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

To get listed in the calendar, submit items at least 10 days in advance to community editor Melinda Moore.

• E-mail: mmoore@nwitimes.com.

• Fax: (219) 933-3249.

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

• Questions? Call (219) 933.3396.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Highland

A youth ministry fundraiser, a pancake breakfast, is set for 7 to 9 a.m. April 20 at Highland Baptist Church, 9738 Fifth St. Sausage, cereal and fruit will be served as well. The cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children 10 and younger; donations will be accepted.

FYI: Call (219) 924-7750.

FOOD PANTRY | Dyer

St. Joseph's Helping Hands Food Pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to noon and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 16 in the Gathering Room in the lower level of St. Joseph's Church, 440 Joliet St. (U.S. 30). Needy residents of Dyer, Schererville, St. John, and Griffith are eligible and should bring two proofs of residency.

FYI: Call (219) 865-2271.

FISH DERBY | Hammond

Rig up those poles and get ready for the 11th annual mayor's fishing derby from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 19 at the Hammond Marina. This free event is open to adults and children, with prizes awarded for largest salmon, largest trout, largest bass and most gobys. Participants may fish on the outer Lake Michigan break wall, on the inside, west end docks of the marina break wall and from land. No fishing from a boat is allowed. Participants must have current Indiana fishing license and stamp.

FYI: Call (219) 659-7678.

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ART LEAGUE | Munster

Illiana Art League meets at 6:30 p.m. April 14 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8955 Columbia Ave. This month's meeting features Wiley Dummich, an abstract acrylic artist. He will show his methods of creations and will bring samples of his work. He will discuss the basics of abstract art as it developed from conservative realism, then expressionism, and then abstract expressionism. Examples of his work can be viewed at picasaweb.google/Wileys.Art.

FYI: Call (219) 864-0593.

RUMMAGE, BAKE SALE | Highland

The Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America, Awalim Court No. 9, holds an indoor rummage and bake sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 18 and 19 at Indiana Harbor Masonic Temple 2234 Martha St. Items for sale will include housewares, knickknacks, seasonal, jewelry, books, furniture, infant and children's clothing and baked goods.

FYI: Call (219) 838-7686.

BACKWARD DAY | St. John

Schoolchildren in kindergarten through third grade will celebrate National Library Week attending this program wearing their clothes backward. The session is set for 4 p.m. April 18 at the Lake County Public Library's St. John branch, 9450 Wicker Ave. Stories, poems, games and a snack will be included. Register.

FYI: Call (219) 365-5379.

BEANIES AND WEENIES | Griffith

First United Methodist Church offers Beanies and Weenies - a bean bag tournament and hot dog lunch - from 1 to 5 p.m. April 19 at 44th Place and Cline Avenue. Children's activities and nursery will be available. Cost is $5 per person. RSVP.

FYI: Call (219) 838-6900.

BLOOD DRIVE | St. John/Hammond

An American Red Cross blood drive will take place from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 14 at VFW Post 717, 10400 W. 93rd Ave. in St. John. Another drive is set for 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 15 at the jean Shepherd Community Center, 3031 Mahoney Drive in Hammond. All blood drives are open to the public.

FYI: Call (800) GIVE-LIFE.

BOOK SIGNING | Gary

A book signing and reception will take place at 1:30 p.m. April 20 at New Hope Baptist Church, 2307 Rhode Island St. Gary native Edward Cook Jr., a published author and graduate of Ball State Academy and Dennison University, will sign copies of his book. He is the son of Edward Cook Sr. and Antoinette Williams.

FYI: Call (219) 938-0247.

STORY TIME | Munster

Fantastic 4s and 5s meets at 10:30 a.m. April 15 and 29 at the Lake County Public Library's Munster branch, 8701 Calumet Ave. Children 4 and 5 years old will celebrate stories about spring and Earth, make a craft and enjoy music.

FYI: Call (129) 836-8450.

ATHLETIC BOOSTERS | St. John

The next meeting of the Lake Central High School Athletic Boosters is at 7 p.m. April 13 in the Freshmen Center LGI Room.

FYI: Call (219) 265-1729.

JIMMY BUFFETT TRIBUTE | Washington Township

Parrots of the Caribbean, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band, will perform from 7 to 11 p.m. April 19 at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road. The evening will include music, dancing and a cash bar. Tickets cost $25 per person. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased in Valparaiso at Memorial Opera House, 104 Indiana Ave.; Pass Times, 217 E. Lincolnway; and Franklin House, 58 Campbell St. In St. John, tickets are available at Bar Louie, 8209 U.S. 41. Tickets also are available online at www.mohlive.com. To see the band, visit www.potcband.com.

FYI: Call (219) 464-0133 or e-mail expocenter@portercounty.org.

SPAGHETTI DINNER | Hammond

A spaghetti dinner, open to the public, will be served from 4:30 to 7 p.m. April 12 at First United Methodist Church, 6635 Hohman Ave. The meal, which includes spaghetti, salad, bread, coffee or tea and dessert, costs $7 for adults and $3.50 for children 4 to 12 years old. Carryouts are available, and tables of eight can be reserved.

FYI: Call (219) 932-5915.

PURSE AUCTION | Highland

Zeta Omega chapter of Delta Theta Tau sorority is hosting its second annual Purse Auction from 2 to 4 p.m. April 13 at the Elks Lodge 981, 3120 45th St. Admission is $5,in advance or at the door, and includes light appetizers. Each purse auctioned will hold a surprise gift inside for the winner. The action starts promptly at 2:45 p.m. Raffle tickets are also available for $5. Proceeds will benefit several local Lake County charities.

FYI: Call (219) 924-8810.

FLYING SAUCERS | Munster

Go Round and Round, for children of all ages, is offered at 4 p.m. April 16 at the Lake County Public Library's Munster branch, 8701 Calumet Ave. To celebrate National Library Week, attendees will look at some great books and decoupage flying saucers. Children younger than 5 must be accompanied by an adult.

FYI: Call (219) 836-8450.

BRIDAL FAIR | Chesterton

A Spring Bridal Extravaganza presented by The Times and Shore Bride Magazine and coordinated by Christina's Creative Planning will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. April 13 at 1001 Sand Creek Drive South, Ind. 49 to Porter Road East. Live music, demonstrations and extravagant raffles are included. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door.

FYI: Call (219) 933-4199, (219) 395-5222 or (219) 750-1040.

IN THE GARDEN | Highland

Children in kindergarten and older celebrate National Library Week by listening to "Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!" at 3:30 p.m. April 16 at the Lake County Public Library's Highland branch, 2841 Jewett St. They also will make their own greenhouse out of a pop bottle (and plant seeds). Register.

FYI: Call (219) 838-2394.