OFFBEAT: May wine luncheon as fine as Jane Wyman's 'Falcon Crest'

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Full course fundraiser: NWI Meals on Wheels hosts 12th annual Dine with Chefs gala

HOBART | James Donovan, president of Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, still finds the numbers associated with his nonprofit organization staggering.

American CueSports Indiana State 8-Ball Championships coming to Star Plaza

MERRILLVILLE | The 16th annual American CueSports Indiana State Championships will be kicking off on Feb. 27 at Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza. The five-day tournament is expected to bring in more than 250 billiards players from across the state to compete.

South Shore visitors agency to offer partnership summit

MERRILLVILLE | The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority has scheduled its 2013 partnership summit for 8 a.m. Thursday at the Radisson Hotel, 800 E. 81st Ave.

South Shore CVA to host partnership summit

Merrillville | The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority will be hosting their 2013 Partnership Summit at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza on Jan. 10. The summit is open to current partners as well as businesses interested in learning more about the services offered by the South Shor…

Chicago comic going ‘Loco’ in Merrillville

To call up-and-coming Chicago-based comic Almando Blaxicano a go-getter might be putting it mildly.

Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra prepares for hot new season

Audiences should expect an eclectic mix of music during the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra's 2012-2013 season.

Family Christian Center threatened with foreclosure

Pastor Steve Munsey speaks at the One Region, One Vision luncheon Sept. 10, 2010, at the Radisson Hotel.

PURDUE ALUMNI CLUB

Grant Harris of Crown Point watches Purdue football Coach Danny Hope autograph a poster during Monday's Purdue Alumni Club Coaches Caravan at the Radisson Hotel.

PURDUE ALUMNI CLUB

Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke, left, football coach Danny Hope, center, and men's basketball coach Matt Painter sign autographs during Monday's Purdue Alumni Club Coaches Caravan at the Radisson Hotel

PURDUE ALUMNI CLUB

Purdue alum Shad Whisler, of Lowell, watches Purdue men's basketball coach Matt Painter autograph a photo during Monday's Purdue Alumni Club Coaches Caravan at the Radisson Hotel.

GOP rising star visits to stump for Mourdock campaign

MERRILLVILLE | State Treasurer Richard Mourdock brought one of the GOP's rising stars — U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, of Florida — to speak Monday to Northwest Indiana Republicans.

OFFBEAT: Actor Caesar Romero would love Saturday's Radisson Super Hero Brunch

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

WANISS May Wine Brunch celebrates 40th year raising money for a musical cause

Erma Bombeck, housewife-turned-humorist and syndicated newspaper columnist, is famous for a quote to describe the fashion romance women have with hats.

Hobart chamber to hold St. Patrick's Day bash on March 16

HOBART | The Chamber of Commerce will hold a St. Patrick's Day bash from 6 to 11 p.m. March 16 at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.

Region hotel seeking Super Bowl bookings

Merrillville is only about 140 miles from the epicenter of Super Bowl XLVI festivities. And a hotel in the town, the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, wants people interested in heading to Indianapolis to stay in Northwest Indiana.

Actress Patty Duke raises awareness about mental health

Academy Award winning actress Patty Duke greets guests before her keynote speaker presentation Friday for the 10th annual Ambassadors' Ball at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville. The ball benefits Edgewater Systems.

OFFBEAT: Symphony May Wine luncheon adds fashion splash to fundraiser

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Investment banker calls for structural changes to U.S. education

MERRILLVILLE | If the U.S. public education system were a business, it wouldn't be providing enough quality service to its customers, a Chicago-based investment banker and Indiana University trustee said.