Saturday, February 28, 2009

"It's a door slamming, bed spinning, wacky good time!"

Pssst! Want a good deal? The Ladies Man is the new comedy beginning at the Indiana Repertory Theatre in downtown Indy on 3 March.

Here's the word on a $10 off ticket offer, good for productions until 8 March: Call 317:635-5252 or go online, then use the discount code "special4you" to get your $10 discount!

Oh. there's a show synopsis here.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Indianapolis to Receive Stimulus Funds

The City of Indianapolis will receive $2.5 million in Community Block Grants and $3.9 million in Homeless Prevention Fund money as part of the federal stimulus package, reports Inside INdiana Business.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Indiana Author Awards Announced

The public is invited to nominate favorite Indiana authors for a new awards program through the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation. Funded by a grant from Eugene and Marilyn Glick, the awards will be given to three winners at a gala set for 26 September.

There's more information online. Nominations are due 8 April.

An Award Panel will select the winners, who, in addition to receiving a cash prize, will receive a grant of $2,500 to be given to their designated hometown Indiana public library.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Women Like Us

"Women Like Us," an afternoon tea and speaker series, kicks off on St. Patrick's Day in the Reilly Room, Atherton Union Building, Butler University, Indianapolis.

First up on 17 March will be a half-hour of networking starting at 2:30 p.m., followed by a trio of guest speakers.

They are:
*Patricia Miller, Co-Founder of Vera Bradley
*Chick Big Crow of Sioux Indian Reservation
*Pam Faerber, Co-Owner Faerber Bee Window and Co-Founder Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and Ovar'Coming Together

To register, go online or call 317:536-0250 or 866:338-3468. Tickets are $30, or $200 for a table of eight.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Dearly Departed: The Art of Victorian Mourning

A new exhibit opens tomorrow (25 February) in the Morris-Butler House Museum, 1204 North Park Avenue, Indianapolis. It runs through 23 May.

Black clothing and subdued social lives characterized Victorian periods of mourning, which will be explored on all three floors of the house. Visitors will learn about such rituals as the “sick room,” the numerous requirements to show proper respect for deceased loved ones, and how class and gender differences influenced mourning customs. In addition, there'll be Victorian hair work jewelry, mourning clothing, photography, and art work.

The exhibit is included in the cost of the guided house tour: $5/adult, $4/senior, $3/child or student. For information, call 317:636-5409.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Fund Raising Goal in Sight for Children's Museum

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis says it is on target to reach its $74 million The Power of Children Campaign goal on time, reports Inside INdiana Business.

Museum Vice President of Development Brian Williams is hoping a $1.5 million grant from the Kresge Foundation will help put the effort over the top. He says the museum is about $5 million away from reaching the target in the campaign's final year. The Children's Museum must secure approximately $5 million in challenge gifts and pledges by 31 December to receive the grant.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Renewing the American Promise

"Renewing the American Promise" is the topic for this year's Taylor Symposium, a 40th Year Signature Event for Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

It will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday (26 February) in the Campus Center, 420 University Boulevard, Indianapolis. It is presented by the IU School of Liberal Arts in conjunction with the Department of Economics.

This year’s Taylor Symposium explores questions about the ability of all families to attain the American promise and to live lives of health and prosperity. For more information, contact Gen Shaker.

Dr. Joseph T. Taylor served as a Professor of Sociology from 1965 to 1983 and as first Dean of the School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI from 1967-1978.

Friday, February 20, 2009

IndyGo to Launch New Express Route

Commuters between the Greenwood area and downtown Indianapolis will have a new means of transportation starting next month, reports Inside INdiana Business.

IndyGo is launching its third Commuter Express route 2 March. The Greenwood express service is funded for three years by a $1.8 million Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) federal grant, which provides 80 percent of the funding with a 20 percent local match provided by the City of Greenwood.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Future Engineers to Attend Student Conference

More than 300 students from 17 Indiana high schools will be participating in the Project Lead The Way conference tomorrow (20 February) at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, reports Inside INdiana Business.

