South Bend has had sculptures at the airport for some time now, but recently added to its public art in the central business district. Stroll through downtown South Bend and you’ll now see several sculptures by short time native George Rickey. They are here for a year and all easy to find on a short walk (map on Arts Everywhere web-site). Pick a windy day, and you’ll see them swing and sway. Here are some short videos to give you an idea of the project.

Curious about homes for sale in and near downtown South Bend? Start here.

The 5th Annual Art Beat is fast approaching and marking the end of the Summer. It’s your chance to get outside one last time and enjoy the weather along with great art, music, and food. Take a stroll through downtown South Bend on Thursday, September 6, from 4:00p.m. – 8:30p.m for this free event.

Martha’s Midway Tavern, at 810 W 4th Street in Mishawaka, is a Blues institution. If you’re scratching your head at the name, start with the YouTube video below, and visit in person when you can.

South Bend’s Spring Art Walk will be this Saturday, May 5th. Eleven galleries will host displays that include sculptures, paintings, hand-crafted furniture and works in other media. The current forecast for Saturday calls for a high of 70 with a chance of rain. Regardless, the Art Walk promises to be a quick and enjoyable introduction to the South Bend art scene.

It’s April. Flowers are blooming and lawns are getting their first cut of the season. It’s also time to get your peanuts and crackerjacks and catch a ballgame. The South Bend Silverhawks had their season opener this week. Visit here for a schedule. Seats start at $5 and are free for children under five, making this an affordable family activity. With a party deck, beer garden and an animated mascot named Swoop, there’s bound to be fun for everyone.

Nestled behind the expansion of Mishawaka’s Wastewater Treatment Plant in Lincoln Park is a monument of strategically placed rocks and boulders. The largest boulder sports a plaque detailing Princess Mishawaka’s history and her burial somewhere near the monument.

It sounds like a nicely executed tribute to the city’s namesake. The problem is that the monument seems to have been forgotten by the city. Not only is there garbage and knee-high weeds all around it, but the construction crew for the aforementioned expansion is using the space around the monument as a holding ground for piles of metal and other construction materials.

So why is this monument of a grave site being so poorly cared for by the city? The reason can’t be that it’s not seen from other city-maintained property and therefore forgotten. Standing at the monument, you can clearly see the end of the river walk path with manicured landscaping. And the site is also just moments from the Mishawaka Parks Department – a collection of people with landscaping knowledge and the tools to assist.

The park’s website does mention that the expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant is temporarily consuming the park, but there has to be a better balance between slacking off during expansion and outright disrespect to its Princess.

Spring Fling at the Conservatories, a fundraiser for budget troubled Potawatomi Greenhouses is set for April 29th from 9 am to 3:30 pm and will feature live music by local performers. It’s part of the South Bend City Celebration 2007.

The greenhouses are on Mishawaka Avenue near Ironwood. Admission is $3.

If you like art and jazz, you’ll like this Friday’s Meet Me in the Gallery. It features live jazz by the band Z Bop and art from middle and high school students.

South Bend Regional Museum of Art
120 S. St Joseph St
5-8:30 pm, Friday 02/02/07
$5 entry, cash bar
details

When I returned to South Bend I was worried about living in a city so far from the ocean. After all, Indiana is in the landlocked Midwest and doesn’t even have a famous river like the Colorado or Mississippi. I’ve been here for seven months now, and I’m happy to report my fears were groundless. Here are five fun watery destinations within one tank of gas from South Bend:

• At 52 miles from South Bend – Winona Lake in Warsaw, Indiana. This smaller lake is ringed by cottages, art galleries and restaurants. Eat in a lakeside restaurant where you might catch the landing of a seaplane, or get a meal and bottle of wine to go from the French deli and eat it outside in a large park.
• At 38 miles from South Bend – Silver Beach in St. Joseph Michigan. This is a great family beach on Lake Michigan with volleyball, a playground, restrooms, concessions and lifeguards. St Joe is a walkable town with art galleries, shops and restaurants.
• At 36 miles from South Bend – Tower Hill at the Warren Dunes State Park in Michigan. This state park has mountains of sand to climb, vast expanses of freshwater to swim, forests to hike through, and hangliders to watch. Grab a burger at Redemaks on your way back to South bend and you have the classic South Bend beach trip.
• At 33 miles from South Bend – Magician Lake near Dowagiac, Michigan. This is a great lake for fishing. Michigan’s DNR stocks this lake with walleye, but people also catch bluegill, pike, perch and bass.
• At 0 miles from South Bend – The East Race in downtown South Bend. This artificial whitewater course is open to the public. You can rent a raft, bring your own kayak or just watch from one of the pedestrian bridges. Near downtown restaurants and entertainment.

South Bend may not have a Park-Hyatt or a Hilton, but it has a variety of accommodations from no frills to plush. These are among the best:

• The Mariott – One of South Bend’s signature buildings with a glass elevator and impressive lobby. It is connected to the Century Center by a skywalk, and adjacent to the College Football Hall of Fame.
• The Oliver Inn – A bed and breakfast set in a Queen Anne style home dating to 1897. You can rent a room, or the entire 2 bedroom, 2 bath carriage house. Next door to the Tippecanoe Place, one of South Bend’s noteworthy restaurants.
• The Inn at St. Mary’s – Modern amenities on the campus of Saint Mary’s. Convenient to Notre Dame and highly praised by its guests.
• The Beiger Mansion – Six room bed and breakfast in the 1907 mansion of an early millionaire. Features a full gym and private pool. Located near Mishawaka’s reawakening downtown.
• The Sandpiper Inn – At 37 miles from South Bend, it is a stretch to include this on the list, but for my money it is the best place to stay anywhere in the area. Rooms feature fireplaces, Jacuzzis and private porches overlooking Lake Michigan. Try for room 303 – the Vienna.