About Porter County, IN

It Just makes Sense! GREEN sense.....

Environmentalists would be the first in line to support the Extension of The South Shore Train Line to include stops in the towns of Lowell, IN

and

Valparaiso, IN - especially since many from these towns commute into Chicago for their careers already!

• Traveling in trains would reduce pollution as well as the purchase and use of foreign oil :)
• Our environment would be healthier as a result of less cars on the road!
• A new Option for would exist for families to travel to the big city for theatre, festivals, or hopefully future Olympics :)

NW Indiana residents would benefit from an increase in Economic Benefits as well from this expansion of services...

• Increase in Local Business and creation of Thousands of new Jobs as a result of the expansion!
• Options for an affordable commute to the big city Chicago that has thousands of Job opportunities also !

Call to action.... Northwest Indiana Residents in favor of this awesome proposal please act.....

1. Log onto the website = Citizens For The Extension Of The South Shore Line

and

2. SIGN THE PETITION = House Bill 1220

Help us get the word out!

Sincerely,

Jeff & Grace Safrin - REALTORS

"Spouses Selling Houses"TM

F.C. Tucker 1 st Team Real estate

Serving Lake County, Porter County, La Porte County, in Northwest Indiana.

As Season Ticket Holders of V.U. Basketball Games, we saw Flyers going up all over the ARC for an exciting upcoming event we wanted to share with the Public who are avid Baseball Fans like us who may want to attend as well :)

We Hope you can come out and support the TEAM - See you there !

Valparaiso University Athletics & Recreation Center (ARC)

Monday, January 28th, 2008 - Doors Open at 5 : 00 PM - Tickets : $75 Per Plate

CRUSADER BASEBALL BASH 2008

Valparaiso University Baseball Program would like to invite you to the inaugural "Crusader Baseball Bash" event. The Featured Speaker for the evening will be Baseball Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda. This fund-raiser for the baseball program will include dinner as well as both live and silent auctions. The program is slated to begin at 6 p.m. The doors will open at 5 p.m. with autographs and silent auction activities. A limited number of tickets will be sold for this exciting event.

Tommy Lasorda Highlights

• Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997
• Won 2 World Series Championships with the Dodgers
• Ranks 12th all time in Managerial Victories
• Managed 4 All Star Games for the National League
• Managed the L.A. Dodger Organization for over 50 years
• Managed the United States to an Olympic Gold Medal in 2000

Please Contact Head Baseball Coach Tracy Woodson for ticket and sponsorship information.

Office # (219) 464-5239 or email : Tracy.Woodson@valpo.edu

*Posted with permission from Coach Tracy Woodson by

Jeff & Grace Safrin - REALTORS

'Spouses Selling Houses" TM

F.C.Tucker Advantage Realty

Serving all of Northwest Indiana for your Real Estate Needs - Porter County, Lake County, La Porte County, Newton County, Jasper County and Starke County in Northwest Indiana.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Jeff and Grace Safrin of F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty. Jeff and Grace Safrin and F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided

It took all of 20 seconds into tonight's game to see what I was in store for...a very very PHYSICAL game and in the end Valparaiso Crusaders proved if you wanna play physical with them..they will play that style and tonight they played that style and won! Sam Haanpaa showed again his incredible knack for shooting behind the arc when he lite it up for 15 of Valpos first 19 points of which he hit 4 from behind the arc. I thought it would be a route but as usual Green Bay Pheonix figured out quickly just how to defend this sharp-shooter and they did. It was a back and forth 1st half with the lead changing hands on numerous occasions only to see Green Bay take a 36-35 halftime lead...but....

As is customary with Coach Homer Drew something was said and done at half time and Valpo came out playing very well to start the 2nd half - that was until Green Bay's Ryan Tillema (who finished with 34 points) decided he would take matters into his own hands and what a performance by this kid..he was hitting everything he would throw to the rim...whether it was behind the arc or inside the acr it was swoooosh, I have seen many pure shooters in all the college games I have seen...he reminded me of JJ Reddick or Steve Alford ----- he was PURE and good !

Things started to get quite testy again with the officiating which was sub-par and when with 10:04 left in the game Coach Drew was slapped for a Technical - his first of the year that seemed to motivate the University of Green Bay and it did for a short time...until...Valpo decided enough was enough and when Jake Diebler was assigned to guard Tillema it was lites out for Green Bay..Dielbler was like super-glue on him...He remided me of when Dan Dakich was assigned to Guard a fairly well know NBA Star at that time he was with the University of North Carolina...Michael Jordan... Dieblers defense proved to be the deciding factor shutting down Green Bay's Superstar to ZERO points over the final 2:30 to seal the deal for Valpo. Final Score Valparaiso University 82 University of Green Bay 73.

Valpo now improved to 12 - 5 over-all and 3-2 in the Horizon League they now prepare for 2 road games at Youngstown State this Thursday 1/17/08 and then to Cleveland State on Saturday 1/19/08 - 2 games that they need to win for any chance to claim Conference Regular Season Champs of the Horizon League.

