COOKBOOKS FOR SALE | Portage
The Be Thankful Club of the Portage Bonner Senior Center is selling cookbooks containing 300 recipes collected from members. Included in the book is a special Diabetic section, history of the center, recognition of founding trustee and namesake, membership and activity information, and pictures. To receive a copy, call or stop by 5800 Lexington Ave. Cost of the book is $12. Proceeds will go to the Be Thankful Club to benefit our seniors.
FYI: Call (219) 762-1522 or 759-1548.
SCHEDULE A RIDE | Porter County
The Porter County Aging & Community Services (PCACS) transportation program has a new central dispatch system through Route Match. To schedule door-to-door transportation with one of their buses, call (877) 532-7946 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at least 48 hours ahead of time. Rides can be booked up to 2 weeks ahead of time.
FYI: Call (219) 462-4302.
HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE | Portage
TS Cheer & Rising Star Martial Arts, 5347B U.S. 6, is holding a holiday food drive. Any new student who brings in six canned or dry food items will receive a free two week beginner class. Choose from Tae Kwon Do, Tumbling or Cheerleading. Donations will be split between Hobart and Portage food pantries and will be accepted until Jan 4.
FYI: Call (219) 762-4337
ORIGAMI DROP-IN | Valparaiso
The Youth Services Department at the Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St., will offer techniques on learning origami between 10 a.m. and noon or 2 and 4 p.m. Dec. 30. Participants will fold modular units to create a variety of 3-dimensional geometric shapes. The program is free and open to all ages.
FYI: Call (219) 462-0524, ext. 4.
PRESCHOOL PREVIEW NIGHT | Valparaiso
Preschool Preview Night 2008 will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St. Staff from the Valparaiso area preschools will be on hand to distribute information and answer questions concerning their school's philosophy, curriculum, tuition costs, and enrollment procedures. The program is open to the public and is free of charge.
FYI: Call (219) 462-0524, ext. 4.
BLOOD DRIVE | Portage
An American Red Cross blood drive is from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 26 at Miller's Senior Living Community, 5911 Lute Road.
FYI: Call (219) 764-0628.
FUN AND FUNKY PAPER ART DOLLS AND DUDES | Valparaiso
Come create funky paper art dolls and dudes using recycled materials at the Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St.. The class, for children in grades kindergarten and up, will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 16. Registration begins on January 2 in the Youth Services Department. $2 materials fee is due at the time of registration.
FYI: Call (219) 462-0524, ext. 4.
ANGER MANAGEMENT | Valparaiso
Porter County Family Counseling Center offers anger management group for six Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 14 at the center, 554 S. Locust St.
Call to register.
FYI: Call (219) 464-3919.
SOCIAL ANXIETY GROUP | Valparaiso
Porter County Family Counseling Center will begin offering a Social Anxiety Group beginning Jan. 13. The Social Anxiety Group will meet on Tuesdays, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Fees for the group will be based on income. Social Anxiety group sessions will run for six consecutive weeks at the Porter County Family Counseling Center located at 554 S. Locust St. The cost per session is based on income using a sliding fee scale.
Space is limited.
FYI: Call (219) 462-0524, ext. 4.
SCHEDULE A RIDE | | Porter County
The Porter County Aging & Community Services (PCACS) transportation program has a new central dispatch system through Route Match. To schedule door-to-door transportation with one of their buses, you must call (877) 532-7946 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at least 48 hours ahead of time. Rides can be booked up to 2 weeks ahead of time. You can still call the PCACS Transportation Department at 462-4302 if you have any questions or concerns about their transportation services.
FYI: Call (877) 532-7946.
YOUTH, ADULT SPORTS | Portage
Registration is now open for Youth Indoor Soccer for children ages 3 - 7 years. Soccer will be held from Jan. 5 through Feb. 14 and will require shin guards. The cost is $25 for Primary Plus YM members, $33 for Primary members and $66 for others. Registration is now open for the Adult (18+) Basketball League which will start on Jan. 11 and run through March 8. Games will be played on Thursday nights between 6 and 10 p.m. The cost is $450 per team.
FYI: Call (219) 762-9622.
SUPPORT GROUP | Schererville
WOW (widow and widowers) support group for widowed people meets at 8 p.m. the fourth Friday of each month at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 140 W. U.S. 30.
FYI: Call (219) 663-7165.
MINI CAMPS | Valparaiso
A Winter Wonderland Mini-Camp for kids ages 4 to 8 will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 29 and 30 at Horizon Gymnastics Center. Each day features a gymnastics lesson and a variety of age-appropriate crafts, games and activities that go along with the theme. Cost for the mini-camp is $35 plus bring a sack lunch each day. Beverage is provided. Preregistration is required and needs to be completed by Dec. 23. The center is located at 1254 Horse Prairie Ave.
