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Page last updated on November 1, 2022 at 3:25 pm

For more information, please contact

Andrew Krebbs, Communications Director, Office of the Mayor

andrew.krebbs@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3406

 

 

 

Gather ‘round the Table for Accessibility; Visit the Holiday Market; Sign up for Veteran’s 5k; and Get a Free Well Check

Bloomington, Ind. – Bloomington is a vibrant community filled with activity. Each month there are numerous opportunities to enjoy and engage, socially and civically. The City will provide monthly updates on what is happening in and with the City and you will discover that no matter your interests or inclinations, there is something for everyone.

 

November Events 

Bloomington Trivia Championship Series hosted by Skip Daley

Day & Time: Friday, November 4, doors open at 6 p.m., trivia begins at 7 p.m.

Cost: $30 per team of up to six people

Location: Switchyard Park Pavilion

Prizes are awarded to the top three teams. Food, soda, beer, and wine are available for purchase from The Cabin Restaurant and Lounge. Pre-registration is required; register online at https://bton.in/YvFwH by November 4.

 

Southern Indiana Wind Ensemble Fall Concert

Day & Time: Thursday, November 10, 7 p.m.

Cost: Free and open to all

Location: Bloomington High School North Auditorium

The Southern Indiana Wind Ensemble (SIWE) presents their fall concert, Lincoln Portrait by Aaron Copland, conducted by Stephen Pratt with special guest narrator Daniel Narducci. Veterans in attendance will be recognized! This event is sponsored by the City of Bloomington Arts Commission. For more information visit siwemusic.com

 

Veterans 5K

Day & Time: Saturday, November 12, 9-11 a.m.

Cost: $30 per person, $25 for military and first responders

Location: Showalter Fountain on the Indiana University campus

Bloomington Parks and Recreation and the Indiana University Wheelchair Basketball Club present a 5K through the Indiana University campus to honor our nation's veterans. Pre-registration ends November 10; day-of registration with card only. For more information visit bloomington.in.gov/node/3656 or email emily.carrico@bloomington.in.gov.

 

Well Check

Day & Time: Thursday, November 17, 8-10 a.m.

Cost: Free and open to all

Location: Banneker Community Center, 930 W. 7th St.

Free, convenient well checks in the areas of blood pressure, lipid panels, and hemoglobin (blood sugar-A1C) by IU Health Bloomington Community Health. No appointment is needed, but you do need to fast for 12 hours to get an accurate cholesterol level. For more information call 812-353-3244.

 

Canopy of Lights

Day & Time: Friday, November 25, 2022, from 5-8 p.m.

Cost:  Free and open to all

Location: Various locations around The Square and on Kirkwood Avenue

Experience one of Bloomington's winter traditions. The City of Bloomington provides free metered parking throughout downtown all weekend in celebration of the event. The area around the Monroe County Courthouse will be illuminated by thousands of lights at 6:45 pm. This family-friendly event will include a lighting countdown, hot chocolate and snacks, live music, and various activities at downtown locations. Learn more about the event at https://bton.in/LHczT.

 

Holiday Market

Day & Time: Saturday, November 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cost: Free and open to all

Location: Showers Common next to City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street

Shop for locally grown farm products for your holiday table, and for unique art and fine crafts handmade by local artisans. Buy local this year! More information online at bloomington.in.gov/holidaymarket.


 

November Programs

Physical Fridays for Preschoolers

Day & Time: Fridays, November 4, 11, and 18, 9-11:30 a.m.

Cost: Free and open to all preschoolers and their caregivers

Location: Banneker Community Center, 930 W. 7th Street

Bring the little ones to Banneker for free, drop-in gym time. Banneker staff does not supervise this area, and children cannot be dropped off without supervision. 

 

Small Garden Planning and Design

Day & Time: Wednesday, November 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Cost: $10/Bloomington residents, $12/out-of-city residents

Location: Allison-Jukebox Community Center, 351 S. Washington Street

Plan a three-season garden for small spaces with Parks and Recreation's resident gardening expert Sarah Mullin.  Register online at https://bton.in/qAnm- by Nov. 15.

 

Gather ‘round the Table for an Accessible Journey

Day & Time: Monday, November 7, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 

Cost: Free, but registration required: https://bton.in/byi2l

Location: Monroe Convention Center

The event will feature a panel of CCA members with a range of disabilities who have traveled far and wide, from overseas, to big cities, to state parks, and more. All attendees will have the opportunity to talk about their travels, what some of the challenges of traveling with a disability are, and what to expect in terms of accessibility upon arrival at a destination. In addition to the speakers, there will be roundtable discussions and an accessibility-focused trip planning exercise. Some delightful fare from around the world will be served to enhance the experience.

 

November Shoutouts 

The Black History Month Black Market Registration Opens 

Business Registration Deadline: February 6, 2023 (Registration is open now.) 

