Find out all the events going on in your community, and plan your week's activities with The Times.

Contact Valparaiso community coordinator Annette Arnold at (219) 548-4359 or Portage community coordinator Barbara Martin at (219) 762-1397, ext. 2227.

E-mail: aarnold@nwitimes.com or bmartin@nwitimes.com.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION | Washington Twp.

Washington Twp. Elementary School will hold its kindergarten roundup at 7 p.m. March 6 in the school's large group room, 383 E. Ind. 2. Parents are requested to bring an official birth certificate and immunization records. Preference for the morning or afternoon sessions will be determined at this time.

FYI: Call (219) 464-3597.

PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION | Portage

Woodland Parks Preschool will hold registration for the 2007-08 school year today in the Oakwood Hall at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road. Limited openings are available for the classes that meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The age determination date is Aug. 1. Parents of new students must bring a copy of the child's birth certificate, parent's license number and a $20 nonrefundable registration fee. Full payment of September fees is due Aug. 1. The classes for 3- and 4-year-olds meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays; the cost is $55 per month for residents and $60 per month for nonresidents. The 4- and 5-year-olds meet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The cost is $65 per month for Portage residents and $70 per month for those living outside of the Portage Township area. Portage residents will receive first placement into the program.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675.

PRESCHOOL | Portage

The Portage Township YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road, will accept registrations for the 2008-09 preschool program beginning today. All classes will meet in the newly remodeled and secured, preschool wing of the YMCA building. The nine-month program serves children who are one or two years away from starting kindergarten. The child must be able to use the restroom independently, and a YMCA membership is required.

Class size is limited to 16 children in the two-day-a-week classes and 18 children in the class that meets three days each week. Since space is limited, prompt registration is encouraged. The twice-weekly classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The child must be 3 years old on or before Aug. 1. The thrice-weekly classes meet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The child must be 4 years old on or before Aug. 1. A nonrefundable registration fee of $20 is required. The fee for the twice-weekly class is $40.50 for Primary Plus members and $45 per month for Primary members. The fee for the thrice-weekly class is $63 per month for Primary Plus members and $70 per month for Primary members. A Primary YMCA membership costs $64 per year. The cost of a Primary Plus membership varies according to age and number of household members.

FYI: Call (219) 762-9622.

MEN'S FLAG FOOTBALL | Portage

A United States Flag and Touch Football League-sanctioned men's flag football league will meet at 10 a.m. Sundays, beginning April 13, at Portage High School, 6450 E. U.S. 6. Teams will play in an eight-versus-eight format with a maximum of 25 players per roster. The league will use a three-flag belt system, and no tackling is allowed. The league will be divided into an upper and lower division. There will be two 10-week sessions, each consisting of eight weeks of regular season games and two weeks of play-offs. The cost is $450 per team. Players younger than 18 years must have parents' signed release. Download rosters from www.ci.portage.in.us/parks.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675.

BOOK SALE | Hebron

Friends of the Porter County Public Library will hold a book sale at the Hebron branch, 201 W. Sigler St. The sale will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 6 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 8 ($2 a bag day).

FYI: Call (219) 996-3684.

LOW VISION | Valparaiso

Valparaiso low vision support group meets from 6 to 7:15 p.m. March 11 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.

BLOOD PRESSURE | Portage

Miller's Senior Living Community will sponsor free blood pressure screening from noon to 2 p.m. today at Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St. Appointments are not necessary.

FYI: Call (219) 763-1508.

ON STAGE | Union Twp.

Wheeler High School drama department will present "Grease" at 7 p.m. March 7, 8, 14 and 15 and at 2 p.m. March 9 and 16 at the school, 587 W. County Road 300 North. There will be a fish fry from 4 to 6:30 p.m. March 7 . The cost of the fish fry is $9 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $7 for ages 12 and younger. Tickets for the show are $10 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and children through grade 12.

FYI: Call (219) 759-1561.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION | Morgan Twp.

Registration for kindergarten enrollment is 7 to 8 p.m. March 11 at the school, 383 E. Ind. 2. This year's registration will be held in the school cafeteria. Students are requested not to attend this session.

FYI: Call (219) 462-8373.

SPRING BREAK FUN DAYS | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Family YMCA, 55 Chicago St., will host fun days for March 24 to 28 for children kindergarten through fifth grade and will include special field trips. Other activities will include swimming, arts and crafts and gym time. Children need to bring a sack lunch, drink, swimsuit and towel each day; snack and drink will be provided. The fun day runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES | Portage

As the Portage Township YMCA begins its new youth and adult basketball programs and prepares for its first soccer season, many volunteer opportunities are becoming available. Residents interested in volunteering as referees, coaches, scorekeepers or in other capacities are encouraged to contact Ryan Penrod at the YMCA. Volunteer applications for the sports programs are available at the YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road. Information about YMCA programs is available at www.ymcaofportage.org.

