Lucas Oil Stadium, home of Super Bowl XLVI, Feb. 5.

Things to do in Indianapolis
January 30 to February 5, 2012

• Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
• NFL Experience at the Indiana Convention Center
• Super Bowl Village Event Listings in Downtown Indianapolis
• ‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’ at Hilbert Circle Theatre
• NFL Charities Celebrity Bowling Classic at Woodland Bowl
• Gridiron Celebrity Hoops XIV at Hinkle Fieldhouse
• Indiana Pacers NBA Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
• Village People in Concert at the Super Bowl Village
• LMFAO in Concert at the Super Bowl Village
• Mike Epps, Snoop Dogg & Friends at Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Free publicity for your events! Submit an event.

Curling at the Super Bowl Village (honest!). AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

By Dianna Boyce
2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee
http://www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/

Indianapolis – Below is the schedule of public events for Sunday, January 29, 2012, from the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee.

Sunday’s Highlights

What:              1^st & Green Ceremony

Where:            Pepsi Stage (Meridian Street)

When:              11:30 a.m.

Who:                This ceremony will provide an overview of Super Bowl 46’s environmental programs and recognize the winners of the 1^st & Green Challenge and the members of the Green Corps for their efforts.

What:              Indy’s Super Cure Komen Tissue Bank Collection

Where:            IU Simon Cancer Center, 1001 West 10th Street

When:              8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tissue donation by reservation only

A public breast tissue collection focused on recruiting diverse donors for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center.

Super Bowl Village

Theme:            Super Families

Where:            Georgia Street

Hours:             11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Daily attractions include: Tailgate Town (games & tournaments); Zipline ($10 a ride); Kinect NFL PLAY 60 FanDome; ESPN Broadcast Studio; The Huddle at Circle Centre; lights and pyrotechnics shows; Ice Gurus Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield from Food Network’s Ice Brigade creating ice sculptures; Super Dash; Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders; football field activities and unique street performers.

Sunday Schedule:

12:15 p.m.       Radio Disney Road Crew (Pepsi Stage – Meridian Street)

12:30 p.m.       Jr. Civic Theatre (Pepsi Stage)

1:00 p.m.         Josh Golden featuring Anna (Pepsi Stage)

1:30 p.m.         Cory Cox (Verizon Stage – Pennsylvania Street)

2:30 p.m.         Radio Disney Road Crew (Pepsi Stage)

2:45 p.m.         Shealeigh (Pepsi Stage)

3:15 p.m.         Kicking Daisies (Pepsi Stage)

4:00 p.m.         Radio Disney Road Crew (Pepsi Stage)

4:00 p.m.         Will Hoge (Verizon Stage)

4:15 p.m.         Radio Disney Meet & Greet (The Huddle at Circle Centre Mall)

5:00 p.m.         National Anthem performed by Indianapolis Children’s Choir

Color Guard by U.S. Naval Sea Cadets

5:30 p.m.         Radio Disney Road Crew (Pepsi Stage)

6:30 p.m.         Railroad Earth (Verizon Stage)

8:00 p.m.         DUDE! (Pepsi Stage)

9:00 p.m.         (approximate time) Synchronized pyrotechnics, specialty lighting and video show

9:15 p.m.         Dierks Bentley (Verizon Stage)

NFL Experience presented by GMC

Indiana Convention Center

Ticketed Event ($25 for adults, $20 for children 12 and under)

Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Produced by the National Football League, the NFL Experience presented by GMC is a pro football interactive theme park that offers participatory games, displays, entertainment attractions, kids’ football clinics, free autograph sessions and the largest football memorabilia show ever. Tickets are available by going to www.Ticketmaster.com, calling 1-866-849-4635, or visiting the NFL Experience presented by GMC box office at the Indiana Convention Center. Online purchase orders can also be printed from ticket kiosks onsite at the Indiana Convention Center. Tickets will go on sale one hour before opening daily.

Super Cars

Meridian Street, just south of Monument Circle

Free

The Super Cars program showcases 33 Indy Cars, with 32 cars representing each NFL franchise team and one car representing Super Bowl XLVI.

