Contact the editor:
Have a news tip? Want to submit a calendar event? Have a photograph to share?
Contact Managing Editor Leila Kheiry at leila@ youarecurrent.com or call 317.489.4444 ext. 804. You may also submit information on our website, currentinfishers. com. Remember our news deadline is typically eight days prior to publication.
News tips/story ideas: stories@youarecurrent.com
Letters to the editor/ guest columns: letters@youarecurrent.com
news@currentinfishers.com
Advertise your business:
If you’re interested in reaching virtually 100 percent of the Fishers market (29,403 households), you may obtain more information by emailing ads@youarecurrent.com (subject: Fishers advertising) or by calling 317.748.2662.
Obituaries: obits@youarecurrent.com
Legal advertising: legals@youarecurrent.com
Delivery questions: circulation@youarecurrent.com
Join our community: www.facebook.com/currentinfishers www.twitter.com/CI_Fishers instagram.com/youarecurrent
The City of Fishers announced June 13 that it plans to build a 105,000-square-foot community center at Johnson Farms on Hoosier Road near 121st Street.
The $60 million Fishers Community Center will be recreation-focused, according to the city, and will include amenities such as a dog park, indoor playground, indoor walking/ running track and an aquatics facility.
“As we strive to build a culture of health in our community, a vital component of this is creating a place where our community can come together to care for their overall wellbeing,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness stated. “With this new community asset, we not only offer a place for health, fitness and recreation, but also a place to gather and socialize with friends, family and neighbors, which we know is equally important in fostering a strong quality of life in our community.”
Art Johnson owns the property.
“My family has been part of this community for generations, and I am excited to be a part of Fishers’ legacy and have our land serve as a central spot in the community for gathering and recreation for years to come,” he said.
The new community center was designed based on input from residents, according to the city’s announcement. A steering committee was formed in 2021, chaired by Fishers City Councilmember Todd Zimmerman, to identify and prioritize community needs and how they could be served by an indoor facility.
Nearly 3,500 residents completed a survey to share the amenities they most desired in the facility. Many of those priorities were included in the design.
“What I hope for residents to get out of this center is a sense of place and community,” Zimmerman said. “More than the sports or athletics of it, this is a place to bring our residents together. It’s also a place that is welcoming to all, from our neighbors in the surrounding communities to out-of-town
visitors exploring Fishers for the first time.”
The center will offer memberships and day passes with discounts for Fishers residents. Free amenities will be available to residents and nonresidents, including a large indoor playground, indoor track for walking and running, and a café.
According to the city, the main level of the center will include a 5,300-square-foot indoor playground; aquatics facility with a lap pool and a zero-depth entry warm water pool with a waterslide and play features; an 18,600-square-foot gymnasium featuring three basketball courts, which can also be converted into volleyball and pickleball courts; clinical rooms and offices for the Fishers Health Department; a child care facility; multipurpose rooms; public gathering spaces; and a café.
The second level will feature a fitness and wellness center, including a spin studio and group exercise rooms, along with an indoor track for walking and running.
A roof terrace for outdoor exercise and gatherings is planned for future phases.
The city worked with community stakeholders such as the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability to include accessibility features such as adult companion-care rooms with adult changing tables, a zero-depth entry pool, a water wheelchair and accessible fitness equipment. The community center will also house Outside the Box’s adult day program to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The center is estimated to not exceed $60 million and will be paid for through city-issued bonds following a build-operate-transfer agreement set to end in 2026. The city states that it does not anticipate tax rates will increase as a result of this project.
The project was set to go to the Fishers Finance Committee on June 14 and the Fishers City Council on June 19. If approved, the project will break ground this fall with a planned opening in spring of 2025.
To learn more, go to ThisIsFishers.com/ CommunityCenter.
The Fishers Plan Commission voted unanimously June 7 to reject a rezone request that would have allowed Drive Planning LLC, a financial planning company, to build a 6,500-square-foot building at 13562 E 116th St., currently zoned for residential use.
Planning Director Megan Vukusich told the commission that her office did not have a recommendation regarding the request.
The building size and number of parking spaces were reduced from the original plan, she said, and the entrance was configured to eliminate left turns onto 116th Street. But other concerns, such as the flat roof and commercial look of the building, were not addressed as of the June 7 meeting.
Ann O’Hara, attorney for the business owner, said Drive wants to work with the city to make the project happen. She said the look of the building fits the area.
“This is a high-quality, professional-use building for a financial services firm,” she said. “I think that is consistent with the other professional services that you see on 116th Street.”
Members of the public who attended the meeting disagreed. Josh Berry of the Moore-Berry dentist office next door, said his business was built to fit the neighborhood.
“We built our building 10 years ago,” he said. “We were limited to 4,500 square feet, 24 parking spaces, a pitched roof (and) one story.”
He asked that the development be held to the same requirements as his office.
About eight other people also spoke, all opposed to the building’s size and commercial look. Some also complained that the owners are not taking care of the empty lot, which now has long, uncut grass. One speaker, Elizabeth Cook, noted that other commercial property in Fishers is available and would be more appropriate for the size and character of the proposed building.
Members of the commission agreed that the proposed building does not fit the neighborhood. They voted unanimously to send an unfavorable recommendation to the Fishers City Council and urged the developer to work with city planning staff to bring back a proposal that’s more in line with the
character of the neighborhood.
Also during the meeting, the commission postponed making a recommendation on another rezone request for the proposed Flat Fork PUD residential development. That proposal involves two separate parcels resulting in a maximum of 220 single-family homes on the north side of 96th Street, be tween Georgia and Cyntheanne Road.
Developer Ryan Homes’ proposal also includes a commercial area at the northeast corner of 96th and Georgia, but Vukusich said her department does not recommend approving that part of the plan.
During the public hearing, most speakers objected to the commercial piece of the proposed development. There also was concern about additional traffic in the area, and the density of the homes within the development.
Fishers City Councilmember Brad DeReamer, who is not a member of the plan commission, spoke during the public hearing. He said the proposed setbacks around the homes are too narrow, which leads to poor drainage and mold growth. He said there also is inadequate space on the lots if a new resident wants to build a patio or deck in their backyard.
He asked the commission to consider what’s best for Fishers in the long run.
“You’re appointed to protect the residents of Fishers, not the developers,” DeReamer said.
The commission unanimously agreed to postpone a recommendation until the next meeting and directed the developer to work with staff on addressing concerns about setbacks and the commercial element of the plan.
The Fishers Plan Commission meets the first Wednesday of each month.
The Hamilton Southeastern High School boys lacrosse team had more than its share of adversity this season.
2021 and 2022.
Krekeler has been the team’s starting goalie since his freshman year.
“His ball-stopping ability and his leadership, confidence and poise will be greatly missed next season,” Beesley said.
LACROSSE“We had five concussions before tryouts in February, two starters missed the majority of the season due to significant injuries that happened in March only five games into the season and several of the seniors battled through bad backs, shin splints, ankle sprains and feet problems,” Royals coach Scott Beesley said. “It was a trying year, to say the least. I am very thankful for our athletic training staff for keeping our boys as healthy as possible and getting them back to full strength quickly, and I am proud of the resilience of our boys. We had a lot of new faces playing big-time varsity minutes. They didn’t make excuses, they listened to our coaching and we made progress every single day.”
