Two truths and a lie — Circle City edition 🔎

Two truths and a lie — Indianapolis edition

Can you picture this in Paris? | Photo by INDYtoday team

We’d never want to lie to you, Hoosiers, but it’s the name of the game.

Pro tip: If you’ve played this before, you’ll know that the right — or should we say wrong answer — is not always the most obvious choice.

The Ruins at Holliday Park are made up of scraps from a Parisian castle.

“Comment ça va, Indy?” The Statue of Liberty isn’t the only gift France has given the states over the years. The St. Paul Building was torn down in the 50s to make way for more modern architecture in the City of Love. After a competition among US cities was held that required them to submit plans for their intended use of three of the building’s massive statues, Indy was selected.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway stands and track — The last of the track’s 10-pound bricks were placed in 1909. | Photo via @imlucasb

Only seven Hoosiers have won the Indy 500.

That’s right. Despite having a home court advantage, just a handful of Indiana natives have taken home the Baby Borg. Those Hoosiers are Joe Dawson (1912), Howdy Wilcox (1919), L.L. Corum (1924), George Souders (1927), Louis Schneider (1931), Bill Cummings (1934), and Wilbur Shaw (1937, 1939, 1940). However, we’re tied with California for the state with the most winners.

Indy is home to the largest statewide historic preservation organization in the US.

Indiana Landmarks, a statewide nonprofit headquartered at 1201 Central Ave., has been saving historic places and educating Hoosiers since 1960. Fun fact: it’s first project was the restoration of the Victorian-era Morris-Butler House right here in Naptown, which now operates as a rental venue for smaller weddings and special events.

Which of these statements is the lie?

A. The Ruins at Holliday Park are made up of scraps from a Parisian castle.
B. Only seven Hoosiers have won the Indy 500.
C. Indy is home to the largest statewide historic preservation organization in the US.

PROVE YOURSELF

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Tuesday, Feb. 28

Indy Fuel vs. Kalamazoo Wings | Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 10:30 a.m. | Indiana Farmers Coliseum, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis | $16-$60 | Students will receive a workbook that incorporates hockey information at this Education Day themed game.
Pen Pals | Tuesday, Feb. 28-Saturday, April 22 | Times vary | Eskenazi Hall, 735 W. New York St., Indianapolis | Free | This show features continuous communication between sculptor Jared Cru Smith’s personified sculptures and artist Sydney Craig’s characters.

Wednesday, March 1

Elle King: “A-FREAKIN-MEN Tour” | Wednesday, Mar. 1 | 9 p.m. | Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis | $39.40 | Explore Elle’s twangy new musical chapter as she preps for her first country album.

Thursday, March 2

NOBULL Run Club Community 5K | Thursday, Mar. 2 | 6-7 p.m. | NCAA Hall of Champions, 700 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | Free | Join the club for a run with multiple pace options and test out the latest Garmin smartwatches.

Friday, March 3

Tribute To Aretha Franklin | Friday, Mar. 3-Saturday, Mar. 4 | Times vary | Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Cir., Indianapolis | $10-$106 | The Queen of Soul homage features symphony fave Capathia Jenkins and three-time Grammy Award nominee Ryan Shaw.
Behind the scenes gallery tour: Native American Galleries | Friday, Mar. 3 | 12 p.m. | Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | Cost of admission | Join curator Dorene Red Cloud to learn more about the three guiding themes of the museum’s new exhibition.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

World-class music (that even newcomers can appreciate) with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Try This: World-class music (that even newcomers can appreciate) with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Presented by an INDYtoday partner

Reminder: no video or photography is permitted during a performance. | Photo via @Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Thomas J. Russo

Symphony season is well underway and there is a suite of opportunities (see what we did there?) to embrace your inner virtuoso and attend an Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performance at the Hilbert Circle Theatre.

What we tried

City Editor Anna here. I had the chance to attend “Schumann, Mozart & Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony” earlier this month, which is part of the DeHaan Classical Series.

Full disclosure: I am not a symphony savant. But thanks to the ISO’s welcoming environment and the immersive experience, I had an incredible time. I left feeling impressed by the symphony’s rich sound and the fact that I got to hear a piece that had never been heard before.*

WHAT NOT TO MISS

Weather

53º | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain

Community

A new public restroom is now open downtown, thanks to the Office of Public Health and Safety. Located near Needler’s Fresh Market at Alabama and New York streets, it includes two stalls — one being wheelchair accessible. They include a five-minute timed lock and will be cleaned weekly. 🚽 (WRTV)

Open

ComedySportz’ new theater had its grand opening over the weekend at 3808 Shelby St. in the old Books & Brews location west of UIndy. It can accommodate 33% more attendees than its former venue on Mass Ave. and has a kitchen, lobby, and black box space for smaller-scale performances. 🎤 (IBJ)

Development

Speedway is considering a short-term $2.5 million construction loan for the $35 million Wilshaw hotel project. The project will be built across the street from the IMS. Though the deal isn’t finalized yet, it would use revenue from the town’s TIF district at a near or above-market interest rate. 🏗️ (IBJ)

Cause

Wrestling group Naptown All Pro is on a mission to decrease youth gun violence in Indy by providing free tickets to kids in underserved communities. You can pay it forward by donating $10 on the ticket event page so that it can get in the hands of a kid or parent to attend the show. Learn more. 🤼‍♂️ (WRTV)

Featured

Texas Roadhouse’s “Meat Cutter of the Year” competition will feature not one, not two, but four Hoosiers this year, making Indiana the second best-represented state behind Texas. Antonio Benitez Gregorio will be representing Indy during the contest, cutting 30-40 pounds of beef. 🥩 (IndyStar)

List

Simply im-peck-able. Chicken Scratch (featured in our Indy Restaurants from A-Z list) was recognized on Yelp’s Ones to Watch: Black-Owned Businesses list recently. It was one of only 32 different businesses around the country and was rated based on review counts and online presence. 🍗

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Let’s get fiscal

How to prepare and file your taxes for free in Indianapolis

Don’t let tax season be a stressor — these resources can help. | Photo via Unsplash

Hey Indy — are you sitting down? Because we have an important reminder for you: This Monday, April 15 is Tax Day. If that sentence immediately filled you with panic, we’ve got your back with free resources you can use basically up until the last second.

Before we jump into those, check out the IRS’s list of up-to-date tax tips. It covers frequently asked questions like understanding business travel deductions and how military members and their families can receive help with their taxes at no cost.

Now the fun stuff. Indy is home to these free local tax resources:

Free tax prepping resources are available with the United Way of Central Indiana.
Receive free tax help at the John Boner Neighborhood Center.
The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax assistance for those who qualify.

If you’d rather pay a small fee to not have to leave the house, we feel you on that. You can file online with H&R Block’s four different filing options, from free to Premium. Or, file with a tax pro’s help.

GET FILING

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Anna.

Editor’s pick: I thought this news was extra sweet today. Apparently, The Best Chocolate in Town is coming home. Under new ownership, the shop is returning to its original location on the east end of Mass Ave. starting Wednesday, after being gone for almost exactly three years. Its new hours will be Wednesday-Monday from 12-6 p.m. most days. 🍫

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Explore Indy restaurants from A-Z.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Anna Bowman, Nicole Hernandez, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Nicole Fancher | Advertise with us.

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