The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park is a registered habitat through Homegrown National Park. | Photo by INDYtoday team
Want more from your lawn than just grass? You could turn it into a mini “national park.”
Meet Homegrown National Park, a nationwide grassroots movement that invites property owners to restore wildlife habitats through sustainable planting and the removal of invasive species.
Here’s how it works: Swap a portion of your lawn for native plants that support food webs for local fauna, then watch your yard transform into a natural oasis where wildlife thrives.
Registered habitats are tracked on a digital biodiversity map, so you can see which Indy neighbors and orgs are pitching in — like Belmont Beach and the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park.
Hoosier victory scenes from all over Indiana played out across social media since Monday night. Take a look at the hundreds of thousands of fans who gathered to celebrate on Bloomington’s Kirkwood Avenue.
Trending
The other sports phenomena sweeping the nation? Hockey romance “Heated Rivalry” — which is coming to Indy in the form of a themed rave at The Vogue on Friday, Feb. 20. Get tickets.
Opening
Give this a spin. Carmel’s first record store, CTYZN Records, opens on Friday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. Stop by 420 W. Main St. for live music, door prizes, and vinyl galore.
Closing
The game has, well, stopped. Gamestop announced it’s closing nearly 500 locations nationwide this month — including stores in Indy, Carmel, Noblesville, and Greenfield. See the full list. (WTHR)
Concert
“Evening of Inspiration: Chasing A Cure,” the annual event benefiting The Bev Hartig Huntington’s Disease Foundation, announced this year’s concert on Saturday, April 18 will be headlined by country music star Chase Rice. Tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m.
History
IU is now the first undefeated 16-0 college football team — that is, since 1894. Meet their predecessors, the Yale Bulldogs. (ESPN)
Sports
Is the Pacers’ new lineup thriving? If you’ve been wrapped up in football season, now’s a good time to catch up on Indiana basketball with Locked On.
Seasonal
Don’t let tax season be a stressor. If you owe more than $10,000, reference Money’s list of best tax relief companies that can support you with everything from mediating payment plans to applying for penalty abatement. Learn more and get your finances back on track.*
Health
Don’t keep battling through unclear hearing — start fresh in 2026 with the expert-backed Horizon IX hearing aid. Its dual-processor technology separates speech from noise so conversations feel effortless again. Join 540,000+ happy customers and make this your year of better hearing. Learn about a 45-day no-risk trial.*
Biz
Kickstart the new year by expanding your business’s reach. Our business promo portal puts your message in front of our thousands of highly engaged local subscribers in as little as two days. Plus, first-time customers save 15% with code NEW15 at checkout. Get started.
Finance
The king of cash back has arrived. Thousands of Americans are seeking out this leading cash-back credit card in the new year. Here’s why: 0% intro APR into 2027, up to 6% cash back on purchases, and a bonus worth hundreds — all with no annual fee. Learn more + apply.*
Wellness
Arouse the whole you with this FDA-registered vibrating ring for women that adjusts to your vulva shape for distributed external stimulation and magnified sensations. Even better? It’s recommended by doctors to enhance arousal and natural lubrication. Save 30% + an extra 20% with code S4VE20.*
The Buy
Out: Quick fixes that don’t last. In: Real change that brings lasting results. Create sustainable habits for good with Noom’s science-backed weightless program that boasts personalized coaching and support to keep you motivated. Say goodbye to restrictive diets and hello to nourishing meals that are tailored for your goals.
Last week, we asked what your favorite neighborhood gem is. Here’s what a few readers said:
“Jockamo in Irvington is wonderful. Of course the pizza is great, but they have other options as well — sandwiches, wonderful salads (my favorite!), appetizers, and desserts! The staff is very friendly and hard workers.” — Cynthia M.
One last hidden gem restaurant for you: Pa & Ma’s Backyard BBQ. I used to eat here nearly every $10 Thursday when I lived in the neighborhood. There’s no set menu, so you can either check the restaurant’s Facebook page or just show up — but no matter what they’re serving, you won’t be disappointed.
The sides available at Pa and Ma’s are always changing, from mac and cheese to green beans to hot water cornbread.
}})
}})
