[1] Lunch
The Sanctuary Cafe’s atmosphere could easily outshine its food: The 1894 church, complete with soaring ceilings and stained-glass windows, doubles as painter Nancy Noel’s gallery. Fortunately, the food is worthy of its surroundings. Try the mushroom-and-Brie bisque, or something from the menu of vegetarian and vegan options. 75 N. Main St., 733-9160, nanoel.com.
Editor’s Note, Jan. 22, 2013: Four years after he skyrocketed into the fashion world’s very public conscience, Jason Wu—or his design, at least—returned to the U.S. presidential inauguration, again on the form of First Lady Michelle Obama. See here his rise to fame, largely by way of fashion-forward faucets and, yes, clothing the stylish wife of the leader of the free world.
Editor’s Note: Indiana governor Mitch Daniels rides into the sunset this month, trading his gubernatorial duties for presidential powers (to a degree) as Purdue University’s leader. Here, Evan West’s June 2005 conversation with the biker-in-chief. Here in Indiana, we like things that go fast. I’m no different. The first motorcycle I ever rode belonged to […]
[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.
Deep in Southern Indiana, businessman Robert Vicino offers the cure for paranoid doomsday-preppers: a retrofitted Cold War–era communications bunker where 80 people can weather a catastrophe underground for up to a year—among the kind of tony trappings one might find on a luxury yacht. Vicino’s sales pitch leaves no potential natural or manmade disaster unmentioned, including nuclear explosion, biological warfare, solar flares, and, of course, the Mayan prophecy that appears to foretell an apocalypse this month.
Midway through his first term as mayor, Lugar joined Dolly Parton onstage at a concert in Garfield Park—and received an impromptu smooch on the cheek. “She said, ‘Mr. Mayor, I want you to come on down to Nashville and be our mayor,’” recalls Morris. “He blushed, thanked her, and walked off the stage.”
[1] Design
In the market for a $26,000 Versace chair? Even if you’re not, head to the Platinum Living showroom for high-end holiday decor and design inspiration. Owner Jacquelyn Bilbrey, an interior designer, claims to have the largest selection of original European oil paintings in the Midwest. 960 Logan St., 776-8701, platinumlivingllc.com.
[2] Snack
Pull up a chair at Sweet Home Cupcakes, which opened in May with a rotating selection of nearly 50 flavors. Among them are Miller Man (chocolate cake with vanilla Bavarian filling) and Miller Mama (white cake with chocolate filling), both named in honor of the Noblesville High School Millers. 937 Logan St., 987-5551, sweethomecupcakes.net.
Inside ReTULLEd, a special-occasion shop featuring bridal consignment, owner Amy Lee Bonham stocks oodles of excellently priced and often never-worn gowns, along with frocks in enough colors and lengths to please any army of bridesmaids. Nestled between an antiques shop and a florist, and with the addition of tux rentals, it’s no wonder this and other nuptial-minded businesses in the area banded together to form the Irvington Wedding Collective. 5607 E. Washington St., 358-8802, retulled.com.
