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Valpo Chamber hosted Election Forums for the Valparaiso City Council and Mayoral races | |
 | | Mayoral Candidate Election Forum |
 | | City Council Candidate Election Forum |
In October, the Valpo Chamber hosted two Election Forums to give candidates an opportunity to discuss the issues and the importance of the future governmental leadership of Valparaiso.
Independent candidate for Mayor Bob McCasland and
incumbent Mayor Jon Costas appeared at the Mayoral Forum on October 18 held at the Chicago Street Theatre. Tom Carroll, President of Lakeshore Television and Radio moderated the event.
On October 20, City Council candidates Mike Baird, Deb Butterfield, Tim Daly, Jan Dick, Jesse R. Harper, Jeff Lawley, Lily M. Schaefer, and Robert Taylor were featured at a forum held at the Memorial Opera House with Bill Trowbridge, President of Opportunity Enterprises, Inc., serving as moderator. Questions for both Election Forums were posed by the Chamber, the local news media, and the public.
The Election Forums were organized by Valpo Chamber Public Policy Committee volunteers Jon Schmaltz, Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP; Todd Etzler, Family Express Corp.; and Tina Bengs, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak, & Stewart PC.
ELECTION DAY - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 - PLEASE VOTE! |
| Valpo Chamber New Board Members for 2012 | |
 | | Darron Farha |
The Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce its 2012 Board of Directors. New members to the Valpo Chamber Board include Darron Farha, Valparaiso University and John Walsh, Heat Wagon, Inc.
In addition to new members, the 2012 Valpo Chamber Board of Directors also includes Debbie Anselm, The Times Media Company; Bob Ax, 1st Source Bank; Tina Bengs, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash Smoak & Stewart; Mayor Jon Costas, City of Valparaiso (ex-officio); Paul Denesuk, PHH Home Loans; Jon Groth, Porter County Education Services; Cindy Hall, Ivy Tech Community College; Dorcas Hammond, Horizon Bank; Harold Howie, Civic
 | | John Walsh |
Member; Wes Kotys, The Kotys Group; Jeff Lewis, Design Organization; Dr. Andrew Melin, Valparaiso Community Schools; Craig Menne, General Insurance Services, Inc.; Jonathan Nalli, Porter Health System; Desila Rosetti, Organizational Development Solutions, Inc.; Jon Schmaltz, Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP; Brenda Sheetz, Porter County Community Foundation; Martin Sonnenberg, Task Force Tips; Gary Taylor, KENPRO Cleaning Services, Inc.; James Tudor, Tudor Cleaning and Restoration Services; Tim Warner, Centier Bank; April Wolford, Citizens Financial Bank; and Randall Zromkoski, Blachly, Tabor, Bozik & Hartman LLP.
For nearly a century, the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce has been promoting the interests of its members by providing the highest quality information, advocacy, networking opportunities, and member services. The Valpo Chamber is one of the larger chamber organizations in the area with more than 700 members representing entrepreneurial companies, financiers, and professional firms. |
| Nominations now being accepted for 2011 Distinguished Community Leader and Legacy of Service Awards! | |
 The Distinguished Community Leader and Legacy of Service Awards represent the highest recognition of our Chamber towards members of the business community.
Valpo Chamber Members are invited to nominate an individual or individuals for these prestigious acknowledgements.
The Distinguished Community Leader Award is given to an individual within the community who demonstrates a leadership role, is successful in promoting and developing business and industry, is involved and contributes to the community, has a general reputation among the community business leaders, and enhances the quality of life in our community on a sustained basis.
The Legacy of Service Award recognizes an individual in the community who has, over the course of time or in an extraordinary circumstance, given service to the community beyond what is expected in their profession. They have, in fact, created an example to which others might aspire and a legacy from which others might learn the value of community service.
This year's awards will be presented at the Salute to Leadership Dinner on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Strongbow Inn.
