Monday
Crown Point offers GED, English classes
The Crown Point Adult Learning Center, an affiliate of the Center of Workforce Innovations, is having open registration Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 1 to 4 p.m., and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for persons wanting to attain their high school equivalency and to learn to speak, read, and write English. Learn about the skill training available in welding, certified nursing assistant, CDL, entry level manufacturing, emergency management technician, pharmacy technician and hospitality. For more information, call 219-314-9904 or visit 122 North Main Street (inside the Crown Point Community Library).
Public compost sites to open
Porter County residents can drop off and recycle yard waste from spring cleanups beginning Monday when two area compost sites open for the season. The Valparaiso compost site will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays at 2150 W. Lincolnway. The Boone Grove compost site will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays at 400 West 500 South. Materials accepted at either site include organic yard waste, leaves, garden clippings, household plants, brush, limbs, logs and firewood. Treated wood or lumber is not accepted at either site. Both sites also will take unusable electronics, compact and tube fluorescent light bulbs, household batteries, toner cartridges, floppy disks, DVDs and CDs for proper disposal. Compost and mulch will be available at both locations for residents to take while supplies last. More information is at www.PorterCountyRecycling.org or at 219-465-3694.
Women’s History Month discussions
To commemorate Women’s History Month, area libraries and businesses will host presentations on the Role of Women in History. The next discussion will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St. More information is with Lisa Beck at lisa61@yahoo.com.
March programs posted for Porter County Parks and Rec
Porter County Parks and Rec announced its new listing of March programs. Acrylic painting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Hebron Public Library, 201 W. Sigler St. Cost is $10. Register at bkreiger@porterco.org. Yoga at Sunset Hill Farmhouse, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Mondays through April 24; 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through April 25 and 9 to 10 a.m. Sundays through May 7 at 775 Meridian Road, Valparaiso. Cost is $75 for each series or $10 drop-in. Dining with diabetes, in conjunction with Purdue Extension, 12:30 p.m. Thursdays through March 23 at Westchester Public Library Hageman Branch, 100 Francis St., Porter. This program is free. Acrylic painting from 2 to 4 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St., and from 3 to 5 p.m. March 29 at Hawthorne Park, 500 Ackerman Drive, Porter. Cost for each class is $10. Register at bkreiger@porterco.org.
Tuesday
Self-injury support group
The self-injury support groups of Northwest Indiana meet from 6 to 8 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at St. Matthias Parish Building, 101 W. Burrell Drive, Crown Point. A community service, the support group is free of charge and confidential. More information is at www.selfinjurynwi.com.
Self-injury awareness forum
The self-injury support groups of Northwest Indiana will host a community forum at 6 p.m. April 11 at St. Matthias Parish Building, 101 W. Burrell Drive, Crown Point. Community team professionals — including first responders, school administrators and counselors, psychiatrists, therapists and residential home staff — will address ways in which they respond to situations of self-injury. Register by Monday to Ruth Ogden Halstead at 219-201-8994 or ruthsfamilytherapy@gmail.com.
Thursday
PNW hosts Women’s History Month programs
In celebration of Women’s History Month through the remainder of March, Purdue University Northwest will host a variety of events on its Westville campus, 1401 S. U.S. 41, and Hammond campus, 2200 169th St. Centering on the theme Living and Working in a Political World, all events are free and open to the public. Women of Character, Courage and Commitment, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 27 and 28 in the Student Union and Library concourse on the Hammond Campus, and in the Library-Student-Faculty Building, Room 144 on the Westville Campus, will feature displays highlighting women who have demonstrated fortitude of character in their lives, work and efforts. “She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry,” a film screening and discussion presented by the Department of History and Philosophy and the Women’s Studies Program, at 7 p.m Thursday in the Gyte Building, Room 103, on the Hammond Campus. Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Leadership Lessons, a panel discussion, will occur from noon to 1:30 p.m. March 27 in the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex Great Hall on the Westville campus, and from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union and Library, Room 150D, on the Hammond campus. Literary Celebration — The First Friday Wordsmiths will discuss women’s contributions to the literary world. Both male and female writers at PNW will have an opportunity to share their pieces through a writing contest and open mic from 6 to 8 p.m. March 28 in the Student Union and Library, Room 321 on the Hammond Campus. Writers can submit a piece of writing that is no more than 1,500 words by Saturday to firstfridaywordsmiths@gmail.com. Contest winners will read and discuss their entries. College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences Lecture Series — Melissa E. Sanchez, associate professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania, will present “Ain’t I a Ladie?: Race, Sexuality, and Early Modern Women Writers” at 4:30 p.m. March 30 in the Student Union and Library, Room 150D, on the Hammond Campus. More information is at www.pnw.edu.
