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.

SUPPORT GROUP | Michigan City

A single parent support group, Parents Without Partners Chapter 193, will hold a dance at 7:30 p.m. the first Saturday of the month at the St. Joseph Men's Club, 2001 Franklin St. Donation is $7. The next dance is Oct. 4.

FYI: Call (219) 879-7083, after 5:30 p.m.

QUILT GUILD | Valparaiso

String-A-Long Quilt Guild will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Reiner Center, corner of College and Union streets. Final plans will be made for the quilt show set for Oct. 11 and 12. There will be a quilt appraiser at the quilt show.

FYI: Call (219) 462-8550.

WEAVER'S GUILD | Chesterton

The Duneland Weaver's Guild will meet at 10 a.m. Oct. 11 at the Westchester Public Library Annex, 100 West Indiana St. This months program will be a tapestry weaving workshop. Loom and yarn needed to participate. Coffee, tea and refreshments will be served. Come join us.

FYI: Call (219) 659-8550.

BUS TRIP | Chicago

The Polonica Pilgrimage Society of Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church will host a "Polonia" bus trip to Chicago on Nov. 5. The luxury coach will leave at 9 a.m. from the church parking lot, 2949 Willowcreek Road, and will return around 5:30 p.m. Featured will be tours of the St. Mary of Czestochowa and Five Holy Martyrs churches, as well as shopping at Bobak's Deli. A Polish-style meal will be served at Szalas Restaurant. The cost is $50 per person and includes lunch. Reservations are limited and are due by Oct. 22. Checks may be mailed to Nativity of Our Savior Church, 2949 Willowcreek Road, Portage.

FYI: Call (219) 762-4858.

YARD SALE | Westville

Aunt Kitty's Trash and Treasures Yard Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5. The sale will be held on the grounds of the Independent Cat Society on U.S. 6 and the Porter/ LaPorte County Line Road. Donations of items will be accepted the day of the sale, no clothes or large furniture or appliances please. All proceeds benefit the cats and kittens at the shelter.

FYI: Call (219) 785-4936.

FALL PREVENTION | Valparaiso

Arlan M. Alburo, PT, MTC, Co-Director of Orthopedic and Balance Therapy Specialist, will present an educational program entitled Balance and Mobility in Daily Life at 1 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Village Park Enrichment Center at Banta, 605 Beech St.. The program will include a PowerPoint presentation and cover topics such as fall prevention and home safety, as well as diagnosis and treatment options. Call for reservations.

FYI: Call (219) 462-1301.

SUNDAY BREAKFAST | South Haven

American Legion Post 502 will host a Sunday breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 5 at 429 W. County Road 750 North. All-you-can-eat breakfast includes biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, eggs, pancakes, hash browns, French toast sticks, toast and drinks. Cost is $6 per person with reduced children's prices.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2121.

RUEBEN FEST | Valparaiso

VFW Hayes Post 988, 705 Roosevelt Road, will hold a rueben fest beginning at noon Oct. 11. Cost is $6 per meal which includes sandwich, potato chips and pickle. To go orders are $6.50. Proceeds will benefit local veterans and their families.

FYI: Call (219) 464-3668.

RAINBOWS | Valparaiso

Rainbows is a support group for ages 5-14 and spectrum is for ages 15-18 who have experienced a significant loss in the lives due to death, divorce, separation, abandonment, incarceration or any other painful transition in the family. The free nondenominational programs are offered fro 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Our Lady of Sorrows, 356 W. Seven Mile Road.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2400.

HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC | Valparaiso

Jake's Feed and Garden will host a free Jerry Munns horsemanship clinic at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at Jake's Feed, 326 S. Ind. 49. Registration begins at 9:15 a.m. Jerry Munns has been holding clinics since 1997. Attendees will receive Purina Feed coupons, product samples and opportunities to win door prizes. Call to reserve a spot.

FYI: Call (219) 477-4174.

PUMPKIN CONTEST | Portage

The toothiest pumpkin contest has begun at Dr. Laura Hannon's office. Send a crazy picture of yourself with your toothiest pumpkin by Oct. 27 to 6080 Lute Road or email to info@smilebrightly.com or bring it into the office. All participants can pick up a free toothbrush at the office. Grand prize will be a gift card of your choice.

