Welcome Back to NWI Explored!
Hello again everybody, and on this Veterans Day, we want say Thank you to all our service members! I want to start off this incredibly chilly November morning by saying, as I have the last two weeks, thank you so much to everyone who has joined us in this journey so far. We’re growing at a rate we never thought possible in the first month of starting and that is a feat we owe entirely to those of you who’ve followed us on Instagram and subscribed here! We’re only just getting started, so stay tuned for all of the exciting places our team is going to explore in the future. Onto your regularly scheduled programming…
🧭 On Today’s Issue of NWI Explored: 🧭
❄️The first smattering of winter weather has hit Northwest Indiana❄️
🎟️Free events for the perfect midweek distraction🎟️
🗞️A recap of the NWI news you need to know🗞️
📷What’s been going on over at the NWI Explored Instagram📷
Today in NWI
Here’s your weather update for NWI
The whole of Northwest Indiana has braced themselves for the first blast of wintry weather. At the time of writing (late Sunday afternoon), Valpo has gotten a few inches so far, but it’s been sludgy and wet so there isn’t nearly as much accumulation as there could have been. There’s a high-end possibility of up to a foot of snow in the next 18 hours, which seems absolutely mad to be talking about here in the nascent days of November but that’s Northwest Indiana weather for you. We will update at some point tomorrow to recap what the day actually had in store for us in terms of snow!
WINTER WEATHER UPDATE
So, as it turns out, all those weather wizards over at WGN Chicago were right. NWI got absolutely blasted by lake effect snow late Sunday night into the early morning hours Monday. Areas like Valpo got somewhere in the ballpark of 8 to 9 inches, with Crown Point and Cedar Lake getting up into 11 inch territory. And, because we didn’t have enough fun for one day, another inch or so came crashing in around midday just to throw everybody off balance even more. My day job takes me all around NWI, consisting mostly of driving everyday, and I hit the gamut of terribly plowed roads and terrible drivers. Peep a few shots of my day in the winter wonderland below.
Today in History
Today, in 1941, the 4th Academy Awards were taking place. The big winner of the night was the film Cimarron, with lead actor Lionel Barrymore and lead actress Marie Dressler also taking home trophies that night.
Today also marks the 71st anniversary of the dedication of the Marine Corps War Memorial, depicting the raising of the American Flag atop Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima.
And, on this day in 1969, the very first episode of Sesame Street aired on PBS. The world would not have been the same without the introduction of such wonderful television friends.
🏘The Lowdown 🏘
Every Monday, We give you the best happenings over the weekend and what you can look forward to exploring in the first half of the week.
In what has been an already insane season, No. 2 ranked Indiana has remained undefeated in the regular season after an absolutely absurd ending to Saturday’s game. If you haven’t already seen the clip of the go-ahead touchdown, you can find it below. There’s almost no doubt in my mind that my alma mater will be going all the way this year. Mark my words
In news that is very close to my heart as a die-hard film fan, the Emagine Theaters chain has been sold off to a Belgian theater company. I absolutely love the Emagine Portage and go there as often as I possibly can, but this will now be the second change of hands on this theater in the last four years. Belgian company Kinepolis will take control of the whole Emagine chain, which includes 14 theaters in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
High school football sectionals took place this week. You can find all of the scores of those games below!
Penn 28, Crown Point 24
Merrillville 45, Munster 14
Michigan City 28, LaPorte 21
Hobart 35, Lowell 15
Andrean 35, Rensselaer Central 14
NWI Weather services have issued the first winter storm warning of the season. We’re all waiting with bated breath to see what ends up becoming of this storm, but please be safe out there should inclement weather come to pass.
A Bellweather Research poll of 800 registered Indiana voters has concluded that the majority of Hoosiers disapprove of the current state government’s attempted at redistricting. 51% of respondents disapprove, while 31% said they support it, and 10% did not know enough to offer an opinion. As far as NWI is concerned, this redistricting would split the existing congressional districts up into weird sections: separating parts of Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties that are currently bound to the same congressional representation.
