Stuck in town for break?

For IU students who aren’t traveling to Florida, Mexico or other exotic places for spring break, there is plenty to do right here in Bloomington. Students can volunteer, venture to a water park or resort and spa or perfect their ballroom dance skills.


Local organizations seek volunteers

Monroe County YMCA SPLASH Program
Work with the YMCA SPLASH Program from Monday to Wednesday and assist kids ages 6 to 10 who cannot swim. Volunteers will be in the water with the kids so be ready to get wet. Volunteers can participate in either the morning (8:45 to 10:45 a.m.) or evening (4:45 to 6:45 p.m.) sessions.
Contact Mandy McGhee, Volunteer Coordinator
www.monroecountyymca.org

Spring Break at the Pool 
Become a counselor at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington, which has Spring Break Camp for children ages 6 to 18 from March 16 through March 20 at the Lincoln Street club. Volunteers will take campers on field trips and help out with special activities. The clubs are looking for people who can commit to shifts of at least four hours.
Contact Audrey Hall, 332-5311

Volunteers in Medicine of Monroe County
Volunteer at a free medical clinic that provides care for people without health insurance or sufficient funds. Volunteers can work at the pharmacy, medication room, medical records or reception desk.
Contact  Shelley Sallee, Volunteer Coordinator
Elizabeth Sturgeon, Volunteer Coordinator

Models needed
Sweet Repeats Boutique and Consignment Shop, which carries both new and used clothing, wants models for their garments. The proceeds will go to Pets ALIVE Spay/Neuter Clinic, an animal welfare organization that helps prevent overpopulation of pets.
Contact Emily Gartner,
824-1349

Monroe County Civil Air Patrol
Volunteers can learn how to find a missing aircraft through the national Civil Air Patrol Organization with research and rescue techniques. Jim Engel, squadron commander for Monroe County Civil Air Patrol, said volunteers are also taught aerospace education and can mentor cadets. People should come to a training session if they want to help their country and make a difference, Engel said.
“These active people can gain valuable leadership skills,” he said. Engel said that if a volunteer attends a training session and it matches his or her interests, he or she can be placed on call for the Air Force. Volunteers also have the option of helping out with the task at hand.
contact Jim Engel, squadron commander for Monroe County Civil Air Patrol, 324-7165


Bloomington Businesses offer classes and performances

Panache School of Ballroom and Social Dance
The Panache School of Dance, owned by Sandra and Scott Myers, offers both group and private lessons in ballroom dance, Latin street dancing, nightclub dancing and showcase dancing, according to the Web site.
Sandra Myers said the school will offer a Rumba workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. March 13 and a Cha-Cha workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. March 20. Dancers who want more of a challenge attend the Intermediate Cha-Cha workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. March 14, which will be taught by Tom Slater, a World Exhibition Champion.
She said a popular class for students is the Zumba class, which is a mix of Latin dance-inspired aerobics, and the first class is free.
“Zumba is a good bet,” she said. “You don’t need a partner or special shoes, and you get a great work out.”
She said student group classes have a $6 per hour standard fee. There is not a strict dress code.
Contact 812-822-0050
www.panachedance.com

Arthur Murray Dance Studio
Ballroom dance classes from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. every Thursday.
Newcomers can come from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m., and open dance runs from 8:15 to 9:45 p.m.
$5 advance with ID, $10 at the door
For more information call 334-0553

Last Comic standing
Comedians battle it out at 8 p.m. Wednesdays at The Funny Bone. To become part of the competition e-mail info@funnybonebtown.com

Sex, Dreams and Self-Control
 A stand-up comedy show with an alternative folk-rock music score written by Indiana native Kevin Thorton will be performed at March 13 and 14 at the Bloomington Playwrights Project. Tickets are $10.


State venues offer recreational opportunities

Oliver Winery
Learn to appreciate your grapes on March 14, 15, 21 and 22 at the Indiana Uplands Wine Trail for Oliver Winery’s March Gladness. Participants can purchase tickets at any of the eight wineries and will be offered a look at the winery’s operations, wine tastings, VIP tours and hors d’oeuvres.
Contact For more information call (800) 258-2783 or visit
www.oliverwinery.com.

Indianapolis Zoo
Visitors can check out tigers, baboons, vultures, otters, sharks, dolphins, goats and more. There will be a tropical adventure show running until March 15 including an Australian and tropical plant collection. Starting March 21 there will be a butterfly garden with butterflies from the United States, Asia, Central America and Africa.
Admission prices: $14
Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday

French Lick
Relax at the French Lick Resort, which consists of both The West Baden Springs Hotel and The French Lick Hotel & Casino.
Public Relations Manager Dyan Duncan said the resort visitors can partake in a variety of activities.
“People can come down, relax in the indoor and outdoor pools, go horseback riding, and hike on the trails behind the hotel, golf – and girls love the spa,” Duncan said. “There is also a slot tournament at the casino every Tuesday.”
The running special is stay three nights and get the fourth night free, and the rate per night is $129 for French Lick and $159 for West Baden, Duncan said. She said there are also attractions within distance to the hotels, including the Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park, museums, trains and Patoka Lake. Duncan suggested students stay at the French Lick hotel instead of West Baden. 
“There is more action there with the casino,” she said. “West Baden is a little bit more relaxing.”
Contact For more information: Call 936-9300 or visit
www.frenchlick.com.

Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park
The newly-opened water park is located in the Valley of the Springs Resort in French Lick and has more than 40,000 square feet of water attractions, according to the Big Splash Web site. The park is island themed and includes a whirlpool, several slides and an adult-only tub with massage jets. The pool is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and day passes must be reserved online or on location.
contact For more information visit www.bigsplashadventure.com or call 877-936-FUNN

Sycamore Land Trust
Like the outdoors? Spend part of your break exploring the trails at Sycamore Land Trust, an organization that strives to retain the landscape of Indiana. Sycamore Land Trust was funded in 1990 and preserves more than 5,200 acres of land, according to its Web site. The trust is just north of Bloomington, and there are trails with more than 500 acres of wetlands, said John Lawrence, assistant director of Sycamore Land Trust. There are no campgrounds or fire pits, Lawrence said, but the trails are great for photography and hiking.   
“Anyone who likes hiking and the outdoors should come,” Lawrence said. “It’s a neat area.”
Price: Free
Contact 336-5382 or
www.sycamorelandtrust.org