• Thank you to everyone who came out to the Seed Swap on Jan. 30. There was a great group of people, lots of seeds and stories swapped, and great information for this year’s garden.
• Did you know that the Howe High School Alumni Association is working very hard to help current students at Howe succeed? They have started an afterschool nutrition program, offering healthy meals to at-risk youth. They need volunteers in the community to help out. For more information, contact Jim Kelly at 317-767-1922.
• Partners for Animal Welfare Society (P.A.W.S.) is having an adoption event Feb. 6 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Tractor Supply store, 1645 N State St., Greenfield. Check out their available dogs, cats, and kittens on the P.A.W.S. web site at www.pawshancock.org. They cannot bring all adoptable pets to the adoption event so if you see a specific pet you want to meet on Saturday or you want to schedule a private one-on-one meeting with any of the pets, let them know by e-mail at pawshancock@aol.com
• Encore will present a simultaneously sentimental and snarky love-themed concert on Feb, 13, at 5:00 pm or 7:30 pm at the Basile Opera Center, 4011 N. Pennsylvania St., for a choral contrast between a collection of Brahms’ love songs and the premier of a new anti-Valentine’s Day work. The performance will also feature Dance Kaleidoscope dancers. There will be cocktails after the 5 p.m. and before the 7:30 show. Tickets are $20; visit www.encorevocalarts.org or call 317-576-7676 for more information about the “He Loves Me, She Loves Me Not” concert.
• Thank you to Lawrence Police Officer Dustin Van Treese who rescued a teen who fell through the ice on Bob Dr. on Jan. 30. The teen was in the water about five minutes before being pulled out, and was treated for hypothermia. Great job!
• The 12th Annual Masquerade Ball will be held March 5 from 6-12 p.m. at Wyndham Indianapolis West Hotel. This year’s theme is Vikings vs. Pirates. The band is Lemon Wheel. Tickets are $55 in advance per person for dinner and the ball. Ball only tickets are $40. Visit www.gaiaworksincrp.org/ to order tickets soon! Proceeds go to Coburn Place.
• First Friday events all over the place Feb. 5 from 6-9 p.m. The CCIC, 1125 Brookside Ave., will be hopping. Also, check out “Strange Love” at the 5547 Project, 5547 Bonna Ave. in Irvington, featuring local artists, beer by Fountain Square Brewery, and a soup tasting with Soupremacy. This is a free event.
• There will be a “Hands-On” Reception on Sun. Feb. 7 from 2-3 p.m. at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 University Ave., with Irvington artist Cheryl Anne Lorance. She’ll be showing people how to make a pop-up card. You can also purchase her unique cards and other items at the event.
• There will be a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser for Mended Hearts pet rescue at the American Legion, 8725 E. 38th St. on Feb. 5 from 5-8 p.m. The dinner is all-you-can-eat and just $8 per perso with vegan/vegetarian options available. Proceeds will be used for veterinarian bills and to support the rescue animals.