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Portage Press
Building a Better Business Community
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Upcoming Events- Sign Up TODAY!
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Chamber News
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Member of the Week
The
Member of the Week f
or
March 6-10 is Country Inn & Suites. Enjoy a Lake Michigan Getaway at Country Inn & Suites by Carlson in Portage, conveniently located off I-94. The hotel at Country Inn & Suites invites guests to spend a weekend on Lake Michigan, which is less than two miles away. You can stock up on equipment at the nearby Bass Pro Shops before strolling down to a fishing pier at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk. After a day of fun in the sun, relax in the hotel's hot tub as your kids play in the children's pool. Once you've hiked through Indiana Dunes State Park, you can upload photos of your trek with the free internet, courtesy of Country Inn & Suites. Kids can visit the game room to play pinball and arcade games. You will also find a complimentary hot breakfast, indoor pool, and fitness center as well. Learn more about Country Inn & Suites by calling Yolanda at (219) 764-0021 or emailing at cx_prin@countryinns.com.
Chamber Challenge
Come on your own, or join a team. The Greater Portage, Duneland, and Hobart Chambers will be hosting The Chamber Challenge at Zao Island on April 6th from 3p-6p. Individuals from all three Chambers will be put on teams of 10 to battle against each other in the Chamber Challenge. 
The afternoon will begin with Motivational Speaker, JJ Peller presenting information on goal setting and effective communication, then it is off to five rounds of competition. Learn team building techniques from Amber Alexander of the Portage Township YMCA and then put them them into play in a game of Laser Tag. Build relationships with others in a team relay of go-carts AND an inflatable slide. Use critical thinking skills while competing against others to earn the most tickets playing strategic games. We will end the event with networking and pizza buffet.
This is sure to be the most engaging professional development of the year!
Register today!
**If your organization or business is interested in donating ten promotional items or gift certificates for the winning team please let us know.
Registration for Portage Community & Business Night is OPEN
 The 14th Portage Community & Business Night will be held Thursday, April 20th from 4pm-7pm at Woodland Park. This event offers businesses and organizations the opportunity to showcase their services and products to over 750 community members and also expose your business to over 100 local businesses. Registration for this event is available
online or you may call the Chamber office.
Mark Your Calendars-Portage Brewfest is Coming!
The 4th Annual Portage Brewfest is partnering with the Portage Township YMCA and Greater
Portage Chamber of Commerce. With a NEW location at the city's Founders Square Park and the creation ofa night-life atmosphere with live music, this festival will attract adults to responsibly
celebrate the region's booming craft beer industry.
Mark Your Calendars t
his event will be held on
September 9th
-more information coming soon!
If you are interested in volunteering or being a part of the committee for this event please contact jbailey@portageinchamber.com
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Community News
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2017 Earth Day Exhibitors Sought
Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction
Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction District is seeking exhibitors to participate in the 2017 Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration.
Organizations and businesses from around Chicagoland and beyond that can provide environmental awareness, services and products are invited to  participate.
The largest free public environmental event in Northwest Indiana, the Earth Day Celebration is scheduled from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 22
, at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Rd., Valparaiso. Besides exhibitors, the event will also include entertainment, live animals shows, hands-on activities, food, a Reuse Fair and more.
Information and online registration are available on the district's website,
www.PorterCountyRecycling.org
.
The district is also seeking sponsors for the event. For more information, call
219-465-3819
. More Information
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Community Education
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Pizza & Preplan
Edmonds and Evans Funeral Homes
Preplanning for your funeral helps ease the emotional and financial burden for you and your family. Join Edmonds & Evans Funeral Homes on March 14th for pizza and preplanning at Gelsosomo's Pizza, 371 Indian Boundary Rd #B, Chesterton. There is limited space available, please RSVP at 219-214-1055.
