Weekday programs at the National Park
Get out and explore Indiana Dunes National Park through a wide variety of programs offered all summer long. There will be programs every day of the week throughout the national park, including ranger guided hikes, education booths, open houses, special events and festivals. For those looking to avoid the weekend crowds, there are several programs offered on weekdays throughout July. On Mondays, Dunes Kankakee Hikes are offered from 9 to 11 a.m. beginning at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 1215 IN-49, Porter. A Pitcher’s Thistle Educational program will take place from 9 a.m. to Noon at West Beach, 376 N. County Line Road, Gary. On Tuesdays there’s a Beachcomber Hike with a Ranger from 6 to 7 p.m. at Central Beach, one mile north of the intersection of Central Avenue and U.S. Highway 12, Pines. On Wednesdays, enjoy Sunset Around the Fire from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Portage Lakefront and Pavilion. Bird Walk and Talk is held on Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center. Kick off your weekend with Beach Fun Friday from 1 to 8:30 p.m. at West Beach. For more information on these and other programs, call 219-395-1882, visit https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm, download the official National Park Service app or go to https://www.facebook.com/IndianaDunesNPS/.
Northwest Health to host heart-care seminar
Join board-certified cardiologist Jessica Williams, MD, and board-certified interventional cardiologist Anshuman Das, MD, FACC, FSCAI, as they team up to share the importance of caring for your heart today, tomorrow and for decades to come at Northwest Health’s next HealthyU wellness seminar. The free event, “Do Your Part, Care for Your Heart” will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 26 at the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte, 140 East Shore Parkway, La Porte. Drs. Williams and Das will explain the cardiac risk factors you can control or treat, how to choose a health care provider to take care of all of your heart-care needs, as well as share information on the leading-edge cardiac procedures and medical technology now available at Northwest Health. Register at nwhinfo.com/healthy_heart.
Police, community come together for National Night Out
The Valparaiso Police Department will mark their 19th year of participation in National Night Out on Aug. 1 beginning at 6 p.m. A nationwide event, National Night Out brings communities and police together to create a partnership and exchange ideas in an effort to provide a safer community. Prior years have included games, ice cream socials, cookouts and small block parties. Residents and neighborhood groups are encouraged to begin planning activities to celebrate the event. Valparaiso Police Officers and civilian staff will be visiting neighborhoods throughout the city to show their support of the citizens. To participate in this year’s event, contact Captain Joe Hall at 219-462-2135 or at jhall@valpopd.com. Registration closes at 4 p.m. July 24.
Registration open for kid’s self-defense class
The Multi Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC) Foundation will host a Kid’s Self-Defense Class from for children age 5 to 12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the MAAC First Responder Training Campus, 4203 Montdale Park Drive, Valparaiso. Qualified instructors from the Hammond Police Department will teach the fundamentals of self-defense, equipping children with essential skills to ensure their safety. Participants will learn the basics, such as situational awareness, defensive stances, stages of response, active self-defense techniques and scenario-based application. Refreshments, including water and drinks, will be provided. Parents are encouraged to stay but will be asked to refrain from participating with the children.
The registration cost per child is $5. To register visit bit.ly/kidsselfdefense2023. More information about the MAAC Foundation can be found at www.maacfoundation.org.
WOW Fest set for July 30 in East Chicago
The Annual WOW Fest is scheduled for 2 to 8 p.m. July 30 at the Jeorse Park Beach located at 3100 Aldis St., East Chicago. This event is a family affair with free food, vendors, and information from financial institutions, retail businesses, social service agencies and health agencies. The event includes a concert with various artists, free book bags filled with school supplies, free haircuts and a “Kids Fun Zone.”
Ivy Tech Valpo hosting virtual visit with Dr. Temple Grandin
Author and animal behaviorist Dr. Temple Grandin will make a virtual visit to the Valparaiso campus of Ivy Tech for a screening of her HBO biopic and a question & answer session with Grandin after the film screening. The program is scheduled for 5-8:30 p.m. Monday at the Ivy Tech Valparaiso campus auditorium, located at 3100 Ivy Tech Drive, Valparaiso, IN. The event is free of charge and open to the public.
South Shore offering free rides to teachers
To thank local educators for their hard work, the South Shore Line is inviting teachers to ride the SSL for free beginning Monday, July 24, through Sunday, July 30, on all off-peak weekday and all weekend trains (off-peak weekday trains arrive at Millennium Station after 9:30 a.m. and depart Millennium Station before 3:30 p.m. and after 6:30 p.m.). To ride, educators will need to present an active, valid school ID. Passengers can also take advantage of the Kids Ride Free Program, allowing up to three children 13 years of age and under to ride free with each parent or guardian on off-peak weekday and all weekend trains. SSL is continuing to bus passengers to stations between Michigan City and Gary, including Carroll Ave., Dune Park, Portage/Ogden Dunes, Miller, and Gary Metro Center. Buses operate according to the scheduled train times.
