Lake County employees spread Christmas cheer
Lake County Assessor’s Office and E911 center employees worked to spread a little holiday cheer by sponsoring Angel Trees for local residents of the Colonial Nursing Home as well as children from the Crown Point St. Jude House. Lake County Assessor LaTonya Spearman and her staff filled some of the wish lists of 26 clients of the Raindrops Rising Foundation of Northwest Indiana. Jess Kern, advocate, founder, and board president of the organization, accepted donations of toys, clothing, and other items for clients whose wish lists were recorded on ornaments that Assessor’s Office staff helped fill. Raindrops Rising Foundation of Northwest Indiana supports victims of human trafficking and sexual violence.
Purdue Extension hosts educational programs
Purdue Extension–Lake County, Health and Human Sciences, will offer three educational programs in the coming weeks. All programs will be held at the Purdue Extension – Lake County office, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. “Cooking With an Air Fryer” will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday. This program is designed to introduce participants to the safe and effective use of air fryers, with a focus on food safety and healthier cooking methods. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/2026AirFry. “Train Your Brain: Nutrition, Neurobics, and Notable Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 13. Participants will learn how to lower the risks of cognitive decline and dementia by adopting healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, social interactions and a healthy diet. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/Brain13Jan. A ServSafe Food Manager one-day class and exam, will be offered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 4. ServSafe educates food service workers about food safety. ServSafe Food Protection Manager is the highest ServSafe certification. Register at: https://cvent.me/MO09gL. Space may be limited. Interested individuals are encouraged to register early to secure their spot. For more information or questions, contact Purdue Extension-Lake County at 219-755-3240 or email lcurley@purdue.edu. Those in need of an interpreter, translator or accommodations to attend these programs should contact Curley at lcurley@purdue.edu or call 219-755-3240.
Northwest Health offers weight loss surgery seminar
Andrew Martin, M.D., a bariatric and general surgeon with Northwest Health, will host a seminar that explores weight loss surgery options, compares bariatric surgery with GLP-1 medications, and explains how both approaches may complement each other. “Bariatric Surgery and Long-Term Health: What You Need to Know in the GLP-1 Era,” will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Northwest Health – Porter, Community Room, 85 E. U.S. Highway 6, Valparaiso. The seminar will explore: how bariatric surgery works; the health benefits beyond weight loss; and recovery timelines, lifestyle changes and success strategies. The event is part of the Northwest Health HealthyU series, a community program that provides free seminars on various health and wellness topics. Registration is encouraged at NWHinfo.com/WeightLoss.
Waste Reduction District, library host Fix-It Fair
The Recycling and Waste District of Porter County will host a Fix-It Fair, a community-driven event focused on sustainability and skill-sharing. This free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Valparaiso Branch of the Porter County Public Library System, 103 Jefferson St., Valparaiso. The Fix-It Fair is designed to help community members breathe new life into their beloved but broken items, rather than discarding them. Expert volunteers will be on hand to offer free repair services and guidance for a wide variety of items, including, but not limited to: sewing and clothing; jewelry; small appliances; IT troubleshooting and computers; electronics; clocks and lamps; and tools and small furniture. Attendees are asked to register at https://portercountyrecycling.org/fix-it-fairs/ to ensure volunteers are prepared to make appropriate repairs. The Fix-It Fair is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For further information, contact Sarah at sarah@portercountyrecycling.org.
Purdue Extension holds basic horticulture course
Purdue Extension-Lake County will offer a seven-week “Get Growing” program in a live virtual format from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evenings Feb. 10 through March 24. Register at https://web.cvent.com/event/5f30aa0d-9d78-49c1-98c7-66488f4b86e2/summary. Payment is $40 and is due Feb. 1. Topics will range from “How Plants Grow: Basic Botany” to “What’s Pestering Your Garden.” Other topics include “Woody Landscape Plants,” “Vegetable Gardening,” “Fantastic Flower Gardening,” “Lawn Care,” and “Native Plants 101.” For more information, accommodations assistance, an interpreter or translator, contact Dolly Foster at dolly@purdue.edu or call 219-755-3240 by Jan. 27.
