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MAKE SOUTH BEND is a community makerspace and art studio in South Bend Indiana offering classes, memberships, tool access, and collaborative arts events. MAKE SOUTH BEND MAKE SOUTH BEND operates a public makerspace where artists and community members can take classes, use shared tools, and participate in workshops led by local instructors. Location The makerspace is located on Mishawaka Avenue in South Bend and is open to the public during scheduled hours, with memberships available for extended access and tool use. 2228 E Mishawaka Ave, South Bend, IN 46615 Contact & Links They are quite active on social media and you can find their accounts on Facebook and Instagram . Festival and market events are often created on their Facebook to save for later. Website: https://www.makesouthbend.com/ They post a thorough list of classes and events on their Facebook page, which you can follow here: https://www.facebook.com/makesouthbend/events Events In addition to classes at their studio, MAKE SOUTH BEND organizes and co hosts larger community events, including the Urban Artisan Market and festivals such as Rebel Art Fest . These events often take place at partner venues like parks and conservatories.

Outside In is a Mishawaka, Indiana artist creating small garden core artworks featuring mushrooms, moss, and tiny creatures, regularly exhibited at local markets and festivals. Outside In Outside In is a Mishawaka, Indiana artist creating miniature garden core artwork featuring glass mushrooms, moss, and tiny creatures. Their work is often shown at local art markets and festivals, where the small scale invites close looking and conversation. About Outside In is artist in Mishawaka, Indiana who is regularly attending markets and festivals. Work includes themes of mushrooms, moss, and tiny creatures, referred to as garden core. Events This artist was seen at the Urban Artisan Market , on December 13th, 2025. The display was adorable and had a consistent stream of visitors looking at the mini garden core art. The way the table was arranged and decorated made it feel very easy to approach and explore what they had to offer. Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574222114670 (I wasn't able to find the vendor's name but I'm happy to update this page if they would like!)

The next NARBC Tinley Park Reptile Expo is March 14–15, 2026, at the Tinley Park Convention Center. See show hours, ticket prices, vendor info, and what to expect. When is the next Tinley Park Reptile Expo? The next NARBC Tinley Park Reptile Expo will be held March 14–15, 2026, at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Illinois. It’s one of the largest reptile shows in the U.S., featuring vendors, breeders, and reptile enthusiasts from around the country. Spring dates The NARBC Tinley Park Reptile Expo returns March 14–15, 2026, at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Tinley Park, Illinois. This event is hosted twice each year, drawing reptile keepers, hobbyists, and exotic pet fans from across the country. Show hours: Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Tickets: Adults: $15 Kids (ages 6–12): $10 5 and under: Free VIP pass: $55 (includes both days and early access before public entry) You can buy tickets online through the NARBC website or purchase them at the door. Vendor booths are currently sold out, but vendors can join the waitlist directly on the NARBC site. Many well-known exhibitors return each year to their same booth locations, which helps regular visitors find familiar faces and favorite species. The show floor includes reptiles, amphibians, supplies, feeders, terrarium setups, and educational talks. Parking is available at the convention center, and hotels nearby often fill early during show weekends. If you’re planning to attend, consider arriving early on Saturday to avoid lines and get first pick at rare animals and morphs. This page was last updated on Feb 5, 2026

Learn how to pre-wash bamboo fleece and bamboo terry for cloth pads. Washing and drying the fabric on hot three to five times prevents shrinkage and keeps your finished pads smooth and even. How to prep bamboo fleece before sewing cloth pads Bamboo fleece and bamboo terry fabric need to be pre-shrunk before sewing to prevent the final pad from becoming warped after washing. Wash and dry the fabric on hot three to five times, measuring shrinkage between cycles to know when it’s ready to sew. When you get bamboo fleece or bamboo terry fabric, it needs to be pre-shrunk before you sew with it. Bamboo fleece continues to shrink after two or three washes, so if you skip pre-washing, your final pad can look wrinkly or uneven after the first wash. To prevent that, wash and dry the fabric on hot three to five times before sewing. I like to use bamboo terry from Nature’s Fabrics because the loops haven’t been brushed out, which makes it easier to prep with less lint. The fleece version, where the loops have been brushed out for softness, creates more lint in the washer and dryer and seems to lose a bit of weight in the process. Both versions are beautiful fabrics, but bamboo terry is less messy when prepping. If you want to see how much the fabric is shrinking each time, measure four inches, make a small snip, and remeasure after each wash. When the length stays the same, it’s ready to sew. This page was last updated on Feb 5, 2026

This is a Taco Bell near the intersection of County Road 17 and State Road 120, in Elkhart. Photos, address, and quick local notes. Taco Bell Elkhart, Indiana This is a Taco Bell near the intersection of county road 17 and state road 120, in Elkhart. Address 54633 County Rd 17, Elkhart, IN 46516 Phone 574-295-7430 Fast food service Reviews around the beginning of 2026 seem to indicate that service at this location is going well. Drive through orders are happening fast and correctly. This Taco Bell is located right next to Arby's, on CR 17. This page was last updated on Jul 9, 2026 About the author Corky Lorenz is a photographer based in Elkhart, Indiana, who documents parks, restaurants, festivals, and everyday places across Indiana and the Midwest. To request a visit or license images, email Corky at corkylorenz@gmail.com