Transportation and Parking Update

Reminders and tips for Super Bowl fans visiting downtown tomorrow (1/29):

• Parking is plentiful downtown this weekend, with access to venues not available Monday-Friday, including the two state employee parking garages (401 West Washington Street and 222 North Senate Avenue) and IUPUI. All locations listed here.
• Indy Express Bus commuter service from Carmel and Fishers is adding shuttle service to accommodate Super Bowl fans starting Monday. Stay tuned for more information at www.indyexpressbus.com.
• It remains important for people to “Know Before You Go.”

The Huddle

Circle Centre Mall

11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

The Huddle will provide entertainment and dining options for visitors, as well as the LIDS Locker Room with a wide assortment of Super Bowl XLVI and NFL merchandise.

XLVI Roman Numerals Display

South half of Monument Circle

Free

Super Care Clinic

11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Union Station, 300 South Meridian Street, Suite #145

A full-service urgent care visit center operated by a coalition of Indianapolis-area healthcare facilities. More details at www.indysupercare.org

Touchdown Alley at Super Bowl Village on Friday night. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

By Dianna Boyce
2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee
http://www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/

Indianapolis – Below is the schedule of public events for Saturday, January 28, 2012, from the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee.

Saturday’s Highlights

What:              Legacy Loop 5K Run/Walk and HealthBowl

Presented by Anthem, 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee Legacy Project and NFL PLAY 60

Where:            Arsenal Technical High School West Gym

5K Route traverses Near Eastside, starting and ending at Arsenal Technical

1500 East Michigan Street

When:              9:00 a.m.

HealthBowl open to the public for free from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

What:              Indy’s Super Cure Komen Tissue Bank Collection

Where:            IU Simon Cancer Center, 1001 West 10th Street

When:              8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29

Tissue donation by reservation only

A public breast tissue collection focused on recruiting diverse donors for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center.

Super Bowl Village

Theme:            Indy’s Super Cure

Where:            Georgia Street

Hours:             11:00 a.m. – Midnight

Daily attractions include: Tailgate Town (games and tournaments); Zipline ($10 a ride); Kinect NFL PLAY 60 FanDome; ESPN Broadcast Studio; The Huddle at Circle Centre; lights and pyrotechnics shows; Ice Gurus Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield from Food Network’s Ice Brigade creating ice sculptures; Super Dash; Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders; USA Football activities and unique street performers.

Saturday Schedule:

12:30 p.m.       Orquesta Bravo (Pepsi Stage – Meridian Street)

1:30 p.m.         Civil Twilight (Verizon Stage – Pennsylvania Street)

2:45 p.m.         Cynthia Layne (Pepsi Stage)

4:00 p.m.         Jon McLaughlin (Verizon Stage)

5:00 p.m.         National Anthem performed by Jeff Van Paris

Color Guard by Guardians of Indiana Leadership

5:15 p.m.         Lynda Sayyah (Pepsi Stage)

6:30 p.m.         Nancy Moore (Verizon Stage)

8:00 p.m.         Jenni DeVoe (Pepsi Stage)

9:00 p.m.         (approximate time) Synchronized pyrotechnics, specialty lighting and video show

9:15 p.m.         Patti LaBelle (Verizon Stage)

Super Cars

Meridian Street, just south of Monument Circle

Free

The Super Cars program showcases 33 Indy Cars, with 32 cars representing each NFL franchise team and one car representing Super Bowl XLVI.

The Huddle

Circle Centre Mall

11:00 a.m. – Midnight

The Huddle will provide entertainment and dining options for visitors as well as the LIDS Locker Room with a wide assortment of XLVI Super Bowl and NFL merchandise.

XLVI Roman Numerals Display

South half of Monument Circle

Free

Super Care Clinic

Union Station, 300 South Meridian, Suite #145

A full-service urgent care visit center operated by a coalition of Indianapolis-area healthcare facilities. More details at www.indysupercare.org

NFL Experience presented by GMC

Indiana Convention Center

Ticketed Event ($25 for adults, $20 for children 12 and under)

Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Produced by the National Football League, the NFL Experience presented by GMC is a pro football interactive theme park that offers participatory games, displays, entertainment attractions, kids’ football clinics, free autograph sessions and the largest football memorabilia show ever. Tickets are available by going to www.Ticketmaster.com, calling 1-866-849-4635, or visiting the NFL Experience presented by GMC box office at the Indiana Convention Center. Online purchase orders can also be printed from ticket kiosks onsite at the Indiana Convention Center. Tickets will go on sale one hour before opening daily.

Parking and traffic information, and additional details about the above events, can be found on the 2012 Indianapolis Host Committee website, www.IndianapolisSuperBowl.com.

JW Marriott After Dark. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

Workers were putting the finishing touches on the “XLVI” signage at the JW Marriott late into the night on Friday night in downtown Indianapolis. A cooperative Mother Nature provided temperatures around 40, which brought out thousands upon thousands of visitors to Super Bowl Village and the NFL Experience for everything from cornhole and curling to concerts and the Indy Super Cars at opening night of the Super Bowl Celebration. Overheard on Meridian Street: “It was like having the State Fair downtown.”

Victorian Valentine. Image provided by the museum and used with written permission.

By Ange Albsmeyer
Johnson County Museum
http://www.johnsoncountymuseum.org/

Children of all ages are invited to create a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day card on Saturday, February 11, 2012, from noon to 1:00 pm, at the Johnson County Museum in Franklin. Visitors will learn a little background of the history of Valentine’s Day, see some beautiful antique cards from the Victorian era for inspiration, and create a holiday masterpiece to give to family or friends. The Victorian Valentine workshop is free of charge, and all you need to bring is your imagination!

The Johnson County Museum is located at 135 North Main Street in downtown Franklin, Indiana.

For further information, please visit our website at www.johnsoncountymuseum.org or call 317-346-4500.

Super Bowl XLVI Roman Numerals on Monument Circle. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

By Dianna Boyce
2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee
http://www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/

Indianapolis – Below is the schedule of events for Friday, January 27, 2012 from the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee.

Friday’s Highlights

What:              First Zipline Ride

Where:            Super Bowl Village/South Capitol Avenue

When:              Noon

Who:                First riders will be 12 Super Bowl XLVI Student Ambassadors followed by other ceremonial riders. Others scheduled in the first hour include Super Bowl President and CEO Allison Melangton, 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee Chairman Mark Miles, Indianapolis Colts player Gary Brackett

What:              Super Cars

The Super Cars program showcases 33 Indy Cars, with 32 cars representing each NFL franchise team and one car representing Super Bowl XLVI.

Where:            Meridian Street, just south of Monument Circle

When:              On display through Sunday, January 29

What:              Super Bowl Village Ribbon Cutting

Theme:            Super Kick Off

Where:            Georgia Street

What:               Ribbon Cutting in Tailgate Town on Capitol Avenue at Georgia Street

When:              2:45 p.m.

The Super Bowl Village will then be open from 3:00 p.m. – Midnight

Daily attractions include: Tailgate Town (games & tournaments); Zipline ($10 a ride); Kinect NFL PLAY 60 FanDome; ESPN Broadcast Studio; The Huddle at Circle Centre; lights and pyrotechnics shows; Ice Gurus Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield from Food Network’s Ice Brigade creating ice sculptures; Super Dash; Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders; USA Football activities and unique street performers.

Friday’s Schedule

3:30 p.m.         The Last Good Year (Pepsi Stage, Meridian Street)

4:30 p.m.         Kramus (Verizon Stage, Pennsylvania Street)

5:30 p.m.         National Anthem performed by Kelly Taylor

Color Guard by Guardians of Indiana Leadership

5:45 p.m.         Max Allen Band (Pepsi Stage)

7:00 p.m.         DJ Pauly D (Verizon Stage)

8:30 p.m.         Blue Moon Revue (Pepsi Stage)

9:00 p.m.         (approximate time) Synchronized pyrotechnics, specialty lighting and video show

9:30 p.m.         Bret Michaels (Verizon Stage)

Super Bowl XLVI Stadium Tours

Lucas Oil Stadium

Ticketed Event

Hours: various

A behind-the-scenes look at preparations inside Lucas Oil Stadium for Super Bowl XLVI.

