YMCA briefs

Valparaiso Family YMCA

The Valparaiso Family YMCA, 1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive, offers numerous activities. For more information, call (219) 462-4185, ext. 249, or visit www.valpoymca.org.

2012 Jazz & Blues Fest

The 2012 Jazz and Blues Fest will be held Feb. 25 at Strongbow. This campaign raises funds to support the Y's financial assistance and scholarship programs. This event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to midnight and will feature the Valparaiso-based Head Honchos Band and the Jeff Brown Trio. This casual attire event will be filled with music, dancing, hors d'oevres, and a silent auction. A cash bar and raffle will also be available. For those interested in making a silent auction donation, sponsorship opportunities, tickets, or a contribution to the Changing Lives Campaign, please contact Debra Koeppen, V.P. Chief Development Officer, at (219) 462-4185, ext.229; or via e-mail: dkoeppen@valpoymca.org.

TRX® 2012

TRX Suspension Training uses bodyweight exercise to develop strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously. The TRX® Suspension TrainerTM is a highly portable performance training tool that leverages gravity and the user's body weight to enable hundreds of exercises for every fitness goal. Individuals of all levels (athletes to seniors), have the ability to get a fast, effective total body workout. Certified Personal Trainers, who are also TRX Certified, conduct sessions in an individual or small group basis.

Piloxing®

Piloxing is a high energy fusion of Pilates, boxing and dance. Classes available at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday in Studio C with Irma.

Indoor Triathlon

An indoor triathlon will be held Feb. 26. Compete against others from the Valpo Y and surrounding Ys in Lake, Porter, and Laporte Counties. Register at www.valpoymca.org or the Y Courtesy Desk. Race participants will complete as many laps as they can swim in 10 minutes, as many miles as they can bike in 15 minutes on a stationary bike, and as many miles as they can complete in 15 minutes on a treadmill. All participants will receive an Indoor Triathlon T-shirt and new this year, awards for the top finishers. Must be at least 14 years of age. Volunteers are also needed.

Basketball Fundamentals Clinic

Players are taught very basic fundamentals from dribbling to passing and shooting. Many games are played to keep the clinic fun allowing children to get more comfortable with basketball. This clinic will be held Friday, Feb. 10 to March 9. Beginner ages 5-7 meet 4 to 4:55 p.m. Intermediate ages 8-12 meet from 5 to 6 p.m. Cost is $20 for members/$40 for Community.

Free nutrition seminar

A heart-healthy taste testing presentation by Registered Dietician Honna Kozik will be held at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Valparaiso Family YMCA. This seminar is free to Y members and the community. Register by Friday.

2012 Ringing in Spring

Get ready for the 2012 Ringing in Spring race. New this year both 5k and 10k distance will be offered. Ringing in Spring is an annual tradition and race which includes T-shirts, awards and free child care. Find out more by visiting www.ringinginspring.com. Registration is now open.

Valpo Skates

Valpo Skates is collaboration between the Valpo Schools and the Y and is $6. Valpo Skates is open to all children and families, and is held at Ben Franklin Middle School. The gym is a separate building at the west end of the school. Skating for grades kindergarten to 6 is 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays. Family Skate for all ages is 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Parents are welcome to stay and skate with their children on either day. Youth and their parents may bring their own skates or use skates at the rink. Enter door #8. Valpo Skates is handicapped accessible.

Child care open house

Valparaiso Family YMCA Child Care locations will hold an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Cumberland Crossing and Washington Street (BridgePoint) facilities. Child Care is now enrolling for both locations. The Valparaiso Family YMCA accepts child care development fund vouchers and financial assistance is available. For additional information, call (219)464-9543 ext. 7 or via email dsonnenberg@valpoymca.org. For information, call (219) 462-0040.

Middle School Mania

Middle School Mania from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. The evening includes open gym, basketball, volleyball, ping pong, Xbox and Wii games, board and card games, art activities, and a DJ with music and dancing. Cost is $5 per person.

Portage YMCA

The Portage Township YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road, offers numerous activities. For more information, call (219) 762-9622.

Child Care and Development Center

There currently are openings in the 2- and 3- year old rooms. Three-year-olds must be fully potty trained and independent in the bathroom. Ask for a tour by calling Sarah Senort at (219) 792-9622.

Sports equipment needed

The sports department is accepting donations for any sort of sports equipment such as balls, t-balls, bats, bases, cones and especially plastic 5-foot basketball hoops for the 3-5 year olds. Racquetball lessons are still available for children and adults at the YMCA. Contact the Welcome Center for details.

