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Hey Porter County, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Time-traveling steampunk burger haven, a 1940s mystery dinner, and the 3 Dune Hiking Challenge + lots of fun things to do for free.

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

Time-traveling steampunk burger haven: Valpo’s Industrial Revolution Eatery & Grille serves over-the-top burgers, including the Pot Roast Burger, Stuffed Samurai, and a Black Bean burger with pepper jack, caramelized onions, bacon, and chipotle mayo — read the full story.

An evening of suspense: Ivy Tech’s 22nd fundraiser will feature a 1940s mystery dinner at Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso on March 13, doors open 5:30 p.m., with Northwest Indiana Mystery Players and local celebrities — get all the details.

Leadership and service in action: Valpo’s new VUE courses are turning class time into community work, from a beach cleanup to oral histories with staff and story sharing with TJ Elementary second graders in Valparaiso — see what students did.

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.

Highlights this week:

• Join HealthLinc’s baby shower and resource fair
• Set intentions at new moon sound bath
• Learn infant massage for calmer babies

🫶 We got your back

Sandwich fix, found. When midday hunger hits, Red Cup Cafe & Deli answers with stacked sandwiches, cozy coffee vibes, warming soups, crisp salads, and fresh-baked treats if dessert’s calling. Ideal for your weekly rotation, the inviting menu delivers comfort and variety that keeps you coming back.

Sand + trail reset: When you need a no-fuss nature escape, Indiana Dunes State Park serves up sandy climbs, shady trails, and big-lake views… plus the leg-torching 3 Dune Hiking Challenge if you’re feeling bold. Breathe, touch the sand, and remember this gem sits right in your backyard.

Rainy-day rescue plan: When screens need a timeout, Chesterton Toys is stacked with kid-powered fun: puzzles, crafts, fidgets, plush, plus quirky throwbacks parents quietly love. Spark some imagination and leave with something that actually gets played with, rain or shine.

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 →

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 →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

🧠 Stroke Smart: Taking Control of Your Brain Health @ Northwest Health – Porter (Valparaiso) | Tuesday (3/10) at 12:00 PM – Think you know the warning signs, or are you waiting for WebMD to freak you out? This straightforward talk covers stroke risks, prevention, and what to do when seconds count, so you can take charge of your brain health, and skip the late-night doom scroll.

☕ 1 Million Cups Northwest Indiana @ Lower Lincoln (Valparaiso) | Wednesday (3/11) at 8:30 AM – 1 Million Cups is brewing up another morning at Lower Lincoln, where Valpo’s doers trade ideas, not buzzwords. Expect free Fluid coffee, sharp presenters, and real feedback, the good kind. It is networking for grownups, with caffeine that outpaces the humblebrags.

🚢 Royal Caribbean Information Night @ Valparaiso Creative Council | Wednesday (3/11) at 5:30 PM – Plotting your next escape without leaving Valpo? Cruise Planners is hosting a Royal Caribbean info night at the Valparaiso Creative Council, with insider tips from the source, exclusive sailings and pricing, prizes, and light snacks. It’s free, vacation planning with answers, you need to register.

🏛 Guided Museum Tour @ Porter County Museum (Valparaiso) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Because the best part of any exhibit is what you can’t print, let Quinn Albert guide you through “From a Bailly Point of View” on this free tour. No two tours are alike, you’ll hear off-label gems, no RSVP needed, and arrive a smidge early.

❄ Winter Walk Series @ Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest (Valparaiso) | Saturday (3/14) at 2:00 PM – Winter Walk Series gets us outside to learn how plants and critters tough it out, and to spot signs of life along the trails. It’s crisp, quiet, and satisfying, because the treadmill lacks pine needles. Come for the fresh air, stay for the cocoa.

✝ Road to Resurrection @ Immanuel Lutheran Church & School (Valparaiso) | Saturday (3/28) at 9:30 AM – Skip the plastic bunny chaos and do Easter the thoughtful way. This family adventure walks you through five interactive stations retelling Jesus’s story, with live characters, shared moments, and, yes, an egg hunt and snacks at the end. Free, but pre-registration required.

🐾 Lakeshore Paws Adoption Event @ PetSmart Valparaiso #3235 | Saturday (3/28) at 10:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign, National Adoption Week at Valpo PetSmart is it. Meet Lakeshore PAWS pups, do a 3-day foster-to-adopt with supplies provided, or schedule a supervised meet-and-greet if you have dogs. Apply ahead at lakeshorepaws.org/adopt, then enjoy real love, fewer swipes.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Porter County report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 62°F – Low: 42°F – Precip: 30%

Patchy fog before 11am, then a chance of drizzle between 2pm and 4pm, then a chance of drizzle and a slight chance of thunderstorms between 4pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 42, with temperatures rising to around 55 overnight. South southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 48°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 100%

Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 48. West northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northwest wind 5 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Indiana but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This newly built ranch in Easton Park offers 1,892 square feet of refined single-level living, anchored by a gourmet eat-in kitchen with an oversized island. Vaulted ceilings boost the airy vibe across the main spaces. Three bedrooms and two baths include a private primary suite with a spa-like ensuite. Contemporary finishes and modern systems shine.

Take a peek inside →