Welcome to Portage Press! The Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce hopes you enjoy our new weekly e-communication just for chamber members! Submit your newsworthy entries for FREE every Friday for our Wednesday blast to the entire membership!
Simply fill out the events form on our Contact Us page of our website. www.portageinchamber.com
Gabriel's Horn Fundraiser
Portage Chamber's Partnership
The Portage Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a partnership with Gabriel's Horn for a fundraiser to support the great role this organization has in our community.
A wine tasting event with great food and a silent auction is set for October 24th from 5:30-8:30pm at Woodland Park's Sycamore Room. As chamber members you have the opportunity to make this event a success through your attendance or the donation of an item for auction. No item is too small or too large. Your business can be showcased in the event's program. Click here for details. Our chamber has been a positive partner to many organizations over the last few years and with your help this organization will benefit as so many others have all ready benefited.
Don't forget Gabriel's Horn is also a Portage Chamber of Commerce Member. Tickets are available at the Chamber office for $30 advanced purchase. For more information call Mignon Kennedy 219-242-2799.
Members Reward & Gift Certificate Program
Portage Chamber
The Portage Chamber is updating its Member Reward Program and Gift Certificate Program. Please call Nancy at the Chamber office at 762-3300 if you would like to participate or if you have any questions. Increase your business visibility through these 2 FREE programs.
World COPD Awarness Day
Health Fair
St. Mary Medical Center
Pulmonologist Guarev Kumar, MD, will discuss symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options for COPD in an informational seminar on November 11 from 14 pm at the St. Mary Medical Center Auditorium, West Entrance. Visit the educational health fair and participate in free screenings.
Contact Person Jane Powers
Website www.comhs.org
Phone 1-866-836-3477
Email jcpowers@comhs.org
Grants Awarded
Porter County Community Foundation
The Foundation recently awarded more than $87,000 in Community Fund grants to 12 local nonprofit organizations including Gabriel's Horn, Porter County Parks & Recreation Department, Porter County PACT and Portage Resale Shop. Congratulations!
Vaccines-Not Just for Children
Porter Regional Hospital
What vaccines do adults really need? Geriatrician and Internal Medicine Physician Dr. Tania Ghosh will share the information you need to make informed decisions about vaccines and when you need to receive them. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29 Porter Regional Hospital. Register at 800-541-1861.
Contact Person Karen Keltner
Website porterhealth.com
Phone 219-983-8630
Email karen.keltner@porterhealth.com
Final GED Testing Dates
Neighbor's Educational Opportunities
Final GED Testing Date is Nov. 6, 2013. Beginning in January 2014, Indiana will no longer use the GED test as the official high school equivalency exam; it is switching to the TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion. For more information, contact Neighbors' Educational Opportunities at 850-4448 or visit NEO's website www.neoadulted.org.
Contact Person Rebecca Reiner
Email rreiner@neoadulted.org
Festival of Trees & Choco-O-Lots
American Red Cross and Kiwanis
November 8 the Porter County Chapter of the American Red Cross and Valparaiso Kiwanis Sunrise Club will be hosting "Festival of Trees" and "Choco-O-Lots" again this year at the Old Town Banquet Center, 712 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso, IN. Chocolate tasting will begin at 4pm and the auction of decorated trees and wreaths as well as additional silent auction items, will begin at 5:30pm. Tickets available at 755 W. Lincolnway, Valpo. $10 per person or $20 per family, up to 5 people (2 adults and 3 children). Questions call Angie at 462-8543.
Homeowner's Applications
Rebuilding Together
Homeowner applications for 2014 Portage Rebuilding Together are available now. Homes to be considered are to be owner-occupied and double-wide or mobile homes are considered. Eligibility requirements include applicant lives in Portage Township, have a household income of 80% of the median or less, have no outstanding real estate taxes and are unable to do the work themselves. You may get an application at South Haven and Portage Public libraries, Portage City Hall, Portage Township Trustee's office, Salon 360, and Nativity of Our Savior Church. For more information you may contact, Robin Wilkening at 219-762-1623, X22, Portage Trustee's office.
Annual Fall Dinner and Recognition Ceremony
A Salute to the Veterans and the City of Portage
Portage Chamber of Commerce
Invitations are in the mail for the Chamber's Fall Banquet taking place at Woodland Park on November 9 at 6:00 pm. Please RSVP for a great evening by October 31, 2013. Click here for sponsorship opportunities are available for this exclusive event. If you would like to contribute to the banquet but a sponsorship is not feasible, gift basket donations are also a great way to showcase your business. Donations can be dropped off at the Chamber office.
