Southeast Square News Interactive

This Summer Plan a Block Clean Up on Your Street-

2010-07-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

This month as part of my community project for school, I decided to organize a block clean up. With the help of my neighbors we made our block even better. I walked door to door and talked to my neighbors about doing the clean up and picked a time that worked for the most people. I got trash bags and gloves from Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. I brought out snacks and drinks if people got hungry or thirsty. I got some tools from the garage. Many of my neighbors also brought out tools like shovels and wheel barrows. My neighbor Brad let us use his truck to put trash, weeds, and dirt in, this helped a lot. After an afternoon of hard work we had a party to celebrate the success of a clean street. It was really a lot of fun and we all feel better having done it.
Sam Ryan

Study Circle Focuses on Poverty

2010-07-30T07:27:00.002-07:00

Recently a group of residents of the Southeast joined together to form a study circle with the topic being poverty. The Southeast was home to nearly 25,000 residents as of the 2000 Census. Of these neighbors, one in four lives below the poverty level, creating many needs and opportunities for support (Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center).
“Poverty is like the elephant in the room in the Southeast,” says Angie Calvert, co-facilitator and host of the circle. “It’s obvious it exists here, but people don’t usually want to talk about it.” Having spent her childhood in poverty, she knew it was an isolating condition that was hard to escape. When Angie was presented with the opportunity to start a Study Circle poverty was something she had wanted to talk about openly with a group of fellow residents interested in the same topic. She used the grant from the Making Connections Study Circle program to host discussion meetings over several months. Participants were Rob Uppencamp, Greg and Becky Besser, Ryan and Trish VanHoy, Michelle Chenoweth, Rodney Benifield, Kate Voss, John Loftlin, Carmen DeRusha, and Tori Calvert (Facilitator).
During the first session, the group identified what poverty looks like in the Southeast. Members of the group came up with a variety of answers, ranging from lack of economic education to no job opportunities. The discussion identified a question that continued to present itself throughout the later circle meetings: What exactly is poverty? The group eventually came up with a definition they could all agree on. They defined poverty as the inability to meet ones basic needs.
The second session was geared around envisioning our community without poverty. The group envisioned our community as a safe, clean, visible, green place with no police brutality and more quality education. The group came up with the following top five visions of what our community would look like without poverty: a culture of civic engagement and civic mindedness, well-informed, educated, and critical thinkers, flourishing eco-friendly infrastructure, safe and secure, and core set of basic needs are met for everyone.
The third discussion topic was the views that exist about the causes of poverty. The members discussed views that were identified both from the group and from the study circle help guide. The group talked about possible causes, such as economic inequality from birth, class segregation created by physical barriers (the interstate), lack of personal responsibility, and bad policy making. "As a facilitator, I was neutral throughout the discussion and didn't add my opinions. It was eye-opening to hear what others thought about poverty in Southeast - especially when we discussed the current picture and causes of poverty,” Tori Calvert says about the study circle. “The topic that most interested me was teen pregnancy, and it would be very interesting to hear what teens think about our ideas" she adds. The group settled on the number one cause of poverty in the Southeast as the lack of support people living in poverty experience.
Focusing on the topic of lack of support, the forth sessions discussion was about what they could do to help build support in the area. The group discussed many ideas, like starting a community garden, starting a non-profit that addressed poverty in a more social aspect, and creating resource kiosks throughout the southeast. Before settling on an action item, the group visited the Ki EcoCenter, a non-profit organization addressing poverty issues by providing youth based empowerment, involvement and development. The group also met with Jim Mulholland, Southeast Community Building Coordinator, to discuss what kind of things the community could best benefit from.
The study circle group decided to implement celebratory events in areas where they can find a few residents who would like to see more engagement in their neighborhood. The group is hoping the events will spur interaction, thus build social and economic support through building relationships. The events will have entertainment as well as resource information. The group is also considering making a documentary short video that explains how the idea of the events originated. “Finally, a group of people willing to step up and address something that has been an issue and overlooked for so long”, says Rob Uppencamp, study circle participant. “I am proud to be involved with this group and excited about the impact it could have. This has been one of the most encouraging and involved groups I have been associated with. This type of involvement is what study circles were intended to promote.”
If you would like to participate in the planning process of the events or would like an event to happen on your block, contact Angie Calvert at angie@sendcdc.org or 317-634-5079 ext.101.

Fountain Square Library Threatened With Closing

2010-07-30T07:27:00.001-07:00

In April, the Board of the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library announced a plan to close the Fountain Square branch as part of a cost cutting effort. This plan involved closing the Martindale Brightwood and Glendale branches in December of 2010 followed by the Flanner House, West Indianapolis, Spades Park and Fountain Square branches in December of 2011.

In response, many Southeast neighborhood leaders began to meet locally and with leaders from other neighborhoods to challenge these closings. They began to plan strategy designed to highlight how crucial each of these branches are to the city neighborhoods in which they sit. These efforts led to a campaign to Save Our Libraries. This group established various facebook pages, a website at stoplooklisten.org, a letter writing effort, and other activities.

On Saturday, May 8th, volunteers stood at the doors of many of the township libraries passing out flyers to encourage those patrons to see the closing of these branches as a city wide concern. One of the inequities of the Board proposal to close six branches was the perception the Library was balancing its budget on the backs of the poorest residents of our city.

On Monday, May 10th, fifty Fountain Square residents attended the public hearing at the IMCPL service center. Though many of them were unable to get inside the building, the presence of over 300 people for this hearing demonstrated the deep passion of many about the closings. On Tuesday, May 11th, Mayor Ballard pledged to find a “short term solution” to the Library crisis, but gave no details on how this solution would be funded.

On Wednesday, June 9th, many neighborhood residents brought lawn chairs and books and filled the sidewalks of Fountain Square in a demonstration of how important our branch is to our neighborhood. These residents were excited to hear that the Library Board was postponing their final decision on the closings until their July 8th meeting.

Much of the solution to this crisis involves finding a more sustainable and reliable source of long range funding for our library system. John Day, State Representative, has promised to propose legislation that would allow Marion County to utilize County Income Tax to help fund our libraries, something only Marion County isn’t allowed to do. In addition, many are suggesting that the property tax cap advocates have created this crisis. Regardless, what seems clear to many is that a world class city doesn’t close libraries.

Fountain Square Arts Council- Art Parade

2010-07-30T07:26:00.001-07:00

Who doesn’t love a parade? The Fountain Square Arts Council knows that in the south east we do. This year’s Fountain Square Art Parade will be held on Saturday September 18th in conjunction with the Fountain Square Art Fair and Masterpiece in a Day.
Last year the FSAC moved ahead with the 1st annual Art Parade on July 4th despite the weather. Of the 50 registered entries for the parade, over half showed up to show their support of the event, and residents of the community stepped out with umbrellas and rain gear to watch the parade.
Artists with specialties in all areas, as well as neighborhood residents, community organizations and leaders, schools and churches who wish to share visual and performing arts are encouraged to participate in this one of a kind celebration of public art. The FSAC was inspired last year by groups like Friends of Fact, Norwood, I’CAN, the Libertarian party, and Herron Art Students who were in full parade attire to march on even with rain falling consistently throughout the day.
Be sure to include the parade as a fun and interactive free experience for the entire family as part of your September. Come early and watch as artists create one of a kind works of art, or wander through the Fountain Square Art Fair. Stick around after the parade to grab dinner at one of the many destination restaurants in Fountain Square. Information on how you or your group can participate can be found at www.FSartscouncil.org. There will be no cost for you or your group’s parade entry and submissions. We look forward to seeing what this year will bring for the Art Parade. Questions? Interested in learning more? Please email fsacouncil@yahoo.com

Alabama Transformation Begins

2010-07-30T07:21:00.000-07:00

For nearly eighteen months, residents of the 1500 block of Alabama Street have been meeting to dream, plan, and work toward the transformation of their esplanade and street. This partnership between Southeast Neighborhood Development and the Bates Hendricks Neighborhood Association is designed to replicate the award winning efforts on New Jersey Street.

In May, historic lighting was added to the esplanade and several houses received repairs and painting. In June, twenty-five trees and many flowers and other plants were added to the esplanade. In July, the city of Indianapolis will add a plaza, rain gardens, an art circle and other amenities to the south end of the esplanade. Once this is complete, permanent public art will be added to the plaza. SEND will also be rehabbing one house and making repairs on several others. All of these efforts are designed to build a stronger community on Alabama Street.

Why put a Parolee Center in a Residential Neighborhood?

2010-04-09T06:46:00.001-07:00

By Jan Fiscus, a concerned neighborhood resident

During the winter, Indiana Department of Corrections quietly moved the Women's Detainee Center out of 512 Minnesota. Just as quietly, they moved in the Parolee Center where 2,900 parolees will report to weekly. The Women's Detainee Center housed women and did not significantly contribute to the neighborhood's foot traffic or exposed increased risks for Bates-Hendricks children. Now that the Parolee Center #3 was moved into 512 Minnesota, there is increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic that contributes to safety concerns for the children. IPS Garfield Phoenix Elementary School #31 is within 650 feet of this Parolee Center. Neighborhood children will be walking home to/from school and playing in the same areas as ex-offenders waiting for buses. Is this the influence that we want in any residential neighborhood? Residents of Southeast support 'second chances' for ex-offenders, but do not believe that densely populated residential neighborhoods are the place for rehabilitation.
Why would Indiana Department of Corrections put our children's safety at risk with this influence? It generally all boils down to money and IDOC owns the building at 512 Minnesota. Residents believe that IDOC is a government agency that needs to relocate out of any residential neighborhood, not just ours. Prior to Bates-Hendricks neighborhood, IDOC was pressured to leave another working class neighborhood. Now, residents want them to leave all residential neighborhoods. There are many vacant industrial offices downtown or in non-residential neighborhoods that would be better options.

To learn more come to the next meeting at Immanuel Church of Christ, corner of Morris and East Street, on April 12th 6:30-7:30 pm. This will be our second gathering concerning the Parolee Center and we encourage all to join us whether you are a Bates-Hendricks neighbor, or just someone that cares about children's safety.

Southeast Community Services Senior Center has New Coordinator

2010-04-09T06:45:00.000-07:00

By Merelaine Haskett

A local, long time resident of Fountain Square, as well as an avid neighborhood activist and supporter, Elaine Cates, is now the new Southeast Community Services Senior Center Coordinator. Elaine has been an employee of the Southeast Community Services Center for several years, and is very familiar with neighborhood resources and families. She moved from the position as Employment Specialist to Southeast Community Services Senior Center Coordinator in January 2010.
Many adjustments are being made due to funding which has changed, such as the catered hot $2.00 lunch with CICOA (Central Indiana Council on Aging) services had to discontinue the Thursday meals from April to June. Elaine discussed with the group of seniors what they would like to do. No one wanted to close the center that day. They have decided to have an Easter pitch-in lunch with ham for the April 1 meeting. Other plans for meals on Thursdays consist of trying out a few new places to eat, having a brown bag lunch, and a picnic-in-the-park.
The Southeast Community Services Senior Center, has had a successful first dance with 7 guest centers and a total of 75 persons attending the St. Patrick’s Day Dance. Special guests appeared as a surprise. “Diana Ross” impersonated by Jeniece Fleming, and her friend, Vincent Jordan, impersonated “Smokey Robinson” to delight the crowd. Jeniece Fleming is also on the staff of Southeast Community Services as Youth Program Coordinator. A great time was had by all of those present.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, each week, offers energetic exercise classes for the seniors, taught by Debra Richardson who has a studio on Woodlawn Avenue.
They are making good use of a Christmas gift, which is a Wii (pronounced wee) with a bowling activity. There are five University of Indianapolis Students working with the seniors on this activity. The faces of each senior will be placed on a bowling character with the Wii program and they will have a bowling competition using the Wii characters. The students were able to involve every senior. Even those who often think they can’t participate did so with this activity. Other activities vary depending on the season and the time of year. Currently, activities include crafts and special speakers. For Easter the group enjoyed decorating Easter eggs and a visit from a real Easter Bunny (in costume).
Any senior 55 years or older in the Fountain Square area is welcome to come see our center, eat a lunch with us, and join up with this active group. For more information, call 236-7400 x233.

Calendar and Commercial Parking

2010-04-09T06:40:00.000-07:00

The most recent projects of the Southeast Learning Partnership, SELP, concern the community calendar and a survey of parking in the Fountain Square commercial district. The calendar, funded by Making Connections Indianapolis, provides an up-to-date resource for regular and special events in the Southeast area of Indianapolis. Listed events include monthly neighborhood meetings, educational courses, and special activities for children and families. Although Making Connections Indianapolis has managed the community calendar in the past, SELP, whose members are residents/partners in this area will be publishing the resource now. The calendar benefits many groups in the southeast. Community organizations receive free marketing for their events, and the printed version of the calendar can be especially useful for residents who don’t have consistent access to the internet. The calendar is published every month. Those who wish to submit information for the calendar should contact Scott at southeast.community.calendar@gmail.com. Pick up copies of the community calendar through out the commercial district along Virginia Avenue, Shelby Street, Prospect Street, East Street, State Street and the Twin Aire retail strip. Copies will also be sent to schools and Neighborhood Association Presidents as well as Garfield and Bethel Park.
Southeast Neighborhood Development Corporation, (SEND) requested the survey of parking available in the Fountain Square commercial district. The survey provided counts and categorized the supply of parking available in the area. The survey will be incorporated into a larger parking study by Development Concepts, Inc. (DCI) to better use existing parking and to plan for future demand.
The study will:
· Identify where additional parking is needed and can be accommodated.
· Assist to reduce parking conflicts between the Fountain Square commercial district and surrounding neighborhoods.
· Benefit the overall area by increasing attractiveness to business, patrons and residents.
· Identify a strategy for implementing a comprehensive parking strategy for Fountain Square.

This project was completed over several days in the middle of February 2010. Generally parking on-street, off-street, and in private/restricted areas were counted along Virgina Avenue from the Interstate to the fountain, along Shelby from Pleasant Street to the Interstate overpass, along Prospect Street from the Interstate to State Street, and along Woodlawn Street. The results numbered 2,961 parking spaces in this area. For more information about the use of this project, contact Bryan Conn at SEND. This project fits into SELP’s purpose through the organization and collection of data.
The SELP meets on the second Monday evening of every month at 5 PM on the second floor of the SECS building at 901 Shelby St. All people interested in the progress of Southeast Indianapolis are welcome to attend. Snacks and childcare are provided. For more information, contact Jerry Keys, chairperson at southeastorganizer@gmail.com.

By Susan Beauchamp
beauartnow@yahoo.com

The Vegetable Juice Can Massacre

2010-04-09T06:39:00.000-07:00

By Phyllis Nash

I had a difficult time last week. All I wanted to do was pour some V-8 juice over two stuffed peppers. Since I try to go vegetarian as much as I can, this is one of my favorite dishes along with tofu stir-fry with fried rice.
The expression, “No wine before its time.” makes for successful dining, but shabby kitchen gadgets couldn’t care less and they like to fail at the worst time and sour an other wise gala event.
We’d never gotten a superior can opener or vegetable peeler for years, nor did my Mom or Dad. I remember the difficulty that my Mom went through with her can opener. It had a wooden handle with red paint peeling off and a claw on the end. One levered it up and down around to can to open it. I still have a metal opener with a claw that might punch a hole in a milk can in a pinch.
I don’t know of a household today that never had a metal can opener with the rotary wheel that turned while one cranked around the handle. These work a while and likely keep people from starving for lack of open cans, but they will eventually freeze up too—for spite, I always suspect. There must be legions of them in landfills, secreted away in the backs of drawers. Maybe in frustration they have been flung violently out of vehicle windows into cornfields or even tossed into out houses.
I ardently hoped for a less inferior opener and peeler, so I was pleased when my oldest son got me an electric can opener that worked well until it wore out!
Before Indy became my home, my husband had gotten me a pair of wonderful manual openers from a thrift sore. We only needed to use one of them, which we mounted on the side of wooden cabinet. It cranked easily and never wore out. Possibly I have them somewhere, but don’t know if they should be mounted on a metal cabinet. My youngest son was dubious about an electric opener from a thrift store. He thought that I could only use it temporarily.
I’ve heard that a couple of prison inmates invented the pop-top cans, so for a time now openers are rarely needed. Whoever it was that invented the pop top cans saved home cooking from becoming extinct. If not for these pioneers, cooks enmasse would have left their kitchen stoves and country to visit Borneo or some other country or at the least hole up at Wal-Mart never to return home! Many times I’ve given up on a can or jar and just fixed something else!
So going back to the stuffed pepper supper day, it turned out to be a long evening. Somehow I’d failed to position the 64 oz. juice can properly underneath the opener. It only pushed the can and would do no more than open a small hole. I next turned the can upside down, hastily sticking a bowl underneath the can as the juice squirted into the sink and I pushed the lever. The opener whined and got stuck on the can and wouldn’t release no matter how I pushed and pulled. I got most of the juice out of the can, through the small hole, but it was tough going. Eventually, I got the peppers prepared and refrigerated them. The juice can stayed stuck on the opener all night.
My son came over next day and easily released that can. I pushed the lever and the opener missed a few beats like it always does, but then it made cooperating noises after the rough start. Funny how I’m soothed by knowing the opener seems to be rejuvenated and that I can keep it!
The stuffed peppers turned out well, but no one but me seems to like vegetarian Mexican rice stuffed peppers with pepper jack cheese.
Now, whenever possible, I buy pop-top cans. It used to be that was all one needed. I want to avoid buying a “soda can opener’, which was advertised as “a safe easy way to lift pull-tabs!” God knows that I’ve tried, but a tin can lid graze and cut stings and can take forever to stop bleeding, just like a paper cut! Not to mention plastic and cardboard container packaging that can cripple a person trying to open them!
Things are looking up though. There is something out called a “jar opener” being sold in hardware and building supply stores. More and more Aladdin like packages can be opened like magic! Many more times when I pull up the plastic tab on the half & half carton or the bleach bottle it lifts neatly off the container oftener instead of separating from the seal (whereby one has to poke with a spoon handle to get at the product.) I find comfort that all can be opened for now!

