08.23.2023

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Today’s Forecast

39º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 8:06 a.m. | Sunset 5:33 p.m.

Let’s get prehistoric

The history of Indianapolis’ favorite dinosaurs

INDYtoday: Indy_Childrens Museum Dinosaur 4_AUG2023

These Alamosauruses may look a little intimidating up close, but fear not — they were herbivores. | Photo by @blissfulburgoss

Many Indy locals can still remember the first time they were casually driving down 30th Street — only to be confronted by three massive dinosaurs breaking out of the Children’s Museum.

Where did these mysterious creatures come from? Did the museum accidentally open a prehistoric portal? Are they related to the other two massive dinos peeking into the museum’s atrium? And where are they going?

Turns out the history of these majestic beasts isn’t linked to a tear in the space-time continuum.

Canadian sculptor and paleoartist Brian Cooley, who specializes in studying real dinosaur skeletons in order to build lifelike recreations, created the three Alamosaurus dinosaurs bursting out of the building. The mother, Yvonne, is 75 ft long, while her two children, Greg and Diana, are each 25 ft long.

INDYtoday: Indy_Children's Museum Dinosaurs 2_AUG23 — Talk about a long neck — scientists have estimated that the necks of Brachiosauruses could have measured up to 30ft in length.
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Photo by @staabstudios

While they aren’t as visible from the street, two Brachiosauruses aren’t trying to escape the museum so much as they’re trying to get in.

These sculptures were constructed by Staab Studios, which creates natural history and prehistoric life models for museums, publishing, film, and private collectors. Gary Staab told us the project took seven months to complete + involved 2.5 tons of steel on the interior of the largest dino to hold it steady.

The dinosaurs were installed in 2004 and 2009 and have remained the highlight of the museum’s exterior since.

The only question that remains is where those Alamosauruses are headed. Our guess is to the river for a refreshing dip. You must get pretty thirsty after being extinct for about 65 million years.

Asked

What would you name the two Brachiosauruses breaking into the Children’s Museum?

INDYtoday: Indy_Children's Museum Dinosaurs 3_AUG23

Photo by @been_there_traveled_that

I've got some ideas

Events

Wednesday, Aug. 23

Original Farmers’ Market | Wednesday, Aug. 23-Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Indianapolis City Market, 222 E. Market St., Indianapolis | Free | From fruits and vegetables to meats and cheeses — you can find in-season, fresh foods from locals.
The Message is the Medium: Contemporary Art | Wednesday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Dec. 31 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Newfields, 4000 Michigan Rd., Indianapolis | $0-$20 | Contemporary art is back and better than ever — this long-awaited exhibition is open now at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields.*

Thursday, Aug. 24

Indiana Fever vs. Seattle Storm | Thursday, Aug. 24 | 7 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis | $15-$170 | On the heels of Kelsey Mitchell’s near-record breaking chase to reach 3,000 career points, watch the Fever take on the Seattle Storm in an exciting match-up.

Friday, Aug. 25

The Alley | Friday, Aug. 25 | 6-8:15 p.m. | The Cabaret, 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | Free | Experience live music, art, vendors, dancing, and spoken word in a festival-like atmosphere.

Saturday, Aug. 26

Blues, Beer, & BBQ | Saturday, Aug. 26 | 6-10 p.m. | Outdoor Space, 11623 E. Washington St., Indianapolis | Free | Get ready for an exhilarating night of blues music, mouthwatering food, and refreshing drinks.

Saturday, Sept. 9

Indiana Sports Corp’s Indy Ultimate | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis | $35 | Discover downtown through a three-mile run/walk — participants will receive a t-shirt, medal, and access to the post-race party for $35 (save $5 with code INDYTODAY).*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Giveaway

Enter to win our Ultimate Midwest Tailgate Giveaway

Calling all grill masters and tailgating fanatics — get ready to fire up those grills. We’re launching The Ultimate Midwest Tailgate Giveaway, in partnership with Hotel Tango Distillery and Simple Times Mixers, where one winner will win a red hot prize package (valued at $1,300+), including:

Blackstone table top grill and a burger press
Simple Times Mixers
Hotel Tango voucher
Klipsch Gig XL speaker
Custom corn hole boards
and more

Enter by Monday, Sept. 4 at 11:59 p.m. for a chance to win. Continue reading INDYtoday daily to see who wins (hint: we’ll be announcing the winner on Wednesday, Sept. 6).

