• When wind chills get below 0 degrees, the city opens warming centers. Indy Park’s Municipal Gardens on 1831 Lafayette Rd. is a designated shelter that is accessible via IndyGo bus routes. In addition, the Wheeler Mission and CHIP open overflow shelters to help. Anyone who needs shelter is encouraged to call 211 or if it is an emergency, call 911.
• There have been reports of coyotes on the east side, particularly in Irvington. The Indiana DNR notes that winter is the most active time for the animals as they seek food. Their diet is usually bunnies, mice, rats, squirrels, and fallen fruit. On occasion, they have been reported to attack cats and small dogs, but this is rare. Keep an eye on pets, keep your garbage cans secured, keep pet food and treats inside, and don’t feed them intentionally.
• Eagle Creek Ornithology Center will hold its annual Great Backyard Bird Count Saturday, Feb. 13 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. at the center, located in Eagle Creek Park, 6515 Delong Rd. You can also help out by counting birds in your own back yard those days and registering at birdcount.org. No birding experience is necessary, and admission to the center is free with park admission. Only 10 people will be allowed in the building at a time, and everyone must wear masks and social distance.
• Take a break and take a stroll through the Eiteljorg and their current exhibition, the first rotation of Powerful Women: Contemporary Art from the Eiteljorg Collection. The exhibition is open now until March 21. It features contemporary art by Native American women contemporary artists. A second rotation of Powerful Women opens April 18 and will continue through Oct. 3. It will feature contemporary art by a diverse group of women contemporary artists, including Native American, African American, Latino, Asian American and European American women artists. The exhibition is included with regular Eiteljorg admission. The Eitljorg offers a safe museum environment with timed entry, face mask requirements, and social distancing policies. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. and noon-5 p.m. on Sun. Admission is $15 per person, seniors $12, youth $8 with numerous discounts available online. Visit eiteljorg.org for more information.
• Garfield Park Conservatory’s annual Spring Bulb Show will be held Friday, March 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This is always a great show with unique blooms that will lift your spirits. Admission is by timed-tickets in advance at $4 per ticket. Reserve your tickets beginning Feb. 19 by visiting www.garfieldgardenconservatory.org or by phone at 317-327-7183.
• Congratulations to Gabe Ojeda and Gabe Clark for their hard work with the John Boner Center afterschool program! They were both named National Afterschool Asssociation’s Next Generation of Leaders for 2021.
We’d like to wish all our readers a very Happy Valentine’s Day! Love to all of you from the Ladies of the View!