Flyer
The AFib Alternative
St. Mary Medical Center
St. Mary Medical Center Interventional/Structural Cardiologist Hussam Suradi, MD, will present an educational presentation on advances in technology to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib) at
6 pm,
Wednesday, March 22 in the Auditorium at St. Mary Medical Center, located at 1500 S. Lake Park Ave., in Hobart. Please use the West Entrance. AFib is one of the most common causes of an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. Patients with AFib are often treated with blood thinners, to reduce the risk of stroke from blood clots, but face an increased risk of bleeding. For patients with AFib not caused by a heart valve problem, there is a treatment that can eliminate the need for blood thinners: the WATCHMANâ„¢ implant. To register for this free presentation, call toll free 1-866-836-3477.
Colon Cancer: Screens, Genes, and More
St. Mary Medical Center
Colon cancer inspires fear in many, and as the second leading cause of cancer death in both men and women, it's easy to understand why. Yet the disease is nearly 90 percent curable when diagnosed early, thanks to advances in screenings and treatments. Join Gastroenterologist Mark Fesenmyer, MD, and Geneticist Janice Zunich, MD, to learn about the latest screening options, treatments and genetic testing for colon cancer at
6 pm
,
Tuesday, March 28
in the Auditorium at St. Mary Medical Center, 1500 S. Lake Park Ave. in Hobart. Please use the West Entrance. To register for this free program, call 219-836-3477 or 1-866-836-3477.
United Way of Porter County
The U.S. Department of Education has extended the federal student aid filing period from now through March 10, 2017, the FAFSA filing deadline. Thanks to a new partnership with Valparaiso University, United Way of Porter County is providing a free FAFSA filing service at their office on March 10. Appointments are available from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. To register, visit UnitedWayPC.org/FAFSA.
Volunteer Tax Service Program Appointments Now Available
United Way of Porter County
The United Way of Porter County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is now accepting appointments for the 2017 tax season. This free tax preparation service is open to individuals whose adjusted gross income is $54,000 or less and is staffed by IRS-certified volunteers that file both federal and state tax returns. "For many in our community, finding affordable tax preparation assistance can be a daunting task when money is tight," said Kim Olesker, president & CEO of United Way of Porter County. "This program provides such a vital safety net for low-wage earners struggling to make ends meet."The program is made possible with support from the IRS and JPMorgan Chase Foundation. Appointments begin
Monday, January 30 and run through
Thursday, April 13. Daytime appointments are available
Monday through
Thursday and on some Saturdays. For additional program guidelines and to make an appointment, visit
UnitedWayPC.org/VITA.
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Business News
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Texas Roadhouse
Easter is coming quick and Texas Roadhouse wants to be a part of your Easter Egg Hunts! Is your group, organization or church looking for donations to help make your egg hunts a huge success? Texas Roadhouse wants to donate FREE Kid Meal coupons to you! We can even have our mascot Andy the Armadillo come out weather permitting. Contact Anni or Stacey at 219-762-5900
to learn more on how to get those coupon donations before it's too late!
Veteran Build House
Habitat For Humanity Porter County
Habitat Porter County is pleased to announce that we will be partnering with Tina, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and her teenage daughter for this year's Veteran Build. Construction for the three bedroom ranch with an attached garage will begin this spring north of Valparaiso near Edgewater and Sapphire Lane. We are very excited to bring this opportunity to the community to show our appreciation to a deserving veteran. Habitat has been offered a $25,000.00 matching grant to help fund the house construction cost of $80,000.00. Habitat is looking for generous individuals and sponsors for this event.
Please click here for Sponsorship Information
.
Looking for Reality Store Volunteers
Portage Township Schools
Portage Township Schools will be hosting the Reality Store for Willowcreek Middle School on Thursday, May 11th and Fegely Middle School on Thursday, May 18th.
