Hinkle Misstep Goes Viral

Yep. Whatever happened between the state legislator and the hustler...the story has now hit the national news.

Phil Hinkle, father of the "In God We Trust" license plate and staunch anti-gay proponent has been caught with his metaphorical pants down in an upscale Indy hotel room with an 18-year-old man in search of a "sugga daddy". Oh, my!

Check out this version on the Huffington Post: here.

UPDATE:
Interesting sidebar on why Hinkle was in the J.W. Marriott to begin with, courtesy of Gary R. Welsh: Hinkle at Wedding Reception.

UPDATE 2:
It seems that the "misstep" is being swept under the rug, reports Advance Indiana: "The word on the street is that IMPD is not investigating the incidence as a crime by request from higher ups; instead, party leaders are being given time to convince Hinkle to quietly resign his seat and just allow the incident to fade away."

India Day Celebration

Join the festivities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday (14 August) celebrating India Independence Day.

There's a parade plus entertainment, all around Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.

Sponsors are the India Association of Indianapolis, Indianapolis-Hyderabad Sister Cities Committee and the City of Indianapolis.

Brownsburg vs. Speedway?

"Is Brownsburg rivaling Speedway as the auto racing epicenter in central Indiana?" That's the question posed by Anthony Schoettle, sports reporter for the Indianapolis Business Journal.

Seems that the Hendricks County town has annexed Indianapolis Raceway Park (currently known as Lucas Oil Raceway), just over the border from Marion County at Clermont. "Brownsburg officials said they’ll work with the track to develop the surrounding land, possibly into other racing-related ventures," he reports.

Read more about it here.

It's Fair Time!

Germany is the featured country at this year's Indiana State Fair.

Drop by the International Pavilion (just west of the grandstand and across from the coliseum) and check out Indiana's ties with Deutschland -- and get a pretzel or a pastry from Café Heidelberg while you're at it!

Oh, yeah: there's lots more to do at the fair. But you already know that, right? It runs through 21 August.

Gen Con Indy Has Begun

Gen Con Indy, now in its 41st year, is the longest running, best attended, gaming convention in the world.

If you're a gamer, you gotta get downtown and get lost in a phantasm of art exhibits. Stare at jaw-dropping costumes, or better yet, wear one of your own. Meet the movers and the shakers in the gaming industry. Check out the newest games and get a sneak peek at the latest editions.

Centered on the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis, it runs through Sunday (7 August).

Bound: A Book Art Exhibit

The artist reception for Bound: a book arts exhibit takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday (5 August) in the Harrison Center, 1505 North Delaware, Indianapolis.

Admission is free.

This year's exhibit (the fourth annual) will feature work by Christian Arrecis, Sarah Brooks, Ryan Collier, Talia Halliday, Paola Hurtado, David Johnson, Sarojini Johnson, Tasha Lewis, Will Lutz, Emily Schorn, Doug Travis, Sharon Turrini, Emily Vance and Eric Walton as well as a sampling from the Herron Art Library's permanent collection.

Returning to present are Bill and Vicki Stewart of Vamp & Tramp Booksellers, LLC.

Also this year, attendees will be encouraged to bring books to donate for reuse or recycling.

The Harrison Center and the Herron Art Library of the University Library at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis are sponsoring the opening. The work hangs through 26 August.

Willkommen to Germany

Take a trip overseas without the jetlag or expense by making your way to the Indiana State Fair and its new “Willkommen to Germany” interactive exhibit.

Created in partnership with Indiana German organizations, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the International Center of Indianapolis, this exhibit presents both traditional and contemporary Germany through a variety of fun displays and activities to demonstrate the close ties the country has with Indiana.

“Indiana is steeped in German heritage. Almost 40 percent of all Indiana residents have a German ancestry, and the German influence runs rife through all aspects of Hoosier life,” said Martin Baier, Vice President of the International Center. “A number of Indiana cities have formed long-term relationships with sister cities in Germany.”

Located in the International Pavilion, also known as the Grand Hall, the 8,000 square foot interactive experience is designed to appeal to a broad range of visitors, educating each one on the diverse and unique industries, cultural activities and authentic performances from Germany.

The Indiana State Fair (and the Willkommen to Germany pavilion) opens Friday (5 August) and runs through 21 August at the fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis