• With the 2022 General Election just on the horizon, Hoosier voters can learn a lot about their voting options by visiting indianavoters.com, the Indiana Secretary of State’s election information portal. Verify your voter registration, learn how to get registered, find out where and how you can vote, find out who is on the ballot in your jurisdiction, and much more at this Web site. All you have to provide is your name, your birthdate, and your current county of registration. Do not be alarmed if your status is listed as “inactive” — this will change to “active” once you have voted. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.
• Congratulations again to Rita Spalding, who recently received the Still Life Award of Excellence in the Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition. She won with her painting “Wabara Roses.”
• There will be a Pumpkin Hunt and Roll on Saturday, Oct. 15 from noon-1:30 p.m. at Ellenberger Park, 5301 E. St. Clair. Meet at the Volleyball Court along St. Clair. The hunt begins at noon, and the hill roll begins at 12:45. Limit of 50 pumpkins for the event. This is for kids under the age of 12, with one pumpkin per child. Email info@ellenbergerpark.org for more information. The Friends of Ellenberger Park group is sponsoring the event.
• Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center will host Owl Fest on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22 and 23. There are lots of activities for the entire family and you’ll get to see owls and other birds up close and personal. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday, and 1-6 p.m. on Sunday. There will be a silent auction with funds going to the Raptor Ambassador Fund.
• Time is running out to reserve your tickets for the Irvington Halloween Ball, 1980s Edition, “Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun.” The ball will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 8-11:30 p.m. at the Irvington Event Center, 6767 E. Washington St. This is a 21+ event, with a live band and lots of dancing, light appetizers, and a chance to dust off your shoulder pads, Thriller moves, and Madonna fingerless gloves! Tickets are $80 each and include a drink ticket. They will sell out, so move fast. Proceeds go to support local charities. Visit irvingtonhalloween.com and follow the links to the Ball.
• Want to get in on the latest sport? Garfield Park is offering Free Pickleball lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-11 a.m. at the Burrello Family Center, 2345 Pagoda Center. Bring your own paddle and pre-register by calling 317-327-7220. For $3, you can hang around and play on their courts from 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Near Eastside Renewal is happy to report they are slowly and surely moving into their new digs on the corner of 10th and Rural. The house is the 145th they’ve rehabbed or built in the neighborhood, and the only one they’ve created as a community gathering space. No open house been scheduled yet, but this move has been in the making for a while!