The Northeast Indiana Regional Development Authority has approved more than $15 million in new Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative grants for five new projects in Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties.
The five projects include:
$5 million for Lofts at Headwaters, a housing project in downtown Fort Wayne that will create 217 apartments, 15 townhomes, 12,000 square feet of retail, and a 651-space parking garage.
$6 million for Arts Campus for a renovation project that will save the historic theater and address issues such as electric systems and lighting, modern stage technology, and safety for employees and volunteers.
$1.5 million for DeKalb County housing project that encompasses two projects: a motel renovation with the creation of 28 units of emergency housing, and the creation of 100 housing units, 50 micro commercial suites, and a live-work concept.
$1.5 million for the Cameron Education and Innovation Center, a development project in Steuben County that will build a center for health science programming in partnership with Trine University.
$4 million for the construction Trine University health care education center in Allen County, which will include a simulated patient care center and provide numerous degree programs.
Free ice skating for kids at Headwaters Park
The regular $4 admission for ice skating at Headwaters Park is waived on several Tuesdays for children under the age of 14. The free dates for kids are Dec. 1, Jan. 3, Jan. 17, Jan. 31, and Feb. 14. Skate rentals are $3.
Take part in Holiday Lights Challenge
Visit Fort Wayne is conducting a Holiday Lights Challenge through Dec. 31.
Download a free pass at visitfortwayne.com/
holidaylightschallenge to explore the city’s most iconic holiday lights displays. Check in at all 15 locations to “unwrap” a special Holiday Lights Challenge gift.
Visit Fort Wayne has collected addresses of some of the most dazzling holidays displays in the city. Find and vote for your favorite at visitfortwayne.com/blog/post/2022-best-dazzling-holiday-houses.
Froebel Star workshop at Artlink
Artlink, 300 E. Main St., will host a Froebel Star Workshop on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 1-3 p.m. for $20.
Participants will learn how to create 12 Froebel Stars, choosing from a variety of festive colors, and create a dozen stars which can be used as individual ornaments or strung together as garland.
The workshop will be led by Joanne Schultz, a self-taught artist and photographer, who learned the art of making German Stars as a child.
Visit Santa, animals at Wild Zoo Wonderland
You have a few more opportunities to visit Santa at Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. After stopping by last weekend, he will be back from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 9-11 and Dec. 16-22.
Come say hello to animals on the farm, hear a holiday tale during Story Time, give a stingray a jolly treat, visit Santa Claus, decorate cookies, ride the train for free, write a letter to Santa, and play games with the whole family.
Price is free for zoo members. General admission is $8, kids age 2-12 are $6, and kids under 2 are free.
PFW students offer new take on Medusa
The Purdue University Fort Wayne Theatre Department will present A Woman No More: The Story of Medusa at Studio Theatre in Kettler Hall on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10.
The production is a devised piece directed, designed, and produced by senior theater majors Sarah Hobson and Tyler Birely.
Inspired by Professor Jeff Casazza’s devised work based on Dracula, Hobson and Birely led their peers through a devising process during summer 2022, which culminated in the creation of the script. With the support of the faculty and their peers, Birely designed the show and Hobson is directing.
The 30-minute show utilizes movement pieces interspersed with scenes to tell a different story of Medusa. This show includes depictions of rape and sexual assault.
Tickets are free and available at the door, but reservations are recommended. For tickets, go to pfw.edu/events/woman-no-more-story-medusa.
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