Portage Township Schools is joining with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana to provide a Mobile Marketplace for residents of Portage Township from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Willowcreek Middle School, 5962 Central Ave., Portage. The Marketplace, sponsored by the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, will provide free grains, fruits, vegetables and protein to members of the community on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to access the Marketplace, individuals must show valid proof of residency within the township. Residents are asked to bring their own bags or boxes to carry items. The Marketplace is slated once a month in Portage Township at either Willowcreek Middle School or Portage High School. As the program becomes more regular and as it brings in more volunteers, the Marketplace will operate on a more frequent basis. More information: www.foodbanknwi.org/marketplace.

Porter County Master Gardeners Association and Purdue Extension Porter County will host a Garden Walk from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in and around Valparaiso. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and explain plantings at each garden. There will be door prize drawings at every garden. Tickets are $6 in advance, $8 the day of the walk at Strack and VanTil, 2168 U.S. 30, Valparaiso. Children younger than 12 are free. More information: www.pcgarden.info.

Shirley Heinze Land Trust announces the eighth annual Bringing Nature Home Awards program, which recognizes those who landscape their grounds or yards using plant species that are native to Northwest Indiana. Businesses, institutions, public agencies, landscapers, and home gardeners are eligible. Plantings in Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph counties are eligible, with assistance from the St. Joseph County Parks Department for St. Joseph County applicants. Full program details and an online application may be found at www.heinzetrust.org/bringing-nature-home.html. Applications are due by Monday. Representatives will make arrangements to visit the plantings after that date.

The Chefs Around the Table fundraising event date has been changed from October to Thursday because of a major renovation to Porter County Expo Center set to start after the Porter County Fair. Proceeds from the event support the initiatives of Our Greater Good, which focuses on strengthening families in Porter County. Tickets are $50 before Wednesday and $60 at the door. Kaye Frataccia has more information at kaye@ourgreatergood.com or Garner Tullis at garner@ourgreatergood.com.

Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest — formerly known as Taltree — will host its annual Cinderella Ball from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Railway Depot, and from 6 to 8 p.m. July 14 at the Celebration Rose Pavilion, both on the arboretum grounds, 450 West 100 North, Valparaiso. The daddy-daughter themed event will feature princesses, photo opportunities with a horse-drawn carriage, a “decorate your own crown station,” music and finger foods. Guests are encouraged to dress in costume. Tickets are $10 for adult members, $5 for child members, $15 for adult nonmembers and $10 for child nonmembers. Ticket sales end Friday at 5 p.m. More information: taltree.org or 219-462-0025.

Application deadline for the College Bound Scholarship program is July 7. The program provides eligible students with up to $10,500 per year toward tuition at the accredited college or university of their choice in Indiana. Returning students will need to complete an application, provide proof of residence, FAFSA filing and school transcripts. New students must complete an application, provide proof of residence and date home was purchased, letter of acceptance to college/university, FAFSA filing, school transcripts and SAT/ACT score. All returning and new students are required to perform 40 hours of community service each year. Applications are available through high school guidance counselor offices or at collegebound.gohammond.com. Sharon Daniels has more information at 219-853-6503.

— Staff report