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May 8th, 2018
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READY FOR SPRING
Irvington’s front door, Washington Street, received some love from over 30 volunteers who showed up early on a chilly but dry Saturday morning. They removed debris from last year’s perennials, mulched all the beds, picked up litter (ugh! cigarette butts!), but most importantly, swept the sidewalks of all the pot hole gravel. The city’s Department of Public Works provided a crew and trash truck to collect the very heavy grit and rocks. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful provided supplies and paid for refreshments. Hart Bakery donated yummy donuts, and Starbucks gave us the coffee (the two essential ingredients for any volunteer effort).  All under the skilled direction of Arbuckle & Sons Landscaping Co. (they are gracing our cover photo this month). Then Irvington’s “Special Team” went to work installing 10 more bike racks on the north side of Washington St. Thanks to Trent Taylor and his tool-totting team!
...AND IT'S ALMOST SUMMER!
Memorial Day is right around the corner, so summer can’t be far behind. And in Irvington that means it’s time for the Garden Club’s Farmers Market in Ellenberger Park! June through October, the second Sunday of the month come out to buy fresh produce, the BEST guacamole, antiques, crafts, ribs, and ice cream. The first market will take place June 10, from Noon to 3:00 pm. See your neighbors and check in with all the neighborhood organizations – especially IDO because we’ll have IRV flags for sale again. $40, get `em while they last. We have a few slots open for volunteers to work the booth in easy hour and a half shifts. Contact Margaret@irvingtondevelopment.org to sign up.
 
And while we’re mentioning Irvington’s beloved and lo-o-o-ong awaited outdoor, warm weather activities, we have a few to add to your calendars.
 
May 30June 3 Historic National Road Yard Sale. Be on the lookout for visitors and deals to be had!
June 2 – Audio Diner for the first Irving Circle Park Concert
Sweet Thursday Jazz – darn near every Thursday now at Coal Yard Coffee:
  • May 31 – Nick Tucker
  • June 7Kent Hickey
  • June 14Charlie Ballantine
  • May 13 – Indian Classical Music Recital at the Bona Thompson center,  tickets through eventbrite. com
  • May 26 – Vulgar Boatmen at Coal Yard Coffee, tickets through eventbrite. com
  • June 2 – Children’s Festival at the Irvington Branch Library
So get out there, see your neighbors, buy some great stuff, and experience a lot of great music!

INDYGO, BLUE LINE REPRESENTATIVE AT NEXT ICC MEETING

Join the Irvington Community Council at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, May 15th at 55 Johnson Ave (lower level Fellowship Hall) as a representative from IndyGo presents plans for the Bus Rapid Transit Blue Line at the next meeting. See what IndyGo is proposing (early planning stages), ask questions, and join our community in an open, positive discussion. CLICK HERE to learn more about the proposed Blue Line before the meeting; see the proposed timeline, benefits, and route of this upcoming rapid transit project 
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT: MAIN STREET AMERICA CONTEST UPDATE
Thanks to everyone who voted for Irvington in the America’s Main Street Contest (https://www.mainstreetcontest.com/). We had a late start on the voting and didn’t make it to the next level, but thanks to the many supporters who voted regularly for our neighborhood.

GREEN TEAM NEWS
Irvington Green (IG), IDO's sustainable community dot-connector, has these upcoming events and all are welcome to participate:  
  • May 9, 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Luke Taylor’s Good to Grow, composting basics for your yard and community at 329 N. Ritter Ave.
  • May 30, 6 to 7:30 pm - Neighbors Reduce-Reuse-Recycle2Renew&Restore "Pitch-In" Picnic at Irving Circle Park.
  • June 6, 6 to 7:30 pm - 2019 Irvington Community Tree Planting “Pub Planning” with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful at Black Acre. 
  • Second Sundays of the month, starting June 10, noon to 3:00 pm - Reduce-Reuse-Recycle connect with IG at the Irvington Farmers Market.  We have community sustainability project information and resources to share at the IDO booth at Ellenberger Park. 
Find event details and project updates, and resources @irvingtongreen on Facebook or email to irvingtongreen@gmail.com with your preferred email contact, to receive our monthly IG E-News.
UPDATE: IRVY 500 RESCHEDULED, DATE TBD
To better prepare for the inaugural Irvy 500 has been postponed to a latter date (TBD) in the summer. The Irvy 500 (hosted by The Irvington Community Advocacy Network (ICAN), a coalition of community organizations) will be a relay bike race around Audubon North Circle to raise funds for the many services provided to some of our neediest neighbors. To enter a team, sponsor a racer, or just for more information, go to www. icanirv.org. Note: bikers need to be at least 13 years old. We will be sure to update you as more we learn more information about this exciting new event. 
HOUSE CALLS: BENTON TOUR OF HOMES
The 44th Annual Benton House Tour of Homes is on Sunday, September 16th 2018, and the Home Tour Committee is now recruiting homeowners to showcase their homes. Consider participating, even if you're unsure about it. Have you ever wondered what it's like to be on the tour? Benton House Association president and past tour participant Lisa Watson shares her story.
 
