nwiNOW_PorterEdition by The Times of NWI

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PORTER COUNTY PAGE CC2 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010

THE TIMES

OVERVIEW

‘Tiny pushes’ propel Porter County honest workers can exert an extraordinary influence on a community. What happened in Porter County also triggered a ripple effect that could be felt beyond our borders. When sixth-graders at Willowcreek Middle School in Portage studied Latin America, they learned about the plight of community’s success should not children in Guatemala. They, along with be measured in what’s accomteachers Richard and Marissela Lynch, plished during good times because organized a clothing drive and sent boxes it’s easy to showcase good works when of clothes and shoes to the Highlands of things come easy. BY JOHN SCHEIBEL Guatemala. Their hard work is a reflecSo, as cities and towns continue to tion of their school, parents and commuforward. struggle in this difficult economy, it In Valparaiso, we saw hundreds of tiny nity. seems like the right time to gauge Porter In south county, the Kankakee Valley County’s progress. pushes at the Opportunity Enterprises When I came across Helen Keller’s Pack-A-Thon. More than 800 volunteers Historical Society recognized the historical value of the Collier Lodge and the words, I couldn’t help but think that the showed up to prepare 43,000 bags for past year, with all its challenges, comrunners in the Chicago Marathon. The surrounding area. Through methodical prises what Keller called many “tiny Pack-A-Thon, a fundraiser for OE, is a work using trowels and brushes, volunpushes” that moved our community perfect example of how the efforts of teers removed thousands of years of soil “I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.” — HELEN KELLER

COMMENTARY

from the site to unlock the mysteries of the past. Their work — revealing the significance of that area along the Kankakee River — has paid off. The Collier Lodge is now on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of many steps the Kankakee Valley Historical Society is taking to make the area an historical tourist destination. These are just a few of the thousands of tiny pushes that have taken place over the past year. While families, businesses, cities, towns and schools continue to face challenges in 2010, there seems to be plenty of evidence that Porter County’s “honest workers” are accomplishing great, noble and humble tasks — which I would call great success. John Scheibel is Porter County editor at The Times.

JON L. HENDRICKS | THE TIMES

Jen Williams, of Valparaiso, transfers from the yellow route to the green route on Valparaiso’s V-Line, a municipal-run public transportation system. Bus shelters were installed late last year for the local V-Line buses, and the city plans to seek grants to get more shelters.

Leaders eager to stimulate progress New hospital and buses keep momentum going

Valparaiso’s new ChicaGO Dash buses, left, provide residents with commuter service to Chicago. County officials are working to promote the new service and increase access. They added a new stop in January at the entrance to the toll road along Ind. 49. PROVIDED PHOTO

BY BOB KASARDA bob.kasarda@nwi.com, (219) 548-4345

Officials across Porter County have not let the economic hardships of the past few years take their focus off the future. Nearly three years after completing the lengthy and complex process of selling the county hospital, county officials are looking forward to the fruits of those efforts this spring with the groundbreaking of a new $210 million hospital at the northwest corner of Ind. 49 and U.S. 6. “I think it will provide state-of-theart health care for a state-of-the-art community,” County Commissioner John Evans said. The new five-story, 430,000-squarefoot hospital will dwarf the current 250,000-square-foot facility. It initially will offer 261 private rooms, create 600 temporary construction jobs and staff 1,626 full-time positions within two years of opening, up from the current 1,500 jobs, Porter hospital CEO Jonathan Nalli said. The 103-acre site also will feature an 80,000- to 100,000-square-foot medical office building. Members of the County Council helped pave the way for the project in September by unanimously approving $12.4 million in tax breaks. A few days later, the Indiana Court of Appeals dismissed a legal challenge by a group of

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

nearby landowners. The Porter County commissioners also had the foresight early last year to form a Redevelopment Commission to help guide development in the unincorporated areas of the county. The newly appointed board wasted no time going to work on a plan to bring new life to the U.S. 6 strip through South Haven and to Lake Eliza to the south. The group also is leading the way in a study of land surrounding the new hospital site to determine what can be done to complement the development. The commission will be earmarking an estimated $800,000 contribution from the hospital as part of the tax breaks to improve the unincorporated portion of the U.S. 6 corridor both east and west of the hospital site, said Mike Bucko, commission president and Porter County treasurer. The commissioners also chose two firms late last year to begin a multiyear comprehensive drainage study, which is believed to be one of the biggest projects the county has ever undertaken. The study, which intends to identify drainage patterns, capacity and problem areas, was pushed to the forefront because of the development that has taken place across what had been a primarily rural county, county Drainage

Board President Dave Burris said. The county and its municipalities will use the results of the study to tackle the various problems it points out, he said. Officials in the city of Valparaiso broke new ground in the county by venturing into the area of municipal-run public transportation with its in-town V-Line bus service and a bus route to and from Chicago. While both services have experienced some growing pains, the city continues to have faith and succeeded in overcoming opposition last year to win overwhelming support for $1.76 million in federal funding to buy four new buses for the city’s ChicaGo Dash commuter service. The city also initiated a new campaign to increase awareness of the ChicaGo Dash and added a new stop in January at the entrance to the toll road along Ind. 49. Bus shelters were installed late last year for the local V-Line buses, and the city plans to seek grants to get more shelters. “It’s been a benefit, I believe, to the community,” said Tyler Kent, assistant city planner and transit manager. Valparaiso also celebrated the opening last summer of its new $15 million YMCA. In just the first couple of months after

moving from downtown to the new 80,000-plus-square-foot facility, the Y added 600 new membership units, which includes individual family members, and increased overall membership to 9,400. The YMCA in Portage had undergone its own $3.2 million expansion just a year earlier. Increased fun and fitness also were in mind when leaders from across the county signed on to a resolution that supports a proposal to create a contiguous trail from the Indiana Dunes State Park south to the Kankakee River. The price tag of nearly $1 million a mile and the absence of any clear funding source did not dampen enthusiasm for the project. Planning is also under way on an incomplete trail system that eventually would run northeast along the lakeshore from Illinois to Michigan. County officials also completed work at the end of last year on the consolidation of the local 911 emergency telephone service when the Portage dispatchers were incorporated into the county system. The yearlong effort, which is expected to save Portage $500,000 a year, completes the transition of directing all 911 emergency calls to the county.

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SSFHS hospitals rank among nation’s best HealthGrades recognizes excellence in patient care, medical services

aint Anthony Medical Center, Saint Margaret Mercy hospitals, Saint Anthony Memorial Health Centers and Franciscan Physicians Hospital were cited for excellence in the latest comprehensive study released by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent health care ratings organization. HEALTHGRADES 2010 HONORS INCLUDE: Saint Anthony Medical Center – Crown Point s Five-Star rated for treatment of stroke for the eighth consecutive year. The study annually assesses patient outcomes – mortality and complication rates – at virtually all of the nation’s nearly 5,000 nonfederal hospitals. s Recognized for quality performance in the area of orthopedics. Saint Anthony was Five-Star rated for hip fracture repair for the third consecutive year and ranks among the top 5 in Indiana for Overall Orthopedic Services. Saint Margaret Mercy – Dyer Campus s Ranked among the top 10 in Indiana for cardiology services. s Received the highest possible star ratings for treatment of heart failure – three consecutive years. s Recipient of the HealthGrades Pulmonary Care Excellence Award and ranked among the top 10 percent nationally for pulmonary services – two consecutive years. s Ranked among the top 10 in Indiana for overall pulmonary services – two consecutive years. s Five-Star rated for overall pulmonary services and pneumonia treatment – two consecutive years. s Five-Star rated for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – four consecutive years. Saint Margaret Mercy – Hammond Campus s Best in the Gary, Ind., region* and the only Specialty Excellence Award recipient for cardiac surgery. s Ranked among the top 10 percent in the nation for cardiac surgery. s Ranked among the top 10 in Indiana for overall cardiac services – two consecutive years. s Ranked among the top ﬁve in Indiana for cardiac surgery. s Five-Star rated for coronary bypass surgery.

“We are very appreciative of the Five-Star Cardiac Surgery ratings from HealthGrades. HealthGrades has recognized the excellent team effort in cardiac surgery at Saint Margaret Mercy, beginning with the ER staff and continuing through the Cardiac Cath Lab, Operating Room, ICU, IMCU and Cardiac Rehab. In addition, Sandy Kurpela, our cardiovascular nurse-practitioner, does a superb job of coordinating patient care. Every member of the team is focused on one goal: taking care of each patient in the absolute best manner possible. The cardiac surgery team treats each patient as they would a family member.” George Hodakowski, MD, Saint Margaret Mercy-Hammond Campus Thoracic surgeon

“These latest accomplishments, as recognized by HealthGrades, are examples of our continuing commitment to our patients. Nothing matters more to us than their treatment and recovery from stroke, and all other ailments, and their safety and comfort while they are in our care. We look forward to making even further strides in these areas and are honored by the national recognition we have received.” David Ruskowski, Saint Anthony Medical Center president

s Received the highest possible star ratings for treatment of heart failure – three consecutive years. s Five-Star rated for hip fracture repair – ﬁve consecutive years. s Recipient of the HealthGrades Pulmonary Care Excellence Award and ranked among the top 5 percent nationally for pulmonary services. s Ranked among the top ﬁve in Indiana for overall pulmonary services. s Five-Star rated for overall pulmonary services and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – two consecutive years. s Five-Star rated for treatment of pneumonia – three consecutive years. s Received the highest possible star ratings for treatment of pneumonia – three consecutive years. The Hammond campus also was recognized for quality care in Women’s Health, including s Recipient of the 2009/10 HealthGrades Women’s Health Excellence Award.

s Ranked Among the top 5 percent nationwide for women’s health – 2009/10. s Five-Star rated for women’s health – 2009/10. Saint Anthony Memorial Health Centers – Michigan City s Michigan City needs to say: Only recipient of the 2010 HealthGrades Gastrointestinal Surgery Excellence Award in the Michigan CityLaPorte, Ind., region.* s Ranked in the top 10 percent in the nation for gastrointestinal surgery. s Ranked among the top 10 in Indiana for GI Services and top 5 for GI surgery. s Five-Star rated for GI surgery and cholecystectomy. Franciscan Physicians Hospital – Munster s Five-Star rated for treatment of heart failure – two consecutive years. *

As deﬁned by the federal government’s Ofﬁce of Management and Budget.

Doctors, patients see beneﬁts from robotic technology da Vinci Si Surgical System comes to Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Northern Indiana Region

he da Vinci Si Surgical System, now available at St. Margaret Mercy’s Hammond Campus and at Saint Anthony Memorial Health Centers in Michigan City, and available through referral from the other hospitals in Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Northern Indiana Region, consists of a sophisticated robotic platform that is designed to enable complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach. According to the manufacturer, California-based Intuitive Surgical Inc., da Vinci Si consists of an ergonomic surgeon’s console, a patient-side cart with four interactive robotic arms, a high-performance 3-D HD vision system and proprietary EndoWrist instruments. Powered by state-of-the-art robotic technology, the da Vinci system is designed to scale, filter and seamlessly translate the surgeon’s hand movements into more precise movements of the EndoWrist instruments. The result is an intuitive interface with breakthrough surgical capabilities. The system’s main features include Intuitive motion, high-resolution 3-D vision and the EndoWrist instrumentation. Intuitive motion refers to the System’s interface, which helps make da Vinci surgery look and feel like traditional “open” surgery. But this is where the similarities end. A high-resolution 3-D stereo viewer is designed to provide surgeons with an immersive experience. Unlike conventional approaches, the target anatomy appears in high magnification, in brilliant color and with natural depth of field. To perform a procedure, the surgeon uses the console’s master controls to maneuver the patient-side cart’s four robotic arms, which securely hold the patented EndoWrist instruments and highresolution endoscopic camera. The EndoWrist instruments’ jointed-wrist design exceeds the natural range of motion of the human hand; motion scaling and tremor reduction further interpret and refine the surgeon’s hand movements. da Vinci also offers what it calls a fail-safe design, incorporating multiple, redundant safety features designed to minimize opportunities for human error when compared with traditional approaches. da Vinci has been called a remarkable improvement over conventional laparoscopy, in which the surgeon

Left photo (from left): Melissa Ortiz, RN; Sandi Christian, OR tech; Sally Pustai, RN/OR supervisor; Sara Velligan, OR tech; and charge nurse Kelly Mendez, RN; will assist surgeons during da Vinci procedures at Saint Margaret Mercy. Right photo (from left): Dr. Lisa Hendricks, Dr. Michael Messina and Dr. Alfred Pamintuan show the da Vinci unit at Saint Anthony Memorial Health Centers.

operates while standing, using hand-held, long-shafted instruments, which have no wrists. With conventional laparoscopy, the surgeon must look up and away from the instruments to a nearby 2D video monitor to see an image of the target anatomy. The surgeon also must rely on his/her patient-side assistant to position the camera correctly. In contrast, the da Vinci’s ergonomic design allows the surgeon to operate from a seated position at the console. To move the instruments or to reposition the camera, the surgeon simply moves his/her hands.

da Vinci makes it possible for more surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures involving complex dissection or reconstruction. This ultimately raises the standard of care for complex surgeries, translating into numerous potential patient beneﬁts. The procedure, for which individual results may vary, allows patients potential beneﬁts of a minimally invasive procedure, including less pain, less blood loss and less need for blood transfusions. It also can make for a shorter hospital stay, a quicker recovery and faster return to normal daily activities.

“Saint Anthony Memorial and the Sisters of St. Francis have always been most committed to women’s health. Another example of this commitment is the recent purchase of the da Vinci Surgical platform. This will allow more patients to undergo surgical procedures in a minimally invasive fashion, resulting in less pain, quicker recovery time and shorter disability time from place of employment. This is cutting-edge technology and as a regional health system, we remain at the forefront of women’s care” Lisa Hendricks, MD, OB/GYN, Saint Anthony Memorial medical staff president

For more information about Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc., visit www.ssfhs.org

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THE TIMES

OUTDOORS

K-12 EDUCATION

Secret garden a jewel in NWI County’s parks, trails offer a path to Dunes and natural habitats BY BILL DOLAN bill.dolan@nwi.com, (219) 662-5328

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS | THE TIMES

The students in Mrs. Gant’s second grade class at Kouts Elementary School work on vocabulary and spelling using an interactive white board. The school is one of the many Four Star institutions in the East Porter County School Corp.

Education staying strong in lean times Technology, innovative programs prep students to meet future head-on BY BRIAN WILLIAMS brian.williams@nwi.com, (219) 548-4348

Strong academic achievement, innovative programs and dedicated community involvement — all in spite of ever tighter financial constraints — characterize public education across Porter County school districts. No district in the county has had better education news recently than East Porter County School Corp. Each of the district’s six schools were named Four Star Schools in the past year by the Indiana Department of Education in recognition of academic excellence and strong attendance. In addition, in the most recent graduation rates that the state released, the district’s Morgan Township High School ranked fifth among 368 schools in the state with 98 percent of students successfully completing high school in four years. The additions of classrooms and other facilities at two of the district’s campuses came in on time last summer and under budget, Superintendent Rod Gardin said. Community support is a big part of East Porter’s success, Gardin said, pointing to more than $40,000 in donations from the community to add 500 bleacher seats to the refurbished Kouts High School gym. New technology, such as interactive white boards at all three elementary schools, is transforming student learning A special stylus is used by students at Kouts Elementary School to work on vocabulary and spelling assignments on the school’s white board. East Porter County School Corp. officials say the new technology is transforming student learning and preparing students for 21st century work and study.

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

and preparing students for 21st century work and study, he said. Four Star Schools abound elsewhere in the county as well, with schools receiving the accolade in Union Township, Porter Township, Portage, the Duneland area and Valparaiso. Six of the county’s nine high schools were named Best Buys by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Boone Grove, Chesterton, Morgan Township, Valparaiso, Washington Township and Wheeler were recognized for producing the greatest academic achievement per dollar of taxpayer funds. Advances in technology also take center stage in Porter Township Schools. Boone Grove High School this winter has pioneered online days in which students tackle a day’s learning from home. In Union Township schools, the numbers of students passing the ISTEP and taking Advanced Placement or dual credit classes has increased, Superintendent John Hunter said. The district is among several to incorporate the Harmony student management system, a communication tool providing parents with up-to-the-moment student progress reporting. Teachers also continue to expand their peer-to-peer professional development and share best practices. Wheeler High School initiated its Freshman Academy to bolster support for targeted students and provide mentoring as they start their high school careers. At Portage High School, the graduation rate has improved for three straight years thanks to two initiatives. A “looping” program lets at-risk freshman and sophomores take an extra hour of math and English each day and

continue with the same core teachers both years. And an after-school online credit recovery program helps seniors earn missing credits that would keep them short of a diploma. In Hebron, the MSD of Boone Township was able save about $1 million in interest on its $3.9 million bond project by tapping into federal stimulus dollars. The recently completed project resulted in upgraded electrical, insulation, lighting and climate control systems at the elementary and middle school complex. In Duneland School Corp., Liberty Elementary School this year will complete a kindergarten and first-grade wing that will add 29,000 square feet to the district’s fastest-growing elementary school. While most districts are working to trim budgets in the wake of Gov. Mitch Daniels’ call for $300 million in cuts to public education, Valparaiso Community Schools does not need to make any reductions through the end of the school year due to long-term fiscal prudence, said David White, the district’s finance director. The Valparaiso School Board will produce a mission statement and a strategic plan this summer after a series of two dozen public forums to gather input on the community’s vision and priorities. The board this year also will select a successor to Superintendent Michael Benway, who retires in June after 20 years leading the district. And looking ahead to the future, students at all nine county high schools can now choose dual credit courses in which they experience college-level rigor and earn college credits while fulfilling high school requirements.

The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s wonders read like the result of a mad environmental and cultural scavenger hunt. Where else can you see the endangered Karner blue butterfly, Century of Progress homes built for the 1933-34 World’s Fair in Chicago, endangered birds such as the piping plover and Indiana’s only true quaking bog? The park’s more than 15,000 acres are Northwest Indiana’s secret garden, little suspected by those who see only smokestacks, suburban shopping centers, gritty urban streets and farmland. It stretches more than 15 miles between Gary and Michigan City and from the Lake Michigan beachfront, where dunes standing nearly 20 stories loom over the water to inland oak savannahs, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers and forests. The park is home to more than 1,100 flowering plant species and ferns, predacious bog plants, native prairie grasses and rare algal species. It also features 78 campsites, according to the park’s Web site. Its location on the southern end of Lake Michigan and geographic diversity also help to make it home and way station for more than hundreds of birds species. It contains a great blue heron rookery, Cowles Bog — which is really a fen since it has an underground water source — as well as Pinhook Bog, the state’s only one, providing a rare experience to a limited number of visitors to walk on floating plant material mats to see the Venus flytrap. The Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm in the park provide visitors a look into Northwest Indiana’s agricultural past. Marie and Joseph Bailly were among the first European settlers, building a trading post in what would become Porter County in the 1820s, according to “City of the Century,” authored by James B. Lane, Indiana University Northwest professor emeritus of history. The Chellberg family immigrated from Sweden to Northwest Indiana in the 1860s and eventually bought 80 acres in Porter County, according to the park Web site. The parks service has preserved the structures Five homes built as exhibits for Chicago’s World’s Fair grace the Beverly Shores community within the park. The Wieboldt-Rostone House, Florida Tropical House, Cypress Log Cabin, House of Tomorrow and Armco-Ferro House were brought by barge to the dunes by developer Robert Bartlett, who hoped to lure urban dwellers to the resort town. The National Park Service, the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and private donors are undertaking restoration efforts, and the homes occasionally are open to visitors. Northwest Indiana also has more than 75 miles of paved trails dedicated to biking and hiking, connecting communities, with future plans to link up with trails in neighboring Illinois and Michigan, said Mitch Barloga, transportation planner for the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. Barloga said NIRPC now is looking for funds for a 9.6-mile path that would connect the west and east units of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, running from the terminus of the Marquette Trail at County Line Road, through Portage, Ogden Dunes, AmeriPlex at the Port and Burns Harbor before connecting with the Calumet Trail in Porter.

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Center for Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC:

Dr. Bethany Cataldi’s Center for Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC was established in Northwest Indiana as a way to bring the region exceptional comprehensive ear, nose, and throat surgical physician services, as well as advanced facial plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery. In addition to treating disorders of the ear, nose, and throat, the center also provides comprehensive evaluations and diagnostic testing for sinus and vocal cord disorders.

r. Bethany A. Cataldi, D.O., surgeon and owner of the Center for Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC in Munster, Indiana is committed to providing exceptional care and service in treating her patients, and says that treating the whole person is critical to her high level of care. “My philosophy in treating a patient is that treatment should be directed at treating not only the disease or pathology but also any social, environmental, and familial factors that may affect the patient’s care. Consequently, I spend as much time as necessary with each patient in my practice. I do not delegate any patient care or treatment to my support staff or an ancillary practitioner,” says Cataldi. This level of care means the dedication and loyalty of her patients, who spread their satisfaction to other patients through referrals. “My practice has been able to sustain in great part due to the wonderful support of my patients and the generous support of my referring physicians. I am grateful that existing patients will refer friends or family who have ear, nose, or throat or cosmetic surgery needs to me. For individuals to direct other people they know to my ofﬁce with their conﬁdence that I will provide exceptional care for their patient, family member, or friend is very moving. It motivates me to strive to do my best at every opportunity to care for a patient. The growth in the Region has certainly allowed me the opportunity to be able to offer my services to more new residents in Northwest Indiana and, more importantly, to be able to treat those individuals who require an otolaryngologist’s care,” Cataldi says. The Center for Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC will continue to bring exceptional service and dedication to the community for years to come, investing in our region’s economy and technology. “We would certainly like to continue our growth and development, and I believe that growth accompanies exceptional patient care. So I plan on continuing on a path of delivering the best care that I can for my patients. Of course I will continue to integrate new technologies and techniques into my practice as they become available. However, how I treat my patients has not changed nor will it change simply because my practice has a larger patient base. I will always adhere to my long-standing principle that a patient’s condition and illness will determine how I will treat that individual and how much of my time will be dedicated to that treatment. The health and well being of each and every one of my patients is paramount, and I will devote as much time as necessary to treat each of my patients regardless of how many might be scheduled on a given day. Moreover, each patient should be assured they will be seen and diagnosed by me,” says Cataldi. But economic times are tough, and Dr. Cataldi says that she has witnessed its impact on individuals and families in Northwest Indiana. Her practice has seen a notable increase in the incidences of sinus diseases and of vocal cord and throat cancers that is attributable to patients’ heavy use of tobacco possibly due in part to the stresses brought about by the economy. Additionally, Dr. Cataldi warns others not to follow in the same path as some of her patients who come to her too late. She notes that there has been an increase in the number of patients with serious disorders of the ears, nose, or throat who have waited

CENTER FOR OTOLARYNGOLOGY AND FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY, LLC 9120 Columbia Ave., Suite A Munster, IN . 219-836-4820 www.indianaent.com

to see her or another physician, and in doing so have put themselves further at risk by delaying necessary diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, these patients who have chosen to wait in getting treatment frequently require more serious and oftentimes more invasive surgical procedures that might have been prevented had they been diagnosed and treated sooner. “It is critical that individuals with persistent coughing and/or hoarseness in their throat, or are experiencing sinus pain or having difﬁculty breathing or sleeping should consider being evaluated by an otolaryngologist. I advise my patients that prevention is a cornerstone to healthy living and that prevention includes seeing the proper physician at the ﬁrst sign of trouble,” Cataldi says.

Facial Plastic Surgery Above and Beyond Such a comprehensive approach to patient care also applies to the facial plastic surgery component of her practice as well. As a female facial, head & neck plastic surgeon, Dr. Cataldi is especially in tune with the issues of beauty and aesthetics requested by her patients. “When considering any mini face-lift or wrinkle reduction procedures, rather than speaking broadly to large groups of potential candidates in a seminar setting, I prefer to direct my attention to and evaluate what EACH individual needs in a private and open dialogue to address each patient’s specific and unique concerns. My experience has shown that an honest ‘one-to-one’ approach with patients is best when it comes to cosmetic procedures, and it is clearly evident in the results,” says Dr. Cataldi. It is with a dedication to helping these individuals and all others in need that Cataldi has focused her life upon the provision of her expert care. “I am committed to providing my services to the communities of Northwest Indiana to ensure that its residents are as healthy as possible. Consequently, my office provides ear, nose, and throat care to persons with AND without health insurance. I am aware of the issues faced by individuals and families without health insurance, and my office will try to work with patients to develop a mutually agreeable plan so that I am able to provide them with the care they will require. I am of the firm belief that a healthier patient equals a healthier Northwest Indiana, and as a surgeon in the specialty of Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, I’d like to do my part to see that a healthy Northwest Indiana continues on its path of growth and progress for the years ahead. As a matter of fact, it’s my privilege to do so,” she says.

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THE TIMES

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THE TIMES

Peoples Bank Valparaiso Center

reﬂects community

heritage in Porter County

‘You First Banking’ philosophy builds rapport with customers, reinvests in community

eoples Bank continues to thrive 100 years after it was founded because of two philosophies – building rapport with customers and reinvesting in Northwest Indiana. “Fair and honest dealings are critical to the success of any enterprise, but especially critical in banking,” says David Bochnowski, chairman and CEO of Northwest Indiana Bancorp and Peoples Bank. “These are not just words. They’re a way of life.” Three generations of the Bochnowski family have been at the helm of Peoples Bank since John Bochnowski helped found the community bank in 1910. A Polish immigrant who came to Northwest Indiana at the turn of the 20th Century to work in the area’s heavy industry, John Bochnowski demonstrated a strong work ethic and honesty in business dealings that became the cornerstone of Peoples Bank, says his grandson. Ben Bochnowski had that same drive, David Bochnowksi says. “Up until his retirement from Peoples Bank in 1976, my father modeled the around-the-clock work ethic needed to run a community bank.” The community bank has evolved over the last century to provide the service and banking products its customers have come to expect. Peoples Bank serves customers who want a brick-and-mortar bank where they can visit and talk personally to the staff. Others never see the inside of the bank. Secure online banking services offer customers the convenience of using their personal computer to access account information and initiate transactions electronically from the comfort of home or office. “We have up-to-date wfacilities for both types of customers,” says Bochnowski “We’re committed to delivering what products people want in the way they want to receive those products. With a $1 million a year budget for technology, we’re making the investment to constantly update and maintain our service to our customers.” Last year, Peoples Bank brought that heritage of customer service and reinvestment in communities to Porter County with the opening of its newest banking center in Valparaiso’s Cumberland Crossing at 2905 Calumet David A. Bochnowski, Ave. Everything about this Chairman and CEO of Northwest 11th Peoples banking center Indiana Bancorp and Peoples Bank focuses on the customer. The entry is close to the teller lines where primary service is delivered, and ancillary services are located around the perimeter of the lobby. A PC-equipped cyber café features a flat-screen TV where customers can follow the stock market and catch up on financial and world news. The cyber café also allows customers to conduct online banking. In planning the Valparaiso Banking Center, Peoples Bank officials chose a contemporary design that reflects the environmental beauty and the architectural history of Porter County. For example, natural light pours into the lobby area through tall windows crowned by transom windows, reminiscent of the Prairie style of architecture. Security glass installed in front of the tellers’ windows is cut in a flowing wave design which is unique to the banking industry and is itself a work of art, says Bochnowski.

“

“It’s our pledge to always put your concerns ﬁrst. It’s banking that is driven by relationships, not just transactions, so that we’re here for you as your needs continue to grow and change.

”

Peoples Bank Valparaiso Banking Center

The lobby and teller cages at the Porter County Banking Center of Peoples Bank were designed with customers as the focal point.

The Valparaiso Banking Center’s design has already won awards. The center received a 2009 Community Improvement Award from the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce for design and compatibility with the area and environment, as well as for enhancing the quality of life in Valparaiso. The banking center was also selected for Building Indiana Magazine’s “Swanky Ofﬁce Award” for Best Interior Design in 2009. The community has embraced this new Peoples Bank location, Bochnowski says. In the ﬁrst six months of operation, the Valparaiso Banking Center had $9 million in balances.

n addition to the Valparaiso center, Peoples Bank has 10 banking centers in Lake County – Crown Point, Dyer, East Chicago, Gary, Hammond, Hobart, Merrillville, Munster and Schererville. And the community bank continues to grow. A ground breaking will be held in the spring for a 12th banking center in St. John. Bank officials are also looking to open other banking centers in Valparaiso and Chesterton. “We see growth in these communities where customers are looking for traditional banking,” Bochnowski says. That traditional banking includes the commitment to customers that Peoples Bank calls “You First Banking.” “It’s our pledge to always put your concerns first. It’s banking that is driven by relationships, not just transactions, so that we’re here for you as your needs continue to grow and change,” Bochnowski says. “If you need to talk to the CEO, you get to talk to me. If you call to ask a question, you get an answer without delay because decisions are made locally and not at corporate headquarters somewhere on the east or west coasts,” he says. Traditional products such as savings, checking and money market accounts, and certificates of deposit are available to both consumers and businesses. Personal lending products such as mortgages, home equity loans and lines of credit, vehicle loans and personal loans are available as well. As a certified SBA (Small Business Administration) Lender, Peoples offers a variety of loans to help small businesses with their unique borrowing needs and cash flow requirements. “Whatever the size of your business—small, medium, or large— we offer a wide range of options for managing your finances,” says Bochnowski. “We make loans; provide cash management, checking, and savings accounts; and service your commercial card needs. Plus, there are a number of ways to access your accounts remotely so you can keep your business running smoothly and efficiently.” Peoples Bank has built a team of leaders who are homegrown and active in their communities. Peoples Bank employees volunteer and serve on various boards. “The employees of Peoples Bank are your neighbors, raising families here in Northwest Indiana just like you,” he says. “As we celebrate 100 years of community banking today, we remain committed to responding quickly and effectively with service and solutions to meet your financial needs right now, tomorrow and into the future.”