Business Volunteers are extremely important to this program. Volunteers will assist students as they learn
how to live within their means while enjoying their chosen career.Volunteers are needed in order to make both of these events run smoothly. Interested volunteers should contact:
Doug Johnson, Willowcreek Assistant Principal at
douglas.johnson@portage.k12.in.us
Fred Greene, Fegely Assistant Principal at
frederick.greene@portage.k12.in.us
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Business Education
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Up Your Game with Social Selling Webinar
SCORE
March 9, 2017 1 p.m. est
In this webinar, Martha O'Gorman, Liberty Tax Service
co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, details the "social selling" process. She will teach you to:
Use your social networks to connect with prospects and provide value before, during and after the sales process ,
Leverage LinkedIn and Facebook to find potential customers,
Increase your sale pipeline at little or no cost.
Bring a Co-Worker to Class
Computer Education Institute
Bring a co-worker to class. Computer Education Institute (CEI) is offering Chamber Members a chance to increase your Excel skills and make points with a co-worker by offering a Buy 1 Get 1 Free Excel class. CEI offers hands on training for Microsoft Office products, QuickBooks and other technical certifications. The coupon is good for the Excel Level 1 on
April 10
and the Level 2 classes offered
March 13 & 14
, or
April 17 & 18
. Call 926-5740 to register.
Ask the CPA 2017: Tax Advice for Small Businesses
SCORE
March 16, 2017 1 p.m. est.
You have tax questions. We have tax answers! Certified CPA and small business tax expert Micah Fraim will field your tax-related questions.
April 15 will be here sooner than you think.
This entire webinar will be devoted to audience questions, so come prepared with your concerns. You can submit questions during registration AND during the live webinar. Micah will also offer tax advice you can implement throughout the year.
The State of Search 2017
SCORE
Business Start-up 101
ISBDC
The workshop is a first step toward owning a successful small business and it aims to help entrepreneurs evaluate their business ideas, prepare a sound business plan, manage expectations and increase chances of accessing capital.
The workshop is based on the ISBDC's A Sound and Proven Path Towards Launching Your Own Business Workbook, available at all ISBDC offices. A free copy of this 60 page step-by-step workbook will be distributed to participants and used during the class.
When:
6 to 8 p.m. Thu
rsday April 20
Where
: Purdue Technology Center of NWI, 9800 Connecticut Drive, in Crown Point
Register online
Cost per workshop is $25. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required as payments are not accepted at the door.
More information
: Email northwest@isbdc.org
or call
(219) 644-3513
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Activities and Promotions
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Gift Cards Available
Vital Nutrition
Are you looking for that perfect gift? Look no further than Vital Nutrition. Vital Nutrition now offers gift cards in various denominations, stop by and pick one up today (6350 Central Ave., Portage)
Applebee's Flapjack Fundraiser
Portage Township Historical Society
 You're invited to an Applebee's Flapjack fundraiser to support the Portage Community Historical Society. Enjoy some flapjacks while supporting the preservation of Portage's history. The event will be held on March 11th at Applebee's 6211 US Hwy 6, Portage. More info here
To purchase tickets please call Val at 219-762-3722.
Jenn Bostic to Perform
Portage Township Live Entertainment
Association
Receiving accolades in the States and abroad, Jenn has played Grand Ole Opry, Great Britain,
a
nd
European tours. Now Minnesota native Jenn Bostic returns home to the Midwest, to thrill audiences here as well.
Highly-talented Nashville-based singer/songwriter, Jenn Bostic, will take the stage on Saturday, March 11, 2017, 7:00 p.m., at Portage High School East Auditorium.
Admission is FREE to students and only $15.00 (or season ticket) at the door for adults.
Pet Rock 2017 the Bluz Brothers
Humane Society of NWI
Save the Date! on March 11th the Humane Society of NWI will be hosting a fundraiser at County
Line Orchard. Pet Rock 2017 with Bluz Brothers and the Spaniels Forever will be having a concert and silent auction as well as a Corned Beef & Cabbage dinner. For tickets or more information
click here.
Annual Corned Beef & Cabbage Fundraiser
Rittenhouse Senior Living At Portage
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Rittenhouse Senior Living at Portage for the annual Corned
Beef &
Cabbage Fundraiser to benefit the Bonner Senior Center & Maria Reiner Center! Dance alon
g to Irish music and take pictures with your friends and family in our photo booth! Whether you are Irish or
Irish for the day, it is sure to be a fun afternoon, RSVP today! Tickets are on sale now: $10 per person. RSVP by March 15th at 219-764-2900.
