November City Talk Now

November 2021

Shop Valpo Campaign

The City of Valparaiso has launched a Shop Valpo campaign to encourage shoppers and diners to look local this season. The campaign gathers a directory of participating businesses in a single website directory at valpo.in where shoppers can also find the special offers businesses will be sharing from Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27 through the end of 2021. Shop Valpo window clings with QR codes will also help guide shoppers to the directory at valpo.in. Watch this recent Moment With The Mayor to learn more about the campaign, parking options and how to get your favorite local business involved.

Valpo Parks Winter Fest & Tree Lighting Nov. 27

Kick off the holiday season with Valpo Parks at the annual Winter Fest sponsored by 1st Source Bank on Saturday, Nov. 27, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Central Park will be decorated with live figure skating performances, photos with Santa, food vendors, live music and Mayor Murphy's presentation of Valparaiso's Good Neighbor Award right before the lighting of the city holiday tree at 6:00 pm. Come enjoy the holiday festivities and celebrate Small Business Saturday in downtown Valpo!

Stay in the know by signing up for Valpo Parks' weekly preview email newsletter!

Neighborhood Improvement Grants - Apply by March 1, 2022

The City of Valparaiso is revising the dates for its annual Neighborhood Improvement Grant program to make funds available earlier in the year. The new schedule means that applications for 2022 Neighborhood Improvement Grants will be due on March 1, 2022, with winning projects announced by March 11, 2022. To date, 59 projects have been funded through the program since it was introduced in 2018. Learn more about the 2022 grant cycle by visiting our website and participating in an informational Zoom session on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 6:00 pm at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81048372611. Contact us to learn more.

Tree Planting with VALE Student Volunteers

Student volunteers from VALE (Valparaiso Alternative Learning Experience) planted trees along Froberg Road, along with Principal Dr. Mike Bendicsen and Certified Arborist Matt McBain. The new varieties included Bur Oak, Scarlet Oak, Sycamore and Tulip trees that will help restore the canopy in that area. Valparaiso is a Tree City USA for its attention to the city's urban forest.

Valparaiso Fire Dedicates "Reflection" Statue

The Valparaiso Fire Department recently hosted a dedication of “Reflection,” a life-sized cast bronze sculpture and tribute to the men and women of the Valparaiso Fire Department who have protected the residents of Valparaiso for more than 150 years. The statue is a rendering of an exhausted firefighter, reflecting on fires he has fought as he holds his axe seated on a bench facing the courthouse and city square. Next to him is “Old Joe,” memorializing a beloved fire dog who served the VFD in the 1930s. The “Reflections” statue is located at the site that served as the Valparaiso Fire Department from the late 1890’s to 1960’s, at 16 Indiana Ave. Learn more.

Valparaiso Online Market

Did you know? The Valparaiso Market is now a year-round market where you can find fresh produce, delicious baked goods, meats, honey, crafts and more that are all produced locally. Visit the Online Market to order your items and pick them up curbside on every other Wednesday beginning Nov. 17. This online service will continue through May, with the Outdoor Market kicking off in June. Learn more.

New Downtown Utility Box Art

Visit downtown to see five new utility box art wraps along Lincolnway! The new utility box wraps are made possible by the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission, Valparaiso Events and the team at Digital Graphic Solutions. The new designs were all created by local artists and organizations. Pictured here is Melissa Washburn with her design at the intersection of Washington and Lincolnway. Stay tuned for more!

Neighborhood Watch - Updates from Valpo Neighborhoods

Sidewalk and ramp projects were recently completed in Beauty Creek Estates, Beauty Creek Villas, Hawthorne, Keystone Commons and Windsor Park as part of the 2020 Neighborhood Improvement Grant program.