In the end, the Royals battled all the way to the Indiana High School Lacrosse Association Class 2A state championship game June 3 before losing to Carmel 9-7 at Roncalli High School. HSE finished 14-9, 12-2 against Indiana teams, with both losses coming against Carmel.
HSE senior goalie Colin Krekeler had 14 saves and won defensive MVP for the second consecutive state championship game. Freshman David Gould and junior John Pauls had two goals each for HSE.
The Royals have played in the past five state championship games, winning in 2018,
All-Americans Owen O’Rourke and Gavin Berry, along with Shane Gastineau, Jack Neff and Kai Trott, are 2023 graduates on the offensive side. The departing seniors on defense are All-Americans Quinn Shefferly, Kaleb Johnson, Eli Brantman, Teddy Johnson and Andrew Simonetti. The Royals’ face-off specialist, Gavin Wright — the conference player of the year — has graduated, as well.
Krekeler and Shefferly plan to play at NCAA Division III Wabash College. Berry and Neff plan to play at Division III DePauw University
O’Rourke, Berry, Shefferly and junior Mason Wright all were selected IHSLA firstteam All-State.
Among the key returnees is sophomore Max Kemp, who was second on the team with 77 points, with 49 goals and 28 assists. O’Rouke had one more point with 52 goals and 26 assists.
“Hats off to our youth program and the dedicated coaches, board members and families,” Beesley said. “Lacrosse continues to grow in popularity and players are developing skills at a younger age.”
Beesley said the athletic department deserves credit for its support.
“We became a varsity club sport in 2016, and I believe our success on the field is directly related to the support we have from our school and community,” Beesley said.
By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com
Work is underway on an interchange project at 146th Street and Allisonville Road that is expected to improve traffic flow through the corridor when it is finished in the summer of 2025.
The $44 million project on the border of Noblesville and Fishers will convert the intersection into a grade-separated interchange with 146th Street going over a roundabout on Allisonville Road. The project is intended to not only improve safety but to relieve congestion in the area, Hamilton County Highway Director Brad Davis said.
Davis said the county conducted traffic studies at various locations, including 146th Street and Allisonville Road, in 2017.
“This was one we reviewed, and based on traffic volume, projected traffic volume and what was happening at that location, it was recommended that an interchange of some type was the best solution,” Davis said.
Davis said a traditional roundabout most motorists are used to seeing would not be able to handle future traffic growth through the corridor. He said a decision was made to create an interchange “and by doing that, you can greatly improve the level of service at that location over the next several decades” in an effort to alleviate traffic.
“Looking at congestion, particularly, it was going to get considerably worse,” Davis said. “And it was time to do something.”
That view was shared by Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt.
“146th Street is the main east-west artery in our county, running 17 miles from the Boone County line to I-69,” Heirbrandt said. “The Allisonville Road intersection in particular is one of the most traveled. Approximately 44,000 vehicles travel through it every day, so it’s critical we make these upgrades to keep up with the growing needs of our community.”
Hamilton County applied for funding through the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization and received $9.5 million toward construction of the project. A portion of the funding was for congestion relief, according to Davis.
Davis said under the first phase, which is underway, motorists should be aware of restrictions traveling through the area and that contractors are working in the medi-
an on 146th Street and Allisonville Road to remove concrete medians. The first phase is anticipated to be completed around July 1, with contractors working on the outside portion where ramps will be, Davis said.
After the first phase, Davis said there will still be restrictions in place in which there will be no left turns permitted off 146th Street. After July, there will be two lanes east and west, in addition to right turn lanes on 146th Street.
On Allisonville Road, there will still be right and left turn lanes, in addition to th ru-lanes, in both directions, Davis said. The only restriction is that there will be no left turn off 146th Street, he added.
However, Davis said the county is actively monitoring the area.
“We know there’s backups and some delays that are occurring, but what we try to do and what we’re doing is frequently going out and trying to monitor the traffic, and our technician is constantly tweaking the traffic signal to kind of optimize the best we can the compromise that you get between allowing traffic on 146th and Allisonville Road,” Davis said. “Predominantly, because of the volume during peak volumes of the day, 146th Street, you get more green time on that signal, and again, it’s a constant monitoring and tweaking of signals to make the best use out of it until we get through this phase.”
Still, Davis asked drivers to be patient as they travel through the area and to seek alternative routes whenever they can. Motorists are restricted to 35 mph in the area, which is monitored by law enforcement.
For more on the project, visit streamline146.com.
news@currentinfishers.com
A Carmel-based organization that works to prevent youth abuse and suicide statewide is offering training sessions June 27 in Fishers for children and adults.
The Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide announced that it is working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to offer free NetSmartz training sessions. The youth training is designed to educate youth about how to stay safe in the digital world.
“These age-appropriate and engaging presentations will cover crucial topics such as inappropriate content, protecting private information, cyberbullying, online solicitation, reporting and — specifically for teens — sexting,” the announcement states.
Melissa Peregrin, executive director for Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide, said NetSmartz is a valuable resource, giving youth the tools they need to navigate the online world safely.
“By partnering with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, we can deliver comprehensive, age-appropriate training that addresses the specific challenges young people face online,” she said. “Our aim is to empower them to make informed decisions and stay safe in the digital realm.”
The youth session is specifically designed for youth in ninth through 12th grades. A separate session for adults provides the knowledge and resources to have meaningful conversations about online safety at home.
The training sessions will take place June 27 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Delaware Township Community Center, 9094 E 131st St. in Fishers. Child care for younger children will not be available, according to the announcement, and young children are not allowed to attend the adult session.
To secure a spot for the free training, visit indianaprevention.org/training or contact Director of Programs Megan Banet at megan@indianaprevention.org.
St. Elmo’s award-winning cocktails are available in bottles.
St. Elmo Steak House, arguably the most well-known steakhouse in Indiana, was recently recognized for another of its signature menu items – cocktails.
The downtown Indianapolis restaurant won a pair of Double Gold medals for its Espresso Martini and Cosmopolitan cocktails in the Ready-To-Drink category at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The SFWSP is the oldest and, likely, most prestigious spirits competition in the nation.
St. Elmo recently began bottling its Espresso Martini and Cosmopolitan cocktails, two of its top sellers.
“Our ready-to-pour cocktails are great for enjoying a piece of the St. Elmo’s experience at home,” said Stephanie Ebarb, director of marketing for Huse Culinary Group. “Now, you can have a St Elmo’s cocktail at home without needing all of the ingredients and without any of the mess.”
Opened in 1902, St Elmo is the oldest Indianapolis steakhouse in its original location and is well known for its steak, seafood and wine cellar. As its recent awards reflect, it is now building a sterling reputation for cocktails.
“Winning two Double Gold medals is a rare achievement. We are quite proud,” said Bryn Jones, vice president of marketing for Huse Culinary Group.
St. Elmo’s ready-to-drink cocktails can be found at grocery and liquor stores in central Indiana. The products can be purchased online at Shopstelmococktails.com for shipping nationwide.
news@currentinfishers.com
covers of Muscle and Fitness magazines, and each will receive a $20,000 grand prize.
