• There will be a special meet-and-greet with Santa at Coal Yard Coffee, 5547 Bonna Ave., on Dec. 18-20 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. each day. Stop by for a hot drink and snap a picture with Santa! Santa will be outdoors with a barrier. All guests are required to wear face masks and socially distance! Pictures are free, but they will be collecting donations of stocking stuffers, hats, gloves, and scarves on behalf of Gaia Works.
• The Irvington Luminaria is this Sunday, Dec. 20. The sand has been delivered to the Ellenberger Park swimming pool parking lot, and kits are available at Ace Hardware (10th and Arlington), Hampton Design (E. Washington and Johnson Ave.), Bonna Shops (Bonna and S. Audubon), Magic Candle (S. Audubon and Bonna), and Deering Cleaners (10th and Arlington). Light the candles at 6 p.m. along your sidewalk and walkways. All Irvington residents are invited to this lovely annual event, and many other close-by neighborhoods have started this tradition as well!
• Bottleworks Hotel, the first phase of the larger renovation project on Mass Ave., opened on Dec. 15 to great fanfare. The hotel has 136 rooms and built in the part of the old Coca-Cola bottling plant. Work continues on the remainder of the projects in Bottleworks, including a food court, small boutique shops and more.
• Speaking of hotels, Tru at Fort Ben by Hilton Hotel broke ground Dec. 16. The hotel, situated at 9135 Otis Ave., is a new concept in affordable hotels, providing work space and many new amenities for travelers.
• Last minute holiday shopping? Irvington merchants will make it easy on Monday, Dec. 21 from 5-10 p.m. at a Late Night Irvington shopping event. Stores participating include most shops along East Washington from Ritter to the Plaza, plus shops on S. Audubon. Keep an eye out for Santa and the Grinch as they journey through Irvington as well. All shops will require masks and social distancing.
• The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction has opened its Recovery Works program will expand to serve Hoosiers charged with or convicted of misdemeanor offenders. It is a pilot program that will provide vouchers to select agencies to help people stay out of the justice system by providing addiction and mental health services.
• The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle drive is in its last week, and they are fortunate that the Ricker Family Foundation and several anonymous donors will be providing matching gifts to the money collected across Central Indiana. Bell ringers can be found at several big-box stores throughout the area. The Virtual Red Kettle program is also taking donations at salarmy.us/virtualkettle
• The Weekly View will have a combo issue for Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. We will distribute papers on Dec. 23 at our usual locations and replenish as needed. Our office will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 4 for the holidays.