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.

PRINT-MAKING WORKSHOP | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Public Library is offering a Valentine Print Making Workshop from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. Jan. 29 for kids in grades 5 and up. Registration begins Jan. 12. A $4 materials fee is due at the time of registration.

FYI: Call (219) 462-0524.

FAST PITCH SOFTBALL | VALPARAISO

The new Porter County Patriots 12U Girls Fast Pitch Softball team is holding spring tryouts for the 2009 regional competitive travel team. Tryouts for all positions will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 11 at

Triple Crown Softball Academy, 2902 Cascade Drive off Silhavy. All age eligible experienced softball players are welcome.

FYI: Call (2190 309-1833.

CLOWNING AROUND | Valparaiso

Smiles unlimited is a clowning ministry committed to excellence in clowning in nursing homes, healthcare facilities, hospitals, prisons and wherever the healing power of humor can best serve those in need.Beginning in February they will be offering a 10-week training course which includes learning professional makeup application, costuming, skits and all the tricks of the trade. There will be an information program at 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at Life Bridge Christian Church.

FYI: Call (219) 464--0379.

CONCERT SATURDAY | Hobart

The Christian group 2911 will perform at 6 p.m. Jan. 10 at Jubilee Worship Center, 415 N. Hobart Road. The concert is $5. Group tickets are available. Special youth group pastor Rob Taylor will bring forth a message for teens.

FYI: Call (219) 947-0301, ext. 309.

WINTER GARAGE SALE | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Family YMCA will hold a garage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 31. The proceeds of this sale will go towards the YMCA Child Care program. There will be office machines, baby items, Avon items, household goods, Christmas tree, wooden boxes, tie dye machine and clothes. Donations are accepted.

FYI: Call (219 462-4185, ext. 238.

HEALTH FAIR | Valparaiso

St. Paul Catholic church Nursing Ministry will hold a free health fair from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 7 at St. Paul Catholic Church 1855 Harrison Blvd. More than 20 local health care sponsors will present information. There will be free health screenings for diabetes and hypertension.

FYI: Call (219) 465-7762

VALPARAISO OLDTIME DANCE

The next Valparaiso Oldtime dance begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at YMCA, 55 Chicago St. The dance is open to the public and children are welcome. The cost is $5 per person or $15 per family. Admission is free to VU students.

FYI: Call (219) 464-0846.

OPEN HOUSE | Valparaiso

Valparaiso High School will hold its annual eighth grade parent information open house from 7 to 8 p.m. Jan. 22 in the auditorium. The program will provide parents of incoming freshmen with information about course selection, graduation requirements, extra-curricular activities and procedures regarding the transition from middle school to high school.

Informational letters containing student schedules have been mailed to the parents of current 8th graders from all public and private middle schools in Valparaiso who will attend Valparaiso High School starting with the 2009-2010 school year.

Refreshments will be served throughout the evening in the school cafeteria. It is the hope of Valparaiso High School staff that parents will be able to attend. Anyone with questions regarding the 8th Grade Parent Information Open House may contact the Valparaiso High School Guidance Office.

FYI: Call (219) 531-3070.

DIVORCE AND BEYOND | Valparaiso

This 10-week program offers hope and healing to men and women who are already divorced or have filed for divorce. Participants work through grieving a significant loss with trained facilitators who know and understand their frustration. The first session is from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 13 at St. Paul church, 1855 W. Harrison Blvd. Call to register.

FYI: Call (219) 464-4831.

HEALTH SCREENINGS | Portage

Porter will be hosting routine screenings for blood pressure and blood sugar at the Portage YMCA, beginning this month.

All of these screenings will take place at the Portage YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road. No appointment is necessary. Screenings will be from 9 to 11 a.m.m on the following dates: Jan. 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30.

FYI: Call (219) 263-7203.

CHOLESTEROL SCREENINGS | Portage

Porter will offer Total Cholesterol/HDL/LDL/Triglyceridesscreenings to measure cholesterol by appointment only at the Portage Township YMCA in January. The Portage YMCA is located at 3100 Willowcreek Road. You must fast for 12 hours prior to having your blood drawn. There is a $30 fee. Times are 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 8, 14, 21 and 28.

FYI: Call (219) 263-7285.

SLEEP APNEA | Portage

Join Associates in Nuerology nurse practitioner Carol Parks for a presentation on sleep apnea at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Portage Township YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road. There is no charge for the program.