Event Date: Saturday, February 11

Event Location: City Hall, 401 North Morton Street

Calling all business owners, creators, groups, and more to join us for the Black History Month Black Market. Highlighting Black-owned businesses, art, and organizations. Non-profits, Greek organizations, social groups, and info tables are also welcome to apply. To apply for admission into the Black History Month Black Market, fill out this form: https://bton.in/E_kjq

 

2022 Leaf Management Options and Preparing for 2023 

MULCH AND COMPOST YOUR LEAVES

Recycling your leaves by mowing, mulching, and/or composting is the greenest way to manage your leaves. Not sure how to mulch or compost? No problem - we can help! Questions? Contact the Street Team at street@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3448. Access the resources listed online at https://bton.in/wr!Xl.

 

YARD WASTE COLLECTION

  • Get 10 Free Yard Waste Bags: Starting on October 3rd, you can pick up 10 free yard waste bags from any of the hands-on, in-person demonstrations or from any Bloomington City fire station. You can use these bags, any other biodegradable bag, or your yard waste cart to store your leaves for composting, give them to a neighbor who wants them for their yard or garden, or set them out for collection on your yard waste day. 

 

CURBSIDE VACUUM PICKUP

2022 curbside vacuum pickup begins on November 14. For collection of your leaves by the vacuum trucks in 2022.

  • Position the leaves you want collected to the property edge as close to the curb as possible. 
  • Include ONLY leaves (no sticks or yard waste) in the pile to be vacuumed - anything other than leaves can clog and damage the equipment.
  • Do not place your leaves in the roadway or on the sidewalk - they blow around, become slip hazards when wet, and can clog storm drains and cause flooding. 
  • Do not block drains or pile around fire hydrants.
  • A few days before the vacuum trucks will be in your neighborhood, you will see yard signs near the entrance or exit of your neighborhood and you can access the interactive leaf pick-up map at https://bton.in/mT0Jm.

 

Outstanding Black Leader of Tomorrow Nominations Being Accepted 

Nomination Deadline: February 7, 2023 (Nominations are open now.) 

Eligible: Black/African American Adult 18-30 and Black/African American High Schools Students

Nomination Form: https://bton.in/Osb16

The Commission on the Status of Black Males (CSBM) Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow Award is given annually to two African American men and women, respectively from the following categories: high school and adult. The Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow Award is presented each year at the Black History Month Gala Celebration in February.

 

2023 Neighborhood Grants

Now is the time for neighborhood groups to start planning neighborhood improvement projects in anticipation of the March 2023 grant deadlines. All 2023 applications will be available on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Contact angela.vanrooy@bloomington.in.gov with questions. Learn more at: https://bton.in/ckXcr  

  • Neighborhood Improvement Grants
    • Mandatory informational meetings: Tuesday, January 24, 2023 and Monday, January 30, 2023
    • Letter of Intent due: Monday, February 6, 2023.
    • Application deadline: Monday, March 20, 2023.
  • Neighborhood Cleanup Grants
    • Application deadline: Monday, March 6, 2023
  • Small & Simple Grants
    • Application deadline: rolling; January 3 to September 1, 2023 or until funds are depleted.

 

November Operating Hours 

Bloomington Community Farmers' Market

Fall hours for the Market are 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Saturdays until November 26, Showers Common 402 N Morton Street. 

 

City of Bloomington 

City Hall is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.,Monday-Friday except during holidays. Non-holiday City Hall closings are announced on the City’s home page and social media. City services can still be accessed online at bloomington.in.gov/services. City offices are closed in November on the following holidays:

Election Day–Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Veterans Day–Friday, November 11, 2022

Thanksgiving Day–Thursday, November 24, 2022

Day After Thanksgiving–Friday, November 25, 2022

 

Griffy Lake Boathouse Hours of Operation

Griffy Lake boathouse is closed for the season, although the park remains open from 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.

Griffy Lake Nature Preserve is CLOSED:

  • From 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 until 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14
  • From 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 through 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21 

for the annual deer hunt. Only hunters who have applied to participate and who have been accepted may hunt at Griffy Lake; the property remains closed to public hunting. 

 

Twin Lakes Recreation Center Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Twin Lakes Recreation Center, 1700 W. Bloomfield Rd.

Daily non-member admission $8

Twin Lakes Recreation Center is a sports, fitness and recreation facility with a ⅛ mile indoor track, cardio equipment, free weights and weight machines, functional fitness area and five hardwood courts. Courts are open for pickleball Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn more about TLRC memberships and group exercise classes at twinlakesrecreation.com

 

Frank Southern Ice Arena Hours of Operation

Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S. Henderson St. 

The ice arena is open daily, with general admission public ice skating available during scheduled times.

 

General Admission Public Ice Skating Schedule

Monday-Friday, 12-2:30 p.m.

Friday, 7-9 p.m.

Saturday, 1:30-3 p.m., 7-9 p.m., 9:15-11 p.m.

Sunday, 3-5 p.m.

 

Thanksgiving Week General Admission Public Ice Skating Schedule

Mon., Tue., Wed., November 21-23, noon-4 p.m.

Thursday, November 24, Closed in observance of Thanksgiving

Fri., November 25, noon-4 p.m.

 

General admission is $6 per person plus $3 for skate rental.

See the holiday skating schedule and calendar of hockey games and ice skating lessons online at bloomington.in.gov/ice.