Valparaiso University (VU) provides the college backdrop for exciting basketball games against some of the nation’s best teams from the Big Ten, Big East, and it’s own leage the Horizon League.  Valpo teams have played host to such teams as Purdue, Notre Dame, and Butler among others which have featured top players and very exciting finishes.  Women’s volleyball matches also heat-up the Athletics Recreation Center (ARC) and draw nice crowds to see great competition at the collegiate-level. 

The ARC at Valpo U

 In the state of Indiana, Hoosier Hysteria begins it’s reign with high school basketball games starting in mid-November.  While most schoolkids in Valpo go on to be Valparaiso Vikings, some children on the outskirts may become Wheeler Bearcats, Boone Grove Wolves, Morgan Township Cherokees, Portage Indians, Washington Township Senators, Andrean 59ers, or Chesterton Trojans in their high school years.  No matter your school colors,  you can certainly find many winter spectator sports within a 15-minute drive.

For indoor winter sports participants, there are several options for wintertime fitness.  The Valparaiso YMCA (www.valpoymca.org) at 1201 Cumberland Crossing has an indoor track, basketball courts, weights and cardio equipment, yoga and spinning rooms, and swimming pool and splash pool, among other features.  The Courts of Northwest Indiana (www.thecourtsofnwi.com) offer indoor basketball, indoor soccer, indoor volleyball, batting cages, and some limited indoor tennis,  mainly used by area youth leagues.  For indoor tennis, the Northwest Athletic Club (NAC) in Michigan City (www.northwestathleticclub.net)  is the most convenient option to Valparaiso.  There are also a handful of other indoor gyms and fitness centers in the area to choose from including Cardinal Fitness, Anytime Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, Curves, and Southlake Nautilus among others.  Some churches also hold wintertime leagues for basketball and volleyball enthusiasts.

The Valparaiso YMCA

Greater Valparaiso with it’s many facilities and schools give athletes and spectators plenty to cheer about during the winter season in Northwest Indiana.

Whether it be potholes, downed trees, damaged signs, unsightly refuse, a malfunctioning light, or other issues, residents are encouraged to contact the city thru the Visual Valpo program. Designed to help keep Valparaiso safe and looking great in all seasons, residents and visitors can 1) text the keyword visualvalpo to 313131, 2) call 219-548-4850, OR 3) visit www.valpo.us/requesttracker.aspx  to submit concerns.  Alternatively, an iphone application called Citizen Request Tracker is also available for download. The city will then direct the message to the proper city department so it receives prompt attention. 

As always, residents should still dial 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency in Valparaiso and outlying communities.

Those with an interest in sledding and toboggan rides can set their sights on Forest Park Golf Course off Harrison Boulevard or Rogers-Lakewood Park Derby Downs off North Campbell Street.  Ice skating and recreational hockey skating is available seasonally and weather dependent at Tower Park near Evans Avenue, and Deep River Waterpark offers coolant controlled ice skating and rentals all winter west of Valparaiso on Highway 30. 

Cross country skiers who have their gear can enjoy trails all over the area, including Sunset Hill Farm off North Campbell, the Indiana Dunes State Park and National Lakeshore, and Forest Park Golf Course.   Lake effect snow often brings good snowpack, and the rolling hills and dunes offer varied terrain and some excitement and speed on certain trails.  Ice fishing is also available at many lakes throughout the area, however anglers are advised to watch the changing ice conditions.  

The Pines Ski Area, as of the start of 2o11, was still not in operation for skiing.  However the owners do operate a ski shop for those looking to outfit for a venture to other downhill ski areas.  Michigan and Wisconsin offer the most downhill skiing in the area, with most areas a 3 to 5 hour drive from the Northwest Indiana region.   

Indoor based activities in Valpo might include the Valpo YMCA which offers basketball, swimming, weighlifting, yoga, pilates, cardio machines, an indoor walking track, kid’s activities room, and more.  Inman’s Lanes on Evans Avenue is Valparaiso’s bowling and game attraction, and Zao Island off Hwy 30 at Horseprarie Avenue offers video gaming, skee ball, mini-golf, pizza and drinks, and other winter activities on the near south side of Valpo.  Theatre and performing arts are also available in Downtown Valpo and at VU.

Spectator sports are big in the region, with many attending the Valpo High and Valparaiso University basketball and volleyball games.  Other nearby major colleges with winter sports include Purdue in West Lafayette (1.5 hours), Notre Dame (1 hour), and Northwestern University in Chicago  (1.5 hours).  And the United Center in Chicago, home of the Bulls and Blackhawks, is just over an hour from Valparaiso.

