September 8, 2009 SPECIAL EVENT

NOW WE'RE JUST SQUARE

Soon the Pioneer Family will be gone, and the existing fountain will be removed. So, for a few months we'll just be Square. And loving it.

Tuesday, September 8, 3:00 pm

Shelbi Street Cafe & Bistro Lounge

Fountain Square Theatre Building

1105 Shelby Street

Please join us on Tuesday, September 8 at 3 p.m. to celebrate the start of construction of the new Fountain Square fountain. Enjoy an eye-level view of the Pioneer Family as it is lifted from its perch and taken to a temporary home in Garfield Park.

We don't really have anything against the Pioneer Family. They have silently stood watch at the end of Virginia Avenue all these years in their coonskin caps. We're just ecstatic about the renewal of our fountain that's more than a decade in the making. By November, a reproduction of Lady Spray, the statue that topped the Square's first fountain, will take her place as the first of a series of major improvements to our neighborhood.

Come say "bon voyage" to the Pioneer Family statue, learn more about our plans (yes, the Pioneer Family will return in the next phase of construction), and join us for refreshments in the shelBi street caFe & Bistro lounge on the mezzanine level of the Fountain Square Theatre Building.

Parking is available in the free public parking lot at the corner of Woodlawn and Shelby, in the Shelby Shoppes parking lot at the southeast corner of the same intersection, and in the St. Mark's Lutheran Church lot at the corner of Prospect and Linden, just behind Boca Loca Beads.

Community Voices

A Memoir: The Belle Witch

By: Phyllis Nash

I have been having more experiences with lost and found! Some are quite eerie.

My son had left some footwear over here and never seemed much concerned to take it with him, so I threw it into a green recycle bag with some papers. I thought that he’d get them when he needed them. However, soon after, when he wanted them, I couldn’t find them in with the papers, but he said not to worry.

My son did want to look at some family pictures that he had found. We’d thought that they were in some moving totes, but he found those in a plastic box, underneath the bookcase. We enjoyed looking at the pictures and my son left.

Next, I continued looking in another handbag and found a camera for which I had been searching a long time. Further looking in to the green paper recycle bag, I found the footwear!

Then something from the bookcase fell by my feet all by itself. It was a book, The Bell Witch by Charles Bailey Bell, a ancestor. I’d been wondering about this prized book for several years.

Many years ago, my late father had mentioned that The Bell Witch was quite a story, but he never went into details. My late husband used to haul riders back and forth to work and one of the men came to visit after he had retired. Later, after his visit he gave us the book, The Bell Witch, and said to let him know what we thought of it. He had relations in Adams, Tennessee, the location of the story. He quoted them as telling of how the ground near the Bell land would slide under them. About 200 years ago, the wealthy Belle family and their visitors heard a woman’s voice; then strange things happened. The witch spirit caused a male relative to be poisoned. The bottle appeared and a lone spoon dipped it into his mouth and he subsequently died. The spirit would laugh at bad circumstances particularly those she caused. She supposedly liked Lucy Belle and gave her food when she was ill. From what I understood, these people did NOT disbelieve the story.

I don’t know if the story is true, but I’m happy my son has his footwear; and I have the extra camera and the prized book to read again.

Hearty and Healthy Pumpkin Recipes for Fall

By: Chef Wendell Fowler, author of Eat Right, Now: Holy Temple Maintenance Guide

My message is, and always will be, that ‘food is the most powerful medicine on earth’. We are one large carbon-based, bio-chemical factory, which reacts to everything we put into it. Disease occurs when we put foods that are unnatural, or overly processed, into our Holy Temple; like chemically laden convenience foods that chip away at the crispy edges of our health.

If you desire to loose weight, lower your risk of developing lung cancer, diabetes, or heart disease, simply look to food as your solution, by changing your way of looking at food. Pumpkin contains Folate, which you may know about as a B-vitamin needed to prevent birth defects and also helps to lower levels of homocysteine, an indicator of heart disease. Plus, our orange friend is also brimming with magnesium, tryptophan, iron, zinc, fiber, and a little bit of protein. Everything our body needs to prosper.

Corn helps maintain your fading memory with Thiamin (Vitamin B1) and is jam-packed with fiber, vitamin C, phosphorus and manganese. The sweet potato in this dish provides valuable Beta Carotene, which aids in warding off cancer. What’s not to like? Your loving family deserves the best.

Corn and Pumpkin Chowder

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup well-scrubbed sweet potato, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
6 cups vegetable broth
1 cup pumpkin puree

2 drops of liquid smoke
1 cup corn, frozen or cut from the cob
1/2 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoons crumbled dried sage
1/2 cup soy, rice milk, or organic milk
salt and freshly-ground pepper to taste

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and sweet potato; Sautee, stirring to coat the vegetables with the olive oil, until onion is translucent, just a few minutes.

2. Add vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, 30 minutes, until sweet potato is tender.

3. Add pumpkin puree, corn, and herbs. Bring back to a boil, then reduce heat again and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Stir in soymilk or organic milk and remove soup from the heat.

4. Puree half the soup in a blender and return it to the pot, stirring well to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Stew In a Pumpkin Shell

Heart Food

1 large pumpkin
Sucanat, honey, real maple syrup, or stevia
2 large onions, chopped
Olive oil
3 pounds fake meat (Seitan / wheat meat, or ground up soy crumbles)
1 pound tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3 1/2 pints veggie stock
2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 pounds white potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 pounds raw pumpkin, cut in chunks (as best you can)
2 cans sweet corn
12 canned or fresh, yellow peach halves, sliced, saving the peach juice on the side
1 heaping teaspoon dried oregano
Sea Salt and pepper

To prepare the pumpkin, cut the top to form a lid, angle cutting so the lid will sit on and not fall in. Leave the stem for a handle.

Remove the "guts", the fibers and seeds and discard.

Scoop away most of the solid flesh, leaving a sturdy wall of pumpkin, being careful not to cut through it. Measure out 2 pounds of the raw pumpkin flesh for the stew and cube it the best you can. Replace the lid and set the pumpkin on a baking sheet. Bake at 325 long enough for the inside to get soft enough to scoop but will still hold up the weight of the stew. Remove from oven with an oven mitt.

