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

To get listed in the calendar, contact Valparaiso community coordinator Annette Arnold.

E-mail: aarnold@nwitimes.com.

Fax: (219) 465-7298.

Address: 1111 Glendale Blvd., Valparaiso IN 46383

Questions? Call (219) 548-4359.

Quilt Guild

STRING-A-LONG Quilt Guild will meet at 4:30 p.m. July 9 at the Reiner building, the corner of Union and College Streets.

FYI: Call (219) 462-8550.

Beverly Shores

Pancake breakfast

St. Ann of the Dune will hold its annual pancake breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to noon July 27, just off Ind. 12 at Broadway in Beverly Shores. Cost is $5 for adults and $1 for ages 4 to 12. Tickets are available at the door.

FYI:L Call (219) 465-9224.

FIRE AUXILIARY COOKBOOK | South Haven

South Haven Fire Department Auxiliary has cookbooks featuring a collection of recipes from group members, family and friends available for sale. The cookbooks sell for $10, plus $4 for shipping and handling. They may be purchased from any member of the auxiliary or at South Haven Fire Department, 398 W. County Road 700 North. All proceeds will go to South Haven Fire Department Auxiliary and the community and department events the group sponsors throughout the year. The cookbook contains 200 well-loved recipes, including appetizers, main dishes and desserts.

FYI: Call Jaime Reed, auxiliary president, at (219) 728-6055.

CLASS REUNION | Portage

Portage High School's Class of 1988 is planning its reunion for Sept. 13 at Duneland Falls Banquet Center, 1100 N. Max Mochal Highway (Ind. 149).

FYI: Call Natalie (Konarski) Babcock at nbabcock@msn.com or (219) 405-0838.

Application deadline | Valparaiso

The application deadline for artists to apply to the Vale Fine Arts Festival has been extended to July 18.

The 5th annual Vale Fine Arts Festival will feature local artists in the Visual, Literary, and Performing Arts medium. Visitors will browse through the many display booths, meet the local artists in person, and capture a live performance on the "Arts Alive" stage. Family-fun activities will also include "hands-on" kid's projects and refreshments. Located at Rogers-Lakewood Park, the festival is scheduled for Oct. 4 and 5.

FYI: Call (219) 548-7199.

ATTENTION BASKET WEAVERS | Washington Twp.

The Northwest Hoosier Basket Guild is sponsoring a three-day workshop Sept. 25-27 at the Porter County Expo Center. Register now; late fees will apply after July 15. Classes are limited to 12 students per class, first come first served.

FYI: Call 9219) 464-0992 or (219) 462-7711.

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM | Valparaiso

"Hilltop Neighborhood House is now accepting applications for the 4-5 year old full time preschool program. This full-time program integrates preschool activities throughout the day focusing on kindergarten readiness skills. Children are served a breakfast and two snacks daily and they bring a lunch. Hilltop Neighborhood House has an outdoor playground area and children have outdoor play time twice a day, weather permitting. Hilltop Neighborhood House is a registered childcare ministry of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

FYI: Call (219) 477-4222, ext. 250.

JULY FOURTH PARADE | South Haven

South Haven American Legion Post 502 will host the 4th of July parade again this year. The Legion is looking for individuals and groups interested in participating in the parade. The parade will begin at 4 p.m. July 4. The theme for the parade is 4th of July. Participants can use any era to reflect the theme. The parade will end at the American Legion, 429 W. County Road 750 North, where participants will be treated to hot dogs and pop. Awards will be given at that time.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2121.

FOOD DRIVE | Valparaiso

Aktion Club of Porter County, in affiliation with Opportunity Enterprises Inc., will hold a food drive during June and July to benefit the participants of Housing Opportunities, Inc. The Aktion Club is a Kiwanis-sponsored community service club for adults living with a disability. Donations of items such as canned goods, boxed foods, household cleaning supplies, hygiene products, condiments, school supplies and monetary contributions can be dropped off in the main entrance lobby of Opportunity Enterprises, Inc., 2801 Evans Ave. Housing Opportunities, Inc., serves the community through the development and provision of safe, decent and affordable housing and customized support services. The organization serves homeless individuals and families through its existing programs.

FYI: Call Sabrina Smith at (219) 464-9621, Ext. 332.

FREE HEALTH CHECKS | LaPorte

Free osteoporosis and blood pressure screenings will be offered from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 15 and Nov. 11 at HealthQuarters, on the first floor of LaPorte Hospital, 1007 Lincolnway. Registration is not required, and the event is funded by the LaPorte Hospital Foundation.

FYI: Call (219) 325-5487.

BLOCK PARTY | Valparaiso

Heritage Lutheran Church Block Party is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 12 at 308 Washington St. There will be food, and games.

FYI: Call (219) 464-2810.

