Post-Tribune |

Tuesday

Program to train child advocate volunteers

The Lake County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program will provide free training for volunteers to become child advocates for abused and neglected children. The session will run from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday evenings from Oct. 11-Nov. 10 at the Lake County Juvenile Justice Complex, 3000 W. 93 Ave., Crown Point. Volunteers must be 21 or older with a high school diploma or G.E.D. Registration is required by Oct. 11. Information and registration is with Liz Theodoros at 219-660-6978.

Wednesday

Family History Month programs set

In celebration of Family History Month, the Hammond Public Library will present three programs for those interested in tracing their family tree. in OUR House, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12, will showcase the library’s Suzanne G. Long Local History Room and explain the resources available there to trace family history. Clues Online, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13, will examine researching family history using Ancestry Library Edition and FamilySearch. All programs are free and will be held at the library, 564 State St., Hammond. More information is with Linda Swisher at 219-931-5100, Ext. 310 or Amanda Aguilera, Ext. 307.

Thursday

Ballroom dancing classes offered

The Schererville Parks and Recreation Department is offering ballroom dancing classes from 7:45 to 8:35 p.m. Oct. 13 through Nov. 17 at the Schererville Community Center, 500 E. Joliet St., Schererville. Register in person at the Schererville Town Hall, 10 E. Joliet St., Schererville, or online at www.activenwi.com. More information is with Maddie Grimm at 219-865-5530, ext. 6102, or mgrimm@schererville.org.

Friday

Annual Speakeasy Gala supports Edgewater

The Ambassadors for Edgewater will host its 15th Annual Speakeasy Gala from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Sand Creek Country Club, 1001 Sand Creek Drive, Chesterton. Evening highlights will include live entertainment, gaming tables, a silent auction, food, and an awards presentation. Proceeds from the gala help support Edgewater in providing services to community members with behavioral health challenges who are unable to pay. Tickets are $125 per person or $1,000 for a table of 10. More information is with Janellle St. John at jstjohn@edgewatersystems.org or 219-885-4264, ext. 2604.

Saturday

Book launch for local jewelry designer

Local artist Stephanie Swanson will launch her book “Playing with Fire: A Jeweler’s Guide to Metalsmithing” with a signing from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at The Flower Cart, 145 S. Calumet Road, Chesterton. A step-by-step how-to guide on metalsmithing and creating jewelry from materials such as copper, silver and gold, the book is the result of Swanson’s years of experience with creating custom jewelry as owner of her own business. More information is at www.stephanieswanson.net or 219-926-8615.

Community invited to help create mural

The Memorial Opera House Foundation invites the public to participate in creating an original piece of art from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 15 on the stage of the Opera House, 104 E. Indiana Ave., Valparaiso. Using the connected paint system, the mural will consist of 105 canvas panels to be painted individually. At the end of the evening, the completed panels will be assembled to reveal the overall theme. There will be appetizers and a cash bar. The Public Broadcast System will be filming the event as part of a documentary about the connected paint system. Participants can reserve a panel to paint for $50, or sponsor a panel to be painted by someone else at tinyurl.com/ConnectedPaintMOH. All proceeds will benefit the Memorial Opera House Foundation. More information is at memorialoperahouse.com or 219-548-9137.

Garden club hosts Brats and Bulbs

Miller Garden Club’s Annual Fall Brats and Bulb sale will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Marquette Park Aquatorium, 6918 Oak Ave., Miller Beach, Gary. The event will include live music along with the traditional fall fare of a grilled bratwurst sandwichs, sauerkraut, chips and beverage for $5. More than 30 varieties of spring bulbs will be for sale, as well as pumpkins, mums, hay bales, corn stalks, garden club T-shirts, aprons and notecards. More information is at millergardenclub.org.

Art and music festival in Lake Station

The Fox Art and Music Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 15 adjacent to the Fox Art Gallery, 2901 Dekalb St., Lake Station. The day will include live music, art, unique products and vendors, and family-friendly activities provided by local artists, musicians and small businesses. More information is at 219-433-2660.

Physical therapy career open house

A free open house will be held for those interested in physical therapy careers with Franciscan Health from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 15 at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Franciscan Health, 24 Joliet St., Dyer. Positions also are available at Franciscan Health facilities in Crown Point, Hammond, Michigan City, Munster, Schererville, and St. John. The open house will provide information about the unit’s treatment capabilities and outpatient services. Register by Oct. 10 at 708-358-0149 or email at mary.williamson@franciscanalliance.org.

Purdue University Northwest to host open house

A fall open house will be held at both PNW campuses for high school students, their parents and prospective transfers at 9 a.m. Oct. 15 in the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex, 1645 US 421, Westville; and at 9 a.m. Oct. 29 in the Fitness and Recreation Center, 2320 173rd St., Hammond. Both open houses will offer a resource fair, campus tour, and an opportunity to meet with academic and financial aid representatives. Snacks and a lunch will be served. Register at http://admissions.pnw.edu/undergraduate/open-house.

Sunday

Portage Tri Kappa sets Boutique fundraiser

The philanthropic organization Portage Zeta Mu Chapter of Tri Kappa Sorority will host its annual Boutique Bingo major fundraiser at 3 p.m. Oct. 16. The fundraiser will be held at Duneland Falls Banquet Center, 1100 North Max Mochal Highway, Portage. Admission is $40 at the door. Included are 12 rounds of bingo, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. There will be a cash bar, and additional bingo cards will be for sale. The event is for ages 18 and up. Tickets and information are with Stephanie Wilkins at 219-764-4714 or trikappaportage@gmail.com or by finding Portage Tri Kappa Boutique Bingo on Facebook.

Sunday Supper at Lubeznik Center for the Arts

The community is invited to attend a four-course Sunday Supper from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W. 2nd St., Michigan City. The evening will feature a family-style farm-to-fork dinner by Chef Barry, of Shoreline Brewery, along with entertaining and educational conversation with food supplier Greg Gunthorp, author and journalist David Hoppe and restaurateur Joe Vuskovich. Tickets are $60 at www.lubeznikcenter.org or 219-874-4900.

ORCH-TOBERFEST to benefit local orchestra

South Shore Orchestra will host ORCH-TOBERFEST from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 16 at The Market, 2405 Morthland Drive, Valparaiso. Featured will be a German-style food buffet with five German wines, an optional Flight of Four local microbrews and a silent auction. Tickets are $40 per person at orchtoberfest2016.brownpapertickets.com. Proceeds will benefit the South Shore Orchestra, which performs at Memorial Opera House. Information is with Pete Brannen at 219-464-7816.

— Staff report