May 21, 2024 — Fishers

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

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URBAN FARM

AgriPark opens for the season, offering rural experiences for Fishers, Geist residents / P9

Web services company moving to Fishers / P3

Fire department to perform cul-de-sac drills / P4

HSE Schools honored for energy efficiency / P5 RipFest camp returns / P6

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Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XIV, No. 18

Copyright 2023

Current Publishing, LLC

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30 South Range Line Road Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444

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HSE board OKs new administrators

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Fishers Junior High School has a new principal following a vote by the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees’ at a May 8 meeting.

EDUCATION

The board unanimously approved a list of personnel actions recommended by Superintendent Patrick Mapes, and among those was the promotion of Tige Butts as the new Fishers Junior High principal. Butts replaces Crystal Thorpe, who resigned to take a position with Washington Township Metropolitan Schools, according to information from HSE.

many programs, and you do so much at that school and what you contribute is by far amazing,” she said. “I think that that we are in great hands, and so congratulations on this position.”

Introducing Butts to the school board, Deputy Superintendent Matt Kegley noted that Butts is a familiar face at Fishers Junior High.

“Just to give you a little bit of background about Mr. Butts — he started his teaching career in 1999,” Kegley said. “In addition to being a teacher and a coach, he then moved into administration. He’s been an assistant principal at Fishers Junior High since 2005. So, for the last 19 years, he’s worked under Mr. Bryan Cronk — for those of us that have been here long enough to remember Mr. Cronk — and (then) Dr. Thorpe. (He’s worked) 26 years in education, and 25 of those at Fishers Junior High.”

Board Member Suzanne Thomas said although Thorpe will be missed, she is happy Butts will be taking her place.

“We’ve met a couple times and have toured your school and learned about your

Calls for artists and vendors — The Fishers Arts Council has put out calls for artists to participate in upcoming fairs and exhibits. The Juneteenth Jubilee exhibit at Conner Prairie is seeking vendor applications, with a deadline of May 24, for the June 19 event, which last year attracted about 2,500 people. Artists who wish to have tables at the Sept. 8 Harvest Fest must submit their applications by July 8. For more, visit fishersartscouncil.org, click on the “For Artists” tab and then on “artist call outs” from the drop-down menu.

Memorial Day ceremony set — The City of Fishers has a Memorial Day ceremony

According to an announcement from the district, Butts started at Fishers Junior High School in 1999 as a health educator. He spearheaded initiatives such as the Student Assistance and Behavioral Threat Assessment Management Teams and the Youth Mentoring Initiative. He also oversaw building operations, developed disciplinary processes and provided staff evaluations and safety training.

serve our students and community.” Other administrators on the list of personnel changes was Bryan Rausch as the new assistant superintendent of operations, Janie Ulmer as the assistant principal at Fishers High School, Stacey Brown as associate principal at Hamilton Southeastern High School and Kyle Goodwin as associate principal at Fishers High School.

“We believe that Tige Butts’ established track record and deep understanding of Fishers Junior High will be a tremendous asset as he assumes the role of principal,” Mapes stated.

He has a bachelor’s degree in education from Millikin University and a master’s degree in educational leadership and supervision from Ball State University. Butts will officially assume his position in July.

Also promoted on May 9 was Fishers High School English teacher Keith Shelton, who will be the school’s new dean starting in July. Shelton and his wife attended the meeting, which coincided with their anniversary.

“First I want to thank my wife, Jessica for sharing our 25th anniversary here at the board meeting,” he said. “And for her unending support and allowing me to pursue these opportunities. I just look forward to an opportunity to continue to

DISPATCHES

planned, starting at 10 a.m. May 27 at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. Learn more at FishersIN.gov/FishersHonors.

Geist Waterfront Park to open May 25 for swimming — Geist Waterfront Park will kick off the 2024 swim season on May 25. The 70-acre waterfront park in east Fishers features beach and water access to Geist Reservoir, nonmotorized boat launch and dock access for kayaks and canoes, walking trails, a playground and public gathering amenities. Park access is free to all during non-peak hours. During peak hours — generally Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons — admission is

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Michelle Fullhart — a former HSE board member — expressed concern about what she said is an increase in administrative positions at the district.

