Find out all the events going on in your community, and plan your week's activities with The Times. Contact Valparaiso community coordinator Annette Arnold at (219) 548-4359 or Portage community coordinator Barbara Martin at (219) 762-1397, ext. 2227. E-mail: aarnold@nwitimes.com or bmartin@nwitimes.com.

DAYS OF PRAYER | Portage

Local churches continue their observance of the National Day of Prayer with prayer services that will culminate with each church offering its own prayers during Global Day of Prayer on May 11, Pentecost Sunday.

Prayer services will be held at the following churches. The community is invited to participate in any of the services.

6 p.m. today at New Hope Church of God, 712 N. County Road 450 West, South Haven.

5 p.m. May 4 at Portage Christian Fellowship, 6450 Evergreen Ave.

7 p.m. May 6 at Family Bible Church, 3190 Lancer St. Suite A.

7 p.m. May 7 at Grace Baptist Church, 5785 Mulberry Ave.

7 p.m. May 8 at Dominion Life Changing Ministries, 2709 Brandt St.

7 p.m. May 9 at House of Prayer, 2738 Blake Road.

6 p.m. May 10 at First Assembly of God, 2386 Willowcreek Road.

On May 11, all churches will celebrate Global Day of Prayer, Pentecost Sunday.

FYI: Call (219) 762-0896.

LUTE FAMILY | Portage

Representatives of the Lute family will be on hand to talk to visitors today at the Alton Goin Museum, 5250 U.S. 6. The Lute family is the latest in the Portage Community Historical Society's Early Settlers series of exhibits at the museum. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The Trager Farmhouse is open on Saturdays also.

FYI: Call Lois at (219) 762-4218.

NATIVITY BINGO | Portage

Nativity of Our Savior offers bingo Monday evenings at the church hall, 2929 Willowcreek Road. Early-bird games start at 6 p.m., followed by regular bingo at 6:45 p.m. May 5 is Birthday Monday. All May birthdays will receive their first set-up for free. On May 12, Nativity will hold Free Hot Ball Bingo. May 19 is $9.99 bingo. There will be no bingo on May 26, Memorial Day. June 2 is Birthday Bingo; all June birthdays receive their first set-up for free.

FYI: Visit www.nativitybingo.homestead.com.

FREE MULCH | Portage

The Portage Street Department is offering free mulch to Portage residents. Residents can inspect the mulch at the street department, 2303 Hamstrom Road, before delivery. The department will offer free delivery within city limits, but there is a fee to return any unused or unwanted mulch.

FYI: Call (219) 762-4564.

SEND TEACHERS TO SCHOOL | Portage

During May, customers to Bass Pro Shops, 6425 Daniel Burnham Drive, can make $2 donations to support The American Wilderness Leadership School in the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Jackson, Wyo. They also can nominate a teacher to attend the school during Pass Pro Shops week, July 30 to Aug. 6. SCI Foundation, which runs the school, will choose one teacher from each of the Bass Pro Shops stores across the country to attend. Bass Pro Shops will pay for that teacher to attend, and the teacher will receive continuing education credit or advanced degree credit for completing the school. Nomination forms are available at the Portage store.

FYI: Visit www.safariclubfoundation.org/teacher.

CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO | Portage

The Ladies Auxiliary of Portage Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7760 will celebrate Cinco de Mayo beginning at noon today at the post, 2803 Monnier St. The menu includes Mexican food. Take-outs will be available, as will drinks and door prizes. Music will be provided by Calvan. The public is invited.

FYI: Call (219) 762-0434.

FREE TAE KWON DO | Portage

Elite Martial Arts Academy, 5347 U.S. 6, will offer two free Tae Kwon Do classes starting from noon to 1 p.m. today. Classes are open to ages 5 years to adult.

FYI: Call (219) 762-4337.

BONNER BINGO | Portage

Bonner Senior Center will hold its fundraiser bingo May 4 at the center, 5800 Lexington Ave. Early-bird bingo starts at 12:15 p.m., and regular bingo begins at 1 p.m. Set-ups are $15 and include lunch, served until 1 p.m. The event also includes door prizes. Fundraiser bingo is held the first Sunday of the month, except on holiday weekends.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1522.

SUNDAY BREAKFAST | South Haven

South Haven American Legion Post 502 will host an all-you-can-eat Sunday breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. May 4 at the post, 429 W. County Road 750 North. The menu will include biscuits and gravy, eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, toast, pancakes, French toast stix, coffee and drinks. The cost is $6 person with reduced prices for children.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2121.

KARAOKE | Westville

An adult karaoke contest begins at 7 tonight at American Legion Post 21, 107 Flynn Road. There is a $5 registration fee and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. Music by Drop Dead Fred.

FYI: Call (219) 785-2923.

