Ivy Tech Community College offers STEM Summer Camp
Ivy Tech Community College will host the Manufacturing STEM Summer Camp for area students entering grades 7-12 in the upcoming 2024-2025 academic school year. The camp will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. July 8-12 at 3100 Ivy Tech Drive, Valparaiso. Registration and camp participation is free of charge and open to grade level qualifying students. Space is limited to 10 students on a first-com, first-served basis. More information is with Don Baker at dbaker167@ivytech.edu or 219-464-8514, Ext. 3013.
National Park Service to hire summer workers
Indiana Dunes National Park has jobs for five teenagers this summer. The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program is a work-learn-earn program for 15-18 year-olds. The deadline to apply is April 30. Participants are paid $7.25 an hour for the 40-hour work week. The program runs from June 2 to Aug. 10, and applicants should be prepared to work the entire length of the program. The crews will be involved primarily in outside, labor-type activities that may include mowing grass, picking up trash, cleaning restrooms, grounds keeping and light trail maintenance. No experience is necessary. Participants will be selected by a random draw from the pool of applications. Participants must be U.S. citizens and 15 years old before June 2, 2024, but not turn 19 years old before August 10, 2024, the ending date of the program. The YCC application form is available through high school guidance offices or from the Indiana Dunes National Park Office at 219-395-1772. The forms also are available on the national park website at http://www.nps.gov/indu/parkmgmt/jobs.htm.
Valparaiso offers grants to encourage gatherings
To promote community engagement, the City of Valparaiso is offering a Know Your Neighbor grant program to support neighborhood gatherings, planned activities, block parties and other means of bringing neighbors together. Neighborhood groups are eligible to apply once per year for the $250 grant. Neighborhoods that do not have an active association, or are a newly-forming group, may qualify for up to $500. Limited funds are available for this program. Funds will be awarded on a rolling first-come, first-served basis. Guidelines, requirements and application information can be found at tinyurl.com/ValpoKnow. For questions, contact Maggie Clifton at MClifton@Valpo.us or 219-462-1161.
Callout for World Cultural Festival Volunteers
A volunteer meeting will be held to organize the 2024 Valparaiso International Center’s World Cultural Festival (WCF) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 201 N. Washington, Valparaiso, in the basement Library room. The meeting is open to anyone who is interested in getting involved, and/or have ideas to share. For more information, email info@valpovic.org.
Wildlife Habitat Restoration Field Day
Purdue Extension will host a Wildlife Habitat Restoration Field Day at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Doak Property, 6800 E. 137th Ave., Crown Point. The Doak Property was acquired by Purdue University in 2010. It is composed of native woodlands, wetlands and tree plantings. Topics will include warm season grass management, forest management for wildlife, and invasive species management. There also will be information on programs that can help with implementing these practices. Speakers include Extension Educators Summer Brown, Jasper County; Jessica Outcalt, Cass County; Phil Woolery, Starke/Pulaski County; and Don Carlson, Purdue Forester. More information is with Woolery at 574-772-9141 or pwoolery@purdue.edu. To register, call 574-772-9141, email pwoolery@purdue.edu, or visit http://tinyurl.com/NWINwildlife.
Watershed Group to present high school environmental debate
The Valparaiso Chain of Lakes Watershed Group will host its annual school environmental debate at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Porter County Administration Building 155 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso. This year’s debate will feature two teams from the nationally-recognized Chesterton Speech and Debate Team. The debate topic this year is “Should local governments limit use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers on lawns and gardens?” Debaters, their families and the audience are invited grab a bite to eat next door at Uncle Menny’s Greek Pizza, immediately following the debate. For further information please text or call Walt Breitinger at 219-477-7526.
Valparaiso University to host Jazz Festival
The Valparaiso University Jazz Festival will be held April 16 through 19 in the University Theatre in the Center For The Arts, 1709 Chapel Drive. This year’s festival lineup includes: vocalist Stephanie Aaron and The Bob Lark Jazz Septet, 7:30 p.m., April 16; a performance and workshop presentation by Jazz-Fusion Ensemble, Kick the Kat, 7:30 p.m. April 17; vocalist and guitarist John Pizzarelli with Bob Lark and his Alumni Big Band, 7:30 p.m. April 18; and Kevin Fort, piano, Steve Wiest, trombone, and Mike Williams, trumpet, with the Valparaiso University Jazz Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. April 19. A reception for Friends of Jazz members and their guests will be held at 6:20 p.m. on April 18. In addition, there will be daily workshop presentations by Professional Jazz Artists, and daily performances by area High School Jazz Ensembles. More information is with Bob Lark at robert.lark@valpo.edu.