To nominate a candidate for either of these awards, please download the Distinguished Community Leader or Legacy of Service nomination forms and return to the Valpo Chamber by November 10, 2011. |
| Chamber Network Night Scares Up Business! | |
 On Thursday, October 27, the Porter County Chamber Coalition hosted its annual "Chamber Network Night" (CNN) at the Porter County Expo Center. CNN is organized by the Chesterton/ Duneland, Hebron, Kouts, Portage, and Valparaiso Chambers of Commerce. The Times Media Company served as Grand Sponsor.
 Close to 1,000 professionals attended this year's premiere business-to-business networking event showcasing the innovative businesses in Porter County. Over 150 exhibitors were under one roof to introduce their newest and greatest products and services.
CNN is dedicated to discovering solutions to business needs, generating high-quality leads, learning from the brightest, and networking with the best.
Following the business-to-business expo, members relaxed and continued their networking at the Business After Hours, sponsored by Porter Health System and The Times Media Company, featuring food vendors from throughout Porter County and live entertainment.
Additional CNN sponsors included:1st Source Bank; Berglund Construction; Blachly, Tabor, Bozik & Hartman LLC; Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP; Centier Bank; Citizens Financial Bank; Coco's Canine Cabana; Comcast Business Services; Express Employment Professionals; Franciscan Alliance; Frontier Communications; Great Lakes Labs LLC; Harris N.A.; Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP; Horizon Bank; Indiana University Health LaPorte Hospital; Laciak Accountancy Group, P.C.; LaPorte Savings Bank; Lake Erie Land Company; Lakeside Wealth Management Group LLC; MacLennan & Bain Insurance; NIPSCO; Peoples Bank; Porter County Business League; Post-Tribune; Purdue University North Central; REGIONAL federal credit union; Rittenhouse Senior Living of Valparaiso; Scannell Wealth Management Group; Shelter Insurance Agency; St. Mary Medical Center; Teachers Credit Union; Uzelac & Associates, Inc.; and Vic Volom CLU, CFP - Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. |
| Melin, Superintendent of Schools, shares "State of the Schools" address at Percolator Luncheon | |
 On October 13, Dr. Andrew Melin, Superintendent of the Valparaiso Community Schools, presented the "State of the Schools" address at the Percolator Club Luncheon.
The Valparaiso Community Schools continues to be one of the state's premiere school systems. Student passage on the spring 2010 ISTEP+ (grades 3-8) and End-of-Course exams (grades 9-12) was 88.3%, which was tied for 10th in the state. Hayes Leonard Elementary was named a national Blue Ribbon School and Central Elementary, Cooks Corners, Memorial Elementary, Northview Elementary, and Ben Franklin Middle School were all named Indiana Four Star schools.
For additional information about the Valparaiso Community Schools visit www.valpo.k12.in.us and to view the full "State of the Schools" report, click here. |
| RIBBON CUTTINGS/GRAND OPENINGS/OPEN HOUSES | |
Stolpe Real Estate - Meridian Woods/Pines Village Communities
Meridian Woods
(219) 464-4991
Real Estate - Commercial & Residential
On September 24, Stolpe Real Estate and Pines Village Communities celebrated their partnership at Meridian Woods with an open house. Meridian Woods is a 39-acre retirement community owned and managed by Pines Village Retirement Communities on the north side of Valparaiso, where residents are free from the burden of home maintenance so they are free to pursue new adventures in retirement living. Stolpe Real Estate will be handleing home sales at Meridian Woods. For information about properties available, contact Judy Rooney-Davis at (219) 628-1657.
Valparaiso International Center - The Welcome Mat
309 E Lincolnway
(219) 464-1122
Organizations
On October 4, Valparaiso International Center celebrated the opening of their retail space, "The Welcome Mat." The Welcome Mat, a fair trade home goods store operated out of the Valparaiso International Center, brings socially and environmentally sustainable products from Peru, Thailand, Kenya, India, Mexico, Vietnam, Indonesia, and many other countries to Northwest Indiana. "Fair trade" prevents abuse or manipulation of the artisan by ensuring he/she has fair and livable wages, and the item(s) are socially and environmentally sustainable, boosting the artisan's local economy and promoting sustainable living. Visit the store at www.thewelcomemat.org.
