|
Subscribe | Get featured
Hello Porter County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Indiana’s bid for the Bears, Tales and Trails for kids, and Kiwanis Pancake Day + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Porter County protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
|
📰 In the news
Legal trailblazer, lasting legacy: From classroom to courtroom, PNW alumna Diane Kavadias Schneider is spotlighted for shaping Northwest Indiana justice, following her 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame induction and scholarship aiding criminal justice students — learn about her impact.
Where books inspire adventure: Shirley Heinze Land Trust has launched Tales and Trails in Valparaiso, an ongoing series for ages three to five that pairs storytime with hands-on nature activities at local conservation sites — get all the details.
Cross state NFL tug of war: Gov. Mike Braun signed legislation creating a framework for a Hammond stadium as Indiana vies for the Bears, letting Lake and Porter counties consider a 1% food and beverage tax — see what’s in the bill.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
|
💎 Local business spotlight
Sweet slice alert: Blackbird Cafe keeps a rotating pie lineup: apple, coconut cream, peanut butter, pecan, plus seasonal surprises, all baked from scratch in Valpo. It’s a midweek morale boost with coffee and a fork… technically, it counts as fruit.
Fresh stems, zero stress: Whether it’s a just-because bouquet or a table-brightener, Schultz Floral delivers that pulled-together-without-trying look with in-house designs refreshed each season. Thoughtfully arranged stems keep things effortless, look polished, and bring a little joy to the everyday, so your future self simply smiles.
Find your inner ninja: Whether you’re chasing forearm pump or a midweek reset, The Training Lab turns ninja-style obstacles into an addictive workout. Small classes, sharp coaching, and open gym keep it fun and focused. Play with balance, swing, and grip… and skip the endless treadmill stare.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
|
🫶 We got your back
Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →
Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →
What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →
Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →
|
📆 Fun for the whole fam
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🧱 LEGO Club @ Kouts Public Library | Wednesday (3/11) at 3:30 PM – Nothing beats watching creativity click into place with a one color LEGO challenge. Build anything you like using a single hue, with all the bricks provided, and yes, you need to register. Great for kids, patient adults, and hilariously competitive grandparents.
🐟 FCC Friday Fish Frys! @ First Christian Church (Valparaiso) | Friday (3/13) at 4:00 PM – Nothing beats a proper Friday fish fry, especially when FCC is doubling the fun with two this year. Crispy fillets, coleslaw, and that mysteriously perfect tartar sauce, dine in or snag a carryout and be the hero of your living room.
🎭 VCA Variety Show @ Victory Christian Academy (Valparaiso) | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – This hometown variety night corrals VCA students and staff for skits, singing, dancing, and yes, bird calling. Come for the wholesome talent, stay for the surprisingly accurate warbler impressions, and clap like you mean it. Hosted by the VCA Music Boosters, bragging rights included.
🥞 Valparaiso Kiwanis Pancake Day 2026 @ Porter County Expo Center | Saturday (3/14) at 6:30 AM – Valpo Pancake Day is firing up the griddles with all-you-can-eat flapjacks, sausage, coffee, and the usual kid-friendly chaos. It’s carbs for a cause, with proceeds to local nonprofits and Riley Children’s Hospital. Snag $8 advance tickets, or pay $10 at the door; preschoolers eat free.
🐾 Bingo with Big Hearts for Little Paws @ Valparaiso Moose Lodge 1357 | Sunday (3/15) at 12:00 PM – Think your dauber still has some magic left? BARC is hosting a Sunday bingo bash with raffles, a 50/50, and concessions, all to help dogs. It’s first come, first served, so grab a seat early and snag your cards, raffles, and 50/50 at the door.
🎨 Acrylic Painting @ Sunset Hill Farm County Park (Valparaiso) | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – Susan leads a two-hour acrylic class on Sunset Hill, and you take canvas home same day. A new technique gets the spotlight each month. Kid friendly at 10 and up, so bring a budding Picasso, take a breath, and let the view do the rest.
🐾 Paws to Read @ Hebron Public Library | Wednesday (3/18) at 4:00 PM – Library afternoons are better with Caleb the Comfort Dog, a very good boy who listens more patiently than your book club. Swing by for the monthly Paws to Read visit, pet away the stress, and skip the signup, because spontaneity counts as self care.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
📻 Porter County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 48°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 88%
Showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then patchy fog and showers and thunderstorms between 7am and 4pm. Cloudy. High near 48, with temperatures falling to around 37 in the afternoon. West northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
—
Tomorrow – High: 47°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 3%
Sunny, with a high near 47. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. South southwest wind 10 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
This house is wild
This under construction 3-bed ranch sits in the heart of the Dunes near the National Park, minutes to beach days, shopping, recreation, and transit. The kitchen shines with crown molding, quartz countertops, and a stainless steel appliance package. A ready-to-finish basement adds flexible space for a future media lounge, gym, or additional bedroom.
Take a peek inside →
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
