Illinois meets at 10 a.m. the second Saturday each month in the Doctors' Meeting Room in Community Hospital's cafeteria, 901 MacArthur Blvd. The topic for April 12 is what's in your mouth. Dr. Chris Morfas, a dentist in private practice in Dyer, discusses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases. The session is free. Breast cancer patients, their families and friends, and health professionals are welcome. Reservations are not necessary.

FYI: Call (219) 838-6111 or visit www.y-me.org/illinois.

MYSTERY DINNER | Chesterton

St. Anthony Hospice and Franciscan Home Care in Michigan City presents its second Mystery Dinner & Silent Auction Fundraiser on April 19 at Waterbird Lakeside Banquet Center, 526 Indian Boundary Road. Tickets cost $40 per person or $75 per couple, which includes dinner and entertainment. The cash bar opens at 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. In addition to the evening's festivities, there will be a silent auction featuring an array of items such as gift baskets, certificates and other items. Event sponsorships, program book ads and silent auction items are welcome. Proceeds will help defray patient care costs at St. Anthony Hospice and Franciscan Home Care Services. Tickets are available by phone.

FYI: Call (219) 661-5105.

HELP AT EVENT | Merrillville

Lakeshore Public Television is seeking volunteers to help prepare for the Speaking of Women's Health Conference® at The Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza on May 15. Volunteers have the opportunity to take part in an event created to educate women about their health, well-being and personal safety in an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie. Duties range from registration, gift bag distribution, people moving, breakfast and lunch set-up and tear down, session monitoring and more. Volunteers are offered a discounted ticket to the event and a special lunch.

FYI: Call Melissa Meyer at (219) 756-5656, ext. 326 or e-mail mmeyer@lakeshoreptv.com.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT | St. John

Caregiver Support Group sponsored by St. John the Evangelist Church and Franciscan Community Services meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 14 and the second Monday of each month at Emmaus House of St. John the Evangelist Church, 3900 U.S. 41. The meeting is open to family and friends caring for a loved one.

FYI: Call Kathy Morgan at (219) 661-5200.

PREPARE FOR BABY | Crown Point

A new series of six weekly Preparing for Childbirth classes will be held at Marian Education Center, St. Anthony Medical Center, 1201 S. Main St. A weekend class is offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on two consecutive Saturdays, April 19 and 26 or June 21 and 28, to discuss labor, birth and postpartum issues. Lamaze breathing and other coping techniques will be taught. Fee is $60.

FYI: Call (219) 757-6368.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE | Crown Point

Make a difference by volunteering an hour or two. St. Clare Health Clinic at St. Anthony Medical Center is looking for help providing primary health care to the working poor and uninsured in Crown Point and surrounding communities.

FYI: Call Diane Jansen at (219) 681-6976.

ART IN FOCUS | Munster

Art enthusiasts are invited to South Shore Arts' Art in Focus group for video and discussion on Building to Extremes. It will be held from 10 a.m. to noon April 14 in the Bachman Gallery at the Center for Visual & Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road.

FYI: Call (219) 836-1839.

BABY DRIVE | Munster

Humane Society Calumet Area seeks help for its kittens and puppies, which have special needs. The shelter seeks heating pads that can be used to keep newborns warm, soft receiving blankets, pet nursing bottles and Isbilac puppy formula and KMR kitten formula. The formula and bottles can be bought at local pet stores. Donations may be brought to the shelter, 421 45th St.

FYI: Call (219) 922-3811 or visit www.hscalumet.org.

JOBS FOR SENIORS | Indiana

Low-income Hoosiers 55 and older who want to work but can't find a job can get assistance from Experience Works. Paid training assignments and job-placement services are available for those unemployed, retired and wanting to return to work, or who have never had a job. Experience Works will pay a worker's wages while they learn new job skills at a community service organization, then help the worker prepare a resume and go for interviews. Experience Works has helped thousands of Hoosier seniors get jobs.

FYI: Call (800) 843-0885 to see if you qualify or visit www.experienceworks.org to learn more.