Arts & Culture

Department of Public Works trash collectors faced a cocky newcomer on Monument Circle today.

James E. O’Donnell, a survivor of the U.S.S. Indianapolis tragedy and a retired Indianapolis firefighter, died on Jan. 9. He was 92. In tribute to his storied life, we offer this July 2005 feature about this remarkable man.

The feeling of anticipation at The Bachelor premiere party in Indianapolis last night was contagious, as enthusiastic young women sought out seats with perfect views of the man of the night: former Bachelorette contestant and racecar driver Arie Luyendyk Jr. An electrified crowd of mostly females in their 20s and 30s filled the first floor and balcony of the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s Tobias Theater.

“Chad Kroeger [Nickelback’s lead singer] was at Atlantic Records looking for a label imprint, and he didn’t like anything they had, but he liked my demo,” says Eric Dill.

Listen up, ladies: Arie Luyendyk Jr., the dreamy former Bachelorette contestant and racecar driver, is hosting a viewing party for the season premiere of The Bachelor tonight at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, starting at 6:30 p.m. Fans will get to ask Luyendyk their long-burning questions during a 7:30 p.m. Q&A session and then watch the first episode of the new season with him at 8 p.m.

To understand the chasm currently separating Indiana’s political parties, all you need to do is picture their election-night celebrations. On November 6, the Democrats chose a sedate ballroom at the Downtown Marriott. The Republicans, who were marching toward supermajorities in the House and the Senate, chose the end zone at Lucas Oil Stadium.

[1] Snack
With the warm comfort of an old-fashioned candy store, M.W. Wadsworth & Co. Fine Chocolates is full of indulgent treats shipped in from all over the country. An antique case features 24 flavors of truffles, including cappuccino and Kahlua White Russian. 154 E. Jefferson St., 560-5624.

Q: What can the astronomers at Butler’s Holcomb Observatory actually see? Indy’s light pollution is so bad, I can only make out a few stars from my backyard.

Jason H., Indianapolis

AGE: 55  GIG: Morning meteorologist on WTHR Channel 13  SNOW BUSINESS: Lofton wakes up at 1:40 a.m. to arrive at the office for Eyewitness News Sunrise an hour later.

Champions were chosen based on the following criteria, with each bar rated on a scale from 1 to 10: visual appeal, creativity/originality, inventiveness of ingredients, and the balance of flavors and taste.

The Aristocrat presented “a refreshing cocktail that reminded us fondly of limoncello and summer evenings on the front porch swing.” Congrats to the victor, and to all of the mix-off’s participating bars.

Indiana University basketball coach Tom Crean was busy over the weekend, and not just game-prepping for today’s Big Ten opener against Iowa (4 p.m., ESPN2). Early Saturday morning, while driving home from Assembly Hall after the Hoosiers’ 93-59 win over Jacksonville, Crean stopped to help a motorist who was stranded at the side of snow-covered State Road 45, just outside of Bloomington.

Dec. 30, 2012 — Head coach Chuck Pagano, team owner Jim Irsay, and assorted players and coaches celebrate the Indianapolis Colts’ 28-16 victory over the Houston Texans to end the regular season. The Colts take an 11-5 record into the playoffs, and the Texans drop to 0-11 all-time in Indy.