Health seminar | Calumet City

The Calumet Memorial Park District is hosting a health and wellness seminar from 6 to 8 tonight at the Sandridge Fitness Center, 600 Oglesby Ave. Participants will learn tips on losing weight, burning fat, reducing water retention, and becoming healthier overall. There will also be free blood pressure checks and BMI readings. Professional fitness bodybuilder Lewis Calloway will provide a posing demonstration. The fee for the seminar is $5 for Sandridge members, and $8 for the general public.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6443 or visit calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com.

Concerts | Chicago Heights

Prairie State College is offering two concerts this spring. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Pioneers Combo will perform tonight, while the Wind Ensemble and the Extreme Big Band Jazz Ensemble will perform on May 5. Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., and are held in Business and Community Center Auditorium on PSC's main campus, 202 S. Halsted St. The concerts are free and open to the public.

FYI: Call: (708) 709-3500.

Historical society | Thornton

The Thornton Historical Society's monthly meeting will be held at 7 tonight. After a brief business meeting, members and guests will hear Elaine Egdorf's presentation of "The Dixie Highway." The public is welcome at all meetings. Starting May 3, the museum will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. every Saturday through September. Visitors will enjoy the new Indian artifact display as well as many other displays depicting the settlement and history of Thornton.

FYI: Call (708) 877-6310.

Vince Award | Lansing

Lan-Oak Park District is accepting nominations for its Vince Award until June 16 at the Park District Administrative Office, 17551 Chicago Ave. Eligible candidates should be people who improved Lan-Oak Park District as a present or former commissioner, staff member or volunteer.

The award honors longtime park commissioner Wayne Vincent, who was instrumental in building the outdoor pool and acquiring and developing parks. The award is presented at the village's Grand Old Fourth celebration.

All nominations should be mailed to the Lan-Oak Park District, 17551 Chicago Ave., Lansing, IL 60438.

FYI: Call (708) 474-5020.

Wine tasting | Lansing

Tickets are now available for the Friends of the Lansing Public Library's wine tasting event, taking place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. June 27 at the library, 2750 Indiana Ave. Tickets cost $20 and are available through Adult Services Department. There will be wine tasting, appetizers and guitar music.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447, ext. 122.

Certified teachers | Chicago

Representatives from Governors State University will host an information session for certified teachers interested in earning a master's in educational administration, and increasing their skills, qualifications, and potentially their income. They will provide information on the program with coursework leading to a Type 75 certificate at 4 p.m. May 1 in the Columbia Explorers Academy Library, 4520 S. Kedzie Ave. This cohort program requires two years to complete, is open to certified teachers with two years experience, and is limited to 25 participants. All classes will be held in Chicago Public Schools.

FYI: Call (708) 534-4536.

Film | South Holland

South Holland Public Library, 16250 Wausau Ave., will show a film about Finland at 1:30 p.m. May 1. Learn about the history of Finland at the Handicrafts Museum, explore a church which has a rock altar that was formed by an ice age crevice and watch reindeer herding in Lapland from a comfortable chair at the library. No registration is necessary for this program.

FYI: Call (708) 331-5262.

Alumni banquet | Hickory Hills, Ill.

The 72nd annual alumni banquet of Mount Carmel High School will be held May 2 at the Lexington House, 7717 W. 95th St. It will benefit the Brother John/Frank Kiszka Memorial Scholarship Fund. Cocktails are at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7:30 p.m. The classes of 1958 and 1983 are the special guests this year. Tickets cost $50 per person.

FYI: Call (773) 359-0463 or e-mail pmcgarry@mchs.org.

Rummage sale | Chicago

Lebanon Lutheran Church, 13100 S. Manistee Ave., will hold a rummage sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3. It is in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood.

FYI: Call (773) 646-2367.

Book discussion | Lansing

Avid Reads Book Discussion will discuss "In the Land of Second Chances" by George Shaffner at 10:30 a.m. May 6 and 6:30 p.m. May 7 at Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave. Copies are available at the Circulation Desk. Register for this free program.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447, ext. 122.

MOTORCYCLE RIDE | Munster

The American Veterans Motorcycle Riders Association, Chapter 1, is helping with a bike run May 4 for Relay for Life in Hammond. Relay is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization that raises money for research and community awareness of cancer. The ride start at Calumet Harley Davidson, on Calumet Avenue just north of Main Street. Signups and donations start at noon with the last motorcycle leaving at 1:30 p.m. Cost is $20 for single riders and $10 for passengers. T-shirts and pins will go to the first 250 riders. The public is welcome. The ride ends at Wicker Park Pavilion in Highland. Food, prizes, beer garden, 50-50 raffle and a deejay will be part of the event. Relay for Life is set for June 13 at Gavit High School.

FYI: Call (219) 798-6407 or (219) 838-6512.

