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

TODAY

FALL EXPO | Hobart

Merrillville Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2009 Fall Expo from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Avalon Manor, 3550 E. U.S. 30. This year's theme is Bounty of Business. Stop in and see the products and services displayed by a variety of area businesses. There will be door prizes for attendees as well as on-air personalities from Radio One Communications. Admission is free.

FYI: Call (219) 769-8180 or visit www.merrillvillecoc.org.

THURSDAY

PROS NETWORKING | Munster

NWI PROs (Professional Referral Organization) opened its fifth chapter Sept. 18. Meetings will be held from

7:30 to 8:30 a.m. every Friday at The Times Newspaper, 601 W. 45th Ave., with networking before and after. PROs is a group of Business Professionals committed to growing their businesses and the businesses of members through qualified referrals, introductions and networking. PROs follows a non-compete policy allowing only one business per category in each group. In addition to opening the West Lake Chapter (Munster, Hammond, Highland, Griffith), PROs also offers meetings Mondays in Merrillville, Tuesdays in Tri-Town, Wednesdays in Crown Point, and Thursdays in Valparaiso.

FYI: Contact Jacki Kennedy at (219) 322-4887 or Jacki@Kennedy2000.com.

MAYOR'S NIGHT OUT | Hammond

Meet Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. during Mayor's Night Out from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 24 at The Center at Purdue University Calumet, 2300 - 173rd St. The mayor and several department heads will answer questions in an open forum and discuss issues and concerns one-on-one.

FYI: Call the mayor's office at (219) 853-6301.

DRAMA ON STAGE | Hammond

The Towle Theater, 5205 Hohman Ave., presents the suspense drama "Guilty Conscience" at 8 p.m. Sept. 24 to 26 and at 2 p.m. Sept. 27. Tickets are $15; reservations are recommended.

FYI: Call (219) 937-8780 or visit www.towletheater.org to purchase tickets.

KITCHEN UPDATES | Hobart

A free Do-It-Herself Workshop on Kitchen Updates will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Southlake Home Depot, 2851 E. U.S. 30. Gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to update the kitchen with easy home improvement projects. Advance registration is not required.

FYI: Call (219) 942-2136.

RETIRED TEACHERS | Merrillville

Lake County Chapter of Indiana Teachers Association - Retired will hold its fall meeting at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 24 at T.J. Maloney's restaurant inside The Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, Interstate 65 and U.S. 30.

FYI: RSVP to Estelle at (219) 980-1810 or ebecke@sbcglobal.net.

WATERCOLOR PAINTING | Schererville

A Beginning Watercolor Painting class will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 24 through Nov. 12, at Lake Hills Baptist Church, 9209 W. 85th Ave. (at Austin Avenue). Open to adults and interested children attending with a parent, cost is $35 for materials for each adult and $10 for a child sharing paints with a parent.

FYI: Call (219) 365-4747.

VIRTUAL DEMENTIA TOUR | Crown Point

In an effort to help caregivers better relate to the challenges of Alzheimer's disease, a Virtual Dementia Tour will be offered at 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at Franciscan Adult Day Services, 203 Franciscan Drive. This tour allows caregivers to walk a mile in the shoes of one living with Alzheimer's disease. The Virtual Dementia Tour gives people a glimpse of what it is like to live with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia by impairing the senses of the caregiver temporarily with goggles, headphones and gloves. The tour aims to simulate some of the challenges that people with dementia may face in completing routine tasks like sharpening a pencil, writing a letter or putting on a sweater.

FYI: Call Jason Dananay at (219) 661-5164 to RSVP.

FRIDAY

DAY OF PLAY | Lake Station

Lake Station Boys & Girls Club will host a Worldwide Day of Play from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at Riverview Park, 2701 Ripley St. Worldwide Day of Play is cosponsored by Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Nickelodeon. The event will offer bounce houses, a DJ, flag football, dancing, softball, volleyball, sack races, face painting, and food.

FYI: Call the club at (219) 218-5548 or visit worldwidedayofplay/nick.com.

MEDICINE INTERACTIONS | Merrillville

Alzheimer's Services of Northern Indiana offers hope and help for caregivers of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Leona Bachan, community relations coordinator, and Barbara Dzikowski, program director of Alzheimer's Services of Northern Indiana, offer free monthly classes in meeting rooms B & D at the Lake County Public Library, 1919 W. 81st Ave. The classes are free, but registration is requested. From 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 25, the session is a basic introduction to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It is advised that participants attend this session at least once. The second session is from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 25, and features Wesley Matthias, R.Ph., CGP, BCPP, who will discuss medicines and their interactions. He has worked the last 17 years in geriatric pharmacy and geriatric health, spending most of the last nine years working specifically in the dementia and developmentally disabled populations. He is both a Certified Geriatric Pharmacist and Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist.

