Wine and liquor stores are considered essential businesses. Many reporting increased sales like those during the holidays or Indy 500. Some offer delivery. Governor Holcomb tightened restrictions on April 7th requiring curb side pickup only for liquor stores, no more in store shopping through at least April 20th. Customers can shop digitally, or call and place order.

Governor Holcomb is allowing restaurants that sell bottles of wine to offer them with food carry out orders. You will need to show your ID when picking up. Several grocery stores will also add wine or liquor to your order as long as you show your ID when it's delivered.

Since we are being encouraged to stay home as much as possible it's a great time to go through those bottles you have tucked away waiting for "a special occasion." I think it's becoming more apparent to people that TODAY is a special occasion. Open that bottle and use some of those fancy glasses that you also keep on the shelf for "company". One of my favorite "special occasion" wines is Sparkling J. It's become an April tradition to share several bottles of the dry, bubbly with my Warfleigh Wino neighbors as we celebrate a number of spring birthdays. This year it will be done safely socially distanced. Sparkling J comes in both brut and rose. The brut offers nuances of apple and pear. The rose, cranberry and raspberry. Both finish clean and crisp.

It was no surprise but still sad to read the email I got from Indianapolis Art Center Executive Director Patrick Flaherty: the 2020 art fair won't happen. Flaherty wrote, "To protect our community, we have had to make tough decisions. Our building remains closed until further notice. Classes and offsite programming have been suspended and venue rentals have been cancelled. Additionally, the OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair has been postponed until 2021. Our organization is further impacted as we have had to temporarily reduce staff and faculty."

Journalists are essential workers. My work at WFYI allowed me and a videographer to go into the Harrison Center on the April First Friday and do a safe and creative "walk and talk" with artist Emma Overman who had hung her April show before the STAY HOME order went into effect. Emma loves contrast and characters that are the perfect blend of reality and fantasy. Her show "The Great Outdoors" is a welcome wonderland of color and charm as we are asked to stay indoors as much as possible. See our virtual tour and interview on my Facebook page (Jill A. Ditmire) or the WFYI Facebook page. Support Emma and other local artists by purchasing their work on line. They will ship or safely deliver. #IndyKeepsCreating

Jazz musicians are the original members of the "gig" economy. They play at venues, coffee houses, restaurants, bars, every night of the week, every day of the year. They travel across the state, country and world to perform at festivals. They go into studios to record with other musicians on a regular basis. They teach students of all ages. Every one of those financial opportunities came to a grinding halt with the COVID 19 pandemic. The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, Penrod Society, Owl Music Group and The Jazz Kitchen have created a Go Fund Me campaign to raise money to distribute to local jazz musicians who are in need. See how you can help by visiting the indyjazzfest.net website or Facebook page.