20th Anniversary Celebration Starts 14 March

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art first opened its doors on 24 June 1989.

This year, the institution in Indy's White River State Park, celebrates 20 years of inspiring appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the American West and the indigenous peoples of North America.

The Opening Day Celebration, set for 14 March, includes:

* The opening of the exhibition "Facing West: Celebrating 20 Years of the Eiteljorg Museum"
* 1989 admission and membership prices: Guests can visit for $2 and become new members for as low as $25
* 20% discounts in the Eiteljorg Museum Store and Sky City Café
* Extended hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more, click here.

Seeing Eye-to-Eye with Oleanna

To mark its second official season, The Theater Within, 1125 Spruce Street, Indianapolis, is staging "Oleanna", a play by David Mamet.

The first in the theater's Awaiting Illumination series, "Oleanna" introduces John, a well-intentioned but conflicted college professor anticipation of receiving tenure by the university review committee, and Carol, a troubled young student trying to shed light on the value of her instructor's sometimes confounding use of language.

Performances start at 8 p.m. on 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 March. For information, contact Rod Isaac or call 317:850-4665. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students/seniors.

Future productions include "Bent", "The Mercy Seat" and "Never The Sinner".

Fine Furniture: An Inspired View

"Fine Furniture: An Inspired View" is a collection of works by four different artists in their junior year in the Herron School of Art and Design Furniture Design Program at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. The show showcases how they use their inspiration and artistic vision to create one-of-a-kind furniture forms.

The exhibit will be on display 20-31 March in the Cultural Arts Gallery, Room 240 of the Campus Center at IUPUI, 420 University Boulevard, Indianapolis.

For more information, contact Kyle Capicik.

Volleyball Tournament to Attract Thousands in Indy

More than 20,000 people are expected to gather in downtown Indianapolis this weekend for one of the country's largest volleyball tournaments, reports Inside INdiana Business.

The 2009 Mizuno Mid-East Qualifier will be held tomorrow through Sunday (6-8 March) and feature 520 teams and 6,000 girls from across the country.

The Business of Sports

Sonny Vaccaro (pictured), Director of Vaccaro Sports Partnerships, will speak on "The Business of Sports" at 5 p.m. today (4 March) in Room 259 of the Indiana University School of Law at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

His presentation is sponsored by the The Entertainment and Sports Law Society. A reception will follow. For more information, contact Matt Nolley.

Considered one of basketball's most well-connected insiders, Vaccaro remains a formidable force in contemporary sports marketing and grassroots basketball. His promotional innovations (beginning with the signing of Michael Jordan to his first major endorsement package) revolutionized the sports marketing genre with shoe endorsements, team affiliations and other ground-breaking promotional partnerships which have helped propel the fortunes of countless athletes, collegiate programs and professional teams.

Ballard to be One Term Mayor?

Advance Indiana outlines a startling set of revelations about Mayor Greg Ballard's financial dealings.

Campaign pledges about accountability and transparency are trashed as the one-year incumbent curries favor with well-heeled contributors.

"Despite a pledge to restore ethics and public accountability, Ballard has governed this past year under the guiding principle that anyone wishing to do business with the city-county government must pay to play."

But, don't take my word for it. Read it all here.

MIBOR Reports Home Sales Figures

The Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors (MIBOR) says the number of units sold from November through January is down 16 percent, compared to the same period a year earlier, reports Inside INdiana Business.

MIBOR says nearly 4,500 homes sold in the period had an average price of $125,700. Out of the 13 counties in the Indianapolis-area, only Decatur and Putnam posted increases in average sale price from November through January.