Park Celebrations for People and Dogs; Giving Opportunities Throughout the Community; and Skating with Santa

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.

 

December Events 

Toy Time

Day & Time: Monday-Friday, December 1-16 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Cost: Free

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

The third floor of the Banneker Community Center is open and brimming with toys and activities for children up to five years old and their adults. Participation is free, and registration is not required. Visit https://bton.in/FuFK1 for details.

 

Winter Lights, December Nights

Day & Time: Saturday, December 3 from 4-8 p.m.

Cost: Free 

Location: Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St.

Holiday light display at Switchyard Park, with fun holiday-themed events including:

4 p.m. Candy Cane Hunt for children ages 10 years and younger

4:30 p.m. Dog treat hunt for dogs. All leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome.

5:30 p.m. Live music by the Bloomington Chamber Singers

5:30 p.m. Ugly Holiday Sweater Fun Run

6:30 p.m. Live music by Solomon Keim

For more information visit https://bton.in/7ZL-U.

 

Yappy Howl-idays!

Day & Time: Sunday, December 4 from 1-3 p.m.

Cost: Free

Location: Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers Street, dog park

Celebrate the holidays and have your dog's photo taken with Santa Paws! All well-behaved dogs are welcome, and all dog park rules apply. Visit https://bton.in/41L!h for details.

 

Preschool Story Hour

Day & Time: Mondays & Wednesdays, December 5, 7, 12, and 14

Cost: Free

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

Music and movement, along with crafts and hands-on activities, enhance the richness of children's literature. Participation is free, and registration is not required. Visit https://bton.in/EMIpe for details.

 

Physical Fridays

Day & Time: Fridays, December 2, 9, and 16

Cost: Free

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

Children up to five years of age are invited to the Banneker gym for unstructured play time. Participation is free, and registration is not required. Visit https://bton.in/FuFK1 for details.

 

12 Strays of Christmas

Day & Time: December 8- December 23

Cost: Adoption fees are waived for selected animals

Location: City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, 3410 S. Walnut St

Special holiday promotion with B97 and Pizza X. Each weekday from December 8th-December 23rd, a dog and a cat will be featured on Bloomington’s B97. The featured animals' adoption fees have been graciously paid for by Pizza X. 

 

Skate with Santa

Day & Time: Saturday, December 10 from 1:30-3 p.m.

Cost: Admission is $6 per person + $3 skate rental

Location: Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S. Henderson St.

Celebrate the holidays on the ice with Santa and his elves! Skate with Santa is sponsored by Youth Services Bureau/Safe Place and Mariner Finance.

 

Celebrations Around the World

Day & Time: Saturday, December 10 from Noon-3 p.m.

Cost: $3/person or $10/family

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

Celebrate the variety of December holidays including Kwanzaa, Christmas, and Hanukkah. Celebrations Around the World is sponsored by The Production House and Monroe County United Ministries.

 

Historic Preservation Commission Lecture

Day & Time: Thursday, December 8, from 5:00-5:30 p.m. 

Cost: Free and open to the public

Location: McCloskey Conference Rm (135), City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street, or via Zoom at https://bton.in/U308W

The Historic Preservation Commission is pleased to host IU professor Eric Sandweiss, who will give a half an hour presentation at the beginning of their Dec. 8 meeting. The talk is titled “Mid-Century Color: Seeing American Landscapes through the Lens of Charles Cushman.” Eric Sandweiss provides a view of the changing twentieth-century American landscape through the images of Charles Cushman, one of a number of unknown amateur photographers who experimented with Kodachrome film during a period when professionals continued to rely on black and white. Cushman’s 14,000 color slides, left to IU in the 1970s and forgotten for decades, reveal a new perspective on the endurance of earlier architectural forms amidst a wave of urban renewal and suburban development. Eric Sandweiss is Miller Professor of History at IU, and a former advisory member of the Bloomington HPC. His talk draws on his book, The Day in Its Color: Charles Cushman’s Journey through the Mid-Century American Landscape.

 

Winter Wonderland at the Banneker Center: Opportunities to Give and Volunteer

Day & Time: Saturday, December 10, from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. 

Cost: Free

Location: Banneker Community Center, 930 West Seventh Street
The City of Bloomington invites area children, together with their families, to a Winter Wonderland celebration at the Banneker Community Center. Co-sponsored by the Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) at Indiana University Bloomington, the City’s Commission on the Status of Black Males (CSBM), Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department’s Banneker Community Center, and the Sigma Kappa Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the free event will feature seasonal activities including arts and crafts, cookie decoration, holiday carols, free photos with Santa, and a toy giveaway.

 

Donations of new, unwrapped toys or games to distribute at the event are currently being accepted at collection sites across Bloomington, including City Hall (401 North Morton Street), Indiana University Neal-Marshall 2nd Floor Lounge, Indiana University School of Education (one in the atrium; one in the entrance way near the East Parking Garage), Indiana University Maurer School of Law Career Services office (Room 020), and Indiana University Kelley School of Business; Hodge Hall Room 2030. Donations will be accepted through Monday, December 5. Volunteers may register online at https://bton.in/D8lcA to help ensure Winter Wonderland’s success.  

 

Decembers 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.

