• There will be a 10th & Rural Streetscape Infrastructure Project Open House on Aug.13from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the John Boner Neighborhood Center, 2236 E. 10th St. It will be held in the Springdale classroom. Join the City of Indianapolis to learn more about the scope of this project including changes to the layout of the 10th and Rural intersection, pedestrian safety improvements, stormwater upgrades, etc., as well as the anticipated timeline for construction. This project has been planned but delayed for several years, so this is a great opportunity to become informed about the City’s next steps.
• Raiders of the Lost Antiques is an annual event which combines the area’s fine antique and retail shops with local eateries and drinkeries for a unique experience showcasing the Near East Side. Shoppers can collect a Passport & have it stamped at each location for their chance to win gift cards from participating businesses and, this year, the winners will be drawn in the evening at an after-party at Mayfair! Raiders of the Lost Antiques will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more about participating at https://www.facebook.com/share/1F4EcE928t/
• At the end of 2024, the City of Indianapolis took possession of the former Indiana Women’s Prison site on the Near Eastside. As the City takes additional steps toward planning for the reuse of the site, updates will be posted on a dedicated webpage for the project. https://www.indy.gov/activity/indiana-womens-prison.
• Ransburg YMCA is holding focus group sessions with conversations about the future of the Y. Sessions will be on July 28 from 3-5 p.m. and July 29 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the YMCA. You must register in advance online at https://ow.ly/UyAT50WsKFA for one of the sessions.
• Mark your calender for Aug. 8 for a free Outdoor Community Movie Night, showing “Jumanji” with Robin Williams, at Grace Church, 5605 S. Franklin Rd. (directly across from Franklin Road Library). Free popcorn, hot dogs, and drinks will be provided; lawn games will be available. Lawn opens at 7:45, film starts at 8:45. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. If inclement weather, event will be moved indoors.
• The Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) recently released its 2025 report on it point-in-time count of individuals experiencing homelessness held in January. The data is not good: There were 1,815 people in shelters and living on the streets in January, a 7% increase from the year before. The report noted that veterans experiencing homelessness had dropped 26% thanks to programs targeting that population, but there was a 24% increase in people who were chronically unhoused (individuals who have a disability and have been homeless for at least a year). There was also an increase of Black citizens who were experiencing homelessness, representing 56% of the homeless population. Reasons for the increase include a lack of affordable housing, among other factors.