More information can be found at www.SuperBowl.com under the “Events” tab.

XLVI Roman Numerals Display

South half of Monument Circle

Free

Super Care Clinic

Union Station, 300 South Meridian, Suite #145

A full-service urgent care visit center operated by a coalition of Indianapolis-area healthcare facilities.

More details at www.indysupercare.org

NFL Experience presented by GMC

Indiana Convention Center

Ticketed Event ($25 for adults, $20 for children 12 and under)

Hours: 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Produced by the National Football League, the NFL Experience presented by GMC is a pro football interactive theme park that offers participatory games, displays, entertainment attractions, kids’ football clinics, free autograph sessions and the largest football memorabilia show ever. Tickets are available by going to www.Ticketmaster.com, calling 1-866-849-4635, or visiting the NFL Experience presented by GMC box office at the Indiana Convention Center. Online purchase orders can also be printed from ticket kiosks onsite at the Indiana Convention Center. Tickets will go on sale one hour before opening daily.

Parking and traffic information and additional details about the above events, can be found on the 2012 Indianapolis Host Committee website, www.IndianapolisSuperBowl.com.

Artist's Rendering of Super Bowl Village. Image provided by the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee and used with written permission.

By Josh Blair
nSixty
http://www.nSixty.com/

Cincinnati-based digital marketing firm nSixty has been contracted as a social media provider for the 2012 Super Bowl Village in Indianapolis.

Working in conjunction with the Super Bowl Village Host Committee, nSixty has created a free interactive fan experience with four booths stationed in the Village, along Georgia Street and Capitol Avenue in downtown Indianapolis. Visitors to Super Bowl Village can create an official Super Bowl Village video or digital postcard, which they can share on social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, or through e-mail.

As part of the largest one-day event in America, the Super Bowl Village is a free, ten-day, interactive festival in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. The Village is open from Friday, January 27 through Super Bowl Sunday on February 5.

To learn more about nSixty, visit http://www.nsixty.com.

For more information on the Super Bowl Village, including dates, times and events, visit http://www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/super-bowl-village.

"It's All Greek To Me," Feb. 10-26, in Carmel. Image provided by the dance theatre and used with written permission.

By Kirsten Ferger
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre
http://www.gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org/

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre (GHDT) is proud to present IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME each weekend, February 10-26, 2012.  February 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 & 25, 2012 at 7:00 PM and February 12, 19 & 26, 2012 at 3:00 PM at the Academy of GHDT located at 329 Gradle Drive in Carmel, Indiana.

Due to limited seating, reservations are required and are non-transferable to different dates for this event.  Tickets are $35 (includes the concert, light snacks and beverages).  To make your reservations, please call 317-844-2660.  Reserve your space early as this is always a sell-out event!

GHDT’s annual “black-box” style shows are always a hit!  These performances give the audience the unique pleasure of experiencing dance in an up-close-and-personal way. The dancers of GHDT are known not only for their range and skills in dance, but also as performers and “actors” with the ability to display emotions from comedic to tragic with every movement and expression. This annual “cabaret” concert gives audience members the ability to see the subtle nuances as well as the grand lines.  It is not to be missed!

This year GHDT takes you to Greece with such classics as “Greek Mythology”, “The Big Fat Greek Wedding Piece”, “The Birth of the Gods” and more.

As always, GHDT’s black-box concerts include light snacks and beverages.  Enjoy an evening of superior entertainment and good times with Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre’s IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME!  Mark your calendars and book your table now!  OPA!

Everyone has their favorites when it comes to food and eating out. I’ve seen a number of blogs and Web sites around Indy recently that offer opinions on where visitors to Indianapolis should eat during the next two weeks while in town for Super Bowl XLVI. I’ve been to my fair share, I guess, so let me weigh in on the subject as well.

If you are coming to town for Super Bowl festivities, here are some personal favorites to check out when you’re looking for a good meal around Indy. I think the photos speak for themselves! See if you agree!

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: Tie Dye Grill, Scotty’s Brewhouse, and the Indianapolis Colts Grille in this blog post have in the past provided AroundIndy.com with free meals in appreciation for the publicity on our main Web site.

TIE DYE GRILL

Cheeseburger Basket at Tie Dye Grill. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

Located at 1311 North Shadeland Avenue on Indy’s east side, this small locally-owned restaurant has some of the best sandwiches anywhere in the city— so much so that you will probably have to wait for a table. But it’s definitely worth the wait. My personal favorite is the Keep On Truckin’ Burger (one of many burger combos with fun names from the 60′s), but they have great reubens, tenderloins, cheesesteaks, and lots of other delicious menu items, too. 317-353-9393. http://aroundindy.com/tiedyegrill.php

BOOGIE BURGER

Wild Wild West Burger at Boogie Burger. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

There are many devotees who insist that this is the home of the best burger in town. When you get a taste of the Wild Wild West Burger with cheddar cheese, hickory smoked bacon, onion rings, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, and mayo (pictured above), you might just become a devotee, too. Located at 1904 Broad Ripple Avenue in Broad Ripple. 317-255-2450. http://aroundindy.com/boogieburger.php

MANN’S GRILLE

Bacon Cheeseburger at Mann's Grille. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

When you are ready for a killer burger (maybe figuratively and literally), try the bacon double cheeseburger at Mann’s Grille. There must be half a pound of bacon on this burger. Unbelievable: Juicy. Sloppy. Messy. Drop dead delicious. And reasonably priced. When it comes to good old-fashioned Hoosier comfort food, it’s pretty tough to beat Mann’s Grille, whether you’re talking beef stew, chicken fried steak, meat loaf, or even liver and onions. It ain’t fancy; it’s just worth the trip. 1214 South Tibbs Avenue. 317-241-5801. http://aroundindy.com/mannsgrille.php

SHAPIRO’S DELICATESSEN

Peppered Beef on Rye at Shapiro's Delicatessen. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

No trip to downtown Indianapolis is complete, in my humble opinion, without a visit to Shapiro’s Delicatessen at 808 South Meridian Street, an Indianapolis staple and landmark for more than 100 years, and widely recognized as one of the best delicatessens in the Midwest, if not the entire nation. The shadow of Lucas Oil Stadium nearly falls on Shapiro’s—it’s just a couple of blocks east of the stadium. I’m partial to their renowned reuben sandwich, but their signature peppered beef on rye pictured above is irresistible. Oh, by the way: you’re only looking at HALF the sandwich in the photo above! 317-631-4041. http://aroundindy.com/shapiros.php

BOURBON STREET DISTILLERY

Breaded Tenderloin at Bourbon Street Distillery. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

If there is one sandwich that Indiana is known for, it’s the classic breaded pork tenderloin. Just beware: there’s a big difference between a true breaded tenderloin and the flimsy pork fritter that some restaurants peddle. Bourbon Street Distillery’s rendering of the breaded tenderloin is one terrific example of the Hoosier delicacy—certainly one of the best tenderloins I’ve tried at any restaurant anywhere. To get one better, you’d have to make your own at home. 361 Indiana Avenue, just five blocks north of the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. 317-636-3316. http://aroundindy.com/bourbonstreet.php

SCOTTY’S BREWHOUSE

Chicken Wrap at Scotty's Brewhouse. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

How can you go wrong with a restaurant that has a 28-page color menu with something for everyone from kids to curmudgeons, TVs at every table (and even in the restrooms), and delicious menu items like this tasty chicken wrap? Try the downtown location just one block north of Bankers Life Fieldhouse at 1 Virginia Avenue (317-571-0808), or the northside location at 3905 East 96th Street (317-574-0101). http://aroundindy.com/scottys-brewhouse.php

