Latest news with #MainLibrary
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Enrollment fair, summer library programs, soil tour
The Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC) will host its Back-to-School Uniform Voucher Enrollment Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Thursday at West Side Leadership Academy, 900 Gerry St., Gary. This fair is designed to ease preparations for the upcoming school year, and to provide families access to essential resources in one convenient location. During the event, families will be able to receive their uniform vouchers from Calumet Township, eliminating the need to stand in long lines. The fair will also feature a broad range of resources to jumpstart school preparations. Highlighting the event, GCSC has partnered with NorthShore Health to provide free physical exams and additional health services to families at no cost. For more information about the fair and enrollment, contact the GCSC Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department at 219-881-5466. The annual Summer Reading Program, 'Color Our World,' for students in pre-school through 12th grade continues until July 26 at all units of the Gary Public Library. Complete rules and sign-up sheets are available at all library branches or on the library's website, The July MakerSpace schedule is now available on the library's website. Call 219-886-2484, Ext. 332 to register. MakerSpace sessions are held at the Main Library, 220 W. Fifth Ave. 'Business Basics' will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. beginning Tuesday at the Woodson Branch, 501 S. Lake St. Presented by Jackie DeRosa, each week will feature a different topic to help participants learn what it takes to build a business from the ground up. Basic lessons in etiquette for grade school and middle school students will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Main Library. Presented by Shakinah S. Bullock, CEO of the Charmed I'm Sure Etiquette Program, lessons will feature table setting, in-school manners, courtesy and much more. Space is limited. For more information, call Children's Services at 219-886-2484, Ext. 104. The monthly Chess Tournament will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at the Main Library. The event is free, and all ages are welcome. Games are 30 minutes. The public is invited to two programs presented by the Save the Dunes organization at the Main Library: in conjunction with the Summer Reading Program, there will be stories, a slide show and activities for children from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. July 17; and Em Racine of Save the Dunes will host a presentation about the Indiana Dunes National Park from 5 to 6:30 p.m. July 24. New Summer Hours at the branches continue through Aug. 9. Summer hours for both Woodson Branch, 501 S. Lake St., and Kennedy Branch, 3953 Broadway, are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday, closed Friday. The hours at the Main Library remain the same, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. More information is at 219-886-2484. Two Hearts Homes for Seniors, Indiana's first family-owned assisted living, invites the community to an open house from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at 1600 Feather Rock Drive, Crown Point. A community resource fair will be featured during the open house. Guests will enjoy refreshments, tour the home, and meet the McCracken family, owners and founders of Two Hearts Homes for Seniors. The event celebrates the company's fifth anniversary of the first Two Hearts Home in Lowell. Experts in senior care, including representatives from hospice, palliative care, and home care companies, will be present to answer questions. The McCracken family and Two Hearts staff will be available to speak about the personalized care model and daily life in the homes. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet residents and their families to hear firsthand what life is like at Two Hearts. In addition to full-time residential care, Two Hearts offers half-day and full-day senior daycare options at both locations. Two Hearts Homes for Seniors has been honored with both the Residential Assisted Living (RAL) Industry Innovator and RAL Home Certification awards. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 219-600-2200. Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction Co. Inc. will close U.S. 12 under Ind. 249 beginning on or after Monday, July 14. U.S. 12 will first be closed in the eastbound direction for approximately three days. Traffic going eastbound on U.S. 12 will be diverted to southbound Ind. 249 and can use the official detour of U.S. 20 and Ind. 149. Traffic will have access to eastbound U.S. 12 from northbound Ind. 249. U.S. 12 will then be closed in the westbound direction for approximately three days on or after Thursday, July 17. The official detour will follow Ind. 149 and U.S. 20. Westbound U.S. 12 will have access to northbound Ind. 249 (Port of Indiana) but not southbound Ind. 249. Work will be confined to the area between the U.S. 12 ramps to and from Ind. 249. These closures are for beam setting for the Ind. 249 bridge replacement project over U.S. 12. The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will host their next Household Hazardous Waste Collection event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19 at Boone Grove High School, 260 S 500 W, Boone Grove. Participants are asked to enter at 500 W. Residents can safely dispose of products containing corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive substances. Common household hazardous waste items include antifreeze, motor oil, batteries (household and automotive), fluorescent bulbs, paints, deck stains, pool chemicals, pesticides and household smoke detectors. Items that are not accepted at this event are electronics, grill propane cylinders and large containers over 55 gallons in size. Visit for a complete list of accepted items. For more information, call 219-465-3694 or email info@ The Gary/Merrillville Soil tour for farmers and gardeners is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. July 29. Bus transportation will be provided to the program locations, which will be disclosed closer to the date of the event. Led by Lake County Soil Health Improvement Program, a partnership between Purdue Extension Lake County, Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District, Urban Soil Health and local farms, participants will see real-life demonstrations about using soil health practices such as cover crops, mulching, native plants and composting from local gardeners working with Gary/Merrillville soils. Light refreshments will be provided. Register by July 15 at For more information, for accommodations to attend, or for special dietary needs, contact Rebecca Koetz by July 15 at 219-755-3240 or email busser@
Axios
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Honoring Juneteenth in Detroit in 2025
Detroit is honoring Juneteenth this year with community events blending history, art, sports and even rodeo. The big picture: Juneteenth commemorates the day when enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free 2 ½ years after the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Celebrations have continued to grow nationwide since it became a federal holiday in 2021, amid a backlash on civil rights and discussions on racism. Zoom in: Detroit Public Library locations are closed Thursday, but the branches have more than 20 events throughout the week, including: Midwest Invitational Rodeo — a Black cowboy and cowgirl organization — will appear Wednesday in a 3:30-7pm event at the Main Library. At the same time, the Main Library will also host a presentation on Detroit's historic jazz clubs and other Black-owned businesses. Alnur African Dance Company workshop at the Elmwood Park Branch, Friday 4-5pm. Plus, crafts at several branches, including Wilder and Redford. The Wright Museum of African American History will host a whole day of Juneteenth programming on Thursday, honoring it as "not only a celebration of freedom but also a day of reflection, learning, and recommitment to justice," per its website. Activities include: An educational treasure hunt. Silent disco yoga. Creative workshops exploring how art promotes healing and freedom. A panel with city historian Jamon Jordan about the last known ship carrying enslaved people, featuring descendants of passengers sharing their inherited stories and significance in contemporary issues. Hart Plaza is busy on Thursday, with a block party 12-5pm featuring the brand Detroit Vs. Everybody, plus music and games. Tickets: $18. The Hart of Detroit Summer Festival concert then starts at 6pm, with Icewear Vezzo, Peezy, Babyface Ray and more. Tickets: $45 — but there's also a two-for-one deal. The fourth annual Hamtramck Stadium celebration features a home run derby and a speech from Dale Hale, grandson of Eulyn "Red" Hale of the Detroit Stars, a baseball team in the Negro Leagues.
Miami Herald
06-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Need help paying rent? Financial assistance waitlist opens up soon in Miami-Dade
Miami-Dade County residents who need help paying their rent have the opportunity to apply for housing assistance in apartments located in buildings participating in the Project-Based Voucher program, which makes certain rental units affordable for low-income tenants. Applications to join the waitlist for the Project-Based Voucher program will be accepted online only starting Monday, June 9 on the county's website. Applications are available in English, Spanish and Creole. Under the program, tenants pay 30% of their adjusted monthly income, plus applicable utilities, during their participation. Although rental prices have adjusted in Miami-Dade County and there is more rental inventory, the average rental cost stands at $2,719 per month, according to the most recent report from the RentCafe website. Differences between the Project-Based Voucher program and Section 8 The Project-Based Voucher program is tied to the apartment, and when the tenant moves out, they don't take it with them, but rather make room for another person in need. Section 8, on the other hand, is granted to the individual, who can transfer it when moving to another project in the private market that accepts that type of subsidized housing plan. The waiting list for the Project-Based Voucher program focuses on buildings or developments with multi-room apartments, many of which serve residents with tenant vouchers (Section 8) and people requiring supportive services, seniors, people with disabilities and formerly homeless residents. Some of those buildings are located in Little Havana, downtown Miami, North Miami, Miami Gardens, Opa-locka and South Miami, to name a few neighborhoods in the county that have apartments dedicated to the housing assistance plan. The need for affordable housing has become a crisis since the rise in rents during COVID-19, leading thousands of Miami-Dade residents to sign up for the Section 8 waitlist. In 