Ice Cream Social at the Bona Sunday, August 2

IRVINGTON — The Irvington Historical Society has held an annual Ice Cream Social on the first Sunday in August every year since its founding in 1964. This year’s event is Sunday, Aug. 2, from 1-4 p.m. at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 E. University Ave. (corner of University and Downey Avenues). Since moving to the Bona Thompson Memorial Center over 20 years ago, the society has expanded the Ice Cream Social to include live music, with this year’s featured band Audio Diner. In addition, several local organizations will also … Read More

Annual Back to School Bash at Westminster Neighborhood Services

INDIANAPOLIS — As Indianapolis students get ready to head back to school, Westminster Neighborhood Services is ensuring they have the resources they need. On July 25, Westminster will open its doors at 2325 E. New York St. for the annual Back to School Bash — a free community celebration that provides hundreds of Near Eastside families with school supplies, backpacks, and a warm send-off into the new school year. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and requires no registration, no ID, and no cost. Students must be … Read More

God’s Embrace Coffee Shop Open for Business

INDIANAPOLIS — God’s Embrace Coffee Shop; is a not for profit (leashed pet friendly!) café on the east side of Indianapolis that also provides job training and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. The coffee shop is located in the Fatima Event Center at 1040 N Post Rd, just inside the Event Center entrance directly facing Post Road. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. They offer coffee, pastries, scones, breakfast sandwiches and lunch items including chicken salad, soups, casserole of the month and grilled cheese. … Read More

DC Blox Data Center Gets MDC Approval

INDIANAPOLIS — The Metropolitan Development Commission  voted 6-1 at its meeting on July 15 to give DC Blox final approval on a data center to be built on the east side. Residents have 30 days to challenge the decision in court. Atlanta-based developer DC Blox proposed the $2 billion campus near South Kitley Avenue and the Pennsy Trail earlier this year. The project would be constructed on contaminated land located on the Thunderbird Commerce Center property, an industrial park that was once home to a Ford plant. The company estimates … Read More

“Shorts & Sweets” Indy Shorts Film Festival July 21-26

INDIANAPOLIS — Heartland Film has announced the lineup for the 9th Annual Academy Award-Qualifying Indy Shorts Film Festival (Indy Shorts) presented by TQL Wealth Management, running July 21-26. Indy Shorts will showcase 266 short films with screenings at the Indy Art Center, Living Room Theaters and Newfields. Many of the short films will also be available to stream. The festival will feature short films from 46 countries and include 36 World Premieres, 32 U.S. Premieres and 117 Midwest Premieres. There are also three Indiana Spotlight programs featuring 21 short films … Read More

DC BLOX Revamps Plans for Data Center, Council Proposes Moratorium

INDIANAPOLIS — DC BLOX, based in Atlanta, recently announced design improvements that will remove one building from the project, and the elimination of 25 backup generators in order to increase green space and shrink their footprint. DC BLOX now proposes a one-story approximately 70,000 square foot data center, and a two-story approximately 250,000 square foot data center. They will also reduce the number of parking spaces. The site is zoned I3, or Medium Industrial. DC BLOX’s data centers are typically classified and approved in Light Industrial zoned locations. Earlier, the … Read More

Library Branch Hosting Resource and Job Fair

INDIANAPOLIS — The East 38th Street Branch, 5420 E. 38th St, is hosting a Resource and Job Fair on Friday, July 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event will take place both inside and outside of the Branch, and will include a live DJ outside of the building. Employers in attendance will include the YMCA, Indiana Department of Public Works, Independent Adult Day Centers, and the United States Marine Corps. Community resources in attendance include IndyGo, Indy Hunger Network, the Center for Leadership Development, and The Indianapolis Public … Read More

Vehicle Tax Increase Vetoed

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett recently vetoed a proposal to increase vehicle and wheel taxes to help pay for road improvements in Marion County. Proposal 192 was approved by the Indianapolis City-County Council on July 6. The proposal says … Read More

More Road Works On South Side in Store

INDIANAPOLIS — Shelby Street work on the bridge over Pleasant Run closed the street in April, and is expected to remain closed until November of this year. Crews are rehabilitating the arch bridge by reconstructing the arch ring, replacing spandrel … Read More

Applause!: July 24-30

• Charles Braun will be the guest speaker at the July 28 meeting of the Perry Township/Southport Historical Society. His topic will be “America’s Constellation of Constitutions.” Braun is an attorney and host of “Legally Speaking,” a Saturday morning radio … Read More

