Monday
Smoking cessation classes in Gary
Methodist Hospitals will offer Smoking Cessation classes from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through April 3 at the Northlake Campus, 600 Grant St., Gary. The fee for the session is $60. Based on the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking Program, instruction is designed to help individuals develop an approach to quitting that works for them through the use of coping skills, self-monitoring, and stress and weight management. Registration and more information is at 888-909-3627 or MethodistHospitals.org.
Library holiday closing in East Chicago
The East Chicago Public Library system, including both the main branch, 2401 Columbus Drive, and the Pastrick Branch Library, 1008 W. Chicago Ave., will be closed Monday in observance of Presidents Day. The closing also applies to the library’s community centers: King, Owens, Penn, Marktown, Clemente and Heritage Hall. Regular hours will resume Tuesday. More information is at 219-397-2453 or 219-397-5505.
Date set for Savor the South Shore
The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority will host Savor the South Shore-Restaurant Weeks from Monday to March 5, and is seeking restaurants to participate. More than 30 restaurants took part in last year’s event, which offers diners discounted three-course menus. Restaurants interested in participating can submit their menu information at www.alongthesouthshore.com/savor. The form includes menu price points and specifics, hours and whether a special lunch menu will be offered. Participation is free and open to all restaurants in Northwest Indiana offering lunch and/or dinner. Restaurants also will have their menus featured on the Savor the South Shore webpage, and will be promoted on the Facebook page and VIP Text List. More information is with Heather Becerra at 219-989-7770.
Grant to benefit homeowners in Gary
Senior residents that are U.S. veterans and are homeowners in Gary could receive weatherization upgrades to their homes through a community improvement grant recently awarded to the city. The city of Gary is a recipient of a $5,000 Community Impact Grant from the Home Depot Foundation. The foundation provides grants and volunteer opportunities to support small home modification projects, weatherization assistance and other improvements for existing homes and other structures. The program also will serve as a training opportunity for veterans living in Gary. Veterans will be able to shop for materials and work alongside the contractor assigned to perform construction work. Applications are available to those fitting the criteria at the city’s Community Development Department, 839 Broadway. Applications must be completed by Monday. Residents are asked to bring a recorded deed, a tax bill, an identification card, a utility bill, proof of homeowner’s insurance, verification of income and proof of veteran status. The amount allocated for residences will be determined based on need, cost of materials and the number of applications received. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a first-come, first-served basis. For information, call 219-881-5075.
Tuesday
Dinner and a movie at Dunes Learning Center
Food for thought is on the menu at the second meeting of the Dunes Dinner Club to be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Dunes Learning Center’s Cowles Lodge dining hall, 700 Howe Road, Chesterton. A screening of “The Land, an Adventure Play Documentary” will precede a four-course dinner. Guests are invited to explore the center’s trail system before or after the event. Tickets are $60 per person or $100 per couple. The purchase price includes a tax-deductible donation to send local children to camp. Reservations required before Tuesday at www.duneslearningcenter.org/events.
Free film screening in Porter County
The Porter County Substance Abuse Council will host a screening of “Generation Found” in conjunction with a Providers Network Night at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Portage IMAX, 6550 U.S. 6. The community is invited, and tickets are free for Porter County residents. Mental health providers, substance abuse professionals and police officers are invited to provide information and resources for those in attendance before and after the screening. Tickets are at www.eventbrite.com/generationfound. More information is at 219-462-0946.
East Chicago special education meeting
The School City of East Chicago will host its monthly special education meeting for parents from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the district’s administration building, 1401 E. 144th St. The topic will be strategies for handling challenging behaviors. Refreshments will be provided, and children are welcome to attend. More information is at 219-391-4100 or scec.k12.in.us/groups/3600.
Portage Kiwanis Club to host speakers
The community is invited to join the Portage Kiwanis Club at their 7:30 a.m. meetings every Tuesday as they host presentations of local interest. Randi Light, of Enlightened Living, will speak on Tuesday. All meetings are held in the cafe at Porter Hospital, 3630 Willowcreek Road, Portage. More information is at 219-781-3295 or www.kiwanis.org.
Porter Hospital offers support groups
Porter Regional Hospital has announced upcoming support groups. Hope and Healing, a women’s cancer support group, will meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fagen Pharmacy, 3400 N. Calumet Ave., Valparaiso. More information is with Peggy Banks at 219-983-6128. Beyond the Baby Blues, a support group for mothers struggling with postpartum depression, will meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Community Room at Porter Regional Hospital, 85 E. U.S. Highway 6, Valparaiso; and from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Childbirth Melodies, 138 S. Main St., Crown Point. More information is at 219-331-1945 for Valparaiso or 219-782-4149 for Crown Point. The Ostomy Support Group will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the community room at Porter Regional Hospital, 85 E. U.S. Highway 6. Information is with Sarah Grcich at 219-309-5939 or Michele Kaplan-Jones at 219-406-0019. A stroke survivor support group for survivors, caregivers and family members will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Duneland Family YMCA, 215 Roosevelt St., Chesterton. More information is at 219-983-8355.
Wednesday
Community interest meeting for autism center
Lighthouse Autism Center will host meetings to gauge the level of interest for an applied behavior analysis autism center in Porter County at 2 and 6 p.m. Wednesday at Hampton Inn and Suites, 1451 Silhavy Road, Valparaiso. Lighthouse serves the communities of South Bend, Mishawaka, Plymouth and Warsaw. The meeting is open to all interested parents and professionals. More information is at 574-387-4313, PatS@LighthouseAutismCenter.com or www.LighthouseAutismCenter.com.
