• Lots of volunteers will be out and about cleaning, picking up litter, and improving the neighborhoods on the east side as part of the Great Indy Clean-Up April 13. It looks like the weather will be dry, but on the cool side. A big thank you goes out to everyone who has committed to help make our community a better place. Once things look spiffier, let’s all make an effort to keep it that way, shall we?
• Speaking of spiffing things up, the Englewood Community Development Organization has done an amazing job in the Rural/East Washington St. area. The CommonWealth is a wonderful re-use of the school, plus their community gardens . . . they have done a lot! They’ll be hosting their annual Race for Roofs five mile run on June 22 — a fundraiser to support affordable housing in the neighborhood. Register now online at http://2013raceforroofs.eventbrite.com/#
• Commercial and retail development is also a vital part of keeping our communities vibrant. The United Northeast Community Development Corporation has been instrumental in some terrific projects on the northeast side of town, including a new YMCA and HealthNet NE project going up in the Avondale Meadows community. When finished, it will boast 70,000 square feet of space for a wellness center and clinic, classrooms for youth mentoring and family programs, and a YMCA. The building will also be environmentally sustainable!
• Another promising sign of commercial and retail revitalization is at Southern Plaza on South East St., where a new Qdoba restaurant will open April 15, and many of the other shops look like they are strong and surviving. Business is lookin’ good!
• The big media outlets might of missed it, but I sure sat up and took note of recent legislation that passed in the Indiana Statehouse that will make artisan distilleries easier to open and operate, and run sampling rooms for customers. Sun King Brewing Co. on the east side is one of the brewers that is looking into expanding into the artisanal distilling of spirits. Indiana has a growing reputation for producing fine wine and craft beers — why not expand into distilling amazing and creative liquors?
• Save the date, Eastgate neighborhood residents: There will be a spring meeting April 23 at 7 p.m. at the Warren Government Center, 501 N. Post Rd. The guest speaker will be IMPD East District Commander James Waters.
• Emerson Heights will have their April community meeting on April 18 at 6:45 p.m at Wallace St. Evangelical Church, 4805 E. 10th St. Residents are encouraged to come to the meeting for information and sharing.
• Emerson Heights and Little Flower neighborhoods will be holding their clean-ups April 20 at 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. Call Keep Indianapolis Beautiful at 264-7555 to find out how you can sign up to improve our great community.
