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.

SMO-STOCK | Portage

The Smo-Stock Art and Music Festival is set for 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. today and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 20 at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road. Proceeds from the festival will go to The Dave Highlands' Service Fund to support local police and firefighters. Highlands was a Portage city councilman until his death last year. Headlining the festival will be C4 Blues Band. Bands will perform on two stages. The festival also includes a youth art show, craft vendors and food.

FYI: Send an e-mail to smostock@yahoo.com or visit the Web site at www.myspace.com/smostock.

BREAST CANCER BENEFIT | Hammond

A breast cancer benefit in honor of Mary Garza is set for 4 to 10 p.m. Aug. 2 at LaRosa's Lounge and Pizzeria, 6817 Indianapolis Blvd. Tickets cost $15 at the door or $10 in advance. Reservations are due by July 27. Proceeds will support Susan G. Komen For the Cure. Garza, who splits her time living with a daughter and a sister in Merrillville and Valparaiso, is battling breast cancer. She received a grant from Susan G. Komen For the Cure to pay toward her treatment.

FYI: Call Stella at (219) 663-1646 or Christine at (317) 698-6139 or send an e-mail to christinegarza2003@yahoo.com.

CUT-A-THON | Portage

Soto's Salon & Day Spa, Inc., 2710 Willowcreek Road, will sponsor a cut-a-thon from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 30. Haircuts will cost $10. Proceeds will support Susan G. Komen For the Cure in honor of Mary Garza, who splits her time living with a daughter and a sister in Merrillville and Valparaiso. She is battling breast cancer and received a grant from Susan G. Komen For the Cure to pay toward her treatment.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1320.

GARAGE SALE | Valparaiso

Northwest Indiana Parrothead Club has re-scheduled its first "Sale around Valparaiso" for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Duffy's Bar and Grill in the lower parking lot on U.S. 30. Every dollar collected will be donated to the club's various community events throughout the year.

FYI: Visit www.nwiparrotheads.com.

CAR WASH | South Haven

The South Haven Fire Department Auxiliary will hold a car wash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today on the east side of Burger King, 374 W. U.S. 6. Copies of the auxiliary's cookbook, "Smokin' Recipes," will be available for purchase at the car wash, as will homemade baked goods. The cookbooks sell for $10 each. Proceeds will support the auxiliary and community and department events.

FYI: Call Jaime Reed, auxiliary president, at (219) 759-3919.

DEMENTIA | Valparaiso

Porter County Aging & Community Services will host a presentation, "Is It OK to Ask for Help?" at 10 a.m. July 22 at the Friendship Center, 1005 Campbell St. Darren Leavitt, the executive director of Arden Courts Alzheimer's Assisted Living, will discuss how dementia is a disease that goes beyond the lives of those suffering from it. During his presentation, participants will learn how to manage the stress and know when it is time to ask for help. His topics will include coping with stress, balancing your focus so other things get done, finding time for yourself, managing guilty feelings, and keeping yourself healthy. There is no charge for this presentation, and it is open to the public.

FYI: Call (219) 263-8300.

'FOOTLOOSE' | Portage

Portage Community Theatre will stage its summer musical, "Footloose," at 7:30 p.m. today and July 20, 25. 26 and 27 at Portage High School West, 6400 E. U.S. 6. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

FYI: Call (219) 759-1408 or visit www.portagecommunitytheatre.org.

GARDEN SHOW | LaPorte

Open Door, 301 Homer St., will hold a garden show fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and July 20. Supporters can view more than 400 types of daylilies, grasses and potted perennial plants at the residence of Judy and Steve Kroczek, 1805 N. County Road 675 West. Light refreshments and entertainment will be available. Vendor of garden-related items will be at the show, and participants can take "Gator" rides through the woods. In addition, a Door Hunt is scheduled for both days with prizes offered. Tickets are $10 per person. Children accompanied by parents will be admitted free. Tickets are available in advance at Open Door, The Bookstore in Lighthouse Place, Saint Anthony Memorial Health Centers Gift Shoppe, HealthPartners and Natures Cupboard. Tickets also may be purchased the day of the event.

FYI: Call (219) 879-4553 or (219) 362-7887.

FIGHT BACK EXPRESS | Washington Township

Cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and their families will hold a rally to welcome the Fight Back Express when it drives into Porter County at 3:30 p.m. today at the Porter County Fairgrounds, 215 E. Division Road. The visit is part of a six-month, 48-state tour based on the message, "If one person can battle cancer, a nation can rise up and defeat it." The tour is sponsored by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. During the July 19 rally, visitors to the mobile action center can share their stories with their elected officials through the electronic Picture A Cure program. They also can sign a petition to guarantee all Americans access to quality health care.

