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.

SAVE THOSE USED BOOKS | Valparaiso

The Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa, Inc. will collect used books from 9:30 to 11 a.m.m Aug. 23 at 3602 Enterprise Ave. Used books are gathered throughout the year for an annual sale, with proceeds benefiting several community agencies as well as college scholarships.

FYI: Call (219) 462-2142.

BARBECUE CHICKEN | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club will hold a barbecue chicken dinner from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Popcorn Fest Tent behind City Hall. The complete dinner is $8 if purchased in advance or $9 at the door. Tickets may be obtained from any Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club member. All funds raised through this event are returned to charitable activities serving the children of the community.

FYI: Call (219) 531-3170.

UNIVERSITY WOMEN | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Branch of American Association of University Women Literature Study Group meets at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Valparaiso Public Library. This month's book selection is "Snow Flower and the Secret Fay" by Lesa See. The discussion leader will be Chris Hamacher. All members are urged to attend as well as members of the community with an associate degree or higher. Guests are always welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 462-3489.

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

The Presbyterian Weekday Nursery School has openings in their 3-4 year old classes. There will be an Open House from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Aug. 21 at First Presbyterian Church of Valparaiso (corner of Valparaiso St. and Bullseye Lake Rd.). Prospective families can visit the classrooms, meet the teachers, see samples of class projects and activities, and register for fall classes. Children should be three by September 1, and classes begin on August 28.

FYI: Call (219) 531-1539.

MEETING | Portage

The Portage Community Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at Woodland Park in the Hickory Hollow room. The speaker will be intern Renee Sloane who will tell what she is doing at the museum and will tell the best ways to preserve old pictures and documents. Public is invited to attend. Call to reserve a seat.

FYI: Call (219) 762-4218.

Orchard looking for talent

County Line Orchard on County Line Road is looking for local performers to perform during their Orchard Time festivities this fall.

The orchard is sponsoring the event each Saturday and Sunday in September and October beginning Sept. 6, said Margo Brown, events director.

Local performers will be able to showcase their talents either indoors our outdoors during Orchard Time weekends. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

FYI: Call (219) 947-4477, ext. 2106.

FYI: Call (219) 947-4477, ext. 2106.

Kidstop registration

Registration for Kidstop, the before and after school program operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, is now open. Registrations will be accepted Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Valparaiso Club, and 6:30 to 11 a.m. and again from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the South Haven Club.

Kidstop serves children entering kindergarten through fifth grade at the following elementary schools and Boys & Girls Clubs: Northview, Memorial, Flint Lake, Parkview, Central, Thomas Jefferson, John Simatovich, and Union Center. An afternoon program for kindergartners is available at the Valparaiso Club. Services for children attending South Haven Elementary and Paul Saylor are available at the South Haven Club.

FYI: Call (219) 464-7282 ext. 228 or 229.

RUMMAGE SALE | Portage

Salem United Methodist Church will hold a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 23 in Fellowship Hall, 756 W. County Road 350 South, across from the church. all proceeds will go toward supporting the missions of the church.

FYI: Call (219) 988-4700.

Pinochle tourney | Portage

Miller's Senior living Community, 5911 Lute Road, is sponsoring a pinochle tournament at 2 p.m. Aug. 28. Prizes will be given to all participants, plus grand prizes to the overall winning twosome. Reservations required.

FYI: Call (219) 764-0628.

SEVERE WEATHER | Portage

Phil Griffith, Director of the Porter County Emergency Preparedness will give information and advice about being prepared for severe weather and how to stay safe during inclement weather at 1 p.m. Aug. 19 at Miller's Senior living Community's Assisted Living Apartments, 5911 Lute Road. Griffith will talk about thunderstorms, lightening, tornadoes and other types of severe weather. In addition, the Porter County Emergency Management will also be giving away an All Hazards Alert Radio to one of the people attending this program. Make reservations.

FYI: Call (219) 764-0628.

GREEK FEST | Valparaiso

St. Iakovos Greek Church will hold its annual Greek Fest from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 23 and 24 at the Porter County Expo center. It will feature shish-ka-bob, lamb, Greek chicken and gyros dinners along with Greek sausage and other Greek foods. there will be a Greek bakery and a live Greek band. admission is free. All proceeds benefit the Church Building Fund.

FYI: Call (219) 462-4052.

NORTHWEST INDIANA PAGAN PRIDE DAY | Portage

Local pagans, followers of nature- or earth-centered pre-Christian religions, will gather from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 23 at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road, for a day of faith and festivities. The festival includes vendors, information booths, workshops, children's events, a food drive to benefit the greater community and a harvest ritual. Admission to the festival is free. The public is invited. Donations of nonperishable items for the food drive will be accepted. The Northwest Indiana festival is organized by Portage Pagan Pride, Inc., the Northwest Indiana Pagan Association and Wolves Den, and is part of the international Pagan Pride Project. Portage Pagan Pride, Inc., founded in 2008, is a local chapter of the international Pagan Pride Project. The Pagan Pride Project, founded in 1998, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of religion and elimination of prejudice and discrimination based on religious beliefs.