FYI: Call (219) 263-7203.

Texas hold em | Portage

Portage American Legion Post 260 will host a Texas hold em tournament at noon Jan. 17 at the legion, 5675 Mulberry Ave. Preregister for $50 or $60 at the door.

FYI: Call (219) 762-3541.

Crazy Quilt With Beads | Valparaiso

Patricia Winter will be teaching the inner self doll at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at LaBeada Loca. Reservations necessary. Cost is $35 and includes supplies.

FYI: Call (219) 531-0504.

OPEN HOUSE | Valparaiso

Immanuel Lutheran School will have a kindergarten open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at 1700 Monticello Park Drive. Children are welcome to attend and visit the classroom and school. it offers both full day and half day kindergarten.

FYI: Call (219) 462-8207, ext. 215.

PURDUE VARSITY GLEE CLUB | Valparaiso

The Kiwanis Club of Valparaiso hosts the Purdue Varsity Glee Club at 2 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Valparaiso High School auditorium. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. tickets are available at Valparaiso Festival and Events Office, 162 Lincolnway, Valparaiso; Purdue University North Central, 600 Vale Park Road, Valparaiso; Valparaiso YMCA, 55 Chicago St., Valparaiso; Valparaiso Parks Department Office, 3120 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso. mail orders for tickets may be placed through Jan. 10 by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check, payable to Kiwanis Club of Valparaiso for the cost of the number of tickets desired to: Purdue Concert Tickets, C/o Steven Ingram, Valuation Services, LLC, 289 N. Ind. 2, Valparaiso IN 46383.

FYI: Call (219) 531-3170, ext. 225.

SOUP AND SALAD | Valparaiso

Soup and salad luncheon set for noon to 3 p.;m. Jan. 25 at Our Lady of Sorrows, 356 W. County Road 700 North. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children; hot dog $1.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2400.

KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE | Valparaiso

Our Littlest Angels Preschool open house is from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 18 in Wesley Hall room 103 of First United Methodist Church, 103 Franklin St. Parents and children will see the classrooms and meet the teachers and aides. Registration for the 1009-1020 school year will be accepted at this time. Enter the church using the doors off of Chicago Street.

FYI: Call (219) 465-1661.

MONTHLY PROGRAM | Hebron

Join the Hebron Library for a monthly program based on the Magic Tree House books. The first program is from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 15 and will focus on "The Knight at Dawn." There will be crafts, food and activities based on the time period. this program is for grades 2 to 5 and costs $3 per month. Preregistration is required. Sign up at the youth services desk.

FYI: Call (219) 996-3604.

Monthly meeting

Prevent Child Abuse Porter County will meet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Gregg Phillips Emergency Center, 1995 S. Ind. 2. Use back door for entry.

FYI: Call (219) 531-9012.

QUILT GUILD MEETS | Chesterton

The String-A-Long Quilt Guild will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Westchester Public Library Service Center, 200 W. Indiana Ave. Michelle Wiser will show her oil [paintings with crazy quilted frames.

FYI: Call (219) 462-8550.

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION | Valparaiso

Sheriff David Lain invites senior citizens of Valparaiso for some coffee and conversation at 8 a.m. Jan. 13 at the Campbell Street Cafe, 4245 Meridian Woods Drive. The Sheriff plans to answer questions, hear concerns and chat about current services available to the older adults of the community. Future gatherings at the cafe are being planned to include other representatives from public safety. The casual meetings are intended to build relationships and open the lines of communication in a casual and friendly atmosphere.

FYI: Call (219) 531-1800.

KINDERGARTEN READINESS | Chesterton

The Parent Education committee of The Field Station Cooperative will present kindergarten readiness at 7 p.m. Jan. 13. Jamee Swanson, teacher at Bailly School & Field Station parent will speak to the group about kindergarten round up, length of a typical kindergarten day, full versus half day and transitioning into kindergarten. The workshop is appropriate for any parent that may have a kindergarten student attending school in the fall. This free program is offered to the community and will be held at the Westchester Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Ave. The goal of the program and committee is to help educate parents about important issues that affect their families and community. The field Station Cooperative is a not for profit organization that offers nature-based preschool programs and after-school programs for kids n kindergarten through fifth grades.

FYI: Visit fieldstationkids.org.