FYI: Call (219) 763-6646.

Fall fitness classes | Valparaiso

Perpetual Motion Fitness and Sports is registering for its fall term of classes. Classes are offered in gymnastics, cheerleading, sports, acro and tumbling for ages 2 and older. Competitive teams are also forming. The fall term runs through Dec. 13. Private lessons are available for cheerleaders or teams looking to improve tumbling.

FYI: Call (219) 476-7209.

Comedy night | South Haven

American Legion Post 502 hosts a comedy night beginning at 8 p.m. Oct. 25. Emcee for the event is Chuck Kilgore from Portage, featuring Brian Hicks of the Midwest circuit. Headliner will be Carol Pennington of Cleveland, Ohio. Tickets are on sale now at the post for $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Each ticket purchased will be entered into a door prize drawing. Doors open at 7 p.m. Drink specials will be available. Must be 21 or older to enter. The legion is located at 429 W. County Road 750 North.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2121.

MRSA PRESENTATION | Indiana

The Visiting Nurse Association of Porter County will present "What is MRSA?" at locations in Lake and Porter Counties in October:

*10:30 a.m. Oct. 9 at Merrillville Senior Center at Merrillville High School, 276 E. 68th Place.

* 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at Linden House, 360 W. 61st St., Hobart.

*12:15 p.m. Oct. 16 at Village Park Enrichment Center at Banta, 605 Beech St., Valparaiso.

*2 p.m. Oct. 24 at Jamestown Apartments Community Center, Virginia Park Drive, Valparaiso.

This informational program will discuss the risk factors, signs and prevention of MRSA. Participants will receive a free gift and a healthy snack. This is part of "Senior Moments," a monthly lecture series designed for seniors who take an active role in their own health care.

FYI: Call (219) 531-8009.

HOLIDAY BAZAAR | Valparaiso

The Thomas Jefferson Elementary School PTO invites crafters and vendors to participate in its third annual Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at 1700 Roosevelt Road. Booth spaces start at $35.

FYI: Call (219) 531-5528 or stentobk@netzero.net.

SUNDAY IN THE PARK | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Parks Foundation is hosting its annual fall fundraiser Sunday In The Park from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in the Butterfield Pavilion at the Old Fairgrounds Park in Valparaiso. "Evening of Champions" will boast interactive entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, dessert and a cash bar. The adult public is invited to join the Friends of the Park for this casual event. Tickets are $30 per person and are available at the Valparaiso Parks Office. All proceeds earned at this event will benefit the Valparaiso Parks Foundation in its mission to continue a legacy of exceptional parks that contributes to the unique quality of life in Valparaiso.

FYI: Call (219) 462-5144.

VNA Hospice Choir looking for new voices

The Visiting Nurse Association's Hospice Choir is looking for new members to join the group. The choir rehearses every other Monday evening in Valparaiso. Members learn a cappella pieces to perform at memorial services and in patient rooms at the Arthur B. and Ethel V. Horton VNA Hospice Center. Note reading is not a requirement, but some singing experience is preferred.

FYI: Call (219) 548-9399 or deenabutterfield@netscape.net.

VALPO COUPON BOOKS/ Valparaiso

Valparaiso Nazarene Church is selling

Valpo Coupon Books for a discounted price of $25. Proceeds benefit students' mission trips and events.

FYI: Call Carolyn Holmgren at (219)462-2751 ext. 220 or stop by the church and pick one up.

GROUP HAYRIDES | Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Department of Parks & Recreation is currently accepting reservations for the 2008 hayride season at Rogers-Lakewood Park. Hayrides will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings, and on Sunday afternoons through Nov. 9. Available hayride times will be 5:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 3, 4:30 and 6 p.m. Sundays. Reservations include a 45-minute hayride and 45-minute campfire. Hayrides take place at Rogers-Lakewood Park. Groups are welcome to bring food and beverages. The standard fee per hayride is $65; resident discount fee is $55 plus tax for your entire group.

FYI: Call (219) 462-5144.