Keeping Pleasant Run....Pleasant

2010-04-09T06:38:00.001-07:00

By Kelli Mirgeaux

The Pleasant Run Greenway Trail, with its vast reach and connectivity to several community parks, is a southeast staple for residents to enjoy biking, walking, running, rollerblading and simply interacting with nature. However, unwelcome trash along the trail and in the stream and as well as an overgrowth of invasive plants limit the trail experience for pedestrians. As an extension of public space beautification efforts in the area, SEND formed a committee that solely focuses on Pleasant Run. The committee has several goals in place:
· Organize regular volunteer days to beautify the greenway
· Coordinate with IndyParks and City Maintenance
· Raise awareness of the greenway trail amenity and issues related to pollution of the stream
· Promote trail improvements during the re-purposing of the Citizen’s Gas Coke Plant and advocate for a connection with the Cultural Trail

Since the committee’s inception in 2007 there have been an average of 3 clean-ups per year, hundreds of trees and shrubs planted in the greenway and massive invasive plant removal efforts. In its most recent accomplishment, over 50 people from SEND, neighborhood residents, Indy Parks, and Community Courts worked together to clean up trash and plant of trees on March 20th. The next volunteer effort will be part of the White River Clean-Up on May 1. If you would like to get involved in the committee, it meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at noon in SEND offices. As always lunch is provided.

A New Reading Room for SENSE

2010-04-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

By Jamie Fahrner

Southeast Neighborhood School of Excellence (SENSE), a mayor sponsored charter school in the southeast, received one of six Ben Carson Reading Room Grants in Indianapolis. The Carson Scholars Fund (CSF) is a non-profit organization started by well-known pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson and his wife, Candy. Through CSF and its partners over 4,000 scholarships have been funded and more than 45 reading rooms. The funding for the six Indianapolis Reading Rooms has been provided by Indiana University’s Medical School and the Indianapolis Colts. The CSF reading rooms are places for children to kickback and enjoy reading. In one of Dr. Carson’s books, Gifted Hands, he wrote about how his life changed once he realized the joy of reading. Until receiving one of these grants, SENSE Charter School students did not have a comfortable relaxing space where they could independently read.
When the students found about this project, they wanted a voice in the future of their reading room. By an overwhelming vote, the students chose “Wonderland” as their theme. William Phillips, local artist and SENSE art teacher, definitely had a task ahead of him. After hearing more from the students about what they wanted “Wonderland” to look and feel like, his imagination took off. Mr. Phillips has turned an ordinary room into a place filled with wonder and creativity. With sloth-esque characters, fairies, and a dreamy eyed dragon reading books, his central mural has captured the original vision of “Wonderland.” Mr. Phillips stated that he is so excited to see what the kids think of this work. He is looking forward to them feeling like that they have been given a place that transports them to the fictional worlds they are reading about.
The SENSE Reading Room opened May 3, 2010. All six reading rooms in Indianapolis opened that day. Dr. Carson spoke via teleconference to each of the schools and answered questions from students. The Grand Opening was a celebration for SENSE as well as the community.

Gravy—Is it the State Beverage?

2010-04-09T06:35:00.001-07:00

by Chef Wendell Fowler

“By gosh, gravy is my downright birthright.”
Traditional, albeit fatty foods make us feel good…temporarily, at least. With its big round molecules, ethereal greasy gravy feels good on the tongue as it carries the meats flavors and luscious, rendered mammalian body fat. (Cue salivation)
If gravy was not on the Sunday table as we grew up, we whimpered in disappointment. Growing up I observed my beloved grandmother as she fried chicken in an Iron skillet, pulled out the browned pieces, tossed in a handful of flour, cooked and stirred the roux, added chopped organ meat, and finally milk to create thickened, creamy giblet gravy: delicious magic.
‘God's gravy’ describes juices that emanate from meat joints during roasting served; i.e., au jus, similar to what is served with Prime Rib. Gravy originated in England. It was described as a sauce made from greasy pan juices that naturally flow from meat and vegetables during cooking. Before the advent of refrigeration sauces were created to disguise the foul taste of partially decomposed meats.
When I see gravy today, I’m grateful for a 2008 NY Times article quoting the world’s most esteemed cardiac specialists warn that eating animal fat is tied to colon cancer as well as heart disease. Treating animals with varies types of man-made hormones, illegal and nefarious compounds are a widely accepted practice within the miscreant U.S. meat industry. Tasty hormone pellets are regularly inbred in virtually all cattle. There’s a mind-blowing amount of growth hormones, antibiotics, insecticides, DEA residue, and a nightmare of unnatural aberrant compounds used in animal husbandry and milking procedures. www.factoryfarming.com) Like heroin, DEA is now illegal, however, clandestinely obtained. These toxins are stored for life in body fat, so, the more body fat you have, the more charming cancer-causing toxins you're storing.
The New England Journal of Medicine, reports that 88,751 women from 34 to 59 years old filled out questionnaires describing their diet and medical history. The women, all nurses, were followed for six years, and 150 of them developed colon cancer. The more animal fat the women ate, the more likely they were to get colon cancer. Those eating the most animal fat were nearly twice as likely to develop colon cancer as those eating the least animal fat. Book em’, Danno.
The viscous medium drowned whipped potatoes, stuffing, and anything that impeded its forward flow. Sure, it’s cool to cheat for one day, but the long term damage from such a poisonous sauce made from saturated fat take time to surface. Are you prepared to expose your holy temple to such risks?
Grandpa freaked us out by pouring gravy onto his pie and cottage cheese. Grandpa succumbed to cancer. As more naughty toxins from food and environment accumulate in our body's jiggling fat tissue, sooner or later our holy temple reaches the point of diminishing returns in specific areas of the body. Literally, the body is so satiated with toxins throughout its fat cells that these specific areas of the body are unable to reproduce or regenerate normal cells; big time trouble.
Is it time to derail the Gravy Train? Keep what comes into your body in its purist state. Curtail your ability to store toxic chemicals in fatty tissue and promote the regeneration of normal, vigorous cells by eating an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies, drink plenty of pure water or fresh juices, eat foods which are low in animal fat and high in fiber, breathe clean air, stay trim and fit, and exercise regularly. That’s what the Cosmos intended.
If you would like Chef Wendell to address your group or organization call (317)-372-2592 and visit www.chefwendell.com

Trusted Mentors Moves to Southeast

2010-04-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

Trusted Mentors is a non-profit organization that uses the power of mentoring to help at-risk adults stabilize their lives and avoid homelessness. Now the agency has a new home in the Fountain Square neighborhood. Founded in 2003 as a program at Immanuel UCC, Trusted Mentors was launched to assist adults at-risk of homelessness by providing mentors to strengthen their support network. Preventing homelessness remains a key element in the agency’s mission, but in addition to expanding its office space, it has also expanded its mission to assist ex-offenders through mentoring.
Recognizing an opportunity to join the efforts to end homelessness, Jeri Warner serves as Executive Director at Trusted Mentors and says that the program is making a difference in the community. Though she notes that mentoring is usually seen as “youth-centered”, she believes that adult mentoring is just as effective. “Mentoring is highly valued in the corporate and professional worlds and our work is proving that mentors are just as important outside of a professional environment.”
Since 2003 the agency has grown to serve more than 125 at-risk adults from 12 different referral agencies across the city. By 2009, Trusted Mentors had outgrown its office space and found itself in search of a new home, and last July relocated to 872 Virginia Avenue in Fountain Square. A decision that Warner says has turned out to be a great fit. “Trusted Mentors is an up and coming organization and we’re excited to be in an up and coming neighborhood. We’ve already met some wonderful people and made some great connections and we look forward to growing in the Southeast community and involving our neighbors in our work. “
Trusted Mentors provides training for all of its mentors and hopes to develop its current location into a destination spot for mentors and mentees in the program; a place for them to share coffee, access the internet, and spend time together. “It’s important for people to have a place where they feel welcome, Warner said, “and we are in the right spot for that.” Trusted Mentors has bright future, much like the neighborhood it now calls home.
For more information about Trusted Mentors, visit their website www.trustedmentors.org, call the office at 985-5041, or stop by (872 Virginia Avenue).

OK…Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

2010-04-09T06:32:00.000-07:00

The last article, which I wrote about homelessness in this publication, wasn’t given any credit to the writer. The mayor’s office or the city of Indianapolis took credit for getting half of the homeless people who were driven out and away from the Davidson Street underpass into shelters. As a matter of fact, only one of these homeless neighbors went into shelters; most scattered to the wind in many directions into many neighborhoods.
I realize the political spin of the official statement. Don’t make our leaders look callous or ignorant. Certainly not! The truth is that many hard core homeless are those who are mentally ill, alcohol or drug addicted, or ex-felons. Most of these individuals do not want to go into shelters and are also not accepted by shelters.
Most of the night time shelters are crammed full and the people’s time there is short and restricted in several ways. One of the restrictions in Indianapolis is that the shelters are Christian backed and funded and all within must attend and follow all Christian programming. There aren’t non-denominational or secular night shelters. The Horizon House, a day shelter, is funded by United Way and is a secular resource, which assists and welcomes many people.
This writer shall continue to strive for more humane accommodations for the ill and addicted. They do not belong “out of sight, out of mind”, but where help can be provided.
I’ll be working with the Coalition for Homeless Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) to continue to provide resources for all our neighbors. The Homeless Connect event at the Indianapolis Convention Center on March 23, 2010 was an opportunity for over a thousand people to obtain services including counseling for employment, housing, mental health, physical health, veterans services, legal aid, and a lunch. Many organizations had representatives to assist our residents. I hope that this event can be repeated regularly. What can you do to help?

Richard Campi
beauartnow@yahoo.com

“Accurate census poll means cash for Indiana”

2010-04-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

The headlines in March 9th editions of The Indianapolis Star, screamed at me and since cash has a nice ring to it I read on. The article pointed out how the census count affects the amount of federal funding states and local governments receive. “About 27% of the federal funding Indiana gets each year is distributed on the basis of census figures. Indiana got $7.4 billion in census-related funding in 2008. About 47,000 Hoosiers were not counted and that cost the state more than $227 million in federal funding. Indiana ranked 41st on a per capita basis in census-related funding. The bulk of census-guided federal assistance goes to state governments, making it particularly important that states do what they can to ensure everyone is counted.”
“The state is focusing on populations that are particularly important to educate, such as college students. Indiana is the country’s second-largest net importer of college students and many students incorrectly think they are counted on their parents’ census form. A full-time student living on campus or elsewhere should complete a form and report that residence. Local community leaders need to get involved in promoting participation.”
“Medicaid, funded jointly by the state and federal government, is the largest source of federal funding tied to census figures. Highway and other transportation funding is next, followed by housing programs and education grants.”
The Census is seeking people who would like to work on collecting information. For further information call 1-866-861-2010 or www.2010censusjobs.gov.

Flavors of the Southeast Side, by Claire Norton

2010-04-09T06:29:00.000-07:00

Adding to the growing list of international cuisines offered in downtown Fountain Square, the newly opened Red Lion Grog House brings a taste of old English fare. Located in the historic Murphy Building, this revamped space nestles in nicely with its surroundings. With its comfortable atmosphere and kind, easy service some might be fooled into thinking it’s been around forever.

In addition to the widescreen TVs that televise all major sporting events, this venue also offers live entertainment weekly. While a fine place to have a pint and watch a game, it’s also a great place for lunch or dinner with co-workers or friends.

The Red Lion’s hearty menu that boasts items like Shepherd’s Pie, Fish and Chips and Bangers and Mash causes ordering to be a feat. With so many rich entrees it’s hard to decide. But with a bar that serves a unique assortment of imported beers as well as fine wines, you might be wise to let your drink selection help choose the right meal for you.

Always believers in going all out when we eat, my husband and I selected the Shepherd’s Pie and the Chicken Pot Pie dinners. The rest of the gang ordered burgers and sandwiches and provided abundant raves for the hand-cut chips (and the rest of the meal, of course). As expected, the meals are heavy. The sauces are salty. There is plenty of meat and cheese on nearly every dish. Although probably not ideal for vegetarians, the Red Lion does offer a portabella sandwich and entrée options. The lone vegetarian among us loved her meal.

For a look at the menu and what’s on tap, visit the Red Lion Grog House online at www.RedLionGrogHouse.com.

United We Stand, Divided We Fall Off Broken Sidewalks

2010-04-09T06:28:00.001-07:00

In 2009, Jeff Miller, Fletcher Place resident and SEND Board member, spearheaded an assessment of every street and sidewalk in Southeast Indianapolis. What Jeff discovered was shocking. While 13% of the residential streets in Indianapolis were in disrepair, over 35% of streets in Southeast neighborhoods were in need of attention. While 25% of the sidewalks in the city were substandard, over 40% of the sidewalks in Southeast neighborhoods were missing or in need of replacement. These statistics proved what many Southeasterners have known for years – we’ve been neglected.

How can our neighborhoods be so far behind others? Why do some neighborhoods in Indianapolis receive governmental attention while others are allowed to disintegrate? How is it possible that the 30,000 residents of Southeast neighborhoods aren’t receiving the same service as those living in Meridian Kessler?

In fairness, the answer is complicated. Resources are limited. City officials blame the age of our infrastructure and the high cost of repair. They say their hands are tied. They don’t publically acknowledge other factors – the low voter turnout in our neighborhoods, a low homeowner rate and property tax base, and that we have few wealthy and connected residents. The truth is that we’ve been easy to ignore.

This is especially true when we don’t work together. The Southeast neighborhoods (Bates Hendricks, FACT, Fletcher Place, Fountain Square South, Irish Hill, North Square, SECO, Twin Aire, and WeCan) have all been successful at addressing minor issues within their boundaries. There are many dedicated, hard working people in all of these associations. Unfortunately, we have not always been very good at addressing major issues together. We have not spoken with a unified voice to City Hall.

However, in 2010, this may change. In January, neighborhood leaders began talking about how we can better work together. How can we pressure institutions and government officials to care about our broken streets and sidewalks? How can we identify other issues and problems we all share? How can we do this in a way that avoids the petty turf issues of the past? How do we hear each other and then speak with one voice? One possibility used by similar neighborhoods in other cities has been a neighborhood congress.

A neighborhood congress is a periodic gathering of anyone who lives, works, or cares about a specific neighborhood. It is a chance to celebrate accomplishments, acknowledge failures, identify arising concerns, and agree on unified action. It is an opportunity for people to speak and vote. It is a place where people can unite around certain actions. And the more who gather, the more powerful their voice.

On Thursday, April 22nd, from 7-9 p.m. at the Fountain Square Theatre Building, we will hold the first Southeast Neighborhood Congress. We’ll celebrate accomplishments like the sidewalk and street assessment. We’ll acknowledge efforts that have failed. We’ll discuss new concerns and consider further actions. For too long, the city of Indianapolis, local foundations, and institutions have ignored the plight of Southeast Indianapolis. It is time for that to change.

For more information about the neighborhood congress, contact Jim Mulholland at 503-5852. To view the street and sidewalk assessment, go to www.sendcdc.org/psinfrastructure.html.

901 Farmers Market Opens in May

2010-04-09T06:26:00.000-07:00

People are becoming aware of the types of food they eat, where it is grown and how it is transported to their local market. The availability of such information encourages health-conscious shoppers to seek locally-grown foods. Farmers markets give residents access to fresh produce and provides an outlet for local farms.
The 901 Farmers Market will be opening for its second year in the Fountain Square neighborhood. The Market will be open from noon-3pm on every other Sunday starting Sunday May 23rd, and continuing through October. It will be held in the Southeast Community Services Center parking lot at 901 South Shelby Street. Fresh and locally-grown produce, free-range eggs, annual and perennial plants, herbs, freshly baked desserts and artwork are among the items that will be for sale. A flea market will be held as well on and off throughout the summer season.
When planning your garden this year why not plant a couple more rows and sell it at the Market?! Artists are encouraged to sell their artwork too. Spaces are available for $10. For more information contact Kate Voss at 317.972.4988 or Terri Garcia at 317.236.7400.

Refresh Your Community

2010-03-31T07:41:00.000-07:00

In 2010 Pepsi is giving away millions of dollars and up to 32 grants each month to individuals, businesses and non-profits that want to better their community. These attainable grants for individuals with inspired ideas can be applied for online at www.refresheverything.com.

It takes an idea that will engage your community, an online application and the participation of your neighbors to vote your idea to the top. Collaborate with your neighbors and see if you can come up with inspired ideas for the Southeast side.

Indy Reads has Record Year in 2009

2010-01-26T07:45:00.000-08:00

(Indianapolis, IN) – In 2007, the first year that Indy Reads operated as an independent non-profit, the adult literacy organization provided free tutoring to 351 adults in Marion County. Now, just two years later, Indy Reads has more than DOUBLED their services.
“We’ve worked with 725 literacy and ESL students this year,” said Indy Reads Director of Programs, Tom Miller, “plus there are another 125 who used our Literacy Labs.”
“This is extraordinary: 850 adults! We’ve helped more adults to read in Indianapolis than ever before in our 25 year history!” said Executive Director Travis DiNicola. Indy Reads began as a volunteer based organization and received not-for-profit status in 1984 and was a program of the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library until the end of 2006 when the organization became independent. “IMCPL remains our greatest partner in providing literacy services,” said DiNicola, “but by being independent, we are able to reach more adults in more communities than ever before. We could not have done this without the very generous help of all of our community partners and dedicated volunteers. Our newest program, providing Literacy Labs in neighborhood centers, jails, and IPS schools, helps us to reach even more adults who struggle with reading.”
The Literacy Lab program provides short-term services for clients, while also giving those clients access to long-term instruction. The Literacy Labs are located where the adult students live and work: in their neighborhoods, providing them the immediate help they need. Free labs are open at designated times, during which “Reading Coaches” volunteer to help adults with “tactical” or task-based reading, writing, and life-skill issues—such as applying for a job, reading a prescription, understanding their bills, and responding to letters from a landlord—as well as providing basic literacy tutoring, and assistance with preparing to take the GED.
Current Literacy Lab locations include: IPS’s John Hope Education Center, the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, the John H. Boner Community Center, Horizon House, LYN House, and Jail II, all in the IPS district, plus a lab at Northview Middle School in Washington Township. The next lab planned is for IPS #14 on Market Street.
Indy Reads 2009 student profile (does not include Literacy Labs):
Ages 18-99, average age being early 40’s
46% African-American, 21% Caucasian, 15% Hispanic, 6% Asian
55% women, 45% men
Average entry reading level – 3rd grade (grade level necessary to read a newspaper – 6th)
50% adult literacy students, 50% ESL students
45% of adult literacy students live in the IPS district
59% meet with their volunteer tutor in urban IMCPL branches serving IPS (more than one third of volunteers live in IPS).

“It’s great to see that we are providing services beyond Marion County now – that was something we could never do before we were independent,” said DiNicola. “The past three years have been inspiring. I’m especially pleased by a new partnership with Washington Township’s Adult Ed program, the Boone County Learning Network, where we train their volunteers, and by our ongoing partnership with IndyPendence JobCorps, providing tutoring to their young women. However, it is important to note that the largest numbers of Indy Reads students live within the IPS boundaries and are served by the IMCPL. This continues to be where the need is greatest. And, though we are helping more adults than ever before, there is a waiting list for our services. Our greatest need for 2010 continues to be more volunteers, and the funds to train them. People ask – why help adults – well, the answer is clear: you are helping to break the cycle. Almost all of our students are parents, and the number one reason a child won’t graduate from high school is if his mother can’t read. Improving adult literacy improves the quality of life for everyone in our community.”

Indy Reads is the only nationally accredited organization in Central Indiana which uses trained volunteers to provide free basic reading, writing, and life-skill instruction to adults through one-on-one tutoring, small group sessions, English as a Second Language instruction, and a Literacy Lab program at neighborhood centers. Indy Reads mission is to improve the literacy skills of adults in Central Indiana who read or write at or below the sixth grade level. Our goal is to “Make Indianapolis 100% Literate.” Visit www.indyreads.org for more information.

Scare in the Square, Rocky Horror Halloween a howling success

2010-01-26T07:44:00.000-08:00

The Fountain Square Merchants Association (FSMA) showed the neighborhood a frightfully good time with Scare in the Square on Halloween. More than 600 costumed trick-or-treaters, their families, and friends walked to 25 neighborhood businesses for candy and other goodies. Twenty two businesses sponsored the event by giving additional candy or money to the Merchants Association. FWSMA established Scare-in-the-Square-central in the Deano’s Vino parking lot. The Association gave away hundreds of treat bags, and hundreds of pounds of candy, peanuts, and apples, and poured out 20 gallons of cider for thirsty walkers.

Participating merchants included:

• Deano’s Vino
• IMPD South
• Liberty Tax
• Subway
• Buds Supermarket
• Salvation Army
• Fountain Square Bldg
• Virgil’s Barbershop
• Santorini Greek Kitchen
• IFD Station #3
• Fountain Foliage
• Hero House
• Maria’s Pizza
• Arthur’s Music
• Fountain Square Branch, Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library
• Indianapolis Downtown Antiques
• Luxor
• American Hardware
• Peppy Grill
• Siam Square
• Sam’s Silver Circle
• Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Company
• The Dugout
• Naisa Pan-Asian Café
• Indy Swank

2009 Treat Trail Sponsors:
• The Fountain Square Merchants Association
• Cops for Kids, Indiana State Police Alliance
• Green 3 Landscape Design
• Mike McCormick, CPA,
• Southeast Neighborhood Development
• Koehring & Sons
• Halstead Architects
• Mass Avenue Knit Shop
• Impact Group
• Biz on Fletcher
• Southeast Community Services
• Center for Environmental Management
• Claus German Sausage & Meats
• AV Framing Gallery
• Big Car
• National Alliance for Child Safety
• Daskalos Chiropractor
• Flowers on the Square
• Fountain Foliage
• The Brass Ring
• Fountain Square Theatre
• IndyES Productions

Scare in the Square was followed by Rocky Horror Halloween at the Fountain Square Theatre. Some 300 people came – some in costume – to watch two showings (one at eight, and one at midnight) of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. This was the first time for this FSMA event, which netted more than $1,000.

Neighbor Power! and GINI Two Successes for Our City

2010-01-26T07:38:00.000-08:00

More than 200 neighborhood leaders recently met to celebrate community accomplishments and ensure future success for the city at Neighbor Power! A Gathering to Inspire Greater Indy Neighborhoods at the University of Indianapolis.

The Southeast neighborhoods were well represented at Neighbor Power! — picking up multiple awards at an exciting ceremony on Oct. 16 and sending several leaders to present in workshops during the gathering on Oct. 17.

The Bates Hendricks Neighborhood Association won Neighbor Power’s new Inspiring Places Award or its no House Left Behind initiative identifies the worst abandoned homes and helps turn these properties into assets—making this neighborhood in the southeast side of Indianapolis an even better home for its residents. The award came with a $1,000 prize and a one-of-a-kind physical award created by SEND’s Kipp Normand.

Bates Hendricks and SEND also won a Collaborative Spirit Award presented by Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center for the 2008 Fab For Less project designed to enhance the 1400 and 1500 blocks of South New Jersey Street. This initiative engaged residents in visioning, planning and implementing a transformation of their two blocks and eventually leveraged more than a million dollars of investment.

A host of neighborhood leaders — many representing the Southeast — led workshops on a wide variety of topics, sharing their successes and finding connections with other leaders for future collaborations. Workshops covered topics from economic development innovations, to green development, to helping young people. One workshop even ended in a parade around the facility. Workshop leaders from the Southeast included Despi Mayes of the Bates Hendricks Neighborhood Association, Jeff Miller of Fletcher Place, Connie Zeigler of the North Square Neighborhood Association, Jerry Keys of the Pleasant Run Grocer, Elizabeth Ryan of the Fountain Square Arts Council, and Mark Stewart and Paul Baumgarten of SEND.

All in attendance enjoyed a moving keynote talk by Sacramento, Cal. mayor and former NBA standout Kevin Johnson. And Neighbor Power! included a session to brainstorm “what’s next” for neighborhoods and the city and concluded with a networking reception.

Now, everyone is invited to continue the conversations started at Neighbor Power! and sign-up for peer-to-peer networks on a variety of topics at www.greatyindyneighborhoods.org. If you missed it, videos of all of the workshop presentations will be available online in the coming months.

Children's Nutrition Begins with Parental Education

2010-01-25T13:48:00.000-08:00

Precious little one’s dietary needs are the same as they were 20 years ago; however, the food they eat is not. Today’s foods aren't even kissing health on the cheek. I submit, ‘Lunchables’. Alluringly marketed, this Anti-Christ of nourishment is laden with an un-Godly amount of salt, HFCS, synthesized fats, food colorings, nitrates and immune-depleting sugar.

Kids need 40 heavenly vitamins a day to grow mentally and physically. They require a variety of fresh, chemically-free food in its natural, cosmic wrapping. Today’s foods are nutritionally D.O.A.; devoid of their cosmic life force due to reckless industrial modification and ethical malnourishment..

Small adults require freshly prepared, pure whole foods primed with love; the key ingredient. Vulnerable bodies require quality materials, not holiday sugary treats, to grow big and strong with alert minds eager to absorb knowledge. Find time for preparing wholesome, balanced lunches, or find time for illness. Sugar profoundly depletes immune function.

It’s time for devoted parents to update their nutritional literacy. Time-strapped Mom’s and Dads’ lament the daily hassle of preparing healthy lunches. One child told me her parents gave her a Pop Tart and a can of Mountain Dew, kissed them goodbye, hastening them to the bus stop. The quandary? The Indiana State Board of Health warns, due to malnourishment, parents today will outlive their children. Before packing those recyclable brown bags with convenient, dead foods, caringly consider your choices. Are they based on personal convenience or your brood’s primary requirements?

The CDC states 1 in 200 rosy-cheeked kids under 18 are avoiding meat and embracing the earth-friendly vegetarian diet. Thanks to YouTube, animal slaughter videos have shocked the developing sensibilities of U.S. children. Kids raised vegetarian lower their risk of ‘Diabesity’, cancer, GI problems, and have steadfast immune systems. At the lease, cut back and make one home-dinner a week vegetarian night. The average family spends $4-5 K annually factory-farm produced meat.
Dust off the thermos for hearty vegetable and bean soups. Make a garden salad or whole grain pasta salad with vegetables mixed, walnuts and last night’s chicken breast. Pack a low-cal dressing separate and let them add it in.

Its critical children obtain adequate amounts of clean, locally produced protein, vitamins B 12 and D-3, iron, zinc, calcium and other nutrients most people get from meat, eggs and dairy. If they are uber-picky, provide youngsters with a food-based multi-vitamin-mineral supplement.

Your kids truly love you. Love them back responsibly with ‘good for you’ green eating behaviors.

Eat Right Now
Chef Wendell Fowler
Please visit: www.chefwendell.com

NEW STREET BLOCK CLUB SUCCESS

2010-01-25T13:33:00.000-08:00

Written by: Allen Janke

Even more is happening in the Bates Hendricks Neighborhood! Thanks to an IMAGINE grant through the city, this time the focus of neighborhood community leaders and volunteers was a section of the southeast quadrant. Specifically included this time was the area South of Iowa St., North of Beecher, and East of East St., West of Pleasant Run Parkway. This neighborhood has experienced a resurgence of involvement thanks to emerging neighborhood leaders and the strong overall planning of the Bates Hendricks Neighborhood Association and SEND.

The weekend of October 17th and 18th was a huge success thanks to the volunteer efforts of Bates Hendricks southeast quadrant neighbors, churches, and businesses. Heading up the planning of the nearly month long community event were the members of the New Street Block Club, formed in early 2007. A five 40 cubic yard dumpster event was designed by these members as the main component of an IMAGINE grant.

Creation of a successful IMAGINE grant project is all in the details leading up to the work. Word was spread for two of the four weekends leading up to the main beautification/clean up events. Flyers were distributed and banners were displayed to welcome neighbors to the big event weekend. On October 9 and 10, a large group led by the New Street Block Club cut out excess alley brush and readied trash for the dumpster day. Over five tons of street curb debris was removed to restore the look and functionality of our streets!

Even more impressive than the cleanup was the after party turnout after! Sunday October 18 the 1800 block of New Street was shut down to host the first ever New Street Block Party. The over 200 in attendance enjoyed carnival games, a bounce house, free cookout, and pumpkin painting—just some of the activities of the day. A raffle designed to reward those who had participated in the cleanup was held and gift cards were distributed to the winners.

While we were able to make a big impact in a fairly short time span, much of the real success was meeting many of our great neighbors. Continue to build on this effort, whether you live in the Bates Hendricks Neighborhood or not! Reach out and talk to the couple down the street who’s lived there almost as long as you have. Take a moment and say “hello” to those you may see but to whom you never talk. Get to know your neighbors and start a block club of your own. You’ll find a whole bunch of people who care as much as you do.

Notes:

A special thanks goes out to our two church affiliates on Iowa Street, Wesleyan Christian Church and Eastside Tree of Life Full Gospel Church, and Heat Exchanger Design, Inc. on Beecher Street. Also thanks to Foster Pilcher and Rob Uppencamp (VP of Bates Hendricks NA) for spearheading the IMAGINE grant momentum and playing a vital role in each cleanup. And of course to all the members of the New Street Block Club—Keep up the good work!

Southeast Neighborhood Development, Inc. Honored at 2009 National Keep America Beautiful Conference

2010-01-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (December 7, 2009) – Southeast Neighborhood Development, Inc. was honored Friday at this year’s annual Keep America Beautiful National Conference for distinguishing itself as an exemplary affiliate organization. Taking first place in its category, the organization was honored for its outstanding community beautification program.

The 56th Annual Keep America Beautiful National Conference, held in Washington, D.C., brought together award-winning affiliates from across the country to share best practices and celebrate the successes of the last 12 months. The Keep America Beautiful Affiliate Awards are open to all Keep America Beautiful affiliates for program activities during the 12-month period from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. The honored affiliates encourage individuals to make simple daily choices and to engage in volunteer activities that improve their communities and the local environment.

“It is my privilege to celebrate Southeast Neighborhood Development and its dedication to improving the quality of life in its community while protecting the environment,” said Matthew McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. “Communities like Indianapolis serve as influential and inspiring leaders in our national effort to keep America beautiful.”

Southeast Neighborhood Development, Inc. took first place in the beautification category for its housing rehabilitation effort in the Bates Hendricks neighborhood. This effort was done in conjunction with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful’s revitalization of the landscape on the South New Jersey Street medians in the neighborhood. 1,300 visitors from the area came to witness the transformation of South New Jersey Street at an event and home tour in August of 2008. This served as a celebration of the community’s hard work and as a showcase for affordable near-downtown living. Further results included: 30 of the 40 homes on the block were improved; three homes were completely rehabbed; one dilapidated home was removed; private owners invested their own dollars in improving 16 properties; sidewalks and curbs were replaced; the street was repaved; historic lighting was added; the esplanade was landscaped and public art was installed on the street.

About Keep America Beautiful, Inc.
Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. This national nonprofit forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. For additional information, visit www.kab.org.

IN GOD’S ARMS Childcare Ministry Reaches out to Fountain Square with 2nd Annual FREE Santa Breakfast

2010-01-25T13:25:00.000-08:00

INDIANAPOLIS—IN GOD’S ARMS Childcare Ministry, located at 1224 Laurel Street in the Fountain Square area of Indianapolis, hosted its 2nd annual FREE Breakfast with SANTA on Saturday, December 19th. The event drew more than five hundred children and their family members for a morning of fun and excitement.

The aggressive focus that Emmaus Lutheran Church has placed on children and caring for them at all ages, led to the planning of the 2nd Breakfast with Santa Claus. The event is offered entirely FREE for children, and they were not disappointed. Besides a FREE breakfast, there were FREE pictures with SANTA, cookie decorating, crafts and games. The South Marion County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans helped to sponsor the annual event.

IN GOD’S ARMS Childcare Ministry was founded by historic Emmaus Lutheran Church which has been in existence for more than 105 years. Emmaus is known also known for offering a quality Christian education for elementary school students. The opening of the Christian based childcare ministry in 2008 was a natural progression for the church in its continued outreach to the community.

IN GOD’S ARMS Childcare Ministry celebrated its 1st anniversary in August of this year by expanding its facility. 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. The ministry is registered with the Indiana State Division of Family Resources and the Indiana State Fire Marshall and accepts CCDF vouchers.

For more information call 317-632-1486 option #3, and ask for Kathy Moore, IN GOD’S ARMS Childcare Director.

A Stranger in My House: Privacy, Protection and Public Safety

2010-01-25T13:17:00.000-08:00

By Tori Calvert

I am a resident of Fountain Square. I am a renter. I am a daughter, sister, and aunt. I am also a law-abiding citizen who values family, community, safety, and privacy. I live with my sister, also a law-abiding citizen, and her one-year old daughter on Leonard Street.

On a recent Friday afternoon, a police officer dressed in street clothing entered my single-family residence without permission (the door was closed but not locked). My sister was home alone, and when she heard some commotion in the house, she walked out of the bathroom to find a male officer in our home and two officers, one female and one male, on our porch. An officer immediately asked her if she knew John Doe (name has been changed). She did not recognize the name and told him so. They curiously looked past her into our home as if to question her truthfulness, then showed her a photo and asked if she knew the person. She did recognize the person, and at this point the officers realized they were in the wrong house (whether or not they had authority to be in any house is unknown since they didn't offer that information) and abruptly turned and left, leaving our front gate open.

It is my understanding that the City of Indianapolis and Marion County officials use tax dollars to employ law enforcement officers who are trained in public safety. I do not have any sense of increased safety, and in fact, I feel much less safe than I did before this incident. I now worry that an officer can enter my home at any time with or without reason, and I am helpless to stop him or her. I feel unsettled knowing that some law enforcement officers patrolling or working in my neighborhood while armed with deadly weapons are not thorough enough to identify which houses they have authority to enter. I feel sad that I am left wondering if IMPD officers are trained to apologize when they've made a mistake that has disrupted the lives of the citizens they have sworn to protect.

This incident has also caused me to question the dynamics of my community. Am I the minority in feeling so violated? Has this happened to other people who had the same feelings of helplessness and were afraid to speak up? Are there characteristics attributable to me and my neighbors that make us susceptible to this behavior?

