Feast of Lanterns – Update from NESCO
In August, 1909, what is rumored to be the first “Feast of Lanterns” was held in Spades Park on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis. Residents of the Brookside Neighborhood strung thousands of paper lanterns from the bandstand, bridges and trees, illuminating them with candles. Surrounding homeowners also decked their porches with lanterns. Other events like this had been happening in Indianapolis at the time, but the Feast of Lanterns was the largest, most spectacular and longest lived.
The Feast of Lanterns occurred annually until the event lost momentum and ceased completely around the time of World War II. In 2003, neighbors in the Windsor Park and Springdale Neighborhoods revived the event after finding an old newspaper article advertising the Feast of Lanterns, and thus the annual event was reborn, under the direction of the Near Eastside Community Organization (NESCO).
On August 23, 2014, over 5,000 people will gather once again to celebrate the Feast of Lanterns in Spades Park. This event celebrates our community and our continued progress in making the Near Eastside of Indianapolis a great place to live, work, worship, play and learn.
This year’s Feast of Lanterns is in dire need of community support. The event is in jeopardy of cancellation due to a shortage of volunteers. We have several positions of leadership that have remained vacant since the Near Eastside was polled for volunteer support several months ago. The combination of a lack of volunteers and a lack of sponsor funding is a dramatic blow to the event and the NESCO Board and we face a decision of canceling the event without these two critical pieces. We need to raise an additional $8,000 by June 15 to commit to contracts for the event.
How do we raise $8,000 by June 15? The committee has poured hours over this decision for the past month. Here are some ways to help:
1 – The NESCO Board will be delivering an appeal to Near Eastside business owners for financial support
2 – In-Kind contributions from Near Eastside businesses to offset needs of the event (tents, tables, chairs, generators, trash pickup, dumpsters, supplies, ladders, etc.)
3 – Volunteer hours – both in preparation for the event and during the event
4 – Lantern Workshops – we’ve been holding lantern workshops for nearly two months with very little turnout. These lanterns are auctioned off at the Feast of Lanterns and have historically raised over $1,000 for the event.
Please consider helping us to continue this century-old Near Eastside tradition, the Feast of Lanterns. We have simplified the suggested donation levels below and urge you to assist in any way you are able. If we don’t have commitments in each of these five areas by June 15, we will most likely need to cancel the Feast of Lanterns for 2014. We need YOU to help continue this rich, Near Eastside tradition!
N – $3,000 – sponsors the stage, sound & electricity
E – $1,500 – sponsors needed shelters, tables and chairs
S – $750 – sponsors the security for the event
C – $500 – sponsors the Indy Parks permits
O – $250 – sponsors a run of giant Chinese paper lanterns
Donations may be made payable to our fiscal agent, Englewood Christian Church and all donations are tax deductible. Please be sure to put “NESCO Feast of Lanterns” in the memo and send to:
NESCO, c/o Englewood Christian Church
57 N Rural St
Indianapolis, IN 46201
Questions regarding sponsorships can be directed to the Feast of Lanterns Project Manager, Melissa Benton melissa@nearindy.org or by phone at 317.296.5444
The Feast of Lanterns Committee, a NESCO committee, thanks you for your time and consideration in helping to sponsor the Feast of Lanterns. If you are unable to contribute financially, we welcome in-kind donations to help cover event-specific needs. We hope to see you at the 2014 Feast of Lanterns August 23, 2014!
Riley Area Development Revitalization Efforts and Affordable Home Ownership Opportunities
Riley Area Development Corporation (RADC) is using innovative programming and partnerships to revitalize the Willard Park neighborhood on Indianapolis’s near eastside. Backed by funding from the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, RADC has launched a broad array of programs intended to increase community greenspace and affordable home ownership. RADC’s home ownership initiatives include three new homes and rehabilitation of two existing properties in addition to the “Homestead” property located at 249 N. Parkview Avenue.
In early 2014 RADC held a design competition for the new units, won by local architect Michael Halstead. Selected for his modern and innovative approach, the units include an eco-friendly design with green infrastructure, outdoor living space and garden beds that tie into the sustainability programs within the community. A rendering of his design can be found here. In addition to the satisfaction of sustainable living, new homeowners will be provided a lifetime membership to local grocer Pogue’s Run and a one-year membership to the Chase Near Eastside Legacy Center which offers group exercise classes, a large selection of workout equipment, and free Wi-Fi internet among many other amenities.
