Here’s a great video interview with Breena Fain from the Indianapolis Convention and Visitor’s Association. She shares what’s great about Indy and even some suggestions and ideas for what you can do in Indy for a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend.

What probably happened is Mr. Duffy came here years ago, before the city realized what amazing possibility it had. Almost every American city goes through a rebirth at some point and every city has those awkward growing pains and uncomfortable teenage years.

She’s right!

I’d now say Indianapolis has turned into a nice little young adult of a city. I know we’ve got more history than that, but I’m perpetuating the growing pain metaphor.

Her post was spurred on by another post that talked about how awful Indianapolis is as a city. We all know that’s not true if you’ve live here or have visited recently. The negative article was focusing on Indianapolis being chosen as a potential location to host the World Cup Soccer event.

Read Casey’s Why I Chose Indy post and share your comments.

Will 2010 be the year that Indianapolis inches a little bit closer to offering more options for public transportation? Let’s hope that new developments, support and encouragement does enter the discussion, but until then Indianapolis residents will need to continue to look for places to fill up their gasoline tanks as cheaply as possible.

The IndyGasPrices website can help you do just that. You can search for what location has the best prices in your area, and even help them out by reporting gas prices in your area whenever possible.

The event has been organized and developed by An Escape Plan. Jeff Patterson, IMPD officer and self-defense trainer will be sharing with participants a variety of skills and resources they can use to protect themselves when they’re confronted with a situation we’d all prefer to avoid.

Understanding how to establish the idea of "Protective Thinking" for yourself and learning how to use self-defense to keep you and your family and friends safe is the purpose of the event.

The event is completely free, but you must register to attend. and parking is free as well in the Conseco Fieldhouse garage. The event takes place this tomorrow night at 6:00pm at Conseco Fieldhouse. The doors will open at 5:30pm.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

Be Aware. Be Prepared. Be Safe.

Each shelter will be comprised of ecoresin panels, which are made using 40% post-industrial re-grind content, mounted in a stainless steel frame. The shelters will be installed on TX Active photocatalytic cement pads. These pads will be self-cleaning and will help reduce many pollutants deemed harmful to human health and the environment.

Download the call for poets here or call 317.713.3333 for more information about the Cultural Trail public art program.

A call for poetry begins this week and submissions are due November 22, 2009. Published poets living in or with ties to Indiana are invited to submit work based on subjects such as community, neighborhoods, landmarks, shared spaces, transportation, history and the future. Poets must have published at least one poem in a print magazine or anthology prior to submitting work for “Moving Forward.” Selected poems may have been published previously.

I’ve been to a lot of city zoos over my lifetime and few of them compare with the Indianapolis Zoo. My family always enjoys a trip downtown to the zoo. It’s one of the many great things I love about Indy. (a family membership is always a great Christmas present – hint hint)

Unfortunately, the Indy Zoo lost one of its stars, Tahtsa the polar bear. She died on Wednesday.

If you’re like me, I’m guessing you’ve snapped a few pictures of this local favorite. Everyone loves polar bears. Killing machine status aside, they are so cute. Maybe the Coke commercials helped that image.

Turns out that Tahtsa was, at age 34, the world’s oldest polar bear. She died a mere 4 months younger than I am now. Goes to show you the health benefits of a diet heavy in fish and free of fried pizza. She was on loan to the Indianapolis Zoo from the Louisville Zoo, where she had lived from 1976 – 2006. Though the bear was only in Indy for a few years she will be missed.

I took this photo of Tahtsa less than two weeks ago and could tell she wasn’t her normal self. Usually she was always swimming laps in her ice-cold swimming pool. We’ll miss you Tahtsa.

World’s oldest polar bear dies in Indy – IndyStar

People in Central Indiana can get a taste of Fishers in Hamilton County by attending the second Flavor of Fishers, on Saturday, August 1, at the USA Parkway Circle. Gates open at 12 noon and the restaurants, music, and activities continue through 10 p.m.

The event is hosted by the Fishers Chamber of Commerce and is sponsored by Community Health Network.

Over 30 restaurants will offer “tastes” of their best menu items, and the event will have a beer and wine garden. Musical acts include 10th of Never, a local band, and Hotel California, an Eagles tribute band. And children can enjoy a fun and educational animal adventure show by the Silly Safari.

an Eagles tribute band. Children of all ages will enjoy an educational and fun animal adventure show by Silly Safari, as well as the Family Fun Zone, which will have inflatables and games for little kids.

Tickets are available at all Fishers Marsh Supermarkets, Fishers Chamber Office (in the Fishers Train Station), and online at FlavorOfFishers.com. A $1 surcharge will be applied to all online ticket purchases.

Advance Admission ticket prices are:

At the Gate Admission ticket prices are:

You’d think you’d need to be older to be a dad in this town, but IndyDads.com is celebrating their first birthday today. Congrats to them for being around after the first and garnering a pretty great group of dads to participate in their social network.

If you’ve got kids be sure to take advantage of this resource and information that’s available to you on the website.

Happy Birthday IndyDads.com!

I just read this post over on the Smaller Indiana website and had to share it with our readers as well. Participating in events like this can be a lot of fun, and you’re helping your community as well.

Be a part of the Lilly Global Day of Service and the more than 50 community partners coming together to help prepare the city for 2,500 new trees, 75,000 new plants, new play grounds, outdoor learning areas for local schools, and much more!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: MAY 6-19th (in preparation for the big day on May 20)
We need help unloading and sorting trees and perennials, loading trucks, watering plant material and more …

For more info, check out http://tinyurl.com/84vcrg or contact Sarah Grain at 317.264.7555 x106 or sgrain@kibi.org

It is your city…Help make a difference.

I used to do events like this at least once a year when I was in college and have helped at a variety of similar events through the years.

Find out all you need to know about Keeping Indianapolis Beautiful on the Keep Indianapolis Beautiful website.

In keeping with Earth Day today, I was wondering about where the locations are that we can recycle various items, specifically computer equipment.

The Keep Indianapolis Beautiful website is loaded with information that’s helpful for those interested in learning more about how they can recycle in Indianapolis and where to take advantage of it.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful