There's a lot of news in the Ripple:

Homes in the 7000 block of Spring Mill Road and the 800 block of 79th Street were the subject of horrific home invasion crimes recently.

At the All Souls Unitarian Church community forum on crime prevention held on November 13, Indianapolis Public Safety Director Troy Riggs announced that all 5 perpetrators had been arrested and jailed. "Those responsible are now off the streets," he continued.

Riggs was surprised by how little jail time (for previous crimes) those involved in the home invasions had actually served and said that the city will urge legislative reforms to deal with the issue.

Also, Riggs announced that IMPD has a new website, www.safetown.org or www.indy.safetown.org which will help citizens report such crimes and see where police and ambulance vehicles are at any given moment. You will also be able to take a picture on your cell phone and upload it to the site.

Riggs gave some safety tips (known as "target hardening") :

• Don't leave the garage door up.
• Call the police if uncomfortable (i.e. you suspect something is out of order).
• Start or join a Crime Watch group. www.indy.gov/crimewatch for more info.
• You never have to answer your door. If you are not expecting anyone, don't answer, especially late at night or early in the morning.
• Keep your blinds closed, while you are asleep or gone.
• Keep your house well lit at night. Invest in motion activated flood lights.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, Citizens Energy, and IPL have provided us with energy saving tips to keep your winter bills in check. "Get a home energy assessment," suggested Indiana Office of Utility Counselor David Stippler. "Many Hoosiers qualify for assessments at no cost from Energizing Indiana,", he continued. To sign up, visit www.energizingindiana.com or call 1-888-446-7750 toll-free. In addition, many utility websites offer online energy audits at no charge. See www.IN.gov/OUCC or by calling 1-888-441-2494 toll-free for more tips

Citizens Energy also suggested that reducing air leaks could cut as much as 10 percent from an average household's monthly energy bill. Customers can seal leaks around doors, windows, and other openings such as pipes or ducts, with caulk or weather-stripping. They also recommend keeping warm air in by closing vents in unused rooms and by closing fireplace dampers. On sunny days, open draperies and blinds to let sunlight in; close them at night to insulate against cold, outside air.

The capital campaign to renovate the ruins and exhibit hall (plus add a new rain garden and a walled border garden) has raised $2.6 million, just short of the $3.2 million goal according to Lisa Hurst of the Friends of Holliday Park, who is a co-chair of the fundraising campaign. To contribute, go to www.hollidaypark.org

Also at the park's nature center, check out the nature photography of the Riviera Camera Club (now through January 5).

Upcoming events in the park include:

Leaving Indy for Thanksgiving or Christmas? Tired of high air fares and cumbersome TSA regulations or standing on Washington Street waiting for the bus? Try Amtrak instead. The Amtrak Cardinal train goes to Chicago and also to Washington, D.C. (via Cincinnati, West Virginia, and Virginia) from Indianapolis. The Hoosier State goes to Chicago and back. Save money when you book 3 days in advance and use your AAA card. Details at www.amtrak.com. Join our new group, Hoosiers for Passenger Rail, on Facebook.