Valpo to host neighborhood workshop
To further promote neighborhood engagement, the city of Valparaiso will host a neighborhood workshop from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Valparaiso City Hall, 166 Lincolnway. These workshops provide an opportunity for neighborhood representative to connect and learn from each other. The June agenda includes an introduction to Police Chief Andrew McIntyre and a discussion on neighborhood services. Neighborhood groups, including homeowners’ associations, neighborhood associations or newly forming groups are encouraged to send representatives to the workshop. The full agenda is available on the Community Engagement page at valpo.us. To participate in the workshop, RSVP by contacting Maggie Clifton at City Hall 219-462-1161 or mclifton@valpo.us. Registration is requested to ensure materials and space for all participants.
Tickets on sale for Gabby Barrett in concert
Nashville’s multiplatinum star Gabby Barrett will perform in concert at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Northwest Health Amphitheater in Central Park Plaza, 68 Lafayette St., Valparaiso. Tickets are $39 at HometownJams.com.
Community Band to perform at 49er Drive-In
The Valparaiso Community/University Concert Band will make its third annual appearance at 7:15 p.m. June 21 at the 49er Drive-In Theater, 675 N. Calumet Ave., Valparaiso. The band will play a 45-minute concert before the first feature of the evening. The repertoire will include a variety of music to entertain audiences of all ages. Jeffrey Scott Doebler, director of music education and bands at Valparaiso University, is the band’s conductor and founder. The box office will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for ages 12 and older, $5 for ages 5 to 11 and free for children younger than 4. More information is at https://49erdrivein.com/.
District, health department offer medical sharps collection
The Recycling and Waste Reduction District has launched a partnership with the Porter County Health Department to offer a residential medical sharps collection. Residents can bring in their medical sharps, needles, syringes and lancets to Porter County Health Department offices for proper disposal. Residents can drop off materials from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the following Health Department locations: 155 Indiana Ave, Suite 104, Valparaiso; or 3590 Willowcreek Road, Suite C, Portage. Insulin needles, lancets, and boost patches must be deposited in a hard plastic container for collection. For more information, contact the District at 219-465-3694 or info@portercountyrecycling.org.
Portage to celebrate Independence Day
Portage will be celebrating this year’s Independence Day with a parade, music, food and fireworks on July 1. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. from the entrance to the Portage Mall, west on Central to Willowcreek Road and then south to Sunrise. Groups, individuals, nonprofits and businesses are invited to participate in the parade. This year’s theme is All-American Holiday. Potential entrants can stop by City Hall, 6070 Central Ave., to pick up an application or visit the city’s website at https://www.portagein.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=568 for more information. The parade will be followed by a festival at Founders Square at 5 p.m. Fifteen food trucks will provide a variety of eats. The Crawpuppies will take the stage at 6 p.m. A doughnut eating contest will be held at 7 p.m. The winner will receive a Family Express gift card. The evening will end with the city’s fireworks show at dusk. For more information, call 219-762-5425.
Gary Public Library announces programs
The annual Summer Reading Program, “All Together Now” begins Monday at all units of the Gary Public Library. The six-week program, for students preschool through 12th grade, continues until July 25. Complete rules and sign-up sheets are available at all library units or on the library’s website, www.garypubliclibrary.org/.
The public is invited to learn more about the South Shore Double Track Project, at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Main Library 220 W. 5th Avenue. Representatives of the South Shore Double Track project and the Indiana Department of Transportation will present the talk.
The Friends of the Library Pop-Up Book Sale will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Thursday at the Woodson Branch, 501 S. Lake Street. Gently used books, DVDs & audio books will be available while supplies last.
Meet author K.C. Taylor as she launches her new book, “Black Leather Jacket” from 3-4:30 p.m. on Friday at the Main Library, 220 W. 5th Ave. on Friday, June 16.
For these and more upcoming events visit the library’s website at www.garypubliclibrary.org/events.
