• The bipartisan commission created by the City-County Council to address the staffing of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) invites all members of the public to come and express their thoughts about how best to add more IMPD officers at its meeting on Thurs., March 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Library Services Center, 2450 N. Meridian St.
• The Hancock County Children’s Choir recently announced that it has received tax exempt status determination from the Internal Revenue Service. This is good news for both the choir and for its supporters. This ruling allows the choir to function fully as a nonprofit organization under 501(c)3 of the IRS tax code. They hold rehearsals at New Palestine Bible Church from 4-5:45 pm each Monday under the direction of Artistic Choral Director, Gayle Roschi, M.A. The spring performance entitled Flying Free will be held at Bradley United Methodist Church, downtown Greenfield, on April 12 at 7 p.m. For more information regarding auditions and future performances, please visit www.hancockcountychildrenschoir.org.
• IMPD East District is working on organizing their 8th Annual Community Day, which will be held July 9 from 10 a.m.-2p.m. at the Brookside Park Recreation Center at Olney and Brookside Parkway S. Dr. They are looking for donations and help with the event. Please contact Officer Sherron Franklin by e-mail at sherron.franklin@indy.gov or by calling the office at 317-327-6229.
• FACE is offering free spay or neuter surgeries for all cats in the 46201, 46203 and 46222 zip codes. This offer is good on owned cats, indoor cats, outdoor kitties, ferals. Call 638-3223 for an appointment. Face is located on Mass Ave. near Brookside Parkway S. Drive.
• The newly formed, Indy Food Council invites proposals for applications for the 2014 round of Indy Food Fund and Indy Food Fellows. Both of these initiatives seek to help build a food system that provides everyone access to healthy and nutritious food, enhances ecology, and creates meaningful economic and civic opportunities. The Indy Food Fund is offering grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 and loans ranging from $25,000 to $2 million to nonprofits and for-profits for catalytic projects that improve the Indianapolis food system and neighborhoods. These projects can include, but are not limited to, community gardens with market stands, value chain projects, nutrition programs, food hubs, farmers’ markets, farm-to-institutions projects, urban farms, healthy corner store initiatives, and marketing and consumer cooperatives. Submissions are due electronically by 5pm on March 14, 2014 to the same address. An advisory committee consisting of diverse representatives from the Indianapolis food system will review applications and make a recommendation for final approval by May 1, 2014. For more information about the program, visit www.indyfoodcouncil.org.