Book & Author Luncheon

Five authors will talk about their work during the 30th annual Book & Author Luncheon sponsored by the Christamore House Guild. The benefit begins at 10 a.m. with books available for purchase and signing. The luncheon program is 11 a.m to 2 p.m. (although, if truth be told, it usually runs later than that). Diane Willis is mistress of ceremonies for the event, held in the Indiana Roof Ballroom, 140 West Washington Street, Indianapolis.

The authors and books are William Alexander (52 Loaves: One Man's Relentless Pursuit of Truth, Meaning, and a Perfect Crust), Elizabeth Berg (The Last Time I Saw You), Anna Fields (Confessions of a Rebel Debutante), Peter Hedges (The Heights) and Norris Church Mailer (A Ticket to the Circus).

Tickets are $85. For information, contact Jane Kroot, 317:849-5330. Proceeds from the luncheon support the Frances Carter Coburn Scholarship Fund and educational programs offered through Christamore House, 502 North Tremont Street, Indianapolis. Since 1981, more than $1 million has been awarded to more than 570 scholarship recipients from Indianapolis' Haughville neighborhood.

Indianapolis Art & Antiques Show

The 2010 Indianapolis Art & Antiques Show and Modernism in Design is next weekend in the Toyota Blue Ribbon Pavilion of the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis. It begins with "A Taste of Elegance", the preview party held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday (11 March), featuring tastings from 20 restaurants (tickets are $75 per person or $125 per couple).

The show itself is 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday (12 March), 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (13 March) and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday (14 March). "Artful objects" from the 1800’s through the 1960’s will be on offer from 100 antiques dealers, art galleries and regional artists. Tickets are $10 at the door; fairgrounds parking is $3.

Friday's luncheon lecture, 11 a.m., will be given by former Indianapolis resident Suzanne Kasler. Tickets are $60. For the last 15 years her interior design business has been based in Atlanta, Ga. She is the author of Inspired Interiors.

Saturday's brunch lecture at 10:15 a.m., titled "Fabulous Flowers, Festive Fêtes" features floral designers and interior designers from the Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers, who arrange flowers on dining tables laden with colorful fabrics, antique and vintage china and silver. Admission is $30.

The show is presented by Methodist Hospital Task Core in partnership with Methodist Health Foundation in support of Methodist Hospital.

March Madness Underway in Indy

* 4-7 March -- Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament (Conseco Fieldhouse)

* 11-14 March -- Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament (Conseco Fieldhouse)

* 12 March, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. -- Big Ten Conference Career Expo (Union Station)

* 14 March, 11 a.m. – Big Ten Hoops Day 5K (Downtown Indianapolis)

* 14 March, 1:30 p.m. – Men’s Pep Rally (Ober parking Lot)

* 27 March, 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. – IHSAA Boys State Basketball Finals (Conseco Fieldhouse)

* 27 March, 3 p.m. 100th Anniversary IHSAA Celebration Parade (downtown)

Clown Around at Circus Day

Celebrate Indiana's circus history at the 9th Annual Circus Day in the Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis. It's 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 27 March.

This celebration of Indiana’s circus history will feature performances from the Peru Amateur Circus, Key School Circus, and Snakehead Ed. Other entertainment elements include clowns, magic, juggling, humor and more. From 3-5 p.m., Radio Disney will also be on site with music, games and prizes.

Activities also include face painting, balloon sculpture, crafts, photo opportunities, carnival games and a calliope. The Stardust Terrace Café, operated by Hoaglin To Go, will be open, and snacks will be available for purchase.

Evidently there'll be an admission charge to the IHC, because of the new Indiana Experience (opening the previous weekend), but this Indianapolis Observer could find no indication on the IHC website of what that admission charge will be.

Woodard Buys Canterbury Hotel

The new owner of the Canterbury Hotel in downtown Indianapolis says customers can expect a unique, "non-corporate" property that will have a local warmth and flavor, reports Inside INdiana Business.

Indianapolis entrepreneur Turner Woodard is buying the Canterbury, "rescuing the landmark 99-room hotel from an uncertain future". Woodard believes the Canterbury can compete nicely as a locally owned boutique hotel, like those seen in other major U.S. cities.

Turner also owns The Stutz buildings downtown.

Davidson Street Encampment Decamps

This Indianapolis Observer notes that the city has (finally) done something about the squatters on the near eastside of downtown. Eviction (and fencing off the sidewalk!) is a temporary solution, alas! They'll just set their tents somewhere else and start frightening and harassing another Indy neighborhood.

"Stranger Things have Happened"

Mitch Daniels for president in 2012? Ross Douthat of The New York Times thinks it possible. In today's paper, he writes: "For a Daniels candidacy to catch fire, what’s left of the Republican establishment, currently (if reluctantly) coalescing around Mitt Romney, would have to decide that he’s the better pick. That would mean gambling that the best way to defeat the most charismatic president of modern times is to nominate a balding, wonky Midwesterner who reminds voters of their accountant."