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.

BABIES AND BOOKS | Hammond

Babies and Books is offered at 10:30 a.m. March 28 and April 11 and 25 at the Hammond Public Library's E.B. Hayward branch, 1212 172nd St. Participants can introduce their infants to books and rhymes.

FYI: Call (219) 844-2668.

NAVY PIER TRIP | Dyer

The Dyer Parks and Recreation Department offers a trip April 26 to Navy Pier in Chicago. While there, visit the Chicago Children's Museum, Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, Funhouse Maze or any of the other numerous attractions. Fee of $25 for residents and $28 for nonresidents covers school bus transportation to and from Navy Pier. Fees for other attractions are not included. Participants leave at 9:30 a.m. from Town Hall and return about 4 p.m. The registration deadline is April 18.

FYI: Call (219) 865-2505.

MOTHER GOOSE | Highland

Mother Goose on the Loose is offered at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. April 1 at the Lake County Public Library's Highland branch, 2841 Jewett St. Babies and toddlers, 6 to 35 months old, accompanied by a caregiver, will enjoy this 30-minute interactive nursery rhyme program filled with rhymes, books, songs and movement. Register.

FYI: Call (219) 838-2394.

GIRLS SOFTBALL | Calumet Twp.

Lake Ridge Girls Softball still has two open positions for girls 13 to 16 years old and two spots for girls 8 to 6 years old. The season starts in June. High school players are welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 985-0247 or 985-1986.

HEALTH FAIR | Gary

A Healthy Start health fair will be held by the Interfaith Clergy Council and Vicinity from 10 a.m. to noon March 29 at Carter Memorial C.M.E. Church, 635 E. 49th Ave. The health fair will feature health screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and sickle cell markers, colorectal testing, and a cardiovascular workup. A cardiovascular presentation by Dr. Andre Artis will promote a healthier approach to good heart health.

FYI: Call (219) 887-7613.

GENEALOGY SEARCH | Merrillville

Search on the Internet for genealogical information at 2 and 6:30 p.m. April 2 and at 6:30 p.m. April 14 at the Lake County Public Library's Cedar Lake branch, 10010 E. 133rd Ave. Participants will discover the amount of information available on the Internet for tracing their ancestors and will learn how to use the library's Ancestry Library, Heritage Quest, and Pro-Quest Obituaries databases. Every participant will have a computer available and time to do some online research. Register.

FYI: Call (219) 374-7121.

CLASSIC FILM | Highland

Classics On the Big Screen is at 2 and 6 p.m. March 31 at the Lake County Public Library's Highland branch, 2841 Jewett St. One of the most rousingly enjoyable sports movie ever made takes place in small-town Indiana. Highlighted by the superb performances of Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey and Dennis Hopper, this 1986 feature is the quintessential American movie about beating the odds and rising above one's own limitations. It will be shown on the big screen and refreshments will be served. Register.

FYI: Call (219) 838-2394.

TINY TOTS | Hammond

Tiny Tots Lapsit Toddler Time for youths 18 to 36 months old is offered at 10:30 a.m. March 27, April 17 and April 24 at the Hammond Public Library, 564 State St. Call (219) 931-5100, ext, 336. Session is 10:30 a.m. April 10 at the library's Howard branch, 7047 Grand Ave.; call 844-1622. It's offered at noon April 3 and 17 at the library's E.B. Hayward branch, 1212 172nd St.; call 844-2668.

BUSY BEES | Highland

Busy Bees: Funny Face is at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. April 2 at the Lake County Public Library's Highland branch, 2841 Jewett St. Preschoolers 3 to 5 years old will listen to funny stories, sing active songs and make a silly face flip book. Sign up in advance.

FYI: Call (219) 838-2394.

AUTOIMMUNE SUPPORT | Munster

Autoimmune Support Group meets at noon March 29 in the Hammond Clinic's Specialty Center, 7905 Calumet Ave., immediately following a smoking cessation seminar. The group is affiliated with the Northwest Indiana Lupus Foundation. Register.

FYI: Call (219) 836-3600 or visit www.hammondclinic.com.