A Fishers woman and an Indianapolis man have made it to the quarterfinals of a national competition that benefits Homes For Wounded Warriors.
Torrey Loftus of Fishers said the competition is an annual contest that offers female and male athletes the opportunity to become the next Ms. and Mr. Health and Fitness. The winners will be featured on the
The competition is based on votes that the competitors receive, Loftus said. People can vote for the athlete of their choice every 24 hours for free, and they can vote anytime by donating to Homes for Wounded Warriors. Each dollar counts as a vote.
Loftus said that Matt Newmann of Indianapolis, who owns the CrossFit box that she attends, also is in the quarterfinals. Voting for the quarterfinals round ends
June 22. The semifinals round runs through June 29, and the finals run through July 6. The winners will be announced July 13.
“I’m excited to have made it to the quarterfinals and also really nervous because I have no idea what I will be up against,” Loftus said. “It has been a lot of fun to be in the competition with my friend and owner of Dog Fight Fitness & Barbell Club, and I imagine it is probably unusual to have two people from the same box (gym) to have made it to the quarterfinals.”
Loftus said she’s passionate about donations going toward Homes for Wounded Warriers.
“I’m a social worker and have been working with veterans for the last 15 years,” she said. “I also volunteer for the Humane Society for Hamilton County, so if I win, I am going to donate to their Pets Healing Vets program.”
To vote for Loftus, visit mshealthandfitness.com/2023/torrey-lof.
After years of dieting and then reaching her highest weight yet, Yvette started a conversation with a doctor at Ascension St. Vincent who listened. Our team of doctors, bariatric surgeons, dietitians and specialists provide comprehensive care for weight loss. Take the first step. Attend a free weight-loss seminar where you can ask questions, meet doctors and hear from others who have faced similar challenges.
Hear more from Yvette and others:
~ YVETTE, Ascension St. Vincent bariatric patient
”
you’ve struggled with your weight, don’t wait it out.
news@currentinfishers.com
developing and implementing marketing plans and projects.
A Fishers High School senior is one of four in the Indianapolis area chosen for the Bank of America Student Leaders internship program.
Philip Jones will join three other interns for an eight-week experience working at Christamore House, an organization serving residents of Haughville and the near-Westside. The nonprofit works to empower residents to become self-sufficient and create a safe and healthy community.
The students will earn $17 per hour and develop leadership and practical workforce skills while working with Christamore House, according to Bank of America. Their responsibilities will include assisting with case management for families seeking services, supervising and mentoring youth enrolled in summer programming, and
Jones volunteers with several organizations, including Jack and Jill of America, Inc., which is dedicated to nurturing future Black leaders through growth and development opportunities. He participates in a school club that encourages students to develop business and leadership skills, serves as captain of his school’s lacrosse team and is a member of the robotics team.
Jones and the other Student Leaders will travel to Washington, D.C., later in the summer for a weeklong national leadership summit focused on the power of cross-sector collaboration and community advocacy.
In addition to its Student Leaders program, Bank of America connects teens and young adults to paid jobs and internships through partnerships with EmployIndy’s summer youth employment program and Conner Prairie’s Prairie-ship program.
The heat is on! And Bone Dry’s highly trained service techs are on the road and fully equipped to get your home’s air-conditioning ready for the season. Call today and ask about our Summer TuneUp Special for only $49.95! We can even be there the same day! Phone 317.873.6005 or visit bonedryhvac.com.
A conservative pastor from Noblesville has launched a bid for lieutenant governor.
YOU’RE INVITED TO
June 22-24: 11am-6pm
Micah Beckwith, a pastor at Life Church’s Noblesville campus, officially made his announcement June 5. He said the decision was one that he had been thinking about for quite some time.
“The big thing I’ve noticed over the last 10 years, myself being a delegate, is that when it comes to the lieutenant governor, you really don’t have a voice and they’ve given the courtesy to the gubernatorial primary winner,” Beckwith said.
Beckwith, a Republican, criticized Gov. Eric Holcomb and said, “We’ve seen him abuse his constitutional authority” over the last four years. Asked to elaborate on what he meant by abuse of constitutional authority, Beckwith pointed to Holcomb’s decision to close churches during the COVID-19 pandemic as one example and said he didn’t have the authority to do so.
“There’s no constitutional power to do that, but he took it anyway,” Beckwith said, noting that Holcomb has also fought against constitutional carry in Indiana. He said a candidate needs to have a voice for delegates and represent what they believe in.
Beckwith’s decision to pursue a run for the seat is unusual since delegates normally select a nominee, but he confirmed he had already spoken to four gubernatorial candidates — U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden and Jamie Reitenour.
“I really do genuinely like all of them, they’re all good people and they all have great strengths,” Beckwith said. “They also bring weaknesses to the table as well, but my strengths would complement them.”
He said he thinks he could work with any
of the four individuals, adding that they had wished him well. But Beckwith said his current campaign strategy in part is to promote the fact he is a candidate with conservative values while making a case to delegates and how he can serve individuals best as lieutenant governor.
“It’s going to be a very laser-focused campaign,” Beckwith said.
Beckwith, who previously ran for the U.S. House seat held by Victoria Spartz, said he has a campaign fundraising goal of around $200,000. He also plans to attend the convention, he said.
His campaign focuses, he said, include addressing property taxes in Indiana, saying the issue is one that the General Assembly has dropped over the last few years.
“I want to remove the burden of the property tax off the people of Indiana,” Beckwith said. “I really want to make sure we move the Legislature in the right direction.”
In addition, Beckwith said that “we have seen an agenda to indoctrinate our kids into this Marxist ideology that’s happening in our public schools, whether people want to deny it or not.”
A post on Beckwith’s Facebook page dated June 6 also says that as lieutenant governor, he would “fight to let kids be kids, and I will keep the radical woke agenda from robing (sic) Hoosier children of their innocence.”
Asked to clarify what he meant by that statement, Beckwith said, “You can’t even define what a woman is anymore in public schools, I mean, that’s how crazy this has gotten, the stupidity of the culture.”
He also said he looks forward to educating Hoosiers accross the state on the process regarding delegates and the lieutenant governor position as part of his campaign.
For more on Beckwith’s campaign, visit micahbeckwith.com.
June 25: 12pm-6pm
NOW IS THE TIME FOR NO STEPS AND NO MOWER
As summer arrives, Epcon invites you to take a tour of our beautiful model homes offering single-level living and private, outdoor courtyards. Plus, take a tour of the community clubhouses and amenities. See it all for yourself during the Summer Open House Weekend at our Hamilton County communities.
ASK ABOUT OUR QUICK MOVE-IN HOMES
“I want to remove the burden of the property tax off the people of Indiana. I really want to make sure we move the Legislature in the right direction.”
