Victory Christian Academyin Valparaiso, Indiana is an independent, non-denominational Chirstian school offering classes from preschool through 12th grade.  Core subjects for all grades include: BibleLanguage ArtsMathScienceSocial StudiesHealthPhysical Education Additional classes also include vocal music, computer science, art, foreign language, library skills, and life skills.  All instruction is handled from a biblical prospective.  Registration is taking place for the next school year.  The Victory Christian Academy website offers lots of information of class size, staff, school calendar, etc.  Contact the school for a tour of their facilities.  03/14/2010

If you've ever met a true Texan, you know that we are extremely proud to call ourselves Texans!  As the saying goes - "Everything is bigger in Texas", and I think that is also true of our Texas pride.  Now you are probably wondering why I am calling myself a Texan when I live in Valparaiso, Indiana.  Well, I was born, raised, and lived most of my adult life in Texas.  We lived one year in Ohio back in the 1980s and then hurried back to Texas.  Now we've been away for 5 years, one of those years was spent in Colorado.  So what have been some of my adventures?  Well, the main one has been snow - and so much of it!  Texas may be bigger but we sure didn't get snow in Houston!  Nope, we didn't.  I went from sunny and warm Gulf Coast weather to Colorado mountains.  Talk about being forced to ... 03/14/2010

It's been a busy first few months of the year at Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, Indiana! Our Social Media Strategy for Evangelism is evolving and we now not only are on Twitter  but have a growing Facebook Page and this week started a BLOG as well ! With our new sanctuary building completion projected this Spring, it's an exciting time! Check out our blog @ http://www.clcvalpo.blogspot.com and...Stay tuned for some heartwarming faith stories to be posted by various members of our congregation, including youth! Christ Lutheran Church invites you to a variety of ministries that are supported in prayer and are celebrated in the praise of God! 03/10/2010

Spring is in the air finally in Valparaiso, Indiana!  Most of our snow is gone and before long it'll be time to start mowing again.  It's time to start thinking of planting a vegetable garden this year.  Do you have any suggestions on what to try?  I've tried tomatoes and zucchini in the past with some decent results.  Is eggplant difficult to grow?  Have you tried it?  I'm definitely planting some herbs again.  I cannot wait to have fresh basil, bay leaves, thyme, and mint.  Oh, I love that spring is in the air Valparaiso, Indiana! 03/07/2010

The Home & Garden Show in Valparaiso, Indiana could not have been held on a better weekend than the one we just had.  After so much cold and snow over the last few months, it was a bright sunshiny weekend with highs in the mid 40s.  Residents of Northwest Indiana were out and about enjoying the sunshine.  I even saw a couple of people wearing shorts!  Well, not me!  Mid 40s is still a bit too cool for this native Texan girl to wear shorts.  I am a kitchen person.  So where did I spend most of my time at the Home & Garden Show?  Yep, looking at all kitchen stuff - from cabinets, counters, sinks, to stainless steel appliances.  There are so many beautiful choices out there.  I think my husband is very glad that our home already had the kitchen remodeled by the previous owners with beautif... 03/07/2010

Over the years, Jeff & I have been blessed to come to know many fine officers on the Valparaiso, Indiana Police Department in helping them buy or sell homes in town. Below is an announcement about an opportunity for citizens to learn just how much they do in the service of protecting our community. We are thankful for each and every one of them and occasionally, when I hear some of the calls dispatched on our scanner at home I sometimes say a silent prayer of protection:) They are local hero's!   N E W S FROM THE VALPARAISO POLICE DEPARTMENT Citizens Police Academy Information Applications Being Accepted for the Citizens Police Academy The Valparaiso Police Department is searching for community members that would like to learn more about the police department. The department's annual Ci... 03/05/2010

Home & Garden Show of Porter County Don't miss out on seeing the latest products and ideas for those home improvement projects you have been putting off all winter!  The Home & Garden Show of Porter County is taking place right now -  today through Sunday, March 7, 2010.  Today, March 5 from 10:00 - 5:00 Saturday, March 6 from 9:00 - 8:00 Sunday, March 7 from 10:00 - 5:00 Now is the time to start planning so get those questions together and plan on stopping by the Home & Garden Show to gain valuable information from the variety of professionals there.  Sunshine is expected throughout the entire weekend so it's a great time to get out of the house! All the fun takes place at the Porter County Expo Center located at 215 East Division Road in Valparaiso, Indiana.  I'm planning on stopping ... 03/04/2010

It's March. and anything can happen....March Madness they call it :) Especially if you live in Indiana and are a college basketball fan! We've blogged about  the fun attending local area basketball events in the winter season each year - family fun for all ages! Our hometown of VALPO is know for a famous shot during march madness that got them to the sweet 16 once! "The Shot" is seen each year on CBS during "March Madness" and is considered one of the top moments in NCAA history. XXXX   Come out and see the game tomorrow - buy tickets online here or at the door!   03/01/2010

Have you ever found yourself doing something that you would have never expected to be doing?  Or living somewhere that you had never even heard of?  And, even beyond that, enjoying it?  Well, that is exactly where I have found myself with real estate, Valparaiso Indiana, and me! Irene Tron...that's me....working as a real estate agent (in real life, not as seen on TV), in a place I had never heard of before moving here (Valparaiso, Indiana) and loving every minute of it. (OK, most minutes) Unbelievable!  Who would have thought?  Definitely not me and I know myself pretty darn well.  I've gone from not even being able to pronounce Valparaaizzoo,...Valpa-something....OK...Valpo..to being very familiar with all things in and around my lovely hometown of Valparaiso, Indiana.  Now the real e... 02/23/2010