Cook the onion, garlic and fake meat in a little oil until soft but not browned in a sauté pan. Transfer to a large saucepan. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, the stock, a little sea salt and plenty of pepper to the ‘meat’ and onions. Cover and simmer until the ‘meat’ is heated.

Add the remaining ingredients, sweet and white potatoes, corn, cubed, pumpkin and peaches to the saucepan and cover with more stock. Return to a boil and simmer until the potatoes are cooked, and the liquid is thickened from the pumpkin scooped off inside gently with a spoon.

Add stew to pumpkin shell and stow it in the oven at 140 degrees for 15 minutes or longer if the walls are thick. Be careful not to collapse the walls. You can use a large casserole dish as a support for the walls.

Taste, correct the seasoning and add a little of the peach juice. Remove the pumpkin from the oven and ladle the stew into your set of soup bowls you’ve been trying to use for something. You could use baby pumpkins, but you’d have to cook them first a bit. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

For more information about Chef Wendell Fowler and his recipes, visit www.chefwendell.com.

Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic

*Low Income Tax Clinic*

Submitted by: Patricia McKinney

Did you know that the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic can help if you have a problem with the IRS?

Are you being examined? Does the IRS think you owe more in taxes than you believe you owe? Have you been denied EITC or other credits? Do you have an IRS Lien on your property? Are your wages or other income being levied by the IRS? We can help.

There are statutes with time limits that affect your ability to claim refunds or the EITC, along with statutes that affect the IRS’s ability to be able collect back taxes from you. Learn about your rights and options.

For your convenience, we have various intake sites located throughout the Indianapolis area. Come to our Low income Tax Clinic intakes and speak to an attorney. It may just make you sleep easier at night.

(317) 429-4131

Please call for intake times and places.

COMMUNITY ARTsSIGHT

By: D. DelReverda-Jennings

FLAVA FRESH VI ! @ CLOWES: Opening August 3, 2009. Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4602 Sunset Ave. The Second of three diverse showcases of the Sixth Annual, juried Multi-Art Exhibitions Presentation of contemporary art featuring local, regional, national and international artists. The work is an eclectic mix of media which includes: Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Textile/Fiber, Found Object, Mixed-Media, Assemblage and Digital Image Manipulation. Created * Curated by Indianapolis based Interdisciplinary artist, Independent Curator, D. DelReverda-Jennings.

Participating Artists: Nannette Y. Blair / Jeana M. L. Ouattara / Carl Hazelwood / Stephanie Hall / Anthony Radford / Heath A. Holland / Judie L. Sloan / Jerome Webster Chambers / Dr. Joan M.E. Gaither / Roderic Trabue / Marie A. House / Jerome Neal / Dana Rae Roudebush / Phillip Chestnut / Cherif Abib Ba / Kim Harwell-Ba / Tasha Vaden-Beckwith / Ibou Ibrahima Ndoye / Nicole D. Johnson Powell / Kevin James Wilson / Quay Kester / D. DelReverda-Jennings. Sponsored By: Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University / URBANE D'ART Inc.

Artists Reception and Gallery Walk & Talk: Saturday, September 20, 2009 from 5 - 7:30pm. Regular Viewing Hours: Mon-Fri. 8:30am - 5:00pm. The exhibition runs through September 28, 2009. Free and Open to the Public. INFO: 317-940-9697, www.clowes.org , UrbaneDArt@aol.com .

INDIANA ARTISAN: Is the statewide economic development program designed to help artisans expand their businesses while developing a brand based on quality Indiana-made art and foods. The program now involves the work of 111 juried artisans representing 41 Indiana counties. Indiana Artisans benefit from the collaborative spirit of the program through special initiatives available only to those who work juries into the program including entrepreneurial support and technical assistance. The next jury panels meet in October. Guidelines and the online application will be posted at in August. INFO: Eric Freeman, artisan@iac.in.gov , www.indianaartisan.org.

GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARDS: Governor Mitch Daniels and the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) have announced the recipients of the 2009 Governor's Arts Awards. "I am honored to recognize these recipients for the significant investment and contribution each has made to the arts in their communities, our state and beyond," said Governor Daniels. The 2009 recipients of the Indiana Governor's Arts Awards are: Angela Brown, Indianapolis. Miss Brown’s 2004 Metropolitan Opera debut in the title role of Aida garnered instant attention from national and international print and broadcast media and catapulted her on to the world’s prestigious opera and symphonic stages. This award-winning performing and recording artist is also a trail blazer on a mission to bring operatic and classical vocal performance to the masses through her unique recital program, “Opera from a Sistah’s Point of View.” / Ball Brothers Foundation/George and Frances Ball Foundation, Muncie./ International Violin Competition of Indianapolis./ Sweetwater Sound, Inc., Fort Wayne./ Vectren Corporation, Evansville./ "These recipients have demonstrated a commitment to their field, their communities, and to building a stronger Indiana by their investment of time, talent and leadership in the arts," said Lewis C. Ricci, IAC Executive Director. The five recipients will be honored during a special performance ceremony September 25, 2009 at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts in Muncie. INFO: www.in.gov/arts/2597.htm.

CALL TO POETS: International: InDeArts announces a call for poets worldwide to submit up to three of their unpublished pieces that are three lines in length to be considered for publication online at www.indearts.org with possible inclusion in a hard-copy format as well. InDeArts is particularly interested in poems that stretch the limits of the written word in an unconventional approach in three lines only. Poets are asked to send their poems in the body of an email (no attachments) along with a one line biographical sketch. No Fee. No Deadline. INFO: indearts@aol.com.

