There's some fun stuff coming up to make note of.

The Westie Walk of Indiana is holding its third walkathon Saturday, September 24, 2011, at the Riviera Club (5640 N. Illinois St.). All proceeds from this charming event (they are the cutest!) benefit Westie Rescue of Indiana and WestieMed. One dog is $10.00, two or more dogs are $15.00. Go to www.westiewalksofindiana.com for complete information.

It's IndyFringe time again. What is IndyFringe? It is Indianapolis' theatre festival that will feature 300 shows over ten days, with performances coming from as far away as Australia, Canada, Los Angeles, Minnesota and New York City. Many of the troupes are from Indianapolis and other cities in our great state. It will take place downtown for the seventh year from Friday, August 19th through Sunday, August 28th. The five venues (with seven stages) include Cook Theatre (in the new Indiana Landmarks Center), Phoenix Theatre, Theatre on the Square, Fringe Theatre, and Comedy Sportz. Some of the fun here are the free family events. PetFringe will be at the corners of Mass and College Avenues on Saturday, August 27th, 2011. A stage will be set up on the grassy area there and pets from "Parrot to Ferret", as it is touted, will be paraded. Precise Pet Foods is a sponsor and prizes will be for: the largest, the smallest, the most colorful, the spottiest, the most butch, the most theatrical (calling for Marilyns & Shakespeares) and the best "fringy" pet carrier. This is with registration at 4:30 and the parade on stage at 5:00 PM. Take the kids, Fido and Fluffy the Beta Fish, hamster and gerbils, whatever, and have some fringy fun. There will be street performers during the festival to be found at various locations along Mass Avenue that include fire-eaters, fire twirlers and fire jugglers. What fun!

For the theatre shows advance sale tickets are available at www.indyfringe.org, but end at noon the day of each show. Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $7.00 for students and $5.00 for children under 12. Attendance at any show also requires a one-time purchase of a button for $5.00. That cost goes to the festival because 100% of the ticket price goes to the performers. There's also a "fiver pass" for $40.00 good for any five shows. Tickets go on sale 30 minutes before each show on a cash basis and is limited to four per person. Tickets can also be purchased using Visa/MC at the Fringe building from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM during the festival. Credit card sales can be made by phone @ 869-6611.

Has anybody heard of a new bark park coming downtown? One is needed. Pets make you smile.