Portage Press: March 6, 2014

 portage-chamber-portage-press

The Chamber Welcomes New CEO
Porter Health Care System
Porter Health Care System announced that Stephen Lunn will serve as its new CEO. Lunn has more than 10 years of hospital leadership experience. Since 2011, Lunn has served as CEO of Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion, IL and in 2012,he earned the CEO Excellence in Leadership Award from CHS.

Veterans "Business over Breakfast"
1st Source Bank
1st Source Bank has teamed up with local business development organizations to present "Business Over Breakfast," a free workshop to help veterans who either own or want to start their own business. The event will take place from 8:30 to 10: 30 a.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Portage University Center located at 6260 Central Avenue.

Foundation Presents Grant
Portage Resale Shop
The Porter County Community Foundation recently presented Portage Resale Shop with a Community Fund grant check to support the organization's current renovations to its Evergreen Ave. facility. The updates will allow the nonprofit to expand its community initiatives.
Contact Person Carol Costakis
Website www.portercountyfoundation.org
Phone 219-465-0294
Email info@portercountyfoundation.org

Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
NorthShore and Boys and Girls Club
As part of an effort to encourage young people to make choices promoting healthy lifestyles, North Shore Health Center recently donated $900 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County's South Haven and Portage Units.
Staff from North Shore Health Center recently toured the Club facilities and learned about programs offered to Club members who focus on developing healthy lifestyles, such as Triple Play, SPARK and cooking classes.

Home Buying Seminar
Chase Bank
Chase is having a Home buying Seminar on Saturday March 8th at 2:30 pm. at there 3275 Willowcreek location in Portage.
We will have experts on hand to guide home buyers through the process and answer any questions they may have. Questions can be directed to Ivan Garcia at 762-2157.

Corn Beef and Cabbage Fundraiser
Rittenhouse Senior Living
Monday, March 17 - $8/person. Dine in, carry out or delivery available for orders of 5+ in Portage/Hobart. All proceeds will be donated to Bonner Senior Center and Maria Reiner Senior Center. Call today to make your reservation 764-2900.
Contact Person Judy Kukelka
Phone 219-764-2900
Email jkukelka@rittenhousesl.com

Wild West Wednesday's
Texas Roadhouse
Starting Wednesday March 5th and every Wednesday we will be offering our 8oz Sirloin for $9.99. We also have 1/2 Price Margarita's on Wednesdays. In addition..... we are raising money for local kids with MDA until the middle of March. Donate $5 and we will give you a coupon for a free blossom valued at $4.99.
Contact Person Douglas Giltrap
Website texasroadhouse.com
Phone 219-762-5900
Email store_portagein@texasroadhouse.com

Cancer Research Event
St. Baldrick's Foundation
Emma Bailey, age 9, is hosting her 2nd St. Baldrick's Foundation event, a volunteer-driven charity that funds childhood cancer research. She is hoping to raise at least $5000 this year for the charity. The event will be at Clancy's Public House, 2542 Portage Mall, Sunday, March 9th from 3 to 7pm and is family-friendly!
This is a "head-shaving" event so there will be qualified stylists from Cesar's Chop Shop to shave heads, so if you or someone you know needs a haircut, for a $20 donation or more you can have your head shaved for a great cause! T-shirts will be awarded to "Shavees" with $50 or more in donations and you can register the day of the event.
If you don't want to shave your head, no problem, you can enjoy the dance party with a great DJ for a $2 cover charge. There will also be a silent auction, T-shirts, baked goods and other items there for sale. Go to Emma's page www.stbaldricks.org/events/emmabailey for more details. Donations can be made in advance at Clancy's Public House in Portage or Cesar's Chop Shop in Hobart.

Art on the Lake
Porter County Art Students
Art on the Lake show will highlight and showcase the fabulous creative students of Porter County at the Portage University Center from March 3-14. The group is looking for donations for these talented artists.