“We went from one superintendent and two assistants to, now, one superintendent, a deputy superintendent and four assistant superintendents,” she said. “Some previous director positions have been elevated to assistant superintendent positions. It would be nice if the board or Mr. Mapes would communicate all of these changes to the community. We’ve always been very, very lean in administrators, despite what some in the community have said and what some people had said during campaigns. These new hires and a restructuring of central office in his first month of office is unprecedented in HSE’s history. I’m not saying these positions aren’t needed, but it would be nice to hear why they’ve been added.”

Mapes and the board did not respond to Fullhart’s comments.

The next HSE board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. June 12 at the Hamilton Southeastern Schools central office, 13485 Cumberland Rd.

free for Fishers residents and $25 per vehicle for nonresidents, with payment taken at the gate. Geist Waterfront Park is open daily dawn to dusk and a lifeguard is on duty 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. during swim season.

Public asked to survey Fishers police — As part of the Fishers Police Department’s accreditation process through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., FPD is conducting an annual citizen survey. The survey will be open through May 31 and can be found at surveymonkey.com/r/MGWNXHS.

Butts Shelton

Web services company moving to Fishers

news@currentinfishers.com

Pneuma, LLC, an online marketing and sales strategies company, plans to relocate to Fishers from Denver, a move that includes 26 new jobs and a $489,000 capital investment over the next five years.

RELOCATION

The company specializes in developing websites and providing web services, including search engine optimization, web flow design and development and Shopify. Pneuma was founded by Indianapolis native David Riggs.

“At Pneuma, we are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey of expansion and growth. We are even more happy to be back home in Indiana and are very appreciative of support from the state, Fishers and Launch Fishers,” Riggs stated. “Our mission is to empower businesses with innovative online marketing solutions. Fishers is the ideal location for us to further our vision.”

Pneuma will initially work out of the Launch Fishers coworking space, 12175 Visionary Way. Riggs said he plans to own a dedicated building in the long term to support expansion.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness stated he was pleased to add another tech company to the city.

“The City of Fishers is built for growth, so we are excited to see the Pneuma team come here to do just that,” he stated. “We are proud to have systems in place to support entrepreneurs in our coworking spaces and then explore options for their own standalone business.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. committed up to $400,000 in incentive-based tax credits for Pneuma. The credits can be claimed when the company hires Hoosiers.

“We’re always excited to see another Hoosier come home, building the momentum of innovators, entrepreneurs and small business owners choosing to make Indiana their hub while serving customers worldwide,” stated Ann Lathrop, chief strategy officer at the IEDC.

Riggs

Service will be conducted by the Westfield/Carmel American Legion & VFW. &

FFD cul-de-sac drills set

news@currentinfishers.com

4180 Westfield Rd. • Westfield Monday, May 27, 2024 at 9:00 AM

Memorial Park

Monday, May 27, 2024 at 3:00 PM

Memorial Gardens

The Fishers Fire Department’s annual cul-de-sac drills start May 31 and run through the end of July.

OUTREACH

The drills take place in local neighborhoods every summer. During the events, firefighters get out the hoses, spray water and give little and big kids an opportunity to handle the hose line or run through the spray, according to the FFD website.

The goal is to build relationships with people in the neighborhoods. Firefighters share personal stories about what it’s like to do the job and provide education on how most — but not all — fires can be prevented, according to the website.

“Creating a relationship between the community and the firefighters that protect them builds trust, encourages

behavioral change for safety and gives confidence and comfort in knowing (them) personally,” FFD Chief Steve Orusa stated.

See a full schedule of cul-de-sac drill dates and locations at fishers.in.us/219/ Fishers-Fire-Department.

DISPATCHES

16th Annual Wine, Wags & Whiskers — Humane Society for Hamilton County has planned its annual Wine, Wags & Whiskers fundraising event for 6-9 p.m. June 8 at 502 East Event Centre, 502 E. Carmel Dr. The event is an evening of wine, bourbon and animals. For ticket information, visit one.bidpal.net/2024winewagswhiskers/ticketing.

Fishers Fire Department personnel spray water from a firehose during a cul-de-sac drill in 2023. (File photo)

HSE honored for energy efficiency

news@currentinfishers.com

Hamilton Southeastern Schools was among 13 schools and districts nationwide recognized as Solutions Strategists for improving energy efficiency and student health through the federal Efficient and Healthy Schools Program.

EDUCATION

The program is coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy, according to an announcement from the school district.

