December 2, 2008

TUESDAY December 2, 2008 FREE

TERRIBLE TWOS HAVE NO AGE LIMIT / p5

EXERCISES THAT STRENGTHEN YOUR CHEST / p12

BACK ACHE NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT / p30

Elizabeth Miller, 9, has battled illness and is now determined to help others / P2

Much gratitude and many thanks to the more than

one thousand one hundred and fifty-nine doctors, nurses and staff

COVER STORY

Above, the gang’s all here. From left, Grace, Tracy, Drew, Andy and Elizabeth Miller find comfort in one another. Below, Elizabeth practices the piano, something she’s done for two years.

Elizabeth Miller, 9, has battled illness and is now determined to help others

www.currentincarmel.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

By Terry Anker Current in Carmel

There once lived a beautiful princess. Together with her family, she lived in an enchanted land of roundabouts and smiling faces. Life was good. But as so often goes the story with those of us who live charmed lives, all can change in an instant.

Elizabeth Miller enjoyed the kind of childhood that we’d wish for all children. The oldest of three, she grew and learned within the safe confines of our fine community. Her days were filled with little girl dreams of little girl things.

Her parents rushed about with the duties of the day. Dad worked for Governor Mitch Daniels – it always seemed Donations can be made directly to: weird to see Riley Children’s Foundation him on TV. 30 South Meridian Street, Suite 200 And mom was Indianapolis, IN 46204-3509 always there, too Attention: Patti Tehan – keeping little brother, Drew, from, well, being a little brother. Grace made up the tail-end of the clan, but she was growing and soon she’d be the little sister playmate that had long been desired.

Then one day, Elizabeth didn’t feel so well. No one really knew why. This vibrant, engaging little girl was not herself.

Her fine-motor skills failed first. Then things got worse. An otherwise normal day filled with morning routines and car pools turned into a frantic trip to Riley Memorial Hospital for Children in downtown Indianapolis. Neurologists were alerted, tests were run and a biopsy completed. Go home, say these wizards of medicine. While we have discovered a spot on the brain stem – one both rare and deadly, there is some time to think and review options. Mom, dad and all the rest returned home to the loving comfort of friends and family. All focused on finding the best surgeons to extract

HOW TO HELP

this malevolent little spot and restore Elizabeth’s joy. But as the sleepless evening passed, crisis arose.

It seems the “bump” as Elizabeth calls it, brain tumor might be the word that we would use, had decided to attack.

Doctors were called. Adrenaline pumped. Surgery would not wait. The bump was shutting down systems one by one. By the end of the next day, an unproven young surgeon who was to be out of town save an ear infection in one of his own young ones, had brilliantly performed the complex and frightening 14-hour task. But the bitter little bump would not be defeated.

Even as those around her fretted at the daunting reality they faced, Elizabeth set about relearning. Relearning how to write.

Relearning how to read. Relearning how to be Elizabeth. The doctors and family plotted a course. Weeks in the hospital followed by months of chemotherapy and thousands of prayers.

As the family likes to tell the story, three things came together over these past many months: the grace of God, the skill of man and the love of family and friends. Wouldn’t it be right to add the will of a little girl to the list of miracles? Today, the medicos say “the residual tumor is inactive.”

So what of the beautiful princess and her enchanted life?

Even as she struggled with the grueling challenges of epic illness, she undertook to collect videos for the other kids left behind – unable to be home with their families. She and all that she could recruit collected and donated. Now she feels it is time to do something more. Families with kids at Riley know of the weeks spent sleeping in chairs, and of crowded into rooms ill-prepared for their modern use. Elizabeth knows, too. And she wants to do something about it.

Together with her friends at MediaSauce, she has undertaken to raise money for Riley to build rooms for these sick kids and their families. Using the power of the internet, she is reaching many thousands. The website is www.elizabethsstory.org. Look it up. Help out if you can. Elizabeth, this petite and abundantly happy little girl, has already fought most of the battle. We are here just in time to celebrate victory.

OUR TAKES It is our position that American citizens should read and understand the constitutions of the United States and Indiana.

We all can use a refresher course on what the founding fathers intended for the generations that followed the launch of this nation.

Continuing this week, we are running an excerpt from an article of the Indiana Constitution. Today, we offer Article I, Section 31: “No law shall restrain any of the inhabitants of the State from assembling together in a peaceable manner, to

, Founded Oct. 24, 2006, at Carmel, IN Vol. III, No. 7 Copyright 2008. Current Publishing, LLC All Rights Reserved.

1 South Range Line Road, Suite 220 Carmel, IN 46032

the charitable impulse

consult for their common good; nor from instructing their representatives; nor from applying to the General Assembly for redress of grievances.” We also offer Article I, Section 34: “No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner; nor, in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”

To view the U.S. Constitution and the Indiana Constitution in their entirety, go to www. usconstitution.net and www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/const/, respectively.

It is our position that the charitable among us are to be lauded. Americans consistently give more than their counterparts around the world. And folks from Indiana give more than our fellow Americans. And, we and our neighbors give more than other Hoosiers. Why is that? Are we somehow genetically more generous than our lesser brethren?

Perhaps. But it is more likely that we cling to the traditional values that bring people together more those than tear us apart.

A recent poll conducted by the Gallup organization affirmed the positive correlation between those who view themselves as highly religious and those

who engage more frequently in helping behavior. Interestingly, this positive correlation spans citizenry in more than 140 countries. Despite the economic realities of wealthy American counties and poor foreign countries, highly religious people may view the world from the perspective of a greater good. We experience it here at home, whether giving a little more to a charity or reaching out to help a stranger. Which really comes first? Do our faith traditions sponsor our desire to bring the world closer together? Or does our desire to help our neighbor cause us to seek higher meaning? Please keep giving in mind this season.

VIEWS

our constitutions matter

CURRENTOON by Tim Campbell

317.489.4444

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 www.currentincarmel.com

Publisher – Brian Kelly brian@currentincarmel.com / 414.7879 Executive Editor – Steve Greenberg steve@currentincarmel.com / 847.5022 Associate Editor – Terry Anker terry@currentincarmel.com Managing Editor – Mike Beas mike@currentincarmel.com / 730.4833 Art Director – Zachary Ross zross@ss-times.com / 787-3291 Associate Artist – Stefanie Lorenz stefanie@currentincarmel.com / 340.1836 Reporter – Brandon Bowman brandon@currentincarmel.com / 489.4444 Reporter – Bryan Unruh bryan@currentincarmel.com / 489.4444 Cartoonist – Tim Campbell tim@currentincarmel.com

Advertising Carmel Sales Executive – Dennis O’Malia dennis@currentincarmel.com / 370.0749 Carmel Sales Executive – Lara Acton lara@currentincarmel.com / 409.1418 Indianapolis Sales Consultant – Kevin Messmer kevin@currentincarmel.com / 513.4359

Business Office Bookkeeper - Deb Vlasich deb@currentincarmel.com / 489.4444 The views of the columnists in Current In Carmel are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.

To comment on Tim’s currentoons, contact him at: tim@currentincarmel.com.

ANOTHER TAKE

VIEWS

T

FROM THE BACKSHOP

Seperation anxiety

he separation that many Federal angry partisans has initiated the rumor and other jurists should be conthat outgoing President George W. Bush cerned about is not the separation is threatening a blanket pardon for loads of church and state, but rather of officials for actions taken while serving the separation of powers between we the people. the branches of government.

Likewise the judiciary in Since the closing of this exhilaCalifornia seems eager and rating and exhausting election ready to overturn the will of season, a number of outspoken the people of that state who members of the newly elected took the unenlightened apliberal legislative branch have proach of going to the polls been calling for all manner and to vote in determination of form of retribution against a how they would choose to significant group of individulive. These few liberal advoals presently serving within cates have decided that they the executive branch of our ultimately have the authority government as soon the “unifyto legislate. Isn’t the separation ing” President Obama takes of powers the single most-enoffice. Investigate. Obliterate. lightened element of our now Terry And, just plain get even.

200 plus year-old experiment?

Anker Executive privilege regularly The real threat to domestic used by presidents to protect tranquility is a power struggle themselves from blatant political attack between those thirsting power and a libwhile in office is an important doctrine to eral interpretation of their right to take it. prevent, among other things, a weakening Legislators, executives and jurists would of the authority of the president. Doesn’t all be wise to defend this separation. As our newly elected president deserve to these lines are blurred, all is at risk. exercise his mandated agenda without fear Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current of eventual frightening and costly litigain Westfield. You may e-mail him at terry@ tion? But for now, threats of pursuit by currentinwestfield.com.

www.currentincarmel.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Editor:

TAKE A HONDA, BOYS; YOU’LL ARRIVE ON TIME So, the boys at General Motors, Ford and Chrysler were told to go back home and work on their begging-for-$25 billion act. The GM chap flew back in his private, luxury jet, and then he did the only honorable thing a head of a company in dire straits would do: He sold two of his firm’s eight airliners. Two! Now, that’s action! That should right the ship. Or not!

These guys are going back to Washington with kneepads on. They’re gonna beg. Big time. To get there, they should either take a commercial (horrors!) flight or drive.

Perhaps if they hit the highway, it ought to be in a Honda, which would ensure they’d make it all the way to the Capitol without a breakdown.

••• We assume you survived Black Friday (we call it Bleak Friday) in fine fashion.

Hopefully, your Christmas shopping will include any number of city merchants ... if not exclusively city merchants. If you “stay home” and shop, not only will you find gifts unique to our stores – and looking for the items is half the fun – but you’ll support our city’s merchants, which we can’t possibly over-encourage you to do.

Brian Kelly & Steve Greenberg We don’t know a single shopkeeper who wouldn’t be grateful for your presence this season, and you’ll spread plenty o’ cheer with your presents. (We’re so stinkin’ clever, it hurts!) In all seriousness, some of our business owners are teetering on the brink. Please do whatever you can to be of help to them as they strive to remain a part of the retail landscape.

••• Happy third (Can it be, already?) birthday to our friends and partners at Clarian North Medical Center! Jon Goble and his team have done terrific work inside Carmel’s “four-star” hospital and for the community at large. They’re all building a legacy and a set of standards by which other facilities of similar size across the nation are certain to be judged.

READERS’ VIEWS

Welcome to the Neighborhood

ENOUGH ON HILLARY, ALREADY

ow do you define a divisions have popped up throughout. The neighborhood? demographics of this area have changed, Is it a series of homes that resulting in a higher density, younger famimight share a neighborhood lies and less of a connection to the past. association? Is it a communityLong-time residents west of Meridian within-a community like the Village of strongly discourage any type of commercial West Clay? Or is it an area of development up to and including the county like Home Place? the neighborhood coffee shop.

No matter how you define Newer residents, lament longer them, neighborhoods have drives to get groceries, shuttle certain traits in common that kids and tend to daily activities. form a bond between homConcern about crossing US 31 eowners. The ties that bind are and the economics of driving are likely to evolve. The presence cited as chief complaints. of kids in the home, social As these areas continue to groups and desired lifestyle are grow, residents will have to all examples of elements that choose as to how they want to homeowners may change over grow their neighborhoods or if time. they want to find new neighChildren gradually grow up borhoods better suited to their Sue and move out, so a neighborneeds. West-siders, what do you Finkam hood once thought to be “kidthink? Would you like to see limfriendly” may over time grow ited development near residential to be more of an empty-nester area. Home areas, understanding controls can be put values in a neighborhood may change deon form and land use? Or do you want to pending how homes have been maintained exclude all commercial entities, knowing or how a subdivision is affected by a new residents must embrace a commute for one built next door. errands and social activities?

Evolution in our communities is perSue Finkam is interested in making a difhaps most noticeable in west Clay and ference in the community through healthy west Washington townships. These areas conversation. You can participate in the conwere once mostly rural, peppered with versation by posting a comment on her blog horse farms, fencing and farmland. Over time, acreage has been developed and sub- at www.youarecurrent.com.

Enough already! Your condescending and cynical commentary has gone on too long. Hillary Clinton was not a good candidate for President - she would have had to deal with people like yourselves for the term of her office - rendering her ineffective at governing. She is a thoughtful and intelligent civil servant and should be respected as such.

And, who says SHE married up? From a female perspective, I’d say that it was the other way around. As far as change is concerned, the first sign of change is the new face of America that has now been empowered. It may not be YOUR face, and that’s what all the sour grapes are about. I, for one, am happy that someone else will have a chance to either

repair, or mess up this nation, instead of guys who are insensitive to anyone who isn’t in agreement with them.

The Obama Administration has not yet even taken office and the slings and arrows are already flying. I read once that a critic is a person who can only criticize that which they are incapable of doing themselves. Since you both declined running for government positions, and neither of you have come up with any grandiose ideas about how to fix it, then I suggest you take a back seat and watch what plays out over the next four years.

It’ll get terribly old if we Carmelites have to read your Obama sarcasm for the next 200-plus weeks.

Jody Kuchar Carmel

More Letters on P7 WRITERS’ RULES

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Forestry Specialist Certified Carmel’s Urban Forestry Specialist Nichole Passineau recently passed the Certified Arborist examination of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). The ISA exam and education programs are designed to improve the level of knowledge and practice of tree care.

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PROTECTING OLD TOWN - The Carmel Clay Historical Society is formulating a plan to create a preservation alliance for Old Town. Tom Rumer, CCHS historian, invites those interested in protecting historic buildings to attend a public meeting Dec. 10 from 7 to 9 p.m., at Carmel Christian Church on East Main Street across from Carmel High School.

