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The Call to Explore:
Welcome one, welcome all! It’s your regularly scheduled dose of NWI Explored on this blisteringly cold January Monday. For me, this Monday comes with the unbelievable excitement of potentially seeing my alma mater winning a national championship. I’m sure that goes for a lot of you, but it really has become a bit of buoy. My NFL team of choice has been eliminated from the playoffs, my NBA team of choice is looking worse for wear after a hot start, and my general interest in sports is waning. Let’s pull out a win here, Hoosiers!
🧭 On Today’s issue of NWI Explored🧭
Everything NWI Has in Store for the Rest of January
An Early Peak at What February Has on the Docket
The Lowdown on NWI News from the Weekend
What’s Going On in NWI Today?
Today in NWI
For starters, we’re looking at some more consistently January-type weather, although this time sans snow. One more uncompromisingly cold day today, and we have some manageable chilliness in the form of a mid-20s midweek. Here’s your midweek forecast for NWI.
And, in the interest of keeping tabs on the development of the rumor at the top of everyone’s minds, let’s breaking down any new thoughts regarding the Bears moving to NWI:
Arlington Heights Mayor Tim Tinaglia has warned state legislators that the Bears may truly hop the state border if the incentives and tax breaks the team is looking for don’t come to pass. He’s echoed the sentiments of a lot of local politicians in fearing that the Bears might not be bluffing after all. This new development, of a new stadium and surrounding infrastructure, could generate up to $10.9 billion in activity and thousands of permanent jobs.
The City of Gary is pitching the Chicago Bears on three different potential sites for the future development of a new Bears stadium and surrounding infrastructure. The sites they envision are off of Interstate 80/94 near the Hard Rock Casino, in Buffington Harbor on Lake Michigan, and one spot in Miller Beach nearby the Indiana Dunes National Park.
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🏘The Lowdown 🏘
Every issue of NWI Explored comes with The Lowdown: a roundup of the most important news and happenings around the Region.
BP and its Whiting Refinery employees have entered contract talks recently, with the main focal point of talks being safety, optimization, and maintaining union protections.
BP said in a note to union employees that they are driven to keep talks going well, with their main focus in these discussions to maintain competitiveness, cost efficiency, and workforce maintenance. The contract between BP and United Steelworkers Local 7-1 expires at midnight on January 31st.
Here are the city councils and town council meetings happening this week.
Michigan City Common Council will be meeting Jan 20th at 6:30pm in City Hall. Two ordinances on smoking outside of government buildings are on the docket, as well votes on appointments to the Michigan City Social Status of African American Males Commission and the city Tree board.
Cedar Lake Town Council is meeting Jan. 20th at 7pm in Town Hall. They will be swearing in a new firefighter and voting on the expansion of the Town Community Garden.
Hobart City Council will be meeting Jan. 21st at 6pm in City Hall. Zoning changes sought by the Luke Family of Brands will be on the docket, of which these proposals are set to receive their second and final reading. Two other ordinances are also on the docket that concern the town’s policies for investing public funds.
Here are the school board meetings that will be happening this week.
School City of East Chicago will be meeting Jan. 20th at 6pm in the Admin building. Superintendent Stephen Bournes announced previously that the Carrie Gosch Early Learning Center will be closing at the end of the school year, but this action will have some time for discussion at this meeting. The main purpose of the meeting is to provide information to EC families.
Merrillville Community School Corporation is meeting Jan. 20th at 6pm. The meeting will be centered around Superintendent Dexter Suggs presenting the MCSC Difference Maker Awards.
Valparaiso Community Schools will be meeting Thursday, Jan 22nd at 6pm. They will be electing a new president, vice-president, and secretary to lead the board. Also on the docket is the presentation of the corporation’s finances to the board.
Gary’s ELevated Coalition met for the first time this past Thursday to discuss their plan for an eight-year development project to build a new bike and pedestrian trail that will run through the heart of the city.
This coalition is comprised of local business owners, agencies, nonprofit spokespeople, local government representatives, and Gary residents. Around 40 people were invited initially to invest in the proposed project. The 3.8-mile project would turn parts of the abandoned elevated rail line to pave the way for easier community engagement and tourist foot traffic, also connecting to Marquette Greenway for easy access to the lakeshore.
A Chesterton High School student has been suspended after speaking out against racist behaviors by fellow students.
Chesterton High School sophomore Julian Blevins took to social media last week to speak out against two fellow students who had sent him a racist letter, which detailed how they “don’t give black people presents because they are always stealing or destroying stuff” and how they “know where he lives.” The students behind the letter, whose information was redacted in Blevins’ post, received punishment from the school in equal measure to Blevins, alleging disrespect as the reason. Blevins has said that he didn’t feel the teacher he reported the letter to took the situation seriously, which prompted him to share his story on social media. The question remains if Duneland Schools has provided a meaningful resolution or mediation to the situation with Principal Brent Martinson saying that they are taking the situation very seriously, although Blevins says he has never spoken to the administration nor heard anything about what will be done in response to the story’s virality on social media.