Dunebrook
502 Wall St, Ste 105
(219) 510-6007
Social Service Agencies
On October 6, Dunebrook celebrated the opening of its Valparaiso office with a ribbon cutting and open house. Dunebrook advocates for children and provides positive family support and education by working collaboratively with many agencies to provide parenting education and support programs. Many programs, offered in a home visitation model, provide family support while others are offered at Dunebrook or at school sites, libraries, churches and other places in the community. Helping families prepare their children for success by age six or by the time they enter school is a hallmark of Dunebrook's services. To learn more, visit www.dunebrook.org.
Bargain Barn
815 Calumet Ave
(219) 707-5636
Retail Stores
Bargain Barn has 21,000 square feet of high-quality home and garden décor, furniture, building materials, clothing, accessories, and much more with prices over 40% lower than big box retail stores. For additional information, visit www.bargainbarninc.com or www.facebook.com/bargainbarninc.
The Silver Spoon
15 Lincolnway
(219) 242-8035
Restaurants
The Silver Spoon offers an intimate, upscale atmosphere where guests can enjoy unique breakfast and lunch selections. From skillets and Silver Spoon Originals for breakfast and soups, salads, and sandwiches for lunch, Silver Spoon brings comfort food with an innovative twist. On Friday nights, the bar is open until midnight. And, if you're looking for the perfect setting for your next special event, the restaurant may also be booked as a venue. Visit www.silverspoonvalpo.com for additional information. |
| THANK YOU...FOR THE CONNECTIONS! | | |
THANKS TO... United Way of Porter County for hosting Session #5 and the Valparaiso Police Department for hosting Session #6 of the 2011 Leadership Academy!
THANKS TO... Dr. Andrew Melin, Valparaiso Community Schools for an informative "State of the Schools" address at our October Percolator Luncheon! Thank you Presenting Sponsors: Centier Bank, Frontier Communications, and Teachers Credit Union. Thank you Program Sponsor: Horizon Bank!
THANKS TO... the Mayoral and City Council candidates that attended our Election Forums in October!
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ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES | | |
Reach your desired market
with Valpo Chamber WEB SITE ADVERTISING!
Premium Ads have high impact position with great visibility. Enjoy the benefits of dominant presence and premium position.
Banner Ads get outstanding visibility as the anchor position of the page and are a powerful way to enjoy the benefits of being online!
Ask about our "Featured" web listings! Go beyond the basics and enhance your business listing in our Member Directory section plus enjoy being linked from our landing (home) page! In addition to business contact information, "Featured" web listings include a description of your business up to 100 words, a map to your business and a space for your logo or desired photo!
For additional information, contact:
Danielle Oeding at oeding@valparaisochamber.org or (219) 462-1105. |
| UPCOMING EVENTS | |
Wednesday, November 9
Ribbon Cutting
4:30 p.m.
Cafe Barista, inside Ivy Tech Community College
3100 Ivy Tech Dr
Thursday, November 10
Percolator Luncheon
12:00 p.m.
Strongbow Inn, 2405 US Hwy 30
"Economic Outlook 2012"
Thursday, November 10
4:30 p.m.
Porter Hospital Cumberland Physician Group
1231 Cumberland Crossing Dr
Thursday, November 17
Business After Hours
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
AC Incorporated, 103 E Indiana Ave Thursday/Friday, November 24/25 Valpo Chamber CLOSED The Chamber will re-open on Monday, November 28 at 8:00 a.m. Thursday, December 1 Valpo Chamber Holiday Open House 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Valpo Chamber, 162 W Lincolnway  Wednesday, December 7AM Valpo 7:00 a.m. Chocolate Cafe, 57 Franklin SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, December 20 Insights: Candid Conversations with Successful Leaders 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Valparaiso Country Club Special Guest: Jonathan Nalli, CEO, Porter Health System Saturday, January 14 Salute to Leadership 6:00 p.m. Cocktails 7:00 p.m. Dinner Strongbow Inn, 2405 US Hwy 30 Tuesday, January 24 Annual Meeting 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Valparaiso University Harre Union, 1509 Chapel Dr |
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