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Our Weekly Columnists
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Steven R. Barnett
100 Years Ago -
Rose Mary Clarke
Senior Lifestyle -
Al Hunter
Bumps in the Night -
Linda Hamer Kennett
What’s in the Attic? -
Steve Nicewanger
Sports Voice -
CJ Woods III
Words from Woods
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Benton House Book Sale July 17-19
IRVINGTON — It’s almost time for the annual Benton House Book Sale! Artists take note that they have received a large donation of art books which they’re offering for $2 each. Community members have been very generous in their donations this year and they’ll have plenty of books. The Benton House sale will be bursting with history, biography, young adult/teen and children’s books. There are also lots of classic, fiction, Irvington and Indiana (about and by Hoosiers) available for sale. New Releases (published within the last three years) are sold … Read More
Special Zoning District for Data Centers Put Forward
INDIANAPOLIS — The Metropolitan Development Commission advanced a special zoning district for data centers during a public meeting on Wednesday, July 1. Citizens opposing the data centers crowded into the City-County Building Public Assembly Room, waiting to speak during the public comment period. Many asked the commission to issue a moratorium on the facilities, but the commissioners instead voted 5-3 in favor of the zoning proposal. The special zoning district could put up guardrails for the centers, requiring them to submit plans for noise mitigation and water and electricity use. … Read More
New Greenway on Far East Side Opens
INDIANAPOLIS – On Monday, June 29, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Indianapolis City-County Councilor Rena Allen, and the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) celebrated the opening of the Grassy Creek Greenway. The project is the first of two phases that will help connect the Far Eastside community to Grassy Creek Regional Park, as well as the Grassy Creek Environmental Center, which opened in 2025. Together, the two phases will add approximately 4.5 miles to the city’s trails and greenway network. Indy Parks acquired 75 acres of additional land that was … Read More
District Theatre Presents “They Call Me Genêt”
INDIANAPOLIS — Born and educated in Indianapolis, Janet Flanner began her journalism career at the Indianapolis Star before moving to Paris in the 1920s. Writing under the pen name Genêt for The New Yorker, she became one of the twentieth century’s most respected journalists, chronicling Europe between the wars, the Nazi occupation of France, and the rebirth of Paris after World War II. Her essays remain in print today, and her extraordinary life continues to inspire new readers through books such as The Typewriter and the Guillotine. Her father, Frank … Read More
Hoosiers Celebrate 250 Years of Freedom
INDIANAPOLIS — Downtown Indy’s Fourth Fest presented by UA Local 440 returns featuring a street festival and 20-minute fireworks show on Saturday, July 4. The street festival, presented by Indiana Donor Network and Donate Life Indiana, begins at 6 pm with food trucks, ice cream stands, beverages, and a Kids Zone on St Clair Street and American Legion Mall, 700 N. Pennsylvania St. St. Clair St. to North St. between Meridian and Pennsylvania Sts. Downtown Indy, Inc.’s festival stage on North Street will feature live musical performances in addition to … Read More
9th Annual Indy Shorts Film Festival July 21-26
INDIANAPOLIS — Tickets are now available for Indy Shorts, which runs from July 21 through 26, with indoor, outdoor and virtual screening options. The festival theme, “Shorts & Sweets,” encourages attendees to unwrap the 260+ fun-sized films over the six-day festival. This year’s lineup features 266 short films, including 36 World Premieres and 32 U.S. Premieres, starring many notable names, such as Andy Serkis, Cameron Monaghan, Djimon Hounsou and Janeane Garofalo. Indy Shorts is also honoring the recent Oscar winner, Sam Davis, with the Pioneering Spirit Award. His short, “The … Read More
Black Photography Exhibition at Central Library through August 1
INDIANAPOLIS — Central Library will host the 6th Annual Black Photography Exhibition, presented by We Are Indy Arts, an organization that provides support, equity, networking opportunities, and resources for African American artists in Indianapolis. The exhibition will be on display from July 1 through August 1. A public reception will be held on July 7 in the Simon Reading Room from 5:30 to 7:45 p.m., offering visitors an opportunity to view the artwork and connect with participating artists. Libraries are community spaces, which makes them ideal to showcase beautiful photography … Read More
Construction to begin on E. Washington Eastbound
INDIANAPOLIS — East Washington Street will be closed to eastbound traffic between Emerson and Ritter avenues for storm sewer construction soon according to IndyGo. Westbound access will be maintained in a single lane during construction. Construction is expected to last approximately 160 days, weather permitting — around the first week in December. IndyGo suggests motorists use South Emerson to English Ave. to Arlington Ave. as a detour. Please avoid using the small, residential streets in South Irvington as shortcuts, as those streets are not meant for heavy traffic — especially … Read More
