• Another kudo for Charlotte Ottinger for her book Madge — it was a finalist for the American Legacy Book Award in two categories: Biography and General Non-fiction. Congratulations on that enormous achievement!
• IMPD will host a Slow Roll bike ride on Friday, May 30, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This is a community bike ride open to everyone — families, friends, neighbors, and anyone who wants to enjoy a fun, casual ride through the neighborhood. The ride begins at 29 N. Grant in the parking lot of the Tuxedo Park Baptist Church. The ride will be through the Grace-Tuxedo and Bosart-Brown neighborhoods.
• Magpie Studio and Gallery will host a Plein Air Paint Out at the Red Barn Farm, 6015 E. Bonna Ave., on Saturday, May 31 at 10 a.m. If you would like to try your hand at plein air painting, this free event is the place to be. The Red Barn Arts Collective studios will also be open. In case of bad weather, they will reschedule. Bring your own supplies and a comfy chair.
• Indiana Historical Society has started their Concerts on the Canal. On Saturday, May 29 from 6-8 p.m., the Cool City Band will be playing swinging lounge music on the Stardust Terrace, 450 W. Ohio St. Tables for 4 go for $65 or $45 for IHS members. There will be no free tables this year due to construction. Visit indianahistory.org to reserve tickets or buy a season pass.
• The 46219 Community Cat Initiative is going gangbusters! In it’s second year, the team has managed to catch over 90 free-wheeling community cats, getting them spayed/neutered at FACE, providing vaccines and flea meds, and returning them to the community. All of this is possible due to donations and hard work. Thank you to all the good people who care about these kitties. If you’d like to help keep up the good work, call 317-406-7102 and leave a voice mail.
• The Irvington Historical Society will host a great new exhibit beginning May 31 on the Lost Photographs of Osbert Sumner. A local family found a box of glass negatives in their basement, and for the first time, you will have a chance to view the historic images of Indianapolis, Irvington, and other areas taken at the turn of the 20th century. The photos will be on display on Saturday, May 31 at the Bonna Thompson Center, 5350 E. University from 1-4 p.m. and on every weekend through Nov. 16. Admission is free, but a donation is appreciated.
• If you’re wondering why everything looks so lush and growing so fast, it is likely due to the fact that we’ve had 140.7% of our normal rainfall in April. That doesn’t include the above-average rainfall so far in May. The grass (and weeds) are loving all of it. Our gutters and basements, not so much.
Next week is the Weekly View’s summer combo issue that will be on the racks for 2 weeks (through June 12).