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS GRILLE

Blackened Ahi Tuna at Indianapolis Colts Grille. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

One of Indy’s newer restaurants just opened about four months ago in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, in the shadows of the Artsgarden at 110 West Washington Street. With many delicious menu items like the beautiful blackened Ahi tuna pictured above, it’s sure to draw a crowd during Super Bowl XLVI Week. 317-631-2007. http://aroundindy.com/coltsgrille.php

WEST COAST TACOS

Chicken Tacos at West Coast Tacos. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

In the past year, mobile food trucks have exploded onto the Indy scene, with nearly three dozen new ones sprouting up in town. One of the first and best is West Coast Tacos, offering chicken, pork, and steak tacos and burritos at a variety of locations around Indy. 23 food trucks will be stationed on Monument Circle during Super Bowl XLVI festivities: Jan. 27-29 and Feb. 2-5, in split shifts: 11 am-4 pm and 5-10 pm each of those seven days. Check ‘em out! Where is West Coast Tacos today? Follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/westcoasttacos. http://aroundindy.com/westcoasttacos.php

GAS LIGHT INN

Breaded Tenderloin at the Gas Light Inn. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

It’s a quiet little place just a few blocks south of downtown on Meridian Street–allegedly haunted by the ghost of John Dillinger and other local notorious criminals (you can still see bullets embedded in the brick!). It’s one of those neighborhood places that just has darn good food. 2280 South Meridian Street, 317-782-1250. http://www.aroundindy.com/gaslightinn.php

MAXINE’S CHICKEN & WAFFLES

Chicken and Waffles at Maxine's Chicken & Waffles. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

Maxine’s offers great soul food in downtown Indianapolis, just four blocks north and three blocks east of Bankers Life Fieldhouse and Super Bowl Village. From catfish and smothered chicken to smoke sausage (sic) and their classic chicken and wings, this is Hoosier Comfort Food at its best. Here’s a bold statement: their macaroni and cheese is the best I’ve ever tasted. 132 North East Street, 317-423-3300. http://www.aroundindy.com/maxines.php

FRONT PAGE SPORTS BAR AND GRILL

Veteran Burger at Front Page Sports Bar. Photo credit: Ben Risinger.

This is easily one of the best-looking burger photos I’ve ever seen. And I’ve got great news for you: it tastes every bit as good as it looks. Front Page Sports Bar is located at the south end of Massachusetts Avenue where New York and Delaware Streets intersect–just a few blocks from all the action at Super Bowl Village and the Convention Center. 310 Massachusetts Avenue, 317-631-6682. http://aroundindy.com/frontpagesportsbar.php.

JOCKAMO UPPER CRUST PIZZA

7 Layer Pizza at Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

There’s a great little pizza parlor in historic Irvington, just 10 minutes straight east of downtown Indianapolis at 5646 East Washington Street (for reference, Washington Street passes under the Artsgarden in downtown Indy). Jockamo’s has a large seating area, but in spite of this, you might still have to wait for a table. I’ve never seen so many people at one time in a pizza joint! When you try their pizza, though, like the unique 7 Layer Pizza pictured above (with homemade black bean dip, salsa, tomato, black olive, green onion, and cheddar, served with a side of sour cream), you’ll understand why it’s one of the busiest places in Irvington. 317-356-6612. http://aroundindy.com/jockamopizza.php.

Of course, there are many other excellent restaurants in and around Indianapolis. I’ve only scratched the surface with this dozen, but here I’ve given you some great burgers, Mexican, pizza, deli, and upscale food choices. I’ve got some 130 restaurants listed on our Web site at http://aroundindy.com/restaurants.php, and you can get a lot more suggestions from the Convention and Visitors Association Web site at http://visitindy.com/, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. at http://indydt.com/, or check out the Super 46 Sandwiches on the Indiana Insider Blog at http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/blog/index.php/super-46/.

