• Rivoli Revue, the annual fundraiser for the historic Rivoli Theatre on Indy’s Near Eastside will be held March 2 from 6:00-10:30 p.m. at the Indiana Landmarks Center’s Cook Theatre. Lots of great performers, plus a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, and five performances by local supporters. The event benefits the Rivoli Center for the Performing Arts, Inc., a nonprofit organization that is bringing the historic Rivoli Theatre back from the brink of collapse (literally). The 1,500-seat theatre at 3155 E. 10th Street opened in 1927 to show motion pictures and theatrical productions, having the largest stage in Indianapolis at the time of its construction. Tickets for Rivoli Revue may be purchased in advance for $25 at http://rivolirevue.eventbrite.com. Tickets at the door are $30.
• Last Friday morning during the ice storm an IndyGo bus (Route 8) heading east on Washington Street near Arlington stopped mid-bus-stops to wait for a bus patron running down the street to hop on — thanks to the bus driver for being so thoughtful & patient.
• Papa Roux went “viral” on social media Feb. 23 when owner Art Bouvier encountered a young man willing to walk 10 miles from his home on the far east side to a job interview at 10th and Sherman. Art gave the young, unemployed man a lift —and more. Impressed with young man’s determination and work ethic, Art offered him a job at Papa Roux. Drop by the restaurant at 10th & Post and say hi to new employee Jhaquiel. The Bouviers are good people.
• Spring must be just around the corner. The Irvington Garden Club is looking for vendors for the monthly Irvington Farmer’s Market at Ellenberger Park. There has been a slight increase in fees for vendors to cover increasing costs. Preference goes to previous vendors, but if you have a locally-created art, craft, or produce, e-mail Nina at irvingtonfarmersmarket@hotmail.com for more information and application forms.
• Lemonade Day in the metro Indy area is almost here. The Hancock County Public Library has received scores of “Lemonade Day” backpacks for kids who want to be young entrepreneurs. Beginning March 11, for as many days as supplies last, children can sign up at the library, get a free backpack, and use the materials inside the pack to learn how to start their own business: a lemonade stand. All youth participants will “open up shop” on Lemonade Day, May 18, throughout the nine-county region. Lemonade Day is a national initiative. In late 2009, Houston entrepreneur and native Hoosier Michael Holthouse asked local entrepreneur Scott Jones to bring this program that he founded to the Indianapolis area. Learn more at http://indianapolis.lemonadeday.org/.
• Got a startlement when I opened an e-mail that said the Rainbow Bridge had closed. My first thought was that our beloved pets would stop passing away and meeting us at the Bridge, then I read it and saw that it referred to the bridge over Guildford Ave. would be closed from March 1 for 75 days for repairs, etc. The area will be open to pedestrian traffic, but no vehicles. If you don’t know what the mythical “Rainbow Bridge” is, visit www.rainbowbridge.com/Poem.htm and have a tissue handy.
