JR. OLYMPIC SKILLS | Crown Point

Crown Point Parks and Recreation Department will host the local qualifying event for the Jr. Olympic Skills Competition at 9 a.m. April 19 at the Crown Point Sportsplex North Pavilion. Registration is at 8:45 a.m. and the free competition is open to boys and girls ages 8 to 13. The Track & field and soccer will be held, and participants must compete in both events, boys and girls separately, by age groups, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13. Those who qualify may advance to regional competition. A copy of the participant's birth certificate is required at registration, but no advance registration is required.

FYI: Call Jeff Jensen at (219) 661-2271 or e-mail at jjensen@crownpoint.in.gov.

PITCH, HIT & RUN | Crown Point

Crown Point Parks and Recreation Department will host the local qualifying event for Aquafina Pitch Hit & Run at 10:30 a.m. April 19 at the Crown Point Sportsplex Baseball Field. Registration is at 10:15 a.m. The free competition is open to boys and girls ages 7 to 14. Boys and girls will compete together in four age groups: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14. Those who qualify may advance to sectional competition. A copy of the participant's birth certificate is required at registration, but advance registration is not required.

FYI: Call Jeff Jensen at (219) 661-2271 or e-mail at jjensen@crownpoint.in.gov.

SPRING FESTIVAL | DeMotte

Friends of the Library will host a Spring Festival for National Library Week from 3 to 6 p.m. today at the DeMotte Library, 901 Birch St. SW. All ages are welcome, with games for children, Dance Dance Revolution, bingo, face painting, book sale, popcorn and a cake walk. Hollywood Nails and Spa staff will offer hand massages and nail art. Cost for the cake walk is 50 cents per round and proceeds benefit the Friends of the Library.

FYI: Call (219) 987-2221.

ALL ABOUT SPORTS | Crown Point

Crown Point Youth Sports Commission will meet at 7:30 p.m. April 22 in the council chambers at city hall, 101 N. East St. Discussion will include needs for a North Street Sportsplex and the strengths and weaknesses of a youth sport organization.

FYI: Call (219) 661-2271.

ART CLASSES | Lowell

Children 6 to 12 can register for a five-week art course from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, April 29 through May 27 at The Art Gallery, 116 S. Nichols St. Artist/instructor June Swart will be teaching water color, drawing, charcoal, pastels and conte. Registration days are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 19 and 26 at the gallery. Beginner, Intermediate, and advanced students are welcome. Fee is $75.

FYI: Call (219) 696-6487.

TEEN SUPPORT | Munster

To help sight-impaired teens cope with their challenges, the Munster Christian Outreach Center to the Blind is forming a support group just for teens. The first meeting will be held at 11 a.m. April 19 at Edwardo's Restaurant, 7920 Calumet Ave. Enjoy pizza and an opportunity to hear guest speaker Dave Andrus, a successful man who, despite losing his vision at age 11, met his challenges with great vision. He will share how sight-impaired teens can face the challenges of schoolwork, family life, cooking and hobbies. Call to RSVP.

FYI: Call (219) 923-3398.

TIE DYE IT | DeMotte

Children in kindergarten through grade 6 can add a little pizzazz to an article of clothing by participating in a Tie Dye After School program from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. April 24 at the DeMotte Library, 901 Birch St. SW. Bring one item to dye at this free program, a T-shirt, socks or a pillowcase. Register online, by visit or by phone.

FYI: Call (219) 987-2221.

COOKING CLASS | Crown Point

Crown Point Parks and Recreation Department offers Lil' Chefs, a cooking class for children, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, April 24 to May 22, at the Civic Center, 101 S. East St. Safety, table setting, etiquette and cooking fun, with students learning to make a different item from around the world each week. All supplies are included. Fee is $45 for residents and $50 for nonresidents. Register by April 21.

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

BOWL THE DAY AWAY | Crown Point

Children 4 to 10 can Bowl The Day Away at 4 p.m. Wednesdays, April 23 to May 14, at the Super Bowl, Inc., 218 S. East St. Sponsored by the Crown Point Parks and Recreation Department, participants will bowl one game a week. Fee is $20 for residents and $25 for nonresidents, and includes shoe rental. Register.

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

TODDLER TIME | DeMotte

Toddler Time for 2-year-olds, with a parent or guardian, will be held from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, April 22 to May 13, at the DeMotte Library, 901 Birch St. SW. Songs, stories, crafts and other age-appropriate activities will be included. Program is for registered participants only, other arrangements should be made for siblings. Registration is required in person, on-line at www.jasperco.lib.in.us or by phone.

FYI: Call (219) 987-2221.

SPAGHETTI LUNCH | Hobart

A Kids 1st Spaghetti Luncheon fundraiser will be held from noon to 2 p.m. April 20 at First United Methodist Church, 654 E. 4th St. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 6 to 12; children 5 and younger eat free. Tickets will be available at the door.

FYI: Call (219) 942-1601.

SCHOLARSHIPS | Northwest Indiana

The Northwest Indiana Auto Trade Association, composed of 26 local new car dealership members and 24 associate members, will award three $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors who attend school in Porter, Lake or LaPorte counties. To qualify, students must complete an application and submit it by April 25 and plan to continue their education in some field of the automotive industry. To date, 30 scholarships have been awarded. Applications can be downloaded by visiting The Times Web site at www.nwitimes.com. Just click on the automotive link and then click on the association's name on the right hand side of the page. Or send an e-mail to niata2002@aol.com with the student's name and address and an application will be mailed.

FYI: Call Sharon at (219) 712-9489.

LINDSEY SCHOLARSHIP | Lake County

Two Patrick Lindsey Scholarships of $250 will be awarded to African-American high school seniors needing assistance for post secondary education/professional training in the arts (such as music, theater, dance, art). Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and live in Lake County. Obtain an application from school counselors. Deadline is before or no later than April 25. Applicants will be notified by phone during the week of May 5 after the scholarship committee has reviewed applications.

FYI: Call (219) 677-0847.