“We are proud of the work we have done at HSE to improve our systems,” stated Bob Rice, HSE Schools’ energy manager. “We have reduced our energy use by installing solar arrays, enhancing the efficiency of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, and have made sustainable changes to our food services program. Not only have these improvements lowered our operating costs, but these changes also provide an opportunity for our students and administration to lead by example at a national level.”

According to the announcement, schools represent the third-largest sector of commercial energy use in the United States.

Bob Rice, HSE Schools’ energy manager, attends a summit April 26 at the White House.

(Photo courtesy of HSE Schools)

“School building energy consumption costs school districts more than $8 billion annually and produces emissions equivalent to 18 coal-fired power plants,” the announcement stated. “This number is staggering and part of the impetus to create the Efficient and Healthy School Program.”

The distinction recognizes HSE as a K-12 energy efficiency, health, comfort and resilience leader, according to the announcement. It provides an opportunity to continue the momentum to improve school infrastructure.

Efficient and Healthy Schools Program honorees attended an April 26 summit at the White House in Washington, D.C.

RipFest Camp returns for summer session

By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com

When it comes to training Olympians, RipFest Diving has an established background. Its CEO and head coach, John Wingfield, has coached 11 Olympians — and counting — at his diving camp in Arcadia. The RipFest diving camp encourages participants to come as they are and do their best. Its program includes coaching, unique tools and training techniques.

DIVING

“We meet kids where they are and move them forward no matter what their aspirations or goals are,” said Kate Bramlett, RipFest’s director of operations. “Our program is set up so that anybody at any skill level can come in and reach their goals, and even reach potential that they never knew possible.”

RipFest offers training sessions in the winter, summer, fall and during spring break and is spearheaded by Wingfield, who was the U.S. Olympic diving coach in 2008 and 2020.

Depending on the season, the camp typically has a 1-to-8 or 1-to-10 ratio of coaches to athletes and varies from 12 weeks to two weeks.

RipFest operates the Dryland Center, which has trampolines, dry boards, dry-platforms and conditioning areas. The center, which is also RipFest’s central hub for camp training, includes training aids such as harnesses, visual spotting tools and state-of-the-art video replay systems.

RipFest is suitable for participants 8 and older and is accepting registration for its summer camp online at ripfest.net/ summer-camp.

Divers jump off a springboard at the Ripfest facility. (Photo courtesy of Kate Bramlett)

ZCHS pitcher’s increased velocity leads to more success

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Zionsville Community High School pitcher Mateo Wells has started to develop his 6-foot-6 frame.

Wells said he stopped growing this year, so he has been able to add some strength and weight. He has boosted his weight to 225 pounds.

“Pitching mechanics is something kids work on nonstop,” Eagles coach Jered Moore said. “When they are still growing, it impacts things. Now that he’s done growing, he can focus on getting stronger. His fastball velocity has increased.”

Wells said his fastball averages 87 to 90 mph. Moore said his fastball had reached 92 mph several times this year. As of May 14, Wells has a 5-0 record with a 0.46 earned run average. He has 62 strikeouts in 46 innings.

Wells was 3-0 as a junior with 24 strikeouts in 35 innings.

“My main improvement is adding 2 mph

MEET MATEO WELLS

Favorite athlete: Formula One

driver Daniel Ricciardo

Favorite subject: Math

Favorite movie: “The Benchwarmers”

Favorite vacation spot: Cancun

to my fastball, which is pretty significant, especially in our conference,” Wells said.

Wells said being able to throw his changeup more consistently has been a boost, too.

“Last season, I was only a two-pitch guy, and being able to add a third pitch has made me more efficient this year than I was last year,” Wells said. “I was more of just a fastball and curveball-type of guy, but

Zionsville Community

High School pitcher Mateo Wells boasts an earned run average of 0.46 this season.

(Photo courtesy of Matthew Dumbris)

in the offseason, I changed my two-seam (grip) to four-seam and developed a better changeup.”

Wells became a pitcher his freshman year and stuck with it for high school and his travel baseball team, the Indiana Mustangs. He will play for the PRP Mambas this summer.

“He was a very good pitcher last year,” Moore said. “But being able to get command of his changeup this year and throwing it any count has definitely helped him this year.”

Wells learned from former ZCHS pitchers

Drew Dickson and Nate Dohm. Dickson now plays for Northwestern University, and Dohm is at Mississippi State University.