But I am also hopeful. I have faith that decent residents and police officers in my neighborhood can work together to improve community policing practices. I dream of the day uniformed officers walk by my home and wave to my niece, possibly stopping at my fence to ask about my concerns. And at the very least, I hope to be part of a local government system in which I’m not told that officers were “doing their job” when I retell this story to the Citizens' Police Complaint Office, a system in which police officers do not disrespect the privacy of law-abiding citizens and do apologize when they make mistakes.

Neighborhood Gathering

2010-01-25T07:20:00.000-08:00

The Southeast Neighborhood Gathering was held on November 5 beginning at 5:30 pm at the Southeast Community Services Center. About 150 residents joined together for a pasta dinner provided by Aramark. Jennifer VonDeylen gave the opening presentation, “A Lot to Be Thankful For!” Then Jim Mulholland led three groups in a fun Jeopardy Game about Southeast Neighborhood facts and events. The winning group went for dessert first! Terri Garcia of SECS and Mark Stewart of SEND welcomed all to the event. Participants were then invited to give their input about neighborhood involvement and improvement at two successive breakout sessions. The topics were:

Housing
Community & People
Beautification
Commercial Viability & Workforce
Infrastructure

The information gathered will be distributed to neighborhood organizations and partners early in 2010 and also published in the Southeast Square Newspaper.

This event would not be possible without he countless number of volunteer hours from residents and contributions from the following organizations: Aramark, Bates Hendricks Neighborhood Association, Citizens Gas, Friends & FACT Neighborhood Association, Great Indy Neighborhoods Initiative/Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Indianapolis Making Connections, and the Southeast Learning Partnership. Thank you all.

Get involved in your neighborhood! Look for the list of Neighborhood Association meetings in this publication (pg 9.) Start a Block Group or Crime Watch. Call the SEND offices for a list of committees and meeting times. Come assist the SELP in gathering data and documenting the neighborhood on the second Monday of each month at 5pm in the SECS 2nd floor meeting room. Your involvement is wanted and encouraged to make Southeast Indy the best place to live!

September 8, 2009 SPECIAL EVENT

2009-09-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

*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

2009-08-24T15:45:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T15:43:00.000-07:00

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”

2009-08-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T15:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-08-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T15:28:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-16T09:13:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

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.

Community ArtsSight

2009-07-16T08:43:00.000-07:00

By: D. DelReverda-Jennings

FLAVA FRESH VI !: The First exhibition presentation of FLAVA FRESH VI ! runs July 1 - August 1, 2009 at the Indianapolis Arts Garden, downtown Circle Centre Mall: View the works of local and regional contemporary artists during the annual, juried, multi-exhibition presentations. The Second FLAVA FRESH VI ! exhibition begins August 3rd., runs through September 28, 2009 and will be held at Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University. Opening Artists Reception and Gallery Walk/Talk dates TBA. INFO:urbanedart@aol.com, www.cloweshall.org/artatclowes.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES IN THE GARDEN: Sunday, July 19, 2009, 4:30- 8:30pm. Studio located 3001 N. New Jersey St. The Artists of 3001 N. New Jersey St. Summer Concert Series II ~ “IN THE GARDEN.” Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets and join us for an evening of Open Mic and Blues. Free parking across the street. Fee - $5. Studio Artists and Sponsors include: Laura Kivela, Anthony Radford, Bruce Armstrong, Marc Shabazz. INFO: Radford; 317-538-5709, Armstrong; 317-626-3135 .

ANNUAL ART IN THE GARDEN: Sunday, August 16, 2009 from 3 - 9:00pm. 3001 N. New Jersey St. Studio’s. Artists’ Open Studio’s, Gallery exhibit, Artists’ Market, Food, Fellowship, Musical Guests “NuSoul Theory,” Drumming and Poetry. Over 30 artist participants! Free parking across the street. Enjoy the end of summer with a marvelous annual cultural experience. Sponsors: The Artists’ of 3001 N. New Jersey St. Studio’s. Fee - $8 in advance, $10 at the Door. INFO: Radford; 317-538-5709, Armstrong; 317-626-3135 .

EXPOSE YOUR WORK: Arts Council of Indianapolis announces a new and improved Artists’ Database: Is your artwork online? If not, then get your art exposed! Starting In July, the ACI will offer artists the ability to set up their own user name and password that will enable them to update their own information as well as upload images, videos, and audio files. Artists of all disciplines are invited to signup for the ACI Artist Database which contains contact, biographical and artistic discipline information for free! In the meantime, sign-up and stay tuned to the Artist Opportunities E-news for updates. No cost promo! INFO: slinker@indyarts.org , 317-631-3301 ext. 236 , artistservices@indyarts.org, www.indyarts.org.

EMERGING LOCAL ARTISTS SOUGHT: 5515 E. Washington St. The Historic Irvington Lodge, located in the heart of Irvington on Washington St., in partnership with Mosaic Church is opening an art space to be open in coordination with IDADA’s monthly First Friday open house events. The Historic Irvington Lodge Art Gallery is seeking local, family friendly, emerging and unknown artists for no-cost exhibitions. Each exhibition opens on IDADA’s First Friday and continues approximately three weeks. Artists working in all media are encouraged to submit work. INFO: Molly Petersohn; mollyamason2000@yahoo.com.

INDY HOSTEL ART EXHIBITIONS: Indy Hostel invites artists to exhibit their artwork either in a single person show or in a group show for the month of July. Fifteen pieces of work maximum accepted, depending on the size. Shows will be rotated every month through 2009. There are No Commissions/Fees. This is a great opportunity for an artist to exhibit their work in a friendly atmosphere to people visiting Indianapolis from all around the world and to locals of Indianapolis. Artists should send an artist bio and low resolution digital images to, INFO: Kayci Voegerl; kayci@indyhostel.us .

NSI~BUSINESS OWNERSHIP INITIATIVE: BOI Upcoming Workshops: 4755 Kingsway Dr., Suite 314. Business Contracts and Negotiations: July 27, 2009. 6-8:pm. Introduction to the basics of contract law: Participants will gain an understanding of when a contract is necessary, the process of negotiating a contract and key elements of contracts. Fee $10.

Registering Your New Business: August 8, 2009. 10am.-Noon. Introduction to various legal forms of business, learn the appropriate steps to register their business for legal and tax purposes, and identify the required government agencies that they need to contact. Fee -$10.

Analyzing Your Business Idea: August 20, 2009. 6-8:30pm. Assess the viability of your business idea, determine what resources it will require and identify the appropriate steps that it will take to reach your goals. Free! INFO: 317-917-3266 ext # 100 , information@nsibiz.org, www.nsibiz.org.

ARE YOU A STARVING ARTIST? Searching for a few “starving artists” to feature in our upcoming book. Here’s what we’re looking for: We need your informative/humorous story about what you do to save a dime or two on your food budget. Do you have any special tricks when dining out, going to the mini-mart, or grocery shopping? We’re looking for original ideas along with interesting personal “struggling” artist stories. In addition to your brief story, we want a picture of you and some of your artwork or you featured with your artwork or you in your work setting (for writers/musicians/performers). You must own the copyright to all images and be able to grant use of all images. In exchange for your “food” story, we will provide your website address, Twitter link, etc., with your story in the book and help get the word out about your work.

We would also work together to find more ways to market your work along with the book. Send contact information and a little information about your work and we will respond with more information about the book. INFO: Jack; starvingartist1@live.com.

ASANTE CHILDREN’S THEATRE ACADEMY: The next round of auditions for Asante Children’s Theatre Academy will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2009; location and times to be announced. Walk-in auditions are not permitted, so to schedule an audition or for more information about the audition process, call 317- 297-0020. For more information on what you need to know to prepare for an audition visit, http://editor.ne16.com/asante2/Audition--What_You_Need_to_Know.pdf.

INFO: www.asantechildrenstheatre.org

HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL POSTER COMPETITION: The Historic Irvington Community Council is once again calling for entries for a poster to commemorate the 63rd annual Irvington Halloween Festival. The Irvington Halloween Festival is one of the oldest neighborhood festivals in Indianapolis. Each year the festival committee selects a poster design, which is then used on festival merchandise and reprints of the poster. Funds raised from the festival go to support quality of life initiatives in Irvington and also to support other local non-profits dedicated to the betterment of Irvington and its residents. There is a cash prize

awarded to first, second, and third place finalists. Deadline: July 31, 2009. INFO: www.nps.gov/nr/travel/indianapolis/irvington.htm, www.scribd.com/

doc/15872897/Irvington-Halloween-Festival-Poster-Contest.

MIDTOWN WRITERS: Thursdays at The WAY, 2153 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Ave., at Scott United Methodist Church. Join the Midtown Writers Association at Kafe Kuumba, 7:00pm. 4th Sundays - Good Humor Comedy and Poetry Open Mic Ministry 5-7pm. 3rd Mondays -”Know Thyself” Institute

6:30pm. INFO: 317-923-4300.

NEW INDY ART VENUE: The Athenaeum ArtSpace located 401 East Michigan St. is seeking local, family-friendly, emerging and unknown artists for commission-free exhibitions. Each exhibition opens on IDADA’s First Friday and continues approximately three weeks. Artists working in all media are encouraged to submit work for these juried exhibitions. Send submissions c/o Kevin Gierman, The Athenaeum ArtSpace 401 East Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN. 46204. INFO: Kevin Gierman; 317-655- 2755 ext 152, kevingierman@athenaeumfoundation.com.

CREATIVE OPPORTUNITY: Arts Council of Indianapolis: The Robert D. Beckmann, Jr. Emerging Artist Fellowship Program awards two fellowships each year to qualified and talented artists in music, dance, theatre, literature, or the visual arts. The first component, a monetary award for supplies,

instruction, workshops, studio or rehearsal space, or other uses specifically related to the growth and development of the fellow’s artistic work. The second component of the program involves a unique professional experience opportunity to which many artists may not have access until later in their

careers. Deadline: July 24, 2009. INFO: www.artscouncilofindianapolis.org/grants_for_individuals.html, slinker@indyarts.org.

Greiner's Sub Shop

2009-07-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

By: Claire Norton

Established in 1970, Greiner’s Sub Shop claims to have the “Best Buns in Indy!” Located at 2126 Shelby Street, this unassuming diner deals mainly in subs and pizzas, offering a simple selection of foods and friendly, quick service. At lunch hour you will find a steady stream of people in and out of the door, relying on Greiner’s efficiency for their lunch break. Great for a quick lunch or informal dinner, people can eat in or get a meal on the run.

The establishment was not created for atmosphere, but rather its selection of hot and cold subs and personal and full size pizzas. Greiner’s menu is a simple selection of meat and cheese-heavy standards one would find at other traditional sub shops. But if meat and cheese aren’t your style, Greiner’s also has an assortment of pre-made salads, fruit and pasta salads. Slices of pre-cut cake and ready wrapped brownies are available as well. Although it offers a traditional menu selection, Greiner’s personal touch and non-chain appeal makes eating there a treat.

Greiner’s also offers party trays and boxed lunches for catering.

Greiner’s is open Monday’s through Thursday, 10 am to 9 pm and Friday through Saturday, 10 am to 10 pm. It is closed on Sundays.

Find out more at www.bestbunsinindy.com.

Spring Sprung Summer Snap

2009-07-16T08:32:00.000-07:00

by Irvin Ettienne

It was for the most part a rather glorious spring. A bit rainy at times, a bit cool at times. Some plants didn’t perform as they should, but overall quite good. The flowering trees and shrubs lasted a very long time. There was even a good Magnolia bloom. I never had a real frost at my house once spring kicked in. My bleeding hearts, (Dicentra spectabilis), were wonderful. The pink and whites both reached my chest by the time they were finishing. My gold foliaged one, ‘Gold Heart’, reached two feet tall and over five feet across. For the first time, I got seedlings to germinate from it. The normal green foliaged types seeded in from the house all the way to the street. They have always been fertile, but this year seemed to be on some sort of reproduction hormones. I am not complaining. I will share.

At work I had a less than stellar experience with the pansies. I planted a lot of pansies. The cool weather was fine but ... You knew that was coming. We both knew that was coming. But where I had them planted was heavy on the clay side of the soil texture pyramid. The rain kept coming and the pansies just didn’t grow. Open ground remained between each plant. They bloomed pitifully, enough to make a presence but not enough to put on a good show. I don’t know why I always feel I have to tell people about the bad plantings. Must be all those years of Catholic guilt.

But as I said, it was mostly good. My yellow Magnolias were covered in blooms, the best ever. At the IMA the redbuds bloomed heavily and for a prolonged time. Witchhazels likewise did well. One large shrub that is always in a fight with frost and freeze is the flowering almond or flowering plum, Prunus triloba var. multiplex. This is different than the more common dwarf flowering almond. The plant I am talking about has deep pink fully double blooms, a gorgeous spring color. It gets rather large, 10 feet tall and nearly as wide. This year it was spectacular. No frost and the cool weather kept the blooms fresh a long time. The spring bulbs, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and anemones, all put on a great show too.

If only summer would be so great as well. No way to tell that as I write this. I just got my overwintered plants out of the house June 7th. That is, the plants in the “Plant Room” and the basement. These are mostly tropicals kept growing (sort of) or dormant (sort of -- sometimes permanently dormant) and bulbs kept dormant. I use the term bulb loosely here. They might be bulbs or they might be tubers or rhizomes or corms. They could have come out a couple weeks earlier, but they didn’t. Usually these are plants that I want but if it doesn’t work out ... well, that happens. One tries to do a little better next year and goes on. Don’t beat yourself up too much if not everything made it through the winter. Look at it as an opportunity to buy something new -- a chance to try that super new cultivar that is completely different from anything ever available before. Well, that could be a lie or just good marketing from the plant company. But why not try it anyway? You don’t wear all the same clothes for years.

Don’t forget to spend some time enjoying your garden. I have made a quiet little promise to myself (and now you) that it won’t be all work and no play this year. So I’m looking forward to some leisurely walks through my gardens with a cold glass of fresh squeezed lemonade perhaps. Some time sitting on the bench in the backyard. A few minutes in the chair on the front porch. Heck, I might even snap and eat supper in the garden. But only if there is a breeze.

See you under the banana tree.

Southeast Music News

2009-07-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

By: Ryan Williams

Radio Radio’s packed summer calendar includes a visit from the Adrian Belew Power Trio on July 19th. Belew has recorded and performed with everybody from David Bowie to Frank Zappa to King Crimson, and his prolific solo career has extended over decades. This is a can’t miss show. July also features visits from buzz bands Dead Confederate and Bad Veins on July 14th, alt-country favorites Those Darlins with Jascha on July 16th, and Cursive on July 27th. The month rounds out with the first of the La Vida Variety series on July 31st. August finds the Born Again Floozies returning on the 1st, a free show from Chris Merritt on August 7th, the Vulgar Boatmen, Large Damaging Hail and the Last Digit on August 14th, the Gen Con afterparty with goth fixtures Cruciform Injection on the 15th, and the Wood Brothers on the 18th. These are just the highlights, though. Check out Radio Radio’s calendar at http://futureshock.net.

Deano’s Vino continues to present great acoustic music on the weekends, including Luke Austin Daughtery on July 17th, Jason Hathaway on the 18th, the Shirtless Biddles on the 24th, New Augusta on the 25th, and an album release party for Adam Rosborough on the 31st.

Don’t forget about Swing Night every second and fourth Fridays at the Fountain Square Theater, and there’s live jazz at Maria’s Pizza every Friday night.

Enjoy!

Food Co-op Plans for Southeast Indianapolis

2009-07-16T08:23:00.000-07:00

By: Angie Calvert

In December 2008, several residents of Southeast Indianapolis formed a steering committee to plan the creation of Pleasant Run Grocery: a community owned grocery store, a future food cooperative in the area. The idea of the food co-op was established through a southeast faith-based study circle hosted by Nancy Buffanbarger. The study circle, attended by local pastors, a representative from a large suburban church and Mark Stewart, President of Southeast Neighborhood Development, discussed the needs of the southeast community. They decided a food co-op was a great way togenerate money that stays in the community and provide local jobs.

Throughout the many months of planning, the food co-op committee members have made some important decisions. The three main themes of Pleasant Run Grocery were determined to be local, healthy and economical foods. The working mission statement for the food co-op reads “Pleasant Run Grocery is a member owned community-based grocery store dedicated to serving the needs of local producers and consumers by providing goods and services, education and reasonably priced healthy foods.” Though the location for the co-op has not been established, the building will be handicap accessible and food stamps will be accepted. The committee members have also addressed many questions and concerns about the future grocery store. Some challenges the committee faces are informing residents of the community about what a food co-op is, the idea of bulk foods, and the importance of purchasing locally grown food.

A food co-op is a grocery store that is collectively owned by residents of a community. Though there are numerous styles of food co-ops, they all share common values of group management and decision making, social responsibility and equality. There is usually an initial member fee and some members choose to invest additional funds into the co-op. The lifetime member fee for Pleasant Run Grocery will be $75. The student and senior citizen member fee will be $60. Members of the co-op are able to vote on issues related to the establishment. Pleasant Run Grocery will be an open food coop. This means anyone can be a member, but one does not have to be a member to shop at the store. Members will receive benefits, such as discounts, coupons or cooking classes. The exact benefits of being a member of Pleasant Run Grocery have yet to be decided.

A food co-op will often have bulk food items. This term is not to be confused with buying large amounts of one item at a time. Bulk foods that will be available at Pleasant Run Grocery are foods like beans and rice that can be found in bins. The customer will be able to bring his or her own container or purchase one at the grocery and fill it with the exact amount of the item he or she wants. This method of shopping allows the customer to buy only what is needed and cuts down on packaging. Less packaging means less cost related to the item.