By Sheila Gilmore
Entertainment Sports Plus
http://espsportslawpro.com/

Los Angeles-based Entertainment & Sports Plus has  partnered with Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers and Reshard Langford, Kansas City Chiefs to present Taste of the Game 2012, a series of charitable, entertaining and engaging events in conjunction with the greatest weekend in all of sports: Super Bowl XLVI Weekend.

Tarik Glenn, former All-Pro NFL offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts and founder of D.R.E.A.M. Alive Inc. and Lacy Johnson, partner, Ice Miller, LLP will serve as this year’s honorary hosts.  “We are honored to have Tarik Glenn and Lacy Johnson join us as we spotlight these outstanding individuals and companies who are making a difference throughout the business community and the communities we live in.” says Everett Glenn, CEO, ESP.

A portion of the proceeds from these events will benefit Center for Leadership Development, National D.R.E.A.M. Alive Inc, Greg Jennings Foundation and ESP Education and Leadership Development, 501(c) (3) organizations that support youth empowerment education and mentorship.

The 3^rd Annual John Wooten Awards will be held Thursday, February 2, 2012, at 7:30 p.m., at the Central Library, 40 East St. Clair Street, located in downtown Indianapolis.  The winner of the 3^rd Annual John Wooten Leadership Award for the college and professional division, as well as two new categories, Community Leader and Lifetime Achievement awards, will be presented at this event.

The evening begins with a reception at 7:30 p.m., followed by the awards presentation at 8:30 p.m., and the VIP after-party from 9:30 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $150 while they last.

The John Wooten Leadership Awards nominating committee selected the three finalists for the pro award: Nnamdi Asomugha of the Philadelphia Eagles http://www.asomughafoundation.org/ , Gary Brackett of the Indianapolis Colts http://www.garybrackett.org/index.php , and Charles Woodson of the Green Bay Packers http://charleswoodsonfoundation.org/ . Finalists for the college award include Leon Beckum of Indiana, Joe Holland of Purdue an Indianapolis native  and a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award finalist, and Sean Richardson of Vanderbilt.

This year’s finalists have had an extraordinary year on and off the football field and we’re excited to welcome them to Indianapolis for what will be an exciting and memorable weekend.  I am honored to celebrate the 2012 finalists” said John Wooten.

Tickets while available can be purchased by contacting Sheila Gilmore at 818-430-2182 or online at http://esptasteofthegame.eventbrite.com/.  Only ticketed guests will be permitted at the event.

The John Wooten Leadership Award is presented annually to the college and professional football player whose on-the-field play, community and extracurricular activities best exemplify the leadership and vision of John Wooten.  The JWL Award is named in honor of John Wooten, whose NFL career has spanned over 50 years as a player and front office executive.  Affectionately known as the “Godfather,” Wooten’s level of influence knows no bounds and his blessings (endorsement) can build a career.  Commissioners, general managers and head coaches seek his advice and to gain his counsel is the key to gaining knowledge and insight that is virtually unparalleled in the NFL.   As Chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, Wooten has been a major instrument behind the successful movement for diversity in the NFL.  The Alliance was established in honor of Fritz Pollard, the first African American to play in a Rose Bowl Game, the first to quarterback an NFL championship team, and the first to coach in the NFL.

The JWL Award was established by Entertainment & Sports Plus in 2009 as a way to recognize the many contributions of John Wooten to the game of football and his efforts in promoting diversity and equality of job opportunity in the coaching, front office and scouting staffs of NFL teams.

The Business of Sports Summit is targeted to high school students with an interest in sports. The goal of this Summit is to use sports as a vehicle to motivate students towards education (which can also be used to pursue non-sports related careers) by exposing them to the many different non-playing career opportunities in professional sports.

In partnership with the local High Schools and the Bankers Life Fieldhouse management team, the Summit will include a full day of panel discussions for approximately 300 high school students with 30 renowned sports and business professionals, a Mentoring Luncheon featuring a prominent keynote speaker, as well as a tour of the executive / management offices of the Bankers Life Fieldhouse.