• On Black Friday, many volunteers came out to Pogues Run Art and Nature Park to help plant 41 trees. That makes over a hundred trees planted in the park, located at 23rd and Dequincy on the east side. If you haven’t been to the park yet, it is a great place to take a walk with your (leashed) dog or a loved one. Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help.
• The lucky 13th version of A Very Phoenix Christmas, “Merry Superstitious” is now showing at the Phoenix Theatre, 705 N. Illinois. Directed by Ben Asaykwee and starring Jaddy Ciucci and Tiffany Bridges, among others, this one looks like a great, irreverent show for the grown-ups. Shows are through Dec. 23, and tickets range from $24-$35. Visit www.phoenixtheatre.org or call 317-635-7529 for more information and to buy tickets in advance.
• Local students Miriam Heger (Center for Inquiry School 70), Clifford Huehls and Makenzi Swindle (George Washington Carver School 87), and Adriana Reel (Center for Inquiry School 2) recently danced in Butler Ballet’s opening night of “The Nutcracker.” The students were selected from a large group of young people who auditioned for the iconic ballet.
• Arts for Lawrence will hold its 7th Annual Holiday Home Tour on Sat., Dec. 1 from 4-7 p.m. in the heart of Historic Fort Benjamin Harrison. The tour showcases several locations around Lawton Loop, including three original barracks, and four original Officers Quarters that have been converted to private residences. Tickets at the door, at any location on Lawton Loop, are $15. This is a self-guided tour. Organizers note that this will be the last Holiday Home Tour in Lawrence.
• Christmas in Wanamaker will be held Sat. Dec. 1 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with several businesses offering open houses and specials. There will be activities all along the 8600-9000 blocks of Southeastern Ave.
• The Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt will be held Sat., Dec. 1 in the Town of Cumberland from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. There will be lots of activities and a scavenger hunt, visits with Santa and much more.
• Buck Creek Player’s holiday production, The Unexpected Gift, will feature great performances, and a chance to win gift baskets in a silent auction. Winners will be contacted following the Dec. 16th performance for payment and pickup. Proceeds go to support the Blaine Jarrett Memorial Scholarship Fund. There will also be an “Unexpected Gift Basket” at every performance, with the winner taking it home that evening after bidding.
• With winter finally here, road and weather conditions can change very fast. For a list of winter driving tips and ways you can stay safe while driving in winter weather, visit indy.gov/snow Updates are also available @IndySnowForce.