CROWN POINT

SBA offers financing program Aug. 26

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will conduct a small business financing program on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 from 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Purdue University Tech Center, Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center, 9800 Connecticut Drive.

The SBA small business financing program will provide guidance to prepare small business owners for meeting with a lender. Attendees will learn how SBA is involved in the loan process, what documents to take to the lender, and how to make a good first impression with the lender. An SBA Business Development Specialist will also review SBA programs and services that can help an entrepreneur start or grow a business.

Reservations are required as seating is limited. The program is free.

For more information or to reserve a space, contact Maggie Havens at (219) 644-3513.

VALPARAISO

Business hosts drive to benefit shelter

maurices, in the Valparaiso Marketplace at 2410 Laporte Ave., is hosting a drive through Monday to collect personal hygiene and household items that will benefit the local homeless shelter who supports families in need.

Customers will receive a 20 percent off one regular-priced item coupon for every four items donated.

The Spring Valley Homeless Shelter helps families in the community throughout the year and all donations will stay local.

For more information, call (219) 462-0464 or visit www.maurices.com.

LA PORTE

Hospital participates in initiative

La Porte Hospital now participates in The ACC D2B initiative. The initiative is a new Guidelines Applied in Practice program launched by the American College of Cardiology o save time and lives by reducing the door-to-balloon times in the nation's hospitals performing advanced lifesaving procedures.

Door-to-balloon or D2B is the time it takes from when a patient arrives at the Emergency Department door to the time a patient has his or her blocked artery causing the heart attack opened with an angioplasty balloon in the Cardiac Cath Laboratory.

La Porte Hospital staff performed in compliance with the D2B initiative for the past year.