“I watched how they tried to be perfect in everything they do and everything they do has a specific reason,” Wells said.

Moore said being around other high-caliber pitchers and seeing how they trained was a positive for Wells.

“Now, Mateo is helping our young guys,” Moore said.

Wells will pitch for High Point (N.C.) University, an NCAA Division I program, next season.

“I wanted to be in a place with good weather, so that obviously was a plus,” said Wells, who plans to major in sports management. “The academics are really good. The overall feel of the campus is more my type. It’s a little bit smaller, so I can get to know my teachers more.”

Wells’ parents are from Colombia, and he still has relatives there.

“My great-grandfather played baseball and helped baseball grow in Colombia,” said Wells, who organized a baseball equipment donation drive to send equipment to Colombia in the past.

Wells

URBAN FARM

AgriPark opens for the season, offering rural experiences for Fishers, Geist residents

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Sitting slightly east of the northern tip of Geist Reservoir is a unique opportunity for residents of the primarily urban Fishers and Geist areas. The Fishers AgriPark, 11171 Florida Rd., honors Indiana’s farming traditions with a mix of fresh produce and farm animals for all ages to experience up close and personal.

Trevor Wildey, operations manager for the Fishers AgriPark, was busy on the park’s opening day of the 2024 season as parents with young children arrived to visit animals and take a small selection from the earliest of the park’s spring produce.

Wildey said produce is a big draw throughout the season, and park staff try to ensure a large variety. Staff members start more than 100,000 plants each spring, utilizing the park’s greenhouses to germinate the seeds and get the plants ready to go out into the fields.

“We’re going to lose some due to weather,” he said. “We had a bunch out a couple of weeks ago — it rained almost 4 inches, so we lost some. We’ll lose some to disease and pests and stuff like that. My guys definitely plant a lot of it, but it definitely wouldn’t be possible without the community.”

Volunteers — in groups or individually — help transplant those thousands of starts, he said, and then help tend them throughout the season.

“Last Friday, for example, we had Fishers High School — they sent out 40 students and they planted over 4,000 onions for us,” Wildley said.

The first produce of the season is mostly leafy greens.

“Then we’ll transition to squash, peppers, green beans, sweet corn, tomatoes — the good stuff,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll run that through October, and then we’ll end our season with a big fall festival at the end of the year — give away our pumpkins and all that stuff.”

Like with any farm, the success of the AgriPark’s growing season each year depends on weather and other factors. But, Wildey said, when produce is ripe, everything is free for visitors to pick — and they pick a lot.

Trevor Wildey, operations manager for the Fishers AgriPark, shows some of the plant starts that will be planted outside during the growing season for visitors to pick free of charge. (Photos by Leila Kheiry)

Multiplying the average weight of filled produce boxes by the number of boxes handed out each season, he estimated the AgriPark gives away about 100,000 pounds of fresh produce each season.

“That’s not necessarily counting squash and sweet corn and all that kind of stuff,” he said. “That’s just tomatoes, peppers, okra, green beans.”

On opening day, it was still too early for visitors to pick their own produce. Instead, they gathered at the park’s playground and at the animal pastures — home to goats and sheep, a pig named Otis and a very friendly horse named Spirit, who

will happily nibble your shirt while you pat his nose.

Otis and Spirit originally belonged to Wildey, who brought them to the AgriPark after he started working there. When Otis spotted Wildey from across the pasture, the pig fast-waddled toward his favorite person, grunting happily, and Wildey hopped over the fence to give the pig some belly rubs.

In another pasture, a small herd of cows and a donkey ate hay but approached the fence when Wildey brought over a bucket of feed. A young boy thought he wanted to feed the cows,

ACTIVITIES AT THE AGRIPARK

Throughout the season, the Fishers AgriPark hosts activities and workshops and offers summer camps for children.

Operations Manager Trevor Wildey noted that even during the offseason, when the park is technically closed, it hosts school groups that come to learn about agriculture. The AgriPark also hosts pop-up classes, he said, such as

quick pickling, flower arranging and salsa — the sauce, not the dance.

“Although, we have done some barn line dancing before,” he said.

Pop-up events take place once or twice a month, Wildey said, and are announced just a day or two in advance. The best way to stay notified is through the park’s social media pages.

but when their large heads got close, he changed his mind and let his mom do it for him.

