Food waste compost program to expand
In partnership with the Coffee Creek Farmers Market, the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will expand its food waste composting program to the Duneland area. This initiative will begin on Wednesday and will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday at the Coffee Creek Farmers Market through October 29. The food waste collected will be composted at the Duneland YMCA Healthy Living Campus, furthering the District’s commitment to waste reduction. This expansion builds on the success of the ongoing collaboration with Valpo Parks, which has already diverted over 8,000 pounds of food waste from landfills. Community members are encouraged to bring their food scraps, such as fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds and eggshells, to the market. Volunteers will be on hand to ensure that the waste is suitable for composting and to provide guidance on composting practices. For more information, visit PorterCountyRecycling.org or call 219-465-3694.
Valpo partners with StoryPoint to host CarFit event
Valparaiso University’s occupational therapy program, part of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, will host a CarFit event to help older drivers enhance the safety and comfort of their vehicles. The free event is open to the public and will take place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at StoryPoint, 700 Dickinson Road, Chesterton. CarFit is a free, interactive program designed to assist older adults in adjusting their personal vehicles for maximum safety, comfort, and control. The program is sponsored through a collaboration between AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and is led by trained occupational therapy students and professionals. During the event, participants will go through a 12-point checklist to address key safety concerns. Following the assessment, occupational therapy practitioners will provide recommendations on modifications that may improve the driving experience. For more information, email Cassie Spier at cassie.spier@valpo.edu. To learn more about Valparaiso University’s occupational therapy program, visit valpo.edu/otd.
CHS Alumni Association to hold pancake breakfast
The Chesterton High School (CHS) Alumni Association will host a Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday at The Original George’s Gyros Spot, 325 N. Calumet Road, Chesterton. Proceeds from the event will go to the student scholarship fund for CHS seniors. Tickets are $10 per person. Breakfast is available for dine in or carry out. Those unable to attend are encouraged to consider a donation. To purchase tickets or make a donation, visit https://chsalumniassn.org/upcoming-events.
Chess, MakerSpace sessions and jazz at the Gary Library
The public is invited to participate in the following free programs at the Gary Public Library, 220 W. Fifth Ave. Saturday Chess Tournaments will be held from 10 a.m. to Noon Saturday. All ages are welcome. The 30-minute games are not USCF sanctioned. Walk-ins are welcome. Registration is encouraged but not required at weind@garypubliclibrary.org. MakerSpace Sessions available for April include: 3D printing, 4 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays; Arts, 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; Cricut, 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays; Open Lab, Noon to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; Sewing, 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and Small Circuits 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays. Registration is required at 219-886-2484, Ext. 332. Check the library’s website for exact dates or changes to the schedule. The April Sunday Jazz Concert will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. April 20. Co-sponsored by the Greater Gary American Jazz Association, special guest will be The Wock Experience featuring Kayla Johnson, vocalist; Daniel Piolet, drums; Gabriel Baykin, keyboard; Donovan Lloyd, sax; and Allen Williams, bass. Free Sunday Jazz Concerts are presented the third Sunday of each month, September through May. Entrance is on the north side only, free parking in the north parking lot. The library will be closed, no library service available. Seating is limited. More information is at 219-886-2484.
Purdue Extension to host program for dementia caregivers
Purdue Extension – Lake County, in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association, will host “Dementia Conversations: Driving, Doctor Visits, Legal and Financial Planning” from 9:30 to 11 a.m. CT April 17 at 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. Topics in the program include: tips on how to “break the ice” and have the most common difficult conversations; how to plan ahead and build a care team that communicates well; and listening to others dealing with similar issues. Register at https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9SkKzWUftItLj2m?_ga=2.99592663.890262493.1743617186-146057504.1743617186 or call 219-755-3240. For more information, contact Linda Curley, lcurley@purdue.edu.
Free orthopedic symposium will cover ‘neck to knees’ at Powers Health
Join surgeons from Powers Health and Orthopedic Specialists of Northwest Indiana as they discuss signs, symptoms, risk factors and innovative treatments for orthopedic conditions. The Orthopedic Symposium, “Improve Your Movement from Neck to Knees,” will run from 2 to 7 p.m. April 17 at the Powers Health Rehabilitation Center Community Room, 10215 Broadway, Crown Point. The presentation lineup includes: Nitin Khanna, MD, “Pain in the Neck: Cervical Disc Replacement,” 2:30 to 3 p.m.; Sunil Dedhia, MD, “Shouldering the Pain: Outpatient Procedures,” 3:15 to 3:45 p.m.; Daniel Woods, MD, “Off the Cuff: Arthroscopy for Rotator Cuff Tears,” 4 to 4:30 p.m.; Brett Schiffman, MD, “On Your Nerves: Managing Compressive Neuropathy,” 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.; Jonathan Edgington, MD, “Get Hip: A Look at Replacement Procedures,” 5:30 to 6 p.m.; and Michael Knesek, MD, “Knee to Know: Robotic-Assisted Surgery,” 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. Participants can attend any or all sessions. Registration is recommended. For more information or to register, call 219-836-3477 or visit PowersHealth.org/programs-and-events/o/orthopedic-symposium. For information about orthopedic services at Powers Health, visit powershealth.org/services/orthopedics.