Butterfly expert to speak in Gary
The Miller Garden Club will host its first general meeting of the year at 10 a.m. March 18 at Marquette Park Aquatorium, 6918 Oak Ave. Dolly Foster, landscape horticulturist for the Oak Lawn Park District, will discuss butterfly gardening. The club meets the third Saturday of the month from March through October. Meetings are open to the public. More information is with Joanne Stratton at 312-543-1561.
Vendors sought for National Lakeshore
The National Park Service is seeking food trucks or other self-contained food service vendors to serve park visitors at various national lakeshore locations, such as West Beach and the Chellberg Farm, and at special events scheduled. These events include the Midsummer Celebration on June 24, the Apple Festival on Sept. 16-17 and the Outdoor Adventure Festival on Oct. 6-8. Completed applications for a permit include a payment of $65 to cover the costs of processing the request. Additionally, vendors selling food must comply with county and federal health regulations. Vendors can apply to operate at multiple locations or events under the same commercial use authorization. Contact Amber Siewin at 219-395-1859 or Amber_Siewin@nps.gov.
Annual heart symposium in Munster
Healthy Heart and Mind, an annual heart health symposium, will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at The Center for Visual and Preforming Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. Dr. Demetrius Lopes, assistant professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center, will discuss carotid artery disease. Dr. Wassim Ballany, a electrophysiologist at Community Hospital, will present on atrial fibrillation. The program is free, but registration is required at 219-836-3477 or 866-836-3477. More information is at www.comhs.org.
Red Cross to host blood drive
The American Red Cross Blood Services Indiana-Ohio Region will host a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Jean Shepherd Community Center, 3031 J.F. Mahoney Drive, Cafe A and B, Hammond. Schedule appointments at 800-733-2767 or www.redcrossblood.org, sponsor code jscommc.
Taltree seasonal job openings, internships
Taltree Arboretum and Gardens in Valparaiso is hiring temporary employees and interns for the season from March 27 through Oct. 31. Positions include gardeners, grounds workers, visitor services associates, event coordinator, marketing and public relations coordinator and model train operators. Taltree also is offering paid and unpaid internships with flexible schedules in marketing, events, public horticulture, engineering and hospitality. Job and internship descriptions are at www.taltree.org. Submit applications and resume to www.humanresources@taltree.org. More information is at 219-742-2550.
Library to offer park pass for check out
A state park admission pass is available for checkout at the East Chicago Public Library Library, 2401 E. Columbus Drive throughout 2017. The program is a partnership between Indiana State Parks and the Indiana State Library. The pass allows residents to gain free access to 32 state parks and state forest recreation areas. More information is at 219-397-2453, ext. 17.
— Staff report