Pleasant Run Grocery will be dedicated to purchasing as much local and organic food as possible. Supporting our local farmers enhances the sense of community that is essential to a food co-op. Buying local organic food eliminates many of the concerns associated with food that has to travel many miles to reach its consumer. There are fewer health-related risks and more environmental benefits to eating local organic food.

As they are decided, members of the co-op steering committee will be presenting details related to Pleasant Run Grocery to local neighborhood associations and organizations. To learn more about Pleasant Run Grocery: a community owned grocery store, check out http://southeastworks.ning.com for notes from the steering committee meetings. You can also contact Jerry Keys at southeastorganizer@gmail.com for more information.

Seniors Speak Out About Programs

2009-07-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

by Susan Beauchamp

Southeast Community Services at 901 Shelby St. has many great programs and services for area seniors, but there are many people who do not participate at this time. In an effort to understand why many seniors do not access the services, SECS has partnered with Southeast Learning Partnership and the University of Indianapolis to conduct a survey to identify the interests and unmet needs of our older residents. Lyndsey McCubbin and Emily Burgett from UIndy worked on the project as part of their Spring Term Service-Learning Course. The students, along with Project Manager and neighborhood resident Angie Calvert, worked together to design a survey, interview seniors, and analyze the data collected.

In May 2009, the project team surveyed 75 low-income seniors in and around the southeast area of Indianapolis. Throughout the month, the team interviewed seniors at Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, Concord Neighborhood Center, The Good Life Center, and Southeast Community Services. They also conducted interviews at seniors’ homes. After all the survey data was collected and compiled, the project team invited all participating organizations and seniors to review the results.

Fifty-four seniors who participate at senior centers took the survey. Twenty-one who do not participate at centers also took the survey. The following is a sample of the information obtained:

Seniors who participate at centers replied that many get there by driving, walking, shuttle or Indy Go and these methods work well. They receive information about the center by word of mouth, the center calendar, and at the center. Many would like to receive information by mail and few would use Internet. The favorite activities are Bingo, card games, taking trips, crafts, and puzzles. The activities that they would most like see added are music/Karaoke/musical instruments, arts & crafts, more exercise, more games, and more trips. The with family, a spouse and or friends. Most have family and friends in the area and some attend church in the area. Many have friends who do not participate at the center.

Of the residents who do no use the senior centers, most have no time due to taking care of a spouse or family members. Others have no transportation or do not know about the senior center activities. About half of the non-participants would participate if they had transportation or more information about the centers. Most would prefer to be contacted by mail or by phone and few would use email. They would most like to receive activity and event details, information about trips and health services. The activities they most want to be offered are exercise classes, trips, Bingo, card games and crafts classes. Most have family and friends in the area. A third of the non-participants live with family, a third live alone, and a third live with a spouse.

Lyndsey and Emily enjoyed meeting the senior residents of Southeast Indianapolis and were happy to learn more about this area of the city as well as to earn college credit for their help. The mission of the Southeast Learning Partnership is to document and collect data for the neighborhoods. This organization is composed of residents and organizations that have an interest in Southeast.

Recycling Ready, Now What?

2009-07-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

By: Kelli Safford

Whether you have been a long-term advocate of recycling, or have recently caught the fever, more and more families in the southeast area are practicing the three R’s – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. However, if you are in question of where to deposit your items, Keep Indianapolis

Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) has resources available on their website to direct you to the nearest recycling drop-off locations.

For items such as:

Steel and aluminum beverage and food cans

Empty aerosol cans

Glass (brown , clear and green)

#1 and #2 plastics

Newspapers and magazines

The locations are:

Brookside Park: 3500 Brookside Parkway, South Drive

Garfield Park, 2345 Pagoda Drive

Kroger, 4202 S East Street

O’Malia’s, 320 New Jersey

Source – Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. www.kibi.org

KIB has also developed a Recycle and Reuse Guide, which can be found at www.kibi.org. This guide assists individuals in determining where to take electronics, household items and clothing, just to name a few. SEND and residents of the southeast area are also taking their own initiatives to develop more attainable drop-off locations. Connie Ziegler, a resident of North Square, worked with paper recycling company, Abitibi, to secure a recycling bin for all paper items at the corner of Woodlawn and Shelby Street. Connie states, “Paper recycling is one step along the way to being better stewards of our environment. The city’s curbside recycling works great for paper and some plastics, but for those who don’t want to or can’t afford to pay for curbside recycling, this is a free way to recycle paper to keep it out of landfills and make it available for reuse. It’s also a fundraiser and the little bit of money it raises for our neighborhood association goes right back into beautifying and improving our community.”

Through the public space committee of SEND, efforts are continuously being made to increase the awareness and importance of the three R's, as well as work with the city to enhance accessibility for all residents of the southeast area. Public space committee chairman, Jeff Miller added, “The Public Space Committee is very interested in seeing more recycling options for the area. If we give residents more opportunities to recycle, especially in convenient locations, that will encourage us all to be more conscious of our environment and our need to reuse our resources rather than filling landfills. At the end of the day, we all realize we need to take better care of our world and this is a great place to start.”

Music News

2009-05-01T23:20:00.000-07:00

By: Ryan Williams

Radio Radio kicks off the next couple of months with an amazing act that should appeal to a variety of people for a variety of reasons. Fans of cartoon series "The Squidbillies" will recognize Unknown Hinson as the voice of main squid Early Cuyler, but music fans will appreciate the stellar guitar playing and choice of cover songs and original material. The fact that he's the world's only rockabilly vampire (complete with fangs, widow's peak and rhinestone-studded suit) should seal the deal. The show takes place May 1st, and tickets are on sale now. If you're a fan of that kind of music, also keep in mind that Bigger Than Elvis plays every first Saturday at Radio Radio, and The Hot Seats join the Cousin Brothers on stage May 16th.

Elsewhere in the lineup, fans of punk music will want to see The Vibrators, JJ Pearson and Latex Novelties on May 5th. Indie rock enthusiasts should take note of a few show on this lineup - The Handcuffs and Red Light Driver play May 9th, Stereo Deluxe, Records Record Records and Miggs play May 14th, and Rosewood Thieves and Everything, Now! take the stage June 25th. Other shows include Bella Morte and Ego Likeness May 12th, Meiko and Cory Chisel on May 13th, Born Again Floozies on May 30th, and Girl In A Coma and Miss Derringer June 25th. Finally, take note of the Heart In Education Teacher Outreach benefit show taking place May 15th. It's a good cause that pairs Indiana teachers with Honduran schools, and the benefit features a couple of acts that don't play around here often - We're Not Squibnocket and The Roosters.

Fans of jazz should stop by Maria's Pizza for live jazz every Friday night with Frank Glover and Claude Sifferlen, and those wanting a bigger jazz sound can stop by Swing Night every second and fourth Friday at the Fountain Square Theater. Finally, remember that Deano's Vino offers great acoustic music every weekend, along with the El Floundero Dub Club DJs every Thursday night.

Everyone must do their part to improve our Infrastructure

2009-05-01T22:53:00.000-07:00

By: Jeff Miller

SEND is currently coordinating a large-scale infrastructure assessment of the nearly 900 blocks in the Southeast area. This assessment includes looking at the condition of our sidewalks, roads and alleyways. It involves making note of missing ADA ramps onto our sidewalks, sunken or collapsed storm drain sewers, dangerous IPL poles, and any other safety concerns. Thanks to the attention this assessment has achieved with our city councilors and with the Department of Public Works (DPW), the Southeast area is slated for repairs on many of our most troublesome areas.

However, it is important that we realize that improving and protecting our infrastructure is everyone’s responsibility. While the city needs to address the items mentioned above, each resident needs to do their part. Not everyone realizes that legally each person is responsible to maintain the area from the middle of the street in front of their house to the middle of the alley behind their house and everything in between.

Most people realize the need to mow their lawn and shovel snow from the sidewalks in the winter, but it is also our responsibility to cut down weeds in our sidewalks, street gutters and alleys. We need to turn in potholes to the city, which can be done via the Mayor’s Action Center at 327-4MAC. When it comes to storm drains, it is our responsibility to keep them clear of debris so that water won’t back up onto our streets but will instead safely flow down into the drains. The picture below shows a storm drain that is dangerously close to becoming blocked. When this happens, water flows down our streets and over time weathers our roads and causes the need for expensive and preventable infrastructure repairs.

If we as residents don’t do our part, it increases the expense for the city to maintain our infrastructure. Ultimately this will result in higher taxes for the city to pay to do the things that we are responsible for doing. Instead, if we could all take the time to be responsible for the infrastructure around us, it will serve to show the city that we are willing to partner with them in the mission to make our neighborhoods a safe place to live, work, and play.

Council Switch

2009-05-01T22:45:00.000-07:00

By: Mike Dunn and Angie Calvert

After he withdrew from the Republican Party in February, City County Councilman Ed Coleman made history when he became the first Libertarian to hold this position. Sparking national attention, he represents over a million citizens as an at-large councilman - more than any other Libertarian politician in the United States. Many said he was committing political suicide for joining a third party in a two-party system. Others think it is about time a politician started thinking with a conscience.

Coleman believes today’s Republican Party to be very different from the party he joined many years ago. His discontent with the party lies, with the leadership and their decisions. “The GOP chairman has more power than the council president,” Coleman said. “I was told to keep quiet by GOP leadership when I questioned the relationship between the Capital Improvement Board and Barnes and Thornburg, LLP.” He left the GOP in search of a more fiscally conservative party that respects individual rights. Finding the Democrat Party lacking in these attributes, he found what he was looking for in the Libertarian Party. The Libertarian Party belief in small government and less taxes also appeals to him. He considers himself a fiscal conservative and social moderate.

As a graduate from Warren Central High School and life-long resident of Indianapolis, Coleman became interested in the City Council position because he had a desire to serve people. As a veteran he served three years in the United States Navy and seven years in the Indiana National Guard. Presently, he is a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW), the American Legion, and AM Vets. Having graduated from Ivy Tech Community College, he is also a registered nurse.
Coleman sees his family and community as top priorities. He has been married to Kerri Coleman for ten years. They share a daughter and a son. When asked to give advice to citizens who are seeking political involvement outside of the two-party system, Coleman says to get involved in your local community and serve the people, not the party. “Do what is right for the people around you first,” he states. “Don’t worry about the two parties, and fix what is going on at home.”

Coleman does plan on running for re-election in 2011 as an at-large candidate for the Libertarian Party of Marion County. He does not want to run as a district councilman because he thinks the current councilman in his district does a good job in his position. “If a councilor is doing a good job I think he should stay in his position,” Coleman states.

Garfield Park Events for May-June 2009

2009-05-01T22:39:00.000-07:00

Garfield Park Hours:
Burrello Family Center, 2345 Pagoda Drive
Mon. 9:30a-9p, Tues. 11a-9p, Wed. 9:30a-9p, Thurs. 11a-9p, Fri. 9:30a-8p, Sat. 9:30a-4:30p
Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive
Mon. Closed, Tues. 1p-5p, Wed. 1p-5p, Thur. 1p-5p, Fri. 1p-5p, Sat. 10a-5p, Sun. 1p-5p
Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive
Mon.-Sat. 10a-5p, Sun. 1p-5p
Sunken Gardens
10a-10p, 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

Asian Arts Festival and Exhibition
Exhibit - All Ages, Through May 29, Regular Arts Center hours, FREE
Festival – All Ages, May 9, Sat., 11a-5p, FREE
Celebrate Asian culture by joining us for the second annual Asian Arts Festival & Exhibition. The Asian Alliance and the Garfield Park Arts Center will celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by featuring artists from Indiana and beyond. The Asian Arts Festival will feature authentic foods, crafts and music.

Central Indiana Youth Barbershop Chorus
Ages 12-18, Ongoing, Wed., 6:45p-8:45p, 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.

Nature and Gardening

Jungle Tales – Garfield Park Conservatory
Ages 2-5, May 12, 10a-11a, $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.

Junior Gardener Club – Garfield Park Conservatory
Ages 6-12, May 9th, 11a-Noon, FREE
Come out to the Conservatory for a fun-filled garden lesson and activity. The Club will focus on a different topic each month.

Stepping Stone Workshop – Garfield Park Conservatory
Ages 3+, May 2, Sat., 10:30a-Noon, $6
Everyone will enjoy creating a decorative stepping stone, just in time for Mother’s Day and springtime gardening! All supplies will be provided, just bring your creativity. Please register by April 30. Stones must be left to dry and can be picked up later.

Master Gardener Plant Sale – Garfield Park Conservatory
All Ages, May 30, Sat., 9a-Noon, FREE
This is not just a sale! In addition to vegetable, annual and perennial plants for sale, the Master Gardeners will also be on hand to give advice and answer all of your gardening questions.

Family Planting Day
All Ages, May 30, Sat., 10a-1p, FREE
Everyone, of all ages, is invited to help plant annuals in our Children’s Garden located behind the Conservatory.

Fitness and Sports

Garfield Park Fitness Class - Garfield Park Burrello Family Center
Ages 18+, May 11-June 5, MWF, 10a-11a, $25, 12 classes
Class consists of warm-up, simple beginning steps, walking, and small kicks. Work on legs, abdominal muscles, and thighs. After class, learn to use the weight equipment properly.

Taijiquan Level I – Garfield Park Conservatory
Ages 18+, May 12-June 5, Tues & Fri, 8:30a-9:15a, $35, 8 classes
Taijiquan is a holistic health improvement system. In this course, you’ll learn practical ways to achieve many of the treasures Taijiquan offers and establish a foundation on which you can base a lifetime of improvement. Call instructor Matthew Hays at (317) 985-7542 for more information.

Indy in Motion - Garfield Park Burrello Family Center
Ages 18+, Ongoing, MWF, 5:30p-6:30p, 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.

Garfield Pee-Wee Softball – Tee Ball
Ages 3-5, May 11-Jul 15, MW, 5p-6:30p, $30, 20 Classes
This is an instructional league that teaches fundamentals of softball. Players will receive a hat, t-shirt, and trophy. Registration starts Feb. 5.

SEND to host 1st annual Neighborhood Day of Service

2009-05-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

By: Kelli Safford

Looking to find ways you can become involved in efforts to clean up our neighborhood? On June 6th, beginning at 9am, SEND will host the 1st annual Neighborhood Day of Service. SEND will be coordinating a community-wide volunteer effort to give back to the residents by focusing not just on one specific location, but our entire southeast area. The goal of this endeavor is to empower neighborhood associations, churches, schools and businesses to address some of the beautification objectives in our community. Whichever projects residents feel would benefit the most from this collaborative effort, SEND will assist in accomplishing these tasks.

“Our goal for the SEND Day of Service is to provide an opportunity for the SEND family to get out into the neighborhood and give back to the people that live here. It is an opportunity for us to come together and impact the entire SEND area, rather than just one location,” states Julie Beaubien, Vice President of SEND and Coordinator of the SEND Day of Service. Throughout the year, SEND coordinates several clean-up efforts with volunteers stepping out to show their support and dedication in further enhancing our community. Beaubien continues, “SEND appreciates the many volunteers that commit their time and resources into making the programs at SEND a success, and this is a way to turn the table and allow us to volunteer for the neighborhood.”

SEND board members and volunteers will be visiting neighborhood association meetings over the next month to further discuss this project. Interested individuals and groups should plan on meeting on June 6th, 9am in the National City parking lot to get started. The clean-up will continue until 12pm, where all volunteers will meet back at the National City parking lot for lunch and to share stories of the day’s success. For further information and to learn how you can become involved, please contact Julie Beaubien at julie@sendcdc.org or 317-634-5079 x105.

COMMUNITY ARTsSIGHT

2009-05-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

By: D. DelReverda-Jennings

FLAVA FRESH VI!: Call To Artists: Accepting submissions from Indy visual artists for the Sixth annual, multi exhibition presentation of FLAVA FRESH! The exhibitions begin in July and end October 1, 2009. Open to artists 18+. New work is shown in each exhibition. Artists will receive: 3 notable exhibitions, 2 artists receptions, publicity, exposure from this popular venue. To submit: Send a website or blog address that has images of your work along with a brief artist statement/bio for consideration. Moderate Entry Fee: INFO: URBANEDART@aol.com, (Please put 'FLAVA FRESH VI! Submission' in the subject line.)

CHAOS ART GALLERY: 630 Virginia Ave. (intersection of Virginia & N. College Avenues.) Near historic Fountain Square. Featuring local artists as well as work by students of the John Herron School of Art and Design. Mingle with artists, collectors and aficionados of Fine Art in Indianapolis' newest contemporary art gallery! Tu & Th 10–2; Fri & Sat 1– 6:pm. First Friday's - 5:30 – 10:00pm. Free! INFO: 317-602-3532 .

FACING WEST PORTRAITS: The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. 500 W. Washington St. White River State Park. As a part of the museum’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, portrait's will be displayed in conjunction with the exhibition, Facing West: Celebrating 20 Years of the Eiteljorg Museum offering an opportunity for guests to re-discover favorite pieces and experience never-before-seen work. Participating artists include: Cathy Burton, C. Oveihue and D. DelReverda-Jennings and many more. On view thru August 9, '09. Free with general museum admission. INFO: 317-636-9378.

APPLY TO THE INDIANA ARTISAN PROGRAM: Launched in 2008, the Indiana Artisan goals include: raising awareness about the availability of hand-crafted and value-added food products made in Indiana; providing artisans, particularly those in rural areas, with access to entrepreneurial support; providing grant funding for artisan business development education and networking; promoting artisan trail development and retail opportunities; and developing branding for Indiana-made goods. To participate in the program, artisans need only successfully complete the jury (selection) process. Applicants can be for-profit or not-for-profit corporations, as well as unincorporated individual artisans. There will be two jury panel sessions in 2009, May and October. For Jury session timeline, category guidelines and online application links visit, INFO: http://www.indianaartisan.net/ , http://www.indianaartisan.net/art.php, http://www.indianaartisan.net/food.php .

