Don't forget to stop in at the Best of the Northwest Regional Expo from 2 to 6:30 p.m. today at The Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, Interstate 65 and U.S. 30. Ninety vendors will offer information, giveaways and prizes. Network with businesses from all over Northwest Indiana.

There is no admission charge The expo is sponsored by the Northwest Indiana Chamber Executives Association representing businesses from East Chicago to Michigan City.

Cemetery services mark holiday

Calumet Park Cemetery and Funeral Chapel will host a series of Memorial Day services at the cemetery, 73rd and Taft Street.

Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox will have a Parastas Service at 10 a.m. Saturday, with a blessing of graves to follow.

There will be a Veteran's Service at 1:45 p.m. Sunday.

On Monday, there will be separate services at 10 a.m. for Catholics, Protestants, and St. Sava Orthodox Church, and SS. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral will have a service at noon Monday. A ceremony at the Battle of the Bulge Memorial will be held at 12:30.

Also, short tours of the nearby Calumet Park Funeral Chapel will be conducted by funeral directors Jeffery N. Sachs and Sherry L. Williams throughout the weekend. Those who take the tour will be entered in a drawing for a HDTV.

Call the cemetery at (219) 769-8803 and chapel at (219) 736-5840.

Party in space

There's a new way to celebrate a birthday in Northwest Indiana.

Challenger Learning Center on the campus of Purdue University Calumet in Hammond is now offering unique birthday packages designed for children 3 to 12. Guests will experience "out of the world" activities that just might inspire a future astronaut. There are several option packages for the children, including a craft activity.

The center offers a very authentic mock-up of a real space station designed with the help of NASA.

Look for the Challenger Learning Center at the Best of the Northwest Regional Expo today, call (219) 989-3250 or visit www.clcnwi.com

Weight loss surgery

Attend a free seminar on weight loss surgical options at 1 p.m. June 6 at 99 E. 86th Ave., Suite D, Merrillville. Dr. Jeffrey Rosen, a surgeon with Pinnacle Hospital who has more than 10 years experience in weight loss surgical procedures and is a Board Certified surgeon, will speak on the Lap-BAND and gastric bypass procedures. Open and laparoscopic methods will be discussed, as well as long-term aftercare.

For reservations, call (866) 922-4592. Visit www.LifeWeigh.com for details.

Edward C. Dernulc is controller/interim director of the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce. Reach him at (219) 769-8180 or geninq@merrillville.coc.org. Opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.