Durham Likely to Die in Prison

"Tim Durham will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars after a federal judge on Friday sentenced the disgraced playboy and businessman to a 50-year prison term for defrauding Ohio investors of $250 million....

"Unlike state prisoners, federal inmates must serve 85 percent of their sentences. Durham would have to live to 93 to survive his sentence."

Read the rest here: here.

Indiana Town Hall Series

Join the conversation at the Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, for the last of three public forums on health care.

"Medical Professionalism: From Leeches to MRIs" is the topic for the 6 December session, moderated by Barbara Lewis, host of WFYI's Sound Medicine.

It begins with a 6:30 p.m. reception, followed by the panel conversation beginning at 7 p.m.

Practice Your German Language Skills

Immerse yourself in the German language during the annual Advent Service in Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ, 603 North New Jersey Street, Indianapolis (map).

An English translation is provided for the service, which begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, 2 December, with a reception to follow.

All are welcome.

10th Annual Holiday Author Fair

Some 80 Indiana authors and their latest books will be showcased during the 10th annual Holiday Author Fair at the Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, from noon to 4 p.m. 1 December.

Oatess Archey and John Beineke -- author and subject of the book, "Going Over All the Hurdles" -- will speat at 2 p.m.

] At 2:30 p.m., Olivia Rusk talks about her "Just Your Average Teen Who Happens to be Bald", and Keith Erekson discusses "Everybody's History" at 3 p.m.

This year’s books range in topics from Kurt Vonnegut and James Dean to women’s issues and ghosts, to music, cooking and basketball. You’ll find a variety of fiction, nonfiction and children’s books.

There's more information on the event here.

Ballard's Current Scam

Yes, we're talking about that ugly building Mayor Ballard wants to put on the Indianapolis Fire Department property -- and move the fire department functions elsewhere (including onto a lot that has drawn unanimous objections from its neighbors).

Who pays for all this building and moving? You 'n' me, folks!

"When you consider that the City lacks the necessary funds it needs to fund basic city services, you have to ask why so much of our tax dollars are being spent on something that yields so little return for a public benefit," writes Gary R. Welsh in Advance Indiana.

Read more here: "The High Cost Taxpayers Will Pay To Redevelop One Block Of Mass Ave"

Amahl & the Night Visitors

Looking for an alternative to yet another production of the "Nutcracker" this holiday season?

The Indianapolis Opera is staging six performances of "Amahl & the Night Visitors" by Gian Carlo Menotti between 7 and 16 December in the Opera Center, 4011 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis.

Tickets start at $25 (go online to buy).

The story tells of the night the Three Kings, following the star of Bethlehem, stop for shelter at the home of Amahl, a poor, crippled shepherd boy who lives with his widowed mother. Inspired by the Wise Men's tale of a kingdom "built on love alone," Amahl offers his own simple gift to the Christ Child. And then a miracle happens. . .

Note: the production is one act, in less than an hour, so it's perfect for kids as well as adults.

(Image courtesy of Indianapolis Opera)

Explosion: a Criminal Act

The story of the Richmond Hills explosion only gets more complex as the investigation continues.

Seems that the brother of the man living in the epicenter of the blast, 8349 Fieldfare Way, has been taken into custody along with another man.

More at WTHR.com

And Fox59.com