April Showers were going strong the weekend of the 24th, but that didn't keep crowds away from the White River State Park to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Earth Day here in Indiana. This year the festival featured more than 130 environmental and conservation exhibits all for a whopping price of zero dollars. If you missed this chance to be inspired in the environmental way, then hopefully this will be a second reminder to start some new good habits like setting up residential curbside recycling or even better, if you work in a place where you can set up office recycling. It can really make a difference. My favorite way to help out is by using my reusable shopping bags, and not only when I go grocery shopping, but when I am perusing the Glendale shopping area. Walmart was back this year to help out with the shopping bags as they gave away thousands of bags made from soda bottles. One more way to help out this year and save a little cash, since I know many of us have tight shoe string budgets, is to rethink how you commute. Carpooling may not be an option, but look into IndyGo or dust off the old bicycle and breathe in the fresh air that you will be adding to. Something else that has been popping up in our cultural districts is the local farmer's markets. I mention this because one of the reading materials that was passed out at Earth Day was a "Local Food Guide". This guide has wonderful information on Farms, Markets, and where to buy your local wine. If you live in Broad Ripple then you are most likely aware of the Saturday Farmer's Market that takes place in the parking lot of BRHS. Their summer season begins Saturday May 1st at 8am, so be sure to rise early to support the locals. If you happen to be Downtown, check out the newest edition to the markets, Indy Winter Farmer's Market. This is just a jump up from Mass Ave on East Street. This market was planning to close its doors on April 24th, but there has been some talk about the market staying open, so check out there website for updates, www.indywinterfarmersmarket.org. And of course there is the always the Original Farmer's Market at the Indianapolis City Market, which will debut on May 6th.

Maybe you prefer your fruit in a bit of a different format, say fermented in a nice bottle of wine? Well the BRG's own Jill Ditmire and owner of the Mass Ave Wine Shop was listed, not only a place to find some of the best selection of wines, but also as a shop that carries cheeses, meats and Indiana Craft beers, not to leave out that Ditmire has recycling bins set up in the shop so patrons can do their part when they are done with their visit. If I have inspired you a bit to wonder where you can find more info about our local food guides check out www.indyfoodfarmfamily.org. As the rain began to set in this weekend, my sister stopped by to bring my husband a belated birthday gift, a composter. I am sure you are reading this thinking wow, guess they really don't like the guy all that much, for his birthday they gave him a composter. I have never seen someone so excited about composting waste. The Soilsaver Composter has five bullet points of what it helps reduce, but the one that sticks out to me the most is, "Reduces up to 30% of household waste". Maybe you are not as excited about composting in your own back yard as my husband is, but still looking for a way to help out and leave a little bit less of the carbon foot print? Indy Star has set up a new website to do their part. www.green.indy.com Take a look, you may be surprised by what you find.

Premiering for the first time on Mass Ave is Cindy Cradler with her solo show "A few of My Favorite Things". This show will open on Friday May 7th at the Athenaeum's ArtSpace from 6-9pm. This collection of oil paintings is the result of an effort that started in 2009 when the artist challenged herself to complete an oil painting of selected foods every day for 50 days. Cradler is continuing this rigorous schedule with a goal to complete 300 paintings by the end of the year. Cradler's ambitious efforts inspire even the laziest of artists, so if you have the chance make sure you see this show in the month of May. To see a sneak peak of this show visit her website at www.cindycradler.com.

I can't finish up this month without making some mention to the Stutz Artists Annual Open House, which took place on Friday, April 23rd and Saturday April 24th. I have to be honest, even with a discounted ticket from Phil Westphal at the Great Frame Up in Broad Ripple I still opted to miss the big hoopla this year. Being that I have attended the last four years I recall how wonderfully crowded it is and what a great success it can be for some of the artists, but for a new mother with a three week old new born baby boy I could not imagine trekking out in the rain, searching for parking, and becoming one of "those Moms" with the stroller in the large crowd of people. While choosing to sit this one out, I am sure many Art Aficionados took my place in the hall as the doors opened up for the 17th year. Some call this one of the biggest art happenings of the year, but I would like to steer your direction toward the future since we can not go back and all visit the Stutz this year. Let's take a look ahead at the Spring Gallery Walk. Maybe not as crowded as the Stutz, but on Friday, May 7th, galleries, shops and restaurants will open their doors for an evening of Art, Art, and a little more Art. This premiere downtown event will start at 6pm and be open till 9pm. Visit www.idada.org to download your own map for the evening or you may pick one up at any of the participating venues. "Beyond Perceptions: Homelessness" is an exhibit that explores stereotypes and perceptions of homelessness. I mention this show because it will take place at IUPUI-Fairbanks Hall inside the Clarian Education and Resource Center at 340 W. 10th Street, for more information on this show call 255.2464 ext.235.