CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS | Valparaiso

The sixth Valpo Triathlon will be held the morning of July 12 at Rogers-Lakewood Park and offers many ways to help n food tent, transition area, course marshals, finish line, aid stations and more! To sign up and learn how to help, come to a meeting at 6:30 p.m. June 17 or 19 at Rogers-Lakewood.

FYI: Call (219) 462-5144 or email her at info@valpotri.net.

PORK CHOP DINNER | South Haven

South Haven American Legion Post 502 Honor Guard will host a pork chop dinner from 2 to 6 p.m. July 13 at the post, 429 W. County Road 750 North. The cost is $8 per person for a meal that includes pork chops, parsley potatoes, vegetable, roll and butter. Drive-through, carry-out and eaten-in meals are available.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2121.

PARENTS WITHOUT PARTNERS | Portage

Parents Without Partners discussion group meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St.

FYI: Call (219) 942-8606.

FIRE AUXILIARY COOKBOOK | South Haven

South Haven Fire Department Auxiliary members will sell copies of their community cookbook from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Al's Valueland, 392 W. U.S. 6. The cookbooks feature a collection of recipes from group members, family and friends. The cookbooks sell for $10. 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.

DANCE CAMP | Valparaiso

Mirror Image Dance Academy is taking registration for dance camps. Space is limited. Camps are offered for ages 3-6 and 6-11 at 3207 Cascade Drive, suite G. Themes include princess party, bitty baby, high school musical pom camp, spa week and Webkinz world.

FYI: Call (219) 462-3160.

LADIES' ARCHERY | Portage

Bass Pro Shops will offer Ladies' Night in the Archery Range from 7 to 9 p.m. July 9, 16, 23 and 30 on the second floor of the store, 6425 Daniel Burnham Drive. This is a free class, but participation is limited. All equipment will be provided, and various targets will be available. Participants will learn about the history, equipment and the basic stance and shooting techniques of archery. Call to register.

FYI: Call Kayla Vargo at (219) 787-6800 or send e-mail to Kmvargo@basspro.com.

SMO-STOCK | Portage

Craft show vendors and food vendors are sought for the Smo-Stock Art and Music Festival set for 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. July 19 and 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. Applications for craft show vendors and food vendors are available at the Portage parks department offices at Woodland Park; at Portage Township YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road; and at Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St. An application is available via e-mail by sending a request to smostock@yahoo.com. Vendor space for the craft show costs $30 for a space that measures 10 feet by 10 feet and $50 for a space that measures 20 feet by 20 feet. A discounted rate is available for Portage food vendors since the proceeds benefit the city. Portage food vendors pay $100 for electric provided (110 volt and 20 amps) and $150

for electric provided (220 volt and 20 amps). Vendors outside of Portage pay $200 for electric provided (110 volt and 20 amps) and $250 for electric provided (220 volt and 20 amps). Among the highlights of the Smo-Stock Art and Music Festival will be a youth art showcase that will highlight youth art from around the community and area cities. Applications for artwork to be showcase also are available at the park department offices at Woodland Park, at the Portage Township YMCA and the Portage Public Library.

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

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS | Valparaiso

May is national mental health awareness month. Become an ambassador for mental health by joining Mental Health America of Porter County, 402 E. Indiana Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 462-6267 or e-mail mentalhealthpc@verizon.net.

POLITICAL ACTIVISM | Chesterton

The Democratic Alliance of Northwest Indiana will hold a discussion on ways to exert influence in the November elections at 7 p.m. July 9 at the Westchester Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Ave. Cyrus Garrett, deputy registration organizer for politics in Porter and Lake counties. Garrett is with the Obama campaign.

FYI: Call (219) 836-1851 or e-mail karen8212@netzero.net.

JELLYSTONE ANNIVERSARY | Portage

Yogi Bear Jellystone Park Camp-Resort will mark its 30th anniversary on the Fourth of July weekend with special events at the campground, 5300 Old Porter Road. A ceremony to mark the anniversary will begin at 4 p.m. today by the Yogi Bear Stage, with live music, dancing and fireworks to follow. Families can attend by making reservations to camp or by reserving to attend as day campers.

FYI: Call (219) 762-7757.

FOOT SCREENINGS | Valparaiso

All registered walkers of the Komen Cancer Walk or other upcoming charity walks may enjoy a free foot screening and running shoe evaluation at noon every Thursday by Sportsmedicine Podiatrist Dr. Paul Sommer of Family Foot & Ankle Clinic. Proof of charity walk registration is required. Limited appointment spaces available each week.

