Trail to beach reopened at Mt. Baldy
The National Park Service has announced that the trail to the beach at Mount Baldy has been reopened. The trail was closed for several weeks after storm waves washed out a portion of it leaving a 50-foot drop off. Park crews have now completed a rerouted trail and have reopened the area. Visitors are urged to use caution when hiking the Mount Baldy Trail and beach area. The dune and shoreline are in a constant state of change from weather and changing lake levels. Obey all markers and warning signs along the half-mile trail to the beach. Although the trail is now open, the Mount Baldy Dune itself remains closed for public safety and dune protection. While visitors can no longer climb the Mount Baldy dune on their own, they can attend ranger-led programs that will safely guide them to the top. More information is at www.nps.gov/indu.
Discover Ghana at The VIC’s Fourth Friday
The Valparaiso International Center (The VIC) will host a free cultural event at 7 p.m. Friday at 309 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso. The presentation is open to the community and will feature Yusif Bandaogou who will discuss his homeland, Ghana. The VIC’s Fourth Friday series highlights a new culture every month. Speakers who are from the subject country share their experiences, as well as photos, food, clothing and stories. More information is at www.valpovic.org.
Food vendor sought for Portage Lakefront Cafe
The National Park Service at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is seeking one food service vendor to serve park visitors in the concessions area at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion, 100 Riverwalk Drive. There will be a minimum requirement that the vendor operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday Memorial Day through Labor Day, but the selected vendor can choose to operate on additional days or for longer hours. Federal regulations require any individuals or groups selling food or other items in a national park to obtain a Commercial Use Authorization permit. Completed applications for a permit must include a payment of $65 to cover the costs of processing the request, a proposed list of menu items with prices and are due no later than Feb. 2. The Park Service also is seeking food trucks or other self-contained food service vendors to serve park visitors at West Beach, Porter Beach and Kemil Beach throughout the 2018 beach season. All inquiries are welcome. Applications and more information are with Amber Siewin at 219-395-1859 or at amber_siewin@nps.gov.
Sierra Club, Unitarian Church to host documentary
The Dunelands Sierra Club and First Unitarian Church of Hobart’s Faith in Action will sponsor a screening of “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,” at 6:45 p.m. Monday at Art Theater and Three Monkeys Pub, 230 Main St., Hobart. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Dinner and drinks are available for purchase. The movie is free, but donations are welcome. More information is at 219-743-0679 or at https://www.facebook.com/SierraClubDunelandsGroup/.
— Staff report