Smiles for Life
Dr. Laura Hannon
Whiten your Smile and Help Hannah's Hope-Dr. Laura Hannon will be participating in Smiles for Life, Hannah's Hope will be receiving 50% of all proceeds. The other 50% will be distributed to children's charities around the world helping impoverished, terminally ill, and disabled children. Help to reach the goal by having your teeth whitened or making a donation. Please post a flyer in your business to help the cause.

Financial Seminars
Visiting Nurse Association
Part of a continuing series of educational workshops sponsored by the VNA Forever Society of the Visiting Nurse Association of Porter County. You are invited to attend a free workshop hosted by Thrivent Financial and local representatives on Thursday, March 13, 2014 1:00pm Visiting Nurse Association building, 2401 Valley Drive, Valparaiso

Reality Store
Purdue North Central
It's that time of year again! Purdue North Central is hosting their annual Reality Store at the Portage Middle Schools. If you have volunteered in the past you will be contacted soon. This program can only survive with the help of volunteers. The Reality Store will be held at Fegely Middle School May 22 from 7:30-12:30 and at Willowcreek Middle School on May 29 from 7:30-2:30. If you have not volunteered for this wonderful program in the past, and are interested in doing so, please contact the Chamber office at 219-762-3300.

Suffering from Sinus Pain and Pressure?
St. Mary Medical Center
Dennis Han, M.D., Ear, Nose and Throat specialist will discuss the latest technologies in sinus surgery that provide patients with less invasive options and minimal discomfor. Wed March 19 6-8 at St. Mary Medical Center. Register at 219-836-3477

Big Bass Bash
Bass Pro Shops, The Post-Tribune and the City
Hello, The second annual "Big Bass Bash" is coming to the PortageMarina, June 28th, 2014...bigger and better than ever! Sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, the City of Portage, The Post-Tribune and several other organizations, the "Big Bass Bash" has become one of Indiana's premier fundraising fishing tournaments, with proceeds benefiting the Warriors First Foundation, an organization serving soldiers in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties. Click Here to read more.

Spring Gala "Brewfest"
Portage Township Education Foundation

Hors d'oeuvres will be served
Entertainment by Dan Reisen
$30 in advance
$35 at the door
Attendees must be 21 & over
Payment for auction items will be Taken at the event
On March 13, 2014 from 5:30-8:30 at Woodland Park, the PTEF Spring Gala will feature a large variety of excellent wines, from sweet to dry, from Republic National Distributing Company, Southern Wine and Spirits and Butler Winery. Attendees will be able to taste a wide range of local, national and international brand beers provided by Indiana Beverage, Cavalier Distributing, Calumet Breweries, Figure 8 Brewing and Three Floyds Brewing Company. Portage Township Education Foundation is extremely grateful to Butler Winery, Figure 8, Three Floyds, South Shore Liquors and their distributors for their considerable efforts and generosity in helping to make this event successful."

500 Club Raffle
Portage Township Education Foundation
Over the past six years, the foundation has awarded grants to Portage Township School teachers for their innovative learning projects resulting in student achievement. The 500 Club is a monthly raffle with a limited number of 500 tickets sold. The 500 Club offers three drawings on the second Wednesday of every month. Prizes include $1,000 for the first drawing; $150 for the second and $100 for the third beginning Feb. 12, 2014.
Tickets are $60 each and are valid for 12 drawings. Each ticket remains eligible to win each month regardless if it was drawn in a prior month. Tickets will continue to be available after the initial drawing.
Tickets are available from any foundation board member or at the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce office, 2642 Eleanor St., Portage.
Help spread the word about our e-mail marketing benefit to Portage Chamber members. Go to the Portage Press Event Form on our website. Complete and hit submit and your entry will be e-mailed to the Portage Chamber office. Entries should be in by end of business every Friday to be included on the next Wednesday's newsletter.

Thank you for your continued support of the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce.