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.

CALENDARS FOR SALE | Portage

The Portage Firefighters' Local 3151 Auxiliary is selling 2009 Calendars for $10 that feature action and still shots of the firefighters. They can be purchased from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday at Portage Fire Station #1 (Headquarters), 3401 Swanson Road.

FYI: Call (219) 762-7404

TURKEY TROT | Valparaiso

The 5th annual Kids Alive 10K Turkey Trot will begin at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 27 at Valparaiso High School. All proceeds to benefit Kids Alive International. Register online at www.kidsalive.org for $20 or race day for $30. all runners will receive long sleeve T-shirt and this event will have chip timing provided by TH Timing. The race starts and ends at the VHS Field House. Packet pickup begins at 7 a.m. with the race beginning at 8:30 a.m.

FYI: Call (219) 241-1869.

HOUSING CHOICES | Valparaiso

Through funding from NWICA (Northwest Indiana Community Action) Porter County Aging & Community Services will host a presentation on "Decisions About Money and Your Housing Choices" by Jean Richardson, the Housing Counselor for Housing Opportunities, at 11 a.m. Nov. 20 at the Friendship Center, 1005 Campbell St. Participants will learn how much they should spend on housing monthly, the affordable housing options in Porter County, and ways to avoid eviction and foreclosure. This is a free presentation open to the public. Make reservations.

FYI: Call (219) 263-8300.

BOOKFAIR | Valparaiso

The Hebron High School National Honor Society and Hebron high School library will host a bookfair Nov. 22 at the Barnes & Noble bookstore. To highlight the school, the honor society will present storytelling for the children every half hour beginning at 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Face painting will also be provided for the children throughout the day. The Hebron High School choir ensemble, the jazz band ensemble, and the drama club will perform at various times throughout the afternoon. Also student artwork will be on display. A percentage of the net sale of purchases made during the entire day will benefit the Hebron High School reading program and the HHS National Honor Society.

FYI: Call (219)

BOOK DISCUSSION | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Branch of American Association University Women presents its November novel selection "Shoots to Kill" at 7 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St. The book will be presented by Sue Schenone followed by a discussion by the author, Kate Collins, aka Linda Tsoutsouris. The novel is set in Northwest Indiana with many local sites described in the book itself. All members are invited to attend, and guests are welcome.

FYI: Call (2190 462-3489.

Aid and attendance

An aid and attendance program for veterans and spouses will be presented at 2 p.m. Nov. 20 at Miller's Senior Living community, 5911 Lute Road.

FYI: Call (219) 764-0628.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST | Portage

To kickoff the United Way Annual Campaign in Portage, Miller's Senior Living community is hosting a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Nov. 20 at 5911 Lute Road. cost is $5 and includes pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. make reservations.

FYI: Call (219) 764-0628.

USED BOOKS | Valparaiso

The Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa, Inc. will collect used books from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Nov. 22 at 3602 Enterprise Ave. Used books are gathered throughout the year for an annual sale, with proceeds benefitting several community agencies as well as college scholarships.

FYI: call (219) 462-2142.

MOms club | vALPARAISO

MOMS Club of Valparaiso will meet at 10 a.m. Dec. 3 at Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 201 Washington St. this is a support group for mothers who have chosen to stay home with their children.

FYI: Call (219) 476-1637.

Parade entrants sought | Portage

The Pride in Portage Committee is seeking applicants to participate in the annual City Celebration parade on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The theme of the parade is "City Celebration of Christmas." All entries will be decorated in a Christmas theme.

The parade will assemble at Kyle Elementary School, 2701 Hamstrom Road beginning at 3 p.m. for registration. The parade will begin promptly at 4 p.m. It will proceed along Central Avenue west to Portage City Hall. Santa will arrive at City Hall to greet children from the area with candy canes and listen to all requests.

Due to possible cold, wet weather the committee requests no candy be thrown from entries.

Following the parade, the city will have the official tree lighting ceremony at approximately 5 p.m. at City Hall.

For more information contact Norma LaBoy at the mayor's office at (219) 762-5425 or Robin Wilkening at (219) 764-2187.

HOLIDAY FAIR | Valparaiso

Alpha Sigma Lambda, VU's Alpha Tau chapter, invites you to convenient, one-stop shopping at their Holiday Fair at Valparaiso University, Union Great Hall, 1400 Chapel Dr., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6. Free admission. Proceeds provide scholarships for select VU non-traditional students. Vendors and crafters welcome.

FYI: Call (219)464-5341 or suzanna.tudor@valpo.edu.

HOLIDAY CLASSES

The Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation is now taking registrations for the December Holiday Sampler classes for preschoolers. Each class presents a new topic surrounding the holidays, and snacks, crafts and cooking are featured in these great winter escapes. Classes vary in length from 2 to 3 hours. A variety of classes are offered, but sign up quickly as these classes fill up fast. Call the Park Department at 219-462-5144 or visit us online at www.valparaisoparks.org for a list of classes.

FYI: Call 9219)462-5144

Picnic reservations

The Valparaiso Department of Parks & Recreation will begin accepting 2009 Picnic Shelter Reservations on January 5, 2009. Reserve your favorite picnic shelter for your next family gathering, birthday party, company picnic, and more. Reservations are accepted 8:00 a.m. n 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 462-5144, or by visiting the Park office at 3210 N. Campbell Street. For more information contact the Valparaiso Park Administration Office at 462-5144 or visit our website at www.valparaisoparks.org

(219) 462-5144 ext. 301

SUNDAY BREAKFAST

American Legion Post 502, 429 W. County Road 750 North, will host a Sunday breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 23. This is an all-you-can-eat breakfast with biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, eggs, hash browns, pancakes, French toast sticks, drinks and more. Cost is $6.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2121.

FISH FRY

American Legion Post 502, 429 W. County Road 750 North, will host a fish fry from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 21. Prices vary per menu item.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2121.

BENEFIT | Valparaiso

A benefit dinner will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Nov. 22 for Jim Branham, a long-time Porter County firefighter who is now battling stage IV esophageal cancer, at the Elks Lodge, 157 Jefferson St. The evening will feature a dinner catered by Ruge's Meats, which will be served from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., a cash bar, door prizes, raffle and silent auction. Tickets are $20 per person. Children 12 and under will be admitted free.

FYI:: Call (219) 926-1226.

TURKEY TROT | Portage

Portage Township YMCA's 8th annual Turkey Trot begins at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 27 at the Y. There will be a 1k youth run, 2k family fun walk and a 5K run. Register by Nov. 17 to be guaranteed to receive a T-shirt. On race day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 7:15 a.m.

FYI: call (219) 762-9622.