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 Valparaiso 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.

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 July 19 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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.

DEMENTIA | Valparaiso

Porter County Aging & Community Services will host a presentation called "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 be discussing 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 say "I need help." Darren's 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.

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 desert, 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.

SUMMER MUSICAL | Portage

Portage Community Theatre will stage its summer musical at 3 p.m. July 20 and 27 and at 7:30 p.m. today, July 19, 25, and 26. The venue and admission prices will be announced later.

FYI: Call (219) 759-3075 or visit www.portagecommunitytheatre.org.

WALK FOR LUPUS NOW | Hobart

The Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana chapter, presents Walk for Lupus Now on Sept. 23 at Festival Park, 111 E. Old Ridge Road. The annual fundraising walk has been held for the past seven years to support chapter programs and to create lupus awareness. In 2007, the walk raised $26,000.

FYI: Call (219) 762-6575.

FIRE AUXILIARY COOKBOOK | South Haven

South Haven Fire Department Auxiliary has cookbooks featuring a collection of recipes from group members, family and friends available for sale. The cookbooks sell for $10, plus $4 for shipping and handling. They may be purchased from any member of the auxiliary or at South Haven Fire Department, 398 W. County Road 700 North. All proceeds will go to South Haven Fire Department Auxiliary and the community and department events the group sponsors throughout the year. The cookbook contains 200 well-loved recipes, including appetizers, main dishes and desserts.

FYI: Call Jaime Reed, auxiliary president, at (219) 728-6055.

OPEN HOUSES | Northwest Ind.

Join Ivy Tech Community College-Northwest at the East Chicago, Gary, Michigan City and Valparaiso campuses for their summer open houses from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 31. Students interested in learning more about Ivy Tech are invited to meet with instructors, talk with financial aid personnel and meet current students. Campuses are as follows: East Chicago De La Garza Campus, 410 E. Columbus Drive, (219) 392-3600; Gary Campus, 1440 E. 35th Ave., (219) 981-1111; Michigan City Campus, 3714 Franklin, (219) 879-9137; Valparaiso Campus, 3100 Ivy Tech Drive, (219) 464-8514.

FYI: Call (219) 981-1111.

SCHOLARS SOUGHT | Indianapolis

The postmark deadline for the annual Lewis C. Bose Scholarship for Educational Leadership, sponsored by the law firm of Bose McKinney & Evans LLP, is July 25. This is the seventh year for the scholarship. The $2,000 Lewis C. Bose Scholarship for Educational Leadership will be awarded to an Indiana educator who has been accepted into and will attend an advanced degree program for education administration in 2008-09. The scholarship will be awarded based on the applicant's past academic and professional achievements, future goals, potential for leadership and financial need. Educators from all 92 counties in Indiana may apply.

FYI: Call (317) 571-0051 or visit http://www.boselaw.com/groups/scholarship.shtml.

CLASS REUNION | Portage

Portage High School's Class of 1988 is planning its reunion for Sept. 13 at Duneland Falls Banquet Center, 1100 N. Max Mochal Highway (Ind. 149).

FYI: Call Natalie (Konarski) Babcock at nbabcock@msn.com or (219) 405-0838.

NATIVITY BINGO | Portage

Nativity of Our Savior offers bingo Monday evenings at the church hall, 2929 Willowcreek Road. Early-bird games start at 6 p.m., followed by regular bingo at 6:45 p.m. July 21 is Welcome Back Bingo! Play for $9.99. On July 28, there will be an end-of-the-month winners' club drawing.

FYI: Visit www.nativitybingo.homestead.com.

AUTISM GROUP | Schererville

A parent-sponsored Northwest Indiana group for children with autism, Asperger syndrome and other special needs will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. the second Friday of every month at Tyler's Tender, 350 E. U.S. 30. The purpose is for parents to share information and for children to play in a relaxed, supportive, nonjudgmental atmosphere. There is no cost to join the group, but members wishing to dine are asked to pay the cost of food for themselves and family members. Call to make a reservation.

FYI: Call (219) 384-8884 or send an e-mail to mdwriter28@yahoo.com.

FOOD DRIVE | Valparaiso

Aktion Club of Porter County, in affiliation with Opportunity Enterprises Inc., will hold a food drive during July to benefit the participants of Housing Opportunities, Inc. The Aktion Club is a Kiwanis-sponsored community service club for adults living with a disability. Donations of items such as canned goods, boxed foods, household cleaning supplies, hygiene products, condiments, school supplies and monetary contributions can be dropped off in the main entrance lobby of Opportunity Enterprises, Inc., 2801 Evans Ave. Housing Opportunities, Inc., serves the community through the development and provision of safe, decent and affordable housing and customized support services. The organization serves homeless individuals and families through its existing programs.

FYI: Call Sabrina Smith at (219) 464-9621, Ext. 332.

RESALE SHOP | South Haven

The Portage Resale Shop, 404 W. U.S. 6, now lists special sales on its Web site, http://portageresaleshop.org/Home_Page.php. Watch for upcoming coupons on the Web site. The resale shop is seeking volunteers to serve as cashiers, to sort through donations and to help with various other jobs. Volunteers can earn "resale dollars" by volunteering a certain number of hours and by recruiting other volunteers. The shop also names a volunteer of the month. The shop's hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Portage Resale Shop is a nonprofit organization. The money generated stays within Porter County.

FYI: Call Michelle Farmer or Dawn White at (219) 764-3375.

'ROCK' ROLLS FOR CANCER | Portage

The "Rock" Rolls for Cancer poker run to benefit four Porter County residents battling cancer will begin with registration, coffee and doughnuts at 10 a.m. July 19 at The Red Carpet, 6481 U.S. 20. The last bike will go out at noon, with the last bike returning by 5 p.m. at the Stonequarry Lounge, 2596 Portage Mall. Stops include DeCoy's, Down Under and Cronies. The best poker hand wins a cash prize. The event also includes raffles. The cost for the poker run is $15 per single and $25 per couple. Picnic-style food will be served at Stonequarry Lounge. The cost for nonriders is a $5 donation.

FYI: Call (219) 762-5812.

SPINAL CORD FILMS | Portage

The Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group is sponsoring a film series on life in a wheelchair. All films will begin at 2 p.m. at the Portage 16/IMAX, 6550 U.S. Viewings are free, but donations will be accepted. The films include "Christopher Reeve: Hope in Motion" on July 20. The film focuses on Reeve's recovery of movement and his fight to fully regain his mobility. It follows Reeve over many months of treatment and public campaigning for funds for stem cell research. The film was completed shortly before his death.

On Aug. 3, the film will be "Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita." When neurologist Dr. Jack Kessler's daughter injured her spine in a skiing accident, he turned his energies toward finding a method to repair damaged spinal cords.

The Aug. 17 film is "Murderball." The film is an intimate and personal look at life in a wheelchair. The story chronicles the journey of the United States Para Olympic Quad Rugby Team from 2002 to 2004, ending in Athens, Greece with a championship game against the team's rivals from Canada.

FYI: Call (219) 531-0055.

GARDEN SHOW | LaPorte

Open Door, 301 Homer St., will hold a garden show fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 19 and 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. July 19 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.

BARK IN THE PARK | Chesterton

Treat your dog to fun and games between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. July 19 in Thomas Centennial Park, Broadway and Calumet Road. Highlights include a fashion parade, dog and owner games and contests, children/pet crafts, photos with your dog, canine demonstrations, booths representing various pet organizations, pet products and food. A few spaces remain for organization/vendor booths, and volunteers are always welcome. Bark in the Park is sponsored by the Duneland Business Initiative Group, an alliance of business owners; community members; Duneland Chamber of Commerce; Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission; and local officials.

FYI: Call (219) 617-1742.

MEMORY WALK COOKOUT | Portage

Miller's Senior Living Community invites the public to celebrate National Hot Dog Month at a cookout fundraiser for the Memory Walk for the Alzheimer's Association. The cookout will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 29 at the center, 5911 Lute Road. The menu will include grilled hot dogs with all the trimmings, salads, beverages and ice cream for desert. Proceeds will go toward research into dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Reservations are requested.

FYI: Call Louise Thompson, community relations director, at (219) 764-0628.

CAR WASH | South Haven

The South Haven Fire Department Auxiliary will hold a car wash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19 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.