• With warm weather upon us, IMPD is asking everyone to be extra vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately. Call 911 for emergency help, which includes strangers lurking about a neighbor’s home or checking cars parked on the street (there have been many reports of thefts from cars recently). Non-emergency should be called at 317-327-3811 if the situation isn’t life-threatening, like a loud party after 11 p.m. Reporting such things on social media will not help the situation — let the police handle it and if you must, post on neighborhood pages to give everyone a heads-up afterwards.
• Earth Day is April 22. You can celebrate it downtown at the Earth Day Indiana Festival at Military Park at White River State Park from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be local vendors, a 5K run/walk, and much more for this free event. There will also be a March for Science beginning at 10 a.m. at the Robert D. Orr Plaza on West St. that will end at the festival. For more information, visit www.earthdayindiana.org for a map, schedule of special events, and more. Beech Grove will hold a free paper shredding event behind City Hall on April 22 from 9 a.m.-noon, and a free appliance drop-off (no TVs) at the same location.
• In addition, Beech Grove will be celebrating Arbor Day April 23 from 1-4 p.m. at Hornet Park Community Center with a free native tree and plant giveaway. There will be a no-dig gardening demo by Dammans, lots of gardening ideas, and planter and bird feeder activities.
• Find out how you can help the Irvington community through volunteering on Sun., April 23 from 2-6 p.m. at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 University Ave. Many local organizations will be on hand eager to talk with you about how you can volunteer. There will also be snacks.
• Young Actors Theatre will present The Secret Garden at Central Library on Wed., April 26 at 6 p.m. Families, school-age children and teens are invited to this performance of the classic story, reimagined by 4th through 12th grade students of the Young Actors Theatre. Admission is free; Central Library is located at 50 E. St. Clair.
• IMPD Southwest District will hold an Active Shooter Presentation on April 25 at 6 p.m. at District HQ, 551 N. King Ave. The presentation is geared to what civilians can do to help themselves, providing strategies, guidance, and proven plans for surviving. Participants will learn about disaster response and much more. Seats are limited; register by calling Paula Barnes at 317-327-6465 or e-mail paula.barnes@indy.gov. This presentation is not recommended for children younger than 14.
• The Poets Laureate of Lawrence will host a Poem By Heart Challenge at the April 25 meeting at 7 p.m. at the Theater at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave. Learn a poem by heart and present it at this free event. All are welcome.