One of the new home ownership units will sit adjacent to the Willard Park Green, a multi-use gathering space with recreational and environmental features, also being developed by RADC. The new homes are projected to sell between $90,000 and $107,500 to eligible applicants who meet the 80% median income requirements. Additionally, RADC will be rehabilitating two properties near the greenspace at 44 N. Hendricks Place and 220 N. Parkview Avenue.
If you are interested in any of the home ownership opportunities mentioned above or would like to learn more about RADC’s work in Willard Park you can click here or visit http://rileyarea.org.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
East 10th Street UMC – June 5th
Oxford Place Community Planning Process
Neighbors & Friends,
Please join us once again this evening from 6:30-8 pm for our third of four community planning sessions for the proposed Oxford Place Senior Apartments. As we did last time, we’ll do a short recap and reporting out from the first two meetings to bring everyone up to speed.
After the recap, you’ll be free to join one of four working groups who are planning various aspects of the development including:
1. Sustainability – How do we deliver on the promise to make Oxford Place the State’s first Energy Positive or Net Zero multifamily development?
2. Resident Care & Quality of Life – What types of unit amenities, project amenities or services are ideal for Oxford Place?
3. Community Connections – How does Oxford Place design best compliment and encourage resident interaction with nearby properties and amenities (East Washington Branch Library, proposed Rocketship Academy, DayStar Childcare, transit access, etc..)?
4. Community Clean-up & Celebration – How might we best celebrate our completed plan while also making initial physical improvements to the subject site (ie plantings, trees, installation art)?
Hope to see you tonight!
Meeting Schedule
Oxford Place Senior Apartments Community Planning
#1 – Tuesday, May 6 (6:30-8:00 pm)
#2 – Tuesday, May 20 (6:30-8:00 pm)
#3 – Tuesday, June 3 (6:30-8:00 pm)
#4 – Tuesday, June 17 (6:30-8:00 pm)
Joe Bowling
Director – East Washington Street Partnership
Englewood Community Development Corporation
317-496-2662
57 N. Rural Street
Indianapolis, IN 46201
www.englewoodcdc.com www.eastwashingtonstreet.org
First Fridays on 10 East
Make sure to check out what’s happening this month for First Friday’s on the 10 East Biz District!
Swing Into Giving 2014
A golf outing hosted by the construction firm Meyer-Najem will benefit Westminster Neighborhood Services, Inc. (WNSI) and Hearts & Hands of Indiana.
Swing Into Giving 2014 is set for Aug. 22 at Eagle Creek Golf Club, 8802 W. 56th St., Indianapolis. Registration starts at 10 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 11 a.m.
Admission to Swing Into Giving is $150 per golfer or $600 for a foursome. That includes green fees, a box lunch, two drink tickets and dinner provided by Buca di Beppo.
Super tickets may be purchased for an additional $20, which includes entry for a cash drawing, putting contest and mulligan. Sponsorships are also available. An awards banquet will conclude the event.
Registration forms are available online at meyer-najem.com. To preregister, make checks payable to “Meyer Najem Golf Outing” and mail it with the registration form to Meyer Najem, c/o Jennifer Arvin, 13099 Parkside Drive, Fishers, IN 46038. Refunds won’t be available after Aug. 7.
For more information, contact Arvin at 813-6232 or jarvin@meyer-najem.com.
INRC Created Equal Film Series
St. Dime Street Festival
Come on over for a neighborhood organized festival on June 14th!
NESCO Neighborhood Games
“Bringing Us Together as One”
June 14th – June 21st
What are the NESCO Neighborhood Games?
Each summer, the Near Eastside Neighborhoods in Indianapolis, Indiana come together for a week of neighborhood-friendly, Olympic-style games. These events celebrate friendships, good-natured competition, light-hearted fun, and community cooperation. Events such as basketball, softball, volleyball, street hockey, dodgeball, table tennis, corn hole, cooking, frisbee golf, running, cards, and trivia allow for a week of great fun for all who live or work on the Near Eastside.
Schedules, events, and more information are available on the NESCO Games website.
Donations needed for Westminster Neighborhood Ministries
Demand at Westminster has increased dramatically with the warmer weather. We are in need of food and personal hygiene donations.
Food: canned/fresh fruit, canned meat, peanut butter, jelly, canned/fresh vegetables, pasta, pasta sauce, mac and cheese, bread, instant potatoes.
Personal hygiene: deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, body wash, razors, diapers.
Any donations would be most appreciated. We’re at 445 N. State Ave. on the Near Eastside, in Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Thanks so much and have a great summer!
