• Floyd County

Destinations hosts local poet for book signing

Destinations Booksellers will host Herman Hoffman, an emerging local poet, for a book signing and reading at 3 p.m. Nov. 1 at the store, 604 East Spring St., New Albany.

The event is free and open to the public.

Call Destinations at 812-944-5116 or Hoffman at 812-945-1568 for more information.

— Contributed



Speaker will talk local food co-op

Is a downtown food co-op a good idea for downtown New Albany?

That will be the topic of discussion Tuesday as the New Albany Urban Enterprise Association will team with Develop New Albany to present a forum on food co-op possibilities for New Albany.

Andy Mahler, board president of the Paoli business Lost River Market and Deli, will speak at 7 p.m. at the Carnegie Center for Art and History, according to a news release.

Mahler will discuss how his food co-op served Orange County residents. Food co-ops are groups reserved for local farmers and consumers that push healthy food choices at a fair value, according to the release.

If done right, food co-ops inspire community wellness and economic prosperity, the release stated.

There will be complimentary coffee, hot apple cider and assorted baked goods provided at the event courtesy of Dueling Grounds Cafe at Destinations Booksellers.

— Staff Writer Daniel Suddeath



Monster Mash Dash Oct. 30

The second annual Monster Mash Dash is set for Oct. 30, along the New Albany Riverfront. The event, a 5k race and 1-mile walk for all ages, is a benefit organized for and by the Youth Councils of Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties, a program of the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana. The event is sponsored by CFSI and the YMCA of Southern Indiana, and will also benefit the YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign.

In a change from a year ago, the Monster Mash Dash begins in the evening — 7 p.m. on Halloween Eve. Participants should gather along Water Street near the Riverfront Amphitheater. Early registration ($15) is available through Oct. 28 (event day registration is $20). Pre-registrants are guaranteed to receive a free T-shirt.

Participants are encouraged to wear a costume. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in the 5K run in several age groups: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over. Questions about the race and registration should be directed to Julie Callaway of the YMCA, at 812-283-9622 ext. 220, or via e-mail at jlcallaway@ymcasi.org.

All proceeds will benefit the Youth Philanthropy Councils of Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties and the YMCA’s Strong Kid’s Campaign. CFSI oversees one youth council in each of the three counties its serves: Clark, Floyd and Harrison. Each council has teen and adult members who oversee a service project, receive and award grants and help organize the annual Gold Acorn Youth Volunteer Celebration, which honors teen volunteers each spring.

For a registration form, please visit your local YMCA branch or contact Julie Callaway. You may also contact the Community Foundation at 812-948-4662.

— Contributed



Freedom Fund Luncheon is Nov. 21

The New Albany branch of the NAACP will host its 2009 Freedom Fund Luncheon on Nov. 21. The luncheon will be held at Culbertson West, 904 East Main Street, New Albany, and is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

Guest speaker will be Jeff Johnson, a Washington, D.C., based award-winning journalist, social activist and political commentator.

For more information call Jeannette Sumpter at 812-949-5079.

— Contributed



• Southern Indiana

Paws at Play hosts Halloween Howler for dogs

Paws at Play will host Halloween Howler trick-or-treat and costume contest for dogs and their kids from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at 709 Lewis and Clark Parkway, Clarksville.

Activities include a costume contest for dogs and/or dogs with kids, Best Trick Contest, Trick-or-Treat for dogs and kids, duck pond, door prizes, and drawings, and adoptable animals on the Wags N’Whiskers Wagon.

Donations are accepted to benefit the New Albany-Floyd County Animal Shelter.

Call 812-292-6864 for more information.

— Contributed