The event is part of a larger curriculum initiative that promotes pre-engineering courses for high school students.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Basketball Mania Hits Indy in March

Men’s, women’s, professional, collegiate and high school sports...downtown Indy has it all!

The month tips off with the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament 5-8 March and the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament 12-15 March at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The IHSAA Girls State Basketball Finals takes place in between at Lucas Oil Stadium 7 March. The IHSAA Boys State Basketball Finals will be played 28 March at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Don’t miss the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Regional Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium 27 and 29 March.

See it all on the Indiana Sports Corp. website. (And, of course, there are the Indiana Pacers, too!)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Racinos Get Tax Break

Here's the report, courtesy of Advance Indiana:

"House Ways & Means Committee last night when on a 17-7 vote the committee voted to give a huge tax break to the Blue Chip casino and the state's two horse race tracks. Under the plan put forward by Rep. Scott Pelath (D), the graduated tax on horse race tracks/casinos, otherwise known as racinos, will be reduced by 5%, costing the state $17.7 million a year in lost revenues. Blue Chip Casino is being allowed a $15 million deduction from its adjusted gross revenues for promotional discounts to patrons, such as free coin."

This Indianapolis Observer is, ummmm, aghast!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Trash Wraps as Urban Amenities

Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.’s Cleaning Advisory Committee has transformed Downtown trash receptacles using vibrant blue and green vinyl wraps. “Trash Wraps create a vibrancy and excitement for our visitors and Downtown neighborhood,” said Anne Maschmeyer, Beautification Director for IDI.

This Indianapolis Observer notes that the exact same trash wraps also "transformed" the receptacles last year, and the quote copied above was attributed in 2008 to Carol Mullins, beautification coordinator for IDI.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Charter School Community Fair

A Charter School Community Fair will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow (16 February) in the Indianapolis Artsgarden above the intersection of Illinois and Washington streets -- since school is not in session for the Presidents' Day holiday.

The event, hosted by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, gives parents and students the opportunity to learn more about Mayor-Sponsored Charter Schools, meet current charter school students, parents and staff and learn about enrollment for 2009-2010.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Celebrate Presidents' Day at a President's House

The President Benjamin Harrison Home, 1230 North Delaware Street, Indianapolis, celebrates Presidents’ Day with the opening of a special exhibit, "live" re-enactment tours and the flying of the Presidential Flag!

Opening Monday (16 February) is “William Henry Harrison: Tippecanoe and History Too,” which will document W.H.’s life from 1790 until his death in 1841. (William Henry Harrison is the grandfather of Benjamin Harrison.)

Re-enactment tours of the Harrison Home will include Benjamin Harrison (pictured), his family members and household staff.

Visit the Harrison home Monday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tours are scheduled every half-hour.

Admission, which includes the new exhibit is $8 for adults (ages 18-64), $6 for seniors (65 and older) and $3 for children (5-17).

The home is owned by the President Benjamin Harrison Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, which seeks to increase public understanding of, appreciation for, and participation in the American system of self-government through the life stories of an American President.

For more information, contact Phyllis Geeslin, 317:631-1888.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

IMS Cuts Ticket Prices For The Brickyard "400"

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is slashing some ticket prices for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, reports Inside INdiana Business.

A limited number of seats at the end of the back straightaway entering Turn 3 will be available for $45 each, a $30 discount.

So, notes this Indianapolis Observer, all those news stories about the decline in interest in NASCAR races are true!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Sports Teams to Help With Venue Budget Problems

Indiana lawmakers have started meeting with officials from the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers to find ways to address the budget shortfalls for the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium and Conseco Fieldhouse, reports Inside INdiana Business.