FYI: Call (219) 477-FOOT.

WALTZ | Portage

Carol Shepard will teach senior citizens to dance the waltz during a six-week class beginning July 16 at Bonner Senior Center, 5800 Lexington Ave. Bonner Senior Center members will pay $45. Others will pay $55. Register by July 15.

FYI: Call (219) 762-3591 or (219) 762-1522.

DONATIONS, VOLUNTEERS | Valparaiso

The Open Door Social Club is seeking donations of nonperishable food items, cleaning products, household and personal items, or money. The club, housed in the Margaret Stevens House, 402 E. Indiana Ave., is a program of Mental Health America of Porter County. Pantry items will be distributed to adults with mental illness who are living in the community. Volunteers also are needed for the Open Door Social Club. The group is looking for outgoing, encouraging and caring adults or groups to volunteer a few hours each month. The club offers activities and outings for adults with mental illness. The club meets from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Margaret Stevens House.

FYI: Call Trudi Gallagher, program director, at (219) 462-6267 or send an e-mail to mentalhealthpc@verizon.net.

CATFISH CLASSIC | Chesterton, Portage

The 15th Annual Tony Greenway Memorial "Catfish" Classic will be held today at the Brassie Golf Club, 1100 Pearson Road, Chesterton, with a benefit dinner afterwards at Clancy Irish Pub, 2542 Portage Mall, Portage. Registration for the four-man scramble golf tournament begins at 10 a.m., with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. The cost is $100 per person and includes greens fees, cart, prizes, food and beverages on the course and entry ticket for the Las Vegas night/benefit dinner. Additional contests on the course include longest drive, hole-in-one, closed to the pin and a putting contest, Doors open for the benefit dinner at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 for nongolfers. Entertainment will be offered by The Bones. Proceeds will benefit Debra Peters, who has breast cancer; Caring About Military Personnel, a group that sends monthly packages to solders in combat; Meals on Wheels, which provides daily meals to homebound residents; and Indiana Veterans' Home in West Lafayette.

FYI: Call (219) 730-2340, (219) 762-8587 or (219) 929-7669.

SUMMER CAMPS | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Family YMCA offers a variety of summer camps. Preschool camp is for ages 3-5; Camp Little Bear is for children entering kindergarten and first grade; Summer Adventure Days 1 is for kids entering second and third grades; Summer Adventure Days 2 is for those entering fourth through sixth grades and Teen Camp is for teens entering seventh through ninth grades. Sumer will be filled with field trips, crafts and games. Costs for camps vary depending on the program.

FYI: Call (219) 462-4185.

HIKING GOD'S TRAILS | Portage

Grace Baptist Church, 5785 Mulberry Ave., will hold its vacation Bible school from 6:30 to p.m. July 13 through 16. The theme is "Hiking God's Trails." Students will learn to follow God and to use his "trail map," the Bible, as a guide. Just like learning the do's and don'ts of hiking, what is safe and what is not, and the paths to walk on, this vacation Bible school will share a message of how the Bible and God teach about the hike of life. At the end of the hike, the youngsters will find "treasure."

FYI: Call (219) 762-2663.

HEALTHPORTE MEMBERSHIP | LaPorte

HealthPorte is a premier membership organization designed to empower community members 55+ from throughout Northwest Indiana to manage their health and live a happy, active lifestyle. All area seniors who join HealthPorte before April will receive an exclusive invitation to the Kickoff Party in April. The goal of HealthPorte is to improve the health status of older adults in and around our community. Additionally it is imperative to foster a social connection between our members, provide an opportunity to increase knowledge on health related issues and provide opportunities to explore places of interest.HealthPorte members are eligible to take advantage of services and events through La Porte Regional Health System, including health screening invitations, a monthly newsletter and wellness information. The $10 annual membership comes with unique member benefits including a prescription discount program and other services, and discounts throughout the community.

FYI: Call (219) 326-2338.

COMEDY NIGHT | South Haven

South Haven American Legion Post 502 will host a comedy night featuring Chuck Kilgore and other area performers on July 26 at the post, 429 W. County Road 750 North. Doors open at 7 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Ticket includes a complimentary drink and an entry into the drawing for a door prize. This show is for adults, 21 years and older.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2121.