• CareSource and the CareSource Foundation recently awarded Gleaners Food Bank $10,000 to help with food insecurity in Indianapolis during the holiday season.
• The iconic landmarks of Hollywood are new additions this year to the Eiteljorg Museum’s holiday miniature train display, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure. Open from Sat., Nov. 18, to Jan. 15 at the Eiteljorg, Jingle Rails is an enchanting holiday attraction, featuring electric trains that crisscross miniature replicas of famous landscapes — from the skyline of Indianapolis to the impressive sights of the American West — that visitors can walk through, around and under. Admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors 65+, $7 for children $7 and free for members, Native Americans and IUPUI students and faculty. The museum is located at 500 West St.
• All Indianapolis Public Library locations will be closed on Thurs., Nov. 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday. All locations will reopen at their regular times on Fri., Nov. 24, except the Flanner House Branch, which will be closed that day.
• IUPUI and Butler students, plus resident from the Englewood neighborhood braved the chill and planted 24 new trees on Dearborn St. from New York to Michigan St. Thanks to KIB and everyone’s hard work, the neighborhood really got a boost.
• If you don’t want to fight massive crowds and still get into the Christmas spirit, the City of Lawrence will be hosting Christmas at the Sterrett Center including a parade and tree lighting ceremony on Sat., Nov. 25 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at 8950 Otis Ave. The lighted Christmas parade will end on Otis Avenue. To participate in the parade, read the rules and get the application at www.cityoflawrence.org/parks. Parade questions may be directed to 317-549-4815. Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch will be on hand with goodie bags for children. Live music is scheduled for the event that begins at 5 p.m. which may include their Caroling Cops!
• Want to help a great cause and drink great beer at the same time? Black Acre Brewing, 5632 E. Washington St., will donate $1 for every pint sold on Tues., Nov. 28 to the T.C. Howe Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.
• There will be a Community Thanksgiving Dinner Nov. 20 at the Beech Grove High School Cafeteria from 4:30-7:00 p.m. Sponsored by the generosity of corporate donations, this is a Beech Grove community event. Please let them know you are coming by calling 317-759-1149 and tell them how many will be attending.
• November 12-18 is Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Indiana. While most winter forecasts for the 2017-18 season call for less snow than average, it’s still good to be prepared for snowstorms, bitter cold snaps, etc. For more information, visit www.weather.gov/ind/WinterWxWeek.