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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
February 13-17 is Northshore Health Systems.
The health care professionals at NorthShore Health Centers of Indiana are dedicated to helping you feel good. By combining expertise with a unique personal touch, Northshore provides the highest level of care. Doctors and nurses you can talk to. Who will listen. Who will promise their very best to make you....FEEL WELL!
NorthShore
's seven Indiana health clinics provide all kinds of care to uninsured and under-insured patients in Porter and Lake counties, including urgent care and dental services. The sliding-scale fees for qualifying patients ensure that no one has to go without medical attention when he or she needs it. Services are provided regardless of ability to pay. NorthShore accepts Medicaid and Hoosier Healthwise recipients; privately insured individuals; uninsured individuals; everyone, of any age, sex, race or religion.
If you need medical care, you have options. Don't wait or ignore medical issues, hoping they'll go away. Health care gets more costly and drastic when it is neglected. Please contact a NorthShore full-service health clinic in Merrillville, Portage, Lake Station, Hammond or Chesterton, Indiana to learn about your care options. Call for an Appointment Today (All Locations) 219-763-8112.
New Fishing & Outdoor Show! Vendor Spots Still Available
On February 25th & 26th the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce will be hosting it's
First Annual Fishing & Outdoor Show in the Portage High School Fieldhouse. Fish-On Portage
is a colla
boration between the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce and Sea Quest Lures. Mark your
calendar now as this event is open to the public. Are you interested in renting a booth? We still have vendor spots available. For more information please call 219-762-3300 or go online to the
Fishing Show page
Sponsorship Opportunities
Information Flyer
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. 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!
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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When School is Out, Our Clubs are in!
Porter County Boys & Girls Club
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County's Kidstop program will be available for all members needing a safe place to go when school is out for the Presidents' Day holiday. Kidstop will be open at our Valparaiso and Duneland Clubs February 17 and 20, and at our Portage and South Haven Clubs February 17, 20, and 21. Registration is open now.
All youth participating in the Kidstop program must have a Club membership. Membership is $35 annually per child. Scholarships are available for those who qualify. For more information, contact the Portage Club at (219) 762-4613; South Haven Club at (219) 759-2565.
Harlem Wizards coming to Portage
The Portage Township Education Foundation
The Portage Township Education Foundation is sponsoring a family fun night to help raise funds for innovative projects for Portage Township students.
The Portage Waves (teachers and local heroes) playing basketball against the Harlem Wizards. The event begins at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at Portage High School. doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets may be ordered at all Portage Township Schools and/or the Portage Chamber of Commerce for $8 for children/students and $12 for adults. Children under 3 are free. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $15 or on-line at
www.harlemwizards.com
. Special seating, meeting and playing with the Wizards, discounted jerseys, and more will be available for an additional fee.
Township Parks and Recreation Public Meeting
Portage Township Parks and Recreation
A public meeting will be held on
Thursday, March 2nd, 2017
between 5:30-7p at the Bonner Senior Center, 5800 Lexington Avenue, Portage, IN, to collect public comment on the development
of Evergreen Park (the former Portage Little League property). The meeting will include a
presentation of proposed park features and an opportunity for attendees to provide feedback.
Public participation is vital to ensure that this plan addresses the community's needs.
Additional questions and
comments may be addressed to:
Joy Lundstrom, Superintendent
Portage Township Parks and Recreation
3484 Airport Road
Portage, IN 46368
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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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 February 10 and March 10. Appointments are available from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. To register, visit UnitedWayPC.org/FAFSA.
New Toastmasters Group
Toastmasters
There is a brand new Toastmasters group that has formed. Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping members improve their communication, public speaking, and leadership skills. This group is open to all, but focused on those that work or live in the Hobart, Portage, and Lake Station areas. This group will meet the 2nd and 4th Mondays each month at the Hobart Chamber of Commerce located at 1001 Lillian St, Hobart. For more information please contact Lisa at 219-614-6939 or lisanjeffie@yahoo.com
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
New Web Domain
Porter County Community Foundation
The Porter County Community Foundation has a new website domain name. The new PCCF website domain is now www.pccf.gives. This change was made to better reflect the mission of "inspiring giving". The emails of the office staff have also changed.
The updated list it:
eryn@pccf.gives
kathleen@pccf.gives
kim@pccf.gives
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Power Nutrition
The Greater Portage Chamber of commerce invites you to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Power Nutrution on February 21st. More information
here
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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Vital Nutrition
Join the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce and celebrate Fat Tuesday (February 28th) at the Vital Nutrition Ribbon Cutting. More details here
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. 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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Emotional Intelligence & Leadership Authenticity in the Workplace
SCORE
Join SCORE Advisor Jim Hubbard who explains how to develop Emotional Intelligence, and how Leadership Authenticity is a key attribute of good leaders. Register today with this
link or contact a SCORE volunteer at nwiscore@gmail.com or call 219-462-1105 for more information.
Wednesday, February 22
9am-10 am
Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce Center
162 W. Lincolnway
Valparaiso, IN 46385
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.
Thursday Feb. 23
Where
: Regional Development Company, 1757 Thornapple Circle in Valparaiso
Register online
or
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
QuickBooks Online
ISBDC
QuickBooks Online allows users to work on their accounting and access data from any Internet connection. Participants must have the QuickBooks online software on their laptop, tablet or smart phone and have their device on hand during the workshop.
Topics include:
- Getting started
- Navigating the software
- Recording transactions
- Reporting tools
- Expanding usability
When:
9 a.m. to noon Fridays
March 3 and 10
Where: Purdue Technology of NWI, 9800 Connecticut Drive in Crown Point
Cost: $100 for two-part workshop. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required as payments are not accepted at the door.
Register online
More information
: Email
northwest@isbdc.org
or call
(219) 644-3513
.
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Activities and Promotions
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Caring Hearts & ComForCare
Lu La Roe will be at Caring Hearts/ComForCare, 3391 Airport Rd, Portage on February 21st 6 pm- 8pm. 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association.
Flyer
Cabin Fever
Portage Athletic Boosters
Cabin Fever,
a silent auction/raffle social evening, will be held on February 25, 2017 at Woodland Park. This event helps the Portage Athletic Department to offset the financial demands of
approximately
650
student-athletes participating in 22 different sports in grades 9-12.
The Athletic Department is a non-profit department that funds items related to competing in athletic competition at the high school level. The Athletic Department is looking for
different companies, vendors, and organizations to donate auction gifts that will be raffled off to adults in our community.
If you have any questions regarding the above information, please contact Kelly Bermes at 1-219-764-6051.
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.
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
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.
Gears of Hope Duneland Tour
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society will be hosting, Gears of Hope Duneland Tour on June 24th. The eventwill 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.
Maintenance Person Needed
Gabriel's Horn
Gabriel's Horn is currently in need of a Maintenance person. This person would be responsible for general upkeep and maintenance of the shelter such as painting. If you are interested or would like more information please contact the office at 219-364-8018 or email
mignon.kennedy@gabriels-horn.org
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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