Valparaiso continues lead-safe inventory with door knockers
As part of the City of Valparaiso’s inventory of water service lines, door knockers will be visiting residences throughout the community to perform short in-home assessments. This inventory has been mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a part of the 2021 revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule for drinking water.
City officials remind the public that the drinking water in Valparaiso is safe and that there is an extensive inventory of the utilities’ water service lines. The City is now required to submit an inventory showing the materials used on the customers’ side of the service line and are asking for the community’s help in doing so. Door knockers will be conducting visits during the hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The in-home visit will take approximately five minutes to complete.
Door knockers will have badges and a City of Valparaiso certification letter with them to confirm their identity. In addition, their pictures are available online at tinyurl.com/EngageValpo.
If residents would prefer not to have an unscheduled visit by a door knocker, they may either inspect their water service line themselves using a simple test and submit the information online to Valparaiso City Services or they can schedule a service line exam at their own convenience. Instructions for how to do the self-inspection or how to schedule the brief visit are available online at tinyurl.com/ValpoReport. Residents also can call the Customer Service Center during normal business house at 219-462-6174, option 4. To learn more about the Lead-Safe Valpo water service line inventory and how to add your information to the inventory, visit tinyurl.com/LeadSafeValpo.
Franciscan Health offers peer counselor training for breast cancer survivors
Franciscan Health Breast Care Center Crown Point will host Pink Ribbon Connection, a free peer counselor training program for breast cancer survivors, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on the third floor of the Burrell Professional Center at the Franciscan Health Main Street Outpatient Center, 1205 S. Main St., Crown Point. Participants should enter through door D. A free dinner will be served. Peer counselors offer emotional support and a source of comfort for anyone undergoing breast cancer treatment. The program will be led by Christine Ward, PhD, a professional psychologist who specializes in working with breast cancer patients and their families. Participants in the peer counseling program need not be Franciscan Health patients. Registration and more information can be found at 219-757-5741.
Crown Point to host inaugural Wine Fest
The City of Crown Point will host its inaugural Wine Fest Sept. 14 at Bulldog Park, 183 S. West St. Gates will open at 4 p.m. for general admission and at 3 p.m. for VIP attendees. The 21-and-older event will feature fine wines from Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan with more than 200 varietals. In addition, there will be small bites from local restaurants including, Bedarra Bar, Mr. Cheezycakes, Provecho and Tavern on Main, and live entertainment from Frank Ruvoli and Elton Jeff and The Honky Cats. General admission tickets are $59 and include a swag bag. VIP tickets are $99 and include VIP access one hour before gates open, a VIP tasting with premium wines, a VIP swag bag and food ticket. Participating wineries include Aftermath Cidery + Winery, Easley Winery, Round Barn Winery, Running Vines Winery, Tabor Hill Winery and St. Julian Winery. Wines also will be available from a variety of vendors, including Bacardi USA, Carroll Company, Crown Brewing, Indiana Wholesale, Off Square Brewing and Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits. For tickets and more information, visit crownpoint.info/winefest.
Purdue Extension-Lake County offers Jam and Jelly workshop
Join Purdue Extension Master Home Food Preservation instructors to learn the basics of boiling water bath canning through a hands-on Jam and Jelly Canning workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 17 at 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. Participants will prepare and process a recipe to take home after the workshop. Space is limited to a maximum of eight attendees. The cost of the workshop is $30. Register at https://cvent.me/NEbKMn. for more information, contact Linda Curley at 219-755-3240 or lcurley@purdue.edu.
Congressman Mrvan hosts 2024 Congressional App Challenge
Congressman Frank J. Mrvan will host the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for middle- and high-school students from Indiana’s First Congressional District. Each year, the Internet Education Foundation and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor the Congressional App Challenge to foster an appreciation for computer science and STEM education. The Challenge is an annual nationwide academic competition for sixth- through 12th-grade students to create and exhibit their software application for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice. All students must register for the competition and submit their work through the Congressional App Challenge website by Noon EST on Oct. 24. For more information, visit https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/ or email StudentSupport@CongressionalAppChallenge.us. For additional questions, contact Drew Ficociello at 202-225-2461 or Drew.Ficociello@mail.house.gov.
