In the Mirror: ⚾ Opening day in Indy

Dear Indy,

Tomorrow marks the home opener for the Indianapolis Indians.

It will be the first time in 20 years that Paul Drew, 75, won’t be tending the fields.

“I’ll miss the noises and just the joy of everyone having a good time,” said Drew, who retired.

But the Lawrence man is hanging on to those memories through his art.

Some of his artwork is displayed on canvas, but we’re talking about a veteran of America’s Pastime here.

So surely you could guess that Drew’s artwork also can be found on baseball bats.

Know someone who might like this newsletter?
Click here to forward this email to them.

In other news

Some Indy high school students are still struggling to complete their FAFSA because of all the glitches that have been occuring. Others are stuck in a limbo waiting for colleges to inform them about student aid. And state education officials are just plain anxious as a crucial deadline fast approaches.

With the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, westside reporter Enrique Saenz asked city officials about the condition of bridges in Marion County. First, let’s state the obvious: No massive cargo ships are floating down White River. Still, data from last year found that 46 county bridges have been rated as “poor” by the Federal Highway Administration.

City officials are removing a community recycling drop-off site on the east side because it became a dumping ground for nonrecyclables.

What’s going on around the city

Tomorrow, April 2: Following a 6:30 p.m. performance of “Frida…A Self Portrait,” join Indiana Repertory Theatre’s Director of Inclusion & Community Partnerships Devon Ginn and a panel of Beatriz Vásquez, Nicole Martinez-LaGrand and Daniel Del Real for a community conversation about the stories of artist Frida Kahlo and playwright Vanessa Severo. The conversation will explore the role of art in how we shape our identities and will be held at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St. For more information, contact Devon Ginn at dginn@irtlive.com.

Friday, April 5: Mixed media artist Rebecca Robinson’s gallery, “Urban Valentine,” opens up at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center, 705 N. Illinois St., at 5 p.m. Described by Robinson as a “visual celebration of love,” the exhibit will use the gallery walls to explore love in all its forms. Free.

Saturday, April 6: The Damien Center is bringing back the Garage Party — originally created by The Bag Ladies in 1984 — to raise money for HIV/AIDS organizations. Proceeds from the dance party, which goes from 8 p.m. to midnight at 416 Wabash St., will go toward Damien Center and the Indiana Youth Group. Tickets start at $15. 21+

— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter

Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.

Support Journalism
Be part of a local initiative to increase coverage of the
diverse needs of people living in our community.

What else we’re reading today

IndyStar: After learning that IMPD would not move forward with a gunshot detection system, the head of the city’s police union called the decision “short-sighted and flawed.”

Indiana Capital Chronicle: In a new Q&A, the six Republican candidates for governor share their priorities when it comes to education, such as school choice and teacher pay.

Associated Press: Race and ethnicity changes are coming to federal forms, including the census, to hopefully more accurately reflect the diversity of the U.S. One example: A “Middle Eastern and North African” category will be added.

Notes from our Documenters

This week, we have six meetings on our schedule.

Today, we’re covering the Wayne Township school board meeting.

Tomorrow, we’re covering the library’s Sunrise Series listening session, Meet Your Neighbor: Refugee 101 and Meet Your Neighbor: Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, we’ll be at the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission meeting.

On Friday, we’re covering the Marion County Election Board.

I’ll share what we learn in those meetings. What other meetings should we cover? Let me know.