Good morning, Valparaiso.

Belvedere Senior Housing hosted an event on March 20 that celebrated its ongoing partnership with Ignite Medical Resorts — which provided Bento Box meal containers to enhance daily dining and reduce waste for residents.

The collaboration showed a shared commitment to quality care and environmental sustainability.

Lori’s Smile hosted its fourth annual gala at the Dunes Pavilion on Saturday, March 21 with a Classic Hollywood theme as Northwest Indiana Breast Care Center at Methodist Hospitals provided a Director’s Sponsorship (attended by 150-200 locals) to boost breast cancer awareness.

El Salto Mexican Restaurant is expanding its full-service catering, offering customizable taco bars, buffet-style service & full bar packages for events across its Northwest Indiana locations including Valparaiso.

Packages start at $12 per person, with options for pickup, delivery within five-mile radius & on-site service designed to simplify event planning.

Gas prices increased nearly 40 cents per gallon over the past week in Northwest Indiana — a marked rise that may lead to higher costs for local drivers.

LCEA met on Mar. 19 at Innsbrook Country Club, where local leaders reviewed a ($26 billion) surge in 2025 investments and welcomed new board members as plans for further growth in 2026 are set.

The meeting highlighted ongoing economic progress in the region.

The EPA announced over $200 million to begin major cleanup projects on the Grand Calumet River and Indiana Harbor Canal in late 2026 — a move expected to remove contaminated sediment and restore habitat.

Gov. Mike Braun said the effort shows long term commitment to local water quality and wildlife.

Porter County Trading Card Show

9 AM – 3 PM — Porter County Fairgrounds — Entry details not specified — A collection-filled day for trading card enthusiasts to buy, sell, and trade their favorite cards.

Annual Ringing in Spring 5K

Time TBA — Valparaiso Family YMCA — Cost not specified — Kick off the running season with NWI's largest springtime 5K run/walk.

Debutants Performance

8 p.m. — Memorial Opera House — Ticket prices vary — Experience the enchanting debut of a duo turned lively performance group.

Moellering Academic Panel on Spatial Sciences (MAPS)

Join us on Friday, April 17 for the Moellering Academic Panel on Spatial Sciences (MAPS), hosted by the Department of Geography, Meteorology, and Environmental Science and the Christopher Center Library at Valparaiso University. Geospatial technology powers everyday tools like weather forecasts, navigation, and deliveries, while also driving disaster response, disease tracking, deforestation monitoring, and urban planning. A panel of experts including Michael Goodchild, Marianne Cardwell, Stephen Aldrich, Ashley Poling, and Gang Shao will explore the real-world impact, ethics, and future of this rapidly evolving field.

Echoes of Pompeii: A Pink Floyd Experience

8 p.m. — Memorial Opera House — $40-$80 — Immerse yourself in an authentic performance of Pink Floyd's legendary music with stunning visuals and an expansive ensemble.

2026 Valparaiso University Jazz Fest

The Valparaiso University Department of Music presents the 2026 Valparaiso University Jazz Festival, with four days of events that take place Wednesday, April 22, to Saturday, April 25, in the University Theatre, located in the Center For The Arts, 1709 Chapel Drive. Each day will include workshop presentations by professional jazz artists, performances by area high school jazz ensembles, and nightly featured concerts.

The American Revolution

Showing of clips of Ken Burns' The American Revolution with a panel of distinguished facilitators guiding discussion. This will be held at the VU Harre Union, Ballrooms A-C from 3-5p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited - reserve to [email protected].

Valparaiso Community Conference

10 AM – 3 PM — Harre Union — Free entry — Enhance local knowledge and explore opportunities to engage with the Valparaiso community.