• As Indianapolis begins its roll-back of restrictions on gatherings as of June 7, more events are being announced. It is wonderful that festivals, fairs, tours, and the like are resuming, but remember that we are still battling COVID-19, and not everyone has been vaccinated. As of May 31, only about 36% of Marion County residents are fully vaccinated, and about 51% of Hancock County residents are vaccinated. Continue to wear your masks indoors if you are unvaccinated, and sign up for your free shot as soon as possible online at ourshot.in.gov or by calling 211.
• Cumberland will celebrate National Trails Day on June 5 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., beginning with a 5 mile/1 mile run/walk that benefits the Cumberland Police Dept. C.A.R.E. Unit. From noon-4, enjoy food trucks, giveaways, pickleball and more. The event will be held at Lions Park, 301 N. Buck Creek Rd.
• First Friday events throughout the city celebrate the local arts. The Harrison Center offers a socially distanced First Friday on June 4 beginning at 6 p.m., but you must register online at harrisoncenter.org to attend. The Harrison Center is located at 16th and Delaware. The Circle City Industrial Complex will be open from 6-9 p.m. (masks required inside) and feature open studios and galleries throughout the large building at 1125 Brookside Ave. The Irvington First Friday includes music at the Irving Theatre patio featuring Gene Deer, Bill Schaeffer, and Delta Duo at 10 S. Johnson.
• The Pennsy Trail that connects the east side with Cumberland and beyond, like all the Greenways in Indianapolis, is for non-motorized traffic only. If you see someone driving a golf cart, ATV or other motorized vehicle on the trail, call the non-emergency number at 317-327-3811.
• Speaking of Indy Parks, the movies and music series for the summer does not include Irving Circle concerts this year, or the Ellenberger classical concert. However, if you want to enjoy great local music, check out the patio at 10 S. Johnson on Monday nights at 7 p.m. for open mic and jam sessions. If it is raining, the session is inside the Irving Theater. The event is free.
• There’s still time to donate gently used books to the Benton House Book Sale that will take place July 16-18. To donate, bring your books to the Benton House back door, where there is a deck box. They welcome every kind of book except encyclopedias. The Benton House is located at 312 S. Downey Ave.
• In recognition of more than 40 years of advocacy and direct work to save important historic places, Gayle Cook is the recipient of Indiana Landmarks’ 2021 Williamson Prize for outstanding leadership in historic preservation.
• Register early for the Peewinkle’s Puppets Summer Camp at the Irving Theatre on July 20-24.Tuition is $225 and the camp is open to children 5-12. Visit peewinklespuppets.org for more information.