“My house isn’t ready. Maybe next year.”
“I don’t want people riffling through my things.”
 
“There isn’t anything special about my house.”
 
These are all things I have heard and possibly even said about participating in the Benton House Tour of Homes. I moved to Irvington in September of 2011 and went on my first tour that month. It was quite simply amazing on a few levels. People volunteering to open their homes up to let strangers walk through?! Now, a few years later, I know that there is no such thing as a stranger in Irvington.
 
In the spring of 2013, I was asked to be on the home tour and I just wasn’t ready. I said, “There is so much I want to do to the house first.” I had DREAMS! Redo this room, and that one, and that one too! The Home Tour Committee received the “maybe next year” that they so often hear.
 
The following spring, I was asked again. You know what? I hadn’t done any of the things I had wanted to do, but this time, I said yes.
 
I had a lot to do. I didn’t really have to, but I wanted to. What committing to the September date did was challenge me to get some of those wish list things done. I replaced a window with French doors and had some landscaping done.
 
The days leading up to the event were filled with dusting, cleaning, excitement, and a little anxiety. “What if no one likes my home?,” I worried.
 
The weather on the day of the tour was perfect. Slight breeze, warm but not too hot, humidity was low. Let’s get this thing going!
 
Friends were in place and knew a bit about my house, if there were questions asked. And then they came. A couple hundred people walked through my home. I met so many lovely neighbors.
 
It was so worth it. I’d do it again in a minute!
 
Here are some of the questions (excuses) I have heard for reasons not to be on the home tour:
 
“My house isn’t ready. Maybe next year.”or “We are in the middle of renovating, but haven't finished the work.”
 
Homes in transition are often exactly what people like to see. Being able to see the history evolving – sometimes down to the studs – people love seeing it all! The thing to remember is, this is a home tour, so personality and a lived-in feel is wanted; it shouldn’t feel staged.
 
“I don’t want people riffling through my things.”
 
They don’t; they won’t. The people on the tour are extremely respectful and appreciative of the fact that you’ve opened your home. And volunteers keep a watchful eye as they guide visitors and answer questions.
 
“There isn’t anything special about my house.”
 
I doubt that. Your statement is invalid! Home tour houses can be large or small; professionally decorated or DIY; filled with antiques, art, or just comfy furniture; or have an interesting or unknown history. Regardless of whether your home has unique nooks or the same features as nearly every house on the block, it's interesting to someone.
 
“I don’t want anyone in that room.”
 
Then close the door! I had child gates in the doors of the two rooms where family members asked that I not let people in them; people could see, but not go in. Others have simply shut the door.
 
As you can see, having your home on the tour is pretty laid back. Whatever you feel comfortable with is what people experience. All profits from the home tour go to the upkeep and maintenance of the Benton House, which is an Irvington landmark that was built in 1873 and is now restored and open to the public. The Tour of Homes is our largest fundraiser and helps us sponsor community events and maintain the home and property. Help us by showcasing your home. Contact Elizabeth Wissel by phone at 317-572-8584 or by e-mail at  hometour@thebentonhouse.org
.
MAY NEIGHBOR SPOTLIGHT: JASON AMMERMAN
By Nancy Larner Ruschman
Introducing Jason Ammerman, new General Manager of the soon-to-be-opened Bonna Station, the first restaurant-pub in Irvington that will carry spirits (not the ghostly kind, at least as far as we know). Jason has a long history of managing bars and restaurants and will now bring his talents to Irvington.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Just shy of 45 years old, I am the father of an amazing young man named Jude and serve as the General Manager of Bonna Station located at 130 S. Audubon. I have worked in the restaurant and bar industry over the past 25 years, taking brief respites in the fields of criminal justice as a paralegal/victim advocate, and in education as a special needs teaching assistant among other jobs outside of these fields.  I am a writer by trade.  I have three books of poetry published and at present am working on a spoken word/poetry album with musical backing. Past restaurant experience includes the prestigious Columbia Club and Griggsby’s Station in Greenfield (named after the James Whitcomb Riley poem and owned by the same proprietors as Bonna Station) where I developed their bar program when the establishment opened. I returned to Indianapolis to take a position with Louie’s Wine Dive on Mass Ave and became their beverage director. In March of 2018 I returned to Irvington to helm one of the most beautiful restaurant/bar establishments I have ever seen. I consider it an absolute blessing to be on the right side of history in opening this first of its kind in Irvington.  

