FEATURED EVENT
DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS CONCERT, Dec. 2 at 3:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Madison St., Franklin.
Christmas concert organ music, including Widor’s Toccata, Christmas carols for all to sing and music by the Franklin Community Band.
Held as part of the Downtown Christmas Lighting Celebration. Event is free and open to the public.
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ARTS
SOUTHSIDE ART LEAGUE SUPER CHRISTMAS SALE, now through Dec. 30. Member artists will be exhibiting a special collection of original art works this Christmas season. Many pieces are small and perfect for gift giving. Gift certificates available for anything at SALI, such as purchasing artwork, taking classes or paying dues. Layaway is available. A wide variety of styles, subjects, media and prices will be shown, including matted giclee prints, original framed and unframed art, ceramic sculpture, paper sculpture, greeting cards, jewelry and more.
SOUTHSIDE ART LEAGUE members present Fall Exhibit 2023, on display now until Dec. 30. Our member artists will be exhibiting art works that follow the theme “Black and White.” Come and enjoy the artwork during regular hours. Visit the gallery at 299 E. Broadway St., Greenwood, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday through Tuesday.
FRANKLIN COLLEGE FALL STUDENT ART EXHIBIT. The Franklin College art department invites the public to attend the upcoming art exhibit and opening reception on Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Johnson Center for Fine Arts. Admission is free. Students from all levels of studio art classes will display a selection of their work completed during the fall semester. Awards will be presented and select pieces of artwork will be available for purchase. The public may also view the artwork from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 6. For more information, call 317-738-8185.
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CHURCH EVENTS
CHRISTMAS CONCERT, Dec. 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Lewis Creek Wesleyan Church, 2010 W. County Road 850 S., Flat Rock. Live music by Westport Praise Team. Refreshments will be provided. Ornament decorating and even a visit from Santa! All are welcome.
HEALING HEARTS MEMORIAL SERVICE, Dec. 4 from 7 to 8 p.m. Tabernacle Christian Church, 198 N. Water St., Franklin. Memorial service for those who have lost a child. Open to the public.
LIVING ROOM CONVERSATIONS, 6:30 to 8 p.m. every second Monday at Grace United Methodist Church, 1300 E. Adams Drive, Franklin. The topic for the next conversation is Trust in Elections. Small groups meet monthly to discuss timely topics, with a different topic each month. All are welcome; enter on the west side of the building. Visit livingroomconversations.org for more information.
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CLUBS & HOBBIES
FRA BRANCH 130 is still looking for a few good men and women to join the fun! Monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Greenwood VFW, 1842 Veterans Way, Greenwood. The U.S.S. Indianapolis Memorial Branch holds its breakfast meeting the second Tuesday of each month at Denny’s South Park at Main St. and I-65 in Greenwood at 9 a.m. We would be glad for you to join us and we will buy your breakfast on your first visit. For more information, visit www.fra130indy.org.
JOHNSON COUNTY STAMP CLUB meets at 5:30 p.m. third Tuesday of each month. Come and enjoy monthly stamp exchanges/offers. U.S. and worldwide collectors of all ages are invited. For more information: [email protected] or 317-989-6799.
LEARN THE ART OF WOODCARVING, every Thursday evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Franklin Parks and Recreation building. Everyone of all ages welcome. Instructors available. No carving tools needed. Contact Steve McClain at 317-696-5713 for inquiries.
NIMBLE THIMBLES QUILT CLUB meets the first Friday of each month at 9 a.m. at Purdue Extension Office, 484 N. Morton St., Franklin for socializing, demonstrations and displays of finished projects. The business meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m. Yearly membership is $20. New and experienced quilters are welcome. For more information, contact club president Vicki Craig at [email protected].
FRANKLIN REGIONAL SWIM TEAM is offering lessons for children and adults. For information on private or group swim lessons, visit www.frstswimming.com. Use discount code 15Fall23 for 15% off of your first lesson.
THE GREENWOOD GATORS swim club is offering swim lessons. For more information, visit greenwoodgators.net.
NINEVEH SENIOR CENTER now open with limited activities. Coffee provided for events. Membership is $25 per year. Weekly activities: Euchre on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and bid euchre on Thursdays at 6 p.m. Chair exercise classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.
