Central Park Plaza site of Valparaiso Pride event
The Valparaiso Democratic Committee will sponsor its first Paws for Pride event from noon-4 p.m. July 30 in downtown Valparaiso’s Central Park Plaza.
Scheduled to be on hand are LGBTQ+ advocacy and non-profit groups as well as LGBTQ+ owned and/or aligned vendors, artists and merchants, according to a release. Music will be supplied by a DJ and there will be yard games, food trucks on Lafayette Avenue and caricatures of pets will be available, the release said.
A short walk through downtown with a costumed pet parade and best costume will be awarded a prize, the release said. Featured speakers will highlight the civil rights struggles of the LGBTQ+ community.
Paws for Pride is a grassroots event that relies on volunteer organizers, local sponsors and community donations, the release said. For information, including to be a vendor or volunteering, email pawsforpridevalpo@gmail.com
Recovery group event planned for September
Region Recovery Riot, a recovery month event, is planned for 2-8 p.m. Sept. 16 on the shores of Lake Michigan at the Gary Aquatorium at Marquette Park, 6918 Oak Ave. Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are available.
The event will feature live music, yoga on the beach, hiking and a safe space to celebrate people with lived experience, the website says. A memorial display where attendees can honor the loved ones they have lost to substance use is also planned, the website said. For more information, visit the website at https://regionrecoveryriot.wordpress.com/ or call 219-200-4081.
Caring Place fundraiser coming Aug. 11
The Caring Place will host its 2nd Annual Art With Heart Gala Aug. 11 at Aberdeen Manor, 214 Ballantrae St., Valparaiso. Art With Heart includes pop-up art galleries and a silent auction, a live auction, paired wine bars, appetizers, a gourmet dinner, desserts, live music and surprises, according to a release.
The doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. Seating is limited.
Tickets are $150 per person and event sponsorships are still available. Visit https://thecaringplace.harnessgiving.org/events/489 for tickets or call 219-464-0840.
The Caring Place Inc. provides inclusive service, shelter, and ongoing support for people experiencing domestic violence, according to a release.
Northwest Health heart procedure marks milestone
Northwest Health – Porter performed its 500th left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) procedure July 6, according to a release. The procedure, which lessens the risk of stroke, involves implanting a device that offers patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib) an alternative to long-term use of blood thinners, the release said. During the LAAC procedure, physicians close off the area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA) to keep harmful blood clots that can form in the LAA from entering the blood stream and potentially causing a stroke, the release said. Porter is currently the third hospital in the state of Indiana to perform 500 procedures, the release said.
Five join Legacy Foundation board
The Legacy Foundation has announced five new additions to its board of directors. The Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County with a goal to offer a personalized approach to giving that enables individuals, families, organizations and businesses to create a charitable legacy, according to the website. The new board members include:
? Alfredo Estrada, partner at Burke, Costanza and Carberry LLP
? Lisa Goodnight, vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement and Chief of Staff at Purdue University Northwest
? Pam Ott, Chief Financial Officer for the NWI Region of Franciscan Health
? Chelsea Whittington, owner and founder of C WHITT PR
? Sherri Ziller, president and CEO of the NWI Regional Development Authority
