Portage parks briefs

The Portage Parks and Recreation Department offers these activities. For information, visit the park office at 2100 Willowcreek Road or call (219) 762-1675, ext. 300 or 302.

Adult yoga

Adult yoga continues from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Portage Yacht Club.

All classes are for beginner/intermediate levels and people ages 18 and older. Bring a towel or mat on which to sit, wear comfortable layers of clothing and bring water.

The Saturday yoga class meets from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Portage Yacht Club.

Dance classes

Ballroom classes are conducted Mondays in Woodland Park's Sycamore Hall. There are three workshops left, beginning at 7 p.m. for beginners and 8:15 p.m. for advanced. The cost is $15.

Community Market

The Community Market at Founders Square will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 10.

Tumbling Tuesdays

Children will learn fundamentals of tumbling while developing balance, agility and strength in a relaxed, fun environment. No tumbling experience is required. The class is six weeks, Sept. 14 through Oct. 19, at the Portage Yacht Club. Register by Sept. 13 at Woodland Park.

Strike Busters Bowling

Children can participate in noncompetitive afternoon bowling. The program will wrap up with a pizza party. Bumper pads are available upon request. The next six-week session is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Camelot Lanes, U.S. 6, Portage. The program is for ages 4 to 12. Cost is $35 for residents and $40 for nonresidents.

First Tee youth golf program

The First Tee youth golf program teaches character and life lessons. Each session is 10 hours of curriculum plus practice at Creekside Golf Course. Visit www.thefirstteevalparaiso.org for information.

Ultimate Frisbee tournament

Teams play 7-on-7 and can be all-male, all-female or coed in this round-robin tournament. Cost is $50 per team, and the tournament will be at 1 p.m. Sept. 11 at Imagination Glen. Rosters can be printed at www.ci.portage.in.us/parks. The winning team will receive hooded sweatshirts.

Adult dodgeball league

Coed teams play 6-on-6 with a maximum of 10 players on each roster. Games are 8 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays at Woodland Park, beginning Oct. 13. There will be an 18-match schedule followed by a double-elimination tournament. Cost is $150 per team. Players must be at least 15 years old. Those younger than 18 require a signed release by a parent. Register by Oct. 8.

Valparaiso parks briefs

These programs are offered through the Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation. For information, call (219) 462-5144 or visit www.valparaisoparks.org.

Discovery Cottage

The parks department is registering preschoolers ages 3 through 5 for September classes, which are offered one or more days per week. Class themes are Little Scientists, Everyone is Different, Hats for You, The Apple Kitchen and Preschool Dance. Fees vary. Call for dates, times and fees.

Popcorn Panic

The department is accepting registration for the 2010 Popcorn Panic 5-mile run and 5K walk at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 11. Registration is $20 by noon Sept. 9. Friday night and same-day registration is $25.

Lil Kernel Puff Race

Registration is being accepted for the Lil Kernel Puff Race, which will be part of the Popcorn Festival at 8:45 a.m. Sept. 11. The race is open to children ages 2 through 9. Cost to participate is $8 through today and $11 afterward. Register at the park office or call the office. Same-day registration is not available.

Hayrides

The park department is accepting reservations for the 2010 hayride season at Rogers-Lakewood Park. The group hayride is for youth groups, family gatherings, clubs, birthday parties and more.

Hayrides can be scheduled for Friday and Saturday evenings, and on Sunday afternoons now through Nov. 7. Available hayride times are 5:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 3, 4:30 and 6 p.m. on Sundays. Reservations include both a tractor-drawn hayride and a campfire at Rogers-Lakewood Park. Groups are welcome to bring food and beverages. The fee is $65 plus tax per hayride. City residents receive a $10 discount.

Young Rembrandts

The parks department is taking registrations for grades kindergarten to five for the elementary drawing classes presented by Young Rembrandts. Classes are offered from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 16 to Oct. 14. All materials are included; cost is $50 for nonresidents; $40 for residents.

Preschool dance class

The parks department is taking registrations for its preschool dance class at Discovery Cottage for ages 3 to 5. Class is from 2 to 2:30 p.m. Fridays, Sept. 10 to Oct. 15. Fee is $30 for residents, $40 for others.