Applause!: Feb. 16-22

• Indianapolis Shakespeare Company will be holding auditions for the Travelling Troupe on February 25-26 at Butler University, Lilly Hall. Call backs are scheduled for February 27th. Auditions are by appointment only. Visit www.indyshakes.com to book your audition.
• Spades Park Neighborhood Association will hold a meeting  Tues., Feb. 20 from 6-8 p.m. at Spades Park Library (1801 Nowland Ave.).
• Love Your Library: CEO’s 2018 Tour! will be coming to the Irvington branch Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. Individuals of all ages are invited to meet Library CEO Jackie Nytes as part of her annual visits to all IndyPL locations. Learn about trends and activities throughout the Library system, and share thoughts about how the Library can better serve patrons’ needs. The Irvington branch is located at 5625 E. Washington St.
• In the ongoing march of progress, IN.gov announced that it has released an update to the State of Indiana’s Amazon Alexa skill allowing citizens to check on county-level travel statuses. To search for travel advisories, say “Alexa, ask Indiana for travel advisories”. Alexa will ask for which county users are searching for. Users can initially ask for the status of a specific county when making the request.
• The Circle City Donut Dash will be coursing through the east side Sat., Feb. 17, with the start at 9 a.m. at Teacher’s Treasures on East 10th St. The route will weave through east side neighborhoods and end at Pogue’s Run Park. Let’s cheer them on as they make their merry way, full of donuts and coffee, through our streets!
• Irvington United Methodist Church is celebrating its 140th Anniversary at 10:30 a.m. on Sun., Feb. 18. This icon of Irvington sits on the north circle of Audubon, and is host to the yearly Strawberry Festival. Justice Geoffrey Slaughter of the Indiana Supreme Court will be the guest speaker at a special event marking the church’s birthday. The special service will be followed by a luncheon ($15) and silent auction. Call 317-356-7231 or info@irvingtonumc.org for reservations and more information.
• Spring cannot get here soon enough for gardening types! Thank you to the dozens of Seed Swap attendees and vendors on Feb. 10 at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center. There was much talk in the air about our hopes and wishes for a bountiful 2018. Keep the spirit going at the Irvington Green meeting on Thurs. March 1, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Jockamo’s in Irvington for an Irvington Green sustainable systems-renewable community forum with guests from KIB, Irvington Garden Club, and Indiana Recycling Coalition.
• Nominate your favorite neighborhood go-getters for Mayor’s Community Service Awards. The awards honor residents who volunteer their time and talents toward the betterment of the city and those who call it home. For more information, visit www.indy.gov/eGov/Mayor and Neighborhood Services.