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.

Diabetic support | Valparaiso

The Porter County Diabetes Support Group will meet on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (new starting time) at the Porter Education & Rehabilitation Campus 1401 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso. Janet Levihn, RD, CDE, Dietician at Porter will discuss Food and Diabetes. Everyone is invited and be sure to bring your questions about diabetes and nutrition.

FYI: Call (219) 263-4974.

OPEN HOUSE | Valparaiso

Sterling House of Valparaiso will be hosting an Open House March 16. The event will be open to the community from 1:30-3:30 with live entertainment by Jim McHugh. Sterling House is a Licensed Assisted Living and located at 2601 Valparaiso St. Free tours and refreshment will be available. Make reservations.

FYI: Call (219) 617-5962.

PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION | Valparaiso

Montessori School of Valparaiso, 505 Marquette St. is registering students for the 2008-2009 school year beginning Monday, March 10, 2008. The school offers academic AM and PM Preschool programs for 3-5 year old children. Students attend Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 11:00 or from 12:00-3:00. A before and after school Enrichment Program is also offered for enrolled students who need additional care from 7 to 8 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Montessori School of Valparaiso also has programs for Toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years old, and Kindergarten for children who turn 5 on or before Aug. 1. Registration for all classes will continue into the summer, however, placement is on a first come, first served basis.

FYI: Call (219) 462-1932.

SPANISH CLASSES | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation is offering new Beginning Spanish classes for youth and adults. The youth class is for children in grades 3-6 and will meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 8 through May 8, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Banta Center.Children will be introduced to vocabulary and dialog in an exciting and interactive atmosphere. The youth fee is $80 for residents and $90 for non-residents. The adult class if for those 16 years old and older and will meet once per week on Thursdays, April 10 through May 8 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Banta Center. Participants will learn practical Spanish in a relaxed, small-class environment. The adult fee is $50 for residents and $60 for non-residents. The Banta Center is located at 605 Beech St.

FYI: Call (219) 462-5144 or visit us online at www.valparaisoparks.org.

HEALTHY SOUP | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso parks department will hold a Fit City Healthy Soup competition from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 15 at the village Park center at Banta, 605 Beech St. Participating restaurants include Bistro 157, Dish, Don Quijote, Strongbow Inn, Tamale Cabana, Pikk's Tavern, Suzie's café, and Pines Village Catering. The cost is $5 per person.

FYI: Call (219) 462-5144.

Oldtime Dance | Valparaiso

The next Valparaiso Oldtime Dance begins at 7 p.m. March 15 at the Valparaiso Family YMCA, 55 Chicago St. The easy family dances begin at 7 and the dancing continues with contras, squares and other dances from 8 to 10 p.m. 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 valparaiso University students.

FYI: Call (219) 464-0846.

St. Patty's Bingo | cHESTERTON

Sons of the American Legion Squadron # 170 at 798 Wabash St. will host a St. Patty's Bingo at 2 p.m. March 15. There will be lots of cash games as well as the special games to win hams and other great prizes. Play one game or play them all. Each game is sold separately. Also, the ladies auxiliary will be selling corned beef and cabbage dinners and sandwiches.

FYI: Call (219) 926-4577 or check out the web site at www.legionpost170.org

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY | Merrillville

Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society meets at 10 a.m. March 15 at the Lake County Public Library, 1919 W. 81st Ave. Sally Phillips will give a talk titled "Lineage Societies - What Documentation Will You Need?" this month. She has been a member of the Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society for more than 10 years and has made numerous genealogical presentations. Phillips will discuss the documentation needed to gather when joining societies such as the DAR, SAR, Mayflower or any of the heritage societies. Meetings are open to the public, and guests are welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 922-6688.

SUPPORT NIGHT | Valparaiso

Clare Bridge of Valparaiso will be hosting free Alzheimer's Family Education and Support nigh beginning at 6:30 p.m. March 13 at 2501 Valparaiso St. The topic is "How to do what's right for you and your loved one. The program is free to all caregivers and families in the community. Make reservations.

FYI: Call (219) 617-5962.

HOME MAINTENANCE | Valparaiso

Through funding from NWICA (Northwest Indiana Community Action) Porter County Aging & Community Services will host a presentation on "Home Maintenance through the Seasons" by Thomas Almanza, the owner of Rent A Man Maintenance, at 10 a.m. March 14 at the Friendship Senior Activity Center, 1005 Campbell St This program will discuss the seasonal tasks necessary for home maintenance, when to call a professional versus when to do it yourself and the risks involved in not maintaining your home.

There is no charge for this presentation and it is open to the public. Snacks and beverages will be provided. All participants will be entered into a drawing for gift cards to local businesses.

FYI: Call (219) 263-8300.

CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE | Porter Twp.

Salem United Methodist Church, of Porter Township, will sponsor an all-you-can-eat corned beef and cabbage dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. March 17 in the fellowship hall at 756 W. County Road 350 South, across from the church, which is located south of Lakes of the Four Seasons. Dinner includes new potatoes, baby carrots, assorted breads, beverage and dessert. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for ages 5 to 12 and free for children 4 and younger. An optional choice for children only is a hot dog and chips for $2. There will also be home baked goods for sale. Proceeds will go toward missions of the church.

FYI: Call (219) 988-4700.

MINIATURE WORLD | Chesterton

The Duneland Historical Society meets at 7:30 p.m. March 13 in the Library Service Center, 100 W. Indana Ave. The program, The Miniature World of Mrs. James Ward Thorne, is based on a popular exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago. Joan Costello, who has been a volunteer at the information desk of the Thorne Rooms for ten years, will share her knowledge and love of these rooms utilizing pictures and diagrams in a power point presentation. Joan will talk about how the 68 rooms were made and present some little known facts about Mrs. Thorne and her rooms based on Mrs. Thorne's lecture notes from the 1940s.

FYI: Call (219) 787-8167.

BALLROOM SOCIAL | Valparaiso

United Dance Arts of Valparaiso, 55 Morthland Drive, will hold a ballroom social from 9 to 10:30 p.m. March 14. The cost is $15 a couple or $8 a single.

FYI: Call (219) 617-0725.

LOW VISION | Valparaiso

Valparaiso low vision support group meets at 10 a.m. March 25 at Pines Village Retirment Communities at First United Methodist Church, 103 N. Franklin St. Dr. Richard Ireland will be present to discuss eye conditions, visual aids and the Lion's Club.

FYI: Call (219) 465-1661.

MAPLE SYRUP TOURS | Hobart

Groups of fist-graders through adults can make reservations for the Maple Syrup Time program at Deep River County Park, 9410 Old Lincoln Hwy. Two-hour tours are available by appointment only at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, March 6 to 18. Program includes an outdoor component among the maple trees, a visit to the sugar shack to see the evaporator working, a stop in the Visitor Center to learn more about maple syrup and sample a taste, and a visit to the gift shop where syrup and souvenirs can be purchased. The cost is $1 per person, with a $20 minimum deposited to secure the reservation. Groups of as many as 120 people can be accommodated.

FYI: Call (219) 945-0543 or 755-3685.