Dear Indy,
Sweet Night is a 16-year-old sophomore at Shortridge High School.
She’s also the president of the school’s Key Club, which until recently had been dormant for years.
Night, though, started recruiting friends to revive the club — and then got to work helping others.
This month came the opening of a new community closet where Shortridge students can get clothes, food, toiletries and other items.
“We wanted a dedicated space,” Night told Mirror Indy. “Our intention for this community closet and space is to connect with the students and help them realize that they belong here at Shortridge.”
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In other news
- A new low-income housing project on the far west side will do something that is still uncommon: It will give mothers who are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction an opportunity to remain in the same home with their kids. Heather Burton, who graduated from Seeds of Hope in 2016, did not have that opportunity — and that’s why she’s so supportive of the new facility. “I think that’s gonna be an amazing thing for moms,” said Burton, 36.
- The far east side has a new City-County Councilor. Former councilor La Keisha Jackson’s selection as state senator created an opening. To serve the remainder of Jackson’s term on the council, a caucus of Democrat insiders selected Rena Allen, who works at Eskenazi Health and is a community liaison for Faith in Indiana. “The community wants more sidewalks and streetlights, they want more elected officials present,” Allen told Mirror Indy.
- Almost 8,000 Marion County residents signed up for free bike share passes in the first week. To learn more about the program, check out reporter Breanna Cooper’s prior article or watch our ‘gram.
What’s going on around the city
- Saturday, May 25: The Melanin in May Festival returns for another year of celebrating Black businesses, chefs and artists. This year’s music lineup includes The Tony Bryant Project, Shae Sparks, and PsyWrn Simone. Over 100 vendors will be onsite, plus food trucks including Shy Girl Sweets, Bougie By Tarah, Guys Cooking Creation and The Coney Lady. The free festival starts at 11 a.m. at Community Alliance of the Far Eastside, 8902 E. 38th St.
- Sunday, May 26: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Bike Indianapolis, and IU Health Momentum Indy have collaborated to offer race fans a safe commute to the Speedway on Race Day through Bike to the 500. Check in will begin at 6 a.m. at The AMP at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd. with an early ride departing at 7:30 a.m and a later one departing at 9:30 a.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event. Children 15 and under ride for free with a paid adult.
- Thursday, May 30: Historian and author Henry Adams will present an illustrated talk on American painter Thomas Hart Benton’s life and work, including an in-depth look at his murals displayed in Woodburn Hall, in Bloomington. The free event starts at 6 p.m. and will take place at Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Ave.
— Jennifer Delgadillo, arts and culture editor
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
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What else we’re reading today
- Axios Indianapolis: It’s sure looking like the Indy 500 will be blacked out on TV again this year.
- WRTV: IMPD Commander Ida Williams will become IPS’ director of safety and security. The hiring comes as the school district grapples with the fallout of the fight at School 87.
- The Trace; Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting and CBS News: A new investigation revealed that more than 52,000 police guns have been used in crimes since 2006. That includes the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Cameron Brown in Indianapolis. The gun was previously used by a sheriff’s deputy in California — because law enforcement agencies routinely resell their weapons. IMPD Chief Chris Bailey is now reconsidering whether IMPD should also continue trading in its weapons: “I don’t want any weapon that we owned to end up being used violently against another person,” he said.
Notes from our Documenters
This week, we have six meetings on our schedule.
Today, we’re covering the City-County Council’s Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee, the Indianapolis Public Library board and the Franklin Township school board.
Tomorrow, we’re covering the council’s Administration and Finance Committee.
On Wednesday, we’re covering the council’s Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee.
On Thursday, we’re covering the IndyGo board.
What other meetings should we cover? Let me know.
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
Interested in being a Documenter? Here’s how.
Reflections
Fans of Cardinals and Cubs baseball know just how legendary the names Harry Caray and Jack Buck are.
That’s why my jaw dropped when I saw who will be joining Harry’s grandson Chip Caray in the Cardinals broadcast booth this Friday: none other than Jack’s son Joe Buck.
He’s a voice many of us have heard calling national games over the years, but he’s who I grew up listening to every summer night while watching the local Cardinals broadcast with my mom and uncle.
We will see you (Friday) night.
Ryan
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at ryan.martin@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.
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