"Taste of the Seasons"

"Taste of the Seasons" is a holiday wine, spirits and beer tasting to benefit the Indianapolis-based United Hope Foundation.

It's set for 6 to 10 p.m. 14 November in Ritz Charles, 12156 North Meridian Street, Carmel. General admission is $50, with VIP status available at $65. Tickets are available at any United Package Liquor location, online or call 317:205-9266.

The VIP Lounge includes high-end spirits and cigars. There's also a silent auction, cupcake raffle and more.

Since 2005, the United Hope Foundation has given more than $100,000 to charities in Central Indiana, including Riley Children’s Hospital, Noble of Indiana, Second Helpings, Prevail, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Indianapolis Air Show abd Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources.

Let Nothing Keep You Down

Kerry Max Cook (left) will talk about his book, Let Nothing Keep You Down, at 5 p.m. 7 November in the Wynne Courtroom of the Indiana University School of Law at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

Cook, also the author of Chasing Justice: My Story of Freeing Myself after Two Decades on Death Row for a Crime I Didn’t Commit, was born in Stuttgart, Germany into an Army family, and spent much of his youth on Army bases. He returned to the United States with his family in 1972 to live in Texas. In 1977, at age 20, he was arrested and wrongly convicted of capital murder, a crime for which he would spend the next two decades on death row.

Since gaining his freedom, Cook has been an advocate for legal reform, lecturing at Princeton, Yale, and the University of Chicago, as well as internationally. Cook also appeared in the critically acclaimed play “The Exonerated,” based in part on his story. His visit is sponsored by the law student organization, Law Students Against Capital Punishment

There will be a reception and book signing following the lecture at 6 p.m. in Conour Atrium. Both events are free and open to the public.

Angie's List and Indy's Eastside

Tomorrow (30 October), Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle will announce "significant investments in and around the company's national headquarters on Indianapolis' Near Eastside".

Want to be the first to hear what's planned? Head on over to Angie's List, 1030 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, at 11 a.m.

Lilly Teams With Teach For America

Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Company and Teach For America have launched an initiative to help new teachers working in low-income areas of Indianapolis, reports Inside INdiana Business.

Lilly employees will help the teachers get acclimated to the city and foster networking opportunities.

Northeast Corridor of Cultural Trail Commences

Construction on the next phase of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail begins in mid-November. The Northeast Corridor will connect the East Corridor on Alabama Street to the Monon Trail terminus on 10th Street.

The Northeast Corridor is about one mile long, and will feature both combined and separated trail paths with the same trail design, benches, bike racks, lighting and signage as the rest of the Cultural Trail.

It is anticipated that the Northeast Corridor hardscape will be complete by late 2009, with plantings installed in spring 2010.

On My Honor: Girl Scouts Since 1912

Relive your own Girl Scout days through artifacts, vintage uniforms and photos at a new exhibition at the Indiana State Museum.

At "On My Honor: Girl Scouts Since 1912" you can visit a recreated camp, page through scrapbooks, and attend an imaginary meeting. Related programs include two Girl Scout 'sings'.

The exhibit is included in admission to the museum, located in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis. It's open today through 1 March 2009.

Another Bank Bites the Dust

National City Corporation (headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio) has agreed to sell itself to a Pittsburgh bank in an all-stock deal that values National City at just $2.33 per share.

National City, the former Merchants National Bank, is the second-largest bank in the Indy metro area.