HEALING HEARTS | Valparaiso

"Staying Connected" is the topic for the May meeting of the Healing Hearts Grief Support Group. Mental Health America of Porter County offers support to adults experiencing grief due to loss of a loved one. The group meets from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday at Mental Health America of Porter County, 402 E. Indiana Ave. The meeting is free, but donations are accepted. The group's topics guide members through grief work while peer camaraderie normalizes the grief experience.

FYI: Call (219) 462-6267 or e-mail mentalhealthpc@verizon.net.

DONATIONS, VOLUNTEERS | Valparaiso

The Open Door Social Club is seeking donations of nonperishable food items, cleaning products, household and personal items, or money. The club, housed in the Margaret Stevens House, 402 E. Indiana Ave., is a program of Mental Health America of Porter County. Pantry items will be distributed to adults with mental illness who are living in the community. Volunteers also are needed for the Open Door Social Club. The group is looking for outgoing, encouraging and caring adults or groups to volunteer a few hours each month. The club offers activities and outings for adults with mental illness. The club meets from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Margaret Stevens House.

FYI: Call Trudi Gallagher, program director, at (219) 462-6267 or send an e-mail to mentalhealthpc@verizon.net.

PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION | Chesterton

Preschool registrations for the 2008-2009 school year are being accepted by Chesterton First United Methodist Church Preschool at 434 S. Second St. Cost to register is $65. Preschool program is 9-11:15 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday for 3 & 4 years. Pre-K program is 9-11:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 4 & 5 years.

FYI: Call (219) 926-1478.

SUMMER CAMPS | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Family YMCA offers a variety of summer camps. Preschool camp is for ages 3-5; Camp Little Bear is for children entering kindergarten and first grade; Summer Adventure Days 1 is for kids entering second and third grades; Summer Adventure Days 2 is for those entering fourth through sixth grades and Teen Camp is for teens entering seventh through ninth grades. Sumer will be filled with field trips, crafts and games. Costs for camps vary depending on the program.

FYI: Call (219) 462-4185.

PREVENT CHILD ABUSE | Valparaiso

Prevent Child Abuse Porter County's council will meet at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at Porter County Administration Center, 155 Indiana Ave, Suite 309. Meeting dates are July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8, Oct. 13 (administration will be closed; location will be announced), Nov. 10 and Dec. 8.

FYI: Call (219) 531-9012.

BALLROOM DANCE | Valparaiso

Dance Unlimited hosts bi-monthly ballroom dances for adult beginners from 6 to 9 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month at the studio, 1705 LaPorte Ave. The public is invited. Admission is $8 and includes complimentary snacks. Pop and water are available for purchase.

FYI: Call (219) 477-4669 or visit www.danceunlimited.us

DISCOVERY DAY CAMP | Valparaiso

Registration for the summer Discovery Day Camps is currently open at the Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation. The weeklong day camps are open to children ages 5-14 and are held weekly through Aug. 15 at Rogers-Lakewood Park. Discovery Camp is for campers entering grades 1-8 and offers children the opportunity to spend the summer outdoors, meet new friends, and learn a variety of new skills such as boating, sports, arts and crafts, archery, outdoor cooking, and swimming. The hours for Discovery camp are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday; with before and after camp care available daily to accommodate working parents. The weekly fee for Discovery Camp is $65 ($55 resident discount) per week. Morning extended camp is 7-9 a.m. and is $15 per week and afternoon extended camp is 3n 6 p.m. and is $20 per week. Campers may be dropped off or pick up any time during the extended camp hours.

For campers age 5-6 and entering Kindergarten, there is Discovery Voyagers Camp where campers will do all the fun camp activities such as arts and crafts, games, sing-a-longs, hiking and more. New for 2008 lunch options will be offered. Call for prizes and details.

FYI: Call (219) 462-5144.

SUMMER MUSICAL | Portage

Portage Community Theatre will stage its summer musical at 3 p.m. July 20 and 27 and at 7:30 p.m. July 18, 19, 25, and 26. The venue and admission prices will be announced later.

FYI: Call (219) 759-3075 or visit www.portagecommunitytheatre.org.

WALK FOR LUPUS NOW | Hobart

The Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana chapter, presents Walk for Lupus Now on Sept. 23 at Festival Park, 111 E. Old Ridge Road. The annual fundraising walk has been held for the past seven years to support chapter programs and to create lupus awareness. In 2007, the walk raised $26,000.

FYI: Call (219) 762-6575.

HALLOWEEN SHOW AUDITIONS | Portage

Portage Community Theatre will hold auditions for its Halloween Show at 6 p.m. Sept. 25, 26 and 27 at Toni's Dance Academy, 6737 Vienna Ave. The show will be staged Oct. 23 and 24 at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road. Call for audition and rehearsal information.

FYI: Call (219) 759-3075 or visit www.portagecommunitytheatre.org.