Sleighbell 5K this Saturday in Chesterton

CHESTERTON | The eighth annual Sleighbell 5K run and walk will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday at Westchester Intermediate School. Entry fee is $20. Race day registration and check-in will run from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Make checks payable to Porter-Cardiac Rehab, 814 LaPorte Ave., Valparaiso, IN, 46383.

WVLP Holiday Run/Walk Dec. 12

VALPARAISO | The fifth annual WVLP-FM (98.3) Holiday Radio Run/Walk 5K will take place at 9 a.m. Dec. 12. The race starts and ends at the Reiner Center, 510 Union St. Early registration by Dec. 8 is $15 for adults and $12 for those under 18. Cost thereafter is $20 for adults and $15 for those under 18. For details, call George Nietert at (219) 241-2331.

Level 3 Gymnastics Training Team signups at Valpo High School

VALPARAISO | Signups are open for the Level 3 Gymnastics Training Team's December-January session at Valparaiso High School. Ages 5 and older are eligible to enroll. Practices run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. For details, call (219) 464-8018.

2010 season golf passes on sale in Valpo

VALPARAISO | Passes for the 2010 golf season are on sale at the Valparaiso Parks & Recreation Department office and at Creekside Golf Course. Passes are good for Creekside and Forest Park. Season pass holders also receive discounts on cart rental, buckets of balls at the range and pro shop merchandise. A discounted rate is available through Dec. 31. For details, call (219) 531-7888 or (219 462-5144. 

Colts playoffs ticket raffle at LaPorte

LAPORTE | The LaPorte High School athletic department is selling tickets for a Colts playoff package. Prize includes two tickets to a playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium, a VIP room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with valet service, $125 gift certificate at St. Elmo's Steak House and a $100 gift certificate for the Colts Pro Shop. Raffle tickets are $10 per ticket or three for $25. They may be purchased at LaPorte Sporting Goods, Hawkins Print Shop, Angelo Bernacchi Greenhouse and the I Street Family Tavern. The drawing will take place Jan. 4 during the morning show on WLOI-AM (1540)/WCOE-FM (96.7). For details, call (219) 362-4713.

Slicers in need of an assistant soccer coach

LAPORTE | LaPorte High School is in need of a boys soccer assistant coach. For details, contact athletic director Ed Gilliland at either (219) 362-4713 or egilliland@lpcsc.k12.in.us.

Lakeshore Gymnastics offers winter session

CHESTERTON | The winter session at Lakeshore Gymnastics will begin Dec. 28. Lakeshore offers a preschool gymnastics class for ages 2-5, school-aged classes for those 5-18, plus specialized classes (gymnastics for school-aged boys and cheerleading). Dance programs include Tiny Tappers (4-6), plus school-aged classes in ballet, lyrical, tap, jazz and hip-hop. Classes are open to those age 2, but the child must be accompanied by a parent. For details, call (219) 926-4274.

Indoor soccer league at Portage YMCA

PORTAGE | Indoor soccer league registration runs through Dec. 31 at the Portage Twp. YMCA. The league for ages 3-10 runs Jan. 4 through Feb. 13. For details, contact Ryan Penrod at either (219) 762-9622 or ryan@ymcacofportage.org.

Boys and girls clubs winter soccer signups

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso's Boys and Girls Clubs of Porter County will conduct winter indoor soccer league signups through Friday. Signup hours are from 2 to 8 p.m. weekdays. The cost is $15 for ages 5-7, $20 for age divisions 8/9 and 10/12. A current membership is also required, which is $25 for the entire year. The league runs Jan. 4 through March 13. For details, call (219) 462-2182, ext. 233, or go to bgcpoco.org.

Portage Parks offers two winter soccer programs

PORTAGE | The Portage Parks Department is offering two winter soccer programs. The Kiddie Kickers indoor soccer league is open to children ages 3-4. Cost is $35 for residents, $40 for non-residents. Practices run from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday nights. Games take place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday nights. Signup deadline is Dec. 11. The season starts Jan. 6.

A four-day soccer skills and drills camp runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 18-21. The camp is open to grades 6-8. The cost is $50 for residents, $60 for non-residents. Registration deadline is Jan. 15.

For details, call (219) 762-1675.

Jr. NBA basketball signups in December

PORTAGE | The Forrest L. Rhode Boys and Girls Club will hold registration for the Jr. NBA Basketball League Wednesday and Friday. There are three age divisions. Biddy Ball is for ages 5-7; membership fee is $20. The junior league is for ages 8-10; membership fee is $30. The senior league is for those ages 11-13; membership fee is $35. An all-girls junior division will be offered. Every other league is coed. A year-long boys and girls club membership is $25. Scholarships are available to those who qualify. For details, call Andy Davis at (219) 762-4613, or go to bgcpoco.org.

