Board Update: Indianapolis issues Halloween guidance, Serendipity food truck on Tuesday, I-465/I-69 hearing and other reminders

Hello Eagle Nest residents,

Here’s a look at neighborhood news for the week of October 12:

CITY ISSUES HALLOWEEN GUIDANCE

The City of Indianapolis and the Marion County Public Health Department recently announced public health and safety guidance for celebrating Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Eagle Nest Board does not have any enforcement powers for the following, so observance is up to residents:

Personal Protection Measures

• Wear face coverings. A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask.
• Wash or sanitize your hands often.
• Clean frequently touched items regularly.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from those outside your household.
• Avoid indoor spaces that don’t allow for social distancing of at least 6 feet.
• Stay home and away from others if you are ill or have been in contact with someone who is ill with, or has symptoms of, COVID-19.

Prohibited Halloween Activities

• In-person social gatherings or parties more than 50 people are not permitted per the current MCPHD public health order.

Halloween Activities Not Recommended

• Close contact (less than 6 feet), door-to-door trick-or-treating or leaving bowls of candy for others to grab because it is difficult to maintain social distancing.
• Haunted houses are not recommended unless they have entrance controls with sufficient monitors inside the facility at entrance/exit areas to ensure there is no lagging or congregating among participants who are from different households. Close contact is particularly dangerous in haunted houses because screaming can exacerbate the spread of the virus.
• Hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household, unless you are able to maintain distance from other parties and wear a mask.
• Attending indoor Halloween parties is not recommended, particularly if a party is held in a crowded or poorly ventilated area.

Safer Halloween Activities

• Online parties/contests (e.g., costume or pumpkin carving) and drive-through events and car parades.
• Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween-themed decorations.
• Halloween movie nights with your own household or at drive-in theaters.
• Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizers before touching pumpkins or picking apples, masks are worn, and attendees are maintaining 6 feet of distance from others.

Alternatives to Traditional Halloween Activities

• Make fall recipes and crafts as a family for creative dinners and spooky decorations.
• Participate in drive-through events or contests where individuals dress up or decorate their vehicles and receive scores from “judges” who are maintaining appropriate physical distance.
• Participate in one-way trick-or-treating, where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard).
• Consider distributing treats other than candy, which parents can sanitize before giving to kids: packaged stickers, pencils, mini pumpkins, erasers, etc.

IMPD will schedule extra patrols and enforcement in neighborhoods from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 31.

– Source: City of Indianapolis

SERENDIPITY FOOD TRUCK ON TUESDAY

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, neighborhood favorite Serendipity food truck will be back with its eclectic dinner menu of elk burger minis, red mole chicken tacos, crab cakes minis, Cubans, hand-cut truffle fries and more! As always, please observe CDC guidelines on social distancing and use of masks, and be careful entering and leaving the Clubhouse parking lot. Thank you!

FOOD TRUCK POLL: RESIDENTS VOTE YES – CONTINUE!

Thanks to all who responded to last week’s Board Update poll. The question: “Do you want our food truck visits to continue in November?” The overwhelming majority of our 50+ respondents was YES! So, the Board will continue to invite vendors, but please understand the schedule may get a little spotty as some food truck operators close during the cold weather. Nonetheless, thanks for supporting our local food partners during these challenging economic times. Check the Eagle Nest blog Events tab for upcoming food truck dates.

In other news:

CALL ALL CRIME WATCHERS: Did you miss last week’s Crime Watch meeting via Zoom? You still can get involved! Crime Watch Coordinator Carolyn Goldenetz is always looking for volunteers, so if interested email Carolyn directly at goldenetz@gmail.com.

OCT. 14 INDOT HEARING ON CLEAR PATH 465 PROJECT: The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will host an in-person public hearing on the I-465/I-69 traffic project on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 4:30 p.m. at the Fort Harrison Conference Center, 6002 N. Post Road. Social distancing and masks required to enter, but masks and hand sanitizer will be available for those in need. Also, a virtual public informational meeting will be conducted by the Clear Path 465 Project Team on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 5:30 p.m. Following are access particulars:

• Link: https://bit.ly/30jBy2s (active day of event)
• Meeting access code: 146 747 7257
• Meeting password: Clearpath465!

BINFORD FARMERS MARKET ENDS THIS MONTH: A reminder that the Binford Farmers Market is open 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through the end of October at Northview Church, 65th Street and Binford Blvd. The market features local artisans, farmers, musicians and other vendors. Admission and parking are free.

On behalf of the Board,

Scott Thien, President