Zao Island Shopping Night
Zao Island
Spring into Zao on March 30th for an exciting night of shopping with over 50 local Crafters and Direct Sales booths.
Come hungry, Zao will offer a $10 Pizza Buffet too, along with other food and drinks available for purchase.
Admission is FREE to the event, but the Humane Society of Hobart will be there collecting donations of needed items. You will receive a raffle ticket for each item donated.
 Items Needed: X-Large Trash Bags, Clay Kitty Litter, Purina Cat Chow & Kitten Chow, Antibacterial Dish Soap, Purina Dog Chow, SOS Pads, Paper Towels, PLAIN Clorox, Bleach,Newspaper
If you are interested in a booth contact Debbie at debbie@zaoisland.net
Spring Fundraiser with Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos
Ivy Tech Foundation
Ivy Tech Foundation's Annual Spring Fundraising Event will be held on
Friday, April 7 at 5:30 PM at the Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso. The event includes dinner, silent auction and, by popular demand, entertainment will be provided by Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos, a song-request show. Proceeds will help support programs at the Ivy Tech campuses in East Chicago, Gary, Michigan City and Valparaiso.
Tickets are $75 per person ($40 is tax deductible) and can be purchased online
. Please contact Cindy Hall at (219) 476-4710
or cjhall@ivytech.edu
for more info. Reservations/ticket purchase is needed by
Thursday, March 30, 2017
. The event will be a blast-one you will surely want to attend. Flyer
4th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza
NorthShore Health Centers
NorthShore Health Centers will be hosting their 4th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 8th. The event will be held at the Boys & Girls Club in Portage, 5895 Evergreen Ave. This event is for children ages 1-12, the egg hunt may take place outside, please plan accordingly.
Trail Run Xtreme Coming Soon
Gabriel's Horn
Gabriel's Horn will be hosting their Trial Run Xtreme on May 29th from 9a-12pm at the Imagination Glen BMX in Portage, IN. This event is a fundraiser to support Gabriel's Horn. Gabriel's Horn Shelter serves single women and mothers with children of Porter County. The mission of Gabriel's Horn is to
 provide a protected refuge for homeless women and their children by establishing and maintaining a facility, which will provide, for them, a safe temporary shelter and outreach services. We will empower women by giving them the tools to become self-sufficient through collaboration with our community, education, and counseling.
To stay up to date on information on this event please visit the
Facebook Event
. Ready to sign up, register
online
.
Sponsorships
are available.
Relay for Life Banners
Kiwanis Club of Portage
The Kiwanis Club of Portage is once again sponsoring Relay for Life Light Pole Banners. If there is a business, organization, or individual interested in having their names displayed on the banner to support Relay for Life please complete this form. If you would rather order a banner in Memory or in Honor of a loved one this is also a great opportunity to do that.
Gears of Hope Duneland Tour
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society will be hosting, Gears of Hope Duneland Tour on June 24th. The event will begin at Founder's Square and participants will have the choice of riding their bike on a 25, 50, 75, or 100 mile ride. Please see the flyer for more information.
Christmas in July
Yogi Bear Jellystone Camp-Resort
Yogi Bear Jellystone Camp-Resort is accepting donations for their annual Christmas in July event. The event will take place on July 29, 2017 and will include a day full of fun for all. Some activities include live music, parades, games, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. If you would like to provide gifts or a monetary donation for this event please contact Carolyn at 219-762-4141.
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Help Wanted
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Companion Homemakers Needs
VNA
Visiting Nurse Association of Northwest Indiana is looking for compassionate, patient individuals to work with our clients who live in their homes.
Are you looking for flexible work? Do you enjoy cooking, cleaning, and spending time with the elderly?
