• Tickets for the Benton House Tour of Homes and Classy Car Show on Sept. 19 are on sale now at Black Sheep Gifts (5626 E. Washington St.), Hampton Design & Gifts (5515 E. Washington St.), and Central Ace Hardware (1025 N. Arlington Ave.) for $15. You can also purchase tickets online at thebentonhouse.org Web site. This looks like it will be a great home tour!
• This weekend is the Irvington Farmer’s Market on Sunday, Sept. 12 from noon-3 p.m. at Ellenberger Parks, 5301 E. St. Clair. This time of year is optimal for lots of produce and other goodies at the market, so go get some!
• Patrons of the Indianapolis Public Library will be required to wear a face mask inside the library regardless of vaccination status. The Phoenix Theatre and Indianapolis Repertory Theater will also require patrons to wear face masks inside regardless of vaccination status. With the surge of COVID-19 cases, expect more organizations to return to pre-vaccine restrictions indoors.
• Speaking of COVID-19 vaccinations, Indiana has plateaued at about 51% of eligible Hoosiers at least partially vaccinated. About 46% are vaccinated in the state. This puts us behind the U.S. rate of about 53%. Hospitalizations have skyrocketed and now many local hospitals are forced to divert emergency patients to other hospitals because they lack space. In addition, wait times to get tested for COVID-19 are increasing as more people become exposed to the virus. Visit ourshot.in.gov or call 211 to schedule your FREE vaccination.
• Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley announced that the city will reward full and part-time employees who get the COVID-19 vaccine with a $50 stipend. They will offer free flu shots to full and part-time employees as well. The mayor and Clerk-Treasurer Jim Coffman are fully vaccinated and will not be accepting the stipend.
• The 4th Annual Presenting Irvington Artist Opening Reception is Sat., Sept. 11th from 5-8 p.m. at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 University.
• There will be a Fall Fashion Show to support the Irvington Historical Society on Monday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 University. See the latest fashion from local vendors, enjoy wine and appetizers, and more. Tickets are $20 and available at Snips Salon, Josephine’s in Irvington, and Black Sheep Gifts in Irvington. Limited admission, so get tickets early to avoid disappointment.
• The Garfield Park Conservatory will host a Biergarten on Thursday, Sept. 16 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the Sunken Garden. The evening will feature local music, food vendors, and beer from the Garfield Brewery. Admission is free and there is no need to register. This is an all-ages event.
• The Friends of Dogs Outside (FIDO) Flea Market will be open on Sunday, Sept. 12 from noon-3 p.m. at FIDO headquarters, 1505 N. Sherman Dr. They will offer lots of pet products, including clothing, bowls, collars, leashes, and dog beds. All proceeds will go to support the FIDO mission of helping financially stressed families take care of their pets, a pet food pantry, promoting spay/neuter services, and fencing programs.