• The Hoosier History Live 14th Anniversary party was held at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum on July 14. Local luminaries dressed up as people from Indiana history, including Nancy Hanks Lincoln and Mother Theodore Guerin. A great time was had by all.
• Eunice Trotter, formerly of the Recorder newspaper, has been named as director of Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program.
• The Neighborhood Food Collective is hosting a food giveaway on Sunday, July 24 from 2-3 p.m. or while supplies last. The giveaway is at Irvington Plaza, 6301 E. Washington St. Food and donations were collected at the Irving Circle Concert July 17, which helps this organization feed the needy in our community. If you would like to donate (cash or non-perishable food), e-mail them at neighfoodcollect@gmail.com.
• The Sigma Gamma Rho celebration in Indianapolis, and particularly Irvington where it all began, was spectacular! Hundreds of sorority sisters visited the Bona Thompson Memorial Center over the whole week they were in town, taking walking tours on the weekend, and having a grand time. The exhibit at the Bona on their history is worth seeing, and will be on display until November 12. Hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. and the Bona is located at 5350 University Ave. (corner of University and S. Downey). Everyone at the Bona did a fantastic job hosting the event.
• Check out the Growing Places Wednesday Farmer’s Market at the Boner Fitness and Learning Center from 4-7 p.m. The market is located 727 N. Oriental Ave. The Saturday market is cancelled.
• The Mass Ave. Mile Summer Festival will be held Saturday, July 30 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. all along Mass Ave. from Bottleworks down to the District Theater. Vendors, pop-up performances, and lots more will be on the sidewalks, along with some great sales.
• Covering Kids and Families is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Back to School Family Day on Saturday, July 30 from 8:30 a.m.-noon in the parking lot of the Marion County Health Dept., 3838 N. Rural. Each child who attends will receive a free backpack with school supplies, and health services will also be offered, including immunizations and health screenings. For more information, call 317-221-2464.
• Indy Bard Fest will present Shakespeare at the Fort, with A Midsummer Night’s Dream July 21-24 in the amphitheater at the Fort Ben Cultural Campus, 8920 Otis Ave.. Tickets are free, but reservation is required. Visit indybardfest.com to reserve seats online. Matt Socey from WFYI is directing the production.
• Managed Health Services is presenting the 14th Annual Dr. Dannee Neal Back-to-School Health Fair on Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Shalom Health Center, 3400 Lafayette Rd. There will be lots of giveaways, dancing, health screenings, and more. To save time for immunizations and health services, pre-register at patients.vaxcare.com/registration.