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010 | PAGE CC9

HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT

New homes could take a turn Builders and buyers adapting to navigate the changing market BY JOYCE RUSSELL joyce.russell@nwi.com, (219) 762-1397, ext. 2222

New home construction took another dip in Porter County in 2009. But the downturn in home construction during the last few years could come to an end if certain measures fall into place, said Bryce Pickering, president of the Porter County Builders Association. Two positive things the decline has done, he said, is produce more educated homebuyers and a construction industry learning to adapt to the market. According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, there were 223 single-family home building permits issued in Porter County in the first 11 months of 2009. There were 344 permits issued in the same time peri-

od in 2008. “I think that it will start improving,” Pickering said. For that to happen, favorable support needs to be in place, he said. The federal income tax incentive of $8,000 for first-time homebuyers and the $6,500 incentive for the move-up buyer has helped the industry. Pickering said he and others would like to see the incentive continue and even increase in the coming year. “When it was first announced, I received three telephone calls within a couple of weeks,” he said. “Those clients cited the tax incentive as why they wanted to build now. “Historically, the housing market has led the country into a recession, and the housing market can lead it out,” he said. Home construction means jobs, from builders to suppliers, Pickering said. The banking industry also will be key to the recovery of the construction industry. While home mortgage rates continue to be at historically low levels, banks have tight-

“Historically, the housing market has led the country into a recession, and the housing market can lead it out.” BRYCE PICKERING, president of the Porter County Builders Association ened up their lending practices. “It the banks are not lending, it doesn’t matter what the interest rate is,” he said. That’s where homebuyers are becoming more educated. There is more of a concern about credit scores and the need to improve credit scores to receive mortgages, especially for first-time homebuyers. Buyers also are becoming more realistic. “People are coming to their senses

more now,” Pickering said. “They don’t see the need for the 3,000-square-foot homes and have learned they can live in 1,600- to 1,800-square-foot homes. They don’t see the need for micro-mansions when they learn their money doesn’t go as far.” The industry is adapting, too, marketing toward what people want and need. There is also an increase in green building, especially for those looking to move up into their second or third home. People are becoming more energy conscious, Pickering said. Perhaps the most important ingredient in the recipe to improve the home construction industry is a boost in consumer confidence, Pickering said. “Don’t be scared. The economy will start back. And there is a certain group that are sick and tired of being sick and tired about worrying about the economy,” he said. Those people likely will take the leap of faith needed to get home construction restarted in the coming year, he said.

JON L. HENDRICKS PHOTOS | THE TIMES

U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, right, leads a celebration for the new 11,200 feet of sidewalks installed in South Haven. The new sidewalks were funded mainly by federal grants.

SOUTH HAVEN

Sidewalks a liberating influence About South Haven

SOUTH HAVEN | As the north Porter County

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS 2000 (2006-08 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY ESTIMATES NOT AVAILABLE)

commissioner, John Evans said he decided several years ago to tap a portion of the county’s income tax revenue to begin installing sidewalks in this unincorporated community. The effort began at the schools and built out as far as each year’s pot of money would allow, he said. The project then received a huge boost a couple years ago when U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., secured $294,000 in federal funding that resulted in the construction of an additional two miles of sidewalks, Assistant County Engineer Jim Vaughn said. Another $237,500 in federal funding has been secured to continue the effort this year, he said. The money is expected to result in about 1 1/2 miles more of sidewalk. The sidewalk project has been a big enhancement for the community, which Evans believes to be the largest unincor-

porated area in the state. The community lacked sidewalks because it was developed before the stricter codes of today, he said. The new sidewalks not only provide greater safety for pedestrians, Evans said, but also help with drainage by pitching the flow toward the street where the water can be carried away more efficiently. “That’s been a huge thing for everybody,” said Ron Brehmer, who took over this year as South Haven fire chief. “We had kids playing in the road, walking in the street,” he said. “That was the only place to go.” The community is slated to be included in an effort to bring improvements to U.S. 6 that the county’s newly formed Redevelopment Commission has proposed. Commission member Dave Burris said

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

Area of detail

80 PORTER CO.

BY BOB KASARDA bob.kasarda@nwi.com, (219) 548-4345

Population 5,619 Median age 33.1 years Median household income $52,583 in 1999 dollars Median home value $84,100 Median travel time to work 25.7 minutes

LAKE CO.

Community’s portion of U.S. 6 is on county’s radar for improvements

South Haven

THE TIMES

the group will contact business owners along the targeted stretch of U.S. 6 to see if they are interested in bringing greater continuity or identity to the area. As with the sidewalk project, the county intends to pursue grant money to undertake the work, Burris said. The state already laid the groundwork by improving, widening and adding sidewalks to that portion of the highway. Another bright spot for the community is the annual Fire Fest, which has grown into a three-day event that brings residents together, Brehmer said This year’s festival is scheduled for June 4, 5 and 6, he said.

U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, center, walks down South Haven’s new sidewalks, which Visclosky helped deliver with $294,000 in federal funding. Another $237,500 in funding has been secured to continue the effort this year. The money is expected to result in about 1 1/2 miles more of sidewalks.

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THE TIMES

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010 | PAGE CC11

Helping the Workforce Recover in Porter County I

n Porter County, WorkOne Northwest Indiana helps to bring businesses and job seekers with the right skills together, strengthening the community and making Porter County a more viable place for business. Both online at www.gotoworkonenw.com and through the WorkOne ofﬁces in Porter County, WorkOne helps alleviate some of the stress of these challenging economic times.

RESOURCES FOR SKILLING UP Whether it’s an individual wanting to gain skills to secure a better job or change careers, or an employer with employees needing to complete their degree or certiﬁcation, WorkOne can help! With funding from the Department of Labor, WorkOne offers grants to eligible individuals and employers for training and education in one of the region’s high-growth, in-demand industries, including healthcare services, manufacturing, informational technology, transportation & warehousing, and several professional services. Career Advancement Accounts (CAAs) are excellent for employers to train workers—qualifying them to get up to $3,000 per worker for training or education. Workforce Acceleration Grants (WAGs) provide lower income level students, who are in need of additional funds, up to $3,000 to complete their course of work in order to obtain a degree or certiﬁcation.

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FORGING RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS TO PROMOTE CAREERS IN HIGH-DEMAND INDUSTRIES With many positions in manufacturing and logistics going unﬁlled due to the aging population/worker and at times, bad press related to those industries, WorkOne supports the partnership of the Porter County Economic Development Alliance (PCEDA) and the Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) in helping promote careers to youth in those highdemand industries. Through the Porter County Career Awareness campaign, there have been presentations to youth, educators, and parents; internship opportunities; and the launch of the www.get-IN-careers.com web site and IN-demand Career Beat monthly e-newsletter. Forging strong relationships with educators, private industry, and local elected ofﬁcials in Porter County, while addressing Left: Look for the latest edition of Career Connect workforce development issues, at both WorkOne locations continues to be an ongoing effort and numerous newstands in the area. by WorkOne.

Local manufacturing interns: Andre Ford (top), from Hobart, had the opportunity to work at GortracValparaiso. Michael Choucalas (bottom), from Chesterton worked at Task Force Tips in Valparaiso.

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PORTER COUNTY PAGE CC12 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010

THE TIMES

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PORTER COUNTY PAGE CC14 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010

THE TIMES

DUNE ACRES/HEBRON

Community built on preservation Residents devoted to environment, each other BY SUSAN ERLER susan.erler@nwi.com, (219) 933-4183

About Dune Acres

Area of detail

Dunes Acres

80 PORTER CO.

JON L. HENDRICKS | THE TIMES

Dune Acres residents still use a log clubhouse 213 built in 1926 for gatherings and meetings. Many of Population Median age 59.5 years the town’s original homes have been preserved, including some built with Oregon red cedar. Median household income $94,843 in 1999 dollars $390,600 Like other communities, Dune Acres Median home value Median travel time to work 32.6 minutes town officials have had to pinch pennies in recent years. SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS 2000 (2006-08 AMERICAN COMMUNITY “Expenses aren’t going down, but tax SURVEY ESTIMATES NOT AVAILABLE) revenues aren’t going up,” Sullivan said. But commitment to the land, lake and half the population. air remains strong. “We have a strong sense of communi“We have an environmental committee,” and meetings still draw as much as ty,” Sullivan said.

LAKE CO.

DUNE ACRES | Dune Acres residents are serious about guardianship of their lakeshore community’s natural surroundings. “The biggest thing for us is protecting our environment,” Town Councilman John Sullivan said. Power lawn mowers are a rarity in the environmentally minded community of about 200 people. “I doubt many residents even have lawn mowers,” Sullivan said. “They don’t look to maintain a landscaped lawn.” The town’s abiding concern for preserving its surroundings goes back a long way. In 1970, Dune Acres residents aligned themselves with the Save the Dunes Council and other groups to stop construction of a nuclear power plant nearby. Land intended for the power plant included Cowles Bog, an 8,000-year-old mix of wetland and woods later named a National Natural Landmark. Commitment to their unique environment prompted Dune Acres residents in the early 1950s to raise money to buy 150 acres on Mineral Springs Road that had been slated for a residential development. Added to another 48 donated acres, the land allowed residents to preserve the gateway into town in its natural state. Many of the town’s original homes have been preserved, Sullivan said, including some built with Oregon red cedar. A log clubhouse built in 1926 is still used for gatherings and meetings. Town founders followed nature’s lead in their design, adhering to the curving lakeshore at the town’s northern edge. “They tried as much as possible to follow the contours of the dunes,” Sullivan said. Instead of a grid pattern, “every street is a dead end.”

THE TIMES

JOHN J. WATKINS | THE TIMES

Crowds line the street Oct. 3 during Hebron’s block party to celebrate the opening of Main Street. Town officials expect the block party to become an annual celebration.

Revelry, business part of goals HEBRON | Hebron is hoping to pull itself out of bad financial times by pulling consumers into town. “The recession has hit pretty hard,” Town Council President Don Ensign said. “People were shopping less, going out to eat less. We’ve got a lot of empty buildings.” Ensign is hoping to fill those buildings with new businesses wanting to expand in a growing community, on pause from the economy. “Our whole theme is, ‘Hebron is open for business,’” Ensign said. Ensign said the town has felt the pinch of the slumping economy in various ways, like many other communities have.

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

About Hebron Population 3,596 Median age 32.9 years Median household income $42,10 in 1999 dollars Median home value $100,800 Median travel time to work 32.1 minutes SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS 2000 (2006-08 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY ESTIMATES NOT AVAILABLE)

a source of frustration for travelers. But in October, its completed makeover became a source of joy for residents. The town commemorated the opening of the revamped Main Street with a townwide block party, an event Ensign said he thinks will become an annual celebration. Despite the rain, a couple of thousand people “enjoyed the camaraderie of getting out and being able to enjoy the street again,” Ensign said. Ensign said he expects the town to host

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PORTER CO.

BY CHRISTINE KRALY christine.kraly@nwi.com, (219) 662-5335

Some residents last year tried stretching their dollars a little, paying bills later than usual. Some water bill payments trickled in slower and later than in years past. Plans for a 47-home subdivision to be built on land the town annexed a couple of years ago have been stalled. “We are waiting for things to improve. Developers are waiting to see,” Ensign said. To stay afloat, town officials borrowed $400,000 from the Major Moves funds the state allotted to the town to avert borrowing money from outside sources. Instead of raises, full-time employees received $1,000 bonuses, totaling $16,000, and were given another three paid holidays in 2010. “We tried to keep a tight rein on spending with the town,” Ensign said. But he said nothing may have hit Hebron harder in the last three years than a road construction project that ripped apart its Main Street. At times over three years, the road was

LAKE CO.

Revamped Main Street inspires town-wide party

Hebron 8

2 THE TIMES

the block party in September and other events in every quarter to “bring some normalcy back to things. “Sometimes you need to look for things like that to bring opportunity back to a community,” he said. “It helps to bring commerce back to the community. That’s the main goal.”

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010 | PAGE CC15

New residential developments and The Lighthouse restaurant bring ﬂavor to the lake

sk any long-time Lake County resident about Cedar Lake and watch their faces light up with memories. Some will recall idyllic, lazy summer days spent boating, ﬁshing and swimming, others will remember dancing the night away at the Midway Ballroom over the lake, and others will think of time spent in a small “doghouse” cabin during church camp. Even residents as far as Indianapolis, South Bend and Chicago can recall fun visits to Cedar Lake. No doubt about it, the lake brings fond memories back to so many people. The town of Cedar Lake has gone through many changes since the late 1800s, and now it looks forward to new development that marries the natural surroundings with luxurious living.

SUNSET HARBOR AND THE MOORINGS Called Chicagoland’s favorite new escape, Sunset Harbor is an exclusive gated community with private balconies; a lakeside inground, heated pool; a private beach; boat slips and lake access. Far from a rustic vacation cabin, the builders considered every detail of lakeside living. The airy open ﬂoor plan of the luxury condos invites entertaining, and the ﬁreplaces are the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the sweeping views over the lake. A jetted tub and separate shower are relaxing after a long day of waterskiing and boating. Only 45 minutes from Chicago, Cedar Lake is easily accessible. “Many people live here yearround, and others as a weekend retreat,” says Peter Ruffing, director of residential sales and marketing for WPM. WPM Construction, LLC, brings their attention to detail to The Moorings on Cedar Lake, a proposed luxury community with a nautical bent, located close to the Sunset Harbor site with several condos situated near the Lighthouse restaurant.

TION D INFORMA MODEL AN SUNSET HARBOR R CENTER FO ore Dr. Sh 13206 Lake IN 46303 Cedar Lake, 00 219.757.37 keliving.net www.cedarla S EVENTS OF PRE-SALE E IC T O N EARLY OORINGS FOR THE M ngsoncedarlake.com ori www.themo EDULE OF FOR A SCH EVENTS E CEDAR LAK mber of Commerce Cha Cedar Lake 219.374.6157

With the anticipated ground breaking in late summer, the dwellings in The Moorings on Cedar Lake will have access to nearby docks and moorings off the walking and jogging trails throughout the natural landscaping. Bill Wellman, senior vice president of communications for Whiteco Industries, Inc, is one of the weekend residents at Sunset Harbor. He feels the atmosphere of Cedar Lake has changed in a very positive way. “The Lighthouse restaurant is bringing people in from all over, and that’s largely from word-of-mouth. And people are seeing what a wonderful and beautiful area this is,” he says. “We eat a lot at the bar and we love hearing where people are from. There was a wedding last year upstairs in the banquet room, and the bride came over on a boat. Well, all the activity in the place just stopped! Everyone wanted to see that bride. I suppose the Lighthouse has given Cedar Lake a yacht clubhouse without any dues to pay. Living here is also affordable. Where else can you get a condo near the lake at $325,000 to $400,000?” Wellman feels development for Cedar Lake is the way forward. “The more activity we have here, the more the area goes up in popularity and in opportunities. I wouldn’t be surprised to see little arty shops open up along the way.”

