Times staff

VALPARAISO

Ivy Tech to host wellness center open house

Ivy Tech Community College will open a wellness center at its Valparaiso campus Friday. The event will feature wellness information, healthy snacks and equipment demonstrations. Faculty, staff and students of all campuses are invited.

Part of the second phase construction, the 1100-square-foot wellness center includes showers and a locker room. The Nautilus brand equipment includes a multi-station machine, two recumbent bikes, two treadmills and two ellipticals. Students, staff and faculty will have access to the facility during regular hours of operation.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday at 3100 Ivy Tech Drive in the Eastport Industrial Centre.

VALPARAISO

Green fuel project explained Friday

A Chicago Heights teacher will tell how he and his high school chemistry students are using corn, yeast and water to produce green fuels during a seminar Friday at Valparaiso University.

Chris Clausing, a 2000 VU graduate and chemistry teacher at Bloom Trail High School, is working with his students to produce ethanol and biodiesel to power go-carts built in the school's auto shop. The project is funded by a $40,000 grant from oil company BP and will explore the mass production of biodiesel for heating and transportation needs in the school district.

Clausing and fellow teacher Barry Latham will discuss their work at 2 p.m. in Neils Science Center on campus. Their presentation is free and open to the public.

VALPARAISO

Silent coffee will feature sign language

Purdue University North Central's American Sign Language Club will host a silent coffee on Friday.

Jenna Baugh, a certified interpreter, will speak on the topic "What is the Interpreting Profession?" at 7 p.m.

The gathering takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Steak and Shake restaurant, 1251 Strongbow Circle Drive. It is open to ASL students as well as community members.

VALPARAISO

Gubernatorial candidate to speak

Indiana gubernatorial candidate Jim Schellinger will speak at the Valparaiso University School of Law at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Schellinger's address is free and open to the public. It will take place in Tabor Lecture Hall at Wesemann Hall, 656 S. Greenwich St. A reception will follow the address.

The appearance is sponsored by VU School of Law Democrats. For more information, contact jsheetz@valpo.edu.

VALPARAISO

Novelist to present reading

An award-winning writer of young adult and adult novels will read from her work Feb. 21 as part of Valparaiso University's annual Wordfest series.

Margaret McMullan, author of four novels, will give her reading at 6 p.m. in Brauer Museum of Art on campus. The reading is free and open to the public.

McMullan's 2004 novel "How I Found the Strong" was named the Indiana Best Young Adult Book of Fiction.