You know it’s May in Indianapolis when you start to see the checkered flags adorning residential porches & decks, commercial buildings and even a few vehicles.

Although we all know Indianapolis hosts many amazing events, programs and attractions year round, Worldwide, our city is largely known for the 102 year old event, The Indy 500.  In the world of motor-sports, The Indianapolis 500 is the oldest and one of the most significant events in the world.

During the month of May, there are 50 events that take place but we always know when The Snake Pit Ball is near because of the formal wear we clean around this event.  On the eve of Sunday’s race, VIP guests and celebrities in town for the race attend a black-tie event at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.  Our professionals expertly clean and press many of the elaborate gowns, with delicate fabrics and beading, as well as the suits and tuxedos that are the attire of the evening, before an after the event.

Socializing, a formal dinner, and a performance by a famous band (this year it’s Foreigner) is always on the agenda.  Guests arrive via red carpet and all the local news teams as well as national entertainment news teams cover the footage.

Indy 500 Race Events in Indianapolis

Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day and Rookie Run- May 11th:  Kids’ Day is the state’s largest outdoor free festival for children.  Kids can ride a 70-foot Ferris wheel, race remote-controlled cars and test their skills in a race car simulator!  The Rookie Run invites all kids ages 3-12 to join the non-competitive 500 Festival  Rookie Run downtown Indianapolis.  “All participants will receive a goodie bag, a runners bib with the  number 1, and a finisher’s medal – just like the Mini-Marathon”.

Breakfast at the Brickyard - May 18th:  Breakfast and a lap around the track in your own vehicle followed by a tour of the garages.  In addition, the 2013 500 Festival Queen will be crowned.

American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day - May 22nd:  Drive your own vehicle on the track; stop by the Safety 1^st car seat safety check to ensure your car seat is properly installed; play in a designated play area; tour the IndyCar car transport trailers, visit Pit Lane and get autographs from favorite Indianapolis 500 drivers.

500 Festival Memorial Service presented by Rolls-Royce – May 24th:  On the north steps of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument a wreath-laying ceremony dedicated to the memory of all Hoosiers in wars and conflicts will take place at noon.

The 500 Festival Parade – May 25th:  Starting at noon at North and Pennsylvania streets and ending at 11th & Meridian.  An annual event since 1957, spectators will line the streets the day before the Indy 500 race to watch giant floats, bands, community leaders, patriotic units and celebrities parade through the streets of downtown.

What race day activities are on your agenda this month?  What are the “can’t miss” events?

- S.O.

Did you receive new gadgets this Holiday season?  Do you wonder where you can recycle the old?  Look no further!

Here are 6 local places you can recycle your old belongings, stay Eco-friendly, and maybe make some money.

Located in Plainfield, Indiana, Electronic Recyclers International, Inc. specializes in “the environmentally safe and socially responsible dismantling of electronic waste.  All material sent to ERI is 100% recycled into 3 main commodities:  metals, plastic and glass.  No electronics are placed in landfills”.  See the list of what items they accept here.

End Of Life Electronics Midwest, located in Fishers, Indiana, provides government agencies, companies, institutions, not for profits, and individuals across the country with an environmentally safe, cost effective service for recycling their obsolete computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, TVs, stereos and more.  EOLE uses “no incineration, no land-filling and no chemical leeching to ensure that virtually 100% of their customer’s E-waste is recycled and reused”.

Located near downtown Indianapolis, Recycle Force will “recycle anything with a cord” as well as all household recycling, cardboard, bikes and bicycle accessories.  And they pick up.  A 501(c)3 organization, Recycle Force takes electronic waste and other recyclables, deconstructs them, recycles and safely disposes the waste.  Scrap metals and other reusable materials are then sold to help pay for job training programs and employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated men and women in order to support their re-entry back into society.

Luna Music in Broadripple will buy your pre-loved music – LPs, CDs & DVDs – in good condition.  They also buy quality turntables even if they need a bit of repair.  They even make house calls if you have 400 or more pieces.

Best Buy in Carmel, Indiana has free kiosks just inside the door for you to drop off inkjet cartridges, batteries, cell phones, CDs/DVDs, PDAs and Smartphones.  In fact EVERY U.S. Best Buy store has these kiosks.

