Valparaiso swears in Mayor’s Youth Council
The city of Valparaiso has sworn in a new class for the 2024-2025 Mayor’s Youth Council, which was created in 2021. The council, comprised of Valparaiso High School students, meets monthly, learning from elected and appointed officials, participating in volunteer opportunities and cultivating leadership skills, beginning with a youth retreat on Aug. 17. This year’s council includes: Lena Allison, Aiden Andrews, Grace Carlson, Garrett Connors, Madeleine Ehrhardt, Parker Frailey, Fatima Gallegos, Grace Griffith, Dakota Hildebrand, Jersey Hinten, Sophia Ho, Kellan Hosek, Chloe Hosking, Zoe Jackson, Maura Lazar, Mia Muniz, Bryston Pemberton, Nicholas Ralph, Victor Rans, Camden Rasmussen, Mitchell Sterling, Julia Sut and Elizabeth Vatthauer. To learn more about the Mayor’s Youth Council, visit the mayor’s page at Valpo.us.
Indiana 211 offers list of cooling centers statewide
With extreme summer temperatures expected in Indiana over the next several days, cooling centers will be open across the state for those who need a safe and cool place to stay. Indiana 211 is a community resource for updated locations and hours of cooling centers, and a list of cooling centers can be found at https://in211.communityos.org/. Hoosiers can call 2-1-1 or 866-211-9966 to find their nearest cooling center. Report or add a cooling center by emailing the resource team at in211database@fssa.in.gov.
Franciscan Health Dyer hosts free baby expo
Franciscan Health Dyer is hosting a free baby expo for expectant families and new parents. The Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Baby Expo is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Franciscan Health Dyer, 24 Joliet St. in the first-floor conference rooms. Attendees should enter through the main entrance. The event is free, but registration is required. Registration is available online or by calling 1-800-931-3322.
Crown Point Firefighters Association hosts charity dodgeball tourney
The Crown Point Firefighters Association hosts its fifth annual charity dodgeball tournament to benefit the Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids (NICK) Foundation on Saturday, Sept. 21. Last year, the effort raised more than $13,000. Team registration closes Saturday, Sept. 14; teams can sign up at crownpoint.info/dodgeball. The opening ceremony begins at 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door. For more information, visit the Crown Point Fire Rescue Facebook page, @crownpointfire.
Franciscan Health’s Walk with a Doc program steps off Sept. 12
Area residents can lace up their walking shoes for a healthy dose of information and exercise as Franciscan Health’s free Walk With A Doc program steps off in Crown Point on Sept. 12. The free, one-hour walks will start at the main entrance of the Lake County Health Department at 2900 W. 93rd Ave. in Crown Point at 3 p.m. each Thursday through Oct. 17. The walks begin with a brief health talk by a physician or clinical staff member followed by stretching and walking. Registration takes place on-site only beginning at 2:45 p.m. each Thursday. Participants do not need to complete the one-hour walk to participate. In case of inclement weather, the walks will be canceled.
Fishing in the Dunes program Friday in Portage
Join park rangers for fishing fun from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk. During this morning of catch-and-release fishing, learn about the basic techniques and the fish species in these waters. Kids can earn a Jr. Ranger Anglers Badge. Anyone over 18 must have an Indiana fishing license; some fishing gear may be available. Meet at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk fishing pier at 100 Riverwalk Road. For more information, call 219-395-1882 or visit www.nps.gov/indu and www.facebook.com/IndianaDunesNPS.
Celebrate the monarch’s migration with music, food
From 1-5 p.m. on Sept. 15, join Save the Dunes to celebrate the journey and migration of the monarch butterfly through the region with music and food at Michigan City’s Brewery Lodge & Supper Club. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Save the Dunes’ work to protect and advocate for the Indiana dunes, Lake Michigan, and the surrounding natural areas, including efforts to protect pollinators such as the monarch butterfly. Monarch Music Fest tickets start at $50 online and $60 at the door. Tickets are available until the event reaches its 300-person capacity. For more information, go to https://savedunes.org/monarch-music-fest/.
Community leaders to convene on reducing plastic waste
In a continued effort to foster environmental sustainability and promote plastic reduction practices within the community, local leaders, educators, and environmental advocates will gather to discuss strategies for reducing plastic waste. The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Valparaiso University’s Harre Union, Ballroom C. The meeting, hosted by the Plastic Reduction Alliance of Northwest Indiana, will address plastic pollution and its impact on the environment and public health, with a focus on schools and educational institutions. For more information about the meeting or to RSVP, contact Julie Peller at julie.peller@valpo.edu.
