Volunteers Sought by "500" Festival

Do you want to be a part of next year's "500" Festival? Head downtown RIGHT NOW for the Volunteer Fair hosted by Pacers Sports & Entertainment in Conseco Fieldhouse (it ends at 7 p.m.).

The non-profit organization is looking for volunteers to help produce a variety of community events and programs that celebrate the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race.

Is That a Threat or a Promise?

The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation is providing a $6 million grant to the Wishard Foundation for construction of a new Wishard Hospital, reports Inside INdiana Business. The gift is the single largest philanthropic contribution in Wishard’s 150-year history. The grant is contingent upon Marion County voters approving the hospital project in a referendum Tuesday.

This is NOT a "grant"; it's a bribe. (Wouldn't the hospital need the money even more if the referendum is not approved by the voters tomorrow?)

Does anyone think this announcement is just plain wrong on a number of levels? This Indianapolis Observer is horrified that "the powers that be" would think this sort of blackmail is appropriate behavior in the 21st Century! Those involved should be ashamed.

Halloween is the Perfect Time to....

set your clocks back one hour.

Daylight Savings Time expires at 2 a.m. Sunday, 1 November. So, after you've sorted all the kids' candy (and snagged your favorite pieces), set those clocks back.

The good thing: you get back that hour of sleep you lost last spring, when DST kicked in.

Governor Hands Out Hoosier Candy on Halloween

On Halloween, Governor Mitch Daniels and First Lady Cheri Daniels will be passing out candy from five Indiana companies, reports Inside INdiana Business.

The Danielses will host trick-or-treaters at the Governor’s Residence, 4750 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Halloween night (31 October), dressed as characters from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.

Abbott's Candy Shop of Hagerstown, DeBrand Fine Chocolates of Fort Wayne, Mundt's Candies of Madison, Schimpff's Confectionery of Jeffersonville and Zachary Confections of Frankfort have donated an assortment of candy.

Be Ballard's "Guest"...for Only $250, $500 or $1000

"Surfaces Within" Closes on Saturday

"Surfaces Within", an exhibition featuring a variety of 2D and 3D artwork. closes Saturday (31 October) in the Indianapolis Artsgarden, above the intersection of Illinois and Washington Streets in downtown Indianapolis. The display was created by Herron School of Art’s student council and Active Student Artists (ASA), in partnership with the Arts Council of Indianapolis.

Current Herron undergraduates and graduates were given the opportunity to submit up to three entries for consideration by a panel of jurors. The show received over 150 entries from departments including ceramics, photography, sculpture, furniture, visual communications, painting, drawing, and printmaking. Active Student Artists strives to provide its members with both academic and social opportunities focused around art, resulting in this show organized by students for students.

The image, titled "Brewers Bucket" is oil on canvas by Chad Waples -- and it can be yours for $1,200. For information, contact Jazmyn Wieder, show coordinator and ASA President.

Vote on Smoking Ban Set for Tonight's C-C meeting

And, it just might pass this time. according to the Indianapolis Business Journal, the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the smoking ban.

UPDATE:
Nope. Didn't pass. Maybe next time!