2021, more than 90,000 people signed up, and in 2024, when the list reopened, 70,000 people applied on the first day alone to join a waitlist that had space for 5,000. How to apply for the housing voucher program Applications can be completed online from Monday, June 9 at 8 a.m. to Friday, June 20, at 11:59 p.m. Those without computer access can complete their application at the public libraries that offer this service: the Main Library in downtown, 101 W. Flagler St., Miami North Dade Regional Library, 2455 NW 183rd St., Miami GardensWestchester Regional Library, 9445 Coral Way, MiamiMiami Beach Regional Library, 227 22nd Library, 14850 SW 280th St., Homesteadand at various Community Resource Centers throughout the county. One application per household is allowed. Once you have provided all the information on your application, you will receive a confirmation number to acknowledge successful submission. Those selected will receive notification from the Miami-Dade County Housing and Community Development Department by email or to the address provided when completing the application. Priority is given to those on the 2024 waiting list, including homeless individuals, veterans, vulnerable populations, households with special needs, and individuals with mobility, hearing or vision impairments. Income limit for housing assistance Individuals 18 and older are eligible to apply for the Project-Based Voucher program waiting lists. Each year, the income limits that allow applicants to receive assistance change, and for 2025 they are: single person, $43,400 household of two, $49,500household of three, $55,570household of four, $61,950household of five, $66,950household of six, $71,900 More information can be found on the county's website. You can also call the program office at 786-654-8440 Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Community news: Gary library programs and Dining with Diabetes
The City of Valparaiso is extending a warm welcome to newcomers with the introduction of a New Neighbor City Services Guide, encouraging new or relocating residents to enjoy all the city has to offer. The digital guide, available online, introduces Valparaiso's services, provides a map of neighborhoods and shares city highlights. The Guide also includes a handy quick links page connecting residents to city departments, pathways maps, city calendars and educational opportunities. The New Neighbor City Services Guide will be distributed to new residents and those relocating within the city via a postcard with a link to access the digital guide. It also is available online at or on the Community Engagement page at New summer hours are in effect at the Gary Public Library Woodson Branch, 501 S. Lake St., through Aug. 9. The branch will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and closed on Friday. The Kennedy Branch is currently closed until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances. Hours at the Main Library, 220 W. Fifth Ave., remain the same, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The public is invited to attend a special Water Safety Talk from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday at the Main Library. Special guest speaker will be a representative from Blue Flow Great Lakes Organization. The program is free. For more information contact 219-886-2484, Ext. 104. The annual Summer Reading Program 'Color Our World' begins June 14 at all units of the Gary Public Library. The six-week program, for students in pre-school through 12th grade, continues until July 26. Complete rules and sign-up sheets are available at all library units or on the library's website, A special Summer Reading Program Kick-Off will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 14 in the parking lot of the Main Library. The event will feature food, games, face painting, author Ben Clement, The Gary Literacy Coalition, the Gary Police and Fire Departments as well as a variety of local vendors. All units of the Gary Public Library will be closed on Thursday, June 19 for the Juneteenth Holiday. Library service will resume on June 20. Join the Lake County Master Gardeners for a free program on 'Prevention and Diagnosis of Plant Disease' with Nikky Witkowski at 6 p.m. June 12 at Purdue Cooperative Extension – Lake County, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point (building adjacent to Lake County Government Center). The session will explore effective prevention strategies that help reduce the risk of plant disease before it starts. From choosing disease-resistant plant varieties and maintaining proper watering techniques to improving soil health and ensuring adequate air circulation, the program will cover practical, eco-friendly methods that support long-term plant wellness in both indoor and outdoor environments. Contact lakecountymastergardeners@ to reserve a space or register at Children and their families are invited to join in the fun at the free Safe Kids Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 13 at the LaPorte County Family Resource Center, 1232 W. State Road, La Porte. The interactive event will include a variety of activities along with educational booths with information about keeping kids safe, healthy and happy. The event will feature a free meal for the whole family as well as music with a live DJ, games, raffle prizes, giveaways and a few surprises. The event is free, but registration is required. Registration is available at or by calling 219-488-1380. Purdue Extension – Lake County will be offering Dining with Diabetes sessions from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, July 8 through 29 at the Purdue Extension office, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point. Adults with type 2 diabetes and those who are at risk as well as family members, caregivers and support persons are invited to attend. Thanks to a generous grant from Lake County Indiana Health Department there is no cost to Lake County Indiana residents. Participants are encouraged to attend all class sessions. Taught by Health and Human Sciences Educator Linda Curley, the program includes: planning meals and snacks with delicious and healthy recipes; cooking demonstrations and food sampling; motivation and support by connecting with others who are living with diabetes; ideas for staying active; and an understanding of how diabetes affects overall health. Register by calling Purdue Extension at 219-755-3240 or email dmcook@
Chicago Tribune
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Gary library programs and Dining with Diabetes
The City of Valparaiso is extending a warm welcome to newcomers with the introduction of a New Neighbor City Services Guide, encouraging new or relocating residents to enjoy all the city has to offer. The digital guide, available online, introduces Valparaiso's services, provides a map of neighborhoods and shares city highlights. The Guide also includes a handy quick links page connecting residents to city departments, pathways maps, city calendars and educational opportunities. The New Neighbor City Services Guide will be distributed to new residents and those relocating within the city via a postcard with a link to access the digital guide. It also is available online at or on the Community Engagement page at New summer hours are in effect at the Gary Public Library Woodson Branch, 501 S. Lake St., through Aug. 9. The branch will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and closed on Friday. The Kennedy Branch is currently closed until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances. Hours at the Main Library, 220 W. Fifth Ave., remain the same, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The public is invited to attend a special Water Safety Talk from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday at the Main Library. Special guest speaker will be a representative from Blue Flow Great Lakes Organization. The program is free. For more information contact 219-886-2484, Ext. 104. The annual Summer Reading Program 'Color Our World' begins June 14 at all units of the Gary Public Library. The six-week program, for students in pre-school through 12th grade, continues until July 26. Complete rules and sign-up sheets are available at all library units or on the library's website, A special Summer Reading Program Kick-Off will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 14 in the parking lot of the Main Library. The event will feature food, games, face painting, author Ben Clement, The Gary Literacy Coalition, the Gary Police and Fire Departments as well as a variety of local vendors. All units of the Gary Public Library will be closed on Thursday, June 19 for the Juneteenth Holiday. Library service will resume on June 20. Join the Lake County Master Gardeners for a free program on 'Prevention and Diagnosis of Plant Disease' with Nikky Witkowski at 6 p.m. June 12 at Purdue Cooperative Extension – Lake County, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point (building adjacent to Lake County Government Center). The session will explore effective prevention strategies that help reduce the risk of plant disease before it starts. From choosing disease-resistant plant varieties and maintaining proper watering techniques to improving soil health and ensuring adequate air circulation, the program will cover practical, eco-friendly methods that support long-term plant wellness in both indoor and outdoor environments. Contact lakecountymastergardeners@ to reserve a space or register at Children and their families are invited to join in the fun at the free Safe Kids Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 13 at the LaPorte County Family Resource Center, 1232 W. State Road, La Porte. The interactive event will include a variety of activities along with educational booths with information about keeping kids safe, healthy and happy. The event will feature a free meal for the whole family as well as music with a live DJ, games, raffle prizes, giveaways and a few surprises. The event is free, but registration is required. Registration is available at or by calling 219-488-1380. Purdue Extension – Lake County will be offering Dining with Diabetes sessions from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, July 8 through 29 at the Purdue Extension office, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point. Adults with type 2 diabetes and those who are at risk as well as family members, caregivers and support persons are invited to attend. Thanks to a generous grant from Lake County Indiana Health Department there is no cost to Lake County Indiana residents. Participants are encouraged to attend all class sessions. Taught by Health and Human Sciences Educator Linda Curley, the program includes: planning meals and snacks with delicious and healthy recipes; cooking demonstrations and food sampling; motivation and support by connecting with others who are living with diabetes; ideas for staying active; and an understanding of how diabetes affects overall health. Register by calling Purdue Extension at 219-755-3240 or email dmcook@
