• Joi Harmon, deputy director of Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corporation, is one of the latest recipients of the Economic Development Professional (EDP) designation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Harmon and her team raised $850,000 for small businesses in Martindale Brightwood since 2021 through various grants and crowdfunding sources. In 2022, Martindale Brightwood spent $750,000 of its budget to support 48 small businesses.
• The community recycling drop-off site at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, 2727 Waldemere Ave., has closed. Continuing to leave waste at this site will result in illegal dumping fines. The closest recycling sites to this address are Garfield Park, 2345 Pagoda Dr., and Southwestway Park, 8400 S. Mann Rd.
• Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE) will host an Elf Party on Friday, Dec. 1 from 4-7 at CAFE headquarters, 8902 E. 38th St. The second Community Elf Party will be followed by the Festival of Lights Countdown. Come enjoy family pictures w/Santa, kids activities, raffles, and community spirit. Admission is free.
• Christmas in Wanamaker will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2 beginning at 9 a.m. with a breakfast with Sen. Aaron Freeman at Wheatley’s, then with many free activities around the Back Porch Garden Center (4410 Northeastern) and New Bethel Baptist Church (8936 Southeastern Ave.). The parade begins at 1 p.m. Parking is at New Bethel and at Wanamaker Early Learning Center (4151 S. Bazil).
• The Indiana Dept. of Homelnd Security has launched a new Web site to help Hoosiers get ready for the big eclipse on April 8, 2024. The site, eclipse2024.in.gov has tips on how to prepare for this rare celestial event.
• A series of free mental health workshops for the Black community is being offered by Coburn Place called Taking Care of You. The next session is about relationships and family struggles and will be held Saturday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the TWC Event Center, 4175 Millersville Rd. A mental health professional will guide the interactive discussions. Lunch will be provided. Register at takecare.eventbrite.com.
• Lots of local shops in Irvington, Lawrence, Broad Ripple, and the near eastside will be open for Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25. Check out the cool businesses in the Circle City Industrial Complex at 1125 Brookside, along E. 10th St., then to Irvington’s commercial strip. Local businesses are the backbone of the continued success of our communities.
The Weekly View office will be closed Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24 so that we can spend time with our family and friends. We wish you all a safe Thanksgiving!