Mini Events

Thursday, Aug. 4th

Portage Night Out Against Crime

Area residents gather at Founders’ Square Park, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Speak with local public safety officials, obtain safety awareness information and view the newest police vehicle. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact Portage Mayor Olga Velasquez, 762-5425.

Friday, Aug. 5th

Special Sale

Sponsored by Golden Living Center, 9 a.m. until 3:30 pm. At Fountainview Place, 3175 Lancer St., Portage. Benefits the  Alzheimer’s Walk. Name brand, top quality products at factory-direct prices; values up to 80 percent. Public invited. For more information, call 462-6158.

Tuesday, Aug. 9

Portage Kiwanis Guest Day

In the Porter Hospital, Portage campus, cafeteria at 7:30 a.m. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Terry Hufford.  For more information, call 781-3295 or email portagekiwanis@aol.com.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-14

Portage Perch Fest

The Gran Prix, rides, food, competitions. Vendors can still apply to participate. Those applications are accessible online at www.ci.portage.in.us. For more information, call 762-1675.

Saturday, Aug. 13th

Valpo Junior Triathlon

Swim-Bike-Run for fitness and fun; children ages 6-14. For more information, call 462-5144 or visit www.valpoparks.org.

Hazardous Waste Collection

Portage High School, 6450 U.S. 6.  For household hazardous waste only. Please don’t bring appliances, electronics or tires. Sponsored by Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County. For more information, call 465-3694 or visit www.itmeanstheworld.org.

Gift of Life

Additional American Red Cross blood drive, 3- 5:30 p.m. at Family Video, 2502 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso. Donate and be entered into a region-wide drawing to win free gas for a year ($3,000 gift card). For more information, call 756-5370 or visit www.redcrossblood.org/locations/merrillville-donor-center.

Saturday, Aug. 19th

Tall Grass Prairie Guided Hike

At Oak Ridge Prairie, 9 a.m., 10 to adult, Individual sign ups only, reservations required: 844-3188.

Comfortable walking shoes and insect repellent are recommended.  Meet in the parking lot by the kiosk.

Oak Ridge Prairie County Park is located at 301 South Colfax St. in Griffith.

Saturday, Aug. 20th

Hobart Jaycees’ Third annual Poker Walk during Lakefront Festival. Worst hand wins. Registration begins 4 p.m. in front of Lakefront beer garden. First person out 5 p.m. For more information, call Tracie at 614-6672 or visit www. hobartjaycees.com.

Sunday, Aug. 21st

Glenn Miller Band

Most sought-after concert and swing-dance orchestra in world for one show at Munster High School Auditorium, 8808 Columbia Ave., 2 p.m. Admission charged. For more information, call 938-9001 or e-mail brenda@omarpresents.com.

Wednesday, Aug. 24th

Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Tickets go on sale at Deep River Waterpark. Tickets usually sell out. Admission is $8 per person, each person may buy up to 15 tickets. Tickets for assigned times and dates, weekends Sept. 16-17 and Sept. 23-24, 10 performances each date. For more information, visit www.lakecountyparks.com, e-mail info@lakecountyparks.com or call 769-PARK. 

Saturday, Aug. 27th

Geocaching Event at Stoney Run

Meet at shelter No. 2 at 1 p.m. Event is free, but park gate entrance fee is charged. Meet at Shelter 2; pre-registration required. BYO snacks, drinks and bug spray.  Call 219-769-PARK to sign up. If you are new to this game, you will be paired with experienced cachers. Visit www.geocaching.com to get the basics. For more information, visit www.lakecountyparks.com or e-mail info@lakecountyparks.com.

Ongoing

Westchester Is Rolling

Select bowling centers and schools around the country are participating in the first ever Kids Bowl Free program. Westchester Bowling Center in Chesterton has set specific times and days for this event. For more information,  call 926-2523.

Valparaiso Parks Yoga

Practice outdoors yoga with Lori Estadt from Asana Yoga Center. One-hour classes Mondays, July 18-Aug. 8; 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Ogden Gardens. Fee charged. For more information, call 462-5144 or visit online at www.valpoparks.org.

Bonner Bingo

The Bonner Senior Center sponsors a fund-raising bingo session on the first Sunday of every month at the center, 5800 Lexington Ave., Portage. Early bird play starts at noon, regular play, an hour later. The games are open to the public. For more information, call 762-1522 or 762-3591. Participants must be 18 years old.

Singles Dances

New Horizons dances, every Tuesday evening, 8-11 p.m., Hobart Elks, 3560 61st Ave., Hobart, complimentary dance lessons at 7:30 p.m., D.J. Linda Stottlemire, admission $5, for information, call 942-1152.

Toastmasters

The Valparaiso Toastmasters Chapter, an organization dedicated to helping people develop their public speaking and leadership skills, meets the first and third Wednesdays of every month from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Valparaiso Public Library. Guests are welcome. For more information, call 548-9545.

American Legion Post 94

At the corner of Washington and Monroe streets in Valparaiso, offers lunch, every Monday-Wednesday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and the world-famous tacos on Tuesday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Bingo every Friday, early bird at 6:30 p.m., regular games at 7 p.m. For more information, call 462-4452.

Healthcare Resources

Representatives from Healthcare Advocacy Group, Inc. are available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Wednesday at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. Free resources, prescription assistance, education and help with denied claims and health care issues are available. For more information, call 942-9727.

Dancers Delight

The Hobart Elks has a dance every Sunday night at West 61st Avenue, featuring live “Big Band Music” courtesy of Dick Jurgens, Glenn Miller and Russ Morgan. Doors open at 7 p.m. Dance is from 7:30-10:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call 942-1152 or 464-0825.

Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Tickets go on sale Aug. 24 at Deep River Waterpark. Tickets usually sell out. Admission is $8 per person, each person may buy up to 15 tickets. Tickets for assigned times and dates, weekends Sept. 16-17 and Sept. 23-24, 10 performances each date. For more information, visit www.lakecountyparks.com, e-mail info@lakecountyparks.com or call 769-PARK.