 

CURBSIDE VACUUM PICKUP

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

• Position the leaves you want to be 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 

Nominations are open now and until February 7, 2023 

Eligible: Black/African American Adults 18-30 and Black/African American High School 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 begin planning neighborhood improvement projects and organizing for neighborhood cleanups 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.

 

Seasonal Giving Opportunities

Stuff-A-Bus

Bloomington Transit (BT) will partner with Hoosier Country 105.1 and B97, with all donations going to the Monroe County Indiana Department of Child Services, in the annual Stuff-A-Bus program to help make the holidays merrier for children and families in need in our community. BT will unveil the festively decorated Stuff-A-Bus on December 1 at Target at 2966 E 3rd Street. The Stuff-A-Bus will visit a number of shopping centers and retail locations throughout Bloomington from December 1-10. The goal is to literally “STUFF” the decorated Bloomington Transit bus completely full of donated, unwrapped new toys, clothes, books, children’s coats, gloves, and mittens.

 

2022 Stuff-a-Bus Schedule:

Date	Location	Time
December 1	Target	11:00 a.m. –  7:00 p.m.
December 2	Wonderlab	11:00 a.m. –  5:00 p.m.
December 2	AMVETS Bingo	6:00 p.m. -  8:00 p.m.
December 3	TJ Maxx Petsmart	11:00 a.m. –  7:00 p.m.
December 7	Chandler Funeral Home	11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
December 8	TJ Maxx Petsmart	11:00 a.m. –  7:00 p.m.
December 9	Target	11:00 a.m. –  7:00 p.m.
December 10	Sam’s Club	11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

 

Holiday Sock Drive

November 28-December 3

The Community and Family Resources Department's (CFRD) Holiday Sock Drive is accepting winter socks in all adult sizes as well as cash donations. Socks will be distributed to agencies serving people experiencing homelessness. Donation boxes are available in the City Hall Atrium and the CFRD Offices, 401 N. Morton Street, during City Hall business hours (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.). Questions? Contact the CFRD Offices at 812-349-3430 or cfrd@bloomington.in.gov. 

 

Heroes Helping Hoosiers Food Drive

Bloomington Fire Department is hosting the Heroes Helping Hoosiers food drive again! This is a great opportunity to help those in need from our community around the holiday season. We are accepting non-perishable food at any of our multiple drop sites. Through partnerships with local organizations, food will be collected and distributed through December. You can make a difference to fight hunger!

Non-perishable food items can be brought to drop boxes located at: 

• City of Bloomington Fire Department Headquarters, 226 S. College Avenue
• City of Bloomington Fire Department Station 2, 209 S. Fairfield Drive
• City of Bloomington Fire Department Station 4, 2201 E. 3rd Street
• City Hall Atrium, Showers Building, Main Floor, 401 N. Morton Street

 

Animal Shelter Holiday Wishlist

• Quality dog and cat food (canned) - This item is often the highest need
• Spray Cheese, Easy Cheese, Kong Easy Treat
• Soft dog treats (Moist and Meaty, Pupperoni, Beggin Strips, etc.)
• Bleach
• Paper towels
• Hand Sanitizer
• Dish Soap
• Dog toys (e.g., Kongs, Nyla bones, stuffed animals)
• Cat toys (cat wands, catnip mice, etc.)
• Rabbit toys
• Dog houses in good condition
• Plastic cat crates
• Plastic dog crates
• Towels, blankets, sheets, rugs (used but clean items are okay but we cannot use pillows)
• Monetary donations are also welcome and greatly appreciated!

Donations are accepted at our location or can be mailed to Bloomington Animal Care and Control (BACC), 3410 S. Walnut St., Bloomington, IN 47401.

Material donations may be dropped off in the yellow bin outside our front doors at any time. Monetary donations are accepted Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12-5 p.m., Saturday from 12-4 p.m., and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Please contact BACC at 812-349-3492 with any questions regarding donations.

 

December Operating Hours 

Banneker Community Center

Closed December 19 through January 3 for Winter Break

 

Bloomington Community Farmers' Market

The Bloomington Community Farmers' Market is closed for the season. The Market re-opens in April 2023 at Showers Common, 401 N. Morton Street, next to City Hall.

 

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 December on Christmas Day–Monday, December 26, 2022.

 

City of Bloomington Animal Shelter

Holiday Hours: The City of Bloomington Animal Shelter will be closed December 24th - 26th. The Adoption Center will reopen by appointment on the 27th and 28th. Normal hours will resume on the 29th-31st. 

 

If you need assistance from an Animal Control Officer involving a sick, injured, or aggressive animal within city limits, please call 812-339-1444.

 

Twin Lakes Recreation Center Hours of Operation

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

1700 W. Bloomfield Road

Daily non-member admission is $8

Holiday Hours

December 24: 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

December 25: Closed

December 31: 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

Twin Lakes Recreation Center is a sports, fitness, and recreation facility with a ⅛ mile indoor track, cardio equipment, free weights and weight machines, a 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

2100 S. Henderson Street 

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

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.

 

Holiday Hours

December 17-23: Noon-6 p.m.

December 24-25: Closed

December 26-30: Noon-6 p.m.

December 31: Noon-4 p.m.

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

Bloomington is a diverse, active, and vibrant community with many monthly events and programs. This list is only representative of City and city-related happenings. For a more comprehensive list, please visit the events calendar of Visit Bloomington at  visitbloomington.com/events/.