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.

9621 ext. 299.

Lecture tonight | Valparaiso

Dr. Noel Pavlovic, an ecologist, will speak on invasive species of plants and animals at 7:30 tonight at the Porter County Administration Building on Indiana Ave. The Valparaiso Chain of Lakes Watershed group is sponsoring this event. The event is free and open to the public.

FYI: Call (219) 462-5821.

Open interviews | Valparaiso

Opportunity Enterprises will be interviewing and hiring applicants at 4 p.m. Sept. 15 and at 9 a.m. Sept. 16 in the following areas: physical plant maintenance technician, direct support professionals, transportation drivers and Clean Team crew. Interested parties should go to OE's main facility, located at 2801 Evans Avenue and check in with the agency receptionist. OE offers competitive benefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance, 401K/profit sharing program, vacation, sick, holiday hours, tuition reimbursement and corporate health club membership.

FYI: Call (219) 464-9621, ext. 218.

No more leftovers | Portage

A program about leftovers will be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 17 or Sept. 18 at Portage Public Library, 1665 Irving St. at the Westchester Public Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Ave. Register.

FYI: Call (219) 263-4836.

HEALTHY SKIN | Portage

Join Dr Christopher Wirsing at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St. for a discussion about the importance of well-being enhanced through non-invasive medical aesthetics. This presentation will discuss options for improving the health of skin and getting the results without invasive surgical techniques. Treatments to be discussed include facials, laser skin treatments, hair removal and vein therapy. Call to register.

FYI: Call (219) 263-4437.

AUTISM SUPPORT GROUP | Merrillville

"Using Labs To Manage Your Child's Biomedical Program" will be the subject at the Sept. 18 meeting at Indiana Wesleyan University, 8415 Georgia St. Come meet Tracy Bongiorno, PA-C, a specialist in treating autism and related disorders. Learn how specific medical testing and interpretation can help to guide treatment for the underlying cause of autistic symptoms. A one hour discussion time will follow. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

FYI: Call (219) 947-0229.

MEMOIRS | Valparaiso

"When a Crocodile Eats the Sun", a memoir by Peter Godwin, is the September choice to be discussed by the Literature Study Group of the Valparaiso Branch of American Association of University Women. The discussion leaders will be Sue and Scott Schenone. The group will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St. All members, plus members of the community with an associate degree or higher, are invited to attend.

FYI: Call (219) 462-3489

BATON SIGNUPS | Valparaiso

Chesterton and Valparaiso students can sign up for baton from 6:30 to 7 p.m.Sept. 17 at Parkview Elementary School, 1405 Wood St.

FYI: Call (219) 762-5879.

Fish fry | South Haven

American Legion Post 502 will host a fish fry from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 19. There will be fish, chicken, steak and shrimp and combo platters. The legion is located at 429 W. County Road 750 North.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2121.

BOOKMARKS AT THE MUSEUM | Chesterton

Westchester Public Library's book review series, Bookmarks at the Museum, will meet at 2 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Westchester Township History Museum, an educational service of Westchester Public Library. The museum is housed in the Brown Mansion at 700 W. Porter Ave. LuAnne DePriest will review the book Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons.

Bookmarks at the Museum is a free series which takes place monthly at 2 p.m. at the Westchester Township History Museum and as Bookmarks at Noon at Michigan City Public Library. The program at the museum begins at 2 p.m. and ends at approximately 2:45 p.m. The reviews take place on Thursday in Chesterton and on Friday in Michigan City. Coffee, tea, and cookies will be served. Bookmarks at the Museum will meet next on Oct. 16 when Linda Wells will review The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society.

FYI: Call (219) 983-9715.

Family Saturday | Chesterton

"Family Saturday" continues at Westchester Public Library on Sept. 20. Healthworks! Hummer visits the library. The program will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Children's Department at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave. Healthworks! opened their doors in February 2000, in an innovative way to inspire kids to be more concerned about their health. The Healthworks! Hummer is a four-wheel-drive monster of a truck, outfitted with a large brain, a nose and huge mouth that is used to teach kids about good hygiene as well as other health issues.

The Hummer is edu-tainment on wheels and will roll into the parking lot at Thomas Library where kids of all ages will be able to brush the giant teeth, pick the giant nose, jump rope with the intestines and learn about digestion.

FYI: Call (219) 926-7696.

ADOPT-A-BEACH:

The Portage Township Trustee's office is hosting a clean-up day from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 20 at Haven Hollow Park, 330 W. County Road 700 North. from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 20.. The Salt Creek tributary is the focus for this international event.

FYI: Call (219) 762-7750.

COMMUNITY PICNIC | Portage

St. Peter Lutheran Church will host a community picnic from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 20 at 6540 Central Ave. The picnic will be held in conjunction with the Portage Exchange Club's car raffle drawing. The club is raffling a 2008 Ford Focus. Proceeds will support the clubs Needy Kids Christmas Shopping project.

FYI: Call (219) 762-2763.