“We live about five minutes away, so we come here a lot in the summertime,” Kaycee Port said of her and son, Owen. “We really like seeing all the animals. It’s not like anything else around. It’s a lot of free, independent play. He gets to kind of just explore and be in nature — kind of messy play. It’s really nice to be able to come to a working farm. You can see how it works. We like to pick crops, too, in the summertime.”

Owen said his favorite crop to pick is broccoli, which was news to his mother. She said that last year, they picked a lot of jalapeños and peppers.

The Fishers AgriPark is open Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s closed Sunday and Monday. For more, visit playfishers.com/217/ Fishers-AgriPark.

ON THE COVER: Trevor Wildey, operations manager for the Fishers AgriPark, pets Otis the pig’s belly on the park’s opening day. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

The Fishers AgriPark is home to sheep, goats, chickens, pigs and cows, in addition to large vegetable fields.

Illusions of agreement

Commentary by Terry Anker

Placate. Mollify. Appease. Pacify. Quell. Assuage. Moderate. Allay. There are those who default to interpersonal tactics designed to prevent confrontation. It is not that we inherently have low confidence in our position. We believe that our point of view is superior and are possessed with every intention of getting our way. Still, experience has taught that an imagined cooperative approach then followed by a more assertive one to be the most effective in accomplishing the objectives. The target of the deception is lured into the trap with claims of agreement and consensus. “No, you’re right,” falsely proclaims the serpent. Once hypnotized with a false sense of sympatico, the victim is constricted by the warm embrace of a pretend compliment. “You are so much smarter than me,” it continues with each compression. Now, the object is fully ensnared, unable to budge from the tightening hold. The mood shifts from passive to aggressive, invariably. Tone changes to disagreement. There was no accord. The

ESSAY

claims of shared perspective were entirely fabricated. There is no mutual ground. In fact, the time of delay was used to bolster the argument and position. Whether a discussion about where to go to dinner, how much to donate to charity, or if to ceasefire in a protracted war, we find ourselves manipulated by the stall. Should we simply fight every battle without any social nicety to keep us from each other’s throats? Are we necessarily dishonest if we hold back a bit on our emotion? Is restraint a weakness?

But what if we never resolve anything? If conflict is not healthy, is avoidance any better? So, how do we disagree with respect and understanding? Long-term caring, loving relationships can help. If better connected, we withstand the strain of bitter disagreement. Can we value trust and respect more than victory?

Facing a banking crisis

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

I’m a little compulsive about credit cards, so I go to the appropriate website every morning to see what we owe and then check our bank balance. It’s a quick routine, made even easier by the facial recognition programs that eliminate the need for passwords.

HUMOR

But this morning, they didn’t know me. Face not recognized. Try again

Try what again? All I did was look at my smartphone. It’s not like entering your password incorrectly. I couldn’t have entered the wrong face. OK, one more time.

Face still not recognized. Try again

Worried, I raced into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. My hair was askew; I needed a shave, and I had huge bags under my eyes. Who is that, I wondered? I didn’t even recognize myself. I combed my hair, shaved and applied a little of my wife’s foundation. This had to work. But no … Your face it not recognized. Please use password

My wife Mary Ellen was in the kitchen having coffee. I walked over to the table.

“Who are you?” she asked. “You never look this good in the morning. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

As you may recall, my wife is very security minded. She told me that using facial recognition on my smartphone is not safe. I wondered why.

“Because, Dick, if you are robbed, the thief may just ask you to look into the phone and then he can check the balance in our bank account and what we owe on our credit cards.”

“Mary Ellen, he is going to rob me even if we only have two hundred bucks in checking.”

“It wouldn’t work for me, anyway. I’d

“‘Who are you?’ she asked. ‘You never look this good in the morning. I almost didn’t recognize you.’”

have to wait until I had makeup on.”

I wasn’t getting anywhere with Mary Ellen, so I called my friend, Bob.

“Bob, It’s Dick. I have a problem. I’m not being recognized.”

“Of course, you haven’t been on TV in four years, and you don’t have a famous dog anymore.”

“I don’t mean recognized on the street. I mean recognized by the bank. Do they recognize you at the bank?”

“Of course, they recognize me. I’m 6-foot4 and completely bald.”