FYI: Call (219) 477-6542.
REBUILDING TOGETHER DEADLINE | Chesterton
People who live in the Duneland School District who are physically and/or financially not able to make necessary improvements to their home, may be eligible for help on the next work day, April 25, for Rebuilding together Duneland. The deadline for homeowner applications is Dec. 31.
FYI: Call (219) 926-3233 or visit www.rtduneland.org.
FISH FRY | Westville
Westville United Methodist Church hosts Chef Charley and Crew's fish fry from 4 to 7 p.m. every Friday. The menu will consist of Alaskan Pollock (baked or fried), French fries or baked potato, coleslaw, roll with butter, a drink (coffee, punch or water). Shrimp, chicken strips, and hot dogs will also be available. The United Methodist Youth will be selling soda for $.50 to fund their mission projects. The United Methodist Women will have a variety of desserts for $1 each. The cost is $7.50 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4.50 for children ages 3-10, and free for children under 3.
FYI: Call (219) 785-2314.
HOLIDAY CLASSES
The Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation is now taking registrations for our December Holiday Sampler classes for preschoolers. Each class presents a new topic surrounding the holidays, and snacks, crafts and cooking are featured in these great winter escapes. Classes vary in length from 2 to 3 hours. A variety of classes are offered, but sign up quickly as these classes fill up fast.
FYI: Call 9219)462-5144
Picnic reservations | Valparaiso
The Valparaiso Department of Parks & Recreation will begin accepting 2009 Picnic Shelter Reservations on Jan. 5. Reserve your favorite picnic shelter for your next family gathering, birthday party, company picnic, and more. Reservations are accepted 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling (219) 462-5144, or by visiting the Park office at 3210 N. Campbell Street. For more information contact the Valparaiso Park Administration Office at 462-5144 or visit our website at www.valparaisoparks.org
(219) 462-5144 ext. 301.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT | Portage
The Caregiver Support Group meets at 10 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at Miller's Senior Living community, 5911 Lute Road. the group provides information in a supportive environment where caregivers can share problems, ideas and successful solutions. All those who provide care are welcome.
FYI: Call (219) 764-0628.
NICOTINE ANONYMOUS | Portage
Join Nicotine Anonymous, a group of men and women helping each other to live their lives free of nicotine. The group meets at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the Portage Township YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road. Meetings are free and open to anyone who desires to quit using nicotine.
FYI: Call (2190 464-5480.
FOOD DRIVE | Portage
TS Cheer & Rising Star Martial Arts, 5347B U.S. 6, is holding a holiday food drive. Any new student who brings in six canned or dry food items will receive a free, two-week beginner class. Choose from Tae Kwon Do, tumbling or cheerleading. Donations will be split between Hobart and Portage food pantries and will be accepted until Jan 4.
FYI: Call (219) 762-4337.
HOLIDAY HOOPLA | Merrillville
The Fieldhouse-Merrillville will host a "Holiday Hoopla" Boys and Girls Basketball Tournament for grades 1 through 8 on Dec. 27 and 28. All teams will be guaranteed a minimum three games and play within their grade bracket. Fee is $250.
FYI: Visit www.thefieldhouse-merrillville.com or call John Stroia at (219) 738-2424.
NEW YEAR'S PARTY | Merrillville
A family friendly New Year's Eve celebration with Paddles T. Otter will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Ice Skating Plaza at Deep River Waterpark, 9001 E. U.S. 30. Admission is $5 per person and regular skate rental fees apply for those who need to rent skates. Make a sparkling New Year's Eve pennant, hat or sash at Kid's Crafts from 5 to 8 p.m., count down to 2009 with a sparkling juice toast in the plaza with Paddles in "Paddle's Time Zone," which is 8 p.m. and enjoy music with a deejay, ice skating and concession items for sale throughout the event.
FYI: Call (219) 947-7850.
YOUTH SOCCER | Hobart
Hobart Family YMCA is offering a winter soccer league for boys and girls in age groups 3-4 and 5-7. All games will be played indoors at the YMCA, 601 W. 40th Place. The cost is $30 for members and $60 for nonmembers. Registration runs through Dec. 31. Practices will be held for one hour weekly on Mondays or Tuesdays starting the second week in January, and the season begins Jan. 17. All games will be played on Saturdays through Feb. 21.
FYI: Contact Jeff Renn at (219) 942-2183, ext. 16 or jrenn@hobartymca.org.
ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS | Munster
Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra is open to highly accomplished musicians by audition only. Spring auditions for the 2008-09 Season for all Strings, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, and Percussion will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 11. Applicants should log on to www.NISOrchestra.org and follow the Youth Orchestra link for complete audition information and to schedule an audition time.
FYI: Call (219) 836-0525 or e-mail yo@NISOrchestra.org.