Enter to win

News Notes

Civic

Governor Holcomb broke ground on an expansion of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) training facility. Additions will include a new dormitory, updated classrooms and facilities, offices, an emergency vehicle track, and a scenario-based training village. (IN.gov)

Opening

It’s game time. The Bicentennial Unity Plaza outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse is officially opening to the public on Thursday with four days of free events. Offerings include live music, games, free and for-purchase food, and a kids basketball clinic.

Community

Bike commuters rejoice. Construction on the Nickel Plate Trail parallel to Binford Boulevard will start as early as this winter. The path will be paved from 42nd to 96th street, creating 9.6 new miles of safe recreational travel through the city. (IndyStar)

Number

$370 million. That’s how much the Indiana Lottery Commission reported adding to state funds in the 2023 fiscal year. This money goes toward retirement and pension funds for police, firefighters, and teachers, as well as to lower the motor vehicle excise tax. (IBJ)

Closing

Healer announced that it will be closing its Mad Max Katz Art Park on Monday, Sept. 18. Those with fond memories of the outdoor space can take home a piece of it by stopping by the closeout garage sale on Thursday, Aug. 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. Healer’s indoor space will remain in business.

Concert

Feels like we’re knockin’ on heaven’s door, because we just learned Bob Dylan is coming to the Old National Centre on Monday, Oct. 16. Tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. (WTHR)

Sports

☕️ Colts fans = caffeine fiends

Colts fans + caffeine, a match made in football heaven

Surveyed Colts fans reported they drink an average of 3.5 caffeinated beverages a day (like these from Indie Coffee Roasters.) Talk about jitters. | Photo by @indiecoffeeroasters

The results are in, and they’re giving us wings.

According to a survey conducted by Pickswise, Colts fans are the most caffeinated fanbase in the NFL, drinking an average of 3.5 caffeinated beverages per day. Before you go get a celebratory coffee, here are some of the other awards given out that you can use to taunt your friends:

Green Bay Packers fans chugged their way to most beers per game, with an average of 6.3 brewskis.
Jacksonville Jaguars fans had the highest divorce rate, at 38.8%. Hey, at least they won’t have to fight over the comfy spot on the couch anymore?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers apparently aren’t slowing down any time soon — their fans were deemed the worst drivers, with a per-person average of 4.3 speeding tickets.
Know any influencers? They’re probably Seattle Seahawks fans, who are the most addicted to social media with an average of 6.8 hours a day spent online.

Craving your coffee fix now? We have a guide for that.

Shop

Eat

Ready to tailgate? Our online shop, Six & Main, has you covered. Spice up your game-day burgers with Spicewalla’s 3-Pack Grill Lovers Collection.

Seasonal

Find your new favorite scents this fall from our candle brands such as Wixology and Corridor Candle Co. Shop now at Six & Main.

Active

Socks mysteriously eaten by your washing machine again? Yeah, us too. Try these women’s no-show socks — a bestselling sock with 50,000+ five-star reviews.

Kids

These pop-up soccer goals make the most of time outdoors with the kids or grandkids. Easily set them up, then just as easily put away and store.

Home

The piece of furniture we’re drooling over: this Poly & Bark leather ottoman pouf in cognac brown. Hello, soft leather and beautiful living room.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Shea

From the editor

You don’t have to be a kid to fall in love with the Children’s Museum. Even if the (incredibly fun) interactive exhibits aren’t your speed, the museum hosts extravagant adult-only evening parties — like this weekend’s 20s-themed Museum by Moonlight fundraiser.

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