INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Citizens Energy Group reminded their customers about several resources available for help with energy bills ahead of this winter.

Applications to the Indiana Energy Assistance Program opened for residents on Oct. 1.

According to the release, the application is a good first step for people to seek assistance this winter. Other programs use the EAP application to determine a person’s eligibility.

This year, the application period closes earlier than previous years. It closes on April 14, 2025.

Citizens recommends a potential applicant have their last three months of income.

Assistance can be applied to utility bills and protection from disconnections for failing to make a payment. Citizens customers who qualify can receive up to a 25% discount on their natural gas bill and a wastewater credit.

Another program the company is encouraging its customers to look into includes the United Way of Central Indiana’s Winter Assistance Fund, or WAF. This program is for Marion County residents who might need help paying bills but can’t qualify for EAP.

The WAF application can be filled out at the United Way website. This application is open from Jan. 1, 2025, to May 30, 2025

Citizens Energy Group has a list of other resources for help with energy bills on its website.

The not-for-profit that manages the Indianapolis Cultural Trail plans to expand its offices at the northeast corner of North Capitol Avenue and West Walnut Street.

Officials with Indianapolis Cultural Trail Inc. said Tuesday that the organization will launch a $2 million fundraising campaign to support the acquisition and renovation of the 2,231-square-foot building directly west of its headquarters at 132 W. Walnut St., a project that would almost double the amount of square footage for the group’s operations.

The fundraising campaign is intended to fully cover the costs of acquiring both the expansion building and the organization’s current headquarters, at a cost of $1 million, as well as a $500,000 renovation and a sustainability and maintenance fund.

The Cultural Trail, which also oversees the Indiana Pacers Bikeshare program, expects for the new space at 701 N. Capitol Ave., currently the home of Sunshine Maintenance Services, to provide a welcome center for those using the trail while also increasing the organization’s operational and programming capacity.

“It is incredibly important for us to have our headquarters directly on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail,” Kären Haley, Indianapolis Cultural Trail executive director, said in written remarks. “We are thrilled to be able to expand our headquarters and to establish a long-term home and welcoming community space in the heart of our city.”

Sami Ayres-Kobren, communications and marketing manager for the Cultural Trail, told IBJ the current owner of the Sunshine building is “fully aware of our expansion plans and is supportive of our vision.”

The organization originally moved into its current building in 2013, just two years after its founding. Kenneth and Patricia Stanley own both the Cultural Trail’s current headquarters and the building into which the organization is trying to expand. The group employs about 20 people and works with dozens of volunteers.

“After many years of having a positive tenant/landlord relationship with the building’s owner, we are pleased to be purchasing our existing space and the adjacent building from the same owner,” Ayres-Kobren said. “The acquisition of the current headquarters and the adjacent building is a key part of our vision and strategy to create welcoming space for the community and meet our growing needs as an organization, all directly on the Cultural Trail which is key for access and our vision.”

The Cultural Trail is continuing to grow throughout downtown, with more than two miles set to be added by the end of the year through the 10th Street spoke and another along South Street. More work is underway to take the trail to the White River and over to White River State Park and the future Elanco Animal Health headquarters by 2026.

In May, the Cultural Trail added 330 electric assist bicycles to the Pacers Bikeshare program, while also launching IndyRides Free, an annual pass program for Marion County residents.

“The expansion comes at a pivotal moment as the Indianapolis Cultural Trail continues to grow and evolve at a fast pace,” Ayres-Kobren said. “Our vision is that by expanding our headquarters, we can better serve the community along the Cultural Trail by expanding our physical presence on the Cultural Trail. Establishing a long-term home directly on the trail ensures that we can continue to serve as a vital hub for connectivity, community, and beauty in downtown Indianapolis.”

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Eiteljorg Museum hopes to captivate visitors with its annual Día de Muertos Community Art and Altar exhibit.

The community altar at the Eiteljorg invites visitors to engage with the holiday by adding remembrances for departed loved ones.

Eduardo Luna, the founder of Arte Mexicano en Indiana, said of the observance, “It’s a time to remember our loved ones. We put an altar at our house because we want to welcome them with something they liked when they were alive.”

The Eiteljorg’s array of community-created altars opened Monday. The public exhibit is free.

“This year, since it is our 10th anniversary, we wanted to make it more memorable. We invited an artist from Tehuana, Luis Fitch, who lives in Minneapolis and designed the Day of the Dead post office stamp,” Luna said.

Visitors are being encouraged to explore each altar’s offerings of rich symbolism and cultural significance. Alisa Nord Holt-Dean, vice president for public programs and Beeler Family director of education at the downtown Indianapolis museum, said, “The experience of just walking into the space is so unique and humbling. It just really puts you at ease when you come in. It’s a great space to contemplate.”

The museum’s Día de Muertos celebration will be a vibrant festival from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 26. It will feature a performance by an all-women mariachi band, Mariachi Sirenas, and a lively Catrina Parade.

Holt-Dean said, “We attracted over 5,000 people last year and hope to break those numbers this year. I don’t know how to describe that community celebration experience adequately. It is so exciting to be a part of. You have to be there to experience it!”

The Eiteljorg aims to educate, inspire and unite people to celebrate life, death, and the enduring bonds that transcend the physical world. “I will reiterate that this space — our Community Art and Altar exhibition and the Día de Muertos Community celebration — is all driven by the community. The Eiteljorg can’t take credit for this alone,” Holt-Dean said.

From 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Arte Mexicano en Indianapolis will present “AHORA!” a vibrant fusion of Mexican and Latina/o/e/x and design at the Eiteljorg. People with a paid museum admission can view the art exhibit.

Visitors on Sunday can engage with artists, explore a pop-up gallery of Latino arts, and attend artist’s talks from noon-3 p.m.

Fitch, an internationally renowned Mexican artist and creative entrepreneur, will attend. He’s known for his fine art in urban art settings, including screen prints, stencils, murals, and a Día De Muertos stamp set commissioned by the United States Postal Service.