IU Northwest exhibits Puerto Rican artist Josué Pellot
The School of the Arts at Indiana University Northwest has launched its first exhibition of the academic year, “Albers and the Tanning Salon: An Exhibition about Color” by Puerto Rican artist Josué Pellot. The exhibit is on display from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the School of the Arts Gallery of the Arts and Sciences Building, second floor, 3415 Broadway Gary. The exhibit will run through Sept. 26 with extended viewing hours Saturday. For more information, email iunsoa@iu.edu.
Dunes Learning Center celebrates annual gala
Dunes Learning Center will celebrate its 26th anniversary at its gala, A Dunes Affair, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at Journeyman Distillery, 258 S. Campbell St., Valparaiso. The evening includes an awards program, silent and live auctions, and a paddle raise to support student scholarships for environmental education during the school year and summer camps. Union Township School Corporation will be honored with the Dunes Learning Center’s Green Apple Award, which recognizes excellence in environmental education. Fifth graders from Union Township’s two elementary schools have attended the overnight programs at Dunes Learning Center since 1998. The program is a longstanding and much-anticipated school tradition for students. Tickets are $150 per person. Tickets and more information can be found at https://duneslearningcenter.org.
Purdue Extension hosts elderberry syrup processing and farm tour
Purdue Extension-Lake County is partnering with Joe Skibbie of Beats, Beds, and Browns for an elderberry syrup processing and farm tour from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Joe’s Homestead in Lakes of the Four Seasons. The address will be provided closer to the event. This program is part of the Purdue Extension urban farming internship. Register at https://tinyurl.com/Elderberry-Syrup-Process. For more information, contact Rebecca Koetz at 219-755-3240 or email busser@purdue.edu if you require reasonable accommodations.
Gary Public Library to hold book sale, concert
The public is invited to attend the Friends of the Gary Public Library’s Book Sale from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Woodson Branch, 501 S. Lake St. Gently used books and DVDs will be available for sale. Classical Sunday returns from 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Gary Public Library, 220 W. Fifth Ave. The Fifth Sundays monthly concert is co-sponsored by the Gary Civic Symphony Orchestra and the Gary Historical and Cultural Society, Inc. Entrance will be on the north side only, free admission and free parking in the north parking lot. The library will be closed, no library service available. For more information visit www.garypubliclibrary.org/events.
Tickets on sale for OE Annual Celebration of Achievement
Tickets are now available for Opportunity Enterprises’ (OE) annual Celebration of Achievement breakfast to be held Oct. 24 at The Great Hall on Purdue University Northwest’s Westville Campus, 1401 South US Highway 421. Doors open at 8 a.m.; the program begins at 8:30 a.m. The event honors outstanding OE clients, staff, business partners and volunteers who demonstrate the impact of the organization’s mission throughout Northwest Indiana. Tickets are $25; tables are available for parties of 10. This year’s award winners include OE clients Marcie Reisinger, Elizabeth Fossette, Meagan Toren, Dary Floyd, Janet Miodragovic, Alex Brockman and staff members Mary Dahlgren, Suja Pati and Matt Leuck-Myers. Genise Shumaker is receiving the Jeanne Baird Volunteer of the Year Award, and Meijer and Great Oaks Banquet Center are being honored for their business partnerships. Celebration of Achievement is also a chance for local businesses to show their philanthropy and commitment to supporting OE’s mission. This year’s award sponsors include Steel Cities Steels, Strack & Van Til, Worthington Steel and Buchertech. For more information, to purchase tickets or for a list of remaining sponsorship opportunities, visit oppent.org/achieve or contact Beth Claxton at beth.claxton@oppent.org or 219-464-9621, Ext. 307.
Community event to focus on mental health, addiction
The Justice Partners Addiction Response (JPAR) team of Porter County is hosting a free community event, Coping with Modern Day Challenges Impacting Mental Health and Addiction, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 27 at Harre Union on the campus of Valparaiso University, 1509 Chapel Drive. Registration is free and open to the public. The event will address factors that affect mental health and addiction, including vaping, substance misuse, alcohol, gaming and social media; how and why the tobacco industry intentionally targets youth and other marginalized populations; how the tech revolution has reshaped adolescence; the impact of the COVID pandemic on mental health and substance use; and resources for coping with mental health and addiction. Continuing education (CEUs) and Continuing Legal Education (CLEs) are available. Registration and more information can be found at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1003855738537?aff=oddtdtcreator.