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.

SEE 'RATATOUILLE' | Porter

Westchester Public Library's Family Film series takes place on the second Saturday of the month at Hageman Library, 100 Francis St., at 2 p.m. The family film for Feb. 9 is Ratatouille. Films shown by the library are free of charge and open to the public.

In Ratatouille, Remy is a foodie that lives in a country house in France with his pack. His sense of smell is so well-developed that his father has made him the pack poison sniffer. But Remy's desire is to be a Parisian chef. His hero is French chef Gusteau. When the owner of the house discovers the rat pack, Remy is separated from his family and makes his way to Paris and Gusteau's restaurant.

Linguini is the newly hired garbage boy. He inadvertently messes up some soup cooking on the stove, and Remy fixes it n creating a delicious dish. Linguini and Remy form a partnership which is threatened with exposure because of Remy's family. The chefs walk out and Remy's family comes to the rescue. Ratatouille anyone?

Ratatouille is rated G. The movie has a running time of 111 minutes.

FYI: Call (219) 926-9080.

TAX ASSISTANCE | Chesterton

Free tax assistance for the elderly and for those with low income has begun at Westchester Public Library. A variety of tax forms are also available in the Serials Department on the second floor of Thomas Library.

A volunteer will meet with taxpayers in the newspaper storage room on the second floor of Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave., Chesterton. The volunteers will be available on a drop-in basis from 9:30 a.m. n 1:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 9:30 a.m. n 1:30 p.m. and 3-7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

AARP and the IRS are offering free assistance in filling out income tax returns for taxpayers with middle and low income, with special attention to people age 60 or older. Volunteer tax counselors, trained by the IRS in basic tax preparation, can alert taxpayers to special credits and deductions such as the earned income credit, child tax credit, credit for the elderly and the Indiana homeowner's residential property tax deduction.

Those who make use of the tax service are advised to bring last year's tax returns with them, as well as any relevant receipts (i.e. paid property tax receipts) for this year's taxes. People who are homebound may call Banta Center at 462-1301.

FYI: Call (219) 926-7696.

Meet 'Abe Lincoln' | Chesterton

Celebrate the 199th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth by joining local attorney and Lincoln collector Bob Welsh on Feb. 9 at the Westchester Township History Museum. The program will take place at 2 p.m. in the parlor of the museum, which is located in the historic Brown Mansion, 700 W. Porter Ave.

Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809 in Hardin, Kentucky. He spent much of his childhood in Indiana, before his family moved to Illinois where he later began his political career. Welsh will discuss some of the fascinating and unusual Lincoln books, documents, and lithographs he has collected over the past 30 years. He will also discuss sources for Lincoln material, especially the Abraham Lincoln Book Shop in Chicago, where he has purchased several of his most memorable pieces. Area Lincoln collectors are invited to bring interesting items from their own collections to share with the group. Tours of the historic home and museum exhibit area will be offered to those who attend. Of special interest is the museum's most recent temporary exhibit, A Day in the Life of Westchester Township. Refreshments will be served. The Westchester Township History Museum is an educational service of Westchester Public Library. It is open free of charge, 1-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday.

FYI: Call (219) 983-9715.

CHOCOLATE | Washington Township

Corinne Powell, a consumer and family sciences educator with Purdue Extension, will present "Chocolate - Good or Bad?" at 10 a.m. Feb. 6 at the Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road. The lesson will focus on the history of chocolate, how it is processed, new research findings about chocolate and an explanation of the different types of chocolate available. This program is sponsored by the Porter County Extension Homemakers. The program is free. The public is invited.

FYI: Call (219) 465-3555, ext. 23.

FOREIGN FILMS | Chesterton

Westchester Public Library's free Foreign and Classic Film Series will continue with "Ratatouille," to be shown at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Westchester Public Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 926-7696.

GARDEN SYMPOSIUM | LaPorte

The LaPorte County Master Gardener Association will offer The Early Bird Symposium Feb. 16 at LaPorte's Silver Palace, 1719 State St. The event will include three speakers presenting programs featuring a native plants theme and vendors offering tools and garden goods. The cost is $15. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. At 8:30 a.m., Jim Hitz will present "Native Trees for the Landscape." The 9:30 a.m. presentation, "New Plants for 2008," will feature Ryan Baker of Country View Greenhouse in South Whitley. At 10:30 a.m., Gene Bush, of Depauw, will present "Color in the Shade Garden: 9 Months of Natives in Bloom." From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., participants can ask questions, peruse the vendor booths and network with other gardening buffs. There will be light refreshments and door prizes. Call to reserve a space. Registration fliers can be downloaded from www.ces.purdue.edu/laporte.

FYI: Call (219) 324-9407 or send an e-mail to lpmastergardener@purdue.edu.