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES INITIATIVE: The Summer Workshop Schedule Is Now Available: BOI is pleased to announce that the workshop schedule for May - August is now available on our Web site. The summer course catalog will be available to pick up in our office by the end of April, and is available in PDF form on the Web site now. Check out the 'Course Catalog' or the Workshop Calendar and start planning to meet your professional and personal development goals through our variety of business planning, marketing, financial, technology, legal, care-giver and life-skills workshops. INFO: nsibiz.org , 317-917-3266, ext. 100, information@nsibiz.org.

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM & CONNER PRARIE OFFER 'ACCESS PASS' ADMISSION: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis has joined forces with Conner Prairie to offer reduced admission to Hoosier families in need. In 2004, In 2004, the Children's Museum began the 'Access Pass' program, which provides low income Hoosier families with opportunities to visit at the reduced rate of $1 per person. Conner Prairie is now offering the same statewide initiative. Indiana families with at least one member who is 18 years of age or older and who are part of the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), food stamps or Hoosier Healthwise Insurance are eligible to participate. Families can visit the Children’s Museum and Conner Prairie and present a Hoosier Works card or Hoosier Healthwise Insurance card, together with photo ID, at the box office to receive $1 admission for immediate family members. They will be issued an Access Pass card that is renewable annually and provides family members the reduced rate throughout the year. INFO: http://www.childrensmuseum.org/accesspass/index.htm , 317-334-3322 , 800-208-KIDS ; www.connerprairie.org , 317-776-6006 , 800-966-1836 .

Entries sought for first annual Fountain Square “Art of July” parade

2009-05-01T21:43:00.000-07:00

By: Kelli Safford and Susan Sullivan

Who doesn’t love a parade? And when you combine it with art, music, and Fourth of July fun and fireworks, what could be better?

Local residents, civic groups and organizations, schools and universities, churches, business leaders, and those with community spirit and an appreciation for public art are encouraged learn more about the Fountain Square Art Council’s first annual Art of July parade, which will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.

The call for participation and registration is posted online at www.fsartscouncil.org. The due date for all registrations is June 5. There is no cost for parade entries and attendance is free.

“Our goal is to build on what the Indianapolis Museum of Art started last spring,” explains Elizabeth Ryan, one of the FSAC’s founding members. “The IMA’s On Procession event in Fountain Square was a unique celebration of the arts by individuals and groups of all backgrounds and ages who shared an interest in and appreciation for public art. FSAC wants to retain the celebration of art and community spirit through a more grass-roots approach that is inclusive of all who live, work, and raise their families in the Fountain Square area every day.”

Participation is open to anyone who wants develop parade entries for this all ages event, which will serve as a one-of-a-kind, traveling platform to showcase contemporary public art. Entries are expected to range from the traditional to nontraditional, Ryan says, and could include floats, marching bands, dance troupes, performance art, and portable artworks of all types, sizes, and shapes that reflect themes of community celebration, street pageantry, and parades.

But the fun won’t end with the parade, adds Ryan. “We’re also planning to have live music. Spectators and participants can stroll through the area, visiting shops, galleries, and restaurants. And of course, we encourage people to bring their lawn chairs because Fountain Square is a great vantage point for watching the annual downtown Indianapolis fireworks.”

The one-mile parade route will begin at 901 Shelby Street, making its way through Fountain Square and Fletcher Place. Maximum height of all entries is a maximum of 13 feet. For complete details, including a map of the route, marshaling area and time, and online registration form, visit www.fsartscouncil.org.

Who are You Leading?

2009-05-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

By: Kevin Eikenberry

Chuck Noll, coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers for many years and winner of 4 Super Bowls, said, "The mercenaries will always beat the draftees, but the volunteers will crush them both."

Who are you leading?

This quotation comes from a military perspective, and I'm sure Coach Noll translated it to football.

I'm sure it isn't necessary for me to translate it to business for you.

In a military sense, all three groups get paid. And the people in your organization get paid too. But there is a big difference in commitment level between the three groups and it is that difference that makes all the difference in results.

The point here is profound. We, as leaders, can, through our actions help people choose to commit at the volunteer level. The reason the volunteers win, is that they are committing more than their time and effort for 40 or 50 hours per week. They are committing themselves. When people have volunteered they have truly committed.

And the truly committed team will always be more creative, more productive, more dedicated, and more persistent - and more successful -over the long term.

Creating this type of commitment, getting people to willingly volunteer in the service of your mission and vision, requires leadership communication - to consistently share and discuss the purposes and goals, and help people connect to that.

It requires leadership influence, mostly through your actions, to show your commitment as well (After all, how much easier its it for you to be committed when you know your leader is?)

If you are thinking this discussion is somehow about leadership styles, you couldn't be more wrong. Regardless of your leadership style, you can show your commitment through your words and actions, you can encourage commitment by the conversations and dialogue you create with your team. You can be supportive of the team and work diligently to build trust with each team member.

These are just a few of the leadership activities that will make a difference in the level of commitment people will feel and therefore give.

People want meaning in their lives, they want things to be committed to. People have a need to enroll or volunteer for purposes greater than themselves.

Perhaps our greatest opportunity as a leader is to help people find things worthy of their commitment.

Strive today to create a greater and deeper commitment for yourself and those you lead.

SEND’s Roof Goes Green

2009-05-01T07:41:00.000-07:00

By: Erin Brown

Stormwater run-off, beware. SEND is on your trail, and will cut down on the damage you are doing to our neighborhood.

Thanks to a generous grant by United Water, Inc., the Southeast Neighborhood Development office, located at 1030 Orange Street will soon have a more environmentally friendly and welcoming roof. Over the next few months, work will begin to install a LiveRoof green roof. The employees at SEND are even getting certified by LiveRoof to become installers so that they can oversee the work on the building themselves. With the help of neighborhood volunteers SEND hopes to be able to install the entire roof in the course of one day.

In addition to the actual plant-life, SEND plans to build a deck on the roof to provide a space to enjoy the new greenery and to use as a space for educating other property owners who are interested in doing a similar project in their own space. SEND also hopes to be able to reuse existing materials to build access to the roof, which currently does not exist, to continue with the sustainable theme. The green roof will help prevent run-off which in turn created less polluted waters in our storm sewers, which is helpful while we still have a combined sewer overflow system which drains storm water into our creeks. The roof will also help relieve the Urban Heat Island effect, which keeps the hot, asphalt-covered city center (where we are located) degrees above surrounding areas.

The building at 1030 Orange Street was previously the boiler house for the carburetor factory which has since become the Wheeler Arts Community, and therefore already stands as an example of green or sustainable concepts. SEND hopes that this project sends a strong message to the community how sustainability can be integrated into existing structures, and how continued work on existing structures improves the neighborhood.

One Fine Plant

2009-05-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

By: Irvin Etienne

By the time this is published we should be in full gardening mode. I looked at last year’s article from the same time and found the weather to be about the same as I write today - sunny and nearly 70 a week ago and snow showers today. Just one more example of why we need tough perennials when we garden in the Midwest. I know if my bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) get damaged they will still survive, even bloom. But the show won’t be as great as when they do not get beat up by Mother Nature (she’s got a mean streak in her). Since this issue covers June and June is Perennial Gardening Month I thought I would mention a few choice ones you may want to try.

The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) chooses a Perennial Plant of the Year annually (how ironic). This plant is chosen by the members of the PPA. For 2009 the selection is probably my favorite grass, Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, Hakone grass. This beauty has golden chartreuse leaves with a thin edge of bright green. Not only is it gorgeous, it likes the shade. One of its other common names is Japanese Forest Grass. We are constantly on the look-out for shade plants other than hostas and ferns so this is a real winner. Hakone grass is, quite simply, sexy. Yes, sexy. It sways and moves like a high-priced street walker on Saturday night in a tight mini-skirt and six inch heels. This grass flows. If you planted a long line of it through your garden it would look like a stream running through your other plants. Its bright chartreuse/gold color contrasts wonderfully with dark leaved shade plants like Ligularia dentata ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’ and Actea ramosa ‘Hillside Black Beauty’ (one of the bugbanes and also known as Cimicifuga). But perhaps its greatest contribution is to texture in the garden. The fine leaves of Hakone grass contrast beautifully with the big bold leaves of hostas. Planted with hostas that have some yellow in the leaf and you have a color echo that works all season. Hakonechloa also makes a great container plant, especially planted on the edge of the container so it can flow over the side. At the end of the season just plant it in the garden and next year you can dig it back up or leave it in place. This is not a fast growing plant, it spreads slowly by stolons (underground shoots). It makes a wonderful clump 12-18 inches tall and around 18 inches wide. You may also be interested in the cultivar ‘All Gold’ which as the name suggests is all gold. It’s actually a more vigorous grower than ‘Aureola’. There is a green and white variegated cultivar called ‘Stripe It Rich’ and multiple plain green cultivars.

Other past PPA choices for plant of the year that I would suggest trying include Phlox paniculata ‘David’ (tall garden phlox), Geranium ‘Rozanne’, Leucanthemum ‘Becky’ (Shasta daisy) and Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ (catmint) for sunny areas. I’m not a big fan of the smell of Nepeta but there is no denying ‘Walker’s Low’ performs. Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose) and Athyrium nipponicum ‘Pictum’ (Japanese painted fern) are two more good selections for shade.

You can find Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ fairly easily now days but I must recommend my very own IMA greenhouse of course. There you will find many fine perennials for your garden and knowledgeable people to help (not me, I’m in the gardens). I think if you buy one Hakone grass you will soon go out to find some more. It really is one fine plant.

Indy ES

2009-05-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

By: Jon Clucas

In 2007, Indy ES Productions, "a full-service multimedia and video production company," set up a shop on Madison Avenue near Southport Road. Just two years earlier, the company was founded in Madrid, Spain, where the company is still headquartered. In October of 2008, Indy ES moved its Indianapolis location from Southport to Fountain Square.

According to owner Ramon Carrera, Indy ES moved their Indianapolis location because they "wanted a location that was convenient, hip and friendly. That's why we chose Fountain Square. It's also very convenient for us with its proximity to downtown and ease of access to the interstate."

Located on Prospect Street in the Fountain Square Theatre Building, Indy ES certainly has a location that is convenient, hip and friendly! Maria's Pizza is just across the street from Indy ES, and Indy ES has already produced a promotional video for our local pizzeria! The video is available to view on Indy ES's Vimeo page, http://vimeo.com/user924766. Besides Vimeo, Indy ES has its own website, http://www.indy.es, and a page on DiscoverFountainSquare.com.

Additionally, Indy ES owns and operates http://www.PetPalsTV.com. Pet Pals TV is a local pet information program, with information and episodes available online and on television with Comcast On Demand. New episodes air monthly.

Indy ES specializes in online videos. The Indianapolis office, 1107 Prospect Street, is open 10 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday. Their telephone number is (317) 638-7833.

At the time of publication, Indy ES has been operating in Fountain Square for 6 months. We welcome the company to the neighborhood and hope they stay for many years!

Purdue Training is a Success

2009-05-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

By: Jennifer Rice Von Deylen

The Southeast Leadership Development Initiative (SELDI) pilot program was completed in April. The initiative is a joint venture between the Marion County Purdue Extension office, Southeast Community Services (SECS) and Southeast Neighborhood Development (SEND). The Southeast has a high level of participation in leadership development programs offered by other institutions, and SELDI was created to build on skills learned through those programs.

The Purdue educators designed the course specifically for the Southeast. The six week course focused on leadership development on the personal, group and community levels. Participants completed assessments that helped them further understand their personality types and leadership styles. Additional course topics included conflict resolution, community development and building inclusive communities. Each student developed a community action project through the course, with the Purdue extension offering coaching and support for implementation.

Participants in the course came from a variety of different neighborhoods in the Southeast, which provided an excellent opportunity for further developing relationships across traditional boundaries. Feedback from the participants was very positive.

“SELDI helped me focus on and further develop my skills as a leader. Taking the class gave me the opportunity to discuss the struggles and joys of servant leadership with other leaders in our community,” said Angie Calvert from the Bates Hendricks neighborhood.

With the success of the pilot program, the team working on this training initiative has decided to move forward with a second course. The next SELDI course is currently being planned for this August or September. Discussions are also underway to offer courses on select topics such as grant writing and strategic planning.

SELDI is one example of the growing partnership between the Purdue Extension office and the Southeast. The Purdue Extension approached SEND offering their support in implementing the Southeast Quality of Life Plan. The Purdue staff has since become engaged with neighborhood beautification projects as well as youth programming initiatives.

If you are interested in participating in future courses or would like more information on this partnership effort to support the Quality of Life Plan, please contact Jennifer Rice Von Deylen at 634-5079 x107.

Longtime Resident Thelma Reed Dies

2009-05-01T06:42:00.000-07:00

By: Susan Beauchamp and Darlene Jones

There are many people in Southeast Indianapolis Neighborhoods who have lived here for a long time, but Thelma Reed might hold the record. In 1918, Frank and Clara Kenyon moved into their house on lot 41 on St. Paul Street along with their three year old daughter, Thelma, and her 7 siblings. Thelma still lived in the same house until her death on February 26, 2009 at almost 94 years of age. Thelma was one of the residents featured in the documentary film, Revival Road, produced by the Southeast Learning Partnership, which was shown at the last Southeast Indianapolis Neighborhood Gathering in September 2008.

Thelma recalled a glass factory at the south end of St. Paul St. and remembered riding the railed trolley on Prospect St. going to Fountain Square and then downtown. Her mother bought live chickens in Fountain Square to prepare for Sunday dinner.

Thelma went to School #20 on Spruce Street and to School #39 on State Street for the eighth grade. Thelma said, ”Every home on Saint Paul Street was nice, yards were kept neat and neighbors were friendly and helped each other. No one locked their doors back then.” In the '30s Thelma would go to Fountain Square at The Shadow Box on weekends for dancing, Jitter-Bug, of course. Though raised here during the depression years Thelma said, “Mom always kept her family fed and dressed. She was a good cook and homemaker. She made a little bit of money go a long way.”

Thelma remembered an A & P Grocery on Prospect between Keystone and St. Peter and a Drug Store next it. Much later, in the '50s, the standard Grocery moved on the corner of Prospect and Churchman where Family Dollar is now. A summertime favorite was the ice cream store across the street from this grocery. The Avalon Theater was located on Prospect between Churchman and Harlan. Thelma recalls spending many weekends there when admission was only 15 cents. The black and white movies featuring westerns starring Tom Mix, and many of the classics of today were great entertainment for neighborhood children. In the late 1930s Sunday mornings were spent at Calvary Tabernacle Church on Fletcher Ave. The family would catch a bus and get off at Virginia Ave. and Cedar. Ave. where the Interstate is today.

Thelma had continued as a faithful member of Calvary Tabernacle. She had been a Sunday school teacher, choir member, and when she was in her 80s assisted in nursing home ministry. Her funeral service was held there on March 2.

Darlene Jones, daughter of Thelma Reed, still resides at the old homestead on
St. Paul Street. She is part of a revitalization of the area with her neighbors as part of ICAN, Indianapolis Churchman Ave. Neighbors.

The Southeast Learning Partnership, SELP would like to celebrate other long time residents, please contact 610-7425 or selp_chair@yahoo.com for more information. The SELP meets monthly to document and collect data for all the neighborhoods. Everyone who lives or works in the area is welcome to participate. Come to meetings on the 2nd Monday of each month at 901 Shelby St., 2nd floor classroom. Dinner and childcare are provided.

Jobs vs. Health

2009-05-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

By: Richard Campi

Clean coal is a misnomer. All coal production is DIRTY and bad for everyone’s health. This is an absolute fact. Yes, newer technology is more efficient and cleaner, but remains very, very dirty and unhealthy as it is mined and burned.
Appalachia, especially West Virginia has the lowest life expectancy in the United States and it has the worst air quality in the U.S. (Indiana is #2 worst.) Although many other factors are involved, coal is most responsible.
What is the trade off? Logically we should consider clean air. Renewable energy, such as wind, solar, algae, etc. are directions that will energize our personal health along with the health of the planet earth.

We all have to die of something sometime anyway. We have all heard or express this lame-brained rationale…especially from addicts. Education seems to be a foul four letter word to many. Work for your good health, exercise, eat better foods, and think for the day after tomorrow. You have all heard this also before. It’s too much trouble to exercise, stop smoking, resist gambling (waste of logical mental health), be a good neighbor, including sharing in keeping the surroundings clean and orderly. These and many other aspects of life are choices in the way we live. The choice of a profession or the jobs we take impact the style of our living and should benefit the environment. Breathing clean air is paramount to having “a sound mind in a sound body”. Those of you that read and think this through are more likely to be in the chorus of like-minds. Those of you that do not read probably cannot make better choices any way. Are you one that chooses making money over striving for good health for yourself and others? Referring back to a “sound mind” and “resisting gambling,” the only time I’ve succumbed to crap shooting is when I’ve had food poisoning!

Flavors of the Southeast Side

2009-05-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

By: Claire Norton

Christina and Andy Cao are two of the newest individuals to bring an excellent dining experience to Fountain Square. This couple has successfully delivered the perfect combination of delicious food, sophisticated yet comfortable atmosphere, and great service with Naisa Pan-Asian Café. Located at 1025 Virginia Ave, this restaurant opened on April 3, 2009 after months of preparation, which have certainly paid off.