Winter baseball camp in Portage

PORTAGE | Portage High School's baseball team will run a winter baseball camp for students in grades kindergarten through eighth in December, January and February. Camp dates are Saturday as well as Dec. 12, 19, Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 , Feb. 6, 13 and 20. The price is $100 for all 10 Saturday sessions. Grades K-4 meet from 8 to 9:30 a.m., while grades 5-8 meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. For details, call coach Tim Pirowski at (219) 484-1405.

Indiana Nitroz holding 13U baseball tryouts

REGION | The Indiana Nitroz 13U baseball team is having tryouts for the 2010 season. For details, contact Coach Jay at (219) 947-0604 or at coachj@indiananitroz.com, or go to INDIANANITROZ.COM.

NWI Shockers 13U baseball team looking for players

REGION | The Northwest Indiana Shockers 13-and-under travel baseball team is looking for a few players to complete its 2010 roster. Those interested should contact Scott Kapers at (219) 742-2652 or drkapers@creatingsmilesdentalspa.com.

Larry Bigbie giving hitting lessons at Triple Crown

VALPARAISO | Former Major League Baseball player Larry Bigbie is giving hitting lessons at Triple Crown Valparaiso. For details, call (219) 462-3927.

Lessons offered at Gump's Dugout

KOUTS | Gump's Dugout baseball/softball school is taking reservations for private lessons or team indoor practice rentals. For details, call (219) 766-3109.

Free family swim nights in Portage

PORTAGE | The aquatics department of the Portage Twp. YMCA will host free family swim nights from 6 to 8:45 the first Friday of each month in the west pool at Portage High School. For details, contact Ryan Penrod at either (219) 762-9622 or ryan@ymcaofportage.org. Information is also available at ymcaofportage.org.

Portage Parks open gym during Christmas break

PORTAGE | The Oakwood Hall at Woodland Park will be open for unstructured gym play from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 22-23 and Dec. 28-30. Cost is $1 for residents and $5 for non-residents. For details, call (219) 762-1675.

High School basketball league at The Fieldhouse

MERRILLVILLE | The Fieldhouse-Merrillville is holding a High School Fall Basketball League for boys and girls in grades 9-12. The four-week league starts Thursday and will finish with a single-elimination tournament on Dec. 20. The league consists of four games and at least two playoff games. Cost is $250 per team, which includes insurance, or $75 for individual registration. Registration deadline is today. For more information, call (219) 738-2424 or go to WWW.THEFIELDHOUSE-MERRILLVILLE.COM.

Junior Phenom Basketball Camp in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS | An Adidas Junior Phenom Basketball Camp for boys and girls in grades 5-8 will take place Dec. 20 at Park Tudor High School in Indianapolis. Directing the camp will be Ed Schilling and April McDivitt of Champions Academy. Schilling played Division 1 basketball at Miami University (Ohio), and later coached in college and the NBA with the New Jersey Nets. McDivitt was Indiana's Miss Basketball in 1997 before playing collegiately for Tennessee. For more information, call (219) 614-2535 or e-mail adidastop150@yahoo.com.

Adult basketball leagues at C.P. Health and Fitness Center

CROWN POINT | The next Women's Basketball League at Crown Point Health and Fitness Center will start on Dec. 20. There will be open gym for potential players from 2-4 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 13. Team fee is $500.

Also, the Men's League at C.P. Health and Fitness is due to start this month. For more information, call Dave at (219) 765-4966.

Hobart Junior Hoops holding sixth-grade boys tournament

HOBART | Hobart Junior Hoops is hosting a sixth-grade boys basketball tournament on Dec. 13. Cost is $225 per team. There will be a three-game guarantee. For more information, call Ron at (219) 616-7166 or e-mail hoops@hobartjrhoops.com.

Flag football at The Dome in Crown Point

CROWN POINT | Men's flag football at The Dome in Crown Point needs one more team to fill its Wednesday Night League. Cost is $600 per team, plus ref fees. For more information, call Dave at (219) 765-4966.

Portage Parks Department offers programs

PORTAGE | The Portage Parks Department is offering programs this winter.

Strike Busters Bowling: A six-week session at Camelot Lanes will start at 4 p.m. Jan. 14. Bowling is open to ages 4-12. Cost is $40 for residents, $5 for non-residents. Deadline is Jan. 13.

Tumbling Tuesdays: Children will learn the fundamentals of tumbling while developing balance, agility and strength. Sessions, which run on six consecutive Tuesdays, will begin Jan. 15 and March 2, at the Portage Yacht Club. They go from 5:30 to 6:20 p.m. for age 2 and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for ages 4-5. Class size limit is 15. Cost is $35 for residents, $40 for non-residents. Register for a session by the day prior to its start.