By Julie Dean Kessler

You look into your partner’s eyes and the air fairly crackles with anticipation. You reach for each other, the irresistible beat begins, and you are dizzily, happily engaged in the Latin dance that is muy caliente – very hot.

Salsa!

Sensuous and all-out energetic, salsa has poured plenty of spice onto America’s renewed appetite for dancing.

Humankind’s urge to bust a move has apparently been hot-wired into our DNA: drumbeats at campfires; stately minuets; giddy Charlestons; scandalous rock ‘n’ roll and much more. Any lulls in the “gotta-dance” psyche seem to be followed by innovation.

Salsa is all about innovation. In fact there’s lively debate about just what it is, and where it came from. From Afro-Caribbean to Puerto Rican influences, its birthright is diverse. Many agree it evolved in the ‘60s from the Cuban mambo, rhumba, and cha-cha-cha, at first loosely derivative of all of them, then coalescing into its own distinct flavor. Salsa means “sauce” in Spanish – and there’s undeniable sauciness in the moves.

The kids are out of school, the sun is shining, all types of flowers are blooming and everyone is antsy to enjoy the weather after a crazy, cold winter that managed to wreak havoc and bring snow to 48 of our 50 states.

Here in Michigan City and the surrounding communities, we’ve got lots going on to give you just the reason you need to get out of the house this Spring/Summer! Here is just a sampling of what’s going on around Michigan City, LaPorte and Chesterton/Burns Harbor:

Michigan City

Farmers’ Market - 8 a.m. – noon, every Saturday (May through October) at 8^th and Washington Streets, the Mainstreet Association hosts its annual Farmer’s Market. Everything from aromatic herbs for your kitchen to honey and butters you can’t find in a store, from gorgeous hanging baskets of beautiful flowers to plump home-grown fruits and vegetables, all here on the southern shores of Lake Michigan. www.mcmainstreet.com

First Fridays - 5 p.m. The first Friday of each month, the Lubeznik Center hosts this event which features live musical entertainment, food and drinks. www.lubeznikcenter.org/special_events/events.html

Red Hat Society “Anniversary Party” – 5 p.m. July 19 at the Senior Center. This is for the senior ladies…put on your red hats and purple clothes and join other gals in the community at the Senior Center at Washington Park. Participants are asked to use their imagination and create a crazy birthday hat and wear it for the contest. Call Jeannie at 219-874-7794 for more information about this and other Red Hat Society events.

In-Water Boat Show – August 19 – 22 at Washington Park. Created by the local community, the event showcases all the latest powerboats, sailboats and personal watercraft. Featuring vendors of a vast variety, there will be plenty of things to do for the entire family. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for those over 60 and Free for ages 12 and under. www.michigancityboatshow.com

LaPorte

Kid’s Summer Activities – A Family Fishing Day & Tournament, Kid’s Camp, Junior Golf, Summer Tennis, and an Art Camp. Visit the city website for more information and to register. http://www.cityoflaporte.com/city_parkdept_PA.asp#KC

Downtown Farmers Market – LaPorte Downtown Farmers Market, Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon, at Lincolnway and Monroe features locally grown produce, plants, arts, crafts, wine, meat, eggs, baked goods and so much more. Call 219-448-1674 for more information.

TNA Wrestling Live! – 7 p.m. July 24 at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds. Featuring Mr. Anderson, TNA founder Jeff Jarrett, Big Sexy Kevin Nash, the Pope DAngelo Dinero, Samoan Submission Machine Samoa Joe, Desmond Wolfe, Beer Money Inc, TNA Knockouts Champion & TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champs, the Beautiful People, Eric Young and More! Tickets start at $20. www.laportecountyfair.org

Benefit Dinner/Show – 4:30 p.m. August 14 at the American Legion Post 83. It’s a Hodgkins Lymphoma Benefit for 16-year-old Marisa Meeks. A spaghetti dinner is $7 each. See a show with Elvis Tribute (Tim Dudley), Sock Hop/Dance fundraiser, raffles, prizes, music & fun. $20 for dinner and show. There will be a 50s/60s costume contest and a Jitterbug Contest. Join the fun and help Maris and her family during this time of struggle with cancer.

Carillon Concert – 4 p.m. August 22 at the Presbyterian Church, US Hwy 35 and Kingsbury Avenue featuring the Children’s Carillon. Admission: Freewill Offering. Call 219-362-5158 for details.

Chesterton/Burns Harbor

European Market – 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturdays (May – October) in historic downtown Chesterton. You’ll find a wide range of gourmet foods, baked goods, artwork, jewelry and farm-fresh produce, including heirloom varieties. Come and enjoy the live music each Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

YA Actors U:The Swashbuckling Edition – Young Adults going into grade 6 and above are invited to sign up for workshops at the Westchester Public Library. No charge, but space is limited. Attendees will learn the basics of acting and will also write and perform their own play. For more information, please call 219-926-7696.

Chamber Annual Golf Outing – 7:30 a.m. June 7 at Duneland Creek Country Club. The Chamber’s largest fundraiser of the year, tickets are still available. The Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst organization ensuring the Duneland area is a vibrant place to live, work and play through responsible commercial growth and provides a unified voice for its member community. Call 219-926-5513 for details/availability.

Run with the Big Dogs 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk – 7 a.m. July 17 at Duneland Resale Shop Parking Lot (8^th Street and Broadway), come walk or run with your dog through the streets of Chesterton. This event is in conjunction with Bark in the Park. www.paulsofko.com

New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year.  It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Did your New Year's resolution make our top ten list?

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends

Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of comaraderie at a favorite area restaurant or take the family to one of these popular Michigan City places for family fun. Work shouldn't always come first!

2. Fit in Fitness

The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape. Visit Saint Anthony Memorial and get started on a plan that fits you and your schedule.

3. Tame the Bulge

Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.

4. Quit Smoking

We know it’s tough to do, but if you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life! Even Indiana is trying to go smoke-free, and it'll more than likely take them a few tries as well. Locally, there are a variety of free support services, hotlines and smoking cessation classes to help you kick the smoking habit.

5. Enjoy Life More

Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Consider one of LaPorte County’s holistic healing centers for products designed to bring balance to your body, mind and soul. Or just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa. LaPorte County offers a wealth of artistic and recreational activities to meet just about anyone's wishes.

6. Quit Drinking

While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available. Alcoholics Anonymous offers meetings throughout LaPorte County. You can also find various groups for Parents of Teenage Alcohol and Drug Abusers. There are also a number of treatment-based programs, as well as support groups for families of alcoholics.

7. Get Out of Debt

Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.

8. Learn Something New

Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep. The Purdue University North Central, Indiana University and Ivy Tech offers a wide variety of "lifelong learning" courses, and the local YMCA offers great recreational training for beginners of all ages. Most local colleges and universities offer distance and adult education programs. Or if the arts are more your thing, the Lubeznik Center for the Arts offers adult studio classes.

9. Help Others

A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations in LaPorte County that could really use your help. LaPorte County Parks, United Way of LaPorte County, LaPorte County Red Cross, LaPorte County Casa/Harmony House, or other areas within your community where you can make a difference.  You’ll find various projects to fit practically any schedule. Or if your time is really in short supply, maybe you can at least find it in you to donate furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills.

10. Get Organized

On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life. LaPorte County and its surrounding region have quite a few professional organizers who can help you reduce the clutter in your life and find peace in your home.

So you want to find something cool to do today!  With the economy like it is, most people are staying home and looking for less expensive entertainment options nearby.  Fortunately for LaPorte County residents, there are lots of free and low priced, fun activities that can make it a little easier on the budget and ensure a good time is had by all.