• Local artist Rita Spalding’s work, a Dutch Masters inspired floral painting, was recently curated into the Art Renewal Center’s 2022 Salon Competition as a semi-finalist. This international competition is based in New York City and is considered one of the more prestigious competitions in the world. The finalists will be announced November 1, and winners will be announced January 2, 2023.
• There have been widespread reports of street racing throughout the city, and particularly in east district. Street racing and “spinning clubs” that meet in large empty parking lots to spin their wheels have become significant problems for police and residents. Please call non-emergency at 317-327-3811 to report street racing while it is happening.
• Catalytic converter theft is a continuing problem in the city, and very difficult to prevent. It takes about 30 seconds for an experienced thief to get under your car, saw off the converter and vanish. To help track (and prevent) thefts, Jiffy Lube locations in Indiana will paint the converter with heat resistant teal paint and etch the license plate number on it at no charge. This may be a deterrent to would-be thieves.
• The 3rd Floor Gallery in the Irvington Lodge, 5515 E. Washington St., will hold an open house on Friday, Sept. 23 from 6-9 p.m. Several local artists will have their works out, and available for purchase. If you haven’t seen this show, you need to get up there before it is gone!
• Our Lady of Lourdes Fall Festival is running Thursday, Sept. 22-24. Hours are Thurs. 5-10 p.m., Fri. 5-midnight, Sat. 2 p.m.-midnight. If you attend, parking is available at Oakley Hammond across E. Washington St. or in the Mundell & Associates parking lot, 110 S. Downey Ave. Please do not park in the limited street parking for residents around the church.
• Get ready for Heartland Film Festival, which will run Oct. 6-16 at Newfields, Living Room Theaters, Kan-Kan Cinema, Landmark Glendale,and the Historic Artcraft. More than 100 films and 10 world premieres, plus lots of Indiana-made films and special presentations, make Heartland a great event. This year, the closing film will be “The Whale,” starring Brendon Fraser, which got a lot of buzz recently at the Cannes Film Festival. Visit heartlandfilmfestival.org to get passes and browse through this year’s films. Last year, Heartland screened several Oscar contenders, including the winner of Best Picture.
• Garfield Park Oktoberfest will be held Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Sunken Garden, 2505 Conservatory Dr.. Garfield Park Brewery and the German American Klub will host a German biergarten, plus there will be live music, German food, and much more. Admission is free. Hours are noon-4 p.m.