Sponsored by Friends of Greenwood Public Library, designer Purse Bingo will be held to raise funds for the library Wednesday, April 24, 6:30 p.m., at Greenwood Moose Lodge, 813 Smith Valley Road, Greenwood. Tickets available at Greenwood Public Library, 310 S. Meridian St., Greenwood. Info: call 317-881-1953.
GOING GREEN IN THE GROVE
The 4th annual Going Green in the Grove is Saturday, April 27, Noon to 4 p.m., at the Hornet Park Community Center, 5245 Hornet Ave., Beech Grove. The Arbor Day celebration includes free plants, planting of 500 trees, crafts, recycling, education and youth art contest. Deadline for entries for the art contest for Beech Grove students, K-12, is April 22. Rules and entry forms are available at the community center. Residents also may bring electronics items for free drop-off for recycling ($20 charge for anything with a screen – TV, monitor, etc.). Electronics recycling is sponsored by Beech Grove Parks Department and Technology Recyclers.
GARFIELD PARK ART EXHIBITS
Several exhibits are on display at the Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive. The center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Displays include: “My Favorite Things,” through the lens photography exhibit XIII of the Indiana Photographers Society, through April 27; “Organic Matter,” solo exhibit by artist Beth Ann Thomas, through April 30; and “Growing Pains,” a senior thesis exhibition presented by Sloan Marshall, through May 3. Info: call 317-327-7135 or visit GPACarts.org.
TEEN AUTHOR’S BOOK SIGNING
Beech Grove High School student-author RyLee Hargett will have a book signing Saturday, April 27, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Hornet Park Community Center, 5245 Hornet Ave., Beech Grove. Hargett is the author of Mistress Heily and the Fall of Order. The book also is available through Amazon.
SELF-DEFENSE CLASS PART II
Registration is under way for a woman’s/teen’s self-defense class at the Hornet Park Community Center, 5245 Hornet Ave., Beech Grove. The class is $5 per person and is Monday, April 29, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., presented by Pilsung Martial Arts. Interested participants can register at the community center.
BUZZ CLUB SUMMER CAMP
Registration is under way for the Buzz Club summer camp for Beech Grove City Schools students, grades 1-8, at the Hornet Community Center. The Monday through Thursday schedule, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: June 10-14, nature play week; June 17-21, pollinator friends; June 24-28, water world; July 8-12, art outdoors; and July 15-19, community connections. Field trip Fridays are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Space is limited. Transportation not provided. Cost is $70 per week, per child; deposit $20 per child. Fun activities, breakfast, snacks and lunch provided. Register at Hornet Park Community Center, 5245 Hornet Ave., Beech Grove.
THIRSTY THURSDAYS AT VICTORY FIELD
Among promotions at Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians, is the first Thirsty Thursday this week. The Indians meet the Toledo Mud Hens at 7 p.m. On selected Thursdays, spectators can purchase fountain drinks, domestic drafts and premium and craft beers with $1 from Sun King draft pints sold going to charity. Thursdays sale benefits Project 44, a non-profit to raise awareness for the national bone marrow registry in honor of former Butler basketball player Andrew Smith, who died in 2015 from blood cancer. The next Thirsty Thursday is May 2 with proceeds benefitting Playworks.
PICNIC SHELTER RESERVATIONS
Picnic shelters at Beech Grove parks are available to be rented by individuals, groups and organizations from May 1 through October 13. Shelter rentals are $65 each with electricity and picnic tables with nearby playgrounds and restrooms. City parks include Sarah T. Bolton, Don Challis, Hartman and Centennial parks. Parks are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Request forms are available at the community center or BeechGrove.com/parks-department.
Fabric Auction Will Benefit Quilt Guild
The Quilt Connection Guild will hold an auction of fabric, quilting notions, sewing patterns, sewing books, magazines and other related items at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at Greenwood United Methodist Church, 525 N. Madison Ave. Items are being accepted for the sale. Info: email [email protected].
Plots Available in Community Garden
Calvary Lutheran Church and School, 6111 Shelby St., is accepting applications for its 10-by-10 feet in-ground garden plots ($20) and its 4-by-10 feet raised plots ($20). Info: 317-783-2000.
Community garage sale set
The Pines of Greenwood, a 175-home addition near the corner of Averitt and Worthsville roads, will host its annual garage sale from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, May 2-4. The homeowners association will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Greenwood Christian Church, across the street from the subdivision.
Library’s Memorial Lecture
Award-winning author, journalist and comic book writer Ta-Nehisi Coates, a distinguished writer in residence at New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, will present The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation’s 42nd annual Marian McFadden Memorial Lecture Wednesday, May 8, at 7 p.m. at Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave. Info: 317-275-4700.
Gardening Program
The Johnson County Garden Club’s annual horticultural program will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. In addition to showcasing flower, plant and garden vendors, guest speakers and activities for all ages, the event will provide information on how to grow plants that attract hummingbirds. Seed packets and tree saplings will be given away while supplies last. Admission is $2, and breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase. Info: Carolyn Williams at 317-736-8080 or email [email protected].
Cherry Blossoms Usher in Spring
Along with the arrival of spring is the blooming of the Yoshino cherry trees at White River State Park. A gift from Japan, the trees were given to Indianapolis in 2012 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the cherry trees that have come to define spring at the nation’s Capitol. Located on the river’s west bank, east of the Indianapolis Zoo, the trees create a stunning backdrop to the Waterfront Pavilion. The blooms should be beautiful for about another week. Info: www.whiteriverstatepark.org.
Veterans Hall of Fame Seeking Nominations
The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame is calling for nominations for its sixth class of honorees. Up to 15 veterans will be honored for military service achievements and/or community contributions. Nominees must meet any one of the following criteria: born in Indiana; entered military service in Indiana; or lived in Indiana for a minimum of eight years. Additionally, nominees must have been honorably discharged and be free of felony convictions. All ages, living or deceased, will be considered. Nomination forms are available at imvhof.com/nominate/.
Bingo at Veterans Hall
Monday evening’s bingo program at Greenwood Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5864, 333 S. Washington St., will continue through the summer. Play begins at 6 p.m. and food is available. Wednesday night bingo starts at 6:30 p.m.; the coverall is usually $500. Info: Sherri Jones at 253-278-1980 or Steve Milbourn at 317-525-7291.
Handbell Choir Performs
Joyful Sound, a handbell choir based out of Greenwood, will perform at the Otterbein Franklin Senior Life Community, 1070 W. Jefferson St., at 7 p.m. Monday, and at First Baptist Church of Greenwood, 99 W. Main St., at 7 p.m. Friday, May 3.
Foundation Will Host Hoops Extravaganza
Some of Perry Township’s most popular teachers and staff members will battle the Harlem Wizards on the hardwood at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Southport Fieldhouse. The fun-filled event is sure to feature trick plays and stunning alley-oops. Tickets start at $8 and can be purchased at https://harlemwizards.thundertix.com/events/145269?blm_aid=24289. Also on the foundation’s agenda is its Spring Celebration & Awards Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the township’s Education Center and the annual golf outing June 23 at The Legends. Info: Amelia Miller at 317-789-2395.