ARTIST AUDITIONS | LaPorte

Auditions for the 2008 Florence Andrew Young Artist Competition, sponsored by the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra, will be 9 a.m. to noon April 12 at Presbyterian Church of LaPorte, 307 Kingsbury Ave. The winner(s) will be featured at a LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra Concert in November, February or March 2009. They also will receive a $200 award. The competition is open to any young instrumental musician through grade 12 during the 2008-2009 school year. A student must be a full-time resident in Northwest Indiana or southwest Michigan and be enrolled in a school music program or private instruction. Artists who have been selected as winners are not eligible to participate for two years. Entrants will be asked to perform a movement from a concerto or other standard orchestral work of his or her choice. All pieces must be from memory. The entry fee is $15, and entries must be postmarked by April 1.

FYI: Visit www.lcso.net, e-mail lmorris@csinet.net or call (219) 362-9020.

KINDERMUSIK LESSONS | St. John

St. John Parks and Recreation Department offers Kindermusik's Our Time, Away We Go! with instructor Geri Wolff Kindermusik provides a foundation for all learning and development: physical, emotional, cognitive, social, language and musical enrichment and development. Classes, for youths 18 months old to 3 years old with a parent, meet from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Fridays, April 4 to July 11, at the recreation department office, 9350 Hack St., building 2. The fee is $160 for residents and $165 for nonresidents, with a $60 material fee payable to the instructor. Material include two music books, a home activity book, two home CD's, child's carry box/bag, instruments and two harmonicas. Register in advance.

FYI: Call (219) 718-7263 or e-mail gbwolff@yahoo.com, or call 365-6236 or e-mail csobek@stjohnin.com.

'AELITA' SHOW | Hammond

See "Aelita, Queen of Mars the Silent Musical" at 8 p.m. March 28 and 29 at Beatniks on Conkey, 418 Conkey St. It's performed live by the Muscovite Repertory Theater Company. It's a unique film/theater experience. Doors open at 7 p.m. The audience is invited to wear costumes. Admission is $8 and includes refreshments.

FYI: Call (219) 852-0848 or www.beatniksonconkey.com.

GUITAR SESSION | Highland

HGS Music offers group guitar lessons twice a month. The next session is 2 to 4 p.m. March 30 at 2629 Highway Ave. Lessons are open to players of all ages. A basic understanding of power and bar chords and tablature reading is suggested. Participants should bring an acoustic or electric guitar. No amplifiers are needed. It costs $10. Marc Quagliara, local musician and HGS instructor, hosts the sessions. Each features a different band's music.

FYI: Call 923-9210, visit www.hgsmusic.net or email hgsmusic@sbcglobal.net.

AUDITIONS | Whiting

Hammond Community Theatre will hold open auditions for "To Gillian, On Her 37th Birthday" by Michael Brady and directed by Andrea Creasbaum, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. March 31 and April 1 at Black Box Theater at Calumet College, 2400 New York Ave. There are roles for two men and five women, ages 16 to 40. Performances will be May 23, 24, 30 and 31 at the theater.

FYI: Visit www.hammondcommunitytheatre.org.

TOT TALES | Calumet Twp.

Mother Goose On the Loose is offered at 1:30 p.m. April 3, 10, 17 and 24 at the Lake County Public Library's 41st Avenue branch, 3491 W. 41st Ave. Babies and toddlers, 6 to 35 months old, accompanied by a caregiver, are invited for this lap-sit program to sing songs, learn rhymes and hear stories geared toward early childhood development. Register.

FYI: Call (219) 980-5180.

ANTIQUES SHOW | Washington Twp.

Mental Health America of Porter County holds the 21st annual Antiques and Collectibles Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 30 at Porter County Expo Center, Ind. 49 at Division Road. Admission is $4. Children younger than 12 years will be admitted free. The event features a Porter County's Own Antique Revue from 6 to 9 p.m. March 28. The casual evening will feature free appraisals, silent auction, appetizer buffet and an early start on shopping. Dealers' booths will be open for sales. Tickets for the revue cost $25, and there will be a cash bar. The antiques show will feature dealers with an array of antiques and collectibles such as antique glassware, Coca-Cola collections, furniture and toys. Concessions will be sold. The antiques show is a major benefit for Mental Health America of Porter County, a nonprofit organization that has been promoting mental wellness for more than 54 years.

FYI: Call (219) 462-6267.