• The Bookmamas Gingerbread House contest winners were: Bailey Carpenter (1st), Troop 239 (2nd), and Lexi Scott (3rd). Thanks to everyone who participated in such a fun event!
• Nexus Academy of Indianapolis recently welcomed a new special education teacher, Emily Schweitzer. Schweitzer comes to the school with 13 years of experience in the education field, with eight years as a special education teacher for various schools in Indiana.
• Since 1991, the Indiana State Police Alliance, through its Cops for Kids program, has been able to assist Indiana youth by funding programs around the state. The next round of grants will be given in March 2017 with applications being received in February of 2017. If you wish to make a donation to assist the ISPA and its Cops for Kids program, please contact the ISPA office by phone, 317-626-0929, by mail at 1415 Shelby St, Indianapolis, 46203, or by e-mail at wayneflick@indianasfinest.com. For more information, visit their Web site at www.indianasfinest.com
• Good news for the Rivoli Theater on East 10th St. Funding for a new roof is starting to come in, and plans are in place to complete the project by fall of 2017. Thanks to a grant from the Community Development Block program, funds from the Efroymson Family Fund, CICF, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the hard work of the Rivoli board of directors, the neighborhood organizataions, and individuals and businesses, we’re beginning to see progress! There is a lot more yet to do, and donations are needed to make this a success. Visit www.rivolitheatre.org for more information and to donate.
• The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), announced that license branches will be closed on Fri., Dec. 23 through Mon., Dec. 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday. All license branches resume normal business hours on Tues., Dec. 27. In addition, license branches will be closed from Sat., Dec. 31 through Mon., Jan. 2 in observance of the New Year’s holiday. All license branches resume normal hours of operation on Tues., Jan. 3.
• Partnerships for Lawrence has a new name: Arts for Lawrence. The organization has been on a tear recently, opening up the Theater at the Fort with some great shows and really pushing the arts in Lawrence. Their next production at the Theater will be Up the Down Staircase Jan. 13-15. They will have a new Web site coming January 2017, www.artsforlawrence.org
• Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) is running a $15 cat and dog ‘Holiday Adoption Special’ through the month of December. All adoptable cats and dogs are only $15 with a donation from IACS’s Facebook wish list. IACS adoptable cats and dogs come spayed or neutered, vaccinated, micro-chipped and with one month of free pet insurance. If interested in touring the shelter and for more information on IACS adoption and foster programs, please contact Susan Hobbs, community outreach coordinator, by phone 317-327-1460 or by e-mail Susan.Hobbs@indy.gov. IACS is located at 2600 S. Harding Street. The shelter is open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on Sundays. For more information on IACS’s programs and services visit www.indy.gov/acs.