Chesterton High School hosts All That Jazz
Chesterton High School will host its 52nd Annual All That Jazz, an annual jazz festival at 7 p.m. Saturday in the CHS Auditorium, 2125 S. 11th Street in Chesterton. Enjoy an evening of music performed by Chesterton High School’s Jazz Ensemble, with special guests Bonzo Squad. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Chestertonbands.org.
Friends of Indiana Dunes Native Plant Sale is Saturday
The Friends of Indiana Dunes 29th Annual Native Plant Sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Friends’ office, at 1000 West Oak Hill Road in Porter. The sale is just north of Indiana Dunes National Park’s Chellberg Farm. There is ample parking in the adjacent lot or immediately to the north at Indiana Dunes National Park’s headquarters complex. Admission is free, and more than 80 native plant species will be for sale.
Porter County seeks applicants for library board
The Porter County Council is seeking citizen applicants for position(s) on the Library Board of Trustees, a four-year appointment. Individuals interested in being considered can obtain an application at the Porter County Council office, 155 Indiana Ave., Suite 207, Valparaiso, or online at https://www.portercountyin.gov/111/County-Council under the Citizen Board Appointments tab. Depending on the vacancy, certain requirements, such as residency, and/or certain political party affiliation, must be met to qualify for a particular appointment. Applications must be received via post, email at council@portercountyin.gov or in person no later than 4:30 p.m. June 16. The Council will make the appointments at the June 24 Council meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Valparaiso announces Compost Awareness Week
The city of Valparaiso has proclaimed the first full week of May as International Compost Awareness Week. Valpo Parks has partnered with Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction for a pilot program to promote composting. Through the program, residents may bring their compostable food and garden waste to the Farmers Market (beginning June 3 for the 2025 season) at Central Park Plaza, 63 Lafayette St. on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The materials are collected and composted at a Valpo Parks site. Last year the program collected more than 8,000 pounds of organic waste, diverting it from the landfill.
Call for teen summer reading volunteers
Several branches of the Lake County Public Library need teen Summer Reading volunteers to help throughout the programs. Teens will earn volunteer hours toward their silver card. Those interested will need their parents’ permission and must attend an orientation session to participate. Register for the Dyer-Schererville orientation on May 14 at https://www.lcplin.org/event/12911387, or on May 17 at https://www.lcplin.org/event/12973750. The following branches will host one-on-one orientations. Call or visit your branch to register: Griffith-Calumet Twp., 219-838-2825; Hobart, 219-942-2243; Lake Station-New Chicago, 219-962-2409; or Merrillville, 219-769-3541. Register for the Munster orientation on May 13 at https://www.lcplin.org/event/13411079, on May 21 at https://www.lcplin.org/event/13411080, or May 29 at https://www.lcplin.org/event/13411081. Register for the St. John orientation on May 19 at https://www.lcplin.org/event/13236221 or on May 28 at https://www.lcplin.org/event/13236228. Cedar Lake and Highland branches will not need teen volunteers this year; teens from those branches are welcome to sign up at other branches.
Ivy Tech Lake County to celebrate graduation
Ivy Tech Community College’s Lake County campus will celebrate Commencement ceremonies at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center, 6600 Broadway, Merrillville. Ivy Tech Lake County’s Class of 2025 includes approximately 1,200 graduates earning more than 1,600 degrees and certificates during the 2024-2025 academic year. The event will be live-streamed on the campus Facebook page, which can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/IvyTechLakeCounty or @IvyTechLakeCounty.
Gary Community School Corporation to host Kindergarten Round-Up
Gary Community School Corporation will host their Annual Kindergarten Round-Up from 1 to 3 p.m. May 14 at the Bethune Early Childhood Development Center, 2367 E. 21st Ave., Gary. Registration for kindergarten is now open to all children who will turn 5 years old on or before Aug. 1, 2025. In addition, those who will be age 3 or 4 will have the opportunity to register for Bethune Early Childhood Development for the 2025-2026 school year. Highlights will include: meeting principals, teachers and staff from elementary schools across the city; information sessions about programs and resources; on-site registration for kindergarten; and family-friendly activities and refreshments. The F.A.C.E. (Family and Community Engagement) team will be onsite to help with registration for all grades Pre-K through 12th for the 2025-2026 school year as well. Be sure to bring the following documents: parent/guardian ID; birth certificate; proof of residency (Gary residency not required); and updated immunization record. For more information about the Kindergarten round-up, contact the Bethune Early Childhood Development Center at 219-886-6542. To enroll your child in any of the Gary Schools, visit www.garyschools.org.
Gary Mizpah Health Ministries to host health fair
Gary Mizpah Health Ministries will host a health fair from noon to 4 p.m. May 18 at the Hudson and Campbell Sports and Fitness Center, 455 Massachusetts, Gary. The event will include free blood pressure checks, home health information, blood sugar checks and refreshments. Be sure to bring your insurance information for on-site diagnostic testing, interpretation and free faxing. For more information, call 219-301-9722.
New Beginnings Clubhouse hosts 5K Color Run fundraiser
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, New Beginnings Clubhouse will host “Stomp Out the Stigma,” a 5K Color Run Fundraiser, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 24 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, Shelter No. 4 Pavilion East, 889 S. Court St., Crown Point. The 5K is open to all ages. Register at nbclubhouse.org. Proceeds from the event will benefit New Beginnings Clubhouse in Merrillville. New Beginnings offers people living with mental illness opportunities for community, employment, housing, education and access to medical psychiatric services. More information can be found at nbclubhouse.org or call 219-794-1004.