Vera Bradley Bingo/Holiday Open House
Rittenhouse of Portage
Join Rittenhouse on Saturday November 9 from 1-3pm
20 games of Bingo. Prizes will be Vera Bradley items. Tickets $20/advance;$25/door. If your not intersted in Bingo come browse the vendor booths to do some Holiday shopping. Open to the public. All proceeds are donated to Alzheimer's Associaton. Contact Person Judy Kukelka
Website www.rittenhousesl.com
Phone 219-764-2900
Email jkukelka@rittenhousesl.com
Caregiver Support Group
Millers Senior Living Community
Saturday, November 9 10:00a.m.
The Caregiver Support Group provides information in a supportive environment where caregivers can share problems, ideas and successful solutions. The public is invited to this FREE meeting. Refreshments will be served. This ongoing Caregiver Support Group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10AM at Miller's Senior Living Community at 5911 Lute Rd. Portage. For more information call Gwen Kiser at (219) 764-0628.
NEW! Event Planning and Hospitality Industry Marketing Campaign
Portage Parks Department
Portage Parks Department is looking for local businesses that provide services in the event planning and hospitality industry for a new marketing campaign. Businesses we are targeting include hotels, floral arrangements, DJs, lighting, party decorating, bars and restaurants, live entertainment, photography and printing services. If you would like us to showcase your business in a packet of materials that will be distributed to individuals and organizations renting our halls at Woodland Park give us a call. We will also post your information on our new website. There is no charge at this time for advertising with us. Please contact Lori Wilke at lwilkie@portage-in.com for more information or call 762-1675.
Last 2013 Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Recycling and Wast Reduction District
Porter County residents can dispose of products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26, at the old, closed Pine Elementary School, 1594 N. 500 E.
Contact Person Jeannie McCall
Website www.ItMeansTheWorld.org
Phone 219-465-3694
Email info@ItMeansTheWorld.org
New Location
Stallion Flooring
Stallion Flooring has moved to 5940 Us Highway 6, Portage, IN. We are now located inside the Portage Commons Shopping Mall at the intersection of Willowcreek and US Highway 6.
Starting on October 4 we will be having a pre-grand opening sale throughout the month of October: FREE installation, FREE estimates and Shaw carpet as low as $.99 a square foot. Hours are Monday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday 11 am to 5 pm. 219-762-6482.
GIVE DAY Returns
Porter County Community Foundation
The Porter County Community Foundation, in partnership with The Times Media Company, brings back GIVE Day on November 7. This year GIVE Day will have a different focus - it will benefit kids! Your gift will help improve literacy, healthcare, safety, and quality of life for local youth.
Contact Person Carol Costakis
Website www.portercountygiveday.org
Phone 219.465.0294
Email info@portercountyfoundation.org
Ribbon Cutting/Business After Hours
1st Source Bank
First Source will showcase their newly remodeled facility at an open house on October 30 from 4:30-6:30pm with Ribbon Cutting at 5:00pm. Join us for this open to the public event.
New E-mail Addresses
Portage Chamber of Commerce
Make note of e-mail changes....
Nancy Simpson
nsimpson@portageinchamber.com
Mary Linoski
mlinoski@portageinchamber.com
Terry Hufford
thufford@portageinchamber.com
ALL STAFF HAVE ACCESS TO:
info@portageinchamber.com
Rise and Shine Portage Seminars
1st Wed of the month
Portage Chamber
November 6 at 9 am. A representative from WorkOne will be speaking on the topic of Business Assistance Programs for those in the Portage Community. The event will take place at the Portage University Center on Central Ave. For more info call the Chamber office at 219-762-3300.
Upcoming Chamber Happenings
October 23 4:00 - 6:00 pm MidWeek Mingle 4:00 - 6:00 pm Topperz Restaurant, Rte 6, Portage
October 24th 5:30 - 8:30 pm Gabriel's Horn Wine Tasting Event & Silent Auction-Tickets available at the Chamber
November 6th 9:00am - Rise and Shine, WorkOne presenting Business Assistance Programs at Portage University Center
November 9th 6:00 pm - Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet
November 21 11:30 am - Chamber Luncheon at Texas Roadhouse
Help spread the word about our new email marketing benefit to Portage Chamber members. Go to Contact Us on our website and complete the Event Form to submit your entry. Entries should be in by end of business every Friday to be included on the next Wednesday's newsletter.
Thank you for continued support of the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce.
