PUC success story encourages grads to impress early in workplace

Jeff Gardner, president and CEO of Windstream Corp., who graduated from Purdue University in 1983, speaks Sunday afternoon at the Purdue University Calumet commencement ceremony at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville.

OFFBEAT: PBS Lakeshore TV celebrating 25, 'Streetlamp' ready for new special

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

IN TUNE: Put away these dates for our summer concerts

This year we got lucky and with Easter still in our hearts and minds, we will have the opportunity to share this spiritual and uplifting piece of music with you.

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

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Star Plaza's 'Streetlamp' singer Shonn Wiley ready for Broadway

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

IN TUNE: Like the music in heaven

This year we got lucky and with Easter still in our hearts and minds, we will have the opportunity to share this spiritual and uplifting piece of music with you.

Names of Fame

Four company leaders received the region's most prestigious business honor March 22 with induction into the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame. The honorees at the sixth annual ceremony at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza were Tom Collins Sr., of Valparaiso, CEO of Hobart's…

IN TUNE: Just plumb crazy, or the most romantic man who ever lived?

Yep. Hector Louis Berlioz was either plumb crazy or they just do not make men like that anymore — regarding romancing a woman, that is.

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.

IN TUNE: My (and now your) favorite violin concerto

This Friday evening at the Auditorium at Bethel Church in Crown Point the Symphony will be performing my favorite violin concerto - the Korngold Violin Concerto. I am convinced that, after the concert, it will also be YOUR favorite violin concerto!

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…

Williams keeps the laughs rolling with annual ‘Bash’

Damon Williams, comedian and longtime host of his namesake “New Year’s Eve Comedy Bash” at Merrillville’s Star Plaza Theatre, is proud of the tradition he has created for many area showgoers.

Joyous Noel service

Bethel Church conducts a Christmas Eve Service at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville. The church choir performed several traditional Christmas songs and there were contemporary musical selections as well. The church has campuses in Crown Point and Cedar Lake.

Joyous Noel service

Bethel Church conducts a Christmas Eve Service on Monday at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville. Pastor Steve DeWitt addresses the congregation.

Joyous Noel service

The Harvey family from Crown Point lights the Angel's Candle during one of Bethel Church's two Christmas Eve services at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville. In addition to Crown Point, the church has a campus in Cedar Lake.

Joyous Noel service

Bethel Church's Christmas Eve Service featured contemporary and traditional Christmas musc at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville. The church invited all Northwest Indiana residents to attend.

Joyous Noel service

Bethel Church's performed several Christmas songs during a service Monday, one of two marking Christmas Eve, at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville.

McDermott tips hat to Purdue Calumet grads

MERRILLVILLE | Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. told Purdue Calumet graduates Tuesday that his time at the university must be close to what they experienced.

The 'Colors of Christmas' shine brightly at Star Plaza

Christmastime is chock full of traditions and one of those is “The Colors of Christmas” concert at the Star Plaza Theatre, which brings together some of the world’s greatest R&B vocalists for unique and ear-pleasing deliveries of their respective hits coupled with plenty of seasonal song…