What’s In, What’s Out?
On occasion, we like to let you all know about the new businesses coming to NWI and those leaving us in their wake.
Chef John Moultrie, of Bistro on the Greens in LaPorte fame, is opening a new restaurant in the spring. Back Nine Social will be opening sometime in the spring, serving up sandwiches, craft beer and cocktails for the midday crowd. They are aiming for a soft opening in March or April, with a full-force service coming in the summer.
Parisi’s La Famiglia Italian Kitchen is coming soon to the downtown Crown Point square. This will be in the former Ricochet Tacos location on the square, courtesy of social media influencer and chef Billy Parisis. Parisis has millions of followers from his cooking videos, so his new restaurant concept is sure to the be the talk of the Region. Handmade pasta, wood-fired Roman styled pizza, fresh focaccia, and classic Italian dishes will be just some of what Parisis’ menu will contain. Parisis is aiming for a spring opening for the spot.
A second Culver’s location will be coming to Valparaiso, at 852 Thornapple Way.
Portofino Grill at Briar Left Golf Club in LaPorte will be closing it doors, after a developer purchased the golf course and plans on turning the restaurant into housing. It will remain open until development begins in March.
Normal Block Entertainment in Valparaiso will be moving to a new location, with more than triple the amount of space they currently do. The comic book and pop culture shop is moving to 13100 Lincolnway, hopefully bringing even more events to the community. This move also allows owner Kyle Reynolds to expand the store’s collections of memorabilia, trading cards, comics, and other collectibles.
Riviera Maya Taco and Tequila Bar has reopened under new ownership. The Highland staple reopened late last month and is continuing to offer a variety of Mexican specialties, as always.
What’s Going On in NWI?
Every issue of NWI Explored, we give you the best events and spots to check out during the month of January (and, briefly, in the early part of February).
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.
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.
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is hosting an Artist-in-Residence art display this month. The Artist-in-Residence program gives professional artists the opportunity to live in the Dunes Park for two weeks in exchange for a piece of art reflecting support for the national lakeshore. These pieces are all on display, completely free to view. Learn more about this really cool project here.
Miller Beach Arts and Creative District is hosting ten artists from this year’s community art show for a live discussion of their artistic process, as well as the unifying themes of their work on exhibition. Voices: Artists Talk is a free live conversation covering everything from how artists can use their creative output to reflect uncertain times to responsibility as a member of a local community. Find out more info right here.
Hobart Art Theater is hosting Austin, Texas native and country rising star George Birge on January 22nd. Birge began his career in the country duo Waterloo Revival before launching his solo career in 2021. He has collaborated with artists like Nelly, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, and even toured with them. Doors are at 6pm and tickets can be found here.
Over at the Memorial Opera House in Valpo, January 22nd will see the Bad Momz of Comedy take the historic stage. Seen on the Kelly Clarkson Show and selling out shows nationwide, the Bad Momz of Comedy is a showcase of hilarious comics from all over, with over 80 female comedians in their roster. This is sure to be a fun night, so grab your tickets now. Find more info right here.
For those with a taste for the finer things, Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake will be hosting a Cask Masters Scotch Dinner. This three-hour, multi course guided dinner will take you through a hand-crafted menu, paired with some of the finest single-malt scotches. Guests will be guided through the dinner with a Scotch specialist who will take diners through the heritage of each pour, taking the dinner from simple to elegant through exceptional craft and knowledge. Find reservations and a full menu right here.
January 22nd will also see the Harlem Wizards coming in to the Hammond Civic Center for a night of spectacular basketball theatrics. It’s much more than just a basketball game, so even non-sports fans will find a lot to enjoy with this show. Find tickets and further information right here.
Horseshoe Casino in Hammond will be hosting an iconic slate of 90s artists as they welcome the I Love the 90s Tour to their stage on January 23rd. Artists like Vanilla Ice, Rob Base, Tone Loc, and Young MC will grace the Venue stage to bring the audience back to the days of Coogi sweaters and MTV. Find out more info and grab tickets here.
Miller Beach Arts & Creative District is hosting a screening of comedian and disruptor Lizz Winstead’s documentary feature “No One Asked You”: an exploration of Winstead’s journey across America to support abortion clinic staff and bust stigmas. Iconic figures and comedy legends pop up all across this road trip movie centered around the conversations surrounding abortion. The screening is happening January 23rd, for $10 a ticket. Find more information right here.
Martin Lawrence, comedy legend and acting superstar, will be gracing the Hard Rock stage on January 24th on his “Y’all Know What It Is!” tour. This is an all-new stand up set that Lawrence is performing: his first national tour since 2016. Find out more info and grab tickets here.
