• On Saturday, Jan. 14, from 1-3 p.m., the Genealogical Society of Marion County (GSMC) will present a free virtual program on Zoom. Monique Howell, supervisor of the Indiana State Library’s Indiana Collection, will be presenting the program “Using maps in Your Research.” Her talk will discuss the different types of maps in the State Library Collection. Advance Registration required for online attendees at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvd-2vrzMvGNetytRmcSnkzDvmSx58OchL
• Citizens and Indy Parks will host an Open House at Ellenberger Family Center on Monday, Jan. 16 from noon-4 p.m. to celebrate the park’s makeover. The park is located at 5301 E. St. Clair. Currently, there is Big Dig work being done on the southeast corner of the park. Residents are encouraged to attend and ask questions about the plans for the park after the project is completed.
• Indy Parks is also holding a Broad Ripple Park Family Center Open House on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 9-5. Guided tours will be offered throughout the day. Breakfast from Chick-fil-A and lunch from Lou Malnati’s will be available for guests while supplies last.
• Indiana Historical Society’s Festival of Trees was a huge success, and the winners of the exhibit have been announced. The winners for favorite trees were “Home for the Holidays” by Indiana Canine Assistance Network, “Cream and Crimson Christmas” by Physician MBA Program at IU’s Kelley School of Business, and “Art of the Game” by the Pacers.
• There will be an artist’s reception for the exhibit “The Shape of Things to Come — Geometric Exhibit” hosted by Hancock County Arts, on Friday, Jan. 13 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at their headquarters in Greenfield at 20A N. State St. The works will be on display through Jan. 29 during gallery hours, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11-2.
• The City of Indianapolis recently announced a generous $80 million grant for Indy Parks to upgrade and improve local parks and programming. Some of the funds will be coming to our area, including to Dubarry, Douglass, Garfield, Grassy Creek Regional, Franklin Twp., Indianapolis World Sports Park, Southside, and Washington. A number of smaller neighborhood parks will also see funds to refresh playgrounds.
• Congratulations to the new Irvington Community Council leadership squad, 2023024: Sue Beecher (President), Lys Lauer (VP), Ronak Shah (Secretary), Roxanne Hilton (Treasurer). Outgoing officers Lesli Gibson, Larry Messing and Chad Cerda did a great job and put in many hours of devoted service to the community over the past year.
• After the holidays, some people experience mental health crises. Please, if you or a loved one are experiencing issues, know there is help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 to talk to someone.