• Don’t miss Hampton Designs Studio & Shop three day Grand Opening in the Historic Irvington Masonic Lodge at 5515 E. Washington St. Thurs. Aug. 2 – ribbon cutting and drag performances starting at 4 p.m. Fri., Aug. 3 – First Friday local artists Roxy Cotton and Yasha Persson, plus jeweler Brittany Darr-Spencer, owner of The Local Radish, and Carrie Schmidt, owner of Renegade Henna, (applying wearable henna art). Sat. Aug. 4 – complimentary brunch bites and a jazz band, Chase Blackburn Trio featuring Mark Ortwein.
• The International Harvester/Navistar plant on Brookville Rd. has been almost completely demolished. Built in 1937-1938 by International Harvester Company, it churned out trucks and farm equipment for decades. The thousands of workers who toiled within bought homes in Christian Park, Irvington, Little Flower, and many other neighborhoods. In 2015, after years of downsizing, Navistar closed the plant. The property was purchased in 2016 by an out-of-state company which didn’t seem to know what to do with it. No word yet on what will be done with the property.
If you are interested in the history of International Harvester, visit the Irvington Historical Society exhibit at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5355 University Ave. They have a great collection of items from IH downstairs.
• The East District Task Force meets Aug. 8 at 2 p.m. at headquarters, 201 N. Shadeland Ave. The featured speaker will be Financial Crimes Detective Chris Phemster. The public is welcome to attend these meetings.
• Congratulations to the volunteers, donors, and workers who made the Benton House Book Sale a big success! Business was steady throughout the run of the sale, and despite some rainy spells, everyone seemed to enjoy the bargains. Proceeds go to support the historic Benton House in Irvington.
• New York’s ABBA tribute band “Dancing Dream” will perform in-concert Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Irving Theater. This will be a family-friendly show. For more information and tickets, visit BrownPaperTickets.com
• Neighborhood meetings are coming up. Get involved! Cottage Home meets Aug. 6 at 8:30 p.m. at the Cottage Home Community Space, 714 N. Highland. Willard Park meets Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Woodruff Place Baptist Church, 1179 E. Michigan St.
• National Night Out will be held Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. This is the evening when neighbors get to know each other, turn on porch lights, and otherwise show solidarity with positive elements in the community. Even if your neighborhood isn’t having a cook-out or other official event, turn on your porch light!
• Buck Creek Players will open The Rainmaker on Fri., Aug. 3 and running for a limited two-weekend schedule through Aug. 12. Times are 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $18 for adults and $16 for students and seniors. Reservations are recommended. Visit www.buckcreekplayers.com or call 317-862-2270 for more information and to get tickets.
• Beech Grove’s Music on Main is Aug. 4 from 2-9 p.m. and features lots of bands, music and food on Main St. in Beech Grove. This is a family-friendly event.
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