Speakers will present the results of a recent architectural survey of Old Town executed by the architectural school at Ball State University. Other topics will focus on what a preservation alliance is, how to form such a commission, how

to create a proposal and begin the process of composing a petition for a Carmel Preservation Alliance. Rumer said recent unlawful demolitions prompted the need for a knowledgeable advisory board which would work with property owners and developers to encourage preservation.

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008 www.currentincarmel.com

omebody needs to change the exhale and vow to find the baby gates. label from the “Terrible Twos” to Two days later, I learn of my 3-year-old the “Terrible Toddlers” because, nephew’s adventure in pharmaceuticals. let’s face it, kids recognize the His mom had gone to sleep early and left power of parent manipulation dad in charge of bedtime. When mom and a well-thrown tantrum the woke up a few hours later to moment they turn 1 and utilize feed her infant daughter, she these skills until they go to kinchecked in on my nephew, dergarten. They also learn early only to discover that he wasn’t on that “child proof ” doesn’t there. A quick search revealed mean diddly and that watcha sleeping boy in mom’s bed ing Aunt Danielle call Poison surrounded by a sea of colorful Control is freaking hilarious. pills. It took a few moments Listen to what my niece and for them to wake him, sparking nephew did last week. concern that he had actually My niece is 16 months old ingested some of the capsules. and has just learned to walk.

So while dad checked pulse Consequently, she gets into rate and pallor, mom was on things a lot faster than I’m used the phone with the nice people Danielle to seeing. The other day she at PC, calculating the fastest Wilson had toddled into the laundry route to the hospital. He did room and pulled out all the eventually wake up and probcontents of her diaper bag. She LOVES ably did not swallow anything, though my to make a mess and her bag is a constant sister-in-law barely slept for the rest of the source of amusement to her. Diapers, night as she constantly was checking him wipes, Desitin, barrettes, Tylenol - you for signs of drug overdose. Apparently, my get the picture. Anyhoo, I’m sitting in my nephew had gone into his parents’ bathoffice about 10 feet away, wasting time room after mom had fallen asleep and dad on the computer, when I look up to see was still downstairs, pulled out bottles of her with a tube of Cortisone Cream in old medication and gotten off every single her mouth, NO CAP IN SIGHT. I imchild-proof cap, all in the dark. Then he’d mediately snatch it and look frantically carted in his cache onto the bed next to for the “If Ingested” warning. Of course, mommy and fallen asleep amidst his pretty it says, “Seek medical attention or contact “candy.” He was fine, but cabinet locks Poison Control immediately.” Frick! My were installed the following day. niece has meanwhile thrown herself onto Back to my point about expanding the the ground, literally kicking and screaming age range of the Terrible Twos. When parbecause I’ve taken away a newfound toy. ents think that it’s only from 24-36 months The calm lady at PC asks me if my niece that their little angels turn into devils, they is choking or having difficulty breathing. won’t be prepared to defend themselves No, she’s bright red with rage, actually, when it starts at 14 months and won’t have and having no problem whatsoever filling the staying power to survive until 5 years. her lungs. “And was it the regular 1-perBetter to expect the worse and potentially cent cream?” she asks next. “Yes,” I reply, be pleasantly surprised than the other way wondering how I will explain to my sister- around. Peace out! in-law about the impending ER visit. “No Danielle Wilson is a Carmel resident and conworries, then. The petroleum in the cream tributing columnist. You may e-mail her at may cause her tummy to be a bit upset danielle@currentincarmel.com. for the next day or so, but she’ll be fine.” I

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With kids, ‘terrible’ can be spread thinly

Carmel resident plays Carnegie Hall

COMMUNITY

Lorena Pittman usually has her hands full, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Daycare owner turns tragedy into opportunity

www.currentincarmel.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

By Bryan Unruh Current in Carmel

Lorena Pittman has every reason to be depressed. But she isn’t.

In fact, before the Mexican immigrant moved to Carmel less than 10 years ago, she had never even heard the term.

“To us, it was just ‘sad,’” she said.

She moved to Indiana in 1999, meeting her husband, Larry – a former Simon Malls executive – shortly thereafter. Their marriage erupted just a few years later, however, when his rapidly developing case of Alzheimer’s came to the fore. In his declining mental state, Larry had amassed an enormous debt and poised the couple on the brink of bankruptcy.

“We lost everything,” Lorena said. “He didn’t know what he was doing.”

Rather than dwelling on her losses, however, she used the opportunity to expand her horizons. A passionate supporter of victims of childhood abuse, Lorena had already established a network of friends

DISPATCHES Tell Us Where You Worship - E-mail Current in Carmel with a note about where you worship and why, and include a photo of your family.

Current is going to rekindle its “Where We Worship” weekly feature focusing on where families worship, and we want to hear from you. For an information template to fill out, see our website (wwwyouarecurrent.com).

“Secret Santa” at CHS is Dec. through 10 - For the 33rd year Carmel High School’s “Secret Santa” shop for children ages 2-12 is open until Dec. 10 in room F107 near the varsity gym. The shop, run by CHS marketing students, helps the children “secretly” buy gifts – all $5 or less – for parents, siblings or others. Items include mugs, picture frames, desk accessories and candles.

“Secret Santa” is open 2:30-5:30 p.m.

in the field, and they encouraged her to pursue child care.

In 2004, after earning an associate’s degree, she opened a daycare in her Carmel home (at 6 Songbird Court).

Lorena decided from the beginning to speak to the children – ages 2 to 5 – in Spanish and English, encouraging bilingualism from an early age.

She says fluency in both languages in important in the country’s changing landscape.

The daycare was the first in the state to receive a five-star rating from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s environmental recognition program for child care facilities. Pittman is also a member of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the National Association for Family Child Care. “I just want to focus all my time on helping children,” she said.

For more information, call Pittman at 317581-9806 or email her at srapittman@yahoo. com.

Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Marketing students also operate “Gifts Unlimited” in room F116, a shop focused on stocking stuffers and Greyhound spirit wear for the high school and adult market. It is open during the same hours, plus before school, during lunch and during student resource time.

Eleven-year-old Ari Brown, a sixthgrader at Creekside Middle School, recently was invited to play piano during a recital at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Brown, who has been playing piano for three years and in piano competitions for the past year under the tutelage of Irina Gorin, clearly is a quick study based on his many successes.

“My grandmother had taught me to play “Happy Birthday” on her piano and I was hooked,“ recalled Brown. “Mrs. Gorin’s deep commitment to helping me improve my musical skills has greatly accelerated my learning. Her detailed attention to my technique and performance is what I think led to me winning several competitions last year.

“I remember my mom asking Mrs. Gorin if she thought I was ready to go to the Cincinnati World Piano Competition? The next thing I knew, I was in Cincinnati receiving a first-place gold medal for Level Three piano. When the judges announced that I had also won a special Grand Prize for levels 1-4, that was over the top. Words can’t describe how I felt when they invited me to play in a recital at Carnegie Hall in New York City.”

Built by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1891, acoustically perfect Carnegie Hall has hosted some of the

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Saturday Shopping in Carmel - The Carmel Arts & Design District (Old Town Carmel, Range Line Road and Main Street) hopes you’ll shop there and the business are trying to make it worth your while.

The area’s “A Gift for You, A Gift for Me” promotion gives you a $5 gift card for every $25 gift card purchased in the district. It has a free gift-wrapping service 1-6 p.m. on Dec. 6, 13 and 20 (although donations go to charities), days that will include carolers, carriage rides, merchant open houses, visits by Santa and his elves, and even live reindeer. For specifics, see www. carmelartsanddesign.com.

This Precedent-built home boasts an airy, open floor plan designed for the modern lifestyle. Featuring 3BR/4BA & a huge bonus room. You can’t miss! angela raaB, 317-7359610, 846-7751

Ari Brown

world’s most brilliant and well-renown musicians.

“We arrived at Carnegie. It was very exciting because all four of my grandparents and several other family members were there,“ said Brown. “In the lobby, all my relatives were packed around me fixing my bow-tie and straightening my vest. When I was called to enter the backstage of the hall, I got to take a breath.

“I sat there thinking about all my friends and what they would say. I am just a normal kid sitting here in the backstage of Carnegie Hall and to think about who had been here before was amazing.

“After the recital, I was called up on stage to receive a certificate,“ Brown continued. “My dad took a lot of pictures.

This truly was one of the best days of my life.”

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Running for cause and effect

American Heart Association Advocates for Strong Nutrition Policies Editor:

The American Heart Association has a goal of halting the annual rate of increase in obesity and overweight by 2010. To help achieve that goal, the association advocates for the passage of legislation that will require calorie information to be displayed on menus and menu boards in all restaurants with standardized menus and recipes.

While the ultimate goal is to provide this information in all restaurants, initially it should be required only in restaurants with standardized menus and recipes that do not vary day-to-day. The American Heart Association supports consumers making healthier food choices. To do so in restaurants, however, requires that consumers have accurate, sufficient nutrition information provided in a usable format on restaurant menus.

Nutrition information on menus empowers consumers to make informed decisions about foods eaten away from home.

The total overall pattern of food eaten is the most important focus of a healthful eating style. All foods can fit within this pattern, if consumed in moderation with appropriate portion size. Along with regular exercise, weight management and not smoking, a healthy diet is proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and other chronic diseases.

As a registered dietitian and member of the American Heart Association’s Indianapolis Board of Directors, I encourage our elected officials to enact public policies that will increase the ability of consumers to make informed choices regarding the food and beverages they purchase in restaurants. This effort is an important part of a comprehensive approach to addressing our nation’s obesity epidemic and concurrent rise in chronic diseases and disability to which it contributes.

Margie Bryan Fougeron, MS, RD, CD The Care Group

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 www.currentincarmel.com

READERS’ VIEWS

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e see them at all hours and people that just heard about his purof the day, during good pose. The “Better You Than Me” category weather and bad. As of $1 per mile by far the most popular. though in a hurry to get However, a significant number of donors somewhere special, runcontributed to the “I Can’t Believe You’re ners logging mile after mile are usually Dumb Enough To Run This Far” catjust seeking the high and feeling egory, helping to push Norm of accomplishment that comes to his ultimate goal. He says his from intense physical exertion. awareness of how many families However, one runner in particuare affected by cancer has been lar, training for more than just heightened through this expea race, had a much heavier load rience. Survivors and people to carry. fighting the battle become Having just moved his family linked through by the disease to Carmel, Norm Campbell that begins with C. found himself desperately thinkLife is getting back to normal ing about how he and his three for the Campbell family. young children would be able Happily, Beth is in remission to help his wife fight off breast looking for her five-year clean cancer. Although he couldn’t go bill of health. Children Patrick, Jeff through the painful treatments Ryan and Colleen were troopfor her or wish away the terrible ers during mom’s illness and Worrell side effects of chemotherapy, he now do not have to be quite could help the American Cancer Society as concerned about helping around the raise money by doing what he loves. Norm house. Norm, fully planning to run the was the first in Indianapolis to become a Indianapolis Marathon next year, is helpcharity runner for ACS and completed his ing another charity between now and then. first marathon with the new title along with He will run for Team in Training supportseven other newly designated charity runing the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society ners. Desiring much more than just a lower having experienced success with ACS. resting heart rate, Norm was running for The next time you see a runner huffhis wife, Beth, determined to raise money, ing and puffing as you pass them by, you build awareness for the disease and elimimight wonder if they are running for fun nate just a little stress at the same time. or because they need to. If you see Norm Completing the Indianapolis Marathon Cambell, you’ll know the answer. in October and personally generating Jeff Worrell is a local business owner. He over $2,000 in donations, Norm has his recognizes volunteers on “Connecting with sights set on increasing the amount he Carmel” on cable channel 16. Contact him at collects for next year. The money this year jworrell@advantagemedical.com came from friends, family, co-workers

COMMUNITY

Award-Winning Writers Offer Workshops At Second Story Playhouse The Second Story Playhouse, located in downtown Carmel, will begin offering a series of writing workshops beginning the second week of January led by writers Greg and Donna Kishbaugh. All classes will be hands-on writing workshops that focus on the writing process and will incorporate various writing techniques, exercises, and story telling methods from the Story Workshop MethodÂŽ founded by Columbia College Chicago where both Greg and Donna received degrees from the

Fiction Writing Department. Wednesday classes begin Jan. 14, and Saturday classes begin Jan. 19. The writing workshop age groups and times are as follows: • Adults: Saturday, 10-11:30 a.m. • Teens (grades 9-12): Wednesday, 5:457:15 p.m. • Children (grades 5-8): Wednesday, 4-5:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.secondstoryplayhouse.com.

Customer Appreciation Week at The Monon Center Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is hosting a week full of fun and activities the week of Dec. 8-13 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.).

There will be tables throughout The Monon Center with goodies spotlighting a different area within the facility. Stop by each table for some basic information and any questions you may have. The fitness table is even going to have “Ask a Trainer� where customers can ask anything fitness related. The trainers will be on hand Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Passholders may bring one guest per visit into the facility for free. Fitness classes

will be also be free all week. Please note that currently enrolled Passholders will take precedence in classes. The maximums will also be maintained for fitness classes that week.

