Around the region

Arts council holds opening meeting\nThe Bloomington Area Arts Council study commission held its initial meeting Friday. Mayor John Fernandez presented the mission of the study to the commission.\n"It is essential that this group provide a thorough analysis of the current financial situation effecting the Bloomington Area Arts Council," Fernandez said. "The Buskirk-Chumley Theater, John Waldron Arts Center and the operations of the Bloomington Area Arts Council are essential for Bloomington's quality of life and our economy."\nBloomington attorney Geoffrey Grodner provided the commission an overview of the financial status of the Bloomington Area Arts Council. After this overview, the commission discussed how best to move forward with its work.\nJudge Ted Najam, chair of the independent commission, reported that the commission created working groups.\n"I am very pleased with the outcome of this initial meeting of our commission," Najam said. "The commission includes very dedicated and talented individuals that will work diligently to complete their fact-finding and present recommendations in an expedited fashion."\nAnimal shelter undergoes renovation\nThe Bloomington Animal Shelter will begin renovations Sept. 25. The floors of the dog kennels will be sandblasted, resurfaced, resealed and painted. The Monroe County Humane Association, the non-profit animal welfare organization that owns the Animal Shelter, will fund the renovation.\n"In a shelter setting, disease control is critical and concrete kennel floors that are not properly sealed can harbor disease," said Denise Travers, animal shelter director. "We are renovating the kennel floors in order to safeguard the health of the dogs."\nBecause of the renovations, adult dogs will not be available for adoption at the shelter from Sept. 25 through Oct. 9. Adult dogs will be available for adoption again Oct. 10. Puppies may be available for adoption at the Shelter during the time of renovation.\nWayport Kennels will house dogs that are property of the City of Bloomington during the renovation. Because of severely limited space, the shelter is asking members of the community to refrain from relinquishing dogs from Sept. 25 to Oct. 10. The shelter will continue to house stray dogs during the restoration project.\nKing Commission soliciting nominees\nThe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission is soliciting nominees for the second annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize and affirm those who have made significant contributions in the areas of race relations, justice and human rights. The award is presented annually at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration in January.\nThose that work to advance the causes of race relations, justice and human rights help make Bloomington a better and more unified community, said Mayor John Fernandez. He said the Legacy Award offers a unique opportunity to recognize individuals and groups that are standard bearers of our shared values.\nNominees must have been Monroe County residents, businesses or advocacy groups for at least one year, and must have been involved in making tangible and meaningful contributions to the advancement of race relations, justice and/or human rights causes.\nThe deadline for nominations is Nov. 1. Nomination forms are available from the Community and Family Resources Department, City Hall, 401 North Morton Street, Suite 260. For more information, contact Craig Brenner, Special Projects Coordinator, at 349-3430 or by e-mail at brennerc@city.bloomington.in.us.