• Looks like East District will be moving back into the Regional Operations Center at the former Eastgate Mall sometime in February. Alex Carroll, owner of LifeLine and the building, came to an agreement with the City of Indianapolis about fixing safety features in the building. It will be great to have IMPD back at Eastgate.
• News of the passing of Andy Jacobs, Jr. came over the holidays. Jacobs represented Indiana in Congress from 1965-1973 and 1975-1997, and was a voice of compassion and reason wherever he went. He was instrumental in creating Social Security as we know it, and was an active participant in the Civil Rights movement. We are not likely to see his kind pass this way again.
• There has been a rash of car thefts in Indianapolis, with many of them taking place outside homes when people warm up their cars. Please never leave a car running unattended.
• Have you picked up your copy of Vienna by Eva Menasse yet? Pick it up now and get reading the selection for the One Book, Two Cities program. On Jan. 9 at 1:30 p.m., come down to the Irvington Branch library, 5625 E. Washington St., to discuss it with a trained facilitator. Copies of the book are free at the branch.
• Cold, dreary days can be depressing. If you ever want a pick-me- up during the winter months, try a visit to Garfield Park Conservatory, where it’s always warm and tropical. Stroll beneath the cacao, papaya, and banana trees, and keep a lookout for the tree frogs and zebra finches. The original conservatory was built in 1914 by George Edward Kessler. One hundred years later, the Conservatory is a great place to relax and soak up a little rainforest. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. and 1-5 p.m. on Sun. Admission is $1. The conservatory is at 2505 Conservatory Dr., near Shelby St. on the southeast side.
• Flash Bulb Pictures will host the Indianapolis premiere of Pervertigo: Sick People are Capable of Terrible Things, a feature film written and directed by Indianapolis native Jaron Henrie-McCrea. The film was shot entirely in Indianapolis, including scenes in downtown Indy, Broad Ripple, Holliday Park, and the historic Rivoli Theatre. The premiere is on Jan. 10 at 6 p.m. at the IMAX Theater, Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St. Tickets are $13 online at www.indianamuseum.org or in person 90 minutes before showtime.