Election Day on Delaware Street Circa 1888

The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site will re-create a different type of political campaign -- one conducted on the front-porch of Harrison’s Delaware Street home. Join us for "Election Day: LIVE from Delaware Street" on 8 November.

Benjamin Harrison (pictured) won the nomination of the Republican Party with a series of more than 80 front-porch campaign speeches. Visit the home where those speeches were made, and stand in the spot where Harrison officially accepted the nomination of the Republican Party on a live re-enactment tour that will transport you back to the year 1888.

Visitors will see the excitement building as Harrison’s family and household staff gear up for the run for President. Actors portraying General Harrison, his wife Caroline Harrison, the butler, cook and seamstress will greet guests as they tour from room to room of the house at 1230 North Delaware Street, Indianapolis.

Tours for "Election Day: LIVE from Delaware Street" run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. 8 November, beginning every half hour at the front door. Adult tickets are $10; children ages 5-17 are $5.

The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, a 16-room Italianate style house, was constructed by Harrison in 1874 and is a National Historical Landmark recognized by the United States Department of the Interior. The non-profit organization is dedicated to increasing public understanding of, appreciation for, and participation in the American system of self government through the life stories, arts and culture of an American President.

Exodus Refugee Immigration Marks 30 Years

Indy’s largest refugee resettlement program is celebrating its 30th anniversary. From 6 to 9 p.m. Friday (4 November) you can view the handicrafts of local refugee artisans and participate in the First Friday Art Gallery Tour at Exodus Refugee Immigration, 1125 Brookside Avenue, Indianapolis.

Admission is free, but, as Provocate.org notes, Exodus always welcomes donations of cash or in-kind contributions.

Please let Laurie Cuellar know you're coming by email or call 317:921-0836 by Tuesday (1 November).

Exodus is an independent, non-sectarian 501c3 not for profit agency based in Indianapolis. It's part of a network of affiliates that work with Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program and Episcopal Migration Ministries in the resettlement of refugees from all over the world representing many faiths, cultures and languages.

From Verizon Wireless to Klipsch

Outdoor amphitheater Verizon Wireless Center in Noblesville will be renamed Klipsch Music Center under a new sponsorship agreement between speaker manufacturer Klipsch Group Inc. and venue owner Live Nation Entertainment, reports IBJ.com.

Terms of the agreement, effective today (27 October), were not disclosed. Company officials are scheduled to make an official announcement about the sponsorship later this morning at the amphitheater.

The 24,000-capacity concert venue, which opened in 1989 as Deer Creek Music Center, became Verizon Wireless Center in 2001 under a sponsorship agreement that expired this year.

Spirit & Place: The Body

The 16th annual Spirit & Place Festival set for 4 through 13 November celebrates the body.

From choreography and dance to visual art and tattoos, this year's 45 events offer experiences in celebration of the 2011 theme.

Some highlights:

Explore the movement of bodies @Work @Rest @Play as Butler University dancers perform over the lunch hour 4 and 5 November.

Take in a thought-provoking discussion at Deep Ink: Tattoo Legend Lyle Tuttle at the Indianapolis Museum of Art 5 November.

The leading global dance institution and ballet company, Dance Theatre of Harlem, joins Downtown at the Madame Walker Theatre 10 November.

Humor intertwines with passion at Theatre on the Square’s performance of Birth, a play that examines the miracle of childbirth and the power of motherhood 8 November.

Step up in style at these events by donating a new pair of children's athletic shoes (sizes 10-4) to support the work of Samaritan's Feet in Indianapolis and beyond.

The Spirit & Place Festival is a civic celebration engaging upwards of 20,000 people throughout central Indiana in dozens of programs presented by more than 100 organizations. Its mission is to promote community engagement, appreciation for diversity, public imagination and creative collaboration among arts, humanities and religion.

Children's Museum Announces Top Toys for 2011

Each fall, The Children’s Museum Store invites kids to test out the newest toys and vote on their favorites for the upcoming holiday season.

The 2011 winners are (in no particular order):

• Darda Fireball Climb - pictured (Ages 4+)
The World’s Fastest Motorized Cars! This race car and track set is completely kid powered! No batteries or electricity required. Just wind the car and watch it zip through the loops and twists!

• Flying Turtle (Ages 3-12)
The best toy for active play, kids have a blast zipping around on the flying turtle! But since it is entirely kid powered, they get a ton of great exercise at the same time!

• Playmobil Pirates Prison w/Ship (Ages 4+)
This fun Pirate themed set from Playmobil includes large pirate ship, small row boat, island, prison, and all the people and accessories you need to create an amazing imaginary world.

• Water Wizard (Ages 3+)
The water wizard lets you draw and create over and over again using only water! As the screen dries the images disappear leaving it ready for another amazing creation.

• Laser Pegs 3D Lite Board (Ages 7+)
This is the Ultimate Laser Pegs Kit - the world's only lighted construction set! The 3D Lite Board gives you 40 power connectors on one board so you can build anything you can imagine.

• Barbie “Jam with Me” Rock Star Guitar (Ages 3+)
Jam with Barbie with this toy electric guitar. Connect your MP3 player to jam along with your own tunes, take the guitar challenge and play along with Barbie, or just freeplay to create your own awesome songs!

• OgoBild Pod (Ages 6+)
A brilliant combination of active and constructive play. Ogo Bild Pods lets your child build giant structures like bouncing balls and forts.

• Perplexus Original (Ages 6+)
Perplexus Original is a bendy, trendy, can’t put it down challenge! With plenty of twists, turns, and barriers between start and finish, this puzzle ball will leave you perplexed!

• FyrFlyz (Ages 8+)
Create amazing light shows by spinning, swinging and twirling your FyrFlyz.

• Barbie Giant Activity Floor Pad (Ages 3+)
This complete activity set includes crayons, marker, paints, paintbrush, scissors and glue stick along with 40 fun fashion activities!

Adults in need of holiday gift ideas for the children in their lives can make purchases from the Kid-Tested, Kid-Approved list and The Museum Store holiday toy catalog both in the store or online. Shipping is available for both in-store and online purchases and gift wrapping is available.

(Photo courtesy of Children's Museum of Indianapolis)

Life and Death in 19th Century Indiana

"Reflections on Life and Death in 19th Century Indiana" is the topic for the fall presentation of the Forensic Science Lecture Series to be held from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Wednesday (26 October) in the Indiana Medical History Museum, 3045 Vermont Street Indianapolis.

Dr. John Langdon, professor of biology and associate dean in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Indianapolis, will speak on how cemeteries and related documents help reconstruct the facts of life (and death) for pioneer families and their descendents.

And, yes, his lecture is open to the public free of charge.

Interfaith Luncheon

The annual interfaith luncheon sponsored by the Muslim Alliance of Indiana takes place at noon 28 October in the Indianapolis Hilton Hotel, 120 West Market Street, Indianapolis.

For further information please Kat Lai or Charlie Wiles.