FYI: Visit www.acscan.org or call (317) 344-7849.

PARENTS' NIGHT OUT | Valparaiso

Perpetual Motion will be holding a Parents' Night Out from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 8. Kids ages 3 and older will watch movies, eat dinner and dessert, play games and participate in other age-appropriate activities. Cost for the evening is $20 per child. Call to register.

FYI: Call (219) 242-9466.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS | Valparaiso

The League of Women Voters of Porter County will meet at 9:30 a.m. today in the Family and Youth Services Bureau, 253 W. Lincolnway. All meetings are open to the public. New members, men and women, are welcome. The group is making a special appeal to encourage young voters, 18 to 25 years old, to become involved this election year. The group is nonpartisan, studying and supporting issues. This meeting's agenda will include a report on the national convention held last month and plans for voters' service activities during August.

FYI: Send an e-mail to marthawillis@verizon.net or call June at (219) 548-9780.

OLD CAR SHOW | LaPorte

The LaPorte County Historical Society Museum will hold its first Old Car Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 26 at the museum, 2405 Indiana Ave.. There will be no charge to the public to view the car show on the grounds of the museum, and a reduced admission charge to the museum will be in place for the day. A variety of cars, from antiques to muscle cars, is anticipated. Food will be available on-site. For those wishing to display their vehicles, this is a "show and shine" event for cars and trucks at least 30 years old. A $5 registration fee includes one free museum admission. Other offerings in the works include dash plaques, People's Choice and Participants' Choice trophies, and door prizes.

FYI: Call (219) 324-6767.

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM | Valparaiso

Hilltop Neighborhood House is now accepting applications for the 4- to 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.

CHILDREN'S CHOIR AUDITIONS | Porter County

Southlake Children's Choir is holding auditions for membership by appointment through August. Southlake Children's Choir is open to students, ages 7 to 15 years, who live in Lake and Porter counties. Auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length, and no experience or preparation is necessary. Southlake Children's Choir is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving young musicians from Northwest Indiana. The choir performs throughout Northwest Indiana and is the only group of its kind in the area. To schedule an audition, visit www.southlakechildrenschoir.net.

FYI: Call Ann Riegle at (866) 662-1151.

TOUR OFFERED | Valparaiso

Northwest Indiana World Trade Council will tour the Task Force Tips - South Plant production facility at 4 p.m. July 30 at 2351 Industrial Drive, just south of the Porter County Municipal Airport. Reserve a space by July 22. See a state-of-the-art production facility that manufactures firefighting hose nozzles and exports to 30 foreign countries as well as across the U.S.

FYI: Call (219) 670-3018 or e-mail nwiwtc@hotmail.com.

ANNUAL MEETING | Crown Point

Northwest Indiana Community Action Corporation, the Area One Agency on Aging and Community Action, will hold its annual board meeting at 6 p.m. July 22 at 5240 Fountain Drive.

FYI: Call (219) 794-1829.

OPEN HOUSE | Northwest Indiana

Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana will host an organization-wide open house from 3 to 7 p.m. July 24 at its facilities in Cedar Lake, 13000 Fairbanks St.,; Gary, 2285 W. 5th Ave.; East Chicago, 2009 E. 138th St.; Lake Station, 4700 Central Ave.; Hammond, 5840 Calumet Av., and Merrillville, 1400 W. 61st Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 881-1060, Ext. 402.

WOMEN'S CONNECTION | Schererville

Schererville Women's Connection offers "Pleasing Our Palates - Food Fabulous Food" from noon to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at Briar Ridge Country Club, 123 Briar Ridge Drive. Diane Gasing, of Crest Hills, Ill., will speak on "A Tale Without The Fairy." Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Lunch costs $15. Make a reservation by July 25.

FYI: Call (219) 937-4240 or (219) 374-7769.

MILITARY QUIZ | Michigan city

The Great Lakes Museum of Military History's Board has announced its first Military History Quiz. The quiz consists of 14 questions covering eras of military history from the Revolutionary War to the present. The winner will receive dinner for two at Stop 50 in Michiana Shores, a pair of 14 kt. gold child's earrings donated by Erikson's Jewelers, and two tickets to and recognition at the Red, White & Blue Ball-A Salute to Veterans on Nov. 1 at the Michigan City Senior Center. The deadline for submission of answers is 4 p.m. July 26. Museum volunteers and staff may not participate. If there is more than one correct entry, a drawing will determine the winner. Quizzes may be obtained at the museum, by fax by calling the museum or via e-mail by request to: gregnterr@comcast.net.

FYI: Call (219) 872-2702 or (800) 726-5912.