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COMMUNITY CLASSES
TOP FLOOR WOMEN, Indy’s Premier Southside Networking Events invites all women looking for personal and professional development to join us the first Wednesday of each month from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at JPtheGeek offices, 156 S. Park Blvd., Greenwood. For more information, to register for the event, register as a speaker for an upcoming month or even become a coffee sponsor, go to www.topfloorwomen.org.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
PHOTOS WITH SANTA AT THE MALL. Greenwood Park Mall has officially opened its Santa Photo Experience, which will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays through Christmas. In addition to the Santa Photo Experience, Greenwood Park Mall will host local events including: Caring Santa (Dec. 3), WRTV toy drive (Dec. 9), pet photos (Dec. 10), breakfast with Santa (Dec. 16), and Creative Grounds Fine Arts Academy (Dec. 16).
EDINBURGH PIXY THEATRE: Upcoming Events: Dec. 9 – Night Owl Country Band Christmas Show. Santa in the lobby prior to the show! Dec. 16 – 40 Years of College Classic Rock. Check out www.facebook.com/PixyTheatre for event information and event descriptions or call 812-526-6513.
CHRISTMAS REMEMBRANCE EVENT, hosted by Franciscan Health, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. at Southport Presbyterian Church, 7525 McFarland Road, Indianapolis. This event is open to anyone who has lost a loved one. There will also be singing of traditional Christmas carols and a candle-lighting ceremony followed by fellowship and refreshments. Participants may bring photos of their loved ones to be displayed on the Table of Honor. Registration for this free. Contact Karla Riggs-Norton at 317-528-2636.
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DANCE EVENTS
INDY/GREENWOOD SENIOR DANCERS at MJ Ballroom, 88 U.S. 31 S. First class free. No partner needed. Ballroom social group class on Mondays at 9:30 a.m; line dancing group class, Mondays at 10:30 a.m.; ballroom social dance party mixer, Wednesdays 1 to 3:30 p.m. Snacks and drinks available.
INTERNATIONAL DANCE, first Wednesday of the month, 10 to 11 a.m. Each dance is taught. MJ Ballroom, 88 U.S. 31, S. Cost is $3.
ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE, every first Thursday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Garfield Park Arts Center. Each dance is taught. All ages welcome. Cost is $1.
LINE DANCE at Beech Grove Senior Center, 602 Main St. Every Thursday, 10 to 11 a.m. Line Dance for 55 and over. Newcomers welcome. Each dance is taught if needed. Free.
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EVENTS AT GREENWOOD LIBRARY: 310 S. Meridian St.
MEET SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS, Dec. 11 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Come and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and stop by Kids for a fun kid’s activity! Our friends from the Kiwanis will also be here with some refreshments! No registration required.
HOLIDAY MOVIE MATINEE, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. Kick off your holiday season with a Christmas classic. We will be showing the original 1947 edition of Miracle on 34th Street and serving hot chocolate and cookies. If you happen to have a Santa hat or horrible holiday sweater, wear it! There will be prizes for the most festive. Sign up today.
BEGINNER’S SEWING: PET BANDANAS, Dec. 9 at noon. Come and make a pet bandana for your furry best friend! You will learn the basics of using our Singer sewing machines (available for use in The Studio Makerspace) and make a customized bandana for your pet. Perfect for the holidays! No previous sewing skills necessary. Ages 14 and up registration required. You will receive an email prior to the program to indicate sizing for your pet bandana.
SOCK-CAPADES, Dec. 18-29. Who needs ice or wheels to glide across the floor like an Olympic figure skater or star hockey player?! Drop by the Kids Help Desk and learn how you can take a spin on our “no skates needed” rink and after you have practiced your camel spins and toe loops, you can enjoy some fun, skating and ice-related activities.
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EVENTS AT WHITE RIVER LIBRARY: 1664 Library Blvd., Greenwood
CAROLS, COOKIES AND COCOA, Dec. 9 at 11 a.m. Join us for a festive time of holiday music provided by the talented students at Center Grove High School. Light refreshments are provided. Link for more information: https://jcplin.libnet.info/event/9146908.
