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 Porter County 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 | Valparaiso

The String-A-Long Quilt Guild will meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Reiner Center, college and Union streets, for a dinner meeting. Bring a salad or dessert to share. Meat, beverages and tableware will be provided.

FYI: Call (219) 462-8550.

MRS. CLAUS AT THE LIBRARY | Porter

Mrs. Claus is coming to Hageman Library, Westchester Public Library's Porter branch. Since Santa is busy with last minute details, he will send his wife to visit the patrons of Hageman, 100 Francis St., Porter, at 2 p.m. Dec. 6. Mrs. Claus will read stories to those who attend. She will also be ready to answer questions children might have about life at the North Pole, Santa, and even Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Mrs. Claus is looking forward to visiting with the children and having her picture taken with them.

FYI: Call (219) 926-9080.

CHRISTMAS PARTY | Hebron

Hebron United Methodist Church will hold a VBS Christmas party from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 6. There will be a free dinner, visit from Santa, cookie decorating, crafts, play and Christmas songs. bring mission coins to help purchase gifts for the Angel Tree. Make reservations by Dec. 3. This is for ages 3 to grade 4.

FYI: Call (219) 996-7161.

LIONS CLUB

Valparaiso Lions Club will hold its annual Christmas party at Kelsey's at 6 tonight. Social hour is at 6 and dinner is at 6:30. There will be entertainment and a white elephant gift exchange.

FYI: Call (219) 477-4011.

LOW VISION

Low vision support group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 9 at First United Methodist Church. This is the Christmas party. Bring hors d'ouevres to share.

FYI: Call (219) 464-1867.

Health screenings

A full cholesterol panel screening will be offered by Porter Hospital's Wellness Program from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St, in the Youth Services meeting room. This will include total cholesterol, HDL,LDL and triglyceride levels. Preregistration is required. there is a $30 fee.

FYI: Call (219) 263-7285.

Lyric Opera

The fourth in this season's lectures presented by the Lyric Opera of Chicago on Madame Butterfly will be presented at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St. A trained lecturer will give the background information about the composer and the story as well as play musical highlights.

FYI: Call (219) 763-1508.

'MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS' | Valparaiso

"Meet Me in St. Louis" will be performed at the Memorial Opera House. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 and 2 p.m. Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Individual tickets are $17 for adults and $14 for students and seniors. Tickets are available through the MOH box office at 104 Indiana Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 548-9137.

WINTER DANCE WORKSHOPS | Portage

Winter dance workshops are offered at Woodland Park. The chacha and tango will be featured Dec. 15 beginning at 7 p.m. The foxtrot and swing will be featured Jan. 5 beginning at 7 p.m. More workshops will be held at 7:15 p.m. at Long Beach Community Center in Michigan City. They will be today, hustle; Dec. 9, waltz; Dec. 10, Argentine tango; Dec. 16, rumba; Dec. 17, Chacha; Jan. 6, swing; Jan. 7, West Coast swing. Workshops at Toni's Dance Academy in Portage will begin at 9:45 and 11 a.m. Dec. 13, 20 and Jan. 10 featuring swing, waltz, rumba, salsa, samba and tango. Workshops are $15 per person per workshop and all workshops are one hour. No partner necessary. Beginner to advanced levels welcome. Call to register.

FYI: call (219) 680-9261.

VALPARAISO

Free holiday concert

An afternoon of special organ music will be played at 2 p.m. Dec. 9, sponsored by Valpo Methodist's Older Adult Ministry Team in the church sanctuary, 103 Franklin St. Featuring the church's organist, Jim Crisman, the program will include traditional contemporary and classical holiday music. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served during intermission.

FYI: Call (219) 548-3240.

Breakfast with Santa

The Valparaiso Family YMCA hosts breakfast with Santa from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Dec. 6. Enjoy pancakes, sausage, eggs, and orange juice or milk. Each child receives a gift from Santa and the option to have his or other picture taken with the jolly fellow. Pictures are $2 each. Pre-register at the courtesy desk. Registration deadline is Dec. 4. The cost is $6 per adult; $3 per child.

FYI: Call (219) 462-4185.

OPEN HOUSE | Portage

Open house, gift show and bake sale from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 6540 Central Ave. The open house features 9 different vendors representing Avon, Creative Memories, E Wall Graphics, Home Interiors and Gifts, Lia Sophia, Mary Kay, Massage Therapy, Pampered Chef and Tastefully Simple. Kiddie Crafts for children while you shop. Church will have a bake sale and sell lunches.

FYI: Call (219) 762-2673.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA | Portage

Families will have an opportunity to have professional photos taken with Santa Claus at a Pancake Breakfast with Santa set for Dec. 13 at Portage High School. Hosted by the Portage Porpoise Swim Club (PPSC), the event will also feature a raffle drawing for boys and girls bicycles as well as other prizes. Tickets are $5 per person which includes freshly made pancakes, and butter and syrup; plus sausages, coffee, milk, juice and tea. Proceeds will be used to further the mission of PPSC, which has served the Portage community since 1973. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Portage Food Pantry. The event will be held in the west cafeteria of Portage High School, which may be entered through Door F. Tickets may be purchased at the door or from 6 to 7 p.m. during swim practice, which is held Monday through Friday on the north side of Portage High School, just inside Door O.

FYI: Call 9219) 763-8100.

COOKIE WALK | Chesterton

Chesterton United Methodist Women will hold a cookie walk from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 6 at the church. Cookies will be $6 per pound. Proceeds go to various projects, both local and throughout the world, of the Chesterton United Methodist Women.

FYI: Call (219) 926-4123.

Y-ME | Valparaiso

Y-Me of Porter County will meet at 10 a.m. Dec. 6 at the Porter Education Building, 1401 Calumet Ave. There will be open discussion and a holiday celebration. The mission of Y-Me is that no one should face breast cancer alone and is open to everyone.,

FYI: Call (219) 465-0566.

CHILI LUNCHEON | Portage

The Kiwanis Club of Portage will hold its annual chili luncheon fundraiser during the Toys for Tots celebration at Woodland Park Dec. 6. Luncheon will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes all-you-can-eat Schoop's chili, beverage and dessert for $5 for adults and $3 for ages 12 and younger. Hot dogs are $1. Proceeds from this fundraising event support several of the club's programs or community organizations including the third grade Dictionary Project, Jacob's Ladder Developmental Testing Kits, Gabriel's Horn, Riley Children's Hospital and Toys for Tots.

FYI: Call (219) 241-4098 for more information.