• The Indianapolis Library’s Fall Fest will be held Saturday, Nov. 18 from noon – 4 p.m. at Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair. There will be interactive entertainment along with a poetry challenge for middle to high school students. This year’s dynamic speaker is actress and director, Kim Fields, Fields is a veteran actress currently starring in the hit Netflix comedy series, “The Upshaws.” Admission is free.
• The Benton House Holiday Bazaar and Toy Drive Honoring Santa Steve Nicewanger will be held Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17 and 18 at the Benton House, 312 S. Downey Ave. Hours are 5-9 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday. There will be lots of vendors with unique items. Also, the Benton House will be accepting toy donations to honor Steve Nicewanger, who was the Benton House Santa for many years. New, unwrapped toys will be collected and given to Gaia Works to distribute as a part of their annual holiday toy giveaway to needy families in the area.
• Beginning Nov. 19, there will be an ice rink at the Bicentennial Unity Plaza outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania. Admission is $11 and $4 for skates for all sessions except Friday and Saturday. Friday and Saturday after 5 p.m. is $13 and $4 skates. There is onsite skate sharpening ($10), and skate aids that can be rented. Admission entitles participants in for a 90 minute skating session. Visit rinkatbicentennialunityplaza.com to order tickets in advance.
• There will be an open to anyone in need food pantry at Moorhead Community Resource Center, 8400 E. 10th St. on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 9-11 a.m. Food, toiletries, and clothing will be available to anyone who needs assistance. Visit www.sonnyday.org for more information about the pantry and how you can volunteer.
• Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients of the Indiana Historical Society Annual Awards. Locally, Ed Fujawa was honored with the Hubert Hawkins History Award, and the Irvington Historical Society won an Outstanding Historical Organization award.
• Bard Fest will present Hedda Gabler, Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama, Nov. 10-12 at various times at the Theatre at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave. Tickets are $20 or $15 for seniors, students and the military. Visit artsforlawrence.org for a full schedule and to get tickets online.
• The Genealogy Society of Marion County will present “Finding Your Father’s War” on researching military records on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 1-3 p.m. at their library, 9370 E. Washington St. There is no admission fee or registration required to attend.
• Public Advocates in Community re-Entry (PACE) has received a $2.748 million Christel DeHaan Family Foundation Legacy Grant that will be used to fund the organization’s long-term needs. They will name their new building after her, the Christel DeHaan Turning Point Plaza.
Veteran’s Day is Saturday, Nov. 11. City, state and federal offices will be closed on Friday, Nov. 10 to observe the holiday.