Tuesday’s theme is “Family Day� at The Monon Center. Stop in from 4:30-7:30 p.m. for carnival themed festivities and special activities in the gymnasium and indoor pool at night.

Don’t forget to participate in our other special events throughout the week including Pet Pictures, Daddy/Daughter Dance, Children’s Candy Cane Hunt, Grinch Scramble and Fetch the Fruit Cake for dogs. For more information on Customer Appreciation Week or other special events, call 317-848-7275.

STYLISH HOME ON WOODED LOT IN FOSTER ESTATES

CUL-DE-SAC HOME IN POPULAR AVIAN GLEN!

This stylish 4 bedroom home has wonderful curb appeal and sits on a gorgeous wooded lot. The home features a large open kitchen with granite countertops, a center island, hardwood floors and tile backsplash. Adjoining the kitchen is a bright, cheery sun room with a tile floor. The main floor den with a full bath could be used a a 5th bedroom or in-law quarters. The huge upper level bonus room makes a great rec area or home office. The spacious family room has built-ins and a fireplace.

The master suite features a tray ceiling, walk-in closet and a luxurious bath. Foster Estates offers a clubhouse and pool for it’s residents. Call 8151919, code 4376 for a voice tour.

MLS # 2865176 $414,900

This stylish 5 bedroom, 5 bath home boasts 5,100+ square feet and is situated on a beautiful .55 acre cul-de-sac lot. This home boasts large room sizes and hardwood floors throughout most of the main level. The open kitchen includes granite countertops, a large center island with a cooktop, double ovens and a separate breakfast nook. The bright, cheery sunroom has a vaulted ceiling and leads to an oversized deck. The spacious family room has built-ins and a fireplace. The master suite has a luxurious bath and a roomy walk-in closet with an additional walk-in storage space. The finished lower level features a recreational area, wet bar, exercise room and a bonus room. Call 815-1919, code 4066 for a voice tour.

MLS# 2863046 $469,900

3002 Hazel Foster Drive

5771 Whipporwill Way

www.currentincarmel.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

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• Sales Rep and Business Development • Account and Customer Support • Accounting Staff • Counseling / Social Work • Software Design • Administrative Assistant • Network & System Administration • Nursing • Mechanical Engineering • Sales Executive - Forbes.com

How to protect your purchases - For cash-strapped consumers, the amount they spend this holiday season is important. So is where they spend it.

Massive cutbacks in shoppers’ spending have wreaked havoc on retailers. One day a store is open for business, the next it’s gone. Here’s a guide to navigating the closeout sales and protecting your purchases.

TOP REAL ESTATE DEALS

HILTON HEAD YEAR-END BLOWOUT SALE - Hilton Head, SC: Save $30-$76k on Del Webb Sun City Homes. From $185k.

NAVARRE BEACH GULF-FRONT AUCTION - Navarre Beach, FL: Stunning views of Gulf and intracoastal. Appraised at over $5 million.

• Research return policies • Stay calm on warranties • Use a credit card • Avoid gift-card pitfalls -wsj.com

David Cain works at MediaSauce, a digital media and online marketing company in Carmel. David welcomes your questions or comments at David.Cain@MediaSauce.com.

How can you leverage your customers or fans to show their support of your organization and share your message?

• Shop early • Be wary of floor samples

tics, who didn’t want something different?

What alternative could the other party offer to a message of ‘change’ in a world that demands it? Is the customer empowered in your business? Do they feel that you need them and they make an impact?

If not, why would they care if you win or lose?

In what some are calling “the first election won by the Internet”, Obama not only prevailed in the general election, but also beat the well-known powerful Democratic machine known as the Clintons. He established what should be the first of many political candidates to use social media as the cornerstone of their campaign. Using the Obama-everywhere strategy he raised more than $105 million dollars in six months with over 80 percent from online sources. With donations in increments of sub-$200, this strategy shows mastery of connection. Want to learn more? Visit blog.mediasauce.com/category/events to learn more about leveraging the Obama strategy in your business.

For more information on these and other real estate deals, visit www. toptenrealestatedeals.com.

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008 www.currentincarmel.com

Banking Green - The Google Finance web page tracks the top 20 financial companies by Market Cap. Two days before Thanksgiving, the only one of those top 20 financial institutions … you know, banks and such … whose stock price was off was the No. 1 company Berkshire Hathaway (BRK) owned by America’s smartest financier, Warren Buffett. Granted, a share of BH costs $89,000, but it was off 1.1 percent, while the next 19 merely mortal companies all are posting positive. Just, um, keep that federal money coming.

F

or many reasons, this election for all businesses. How open are you to is historically significant. Aside hearing what your customers have to say from the obvious history-making and creating an opportunity for them to candidate, our president-elect has participate? also set the bar on the use of social Connection. Creating broad-based media. Flawlessly executed, his connections was a key to the strategy has been admired by win. Through the use of widboth sides. Let’s explore the three gets, sharable code that allows a key lessons for businesses from message to be taken to another Barack Obama’s campaign. online location, Obama let Participation. He not people influence their friends. only has a website, he has a webPeople connect with people and site that encourages participathey are influenced by friends tion. Enabling fans to organize and trusted resources. By emfan clubs on his behalf with powering people through nudownloadable resources to aid in merous points of connection, the process, this website boasts these micro-influences formed “our online tools make local a foundational base of supportorganizing easy.” In the downers enlisted to help. Does your David Cain load section, you find a sharable business develop connections Marketing donation widget, Obama badges with customers or just provide and banners, together with other them a product or service? How campaign materials. People involved with can you leverage your customers or fans to the campaign routinely blogged in a very show their support of your organization personal way and the site provided areas and share your message? where anyone supporting the campaign Impact. With a message of ‘each could upload images and videos. Allowing individual vote can make a change’, he people to participate with your industry or provided a message of impact. Each person business and make their own experience felt they could change things. And with around your cause is the valuable lesson the state of the economy and world poli-

DOUGH

Top 10 Recession-Proof Jobs - These are the top 10 most recessionproof jobs in America.

When times get tough, you still need to run your business and take care of the customers you have left:

The Big ‘O’: Lessons Learned

DOUGH

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What’s it worth

By John Pacilio, RE/MAX Ability Plus

My Opinion

325K

$

Type: Traditional Age: Built in 1991 Location: Near Washington Street and SR 40 outside of I-465 Neighborhood: Glen Oaks Village is an Eastside subdivision with mature trees and pond views Square footage: 3,689 Rooms: This four-bedroom home has a large remodeled kitchen with breakfast room, planning desk, new counter tops, and walk-in pantry, main floor office with builtins, second-floor bonus room with skylights and a fireplace, and expansive master suite with whirlpool tub.

Strengths: This home has an impressive curb appeal and professional landscaping.

The wooded backyard offers a wood deck, mature trees, gazebo and hot tub. The quality of the school system is a draw for many people who live in this area.

Challenges: The average price point in the township is more than $100,000 under this home’s price range. This home has an abundance of space and no basement.

John Pacilio and his team specialize in Carmel real estate with RE/MAX Ability Plus. Contact him at 216.8500 or John@ JohnPacilio.com.

NOW OPEN Holy Cow, Cupcakes!

www.currentincarmel.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Owners: Karen and Sean Sutton Address: 545 S. Range Line Rd. Carmel, IN 46032 Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Phone: 317-571-1500 Website: www.holycowcupcakes.com E-mail: Holycowcupcakes@gmail.com The time has come for cupcakes. After a year at the local farmer’s market, Karen Sutton has finally opened a store for her unique creations at 545 S. Range Line Rd. “Everybody was always asking, ‘Where is your store?’ ” she said. “The need just got too great. People wanted their cupcake fix throughout the week.” The family-owned business, attached to the neighboring

Karen and Sean Sutton Crystal Flash gas station, opened Nov. 19.

It features numerous home-grown cupcake recipes, each named after Sutton’s friends and family members. She says her cupcakes are unique because she bakes them with a healthful touch, using organic and locally grown high-quality ingredients.

“People want something that tastes good, but that isn’t bad for them,” she said. Sutton and her husband, Sean, also cater for weddings and corporate events.

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“Yes, because a lot of people will start realizing they have to change their spending and saving ways.”

Tanya Hass Carmel

“I think it will be a transition year.”

Matt Labell Carmel

“We are just about at the bottom. We can’t go anywhere but up.”

Dorothea Noland Carmel

A service provided by Crossroads Retirement Planning 8425 Woodfield Crossing Blvd.. Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240 www.crossroadsretirement.com

DOES RECENTLY RESCUED CITIGROUP HAVE A PLAN?

on’t believe everything you feeling some real stress today. read about getting a loan. Most Here’s my point. While it is true lenders media outlets would like you to are being more prudent about their lendthink that no one is giving out ing practices than before, they still want to loans no matter how help consumers and businesses creditworthy you are. That is achieve their goals. However, simply not true. Loans for qualilet’s be realistic. If an individual’s fied borrowers are available and credit score is low or they have with reasonable terms. I speak a high personal debt ratio, they to many people daily inside my will find it more difficult to organization and elsewhere and obtain credit. A business that has this is what I am hearing. too much debt, has a poor payMortgage lenders can still offer ment history or is losing money a variety of mortgage programs, is also not a strong candidate including FHA and conventional for new debt. Where lenders got financing, to refinance or purinto trouble was giving credit to chase a home. You may not even borrowers who truly were not need prime credit scores to be qualified, so those folks should Jeff approved. If you need a car loan, not expect to get a loan in today’s Maginnis they are still available. I have environment and should have even seen zero-percent financing been granted one before anyway. still being offered by one car maker. Banks Jeff Magginnis is a vice president in the are still offering business loans to qualified companies, whether they are conventional or Business Banking Division of KeyBank. You may contact him at 399.3072 or at jeff_magSBA. I also know someone who has successginnis@keybank.com fully financed developers, an industry that is

11

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 www.currentincarmel.com

D

Lenders still looking to help consumers

M

ost cultures around the vibrant senior citizens - engaged and globe revere their elders mentally acute people with tons to offer. and seek wisdom from I enjoyed our interactions immensely, them. It is those elders and learned from them. It’s interesting who have walked the lonhow the experience of time facilitates gest path and undergone personal growth characteristics that younger generations that can only be attained by journeying are largely unable to achieve. Our elders through the many seasons of have learned to appreciate life. For those reasons, their the richness of life. They have advice is held in the highest largely replaced the shallowregard. ness and greenness of youth American culture has with depth, well-being and become willfully blind to maturity. They have worked all that, making us captives through troubles, practice virof a system that worships tues like patience and loyalty glamour, money, youth and and don’t believe everything conspicuous consumption. In they hear. our disposable world, people Aging doesn’t diminish are taught to junk their cars the worth of human life and and computers for newer shouldn’t be viewed as a calammodels and throw away their ity to be avoided. It’s someKent Burns faddish clothes and possesthing that is happening to each On Success sions the moment they have of us every day. We must work outlived their allotted period harder to seek out, enjoy and of trendiness. Instead of leveraging elders learn from our elders. We also must think as resources with valuable experience, more about how we approach our own corporations “transition” those talented path to becoming an elder. Respect your individuals from their employ. We diselders. Someday you’ll be one. card and isolate our elders in nursing Kent Burns is a Carmel resident, investor and homes rather than honoring their life co-founder of CrossConfirm. He is also a profesjourneys and learning from their hardsional speaker and author of What’s Your Why? won wisdom.

He can be reached at kent@currentincarmel.

I had the privilege over the past few com. weeks of spending time with some

DOUGH

C

itigroup, facing a meltdown, the math. It seems like a complete cluster. received $306 billion of governWhy, under the TARP plan, do these ment guarantees for their toxic banks not have to cut their rates to the loans recently. The bank also will consumers or businesses? Why do they get an additional $20 billion in still get to charge high fees and interest cash from the U.S. Treasury, in rates? If the government made addition to the $25 billion it them cut interest rates, “We the received last month from the People” would have more money Troubled Asset Relief Program. to spend on Main Street.

In return for the $326 billion This is yet another sickening in loan guarantees, the “We example of Wall Street taking the People” will get $27 billion advantage of Main Street. What of preferred shares paying 8 penalty is going to be levied on percent. In August, Citigroup the people that made this mess? agreed to pay $20 million per My outrage meter is approaching year for 20 years to put its redline status. Is yours? name on the new stadium that We are just printing money. will be home to the New York What is Citigroup’s plan to Mets of Major League Baseball. stimulate the economy? We Brian America’s pastime, I suppose know that the Big 4 - GM, Ford, Shapiro – in more ways than one.

Chrysler, and the UAW - does Now, we will have to deal not have a plan. The GM presiwith Bank of America’s toxic waste, dent has been making double-digit milChase’s toxic waste (it has widespread lions of dollars in compensation for years. credit card issues), and numerous other The UAW is double the cost structure of banks’ troubles. This is just the beginning.

Honda and Toyota. GM sold its finance Clearly, this is a wonderful club. The arm, GMAC, and the executives pocketed executives pay themselves handsome millions, but now they whine that they bonuses, and when things get ugly, they cannot finance their cars or loans. call in the reinforcements to save them ...

The best news is that President-elect the taxpayers. This group pays itself in Barack Obama understands the problem; the millions of dollars and is not taking but, much to our American chagrin, any risk. The top dogs are not personally Barney Frank and his buddies are clueless.. guaranteeing the operations of any parBrian Shapiro is a Carmel resident and conticular company. They are not putting any tributor to Current Publishing. You may e-mail of their money into the companies when him at brian@shapiros.com things are bad. I really do not understand

Respect Your Elders

Fight Cancer with Baking Soda?

- Natural-foods health maven Dr. Joseph Mercola points to eating unprocessed foods, eating raw foods, getting plenty of sleep and exercise and staying away from manmade chemicals in things like pesticides and cleaners as keys to cancer prevention. He also points to Italian studies that indicate sodium bicarbonate – baking soda – as a superior alternative to toxic chemotherapy in cancer treatment.

- mercola.com Brackett to Launch “Gary’s Locker� at Clarian North Medical Center - Today, Indianapolis Colts Defensive Captain Gary Brackett will make a lasting impression on thousands of children affected by pediatric cancer when he launches “Gary’s Locker� at Riley Hospital for Children at Clarian North Medical Center. “Gary’s Locker� is one of Brackett’s IMPACT Foundation’s signature programs. The program enriches the lives of children and their family members by providing them with access to notebook computers, movies, video game systems and video games. “Gary’s Locker� is being placed in Riley Hospital North’s Center for Children’s Cancer & Blood Diseases and is expected to impact the lives of nearly 8,000 children and their family members in 2009.

SIMPLE EXERCISES CAN TIGHTEN CHEST MUSCLES For Current in Carmel

Developing and toning the chest muscles, as with any muscle group, requires two phases: weight (fat) loss and the work you’ll do for development.

As you master the lower-calorie diet, with at least 30 percent of the calories from protein to help you develop more muscle while losing fat, you’re off in search of a firmer, toned, chest. (You also will end up with a slimmer body for your efforts.)

Here are suggested exercises for toning the chest muscles:

Chest presses - These are done flat on your back with your abs tight and your lower back flat. Start with weights directly over your chest with your elbows at 90 degree angles. Press arms straight up without locking your elbows, then lower your arms to their starting position. Repeat at least 10 times. Note: You don’t have to have a weight bench or professional barbells to do chest presses. You can lie on the floor and use dumbbells, books, or even milk jugs full of water (they weigh about

8 pounds when full). As your conditioning improves, you can invest in a standard barbell set to allow gradual increases in weight or you can increase sets of repetitions.

Push ups - They aren’t just for men. So, place your hands on the floor a bit farther apart than your shoulders. Get up on your knees or toes, slowly bend your arms and lower body until your elbows are at 90 degree angles. Straighten your arms and push up but don’t lock your elbows. Keep your abs tight--don’t sag in the middle.

Slowly lower yourself back down.

Repeat this 10 times. Rest for one minute. Repeat another 10 times. As your strength and conditioning improve, do longer sets and more repetitions.

Chest flys - These are done flat on the floor, abs tight and your lower back flat. Start with the weights directly over your chest, palms facing each other. Keep your elbows slightly

Drink Smart; Chewed Fruit is Better - Guzzling soda, whole milk and even orange juice isn’t the optimum way to get healthy with drink. Try these tips: • Get calories from foods you chew, not beverages. Have fresh fruit instead of fruit juice.

S

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• Cut back on or cut out caloric drinks such as soda, sweet tea, lemonade, etc. People have had weight loss by making just this one change. If you have a 20-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola every day, switch to Diet Coke. You should lose 25 pounds in a year.

- Prevention.com

Wall ups - These are done by standing about two feet from a wall, facing it. Place your hands at chest level flat against the wall. Now, lean slowly toward the wall using your arm and chest muscles to control your motion until you have your nose against the wall. Push back to your original position.

Repeat this motion 15 times. To increase the effects of this exercise, when you reach the point of lean that stresses the chest muscles most (you’ll feel it), pause and hold for a count of 10 or 15, then finish the motion.

DD Aileen C. Helton

• Instead of whole milk, switch to 1-percent. If you drink one 8-oz glass a day, you’ll lose five pounds in a year. • Juice has as many calories, ounce for ounce, as soda. Set a limit of one eight-ounce glass of fruit juice a day.

bent. Now, lower the weights out to the sides, stopping at shoulder level, then bring the weights up again. The motion should resemble “hugging a tree.� Be careful not to lock your elbows during the lowest point to avoid damage to the joint.

EET 3UITE %AST TH 3TR #ARMEL ).

53

www.currentincarmel.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

ANTI-AGING

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Some ways to battle fatigue

See the light - Get the right light, and you’ll have lots more energy. But that can be a challenge, given the poorly-lit offices we sit in and the scant doses of daily sunlight (which contains brain-activating short-wavelength blue light) we get.

Get pumped with protein - Unless you plan to run a marathon, carbo-loading for energy is out. Instead, eat protein to increase mental alertness and energy, says Debra Hollon, MS, RD, a clinical nutritionist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Protein contains tyrosine, an amino acid that elevates the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. It increases satiety, too.

And when you feel fuller, you’re not apt to overdo the breads and sweets that induce roller-coaster highs and lows.

Lend a hand - Research shows that you get a “helper’s high,” a rush of endor-

13

phins that lasts for hours, when you volunteer, says Kimberly Kingsley, author of The Energy Cure: How to Recharge Your Life 30 Seconds at a Time. You don’t have to look far to help out, she says. “There may be a single mom in your family who needs a babysitter or a lonely neighbor who’d love to chat.”

HEALTH WATCH

Must. Stay. Awake. Yes, it’s the 3 o’clock mantra. And who hasn’t mumbled it while fighting off midday yawns and drooping eyes?

Fatigue and flagging energy seem to be epidemic, especially among women who burn the candle at both ends (and who doesn’t?). Instead of moping, pump up your mojo with these strategies from experts in sleep, fitness, nutrition, psychology and alternative medicine.

Breathe hard more often - That post-workout rush of energy you feel is well-documented: Movement sends oxygen through the bloodstream to invigorate cells. That’s why Gerald K. Endress, fitness director at the Duke University Diet and Fitness Center at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., suggests that you break up your workouts to maximize your oxygen intake.

Bag a new brew - Boost your energy with white tea, which has a delicate flavor that requires little sweetening.

“White tea goes through the least processing,” says Iman Hakim, MD, PhD, a professor at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona and a leading researcher on the benefits of tea. As a result, white tea has the highest concentration of L-theanine, an amino acid that, according to recent research, stimulates alpha brain waves to boost alertness while producing a calming effect.

-Health.com

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BACK IN THE DAY

FOR THE RECORD

14

Cigars make GREAT stocking stuffers!

Grain silos built by the Foster Kendall Grain Co. in Carmel soon after WWII. Photo courtesy of Carmel Clay Historical Society

BIRTHS

Clarian North November 11 Girl Reeder, John & Norma Smith, Lucas & Stacy Zofkie*, Michael & Sarah November 12 Girl Young, Lydia November 14 Girl Rodda*, Christopher & Jenny November 18 Boy Whittington, Jason & Beth Susan Ellen Davis, 57, of Indianapolis, died November 22, 2008. She was born in Kokomo to Russell and Ellen Morris. Her father preceded her in death. Susan is survived by her loving husband, Robert; three daughters Rebecca, Amy and Kimberly; four grandchildren Scott, Abigail, Peter and Lucy; mother, Ellen; brother, Steven and sisters, Michelle and Stacee. Susan gave the world the gifts of her quick laugh, optimistic personality and a willingness to help anyone in need. Every spring and summer

POLICE RUNS

November 19 1:17:41 a.m., warrant service, 324 Thornberry Drive 4:23:32 a.m., f alarm residence, 5022 Deer Ridge Drive N 6:08:40 a.m., missing person, 3791 Dolan Way 6:13:15 a.m., alarm burglar, 501 Pennsylvania Parkway 7:28:46 a.m., accident minor, Keystone Avenue South / East 98th St 7:58:11 a.m., fight, East 99th St / Keystone

CONTINUED P15

Complete Foreign & Domestic Auto Repair Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 5:30pm

With over 21 years experience, Rod Shaw recently purchased a local auto repair shop with Carmel roots dating back 35 years.

Winter maintenance Special Oil change, tire rotation with brake inspections, transmission flush, coolant flush, replace fuel filter & add fuel injection cleaner to gas tank.

MOST CARS & LIGHT TRUCKS Regular $45000

Special $32995

421 Industrial Dr., Carmel

317-846-0661

nOW through the end of 2008!

W. Main St.

s

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008

OBITUARIES

she grew a beautiful garden. It was her passion, and we know that Susan is quick at work growing a new garden in heaven.

She will be missed dearly by all who knew her. Family and friends gathered on Nov. 25 in Leppert Mortuary, Smith Carmel Chapel where the funeral service was held the following day. You are invited to visit www. leppertmortuary.com where you may share a memory, sign the guest book or make a memorial contribution to the American Cancer Society.

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15 FOR THE RECORD

Avenue South 8:41:28 a.m., alarm burglar, 12871 Northants Circle 8:54:51 a.m., alarm burglar, 3 Civic Square 9:47:08 a.m., traffic hazard, Keystone Avenue North / East 116th St 9:53:02 a.m., investigation, Carrington Circle / East 126th St 10:42:40 a.m., investigation, East 96th St / Monon Trail 10:47:27 a.m., alarm burglar, 14245 Oakbrook Court 10:55:40 a.m., investigation, Lakeshore Drive East / Tahoe Road 10:57:51 a.m., theft, 4670 Haven Point Blvd 11:09:22 a.m., investigation, Gray Road / Morgans Creek Court 11:12:09 a.m., harassment, 13085 Hamilton Crossing Blvd 11:44:37 a.m., assist other dept, 9684 W Autum Way 11:53:54 a.m., driving complaint, North Meridian St / Old Meridian Street 12:32:08 p.m., investigation, East 126th St / Lynnwood Boulevard 12:30:59 p.m., found/lost property, 13121 Briarwood Trce 12:32:08 p.m., investigation, East 126th St / Lynnwood Boulevard 12:52:38 p.m., welfare check, Lakeshore Drive East / East 116th St 1:16:05 p.m., investigation, Keystone Avenue North / East 131st St 1:16:04 p.m., domestic, 11249 Woodcreek Drive 1:35:27 p.m., alarm burglar, 13326 Amundson Drive 1:46:45 p.m., alarm burglar, 3296 Allison Court 2:13:16 p.m., alarm burglar, 14245 Oakbrook Court 2:33:25 p.m., investigation, 31 I 465 E 2:49:26 p.m., alarm burglar, 12756 Parsons Gate 3:11:14 p.m., alarm burglar, 12412 Horesham St 3:18:18 p.m., driving complaint, East 96th St / Keystone Avenue N 3:30:29 p.m., mental person, 21 Arrowae Drive 3:55:39 p.m., accident property damage, East 96th St / North Meridian Street 4:07:26 p.m., investigation, 11145 Echo Crest Drive E

4:16:44 p.m., theft, 516 E Carmel Dr 4:39:11 p.m., investigation, 1032 N Rangeline Road 4:37:20 p.m., juvenile complaint, 281 Pokagon Drive 4:45:22 p.m., damage to property, 12847 Double Eagle Drive 4:22:41 p.m., theft, 1195 Central Park Drive W 5:47:13 p.m., accident property damage, North Meridian Street / West 96th St 5:52:18 p.m., driving complaint, East 116th St / Hazel Dell Parkway 5:59:00 p.m., alarm burglar, 200 Providence Blvd 6:00:35 p.m., alarm burglar, 931 S Rangeline Road 6:08:31 p.m., alarm hold up, 1422 Keystone Way 6:31:03 p.m., alarm burglar, 675 Beacon St 6:33:25 p.m., assist public, West 116th St / North Meridian Street 7:29:07 p.m., accident property damage, Grand Boulevard / Old Meridian Street 8:05:45 p.m., theft, 1230 S Rangeline Road 11:06:34 p.m., f als serious, 1417 Queensborough Drive November 20 12:12:05 a.m., investigation, West 146th St / Springmill Road 12:29:56 a.m., accident minor, 315 Mozart Drive 2:25:20 a.m., alarm burglar, 11405 Pennsylvania St 3:51:35 a.m., alarm burglar, 839 Village Drive E 5:23:18 a.m., suspicious activity, 5940 Mckinges Circle 6:12:58 a.m., alarm burglar, 501 Pennsylvania Parkway 6:59:32 a.m., assist other dept, 32 I 465 E 9:05:28 a.m., alarm burglar, 445 E 111th St 9:24:30 a.m., investigation, East 116th St / Ralston Avenue 9:42:09 a.m., investigation, 4242 E 126th St 10:12:08 a.m., theft, 637 Allenhurst Circle 10:18:58 a.m., theft, 516 E Carmel Drive 10:13:20 a.m., animal complaint, 1209 Lynne Drive 11:00:05 a.m., investigation, East 98th St / Haverstick Road 11:00:38 a.m., theft, 12800 N Meridian St 12:05:22 p.m., accident property damage, 1345 Helford Lane 12:55:17 p.m., juvenile complaint, 12415

www.currentincarmel.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Forest Dale literacy night set for Dec. 4 - Forest Dale Elementary students and their families are invited to the school’s annual literacy night, “Reading Under the Safari Stars,” Dec. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the school. Media specialist Karen Duffy said, “We are excited to offer family literacy night, bringing families together in a fun and educational environment to share in the love of reading.” She encourages students to bring pillows or sleeping bags so that they have comfortable places to read during the event. The evening will include a book fair, read-ins, crafts, author read alouds and other literacy activities.