A handy announcement for all our Valpo readers: The city of Valparaiso has suspended all bus fares (for those receiving SNAP benefits) for the intracity bus service V-Line, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Not only that, but the city has also suspended late fees and service shut-offs for all City of Valparaiso utilities. Valpo officials have said that the uncertainty and financial hardship for those utilizing SNAP benefits is more than enough stress for citizens to deal with, so the staying of these extra fees and costs is the least they could do. Be a good neighbor, especially in times like this!
The Alliance of Indiana Rural Water has ruled that Hammond has the best-tasting city water in the state. It’s a novel concept to rate the taste of city tap water, but apparently the Alliance has been doing this for quite some time. Their reasoning for naming Hammond as the best-tasting is “it’s extremely clarity and consistency of quality”.
What’s Happening Around Town?
Every Monday, we try to compile a list of events for all of Explorers to be aware of. Below you can find a list of free and paid events happening midweek all around NWI.
Porter Country Library Branches have free storytimes every Monday, starting at 10am. Free of charge. Use their events page to also find a ton of free, midweek activities for kids of all ages!
Lake Country Library Branches also have free storytimes for various age groups every Monday. Find your local branch and age group times below. Their events page will also have activities and groups for kids of all ages, free of charge!
Wednesday is Weekly Trivia Night at Off-Square Brewing (11000 Delaware Pkwy, Crown Point)
St. John Community Center (10216 Cline Ave) is hosting a pumpkin candle making course on Wednesday, November 5th
Wednesday is Weekly BINGO night at the White Rhino in Dyer (101 Joliet St)
Zorn Brew Works in Michigan City is hosting their weekly Open Mic (605 E 9th St) on Wednesday
Veteran’s Day Ceremonies will be taking place in East Chicago, Whiting, and Highland.
Valparaiso Memorial Opera House will be holding a Toby Keith tribute concert on November 11th. Tickets start at $40, doors at 7pm
November 11th will be Free Entry Day at the Dunes National Lakeshore
18th Street Brewing in Gary (5725 Miller Ave) will be holding their weekly Line Dancing night on Thursdays
The Hobart Art Theater is hosting breakout country star Avery Anna on November 13th. Doors are at 6pm
What kind of content do you want to see from NWI Explored?
Tips for Getting Around in a NWI Winter
Always allow extra time to get to your destination. NWI winters are fickle, so everything can be thrown into chaos at a moments notice. Be prepared to be late.
Conditions can change in an instant. Pay attention to local alert systems so you now what route is the safest route
Bridges, underpasses, shaded areas, and intersections are more likely to have a covering of ice. Proceed with caution when approaching one of these areas.
Drive defensively. Wear your seatbelts. Keep a buffer of two car lengths between you and the car in front of you. Drive 5-10 mph under the speed limit.
Be a Good Neighbor
During the ongoing government shutdown, SNAP benefits have been suspended for the majority of the country. In the interest of protecting our neighbors and loved ones, we are going to keep a handy rundown of how you can help out.
The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
Click here to find a pantry local to you
If you’d like to know where to volunteer, click here
If you’d like to donate, click here
The Food Bank of Northern Indiana
for our friends who may live just outside of NWI
Click here to find pantries local to you
Project Neighbors, a Valparaiso-based non-profit centered around building affordable rental properties for the unhoused, has started an initiative to get those impacted by SNAP cuts gift cards for groceries
Link to their site and click here to donate
The Latest From the NWIE Instagram
What’d We Miss?
Did we forget to include an event from your bar/restaurant/space? Have a hot tip on where the party is happening? Want to know more about the news in your area of the Region?
Send us an email at [email protected] to let us know!
That’s everything for this Monday issue of NWI Explored. Be good to one another and we will see you on Thursday
Happy Exploring,
Eric & Luke
The NWI Explored Team
I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was. Likewise, I never imagined that home might be something I would miss.
-Ransom Riggs
