Don't forget to attend the Spring Expo from 3 to 6 p.m. March 27 at The Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, Interstate 65 and U.S. 30.

More than 65 companies will share information about their products and services at this free and interesting afternoon. Samples of food and giveaways, door prizes, music and networking will be available.

Sponsors include Hoeppner, Wagner & Evans LLC, Home Instead Senior Care, Indiana Dabney University, Spring Mill Health Campus, First Metropolitan Mortgage on Broadway, VIA Marketing & The Post Tribune.

A few vendor booths are still available. Call the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce office at (219) 769-8180 for more information.

Lupus symposium

Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter is hosting a patient education symposium, "Living Well with Lupus: Mind, Body and Spirit," from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 29 at the Waterbird Lakeside Banquet Centre, 556 Indian Boundary Road, Chesterton.

The cost to attend the symposium is $5 for chapter members and $10 for nonmembers. The registration fee includes a continental breakfast, a "Lunch with the Experts" and program materials.

For more information and reservations, call the chapter office in Portage at (219) 762-6575.

Speaking of women's health

The deadline for submitting nominations for three awards that will be presented at the seventh annual "Speaking of Women's Health®" event is March 31.

The awards to be presented are the Alice Burrell Humanitarian Award, the Champion of Northwest Indiana Award and the Leader of Northwest Indiana Award.

For more information and applications, contract Lakeshore Public Television at (219) 756-5656.

JOHN J. JANIK n 1944-2008

The Merrillville Chamber of Commerce and all of Northwest Indiana has lost a great person. John J. Janik, president and CEO for the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce, was not only an effective business leader, but a humble and loyal friend to all.

John was the CEO/president of the chamber for 28 years and a long-time contributor to The Times of Northwest Indiana. He will be sorely missed.

As controller/interim director of the chamber, I will continue this column with information about the Merrillville area and the chamber of commerce.

Edward C. Dernulc is controller/interim director of the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce. Reach him at (219) 769-8180 or geninq@merrillville.coc.org. Opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.