FYI: Call (219) 789-2470 or (888) 303-0180.

SATURDAY

CRAFT FAIR | Griffith

Griffith Boy Scout Troop 264 will again be hosting the Fall Harvest Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 26 and 27 in Central Park on Broad Street.

FYI: For booth information, call Joanne at (219) 922-6590 or e-mail jmepme6059@att.net for more information.

PUNT, PASS & KICK | Hammond

Punt, Pass & Kick competition for boys and girls ages 8 through 15 will take place on Sept. 26 at Morton High School, 6915 Grand Ave. Participants are eligible to win a trip to the NFL playoffs. Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Competition starts at 9. A copy of the child's birth certificate is mandatory; football shoes are not allowed. Registration forms and more information are available at the Jean Shepherd Center or the Hammond Civic Center.

FYI: Call (219) 853-6378.

SUNDAY

FALL CONCERT | Griffith

Fall Concert will be held at 3 p.m. Sept. 27 at Griffith High School auditorium, 600 N. Wiggs St. Admission is $4.

FYI: Call (219) 924-4281.

MONDAY

CALL FOR SCRAPBOOKERS | Hammond

An adult scrapbooking session is at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Hammond Public Library's E. B. Hayward Branch, 1212 172nd St. Bring projects to work on.

FYI: To reserve a table, call Sally Opolski at (219) 844-2668.

AUTHORS DISCUSSED | Hammond

Ebony Expressions is a discussion group featuring African American authors. Maya Angelou's "The Heart of a Woman" will be discussed at 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Hammond Public Library, 564 State St.

FYI: Call (219) 931-5100, ext. 349.

REAL ESTATE SCHOOL | Munster

Munster Parks and Recreation Department and Partners Real Estate School offers an Indiana Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Sept. 28 through Nov. 19, at Partners Real Estate School, 1842 45th Ave. The Indiana Real Estate Commission requires the successful completion of this 54-hour course in order to sit for the licensing test. The course fee includes the text books, other required course materials, there mandatory tests as well as a Certificate of Completion. There is a $35 nonrefundable registration fee. (Separately, for an additional $63, register for the licensing test in Merrillville.) Reading, studying and homework is required. Course fee is $215 for residents and $225 for nonresidents. Register at the Munster Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road or by mail.

FYI: Call (219) 836-PARK.

ONGOING

ORDER CALENDARS | Highland

Highland Historical Society is offering a 2010 Centennial calendar, "Reflections," for $7. The calendar will include a brief history of Highland with a mix of old and new photos to reflect 100 years of Highland. Reserve calendars by placing an order by Sept. 30.

FYI: Call Sue Douthett at (219) 922-1047 or Sheila Wadkins at (219) 838-7861.

AFTER SCHOOL | Gary

City of Gary Youth Services Bureau's Extended Day and After School program is now open for youth 5 to 18 through May 27, 2010. Free to participants, the Extended Day Program offers homework assistance, recreation, special events, art, guest speakers and refreshments from 2:15 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Marquette Elementary School, 6401 Hemlock Ave., and Brunswick Elementary School, 5701 W. Seventh Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 881-5270.

UPCOMING

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY | Crown Point

Learn the language of medicine through a Medical Terminology course that will be offered from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 30 to Nov. 18, in the Marian Education Center at St. Anthony Medical Center, 1201 S. Main St. Cost is $75 for employees; $125 for nonemployees.

FYI: Call the Health Resource Center at (219) 757-6368 to register.

MUSICAL TRIP | Whiting

Whiting Parks and Recreation Department will be sponsoring a trip to the Theatre at the Center in Munster to see the musical "Man of La Mancha" on Oct. 11. Bus leaves the Whiting Community Center at 1:45 p.m. and will return at approx. 5 p.m. Cost is $30. Registration is required.

FYI: Call (219) 659-0860 or visit www.whitingindiana.com.

CRAFTERS NEEDED | Griffith

St. Mary Home & School Association from St. Mary Church is accepting applications for its annual craft fair, Harvest of Crafts, which will be held Oct. 10 and 11 at St. Mary Hildebrandt Hall, 525 N. Lafayette St. Also available at the craft fair is the Pumpkin Patch Cafe, school Bake Sale and Craft Raffle Booth.

FYI: Call Yvonne Tucker at (219) 923-5735.