Bright walls compliment the simple, modern furniture in this sleek, clean space. Not only is Naisa Café a great place to bring friends or co-workers for lunch or dinner, but will also be a place to see new art with walls that soon will serve as a gallery.

The menu is rich with choices for those who enjoy Pan-Asian cuisine. Each meal comes with a seafood cheese wonton and your choice of soup, making each meal completely satisfying. The owners pride themselves on using as many fresh ingredients as possible and that choice certainly pays off for the diner. The hot tea service comes to the table with loose leaf tea so one can brew her drink to perfection.

I’ve already enjoyed three dishes that are reason enough to keep going back: the Shrimp with Garden Veggies, the Kong Pao Shrimp, and Fried Rice. However, with such a large menu I’ll be sure to try something new next time. Menu and hours can be found online at www.naisaCafé.com for those excited to try the next great restaurant to hit Fountain Square.

SIGN UP NOW for Summer Youth Programs

2009-04-12T06:47:00.000-07:00

By: Susan Beauchamp

Now is the time for southeast youth to plan for summer. The Southeast Learning Partnership has compiled a booklet about youth programs in the area. To obtain a copy, look in the Fountain Square Branch of the Public Library or call 686-0293 at the NACS office.

The Southeast Community Services will have Youth Developing Communities Program for 6 weeks beginning on June 23, 2009. The program will include reading support, life skills development, employment assistance and computer instruction, community service, recreation and field trips. It is for ages 12 to 17. Breakfast is provided each day. Cash stipends are given for reading books and a gift card stipend for back to school. For more information or to sign up, contact Shawn Delmolino at 236-7400 extension 226 or shawnd@southeastindy.org.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful will have the Youth Tree Team for high school age youth. It will run Jun. 1 – Aug. 6, 2009. 7 am - noon, or 12:30 – 5:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. There will be a Wilderness Trip on Jun. 19 – 20. Lunch is provided each day and students are paid hourly. Students learn landscape maintenance and management with several field trips. To apply or for more information, contact Nate Faris at 264-7555 extension 111 or nfaris@kibi.org.

Southeast Community Organization, SECO, has a youth program. Kids work in the community each Saturday of the summer from 8 am to noon, painting houses and garages, and doing general cleanup in the neighborhood. They are paid hourly. The students also take several trips for enrichment. To register or for more information, contact SECO at 236-9245.

IPS Emmerick Manual High School will have an Algebra I class for credit beginning Jun. 1. There will also be a GQE remediation program for Language Arts and Math beginning Jun. 1. Those participating in sports can enroll in summer conditioning and those in the band can participate in Summer Band. For more information about these, call 226-2200. Students over 16 years of age can enroll in Evening School at Manual H.S. to enroll in the evening program call 226-2231.

The Fountain Square Academy, which is a public charter school open to all in grades 5 through 12, will have Remedial Summer Program. This will help with ISTEP and GQE preparation. It will be from 8:30 am to noon starting in early June. There will be two sessions, each to run 3 weeks. The school offers a free lunch for anyone who wishes to visit. To enroll, call Mr. Bardonner at 951-1000.

The Southeast Learning Partnership, SELP, meets on the 2nd Monday of each month on the 2nd floor of 901 Shelby Street at 5 PM. Dinner and childcare are provided. Everyone in SE Indy is invited to participate. This organization provides documentation, information and data collection for the community.

The Southeast Square News Volume 8 Issue 2 March-April 2009

2009-03-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

PDF Download

Mini-parks are here to stay!

2009-03-09T14:00:00.000-07:00

By: Jon Clucas

Last August and September, several news sources, including Indianapolis Business Journal, the Indianapolis Star, and the Associated Press, reported that Mayor Ballard was considering selling some of Indianapolis' neighborhood mini-parks. Ballard was quoted in the Star saying, “I love green space, too, but I don't make the connection between a property the size of this room and green space.” In August some reports made Ballard seem committed to selling parks; the September articles mostly reported that the Mayor withdrew his plans to sell parks, but many of the articles seemed wary.

For now, we can put our wariness aside. Indy Parks Public Information Officer Paula Freund confirmed that the City of Indianapolis "is not in the business of selling parks." In fact, Indy Parks is planning on expanding in 2009, and in working with the Indianapolis Parks Foundation, one of its four priorities is land acquisition. In addition, Indy Parks is in conversations with Rupert's Kids (a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping troubled teens and directed by Rupert Boneham) to expand the involvement of Rupert's Kids in maintaining Indy Parks properties. Rupert's Kids already maintain nine city-owned mini-parks effectively through the Park Adoption Program, saving the city park maintenance costs; the teenagers involved with Rupert's Kids are paid by the organization. Not only do Indy Parks hope to have Rupert's Kids take over maintenance of an additional thirteen mini-parks this year, Rupert's Kids may take over maintenance of two larger parks this year as well.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful is also planning on adding parks this year. Each year KIB tries to build or improve six to nine pocket parks. As a nonprofit organization, KIB's work comes at no cost to the city. KIB's pocket parks are maintained by neighborhood associations and other project partners, also at no cost to the city. This year, KIB plans to help the Global Peace Initiative build a new pocket park on Prospect Street near Santorini Greek Kitchen.

Some parks are built and maintained without any involvement from Indy Parks or Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. If one of these parks is sold, the buyer could likely be interested in developing and maintaining the park beyond what the seller was capable of. Including regional parks, community parks, and neighborhood mini-parks, Indy Parks currently owns 206 parks, many of which are located in the Southeast Square. That number will not go down in 2009, although it might go up. In short, no mini-parks are disappearing in 2009.

SENSE

2009-03-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

The Southeast Neighborhood School of Excellence, more commonly known as SENSE Charter School, located at 1601 S. Barth Ave., continues to fulfill its mission - “to build a strong foundation for learning and living, by creating in its students a thirst for knowledge and an enthusiasm for learning.” Now in its fifth year, SENSE, a grades K – 6 public charter school, continues to be recognized for outstanding student performance as measured by the state-wide standardized tests, which are administered to all public school students, and the Mayor’s Office as presented in its Accountability Reports, which are available on the Mayor’s Office web site.

The Mayor’s Accountability Report cited the school’s leadership as “Exceeding Standards” and noted that each and every year over 90% of the parent report being satisfied with the school.
Last year SENSE was awarded the “Top Gainer” designation by the Indiana Student Achievement Institute and was one of six elementary charter schools, nation wide, designated as a Silver-Gain Award winner by the EPIC National Charter School Consortium. This year SENSE was selected to become a member of “Schools That Can,” a national organization created to support urban schools that demonstrate outstanding student performance.
The SENSE curriculum is a back-to-basics approach with key emphasis on strong reading and math skills. SENSE supplements the core academics with Spanish, art, music and physical education at all grade levels. For students in grades 3-6 who are struggling academically, SENSE provides the Sylvan Learning Center Academic Reading Program during the regular school day at no cost to the families.

Created to serve the southeast neighborhood, SENSE has maintained its neighborhood focus. Over 90% of SENSE students live in the southeast neighborhood, and almost 80% share the school’s zip code. As a public charter school it is free - there are no costs associated with attending it.

SENSE will begin open enrollment for the 2009-2010 school year March 2, 2009. For more information and an enrollment form you can call the school office at 317-423-0204 or visit their website: www.senseindy.org.

Fountain Square Academy Outperforms Area Schools

2009-03-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

Enroll for Fall 2009 Today

By: Kevin Teasley

The Fountain Square Academy, now in its 4th year of operation, serves more than 200 students in grades 5-12. This unique school expects its students to go to college. To make good on the promise of a college education, the school pays college tuition and buys the college textbooks for its students once they qualify to attend Ivy Tech or IUPUI. This semester, 10 high school students are enrolled in freshmen level math, English and computer science classes at Ivy Tech. The school hopes students in the future will graduate with as many as 60 college credits along with their high school diploma.

The school provides the transportation to Ivy Tech and/or IUPUI. Students take the classes during their high school hours.

To further improve the education for its students, the school recently agreed to partner with Garfield Park so its students can access the Burrello Fitness Center and its gym as well as access to the music and arts center in the park. The school plans to have a full sports program in the Fall of 2009 including basketball, track and cross country for both boys and girls. The school provides students transportation to the park daily.

This year, Fountain Square Academy’s 10th graders outperformed every traditional public high school in the Indianapolis Public School system. The school’s 5th and 6th graders progressed better academically than 95 percent of their peers across the country.

The school is on the rise and is now enrolling students for Fall of 2009. Enrollment forms are available at the school or on the web at http://www.geoacademies.org .

Falling for Fletcher Place

2009-03-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

Hi. I live in Fletcher Place and always enjoy reading your newspaper, which I pick up at the Fountain Square library. I was intrigued by the article title "Falling for Fletcher Place," by Kristen Meyer. But after reading the article I think that a clarification in your next issue might be helpful. The writer, I believe, refers to Fletcher Place Community Center in Fountain Square, rather than Fletcher Place. We no longer have a community center. Since she is happy about her volunteer activities there and its social work, they probably deserve a plug with contact information, in case others would like to volunteer or access services. No specifics or contact information was included.

Thank you.

Kathy McKimmie

In response to the thoughtful request above, here is the contact information for Fletcher Place Community Center:

1637 Prospect Street
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Phone: 317.636.3466
Fax: 317.636.3467
Email: info@fletcherplacecc.org
Online: http://www.fletcherplacecc.org

Dyngus Day in the Square

2009-03-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

By: Jon Clucas

In a country where George W. Bush was President for the first twenty days this year, we are certainly all aware of Easter Sunday, if not familiar with the traditions of dying hard-boiled eggs, eating chocolate rabbits, and going to church to celebrate the Eternal Resurrection of Christ Jesus of Nazareth. Easter Monday also has traditions, though. Traditions which are much less familiar than the Easter Sunday traditions. Also known as Dyngus Day, the day after Easter is a day that has long been celebrated in Poland by dousing significant others (or friends, or strangers) with water in honor of the god Dyngus.

The Polish Dyngus Day tradition is also practiced outside of Poland. In the United States, Dyngus Day is particularly popular in Buffalo, New York and South Bend, Indiana. Democratic politicians often celebrate Dyngus Day in South Bend to start the primary season. Notable Presidential candidates who have done so include Bobby Kennedy and Bill Clinton.

This year, Dyngus Day falls on April 13. If you are not fully satisfied with your April Fool's Day, you might try the Dyngus Day tradition of dousing someone in the southeast square with a bucket of water on the day after Easter!

Indianapolis Comedy Play Premiers in Fountain Square

2009-03-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Point of Contact: Bob Rini

The cast of "Indianapolis Jones - Spy Catcher" (clockwise from left: Steve Demuth, Serita Borgeas, Gary Harrells Lennae Gordon, Vic Vickers, Melissa Debening, and Jarin Harrell) are hard at work rehearsing the Stage Actors' Workshop production of the John Burkhart scripted comedy. The Indianapolis premier of the show, directed by Bob Rini, is scheduled to run weekends March 6th through 16th 2009 at the University of Indianapolis Community Theater located at 1035 Sanders Street in the Fountain Square area of Indianapolis. Ticket prices are: Adults $10, Seniors, Veterans, Students $6, and Children 12 and younger $4. Call 317-201-3436 for information, directions or reservations.

Play Synopsis: Evil spy Drat Bullbreath is sending secret messages to his equally evil assistant, beautiful and dangerous Anne G. Jolie by means of letters to the advice column in the local newspaper, the Indianapolis Southeast Circle News. Ace spy catcher Morse Code is hot on the trail of the spy ring. Indy Jones, crack reporter and part time advice column editor, notices something unusual about the letters she is receiving. She confides her suspicions to her co-worker and closest friend, Debby Deadline. They discover secret documents that place them both in grave danger! Can Morse save them and the entire nation from the evil spies?

The Stage Actors' Workshop is a not-for-profit community theater acting company comprised of talented people who do theater for the love of it. Their mission is to bring to the public live family-friendly stage shows that are entertaining and educational at a cost that will not break the family budget. Bob Rini has served as the company's artistic director since its inception in 1998. They offer affordable acting classes for adults and children. More information may be obtained by e-mailing them at stageactorsworkshop@gmail.com .

Southeast Leading Organizations for 2008

2009-03-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

By: Jennifer Rice

As promised in the last issue of The Southeast Square News, this article celebrates the outstanding organizations and initiatives working in our neighborhood for 2008. The list was created by residents at the Southeast Neighborhood Gathering last year.

Friends & FACT is a neighborhood association that serves Fountain Square. Friends & FACT have years of experience in working at improving this neighborhood. They organize clean ups and beautification projects. Friends & FACT made Stacy Park a place many can enjoy. Their meetings are well attended and the group’s membership includes some of the area’s most engaged residents.

Great Indy Neighborhoods Initiative (GINI): the Southeast was selected as a demonstration neighborhood for GINI in 2006. The initiative is designed to support comprehensive community development, through development of neighborhood quality of life (QOL) plans. Residents and stakeholders worked hard to develop a revised QOL plan in 2007 and are now in the process of implementation, with ongoing support from GINI.

Indianapolis Churchman Avenue Neighbors (ICAN) started when a resident began to reach out to her neighbors, resulting in the formation of a successful block club. Members of ICAN united to clean up Churchman Avenue and the areas around their block. The group has grown into a neighborhood association and is making a difference both in their immediate area and throughout the Southeast.

Making Connections is an initiative of the Annie E. Casey foundation that focuses on building strong neighborhoods, strong families and strong children. Making Connections does work with resident leadership and engagement, school readiness for children and encouraging residents to build assets. However, this list of activities does not do justice to all of the work they do in the community. Making Connections is an engaged organization that is a vital part of the Southeast.

Salvation Army is a valuable asset in the Southeast. The Salvation Army provides support for residents in a variety of ways, including their food pantry and youth activities. As one resident put it, “This is an organization that has stepped up to help in a neighborhood that needed it.”

Southeast Community Organization (SECO) is an active neighborhood association in the Southeast with over 165 members. They work hard year round on neighborhood improvement by organizing clean ups, developing summer youth programs including a Little League. Residents look forward to their annual Christmas party and Easter egg hunt.

Southeast Community Services (SECS) provides many types of support for residents and has been in existence since 1972. They are dedicated to increasing self-sufficiency for low-income residents. SECS services include employment counseling and placements, life skills training and emergency assistance to name just a few. The community center is a hub of activity and a gathering place for numerous meetings and events.

Southeast Neighborhood Development (SEND) is a community development corporation. Their mission is to revitalize the Southeast side of Indianapolis and enhance the quality of life for its diverse spectrum of residents. SEND’s work is evident in the commercial revitalization of Fountain Square, in housing rehabilitation and neighborhood beautification projects. SEND’s Fab For Less event draws visitors from all parts of the city and suburbs, while making a significant impact on neighborhood block revitalization.

Spruce Street Squad started as a crime watch group and has grown to function as a block club. Led by a resident who is determined to improve her neighborhood, this group created their own quality of life plan. They are well organized and have several projects in the pipeline.

Southeast Music News

2009-03-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

By: Ryan Williams

Now that Fountain Square is thawing a bit, you can expect more great music to come back to the area. Radio Radio leads off with a great bill on March 6th, featuring The Hard Lessons, My Dear Disco, Javelins, and Great Lakes Myth Society. On March 21st, they feature Brian McGee and The Hollow Speed with Mandy Marie and the Cool Hand Lukes.

Big Car Gallery has one musical event on their calendar, but it's a big one. The entire evening on March 6th is devoted to electronic music and experimental video projects. Expect to see and hear a display you wouldn't ordinarily find on your First Friday outings. And I mean that in a good way.

Sam's Saloon has a packed schedule this spring, kicking off March 4th with Smoke Ring and Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies. From there, indie rock fans should put the March 6th show from the Moon Buggie Kids and The Dig on their calendars, along with the Heavy Hometown, One Happy Island, Sam Eakin and Turophile show on March 14th and The Chairs on March 21st. Fans of a harder style of rock should look for the Devil To Pay, STATE and Admiral of Black show on March 12th and Cursed For Manners and Broken Equilibrium on March 27th. From there, Sam's Saloon switches over to alt-country shows with Nightjar on March 28th, Roothog on April 10th, Ribbonpigeon on April 18th, and Husky Burnette on April 25th. Finally fans of punk will want to check out The Bass Line Bums on April 3rd and Versificators and Bantha Fodder on April 11th.

Deano's Vino continues to host acoustic and jazz music on the weekends, and Maria's Pizza features live jazz on Friday nights. Finally, remember the Fountain Square Theater's Swing Nights on every second and fourth Friday. Enjoy!

COMMUNITY ARTsSIGHT

2009-03-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

By: D. DelReverda-Jennings

BOI WORKSHOPS: 4755 Kingsway Dr., Ste. 314. Business Ownership Initiative of Indiana. Upcoming Workshops: "Sales 101" How to understand the difference between sales and marketing, the importance of sales to the small-business owner, steps in the sales process, and the language and psychology of sales. "Marketing Your Personal-Care Business" Learn key principles of marketing that you can use to find clients for your personal-care business. "Personal Money Management for Entrepreneurs", as well as Workshop Courses in how to better manage your personal finances to position yourself for business ownership: How To Start A Business The Right Way, Understanding Financial Statements, Analyzing Your Business Idea, Minimizing Risks In Your Business, Issues for Small Businesses With Employees, Winning Sales Strategies (two-part series), Small Business Banking Resources. Small Fee Applies. INFO: 317-917-3266, ext.100 , information@nsibiz.org .