“Look, when I wake up in the morning, I always check my balance …”

“At your age, good idea. Get out of bed slowly.”

That day, I had an appointment with my barber. I brought an old photo of myself before all this trouble started. I showed it to Buddy and told him I wanted to look just like I do in this selfie.

“Dick, I can’t do that. First of all, your hair is all gray now and you have less of it, and I can’t give you sideburns.”

The next morning, I tried again, but still no luck. I tried again and again. There was only one solution.

I had to reset my face.

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

Center schedule includes familiar names, different genres

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Center for the Performing Arts’ 2024-25 schedule includes a mix of familiar names of classical, pops, rock, jazz and country performers.

“It’s the most artists we’ve announced at this point of the season, I believe, with right around 60 performances,” Center for the Performing Arts President/CEO Jeffrey McDermott said. “We’ve left space for eight to 10 more to be added through the season as other artists go out on tour and we have the opportunity to get them booked. We’re really excited that it’s a diverse lineup of genres and artists. There is clearly going to be something for everyone. I think we have some great headliners in each genre. There are some artists that are household names, some artists who are up and coming. There are great recognizable names in every single category.”

McDermott said he has artists and genres he likes more than others.

“I go back to my ’60s and ‘70s roots and I was a big fan of The Monkees,” McDermott said. “We’re excited about getting Micky Dolenz, the last living Monkee.”

Dolenz will perform April 25, 2025, with songs and stories from his days with The Monkees.

Most of the performances are set for the Palladium, with a few at The Tarkington.

McDermott said Grand Funk Railroad (Oct. 19), Welcome Back: The Return of Emerson, Lake & Palmer (March 21, 2025) and Pure Prairie League (April 5, 2025) are cool additions.

“Leslie Odom Jr. has been on our list for a long time, and we are really excited to bring him in (Nov. 22),” McDermott said. “We have some people coming in for a second and third time. We have people like Dave Koz, who are just traditions for us. It wouldn’t be the holidays without Dave Koz and Friends.”

Dave Koz’s “Christmas Tour” is set for Dec. 13. Holiday concerts also include The Four Phantoms: “Holiday Show” (Dec. 6); Jane Lynch’s “A Swingin’ Little Christmas” (Dec. 7) and Jon McLaughlin & Friends: “Home for the Holidays” (Dec. 14)

“Jon McLaughlin is an Indiana favorite with his roots here,” McDermott said. “We’ve had him a couple times and had him in the Palladium last year and sold it out quickly. He may be the next tradition brewing because people just love him. He brings great artistry and friends, but he’s just a great show person. He relates and connects with the audience.”

Great American Songbook Foundation Hall of Famer Dionne Warwick will perform Nov. 24 in her first full concert at the Palladium.

“Dionne has been here for two (‘Center Presents’) galas and people loved her,” McDermott said. “She’s a legend. She puts on a great show and has so many hits of her own.”

McDermott said it’s great to have two classical legends in the 2025 portion of the schedule with Chinese pianist Lang Lang (March 18) and Itzhak Perlman (April 17).

“We always feel fortunate to have one artist of their caliber in a season, but to have both of them in the same season is a real coup for us,” McDermott said.

McDermott said the Center is trying to add some comedy shows.

“I think you can count on shows we add will have some comedy,” McDermott

said. “I’m personally a big fan of comedy. I love bringing comedy here. It sells really well.”

There will be several tribute shows with Leonid & Friends: The Music of Chicago (Sept. 27), and Space Oddity: The Quintessential David Bowie Tribute Experience (Oct. 26). In 2025, tribute acts include Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience (Jan. 18); The Evolution of Joni Mitchell starring Lauren Fox (Jan. 24); Folsom Prison Experience: Legendary 1968 Johnny Cash Concert (Feb. 15); The Kings of Queen (Feb. 1); and Brooklyn Charmers: A Steely Dan Tribute (March 7).

“We don’t do too many tribute shows, but when we try to bring in the top tribute bands around, typically (they’re featuring) artists who are not performing or not with us anymore,” he said.

Ben Folds will bring his “Paper Airplane Request Tour” to the Palladium Oct. 10. Other 2025 performers include Mac McAnally (Jan. 10) and Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives (May 1).

The Center Celebration featuring trumpeter and composer Chris Botti is set for Sept. 21.

