Indianapolis Museum of Art

On Saturday, my boyfriend and I had two hours to kill in between a wedding ceremony and the reception (I know, strange right?). So we stopped in at the IMA for some iced tea from the cafe, a look around the gift shop, and a stroll around the gardens outside. I was glad the weather man lied, because although there was a 60% chance of rain, the sunny weather made it a perfect day to enjoy the flowers around the IMA grounds.

So if you're bored one day and need something to do, the IMA is a great place to kill some time, enjoy the outdoors, or go inside and appreciate some art. And the best thing about it? It's FREE!

Indy Free Tree Day

Head downtown to Monument Circle tomorrow, April 29th, and get a FREE tree for Arbor Day!  The Indy Free Tree program will be giving away 1,000 Shadblow Serviceberry trees from 11:30 am to 1 pm (or until supplies last).

The purpose of the program is to promote environmental stewardship of our natural resources. So after you pick up your free tree, don't forget to plant it! Experts will be on site providing planting and maintenance techniques.

20th Anniversary Event: Komen Indianapolis Race for the Cure

This Saturday morning, April 16th, is the 20th Anniversary of one of Indiana's largest non-profit events. The Komen Race for the Cure is critical in helping raise funds for research seeking a cure for breast cancer.

Last year, more than 40,000 participants showed their support at the annual 5K run/walk. You don't have to be a runner to join the excitement and show your support! The course has both walking and running events for everyone.

Sign up as an individual, start a team, or join an existing team to participate. You can find registration info and race day info online, at http://www.komenindy.org/race/.

And don't forget to stay downtown after the race! Local restaurants, attractions, and hotels are offering race participants special offers.

Cheer on the Indians at Victory Field!

The new season has started and the weather is getting warmer! Even if baseball is not your thing, the atmosphere at Victory Field makes you feel like it's already the middle of summer. And who doesn't like fresh air and a ball park hot dog? Plus you get a beautiful view of the city and the new Mariott hotel.

Tickets are cheap and there are plenty of home games, so check out the team schedule here, and go cheer on our Indianapolis Indians!

Victory Field

Indy's best Japanese restaurant

If you love sushi, and you haven't been to Sakura, where have you been!? They have the best authentic sushi that is fresh and delicious.

I typically go for the common California roll, or the simple tuna roll. My boyfriend orders the more creative Texas roll, and even the Rock'n roll (all pictured below, after eating a few pieces-couldn't wait).

If you don't like the raw fish thing, they have a large menu of cooked items as well; although I've always ordered sushi, so I can't recommend anything else.

They are located right on Keystone Ave, just north of 71st. Check out their full menu on their website.

Monon Trail

We were lucky enough to have warm weather earlier this week (in the 70s!), before the extreme and annoying change in temperature yesterday (back to my winter coat). =(

So during that small window of summer-like weather, I took advantage and headed straight for the Monon Trail. It's the perfect place to enjoy beautiful weather, and get some exercise at the same time.

This week, I went old school and chose the roller-blades (I'm still counting it as exercise even with the dog pulling part of the time). But if that's not your thing, you can walk, run, bike, whatever you like to do. Just get out there and enjoy the fresh air, especially when the warm weather is back and here to stay.

The Monon Trail runs all the way from 10th St. in Indy up to 161st in Westfield. Find out more at http://www.indianatrails.org/Monon_Indy.htm.

Ike (the dog) and Owen (the boyfriend) out on the Monon Trail. 

St. Patrick's Day Festivities!

St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow, and there are tons of activities going on in downtown Indianapolis.

The Greening of the Canal by Mayor Greg Ballard begins at 6 am. That may sound early, but Village Pantry will be on site handing out free coffee and donuts!

The 31st Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade starts at 11:30 am. Here is the parade route:

• Begin at North Street and Pennsylvania Street
• South on Pennsylvania Street to Ohio Street
• West on Ohio Street to Meridian Street
• North on Meridian Street to Michigan Street

The above parade route and surrounding streets will be closed beginning at 11:30 a.m.  The affected streets are expected to reopen by 3 p.m.

If you can't make the earlier festivities, there is lots going on later in the day as well. There is an Irish Fest at the Rathskellar, free wine tasting at the Mass Ave Wine Shoppe, concert of Irish favorites by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and much more.

See a full list of downtown events at www.indydt.com.