THE LIGHTHOUSE RESTAURANT Cedar Lake is now home to the Lighthouse: a heralded steak and seafood restaurant nestled on the edge of Cedar Lake. The Lighthouse is a dream of Dean White, a Crown Point local, who has fond memories of the area. White vacationed in Cedar Lake, while based in Nebraska, for years since the 1930s. Cedar Lake was a blossoming resort town then, and it began to take off when steel mill workers purchased houses along the lake. Cedar Lake was home to a long-time restaurant called Tobes Steak House, which closed after fifty years in business. White wanted to have fun by bringing a restaurant back to the same plot of land. He hired Phil Holub as general manager and Ken McRae as executive chef, and the Lighthouse opened in April of 2009. “We knew we were going to be a destination restaurant,” says Holub. “No one really drives by the Lighthouse and says let’s try that out. People plan to come here. Tobes had a tremendous reputation and people knew of it, and we really wanted to give them a dining experience that would bring them back time and time again. We truly offer a value. Many places will try to coupon and discount their way to value, but we do that through [food] consistency

and service standards. To get the same experience as the Lighthouse, you’d have to go to Chicago.” Although the restaurant has been open for less than a year, the food and experience has created a buzz, and vacationers, locals and Chicagoans flock in to see what the fuss is all about. The Lighthouse proved to be so popular that the building had to be expanded immediately from 180 seats to 240. And in the spring, waiting for a table will be a pleasurable experience. Adirondack chairs grouped around outdoor fireplaces flanking brick-paved walkways will beckon guests to sit and enjoy drinks and the view while they wait. “No one wants to be corralled in a holding pen while waiting for a table,” says Holub. “So we wanted to provide a welcoming area.” The restaurant’s friendly yellow clapboard nautical exterior and round lighthouse-style turret fits perfectly in the natural surroundings. The windows face west by design. “Dining while looking out at a beautiful lake is much preferable than looking out at a highway,” says Holub. “People love to come to see the sunset, from inside the restaurant and out on the patio.” The nautical feel is carried into the bar area. A beautiful old 1960 Chris Craft Century Resorter called C’est La Vie was restored and rebuilt as the bar. The runabout’s stern is now the hostess stand. Upstairs is the banquet facility. Whether for a wedding, corporate event or a party, the venue has ample space for 200 people. Guests can dance in the lighthouse section while taking in the beautiful panoramic view of Cedar Lake. The esthetics and ambiance of the Lighthouse are soothing, pleasing. Whether it’s a sunny summer day or a snowy winter day, the lake is beautiful and the food is wonderful. “This place just reaches out and touches people,” says Holub. “People have fond memories of being on a lake, and we’re happy to give them more.”

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THE TIMES

KOUTS/OGDEN DUNES

Staying frugal helps town thrive Town leaders avert cuts, hope to draw business

Attendees size up the hog provided by Birky Farms for the “guess the weight of the pig” contest. Pig was the word at the 33rd annual Pork Fest on Aug. 22 in downtown Kouts featuring a parade, food, entertainment and vendors.

BY CHRISTINE KRALY christine.kraly@nwi.com, (219) 662-5335 KOUTS | Known for its annual homage to the

TONY V. MARTIN | THE TIMES

About Kouts Population 1,698 Median age 35.6 years Median household income $44,850 in 1999 dollars Median home value $101,900 Median travel time to work 26.2 minutes SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS 2000 (2006-08 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY ESTIMATES NOT AVAILABLE)

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LAPORTE CO.

a beanbag toss tournament. Kouts Chamber of Commerce President Fred Martin said he wants to ensure chamber-sponsored events such as the fest get more word of mouth in 2010. He also hopes this year generates more interest from businesses looking to locate to Kouts. “I think the town will eventually grow,” Martin said. He hopes it will expand in part with new chamber members, including possibly a new pharmacy, which he lists among residents’ wishes. Martin said the town also is planning to bring in a nursing home and maybe a small plant that manufactures automobile parts. “That would blend in well down here,” Martin said of a component plant. Officials, including those on the Town Council and Building Commission, were

PORTER CO.

other white meat, the town of Kouts focused this past year on a different kind of pork. By pinching pennies and evaluating needed projects, Kouts officials were able to stave off some damaging effects of the poor economy, Town Council President David Brooks said. “I think we’re doing OK at this point financially,” Brooks said, adding that it’s “not a time to spend lavishly.” Town officials didn’t spend where they couldn’t afford to, Brooks said. They juggled money among the town’s funds to ensure none was overburdened, and they did more self-analysis. “We’ve not made any cutbacks. We’ve just been careful,” he said. Town leaders particularly were cautious when evaluating major road projects and priorities for paving, determining which could hold and which were more immediate. When potholes cropped up, they were examined as closely as any other project needing money. “Until it’s time, we patch and kind of reassess,” Brooks said. As in other local municipalities, officials in Kouts worried over how late tax draws would affect their bottom line. But staying frugal helped them stay afloat, Brooks said. He cited “routine, stable but controlled growth” as helping Kouts tend to infrastructure without having to levy new taxes. In fact, Brooks said, the town has not increased its water rate in more than 10 years, a feat the longtime resident boasts with pride. “We’ve worked very hard,” he said. But it hasn’t been all work and no play in the town. The town’s annual Pork Fest drew economy-weary residents out for affordable crafts and fun, with live entertainment and

expected to meet soon to discuss the possibilities of bringing such a plant to town, THE TIMES Martin said. He said he remains cautiously optimistic about the town’s future and eco- “Actually, I think it’s kind of helped.” “People are more apt to stay in town,” nomic recovery. “We don’t have as much to overcome, he said. “I think that has helped us make us as far as the recession goes,” Martin said. more of a self-sufficient community.”

Residents don’t hesitate to pitch in Spending practices aid town in fiscal survival BY BOB KASARDA bob.kasarda@nwi.com, (219) 548-4345 OGDEN DUNES | Town Council member Brad

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

KYLE TELECHAN | THE TIMES

Ogden Dunes resident Ed Rooks pulls part of a boat from the sand during a public effort to clean up the debris that washed ashore during recent flooding.

About Ogden Dunes Population 1,313 Median age 48.7 years Median household income $76,924 in 1999 dollars Median home value $222,000 Median travel time to work 35 minutes

Lake Michigan

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Ogden Dunes

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS 2000 (2006-08 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY ESTIMATES NOT AVAILABLE)

Smith said there are several events each year that build cohesion in the small community, including the annual shrimp boil and reggae party.

PORTER CO.

not have to borrow money to get by when the county was slow in collecting and distributing tax money. Wood also gave Street Commissioner Jim Matthys credit for contributing to the town’s fiscal soundness by properly maintaining equipment, which has prevented the need for new purchases. Town leaders have accomplished that despite having just a couple of small businesses south of U.S. 20 and only homes to the north. The community of 653 homes is surrounded by National Park Service property and the lake, and has no further room to grow. “We’re an island,” he said.

LAKE CO.

Wood said one of the community’s strengths was on display in September 2008 when storms left a large amount of debris on the community’s beach. Residents of all ages responded to a cry for help and showed up to lend a hand in a voluntary cleanup effort. “People pitched in and helped the town,” he said. This type of response is not at all uncommon among the town’s residents, who voluntarily serve on various committees and clubs, Wood said. The Beautification Committee does the town a great service by maintaining landscaping on public land. Volunteers also have been working alongside paid workers in an ongoing effort to restore Long Lake Marsh on the town’s far west side, Water Superintendent Jim Kopp said. The project has focused on removing debris that contaminated the lake when Diana Road flooded over, he said. Cattails were removed, and the effort will continue this year with the planting of more desirable vegetation. A significant meeting was also held last summer to examine local shoreline erosion, which has been severe enough to result in litigation over the years, said Town Council member Eric Kurtz, who also serves as the town’s fire chief. Town officials met with state and industry representatives. “I think that’s promising,” he said. Town leaders have done their part by keeping spending down, which has left the community in pretty good shape financially during these tough times, Wood said. “It’s being responsible with spending your money,” he said. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Smith said, unlike other communities, the town did

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PINES & BEVERLY SHORES/WHEELER

Lifestyle is a main attraction Lakefront community’s beauty and fellowship keep residents invested BY JOYCE RUSSELL joyce.russell@nwi.com, (219) 762-1397, ext. 2222 BEVERLY SHORES | Diane Barowsky and her

JON L. HENDRICKS | THE TIMES

George McCann of Monee, Ill., enjoys an afternoon of sitting on the beach at Beverly Shores listening to the waves in September.

About Pines

Population 708 Median age 50.8 years Median household income $59,107 in 1999 dollars Median home value $238,000 Median travel time to work 44 minutes

Population 798 Median age 40.1 years Median household income $41,875 in 1999 dollars Median home value $80,900 Median travel time to work 23.5 minutes

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS 2000 (2006-08 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY ESTIMATES NOT AVAILABLE)

The association produces a monthly newsletter called Sand Tracks, which keeps residents informed. The association also organizes a half-dozen annual events for residents including an Easter egg hunt, a town cleanup, smelt fry, Necktie 5K race/walk, the Summerfest town beach party, the annual meeting and dinner, and a Halloween party. The group also is active in bringing improvements to the town. The beautification committee currently is looking at new signs for the town, Barowsky said. “You can be as active as you want or as inactive as you want,” she said. “Many of the residents feel a desire to help the town.”

Ireland said residents also are active in groups such as the Lithuania Club, Woman’s Club and Environmental Restoration Club. Residents have come to the town for various reasons, Barowsky said. Some grew up there, moved away and came back. Some come for the beauty and serenity of the dunes and the seclusion of the town, despite more crowded summer months when visitors flock to the beach. While there are younger families with children, the town’s population is older. Barowsky said the association always is looking for ways of getting younger people to move in. Many of the residents are pro-

Pines

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LAPORTE CO.

About Beverly Shores

PORTER CO.

family moved to Beverly Shores about seven years ago. It was a different lifestyle from what they had known in their former home of Olympia Fields, Ill. It’s quiet, it’s neighborly, and it’s beautiful, surrounded by the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and hovering on Lake Michigan’s southern shoreline. Barowsky, president of the Association of Beverly Shores Residents, said there are 500 households in the small community. About half of the residents, like her, are full-timers. The rest are “sometimers,” she said, speaking of those residents who call Beverly Shores their part-time home. “People do get to know each other,” Barowsky said. One of the frequent gathering places is the small post office and its parking lot. Residents don’t have mail delivered to their homes. They have post office boxes and come to the post office each day to gather their mail and chat with neighbors. Grant Ireland, who serves as the Town Council president, lived in Beverly Shores for a while, moved to Chicago and came back eight years ago. “I came back because it is unique,” Ireland said. “The uniqueness is multifold. As a beach community, it is relatively low density for its housing.” It is also unique because the town is an island surrounded by the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, he said. The community, which was founded in the 1920s by Chicago developer Frederick H. Bartlett, is also one of volunteers. In addition to volunteers who serve on various town governmental boards, there are 25 residents who serve on the board of the Association of Beverly Shores Residents. The group is the voice of the residents.

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fessionals. Many are artists. Many work in Chicago and commute on the train into the city. “In terms of people who choose to live out here, they chose Beverly Shores because of the lifestyle,” she said. It is also home to houses from the 1933-34 World’s Fair and a historical museum inside a former train station depot.

Groups work to maintain natural riches Taltree and Lake Louise projects designed to enhance attractions BY BRIAN WILLIAMS brian.williams@nwi.com, (219) 548-4348

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

JON L. HENDRICKS PHOTOS | THE TIMES

Taltree Arboretum Horticulturist Patty Stimmel, left, hosts a butterfly hike to search for nectar and larval host plants at the arboretum.

“Water quality is our greatest asset.”

About Wheeler/Union Township

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SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS 2000 (2006-08 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY ESTIMATES NOT AVAILABLE)

cern for several years for residents of Shorewood Forest, said Christian Anderson, the subdivision’s community manager. The community is working to restore a 5- to 6-acre wetlands area at the headwaters of a stream bed that feeds into Lake Louise. The goal is to keep pollutants from running into the lake, surrounding streams and, ultimately, into Lake Michigan, Anderson said. Similar projects in recent years have eliminated plumes of brown growth that fed on lawn fertilizer runoff. “You don’t see that anymore,” Anderson said. This spring, residents will work with the group Save the Dunes to install a rain

CHRISTIAN ANDERSON, the subdivision’s community manager 80

PORTER CO.

Population 243 Median age 38.9 years Median household income $48,393 in 1999 dollars Median home value $108,600 Median travel time to work 28.7 minutes

LAKE CO.

UNION TOWNSHIP | Natural features and beauty figure prominently in the good news out of rural Union Township. A new 10-year master plan for the area’s environmental crown jewel, Taltree Arboretum & Gardens, is set for completion by mid-April, said Damien Gabis, founder and president. The plan will allow all involved with the 320-acre reserve of restored prairies and landscaped gardens to work from the same vision, Gabis said. The arboretum last year achieved public charity status and hired a development director to help raise the onethird of overall revenue that must come from the public as a condition of the new status. Helping that effort, the number of members more than doubled in 2009 from the year before. The arboretum now counts more than 800 members, Gabis said. The number of annual visitors approached 20,000 last year, up from 10,000 just three years earlier. The arboretum’s Windows on the Wetlands viewing platform debuted last summer, allowing visitors to sit quietly and observe wildlife and vistas, Gabis said. With the train depot dedicated last summer, construction of the arboretum’s Railway Garden is ready to begin. The garden will feature more than a mile of operational 1:24 scale railroads running through landscapes including prairies, mountains, cities and small towns. Two dozen educational vignettes — including scenes of a lumber mill, a coal mine and Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train — will tell the railroad’s role in U.S. history. Nearby, improving Lake Louise’s water quality has been a constant con-

Wheeler

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garden by the community clubhouse. The clay undersoil across the several-hundred-square-foot site will be replaced with more permeable soil, and attractive native plants will be planted. The Shorewood Forest property owners association also is working with the Porter County Highway Department to control what goes into drains along the county’s roads. It is an effort designed to further protect Lake Louise, but it is one that also will benefit residents across Union Township. “Water quality,” Anderson said, “is our

greatest asset.” Elsewhere in the township, Union Township School Corp. is considering how to proceed with an estimated $23 million project to build a new elementary school. A secondary element of the project will upgrade energy efficiency at other school buildings. And Arbor Lakes, a new subdivision under development south of Shorewood Forest and north of County Road 100 North, will feature lots with open space, woods and ravines, project surveyor and engineer Don Bengel said. Streets and a few houses are complete in the first phase of the project that will eventually include 88 lots in three phases. Depending on the economy, the first phase of 21 lots could be completed this year, Bengel said.

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Enriching the region through excellence in culture and the arts At Indiana University Northwest, arts and culture are not just one of the university’s focus areas of excellence; they are also part of the lifeblood of the campus. From its outstanding academic programs in theatre, fine arts, English, and other disciplines, to its noteworthy gallery showings, guest speakers, festivals, and celebrations, IU Northwest serves as a focal point for cultural enrichment and artistic exploration in Northwest Indiana. The university’s beautiful campus grounds reflect this commitment to cultural pursuits: the Shadows and Echoes Sculpture Garden - created by sculptor and Professor of Fine Arts Neil Goodman, in collaboration with landscape architect Cynthia Owen-Bergland – is the largest public art project in Northwest Indiana. Its distinctive bronze sculptures and locally inspired flora create an innovative and ambitious visual interpretation of Northwest Indiana’s natural and industrial landscapes.

At IU Northwest, students who study the arts learn in small classes under the tutelage of accomplished instructors who are also highly successful practitioners in their chosen ﬁelds. Goodman is a master sculptor whose works are displayed at Chicago’s McCormick Place, at Northwestern University, and elsewhere in the region. Professor of Fine Arts David Klamen is an internationally recognized painter whose works have sold to art collectors worldwide and been displayed in Park Avenue galleries.

“Our best art students here at IU Northwest are as talented as the best students on any campus in the country,” Klamen says. Senior Lecturer of English William Allegrezza was recently named as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Writers Living in Chicago by the magazine “New City Chicago.” Professor of English William Buckley, Ph.D., who teaches creative writing, is a noted author and poet whose work has earned him the unofficial title of “Poet Laureate of Northwest Indiana.” Buckley is also editor of the online journal “Plath Profiles,” the only journal dedicated solely to the life and works of Pulitzer Prizewinning poetess Sylvia Plath. These and many other accomplished faculty members share with IU Northwest students their years of experience and insight into their craft. But students of the arts do not simply learn in classrooms. They also learn by participating in projects, events, publications, and productions. Fine-arts students have the opportunity to display their work in the Savannah Gallery. Writers may submit their verses or prose for publication in “Spirits,” the campus literary magazine. And, IU Northwest is the only public university in Northwest Indiana to offer a four-year theatre degree. Student actors, directors, technicians, and costume and set designers participate in professionalquality stage shows as part of Theatre Northwest.

“I never would have been able to direct a main-stage play at a larger school,” says 2008 IU Northwest graduate Bryan Conger, who is now pursuing his Master of Fine Arts in Directing at a prestigious theatre program in North Carolina. “Undergraduates just don’t have those opportunities there,” he says. “A smaller program like the one at IU Northwest forces you to become involved with every aspect of the production. So you develop many different skills and receive a more rounded education.” Cultural experiences at IU Northwest are readily available to all students, not just to those whose study the arts. Many take advantage of study-abroad trips to Spain, France or other international locations. IU Northwest has an ongoing partnership with the University of the Basque Country in Bilbao, Spain, and sends groups of students there each summer. “It’s a nice way to analyze the people of the language, instead of just the language,” says sociology major Morgan Jacobs, who traveled to Bilbao in 2008. “I had to learn a language for my bachelor’s degree, anyway, so I decided that this would be a good way to help me better learn a language and actually apply it to my life and my cultural interests.”

For more information on the

College of Arts and Sciences Visit the web at

www.iun.edu/~artsci/ Call (219) 980-6730

For those who prefer to explore the United States, the Department of Geosciences sponsors periodic trips to such regions as Death Valley, the Badlands of South Dakota, and the Grand Canyon. And, for several years, the Ofﬁce of Student Life and Athletics has sponsored a New Orleans trip by a group of pre-med students who assist with ongoing post-Katrina rebuilding projects there. Back on campus, annual events such as Asia Day, Darwin Day and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration showcase programs, speakers and cultural activities that celebrate the remarkable diversity of our region and our society. Because IU Northwest is part of Indiana University, many exhibits, productions and presentations from other IU campuses ﬁnd their way to Northwest Indiana, as well.

IU Northwest is committed to supporting the artistic enrichment of our students, our campus community, and all of Northwest Indiana. Prospective students, art aﬁcionados and others are encouraged to visit the university and see for themselves what makes this campus such a vibrant and exciting educational center for arts and culture.

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ow the area’s largest independent grocery operator, Strack & Van Til traces its Northwest Indiana heritage to two local entrepreneurs – Ernie Strack and Nick Van Til – who each opened grocery stores in the Calumet Region more than 80 years ago. The men shared a vision of bringing the freshest food to Northwest Indiana communities and combined their expertise in the ﬁrst Strack & Van Til store which opened in October 1960 at 45th Street and Cline Avenue in Highland. Today, that commitment to community, customers and quality has helped the chain bring economic growth to the Region as well as helping customers save on their food budgets. The Strack & Van Til company includes 14 Strack & Van Til stores, one Key Market, two Town & Country stores and 13 Ultra Food stores in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. This full-service grocery and fresh good store chain is committed to the complete satisfaction of their customers and to being recognized as the leading full-service food store, exceeding customer expectations today, and into this new millennium. “We’re proud that we continue to grow,” says David Wilkinson, Strack & Van Til president. “We care about what the consumer wants and we adjust to their demands.” Wilkinson says customers are vital to the company’s success. “We can do this because we really believe you can build or lose a business one customer at a time,” he says. “So we value what every customer has to say.” With today’s economic conditions, the Strack & Van Til company has worked diligently with its suppliers to offer more sale items on the most-purchased items every week. “We offer over 8,000 sale items each week throughout our stores,” Wilkinson says. “We recently added a new private label line called ‘Always Save’ to give our customers an alternative to the major brands and to help them stretch their food dollars,” he says. The “Always Save” line includes items in all food categories that are priced very competitively. Strack & Van Til is also successful because of the dedicated efforts of the company’s associates and the commitment to their training and development, Wilkinson says. Customers regularly compliment store managers on the polite, friendly and efﬁcient service they receive from associates. In addition, Strack & Van Til remains dedicated to the communities it serves by supporting organizations and events that enhance the quality of life. “We’ve supported the public for over 80 years,”

“

Wilkinson says. “Being part of the community is very important to us.” The opening of the newest Strack & Van Til store in East Chicago at Indianapolis Boulevard and Chicago Avenue one year ago demonstrates this commitment to community. By investing in the city and its citizens, Strack & Van Til also has become an integral part of East Chicago’s economic rebirth. The Highland-based company spent about $5 million renovating the former grocery and drug stores and adding on to the building, Wilkinson says. It is the 30th store in the Strack & Van Til chain. “This is the largest, newest, full-service grocery store in East Chicago,” he says. “It helps with the redevelopment of the downtown.” The 46,000-square-foot store at 4725 Indianapolis Blvd. opened its doors on Jan. 15, 2009. Inside, customers ﬁnd an extensive grocery section, a huge produce section of fruits and vegetables, a 56-foot long self-service meat and seafood department, a full-service meat counter with butchers and an Almira’s Bakery. “There are more than 35,000 different items in the store,” Wilkinson says. Although the design is similar to other Strack & Van Til stores, this newest location offers items unique to East Chicago, including an expanded hot food area, an array of international foods. Shoppers are also able to pay bills and cash checks at the store’s customer service department. Payments for NIPSCO, cellular phones, cable TV, East Chicago water bills and other utility bills are taken in that department. This store has also brought job opportunities to the community. Strack & Van Til employs 150 fulland part-time associates at the East Chicago store, with an emphasis on hiring city residents, he says. In the past year, Strack & Van Til has also made major improvements to its Web site, www.strackandvantil.com, including pop ads for easier viewing, Wilkinson says. Now customers can use that Web site to: s Create their shopping lists from weekly ads s Access more than $100 in manufacturer coupons each month s Add coupons from the weekly ads to their shopping lists s Locate hard-to-ﬁnd specialty items s Find 60,000 recipes to help with meal planning s See weekly meal suggestions s View 70 cooking videos

”

FOR MORE INFO:

STRACK & VAN TIL 2244 45th St. Highland, IN 46322 219-924-7588 www.strackandvantil.com

12 NORTHWEST INDIANA LOCATIONS SERVING YOU INDIANA Crown Point 10851 Broadway Crown Point 200 Franciscan Dr. East Chicago 4725 Indianapolis Blvd Hammond Van Til’s, 2635 169th St. Hammond 115 Sibley St. Highland 9632 Cline Hobart 7760 East 37th Ave Merrillville 7201 Taft St. Munster 12 Ridge Rd. Schererville US Routes 30 & 41 St. John 9825 Wicker Avenue Whiting 1836 Calumet Ave. PLUS 2 OTHER CHICAGOLAND LOCATIONS ILLINOIS Chicago 2627 N. Elston Ave Plainfield 2300 IL Rt. 59

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BURNS HARBOR/PORTER

Waves of progress are evident Burns Harbor ready to ride economic rebound BY KEN KOSKY ken.kosky@nwi.com, (219) 548-4354 BURNS HARBOR | Big changes have taken

JON L. HENDRICKS | THE TIMES

Homes sport colorful siding at The Village in Burns Harbor. The Village became the first in the nation awarded the National Green Building Standard by the National Association of Home Builders.

About Burns Harbor Population 766 Median age 38 years Median household income $53,929 in 1999 dollars Median home value $94,600 Median travel time to work 26.8 minutes

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Jordan said she and her husband were looking for a small town with good schools, and that’s what they found in Burns Harbor. “This is a great place to live,” she said.

Burns Harbor

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS 2000 (2006-08 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY ESTIMATES NOT AVAILABLE)

PORTER CO.

doned brownfields, for recreation and tourism. Fleming is the developer of The Village of Burns Harbor, and in April the subdivision became the first in the nation awarded the National Green Building Standard by the National Association of Home Builders. He said his subdivision and the town are attractive because of the town’s proximity to Chicago, Michigan and the lakeshore, along with its excellent school system. Police Chief Jerry Price said the low tax rate and low crime rate are bonuses, too. “I grew up in a small town, and I enjoy that small-town atmosphere,” Jordan said.

LAKE CO.

place in Burns Harbor during the past few years, and even bigger ones are expected in the near future, said Cliff Fleming, a Burns Harbor Town Council member. But the best part is that the progress is moving along in an orderly manner, Fleming said. People living, working or passing through the town will find more of what they need within the town’s boundaries as the town’s new comprehensive plan unfolds, Fleming said. The town is poised to attract a family restaurant, a small grocery store, a bank and possibly a few other shops, said Fleming and Jane Jordan, the town’s clerktreasurer. They said the town also is set to increase in population as its subdivisions fill up. In other words, once the economy rebounds, the town is in the perfect position to take advantage of it. “2009 was a really good year for Burns Harbor,” Fleming said. “As the economy changes and development starts again, Burns Harbor is in the perfect position to accommodate this development.” Jordan said the 2010 census is expected to show the town’s population increased by about 43 percent in the past decade, with most of that growth occurring in the past four or five years. Continuing growth will bring businesses to town, Fleming said. But the town doesn’t want haphazard progress. Fleming said the comprehensive plan is expected to transform the town into a full-service community instead of a place with houses. With a downtown overlay and high-density commercial development, Fleming envisions people being able to get around on foot, by bicycle or in cars. Fleming said Burns Harbor will tie into the Marquette Greenway Plan. The plan’s goal is to recapture at least 75 percent of Lake Michigan’s lakefront, which is now dominated by heavy industry and aban-

THE TIMES

Small town a portal into the future Ambitious project gets legs amid trying times

Jean Baptist, 16, left, Demetrius Harris, center, and Charles Watson, 16, from Chicago Discovery Academy pull brush from Cowles Bog in Porter. Nearly 100 Chicago-area high school students cut small trees, brush and vegetation as part of National Public Parks Day and the Cowles Bog Wetland Restoration project in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore at Mineral Springs Road and U.S. 12.

BY SUSAN ERLER susan.erler@nwi.com, (219) 933-4183

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

JOHN LUKE PHOTOS | THE TIMES

About Porter Population 4,972 Median age 32.7 years Median household income $50,625 in 1999 dollars Median home value $123,700 Median travel time to work 29.7 minutes SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS 2000 (2006-08 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY ESTIMATES NOT AVAILABLE)

family outings. “You can ride bikes; you can go to the Dunes; you can spend time as a family,” she said. Town officials’ vision for the future doesn’t stop there. Late last year, the town purchased a 31acre parcel that was once home to its historic brickyard. Potential plans for the land call for a new fire station and a variety of housing types, along with some commercial use

12 Area of detail

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PORTER | Officials of this small town don’t have to go too far to find the makings of a bright future. With Lake Michigan as a backdrop, the town of nearly 5,000 hopes to capitalize on its role as a gateway to the lakeshore. “We’re not looking at reinventing anything,” Town Engineer Matt Keiser said. “We’re looking at enhancing what we have.” The town was founded more than a century ago just outside what would become the Indiana Dunes State Park. An ambitious project that would help the town make the most of its location has been submitted to the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. The RDA last year signalled its willingness to consider the plan, despite the Porter County Council’s vote to withdraw from the organization. Under the three-year, $19.7 million plan town officials submitted, Ind. 49 and U.S. 20 would be developed as a pedestrian-friendly portal to the state park. Improvements would include pedestrian walkways and alternative transportation to shuttle people to the parks and nearby communities. The project also would build nearly four miles of the proposed trail between the Dunes and the Kankakee River. The RDA late last year approved spending $1.8 million for the first year of the project. The money will help pay for peoplefriendly improvements to a new Ind. 49 bridge over U.S. 20, and for engineering and design work on a four-mile stretch of the Dunes-Kankakee Trail. Hopes are to eventually obtain the additional RDA funding to complete the entire project. The way Town Council President Michele Bollinger envisions it, the peoplefriendly gateway would be perfect for

49 THE TIMES

and open space. The key during tough economic times is to have vision, Bollinger said. “In the slow times, that’s when you do your planning,” Bollinger said. “We’re doing a lot of that planning right now.”

Nearly 100 Chicago-area high school students walk to the Cowles Bog to cut small trees, brush and vegetation as part of the Cowles Bog Wetland Restoration project at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

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BURNS HARBOR/PORTER

PRIMED FUTURE In order to sustain growth into the future, the communities of Duneland have been planning to accommodate the needs of residents and visitors alike. The towns of Chesterton, Porter, and Burns Harbor continue to attract businesses and families to our region. hesterton Town Manager Bernie Doyle has been facilitating the town’s effort to update their comprehensive plan, which was last updated in 2004—a critical component to preparing for future growth. Central to this update is the establishment of a downtown overlay zone with its three sub-districts. According to A.J. Monroe of SEH, the planning firm brought in by Doyle to assist Chesterton, “The downtown plan establishes a design and implementation framework for development of a vibrant mixed use pedestrian friendly district. The plan recommendations are intended to create an attractive destination that caters to the needs of residents and visitors alike. The downtown district will grow with a mix of jobs, housing, retail, and entertainment venues. With a shift in our economy and technology, residents and visitors are drawn to quality over quantity, neighbor-friendly versus home-bound privacy, and urban-compact form over auto-oriented sprawl. Recognizing this, the plan strongly encourages quality of community amenities, design standards, and pedestrian-focused streetscapes. Such implementation for the plan will reaffirm downtown Chesterton as the community center and symbolize the values of the community,” Monroe says. Doyle states, “The Chesterton Riverfront Development Project will consist of three elements: the downtown overlay zone; restoration and expansion of the boardwalk at Coffee Creek Park; and identification, acquisition, and development of real estate for Chesterton downtown public facilities in the riverfront area. The town council and the chamber of commerce supports fine dining to encourage economic

town District

Burns Harbor Down

The Brickyard, Porter

. Hwy. 20 and I-49

Gateway Bridge at U.S

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

development which can only be made available with the acquisition of more liquor licenses according to state requirements. We have, by definition, a riverfront and consequently were able to qualify for licenses regulated for dining essential to the establishment of an afterhours draw to the The beach at the immediate downtown. We Indiana Dunes St ate Park need to continue fostering the regeneration of the downtown begun recently by visionary merchants, the Council and Plan Commission while maintaining the unique character that belongs solely to Chesterton.” Adding to that character is Chesterton’s European Market which will be kicking off its seventh season on May 1, 2010 which is four weeks before any previous year to extend their season. Chesterton/Duneland ernoon at Chamber of Commerce Executive A beautiful Saturday aft Market. Director Heather Ennis says Chesterton’s European this year’s market has grown to attract even more visitors. “We’re working with the Chesterton Art Center to add live artists to the market so visitors can see painting and drawing and watch art being made. We have some more food vendors this year, in addition to the ones people have come to love, such as Froelich’s who do a fantastic job with relishes and jams, and the Cheese People who do artisan cheese. This market brings on average 1,000 shoppers into the community each weekend and we look to get those people to extend their stay. It brings lots of traffic into the downtown,” says Ennis. Think of Duneland and think of the Dunes. The Town of Porter is making sure that thought is made even more profound as they develop the Indiana 49 Lakeshore Gateway Corridor Development Project. Town of Porter Director of Engineering and Development Matt Keiser says, “This project will establish a gateway into the Dunes from I-94 to the Indiana Dunes State Park. Currently, the area is just a highway for vehicular transportation. But this will be a shared resource that will include a multi-use trail, well-lit pedestrian access into the park, and a possible off-site parking facility. An alternative transportation study will also be conducted.” Notable for the project will be enhancing the Highway 20/49 bridge which is slated to be bid in May of this year. Further to the north on Highway 49, the Highway 12 and NICTD bridges are planned for similar enhancements and should be completed by end of 2011. The Indiana 49 Lakeshore Gateway Corridor Development Project will allow for the redevelopment of the adjacent properties along this corridor in Porter’s jurisdiction.” he Dunes Kankakee Trail (D-K Trail) will be a multi-use trail that connects the Indiana Dunes State Park to the Kankakee River in south Porter County. The trail will be incorporated into the Gateway Project and spur trails will connect to downtown Porter. Porter’s portion of the D-K Trail is fully funded and is being engineered at this time. Along with the D-K Trail, Porter will also be constructing the Orchard Pedestrian Trail and the Porter Brickyard Trail. The Orchard Pedestrian Trail will connect the State Park Little League Fields to Hawthorne Park and the Orchard Apartments. The Porter Brickyard Trail will connect to the Prairie Duneland Trail in Chesterton to the Calumet Trail in Dune Acres while routing through some of the most beautiful areas in the National Lakeshore. Ultimately, Porter’s alternative transportation system will boast over seven miles of paved trails. Porter is also planning the use of undeveloped property in their downtown to encourage new growth. Named after the industry that once occupied the land in the early 1900s, the project is known as The Brickyard. It will be a mixed-use PUD and has the infrastructure already in place such as sewer and water. Certain environmental aesthetics like a wet-bottom pond and mature trees already exist. Incorporating low impact development initiatives into the design will minimize construction costs and promote green living. “We believe that the existing downtown can emulate the Brickyard’s planned theme. The Brickyard project is very exciting because it shows a level of forward thinking on the part of the town that has not occurred in our area” Keiser says. Toni Biancardi, council member from The Town of Burns Harbor, says that Burns Harbor has defined what its future will be within the Northwest Indiana Community. “Prior to 2002 Burns Harbor was unable to expand because of lack of utilities. The town council, in their wisdom, by providing sanitary sewer, gave Burns Harbor an opportunity to become a full service town located at the foot of Lake Michigan at Exit 22 on I-94. In June 2009, the plan commission and the town council took a giant step toward becoming a full service town by passing a new comprehensive plan, creating a downtown district and defining a recreational corridor plan to provide areas for commercial/retail and multi-use development. Burns Harbor has created a development friendly environment. Permitting will no longer be a primary concern to developers wanting to build commercial/retail or residential projects in Burns Harbor, thus substantially reducing pre-development expenses. In addition, Burns Harbor offers substantial economic incentives to developers whose projects complement the goals of Burns Harbor’s comprehensive plan,” Biancardi says. Duneland is ready for future development and continuing to be a vibrant place to visit and live. Chesterton, Porter, and Burns Harbor offer a quality of life that combines natural beauty and opportunity for prosperity.

Julie Braveman Photography

FOR THE

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CHESTERTON

Festival’s return brings more magic Fine dining on the menu of impending changes

Michelle and Jim Senderhauf pose as Auntie Em and Uncle Henry in black and white from the film. “No Place Like Home” was the theme of the 2009 Oz Fest as it returned to Chesterton after a three-year stint at the Porter County Expo Center.

BY KEN KOSKY ken.kosky@nwi.com, (219) 548-4354

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

TONY V. MARTIN | THE TIMES

val, Chesterton Bicycle Blast, Bark in the Park and Taste of Duneland, said Machelle Blount, the group’s president. The group also would like to host car shows again this year. Blount, who is owner of Northwest Indiana Home Builders and Realty, said all the events provide local residents with things to do and also draw tourists, some of whom may return to live, work or open businesses. Doyle said he loves the pace of the town and all it has to offer, and is a fan of the Indiana Dunes State Park and the town’s proximity to Valparaiso, Michigan City and Chicago. In addition to headline-grabbing events in Chesterton, Doyle said the town is working on a lot of things that may not excite people but are important — such as the Fifth Street sidewalk project or the

About Chesterton Population 10,488 Median age 36.7 years Median household income $55,530 in 1999 dollars Median home value $133,500 Median travel time to work 24.5 minutes SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS 2000 (2006-08 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY ESTIMATES NOT AVAILABLE)

Area of detail

Chesterton 80 PORTER CO.

CHESTERTON | The town of Chesterton became a little more fun and a little more businesslike all in one year. The fun came in September when the Wizard of Oz Festival returned to the town after a three-year stint at the Porter County Expo Center. And the business of making the town even better got a jump-start Feb. 1, 2009, when Bernie Doyle filled the newly created position of town manager. Doyle said the town achieved a lot in 2009, despite tough economic times, and is poised to do great things this year and beyond. In the past year, Chesterton built a new skate park, completed a project on South Calumet Road to ensure a smoother, safer flow of traffic and achieve a better appearance, and laid the groundwork so construction can start this year on a town municipal building at 15th Street and Broadway. The town also is seeking a grant to build a second fire station, bolstering the police and fire departments, and is working to update the town’s comprehensive plan. The town also is helping the new Sisters of St. Francis Health Services’ 24hour emergency care facility move into the old Jewel store while looking to revitalize the downtown area with, among other things, a new fine dining restaurant or two. The goal to bring in dining venues and other attractions to make Chesterton a destination ties in well with what the Duneland Business Initiative Group has accomplished in the last few years. The group brought the Oz Festival back to town and also organized several wellreceived festivals that complemented, rather than competed with, the popular weekly European Market. Among the festivals the business group is planning for this year are the Oz Festi-

sewage treatment plant expansion to 49 reduce sewage overflows. Whatever needs to be done, the town THE TIMES will find a way to get it done, Doyle said. He said the tornado that damaged the town in August revealed to him a lot about comes around, Chesterton will be the “right place at the right time,” Doyle said. the town. “I think the future is pretty bright,” he He said he’s excited about the future. When the economy’s next growth cycle said.

BEN 4175

PORTER COUNTY PAGE CC24 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010

THE TIMES

CHESTERTON

IF YOU HAVENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T SEEN CHESTERTON LATELY, YOU HAVENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T SEEN CHESTERTON A community of sophisticated shops, venues for deep renewal of mind and body, friendly servicesâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;picturesque and full of possibilities A NEW VIEW FOR YOU

Machelle Blount puts such spirit into her passion for helping people ďŹ nd the right real estate that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re smiling and energized right along with her at Northwest Indiana. Realty, a sister to Northwest Indiana Home Builders, owned by Machelle and her husband, Rich. Housed in a recently renovated vintage building, Northwest Indiana Realty is home to six agents and Machelle, an outgoing group that is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;good mix of experience and fresh perspectives,â&#x20AC;? she says. Opportunities range from bank-owned properties to beachfront getaways and much more. Not part of a franchise, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hometown companies offering many things others donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tâ&#x20AC;?, Machelle states, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The combination of our two companies allow clients to transform that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;almost perfect homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; into home of their dreams by remodeling with our builderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the ďŹ rst quarter of 2010 weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re focused on getting the word out about the homebuyer tax credit that has now been extended to April 30, 2010,â&#x20AC;? says Machelle and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just for ďŹ rst-time homebuyers (a welcome $8,000 credit) but also to current homeowners for a $6,500 credit. Another focus for 2010 is on becoming green-certiďŹ ed agents.â&#x20AC;&#x153;Green awareness is taking hold all over; taking green steps is becoming a way of life for many,â&#x20AC;? asserts Machelle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Studies are showing that consumers are paying attention to green homes and buildings.â&#x20AC;? She notes that Duneland, right next to Indiana Dunes State Park and the National Lakeshore, is a prime area for green awareness.

BUSINESS IS BLOOMING

" ! # ! $ # !

" #

INFO NWIHB COM s NWIHB COM s NWIRD COM Machelle adds with conviction, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about helping clients make decisions on saving money and living comfortably, through energy efďŹ ciency and environmentally sensitive decisions.â&#x20AC;?

DISTINCTIVELY DIFFERENT When ordinary isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough, Ashleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jewelry is a gem in Chesterton. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have very distinctive jewelry that you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ďŹ nd in mall stores,â&#x20AC;? says owner Craig Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien, who clearly takes pride in the creativity his store offers. Custom-designed pieces go to the next level with the CAD/CAM process. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Laser welding allows us to do more in the creative process in gold and platinum,â&#x20AC;? says Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien. Many other jewelry stores can send away to have that done, but at Ashleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, the magic of a very personal piece happens right on site. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Customers like having distinctive pieces,â&#x20AC;? notes Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien, who is seeing a resurgence in antique settings, such as delicate and intricate micro pave. And with awareness of the economy, many are choosing bands with one larger diamond and several smaller ones. Still, the trend toward straight-line contemporary rings and a higher gold carat content continues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People like the richness of the yellow gold, although a lot of people do still like the platinum,â&#x20AC;? says Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ďŹ nd popular styles and brands, too. Charm bracelets have made a big comeback, with Pandora â&#x20AC;&#x153;one of the hottest brands out there.â&#x20AC;? So choose the traditional charms that hang from the bracelet, or go for the ones that can be changed with your mood. Not quite sure how to update an old favorite? Bring in

'EMOLOGIST s

s -ANUFACTURERS

"ROADWAY #HESTERTON ). CRAIG ASHLEYSJEWELER COM

the ring, says Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll take the diamond out of the band and use a virtual display to let you see how it will look in a different ring.

These days itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to know a local company isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just thriving, but expanding. At The Flower Cart, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve expanded in every way over the past six months,â&#x20AC;? says Raymond Brickner, co-owner with Steve Brickner. Heritage favorites and exotic blooms still brighten the 34-year-old business. And Steveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impressive designing credentials â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from commercial displays to presidential inaugurations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; continue to win awards, assuring that your intimate centerpiece or complete wedding ďŹ&#x201A;orals will dazzle the most discerning. These days you can also browse the expanded candies department, too, including ďŹ ne chocolates. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We now make our own fudge, too,â&#x20AC;? says Raymond; â&#x20AC;&#x153;People just love it.â&#x20AC;? Wander on over to the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pink area and select jewelry, handbags and more, â&#x20AC;&#x153;in unique lines you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see everywhere,â&#x20AC;? notes Raymond. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more to enjoy in the giftware section, too, including Mark Roberts Fairies that are now available in other themes; think Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. The upstairs, always a delight because of the Bricknersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; great eye for buying, will soon switch to a gallery look, featuring home dĂŠcor and permanent botanicals as art pieces, with more of Steveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award-winning artistry. The Flower Cart continues to be a full-service ďŹ&#x201A;ower shop for everything from beautifully arranged ďŹ&#x201A;owers for one special person to imaginative displays for big corporate events.

ECLIPSE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER National recognition has come to Michele Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eclipse Performing Arts Center, where children and adults ďŹ nd top-notch instruction in dance. They offer hip-hop, ballet, jazz, tap, and lyrical,for students who aspire to have serious careers at pristine ballet companies or for the person that just has a love for dance . Just in the summer of â&#x20AC;&#x2122;09, one Eclipse student, 10 years old â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one of 100 students worldwide accepted for the program â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was selected to train at the American Ballet Theatre in New York City; another 15 year old, was accepted at the Joffrey Ballet; a third student received a dance scholarship for Point Park Performing Arts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got some great dancers here,â&#x20AC;? says Brown. She continues, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whether you are 2 or 22 thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a place for you at Eclipse.â&#x20AC;? Get moving in any way that works for you: Pilates, body rock â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whatever you choose, Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;awesome professional staffâ&#x20AC;? teaches coordination and ďŹ&#x201A;exibility, starting with simple dance moves and progressing to your highest level. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a dance education,â&#x20AC;? says Brown, with morning classes available, too. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to travel to Chicago, says Brown, and deal with gas, parking, trafďŹ c and waiting, to get great instruction. Students do come from Iowa, Michigan, and Illinois, but lucky Chestertonarea folks have Eclipse just down the road. And â&#x20AC;&#x153;Parents can trust our staff to have patience and interact well with every student,â&#x20AC;? says Brown. Eclipse dancers and professionals will present â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beatles Come

BELLA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; AS IN BEAUTIFUL

GET READY TO GIGGLE

Sure, your days can be hectic, whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working 9 to 5, or 24/7 at home with countless trips out and about â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to look good, really good? Di la Bella salon & spa knows exactly how to smooth the wrinkles of your demanding days. A top-notch product line and a deep appreciation for the value of relaxing while rejuvenating are Di la Bellaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specialties. The mother-daughter team of Deborah and Brittaney Hoover offers Aveda hair and skin care products â&#x20AC;&#x201C; good-for-you blends of 99 percent naturally derived beauty enhancers and restoratives. Have them applied expertly at Di la Bella, then choose from a wide selection of skin and hair prodcuts to purchase to keep the glow going at home. Deborah and Brittaney are dedicated to making your makeover a soothing getaway. Forget noisy, yackety open areas. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re up for some conversation, great, but the shampoo bowl room is â&#x20AC;&#x153;quiet and relaxing,â&#x20AC;? says Brittaney, and in the processing room lighting is low and a massage chair and music let you settle back and enjoy the beautifying process. All hair care services include scalp massage and lipstick renewal, and any hair color services include hand and arm massage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x153;Di la Bella cares for our customers from the moment they walk in to the moment they walk out looking and feeling great,â&#x20AC;? says Brittaney. We have added a certiďŹ ed aesthetician and certiďŹ ed massage therapist to our staff and we are still looking to hire more stylists. Another feel-good extra: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our mission statement,â&#x20AC;? says

What is Tiger Lily? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a hard question to answer,â&#x20AC;? laughs co-owner Devon Busch. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I usually reply â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;gift shop,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; but that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do us justiceâ&#x20AC;? because of the storeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s variety. With co-owner Marilyn Busch, says Devon, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a nice balance of cute and funny â&#x20AC;&#x201C; although we prefer funny! Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love our store if you are young or young at heart, and love to laugh. I soon found out it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just the younger crowd that liked to shop here.â&#x20AC;? Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fred & Friends, who claim to â&#x20AC;&#x153;make stuff that works, puts a smile on your face, and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cost a fortune.â&#x20AC;? To-grin-for examples: An ice tray in the shape of dentures, called Frozen Smiles; a bread stamper of the Eiffel Tower â&#x20AC;&#x201C; when you toast the bread, the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;bonjourâ&#x20AC;? shows up, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s called, of course, French Toast. Quirkier still: The Unemployed Philosophers Guild, a Van Gogh Disappearing Ear Mug â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you add hot liquid and the ear disappears. In the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s section, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We take pride that almost all of our kids games are educational and actually require them to use their brains, like the Eeboo line, with its amazing illustrations. For babies, there are rattles, squeekers, booties, crinklers and more, plus Noodle & Boo lotion, wipes, shampoo, and body wash and bubbles. Grownups will ďŹ nd similar items in the Glowology line. For expectant moms thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a section with stretch mark reducers, pregnancy journals and more. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Moreâ&#x20AC;? includes funny temporary tattoos that say â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t touch my tummy,â&#x20AC;? with a check mark for boy or girl and showing when

Brittaney, â&#x20AC;&#x153;includes setting an example about caring for the environment,â&#x20AC;? with naturally derived products and a dedication to teaching others about the importance of a healthy planetâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beauty at its best.