Social Media Strategies for Churches ? Yes, it's one of many plans for our growing congregation at Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, IN Last month we launched our Twitter account & this month we're now on Facebook - become our friend if you'd like :) Click here to read my previous blog post about the exciting happenings this year @CLCVALPO as we build a new worship space! - and many thanks to ValpoLife.com for reprinting the article for our community! God's Blessings Grace Safrin Evangelism chair   02/23/2010

If you are looking for an easy, painfree way to shop Insurance Rates, NWIQuotes.com will make your day! Shopping for Auto Insurance in Hobart, Valparaiso, Chesteton, Portage, Porter and Lake Counties just got easier...have your current policy in front of you and you are ready to go! Click a few keys, enter your criteria and that is all there is to it! A local representative will call you with the quote or you will receive an email with that information in it.  So go ahead, give it a try!  Who doesn't want to save? I don't quite live in North West Indiana or Hobart, Valparaiso, Chesterton, Portage, Porter or Lake County, but I still went online to get a quote for my Home Owner's Insurance. I am awaiting my call or email as we speak.  If you are paying to much, or think you are, give nwiq... 02/21/2010

Oh, I am so ready for spring in Valparaiso, Indiana!  I cannot wait for the warmer days and blossoms on my plants and trees.  I look forward to that first day when the temperature is just perfect enough to open every single window in my home and just enjoy the fresh breeze.  Yes, I'm even looking forward to the smell of freshly mowed grass.  (Mowed by someone else, of course!)  Seriously, I cannot wait to work out in my garden, enjoy my patio, and relax on my hammock.  The days are getting just a bit warmer and the sun is starting to shine just a bit longer each day.  Oh, I am ready for the miracles and beauty of God's wonderful spring time.  Enjoy the picture of beautiful sunshine through the foyer windows at Faith Evangelical Bible Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.   It was cold and with... 02/19/2010

Smack in the center of downtown is a unique shop with something for everyone - Lifestyles in Valparaiso, Indiana.  Within its 10,000 square feet of space, you will find trendy clothing and accessories, eclectic jewelry and so much more.  An entire room features everything from kitchen gadgets to gourmet foods, coffee, and teas.  After a hard day in the kitchen, pamper yourself with some of their bubble baths, soaps, oils, and lotions.  Don't stop looking here!  Head upstairs to a gallery full of unique furniture, art, and accessories.  Plan on giving yourself plenty of  time to browse at a leisurely pace.  Lifestyles is located at 122 E. Lincolnway in downtown Valparaiso, Indiana.  02/18/2010

Each and every day lives are lost to suicide.  Through Living Works Educaton and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Training) workshops, people are being trained throughout the United States and Canada to help in preventing the immediate risk of suicide. The two-day interactive and practical workshop was recently held at Faith Evangelical Bible Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.  Many more workshops are offered throughout the year.  Click here for a link to their website and class schedule.  02/18/2010

What's With This Picture?  Are there crazy drivers in Valparaiso, Indiana? This was the strange sight I came across as I was driving around Valparaiso, Indiana recently.  Can you tell what is going on with the cars in front of me? It's not too difficult to tell what the situation is but I just thought it made an interesting picture at first glance. 02/18/2010

After a beautiful sunny weekend, snow is falling once again in Valparaiso, Indiana.  Many parents in Northwest Indiana have recently experienced school being canceled due to weather.  For parents working outside the home that can quickly create a problem with childcare.  Fortunately for those of you living in Valparaiso and South Haven, the Boys and Girls Club has a snow day program for just that situation - Kidstop No-School Day program.  Kidstop is an alternative for those days when school is not on the schedule.  With trained staff on hand at the Boys and Girls Club, kids from kindergarten through fifth grade can participate in fun learning activities, arts and crafts, and get help with homework.  Since pre-registration is required for Kidstop No-School Program, call or drop by the B... 02/15/2010

Ice Sculpture in Valparaiso, Indiana 02/14/2010

Happy Valentines Day to All! Another beautiful ice sculpture in downtown Valparaiso, Indiana. 02/13/2010

It's time for Mardi Gras at Old World Marketin Valparaiso, Indiana.  Whether it Bananas Foster, Jambalaya, Gumbo, or Muffalettas that you want, Old World Market will have it on Saturday, February 13, 2010 from 11 am to 3 pm.  Not only that, they will have featured tastings all day long.  So you can try that Andouille Sausage or Cafe du Monde first. Old World Market is located at 76 South Washington in Valparaiso, Indiana, across from the Courthouse Square.  While you're downtown, don't forget to look at the Ice Sculptures in front of Old World Market and at Central Park Plaza. 02/11/2010

That's right.  You read it right.  Today's special deal - free snow just for the taking!  Fresh, beautiful, white snow from the skies over Valparaiso, Indiana and I'm offering to the first person who is willing to take it from my driveway.  What a deal!  This offer won't last long.  It'll be gone before you know it.  Officially, we got 15 inches of snow last night.  So for those of you in Florida or other sunny parts, I am willing to share my wealth of snow and spread it around.  OK, so I'm just trying to get out of shoveling but it was worth a try!  Have a fun day everyone. 02/10/2010