From 6 to 6:30, students and their families will enjoy free pizza and drinks provided by the PTO. Parents with students in the Book Club and federal Title I program will meet in the large group instruction room at 6:30 p.m. Members of Clay Middle School’s Honor Society will volunteer their time and provide free gift wrapping for books and other items purchased at the book fair.

CHS freshmen invited to Dec. 6 game - All Carmel High School freshmen are invited for pizza before the CarmelLebanon boys varsity basketball game Dec. 6. Food will be served at 5:30 p.m. in the freshman cafeteria. The school’s Greyhound Kickoff program, which provides a full-day orientation before school starts and connects junior and senior mentors with freshmen, is sponsoring this free event. Katie Overbeck, who teaches English at Carmel High School and has sponsored the mentor program for eight years, said this event geared toward freshmen gives ninth-graders the opportunity to feel comfortable attending a varsity athletic event.

Carmel High School hosts planetarium show -Carmel High School’s planetarium will present “George and Oatmeal Save Santa” on Dec. 6 with the first 40-minute show at 6 p.m. with the show repeated at 7 p.m. Santa Claus is missing, and it’s up to George the wizard and Oatmeal the snowman to locate him by using the North Star to find their way back to the North Pole. The program includes holiday music and special features just for children. The presentation is suitable for ages 4 and older. Tickets, priced at $4 for adults and $2 for children and seniors, are on sale at the high school bookstore on school days from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The bookstore is located across from the main cafeteria and may be accessed at the South 4 entrance near the flag pole. Patrons are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance, these shows have sold out in previous years. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. To ensure the safety of those who attend, nobody will be admitted after the show starts.

By Brandie Bohney Current in Westfield

the grammar guru

EDUCATION

16

High Marks with Quotations

DISPATCHES

It seems that everyone and his brother feels the need to insert quotation marks in writing these days. Once reserved only for direct quotations, the marks can be seen used in all sorts of way in all sorts of print sources. And it seems that the average Joe Six-Pack knows only how to use them incorrectly.

Look, I’m a purist when it comes to quotation marks. I use them for direct quotations and very, very little else. The only other grammatically acceptable way to use them is when emphasizing slang, a word or phrase intentionally out of place or words or phrases used sarcastically.

Unfortunately, that second use is what gets people into trouble.

Many people, for reasons that are truly beyond me, use quotation marks to emphasize just about anything. A few days ago, I saw a service truck with the following slogan written in prominent letters on the side: Customers are always “first” with us.

Hmmm. The only two ways to enclose first in quotation marks correctly are as a direct quotation or as slang or sarcasm. This is obviously not a direct quotation. So is it sarcasm? Are customers actually much farther down the priority list than first for this company? Is that the message the company owner really intended to put on the side of the trucks?

Probably not.

Because the use of quotation marks for sarcasm is so

widely accepted – I may not like it, but that’s not the point – using quotation marks for nearly any other type of emphasis is not only wrong, but it also gives readers an impression in direct contrast to the intended message.

In the produce section of a grocery store this past summer there was a sign over the fruit section: “Fresh” Fruit. The sign might as well have read Rotten Fruit or Bad Fruit because putting fresh in quotation marks makes it appear as though the fruit is not truly fresh, but rather the opposite.

Another personal favorite is when stores put up signs that read “best” deal or “best” price. I’m not even going in the store if I know off the bat it’s not really the best deal. It’s a great way to get me to avoid spending money somewhere.

The best way to avoid giving readers the wrong impression when trying to emphasize certain words is to just avoid quotation marks in situations other than direct quotations. To emphasize words or phrases correctly, try boldface, italics or even a different font (or alternate between printing and cursive if writing by hand). All caps gives the impression of yelling, so unless you want to yell your message at people, I would avoid that, too, but it’s definitely better than using quotation marks.

Brandie Bohney is a grammar enthusiast and former English teacher who developed a mastery-learning system of teaching grammar to high school seniors. If you have a grammar-related question, please email her at bbthegrammarguru@gmail.com.

Children mirror their family environment

“

T

he way we live is the way our chil- reflect on our children. Every one of our dren learn to live for themselves actions influences them to behave in a and others. But more importantly, certain manner. Having our children live the way we live is the way we with tolerance to teach them patience, teach them to learn to be. We for example, would be to respect their must be the people we want our deliberateness in getting things children to become.” done in their own time frame, Children who live with … not ours, unless, of course, you • Acceptance learn to be perceive them to be wasting credible. time. Another example is if we • Approval learn to be want our children to learn to be respectful. trustworthy, they need to live • Consistency learn to be with our faithfulness to our beorganized. liefs, values, ethics and morals.

• Discipline learn self-control.

We are most likely teaching • Encouragement learn to be these principles to our children confident. on a daily basis without even • Tolerance learn to be thinking about it. Living with patient. and being aware of what they Becky Kapsalis • Fairness learn to be just. are learning is not necessarAsk YiaYia • Faith learn to be ily the same. When practicing trustworthy. these principles and becoming • Gratitude learn to be kind. aware of how it affects our children, we’re • Humility learn to be decent. more apt to pay attention to our own self• Love learn to be affectionate. worth, which is where the (values teach• Praise learn to be worthy. ings) begin and the learning (to be) comes • Trust learn to be self-reliant. naturally.

Because we know all children mirror Hugs! their family environment and because we Have a parenting topic or question? Submit it know most behaviors are learned behavto Ask Yiayia, aka Becky Kapsalis, Certified Parent iors, the above list acts as a reminder of Coach, at askyiayia@indy.rr.com or call 810.9358. how we want our positive influences to

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CARMEL ARTS CALENDER

18

ALL DECEMBER • Brenda Audritsh and daughter, Jennifer Audritsh Allison, will exhibit their folk art pieces of the Norwegian art of Rosemaling at the Carmel/Clay Library Art Wall (55 Fourth Ave., SE) during scheduled library hours. For information, call 317-844-6711.

• A Beef & Boards Christmas, 9301 Michigan Road, Indianapolis.

For information, call 317-872-9664.

DEC. 5, 6 and 7 The Nutcracker at Pike Performing Arts Center, 6701 Zionsville Road, by Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre.

Times are 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 7. For information, call 317-846-2441.

DEC. 6

www.currentincarmel.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

From 6-7:30 p.m., Messiah, by George Frideric Handel at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 10655 Haverstick Road, Carmel. For information, call 317-846-3850.

DEC. 7, 14 and 21 World’s Smallest Children’s Art Gallery Art Exhibition by the students of West Clay Elementary School. All days from 2-4 p.m. Also open Dec. 13 from 6-8 p.m. For more information, call 317-844-4989.

DEC. 12 and 21 Frog & Toad, a New Broadway Musical by the Actors Theatre of Indiana at the Pike Performing Arts Center, 6701 Zionsville Road. For information, call 317-669-7983.

DEC. 13 • Arts & Design District Holiday Gallery Walk, Carmel, from 5-10 p.m.

• Carmel Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert at Westfield High School. Show times at 3 and 7:30 p.m. For information, call 317-844-9717.

For listing in the Carmel Arts Calendar please email Doreen Squire Ficara at dsfcarmelarts@ yahoo.com by the 18th of the prior month.

Weekday Breakfast debutS at Shapiro’s Shapiro’s. It’s not just for weekday lunches and dinners anymore.

In response to consumer demand, Carmel deli, 918 S. Range Line Rd., yesterday began serving a weekday breakfast.

“When our customers said they wanted it, we studied the possibility carefully and decided to move forward,” said owner Brian Shapiro.

“We’re excited to be able to provide what our customers want.”

Since 1905, the guiding philosophy for the family business has been, “Cook good, serve generously, price modestly, and people will come.” That’s what Louis Shapiro wanted back in the beginning. That’s what the deli does today.

The in-demand breakfast items, all priced at $6 or less, will be available Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Featured items include organic brown eggs, fresh-baked croissants and homemade Shapiro’s bagels. Breakfast

items include: • The Hauser, the deli’s two-egg sandwich on a bun with tomato, turkey bacon and cheese.

• An egg-and-cheese sandwich served on a bagel or croissant.

• A three-egg cheese omelet with toast or bagel.

• Two eggs anyway with toast or bagel.

• Fresh-baked bagels, pastries and fresh fruit.

• A fullservice coffee and espresso bar.

The Hauser Weekend fullservice breakfast hours remain 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Shapiro’s Carmel deli opened July 29, 2002. It has all the delights of its downtown location (still at Meridian and McCarty streets) and more specialty grocery options. The Carmel location offers a large range of imported cheeses, oils, vinegars, wines, marinades and more.

For more information, call 573.3354.

Orders may be faxed to 573.3355.

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Fa l l

19 DIVERSIONS

Current in Carmel

Fall $avING$!

20

CARMEL LAUNCHES SEASON!

DIVERSIONS

1

2

3

7

4 5

6

Photos: Chelsea Blow

Carmel held its annual lighting ceremony, Holiday on the Square, Nov. 22 at Carmel Civic Square. 1. View from top of City Hall. 2. Carolers sing while kids wait in line to visit Santa. 3. Mayor Jim Brainard welcomes visitors to the event.

4. Kylie and Kade McPherson sample their Christmas cookies. 5. Ruth Krueskamp admires the sparkling Giving Tree.

6. Stephanie Morton pets the reindeer in the petting area. 7. Rachel Gehr and Eva Highberg promote their production of The Nutcracker.

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DISPATCHES • Calphalon 8-piece cookware set • KitchenAid 11-piece culinary utensil and gadget set • Microphane long blade grater/zester • Henckels Five Star 8-inch chef’s knife • Polder Cooking Timer & Thermometer • Maverick large dial oven thermometer • Oneida Portman 8-inch mesh strainer • Cuisinart SmartStick hand blender w/whisk and chopper attachments • Williams-Sonoma nonstick goldtouch quarter-sheet pans • KitchenAid 5-quart artisan stand mixer - Real Simple, Real Life Perfect Pie Crust - Thanksgiving may be over, but making the perfect pie crust is certainly a Christmas and even a year-round goal. Here are some tips.

• Combine flour and salt, then add butter pieces all at once.

• Using a food processor? Ten seconds is all it takes to pulse the butter in.

21

By Barbara E. Cohen Current In Carmel

understand the time commitment required to perfect a ballerina’s graceful steps, but Megan Hustel, 15, who has been taking Hustel finds her friends and family supdancing lessons since she was 3-years-old, portive of her decision to pursue dance. is already a star. This weekend, she’ll be This is Hustel’s second time partnerdancing the coveted role of the ing, having done so as the Snow Sugar Plum Fairy in the Central Queen in an earlier production Indiana Dance Ensemble’s producof “The Nutcracker.” Even more tion of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s than the chance to perform, it’s “The Nutcracker” ballet on the time spent practicing with Saturday night and Sunday an experienced partner – this afternoon. year, with Oybek Tashpulatov, “I had no idea of being the the company’s assistant artistic Sugar Plum Fairy this year,” said director and a dancer originally the down-to-earth sophomore from Uzbekistan – that will really Megan at Carmel High School. “I was pay dividends in her professional hustel shocked to be picked.” development.

Hustel has been a student with CIDE All of the dancers work hard to make under the direction of Suzann DeLay since the performance a great success. For she was 11-years-old, dancing in many Hustel, that means making the Sugar other roles in the popular holiday-time Plum Fairy’s dance look fluid and effortballet. In the past she’s performed as a boy less, even when she’s being lifted. in the opening party scene, in the corps of “It’s important to appear weightless, yet the Arabian dance, as a dancing doll and be graceful,” she said. as Clara and the Snow Queen. This is her Performances take place at the Zionsville first time as the Sugar Plum Fairy, howPerforming Arts Center (1000 Mulberry ever, a coveted role for young ballerinas.

St., Zionsville) on Friday through Sunday.

“It’s an important step toward being a For start times and to obtain tickets, visit professional dancer, especially for the expe- cidedance.org or call the box office at rience of dancing with a partner,” Hustel 317-844-7453. said.

Hustel spends at least 20 hours a week Barbara E. Cohen covers the arts for the Current in dance classes and rehearsals, in addition community newspapers. Please send comments or story ideas to barbara@i-writersstudio.com. to her schoolwork. Many people don’t

What: Holiday Author Fair When: Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.

Where: Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio St., Indianapolis.

Cost: No admission or parking charge, free gift wrapping.

Details: Join historian Terri Horvath, author of “Images of America: Carmel” and 89 other authors of recently published fiction and nonfiction, adult and children’s books about Indiana art, history, inspirational, photography, poetry, music, sports and travel for sale, many perfect for holiday gifting.

Authors are on hand to inscribe copies, and there are presentations and kids’ activities all afternoon.

Info: 317-234-0020 or 800-447-1830, www.indianahistory.org.

DIVERSIONS

Kitchen Must-Haves - Food critic Nathan Lyon of Real Simple, Real Life lists these 10 kitchen must-haves:

HUSTEL DANCES AS SUGAR PLUM FAIRY

• Use ice water. Dough should be crumbly but hold together.

• Cut the dough in half and place on a sheet of plastic wrap. Form a ball, flatten into a disk, then chill.

• Wrap the dough up over the rolling pin and drape it over the pie plate.

