Good morning, Bloomington.

The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network lists several opportunities for locals to help, including animal care at the Nashville shelter with shifts starting at 9 a.m., tree planting in the Waterman Neighborhood on Oct.

18, Head Start support for SCCAP, and stocking the Boys & Girls Club Wish List for supplies—each role helps meet community needs.

Bloomington's live music week began on Monday when American Aquarium performed an alternative country rock show at Bluebird and Jacobs School of Music hosted a free jazz ensemble concert at the Musical Arts Center — today, Blockhouse Bar is hosting Honky Tonk Tuesday.

The rest of the week will bring a Philharmonic Orchestra concert at the Musical Arts Center on Wednesday featuring new EarShot works, October’s First Thursdays filling the Fine Arts Plaza on Thursday, free brass, salsa and ’70s cover shows on Friday, and a Bloomington Blues Fest at Upland Brewing Company with Hank Ruff and Jake Dodds’s ’90s country performance at Bluebird on Saturday.

Joel Washington, a 65-year-old custodian at IU and internationally known painter, faced financial struggles after health issues kept him from work, and community members set up a fundraiser that raised nearly $60,000 by Sept.

26 to help him avoid eviction. The campaign drew support from 600 donors— including a $15,000 gift from Mark Cuban—ensuring he can keep his home and continue his art.

The Fullerton Pike extension opened Friday after two years of construction and features a 525-foot long bridge—Monroe County’s longest—that now connects Bloomington to Interstate 69 and will help emergency services reach areas faster, while construction crews work on the road through the fall.

Property owners and others met Monday night at the Monroe County Public Library to discuss establishing a conservation district called Cottage Grove Historic District that would protect historic buildings in central Bloomington—meeting presenter John Butler showed a draft map outlining boundaries near Grant and Walnut streets and noted that further meetings and reviews by the historic preservation commission and city council will follow.

Bloomington awarded a $15,000 grant to AccessAbleUSA to help up to 30 small downtown businesses create Detailed Access Guides that list practical accessibility information for customers.

The project will conduct remote surveys on a first-come, first-served basis and interested businesses must sign up by Saturday, Nov. 1.

If Congress does not pass a short-term funding bill by tomorrow, a government shutdown will furlough 24,499 Indiana federal workers—nonessential employees will not receive pay while essential workers keep working.

Readers can vote for the IU Health Herald-Times Athlete of the Week covering Sept 22-27 until Oct 2 at noon—nominees include athletes in volleyball, soccer, golf and cross country from North, South, Edgewood, Seven Oaks, Eastern Greene and Lighthouse Christian.

Last week's winner, Bloomington South volleyball standout Everly Clark, received 55.5% of the vote over Seven Oaks' Maddie McDaniel.

Paint the Town Pink

2-8 p.m. — Switchyard Park — Free entry — Celebrate breast cancer awareness with a month-long community initiative featuring local support services and activities.

Bloomington IN Wool & Fiber Festival

Fri 9 a.m. – Sat 4 p.m. — Monroe County Fairgrounds — Free entry — Celebrate creativity with vendors showcasing wool and fiber arts at this delightful festival.

Hoosiers Outrun Cancer 5K

5K Run/Walk — Assembly Hall, Bloomington, IN — Registration fees vary — Participate in one of Indiana's oldest and largest runs to support cancer programs.

Developing Capable Young People Training Program

10 PM — Renwick Village Center Holding — Openings available — Program aimed at empowering parents and professionals to positively influence youth in the community.

Southern Culture on the Skids Concert

8:00–11:30 PM — The Bishop Bar — 18+ event — Experience a legendary band with their unique blend of rock, surf, and country for a foot-stomping night.

Orbit #7: Mama Said String Band and Ditch Tea Steepers

5:30-8:30 p.m. — The Orbit Room — $17 — Enjoy an evening of grassroots tunes from Mama Said String Band and Ditch Tea Steepers.

Orbit's 7th Anniversary Celebration

6:30-10:30 p.m. — The Orbit Room — $17 — Celebrate Orbit's 7th anniversary with great live performances from local favorites.

Marian Knights vs. Indiana Hoosiers Basketball Exhibition

1-4 p.m. — Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience thrilling collegiate basketball as Marian Knights face off against the Hoosiers.

ORBIT#7: Live Music Showcase

6-9 p.m. — The Orbit Room — $17 — Celebrate the Orbit 7 Year Anniversary with live performances from Amy O, Jessica Risker, and Lacey Guthrie.

Jonathan Biss Concert

2-4 p.m. — Auer Hall — Ticket info not provided — Enjoy a captivating performance featuring works by Timo Andres and Beethoven with the Indiana University Chamber Orchestra.