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๐Ÿ“†The Lowdown๐Ÿ“†

A recap of the general goings-on around NWI and Indiana writ large.

IU Bloomington has announced plans to spend $60 million on renovations to the Willkie Quadrangle residence hall, a 752-bed dorm that was originally built in 1965. Number of rooms and their layouts will reportedly remain the same, but extensive upgrades will be made to student rooms, bathrooms, elevators and other included infrastructure.

East Chicago Firefighters Local 365 have reached an agreement with Mayor Anthony Copeland in the multi-year legal battle that began during Copelandโ€™s initial run for mayor. The disagreement stemmed from promises Copelandโ€™s office made to the union surrounding a reworked work schedule that would free up personal time for firefighters โ€” a promise that Local 365 have said Copeland and his office had not upheld up to the present day. The settlement that the two parties agreed to will see the firefighters awarded $1.2 million in damages.

Following nearly four full months of a worker lockout at the Whiting Refinery, BP is reportedly saying that they wish to resume negotiations with the United Steelworkers Union. More than 800 laborers have been without work since March as a result of dead-end contract negotiations with the energy giant, with the two parties last meeting being on June 16th. Recent pressure from local municipalities and politicians across party lines, as well as the removal of BP as sponsors for multiple local events like Hammondโ€™s Festival of the Lake and Whitingโ€™s Pierogi Fest, has apparently made the company want to return to the bargaining table. We shall see what comes of these discussions.

Planned expansions to the Schererville Family YMCA into the former Jakโ€™s Warehouse location have been stymied by the recent glut of inclement weather and flooding, but plans are moving ahead as scheduled. The massive multi-million dollar renovation and expansion is planned to finish by the end of October of this year, along with a brand new parking lot to go with the 15,000 sq. ft. expansion. This new addition will add a new entrance, a full-service cafe, fitness center, walk/run track, group fitness studios, kids zone, youth fitness studios, cardio area, elevated walking track, indoor turf fields, renovated family-friendly locker rooms and new basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts.

Below, find a rundown of the public school board meetings that will be held this week:

Below, you can find a list of the municipalities and local government meetings happening this week.

  • Valparaiso City Council

    • Monday, July 13th @ 6 p.m. at City Hall (166 Lincolnway)

      • Agenda will include discussions around the limiting of access to e-bikes on downtown sidewalks and certain city blocks, and a proposed multi-year moratorium on data centers.

  • Munster Plan Commission

    • Tuesday, July 14th @ 7 p.m. at Town Hall (1005 Ridge Rd)

      • Agenda will mainly focus on proposed changes to the Kenmara Technology Park - amid controversy and speculation that the town is planning to accept the construction of a data center within city limits.

  • Merrillville Town Council

    • Tuesday, July 14th @ 6:30 p.m. at Merrillville Municipal Complex ( 7820 Broadway)

      • Agenda includes considerations around rescinding their resolution about opposing the actions of ICE and their efforts to acquire property within town. The Town of Merrillville has been under pressure from Republican Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita who says that they will face legal action if the city does not rescind their resolution and promise to not interfere with ICE activities going forward.

  • Valparaiso Plan Commission

    • Tuesday, July 14th @ 5 p.m. at City Hall (166 Lincolnway)

      • A special meeting about considering bringing in a data center subject expert to evaluate the cityโ€™s current Unified Development Ordinance, changes to limiting of data centers to place more restrictions on developers, and (during its regular meeting @ 5:30 p.m.) the consideration of annexing a new property for a new, single family housing project.

  • Hobart City Council

    • Wednesday, July 15th @ 6 p.m. at City Hall (414 Main St)

      • Agenda includes a potential resolution that will support the locked out USW union workers locked out from working at the BP Whiting Refinery - joining other NWI towns in firmly showing support for the affected laborers.

  • Other Meetings this week include:

Your NWI Weather Forecast For This Week

We Want to Hear From You!

On occasion, we will be cycling in a new poll for the Explorers to answer about NWI. Favorite spots, underrated meals, hidden gems and a whole bunch else will be covered. These polls will help us to build the definitive NWI Explored guide to the Northwest Indiana, completely based on input from all of you! So, make your voices heard and answer our weekly poll!

A Question for the Explorers:

What is your favorite spot in all of Northwest Indiana?

Restaurant, Bar, Outdoor Hideaway - Whatever you think highlights the best of NWI!.

Click here to type your answer... Open & answer

โžก๏ธ Whatโ€™s In, Whatโ€™s Out? โฌ…๏ธ

A lowdown on the businesses that have come (and gone) across the Region.

  • Patโ€™s Ice Cream Parlor, a downtown Valpo staple that has served locals since the 80โ€™s, has returned under new ownership. Owner Pat Berning ran the shop for over 40 years, but decided to close and sell the operations earlier this year following some health complications. New owners, Samantha Hunt and Aaron Mace, have taken over and promise to maintain consistent hours and keep it open year-round. They have also said they will maintain a rotating flavor slate of 24 different flavors, with an expansion into baked goods potentially coming in the future (but no plans for coffee since there are so many coffee shops in downtown Valpo).

  • Opera Dโ€™Amore will be opening next to its sister restaurant Phat Stax in the Galleria in Dyer, sharing owners Jeremy and Angela Puglisi. Opera Dโ€™Amore aims to offer a six-course fine dining Italian dinner service for a flat fee, complete with live opera singing and accoutrements in the Roman style. The new concept is planned to open by September.

  • Geitonia Greek Grill is expanding from their home location in Valpo to a second location in Dyer. Owner Michael Filipidis has said the new location will offer the same menu as the Valpo location, with seating for about 16-20 diners and a take-out first approach (much like the Valpo location). The goal is to open by late October or early November. Geitonia is known for its fresh, homemade gyros, baklava, lemon rice soup and many other Greek traditional foods.

  • Honey Baked Ham has reopened at its Hobart location with expanded hours.

  • Osea Fish & Chicken has opened its doors in Gary at 2101 Carolina St.. Chicken wings, chicken dinners, fried fish, shrimp, and even frog legs make up some of the menu at this fast-food restaurant specializing in fried goodies.

The Latest from the NWI Explored Instagram

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๐ŸŽŸ๏ธWhatโ€™s Going On in NWI?๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ

Every issue of NWI Explored, we give you the best events and spots to check out during the current month.

Everything Going on In July!

July Events will be continually added throughout the month!

Summer Schedules!

  • Free Events are highlighted in GREEN

Here is the schedule for the Lake County Corn Dogs Baseball team below! The Lake County Corn Dogs are a pre-professional, independent baseball team based out of Crown Point in the Northern League.

Every Friday throughout the Summer, take to Sheridan Plaza in Whiting for a FREE , all ages concert.

Find the week-to-week schedule for the South Shore Adult Baseball League right here!

The historical local baseball team, the Deep River Grinders, have their summer schedule listed right here as well.

Journeyman Distilleryโ€™s third annual Summer Music Series - a twice-a-week live music experience out on the lawn in front of the distillery. Grab a cocktail or a handcrafted meal and lay out under the string lights for a great night of courtyard music and vibes. Find the June schedule below.

July Promotions for Gary Railcats!

Valpo Downtown Summer Concert Series Schedule!

The schedule for Running Vines Winery in Chestertonโ€™s July Events!

Coming Up in July!

Indianaโ€™s oldest county fair returns once again this weekend, with the 180th Annual LaPorte County Fair! The festivities begin this Saturday, July 11th and run through the 18th. A day-to-day itinerary can be found right here, but the highlights include: Pro Rodeos, Demolition Derbys, Bear Hollow Wood Carvers, Live Performance from Dylan Scott, and so much more!

Downtown Valpoโ€™s Summer Concert Series Begins on July 9th, running every Thursday through August 27th

The always-popular Festival of the Lakes returns to Wolf Lake on July 15th-19th. This years lineup is as follows: The Ultimate Freestyle Experience; Jelly Roll; The Offspring; Moneybagg Yo & Kevin Gates; Banda El Recodo

The Northwest Indiana Symphony will once again be doing their South Shore Summer Music Festival this year - a traveling swath of performances across NWI throughout the month of July. They begin in Lansing, IL on July 17th, then go to: Valpo - July 22nd; Gary - July 24th; Crown Point - July 25th; Munster - July 28th; Griffith - August 1st.

Taste of Crown Point returns to Bulldog Park once again. (Crown Point) (July 17th & 18th). Live music and a host of local vendors will make this a weekend event you wonโ€™t want to miss! See the live music schedule and a list of vendors attending below!

๐—™๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฎ๐˜†, ๐—๐˜‚๐—น๐˜† ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿณ

5-5:45 p.m.: The Hicks Duo (acoustic rock/pop duo)

6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m.: Mr. Funnyman (party rock)

8-10 p.m.: Echoes of Pompeii (Pink Floyd tribute)

๐—ฆ๐—ฎ๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฑ๐—ฎ๐˜†, ๐—๐˜‚๐—น๐˜† ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿด

2-4:15 p.m.: Thrown Together (classic pop/rock)

5-7 p.m.: Soundz of Santana (Santana tribute)

7:45-10 p.m.: Mellencougar (John Mellencamp tribute)

2026 Taste of Crown Point Vendor List:

  • Annie's Kettle Creations

  • Battistas

  • Bedarra Bar

  • Blue Collar Bros

  • Carriage Court Pizza

  • Coppolillo's

  • Crown Creamery

  • Crown Point FOP 176ย 

  • Crumbles - A Bake Shop

  • Damo's Dogs

  • Fun Times Cotton Candy

  • Great Harvest Bread Co.

  • Izzy's

  • Jax's Crown Town Grill

  • Jill's Sweets & Treats

  • Jump Start Novelties

  • Kevin's Pretzel Factory

  • La Quesadilla Mexican Grill

  • Lake Lodge #157

  • Meraki Hospitality Group

  • One13 North Kitchen & Barย 

  • Prime Steakhouse

  • South Shore Convention

  • Sundae Funday Ice Cream Parlor

  • Tacos Chelย 

  • The Main Squeeze

Region staple Festa Italiana returns once again @ Villa Cesare Banquets and Events (Schererville) (July 17th-19th). Classic events like a bocce tournament, spaghetti eating contest, grape stomping contest, and tons of live music - all free to attend and take part in! See the schedule for the festival below!

An acrobatic show walking the line between the extreme and the other-side, Paranormal Cirque Inferno comes to NWI this July! Fun, fear and a visual feast of paranormal proportions will make this an experience you wonโ€™t soon forget. @ Southlake Mall (Merrillville) (July 17th-20th)

Bombersโ€™ BBQ will be holding its 4th Annual Cars, Brews and BBQ Show at their Crown Point location on July 18th - beginning at 11am. Classic rides, flowing beers and tons of delicious food: whatโ€™s not to love.

The City of East Chicago and Mayor Anthony Copeland invite all to come out to the free โ€œSalsa in the Parkโ€ event at Washington Park. Music courtesy of Ray Sepulveda, Pauito Acosta and DJ Drip, tons of food, and even more dancing: this will be a night you wonโ€™t want to miss! FREE TO ATTEND

Drop by Downtown Valpo on July 18th for the Valparaiso Wine Festival! Live entertainment, over 100 different wines - reds,whites and sparkling - and appetizer pairings will make this a night full of memories.

The 51st Annual Griffith Park Full of Art Event returns once again. This FREE TO ATTEND event is a chance to share your love of fine art with the public, as tons of artists across all different disciplines take part in a juried arts event that is sure to be a unique way to spend your Saturday.

Refuge Cafeโ€™s Book-a-Palooza is a quieter, more reflective event to take part in this weekend. For the bookish and curious Explorers! Learn more right here!

The Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival will be taking place over the course of this weekend (July 17-19th). Some of the most talented and renowned sand sculptors will be in attendance and competing.

๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŽถLive Music in NWI! ๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŽถ

๐ŸŒฝFarmerโ€™s Market Rundown๐ŸŒฝ

A look at the local farmerโ€™s markets and the like that will be running imminently

Recurrent Events:

  • Here we will try to aggregate all of the weekly specials available to Explorers around the Region. If you own a local business and want people to be aware of your weekly specials or events, let us know by sending an email to [email protected]!

  • Every Thursday this summer is Music on the Porch Day at Fair Oaks Farms. Clock in for some live tunes while looking out at the scenic farmland of Fair Oaks Farms. Click here for a schedule and more info.

  • Every Tuesday, from 4-8 pm, is Crown Point Car Cruise Night this summer. Meeting at Bulldog Park each week, take in some classic cars and take a classy drive around town!

  • Tuesday is Trivia day at White Rhino in Dyer. Find out more about this weekly event at the link here. Wednesday at White Rhino is Bingo night, starting at 6:30pm.

  • 18th Street Brewery has its weekly Music Trivia and Karaoke night every Wednesday. Doors open at 4pm, with trivia starting at 6pm. Find out more here. On Thursday nights, they also host a weekly Line Dancing night with host Mizz Coco. Find out more here.