“I always tell people programming a season is part art, part science and part luck,” McDermott said. “You have to find the right artist touring at the right time with a date you have available and at a price that works. When all those stars align, we get them.”

For a full list of the schedule, visit youarecurrent.com.

‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’ Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” runs May 23 to July 7 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

The Freeform Concert Series features Katie Peterson with Anana Kaye and Omega Defern May 22; “Deceptions: An Evening of Magic and Friends” is set for May 23; and Josh Merrit May 24 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA’ Indiana Ballet Conservatory presents “The Phantom of the Opera” at 4 and 7 p.m. May 25 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit indianaballetconservatory.org.

LUMINARIES: ‘VISUAL ARTS AND OPERA’

The Luminaries series features Lyndsay Moy discussing “Visual Arts and Opera” at 2 p.m. May 28 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $10. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

ROCK THE RUINS

The Decemberists will perform at 7 p.m. May 23 as part of the Rock the Ruins concert series at Holliday Park in Indianapolis. For more, visit rocktheruins.com.

DISPATCH

Dennen’s concert set at NDP Amphitheater — The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater and MOKB Presents announced that singer-songwriter Brett Dennen will perform an Aug. 24 concert at the Fishers venue. Tickets for the show were scheduled to go on sale May 17. Dennen’s show is part of the venue’s annual summer concert series that also includes an Aug. 23 performance by Niko Moon. Dennen’s next release, “See The World,” is due out July 23 on Mick Music. For ticketed shows, the venue is an all-ages facility and children 2 and under are admitted free. Guests can bring their own lawn chair and blankets. For more, visit npdamp.com.

Dionne Warwick will perform Nov. 24 at the Palladium.

(Photos courtesy of the Center for the Performing Arts)

Violinist Itzhak Perlman’s concert is set for April 17, 2025.

Micky Dolenz, the last living member of The Monkees, will perform April 25, 2025, with songs and stories from his days with the band.

SONGBOOK ACADEMY IN CONCERT

SATURDAY, JULY 20 AT 7PM | THE PALLADIUM

AVERAGE WHITE BAND: A FUNK FINALE SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

JEROME COLLINS: REWIND–

A JOURNEY TO MOTOWN & BEYOND FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON

VERONICA SWIFT

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON

CENTER CELEBRATION 2024

FEATURING CHRIS BOTTI

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 AT 5PM | THE PALLADIUM

NICK CARTER: WHO I AM TOUR

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

LEONID & FRIENDS: THE MUSIC OF CHICAGO AND MORE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

DAMIEN ESCOBAR: VICTORY LAP TOUR

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

BEN FOLDS: PAPER AIRPLANE REQUEST TOUR

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

#IMOMSOHARD: LADIES’ NIGHT!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

RENÉE ELISE GOLDSBERRY

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 AT 7PM | THE PALLADIUM

GRAND FUNK RAILROAD

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

SPACE ODDITY: THE QUINTESSENTIAL

DAVID BOWIE TRIBUTE EXPERIENCE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

DANA & GREG NEWKIRK’S HAUNTED OBJECTS LIVE SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 AT 7PM | THE TARKINGTON

VITAMIN STRING QUARTET: THE MUSIC OF TAYLOR SWIFT, BRIDGERTON AND BEYOND

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 AT 7PM | THE PALLADIUM

ZAKIR HUSSAIN & RAHUL SHARMA

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

BONEY JAMES

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

THE MAGIC OF MICHAEL GRANDINETTI EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 AT 2PM & 8PM THE TARKINGTON

GRUPO NICHE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

THE PIANO GUYS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9 AT 4PM & 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

BUCKETS N BOARDS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 AT 5PM | THE PALLADIUM

AN EVENING WITH LESLIE ODOM JR. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

CANADIAN BRASS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

DIONNE WARWICK SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 AT 7PM | THE PALLADIUM

CHERRY POPPIN’ DADDIES:

WWII TIKI XMAS CANTEEN

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

THE FOUR PHANTOMS: HOLIDAY SHOW FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

JANE LYNCH’S A SWINGIN’

LITTLE CHRISTMAS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS

CHRISTMAS TOUR 2024 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

JON MCLAUGHLIN & FRIENDS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

MAC MCANALLY

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

YESTERDAY AND TODAY:

THE INTERACTIVE BEATLES EXPERIENCE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