New HIP Work Requirements Introduced
INDIANA — Effective January 1, 2027, HIP members ages 18-64 who are not exempt must complete 80 hours per month in qualifying activities. These include employment, job training, parttime education, or community service. Members may combine activities to meet the … Read More
Library Introduces New Bookmobiles
INDIANAPOLIS — Transportation barriers, mobility concerns, long distances, and limited time prevent some Indianapolis residents from accessing library services. The Indianapolis Public Library recently deployed two new bookmobiles, named Frog and Toad, for the Indianapolis community. These vehicles help eliminate … Read More
Midwest Seeing Surge in Tick Bites
INDIANA — According to the CDC, an estimated 31 million people are bitten by ticks each year, with most encounters taking place between April and October. But in 2026, emergency room visits began rising as early as March. Weekly ER … Read More
New Train Ride at Indiana State Fair
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Fair is rolling out a new attraction that will move guests across the grounds in a whole new way. In partnership with North American Midway Entertainment, The Indiana State Fair will debut a new train … Read More
Applause!: July 10-16
• Folklore Mexicano Festival 2026 will take place Saturday, July 11, 12 – 4 p.m. at Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair. Enjoy performances, live music, activities, Mexican food truck, mercado (shops), and informational booths. • The Irvington Farmers Market … Read More
From Hell Gate to the Golden Gate in a Maxwell 30
It’s summertime in Indiana; the kids are out of school, the days are getting longer, the weather is heating up and Hoosier thoughts turn to . . . ROAD TRIP! Let me introduce you to the woman for whom the … Read More
Good Vibes
My friend told me that she had responded to a notification about a house concert that was going to feature one of the musicians that we follow. Paula Nicewanger, co-owner of this publication, said that she included me in the … Read More
100 Years Ago: July 10-16
From The Indianapolis Times, Wednesday, July 14, 1926: The ten-day old streetcar men strike turned violent last night when four streetcars were derailed and damaged by explosives placed on the tracks. Sixty passengers were shaken up, several injured, by the … Read More
Preparing Your Kids for a Healthy School Year
Indianapolis has numerous activities to enjoy throughout July and August, many of which are free: art fairs, picnics, barbecues, outdoor concerts, bike rides, canal walks and so much more. Being outside — especially if you are getting exercise — is … Read More
Applause!: July 3-9
• A big thanks goes out to the Irvington Garden Club’s successful Garden Tour! There were some exceptional gardens on the tour this year, and everything ran smoothly despite the heat. Well done! • The 4th of July is a … Read More
DC BLOX Announces Community Protection Pledge
INDIANAPOLIS — DC BLOX, a leading provider of connected data center and fiber network solutions across the United States, recently announced its formal Community Protection Pledge for its upcoming Indianapolis development. The pledge (below) outlines a rigorous series of sustainability, … Read More
Friendly Visitor Program Pilot Program Begins
INDIANAPOLIS — Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana (MOWCI) and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield have announced a pilot program to address social isolation, one of the most pressing challenges facing older adults. Through the Friendly Visitor program, MOWCI … Read More
Urban Pioneer Receives Indiana Landmarks Prize for Leadership
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis community activist and urban pioneer Marjorie Kienle has been selected to receive Indiana Landmarks’ 2026 Williamson Prize for outstanding leadership in historic preservation, recognizing her more than 50 years championing the city’s historic architecture. Few people understand … Read More
6-Week Men’s Bereavement Group Meeting July & August
INDIANAPOLIS — Franciscan Health Indianapolis will be hosting a 6-week Men’s Bereavement Group in August and September at the Franciscan Hospice House. The group will meet on six consecutive Tuesday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. from July 7 … Read More
Exercise Caution in the Heat
INDIANAPOLIS — Heat waves can be deadly. Anyone who must work or spend time outside during is advised to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Older adults and the very young are at a higher … Read More
The Real Story of “The Natural”
But did you ever stop to think, is Robert Redford’s character in The Natural based on a real life player? Well, the answer is yes — and no. It would be more accurate to say that the film is based … Read More
100 Years Ago: July 3-9
From The Indianapolis Times, Monday, July 5, 1926: Although the Fourth of July was observed yesterday with varied festivities, the usual patriotic observances were reserved for today. Business stood still and public buildings were closed while fireworks boomed throughout the … Read More
Big Game Hunter
I was startled into an impromptu Capoeira dance, whirling and slapping at my face and arms, as if trying to put out little brush fires. A moth had attacked me. It did not live to tell its friends of my … Read More