Diversity and inclusion luncheon on Thursday
The Urban League of Northwest Indiana will host its annual Diversity and Inclusion Awards luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Avalon Manor, 3550 U.S. 30, Merrillville. Local organizations and high schools with notable diversity and inclusion programs will be recognized at the luncheon. Tickets are $75 per person or $175 for the small business package, which includes lunch for three. More information is at 219-887-9621 or info@urbanleagueofnwi.org.
Friday
Porter County to host annual tree sale
Purdue Extension Porter County is taking orders through Friday for trees and small fruit plants for spring planting. Homeowners can choose from a variety of fruit trees, ornamentals, native trees, and fruit and vegetable plants. Pre-ordered plants will be distributed at the Porter County Tree Sale and Workshop from 8 to 11 a.m. April 1 at the Porter County Fairgrounds, 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso. Tree information and pre-order forms are available at www.extension.purdue.edu/porter.
Fourth Friday event at the VIC
The Valparaiso International Center will present a Fourth Friday event, featuring Koukab Al Gharibi, who will discuss the health care system and the culture and people of her native Oman, at 7 p.m. Friday at 309 E. Lincolnway. Al Gharibi, who is working on a master’s degree in nursing at Valparaiso University, trained as a registered nurse at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, and was a cardiothoracic nurse and professor. Admission is free. More information is at info@valpovic.org or www.valpovic.org.
Fish fry dinners held at Bishop Noll
Bishop Noll will host fish fry dinners from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday in the school cafeteria, 1519 Hoffman St., Hammond. Dinners include salad bar, entree, dessert and drink. Cost is $8 for pollock, $9 for ocean perch, $11 for shrimp and $11 for a mixed platter. Kids’ meals are $5. More information is at 219-932-9058.
St. Andrew’s Church fish fry
An all-you-can-eat fish fry will be served from 4 to 6:30 p.m. every Friday of Lent except Good Friday, through April 7, at St. Andrew’s Church, 801 W. 73rd Ave., Merrillville. In addition to fried or baked fish, there will be pierogis, french fries or baked potato, salad, bread, a bake sale, and free coffee and ice cream. Cost is $10 for adults, $6 for children 12 and younger. Carryout is available for $8. More information is at 219-769-8534.
Saturday
Backpacking for fitness
Learn about backpacking for fitness and go for a hike at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Meet at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 1215 N. State Road 49, Chesterton, for a short presentation before heading to Chellberg Farm for a hike. Dress for the weather and bring a comfortable pack weighing 10 to 20 pounds, including water. More information is at 219-395-1882 or www.nps.gov/indu.
Benefit to aid families in crisis
Bottoms Up for Babies, a fundraiser to benefit the Twice as Nice Mother and Child Diaper Bank, will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the North Shore Distillery, 13990 W. Rockland Road, Green Oaks, Ill. Proceeds will benefit mothers and children in need. Tickets are $65 each and include two drink tokens, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, distillery tours from 6 to 7 p.m., spirits tastings, live music and a silent auction. Buy tickets online at www.twiceasnicemc.org or eventbrite.com.
Mayor to host Motown-themed gala
The Mayor’s Gala 2017, Motown, will begin with a cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Genesis Convention Center, 1 Genesis Plaza, Gary. Presented by the Friends of Karen Freeman-Wilson, tickets are $100 each, which includes dinner, live entertainment and dancing. Table reservations, tickets and sponsorships are available at 219-455-6369 or friendsoKFW@gmail.com.
PNW offering art tours
Inaugural tours of new works of art at the Purdue University Northwest Hammond Campus will be offered to the community from 11 a.m. to noon and from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday starting at the Welcome Center on the first floor of the Student Union and Library at 2233 173rd St. The tours will feature both contemporary paintings and sculptures, the majority of which were acquired recently through generous gifts. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet some of the artists during a reception. The tours are free. More information is with Rachel Pollack at rpollack@pnw.edu.
PNW campuses to host open houses
Prospective students and their parents are invited to learn more about Purdue University Northwest’s Westville’s programs and facilities at upcoming open house. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, beginning at the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex, 1401 S. U.S. 421. Registration and more information is at admissions.pnw.edu/undergraduate/open-house.
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. Saturday. 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.
— Staff report
