PoCo Muse exhibit celebrates the Interurban Railway
Porter County Museum (PoCo Muse) invites the public to visit its newest exhibit “The V&N: Porter County’s Electric Interurban Rail Line” through April 19 in the Montague/Urschel Gallery, 20 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso. The Interurban Railway is the long-gone but still beloved passenger transport that connected Valparaiso to Chesterton via popular lake resorts from 1910 to 1938. PoCo Muse is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free. Free half-hour guided tours are offered every Saturday at 2 p.m. For more information, visit pocomuse.org or find @pocomuse on social media.
Valpo Schools to host Amazing Race fundraiser
Valpo Schools Foundation invites teams of four to participate in a competitive fundraiser modeled after the show, “The Amazing Race.” Valpo’s “Amazing Race for Education” will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, which will begin and end at the Butterfield Family Pavilion, 645 Evans Ave., Valparaiso. Teams will have four hours to complete unique challenges at various locations, and then gather to hear the results and enjoy a post-race celebration. Winners will be determined using a point system, with various prizes to be distributed for best dressed, first correct answer and more. The top team will earn bragging rights, and a $3,000 student scholarship funded in their name; second place will earn a $2,000 scholarship funded in their name. To learn more about the event and register your team, visit valposchoolsfoundation.org or Eventbrite. For additional information contact Molly Phelps at mphelps@valpo.k12.in.us.
City Life Center presents Inaugural Partner’s Gala
The City Life Center (CLC) will host its Inaugural Partner’s Gala at 6 p.m. Saturday at The Chateau Banquet Hall, 530 W. 61st Ave., Merrillville. Under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Josh Austin, City Life Center is a community-focused organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents in Northwest Indiana. Through various programs and initiatives, the organization strives to empower individuals and families, promote social justice and foster a strong sense of community. Attorneys Michael Tolbert and Shelice Tolbert of Tolbert & Tolbert Legal will deliver a co-keynote address. Gala attendees will enjoy dinner, networking opportunities and live entertainment all while supporting City Life Center’s programs that directly impact families in the region. Tickets for the event are $100 per person. To purchase tickets, for sponsorship opportunities or for more information, visit https://citylifenwi.org/partners-gala or call 219-614-0599.
Leaf pickup for the City of Valparaiso
The City of Valparaiso will begin its annual curbside leaf pick-ups from Monday through Dec. 6, weather permitting. Leaf crews will be working from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hours will be extended and include weekends, if necessary. The City has four leaf collection zones and will rotate continuously. Progress updates will be provided to residents, so they have a better idea of when to expect leaf collection in their neighborhood. Some areas of the city take longer due to more trees. To view progress updates, and to see which zone your neighborhood is in, visit tinyurl.com/ValpoLeaf. Detailed instructions for residents concerning leaf pickup can be found at https://www.ci.valparaiso.in.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1288. Progress updates will be posted on the Valparaiso City Services — Public Works page of the City’s website, www.valpo.us.
Master Gardeners offer October education program
Join the Lake County Master Gardeners as they present a free program on “All About Bats” with Chuck Roth, Jr., horticulturist and owner of Chesterton Feed and Garden Center, at 6 p.m. Monday. The program will take place at Purdue Cooperative Extension – Lake County, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point. The building is adjacent to Lake County Government Center. Learn why bats are important to us and our ecosystem here and around the world, the endangerment of bats and how we can help protect them in their natural environments and habitats. In the spirit of Halloween, bat myths will be shared as well. Contact lakecountymastergardeners@gmail.com or use the link, https://forms.gle/31PNwRsZddPZp5Au5 to reserve a space.
Tickets available for MAKS ‘Paint the Town Red’ gala
MAKS (Making A Kid Smile) will host “Paint the Town Red,” its first annual fundraising gala, from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Aberdeen Manor Ballroom, 216 Ballantrae St., Valparaiso. This formal event will feature an evening of appetizers, an open bar, seated dinner, live and silent auctions, raffles and music provided by Arrested Sounds. The gala will help raise funds to meet the immediate needs of foster children in Porter, LaPorte, Jasper, Pulaski and Lake counties. MAKS provides items such as clothing, beds, furniture, car seats and personal care items free of charge to foster families. The organization continues to provide for foster children while they transition to their permanent placements, whether at home or with foster or adoptive parents. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.maksgala.org.
