Dear Indy,
Today’s lead story from K-12 education reporter Carley Lanich is lovely. I continue to be inspired by kids’ willingness to learn new things and make new friends, even when it’s a little scary
After Carley hooks you with the beginning, please also check out the adorable photos and watch the video.
Abi Chinchilla sat in the corner of the bustling gym, surrounded by a half dozen other students strumming their instruments. Concentrating on the paper in front of her, she slowly picked up her ukulele and joined them.
Chinchilla — who is sometimes shy, her mom says — didn’t show signs of it May 3 at the Harrison Center. The IPS fifth grader darted across the community center’s gym and laughed along with classmates just minutes before their warm up. The group was next in line to perform at the center’s regular First Friday event.
This month’s event coincided with the IMS Porch Party, drawing lines down the block. But, Abi — whose dad, grandmother and sister all joined her mom in the front row of the audience — wasn’t nervous. It’s her third year with El Sistema Indianapolis and it’s become a place she’ll feel sad to leave when she goes to middle school next year.
“It’s a good opportunity,” she said, thinking of advice she’d give classmates. “It may seem crazy at first, and it will be crazy, but you will get comfortable with it.”
Continue reading the article here.
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In other news
- Wayne Township leaders are working on a proposal to relocate human remains from Greenlawn Cemetery into the westside Mount Jackson Cemetery, which was founded in 1821 and has been maintained by the trustee’s office since the 1960s. The cash-strapped township would benefit from new investments made by Keystone Group, the developer hoping to build Eleven Park upon the former Greenlawn site. Some community advocates are opposed, though.
- Chin mothers will soon have access to a free support group through Franciscan Health, which already has a similar program for other mothers but is launching the new program to help overcome language and cultural barriers. “We kind of don’t accept that we have anxiety or postpartum depression,” said Tuan Sung, a care management assistant with Franciscan Health who will be running the group. “There are more hardships in our community and daily lives because we are in a new country.”
- The first-floor computer lab at Central Library is being converted into offices, so patrons will need to use computers on different floors starting June 1.
What’s going on around the city
- Tomorrow, May 29: The Indianapolis Indians host a youth baseball and softball clinic for kids 14 and under at Victory Field, 501 W. Maryland St., starting at 5 p.m. The clinic is included with the price of admission to the 6:30 p.m. game, when the Indians take on the Omaha Storm Chasers.
- Friday, May 31: Belmont Beach hosts a screening of the 2023 film “The Book of Clarence” at 2020 N. White River Parkway. The movie starts at sunset, following the Westside Maker’s Market. Free.
- Saturday, June 1: Local soul singer Bashiri Asad and his band celebrate the music of the Isley Brothers at Arts for Lawrence, 8920 Otis Ave. $30.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
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What else we’re reading today
- IndyStar: What’s the effect of a ransomware attack on health care systems? For 74-year-old Mark Hammond, it’s been a longer hospitalization as doctors and nurses appear to scramble to find the appropriate medical records. And that’s just the start of the problems.
- Indiana Capital Chronicle: The Hoosier Lottery is continuing to rake in a ton of money. Things are going so well that the lottery’s contractor is set to receive a $20 million bonus — enough to buy 10 million of the new “Jaws”-themed scratch-offs.
Resources
The fast approach of summertime weather brings a slew of new opportunities for fresh vegetables in Indy.
You may already be a regular at one of the farmer’s markets, but what about CSAs and subscription boxes?
Service reporter Sophie Young created a guide to walk you through some of our city’s best options.
The best part? You can help local organizations that work in the community.
We have more resources on our website. Find them here.
Reflections
Long holiday weekends provide a lot of opportunities for rest, chores or fun — and you better believe I chose the wisest two (and skipped the chores).
But now our newsroom is back to work. We are continuing to write about the unfolding news about Greenlawn Cemetery, Indy Eleven and Major League Soccer.
Next up? A scheduled Rules and Public Policy Committee meeting tonight, where residents will have their first opportunity to share their thoughts about Mayor Joe Hogsett’s desires for an MLS stadium at the downtown heliport.
Tyler Fenwick will be there reporting, so check back with us.
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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