I can not leave with out mentioning Jarryd Loyd's performance again off the bench...27 minutes - 11 points and 7 assists..he is Valpos 6th Man and Team Leader when needed..Shawn Huff once again showed his leadership with his best game of the year...31 minutes played 6 for 14 from the field 4 of 10 from behind the arc and 18 much needed points...and he hit some big shots down the stretch..and finally...Urule Igbavoda...that is the inside aggressive play Valpo needed..he was awesome in the paint tonight...6 for 8 from the field combined with 7 rebounds and 14 points that is exactly what Valpo needs from Urule EVERY game from here on out. Valpo had 4 players in double figures to end the game and it was a much needed win!

editorial by Jeff Safrin

Next Home Game Thursday, January 24th, 2008 against UIC - 7pm tip off - come join us :) you never know how the V.U. student super fans will come dressed to the games - always different-tonight was "ninja theme" !

Jeff & Grace Safrin - REALTORS

"Spouses Selling Houses"TM

F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty

Serving Lake County, Porter County, La Porte County, Jasper County, Newton County and Starke County in Northwest Indiana.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Jeff and Grace Safrin of F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty. Jeff and Grace Safrin and F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided.

It did not take long for me to see just exactly what the loss meant on Saturday when Valpo lost to arch-rival Butler - That game took out a lot of steam from Valpo and it showed for the first 18 minutes of the 1st half at the ARC in Valparaiso, IN. Valpo started out sluggish on defense and sluggish on offense and quickly they realized they were in a for BIG TIME fight against the University of Milwaukee Panthers (9-7 overall and 4-2 in Horizon League play).

The start of this game and pretty much the entire game reminded me of the Indianapolis Colts when they played New England so hard for an entire game and lost-then on to San Diego and FLAT... Unfortunately for Valpo tonight they were flat and now not much time to get prepared to play University of Green Bay which played #13 Butler incredibly well tonight and only lost by 7 points.

The start of the game as I said was sluggish but a late run by Valpo propelled them to 38-34 halftime lead which at the time I felt was enough.having 1st row seats - mid way through the 1st half I had to finally get my years 1st 1 on 1 discussion with head referee Tom O'Neil as it seemed quite a few calls were not being seen very clearly..one of the finest discussions I have ever had with a Ref and he actually admitted he may have blown the call- LOL.

The start of the 2nd half was less then impressive for both teams as neither scored a field-goal in the first 5 minutes and much was caused by an incredible tenacious defense Valpo started out with..they were cutting off ever post play and stopped the slashing inside game that Milwaukee was able to due with ease in the first half...Then the unexpected occurred and that was from the Milwaukee bench- Deion James decided to take over the game and control the tempo - he finished with 20 Pt's and a blistering 7 for 10 from the field and more impressive 4 for 6 for outside the arch...it went back and forth as Jarryd Lloyd got off a last second three that would have tied the game..but fell short...primarily due to the fact the Milwaukee player fouled him...how am I so for sure...IT was right in front of me and I heard the slap on his wrist...but that is the way Valpo's night went and so goes the officiating..one thing about the officiating..the were consistent...consistently INCONSISTENT...

Valpo now prepares for Green Bay Phoenix another Horizon League game and even though it is early...this is a MUST win game..they can not afford to loose conference games at home and what will be needed to win...Valpo MUST find a way to get their Sharp Shooter - Sam Haanpaa free..and posting him is not the answer...For those that aren't aware of this incredible behind the arch shooter - he lit it up a few weeks ago in the ARC shooting 10-12 from downtown....great nite yes..new record at Valpo yes...one problem..every team in the country and more precisely in the Horizon League saw or heard of his performance and NOW...the pressure defense on Sam is like a wetsuit..it is tight...he is having a tough time getting open and they are more physical then ever...when Valpo can figure out something to get him free it will open up the inside game..until then..it is gonna be tough. Bryan Bouchie played well - Brandon McPherson played great penetrating and dishing and Jake Dielbler...well he is up to I think 65 dives on the floor and works hard every play..And what can be said about Jarryd Loyds performance - coming off the bench to lead the Crusaders with 18 points shooting 7 for 11 and 3 for 4 from behind the Arch.

This Saturday 1/12/08 (tip off 7pm) is another day and another game...It would be great to have the ARC PACKED with Crusader Fans..this team never lacks effort or desire and they deserve the support of the area. Lets hope that Valpo gets back on track and comes out Saturday nite with a "W"......................GO CRUSADERS!

Editorial by Jeff Safrin

VU Students wearing RETRO style Basketball Uniforms at the Game! There's always themed attire for these super fans. Come out and see for yourself this Saturday what they will be wearing next? ! :)

Buying or Selling Property in 2008?

Talk To Jeff & Grace Safrin Today @

219-405-1232 or visit our website

or Blogs for info->

We are Full Time, Full Service REATORS with F.C. Tucker- Indiana's largest Real Estate Company (est.1918), serving Lake County, Porter County, La Porte County, Starke County, Jasper County and Newton County in Northwest Indiana.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The ActiveRain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Jeff and Grace Safrin of F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty. Jeff and Grace Safrin and F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Active Rain Community.

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Sincerely,

Jeff & Grace Safrin - REALTORS

"Spouses Selling Houses"TM

F.C. TUCKER ADVANTAGE REALTY

 Serving Lake County, Porter County, La Porte County, Jasper County, Starke County & Newton County in NW IN.

Visit Our Website or Blog Links Below for more Homes For Sale NW IN    

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The ActiveRain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Jeff and Grace Safrin of F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty. Jeff and Grace Safrin and F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Active Rain Community