ARTIST VENDORS SOUGHT: Acton United Methodist Church (AUMC) cordially invites you to participate in our 12th Craft Fair on Saturday, November 7th , 2009 from 9 A. M. – 3 P. M. This event has grown and has proven to be a success for many artisans. AUMC is located just north of I-74 East and the Acton Road interchange in southeast Marion County – a prime location with easy access and plentiful parking. Potential customers will be reached through broad advertisement and repeated programming. Rental of an 8X10 booth is $40 with maximum of two crafters per booth. Booth space is limited and goes quickly so reserve yours today! Reservation Deadline: October 10th.

INFO:

www.actonumc.com/PDF%20Forms/CF%20Booth%20Application%20and%20Contract%2009.p

Comments, Questions or INFO: E:Mail: CommArtsD@aol.com.

Local Music

By: Ryan Williams

Radio Radio brings in some big names throughout September and October, including the return of rockabilly vampire Unknown Hinson on September 19th, English rockers New Model Army on September 28th, and En Esch (formerly of Pigface and KMFDM) and Slick Idiot on October 4th. Local favorites Mandy Marie and the Cool Hand Lukes host a CD release party on September 26th, and Born Again Floozies return October 17th. Other shows of note include F.U.Z.Z. on September 11th, The Dynamites with Soulove Universe on September 24th, and the Rosewood Thieves with The Dead Trees on September 27th. From industrial rock to rockabilly, from soul to indie, this lineup has it covered. Ticket prices and show times are available at futureshock.net.

The Vollrath Tavern hosts an eclectic collection of indie rock in September, including Sleeping in The Aviary, Amo Joy, Icarus Himself, and Grandpal Jookabox on September 5th, The Dockers and Applecore on September 24th (good for fans of loud punk music) and Chicago rocker Detholz! on September 25th. Shows are being added all the time, so check out vollrathindy.com for more information.

Big Car Gallery brings together musicians from Tonos Triad, Shiny Black Shirt and Mana2 to create a spontaneous, live soundtrack to the classic silent film version of "Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde" on October 28th. It's a free show, just in time for Halloween. Find out more at bigcar.org.

You can always find great acoustic music at Deano's Vino every weekend, and Maria's Pizza features jazz on Friday and Saturday nights. Finally, don't forget swing nights at the Fountain Square Theater every second and fourth Friday nights.

Public Art Activist calls it a “Job Well Done”

By: Jeff Miller

The Southeast Neighborhood Development (SEND) organization has had the goal to “Identify and establish sites for public art and to maximize the benefit of the community’s existing non-park public space” for many years. But like any goal, getting it accomplished takes dedicated people with a passion to see it happen. Susan Beauchamp fits that description perfectly. She has been part of the SEND Public Space Committee, and specifically served as the chairperson of the Public Art sub-committee, for over seven years. And so much has happened during that time.

One of the most visual things that Susan’s sub-committee accomplished is of course working with the city to create the beautiful gateway structure that sits on Virginia Ave. Other achievements of the sub-committee include adding several new murals (along with the establishment of suggested guidelines for all temporary art), promoting artwork, such as the horse that proudly stood on display on the Bates-Hendricks esplanade, putting on two Art Parades through Fountain Square and Fletcher Place, and the formation of the Fountain Square Arts Council (FSAC). Additionally, the sub-committee has helped identify locations for future pieces of artwork, applied for grants for art, established a great relationship with the Cultural Trail team (particularly Mindy Taylor Ross who is in charge of public art along the trail) and inspired so many others with a passion for all things art.

It was the formation of the FSAC that finally led Susan to feel it was time to say “Mission Accomplished” and step down in her role as head of the Public Art sub-committee. With all the great work that the FSAC has done and will continue to do, Susan sees an opportunity to sit back, relax, and enjoy all of the art she has helped create in the area. Now, being a very humble spirit, Susan would quickly say that it wasn’t her that did these things, but a team of individuals who all worked together to make it happen. And while she would of course be correct, none could question that Susan was the heart and soul for years who had the passion to see these things come to fruition. And for this, we say “Thanks, Susan!” The area is a much more culturally rich place because of all you have done. And for that, we are very grateful.

New Southeast Grocery Moving Toward Fruition

By: Susan Beauchamp

Does Southeast Indianapolis need more options to buy healthy food that are accessible for all residents? A group of residents and other people from a faith-based study circle believe the area has the need and they are acting on their thoughts. This group began meeting in 2008 and developed the idea of a food Co-op or a resident owned grocery store. They believe that the current food purchasing options are limited, sometimes too expensive, and need more access for walkers or others who rely on public transportation. Their idea has progressed into Pleasant Run Grocery: a community owned grocery store. Their mission statement is: Pleasant Run Grocery is a member owned, community based grocery store dedicated to serving the need of local producers and consumers by providing goods and services, education and reasonably priced healthy foods.

Currently the Pleasant Run Grocery Committee is developing a business plan to obtain funding. They are also looking for a central location, which is well lighted, has enough parking and is on public transportation routes. The Co-op would like to offer the opportunity for residents to buy bulk food, which can be less expensive. Additionally, they would like to offer food education and possible cooking lessons for residents to promote healthy food options with basic ingredients, rather than more expensive processed food. With fresh produce in season, the Grocery hopes to attract others from downtown and around the city to also shop in this neighborhood.

Part of the original funding for Pleasant Run Grocery would come from memberships, although anyone will be able to shop in the store. Membership would give partial ownership. Food stamps will also be accepted. For more information about Pleasant Run Grocery, contact Jerry Keyes at seorganizer@gmail.com.

The Farmers Market at Southeast Community Services Center provides an additional option for food shopping in the area. Meeting on Saturdays, July 4, August 1, Sept. 5, and October 3, it is from 9 AM to noon, at 901 Shelby Street. Start up money was obtained by an IMAGINE grant through INRC. The SECS summer program youth are assisting with the market by helping set up and making items for sale. Look for fresh produce, crafts, herbs & plants, jewelry, and photography. It is free to look around. Vendors are welcome at $10 per space. For information, contact Terri Garcia at 283-8748 or Kate Voss at 607-3235.