New Journey Postpartum Doula
Curious about Hypnobirthing or Sacredy Pregnancy? Join Keegan Barkley of New Journey Postpardum Doula for informational & preview sessions this Sat. June 7th at 11am or Wed. June 11th at 6:30pm – sessions held at Little Green Bean Boutique. Register at the Event Website
Little Green Bean Boutique – New Hours and Customer Cards
Little Green Bean Boutique has new hours!
Sunday 12pm – 4pm
Tues, Wed, & Thurs 11am -7pm
Fri & Sat. 11am – 6pm.
Our new Customer Rewards cards! Get a punch each time you spend $20 & after 10 punches receive $15 off your next purchase! Our way of saying thanks for being awesome customers! See you soon!
39th Annual Woodruff Place Flea Market
This weekend!
Three Miles of Shopping, food, and fun.
June 7th & 8th is the 39th Annual Flea Market in Historic Woodruff Place.
For more information check out their Facebook Page.
Summer Events at Indy Reads Books
Make sure to check out the summer events happening at Indy Reads Books – right around the corner from the neighborhood at 911 Massachusetts Ave.
Here’s what’s happening just in the month of June (more info http://indyreadsbooks.org)
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday, June 3, 4-5:15pm
Dump the Pump: New Urbanism Happy Hour with Ben Ross.RSVP required.
Wednesday, June 4, 3-7:30pm
We Can Work It Out: Heart, Mind, and Action in the Struggle for Atonement.
Thursday, June 5, 6-7PM
Booksigning with Lorne Mook. Lorne Mook, professor at Taylor University in Upland, IN will be here to sign and discuss copies of his newly published translation “Dream-Crowned.” This is the first English translation of an early book by the major 20th-century poet Rainer Maria Rilke.
Firday, June 6, 7-9pm
First Friday with artist Carla Knopp. The event also features the Sophie Faught Jazz Trio and a Motus Dance Sneak Peek!
Saturday, June 7, 11:30am-12:30pm
Paws to Read Visit. Bring your child to read to a very special reading dog! The rotating cast of certified reading therapy dogs make reassuring (and adorable) listeners. This is a free event. More info here.
Saturday, June 7, 1:30-3pm
Dramatic Reading of “Time Warp Trio”. More information on this fantastic performer here.
Sunday, June 8, 2:30-4:30pm
Karen Mann author event. A reading with the author of The Woman of La Mancha.
Tuesday, June 10, 5-7pm
Story Slam on “Place” Do you have a story?
Wednesday, June 11, 4-6:30pm
Annual Indy Reads Fundraiser: Scavenge the Ave! Learn more at:indyreads.org/events/scavenge-the-ave/.
Friday, June 13 7-9PM
Ghouljaw Reading and Signing with Music
Saturday, June 14, 4-6pm
Chatter House Press Reading.
Monday, June 16, 7-9pm
Indy Actor’s Playground. More info here.
Tuesday, June 17, 12-1:30PM
Indy Reads Books Volunteer Orientation. More info here.
Tuesday, June 17, 5-7PM
Chess Club for Kids. More infohere.
Friday, June 20, 6-9PM
GALLERY: A staged reading. More info here.
Saturday, June 21, 11:30am-12:30pm
Paws to Read Visit. More infohere.
Saturday, June 21, 6-9pm
GALLERY: A staged reading. More info here.
Sunday, June 22, 1-2:30PM
Meditation Practice of Ascension. More info here.
Sunday, June 22, 4-6PM
BOOK CLUB: Better Readings of the Best Books (reading War of the Worlds).. More info here.
Tuesday, June 24, 5-7PM
Chess Club for Kids. More infohere.
Wednesday, June 25, 5-7PM
Melyssa Hubbard Spanking City Hall Book Release.
Thursday, June 26, 7-9PM
Artist Conversation and Opening with Carla Knopp. More info here
Arsenal Tech Alumni Day
Tech Alumni Day is Saturday, June 14th, with the Tech campus opening at 8:00 am. An Awards Ceremony in the Anderson Auditorium is at 10:00 am.
Englewood Review of Books
Did you know that we have this great organization and publication right here in our neighborhood? The Englewood Review of Books is a weekly book review published by Englewood Christian Church, Indianapolis. We review books that we believe are valuable resources for the people of God, as we follow the mission of God: i.e., the reconciliation of all things. The books we review are not necessarily books from the “Christian market,” and most of the books that we review will not be stocked in your local Christian bookstore. More info, books and resources available from the ERB website.
Neighborhood Association Meetings
To find your neighborhood association meeting, make sure to head to the NESCO Website.
