Tim Durham, Carl Brizzi, Greg Ballard...the list goes on

Interesting political and criminal developments in Indy this week involving Mayor Greg Ballard (and the mess that is called the Capital Improvements Board), Tim Durham (involving an FBI search warrant) and Carl Brizzi, the Marion County prosecutor who's not only a friend of Durham's but also is whispered to have conspired to convict an innocent man in order to garner headlines.

This Indianapolis Observer wonders what shoe's gonna drop next!

In the meantime, check the blogs (especially Advance Indiana and Ogden on Politics) for the latest shenanigans.

Cherub Keeps Watch Even Though Ayres is Long Gone

Here's the story, according to Indianapolis Downtown Inc.

It was 1946. World War II was over and thousands returned home from military service. Among them, Virginia Holmes--a prize-winning commercial artist--came back to Indianapolis and began her job in the advertising department at L.S. Ayres, a Downtown department store. When it came time to compose the 1946 holiday catalog, merchandise was still in short supply, so Holmes created whimsical cherubs to fill the somewhat empty pages. The cherubs captured hearts and began an Indianapolis holiday tradition that continues today.

Customer response to the cherubs was so great, Ayres perpetuated their appearance in its 1947 holiday advertising. It was Ayres’ 75th Anniversary, and that called for a special addition to their holiday celebration plans. Ayres commissioned nationally recognized Indianapolis sculptor and Herron School of Art instructor David Rubins to create a bronze cherub for the store’s landmark clock, located on the outside of their building on the southwest corner of Washington and Meridian streets.

As the story is told, the whimsical Cherub mysteriously appeared atop the clock on Thanksgiving Eve 1947 to keep a watchful eye on the holiday shoppers until Santa took over on Christmas Eve. In the 62 years since, hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers and visitors have seen the Cherub perched atop the famous clock each holiday season.

The May Department Store Company purchased L.S. Ayres in 1986, and in 1992, moved the Cherub to its headquarters in St. Louis, Mo. There was tremendous public outcry when the Cherub did not appear that holiday season. Humbled, the May Company donated the Cherub to the City of Indianapolis, and in 1994 Indianapolis Downtown, Inc., became the Cherub’s legal guardian.

So keep an eye out… the Cherub is due to arrive Wednesday evening!

Synchronized Swimming Championships to be at IUPUI

The world's most elite synchronized swimmers will gather in Indianapolis 11-15 August for the 2010 Esynchro FINA World Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships. The event will be held at the Indiana University Natatorium on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, and will consist of National Team athletes ranging in ages from 15 to 18 years old.

United States Synchronized Swimming is headquartered in Indianapolis.

Indy's International Festival Award Winners

Awards for the just-completed 2009 International Festival have been announced. First and second place awards are given to Nationalities Council of Indiana member-groups in each of five categories: theme, educational value, creativity, quality and food. In addition, the best overall culture booth received the grand prize trophy, nicknamed "The Betty".

Winners are as follows:

Creativity: 1st - Confucius Institute at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis; 2nd - India Association of Indianapolis.
Educational value: 1st - Indiana Association of Chinese Americans; 2nd - Italian Heritage Society of Indiana.
Quality: 1st - Sons of Norway; 2nd - Scottish Society of Indianapolis.
Theme: 1st - Taiwanese American Association of Indianapolis; 2nd - Swiss Club Of Central Indiana.
Food: 1st - Taiwanese American Association of Indianapolis; 2nd - German American Klub.
Best Overall Cultural Booth Trophy: Indiana German Heritage Society (pictured).

This year's Volunteer Service award (nicknamed "The Steve") went to Dan and Sophia Anderson.

Tomorrow's the Last Day of the 2009 Festival!

The Parade of Nations is a highlight of Saturdays at Indy's International Festival. Today -- Sunday, 22 November -- is the last day for 2009. Get to the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1201 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, between noon and 6 p.m. today (keeping in mind that most of the ethnic food booths sell out early!).

Indy's International Festival Underway at State Fairgrounds

Here are some pictures of "real dolls" taking part in Indy's International Festival, now through Sunday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1201 East 38th Street, Indianapolis. Come see for yourself!

Indy's International Festival Underway at State Fairgrounds

Two pictures from Thursday's Student Day at Indy's International Festival, taking place through Sunday (22 November) at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1201 East 38th Street, Indianapolis. Y'all come!