ASANTE CHILDREN'S THEATRE: “People Get Ready: A Tribute to Curtis Mayfield.” The Frank and Katrina Basile Theater located in the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio St. Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 8:00pm. (School Night at the Theatre), through Sun., March 15th at 4pm. Tickets go on Sale Feb.1,'09. Call for more ticket INFO: 317-627-4755.

WOMEN IN ART: The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. 500 W. Washington St. White River State Park. Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 10am - 5:00pm. In honor of Women’s History Month the Eiteljorg presents the 4th annual juried Women In Art event. The market will feature basketry, sculpture, fiber arts, ceramics, woodworking, painting and other arts. Enjoy and purchase artwork by some of the region’s best female artists. Katrina Gorman, Amy Gunderson, Agatha Onye Ndika, Dixie Ferrer, Cathy Claycomb, Theresa Turner, Dee Di Camillo, Jennie Elkins, Theresa Thomas, Shirley M. Brauker, Lynn Medsker, Mint Evans, Francie Broadie, Camille Richards, Judie Huss, Peg Neal, D. DelReverda-Jennings and many more! Free with general museum admission. INFO: 317-636-9378 , 317-275-1319 , mbarenie@eiteljorg.com , http://www.eiteljorg.org/ .

STILL SEARCHING FOR MUSICIANS: The Wheeler Arts Community is seeking acoustic, unplugged musicians to perform during First Friday art receptions between 7-9 pm. Any genre of music that would complement a visual art experience is acceptable. There is no compensation; however, tip jars are encouraged and approximately 100-200 people attend each reception. INFO: Please direct inquiries and music samples (MySpace pages or CD's if you have them) to Katie; burkk@uindy.edu , 317-916-9375 .

ARTIST CALL: Artists show your work! Gallery Seven operated by the Pike Performing Arts Center is a unique exhibition space offering an opportunity to community visual artists to be showcased during regular operational hours and during ticketed Pike Performing Arts Center programs or by appointment. Artist contracts run for one month. Free. INFO: Jared Duymovic, Community Outreach Coordinator; 317-216-5450 , ppac@pike.k12.in.us , http://www.pikepac.org/ .

ARTSWORK MEETINGS: ArtsWORK Indiana is an informal, statewide group of people interested in improving arts-related professional opportunities and careers for people with disabilities. The schedule for upcoming meetings are: March 26th, April 23rd, and May 28th, 2009. Meetings will be held at 2:00pm. at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) in Adult Lecture Room A. Please support us and put these ArtsWORK Indiana meeting dates on your 2009 calendar! Free! INFO: Chris Karson; karsonRacing@aol.com , info@artsworkindiana.org .

ARTSWORK WORKSHOP: Indianapolis Art Center, 820 E. 67th St. April 4, 2009 from 1 - 2pm. This is a free workshop on careers in the arts for people with disabilities. Local event partners are the Indianapolis Art Center and the Indianapolis Resource Center for Independent Living. Event Sponsor: ArtsWORK Indiana along with Local Co-Sponsors. Attend this workshop to: Receive tips, tools and resources for pursuing a career in the arts. Learn about the resources available at ArtsWORKIndiana.org . Hear the lessons learned about forging a career in the arts from someone who has been there - Indianapolis artist and gallery owner Wug Laku, and learn about opportunities to explore the arts through programs at the Indianapolis Art Center. Sign language interpretation will be provided. Please let us know of any additional special accommodations. INFO: Kristina Davis , kdavis-smith@iac.in.gov , 317-232-1279 , http://www.artsworkindiana.org/defiles/pdfdocs/Creative Connections Indianapolis.pdf .

INDY FILM FESTIVAL: Indianapolis International Film Festival. July 15-25, 2009: Seeking entries in the following categories: American Spectrum Features (40 min. or longer), American Spectrum Shorts (under 40 min.), World Cinema Features, World Cinema Shorts, Documentary Features, Documentary Shorts, and Black Expressions (films presenting the Black experience in an increasingly globalized world). The festival awards the Eric Parker Social Justice Award to the feature film that best presents a vital social issue and suggests ways to correct it (last year's winner was a documentary by a woman depicting the strength and community of women in the Congo surviving rape). Fee - $30-$75. Deadline: March 15, 2009 (late), April 15, '09 (extended). INFO: 317-513-9379, FAX: 317-968-0402 , inquiry@indyfilmfest.org , http://indyfilmfest.org/ , OR write > Indianapolis International Film Festival, 719 1/2 Massachusetts Ave. Suite B, Indianapolis, IN. 46204.

Garfield Park Events for March-April 2009

2009-03-09T05:00:00.001-07:00

Garfield Park Hours:
Burrello Family Center, 2345 Pagoda Drive
Mon. 9:30a-9:00p, Tues. 11:00a-9:00p, Wed. 9:30a-9:00p, Thurs. 11:00a-9:00p, Fri. 9:30a-8:00p, Sat. 9:30a-4:30p
Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive
Mon. Closed, Tues. 1:00p-5:00p, Wed. 1:00p-5:00p, Thur. 1:00p-5:00p, Fri. 1:00p-5:00p, Sat. 10:00a-5:00p, Sun. 1:00p-5:00p
Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive
Mon.-Sat. 10:00am-5:00p, Sun. 1:00p-5:00p
Sunken Gardens
10:00a-5:00p, through Apr. 14, 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

Through the Lens III
All Ages, Mar. 13th-Apr. 3rd, Fri., 6:00p-9:00p, FREE
The Indiana Photographic Society celebrates “Beautiful Indiana” with its third annual Through the Lens Exhibit. Society artists will show their work in both black & white and color photography. The exhibit will be open from March 13-April 3 during Garfield Park Arts Center regular hours.

Central Indiana Youth Barbershop Chorus
Ages 12-18, Ongoing, Wed., 6:45p-8:45p, 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.

Nature and Gardening

Jungle Tales – Garfield Park Conservatory
Ages 2-5, Mar. 10th and/or Apr. 14th, 10:00a-11:00a, $2 per class
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.

Junior Gardener Club – Garfield Park Conservatory
Ages 6-12, Mar. 14th and/or Apr. 11th, 11:00a-Noon, FREE
Come out to the Conservatory for a fun-filled garden lesson and activity. The Club will focus on a different topic each month.

Tropical Trees – Garfield Park Conservatory
Ages 8-14, Apr. 25th, Sat., 2:00p-3:00p, $3
Did you know that most of our fruits and spices come from the tropics? Come see some of these cool trees in the Conservatory and learn about some of their unique adaptations.

Starting a Vegetable Garden – Garfield Park Conservatory
Ages 18+, Mar. 14th, Sat., 1:00p-2:00p, $3
Want to grow your own food? Find out how to get started planning and planting your garden.

Escape to the Tropics – Garfield Park Conservatory
Ages 1+, Mar. 6th, Fri., 6:00p-8:00p, FREE
Bring the family to enjoy a tropical festival. Grab your favorite floral shirt and come enjoy crafts, refreshments, games and more! Learn what life is like for people who live in the tropical rainforests.

African Violet Show – Garfield Park Conservatory
All Ages, Apr. 25th, Sat., 10:00a-5:00p, FREE
The Indy African Violet Society presents their annual show featuring a variety of these common house plants, including some for sale. Society members will also be available to answer questions.

Reptile and Amphibian Show – Garfield Park Conservatory
All Ages, Mar. 21st, Sat., 10:00a-2:00p, FREE
Join the Conservatory in welcoming the Hoosier Herpetology Society and their cold-blooded friends. Come and see a variety of different reptiles and amphibians from both Indiana and the tropics.

Spring Bulb Show - Garfield Park Conservatory
All Ages, Mar. 27th-Apr. 3rd, Mon.-Sun., $2-$5 depending on age
It’s springtime at the Garfield Conservatory! Come see our stunning display of tulips and other spring blooms against the backdrop of our permanent tropical collection. The bulbs will be for sale beginning April 4 at 10AM. Flowers are sold on a first come, first served basis and prices will vary.

Orchid Show - Garfield Park Conservatory
All Ages, Apr. 18th-19th, Sat. and Sun., FREE
This weekend, the Garfield Conservatory will be filled with a variety of blooming orchids from across the state. Come check out this event is presented by the Central Indiana Orchid Society. Vendors will also be available with orchids for sale.

Fitness and Sports

Taijiquan at the Conservatory
Ages 18+, Tues. & Fri., 8:30a-9:15a, many dates thru Mar. & Apr., $35 for 8 classes
Taijiquan is a holistic health improvement system. In this course, you’ll learn practical ways to achieve many of the treasures Taujuquan offers and establish a foundation on which you can base a lifetime of improvement. Call instructor Matthew Hays at (317) 985-7542 for more information.

Garfield Park Fitness Class - Garfield Park Burrello Family Center
Ages 18+, Mar. 30th-May 8th, MWF, 10:00a-11:00a, $30, 18 classes
Class consists of warm-up, simple beginning steps, walking, small kicks. Work on legs, abdominal muscles, and thighs. After class, learn to use the weight equipment properly.

Indy in Motion - Garfield Park Burrello Family Center
Ages 18+, Ongoing, MWF, 5:30p-6:30p, 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.

Garfield Park Weight Room
Ages 18+, Ongoing

Garfield Spring Coed BB League- Garfield Park Burrello Family Center
Ages 10-13, Apr. 13th-Jun. 18th, MWTh, 5:00p-9:00p, $40, 30 classes
This league is designed to improve players’ skills, through inter-league play.

Garfield Spring Coed BB League - Garfield Park Burrello Family Center
Ages 6-9, Apr. 18th-Jun. 26th, WFSat., 11:00a, $40, 30 classes
This league is designed to improve players’ skills, through inter-league play. Registration for this program will start on Feb. 6.

Garfield Spring Basketball League - Garfield Park Burrello Family Center
Ages 14-16, Apr.-Jun. 17th, 5:30p-8:30p, $40, 30 classes
This league is designed to improve players’ skills through inter league play. Registration for this program will start on Feb. 6.

2008 Mayor’s Community Service (MCS) Awards

2009-03-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

By: Jane Mullikin

Karen Mitchell, a resident of Grandville Co-operative and a recent graduate of Making Connections Indianapolis Resident Leadership Facilitation training was honored by Mayor Greg Ballard and Deputy Chief Mayor Olgen Williams with one of the 2008 Community Service Awards on December 16, 2008. Following is the essay nominating Karen for the award:

When Karen Mitchell says, “We’ve come a long way, but I’m not finished yet,” she means it--and the more she says it, the harder she works.

Karen worked as a Corrections Officer while raising a family of six, eventually becoming disabled after back surgeries. Not the kind of person who gives up or gives in, Karen became concerned about the dilapidated condition of the Grandville Co-operative on the near Southeast side of Indianapolis. Through the grapevine she learned the Co-op, a low income housing project, was close to bankruptcy created by a lack of oversight of the management company and was possibly on HUD’s closing list. Karen ran for the Board.

After gaining a seat on the Board of Directors in 2003, Karen began a vigorous campaign to revitalize the condition of the buildings and the grounds, to put in place proper oversight of the management company and to insure Grandville would be able to pass all audits and inspections. In her spare time, she went back to college.

Once the set of goals described above had been reached, Karen began her campaign to enrich and transform the lives of the community. She started with HOPE team and provided permanent housing for a group of Katrina families, Prenatal Housing Program from HIP, and has now added Making Connections Indianapolis’ Play and Learn for the preschoolers, Youth Leadership Facilitation training for the teens, a Junior Leadership Committee, and a Study Circle from Making Connections. Subsequently, with the raising of community awareness she was able to instigate a Grandville Planning Committee. She plans and oversees community social activities on a year round basis.

The Board Treasurer estimates Karen’s volunteer hours per month at about 167. Board meetings, hearings, orientations consume about 32 hours; administrative duties (there is no paid staff) at about 35 hours per month; direct services/security will consume around 100 hours. Karen is actually on duty 24/7 and makes every effort to be available whenever a community member needs guidance, comforting, and a ready should upon which to cry.

As the Southeast Organizer for Youth Initiatives with Making Connections Indianapolis, I have been working closely with Karen for some time now. I am a part of a world where many wonderful community members pour themselves into community service, and I still stand in awe of all that Karen Mitchell is accomplishing in the Grandville Co-operative. She stands head and shoulders above the crowd. --Jane Mullikin

Flavors of the Southeast Side

2009-03-09T04:00:00.000-07:00

By: Claire Norton

It’s small, but it’s hard to miss. Painted with a vibrant pink and orange, the tiny carryout-only Bravaro’s Pizza is located at 1324 South East Street.

Bravaro’s certainly was not established for its ambience, but ambience means little when delivery and carryout are the only options. My husband and I picked up a medium cheese pizza, deciding to play it safe with an unknown-to-us eating establishment. Once we exited the building and climbed back into the car we realized we probably didn’t have to play it quite so safe. The heat of the pizza steamed our windows and the smell permeated everything, promising we were in store for a treat. As soon as we got home and walked through the door we cracked open the box and were greeted by a thick crust, generously topped with cheese and a slightly sweet sauce. It was a pleasing pizza to say the least.

Pizza is considerably standard fare, but I can only imagine the other standard fare Bravaro’s offers is just as satisfying. In addition to pizza, their specialties include Philly Cheesesteak, lasagna, gyros, spaghetti and Fettuccine Alfredo. Standard appetizers such as breadsticks, wings, French fries, and elephant ears are also on the menu.

Bravaro’s is open Monday-Thursday from 4-11 pm, Friday and Saturday 4-2 am and on Sunday from 4-10 pm. Call 317.624.9111 for carryout and delivery. Delivery is free in certain locations with an $8.00 minimum order. Visit their website www.bravarospizza.com for more information about their menu and specials.

Test, Plant, Meet, Enjoy

2009-03-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

By: Irvin Etienne

March and April at last. Surely there won’t be too many hits from winter now. As you know there are no guarantees. You hope for the best. Not too many overly warm days to push growth early and no late super-cold nights to ruin everything. It’s a battle of wits and nature has all the weapons.

I’m hearing that more and more people are starting vegetable gardens now to save on groceries. Great idea at any time. Before you plant I suggest you get your garden soil tested. In our older neighborhoods it’s hard to know what may have been dumped in times when we were less careful. What did the previous owners do with the oil from their car when they changed it? How much lead paint was scraped off the house that time it was repainted? I’m going to get mine checked before I plant anything that is going to produce food for the table. Better to be a little cautious. I’m not plugging any place in particular but Purdue sends samples to A&L Great Lakes Laboratories in Fort Wayne. The website is www.algreatlakes.com or phone them at 260-483-4759. You can get the necessary work done for around $10.

By mid-April it’s easily late enough to start seeds. You can start even earlier if you have good natural artificial light in a warm place. Most seeds aren’t too happy below 65 or 70 degrees. Heat mats can help but they are not what I call cheap, usually at least $20 for less than two square feet. Shop around before you buy or get a friend to buy one too since often you save a bit ordering multiples. Even better, get your friend to buy two then convince them they only need one and to give you the extra one. You have to be resourceful in these tough economical times. One thing you don’t want to cut corners on is the soil for your seeds. Use a good quality mix that is sterile. If you are using natural light through a window be sure to rotate your plants so they don’t bend toward the light. Remember many of the early planted vegetables like lettuce, radishes, peas, and mustard can be direct sown in March or April even before all danger of frost is past.

If you don’t have a suitable spot (vegetables don’t like shade for instance) look into one of the community gardens. You can get a plot for a small fee that you more than earn back with the first crop of greenbeans or tomatoes on the table. Also don’t forget you can grow your vegetables right in with your annual and perennial flowers. There’s no law saying they have to be confined to a VEGETABLE GARDEN. Peppers are very ornamental and many of the hot varieties are sold as annuals to be used just like marigolds. Be adventurous. The fruit of a yellow tomato is the perfect contrast to blue salvia and a perfect color echo for a yellow daylily. A ‘Burgundy’ okra plant can act as a great small shrub giving you beautiful color, fantastic texture, and one of the ingredients for gumbo.

You might want to talk to our neighbors at KIBI for more information on what has been called Urban Farming. Come to a FRIENDS and FACT meeting. You can ask me questions directly and meet the people that maintain a local community garden. Gardening can be a fun relaxing hobby anytime but when times are tough it can be a true refuge. See you when you have some zucchini to trade for green peppers.

Just How Dis-shoveled Are You?

2009-03-09T02:00:00.000-07:00

By: Richard Campi

This certainly has been a very cold January and part of February. Those of us that felt we really should have some snow finally got it! This is to the peril and dismay of most of the ones who do the shoveling and drive very far. I don’t know about anyone else, but I was pleasantly surprised that the city of Indianapolis, through the news media, asked that the populace shovel the sidewalks, etc. This is required by ordinance and I hope that many of you able-bodies did your duty and good deeds and did shovel your walks.

I know that this is repetitious to many, but we as property owners are responsible by thought and law to remove any debris from the walk, street and alley adjacent to our properties and to halfway across. It would help if renters as well as passersby would “lift a finger” or at least some trash when one sees it. Ask for more public trash receptacles in heavy pedestrian areas and “Pitch IN!”

There is a plan in progress to assess the quality or lack thereof of our streets, sidewalks, storm sewers, tree lines, posted signage, street lights, etc. This is to being done by residents street by street throughout the southeast of Indianapolis. This survey will be submitted to the City of Indianapolis to assist in prioritizing repairs. Surveyors will receive $12.50/hour to do this job in the spring. If you wish to assist, contact Jeff Miller at 917-0545 or jeff03167@indy.rr.com. If you wish to learn more about your neighborhood, attend your neighborhood association or contact them for more information. A listing of these meetings is in this paper.

Richard Campi
866 Fletcher Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46203
317-634-2448
beauartnow@yahoo.com