FISH FRY | WESTVILLE

The Westville Sons of the American Legion will host an all-you-can-eat fish fry Feb. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the legion post,107 N. Flynn Road. They will be serving perch, cod, chicken strips, fries, coleslaw, rolls, milk and coffee.

FYI: Call (2190 787-4112.

VALENTINE DINNER DANCE | Kouts

A Valentine dinner dance begins at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at St. Mary's parish hall, Ind. 8. Dinner includes garlic chicken, pork loin, mashed potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls, salad and cake with unlimited soft drinks. Comedy hour with Kevin Birky begins at 7:30 p.m. and dance music is from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $25. No alcohol or carry-in beverages allowed. Call Ken Wehner for tickets before Feb. 2.

FYI: Call (219) 766-2320.

HEALING SERVICE | Chesterton

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2050 W. County road 1100 North, offers an opportunity for healing with a service devoted to prayer and laying on of hands. This service takes place at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 during the Lenten service.

FYI: Call (219) 926-1010.

QUILT GUILD | Valparaiso

The String-A-Long Quilt Guild of Valparaiso will meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St. Mary Persyn will speak on "Boxes Under the Bed": Tracing the history of quilting in the 20th century.

FYI: Call (219) 462-8550

CANCER PREVENTION | Valparaiso

Through funding from NWICA (Northwest Indiana Community Action) Porter County Aging & Community Services will host a 60 minute presentation by Deborah White, the Outreach Coordinator for the Cancer Resource Centre AND Mary Shields (RN, MSN, OCN), the Administrator of the Community Cancer Research Foundation. Information on Cancer Prevention, Risk Assessment and Breast Health will be presented at the Friendship Senior Activity Center at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 7 at 1005 Campbell St.

There is no charge for this presentation and it is open to the public. Lunch will be provided. All participants will be entered into a drawing for gift cards to local businesses. Make reservations at least 48 hours prior to the presentation.

FYI: Call (219) 263-8300.

SINGING VALENTINES | Porter County

The Great Lake Sound Chorus Chapter of Sweet Adelines International will offer Singing Valentines: a card, a flower and a song delivered by a women's accapella quartet on Feb. 14. The fee is $25.

FYI: Call Sherry before 5 p.m. at (219) 766-3676 or send an e-mail to patchwork.girl@hotmail.com or call Madeline at (219) 462-3702.

CHILI COOK OFF | Valparaiso

A chili cook off and bake sale will begin at noon Feb. 23 at the VFW Post 988, 705 Roosevelt Road. This is open to the public. Cost is $3 a bowl and is all you can eat. Proceeds benefit veterans in the community.

FYI: Call (219) 464-3668.

LOW VISION SUPPORT | Valparaiso

Valparaiso Low Vision support group meets from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Feb. 12 at First United Methodist Church, 103 N. Franklin St.

FYI: Call (219) 465-1661.

OPEN HOUSE | Ogden Dunes

The annual Open Your Hearts open house, sponsored by the Independent Cat Society, will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Ogden Dunes Fire Station on Hillcrest Drive. The annual event will offer cat toys, cozy mats and beds, cat-themed crafts and more. Cats and kittens will be at the event and applications for adoption will be taken during open house hours. There also will be a quilt raffle.

FYI: Call (219) 785-4936..

WOMAN'S CLUB | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Woman's Club, 102 Washington St., is hosting a card party and luncheon at the clubhouse beginning at noon Feb. 26. This is open to the public and all women are welcome. The cost is $8 per person or $30 for a table of four. The price includes a chicken salad lunch and desserts. Prizes will be awarded so bring your playing cards or board game and join in the fun. Reservations are due by Feb. 22. Call to reserve a table.

FYI: Call (219) 464-9145 or 476-4323.

DON'T SWEAT | Valparaiso

"Don't Sweat the small stuff" is the theme of the Valparaiso Christian Women's Club meeting at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 7 at Old Town Banquet Center, 711 Calumet Ave. Kathy brown from curves is the special feature with Mandi Cornett as the inspirational speaker. Cost is $11.

FYI: Call (219) 464-7609 or 464-4169.

HOLIDAY FUN DAY | Chesterton

Lakeshore Gymnastics, 878 W. Indiana St. will hold a holiday fun day for ages 4 and 5 Feb. 7. Times are 8:30-11:30 a.m., 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call to reserve a half day session or a full day of activities. Activities will include gymnastics, class, art activities, story time, songs, group games, juice and snacks.

FYI: Call (219) 926-4274.

PORN AND PANCAKES | Chesterton

Area men are invited to Porn and Pancakes, a breakfast event featuring the Rev. Craig Gross speaking on issues challenging today's men. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 9 at Liberty Bible Church, 824 N. Calumet. Buy tickets online at www.itickets.com/events/196153.html or at Liberty Bookstore. Tickets increase to $15 beginning Jan. 28.

FYI: Call (219) 296-3038.