Please take time to fill out the survey about food shopping that was enclosed in the last issue of the South East Square News, or fill one out at SEND, to assist in the planning for the Pleasant Run Grocery. The Southeast Learning Partnership, SELP, which documents and collects data for the Southeast Neighborhoods, administers this survey. The SELP meets on the 2^nd Monday of each month at SECS at 901 Shelby St. at 5 PM. Anyone who has an interest in SE Indy is welcome to attend. Childcare and dinner are provided. For more information, contact Chairperson Marti LaMar at selp_chair@yahoo.com.

Roll Out the Barrel

By: Richard Campi

Roll out the barrel and make use of such for much! Susan Beauchamp and I use two, sixty-gallon (Plastic) ZEP containers to water the thirty-six planters on the median strip down Calvary Street from Fletcher Ave. to over the Interstate 65/70 bridges. I load these on their side in my 1950 Chevrolet pick-up truck with five, 5-gallon jugs and fill them at my house. This is a gravity-fed system with water taps and four small plastic buckets. We dispense about 130 gallons of water by filling the buckets and pouring it onto the plants and trees. We always hope for regular rain and not to need this chore!

We have been maintaining this and other landscaping projects over the past dozen years and hope to for some years to come. Grants to develop these public landscapes ask for a commitment to maintain the projects with respect and follow-through for years to come, but many projects fall out of favor and are abandoned after a few years. Friends of Historic Fountain Square Neighborhood Association has kept its commitment to these projects and were the first in Southeast Indy to have landscape projects.

Susan and I are also rolling out the barrel at our home as well. We are developing three rain barrels, one of which I’ve just completed (Hope for rain!) and two are in progress. These should each hold 60 gallons of rainwater for our home garden use. Ken Williams, who was incidentally Fountain Square’s first Santa, gave me all five barrels.

To help with the interesting and difficult job of making the rain barrels, I used Suding Hardware Store. While I was trying to explain the rain barrel idea, a plumber who was patron talked with us. He gladly drove back to my residence to help size up the project. When I went back to the store, he and the proprietor then had a more complete picture of what I wanted. I was then very personally helped with securing all needed pipe, elbow, clamps, etc. to the exact need of each rain barrel and its location. Like many home projects, this one seemed simple until I began obtaining and assembling all the extra parts beyond the barrel.

In order to install the rain barrel, the existing downspouts on the house have to be sawed off, but I want to put them back in November for winter. A plastic (rubber-like) boot clamping section is secured to the remaining downspout, a plastic elbow is clamped into that, and then a section of plastic pipe is secured into another plastic elbow that empties in the top of the rain barrel. My rain barrel tops have been cut off so that they fit back on with a hole cut out in center of top to accommodate the plastic elbow. Just an inch or so above the bottom of the barrel, I drilled a hole to insert a water faucet (threaded at both ends). A water bucket or a hose may be employed to catch the water from the faucet. A threaded short pipe screwed into the rear of the faucet and a large nut screwed onto that snug it up to the interior wall of the barrel. I needed to cut out some plastic foam to make a gasket to keep the faucet tight. If and when the barrels overflow, the loose lids will let excess water escape.

For people who desire to take a project such as this on, one needs to make sure that the barrels are far enough away from the home’s foundation as to not cause any basement problems. That distance determines the estimated length of pipe from elbow to elbow. I have my barrels mounted upon four concrete blocks. Two are regular size and two are shorter. I’ve leveled the ground surface first. I have raised the spigot about eighteen inches above the ground, so that a can or bucket fits under it. Every now and then I will need to rinse the sediment from the interior.

Remember that this isn’t a rush job. Do a small step at a time or get it wrong. I’ve put this “green” direction off for a least a couple of months. So…go with the flow! (But after all this work, I’m worried that it will never rain again!)

IN GOD’S ARMS Childcare Ministry Marks One Year Anniversary with Expansion and New Pre-K

By: Kathy Moore

IN GOD’S ARMS Childcare Ministry, located at 1224 Laurel Street in the Fountain Square area of Indianapolis, marked its one year anniversary on August 10th for its childcare that opened in August 2008. This event was marked by doubling in size the area dedicated to child care at Emmaus Lutheran Church. This expansion includes a new infant room and new space for 3, 4, and 5 year olds, which now includes Pre-K for 3 and 4 year olds as part of its offering.

The childcare ministry is available to children ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age and offers such amenities as a strong academic curriculum, before and after school programs, full day care, summer camps and field trips. Hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In the past year the IN GOD’S ARMS Childcare Ministry has sponsored for the near south side community a Halloween party, Christmas with Santa (with over 500 attendees), and an Easter Egg Hunt. Plans are in place to continue with the outreach to the community and to repeat these events.

Based on a loving, Christian environment, In God’s Arms Childcare Ministry provides year-round care by a well-qualified and dedicated staff. The ministry is registered with the Indiana State Division of Family Resources and the Indiana State Fire Marshall and accepts CCDF vouchers.

“We are offering much more than child care,” says Kathy Moore, director of In God’s Arms. “In addition to what everyone would expect in a childcare program, we are providing a safe, secure Christian environment. Our goal is to reach out to this community by providing a needed service—childcare—in a loving, Christian manner.”

“We would like to invite parents in our community to stop by and take a free tour of a facility and meet our staff. We would like all parents of potential enrollees to know that we offer quality Christian childcare 52 weeks a year.”

Historic Emmaus Lutheran Church has been in existence for more than 105 years. In addition to the childcare ministry, Emmaus also offers an elementary school with a Christian curriculum for grades K-6.

For more information, call 317-632-1486 option #3 or check our web site at www.emmauseindy.org.

We’ll Always Have Next Year

By: Irvin Etienne

Crap! Where did summer go? In August I was still planting annuals. Not ideal, but much better than the year I really didn’t start until Labor Day. This year I was just finishing things. At least for the most part it was stuff I had propagated or seedlings I had collected. Admittedly, it would have been the perfect year to finish early (or heaven forbid timely) so as to enjoy the ridiculously cool weather. Well life ain’t perfect, is it Gladys? So I did the best I could considering at the minimum I quadrupled the back garden. Next year there will be fewer weeds and that will make things go smoother. With gardening there is always next year.