Mommy and Me

Mommy and Me brings moms together with their babies 1 to 18 months old to bond with one another for an hour each class. They will do yoga, step aerobics, weight lifting using babies as resistance and dancing using sing-alongs and nursery rhymes. Classes have begun and are held at 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays.

Ballroom dance party

A ballroom dance party is held from 7 to 9 p.m. on the first and third Friday of every month. Come alone or with a partner. Register at the Welcome Center for $10. Dances are waltz and bolero Feb. 17.

Youth basketball

Youth basketball for ages 4 to 13 begins Feb. 20 through April 7. Leagues are broken down into age groups of 4-5, 6-7, 8-10, 11-13. Practice one night a week for an hour; games on Saturdays. Cost is Primary Plus, $26; primary, $36; nonmembers, $72.

Runners Take Your Mark- Run

Train and make new friends at the Y's new running club. Amateur runners meet in the lobby, dress for the weather. All one-hour runs will be outside unless it is lightning or below 15 degrees. Participants will be running 3-5 miles with calisthenics and stretching. Classes will be held 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 6 to 7 a.m. Tuesdays. Must be 14 and older to participate. Register at the Welcome Center.

Pool Parties

The Y is now offering pool parties. Pool parties are available on Friday evenings at the Portage High School West pool. Contact Stephanie Coffman, YMCA Aquatics Coordinator for more information at (219) 762-9622 or at aquatics@ymcaofportage.org.

Bowl-a-thon

The Portage Township YMCA is planning its 23rd annual Bowl-A-Thon beginning at noon March 11 at Camelot Bowl in Portage. Pick up registration packets at the Y. Entry fee is $60 per team of 5. Prizes will be awarded for the top 10 pledges collectors, as well as a chance to win $500 for every $50 collected. Money raised will be applied to the YMCA's Youth Scholarship Fund which helps provide financial assistance to families in need to participate in programs and services at the Portage Township YMCA.

Family Movie Night

The Y will be hosting a family movie night with "Tangled" at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17. Limited chairs will be available so pillows and blankets are recommended. Cost is $2 or $5 for a family of 3 and $6 for a family of 4 or more. This monthly movie night will help raise funds for the Y's aquatics department.

Duneland Family YMCA

The Duneland Family YMCA is at 215 Roosevelt St., Chesterton. For information, call (219) 926-4204 or visit dunelandymca.org.

Sweetheart Dinner Dance

The Duneland Family YMCA will hold its annual Sweetheart Dinner Dance at 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at Sand Creek Country Club. Dinner begins at 7. The cost is $50 per person.

Free-throw contest

This is for any YMCA member or youth basketball participant. The contest is at 1 p.m. Feb. 11 and March 3. There are three age groups: as old as 9, 10- to 11-year-olds and 12- to 13-year-olds. To enter this contest, stop by the Y to fill out a registration form.

Parents' night out

Parents can go out from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays while YMCA staff watches the kids. The cost is $10 for members for one child and $5 for additional children - or for nonmembers, $20 for one child and $10 for each additional. Call no later than Thursday to reserve a spot.

Family Fitness Time

This is a time for families to work out together. Parents with children ages 7 to 14 can partake in activities at the Y from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. An orientation with a trainer for parents and children is required prior to using cardio equipment, and children wanting to use the weight room with adult supervision are required to complete the teen weight training program. Orientation with equipment is a free service provided by the Y. To schedule an orientation, call the Y.

Scrip at WiseWay

Patrons can use YMCA scrip at WiseWay, which will donate 10 percent of each grocery purchase back to the YMCA. Scrip certificates are sold in increments of $5, $10, $25 and $50 at the YMCA's front desk.

Indoor Soccer

Registration began for indoor soccer for ages 3 to 8. The season will run March 3 to April 14. The cost is $40 for Members and $80 for Non-Members. To register or for more information please visit the Member Service Desk.

Zumbatomic

Registration is now being accepted for the Feb. 15 to March 21 session of Zumbatomic. Class will be held from 4:15 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays. This 45-minute class is taught by Amy Tannish. Cost is $25 for members and $50 for others.

Mixed Martial Arts Team YMCA

Register now for the Mixed Martial Arts Team YMCA. This program is for ages 12 and older. The first 6 weeks of the program will begin Feb. 21 until March 31. Cost is $60 for members and $100 for others. A total of 18 classes will be held during the 6 weeks. Classes are held 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and noon to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Teen Night

Youth in grade 7 to 12  can come enjoy a night with their friends at the Duneland Family YMCA from 6 to 10 p.m. every Friday. The cost is free for members and $3 for non-members. Please dress appropriately. Those not dressed according to the dress code may be refused entry.