The Valparaiso compost site, 2150 W Lincolnway, will be closed on Friday and Saturday, and on Jan. 1 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The Boone Grove and Portage sites are currently closed for the season. The Valparaiso site accepts electronics, batteries, light bulbs, drop-off recyclables, clean and dry plastic bags and flattened cardboard boxes. More information can be found at info@portercountyrecycling.org or visit www.portercountyrecycling.org.

The Hammond Public Library has two upcoming events scheduled. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Squad will be offered Jan. 2-30. Children ages 6 to 13 are invited to pick up a Take and Make Kit from the library, 564 State St., to explore race and skin color through STEAM. More information is at 219-931-5100, Ext. 336. Teen Books and Bites will be held at 4 p.m. Jan. 5 on Instagram @hammondpubliclibrary. More information is at 219-931-5100, Ext. 351.

Due to the continued impact of COVID-19 on commuters, the South Shore Line (SSL) will again offer a “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” promotion for January monthly tickets. All monthly tickets purchased for the month of January will remain valid throughout February. Passengers purchasing a paper January monthly ticket are advised to keep that ticket and use it through February. Passengers purchasing a digital January monthly ticket via the mobile app will see a February ticket uploaded to their accounts prior to Feb. 1. Passengers who receive tickets through an employer benefit program such as Wage Works and Commuter Benefit Solutions should not order their February tickets if they receive a January monthly ticket. The SSL also is extending its existing Free Weekend Westbound Rides promotion through the end of February. The free rides apply to all SSL stations. Passengers can simply board applicable weekend westbound trains; no ticket purchase is necessary. Passengers will be responsible for paying all applicable fares on weekday trips and weekend eastbound trips. More information can be found at www.mysouthshoreline.com.

The Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWIIWA) will launch “Breaking the Glass Ceiling,” a free vodcast (video cast) series, beginning in January. Scheduled speakers include Indiana’s Lt. Governor and other prominent company leaders who will share their stories and insights to help other professionals empower their careers. In addition, there will be a candid question-and-answer session following each presentation where speakers will discuss real-world barriers and other issues they’ve encountered in the workplace. The first event will be held at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 13 featuring Dawn Reynolds Pettit, vice president of Human Resources for Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. Register at https://breakingtheglassceiling11321.eventbrite.com/atnwiiwa.org. Dr. Janet Seabrook, CEO of Community HealthNet Health Centers (CHN), will be February’s speaker; Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch will speak during the March event; and Kelly A. Shikany, vice president and financial advisor with CAPTRUST, will speak in April. NWIIWA partnered with Purdue University Northwest (PNW) to develop the vodcast. Additional speakers are being scheduled throughout 2021 and will be announced at http://nwiiwa.org/.

—Staff report