How long have you lived and/or worked in Irvington?

I moved to Irvington in 2009 after getting married and have lived here off and on since. For the past 13 years I have led the Thursday night poetry reading at both Lazy Daze and then 10 South Johnson coffeehouses at different points in their existences respectively.  I have always wanted to work here, in the Irv. This opportunity to lead Bonna Station is a gift that I humbly accept. 

How did you first hear of Irvington and why did you move here?

I heard of Irvington as a child.  My grandmother, who lived in Beech Grove, used to talk about Irvington. Two of my best friends moved here in the early 2000s.  I began spending time here then, frequenting establishments like the old Lazy Daze coffeehouse.  And the churches! I love this community's dedication to faith! The local business support, the support of faith based organizations and Irvington's love and dedication to her history are all the main reasons for me (personally) wanting to live here. Irvington has some amazing character - a jewel in Indianapolis.  She is growing but in a way that maintains her traditional roots while envisioning a growth that will allow for relevancy and care for her neighbors.  I have always been impressed with Irvingtonians’ dedication to community, friendship and inclusiveness. Irvingtonians possess a unique ability to balance honesty and accountability without taking themselves too seriously.  I find this admirable. The Irv is a melting pot of local commerce and attractions that bring in folks from outside of Irvington - even our corporate entities like Starbucks have that personable touch that is unique to communities like Irvington. I believe that every resident who supports local through commerce as a business owner, operator, or patron is an intricate part to the sustainability of Irvington.  I'd like to think that the founding settlers of Irvington are pretty pleased with how we are taking care of this community.  

What do you do for fun?

I spend a lot of time with my son.  He's going on six years old, so he is at an age where he just loves life.  He is quirky, joyful and just a blast to be around.  Outside of that, I write poetry, read poetry and enjoy music. I also love history. I like to research history. I find the best representation of history is hiding in between the lines of the tales of our past. Like ghost stories, I find the characters of the story extremely fascinating to the point that I like to research their own stories beyond the short spooky one. Loving ghost stories fits right into being in Irvington, right?

Why are you a member of Irvington Development Organization?

We are a unique establishment in that we will possess the first full service alcohol license (liquor, beer and wine) in Irvington history. IDO has been instrumental in assisting and supporting us throughout this endeavor. IDO is the backbone structure needed to help build local business in Irvington, which is why we are members of IDO. From the moment that our idea for Bonna Station was born, IDO and Irvington were embracing and supportive.  We are so appreciative that we are a part of a community family.  We are definitely supportive of IDO and Irvington.   

If you were Mayor of Irvington for a day, what changes would you make?

I find it difficult to want to change anything about the Irv. I could list the usual concerns and issues but Irvingtonians do a fantastic job to maintain our beautiful community. I see the Irvington Summer Music Series (formerly the Folk Festival) as a big hit. The Halloween Festival is one of the most famous festivals in the country and it would be nice to see more festivals like this.  A spoken word/poetry festival in April, National Poetry Month, or establish a community arts collective where artists can rent out studio space or office space, would be nice. We have a successful brewery here. Attracting a distillery operation would be beneficial as well. There are less than 20 distilleries in Indiana so having one in our backyards would be a draw to the area. Perhaps these ideas are already being pursued. I'm never surprised by the innovation of our community, and I, personally, consider Irvington home for this very reason.  
 

ABOUT IRVINGTON DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION

Irvington Development Organization, founded in 2002, works for the benefit of Irvington by cultivating positive business development, promoting the unique character of our neighborhood and enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors. Irvington is a historic community on the East Side of Indianapolis known for its winding, tree-lined streets and architecturally significant homes and businesses. To donate to IDO or become a member click here.

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Irvington Development Organization · 5855 E. Washington Street · Unit 100 · Indianapolis, IN 46219 · USA

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