FYI: Call (219) 929-9372 or e-mail paganheart@rocketmail.com.

CHESTERTON

Jazz and silent auction

St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center will host a jazz and silent auction from 2 to 6 p.m. Aug. 24 at St. Pat's Trinity Hall. Food is being donated by Don Quijote, Old Style Inn, Popolano's and Fast Coffee, Tea & Dessert Company. Tickets are on sale now for $25 per person and there will be a cash bar. The afternoon will feature the Red Rose Ragtime Jazz Band, a 7-piece group, from Chicago. Tickets can be purchased at the sponsoring restaurants, St Agnes Adult Day Service Center, BRQ Printing, Stolpe Real Estate, Schoop's in Valparaiso. Sponsorship information can be obtained by calling Judy Rooney-Davis

FYI: Call (219) 465-6049 or e-mail judyrooney-davis@verizon.net.

SIT 'N KNIT | Valparaiso

Sit 'n Knit meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Monday each month at Starbuck's, Wiseway Plaza, U.S. 30. Bring knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, needle point projects.

FYI: Call (219) 462-9709.

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.

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.

BALLROOM DANCE | Valparaiso

Dance Unlimited hosts bi-monthly ballroom dances for adult beginners from 6 to 9 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month at the studio, 1705 LaPorte Ave. The public is invited. Admission is $8 and includes complimentary snacks. Pop and water are available for purchase.

FYI: Call (219) 477-4669 or visit www.danceunlimited.us

POKER RUN | Michigan City

"Ride To Cure Lupus," a poker run to benefit the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., will be Aug. 30. The cost is $10 for the driver and $15 for driver and passenger. T-shirts and tanks cost $10. The poker run will start with registration between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Michigan City Harley, 2968 N. U.S. 421. The five stops on the poker run include Joe's Bar, 2958 W. U.S. 12, Michigan City; Leroy's Hot Stuff, 333 W. U.S. 20, Porter; Ruthie's Central Lounge, 3425 Central Ave., Lake Station; WoJo's Saloon, 391-1 W. U.S. 6, South Haven; and The Coachlite, 361 Calumet Ave., Chesterton. The last bike will return by 4 p.m. The event also includes a live band, beer garden, food and raffles. All vehicles are welcome.

FYI: Call Kellie Maxwell at (219) 364-0905 or (219) 484-7207.

CHOICES | Hebron

The CHOICES Natural Birth & Parenting Network's meetings include Sept. 3 meeting topic will be "Homebirth: The Spirit, The Science, The Mother." On Oct. 1, the topic is "All About Cesarean Sections and Vaginal Births After Cesareans." The free monthly community meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at Hebron Community Center, 611 N. Main St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting at 7 p.m. Registration is not required.

FYI: Visit www.IndianaBirthChoices.com or call (219) 996-5188.

LUPUS SUPPORT | Portage

A support group meeting for people with lupus will be at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana chapter office in the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce building, 2642 Eleanor St.

FYI: Call (219) 762-6575.

JOBS FOR SENIORS | Indiana

Low-income Hoosiers 55 and older who want to work but can't find a job can get assistance from Experience Works. Paid training assignments and job-placement services are available for those unemployed, retired and wanting to return to work, or who have never had a job. Experience Works will pay a worker's wages while they learn new job skills at a community service organization, then help the worker prepare a resume and go for interviews. Experience Works has helped thousands of Hoosier seniors get jobs.

FYI: Call (800) 843-0885 to see if you qualify or visit www.experienceworks.org to learn more.

FALL REGISTRATION | Portage

Hope Lutheran Junior Kindergarten is accepting registrations for the 2008-2009 school year, which begins Sept. 2, for children who have reached age 4 by Aug. 1. The kindergarten, 6322 Portage Ave., operates a Monday-through-Thursday program. A birth certificate and nonrefundable $20 fee are required at registration. Tuition is $90 per month.

FYI: Call (219) 763-6068.

CLEAR THE CLUTTER | Portage

Porter-Starke Services will present "Clearing the Clutter," the latest in its Lunch & Learn series from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Portage Township YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road. Robyn Werberig, of Porter-Starke Services, will be the featured presenter. The presentation is free. A boxed lunch can be purchased for $5, or participants can bring their own. Reservations are required for the program and to place a lunch order. Mental Health America of Porter County offers 1.5 continuing education credits for $5.

FYI: Call (219) 476-4502 or e-mail aroof@porterstarke.org.

RUMMAGE SALE | Portage

The Be Thankful Club of the Bonner Senior Center will sponsor a rummage sale during the annual antique auto show Sept. 27 at the center, 5800 Lexington Ave. Tables are available to rent - on a first-come, first-served basis - for $10 each. Set-up time will be 8 a.m., with the sale taking place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be available for purchase. Call to reserve a table. The antique auto show will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

FYI: Call Dennise at (219) 759-1548.