– MICAH BECKWITH
engines! Join us for light refreshments and candy bar. Our model homes are built, ready for their official debut.
bedrooms, 2 car garage and snow removal included in low located adjacent to Grand Park Sports Complex
With Beazer Homes, your future is looking bright! Receive a Free Whirlpool® Stainless Steel Refrigerator +
Weldon Way, Westfield, IN 46074 317-279-6293 or visit beazer.com
*Offer valid only on Quick Move-in Homes sold between 6/15/23 and 6/30/23 that close per terms of purchaseagreement. Limit one
PRIVACY POLICY. Sweepstakes begins on May 13, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and ends at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 14, 2023. Only one entry per
(1) Appliance package per home purchase. Appliance Package includes pre-selected Whirlpool® refrigerator (option WRS335SDHM) and Whirlpool® washer and dryer (option APE13SA1) with a total estimated retailvalue of $5,290. Pricing, features and availability are subject to change without notice. Beazer may substitute similarvalued appliances, but buyer may make no substitutions or changes to the Appliance Package. There is no cash orexchange value for the Appliance Package, it may not be used to reduce the home’s price and it may not becombined with any other offers or promotions. Pricing, features and availability subject to change without notice.See New Home Counselor for complete details. © 2023 Beazer Homes
Hey there, folks! Take a good look at this zoomed-in image we’ve snagged from a spot in Fishers. We want you to channel your inner Sherlock and head over to youarecurrent.com/mysterysnapshot to submit your best guess about where this photo was taken. Ready for the challenge? Check back next week for the answer.
news@currentinfisherscom
youth agricultural captain.
Fishers resident Humza Akhtar was the valedictorian of the Class of 2023 at Indiana Connections Academy, a virtual public school open to all Indiana residents.
According to the academy, Akhtar has attended that school since the first grade. He was top in his class of 600 graduating seniors.
“Being a part of this school has not only enriched my academic life but has also allowed me to pursue my passions outside of the classroom,” Akhtar said during his valedictorian speech.
According to the school, Akhtar has been a competitive club swimmer for 10 years and an active member of the Indiana Connections Academy National Honor Society chapter and student council. He is also a youth volunteer at Conner Prairie and a
Akhtar received acceptances and scholarships from numerous institutions. Upon graduation, he plans to attend Purdue University to study aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
During his speech, he offered advice to his fellow students.
“Put in the time and work and you’ll find success,” he said. “The teachers are there to help; reach out and ask for it.”
Indiana Connections Academy opened as a tuition-free online public school in Indiana in 2010, according to the school’s website. It offers classes for Hoosier children in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information about Indiana Connections Academy, families can attend one of the upcoming online information sessions to find out if virtual school is the right fit for their child. Information is available at IndianaConnectionsAcademy.com.
Spark!Fishers used to be a one-day event, with everything happening on a Saturday. Although the festival now is spread over a four-day period, there’s still a full schedule of activities on the final day of the festival, June 24, at the Nickel Plate District in downtown Fishers.
You don’t have to get up early, though. The celebration starts at 3 p.m., and events last through 10 p.m., said Fishers Parks and Recreation Director Marissa Deckert.
“Years ago, we started earlier but found that the community was really ready to come out after lunch and then stay through 10 p.m.,” she said. “So, we’ve kind of adjusted over the years and landed on 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. as really good time periods.”
The street fair begins at 3 p.m., with a mix of food vendors, artisans, local businesses and activities for kids and teens. Deckert said the city offers a Kids Zone and a Teen Zone to engage those age groups.
Deckert said the city wants everyone to be able to enjoy the four-day festival, and with that goal in mind has special backpacks that residents with sensory challenges can check out for the day. The backpack contains noise-reducing headphones, fidget tools and communication cards if someone is having a difficult time communicating their needs.
The city also has special parking close to the event space for people with physical disabilities.
The big parade, with a new route, will start at 6 p.m. It includes local businesses, all the big rigs that kids love to look at, Shriners zooming around in their mini cars and school bands. The grand marshal will be Indy Fuel owner Jim Hallett with mascot Nitro.
Deckert said the new parade route will go through downtown and onto the main road.
“We’ve always kind of interwoven through neighborhoods (in the past),” she said. “This year, we’re going to go straight through kind of the heart of downtown and then take the parade completely down 116th Street, which is really the main thoroughfare for Fishers. It’ll go all the way from Lantern Road to Allisonville Road down 116th Street.”
The festival closes with an aerial drone show, the first of its kind in central Indiana. Deckert said when the idea first was pitched, she had a difficult time envisioning why it would be cool. Then she saw some demonstrations by the company, which has done similar shows for events such as Lollapalooza.
“We have over 200 drones that light up at night and can create this synchronized kind of routine,” she said. “We’re working on exactly what we want the logos or images to be. But in quick succession, they can create all of these different things. So, it could go from an American flag to a guitar to an alien.”
The drone show will be synchronized to music. The best spot
to watch and listen will be near the Nickel Plate Amphitheater, Deckert said.
A short fireworks display will follow the drone show.
For more coverage of Spark!Fishers, see pages 17-19
June 20
• Free community concert with Jukebox Luke, starting at 7 p.m. at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater.
June 21
• Spark!Fishers 5K, starting at 6:30 p.m. for the Kids Dash, and 7 p.m. for the main event. Each participant receives a medal, race shirt and free beverage for the after party, which runs until 9 p.m. at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater. Sponsored by IU Health and Mashcraft Brewing.
June 22
• Spark!Fishers Car & Art Show, starting at 6 p.m. around the Central Green at the Nickel Plate District. One-of-a-kind championship belts will be awarded to cars that win “Judge’s Choice” and “People’s Choice.” A one-of-kind award made in our Parks Maker Playground will be awarded to the car that wins “Best of Show.” Sponsors are the Fishers Arts Council, Jiffy Lube of Indiana and Central Indiana Honda Dealer.
June 23
• Free community concert with an artist to be determined, starting at 7 p.m. at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater
June 24
• 3-10 p.m. - A street festival around the Nickel Plate District will offer live performances and music on the Nickel Plate Ampitheater Stage, activities for kids and teens, and booths with food and refreshments. Pre-registration is required for access to kids inflatables at sparkfishers.com.
• 6 p.m. - Parade starts.
• 10 p.m. - Aerial Drone Show, the first in Central Indiana, with a Firework Finale
• Saturday festival sponsors are IU Health, WTHR, DMC Insurance, Ed Martin and 31Svn Street Dance Academy.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
A fairly new Spark!Fishers event has grown in popularity the past couple of years, with thousands of people attending the 2022 Car & Art Show at the Nickel Plate District in Fishers.
The event this year is set for 6 to 9 p.m. June 22 at the Central Green on 116th Street. Fishers Parks and Recreation Director Marissa Deckert said the event, sponsored by Jiffy Lube of Indiana, had more than 60 classic cars last year for people to admire, and more than 40 local artists selling their work and demonstrating their techniques.
Participants can vote for their favorite classic car, get some ice cream or a beverage, and support local artists.
“We are thrilled with how this event has grown each year,” Deckert said. “And one of our favorite things kind of happened unintentionally. When we were closing down for the night, we opened up the gates to have everybody leave, (and) the cars drove out onto 116th Street. And it was a really, really cool experience to have all of these classic cars, kind of as a parade down 116th Street. We had folks lining up on either side of the street to watch them as they exited. So, we’re incorporating that now as an intentional exit plan to create this parade at the end of the event.”
Deckert said the Spark!Fishers Car & Art Show attracted about 5,000 people last year.
“It’s a great family event,” she said. “There’s lots of ways to interact for all ages. I love to see that kind of multigenerational (interaction). It’s cool to see the families come together, they get an ice cream, they’re checking out the cars and then we have so many local artists that are creating such cool work that don’t have an opportunity to showcase their work on a daily basis.”
Some of those artists will create paintings on site, she said, giving the public an opportunity to see the process in person.
“We are thrilled with how this event has grown each year,
– MARISSA DECKERT
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Completion of the Fishers portion of the Nickel Plate Trail last year provided an opportunity to make the Spark!Fishers 5K fun run even more fun to run.
Fishers Parks and Recreation Director Marissa Deckert said the new race route will incorporate the trail, which is a bonus not only for the more than 1,000 runners, but for traffic in general, since it will mean fewer road closures during the June 21 race.
“The main course, it starts and finishes downtown, running up the trail across 126th and then down Lantern (Road), so it’s a pretty great loop that isn’t impacting traffic significantly,” she said.
The trail will now take up about a third of the race route, or about a mile. That’s for the main event, but the race is more than just a 5K.
“We’ve got a couple of different activities,” Deckert said. “We’ve got the kids’ dash starting at 6:30 p.m., and then we have our 5K that starts at 7. And new this year, we’ve created an after-party, so there’ll be a live DJ and games and food.”
Race participants will receive a voucher for one free beverage during the after-party, she said, but the event
The Spark!Fishers 5k route includes a portion of the Nickel Plate Trail. (File Photo)
is open to everyone. The after-party kicks off at 7:15 p.m., and lasts through 9 p.m., and is sponsored by IU Health and Mashcraft Brewing, which will be on-site for the party.
Deckert said the after-party idea came about when the city decided to switch the race to an evening event, rather than a morning run.
“When we did that, we thought this is a perfect opportunity for families that are coming out to be able to engage,” she said. “Even if you’re not running the 5K, but you’re supporting somebody that’s running the 5K, you can still participate in the event happening that night.”
The after party will include a DJ spinning tunes, yard games, interactive games and food and beverage vendors.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Fishers residents love their concerts, and the Spark!Fishers festival gives them two opportunities to celebrate music, along with everything else that makes Fishers a great place to live.
Fishers Parks and Recreation Director Marissa Deckert said Jukebox Luke will kick off the Spark!Fishers celebration June 20 with a free concert starting at 7 p.m. at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater in downtown Fishers.
“Jukebox Luke is new to the Nickel Plate Amphitheater,” Deckert said. “It is a Bloomington-based band that plays throughout the region.
“You’ll hear all of the classics that you know, new and old,” she said. “It will span the ages of teenagers up to our senior community. You will hear songs that you recognize.”
Another concert, set for June 23, also starts at 7 p.m. at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater. The performer had not been
Free concerts are planned June 20 and 23 at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater. (File Photo) confirmed by Current’s deadline and will be announced by the city at a later time.
Deckert said the community’s free concerts are very popular and generally draw up to 4,000 audience members. In addition to the music, the city arranges to have food trucks on-site, along with alcohol vendors, ice cream, snacks and treats and games for the whole family to enjoy.
“So, you can come participate even if you’re not participating in the main party,” she said.
Project: 126th Street
Location: 126th Street between Royalty Drive and Bellingham Boulevard is closed for median and crosswalk construction. The detour shall use Olio Road to Southeastern Parkway.
closures, the worksite speed limit will be 35 mph.
Expected completion: The entire project is set for completion in summer 2025
Expected completion: June 30
Project: Bridge joint replacement on 116th Street
Location: 116th Street between Eller Road and River Road will be under lane restrictions for bridge joint replacement by Hamilton County. Lane restrictions will be in place daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Flaggers will be in place.
Expected Completion: June 16
Project: 146th and Allisonville Interchange
Location: Phase 1 of construction for the grade separation intersection improvement has begun at 146th Street and Allisonville Road. One thru lane and one left turn lane in all directions will be closed through the intersection. Closures of Sowers Drive and Saville Road at 146th Street will be necessary in June. Please exercise caution while driving through this construction zone. In addition to these
Project: Fall Creek Road
Location: Citizens Energy Group is mobilizing the lift station on Fall Creek Road near Geist Woods Way, resulting in the closure of Fall Creek Trail.
Expected completion: August
Project: 106th Street & Kincaid Drive
Location: Phase 1 started June 5 for construction of a new concrete median on 106th Street and to modify Kincaid Drive to a right-in-right-out entrance. During this phase, access to Kincaid Drive from 106th Street will be restricted. The detour shall use Lantern Road to Sunlight Drive. Phase 1 is anticipated to be completed by July 7. Phase 2 is expected to start July 10. During that phase, lane restrictions will be in place on 106th Street, and both roundabouts at 106th and I-69, and 106th and Lantern Road will be converted into a single lane. This phase is anticipated to be completed by July 28.
Expected completion: The full project is expected to be completed by August 2023
We live in a culture where great beauty is often wrongly associated with limited intelligence. It is probably the envy of those less gifted with the privilege that accompanies matching the current ideal type of physical appearance that started the unwarranted perception. “You may be handsome, but I’m smart.” It only seems fair. Why should one person have it all? Like all misconceptions based on stereotypes, they are soon proven inaccurate.
Norma Jeane Mortenson appeared on the planet in 1926, long before many women would consider a life beyond the confining protection of some male human, in a place where good looks were recruited globally to enhance the fantasy factories of her native Los Angeles. From an orphanage to 12 individual foster homes, the young Norma Jeane found respite via marriage upon her 16th birthday. She came to understand that it was her appearance — and not her head for business — that would clear the path for another kind of life, thereby Marilyn Monroe was manifested.
It is generations now since the iconic beauty left us. Photographs, paintings and sculptures still bring scores to museums. Her hair, style of dress and demeaner remain a standard of femininity for many. Still, too, she was among the highest-grossing and most successful actresses in the history of the film industry, totaling more than $2 billion in today’s money. With great intention, she curated and propagated the billion-dollar persona. Later in her career, Monroe mused, “I restore myself when I’m alone. A career is born in public — talent in privacy.” She managed the distinction between the personal and the projected. Some might rightly argue that she ultimately succumbed to an inability to fully reconcile the two. Beautiful? Certainly. Intelligent? Absolutely. Where are the gaps in our lives? If we have it all, can we still be missing something?
Longtime readers will recall a perilous journey I made with one of my daughters, then a 20-year-old microbiology major and hardcore K-pop fan who talked stream of conscience for literally the entire 16-hour car ride. Good times. Gooood times.
“I had no idea what to expect, particularly because he is now a recent college graduate with no clue about his future.”
– DANIELLE WILSONRecently, I had the chance to make a similar road trip with her twin brother, known not for his word vomit but instead for marathon video game sessions up in his room. I had no idea what to expect, particularly because he is now a recent college graduate with no clue about his future. In anticipation of perhaps whole states traversed in awkward silence, I had several Yacht Rock playlists and four episodes of “Armchair Expert” ready to go.