As one can see, there are many ways to avoid cabin fever in the winter months. So get out and enjoy the winter season at these great recreational opportunities in the region.

Other available exemptions  include green energy exemptions for wind, solar, and geothermal energy usage, over 65 years old, blind, disabled, disabled veteran, World War I veteran, and others.

Investment properties are typically not allowed exemptions, however please check with the county to see if energy exemptions or others may apply.  In duplexes that are partially owner occupied, square footage prorations are typically applied to give the homeowner a partial exemption on their property.

To file in Porter County, home owners should visit the Porter County Administration Building in Valparaiso at 155 Indiana Avenue before year end.  Applicants must have a current driver’s license with their new address, the last 5 digits of their social security number, and may need a copy of the deed, information on the mortgage, and more.  To learn more online, visit the Porter County website auditors page at http://www.porterco.org/index.php?id=auditor .  A link directly to the PDF form explaining exemptions is http://www.in.gov/icpr/webfile/formsdiv/51781.pdf . You may also call the county at 219-465-3445 for more information.

One of several ponds at Cherry Hill in Valpo

Hardwood forests are the centerpeice for one of Valparaiso’s newer subdivisions called Cherry Hill. 

Located off 250 West on the northeast side of Valparaiso, Cherry Hill offers over 64 permit ready lots and several completed single family homes currently priced from the $150s to the $400s.  The neighborhood has a restored woodland area with a mature forest and pond, and a collection of more small ponds and trails on the west section of the 160 acres.  Upon completion of phases I and II, Cherry Hill will feature over 58 acres of parkland.  Good sixed lots, rolling vistas, city water and sewer, and Valparaiso schools are a few of the many things attracting buyers to this new development. Lot owners can “bring your own builder”, or may choose to use BlueStone Homes, one of the preferred builders in the subdivision.  Lots are currently priced from $37,000 to $99,900 and range up to just over 1/2 acre in size.  Some offer walk-out or garden level basement construction, and others are fairly level.   

BlueStone Homes is building in the $220,000 to $400,000 range, and Accent Homes is building homes from the $140s and up.  Vaughn Staab, developer of Cherry Hill and owner of BlueStone Homes, cites the park-like setting, easy commute, and attractiveness of Valparaiso for relocation as some of the many reasons he created Cherry Hill. Vaughn offers a team of talented builders with a “yes we can” attitude that is accustomed to working with the most discriminating luxury buyers, but that is capable of quick build times on any home. 

Cherry Hill is currently offering special rates for financing and low downpayments on lots and homes through DeMotte State Bank, one of the area’s most active local mortgage lending banks.  For more details, visit www.cherryhillsvalpo.com or contact the sales team at 219-241-8401.

The Meyer Pavilion

At Taltree Arboretum & Gardens, located just outside of Valparaiso, visitors can take in the beautiful gardens, walk on trails meandering through woods, wetlands, and prairies, and observe an abundance of natural flora.  But if  you are looking for a little more, check out these summer events.

A summer concert series, Music in Nature, showcases an eclectic mix of musical acts.  The performances take place at the Meyer Pavilion, which is surrounded by a large grassy area.  Bring a chair or blanket, come listen and enjoy!  A full schedule of the concerts is available at: www.taltree.org/concerts.html

Also offered at the Meyer Pavilion during the summer is Hatha Yoga.  Wake up early Saturday morning and enjoy a full hour of rejuvenating yoga taught by a certified instructor.  In addition, a Gentle Yoga class is available on on Tuesday mornings.  Visitors age 50+ can receive a free pass to the Arboretum on this day.  Check out the Events Calender for more information: www.taltree.org/calendarMain.htm

Regardless of your reason to visit, a trip to Taltree Arboretum & Gardens  is an extraordinary experience!  For more information: www.taltree.org

Downtown Park Plaza

For more information on the market or other events, check out site www.valparaisoevents.com .

The City of Valparaiso has four new buses built by Motor Coach that can transport up to 53 passengers each, and offer such features as on-board WIFI, satellite TV, and bathrooms.  They even offer the updated safety of seatbelts and security cameras.  According to the City of Valparaiso’s website at www.chicagodash.com riders can catch the bus at 58 S. Campbell Street.  Commuters can catch the bus in the morning hours from 6:00am to 7:15am, and begin the return trip from Chicago between 4:10pm and 5:55pm.  The 2010 round-trip ticket price is just $15, and one-way, 10 ride and monthly passes are also available.  Please consult the schedule at www.chicagodash.com/schedule/schedule.htm for the most up-to-date ChicaGo Dash bus schedule.