Plant a Community Garden and there "grows" the neighborhood

A recent article in The Times dealt with the high number of old, abandoned homes that exist in Lake County, and the efforts of local mayors to eliminate these structures.

Hire-a-Vet today and secure a dependable, hardworking employee

I was reminded recently that May is Military Appreciation Month, and therefore an opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation for the sacrifices and successes of our men and women in the U.S. armed forces.

Chambers collaborate to highlight rail investments in NWI

The Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, together with Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce, will host the Northern Indiana Rail Conference – Junction 2013 on April 19 at Dynasty Banquet Center, 4125 Calumet Ave., Hammond.

Community philanthropy - giving back in hard times

The severe recession of 2007-08 did not bring charitable giving to a screeching halt, but it did play havoc with the endowments of community foundations everywhere.

Lakeshore and Crossroads chambers collaborate on economic development

The two largest Chambers of Commerce in Lake County, Lakeshore and Crossroads Regional - representing more than 1,200 businesses - announced a new economic development alliance Jan. 24 designed to assist the communities of East Chicago, Hammond, Crown Point, and Merrillville in business rete…

Adios to the historic Nine-Span Bridge

What is 75 years old, more than 2,000 feet in length, comprised of nine spans (and thousands of tons) of high grade steel, and connects two major cities in Lake County?

Remember to give thanks to our military

Recent scenes of military Moms and Dads returning home and surprising their children with a visit to their schools during the holidays, or of soldiers totally surprised to see and hear the hundreds of people along a parade route cheering their return, remind us of the daily sacrifice our U.S…

How many Hoosiers does it take to get to Mars?

Having graduated from Indiana University's School of Business a couple of decades ago, give or take one or two, one might find this title to be a little perplexing, given my business background.

Chambers come together to support Buy Local campaign

Inspired by Times Publisher Bill Masterson and his One Region initiative, 17 local chambers of commerce have collaborated on a campaign to encourage shoppers in Northwest Indiana to think, and Buy Local instead of hitting the internet to do their shopping.

Federal Reserve Bank chair to address Lakesore Business Expo

The eighth annual Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Business Expo will be held Sept. 26 with Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Chair Charles L. Evans delivering the keynote address to the Lakeshore business community.

Habitat for Humanity is alive and well in East Chicago

As East Chicago continues its recent surge in building new, affordable town homes in the Harbor District, Mayor Anthony Copeland seeks ways of increasing the city’s inventory of new, single family homes through a variety of incentives for new home owners in his city.

"Cooperation" and "collaboration" are welcome buzz words in 'da region

Mayor Tom McDermott Jr., of Hammond, stood side by side with his counterpart, Mayor Joe Stahura, of Whiting, May 30 to dedicate not only the latest grand Regional Development Authority project — a beautiful walk-bridge that connects both communities — but to also show how regionalism has cre…

Celebrate Small Business Week and save a neighbor

At one time or another, we have all seen a sign at a local diner that read “ Eat at Joe’s,” but it really had an impact the time we came across a sign in a local diner that read “Eat at Joe’s ... PLEASE!”

Marquette Greenway Plan alive and well, thanks to Pete & the RDA

"Make no little plans, for they fail to stir the hearts of men — Make big plans, aim high in hope and work," said Daniel Burnham, famous architect and urban planner responsible for creating master plans for Chicago and Washington, D.C.

A funny thing happened on the way to the library...

What started out as a story on our wonderful Hammond native, Jean Shepherd, turned out to be a discovery (at least for me) of how connected our lives can be when we start putting the pieces together. It turns out to be a small world indeed.

Indiana Society of Chicago owes its start to George Ade

The Indiana Society of Chicago has met in Chicago once a year for 105 years, and is an organization comprised of politicians and business professionals who are either Indiana-based or affiliated with Indiana schools, companies or institutions.

Plan now for new summer youth jobs program

The summer of 2012 shows promise for America's youth seeking employment, as the White House recently announced its Summer Jobs + program.

'Sixth Sense' solution could save 28K postal jobs

Cutting 28,000 jobs in the U.S. Postal Service in today's economy is ludicrous, and such talk shows a true lack of imagination and initiative on the part of the postmaster general's office.

Shop Small on Nov. 26 to help local merchants

Size does matter, and for this reason alone we are asking you to "Shop Small" on Nov. 26, the second annual "Small Business Saturday."

The Cline Avenue Bridge -- to be or not to be ...

With demolition bids for the Cline Avenue Bridge slated to be opened by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) on Nov. 30, the Cline Avenue Bridge saga continues, and we, the residents of Northwest Indiana, now have three options before us.

White House Business Council visits Lakeshore

In mid-May the Lakeshore Chamber received a call from the White House Business Council requesting the chamber arrange a business roundtable with local business leaders.

Charlie Trotter, Ivy Tech, ACC and me

What do Charlie Trotter, Ivy Tech's Culinary School, and the Hammond Area Career Center's Culinary Arts Program have in common you ask?? Me!

A tale of two chancellors: Bergland and Cohen

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness." - Charles Dickens

Learn consumer protection techniques at March 30 luncheon

Consumer Protection Month is a national (and international) initiative to raise public awareness of the dangers of fraud while educating the public on how to recognize and report it.

Housing - is it the right time to buy?

It may be the best time to buy a house in more than four years.

How will health care reform impact you?

On March 23, President Barack Obama signed the health care reform bill into law.

Education is the key for NWI's future workforce

A recent study by the National Skills Coalition estimates that by 2016, more than 487,000 middle-skill job openings will be available in Indiana, requiring more than a high school diploma, but less than a four-year degree.