To my surprise, we spent 13-plus hours in delightful conversation, covering everything from anime series I need to watch (“Attack on Titan”) to his favorite cousins (“Alex and Nick”) to whether red dye 40 was actually bad for you (no). We savored biscuits at Cracker Barrel, missed being part of a seven-car pile-up thanks to a McDonald’s snafu,
failed to answer correctly more than five Trivial Pursuit questions on a card (because baseball is dumb) and contemplated the wisdom of C-Span in ranking James Buchanan as the worst U.S. president over Andrew Johnson. It was wonderful.
I never got to sing along to Steely Dan or Kenny Loggins, nor did I get to enjoy Dax Shepard hanging with a neuroscientist. But I was able to engage with a child in a way I haven’t been able to in many years, without his sibling for distraction or the new Zelda game as competition. Truly good times. Peace out.
*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APY for
Wraparound services from Eskenazi Health do more than treat illness. They chart a course for preventive care, ensure families have access to nutritious food, and provide a sense of partnership and advocacy. For Ileanna and her husband Eddie – that matters.
Eskenazi Health was recently named Indiana’s #1 hospital for community benefit and health equity by the Lown Institute. Thanks in part to community partners and philanthropy, we are helping families get beyond barriers.
eskenazihealthfoundation.org
go to the next page of the newspaper.
Meet Current in Fishers Managing Editor Leila Kheiry from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 13 at Launch Fishers, 12175 Visionary Way, Fishers,. Suggest story ideas, ask questions and learn more about Current in Fishers. For more, email leila@youarecurrent.com
Recently, I experimented with an artificial intelligence app on my phone. I began with a few pressing questions in my life, like how do I get rid of the racoon that is destroying our deck? And will the trash people take my old lawnmower? I had been told that AI could create a story if you simply prompt the app with an idea or question. Just for fun, here is what I requested: Write a funny essay on why Dick Wolfsie is not funny. What you are about to read is exactly what I received back in less than 30 seconds:
Yes, that’s what artificial intelligence wrote about me. For this column, I edited out the parts that made me look bad. My first reaction was they must have confused me with a different Dick Wolfsie. You know, another guy who was on TV with his dog and writes a humor column.
I asked my wife, Mary Ellen, to read the essay.
“Dick, this is outrageous. It’s full of inaccuracies. You didn’t bore people for 30 years on TV.”
“Thank you, Mary Ellen.”
• Here are some reasons Dick Wolfsie is not funny: First, he has a weird name. Sounds like a cross between a detective and a werewolf. He has always had boring jobs. For 30 years he has been telling stories about quirky people he met, but all the stories were boring. His jokes fell flat and he never tackled anything serious. He never challenges himself, his viewers or his readers. He plays it safe and boring. Everything is a cliché and totally predictable. He did bring his dog Barney on TV for many years. That’s what saved his career. Viewers watched Dick on TV because of the dog. His writing depends on horrible puns and weak punchlines. Where is the sarcasm and irony that good writing demands? In conclusion, Dick Wolfsie never makes people think. He just makes them yawn, turn off the TV or
“Wasn’t it closer to 40? And they said you end every column with a dreadful pun.”
“But I don’t, do I?”
“Of course not. You sprinkle dozens of them throughout the column. Along with the cliches.”
“But I do tackle serious topics.”
“Without question. Who could forget your important story about the guy who collects manhole covers? Your column about Miracle Whip versus mayonnaise?
And my favorite: Why men who drink beer attract more mosquitoes?”
Now depressed, I had an idea. My original request set me up for witty insults. This time, I’d phrase it more positively: Write an essay on why Dick Wolfsie is comedy genius.
Letters to the editor: Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 150 words. Letters must be thoroughly vetted prior to submission. Current retains the right to reject or return any letter it deems to carry unsubstantiated content. Current also retains the right to edit letters, but not their intent. Send letters to info@youarecurrent.com. Writers must include a hometown and a daytime phone number for verification. Guest columns: The policy for guest columns is the same as the aforementioned, but the allowable length is 240 words. Guest columns should address the whole of Current’s readership, not simply special-interest groups, and may not in any way contain a commercial message.
“Here are some reasons Dick Wolfsie is not funny: First, he has a weird name. Sounds like a cross between a detective and a werewolf. He has always had boring jobs.”
– DICK WOLFSIE
As a director, Kenny Shepard always wants more time.
MUSIC
Shepard will direct Civic Theatre’s Young Artists Program’s “Revue!” in two performances at 6 and 8 p.m. June 26 at the Studio Theatre at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“We have just 10 rehearsals to put the show together, so the performers have a lot to carry on their shoulders — learning songs and monologues, blocking, lyrics and then moving the show into the actual performance space,” Shepard said. “Another challenge, which I love, is making sure each artist’s voice is heard and each story is told authentically. All 13 of them answered a long list of questions for me, and I took their experiences about social media, dating, family, friendships, bullying and other topics and wrote a script, often using their words verbatim as monologues.”
Johnna Tavianini is the music director.
“Johnna and I both teach at Ball State (University), but we’ve only worked together once before, and that was on the last production of ‘Revue!,’” Shepard said. “We are all so lucky to have Johnna onboard. She really is a genius at making these young artists sound like stars while propelling their unique stories through music.”
The song, “Children Will Listen” from “Into the Woods,” is powerful for Shepard.
“The lyrics and Johnna’s arrangement work so well to further the stories many of them are telling,” Shepard said. “These performers are very brave, sharing personal experiences about racism, dating as a member of the transgender community and being bullied. I respect their honesty and openness more than I can say. The social media section is also an eye-opener
to me. These teenagers communicate and validate each other in ways that are so foreign to other generations.”
The cast has 13 singers and actors, all high school age.
“Some are entering high school and some are already driving, working and thinking about college and future plans as adults,” Shepard said. “Even though they may only be four or so years apart in age, individually, they’re at very different places, which is also fascinating. I love seeing the leaders emerge and some younger performers rising to the level of their more experienced peers.”
Wyatt Painter, a 2023 Park Tudor School graduate, looks forward to the number, “It Hurts Me.”
“I chose this song for a previous audition at school, but I ended up not getting the role I auditioned for with that song,” Painter said. “I’m excited to take a song I worked on previously and turn it into something amazing with the help of the cast.”
Painter also is eager to perform “I’m Not Afraid of Anything.”
“The song is from a song cycle called ‘Songs for a New World,’ which I love,” Painter said. “I get to open the number with one of my friends and castmates, Caroline (Brundage). We went to school together this past year, it being my senior year and her freshman year. However, we originally met last summer because we were both a part of last year’s ‘Revue!’ We have become good friends, so it means a lot that we can have this moment on stage together before I go to college.”
Painter has struggled the most with memorizing lyrics.
“The only time I have before rehearsal is my 30-minute break at work, but I always try and use my free time to study lyrics whenever I can. I work at my school as a camp counselor and co-leader for various camps,” Painter said. “Working an 8 (a.m.) to 4 (p.m.) job where I’m constantly around screaming children alongside a four-hour rehearsal can be tiring, but I love both, even though I struggle with memorization sometimes.”
This is the second year Painter has appeared in ‘Revue!”
“Beauty & the Beast” runs through July 9 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
‘GODSPELL’
Carmel Community Players’ Rising Star production of “Godspell” runs through June 25 at the Ivy Tech Noblesville Auditorium. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.
“Feinstein’s Presents: Dueling Pianos” at 6:30 p.m. June 21 at Feinstein’s cabaret in Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. “Deception: An Evening of Magic & Lies” is set for 7:30 p.m. June. 22. For more, visit feinsteinhc.com.
Red Barn Summer Theatre’s production of “Boeing Boeing” will be presented from June 21 to July 1 at the Red Barn Theatre in Frankfort. For more, visit redbarntheatre.net.
‘NEWSIES
Jr. Civic Theatre presents “Disney’s Newsies Jr.” from June 23-28 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
The Indiana Wind Symphony will play alongside high school performers in a free outdoor concert at 6:30 p.m. June 24 at the Carmel Gazebo. For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will present “The Music of Harry Potter” at 8 p.m. June 23-24 in the Symphony on the Prairie series at Conner Prairie in Fishers. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.
‘REVUE!’
The Civic Theatre’s Young Artists Program’s “Revue!” is set for 6 and 8 p.m. June 26 at the Studio Theatre at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
Comedy at the Cat, featuring comedian Dave Dugan, Troy Davis and CoLee Reyes, is set for 7:30 p.m. June 24 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.
“Everyone else is from different countries, so there are a lot of accents going on the stage at the same time,” Taylor said.
Red Barn Summer Theatre Artistic Director Michael Taylor loves a good farce. So, why not follow the season-opening farce with a second one? Red Barn Summer Theatre’s production of “Boeing Boeing” will be presented from June 21 to July 1 at the Frankfort venue.
Taylor, the play’s director, said Red Barn performed “Boeing Boeing” more than a decade ago.
“Since then, it’s been redone,” Taylor said. “There was a new revival on Broadway and the script has been reworked, so it’s a slightly different show since the first time we did it.”
Taylor said the plot centers around the American living in Paris, who has three fiancées who are all flight attendants from different airlines.
“He explains to his friend that it is all on a timetable and none of them know about each other,” Taylor said. “Next thing you know, the timetable breaks and they are all there at the same time at the apartment.”
TaylorThe fun ensues as the friends try to hide the fiancées from each other.
“It’s your classic bedroom farce,” said Taylor, adding there is some adult subject matter in the show.
Taylor acted in the play in Red Barn’s previous production of the comedy, which takes place in Paris.
Two friends are now old college friends and both Americans. One lives in Paris and the other is coming to visit.
Taylor said in the original script, one friend was British and the other was French.
There are four women and two men in the cast.
Taylor said there is not a lot of detailed stage direction in the revised script.
“It leaves a lot for creativity from the director’s side but it’s also very challenging that you have to plan everything out,” Taylor said.
For more, visit redbarntheatre.net.
Lobster Palooza is getting back to its roots.
it’s really exciting to come back home and put this event in the full functionality of the entire property,” Starkey said. “The Meridian-Kessler neighbors are really excited.”
The Indianapolis Opera fundraiser is returning to the renovated Basile Opera Center, 4011 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis.
“The ‘Back Home’ theme is the pervading testament,” Indy Opera General Director David Starkey said. “This is where the event started 12 years ago in the back parking lot, which is a historical location. It’s where the former Greek Festival was held back in the day. We’re not going back to that back parking lot, but it’s been reimagined to the entire campus with the courtyard and patio.”
The 13th Annual Lobster Palooza, featuring a New England-style lobster boil, is set for 6 to 10 p.m. July 15.
Last year, the event was planned for an outside tent but was moved indoors because of weather issues at Daniel’s Vineyard in McCordsville.
“It was great, but it limited the scope of the event,” Starkey said. “This year, it is all planned to be inside but there are outside activities on the patio, courtyard and on the front lawn.
StarkeyValet parking and cocktails are included in the ticket price. There are fundraising activities during the event.
There will be a live band with dancing after dinner. Before dinner, the opera singers will perform in the performance hall.
“The acoustics are just extraordinary, so we’re going to do a special opera cabaret, highlighting a couple selections from the upcoming season,” Starkey said.
“Now that the building has been remodeled and historically protected because of all the stuff we’ve done with protecting the architecture of this building, circa 1961,
There will be selections from Opera in the Park, “Carmen” and “A Little Night Music.”
For more, visit indyopera.org.
Where’s Amy attended the opening night of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre’s “Director’s Choice” June 9 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts. The show was a compilation of GHDT’s favorite dances chosen by Executive Artistic Director Gregory Hancock. If you missed this show, do not miss the one-night-only production of “The Music of La Casa Azul” with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra at The Center for the Performing Arts Aug 5. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.
June 20, 2023
Commentary by Mark LaFay
pursue:
SONGBOOK ACADEMY IN CONCERT*
Sat Jul 22 at 7pm
DAUGHTRY: BARE BONES TOUR*
Wed Aug 9 at 7:30pm
SPYRO GYRA*
Sat Aug 12 at 8pm
BEN HARPER*
Tue Aug 15 at 7:30pm
LIFE WITH THE AFTERLIFE: TRUE TALES OF THE PARANORMAL WITH GHOST HUNTER AMY BRUNI
Sat Sep 16 at 8pm
UPTOWN: MOTOWN REMIXED
Thu Sep 28 at 7:30pm
ANIMANIACS: IN CONCERT
Thu Oct 5 at 7:30pm
THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS: BILL MEDLEY & BUCKY HEARD
Fri Oct 6 at 8pm
THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH*
Sun Oct 8 at 7pm
THE ROBERT CRAY BAND
Wed Oct 11 at 7:30pm
WISH YOU WERE HERE: THE SIGHT & SOUND OF PINK FLOYD
Sat Oct 14 at 8pm
STEWART COPELAND: POLICE DERANGED FOR ORCHESTRA
Thu Oct 19 at 7:30pm
HARRY CHAPIN AT 80: A RETROSPECTIVE, FEATURING THE CHAPIN FAMILY
Fri Oct 20 at 8pm
BILL FRISELL FIVE AND AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE’S OWL SONG
Sat Oct 21 at 8pm
ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Sat Oct 28 at 8pm
AN EVENING WITH BRUCE COCKBURN
Wed Nov 1 at 7:30pm
BÉLA FLECK, ZAKIR HUSSAIN, EDGAR MEYER WITH RAKESH CHAURASIA
Thu Nov 2 at 7:30pm
GRACE POTTER
Fri Nov 3 at 8pm
ETTA MAY
Fri Nov 3 at 7:30pm
AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE
Sat Nov 4 at 8pm
TRES SOULS
Sat Nov 4 at 8pm
THE LITTLE MERMEN: THE ULTIMATE DISNEY TRIBUTE BAND
Sun Nov 5 at 3pm & 7pm
EASTON CORBIN
Thu Nov 9 at 7:30pm
GREGORIAN: PURE CHANTS
Fri Nov 10 at 8pm
CANDACE BUSHNELL: TRUE TALES OF SEX, SUCCESS AND SEX AND THE CITY
Sun Nov 12 at 7pm
ANNE SOFIE VON OTTER & BROOKLYN RIDER SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH
Fri Nov 17 at 8pm
MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO
Sat Nov 18 at 8pm
THE BLACK MARKET TRUST
Sun Nov 19 at 7pm
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR: CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA
Fri Nov 24 at 2pm
JIM BRICKMAN: A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
Thu Nov 30 at 7:30pm
THE MIDTOWN MEN: HOLIDAY HITS
Fri Dec 1 at 8pm
DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS TOUR 2023
Tue Dec 5 at 7:30pm
JON MCLAUGHLIN: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Fri Dec 8 at 8pm
PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND HOLIDAY SHOW
Sat Dec 9 at 8pm
BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY’S WILD & SWINGIN’ HOLIDAY PARTY
Wed Dec 13 at 7:30pm
AN EVENING WITH BRANFORD MARSALIS
Fri Jan 26 at 8pm
ALAN CUMMING & ARI SHAPIRO: OCH & OY!
A CONSIDERED CABARET
Sat Feb 3 at 8pm
MARIACHI HERENCIA DE MÉXICO: HEREDEROS
Fri Feb 9 at 8pm
SOFIA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Fri Feb 23 at 8pm
ARETHA’S GOLD: CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN
Fri Feb 24 at 8pm
THE IRISH TENORS
Fri Mar 8 at 8pm
CARRIE NEWCOMER WITH PIANIST GARY WALTERS & STRING QUARTET
Sat Mar 9 at 8pm
BRUCE HORNSBY WITH YMUSIC
Sat Mar 9 at 8pm
IMAGINATION MOVERS
Sun Mar 10 at 1pm & 4pm
JESSE COOK
Sun Apr 7 at 7pm
RAY CHEN
Fri Apr 12 at 8pm
SAMMY MILLER AND THE CONGREGATION
Fri Apr 19 at 8pm
RUMOURS: A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN & SPECIAL GUEST
Summertime around our house means time outside. If you like to get out and about while there are 15 hours of available sunlight, then you may also like cooking and or eating outside, as well!
We love heading to the park to cook out and fish, hanging at Symphony on the Prairie or doing other sorts of daytime outdoor excursions. Cheese, crackers and fresh fruit are no-brainers in the cooler. If my daughter Maggie, age 3, is in tow, then you better believe we have at least one whole watermelon just for her!
Recently, I was introduced to a cheesemaker based in Point Reyes, Calif., called Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. It is a family-owned operation that started out as a dairy farm in the 1960s but transitioned to making cheese in 2000. Its first cheese to market was its Original Blue, the first of its kind in the state. Its cheeses are rich, creamy and just all-around awesome. My favorite is the Quinta. Take a look at three fantastic Point Reyes cheeses that would be great for any outdoor activity you might
Original Blue — This blue cheese is super creamy, white in color with bits of blue all throughout it. The blue mold provides fruity and nutty flavor notes that are mind numbing.
Quinta — This is a soft cheese, comparable to brie. It has a soft rind with a smooth soft interior texture. You can eat this when it’s new, but the more it ages, the better. This cheese is money when it is past 80 days. At this point, the cheese starts to take on the consistency of cheese dip. It is amazing!
Toma — The best comparison to this is provolone but not as mild. There is a delightful nutty characteristic to this cheese. It is great to slice and eat with stone fruit or apples, or place-shred for pizza. It’s super versatile and great for munching on with some crispy white wine.
Commentary by Don Knebel
Today, in our continuing tour of Alaska, we travel along the Chena River near Fairbanks, learning about the Alaska Native culture and what developed from it.
Fairbanks is in central Alaska, about 100 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Most scholars believe the surrounding area was first populated approximately 12,000 years ago by Athabaskans, descendants of people who had crossed what was then a land bridge between Siberia and what is now Alaska. Athabaskans were the original people of the Alaskan Interior. They were semi-nomadic, hunting caribou and moose, trapping small animals and catching salmon in fish wheels. They established semi-permanent settlements, typically along a river, and domesticated dogs, which they used for transportation and hunting. Today, about 16.000 Athabaskans live in Alaska.
In the early 1950s, Jim Binkley, whose father had established an Alaskan freight-hauling business, built a paddlewheel boat named Discovery in his backyard and started giving tours on the Chena River from a spot near Fairbanks. Today,
descendants of Binkley operate three boats on the Chena River. The newest, Discovery III, has a capacity of 900 people. Three-hour tours provide information about the area, including its original people and wildlife. The boats stop at the Trail Breaker Kennel along the river, where the widower and daughter of the late Susan Butcher, who won the Iditarod race four times, demonstrate how their sled dogs are trained. The boat also stops for an extended visit at the Chena Village, a re-created Athabaskan village, complete with reindeer (domesticated caribou). Athabaskan guides talk about the lifestyle of their ancestors and demonstrate such things as how to prepare salmon caught in a fish wheel for the winter and how to survive when the temperature gets as low as 60 degrees below zero. Visitors can speak with the guides and observe dogs from Susan Butcher’s Trail Breaker Kennel.
GRAMMAR GUYItalicized words are the “leaning in” of language. When it comes to fonts (or typefaces, if we’re being fancy), “Roman” letters refer to the default, upright letters we type into our emails and word processing software, while “Italic” letters are slanted to the right. When you put certain phrases in italics, it draws attention to them as key words you want to apart for emphasis. These words are literally leaning in.
What happens when you lean in too much? You fall on your pants pocket. I’m suggesting that if you constantly give 110 percent, you’ll likely experience burnout. In the same way, if you put your entire email in italics, your reader will have trouble discerning what’s important from what’s ordinary. I highly recommend healthy margins -- on paper and in your work/life balance.
Aside from emphasis, when should you use italics in your writing? Surprisingly, AP style suggests that you don’t use
italics in titles of magazines or newspapers; instead, simply capitalize them (e.g., Sports Illustrated). The AP dictates that books, films, TV shows, songs, albums, speeches, works of art, etc. don’t get italicized, either; instead, surround them with a warm pair of quotation mark hugs (e.g., “To Kill a Mockingbird”). Sacred books, including the Bible or the Koran, do not get italics or quotation marks. So, what gets italicized in AP style? Nothing. I have a hard time with the AP’s italics rules. Because my column appears in newspapers, I abide by the quotations-around-titles rule. However, I prefer to italicize words for emphasis, as well as non-English words (like derrière), words reproduced as sounds (e.g., Bees go bzzzzz.), or words as words (e.g., I challenge you to use the word indefatigable in a sentence.).
36. Auto pioneer
37. Miracle-___ (garden product)
40. Spice queen guest in the CUMMINS boardroom?
43. Leak sound
44. Lease
46. Charged particle
47. ‘60s war zone
49. All over again
50. Makes blue, perhaps
52. Musical instrument often made of plastic
56. Lack of dainty trim in the ELANCO boardroom?
58. Ham it up in the CORTEVA boardroom?
60. Roman 506
61. Like slingshots and forks in the road
64. Got together
65. Heavenly food
67. Swiss peaks
68. Competent
69. Dined at home