FYI: Call (219) 762-9622.

RED HATS | Portage

The third annual Red Hat Luncheon will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. April 13 in the Oakwood Grand Hall at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road. Red Hatters from around the region are invited to attend this event that features entertainment, vendor booths, refreshments and door prizes. The cost is $25 per person. Bring someone who isn't a member of the Red Hat Society and enter to win a special prize. Luncheon tickets are available, through April 7, at the Portage parks department office at Woodland Park.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675.

SKILLS TRAINING | Valparaiso

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills training is a two-day suicide first aid interactive workshop for community caregivers hosted by Family Concern Counseling. Due to the nature of the training, attendance all day for both days is required. The class meets beginning at 9 a.m. March 6 and 7 at Family Concern Counseling, 2505 Valley Drive. Registration is $120, $110 for groups of four or more. Register online at: http://learn.ipfw.edu/ShowGroups.awp. Click on the "Healthcare/Medical" option.

FYI: Call (260) 481-6238.

'SWEET CHARITY' | Portage

Portage parks department is accepting reservations for an April 17 bus trip to see a performance of "Sweet Charity" at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. The bus will leave at 9 a.m. from Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road, and will return at about 5 p.m. The trip includes lunch at 11:30 a.m., and the show at 1:30 p.m. This trip is for adults only. The cost is $60 per resident and $65 per nonresident. Register by April 15 at the parks' office at Woodland Park.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675.

GYMNASTICS | Portage

The Portage Township YMCA offers a gymnastics program for all levels. Sessions run monthly, with the next session beginning the first week in March. Parent & Tot Gymnastics will meet from 12:40 to 1:15 p.m. Wednesdays or from 10:45 to 11:20 a.m. Thursdays at the YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road. The cost is $15 per month for YMCA members and $30 for nonmembers. Preschool Scooters will meet from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays or from 11:40 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. Thursdays at the YMCA. The cost is $15 per month for YMCA members and $30 for nonmembers. Beginner classes will meet from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Willowcreek Middle School, 5962 Central Ave. The cost is $40 per month for YMCA members and $80 for nonmembers. Intermediate classes will meet from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Willowcreek Middle School. The cost will be $40 per month for YMCA members and $80 for nonmembers. Pre-Team and Level 3 classes will meet from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays and from

6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Portage High School East, 6450 E. U.S. 6. The cost will be $50 per month for YMCA members. Level 4 and higher gymnasts will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. Thursdays at Portage High School East. The cost will be $60 per month for YMCA members. YMCA membership is required for team classes. To register for gymnastics programs, sign up at the Portage Township YMCA.

FYI: Call Janet Grant at (219) 762-9622.

RUMMAGE SALE | Portage

Booth spaces are available for the Portage parks department's annual Anything Goes spring rummage sale, to be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 19 in the Oakwood Grand Hall at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road. Indoor and outdoor booth spaces will be available. A booth space costs $20 for inside spaces and $15 for outside spaces. Rent rectangular tables for $5 each. Register at the parks' office at Woodland Park.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675.

OIL PAINTING | Portage

Susan Young will teach a beginning oil painting class from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 15 at Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St. The project is a cabin in the winter woods scene. The $55 fee is requested at registration. The fee covers the cost of all supplies. Participants should bring a lunch. Register at the library.

FYI: Call (219) 763-1508.

READING CIRCLE | Portage

The Portage Reading Circle will discussing "The Red Tent," by Anita Diamant, at 6 p.m. March 17 in the second-floor meeting room at Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St. There is no fee to join the book discussion group. Call the reference department to reserve a copy of the book.

FYI: Call (219) 763-1508.

FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW | Portage

Portage parks department is accepting reservations to attend the Chicagoland Flower & Garden Show on March 13 at the Rose Stephen Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. The bus will leave at 9 a.m. from Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road, and will return at about 5 p.m. The cost is $35 per resident and $40 per nonresident. Register by March 8 at the parks' office at Woodland Park.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675.

LYRIC OPERA | Portage

The last of this season's lectures presented by the Lyric Opera of Chicago at the Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St., will be "Eugene Onegin" by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky at 7 p.m. March 17. A trained lecturer will give background information about the composer and the story, as well as play musical highlights. Call to register for this free program.

FYI: Call (219) 763-1508.