Elkhart, Indiana photos of downtown and local buildings. Elkhart, Indiana Elkhart, Indiana is a city in northern Indiana known for parks, restaurants, Jazz festival, trails, downtown events, and the RV industry. This page collects original photography, local guides, and practical visitor information about Elkhart. Dining in Elkhart Elkhart restaurants are diverse, with Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Mediterranean and standard American options. If you are looking for pizza in Elkhart, popular options include: Volcano's, Rulli's, and Vesuvio. For burgers, Flippin Cow, on Simonton Lake, has a wild variety of fun options. For breakfast, check out Stack's Pancake House or Baker's Nook.

African bullfrogs typically live 15 to 20 years in captivity and fewer years in the wild. This guide explains their lifespan, growth from juvenile to adult, and what I observed at the Tinley Park Reptile Expo. African Bullfrog lifespan African bullfrogs usually live ten to fifteen years in captivity when kept with proper heat, humidity and food. Some males can reach twenty years or more, especially the large pixie frogs often seen at reptile expos. I photographed an adult male and a bin of juveniles at the Tinley Park Reptile Expo in October 2025. The vendor had a large mature bullfrog displayed in a clear container and a separate tub full of tiny, striped babies. The signage listed the adult as the father of the juveniles. The vendor was Chicago Reptile House, a regular presence at reptile expos around Chicagoland and Northern Indiana. Lifespan in Captivity and the Wild Most captive males reach 15 to 20 years with proper care. Some keepers report individuals surpassing that range, especially large males. Wild bullfrogs usually live fewer years because they spend long periods underground during dry seasons and face more environmental risks. Bullfrog Size Juvenile to Adult Juveniles are small and striped, as you can see in the photo, and they grow quickly when well fed. Adult males are massive, round bodied, and much heavier than females, often reaching several pounds. Seeing both stages side by side at Tinley Park made the size difference very clear. Their growth and longevity explain why they are considered a long term commitment in the reptile hobby. African bullfrog species name African bullfrogs are scientifically known as Pyxicephalus adspersus, often called pixie frogs in the pet trade. They are not the same a pacman frogs. This page was last updated on Feb 5, 2026

The Northern Indiana Event Center is open during its posted business hours in Elkhart. Here’s what I saw on site and why the online website looks confusing right now. Is the Northern Indiana Event Center Open? The Northern Indiana Event Center is open during its posted business hours and still operates on the RV/MH Hall of Fame campus. During my visit this week, the main building was open and staffed. The entrance off Executive Parkway is the same, and nothing about the physical space looked closed or inactive. The only confusing part is the online footprint, because the older website link is still floating around on Google’s profile, and that URL no longer loads. If you need to reach someone about an event or rental, the front desk staff were answering questions in person. The hours listed on Google matched what I saw on site. I didn’t see any construction or signs suggesting a temporary shutdown. The venue is open, but the website and domain seems to be in transition right now. This page was last updated on Feb 5, 2026

Harmony at Elkhart is an assisted living and retirement community located at 1129 Parkway Avenue in Elkhart, Indiana. See location details and exterior photos. Harmony at Elkhart Elkhart, Indiana Harmony at Elkhart is a retirement community and assisted living facility at 1129 Parkway Avenue in Elkhart, Indiana. There are assisted living apartments with studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans. Address 1129 Parkway Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516 Phone 574-966-8800 Assisted living in Elkhart, Indiana This community is located right off the US-20 bypass. Nearby, there are a few restaurants and a new apartment complex being built. Nearby restaurants include Sportstime Bar & Grill, El Maguey, and Bruno's Pizza. This page was last updated on Jul 9, 2026 About the author Corky Lorenz is a photographer based in Elkhart, Indiana, who documents parks, restaurants, festivals, and everyday places across Indiana and the Midwest. To request a visit or license images, email Corky at corkylorenz@gmail.com

Fix Aveda Concept Salon offers hair, skin, and beauty services in a warm, spa-style studio on Lexington Avenue in downtown Elkhart. FIX Aveda Concept Salon Elkhart, Indiana Fix Aveda Concept Salon offers hair, skin, and beauty services in a warm, spa-style studio on Lexington Avenue in downtown Elkhart. Address 112 W Lexington Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516 Phone 574-293-2500 Hair and Beauty Services Fix Aveda Concept Salon provides haircuts, color, styling, makeup services, brow shaping, lash options, and facials using Aveda products. Aveda Product Experience The salon uses plant-based Aveda formulas for hair and skincare, which is a common search interest for people choosing a salon. Location in Downtown Elkhart The salon is on Lexington Avenue near Main Street, making it a walkable option for people working or shopping downtown. This page was last updated on Jul 9, 2026 About the author Corky Lorenz is a photographer based in Elkhart, Indiana, who documents parks, restaurants, festivals, and everyday places across Indiana and the Midwest. To request a visit or license images, email Corky at corkylorenz@gmail.com