- MarthaStewart.com Digital Shopping List - If perhaps a pencil and a magnetized note pad on the refrigerator is too complicated, the “SmartShopper Grocery List Organizer” boasts that its technology can make it even easier not to forget to buy milk. This voice-activated grocery list with speechrecognizing software records, organizes and prints your list. Tell it what you need (2,500 preloaded grocery items), press “print” when you are ready to head to the store, and out pops a categorized list. It’s $99 or less and includes four AA batteries. See smartshopperusa.com.

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008 www.currentincarmel.com

• When rolling out the dough, frequently slide a spatula underneath, lift and throw more flour under it.

www.currentincarmel.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

DIVERSIONS

22

T

The Real Alfredo

his week I want to share an interesting conversation of a chef mentor I had fresh out of college, Frank Martinelli Jr., who taught me a great deal about cooking, business and life.

One of the greatest parts of working with this great chef were the stories of his life, which were all intertwined with food and beverage, from his childhood until his death at age 82.

Born into a family-owned night club business in Chef Michael San Francisco, he Vlasich was surrounded Culinary Explorer by celebrities. He grew into one of the first American celebrity chefs in the 1940s lasting through the 1980s. During the years we worked together, besides teaching of food, he told stories of dating celebrities, including an engagement to Jane Russell, five marriages, with one being Janis Paige. There were also the adventures with close friends, the likes of Mel Torme, Steve Allen, Bob Carroll and Ella Mae Morris. There were two specific food-related stories he told me, of the origins and recipes of two classical dishes along with his experiences learning these dishes from the inventing chefs. They are “Caesar Salad” and “Fettuccine Alfredo”.

In the late 1930s, Frank made connections in show business with RKO studios, as he wanted to put his chef career on hold and try his hand at show biz. He bounced between New York, Los Angeles and Rome from radio to live shows to lowbudget films. While in Rome he would frequent a small café because of the great food and casual atmosphere. It was a called “Alfredo’s all Augusteo”, where in 1920 Chef Alfredo di Lelio invented the dish “Fettuccine Alfredo”. He operated it until 1938 when he sold the restaurant and the rights to the dish to Mario Mozzetti, whose family to this day still own and op-

erate on the original site.

As the story goes, Frank made friends with Mario while on location in Rome.

Being a regular and a fellow chef/restaurateur, he was taught the dish and the secrets therein. Many chefs have been able to figure out the basic recipe, but cannot fully duplicate the flavors as Alfredo’s.

Frank had to leave the film industry to serve in World War II where he became an admiral’s chef in the navy. At the conclusion of the war he was the private chef for the Senate Meade Committee consisting of two senators, two admirals and two generals as they traveled to war-ravished cities in Japan and Europe. The committee was to travel, checking the reparations, making suggestions for the mobilization and reconversion of the countries’ economies. They flew thousands of miles and the favorite meal was the “Fettuccine Alfredo“, which was easy to prepare in the small galley of the airplane.

Amazing to me, as a young man fresh out of culinary college, I was learning the secrets of the dish. The simplicity was amazing, but the results produced were revered by the most powerful men in the world at that time. Now, I will share with you.

Makes two moderate portions ½ pound of dried fettuccine 4 quarts of water with Chicken Bouillon 1 cup heavy cream 1/3 pound whole sweet butter 1 ¼ imported shredded parmesan cheese [best quality preferred] Black pepper freshly ground from a mill Bring Chicken broth to a boil, cook fettuccine until desired finish. At the same time bring the cream and half the butter to a low boil, remove from the heat, add 1 cup of cheese and fresh ground pepper. When pasta is cooked, drain, add remaining butter, mix and add the sauce. Mix until blended, top with remaining cheese.

Edwards Drive-In

Karen Sutton Co-owner of Holy Cow, Cupcakes!

Where she likes to eat? Zest!

Exciting Food Creations.

What she likes to eat there? Cowboy potatoes.

What she likes about Zest! Exciting Food Creations. It’s locally owned and very eclectic. The menu is phenomenal.

Zest! Exciting Food Creations 1134 E. 54th St. Indianapolis, IN 46220 317-466-1853 Hours Tuesday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m Saturday: 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

2126 South Sherman Drive Indianapolis, IN 46203 Phone: 317-786-1638 Website: www.edwardsdrivein.com Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday Edwards Drive-In originally opened on Aug. 10, 1957. Since then it has experienced lots of history at 2126 S Sherman Drive. Edwards Drive-In has a retro 1950s feel with their diner-style menu of bun-bursting breaded pork tenderloin and classic sandwiches like the B.L.T. Weekly specials are offered, and Edwards Drive-In also caters. The restaurant has grown from restaurant that holds 65 persons to one that holds 147. For more information or to ask about catering, call 317-786-1638.

Chef Michael R. Vlasich, CEC, AAC, is a Carmel resident and the executive chef at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. You may e-mail him at chefmichael@currentincarmel. com

Misletoe Martini Meet me under the mistletoe. Well, I’m not sure if the Mistletoe Martini has the same effect as mistletoe hanging from the ceiling, but who knows. This holiday cocktail is, however, a nice mix of chilled cranberry tea, orange and lemon juices and vodka. If you’re planning on making quite a few of these do yourself a favor and steep a large pot of tea to begin with so that it’s ready for future drinks.

This recipe makes two martinis.

Ingredients: 2 oz vodka 2 oz orange juice 3 oz cranberry tea, chilled 3/4 oz lemon juice 3 tsp sugar Preparation: Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.

Shake well.

Strain into two chilled cocktail glasses.

-cocktails.about.com

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23 DIVERSIONS

THEATRE: Auditions for West Side Story Indianapolis Civic Theatre will conduct open auditions for the high-energy musical production of West Side Story on Dec. 15-16 at 7 p.m. Auditions will be held at the Theatre facility, 3200 Cold Spring Road on the campus of Marian College.

A free Audition Preparation Session is offered on Dec. 8 from 6-7 p.m. at the Theatre. Rehearsals are scheduled to begin Jan. 5. The show will be presented Mar. 13 through Mar. 29, 2009. The script calls for a large, diverse singing and dancing cast including the principal roles of star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria and the warring gang members of The Sharks and The Jets. Shakespeare’s tragic romance “Romeo and Juliet” is transported to the tenements of New York City in this landmark musical with an innovative score written by Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein. The production will be directed by Civic Artistic Director Robert J. Sorbera.

Performers are asked to prepare 16 bars of a song and may be asked to sing from the show. Actors should bring sheet music in the appropriate key and dress

comfortably for dancing. An accompanist will be provided. Audition information at www.civictheatre.org Carmel resident stars in college theatre production University of Indianapolis student Alex Oberheide of Carmel will star as Edward in Spike Heels, a contemporary comedy being presented by the Department of Theatre Dec. 4-6.

Sex, power and the possibility of a foursided love triangle are key elements in this contemporary twist on the Pygmalion concept. A comedy of manners by awardwinning playwright, television writer and novelist Theresa Rebeck, Spike Heels explores issues of changing expectations in gender roles through three days in the lives of a volatile working class woman (Chelsey Wood) and three upscale Boston types: a writer (LaMont Hendrix), a lawyer (Oberheide) and a fiancée in sensible shoes (Chelsea Anderson). The play contains strong adult content not suitable for children. For more information, visit arts.uindy.edu or call 317-788-3251.

LIVE MUSIC Mickey’s Irish Pub 136th and Meridian in Carmel Cornhole for Charity: Dec. 4 Jamie & The Hardknocks, Dec. 5 Peace Train & The Flower Power Brass: Dec. 6 Big Daddy Caddy: Dec. 12 Entertainment reservations are accepted.

Call 317-573-9746 for reservations or visit www.mickeysirishpub.com.

Beware the Northside ‘Playa’

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 www.currentincarmel.com

H

e’s tall, dark and handsome. sites who are scantily dressed and who Hollywood has nothing on this are single moms. guy. >From his whitened teeth • They “go to church” (which is code for, and Botox face to his eyelashes “goes to church to pick up naïve women curled with a lash curler, this who will fall for their tricks”). guy knows he’s God’s gift to • If some other gal (or if Indianapolis’ Northside. He’s 50 other gals) try to warn beyond old enough to know you about his womanizing better, never been married and – LISTEN to them! ladies, he’s a total player.

• They keep you just interested Don’t get me wrong, he’s a enough to constantly tell them super nice guy. Ladies think he’s how wonderful they are, but the life of the party and great eye just enough at arms length to candy, and men think he’s a god, not have to commit to you. jealous that they can’t play the • They’ll lie to you, cheat on field as good as he. you and then somehow turn He’s an actual person and a it around to be your fault. friend of mine, and I’m always And the “you’re psycho” is the fascinated to find out which cherry-on-top phrase they’ll new victim he’s duping next and Rachael Noble purposely use to make you DATING how he’s doing it. He knows I’m think you didn’t just seen him writing this and asked me to stay dancing on the floor with anaway from details about him so that, well, other girl when he said he was at home. he can keep on playin’. Below are some • These guys have the nerve to laugh about of the signs to look for and ways to avoid hurting you to their friends. They think being duped, too. you are silly to trust them and could care • Double-check the ol’ drivers license . . . less if you end up confused and hurt. many times they lie about their age.

Ladies, I hope you’ve learned something • They spend more time in front of the today. Beware the Northside player, be mirror than you do. alert and be “undupable”!

• They’ll even go so far as to pray over Rachael Noble is a single Carmel resident and your meal together. contributing columnist. She can be reached at • They specifically look for gals on nobleadvice@yahoo.com. myspace, Facebook and online dating

IN SPIRIT

24

A

Life, Time and Giving

nd the Word became flesh … ity stunt for Jesus. The Christmas holiday John 1:14 creates community and helps us love one Time is a funny thing. another … at least a little better, for at least We rely on clocks and calena little bit of time. dars and seasons, are immersed But if we stop there, with celebrating a in a life that resides in time, and season, then we miss the unique yet have no greater obstacle to and important part of “the understanding God than the Word” – God, becoming “Flesh” fact that we are inside the con– Human, and how that frees us straints of time and He is not. from the earthly shackle of time.

God operates in eternity; we The incarnation of Christ and the look at our watch. resulting indwelling of the Holy Lucky for us, Jesus Christ Spirit within us, unites the one stepped into history – into our divinity and all of humanity for time – and in a very profound all time. That’s Christmas. way eliminated the barrier of time Time just got trumped for a larger in our relationship with God. world; eternity is as big as it gets.

Christ’s incarnation – the very We may think time is our most Word of God stepping into the precious commodity, our most Bob Walters flesh, mess, passion, confusion precious gift. But our time, in our Spirituality and time that is humanity – is own hands, is absolutely a nonthe true meaning of Christmas renewable resource. and the greatest reason and cause for celGod’s eternity, given to us in the gift of ebrating the birth of Jesus.

Christ becoming man, means that God’s It is to our perpetual – what shall we call love is with us always. Not at this time or it … diminishment? – that the Christmas that time or only when we pray or buy season is reduced to merely a time of year.

Christmas presents … always.

We are in error if we focus only on this Think about that the next time you look moment in time, when what God has at your watch. handed to us – and put within us – is the Bob Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) figures perfect bridge from the confines of our that even if we still don’t understand God earthly lives into the vast, inexpressible and or God’s timing, we can find peace in not timeless glory of His eternal love. needing to be in a hurry.

Christmas is fun, and it’s a great public-

Fine Lines, Inc.

www.currentincarmel.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Hair & Nail Salon HOLIDAY SPECIAL $10 off manicure and pedicure new clients only.

introducing Mary Loveday and Euray Pickett, experienced stylists, now taking new appointments.

Mon - Sat: 9 - 7

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CHRISTMAS COOKIES, CRAFTS AND MORE Get started early on your Christmas shopping by attending this event to be held Dec. 13 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Carmel Lutheran Church, 4850 E. 131st St. Visitors may fill cans with Christmas cookies of their choice. Also featured will be home-baked pies, coffee cakes, breads, candies, etc., as well as crafts and a “New, but Never Used” table. No admission charge. Call 317-844-2329.

Hunting for Candy Canes Join Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation at their Candy Cane Hunts where a wide variety of candy canes will be scattered throughout the park. Keep your eyes open for those “prize” canes and few extra prizes scattered throughout. A special guest may also make an appearance.

This event will be held rain, snow or shine. The Children’s Candy Cane Hunt will take place Dec. 13 at noon at Central Park, 1195 Central Park Drive West. This event is free to the public.

Fetch the Fruitcake Bring your dog to our first Fetch the Fruit Cake. If you enjoyed the Doggie Easter Egg Hunt, you will get a kick out of this. Dogs will sniff out bone-shaped

fruitcakes along with other doggie treats.

There will be prizes awarded for those dogs that sniff out the “prize” cakes and treats. Dogs will be divided based on weight. All dogs are required to be on a leash at all times. This event will be held outside rain, snow or shine. Fetch the Fruitcake will take place Dec. 13 at 12:30 p.m. at Central Park. This event is free to the public.

Grinch Scramble Bring your family and join us at West Park for our first ever Grinch Scramble. While searching for your candy canes keep your eyes peeled for the Grinch. Whoever finds the Grinch will win the grand prize. Make sure you look both high and low while you are hunting for the Grinch. This is a sure hit for people looking for a challenge or a great family activity. There will be music, games and an area to create your very own coloring book. Do not forget your flashlights and bags to collect your candy canes. Grinch Scramble will take place Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at West Park, 2700 W. 116th Street.

DISPATCHES

well worth ” vestment.

A Little Cool(er) - The USB Mini Fridge is the coolest way to keep your drink Scold c owhile tt M . Wharton, you’re oatwyour n e computer. r It plugs into your W h a r t o nUSBI n s u r a n c e & computer’s Fport i n a(no n cadditional ial Services Inc. power needed) and is the next musthave computer accessory. Its selling point, evidently, is that you can keep a beverage chilled and stay at the computer longer. In seconds, the cold plate chills to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The USB Mini Fridge works on any device with a USB port (PC, MAC, Xbox 360, Play Station and even cable boxes.

- perpetualkid.com

489.4444

It’s well worth the investment.”

25

pay accounts will allow the downloading of high-resolution originals, so if you have a large library you should look elsewhere.

For those with large libraries of images that want to make it easy for others to access, there is Shutterfly (http://www.shutterfly. com). There are no storage limitations and you don’t have to ever buy anything to keep your free account active.

For those who are completely overwhelmed by their digital photo libraries, Google has come up with a nice 1-2 punch with Picasa software (http://picasa.google.com) and Picasa Web Albums.

The best thing to do is to research them and see what is right for you.

Gary Hubbard is Owner of Data Doctors Computer Services - www.datadoctors.com Have a technology question? Send it to CurrentInCarmel@datadoctors.com

“

Scott M. Wharton, owner Wharton Insurance & Financial Services, Inc.

489.4444

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 www.currentincarmel.com

Top Blu-Ray DVD Players - The DVD HD format died earlier this year (Toshiba announced it ended production in February), erasing the DVD video format war and eliminating excuses for delaying purchase of upgrading to this format.

Here are some top Blu-Ray performers.

• Sony PlayStation 3, $399 - $526 (Superb Blu-Ray player and game video).

• Panasonic DMP-BD35, $239-$299 (“Best Value”).

• Samsung BD-P2550, $350-$490 (adds Netflix and Pandora).

• Panasonic DMP-BD55, $322-$399 (“best player we’ve tested”).

- Reviews.cnet.com

U

ploading your images to a photo sharing site is a great idea for anyone who has a digital camera for a variety of reasons: • It becomes an off-site backup of your precious photos.

• It eliminates the complications of emailing photos.

• It allows you to share your memories with others, publicly or privately.

• It allows you an easy way to keep your photos organized.

The popularity of digital photography spawned the popularity of photo sharing sites, which has created a logjam of companies offering to store and share your photos.

At face value, they all seem to provide the same service, but a little digging will unveil some significant differences. Your Gary Hubbard objectives for the service will have the most Technology to do with which one is right for you.

For instance, some services will only store your images for free if you buy something from them periodically. Some may require that anyone wishing to view your photos has to register (usually for free) before they can see your images.

Some sites allow others to download your original high-resolution images while others only allow visitors to download a compressed image (they want to encourage visitors to buy prints or CDs instead).

For those with a small library of images that want a simple interface, Flickr (http://www.flickr.com) is a good choice, especially if you are interested in the social side of photo sharing. There is an upload limit of 100MB per month for free accounts and only

TOYS

Top 10 Hybrid Cars - With the world gone mad for all things green, gas/ electric hybrid autos are a greenie status symbol. Here are the AOL Autos editors’ favorite hybrid models: • Toyota Prius, $22,000 - $24,270 (mpg 45 hwy, 48 city).

• Honda Civic Hybrid, $23,550 (45 hwy, 40 city).

• Toyota Camry Hybrid, $26,150 (34 hwy, 33 city).

• Toyota Highlander Hybrid, $34,700 - $41,020 (25 hwy, 27 city).

• Saturn VUE Hybrid, $27,930 (32 hwy, 25 city).

• Ford Escape Hybrid, $29,305 $33,385 (31 hwy, 34 city).

• Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, $50,455 $53,260 (22 hwy, 21 city).

• Chevy Malibu Hybrid, $25,555 (34 hwy, 26 city).

• Mercury Mariner Hybrid, $29,750 - $31,500 (31 hwy, 34 city).

• Mazda Tribute Hybrid, $25,310 $29,570 (30 hwy, 34 city) - AOL Autos

Comparing online photo sharing sites

TOYS

26

UH ... SOME GIFTS YOU PROBABLY HAVEN’T CONSIDERED For Current in Carmel Just when you thought it was safe to venture forth for Christmas gifts, these toys were brought to our attention. Beware the wacky portion of the season!

BANANA GUARD - Are you fed up with bringing bananas to work or school only to find them bruised and squashed? Banana Guard allows you to safely transport and store individual bananas letting you enjoy perfect bananas anytime, anywhere. Who possibly could function without one?

LASER SCISSORS - Imagine. Cutting a straight line has never been easier. Just aim the pin-point laser and follow the line. The scissor blades are stainless steel and cut very clean with a micro edge.

DAY CLOCK - (We’re not making this up.) What day is today? You don't know? Then you need a Day Clock. It's uniquely designed to keep track of weekly events like your golf day, card night, movie night, and so much more.

It's ideal for vacations and cruises when it's easy to lose track of the day.

www.currentincarmel.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

WHEEL-MOVING BENCH - What says “Merry Christmas� more than this? Whether you want to sit on the sun or in the shade, near the river or under the tree.. Now you have your movable bench, to sit wherever you like. Stunning.

Simply stunning.

Home of a the Indian Dance ors Ambassad (IDA)

Child-Teen Classes (for boys & girls) #BMMFU t 5BQ t +B[[ t .PEFSO t )JQ )PQ t 1PJOUF t .VTJDBM 5IFBUFS Adult Classes 5BQ t +B[[ t )JQ )PQ t -BUJO %BODF t ;VNCB 'JUOFTT t BOE .PSF Our Studio 8F BSF MPDBUFE JOTJEF UIF 1FSGPSNJOH "SUT $FOUFS PG $BSNFM B QSJWBUFMZ PXOFE GBDJMJUZ TJODF The Lydia Weimer Auditorium "VEJUPSJVN 4UBHF BWBJMBCMF GPS SFOU GPS CJSUIEBZT QSJWBUF QBSUJFT DPSQPSBUF DPNNVOJUZ FWFOUT EBODF SFDJUBMT BOE NPSF $BMM GPS NPSF JOGPSNBUJPO Also Available +B[[FSDJTF t #VU[ (VU[ t .BU 1JMBUFT

8FTU $BSNFM %S $BSNFM t XXX DBSNFMEBODFBSUT DPN t XXX JOEZMBUJOEBODF DPN t

LOCK-CUP - Think of it as the anti-theft coffee cup. Are you tired of others stealing your coffee cup? Well now there's a solution. The Lock-Cup has a hole which prevents most people from using it. Only the owner of the cup can use his/her key to close the hole.

(You can spot the thieves from a mile away. Brown stains down the fronts of their shirts is a dead giveaway.)

ILLUMINATING CAR SLIPPERS Who can’t get by without these? Do you get up at night to drink water, go to the bathroom? Do you wish you could see in the dark? Remarkably bright LED lights are triggered by your footsteps and light up the floor 30 feet in front of you; ultrasoft plush style are extra comfortable and cozy warm.

TRAVELER'S PHRASE BOOK T-SHIRT - If you are traveling a lot and don't always know the language of the country you are visiting, then this T-shirt is for you. It has a phrase book printed on it so just point a finger at the pictogram you need and then point it twice at the question mark, which means, 'Where is it?' and in no time you have found what you were looking for... Or not.

TRANSPARENT TOASTER - And you thought you had it all. You love toast, but you always burn it? Then, this invention is for you. This transparent toaster allows you to see the bread while it is toasting so you just have to take it out when the color is right. This idea is based on a transparent heating glass technology. Can it possibly get any better than that?

DISPATCHES

Electric Shave - Blades still shave closer, but if sharp objects scare you, these are best of class in men’s electric razors: • Braun Pulsonic 9585CC, $220 (Foil shaver, refill once per month, $6 per).

• Braun FreeControl 1775, $40 (Budget Foil shaver, no frills, but not much performance gap compared with more expensive models).

• Philips Norelco Arcitec 1050X, $170 (super quiet rotary shaver, seems to work better with longer hairs, threeday growth, etc.)

• Philips Norelco 8020X, $80 (budget rotary moisturizing shaver, two heads, smooth, dispenses shave lotion through holes in the rotating heads).

Networking Conversations - Tis the season of social small talk and party patter, but it’s always good to be skilled at starting a conversation. You never know when networking might lead to your next big business (or social) break.

“Charisma Coach” Olivia Fox Cabane is the author of “Mastering the Art of Conversation, and using the example of boarding a plane and strategically picking a seat to initiate potentially productive chatter, she advises: • If you have a choice, look for someone in a suit and reading a book.

• Greet on first sight or it will be awkward later, like you were avoiding them.

• A comment about the airline’s service, or asking for the “story” behind an interesting piece of jewelry or pin.

• Ask questions and mirror the other persons actions and facial expressions, voice and gesture copying builds rapport.

We have had nothing but compliments and praise from our agents.”

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We have had nothing but compliments and praise from our agents.”

S i Jo h n s o n , V i c e P re s i d e n t / R e a l t o r / M a n a g e r C a r m e l F. C . Tu c ke r O f f i c e

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We have had nothing but compliments and praise from our agents.”

27

S i Jo h n s o n , Vice President/Realtor/Manager C a r m e l F. C . Tu c ke r O f f i c e

489.4444

Fantastic Exposure. “

We have had nothing but compliments and praise from our agents.”

Si Johnson, Vice President/ Realtor/Manager C a r m e l F. C . Tu c ke r O f f i c e

489.4444

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 www.currentincarmel.com

Holiday Home Tour - The Carmel Clay Historical Society will host its annual Holiday Home Tour Dec. 5 and 6. The tour will include visits to four Carmel and Clay Township homes, varying from a new home to a small Victorian cottage. On Dec. 5, guests will also be able to partcipate in a live auction for gifts donated by local businesses. For reservations and pricing information, call 317-587-1017.

A

Fantastic Exposure. “

room’s biggest enemy is boreing articles. Add the occasional pieces to dom. Change is the solution, complement the larger furniture. but must be tackled with a plan.

My word of the day is sociopetal. It The first step is to identify means arranging furniture to encourage an element in the room around conversation. The first step is to place seats which the furniture will reno more than eight feet apart. volve. This is the focal point of Farther than that will result in the space. A focal point must be a need to shout to one another dominant enough to draw atto be heard. Naturally, the seats tention and interesting enough should face one another for eye to encourage the viewer to look contact. further. It must have a lasting Every seat requires a table impression, but must also be within comfortable reach. an integral part of the decoraCoffee tables should be 14 to 16 tion linked through scale, style, inches in front of the seating, color or theme. while end tables should be right Some rooms naturally feature next to the arm of the seat. The more than one focal point. I height of the end table should have worked with rooms that be as tall as the arm of the Vicky Earley chair or sofa. If you don’t have have a fireplace on one wall, Design a television on another and a a natural focal point in your wonderful view on yet another. space such as a fireplace, you One feature must be selected to star at a can create one by highlighting a particular i furniture Jo h n swould o n , have to swivel piece of furniture, artwork or by painting a time orSthe 360-degrees.

If there are contrasting color in one area.

V i c e P re s too i d emany n t /areas competing for focus, a room can appear The solution to boredom in interior R eand a lfeel t o somewhat r / M a noff-balance. ager disjointed design can then be as simple as the idenOnce a focal point has been established, tification of a different focal point and arC a r m eshould l F. Cbe . Tu c ke r soOthat f f i c e ranging the room accordingly. the furnishings arranged when you are sitting in this room, eyes Vicky Earley is the principal designer for should comfortably be looking at this Artichoke Designs in downtown Carmel. If important part of the room. The larger you have an interior design question, please seating pieces should be placed first, as these will be boldest and most room-shap- contact artichokedesigns@aol.com.

PANACHE

Make-Up Fiction - Make-up artist, author and entrepreneur Bobbi Brown notes many beauty habits that are fiction, not fact. Here is this week’s tip: Fiction: Concealer is for blemishes.

Fact: Concealer is for lightening dark under-eye circles and is not meant for blemishes. Since it is one or two shades lighter than your skin tone, it will draw attention to the blemish.

The best way to hide blemishes is to spot-apply a foundation stick or cover-up that matches your skin tone exactly.

- prevention.com

Focal Points in Design

Isabelle says…

28 pets

Come on in and see the huge variety of Holistic Pet Foods at my dog bakery store! Make sure your dog gets to enjoy the holiday too with our Venison Holiday Stew! Happy Holidays!

1. Gourmet Treats from For the Love of Dogs bakery, 5537 E. Washington, Indianapolis, in Irvington.

2. Pet Beds. Wood or fabric, complete with pillows and blankets. www. petbedmart.com

www.currentincarmel.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

3. Toys. You can never have too many.

Durable stuffed animals seems to be Fido’s favorite. Avoid those with magnets or squeakers inside. Easily washed when put inside a pillow case. www •.Pawlickers.com.

4. Portraits. Have a drawing or painting created from a photo so pet parents can have a special picture of their “child” in the house. www.whataface.com 5. Picture Frames. Many places like Targets and Kohls carry frames especially for pets. Or decorate a wood frame yourself by adding paw prints, collars or the name of the pet. www.litterboy.com 6. Clothes. www.cozypetclothes.com 7. Accessories: Bows, bandanas, visors, and goggles! www. funnyfur.com 8. Collars and leashes. www. luckypet.com 9. Grooming supplies. www.petsmart. com 10. Bowls and accessories. www. funnyfur.com

Isabelle

816 W. Main St., Carmel 317-582-1DOG or 317-582-1364 Mon through Fri: 10-7 Sat: 10-5 • Sun: Closed

Holistic health is for pets, too

DISPATCHES Top 10 Pet Gift Ideas … (and Sources)

FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS, A DOG BAKERY

By John Mikesell Current in Westfield

The concept of holistic health should hold true for a pet as well as humans. Holistic health revolves around the fact that the body should be viewed as a whole structure and not regarded just as a collection of individual parts. This holds true for pets as well as humans. All systems within an organism are connected with one another in some way, and any imbalance may disrupt other body systems before any physical signs your pet may display and therefore be seen.

Viewing the body as an inseparable structure and treating the whole (as opposed to splitting the body into its individual parts) allows that body, which is fundamentally sound, to return itself to normal, healthy state.

Holistic pet food, whether or not it states so on the label, selects ingredients (Ingredients are “human grade” meats, fruits, vegetables and no unnecessary grains; which essentially means no corn, wheat or soy) which can be used in conjunction with each other to produce foods and supplements that promote a healthful whole body whose systems work in harmony and are enhanced to their maximum potential. The result is nutrition necessary for an enhanced state of general well-being for your pets.

John Mikesell, owner of Love of Dogs Bakery in Carmel, can be reached at john.mikesell@att.net.

pets of the week Chantilly is a 5-year-old female tan and white American Pit Bull Terrier. Chantilly is a gorgeous girl who adores people of all ages. She is feeling depressed lately in the shelter and she desperately wants to find her forever home ASAP. Chantilly is friendly and social and truly enjoys human companionship. She can be a little shy when meeting new people, but within minutes she will warm up and will take all of the attention she can get. Chantilly qualifies for our P.A.W.S. Program – Partnering Animals With Seniors. If you are age 55 or older, please contact the shelter to find out how you can adopt Chantilly for a reduced fee.

Luna is a 4-year-old female tabby with white DSH. Luna is a very loving and affectionate girl who arrived at the shelter on July 29 when her owner could not afford to keep her. Luna is spayed and her front claws have been removed and she is good with children. She is a real sweetheart who would love to find her forever home before the holidays.

Here with Us to Call Us Back Saturday Casual Worship . . . . . . . . . 5:01 p .m .

Sunday Classic Worship . . 8:00 & 11:00 a .m .

Praise Worship . . . . . . . . . 9:30 a .m .

Sunday School (all ages) . 9:30 a .m .

Nursery Available Community Preschool

2201 E. 106th at Keystone • Carmel (317) 846-1555 • www.kogcarmel.com

Know someone outside of Carmel who would like to get

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29 PART 2 of 2

Initial Situation: This is the second part looking at a 1980s custom home in the Geist area with a large finished basement. Part 1 summarized the remodeling of the wet bar area. Part 2 will focus on the new home theatre/media room.

Final Product: The new media room has a completely updated look featuring built-in cabinetry and a new color scheme highlighted by faux painted walls. The new base cabinets and book shelving is stock maple cabinetry in the same door style and color as the nearby wet bar.

Design Phase: The previous media room This provides a nice tie in between the two included a large in-ceiling projector with adjacent areas. A new flat-screen TV hangs a wall-mounted screen and built-in wall in the center of a maple veneer stained panel. speakers. The A/V equipment had become The black tower cabinets were finished in a outdated and the homeowner wanted to flat sheen black to add a strong accent color. remove the older equipment. In addition, These black-painted maple cabinets include the wall paint and lighting fixtures were outfull overlay glass mullion doors. A 22” deep, dated. The design phase focused on the A/V maple-wood stained countertop was added to requirements and how to better coordinate match the cabinetry with a square-edge prothe media room with the other upgrades in file. New decorative wall sconce lights were the basement. A combination of rouge and Larry added along with low-voltage lights in the black stained maple cabinetry was selected to glass door cabinets. Finally, the homeowner Greene coordinate with the newly built wet bar. installed a set of theatre chairs to relax in and Project Schedule: The design phase for the enjoy the experience. media room included several meetings with the A/V consultant and the interior design team. The construcHave a remodeling question? Ask Larry Greene, owner of tion phase on the entire basement lasted approximately Case Handyman & Remodeling. You may e-mail him at lgreene@caseremodeling.com or call 846-2600. six weeks with the media room portion taking up approximately one week.

BEFORE

INSIDE & OUT

Basement Remodel:

AFTER

Cranberries big part of Indiana holiday season her books, including “A Daughter of the Land.” In the book, one of the characters makes a Christmas decoration of popcorn, rose hips, swamp holly, corn and cranberries.

Most of the areas where Porter’s wild cranberries grew in Indiana were drained so the land could be used for agriculture.

Today, North American cranberries are grown in Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin and Canada. In Wisconsin, the cranberry is the largest fruit crop produced in land and value.

Now a super food, cranberry’s popularity has grown as it has become known for its antioxidants.

Cranberry, part of same family as rhododendrons, azaleas and blueberries, is a small, attractive, evergreen shrubby vine.

The plant is extremely winter hardy but less tolerant of hot weather. The plant has pale pink flowers followed by white berries that turn red as they ripen. The fruit is harvested in fall.

Contrary to popular images, cranberries are not grown under water. Fields are flooded during harvest to elevate the fruit for easy picking. It would be a good plant to consider for wetland and bog areas or sites that flood part of the year.

-Indianalivinggreen.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 www.currentincarmel.com

When we think of traditional Thanksgiving foods from the Hoosier garden, corn, squash, beans, apples and pumpkin come to mind.

But, if we transport ourselves back 150 years, we had wild cranberries (Vaccinuim macrocarpon) harvested from bogs and wetlands in the northern part of Indiana at the meal.

These acidic, ruby fruits are an important part of American history. Native Americans called the native cranberry sassamanash and reportedly served it at the famous Massachusetts meal known as the first Thanksgiving.

The fruit has a role in Indiana history, too.

Abraham Lincoln referenced Indiana’s cranberry law in his debates with Stephen Douglas in 1858. In 1859, the Indiana General Assembly passed a law that said: “Any person who shall gather cranberries from any of the public, state or non-residential lands of this state, between the first day of May, and the fifteenth day of September of any year, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and once conviction thereof, in a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be fined in any sum not exceeding $25 for each offense.”

Indiana naturalist and author Gene Stratton Porter mentioned cranberries in

LAUGHS / PUZZLES Tuesday, December 2, 2008 www.currentincarmel.com

BRIDGE THE GAP

HOOSIER HODGEPODGE

CARMELKU

Use logic to fill in the boxes so every row, column and 2 x 3 box contains the letters C-A-R-M-E-L. Answer below.

Answers to BRIDGE THE GAP: EGG, CLINTON, SOCIETY, ANGEL, HAWAII, GASOLINE, WIDE, SNOW, BLANKET, PUB

I

pulled into the parking lot, edged into a space by the side of the building and carefully negotiated my exit from the car. My face was scrunched from the unbearable pain as I shuffled into my chiropractor’s office.

I cautiously lowered myself into a chair in the waiting area. Now I had the dubious pleasure of perusing several charts of the skeletal system, each one a reminder of all the ways that any one Dick Wolfsie of the 206 bones or Humor 639 muscles in your body can turn on you and ruin a perfectly good weekend.

I tried to make conversation with a few other people who apparently were in great pain. “So, how did you hurt your back?”

I asked one of the patients, an elderly gentleman with thinning gray hair in a pale blue cardigan. “I’m a firefighter and I rescued a 300-pound man from a burning building. What happened to you?”

“I sneezed.”

This caused quite a stir in the waiting room. The weightlifter was amused; so was the salt delivery guy. The two women from Fay and Fran’s Piano Moving Company thought it was just a hoot.

Everyone thought I was kidding. I wasn’t. An explosive sneeze had done something wicked to my lower back and sent me crashing to the kitchen floor the day before.

The receptionist told me it was my turn to see the doctor. He asked, “So what happened to your back, Dick? I heard you just sneezed. Look, I have some very needy patients out in that waiting room.”

Well, you just heard part of the story, Doc. Yes, I sneezed, but it wasn’t just a normal sneeze. It was a sneeze of gargantuan proportions. Saving a guy from a burning building, delivering pianos, hoisting bags of salt - these are not the kind of stories you can slap together for an article in the New England Journal of Medicine.

I’m the case history every chiropractor wants hobbling into his office.

He took an x-ray of my back, which he said was in pretty good shape considering I had 61,000 miles on my body, apparently a reference to my age.

Coincidentally, my car also has 61,000 miles on it. To be fair, it’s been in for service a lot more than I have. But no one is offering me an extended warranty.

Just to lighten things up, the chiropractor asked if I had heard any good jokes lately. “Sure, here’s a favorite, Doc. How many chiropractors does it take to change

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Characters: CHANDLER, JOEY, MONICA, PHOEBE, RACHEL, ROSS; Cities: ARCADIA, CARMEL, CICERO, FISHERS, WESTFIELD; Animals: ELEPHANT, LION, TIGER, ZEBRA; Bodies of Water: GEIST, MORSE, WHITE RIVER; Directions: ACROSS, DOWN; Singer: SANDI PATTY

30

MY ACHING BACK!

a light bulb? Only one, but it will take him seven visits to do it.”

He didn’t think that was at all funny, so I was concerned when he slapped pads on my back to send electric current though my body. It scared the willies out of me when I peeked over my shoulder. I’d swear there were two witnesses and a priest watching the procedure from the other room.

After being jolted, I was adjusted, which meant the doctor folded me up in a little ball and smashed all 280 pounds of himself into my side. It actually felt pretty good. And I know he thought this was a beneficial procedure because then he jumped on the adjacent table and said, “Okay, now it’s my turn.”

When I left his office, I did feel better.

As I got into my car, I saw a frail old

woman limping into the clinic. “This is my first time here,” she declared. “Does the treatment work?”

I tried to be honest. “It’s nothing to sneeze at.”

Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist, and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.

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“this will require you to eat waffles for breakfast at least once a week for the rest of your life. Maybe twice a week, or three times.”

Yes, it will. Sorry, but I’m not seeing a downside there.

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I guess I’ll just have to keep eating until I’m sure. After all, it’s a quest.

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008 www.currentincarmel.com

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Waffles were versatile, too. Waffles could be breakfast, obviously, but could also make a wonderful dessert with cream (ice or whipped) and fruit (strawberries or fresh peaches especially). Try that with your buckwheat pancakes. Waffles could even be a nice supper or lunch dish if you made them savory and served them with, say, creamed chipped beef.

Or so it said in the cookbook. I never knew firsthand.

You see, while my brother got French toast anytime he asked for it, and while blueberry pancakes showed up every other Sunday for years, waffles were seldom seen no matter how much I begged.

So this, friends, is the source of my quest. I must find the perfect waffle. Perhaps it will be the buttermilk waffle I’ve enjoyed so much as an adult. Maybe it will be a cornmeal waffle. I doubt it’ll be an Eggo, but you never know.

I’ll give them a chance.

“Oh, but Mike,” you will say (unless you are doing an impersonation of my mother, in which case it will probably be something like “Oh for Pete’s sake” at the mildest),

31 LAUGHS / CLASSIFIEDS

T

here’s a very old, very subtle Chinese curse that goes something like this: “May you live in interesting times.”

Well, it seems to have happened. These are indeed interesting times. And with that in mind, I’d like to discuss something that concerns every thinking American: Waffles.

OK, maybe it’s just me.

Some seek the Holy Grail. Some look for the Fountain of Youth.

These are noble pursuits, but they are walks in the park compared to the path I have chosen. I search for the perfect waffle.

I love waffles. Perhaps you guessed that. And it has been so ever since I was a little kid and we had them for breakfast about twice a year. I would beg for them every Mike Redmond Sunday, and 50 Sundays of the year Humor the answer came back: “They’re too much trouble. Try again in six months.”

You see, as a waffle lover I was the family’s odd man out. The others had favorite butter-and-syrup breakfast treats in varying combinations. Dad and Vicky, for example, loved buckwheat pancakes. Mom, Dad and P.D. loved blueberry pancakes. P.D. and Vicky loved French toast. Mom and P.D. loved fried mush.

I was the waffle weirdo.

Crispy on the outside, delicate on the inside, with all those wonderful little pockets for the toppings, the waffle offered a combination of tastes and textures that hit me right where I lived. Compared to waffles, pancakes were flabby and lifeless, fried mush like trying to eat a slice of a brick.

In just three years

seven thousand Carmel and nearby community residents were educated through

one hundred and fifty-six

seventy free community seminars. Our children’s neighborhood streets were made

percent safer with the Kids Dart. Drive Smart. campaign.

Five thousand and eight hundred babies were delivered, many of whom will grow up to be doctors, teachers, engineers & parents.

Twenty-two thousand three hundred and eighty-three community members had surgeries to help them continue living active lives.

Much gratitude and many thanks to the more than

one thousand one hundred and fifty-nine doctors, nurses and staff

that have helped make such a meaningful impact in such a short time.