Come join our team as a
C
ompanion Homemaker
to provide companionship and perform light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry assistance, and shopping for clients who live in their homes. Applications are available online or at the VNA office:
Visiting Nurse Association
Attn: Dawn Steele, HR Assistant
2401 Valley Drive
Valparaiso, IN 46383
e-mail: dsteele@vnaportercounty.org
phone: 219-462-5195
fax: 219-531-8188
Meals on Wheels Volunteers Needed
VNA
VNA Meals on Wheels needs volunteers for the Portage area. Interested in spending an hour or so once a week, once a month, or whatever fits in your schedule, helping deliver a hot, nutritious lunch to a homebound senior? Sometimes, the VNA Meals on Wheels volunteer is the only person that senior may see all day. Your warm smile and a hot meal can make all the difference in the world to them! Whether you are retired, a college student, a parent working at home, or a member of the business community willing to share an occasional lunch hour, you will truly touch other lives as a VNA Meals on Wheels volunteer.
Call the VNA at 462-5195 and let us know you'd like to help.
Teachers Needed
Ma's Lil Champs
Ma's Li'L Champs Learning Academy is looking for loving, caring individuals to fill part and full time Teacher positions at our wonderful childcare center. Business hours are
Monday
-
Friday
,
6:15 am - 6:00 pm
. Ma's Lil Champs participate in T.E.A.C.H. grants for qualifying individuals and offer sick and personal Paid Time Off for full time employees. Other incentive programs are also offered to ensure employee moral is always high.
Some Requirements include:
- At least 18 years of age with a high school diploma
- Previous experience a plus, but not mandatory
- Mandatory National Fingerprinting and Drug Test required
No phone calls or faxed resumes will be accepted.
Please stop in to fill out an application.
6564 Pan Am Blvd
Caregiver for Elderly
ComForCare
ComForCare is a home care agency located in Portage, IN. We are growing fast and looking for new caregivers to join our team. We have clients 24/7 and also look for those who can do live-ins.
We have clients all around the area an are in need of those who can fill small shifts, large shifts and weekend shifts. We are hiring, Companions, CNA's and Home Health Aids. Flexible hours 3-12 hour shifts available.
If you have experience and think you would be a good fit, please apply and we will contact you if we feel you would be a good addition to the team. Apply at:
http://comforcare.com/indiana/portage or stop in the office to fill out an application,
3391 Airport Road, Portage Indiana or call 219-462-2400.
Teller/Universal Banker
Centier Bank
Part Time - Crown Point, Gary/Miller, Plymouth, South Haven
Perform transactions for individual and business clients, which include: deposits, withdrawals, loan payments and payoffs, cashing checks, and purchases of other items and services. This person needs to keep the clients' needs in mind while assisting them and make product and/or service referrals when appropriate. Responsible for following federal and state banking regulations and laws and for following bank policies and procedures. Responsible for developing strong client relationships by providing World-Class Service experiences for every client during every interaction.
Minimum qualifications: High School diploma or equivalent. Banking experience is a plus, but not required. Customer service experience is desirable. For a complete job description and/or to apply, visit us on line at:
www.centier.com/careers
Help Wanted
Portage Township YMCA
The Portage Township YMCA is looking for compassionate, patient individuals to work with our young students in our early learning and childcare center. These positions are part-time and hours vary. Portage Township YMCA offers payroll incentives to individuals who enroll in qualified furthering education programs.
Requirements include:
- 18 years or older with high school diploma
- Previous experience in early childcare
- Mandatory national background check (fingerprinting), drug screen and TB test
- Universal Precautions, First Aid, CPR certification a BIG plus.
Coverage Team Members
PortageLife
An ideal coverage team member would be able to:
- Take photos at community events
- Write clear and entertaining articles about positive events, people and happenings in NW Indiana
- Engage with people in the community, promote our four sites and serve as an ambassador for good news and our mission
- Be available to cover events on nights and weekends
- Be available for event coverage at least one time per week
- Respond well to constructive criticism
- Have strong communication with others
- Work tight deadlines
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