Catalytic Converters Stolen Off Beech Grove City School Buses

BEECH GROVE — For the second time this year, catalytic converters have again been stolen from an entire fleet of school buses in Beech Grove. Sometime overnight Friday July 17,  the school was targeted for theft of the catalytic converters … Read More

State Will Not Participate in SUN Bucks Program Next Year

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana will not participate in the federal SUN Bucks Program in 2027, according to the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). The program (also known as Summer EBT) gives low-income families $120 per student to pay for groceries … Read More

“The Play That Goes Wrong” at Beef & Boards

INDIANAPOLIS – Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s new summer play is going “wrong” — in the most hilarious ways! The award-winning comedy The Play That Goes Wrong is now on stage through Aug. 23. It’s opening night for the Cornley … Read More

100 Years Ago: July 24-30

From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, July 26, 1926: The six-story Haugh Hotel will be moved one block east from its present location on Michigan St between Meridian and Pennsylvania Streets to a new site at 127 E. Michigan St. It … Read More

Lashes Nails and Beards

The woman on the program I was watching had eyelashes that resembled great black bats; when she raised her hands, she showed fake nails that were inches longer than her own. Not for the first time, I wondered how people … Read More

Billy the Kid’s Indiana Connection: A shotgun full of silver dimes, Part 2

United States Marshall Ameredith Robert B. Olinger (alias “Pecos Bob,” alias “The Big Indian”) was killed on April 28, 1881 outside of the Lincoln County Courthouse by legendary outlaw and fellow Hoosier Billy the Kid with the Marshall’s own gun. … Read More

Broad Ripple Sidewalk Sale

INDIANAPOLIS — There will be a Sidewalk Sale in Broad Ripple Village on Sunday, July 26 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Explore the Village and discover special deals, unique finds, and exclusive promotions from 19 locally owned businesses participating throughout the … Read More

Taste of the Fair Introduces New Food Choices, Competition

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Fair is proud to unveil the 2026 Taste of the Fair presented by Pepsi, featuring almost 50 new and unforgettable food creations from talented concessionaires across the Fairgrounds. Inspired by this year’s baseball theme and … Read More

Applause!: July 17-23

• In early September, work is scheduled to begin on the $19.2 million Near Eastside Streetscape project, which will improve intersection safety on 10th Street from Tecumseh Street to Rural Street and along Rural Street from 10th Street to St. … Read More

Fringe On Wheels Performs on East Side

INDIANAPOLIS — Fringe on Wheels has had performances that include hand pan by Eric Zhong, glow poi by INcendiary, stilt walkers and jugglers by Odd-o-tees, folk music by Laughing Jack, and Juan Francisco’s Spanish-language puppet show. Thanks to this wonderful … Read More

Big Project to Improve Reverend Mozel Sanders Park Announced

INDIANAPOLIS — Indy Parks and The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis have announced a $10-million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund to transform the 25-acre Reverend Mozel Sanders Park with inspiration from the Haughville Riverfront Vision Plan. Selected as one of … Read More

Cyclospora Outbreak Now in 31 States

INDIANA — Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can affect the intestinal tract and cause diarrhea in those who get infected. People get infected when they eat or drink food or water contaminated with the parasite. The Marion County Health … Read More

Mental Health of America to Train Librarians to Help Patrons

INDIANAPOLIS — Hoosiers suffering mental health crises are visiting public libraries for help — transforming the role of librarians who act simultaneously as researchers, archivists and quasi-social workers. Mental Health America of Indiana is stepping in to train librarians in … Read More

Mass Ave. Summerfest on July 18

INDIANAPOLIS — The Mass Ave Summerfest is the fourth annual celebration of the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District, bringing together local businesses, artists, performers, families, and visitors for a vibrant, high-impact day of community connection. This year, it will take … Read More

Billy the Kid’s Indiana Connection, Part 1

William H. Bonney, alias “Billy the Kid,” is the most misunderstood historical figure of the Old West. Unlike most Wild West outlaws, he was not a cold-blooded killer, he was not a train robber and he didn’t rob banks. He … Read More

Making Community

From the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, Sixth Edition: “Community- 7; social intercourse; communion; fellowship, sense of common identity.’ I am a tenor voice in Harmony Collected, a choral group organized by the Irvington Arts Collective. Dr. Webb Parker, the founding … Read More

100 Years Ago: July 17-23

From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, July 20, 1926: Thirty-six Indianapolis Girl Scouts from various troops participated yesterday in the opening of Camp Dellwood, the new Girl Scout camp. Located eight miles northwest of the city on Big Eagle Creek, the … Read More