HAMMOND

Purdue Cal offers class on business success

Seating is limited to 15 for a noncredit class designed to help prospective business owners develop business plans.

Set to begin Sept. 17, the class is offered through Purdue University Calumet's Center for Entrepreneurship Success and will be led by the center's director, entrepreneur Dushan Nikolovski.

The class meets from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 29.

The class offers the expertise of professional business plan consultants, financial reviews by banking experts, one-on-one consultation, written materials and computer software.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Enrollment fee is $399.

Additional information is available by calling (219) 989-2100.

WHITING

School Board schedules budget adoption, retreat

The Whiting School Board has a series of regular and special meetings scheduled in the next few months.

The board meets at 6 p.m. Monday to adopt its 2009 budget.

A regular board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 22, and the board has a retreat set for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 6.

All meetings are at the Administration Building, second floor, located at 1500 Center St. in Whiting.

GRIFFITH

Salvation Army kicks off its toy drive on Sept. 20

The Salvation Army believes it's not too early to get a jump on Christmas, so it is sponsoring its annual Pilots with Presents and Motorcycles with Presents Sept. 20 at the Griffith Airport.

The effort is to help build the Salvation Army Christmas Toy Drive.

Guests can take a ride on a plane for a $5 donation and a new toy valued at $10, or take a ride for $15 without the toy.

Santa arrives by plane at 10 a.m.

The event runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the airport, 1705 E. Main St., Griffith.

HAMMOND

Crime Watch sets its next meeting Sept. 16

The East Hammond/Pullman Neighborhood Crime Watch hosts its next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Ophelia Steen Community Center, 5927 Columbia Ave., Hammond.

Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter is the featured speaker. The Hammond Police Department will provide information on current criminal activities in the area.

DYER

Church hosts event on Friday for food pantry

Dyer United Methodist Church hosts a scavenger hunt at 6 p.m. Friday.

Children in kindergarten through fifth grade will go door to door to collect specific items that are needed for the food pantry. Items that are especially needed include toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, laundry soap, toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo and deodorant. Donations also can be dropped off at the church during church hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, call (219) 865-8947 or visit www.dyerumc.org.

HAMMOND

Hammond set to begin hydrant flushing Sept. 17

The Hammond Water Works Department will be flushing hydrants in the city, beginning Sept. 17.

The flushing starts on the north side of the city and proceeds south. The process will take four to six weeks.

During the flushing, some residents may experience discoloration in the water. Should that happen, crews suggest running the cold water for a few minutes.

For more information, call (219) 853-6429.