Mrvan hosts 2024 Congressional Art Competition
U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, has released details of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition for high school students from Indiana’s First Congressional District. Each year, the Congressional Institute and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor the competition as an opportunity to promote the artistic talent in each Congressional District. All artwork submissions and application forms must be brought to Congressman Mrvan’s Merrillville office, 7895 Broadway, Suite A, no later than 5 p.m. April 26. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. More information, including guidelines and application forms, can be found at https://mrvan.house.gov/services/art-competition, or contact Elizabeth Johnson at 219-795-1844 or Elizabeth.Johnson@mail.house.gov.
Westchester students to hold Kindness Dance
Westchester Intermediate School (WIS) students will host a Kindness Dance from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the school, 1050 S. Fifth St., Chesterton. Enter through Door No. 8. Created and hosted by WIS students from the school’s Nora Project program and the SAVE Promise Club, the dance is open to all Duneland K-8 students. The Kindness Dance provides an opportunity for students to meet and interact with peers they might not have the chance to otherwise. WIS is one of about 70 schools in the United State and Canada participating in Nora Project programs. The SAVE Promise club is new to WIS this year. For more information about the SAVE Promise Club, visit https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/our-programs/save-promise-club/. More information on the The Nora Project can be found at https://thenoraproject.ngo.
Purdue Extension to host Fruit Workshop
Purdue Extension will host a Fruit Workshop at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Pinney Purdue Ag Center, 11402 S. County Line Road, Wanatah. Purdue Extension Educators will give hands-on demonstrations for proper pruning techniques for different fruit trees. Additionally, participants will learn about different pests and diseases that can affect fruit harvests and ways to control them. Register for this free program at https://tinyurl.com/NWIfruit or call 574-772-9141. For more information, call 574-946-3412 or email pwoolery@purdue.edu.
Eclipse programs at the Gary Public Library
A special free program, “Get Ready for the Great American Eclipse!,” will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Gary Public Library, 220 W. Fifth Ave. Hosted in partnership with Indiana University Northwest (IUN), the program will be presented by Dr. Jessica Warren, Physics and Astronomy, IUN. Learn more about what a solar eclipse is, how to safely view one, and what you might expect during the experience. Free eclipse glass will be available, while supplies last. Also on Saturday, a special eclipse activity will take place in the Library’s MakerSpace at 1 p.m. Registration for this activity is required by calling 219-886-2484, Ext. 332. MakerSpace rules apply. The 2024 solar eclipse will occur on April 8. The next chance for Indiana to witness a solar eclipse won’t be until 2045. More information is with Maria G. Strimbu at STRIMG@garypubliclibrary.org.
CAC hosts annual fundraising gala Art After Dark
Chesterton Art Center (CAC) will host their annual fundraising gala, Art After Dark, at 5:30 p.m. April 27 at Sand Creek Country Club, 1001 Sand Creek Drive, Chesterton. This year’s theme is Flourish and will include dinner, silent auction, cash bar and dancing to celebrate CAC’s mission of building an inclusive creative community. Proceeds from the event support ongoing free outreach programs such as Youth Arts Outreach and Teen Arts Group, as well as CAC’s free public programs including Family Art Days. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased individually or by tables at https://www.chestertonart.org/art-after-dark-gala or by calling 219-926-4711. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Hannah Hammond-Hagman at hannah@chestertonart.org.
Purdue Extension-Lake County offers Baking Basics program
Join Health and Human Sciences Extension Educator Linda Curley for “Baking Basics: Flour Food Safety and Measurement Matters” from Noon to 1 p.m. April 2 at the Purdue Extension-Lake County office, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. Register at https://tinyurl.com/BBFFS2024. Those in need of reasonable accommodations to attend this program, contact Curley at 219-755-3240 or lcurley@purdue.edu by Monday.