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 Southlake 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.

SPIRIT TREE | Crown Point

Friendship Union Self-Advocacy group is sponsoring a Spirit Tree for individuals with disabilities receiving support from IN-PACT, Inc. The people with disabilities whose tags are on the Spirit Tree have little family involvement and lack financial means to provide basic needs such as clothing, shoes, and bedding. The Spirit Tree is located at the IN-PACT, Inc. main office at 12300 Marshall St. The public is welcome to stop in and pick out a tag to help someone this holiday season.

FYI: Call Ruth Fields, coordinator, at (219) 662-1905.

HOLIDAY DONATIONS | Crown Point

Donate new mittens, gloves and hats, for all ages, to the VNA Mitten Tree, or donate a new unwrapped toy to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys For Tots program, at the crown Point Community Library, 214 S. Court St., and the Winfield branch, 10645 Randolph St. The items will be collected until Dec. 19 and distributed to children in our community. Collection boxes are located near the front entrance of each library.

FYI: Call (219) 663-0270.

FLU SHOTS | Crown Point

Crown Point Public Library will offer a Flu Shot Clinic from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 24 at 214 S. Court St. The vaccinations will be administered by specially trained Jewel-Osco pharmacists. The cost is $24.99 and there is no charge to patients who bring their Medicare Part card.

FYI: Call Laura Clemons at (219) 663-0270.

FURNITURE SALE | Merrillville

Used, but solid furniture will be available in a public sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 26 at the annex building just to the south of the Lake County Public Library main building at 1919 W. U.S. 30. Items include desks, chairs, tables, a variety of shelving, and more. The library will accept payment in cash or checks. All sales will be final.

FYI: Call (219) 769-3541.

MARATHON DRIVE | Hobart

Puerto Rican Parade and Cultural Organization of Northwest Indiana, Inc. and other community organizations will host a Victim of Violence Marathon Drive fundraiser for Jamie Rodriguez, the Hobart teenager who was the victim of a beating in June. It will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30 at Avalon Manor, 3550 E. U.S. 30. Food, entertainment, raffle, 50/50. cash bar and guest speaker Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez. Ticket donation is $10.

FYI: Call Maritza Lopez at (219) 398 - 0632 or Jennifer Pineda at (219) 629 - 0120.

FAMILY GROUP | Lowell

Alcoholics for Christ Family Group is a 12-step Christian fellowship that meets at 7 p.m. Mondays in a classroom at the Lowell Church of Christ, 299 N. Burr St. Is substance abuse causing life problems at work, with family, other relationships, a DUI, etc? Others do care and understand and the family group is a safe place for hurting people. Come and discover the tools God has provided and hope.

FYI: Call the church office at (219) 696-7591 or group leader Ken at (219) 696-4535.

COAT DRIVE | Lowell

A coat drive is being sponsored through the end of the year at Tri-Creek Lumber and Hardware, 1895 E. Commercial Ave. Drop off new or gently used and clean coats of any size for men, women or children from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and they will be distributed to local churches and St. Jude House in Crown Point. During the first coat drive last year, more than 400 winter coats were donated, and charitable organizations anticipate a greater need this year.

FYI: Call (219) 696-8936.

GIVE BLOOD | Hobart

An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Park Annex building, 18 E. Old Ridge Road, Hobart. Donors must be at least 17, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. All donors need to present a positive ID.

FYI: Call (800) 448-3543 for an appointment.

BENEFIT DINNER | Highland

A benefit dinner for Cierra Hernandez will be held Nov. 29 at Chela's Mexican Kitchen, 3325 45th Ave. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. Cierra is a 7-year-old girl from Crown Point who has been fighting Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a rare form of leukemia, since January. Proceeds will benefit her family. Tickets, available at the door, are $10 and include a dinner of various Mexican specialties. There will be a DJ and raffle for cash prizes.

FYI: Call (219) 924-6833.

CUT-A-THON SET | Lowell

Hair stylists of the Town of Lowell will come together with caring hearts and scissors in hand to host a Cut-A-Thon from noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 23 at Classy Cuts, 1001 E. Commercial Ave. Haircuts are $10 and all proceeds will benefit local resident Amanda (Carlin) Hoover, who has been diagnosed with bone cancer and has three children, Lydia, 12, Jamie Jr., 9, and Jeanie, 7. No appointments are necessary. There will be refreshments served, gift bags and a raffle. Proceeds will defray the family's medical costs. Donations can also be made at any Centier Bank location with checks payable to the Hoover Benefit and Family.

FYI: Call (219) 696-2887.

COMBAT CLASSIC | Hammond

Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr., Hammond Parks & Recreation, and Corral's Martial Arts will host the return of Corral's Combat Classic Nov. 22 at the Hammond Civic Center, 5825 S. Sohl Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. General admission is $35. The action features fighters Jared "The Spider" McMahan and Ryan "The Butcher" Brown. Team Corral showcases a Brazilian jiu-jitsu, full contact fighting style. Tickets are available at the Hammond Civic Center Box Office or locations of Corral's Martial Arts at 814 Cedar Parkway in Schererville and 265 Morthland Drive in Valparaiso. Only cash can be used as payment.

FYI: Call (219) 688-7363 or visit www.c3fighter.com.

FOOD COLLECTED | Crown Point

Pinnacle Hospital is holding a food drive through today to benefit the Northwest Indiana Food Bank for Lake and Porter counties. Employees are leading the effort in donating and collecting nonperishable and canned food items and household supplies. Donations can be dropped off at Pinnacle Hospital, 9301 Connecticut Drive.

FYI: Contact Melody Vinyard at mvinyard@pinnaclehealthcare.net or (219) 796-4130.

OPEN HOUSE | Portage

A holiday open house and vendor show from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 25 will be held at the Lupus Foundation of America Office in the Portage Chamber of Commerce Building, 2642 Eleanor St. Avon, Cookie Lee Fine Fashion Jewelry, Creative Memories, Gold Canyon Candles, JCreAtions Jewelry, Mary Kay, Rite Touch, Signature Homestyles, Tastefully Simple and an exhibitor offering pumpkin bread are among the participants in the show. Many will have cash and carry items, and orders for holiday sales will arrive before Christmas. A portion of vendor sales will be donated to the LFA Chapter. Jo Jo the Clown will provide complimentary face painting and balloons for children. Light refreshments will be provided.

FYI: Call (800) 948-8806 or visit www.lupusindiana.org

PET CLINIC | Lake County

National Animal Welfare Society Clinic is offering low-cost pet services to Northwest Indiana residents. Appointments are now being accepted for Dec. 5 and 16. A cat spay is $47 and a neuter is $42. A dog spay is $77 and a neuter is $72. The clinic requires current proof of rabies vaccination. If animal is not current, the clinic offers the vaccine for $15. Exact location will be given with a confirmed appointment.

FYI: Call (219) 962-2853.