One of my favorite "mini billboards" vanished the other day. It was an ad for Tibbs Drive In Theater on the back of a bench on the corner of 46th and College Avenue. I love going to Tibbs. I went last week to see Angels and Demons. Seeing that bench always reminded how cool it is that Indianapolis still has an active drive in theater. Benches like that are (were) all over town with various ads. I never minded seeing the advertising. The best remembered benches were for Mickey The Beeper King. Back in the beeper/pager days, pictures of Mickey Levy wearing that crown were EVERYWHERE!

Now, the City of Indianapolis has decided to crack down on the apparently illegal signs, removing or painting over the bench backs. I understand the need for sign ordinances. It is just too bad that a new permit couldn't have been generated to allow this quaint and functional public art to continue.