• The Mayor’s Neighborhood Advocate for the east side, Ashley Miller, has begun holding Community Office Hours on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Spades Park Library on Nowland and on Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. at the Foundry, 236 E. 16th. Drop by and meet Ashley and bring questions or concerns about the neighborhood.
• It’s that time of year again — fireworks season! Marion County rules are very clear about the private use of fireworks: From June 28-July 3, fireworks can only be used from 5 p.m. until 2 hours after sunset. On July 4, fireworks are permitted from 10 a.m. to midnight. You must be 18 or older to buy and use fireworks. Please be courteous and thoughtful of your neighbors if you choose to use fireworks.
• Saturday, June 18 is the last day of the Irvington Folk Festival, and the big event will be at Ellenberger Park, 5301 E. St. Clair. The Children’s Festival begins at 11 a.m. and the Alternative Gift Fair starts at noon. Music on the Main Stage begins at 1 p.m. and continues until dusk. Events are free although they would love donations to keep the festival going.
• The Eskenazi Health Foundation recently announced a gift of $150,000 from The RoomPlace in support of the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital and Eskenazi Health campus, in addition to current Eskenazi Health programs. As we reported a few weeks ago, The RoomPlace is currently renovating the old Levitz building on East Washington St. for their new showroom and headquarters for their rent-to-own retail division, EasyHome.
• Summer is here (officially, summer begins at solstice June 20), and that means kids are out of school, doing kid things. The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) Summer Child Safety Web page (www.in.gov/dcs/summerchildsafety) offers many resources to share with families and friends. Check it out.
• Entertainment on the Plaza in Greenfield continues on June 17 at 7 p.m. with Gary West’s “For the Love of Cash” Tribute. The free concert is held every Friday on the Greenfield City Plaza.
• Summer also brings heat, humidity, and Knozone Action Days. These days are declared when the forecast indicates that ground-level ozone levels may be high, reducing air quality. People with lung disease or serious health problems may find it difficult to breath and should avoid spending time outdoors on Knozone Action Days. Reduce vehicle idling, fill gas tanks after 6 p.m. and don’t mow if you can avoid it.
• The Sanctuary Church at 3400 N. Post Rd. will hold a community appreciation day for first responders on June 18 from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. There will be raffles, food, a bound house for the kids, and lots more.
• Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and father figures who have shaped our lives!