IU Northwest to celebrate Black History Month

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs (ODEMA) at Indiana University Northwest is hosting a series of events to celebrate Black History Month. All events are free, open to the public and will run through the end of February on the IU Northwest campus, 3400 Broadway, Gary. “High on the Hog” Documentary and Soul Food Tasting will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bergland Auditorium. “Light of Truth: Ida B. Wells” Documentary and Discussion will run from 10 a.m. to Noon Feb. 13 at Bergland Auditorium. NAACP ACT-SO Talent Showwill be at 4 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Savannah Center. Black Labor Week – Men’s and Women’s Discussions will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 and 20 at the Bergland Auditorium. Steel City Black Knowledge Bowl will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Mainstage Theatre in the Arts and Sciences building, second floor. Screening of “Black Barbie,” discussion and lunch will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Library Conference Center 105. More information and registration can be found at https://news.iu.edu/northwest/live/news/43508-celebrate-black-history-month-with-film-screenings.

Students invited to 4-H Urban Agriculture program event

Purdue Extension-Lake County invites young people in grades 3 through 12 to learn more about the 4-H Urban Agriculture program from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Extension office, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point. This interactive event will feature pizza, hands-on activities and information on upcoming urban farm tours. No prior agriculture or 4-H experience is needed. All are welcome. Register at https://urbanag2-12-2025.4honline.com or call the Extension Office at 219-755-3240.

Kankakee Valley Historical Society to honor Civil War veterans

Kankakee Valley Historical Society (KVHS) will host “The Civil War Comes to Northwest Indiana,” a program to honor local Civil War veterans, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Open Door Fellowship Church hall, 636 S. Baums Bridge Road, Kouts. The event is free to the public. During the course of the program, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War-David D Porter Camp will display the typical kit of a Union solder in uniform. Civil War reenactor, Thomas Wojciski, will tell the story of local valor, and discuss the history and accomplishments of the men from Lake, Porter, and Laporte counties who served in the 9th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. KVHS will hold the “Yankee Bake Sale” in conjunction with the program. More information can be found at https://kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org/?page_id=3424.

BSO at VU to celebrate Black History Month

Members of the Black Student Organization (BSO) at Valparaiso University will host movies, games, and information sessions in celebration of Black History Month. These events are free and open to the public. Unless otherwise noted, all events will take place at 6 p.m. in Loke Hall, 1100 Campus Drive South, Valparaiso. Monday nights will feature movies, including: “Fresh Dressed,” Monday; “I Am Not Your Negro,” Feb. 17; and “Rustin” Feb. 24. A game of “Guess the Song” and musical chairs will take place on Feb. 7, followed by “Black History Jeopardy” on Feb. 13. at the Christopher Center Library, room 205. Other events include the “Dress To Impress Fashion Show” Feb. 12, and a Poetry Slam night at the Bell and Beacon in the Harre Union on Feb. 26. For more information, contact the Black Student Organization at bso.secretary@valpo.edu.

Franciscan Health Crown Point hosting doula workshop

Franciscan Health Crown Point is hosting a doula certification workshop over two weekends in March. The doula certification workshop will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. March 8-9 and March 15-16 at Franciscan Health Crown Point, 12750 St. Francis Drive. Participants must be 18 years old or older and attend all four days of classes to receive a certificate of completion. Doulas are trained professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their clients before, during and shortly after childbirth. A doula does not perform clinical tasks. The workshop fulfills two requirements toward certification as a DONA International Certified Birth Doula, Introduction to Childbirth and Doula Birth Training. The cost for the workshop is $600 and is payable within four days of registration. Registration is available online and must be complete by Feb. 17. For more information, call 219-746-9134.

Chesterton High School Music Dept. hosts Big Band Bash

Chesterton High School’s Music Department will host its annual Big Band Bash this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7 and 8. The evenings will feature music and dancing, starting at 7 p.m. in the CHS Cafeteria.

The “Big Band Bash” offers the public a nostalgic dance reminiscent of those held during the 1930’s and 40’s. Visitors will enter through Door 31 and can partake in raffles, enjoy drinks and appetizers, and dance the night away to music performed by Chesterton High School’s Jazz Ensemble and Maroon Jazz Band. Saturday night is Dance Night featuring an expanded dance floor and Swing Dance lessons at 6:30 p.m.

Reserved seating (tables of 6) is available on both nights. General Admission tickets are available Saturday only, and CHS, LMS, and WMS students can receive a discount. General Admission tickets will be available at the door on Saturday, but Reserved tickets must be purchased online. Tickets are now available for purchase, at a cost of $20 for Reserved Seating, $20 for Saturday General Admission, and $15 for Saturday Student Tickets, all at https://cur8.com/projects/15971

South Shore Line schedule revision

Passengers are advised the South Shore Line will implement a new train schedule, effective Feb. 18. The new schedule incorporates service modifications as a result of ongoing passenger feedback and service analysis. Please note revisions to train numbers and all weekday and weekend train departure/arrival times. The revised timetable, fares and information can be found at https://mysouthshoreline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/February_18_2025_Timetable.pdf.

— Staff report