Screening | Lansing

A stroke and vascular screening will be offered to Lansing Area residents from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. April 29 at Lan-Oak Park District's Eisenhower Fitness Center, 2550 E. 178th St.

FYI: Call (877) 732-8258.

Storyteller | Glenwood

Storyteller Linda Gorham will perform from 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 8 at Glenwood-Lynwood Public Library, 320 Glenwood-Lansing Road. Gorham will perform a family friendly show using traditional African techniques. Space is limited.

FYI: Call (708) 758-0090.

Tea | Lansing

Lansing Public Library will host Mother's Day Tea at 10:30 a.m. May 10. First- through fifth- graders and their mothers are invited to come for a special tea party to celebrate Mother's Day. Come enjoy tea and finger foods and make a project to take home. Dress clothes are welcome. Space is limited; sign up at the Youth Reference desk. The library is at 2750 Indiana Ave.

FYI: Call (708) 474-2447.

GRANDPA'S GARAGE SALE | Homewood

Vendors are needed for Grandpa's Garage Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 at the Lions Club pool's parking lot, 1041 Ridge Road. The vendor fee is $15 for residents and $22.50 for nonresidents. Proceeds benefit Homewood-Flossmoor Park District senior programming.

FYI: Call (708) 957-7275 or visit hfparks.com.

PRAYER DAY | Highland

Highland's National Day of Prayer and a tribute to troops, originally set for May 1, has been canceled.

FYI: Call (219) 924-5783.

CINCO DE MAYO | Hammond

The Hammond Parks and Recreation Department announces the fourth annual Cinco De Mayo Celebration set for 5 p.m. to midnight May 2 at the Hammond Civic Center, 5825 S. Sohl Ave. Tickets are on sale at the center's business office for $10 each. A cash bar will be available. This colorful gala features fantastic buffet style Mexican cuisine by Jonathan's on 150th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Mariachis de Colores perform during dinner from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Ballet Folklorico dances from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.; live entertainment by Everardo y su Flota Musical is featured 7:30 to 9 p.m.; and the band Together performs 9:30 to 11:30 p.m..

FYI: Call 853-6378 for more information or visit http://www.gohammond.com.

CANCER SUPPORT | Munster

Yoga will be offered from 10 to 11 a.m. April 28 at the Cancer Resource Centre, 900 Ridge Road, Suite J. The center offers free education programs and support groups for those with a cancer diagnosis and their families. The yoga session is for beginners or accomplished meditators. A yoga lecture on internal cleansing is set for 6 to 7:15 p.m. April 30. Participants learn yogic methods and tools they can use to get rid of toxins, mucous and excess negative energy. Register for either program.

FYI: Call (219) 836-3349.

SKIN CANCER | Munster/St. John

Skin cancer screenings will be offered from 9 to 11 a.m. May 3 by Hammond Clinic ermatologists at the Specialty Center in Munster and at St. John. The free tests are by appointment only. When making an appointment, indicate which siet is preferred.

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

LOYALTY DAY | Munster

Veterans of Foreign Wars, District 1, conducts a Loyalty Day ceremony at 2 p.m. May 4 at the Community Veterans Memorial, at Calumet Avenue and Superior Street. Hobart High School's Wolffgang Chorus will perform. The VFW invites the public to the ceremony and to tour the memorial while celebrating the gift of liberty. Participants will remember the men and women who defend the country's freedom around the world and pray for their success and safe return home.

FYI: Call (219) 836-6033.

TIN MILL RETIREES | Merrillville

USS Gary Sheet and Tin Mill Retirees meet for the spring luncheon May 1 at Croation Hall, 8550 Taft St. Doors open at 11 a.m. and ticket sales start at 11:30 a.m. Tickets cost $13 per person and include an all-you-eat buffet lunch served at noon. Attendees can meet new and old retirees.

FYI: Call (219) 987-2537 or (219) 663-5851.

YOUTH CHORUS | Munster

The Northwest Indiana Youth Chorus presents Songs of the People concert at 7:30 tonight at the Carmelite Banquet Center, 1628 Ridge Road. The Treble Juniors, Treble Seniors and Chorale will perform patriotic songs and a variety of classical and Broadway musical selections such as "On My Own" from "Les Miserables" and "When You Believe" from "Prince of Egypt." The concert is free and open to the public. Signups will be taken after the concert for auditions for the 2008-09 fall-spring session.

FYI: Call (219) 838-4428.

SERVICE OF MEMORIES | Munster

The public is invited to remember loved ones and friends who have died during a service of memories at 4:30 p.m. May 4 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8955 Columbia Ave. The names of those to be remembered will be read, and candles will be lit in their memory. A short homily, music, dance and readings to memorialize the departed will be included.

FYI: Call (219) 838-3131.