WOMAN'S CLUB | Chesterton

"Today's Leadership Patterns" will be presented by GFWC Chesterton Woman's Club president Judy Tyler at the May 5 meeting at the Westchester Public Library Service Center. All committee reports also will be given at the 1 p.m. meeting and new members will be inducted. The Westchester Food Pantry donation is personal care items. Hostesses for the meeting are Joan Costello, chairman, and Janice Custer, Sharon Robbins and Barbara Stroud.

FYI: Call (219) 926-4123.

BOOK DISCUSSION | Hebron

Hebron Public Library will hold a Novel Ideas Book Discussion from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. May 8 at the library, 201 W. Sigler St. "Deception Point' by Dan Brown is this month's book.

FYI: Call (219) 996-3684.

OIL PAINTING | Hebron

Hebron Public Library, 201 W. Sigler St., will hold an introduction to oil painting class from 5:0 to 8:30 p.m. May 19 at 201 Sigler St. A sample painting is on display at the library. The $45 fee includes instruction and all painting supplies.

FYI: Call (219) 996-3684.

MOTHER'S DAY CRAFT | Hebron

The Hebron Public Library will have a Mother's Day Craft from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. May 6 at the library, 201 Sigler St. Cost is $2 and must be paid upon registration. This is for grades kindergarten through 6.

FYI: Call (219) 996-3684.

FUNDRAISER BENEFIT | Valparaiso

Mental Health America of Porter County will present a fundraiser to benefit mental wellness in Porter County. Porter County Unplugged is from 5 to 8 p.m. May 17 at The Franklin House, 58 Campbell St. This event is for ages 21 and older. There is a $5 entry fee per musician. Area musicians are invited to sign up now to compete in Porter County Unplugged, a benefit for Mental Health America of Porter County. Acoustic performers will compete for cash prizes, with audience votes determining the winners. The top awards will be $200, $100 and $50.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2426.

BLOOD DRIVE | Valparaiso

Masters of Harmony Chorus of Valparaiso will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 at Valparaiso First Baptist Church, 2205 N. Campbell St. Dubbed "Singing for Life," this will be one of the blood drives organized by an estimated 800 barbershop choruses across the United States and Canada. This is to be the largest North American blood drive and donor recruitment project in history. The blood drive also will include entertainment.

FYI: Call David Robertson at (219) 381-5376.

SPRING MARKETPLACE | Valparaiso

Spring Marketplace returns from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3 at the Butterfield Pavilion. In addition to artists, Larry Sydow again will provide antique appraisals. He will be available to appraise any item, excluding weapons, for $15 each, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Artists/vendors include mosaics, ceramics, a variety of jewelry, food stuffs, artwork, unique clothing, cookware and more. Admission is free.

FYI: Call (219) 464-0159.

DANCE CLASSES | Chesterton

Sand Creek Dance Center has opening in its preschool dance classes. Those who sign up now still can participate in the spring recital, "Hot Ticket." Classes take place during the day at the center, 436 Sand Creek Drive. Register in advance.

FYI: Call (219) 395-8085.

SALVATION ARMY BAND | Chesterton, South Haven

The world-renowned Salvation Army Chicago Staff Band will perform at 6 p.m. May 17 at Liberty Bible Church auditorium, 824 Calumet Ave., Chesterton. The performance comes during National Salvation Army Week and is The Salvation Army of Porter County's way of thanking area residents for its 30-plus years of service in the community. The band also will hold a worship meeting at 10:30 a.m. May 18 at The Salvation Army Porter County Corps, 799 Capitol Road, South Haven.

FYI: Call (219) 762-9191.

KIDSCAMP REGISTRATION | Porter County

KidsCamp registration is now open at the Valparaiso and South Haven Boys & Girls Clubs. The Valpo club will accept registration from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The South Haven club will accept registration from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. KidsCamp opens June 4 in Valpo and June 5 in South Haven.

FYI: call (219) 464-7282, ext. 228 or 229.

TUMBLING CLASSES | Valparaiso

Mirror Image Dance Academy now offers tumbling classes for ages 2 and older. Classes are divided by age and then level. Tumbling classes for middle and high school age cheerleaders are available for individuals or teams. Private lessons are also available. Register in person at Mirror Image Dance Academy, 3207 Cascade Drive, suite G.

FYI: Call (219) 462-3160.

PICNIC RESERVATIONS | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Department of Parks & Recreation is currently accepting 2008 Picnic Shelter Reservations. Reservations are accepted 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 462-5144, or by visiting the Park office at 3210 N. Campbell St.

FYI: Call (219) 462-5144 or visit www.valparaisoparks.org

Taco bar | Valparaiso

A taco bar will be held from noon to 4 p.m. May 4 at the VFW No. 988, 705 Roosevelt Road. Cost is $5 and includes dessert. This is sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary.

FYI: Call (219) 464-3668.