This Indianapolis Observer thinks those discussions are long overdue!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

IMS Announces Centennial Era Artist

Thomas Kinkade (pictured) has been named the featured artist for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Centennial Era. He will create a new Studio Masterwork and artwork that will become the cover for the collectible 2009 Indianapolis 500 Program. The images will be unveiled 27 February at the Centennial Era Gala.

And, yeah, this Indianapolis Observer wishes this post were a joke. Of all the artists in the world, Tony George went with the most cliche ridden illustrator of all time....

Monday, February 9, 2009

Cheetah Exhibit Planned at Indy Zoo

"The Indianapolis Zoo plans to open a cheetah exhibit during Memorial Day weekend in 2010," reports The Indianapolis Star

"Michael Crowther, chief executive officer of the zoo, said work has begun on the linear, one-acre exhibit that will house the big cats, native to Africa and dwindling to a wild population estimated at 7,500."

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Prelude Awards Announced

The 2009 Prelude Awards, recognizing arts students in Marion County, were announced Friday (6 February). The winners are:

Collaboration: Jimmy Andrews, Paul Haney, Frank Loftus, David Meyer and Kenneth Quilaton, Roncalli High School, 1st place; Amber Brewer and Jasmine Walker, Broad Ripple High School, 2nd place

Creative Writing: Rebecca Boyle, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, 1st place; Laura Appelt, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, 2nd place

Dance: Gregory Manning, II, Broad Ripple High School, 1st place; Taylor Fengya, Franklin Central High School, 2nd place

Instrumental Music: Cameron Cecil, Park Tudor School, 1st place; Diana Hsieh, Perry Meridian High School, 2nd place

Theater: Allan Washington, Pike High School, 1st place; Emily Krauter, Lawrence Central High School, 2nd place

Video/Film: Brandon Walsh, Perry Meridian High School, 1st place; Ethan Wellin, North Central High School, 2nd place

Visual Arts: Rebecca Hamm, Pike High School, 1st place; Claire Engelhardt, North Central High School, 2nd place

Vocal Music: Ian Williams, North Central High School, 1st place; Emma Cudahy, North Central High School, 2nd place

Now celebrating its 25th year, the Prelude Awards provide youth with opportunities to learn through the arts. Developed in 1984, they are a long-standing collaboration between the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the Penrod Society.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

New Exhibits at the Museum of Miniature Houses

Among the new exhibits at the Museum of Miniature Houses and Other Collections is a complete collection of miniature settings by the Centracchio's. This display includes a roombox depicting Prof. Snapes dressing room (from the Harry Potter Series).

The Museum, 111 East Main Street, Carmel, is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, and $2 for children under 10.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Solid Waste Services Update

Residential trash collection has returned to its regular schedule, according to the Indianapolis mayor's office.

Any residences that did not receive service last week due to weather conditions will receive a double pickup this week on their regularly scheduled trash collection day.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Poets Read at the Writers' Center

Stephen Roberts and Richard Pflum will read their poems beginning at 7 p.m. 8 February in the Indiana Writers’ Center, 820 East 67th Street, Indianapolis.

Rumor has it that Stephen and Richard “might knock your socks off with their unorthodox collusions with the Muse.”

Monday, February 2, 2009

Airport Terminal Hotel On Hold

Plans for a 250-room hotel connected to the new Indianapolis International Airport terminal are in the deep freeze as the lodging industry contends with vacancies at a 20-year high, reports the Indianapolis Business Journal.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Art & Soul at the Artsgarden

Among the full calendar of events is the 12:15 p.m. performance 4 February of the Crispus Attacks High School Band. They'll play jazz favorites at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, above the intersection of Illinois and Washington streets, as part of Art & Soul.

The annual celebration of African-American art and artists in Indiana features a diverse lineup of music, poetry, storytelling, dance, and visual art.

This signature program of the Arts Council of Indianapolis showcases some of the state's most creative African-American artists during Black History Month in February. All of the Art & Soul performances are free and open to the public.