National Preservation Month kickoff tonight.

You'll be hearing more about National Preservation Month, but in the interim, here are a few teasers:

Architectural heritage cause for celebration Preservation talk today will kick off drive, by Ben Zion Hershberg (The Courier-Journal).

Recent historic-preservation successes in Southern Indiana and the many remaining challenges will be discussed today at 7 p.m. a session kicking off several weeks of events highlighting the region's architectural heritage.

The local events are part of National Preservation Month.

Also ... check out the calendar of "Preservation Month 2006 Activities" at the Indiana Historic Landmarks Foundation website. Here are local highlights:

Can we talk? Join others interested in New Albany’s preservation at two free and informal discussions hosted by Historic Landmarks’ Southern Regional Office. Wednesdays, May 3 and 17, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Destinations Booksellers. Call 812-284-4534.

Hold the anchovies. Eat pizza and pick up preservation tips during the “Pizza and Preservation” workshop series, at the Carnegie Center for Art and History in New Albany. Topics include researching the history of a house ... Tuesdays, May 9, 16 and 23, 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. Free. Call 812-284-4534.

(Note: The 5/16 session, "Pizza and Preservation: Paint Your Historic House Beautiful – Presenter: Brenda Summers, Interior Designer, Porter Paints, New Albany," is slated to be held in the Prost events room at Rich O's Public House owing to our proximity to the Porter Paints store on Grant Line Road.)

Women’s history. Tour homes along New Albany’s Mansion Row, where costumed interpreters share stories of women from the community. Saturday, May 27, 1 to 3 p.m. Free. 812-945-1839.