Portage Press: November 20, 2013

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Welcome to Portage Press! The Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce hopes you enjoy these weekly e-communication just for chamber members! Submit your newsworthy entries for FREE every Friday for our Wednesday blast to the entire membership!

Simply go to www.portagechamber.com and fill out the events form on our Contact Us page.

New Twist to November Luncheon
Greater Portage Chamber
Please take note that the November Chamber Luncheon will have a little twist this month. The luncheon will be held at Texas Roadhouse in Portage at 11:30 am on November 21. Roberta Tuft, Portage Chamber's outgoing president and Mike Sarver, Portage Chamber's treasurer will present the 2013 "State of the Chamber". Please RSVP to the Chamber office at 219-762-3300 or e-mail nsimpson@portageinchamber.com.

Porter Receives Advanced Certification in Heart Failure from Joint Commission
The Joint Commission, in conjunction with The American Heart Association, recently recognized Porter Regional Hospital with Advanced Certification in Heart Failure. Porter Regional Hospital is the first hospital in northern Indiana and second in the state to be awarded this prestigious certification

Slashing Design Prices
Creative Graphic Solutions, Inc.
For the month of December, we are slashing our design prices in half. If you need brochures, direct mailers or magazine ads created for a great price please call to schedule an appointment, space is limited.
Contact Person Fernando Lopez
Website www.Creativity4Hire.com
Phone 219-764-1717
Email info@cgsart.com

Christmas Choraliers
Miller's Senior Living Community
December 12 3:30pm
Enjoy the music and dance of Portage High School Choraliers in a special Christmas performance at Miller's Senior Living Community. Dazzling costumes, entertaining dancers, and joyous songs of the season are feature in this festive performance. This show is FREE and open to the public, so bring your friends for this entertaining event. Miller's Senior Living Community is located at 5911 Lute Rd. Portage, IN Contact: Gwen Kiser (219) 764-0628

Compost Sites Closing for the Season
Valparaiso and Boone Grove
The Valparaiso compost site, 2150 W. Lincolnway, and the Boone Grove compost site, 546 S. 400 W., will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Dec. 1, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Both sites will reopen Monday, Dec. 2, and hold regular season hours for the rest of the week through Saturday, Dec. 7, after which both sites will close for the season. Regular season hours for the Valpo site are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

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.

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.

Reading Buddies Drive
United Way
The United Way's literacy program places new stuffed animals in the laps of 1st and 2nd graders in local elementary schools as Reading Buddies. The children read aloud everyday to their buddy to increase reading scores and motivation to read. In September over 3,000 buddies were delivered to schools throughout NWI but some of the Portage schools are on a waiting list until we can collect more stuffed animals.

We invite your company to host a drive so we can begin to fill the Portage school's orders. Please complete the attached form and we will deliver posters and "I Gave a Hug" stickers to you prior to your drive. When your drive is finished we will pick up the buddies, take a photo and post on the United Way website. Click here for an application.
Any questions can be directed to mackenna@unitedwaypc.org or call 219-464-3583.

Under the Tree
City Point Church
Do you need help this Christmas purchasing presents for your children or know someone who does? City Point Church has created the "Under The Tree" project. For more information or to apply contact www.citypoint.tv or leave a voicemail for Pastor DJ Capron at 649-1148.

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.