  • Shady Creek Winery hosts a weekly live music event each and every Sunday. Find a schedule of upcoming artists at the link here.

  • Andersonโ€™s Winery in Valpo hosts weekly live music each and every weekend. Find a schedule of upcoming performances at the link right here.

  • Find out info about the classes and everything the Chesterton Art Center has going on here. The Center constantly has events for beginners, young artists, and apprentices alike, so anyone looking to build their skills and learn new ones should keep tabs on what the Chesterton Art Center has going on.

  • Off Square Brewing in Crown Point hosts a weekly Bingo Night on Thursdays, running from 7-9 pm each and every week. One lucky number can make you the big winner of the night! Find further info here. They also host a weekly Trivia Night on Wednesdays from 7pm.

  • Up Your Alley in Schererville has regular specials all week, perfect for families and groups of friends. Monday is a bowling special, Tuesday is Laser Tag, Wednesday is Dark Rides, and Thursday is the Arcade. Find more info and the specific deals available each week right here.

  • Every Monday, from 7-9 pm, Journeyman Distillery in Valpo hosts a Trivia Night. Three rounds of trivia keep the night alive, with teams of up to six people fight to win the grand prize every week. Find more info right here.

  • Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake has a weekly wine special running through dinner service. Happy hour specials and heavily discounted bottles every single Wednesday!

  • Every second Saturday each month, Beale Pottery in Westville hosts a โ€œMake Cool Stuff Clubโ€. This is a group that meets to, well, make cool stuff in the form of pottery! Find more info about the spot and their events right here.

  • On the last Tuesday of every month, Downtown Highland hosts a restaurant crawl. This community event always features a bunch of the local spots offering specials and deals, so its a great way to spend an evening hopping from meal to meal. Find more info right here.

  • Tinyโ€™s Coffee Bar in Miller Beach has recurrent events every single week. Check out their page to find the full slate of events.

  • Marina Shores Yacht Club in Portage has Live Music Thursdays every 3rd Thursday of the Month! Find more info right here about lineups and performances.

  • Sip Coffee House in Highland has a Wednesday Game Night every single week from 6-9pm. In partnership with the Northwest Indiana Board Game Association.

  • Valparaiso Pathways Committee holds Free community rides once a month during the warmer months. Click here to look at their schedule of group rides across the city.

  • Conway Observatory in Lowell hosts open houses once a month for all ages to come in and take a look into the deep stretches of space. Totally free and with different focuses at each open house, you can learn about a host of cool space topics across the year. Find their schedule at the link right here.

  • Getting into photography or a seasoned vet looking to get out there and shoot more? Lake County Parks Photo Club has regular meetings every 2nd Wednesday at Turkey Creek Golf Course, with regular field trips out in the NWI expanse. Find more info and the full schedule at the link right here.

  • Gibson Woods Nature Preserve in Hammond holds a weekly Hike through nature every Wednesday. Find their full schedule right here. Pre-registration is required.

  • Miller Beach Arts and Creative District holds a free community yoga session every Sunday, beginning at 10am at the District building. Find info and other event listings here.

  • For all the fellow writers out there, Tinyโ€™s Coffee Bar in Miller Beach holds a weekly writing group each and every Saturday, starting at 10:15am. Sometimes all it takes to spark inspiration is being around fellow creatives. Find more info about the group right here

  • The Dig the Dunes Beer Run & Wine Walk will be starting up on April 23rd, running once a month through the summer and early fall. A new spot in the Dunes area will be selected each month, with a 2-3 mile walk/run taking place before the group kicks back to enjoy a drink along the lakeshore. Find full information at the link right here and find the schedule right below.

  • Starting on April 25th, and running every Saturday through August, Indiana Dunes National Parkโ€™s 1966 Hiking Challenge begins! 19 hikes that cover 66 miles of the Dunes Park trails, celebrating the foundation of the park in 1966. Every Saturday at 8:00 am, hokes will take place in different areas of the park ranging from 1-7 miles. Complete them all and you earn a free 1966 Hiking Challenge sticker to show off to the world. For more details and specifics, click here.

  • Whiting Cruise Night runs every month on the 3rd Wednesday, starting on May 20th and running through the summer. Find more information about the event right here.

Happy Exploring,

Eric & Luke, The NWI Explored Team

โ

โ€œMy hometown... was always there, at all times, unchanging. What I think... is not that we go back to our hometowns, but that someday our hometowns come back into each of our hearts.โ€

Jiro Tanaguchi

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