PNW campuses to celebrate MLK legacy
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host East Chicago native and U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel at two Martin Luther King Jr. programs on the Westville and Hammond campuses. Curiel’s address will honor Dr. King’s legacy and vision and reflect the programs’ theme, “Together we win with love for humanity.” A Celebration Breakfast will be held from 8:30-10 a.m. Monday in the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex, Great Hall, 1401 South U.S. 421, Westville. The doors open at 8 a.m. A program honoring Dr. King will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday in the Student Union and Library, Alumni Hall, 2233 173rd St., Hammond. The doors open at 10 a.m. A reception will be held following Judge Curiel’s speech. The events are free and open to the public. Reservations are required by Friday at www.pnw.edu/MLK-celebration.
Lake County Amateur Radio Club meeting
Lake County Amateur Radio Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Lake County Government Center Complex Building, 2900 W. 93rd Ave., Crown Point. The program will address Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID tags, and Extra Low Frequencies. Meetings are free and open to Ham Radio operators and to the public. A free raffle for Ham Radio related items will be be held. More information is at http://www.W9LJ.org.
Library Holiday Closing
The East Chicago Public Library system will be closed Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The closing applies to both the Main Library, 2401 Columbus Drive, and the Pastrick Branch Library, 1008 W. Chicago Ave. The closing also applies to the library’s community centers: Owens, Penn, Marktown and Clemente. Regular library hours will resume Tuesday. Main and Pastrick Branch hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. More information is at 219-397-2453.
Dunes Learning Center winter open house
Dunes Learning Center will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 700 Howe Road, Porter. The free event offers families a day of indoor and outdoor fun led by the center’s team of naturalists. Activities include guided hikes, crafts, nature games, and live music, as well as opportunities to learn about winter ecology through hands-on education programs. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served. Registration is required at DunesLearningCenter.org/events. Space is limited. More information is at 219-395-1882 or at www.nps.gov/indu.
Porter County Parks and Recreation programs
Porter County Parks and Recreation will offer a variety of programs in January. Yoga at the Sunset Hill Farmhouse, 9-10 a.m. Sundays through March 4 at 775 Meridian Road, Valparaiso. Cost is $75 for the series, $10 for drop in. Yoga at Brincka Cross Gardens, 10-11 a.m. Jan. 21 at 427 Furness Road, Michigan City. Fee is $10. Dream Circle Share, 10-11 a.m. Jan. 27 at Brincka Cross Gardens. Cost is $10. Acrylic Painting, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Jan. 25 at Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St., Valparaiso. The same project will be completed at each session. Fee is $10. More information is with Becky Kreiger at 219-734-0203 or bkreiger@porterco.org.
Couch to Foot Pursuit 5K program
Porter County Parks and Recreation is offering a Couch to Foot Pursuit 5K program from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Saturdays through February 24 at Sunset Hill Farm Park, 775 Meridian Road, Valparaiso. The trail running program prepares participants for the Foot Pursuit 5K, which takes place at Sunset Hill Farm Park on March 3. Runners from beginners to experienced athletes are invited to participate. Children also are welcome. The program is taught by an RRCA certified running coach and an experienced trail runner. The program is $55 per person, which includes Foot Pursuit 5K race registration, a weekly training schedule, workout tips, and a private Facebook group for discussion and encouragement. Organized by the Porter County Sheriff’s Department, proceeds from the race benefit the Porter County chapter of the American Red Cross and the Timothy Hecht Scholarship Fund. Registration is at https://apm.activecommunities.com/portercountyparks or with Becky Kreiger at 219-734-0203.
— Staff report