BGI (Bicycle Garage Indy) offers free online classified ads where you can advertise your previously owned bicycle goodies and potentially make a little money.  Register for free and advertise your “old” equipment to the local market.  The ads reach other cyclists which improves your chances of a sale.

The above are just a handful of local places.  To see a complete list of many places who will take any of your used belongings, visit http://indianarecycles.org/ and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Inc’s recycle guide.  Also if you choose to donate, donating to nonprofit charities can provide a tax write off on your income tax return.  This website contains a guide that includes the high-end and low-end values of many commonly donated items.  The IRS also has a publication with more details on valuing your donated goods.

At Classic Cleaners, Inc. we encourage all of our team to recycle.  And we encourage you to share with us local places you take your “old, used” belongings for recycling.

- S.O.

With this month’s limited time offer, you have the opportunity to support a wonderful, local nonprofit and make a difference in a woman’s life.

For over 10 years Classic Cleaners has supported Dress for Success Indianapolis both financially and by facilitating public donations of suits and blouses. During this month’s limited time offer we’re asking for your help.  The more you dry clean with us, the more money we can donate.

Dress for Success Indianapolis provides professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools to help women thrive in work and life.  Job-ready women come to Dress for Success Indianapolis by referral only from a range of community organizations.  Thanks to community donations, women are fully outfitted with an interview suit ensemble once a job interview is secured.

Interviewing for a position can be stressful even without worrying about what to wear.  Dress for Success Indianapolis’ suiting program, together with Classic Cleaners, solves the catch-22 that confronts disadvantaged women trying to enter the workforce: without a job, how can you afford a suit? But without a suit, how can you get a job?

Dress for Success Indianapolis has helped over 8,500 women get the professional look and self-esteem they need to start fresh and improve their lives.

Every August we’re able to give thousands of dollars to Dress for Success Indianapolis and we couldn’t do it without your loyal patronage!  Thanks to you, we were able to donate over $12,000 to Dress for Success Indianapolis last year alone!

From now until August 27, 2012 we will donate $2.00 for every one-time dry cleaning order of $20 or more.

If you’d like to donate clothing, Classic Cleaners accepts women’s suits and blouses only year round at any of our 17 Classic Cleaners locations. Or, you may donate via your route driver if you are part Classic Cleaner’s free home & business pick up and delivery service.

A check will be presented by Classic Cleaners at DFS Indianapolis’ annual September fundraiser event, “Stepping Out in Style”.  Our goal is to surpass last year’s donations and we need your help.

- S.O.

Dress For Success Indianapolis boutique at 820 North Meridian Street

The annual Send One Suit Week 2012 drive has begun!  Classic Cleaners is going on it’s 10th year partnering with Dress for Success Indianapolis as a year round drop off location and this week we are asking for suit donations from our valued customers.

During the week of April 16 through April 20, 2012, Classic Cleaners is a donation site for the drive and we are asking our customers to donate suits to benefit Dress for Success Indianapolis.  In return, they will receive a coupon via email for $10 off a $20 or more order of dry cleaning.

The donation should be an interview appropriate full suit which includes pants/skirt and a jacket.  If you choose, you may also include a blouse/shirt to complete the ensemble.  Classic Cleaners will professionally dry clean the suits and donate them to Dress for Success Indianapolis on our customer’s behalf.

Dress for Success’s mission is “To promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life”.

Interviewing for a position can be stressful even without worrying about what to wear.  Dress for Success solves the catch-22 that confronts disadvantaged women trying to enter the workforce: without a job, how can you afford a suit? But without a suit, how can you get a job?

Job-ready women come to Dress for Success by referral only from a range of non-profit organizations. Each client works one-on-one with a highly-trained volunteer Personal Shopper, who helps her select professional attire and also provides support and encouragement as she prepares for her upcoming interviews.

Dress for Success has helped thousands of women get the professional look and self-esteem they need to start fresh and improve their lives. If you have contributed to Dress for Success, we offer our sincere thanks. If you have not yet, please consider donating during this drive. “On average, about 40% of Dress for Success Indianapolis’ annual suit needs are met through S.O.S. – Week donations”.

Year round, Classic Cleaners accepts suits and blouses at any of our 17 Classic Cleaners locations.  Or, you may donate via your route driver if you are part Classic Cleaner’s free pick up and delivery service.

Please visit the Dress for Success Indianapolis website for more information and to learn about individual and company volunteer opportunities.

- S.O.