IU Northwest celebrates Black History Month
Indiana University Northwest’s office of Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs invites the campus and community to celebrate Black History Month with a series of cultural events spotlighting African-American arts and culture. Films will be screened throughout the month: “The Road to Brown” will be shown at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Tickets are not required. A guided discussion will take place after each film and light refreshments will be served. All films will be at the Savannah Center, Rooms 205/206, 3400 Broadway, Gary. A Jazz History Concert featuring Billy Foster will trace the history of jazz and its genres from the early 1900s to today, 6 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Bruce W. Bergland Auditorium, Savannah Center, 3400 Broadway, Gary. Tickets and information are with Tierra Jackson at 219-980-6596 or jacksoti@iun.edu.
Thursday
Franciscan nurse career fair scheduled
Franciscan Health’s Dyer, Hammond and Munster hospitals will host a free nursing career recruitment fair for their medical-surgical and critical care units from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday at The View restaurant at Centennial Park, 1005 S. Centennial Drive, Munster. Participants are asked to bring multiple copies of their resumes. Prorated sign-on bonuses will be available for specific positions. There also is a residency program for new nurses. More information is with Mary Jo Erickson at 219-865-2141, ext. 44774, Elsa Martinez at 219-932-2300, ext. 33194, or Heather Hedrick at 219-934-2946.
Friday
Exploring Science program
Join staff and fellow adventurers for a night of science exploration at 7 p.m. Friday at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center, 1215 N. Indiana 49, Chesterton. Megan Korte of the United States Geological Survey is a researcher investigating an endangered species at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. She will discuss scientific investigations in progress within the Great Lakes national parks. More information is at 219-395-1882 or www.nps.gov/indu.
Saturday
Author to speak at Dunes Visitor Center
Pioneering aviator Octave Chanute will be the subject of discussion at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 1215 N. State Road 49, Chesterton. Simine Short, author of the book “Locomotive to Aeromotive: Octave Chanute and the Transportation Revolution,” will speak about the life of Chanute, a civil engineer who was a major figure in the development of aviation and a contributor to the Wright Brothers’ success. More information is at 219-395-1882 or www.nps.gov/indu.
Community Hospital to offer screening
Community Hospital will provide Coronary Health Appraisals from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the hospital, 901 MacArthur Blvd., Munster. The screening includes total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure and body mass index. The fee is $30. Register at 219-836-3477 or 866-836-3477. More information is at www.comhs.org.
PNW to provide free tax assistance
Students from Purdue University Northwest tax and accounting classes will offer free federal and state income tax preparation assistance to taxpayers/families with incomes of $54,000 or less, individuals with disabilities and elderly residents. The volunteer tax preparers have completed 12 credit hours in accounting, including at least one tax course at Purdue North Central, and passed a rigorous IRS examination on tax rules and filing procedures. Students at the Westville Campus are participating in the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program with support from the La Porte County United Way. Appointments are required and are available from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays through March 25, except March 18. Services will be offered in the Technology Building, Room 109, 1401 U.S. 421, Westville. Hammond Campus students are assisting efforts of the American Association of Retired Persons by providing tax help at several Lake County communities. Following is a list of locations and phone numbers for appointments: Calumet Township Municipal Center, 1800 W. 41st St., Gary, 219-880-4900; Lowell Public Library, 1505 E. Commercial Ave., Lowell, 219-696-7704; Merrillville Municipal Center, 7820 Broadway, Merrillville, 219-769-3501; Schererville Town Hall, 10 E. Joliet St., Schererville, 219-322-2211; Salvation Army, 8225 Columbia Ave., Munster, 219-838-0380; and Crown Point Public Library, 122 N. Main St., Crown Point. Appointments must be made in advance in person on school days at the library. More information is at www.pnw.edu.
Sunday
Annual Heritage Gala
The Gary Section of the National Council of Negro Women will host its Annual Heritage Gala at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, at the Genesis Convention Center, One Genesis Plaza, Gary. The theme for the event will be Fortified by the Past . . . Focused on the Future. Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 at the door. Tickets and more information are at 219-808-4795 or 219-689-2158.
Lithuanian Independence Day celebration
Lithuanian American Community, Inc., East Chicago, and Knights of Lithuania Council 82 of Gary, will host the Annual Lithuanian Independence Day celebration beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday at the American Legion Griffith Post 66, 132 N. Wiggs Ave., Griffith. Lunch will be served. A speaker, soloist and Lithuanian folk dancers will be featured. Tickets are $20. Reservations are with Loreta Vician at 219-614-2498 or lrutav1218@sbcglobal.net.
March 1
Youth winter skill clinics begin
Valpo Parks in conjunction with local partners is offering youth T-ball skills sessions. T-ball clinics will be from 4:30-5:45 p.m. March 5 and 12 for ages 3-6. Cost is $15/resident, $27/nonresident. Registration ends March 1. All clinics will be held at the Valparaiso High School field house, 2727 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso. More information is at 219-462-5144 or www.ValpoParks.org.
IU Northwest to participate in college fairs
Indiana University Northwest will be take part in three college fairs scheduled at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer. The fairs will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, as well as March 1 and March 14. Last week, St. Joseph officials announced the suspension of activities at the end of the 2016-17 academic year. IU Northwest has promised to waive the application fee for admission for students transferring from St. Joseph’s. More information is with Kathy Spicer at 219-980-6848.
— Staff report