KITCHENS WITH SIZZLE

YOUR OPTIMAL HEALTH

If the center of the home is the kitchen, then the center for all things that make a kitchen great are at Regal Rabbit gourmet kitchen store. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to shop in Chicago to ďŹ nd ďŹ ne quality,â&#x20AC;? says Maribeth Conyne, co-owner with husband Jim. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We offer a local choice for people.â&#x20AC;? Choice includes both well-known brands and some you simply wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ďŹ nd at any ordinary store â&#x20AC;&#x201C; never-fail Wusthof cutlery, high-quality, non-stick Swiss Diamond cookware, Chantal tea accessories from France. The Conynes believe in promoting American products, too: Nordic Ware from Minneapolis, Lodge cast-iron cookware from Tennessee, and more. The gourmet food section is rich with palatepleasing selections from American artisans as well, except for the sumptuous cheeses, which are mostly imported. Look for accessories to complement your wine selection including stemware and attractive bottle stoppers and openers. Expect a friendly greeting at Regal Rabbit, because â&#x20AC;&#x153;We truly believe that we make a creative relationship with our customers,â&#x20AC;? says Maribeth. That creativity extends to the on-site kitchen, where cooking classes are held (the schedule is posted on their Web site, www.regalrabbit. net). The classes are â&#x20AC;&#x153;a fun night out,â&#x20AC;? says Maribeth, â&#x20AC;&#x153;like going to a restaurant for a dinner and learning from the chef.â&#x20AC;? With that in mind, the Regal Rabbit kitchen allows

Achieving optimal health â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the mission in mind for everyone who comes to East Wind Acupuncture. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so much more than acupuncture: One of the largest Chinese medicine clinics in the country, the Chesterton clinic focuses on health restoration through therapies and lifestyle changes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We specialize in quality of life at our corrective care facility,â&#x20AC;? says owner Laura Zaranski, who for 12 years has been combining acupuncture, herbs, yoga classes, massage therapy, stress management and more to boost clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; well-being. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People may have been taking drugs for a long time to suppress symptoms,â&#x20AC;? Zaranski says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not just interested in relieving symptoms, but in regaining optimal health, with nondrug, non-surgery solutions for health problems.â&#x20AC;? A broad range of health problems are treated. Internal medicine addresses organ systems: Examples are digestive problems including IBS and reďŹ&#x201A;ux; female issues such as irregular or painful cycles; restoring lung functionimproving lung function in cases of COPD, allergies and asthma; and working with the endorcrine systems to balance hormones. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our statelicensed therapists use a combination of acupuncture, herbs, and nutrition to restore balanceâ&#x20AC;?, Zaranski says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People may need a series of treatments for chronic problems, but acute conditions like colds may need just a few. Our all state-licensed therapists almost always use herbs and acupuncture together,â&#x20AC;? Zaranski says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People can do a few treatments or a longer course. East Wind also treats anxiety, stress, depression and sleep

" ) &&& " " $ $ customers to use great kitchen utensils, but in a home-like atmosphere. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want our customers to feel comfortable at the Regal Rabbit, as if they were in their own home.â&#x20AC;?

THE PERFECT OUTFIT

PASTRIES, CAKES, AND CATERING

One of the trickiest looks to pull off successfully can be vacation-casual. Comfort is paramount â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but so is style. Add the hunt for fabrics that must travel well, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to head for Indian Summer. The clothing boutique offers looks from casual to dressier, to get you from a day at the beach to a dinner on the town with no worries, thanks to owner Elise Mauroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great fashion sense. Buying trips to Las Vegas, New York, and Chicago have her seeking out the latest in lines like Sympli and Oh My Gauze. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll help you put together separates for traveling â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all the lines we carry travel really well,â&#x20AC;? says Mauro. She gives the example of a spa owner who came in with her two employees and loved that with Sympli separates she could put together several looks for everyone. Sympliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s micro knits work for lots of different body types, too. Too many times an outďŹ t just stays in the closet, not quite right for anything anymore. You can hear the smile in Mauroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s voice as she recalls the woman who told her, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whenever I come in here to Indian Summer I always ďŹ nd something I love â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and I always wear it!â&#x20AC;? Pull together the whole look from a selection of Big Buddha bags, scarves, and jewelry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re known for our jewelry accessories,â&#x20AC;? says Mauro, â&#x20AC;&#x153;like a perfect chunky necklace that makes the outďŹ t.â&#x20AC;? With nice price points, Indian Summer sees girlfriends

Opened in September of 2008, Tonyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Patisserie represents Tonya Deiotteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life long dream of bringing ďŹ ne pastries, cakes, breads and chocolates to her hometown of Chesterton. Tonya is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and a 24 year veteran of local favorites like Marilynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Strongbows, and Chicagoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Intercontinental Hotel, Restaurant RL, and Eliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cheescake Co. Tonya prideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s herself on using the best ingredients. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am committed to using the freshest and ďŹ nest ingredients,â&#x20AC;? relates Ms. Deiotte. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I learned my craft from people who always used rich chocolate and European style butter. I know my customers can tell the difference. Wedding cakes are made from scratch.â&#x20AC;? The patisserie has developed a steady following of bakery enthusiasts from New Buffalo to Milwaukee and Indianapolis to Chicago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our customers love our wedding cakes, and also have come to rely on us for our vegetarian options as well. The menu can provide lunch or dinner on-the-go with our hearty soups, quiche and sandwiches made with our freshly baked bread,â&#x20AC;? said Tonya. The options are many, and the service is friendly and efďŹ cient.

come in together and have fun shopping â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like a big party,â&#x20AC;? says Mauro. And watch for a lot of trunk shows and special events this year.

Unique Gifts, Candy, Fudge Beautiful Displays, Florals & More

Visit the Gift Shop at the

Visit Us in Historic Downtown Chesterton PARKING AVAILABLE IN REAR OF BUILDING

145 S. CALUMET (Corner of Calumet & Indiana Ave.)

CHESTERTON, IN

926-8615

Open Mon. - Tues. 8:30-6, Weds. - Sat. 8:30-8, Sun. 12-4

â&#x20AC;&#x153;people come in and just say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;!â&#x20AC;? says Raymond. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect to ďŹ nd this kind of place in a smaller venue like Chesterton.â&#x20AC;? And talk about ďŹ nding a place â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the shop has its own parking lot.

A once in a

LIFETIME EXPERIENCE! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not too late to be involved in the June production.

SATURDAY, JUNE 5TH & SUNDAY, JUNE 6TH 7:00PM

160 Rail Road Street, -Ă&#x2022;Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x152;iĂ&#x160;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160; Â&#x2026;iĂ&#x192;Ă&#x152;iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;]Ă&#x160; Ă&#x160; iVÂ?Â&#x2C6;ÂŤĂ&#x192;iÂŤiĂ&#x20AC;vÂ&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x201C;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;}>Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x192;Â°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;VÂ&#x2026;iĂ&#x192;Ă&#x152;iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;`>Â&#x2DC;ViÂ°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;

219.728.1490

Located off of 49, 1 light away from toll-road. Convenient for Valparaiso & Chesterton.

Togetherâ&#x20AC;? June 5 and 6. For another June performance, there are openings through the month of February for dancers ages 3 to 23.

baby is due. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People tell us they could spend hours in here,â&#x20AC;? says Devon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a very relaxed atmosphere; I want nothing more than for people to come in and have a good laugh!â&#x20AC;?

s s s s

disorders. Acupuncture releases serotonin, which can help enhance mood. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People tell us, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel more relaxed, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happier, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sleeping betterâ&#x20AC;?. East Wind Acupuncture invite you to a free health consultation and health proďŹ le.

Your Sweets for Celebrations & Weddings!

Corner of 4th & Broadway | Chesterton

219.929.1415

Ă&#x160; ",Ă&#x160;"1,Ă&#x160; / , Ă&#x160; 1 "* Ă&#x160;/1 - 9Ă&#x160;Â&#x2021;Ă&#x160;- /1, 9Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160; Ă&#x160; 1 Ă&#x160; 9

Tonyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is not to be missed on YOUR next visit to Chesterton.

BEN4 175

PORTER COUNTY ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010 | PAGE CC25

PORTAGE

City evolves when going gets tough Portage adapts with 911 consolidation and grants BY JOYCE RUSSELL joyce.russell@nwi.com, (219) 762-1397, ext. 2222

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

JON L. HENDRICKS | THE TIMES

Michele Hyde, left, takes a picture of her father, Bob Hyde, getting soaked from a wave splashing over the Portage Lakefront Park pier. The park was one of a few places in Portage that recently was developed, which added to the city’s value.

About Portage Population Median age Median household income Median home value Median travel time to work

35,661 35.2 years $51,137 $132,200 25.5 minutes

Portage

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU’S 2006-08 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY THREE-YEAR ESTIMATES

said. “We’ll see some sort of permanent higher education facility and see the downtown redeveloped. The city will grow to the north around the marina and the city’s northside business park.”

Area of detail

PORTER CO.

The city completed consolidation of its 911 dispatch services with those of Porter County, saving about $500,000 a year. Velazquez said the city also saw a decrease in landfill costs as it continued to educate residents about curbside recycling, distributing more bins to households. The city also began an electronics recycling service. The city also has pursued grants where it can, Velazquez said, pointing to a $491,000 federal grant the city received to buy police cars. Both Velazquez and Lorenz see the city continuing to grow. “It will continue to evolve,” Lorenz

LAKE CO.

PORTAGE | Ken Lorenz has lived and worked in Portage all his life. The 1991 Portage High School graduate didn’t see a reason to leave. “I didn’t know where else I could go and have the same opportunities I have here,” said Lorenz, owner of Samuelson Insurance and recognized last year as the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce’s Volunteer of the Year. When he took over the business from his father, the elder Lorenz gave him two bits of advice: treat his customers well and live in the community in which he does business. Lorenz took it a step further, not only living here, but making a commitment to be involved. He is a member of the city’s Park Board and Plan Commission, serves on the Portage Economic Development Corp. board and is an active Rotary Club member. “Good towns become great when people give back,” he said. Mayor Olga Velazquez agrees it is the people who make the city special. “Certainly it’s our people, the compassion we have for each other,” she said. “We have a diverse community in terms of income and interests. We have a real understanding and pride in our community for people to work side by side to make things better. We are resilient. When things get tough, we work together to be positive. We have strength in weathering difficult times.” Lorenz said he has seen the city grow and evolve. “We have a lot of great things to offer we didn’t have in the past,” he said, pointing to developments such as the recently renovated YMCA, Portage 16 IMAX and Lakefront and Riverwalk Park. A “good housing value” also has been a factor in attracting people to move to the city, he said. The past year was a difficult one for the city, Velazquez said, but it adapted. “We were trying to position ourselves to be financially stable as we deal with the decrease in our revenue streams,” she said.

80 6

THE TIMES

BEN 4175

PORTER COUNTY PAGE CC26 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010

THE TIMES

PORTAGE

City of Portage Investing in of life Mayor Olga Velazquez

Even in tough economic times, the City of Portage has been able to grow to attract potential businesses and residents through careful planning, smart funding, and a vision for the future. Mayor Olga G. Velazquez says it is because of this focus that Portage is the ideal city for investment. “We have really been concentrating on taking care of our foundation and investing in ourselves so that we are attractive to others who want to invest in our community,” Velazquez says.

I NF R A S T R U C TU RE

PUBL IC SAF ETY

Incorporated as a city in 1968, Portage has experienced tremendous population growth over the decades. In 1960, Portage’s population was just under 12,000 and today it stands at over 36,000. That kind of growth, coupled with an aging infrastructure, means investment in the foundation of the city is critical. “The sewers and roads are beginning to show their wear and tear and so it is important for us to invest in the repair of that infrastructure, and we encourage the residents to take pride in what they have,” says Velazquez, who has committed her administration to this charge. “We were very lucky and fortunate to be able to work with our congressman and NIRPC in terms of accessing needed resources for road improvement projects and we’re receiving close to $5 million for road improvement projects for public safety,” Velazquez says. These road projects include Willowcreek Road and the entrance into the shopping mall, Central Avenue at County Line Road in partnership with the City of Lake Station, Central Avenue east to Airport Road and Airport Road near the Portage High School. Portage is moving forward on these projects in 2010 and engineering and assessment studies are currently underway.

“Investing in our public safety has been a main priority for my administration, to insure that our businesses are safe and our citizens are safe,” Velazquez says. Portage has increased police visibility in neighborhoods and the business community, they have increased the number of officers assigned to the Porter County Narcotics Unit, they have assigned an officer to the FBI’s Gang Response Investigative Team, enlisted as a member of the Northwest Indiana Violent Crimes Taskforce, assigned additional police officers who also educate more in the community, and they have invested in technology for the police department. “We instituted a Citizens Academy and our police chief has put together a team to address public safety issues in targeted areas of specific concern to residents. We’ve been very innovative in working with other jurisdictions because crime doesn’t stop at the border,” she says. Through a grant, Portage has also purchased 19 police vehicles that burn E85 fuel. Our fire chief has worked to upgrade technology and improve efficiency and communication. Mobile data systems have been placed in all fire apparatus to achieve this goal. Additionally, the department purchased two new ambulances for improved service delivery. Emergency management coordination is also a priority and is achieved through the chief’s participation in the District 1 Planning Committee through Indiana Homeland Security.