But what about this year? I tried several new Echinacea cultivars -- seven, to be exact, between work and home. I can recommend all of them to you. ‘Tomato Soup’ is a great red (very much like tomato soup), ‘Mac n Cheese’ is cheesy gold, and ‘Tiki Torch’ is hot orange. All these come via Terra Nova Nursery and I’m glad to have each in the garden. The colors are equal to the pictures in the catalogue, very rare in the plant world. I had four white cultivars at work, all a gift from Plants Nouveau. ‘Avalanche’ is a dwarf white around two feet tall. ‘Champagne Bubbles’ is a large single white whose cone is champagne colored. It’s a nice big plant and flower. The dwarfest one was ‘Meringue’, fully double and only a foot or so high. My favorite was by far ‘Milkshake’, a tall, normal sized coneflower with large double flowers. The cones remain white as they age, very rare in Echinacea. It is a great cutflower too. I fully intend to trial more from these companies next year, say some double red, double orange, and double gold? I’m not saying every new coneflower is going to be great but I have seen some very good ones.

It was a great lily year, the flowers lasted forever. The big award goes to ‘Yelloween’. This beauty is soft yellow and fragrant. My largest plant was eight feet tall. Of course, the deep orange of the 3-4 foot tall ‘Brunello’ was gorgeous too. He’s so beautiful he doesn’t need fragrance. Darkest red ‘Blackout’ was a stunner too that is propagating itself nicely, increasing the number of bulbs and flowers yearly. I was a little disappointed in my ‘African Queen’ only because half the bulbs flowered white instead of the amber color I wanted. But it did look like all bulbs bloomed so I can’t complain a whole lot. Plus I bought them at half price last year.

Among my favorite annuals this year were two cultivars of black-eyed Susan vine, Thunbergia alata. These were ‘Sunny Lemon Star’ and ‘Sunny Orange Wonder’. Both had incredible vigor and flower power in wonderful bright yellow (not gold) and deep true orange. I have grown this species from seed and these cutting propagated plants are much better performers. Other vegetative cultivars I’ve tried never did as well as these. Either the plants have improved or my gardening skills have really improved.

It’s hard to believe the time to bring plants back indoors is nearly at hand. I always dread it. Just one more week, Mother Nature. Just one more week. But that isn’t the way of the Midwest garden so I will try to save too many and will kill too many in the end. But there’s next year. There’s always next year.

Aramark Employee Volunteers Refurbish Southeast Community Services, Inc.

By: Kate Voss

Southeast Community Services, Inc. (SECS), an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing self-sufficiency for hundreds of low-income residents, received a much-deserved facelift from hard-working volunteers at ARAMARK, the global professional services company. This event jump starts a new partnership with SECS and is part of ARAMARK Building Community, a company-wide initiative that fosters long-term support for local community centers in more than 25 cities.

On Wednesday, August 12, SECS received a substantial transformation, including the creation of a food pantry that will be supplied with food items collected by ARAMARK volunteers. Other projects included: painting a variety of murals for rooms throughout the facility, construction of storage units, shelves and benches, and landscaping the outside area with new flower beds.

“Southeast Community Services has directly felt the burn of the recession—with the greatest challenge being the demand for services,” said Terri Garcia, executive director of SECS. “This partnership really could not have come at a better time. The center provides services free-of-charge to our residents, funded through community donations. ARAMARK will add much-needed services to the center that would not have happened without their generosity and support.”

Through ARAMARK Building Community, employees use their expertise to help youth and adults develop critical, employable work skills and connect them to career opportunities; support families with nutrition and wellness education and provide basic needs, such as food and clothing, during health/wellness and career fairs.

Community centers – including Southeast Community Services, Inc.– are on the front lines in addressing some of our nation’s most pressing social issues, including poverty, education, joblessness, obesity, youth development and caring for aging seniors.

By focusing on making improvements to the facilities, building infrastructure and off-setting costs, Indianapolis ARAMARK volunteers will enable the Center to better meet their important social missions.

Southeast Community Services, Inc. is located at 901 South Shelby St., Indianapolis, IN. 46203. For more information call 317-236-7400

1st Annual Art of July Parade

By: Kelli Safford

Fountain Square Arts Council (FSAC) moved ahead with the 1^st annual Art of July Parade on July 4^th despite the weather. Of the 50 registered entries for the parade, over half showed up to show their support for the event. Groups such as the Libertarian party, Friends of Fact and Herron School of Art and Design students were in full parade attire to march on even with rain falling throughout the day.

The parade commenced promptly at 6 pm and continued on the mile route through Fountain Square and Fletcher Place. Residents of the community stepped out with umbrellas and rain gear to watch the parade. Former Fountain Square resident Katie Burk, in town visiting from Hawaii, was on hand to volunteer for the event and was surprised at the turnout with the rain. “FSAC has done a tremendous job in planning this event and it feels great to be here and see it transpire.”

FSAC spent the last year planning the event from gathering funding to creating marketing plans to focusing on public relations initiatives. The groups volunteered many hours and, regardless of the weather, were pleased with the results of their efforts. Elizabeth Ryan, founding member of the FSAC, stated, “Even though the weather was not what we hoped for, we still had around 200 people show up to participate. FSAC views our first year a success and looks forward to next year!” A first year in an event can paint a pretty clear picture of the future and the entire community will look forward to seeing what next year will bring for the 2^nd Annual Art of July parade.

Questions? Interested in learning more? Please email fsacouncil@yahoo.com.

The New Fountain Square Academy

Only Area High School to Make Federal Guidelines in 2009

By: Mark Stewart

Over the summer, Fountain Square Academy, located at 1615 S. Barth Avenue, has done a complete makeover of classrooms with walls being painted, installation of new classrooms, and the addition of new desks, chairs and lockers for students.

“The school is so inviting now,” said Ms. Foster. “It feels like a new school inside.”

