• All Indianapolis Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, January 19 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, except the InfoZone, located in The Children’s Museum at 3000 N. Meridian Street, which is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization, recently announced the organization has been approved for a specialty license plate in Indiana. Available immediately through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Hoosier motorists can show their support for the magical month of May and the 500 Festival’s life-enriching events and programs when registering their vehicles in 2015. The new specialty license plate bears the 500 Festival’s logo. The 500 Festival will receive a $25 donation for every 500 Festival specialty plate that is purchased. The cost for the specialty license plate is $40 and is in addition to the normal fees and taxes paid with the registration. Purchase a 500 Festival specialty plate online by visiting myBMV.com or at any license branch or BMV certified partner location.
• Indiana’s first Bitcoin ATM recently opened at World of Vapor in Irvington. Bitcoin is a digital currency with added benefits. There will be a grand official opening of the ATM on Jan. 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the shop, 5533 E. Washington St.
• The Greenfield Public Library will host “Ask a History Expert” on Jan. 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Hancock County’s official historian, Joe Skvarenina, will be on hand to talk about the area’s history. The library is located at 900 W. McKenzie Rd.
• The Out to Lunch Bunch, a satellite group of the Quilters Guild of Indianapolis, will meet Thursday, January 22, at 11:00 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall on 511 E. Thompson Rd. Lunch is $10.00. The program will be a celebration of 30 years since the formation of the OTLB, the south side location for quilters. Past chairpersons will be honored. Additional information is available at www.quiltguildindy.net newsletter.
• Want to help a terrific organization that brings arts education to the disabled? VSA Indiana will hold a volunteer information session on Jan. 20 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at their headquarters in the Harrison Center at 1505 N. Delaware St. They need assistance with studio work, administration, graphic design and special events. RSVP online at http://conta.cc/1xGdxPq
• Fortune Academy, an Indianapolis school dedicated to serving children 1st through 12th grade with language learning differences such as dyslexia, and ADD/ADHD, has received a $500,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The Academy is located in Lawrence.
• Thank you to all the hard-working drivers, salters and plowers working in difficult conditions in Central Indiana this winter. They have done a good job so far keeping major roads clear and safe for drivers. Also, thank you to businesses that have worked to clear the sidewalks in front of their shops!
• Please join author Kate Piscopo at the launch of her new book, 31 Days of Irvington: History and Haunts at Bookmamas on Sat., Jan. 17 from 3 to 5 p.m. The book memorializes and expands upon the author’s popular blog series to promote the 2014 Historic Irvington Halloween Festival on the festival’s Web site. Refreshments will be provided by VLR Real Estate. Bookmamas is located at 9 South Johnson Avenue. Call 375-3715 or visit www.bookmamas.com for more information.