ZZ Top tribute band Eliminator will be gracing the stage at the Theatre at the Center in Munster on January 24th. This Chicago-based ensemble has been playing the raw, blues-tinged sound of ZZ Top since 1992, so this is sure to be a fun show. Tickets and more info available right here.
America’s Antique Mall in Highland will be hosting a Dry January themed Mocktail Pub Crawl on January 24th. Shop the halls of vintage and modern barware and antiques with over 25 vendors offering a wide variety of mocktails to sip while you browse. This is the perfect Saturday activity for those abiding by Dry January. Find out more info right here.
Porter County Card Expo will be taking place on January 25th, from 9am to 3pm. Over 150 tables of sports, Pokemon, Memorabilia, and Collectibles will be available across the halls of the Porter County Fairgrounds this day. This is a family friendly event and is completely free to attend. Find out more here.
At the Memorial Opera House in Valpo, Megabeatles! will be returning to the historical stage for their 11th year in a row. This tribute band is made up members from the Crawpuppies and Chris & Lou and always puts on a great show. Beloved hits, deep cuts, and all the nostalgia you can handle are all on the menu. Find tickets and further info right here.
Byway Brewery in Hammond is hosting another entry in their Byway Comedy Series on January 29th at 6:30pm. This comedy night is headlined by Ruben Ramirez, with featured performers being Mike Maxwell, Noah Wolf, Sonal Aggarwal, and Cecilia Conzalez. Find tickets and more info right here.
Running Vines Winery is hosting a Disney-themed “Name That Tune!” night on January 29th, with special hosts Kyla and Kim from the Burns Harbor Park Foundation. A percentage of profits from this night will be donated to them directly, supporting their amazing community work. Find out more info right here.
Hard Rock Cafe will be hosting America Eats It’s Young, a tribute performance of the seminal funk album Mothership Connection, on January 31st. This is a free event that starts at 9pm, but it is 21+. Find out more info right here.
County Line Orchard will be hosting their annual Big Barn Beer Fest on January 31st, from 2-6pm. Over 40 different breweries will be in attendance and with unlimited samples, it’s sure to be a time to remember. All proceeds from the event will be going to support the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana. Find more info right here.
Award-winning comedy legend Lewis Black will be taking the stage at Hard Rock Casino in Gary on January 31st. Show starts at 7pm. Find more info right here.
Love old arcade cabinets? Want to show off your gaming skills and compete for prizes? Haunted Hills Attractions in Merrillville will be hosting a Arcade High Score Tournament on January 31st. Compete for prizes and rack up points to get to the top of the leaderboard. $20 gets you entry. Find out more at the link right here.
The Porter County Master Gardeners Association will be hosting their 20th Annual Gardening Show at the Porter County Expo Center on January 31st. More than 100 exhibitor and vendor booths will be available, with children’s educational activities, presentations by local gardening speakers, workshops, and free seeds and bulbs from garden and commercial donors. To learn more, you can click here!
A Sneak Peek at February
Kick off February with some local goods and handmade treats from the Miller Beach Winter Farmers Market. These markets run once a month, from 12 to 2pm at the Marshall J Gardner Center for the Arts. Find out more right here.
On select Sundays, including February 1st, the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster will be hosting a Sunday Brunch. Open to all, guests can partake in a two-meat carving station, signature entrees, complimentary beverage service, and a full breakfast menu. Prices vary between ages, info of which you learn more about here.
South Shore Roller Derby is looking for recruits! Swing by NEO New Vistas High School Sportsplex in Portage on February 3rd and 10th to find out what SSRD is all about. These are free informational nights, with an opportunity to watch a practice up close, ask league members about the culture of the sport, and find out how you can fit into the crew. Find out all the info right here.
Valparaiso University will be putting on a dance performance the whole weekend of February 6th. The dance ensemble takes the stage to put on a performance of Finding Free, directed by Salena Elish. Find tickets, more info, and everything else you need right here.
Memorial Opera House in Valpo will be hosting Red Revolution: The Taylor Swift Experience for the second year in a row. This is the ultimate Swiftie celebration, with powerhouse vocalist Tiffany Lidster taking the stage to belt out all the Taylor favorites. High energy doesn’t even begin to describe what this night has in store, so click here to find out more.
Multi-platinum recording artist Keith Sweat will be taking the Horseshoe Casino stage on February 7th. Who does it better than him? Nobody! Find out more right here.
Off-Square Brewing in Crown Point will be hosting a Galentine’s Day Brunch - DJ’d by DJ Nasty Boy Noel. Guests will be greeted with a welcome glass of champagne and rose, and that’s where the event only begins. A special menu and drink specials round out what is sure to be a great time! Find out more info right here.
NWI Comic-Con is February 7th! A full-day of family friendly, affordable geek culture and comic book fun is right around the corner and you won’t want to miss it! Visit the Lake County Fairgrounds to take part in vendor booths, VIP guests, Artist Alley, Cosplay Contests, and even more. Find out more info right here.
Happy Exploring,
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
