September 21, 2023

Today’s Forecast

82º | Mostly cloudy | 10% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:31 a.m. | Sunset 7:45 p.m.

“Get in loser, we’re carpooling.”

Young professionals carpool for Car Free Day

Another way to cut down on emissions is to carpool with co-workers or friends who are going to the same area as you. | Photo provided by CIRTA

Ditch the car and bus-t a move. Tomorrow, Sept. 22 is Car Free Day — a free international event when people are encouraged to get around town without driving alone in cars + instead ride a train, bus, bicycle, carpool, vanpool, subway, or walk.

There are several benefits to ditching the car: it’s a way to save money, lower your stress, and make central Indiana a cleaner place to live.

Did that make you want to hang up the keys? While Indy may not really have a bustling train or subway system, we do have several options to go car free:

Take the bus. Plan your trip with IndyGo.
Ride a bike. Don’t own one? Use Pacers Bikeshare.
Get your steps in. Travel by foot using the Cultural Trail.
Hop on a scooter. Heads up, scooters are not permitted on sidewalks or trails. Make sure you know the city’s scooter guidelines.
Join a carpool. The state encourages carpooling + there are designated parking areas for state employees who carpool and have a carpool hang tag.
If you’re able to, work from home + skip the commute.

Bikers gather outside City Market on Car Free Day — Last year, CIRTA hosted the Car Free Day in City Market’s west plaza.
|
Photo provided by CIRTA

To celebrate Car Free Day, Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) is hosting an event featuring live music, vendor booths + free breakfast from Wild Eggs or lunch from Domino’s at the SPARK on Monument Circle. The event will take place from 7 to 9 a.m. and again from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

You can register to take part in Car Free Day to be entered for a chance to win prizes like concert tickets to see P!NK, John Mayer, or Tim McGraw — plus $250 Visa gift cards and more.

Events

Thursday, Sept. 21

Plaza Nights Live Music Series | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 6-10 p.m. | Fountain Square Plaza, 1101 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis | Free | The Fountain Fletcher District brought back all-ages live music on The Plaza — each show will feature three local musicians in a casual setting.
Stomping Grounds - Swing Dancing Lessons and Social | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 7-10 p.m. | McGowan Hall, 1305 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis | Free | With professional instructors leading lively lessons for beginners and advanced dancers alike, you’ll learn all the moves needed to become a swing dance pro.

Friday, Sept. 22

Nightmare on Edgewood | Friday, Sept. 22-Saturday, Nov. 4 | Times vary | Nightmare on Edgewood Haunted House, 1959 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis | $30-$50 | Visit “Indy’s most intense haunted house,” if you dare.
“Barbie:" The IMAX Experience at the IMAX Theater in Indiana State Museum | Friday, Sept. 22 | 8 p.m. | IMAX Theater in the Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | $18.50 | To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place — unless you have a full-on existential crisis (or you’re a Ken).*

Saturday, Sept. 23

Broad Ripple Home Tour | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Broad Ripple, Indianapolis | $15-$20 | Tour Broad Ripple homes, learn facts about each home and those who have lived in it over the years, meet the owners, and take away decorating and renovation ideas.

Sunday, Sept. 24

Pups on the Patio with IndyHumane | Sunday, Sept. 24 | 2-4 p.m. | Ten Hands Social Bar & Eatery, 241 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | Free | Visit the patio at Ten Hands Social Bar & Eatery and meet some dogs who are looking for homes.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Coming Soon

We finally have an update on the out-of-the-ordinary coffee shop + short-term rental opening in Fountain Square. Black House Cafe will feature a “Beetlejuice”-themed kitchen, “Ghostbusters”-themed bathroom, and bedrooms inspired by “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Scream.” It’s expected to open before the end of the year. (IBJ)

Closing

Sad news from this vegan spot in Fountain Fletcher. The owner of Three Carrots announced on social media that they’re closing the restaurant after 10 years in business. Its last day of service will be Sunday, Oct. 1. Get its 100% vegan dishes while you can.

Open

Diners can experience authentic flavors of Mexico at a new restaurant that’s now open on the northwest side. El Caporal Mexican Restaurant at 3970 Georgetown Rd. is serving up authentic Mexican cuisine + international food — its most popular dishes are caporal steak and tortas ahogadas. Visit on Friday or Saturday night for karaoke.

Jobs

Amazon announced it’s hiring 5,000 employees in Indiana for the holiday season — including 3,500 in the Indianapolis area. Packing, picking, sorting, and shipping are some of the roles available. Browse positions and apply. (WRTV)

Edu

Eleven Indiana schools are being recognized by the US Department of Education in its list of 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Half of those named are in central Indiana, including Bishop Chatard High School, Avon High School, and Sugar Grove Elementary School in Greenwood. (WTHR)

Outdoors

Hoosiers can celebrate the arrival of fall this weekend with free admission to state parks — and even show their appreciation for the outdoors by picking up litter, pulling weeds, and doing other volunteer work as part of the 30th annual National Public Lands Day (Sept. 23). More info. (IndyStar)

Shop

We’re excited to welcome Salt & Ash Soap Co., an Indy-based skincare business, to our online shop (Six & Main). These carefully crafted, low-waste products include bars of soap, body scrubs, lip balm, and lotion. Shop now.

Outdoors

🍂 When to expect unbe-leaf-able fall foliage

A hiking trail at Turkey Run State Park filled with fallen leaves

If you enjoy hiking, you should visit Turkey Run State Park in the fall. | Photo by @parkecountyin

Maybe you’ve already busted out the flannels, ordered your favorite fall drink, and started decorating for the season. We’ve even started feeling some cooler temperatures. But as we count down to the first official day of fall this Saturday, Sept. 23, you’re probably wondering when it will start to look like fall.

We’ve already shared with you central Indiana’s fall weather predictions — we’re looking at a normal September through November, where we can expect cooler temperatures heading into October.

If you’re a Hoosier, you know one of the best places to view fall foliage is in Brown County, so of course we had to check in with the Brown County Leaf Cam + we can confirm things are still looking very green.

According to the Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage Prediction Map, we won’t really see a change in the leaves until early October, with the best time to see fall leaves between Oct. 23-30.

If you want to fall in love with foliage, Turkey Run State Park, Parke County, and Cataract Falls are some other road trip-worthy destinations.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Nicole

From the editor

Going car free is definitely the way to go. You don’t have to worry about parking, road rage, or your impact on the environment. I also highly recommend biking to big events when you can. I’ve taken my bike to the Indy 500 and a concert at TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park — and it was the best decision.

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