The school which occupies the historic former Leedy Drum Factory, is the neighborhood’s only public high school to make the federal guidelines in academic achievement standards this year. The tuition-free public school, which was invited to open in the neighborhood by the Southeast Neighborhood Development Corp. (SEND) in 2005, provides a middle and high school, serving grades 5-12. It pays complete tuition, books and fees for Ivy Tech college classes for its qualified students. The school also pays for textbooks and provides transportation and a breakfast and lunch program.

“We are excited about the academic achievement of our students at the school this past year and we are even more excited about the future,” said Keena Foster, principal of the school. “Last year, our students outperformed 73 percent of the country in the amount of material they learned over the school year. That puts our school in the top 27th percentile in the country.”

“When SEND conducted a study of the most important issues facing our neighborhood, the community said ‘improved educational opportunities.’ We are pleased to have Fountain Square Academy in our neighborhood. Their small class size and focus on college preparation are vital to improving our community,” said Mark Stewart, President of SEND.

“While tutoring and remediation is available as it is in all other public schools, college is an expectation for all of our students at Fountain Square Academy,” said Ms. Foster. “Students have the potential of earning up to 60 college credits, or two years of college, while they attend high school.” That translates into a $6,000 savings and provides motivated students a jump-start on going to a 4-year university and/or earning their license for a vocational career.

Discipline at the school is tight and the school expects students to follow dress code. Class sizes are kept small to encourage a more intimate learning atmosphere. A new partnership with Garfield Park provides students the opportunity to participate on a school basketball team and enjoy other sports. The school will begin its application to be part of the Indiana High School Athletic Association this year and will offer various after school sports programs.

Enrollment is open now. School starts August 17. A few spaces still remain open. Enrollment packages are available at the school or online at www.fountainsquareacademy.org. Call 951-1000 to learn more about the school.

Community Voices

Share Your Voice

Submit your community stories or opinions to ebrown@sendcdc.com

Commentary on Church and Community

Submitted by: Richard Campi

It is a difficult situation when a church and a community are at odds. A local church has reneged on its promises to the neighbors over a period of years over issues of parking and landscaping. Several times a year this church has large masses of people attending. Parking for neighborhood residents is ignored, although in the past the church said that it would provide guidance for attendees to leave spaces for the neighbors. This spring an attendee parked and partially blocked the alley. In the past attendees have parked on private property, blocking neighbors from using their garage. When the church wanted to change to angle parking instead of parallel parking, the neighbors complied with the understanding that some parking would be exclusively for residents. The city would post signs and parking would be monitored by church members. When church attendees park in residential spots and are asked to move, they often become nasty. Neighborhood resident complaints are just considered a nuisance.

Over a decade ago, the church’s thousands of members entered into a landscape project with the neighborhood association. Several thousand dollars in grants for plants, city services, and donated time provided beautifully planted traffic islands instead of ugly asphalt for all of the city residents. The pastor signed an agreement for the church to maintain these islands and trees along the avenue. At first, several members regularly watered, weeded, removed trash and generally tended these landscape projects. Over time the church has given responsibility for landscaping to its overall paid grounds maintenance. This has resulted in neglect, gross weed infestation, and often in trash accumulation. Those plants that were not dead were ignored and none have been replaced. In the summer of 2008, the area around the remaining plants was weed-whacked about twice during the season. This year they have mowed down the all of the mature sedum, lilies, yarrow, and other plants remaining. This means that several hundreds of dollars of mature plants have been destroyed without giving anyone else the opportunity to use them. It seems that the church plan is simply to mow the areas when mowing the grass.

As of June 1, no one at the church will respond to inquiries from the neighborhood residents or city representatives. Although this is near the offices of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, no one there seems to be interested to do anything meaningful in this assault on landscaping either. Perhaps by the time this is published, someone will assist the community to have this travesty against the community restored to its original beauty.

Books and Beds:A Memoir 

Submitted By: Phyllis Nash

I was educated in public school with the Dick & Jane readers. These books did not make for quickly turned pages, but did help us learn to read. About the most exciting part that I remember was when Ned baked potatoes under a pile of burning leaves. I’ve never tried this because I would have as likely had burned potatoes. Ned must have known how to bank the fire. My dad was an expert at banking the coal stove fire. It is not as easy as one would think. It was not uncommon to have the fire go out and have to be started again in the cold morning, but my dad was a master and his fires never went out.

My favorite schoolbook was the health book. What I liked so much about that book was the Art Nouveau colors: sepia, orange, rosy pink and a shade of pale yellow that reminded me of vanilla. I’d always wish for a bed like the child in the health book. The child’s bed was a little like a medieval type of bed—it had drapes one could close around the bed. I think I read a book about Ireland, which had a similar bed. The bed was in a little alcove and there was a door that could be closed for privacy. No troubles if company came; just close the drapes or the door. I’ve never seen a real bed like that so I take comfort in remembering the one in the grade school Health book.

One other bed that I keep in my mind was in an “Architectural Digest Magazine.” That one was many thousands of dollars and way out of my league, but I liked the bed in the health book just as much.

Garfield Park Events for July - August 2009

Garfield Park Hours:

Burrello Family Center, 2345 Pagoda Drive

Mon. 9:30am-9:00pm Tues. 11:00a-9:00pm Wed. 9:30am-9:00pm Thurs.

11:00am-9:00pm Fri. 9:30am-8:00pm Sat. 9:30a-4:30p

Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive

Mon. Closed, Tues. 1:00p-5:00pm Wed. 1:00p-5:00pm

Thur. 1:00pm-5:00pm Fri. 1:00p-5:00pm Sat. 10:00am-5:00pm Sun.

1:00p-5:00p

Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive

Mon.-Sat. 10:00am-5:00pm Sun. 1:00p-5:00p

Sunken Gardens

10:00am-5:00pm 7 days a week

To sign up for any of the following activities at Garfield Park, you can call Indy Parks at 317-327-PARK or visit the Burrello Family Center at the park. A registration form is located on the website for Indy Parks as well.

Club Meetings

The following clubs have their meetings at the Garfield Park Conservatory and are open to the public:

Garfield Park Conservatory

• Central Indiana Orchid Society • Circle City Aquarium Club • Garfield Park Master Gardeners

• Indianapolis Bonsai Club • Indy African Violet Society

Please call 317-327-7580 for meeting dates and times.

