• The Irvington Community Council will meet on Tuesday, Jan.11 at 7 p.m. in the lower level of the Irvington Presbyterian Church, 55 S. Johnson. The public is encouraged to attend. There will be a discussion of plans for Ellenberger Park, and people from the Parks Department will be in attendance. There has been a great deal of concern about plans for an Astroturf playing field once construction of the Big Dig project is completed. Come on out to hear what everyone has to say.
• John Marshall School on the far eastside has been sold to an unspecified non-profit for $725,000. No plans have been revealed as to what the future holds for the property.
• The trucking/logistics center on English and Brookville roads is really starting to take shape! The property at former Navistar plant, razed a few years ago, has been empty for quite a while.
• Another property that has been unused for a while, the former women’s prison on East New York St. near Woodruff Place, is likely to be transformed into the new state archive facility. The property has been vacant since 2017, when it was the Indianapolis Re-Entry Education facility.
• Manley’s Irish Mutt rescheduled the 45 RPM show from December to Friday, January 14 at 8 p.m. The multi-national band plays hits from the British Invasion and America’s answer to it. A good time will be had by all, no doubt.
• On First Friday Jan. 7, you might want to head to Beech Grove for Dan Jones’ show at WALA on Main, 616 Main St. This is a rare opportunity to purchase an original piece by the abstract expressionist. While you’re on Main St., you definitely want to check out the mom-and-pop shops along the main drag. Hours are 6-9 p.m.
• The Benton House, 312 S. Downey Ave. in Irvington, is looking for volunteers to help take down the Christmas decorations on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. As some of you might know, our Steve Nicewanger was their “official” Santa for the annual Bazaar and the Benton House was dear to his heart.
• Arts for Lawrence is presenting “Coping with Autumn” with a talkback afterward Jan. 14-16. Theater Unchained is producing the play, a story of mental illness, abuse, and addiction — and survival. There will be a Q &A after the show. Tickets are available online at artsforlawrence/tickets. The show will be held at Theater at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave.
Please note that events we list here are subject to change. With the fast-spreading omicron variant of COVID-19 sweeping through Indiana, theaters and other venues may find it necessary to close due to staffing shortages as employees fall ill. The same is true of private businesses that are finding it difficult to maintain a regular schedule.
11 at 7 p.m