Dear Indy,
I’m such a fan of the indie bookstore wave in Indianapolis. By now you’ve probably heard about Loudmouth, Golden Hour and the others that have opened in the last year or so.
Now we’re here to tell you about a shop on the far east side. It’s called Garden of Readin’ Book Closet.
It’s run by a mother-daughter duo who share a goal to make reading fun.
“When I come in here, I can just chill,” said Bre Lander, 28.
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In other news
- Carolyn Gentle-Genitty is a first-generation college graduate who grew up in Belize and who, while at IU, has been researching equity in education. Soon she’ll become the inaugural dean of Founder’s College, the new two-year school at Butler University that aims to serve students from historically underserved communities. Learn more about her background and her vision for the school in our new Q&A.
- Between the complex legislation and ongoing court battles, it can be difficult to navigate the rules of Indiana’s near-total abortion ban. So health reporter Mary Claire Molloy created a guide explaining what we know — including which Indy hospital systems are still providing legal abortions — and what we don’t.
- Welcome to May, the best month in Indianapolis. But there’s a whole lot more to do than watch the race. We list out 25 things to do — including, ahem, Comic Book Day.
What’s going on around the city
- Friday, May 3: Bruce Dean and Scott Johnson host a group art show at the Circle City Industrial Complex, 1125 Brookside Ave., from 6-9 p.m. More than 40 local artists have contributed work ranging from photography to ceramics. Free.
- Friday, May 3: “Friends, Romans, countrymen,” lend your ears to a modern adaptation of “Julius Caesar” at Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center, 705 N. Illinois St. at 7:30 p.m. Presented by the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company, the show runs through May 19. $25.
- Saturday, May 4: Whether you’re a member of the Rebel Alliance or you’re more inclined to roll with the Empire, there’s something for everyone at the Star Wars Day event hosted by Melody Inn, 3826 N. Illinois St. Starting at 9 p.m., you can catch the newly formed Star Wars-themed local rock band The Threepios. The Columbus-based punk group Lustkill and Minneapolis’ ska punk band Space Monkey Mafia will also perform. $8 cover, 21+.
— 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
- Chalkbeat Indiana: To understand why so many people are concerned about Indiana’s new so-called “intellectual diversity” law, you need to step into a classroom — like the multicultural education course at Ball State University.
- Associated Press: The Biden Administration is moving to reclassify marijuana as less dangerous than drugs like heroin and LSD. The change would not legalize marijuana.
Notes from our Documenters
Documenter Kelli Jack-Kelly attended the recent Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee. The committee voted to reappoint Benjamin Tapper as director of the Office of Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion.
Tapper said the office exists to “guide the vision of DEI efforts in the city.” The current focus is on pay equity gaps.
Tapper shared areas of improvement for the city including infant mortality rates, a plan to train and expand language education, disability affairs compliance and economic empowerment.
City-County Councilor Joshua Bain, a Republican, shared gratitude for Tapper’s work but expressed reservations about the office.
“I fear that DEI initiatives often, while they may be noble, lead to unintended consequences and divisions within our community,” Bain said.
The motion to appoint Tapper passed 6-2.
Read more from Kelli’s notes here.
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
Interested in being a Documenter? Here’s how.
Reflections
First, please allow me to say I’m sorry for the broken link in yesterday’s newsletter. If you missed it, just please pretend like nothing ever happened. But to read higher ed reporter Claire Rafford’s article about the IUPUI protest encampment, here’s the actual link.
Second, we’ll be holding office hours today from 12:30-2 p.m. at the AMP at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd. Community Journalism Director Ariana Beedie, Documenters Assignment Editor Sharlene Birdsong and eastside reporter Darian Benson will be near the stage ready to hear your ideas and answer your questions about local journalism.
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.