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MUSIC
ORGANISTS TO PERFORM AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EVENTS, 100 E. Madison St., Franklin. Events are free and open to the public. Dec. 2 at 3:30 p.m.: The church will be offering a Christmas concert of organ music, including Widor’s Toccata, Christmas carols for all to sing and music by the Franklin Community Band. Held as part of the Downtown Christmas Lighting Celebration, this Christmas Concert has become a tradition for many, with traditional music interspersed with well-known carols for the whole family.
FRANKLIN COLLEGE FALL and HOLIDAY CONCERTS. The Franklin College music department is hosting three performances in December. All concerts will be held in the Clarence E. and Inez R. Custer Theatre in Old Main. Free and open to the public. Choral Concerts will take place on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. The performances will feature the Franklin College Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus and the FC Singers. Instrumental Concert will be on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. The performance will showcase the FC percussion ensemble, FC string ensemble and the FC wind ensemble. For more information, call 317-738-8185.
FRANKLIN COMMUNITY BAND, will perform on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1300 U.S. 31 S., Franklin. Refreshments will be served.
GREATER GREENWOOD COMMUNITY BAND, “A Christmas Celebration,” Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. held at the Greenwood Community High School, 615 W. Smith Valley Road. The festive evening will be a blend of Christmas music performed by the band, performances from Style Dance Academy and a visit from Santa Claus. In support of local families in need, the Interchurch Food Pantry of Johnson County will collect canned food donations at the concert. Attendees are encouraged to contribute non-perishable items. Cash donations are also welcomed to support the band’s initiatives.
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SUPPORT
SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS, Dec. 12 from 6:30 p.m. Union Christian Church will be hosting a one-night GriefShare session on surviving the holidays. There is no cost to attend. To sign up, visit https://www.griefshare.org/findagroup and enter 46131 for the zip code.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP, led by the Main Street Hospice staff, is a place for all those who have experienced the loss of someone they love. Public is welcome to come and listen or share their grief stories. Sessions are the first Tuesday of each month, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Main Street Hospice office, 10 Highland Ave., Franklin. For information call 317-736-0055.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS meets weekly in Franklin: Open Meetings: Mon. 7 p.m., According to Bill Group, 100 E. Madison St.; Tues. 7 p.m.; Wed. 6 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Sat. 8 p.m., Franklin Serenity Group, 550 E. Jefferson St., 2nd floor; Thurs. 6:30 p.m., Sobriety Now Group, 1300 E. Adams St.; Fri. 7 p.m., Tara Treatment Center, 6231 U.S. 31. Closed Meetings: Sat. and Sun. 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Mon. 7 p.m., 550 E. Jefferson St.; Wed. 8 p.m., 100 E. Madison St.; Thurs. 7 p.m. (men only) 550 E. Jefferson St.
PROJECT SAFE PLACE, 24-hour crisis intervention service for youths ages 7 to 17. To receive help, a youth may walk into a nonresidential Safe Place site and ask for assistance or call 317-738-5437.
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VOLUNTEERING
AARP FOUNDATION is seeking local volunteers to help taxpayers with tax preparation and assistance in filing tax returns. Volunteers do not need to be AARP members but should be computer literate and have some familiarity with federal and state income taxes. Free tax training followed by IRS certification will begin Jan. 8-12 at Clark-Pleasant Library. For more information, contact Steve Snyder, 317-272-0626 [email protected], or apply at aarpfoundation.org/taxaide.
LOCAL VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS are looking for volunteer drivers who can take local veterans to and from their medical appointments. Johnson County Veterans Transportation Network and Roudebush VA are recruiting. A vehicle and scheduling will be provided and other benefits include a free meal ticket, a free flu vaccination, free physical and more. Those interested should call Johnson County coordinator Jan Pennington at 317-473-5906.
MAIN STREET HOSPICE IN FRANKLIN IS CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS. To provide companionship to a patient in assisted living, long-term care, or a private home? Can you knit or crochet lap blankets? Would you like to assist with birthdays, events and seasonal projects? For more information, call 317-736-0055 or visit www.mainstreethospicein.com.
