Community news

The Valparaiso Police Department will participate in National Night Out beginning at 6 p.m. on Aug. 3. A nation-wide event, National Night Out brings communities and police together under positive conditions, creating an exchange of ideas and developing a partnership with citizens. The Valparaiso Police is inviting community members and neighborhood groups to organize events and activities as part of the national celebration. Past years have included games, ice cream socials, cook outs and small block-style parties. Valparaiso Police Officers and civilian staff will be visiting the planned activities in a variety neighborhoods throughout the city, to show their support of the citizens. Members of the department will include K9, Bike Patrol, support staff, Patrol Division and Investigations. Residents interested in participating are asked to contact Captain Hall at 219-462-2135 or at jhall@valpopd.com. Registration closes Friday at 4 p.m.

Sammi King, Marquette Park Project Coordinator for Dunes-Calumet Audubon, will discuss the history of Marquette Park and its important bird habitats at 11 a.m. on Sunday at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Douglas Center, 100 North Lake St., Gary. She will talk about many of the shorebirds that use this location as an important stop during migration. Marquette Park is adjacent to the western national park boundary. Visitors can hike to Marquette Park via the beach after enjoying the Miller Woods trail from the Douglas Center to just west of Lake Street beach. More information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Park can be found at 219-395-1821 or at www.nps.gov/indu.

Northwest Health is hosting a Wellness Walk and Talk every Tuesday morning through Sept. 28 at Clear Lake Trail on Clear Lake Boulevard in La Porte. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. Participants will learn about health and wellness topics from Northwest Health wellness professionals during a 30 minute walk around Clear Lake. The event is open to walkers of all ages and fitness levels. Walks will proceed rain or shine. More information can be found at 219-326-2048.

The Gary Chamber of Commerce will resume their monthly luncheons with a presentation by Hard rock Casino Northern Indiana President Matt Schuffert at Noon Aug. 9 at the Casino, 5400 W. 29th Ave., Gary. The meeting is open to all interested parties. Networking will begin at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $25 per person and space is limited. Register at 219-885-7407. Sponsorships are available.

LARC, a not-for-profit organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will host its Annual Golf Outing on Aug. 13 at Youche Country Club, 2301 W. 129th Place, Crown Point. Registration begins at 11 a.m., and a shotgun start is at 12:30 p.m. “LARC on the Links,” will feature 18 holes of golf, lunch, games, contests and complimentary select refreshments on the course. A recognition dinner following the scramble is also included. This year’s event features more than $30,000 in hole-in-one prizes. Golf-dinner packages are $165 per person. Dinner-only guests are $60 per person. LARC is seeking golfers, sponsorships, and in-kind donations for their raffle. Sponsorship opportunities range in price from $165 to $3,500. Smaller sponsorship packages include hole signage, and larger packages include complimentary foursomes and additional dinner guests. In-kind donations, such as gift cards and gift certificates from area restaurants and businesses, will help to provide additional raffle revenue at the event. All proceeds will go to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The deadline for sponsorships, golf and dinner reservations is Aug. 2. For more information, to register, or to become a sponsor call 708-474-1540 or visit www.larclansing.com.

Post-Tribune Staff