PA R K S A ND RECR EATIO N The development of the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Park site of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is a great addition to the many recreational opportunities available in Portage. Amenities at the lakefront include a pavilion with an educational classroom, a cafe, restrooms, board walks, a pier, and two small parking lots. The City of Portage works in cooperation with the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore to manage this park. The property consists of several endangered plants and other species of environmental significance and they have already had over 50,000 visitors to the park. “The Lakefront Park is a wonderful jewel on our lake for all to enjoy. I have seen the impact and positive influence it has made on people’s lives. When investors see that as an amenity that would complement their investment in our community, it’s a draw. You see families of all levels of ability, grandmothers in wheelchairs with their grandkids fishing, and all can enjoy some solace and respite. This is a one-of-a-kind cooperative management agreement between a municipality and the National Park Service and as a result we’ve received awards from the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association and are nominated by the National Park and Recreation Association for land use. We also received an award from IDEM for land use and it has been very wonderful to receive recognition,” Velazquez says.

E N V I R O NM E NT Portage has made it their task to become a greener city and through educational programs and operations have increased their curbside recycling program. They have stepped up education on stormwater management and are working with multiple organizations, says Velazquez. “We’re taking seriously the mandate of the Clean Water Act and MS4 requirements. We are working with IDEM to be in compliance and educate our employees and citizens about practices that are environmentally friendly. As a result of our hard work, we’ve qualiﬁed for the Clean Cities Challenge though IDEM,” she says.

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

ECONOM IC DEVE L O PM E NT “Our Northside Business Park is completed and ready for business development on the west side of I-249. U.S. Steel has obtained property and plans for a training facility within this business park. The Ameriplex development continues to attract interest. The Ironworkers Union local 395 recently dedicated their new regional headquarters there and invested in Portage,” Velazquez says. These signiﬁcant investments pave the way for future business investment in Portage.

FA M ILY F U N In August last year, Portage kicked off their debut signature festival which will continue each summer. The Portage Perch Fest and Gran Prix showcases Portage’s downtown as well as the lakefront. “It’s a very positive way to promote Portage and our ﬁrst event met with great reviews. Our event mascot, Petey the Perch, will host the Perch Fest and Gran Prix August 13-15, 2010,” she says. The festival includes ﬁshing contest, boat parade, perch cook-offs, go-kart racing, music, entertainment, and family fun. In addition, the Portage Community Market at Founders’ Square Park highlights the downtown area with the goal of attracting future development and enhancing quality of life. “We are still committed to supporting the development of the higher education corridor in our downtown district. We have been in communication with private investors and see opportunities for business investment. Portage is the Port of Opportunity” Velazquez says.

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VALPARAISO

City weathering the economic flux BY PHIL WIELAND phil.wieland@nwi.com, (219) 548-4352 VALPARAISO | With its high per capita income, the expansion of several local companies and construction of two new hospitals on the horizon, the city is expecting a good year ahead. “We do have a number of locally owned companies founded here like Emerson Power, Urschel Labs and Task Force Tips, which just completed its new corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities, and we’ve got a good core of local companies that continue to grow and expand,” said Rex Richards, president of the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. “With our high per capita income, I’m amazed at the national commercial businesses wanting to come into the area,” Richards said. “We have people looking around and other companies that have expressed interest in looking at expansions, so we think 2010 will continue some good momentum. We know the schools are contemplating some form of capital projects to renovate the elementary schools. That will mean more construction dollars.” The schools and hospital construction should provide plenty of activity for at least the next two years, he said. The city’s landscape has changed dramatically in the last few years, literally and figuratively, with the recent completion of the YMCA project on the north end of the city, the construction of the Uptown East apartments in the Eastgate commercial corridor and the beautification projects downtown and elsewhere. “Valparaiso is looking pretty good, and for 2010 the city has designated the area on U.S. 30 through the city as the area to improve for the next several years,” Richards said. “The city provided abatements for businesses that want to make improvements there, and Horizon Bank is planning a new branch at Horseprairie

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

About Valparaiso Population Median age Median household income Median home value Median travel time to work

30,512 31.5 $46,926 $164,600 22.8 minutes

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU’S 2006-08 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 3-YEAR ESTIMATES

Avenue and U.S. 30.” Richards also credited local schools for making Valparaiso an excellent place for people who are looking to buy a home. These schools include Wheeler, Washington Township and Valparaiso high schools, which were designated as Best Buys by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce in terms of graduation rates, use of tax money and other reasons. “That’s one of the reasons we’ve been able to weather the storm,” Richards said. “When an executive is transferred here from outside the area, he looks for an area with excellent schools. That’s why high network people want to move to Valparaiso. When you have people with high incomes, there is a demand that is attractive to big box stores and others that depend on those high incomes.” Mayor Jon Costas predicted the city will recover from the downturn in the economy. “Every business has been touched by the recession, but a number of our businesses have expanded during this period,” Costas said. “Small businesses are hanging in there. Unemployment has gone up, but it is better than the state average, and because of that we’ll be able to come out of this recession in a strong position.” The home building industry has been hurting recently, but Costas predicted a better year in 2010 and said with the tax caps, “I think we will be able to attract many new residents who see the high quality of life, the educational opportunities and the better business climate.” “We don’t have some of the difficult problems some other cities have,” he said. “This year, when communities are burning

TONY V. MARTIN | THE TIMES

Swimmers try out the new kiddie pool at the grand opening of the Valparaiso YMCA in May. through their reserves, we are adding to it. We have a strong reserve and a modest debt. We are financially strong and have worked very hard to get state and federal grants. “Our philosophy is finding the right balance between no investing in the community and overspending,” Costas said. “It’s making the right investments at the right time. When the government invests in problem areas, it spurs private investments and makes people want to live in the community. If you look at our record, we use sound business principles. We want to hand over a community to our children that is not a burden to them.”

6 49 Area of detail

Valparaiso

PORTER CO.

Strength is solid public and private investment

2 THE TIMES

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THE TIMES

COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR: VALPARAISO

Chamber award helps city grow Official says honor has brought new businesses, residents to the city BY PHIL WIELAND phil.wieland@nwi.com, (219) 548-4352 VALPARAISO | With about $750 million in

public and private investment over the last several years, the city must be doing something right, and now the Indiana Chamber of Commerce agrees. Valparaiso was named the state chamber’s Community of the Year in 2009, the first community in Lake or Porter counties to be chosen in the 20-year history of the award. The city won it in the second year it was nominated by the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. “That was a real honor for the city to receive,” Chamber President Rex Richards said. “What it has done is give a great deal of publicity to the good things going on in Valparaiso, like all the restaurants, businesses and the improvements to the entrances to the city with the streetscape on Lincolnway. Those kinds of things mean a lot when people are coming into the community and looking for a place to settle down.” Richards said the award has helped attract businesses and new residents to the city. Businesses especially are interested in sites near the Porter County Municipal Airport. While the city’s chamber lobbied on behalf of the city for the award, Richards said it was the city’s accomplishments that won it. “When you look at how the city has been managed over time — it has a rainy day fund, and they are always concerned about what the city spends. They make good policy decisions, and they maximize the taxpayers’ dollars. The taxes are reasonable and the services they deliver are first rate. That’s what makes it the community of the year.” Nick Sommer, owner of Century 21 Alliance Group, said the city already had developed an excellent image in many categories thanks to such things as its association with Valparaiso University, but the award enhanced that. “We’re the fourth-highest per capita income in the state, so we have a reputation of being progressive and somewhat

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

JON L. HENDRICKS | THE TIMES

Mayor Jon Costas sits on a bench in downtown Valparaiso after the city was named Community of the Year by the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce. affluent,” Sommer said. “This just perpetuates that reputation that this is a good place to live and work. If you look at it as a homeowner, when things happen like this, there is a positive energy, and it continues to attract more positive energy. “This already is the single biggest real estate market in the area, and when you see it is the community of the year, it raises curiosity and makes it more attractive,” Sommer said. Valparaiso has experienced an explosion of growth in recent years, both in terms of expanding its borders and pursuing new

development and redevelopment. The city parlayed about $40 million in public funds for infrastructure improvements and beautification — 75 percent of which were state and federal dollars — into about $700 million in investments from the private sector. Two troublesome areas of the city, the old County Seat Plaza and the Eastgate commercial corridor, have experienced almost a total makeover as a result of this partnership, while the city also has attracted three major commercial developments along LaPorte Avenue on the east side.

“The award certainly raised the visibility of the city around the state,” Mayor Jon Costas said. “We’ve been able to highlight the practices of good government that have worked in the city. That’s a positive thing. It’s attracting business investments and residents, and it enhances the overall reputation of the city. “Ultimately, I think it means more business investment and jobs and attracting more people of talent who want to come to be a part of what we are doing,” Costas said. “People want to live in and raise their kids in a community like that.”

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THE TIMES

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VALPARAISO

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010 | PAGE CC31

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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

THE TIMES

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VALPARAISO

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

THE TIMES

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010 | PAGE CC35

BY THE NUMBERS

Fast facts and data for Porter County Location Porter County is located in Northwest Indiana. The county is bordered on the south by Jasper County. The county is adjacent to LaPorte County on the east, Lake Michigan to the north and Lake County to the west.

Population counts by decade and current estimate POPULATION

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008

40,076 60,279 87,114 119,816 128,932 146,789 162,181

CHANGE % CHANGE

NA 20,203 26,835 32,702 9,116 17,866 15,353

NA 50.4% 44,5% 37.5% 7.6% 13.9% 10.5%

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Population projections 2005

2010

2015

2020

Population projections 157,772 165,427 171,122 175,175 Change since 2005 7,655 13,350 17,403 Percentage change since 2005 4.9% 8.5% 11.0%

2025

177,520 19,748 12.5%

SOURCE: INDIANA BUSINESS RESEARCH CENTER

Population estimates by age in 2008 NUMBER

Preschool School age College age Young adult Older adult Older (65 plus)

JON L. HENDRICKS | THE TIMES

PERCENT

Porter Hospital CEO Jonathan Nalli announces the plans for a new Porter hospital campus located off of U.S. 6 in Liberty Township during a news conference at the Valparaiso campus. Porter Hospital is one of the county’s major employers.

9,882 28,257 16,343 43,020 45,474 19,205

6.1% Population estimates by race 17.4% and Hispanic origin in 2008 10.1% NUMBER % DIST. 26.5% American Indiana or 28.0% Alaskan Native alone 413 0.3% 11.8% Asian alone 1,738 1.1% SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU Black alone 5,064 3.1% Native Hawaiian and Households in 2000 other Pacific Island alone 44 0.0% NUMBER PERCENT White alone 153,134 94.4% Total households 54,649 100% Two or more race groups 1,788 1.1% Family households 39,709 72.7% HISPANIC OR LATINO Married with children 15,098 27.6% Non-Hispanic or Latino 150,952 93.1% Married without children 17,569 32.1% Hispanic or Latino 11,229 6.9% Single parents 4,029 7.4% SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU Other 3,013 5.5% Nonfamily households 14,940 27.3% Educational attainment 1990 2000 Living alone 12,144 22.2% Total Population – Average household size 2.69 25 and older 79,625 94,462 Average family household size Less than ninth grade 4,194 2,664 3.71 SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU Ninth to 12th, no diploma 9,814 8,426 High school graduate Income and wage (or equivalent) 31,451 35,910 Median family income in 2008 $73,236 Some college, no degree 14,693 20,460 Median household income in 2008 $61,512 Associate’s degree 4,713 5,661 Average wage per job in 2008 $39,577 Bachelor’s degree 8,518 12,743 Wage Growth since 1998 28.6% Graduate or professional degree 6,242 8,598 SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU AND BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Commuting data, 2007 Tax filers who live in county and work Tax filers who work in the county Tax filers who live in county and work in county Tax filers who live out of the county and work in county

Bill Masterson Jr., publisher, The Times Media Co. ADVERTISING Chris Loretto

director, product development, niche publications, marketing Pat Colander associate publisher and editor, niche publications Lisa Daugherty advertising director Ami Reese creative services manager Thomas Kacius project manager, creative services Jane Huttle production coordinator April Burford graphic designer Lu Ann Franklin Heather Augustyn Jeremy Gantz Sharon Biggs Waller Andy Mikonis Michelle Krueger contributing Julie Kessler advertorial writers

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

EDITORIAL William Nangle executive editor Paul Mullaney managing editor/news Robert Blaszkiewicz managing editor/online Matt Erickson design director Ben Cunningham Matt Saltanovitz section editors Kerry Erickson Colleen Kujawa Monte Martin copy editors Diane Cunningham Shirley Gioia news designers Ally Davis Ryan Marx graphic editors Matt Mace online producer

NUMBER PERCENTAGE

107,546 Total workers age 16 86,567 and older 72,441 Travel to work 70,611 71,582 Car, truck, or van 67,604 Traveled alone 61,918 14,985 Carpooled 5,686 SOURCE: INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE Used public transportation 931 Motorcycle, bicycle, Commuting Patterns: walked, other 2,076 Top five counties sending Worked at home 1,830 workers into county, 2007 Average travel time COUNTY NUMBER PERCENT (minutes) 25.9 Lake County 6,883 50.2% Average travel time using public LaPorte County 4,201 30.6% transportation (minutes) 86.5 Jasper County Illinois Starke County

1,034 841 751

7.5% 6.1% 5.5%

SOURCE: INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

Commuting Patterns: Top five counties receiving workers from county, 2007 COUNTY

Lake County Illinois LaPorte County Out of state Jasper County

NUMBER

PERCENT

22,315 7,200 3,360 1,283 456

64.5% 20.8% 9.7% 3.7% 1.3%

SOURCE: INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

2010 PRODUCTION STAFF

Travel to work in 2000

100% 97.5% 93.3% 85.5% 7.8% 1.3% 2.9% 2.5%

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Some of the major employers in the county (in alphabetical order) ArcelorMittal, Burns Harbor Bass Pro Shops, Portage Emerson Power Transmission, Valparaiso Levy Co., Chesterton Ivy Tech Community College, Valparaiso Opportunity Enterprises, Valparaiso Portage Community Hospital, Portage Porter Valparaiso Hospital, Valparaiso Walmart Pharmacy, Valparaiso Worthington Steel Co, Valparaiso SOURCE: INFOUSA DATABASE

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THE TIMES

VALPARAISO

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outhpoint began as an idea to set business roots in a convenient family-friendly location over 12 years ago. Beginning with the Harley store, which Forszt also owns and operates, the development soon blossomed, and why not? The wide thoroughfares and easy access to the businesses in the center make it stand out in a world otherwise ďŹ lled with cramped strip malls and inconvenient parking designed to trap you like a bug in a Venus ďŹ&#x201A;y trap. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deďŹ nitely easy to get in and out,â&#x20AC;? Forszt says, adding that convenience is just a small part of the allure of Southpoint as he nods to the tastefully designed and aesthetically warming entryway.

urves for Women is a specially-designed facility made to meet the needs of women. Featuring the most advanced ďŹ tness technology in the world, Curves Smart, Curves offers a complete 30-minute workout and weight management program. Owners Diane and Steve Davis hope youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll stop in and check out the FREE weight management classes!

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