Arts Events and Classes

Friday Lunchtime Concert Series

July 11, 11:30a-1:30p, FREE

The Tides will perform in the Park as part of the summertime concert series.

Thursday Night Pops - McAllister Center

Every Thursday July 9-August 20, 7pm, FREE

July 9 – Pride Jazz Band July 16 – Municipal Band July 23 – Athenaeum Orchestra

July 30 – Municipal Band Aug 6 – Athenaeum Orchestra Aug 13 – Pride of Indy Band

Aug 20 – Cathy Morris Aug 27 – Athenaeum Orchestra

Creative Kids! After School Arts Programs

Ages 8-14, Aug 12-Dec. 17, On IPS School Days, 4-6p, FREE

This unique after-school program centers on hands-on activities, multicultural themes and the interests of the participants. Movement programming will feature Brazilian Capoeira, music programming will highlight African drumming, visual arts programming will include instruction in ceramics and theatre programming will explore acting and creative drama.

Indiana Photographic Society

All Ages, Ongoing, Wed., FREE

This special club for photographers, photo-historians and enthusi¬asts meets every Wednesday evening.

Topics covered and activities will include photo critique, review, survey of techniques and hands-on

instruction. Special guests will make presentations throughout the series.

Garfield Poetry Circle – Garfield Park Arts Center

All Ages, July 19 and Aug 16, 3pm, FREE

Come join the Garfield Poetry Circle to share your appreciation and poetic expression or read your own

poetry. We learn more about the experiences around us through the artistry and beauty of words and

language. Simply come to listen to your favorite poetry or to share your favorites. Bring your own poems if

you wish to read.

Garfield Park Arts Center Drum Circle

All Ages, Aug. 1, Sat., 5-8pm, FREE

From funk and soul to African and Middle-Eastern, there’s a rhythm for every person, mood and attitude.

Bring your drum or other percussion instrument and let loose through the rhythm of drumming, chanting,

dance or whatever anyone brings! Don’t have a drum? Bring your coffee cans, wooden boxes, water bottles or other improvised or homemade instruments. Or just come to listen and dance to the high energy grooves. All are welcome regardless of age or experience. Feel free to arrive and depart at any time during the evening.

Central Indiana Youth Barbershop Chorus

Ages 12-18, Ongoing, Wed., 6:45-8:45, FREE

The Central Indiana Youth Chorus is a chorus of young men and women ages 12-18 who sing 4-part a

cappella barbershop music. The chorus meets every Wednesday from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at the Garfield

Park Arts Center, 2332 Conservatory Drive. For more information, call 474-1637 or visit www.ciybc.org.

Summer Workshops at Arts Center (All workshops require a min. of 5 participants)

Intermediate and Advanced Drawing Workshop

Ages 18+, July 25-Aug. 22, Sat., 10a-Noon, 5 classes, $70

This class offers a thorough examination of drawing using various techniques and drawing mediums. It will

enhance students’ basic understanding of light, form, perspective, and composition through the study of still

life and landscapes.

Portrait Painting Workshop

Ages 18+, July 25-Aug. 22, Sat., 12:30-2:30p, 5 classes, $75

This class focuses on fostering a greater understanding of human anatomy and facial structure, and how

to translate that under¬standing onto a two-dimensional surface in both drawing and painting mediums.

Students will work from live models.

Cultural Art for Kids Workshop

July 28 or Aug. 11, Tues, 10a-Noon, 1 class, $20

This class will allow students to explore a diverse range of cultural arts in a variety of fun and challenging

projects. These projects will utilize 2 and 3 dimensional art mediums, while introducing the students to a

wide array of indigenous art forms such as Aboriginal painting and African mask making.

Anime and Manga Workshop

July 22-Aug. 19, Wed., 6-9p, 5 classes, $83

Learn to draw in the style of Japanese animation and comics. Subjects that will be covered include expressions, body forms and posing, basics of assembling stories, character design, coloring, and

introduction to digital media.

Mixed Media for Kids or Families

Ages 6+. Multiple times, dates and cost. Please call arts center for

details. (317) 327-7066

Families or individual kids will learn and experiment using mixed-media techniques to create two dimensional artwork. A variety of themes will be explored utilizing a combination of drawing, painting,

collage, construction and more. Class fee covers both days and all materials.

Mask-making for Kids or Families

Ages 6 to Adult, July 29-31, W,F, 9:30-11:30a, 2 classes, $25

Students will create masks based on ideas and characters that interest them or by learning several techniques in different media, including paper mache and fiber with paint, tissue paper and other materials.

Class fee covers both days and all materials.

Basic Drawing from a Comic Book Perspective

Ages 7-11, Aug. 4-7 or 11-14, T-F, Noon-2p, 4 classes, $42

Learn basic drawing uses of line, shape, space, color, texture and value through comic books. Make zooming rockets, invent your own characters, and develop your own silly or serious story lines using

basic drawing tools such as charcoal, markers, pencil and colored pencils! Class fee covers both days and all materials.

Puppet Camp

Ages 5-8, Aug 3-7, M-F, 9a-Noon, 5 classes, $90

Children in this camp will make a variety of puppets, including marionette, hand and rod! Campers will present a spectacular show for parents, siblings and friends on the last day of camp. Just a few of

the skills learned will include tracing, cutting, painting, gluing and sanding.

Mask-making to the Extreme

Ages 7-11, Aug 4-7 or 11-14, T-F, 9:30-11:30a, 4 classes, $47

In this class learn why artists make masks by exploring real life works of art. Then have fun making your own masks using materials like paper mache, colorful tissue paper, feathers, mosaic squares, beans,

beads, and glitter. Use foiling metal to create an African inspired mask. Create a total of four different masks! Class fee covers both days and all materials.

