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.

FREE BREAKFAST

Breakfast with Santa will take place at the Third Coast Spice Cafe from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 13 at 761 Indian Boundary Road, suite 6. Event is free of charge.

FYI: Call (219) 926-5858.

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.

CHRISTMAS PARTY | Chesterton

The Westchester Township History Museum will celebrate the holiday with the annual "A Victorian Christmas Party." The public is invited to join the festivities which will take place between 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 7 at the museum in the Brown Mansion at 700 W. Porter Ave. Admission is free and no reservations are necessary.

Stop in to see the house decked out for the holidays. Dot Pakan will play Christmas carols on the antique Hillstrom parlor organ, made in Chesterton in the early 1890's, from 2 to 3 p.m. Between 3 and 5 p.m., children of all ages are invited upstairs to make simple Victorian ornaments and decorations. House tours will be given from 1-2 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Meet Christmas ornament collector Randy Doler and see his beautiful Christmas feather trees decorated with vintage ornaments dating from the Civil War through the 1930's. Also view the Dickens Village display.

FYI: Call (219) 983-9715.

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.

HOLIDAY TEA | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Branch of American Association of University Women will hold its annual Holiday Tea at the Women's Club, 102 Washington, from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 6. This is a money raising event for the AAUW Foundation and proceeds will go for at least one scholarship for an adult woman going back to school. The cost is $25 per ticket. All members are invited to attend this festive event, and guests are welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 462-7682.

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 p.m. Dec. 3. 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.

MAKING COOKIES | Hebron

The Hebron Public Library will be making Holiday Cookies from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Dec. 16 for kids in grades 1 to 5. Come make and decorate holiday cookies. Cost is $3. Register and prepay. Kids in grades 6 and up can make cookies Dec. 18.

FYI: Call (219) 996-3684.

'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 Dec. 3, 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.

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.

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.

LEAGUE SIGNUPS | Portage

Registration for the Jr. NBA/WNBA basketball league is happening Dec. 1 through Dec. 12 at the Forrest L. Rhode Boys & Girls Club,5895 Evergreen Ave. The Jr. NBA league is a fun and instructional program focusing on fair play, honesty, and sportsmanship.

The league is divided into three age divisions:

Biddy Basketball for ages 5-7, $20 with membership;

Junior Basketball for ages 8-10, $30 with membership; and

Senior Basketball for ages 11-13, $35 with membership.

An all girls Junior division will once again be offered for ages 8-10. Other age divisions are coed.

Membership is $25 for one year. Scholarships are available to those who qualify.

FYI: Call (219) 762-4613.

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.

IN CONCERT | LaPorte

During the annual Candlelight Tour, Keanan Baxter will perform Christmas Jazz from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at St. John's Church, 111 Kingsbury Ave. In addition to Keenan's performance, refreshments are served at the church and a carriage ride downtown is included with ticket. Tickets are $12 and are available at www.peplaporte.org or by calling (219) 324-5087. Tickets can be purchased at the door at the church location only.

FYI: Call (219) 324-5087.

MADRIGAL DINNERS | Chesterton

Chesterton High School Music Dept. will present its 36th annual Madrigal Dinners on December 5, 6 and 7 in the school cafeteria. All seats are reserved and tickets are on sale for $30 per person at the CHS

Music Office (Entrance 31) beginning Nov. 24. Tickets will be

sold from 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. through Dec. 4. no phone orders will be taken. Performance times are 8 p.m. Dec. 5; 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6; and 2 and 5 p.m. Dec. 7. the cafeteria will be transformed into a Great Hall complete with Elizabethan settings and costumes. Included in the Madrigal along with the music and drama is a complete breast of chicken dinner. The dinner includes a relish tray, chicken

breast, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, wassail, and dessert. The meal is prepared each year by the CHS Cafeteria staff.

FYI: Call (219) 983-3730.

COOKIE WALK | Chesterton

The Chesterton United Methodist Women will hold its 16th annual Holiday Cookie Walk from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 6. There will be more than 400 dozen homemade cookies and candy for $6 a pound. Proceeds go to organizations both locally and throughout the world which the UMW supports.

FYI: Call (219) 926-4123

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.