Take A Tour of the Circle This Summer

Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana offers free guided tours of Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis at 10:30 a.m. on the Fridays and Saturdays of the second and fourth weekends of June through October. No reservations are required, but there's no tour "if it's raining cats and dogs".

The tour around the physical and symbolic heart of Indianapolis tells the intriguing story of Monument Circle, past and present. You'll hear about the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument and why the woman on top faces south. You'll learn the roundabout's role in the original city plan and the stories of the encircling architecture.

The tour departs from Borders Café, 11 South Meridian Street, a block south of Monument Circle. Where to park? Least expensive option is is one of the Circle Centre mall garages, $1.50 for three hours (enter from Georgia, Illinois, or Washington streets).

For more information, email Historic Landmarks or call 317:639-4534 or 800:450-4534.

Brownsburg DOESN'T Make the News

Two big news events happened just west of Indy this week. First, a truck rammed into the Hendricks County Bank and Trust at 9:20 a.m. Thursday, pushing a brick wall three feet into the main office at the corner of Main and Green streets in Brownsburg. The next day, most of the eastern portion of the county (maybe a hundred thousand customers) were without electricity during the business day for more than 1-1/2 hours because of a Duke Energy glitch.

There was no reporting on either incident in The Indianapolis Star. WRTV-Channel 6 videoed the truck crash, but no other media reported on it.

This Indianapolis Observer thinks it's about time for a real news organization to begin operation in central Indiana.

Sister City Delegation Visits Indianapolis

Indianapolis hosted a delegation of government, cultural and business leaders from its sister city of Hangzhou, China, yesterday, reports Inside INdiana Business. The group met with Mayor Greg Ballard and executives of Indianapolis Economic Development Inc. and toured several local attractions, including the Indianapolis Museum of Art and Conseco Fieldhouse.

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is a Sister City to Indianapolis. It is known for its pharmaceuticals and a manufacturing sector with a focus in automotive components.

The Story of Madam C. J. Walker

A'Lelia Bundles, a journalist, former ABC News executive and an Emmy Award-winning producer, will discuss the life of Madam C. J. Walker (her great-great-grandmother) during a presentation 1 March in Room 450 of the Campus Center at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

Ms. Bundles wrote the biography of Madam Walker, On her own ground. The life and times of Madame C.J. Walker. Madam Walker was one of the 20th century's most successful, self-made women entrepreneurs, and one of 15 women named to the National Business Hall of Fame. She moved her business to Indianapolis 100 years ago in 1910.

The event (a part of Women's History Month) will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. in the Campus Center's fourth floor pre-function lounge. Ms. Bundles will speak at 6 p.m., and a book signing will follow.

Sponsored by the IUPUI Office for Women, Campus & Community Life, Multicultural Center, Office of Faculty Recruitment and Retnention and the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

City Approves Additional Funding For Agencies

The City-County Council of Indianapolis and Marion County is directing $5.5 million to four groups to help seek new investment and create jobs, reports Inside INdiana Business. Indianapolis Economic Development Inc. will receive $3.5 million, the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association $1.5 million and the Department of Metropolitan Development and the Office of Education Innovation will split $500,000. The money comes from companies that received tax abatement packages but failed to meet obligations.

Conner Prairie's Summer Camp

Each week from 7 June through 30 July, the Adventure and Art Camps will be home to hundreds of children ages five to 14 who will spend their days exploring the land, water and sky, while "letting their inner artist shine". Registration for Conner Prairie Interactive History Park’s 2010 Summer Day Camps begins 5 March.

At Adventure Camp, children ages eight - 14 will take on the White River with canoe trips and tubing excursions, while five to seven year olds will explore Conner Prairie’s pond in pedal boats. Children will also hike through the backwoods of Conner Prairie, take on a challenge course, fish, swim, cook over a fire and explore the wild outdoors. New this year, adventure campers will slide into even more fun with Conner Prairie’s new Water Whoosh slide and Slip & Sled activity. With age-specific activity groups for all children, Adventure Camp has outdoor fun for every child.

At Art Camp, children ages eight to 14 will have the chance to explore painting, acting, pottery and weaving. From historical to modern crafts, campers will use the outdoors as inspiration for their work. Nature hikes and creative mediums will keep kids active while their inner artists take flight.

Both adventure and art campers will explore Conner Prairie’s historic areas, where they’ll discover what it was like to live and play in 19th-century Indiana, cozy up with animals big and small and see history in action. They’ll feel the heat from a blacksmith’s forge, soar 350 feet in the air aboard 1859 Balloon Voyage, jump in and help with farm chores and dance to the beat of a water drum.

New this year, School Break Camps will be offered 8 and 9 April and 21 and 22 October. April’s Spring Break camp for six to 13-year-olds, titled “Archaeology, Action and Art!” will run 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Campers will learn about and participate in a simulated archaeological dig, create pottery, canoe the Conner Prairie pond, build a wigwam and enjoy s’mores over the fire. Camp is $55/non-member, $50/member.

Adventure Camp and Art Camp run Monday through Friday, 7 June through 30 July, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Early arrival beginning at 8 a.m. and late departure until 5:30 p.m. are available. Camps are $185/week, $170/week for members. Additional children in the same family receive a $5 discount. For more information or to register, please call Guest Services at 317:776-6006, 800:966-1836, e-mail or online.

Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, formerly known as Conner Prairie Pioneer Settlement, was created by Eli Lilly in 1934. During January, February and March, Conner Prairie’s indoor areas are open. On 27 March, Conner Prairie’s five themed historic areas will re-open for the outdoor season. Go online or call 317:776-6006 or 800:966-1836 for dates, times and ticket prices.

Mitch for President in 2012?

"Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has cracked open the door on a potential 2012 presidential run," writes Peter Schnitzler in IBJ.com.

"Washington Post political writer Dan Balz on Monday quoted Daniels in a blog post as saying he’s reluctant, but now 'open' to the idea. Balz interviewed Daniels at the winter meeting of the National Governors Association in Washington D.C. over the weekend."