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

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

• E-mail: jpallay@nwitimes.com.

• Fax: (219) 933-3249.

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

• Questions? Call (219) 937-5741.

Church celebrates | Chicago

The beginning of a yearlong celebration marking the 125th anniversary of St. Columba Church in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood kicks off at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 2 with an All Souls Day Liturgy. Following the Mass there will be a dedication of the honorary St. Columba Drive by 10th Ward Chicago Alderman John Pope. Brunch will be served in St. Columba Social Center following the Mass and street dedication. St. Columba Church was founded in 1884. The church is at 13323 S Green Bay Ave.

FYI: Call (773) 646-2660.

Turkey dinner | Lansing

Trinity Lutheran Church and School is inviting recent flood victims to a complimentary turkey dinner at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 in the school gymnasium, 2505 Indiana Ave. Today is the last day to call for reservations. All are welcome to a special community celebration worship service at 6 p.m. Nov. 1, prior to the dinner.

FYI: Call (708) 738-0420 or (708) 417-4283.

Book sale | Crete

The Friends of the Crete Public Library will hold a giant used book sale from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Crete Public Library, 1177 N. Main St. The Friends have a brand new selection of used hardcover and paperback books that include fiction, travel, cookbooks and children's titles. Members of the Friends will be allowed into the sale at 9:30 a.m.

FYI: Call (708) 672-8017 or visit www.cretelibrary.org.

Flu shots | Homewood

Flu shots will be provided from 3 to 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at The Cancer Support Center, 2028 Elm Road. No appointment is needed. The vaccine is free to Medicare recipients, and the cost to non-Medicare patients is $24.99. All Medicare patients must bring in their Medicare Part B cards at the time of the clinic.

FYI: Call (708) 798-9171.

Halloween bash | Lynwood

Glenwood-Lynwood Public Library will host Halloween Bash Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31 at 19901 Stony Island Ave. Program is for all ages. There will be a spooky movie, costume contests, candy, games, crafts and a walk through the Zombie Zone haunted bookmobile. Registration is requested.

FYI: Call (708) 758-0090.

Story Time | Crete

The Crete Library's Children's Department will have Wee Ones Story Time from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Fridays, Oct. 31, Nov. 7, 14, 21 and Dec. 5 and 12. Wee Ones Story Time includes Baby Yoga, finger play, music and stories. The library is at 1177 Main St.

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

Astronomy program | Beecher

What's in the Sky This Month, a free family astronomy program sponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Will County, will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Plum Creek Nature Center in Goodenow Grove Forest Preserve, 1.25 miles east of the intersection of Routes 1 and 394 on Goodenow Road, in Crete Township. Join backyard astronomers and discover what is in the evening sky for the month of November. Among the nighttime items will be planets, the moon, orbiting spacecraft, comets, asteroids and a host of other objects. If telescope viewing is possible, the program may require a walk down paved paths to the viewing area. Dress for the weather. Registration for this program is required.

FYI: Call (708) 946-2216.

Crafters wanted | Chicago

Vendors are needed for a craft bazaar/flea market from noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at George Washington Elementary School, 3611 E. 114th St. Table rentals are $15.

FYI: Call (773) 646-5334.

Trunk or treat | University Park

Deer Creek Christian Church, 425 Exchange St., will host its annual Trunk or Treat event from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 in the church parking lot. The event is free and children must be accompanied by an adult.

FYI: Call (708) 672-6515.

Crafters needed | Lansing

Crafters are needed for Lansing Christian School's craft bazaar, to be held Dec. 6 at the school, 3660 Randolph St. Applications are due by Nov. 26.

FYI: Call (708) 895-2407.

Book sale | Lansing

Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., will have a book sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1. Only cash can be accepted.

FYI: call (708) 474-2447.

JACK-O-LANTERN FEST | Highland

A jack-o-lantern festival is from 3:30 to 8 p.m. today and Oct. 30 at Highland Main Square Gazebo, Fifth Street and Ridge Road. Bring a carved jack-o-lantern and pay a $2 entry fee to have it displayed at the Gazebo. Or bring the entire family to see and vote for your favorite jack-o-lantern. It's 50 cents per vote. At 7 p.m. Oct 30, there will by a costume parade around the Gazebo. Refreshments will be available. All money will be donated to the Highland Kiwanis.

FYI: Call (219) 923-3666.

Blood drive | Hammond

Heartland Blood Centers will have a blood drive from 3 to 6 p.m. today at An Open Door Church, 7105 Hohman Ave. Donors must be at least 17 years old or 16 with written parental permission; weigh at least 110 pounds; be symptom free of cold, flu and allergies; and be in general good health. Donors will receive a free barbecue grill set with an apron. To schedule an appointment, call the church office at (219) 931-5747.

FYI: Call (800) 7TO-GIVE.

Volunteer luncheon | Hammond

The Mayors Annual Volunteer Luncheon is from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 30 at Jean Shepherd Center, 3031 Mahoney Drive. Tickets are required. A number of awards will be given to individuals, organizations and businesses that exemplify volunteerism. Attendees and award recipients do not have to reside in the city, but should contribute to Hammond-based organizations and programs.

FYI: Call (219) 853-6371.

Taco dinner | Griffith

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 66 is having a taco dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at 132 N. Wiggs St. They are serving tacos, tostadas, and margaritas. Carry-outs and dessert are available.

FYI: Call (219) 924-1415.

Free class | Munster

Living and Dealing with Urologic Issues for Both Men & Women will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave. Urologist Dr. Gregory Bales will discuss a wide range of treatment options ranging from behavioral modification, medications to the latest surgical treatments. He will also cover solutions to women regarding incontinence. Register.

FYI: Call (219) 836-3477.

Blood drive | Munster

Heartland Blood Centers will have a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 30 at Community Hospital, 901 MacArthur Blvd. Donors must be at least 17 years old or 16 with written parental permission; weigh at least 110 pounds; be symptom free of cold, flu and allergies; and be in general good health. Every donor will receive a jacket.

FYI: Call (800) 7TO-GIVE.

Pilgrimage | Northwest Indiana

The Office of Pro-Life Activities from the Diocese of Gary will take its annual March for Life pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., on January 22. It is the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion. The pilgrimage will leave by luxury bus on Jan. 20, 2009, and return Jan. 23. The cost of the trip is $300 for transportation and hotel with a $100 deposit due Nov. 1.

FYI: Call (219) 924-4163.

Pampered Chef | Highland

Highland Elks Lodge 981 is sponsoring a Pampered Chef charity event from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 1 at the lodge hall, 3120 45th St. All

proceeds going to support various Elks charities. The event will feature product demonstrations and food sampling. There is no cost to the

public to attend.

FYI: Call (219) 922-8253.

Winter sports | Hammond

Ages 5 to 12 are invited to join Hammond Parks Winter Recreation Program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 1 through March 21, at Morton Elementary School, 7006 Marshall St. They can also attend at Kenwood Elementary School, 6416 Hohman Ave These supervised programs are free and open to Hammond residents only.

FYI: Download a release at www.gohammond.com or call (219) 853-6378.

OPEN GAMING | Highland

Teen Open Gaming is at 2 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Highland branch of Lake County Public Library, 2841 Jewett St. Ages 11 to 17 are invited to gaming events at the library. Register.

FYI: Call (219) 838-2394.

BLOOD CHALLENGE | Lake County

The 12th annual Indiana University vs. Purdue University Blood Donor Challenge is under way statewide through Nov. 14. At selected American Red Cross blood drives, fans of each school can donate blood on behalf of their team. The winning team will be awarded the traveling trophy at this year's Old Oaken Bucket football game between the schools on Nov. 22 at Purdue.

Local blood drives included in the challenge include one from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 1 at the American Red Cross' Merrillville Donor Center, 791 E. 83rd Ave. Another drive is set for 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at Purdue Calumet Academic Learning Center, 9900 Connecticut Drive in Crown Point.

FYI: To schedule an appointment for the Nov. 1 drive, call (800) 448-3543.

CHECK THE SKY | Lowell

Calumet Astronomical Society hosts free public stargazing open house from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Conway Observatory, 19000 Chase St., southeast of Buckley Homestead County Park. Volunteers will guide visitors in the use of telescopes and astronomical binoculars to observe the majesty of the skies. Programs are dependent on cloud cover and weather conditions. Turn south from Ind. 2 on Hendricks St. to Belshaw Road, then turn left (east) to the first right turn, Chase St., and go one mile south. Dress for outdoor weather. Families are welcome, but must keep a watch on small children in the dark. Standard flashlights are prohibited, but create a red filter light by placing a red balloon over a standard flashlight.

FYI: Call (219) 769-PARK or visit www.casonline.org.