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.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Flavors of the Southeast Side, by Claire Norton
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Refresh Your Community
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Indy Reads has Record Year in 2009
(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.
“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
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.
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