• This year’s Indy Fringe is more dynamic than ever. There have been many must-see shows generating lots of local buzz, including Ben Asaykwee’s “My Name Is _______”, “7(x1) Samurai,” and the “Great Bike Race” by local Zach Rosing Productions. Also “Burnt at the Steak” with Carolann Valentino is fantastic! This is the final weekend of Fringe, so be sure to check out a few shows while you can.
Another reason to go to Fringe, even if you don’t get to see a show, is the atmosphere generated by a lot of creative people doing their thing along Mass Ave. This year, buskers (street performers) are out in force. The fire juggler (who has a show called “The Real McCoy Show” at Cook Theatre) was especially entertaining (we highly recommend).
• Irvington Presbyterian Church will combine a free outdoor ice cream social and concert on Aug. 24 at 55 Johnson Ave. Ice cream will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the concert by Audio Diner will begin at 6:00 p.m. The event marks the beginning of the church’s Fourth Sunday Concert Series.
• Poet Tracy Mishkin will be reading from her work on Aug. 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Art Center, 4437 N. Franklin Rd. This is part of the Poets Laureate of Lawrence series, which features a notable poet each month.
• High school students with an interest in leadership and community service should consider applying to United Way of Central Indiana’s training program. The program includes sessions on giving, meeting procedures, and much more. All sessions are in Indianapolis and there is $50 fee. Applications are due Oct. 31 for the training program. Visit www/uwci.org/ylu or call Annie Smith at 920-2565 with questions.
• Conner Prairie will be holding their first Festival of Machines Sept. 13-14. The event will showcase vintage cars and historic vehicles. Look for old planes, steam engines and lots more. Visit www.connerprairie.org for more information about this new program.
• On Thursday, Aug. 21, come on out to the Emerson Heights Neighborhood meeting at 6:45 p.m. at Wallace St. Evangelical Church (4805 E. 10th St.). Special guest Tohana Sims will be a guest speaker about Sims Boxing Club, which recently opened on East 10th St.
• The Irvington Green Initiative meeting on Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. will feature Rectify LLC, a renewable energy company co-founded by Irvingtonian Phil Teague. They will be talking about new regulations and information about solar power for homes and commercial buildings. Come on out to Jockamo, 5646 E. Washington St. for the meeting.
• Speaking of green technology, there will be a “Cooking with Sunshine” workshop on Aug. 24 at Pogue’s Run Grocer, 2828 E. 10th St., from 2-3 p.m. The solar cooking class will be taught by Shawndra Miller and Judy Hostetler, who will teach people how to build and use a solar cooker.