COUNTY LINE ENTERTAINMENT | Hobart

Countyline Orchard is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. There will be entertainment on Saturdays. It includes Sept. 20, One More, country rock, outside; Hutch, acoustic singer, inside; Sept. 21, Larry Hawkins, country singer; Sept. 27, Nicole Jamrose concert; Sept. 28, Angel Star, inside and balloonist Mark Small.

FYI: Call (219) 947-4477.

SINGLES | Chesterton

Northwest Indiana Singles will host speaker Dave Edwards at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at Liberty Bible Church, 824 N. Calumet Ave. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the bookstore; $12 at the door. This is for ages 18 and older.

FYI: Call (219) 921-1408.

HOLIDAY BAZAAR | Valparaiso

The Thomas Jefferson Elementary School PTO invites crafters and vendors to participate in its third annual Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at 1700 Roosevelt Road. Booth spaces start at $35.

FYI: Call (219) 531-5528 or stentobk@netzero.net.

SCAVENGER HUNT | Crown Point

Indiana Ghost Trackers are hosting an event open to the public. Their Haunted Scavenger Hunt is a fun event for those 21 or over. This will take the community to many areas throughout Lake and Porter Counties to capture spirits, solve puzzles and have fun. The event begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at Antiques and Unique Treasures, 208 S. Main St. Everyone will be given a list of things to do, places to go and things to collect. Bring a camera. Cost is $10 per person.

FYI: Call (219) 798-6731.

The Chiari Malformation Support Group

The Chiari Malformation support group is for those who suffer with Arnold Chiari Malformation and related disorders. This group meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month at Liberty Bible Church, 824 N. Calumet Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 309-0224 or 928-3080.

Flea market | Chesterton

The Duneland Business Initiative group will sponsor summer's end flea market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27 in Thomas Centennial Park. The Chesterton Lions Club will serve hot dogs, apple cider, sliced apples with caramel. Booth space for the flea market is still available. Booth set up will begin that morning at 7:30 a.m.

FYI: Call (219) 926-9900.

FIELD HOUSE HOURS | Portage

Portage High School has announced fall Field House hours. It has expanded fall hours for public use of the field house and fitness room. Hours are 5:30-7:30 a.m.m Monday through Friday and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

FYI: Call (219) 763-1999.

HEALTHY FOODS } Porter

Linda Curley with the Family Nutrition Program for Purdue Cooperative Extension, will give a presentation at 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at the Duneland Senior Center, 500 Ackerman Drive. The topic will be fast food with a healthy twist.

FYI: Call (219) 395-9268.

VNA Hospice Choir looking for new voices

The Visiting Nurse Association's Hospice Choir is looking for new members to join the group. The choir rehearses every other Monday evening in Valparaiso. Members learn a cappella pieces to perform at memorial services and in patient rooms at the Arthur B. and Ethel V. Horton VNA Hospice Center. Note reading is not a requirement, but some singing experience is preferred.

FYI: Call (219) 548-9399 or deenabutterfield@netscape.net.

CELEBRATION | Porter Twp.

Salem United Methodist Church at 753 W. County Road 350 South, will celebrate 164 years of ministry on Sept. 21. The celebration will follow the 10 a.m. service. All pastors who previously served Salem, all past and present members, and friends are invited to join in a day of celebration that will have a beach theme. There will be a hog roast, plus hamburgers and hot dogs. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share. There will be games for children and adults, plus a moon walk, snow cones, cotton candy, and for a small fee you can play ‘Dunk the Pastor'. Two musical groups will provide the entertainment.

FYI: Call (219) 988-4700.

VALPO COUPON BOOKS/ Valparaiso

Valparaiso Nazarene Church is selling

Valpo Coupon Books for a discounted price of $25. Proceeds benefit students' mission trips and events.

FYI: Call Carolyn Holmgren at (219)462-2751 ext. 220 or stop by the church and pick one up.

LADIES IN WAITING | Valparaiso

Ladies in Waiting is a support group for women struggling with infertility, miscarriages and adoption issued.

FYI: Call (219) 575-0902.

FALL STORYTIME | South Haven

Fall storytime session at the South Haven Public Library begins Sept. 16 at the library, 403 W. County Road 700 North. Storytime is at 10:15 a.m. for toddlers ages 2 and 3 and at 11 a.m. for preschoolers ages 4 and 5. Children will read book and participate in crafts and games based on various themes. Registration is required; $2 fee per child.

FYI: Call (219) 759-4474.

DISCOUNT BOOKS

National Association of Women in Construction is selling entertainment discount books and they are available at Clifford Stone & Material Company, 2900 N. Campbell St. Books are $20.

FYI: Call (219) 462-0744.

Revised SHELTER HOURS | Valparaiso

The Porter County Animal Shelter, 2056 Heavilin Road, has expanded its hours. Shelter hours are 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays ; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. The shelter is on Ind. 2, one half block south of U.S. 30.

FYI: Call (219) 465-3550 or visit www.portercoanimalshelter.petfinder.org.