Fantasy Painting

Ages 7-11, Aug 4-7 or 11-14, T-F, 2:30p-4:30p, 4 classes, $50

Have fun with watercolor, tempera paint, and water pencils. Construct a robot, make rain, fly upon a shooting star in outer space, roar like a lion or gallop like a horse…the possibilities of paint are

endless! Class fee covers both days and all materials.

Make Your Own Stamps

Ages 13+, Contact the Arts Center for time, date, and cost. (317) 327-7066

Learn how to make your own stamps! In session one, we will convert some everyday items and some inexpensive art supplies into stamps. Then in session two, you will learn to use photopolymer sheets to make

stamps. All necessary tools are supplied by the instructor.

Make a Chakra Necklace

Ages 13+, 7/12, 7/26, 8/19, or 8/23, Sun., 2-4p, 1 class, $23

Learn the basics of stringing necklaces and bracelets, including using the proper beading wire and the application of crimps. In this class you will string a necklace using gemstone chips in the chakra colors.

All necessary tools are supplied by the instructor.

A Charming Charm

Ages 12+, Aug 6 or 27, TH, 6-9p, 1 class, $29

Make a charm for you or a special friend. You will start with a small lump of metal clay, and then you will roll it out and cut out a shape. Once shaped as a charm, you write or draw your special symbol or word on it. We will then fire it in the kiln and it will emerge from the kiln as a fine silver (99.9% pure silver) charm. All necessary tools are supplied by the instructor.

Carving Your Own Stamp

Ages 12+, Aug 13-20, TH, 6-8:30, 2 classes, $39

In this class you will learn about the tools and materials for carv¬ing your own stamps in erasers and other soft carving materials. We will start by carving some small stamps which can be used to add symbols, such as stars, hearts, or exclamation points to scrap book pages, journals, greeting cards, or letters. Then, we will sketch and carve both small and large stamps. All necessary tools are supplied by the instructor.

Monster Time

Ages 6-18, Aug.4-6, Tues & Thurs, 2-5p, 2 classes, $36

Make two cute or scary monsters in this class. Students will learn how to use and bake polymer clay and create a pattern for sewing. End products will be one soft, hand-sewn plush and one polymer clay sculpture. Class fee covers both days and all materials.

Nature and Gardening

Jungle Tales – Garfield Park Conservatory

Ages 2-5, July 14 or Aug 11, 10:00a-11:00a or 3:00-4:00p, $2

This program focuses on a different nature-related topic each month. Activities may be messy and might be outside. Dress appropriately. A parent is expected to stay with each child.

Froggy Fun – Garfield Park Conservatory

Ages 5-10, July 25, Sat., 10:30-11:30a, $3

Join us for a look into the world of theses croaking creatures. See live toads and frogs from the tropics and from Indiana and create some frog slime of your own.

Scavenger Hunt – Conservatory and Gardens

All Ages, Every Thursday in July, 4-6pm, FREE

Stop by the Conservatory and pick up our Family Scavenger Hunt. This hunt will send you all over the Conservatory and Gardens. Bring your finished hunt back and receive a prize! Hunts must be returned during scheduled times in order to receive a prize.

Beautiful Butterflies – Garfield Park Conservatory

All Ages, Aug. 22, Sat., 10:30-Noon, FREE

Stop by the Conservatory to learn more about these winged creatures and explore the Garden for caterpillars and butterflies. Get some tips on attracting butterflies to your own yard.

Family Bee Day – Garfield Park Conservatory

All Ages, Aug. 2, Sun, 2-3:30p, FREE

Come learn about the fascinating world of bees and beekeeping. Join a real beekeeper and explore bee biology. See how honey is extracted and taste a sample.

The Many Uses of Herbs – Garfield Park Conservatory

All Ages, July 25, Sat., 1:30-2:30p, $5

Learn about herb gardening and the many uses of popular herbs.

Fitness and Sports/Games

Senior Card Club

Ages 50+, 2nd and 3rd Fri. of each month, 1-3pm, FREE

Senior Scrabble

Ages 50+, Tuesday, 5:30-8:30p, FREE

For more information contact Jerry Miller, 736-7472.

Supervised Playground and Summer Lunch Program

All Aged Children, Through Aug. 1, M-F, 10a-4p, FREE

Activities include recreational games, sports, arts and crafts and swimming. This program focuses on respect, integrity, caring, harmony, excellence and responsibility. A free lunch will be offered daily. This is a drop-in program, no registration required.

Aquatics

Parent/Tot Water Adjustment Class

Ages 6mos-36mos, July 20-30, M-TH, 6:15-6:45, 8 classes, $34

Parents will learn progressive skills to help tots feel comfortable and secure in the water. Topics and skills include: water exploration and games, blowing bubbles, kicking, floating and water safety awareness. We require children who are not potty trained to wear either a swim diaper or tight-fitting plastic pants with elastic legs over diaper.

Preschool Water Adjustment Class

Ages 3-5, July 20-30, M-TH, Multiple times, 8 classes, $34

Children will enjoy learning introductory and progressive swimming skills in small groups using games and interactive play. Topics and skills include: putting face in water, blowing bubbles, beginner stroke, front and back floats and water safety awareness.

Learn to Swim

Ages 6-14, July 20-30, M-TH, Multiple times, 8 classes, $34

Designed for school-age children to learn and improve basic swimming skills. Students are evaluated in the first class and placed in the group best suited to their skill and water adjustment level. Progressive swim skills include: front and back float and glide, flutter kick, rhythmic breathing and front crawl. Water safety skills and awareness are stressed and practiced. All students will receive a progress card noting skill

achievements. Students who successfully pass all skills at their respective level will receive an American Red Cross certificate card.

Water Aerobics

Ages 18+, July 20-Aug 7, MWF, 9:30-10:30a, 9 classes, $25

Aqua-X is a great workout for all adults. The water provides support for the body, adds resistance, and lowers stress on the joints.

Indy in Motion - Garfield Park Burrello Family Center

Ages 18+, Ongoing, MWF, 5:30-6:30pm, FREE

Indy in Motion is a total fitness and health program initiative through the Marion County Health Department. There will be incentive awards for regular participation in activities. All activities are free. For more information, call 221-3122.