• Congratulations to Chris Staab, who was honored as Crime Fighter of the Year in IMPD’s East District. A long-time resident of the east side, Chris has made huge contributions to making the community better for everyone.
• The Big Gay Summer’s End Market and Dance Party will be held on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 1-7 p.m. at the 10 East Arts HUB, 3137 E. 10th St. There will be over 70 LGBTQ+ vendors selling all sorts of artisanal wares. Admission is free.
• Indiana Repertory Theater’s 50th Anniversary season tickets are now available online at irtlive.com with the first production, Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, starting September 14. Other plays for the season include The Chinese Lady, Oedipus, Shakespeare’s Will a forgotten woman, and the ever-popular A Christmas Carol. Packages for all six plays begins at $156 and go up from there.
• Local artists Jamie Willis and Michele Burns will be featured at the 3rd Floor Gallery’s Eclectic Show opening night on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 6-9 p.m. at the Irvington Lodge, 5515 E. Washington St.
• The Indianapolis Public Library is involved in the Indiana Humanities One State/One Story program, encouraging everyone in the state to read World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Free copies of the book are available or participants in the book discussions beginning Tuesday, Aug. 23 at the E. 38th St. branch. Discussions of the book will be held through September.
• The Annual N.I.T.E Ride will take place on Saturday, Aug. 20 beginning at City Market downtown. Hosted by the Central Indiana Bicycling Association, the 20 mile ride begins at 11 p.m. and travels to the Major Taylor Velodrome, White River, to Garfield Park. There is still time to register and see the requirements by going to www.niteride.org.
• Check out Rock E Bassoon on Friday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park main pavilion, 1702 Broadway. REB is a bassoon rock band that has to be seen (check out their Web site rockebassoon.com for videos) to be appreciated.
• While it is hardly making headlines, COVID-19 is still with us. Vaccinations are still available and encouraged for those who are in high-risk categories, including the elderly and individuals with compromised immune system. The Indiana Dept. of Health offers free vaccines; see the availability and register at coronovirus.in.gov for information about the closest clinic.
• After four years of being empty, Broad Ripple High School is now home to Purdue Polytechnic North Campus. The fabled school will be the temporary campus until PP finishes the construction on their new north campus. IPS still owns the building but is looking for a buyer for the large property.
• Very sad to hear that New Day Craft Mead & Cider has closed permanently. They had wonderful products made by very knowledgeable and passionate brewers. They opened a tasting room in Fountain Square, then moved to the Circle City Industrial Complex on Brookside a few years ago. The owners sold the recipes, brand and intellectual property, and we hope someone will revitalize it in the near future.