THE EVOLUTION OF JONI MITCHELL

STARRING LAUREN FOX FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON

HEART OF AFGHANISTAN

FEATURING THE FANOOS ENSEMBLE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 AT 7PM | THE PALLADIUM

THE KINGS OF QUEEN SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

PETER SAGAL: HOST OF NPR’S WAIT WAIT...DON’T TELL ME! FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

FOLSOM PRISON EXPERIENCE: LEGENDARY 1968 JOHNNY CASH CONCERT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH STEVE WARINER FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

KALANI PE’A: GRAMMY-WINNING SINGER, SONGWRITER SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

DON WAS & THE PAN DETROIT ENSEMBLE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

THE STEPCREW FRIDAY, MARCH 7 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

BROOKLYN CHARMERS: A STEELY DAN TRIBUTE FRIDAY, MARCH 7 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON

WELCOME BACK: THE RETURN OF EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER FRIDAY, MARCH 21 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

DUSTBOWL REVIVAL: A LAUREL CANYON RETROSPECTIVE FRIDAY, MARCH 21 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON

THE RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS SUNDAY, MARCH 23 AT 7PM | THE TARKINGTON

GRIMMZ FAIRY TALES SUNDAY, MARCH 23 AT 5PM | THE PALLADIUM

LANG LANG FRIDAY, MARCH 28 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

UNITED STATES ARMY FIELD BAND & SOLDIERS’ CHORUS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN SATURDAY, APRIL 12 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

BACHELORS OF BROADWAY: GENTLEMEN OF THE THEATRE

SUNDAY, APRIL 13 AT 7PM | THE PALLADIUM

ITZHAK PERLMAN IN RECITAL THURSDAY, APRIL 17 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

MICKY DOLENZ OF THE MONKEES: AN EVENING OF SONGS & STORIES FRIDAY, APRIL 25 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

BLACK VIOLIN

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

OUR PLANET LIVE: A NETFLIX ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY SERIES WITH DAN TAPSTER TUESDAY, APRIL 29 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

MARTY STUART AND HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES THURSDAY, MAY 1 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

CELEBRATE THE SONGBOOK: MICHAEL FEINSTEIN WITH THE INDIANAPOLIS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SATURDAY, MAY 10 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

iLUMINATE SUNDAY, MAY 11 AT 4PM | THE PALLADIUM

RENEE ELISE GOLDSBERRY

NICK CARTER

GRUPO NICHE LESLIE ODOM JR.

PETER SAGAL LANG LANG

BLACK VIOLIN MARTY STUART

Indy Opera to celebrate legacy

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The main theme of Indianapolis Opera’s 50th season is celebrating legacy and alumni.

MUSIC

“The legacy are the families that from the beginning started the company and those who have come along through three or four generations of supporters,” said David Starkey, who has been the Indianapolis Opera general director since 2016.

Indy Opera will reunite with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for the 50th Anniversary Legacy Gala Concert at 7:30 p.m. March 22, 2025, at the Hilbert Circle Theater in Indianapolis.

“We will have all those legends coming back, not only the artistic leaders but the famous and world-renowned singers who have been on our stage,” Starkey said.

“They are very key civic leaders and families, and the desire to have a world-class city is the desire to have a world-class opera and symphony and all those kinds of institutions. Then you come along with the alumni. You have two iconic leaders, Bob Driver in the ‘80s who went on to take Opera Philadelphia and was a legend in the opera world, followed by the era of (artistic director) Jim Caraher. There are singers who got their start here or really developed their career in Indianapolis. That’s one of the biggest emphasis of our event.”

The 2024-25 season will open with Opera in the Park at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7, a free event at MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park in Indianapolis.

“The Barber of Seville” is set for Nov. 15-17 at The Tarkington in Carmel. Starkey said “The Barber of Seville” was the first Indianapolis Opera show at The Tarkington in 2016. Starkey was the production director for that presentation before taking the general director post later that year.

Following the concert, there will be a debut production of “West Side Story” May 9-11, 2025, at the Bicentennial Pavilion at the Indianapolis Zoo.

For more, visit indyopera.org.

Starkey

Beef & Boards cast off to Oz

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Elizabeth Stark Payne went through a phase of repeatedly watching “The Wizard of Oz” as a youngster.

MUSICAL

“This was the only VHS (recording) that my grandparents had at their home when we went for holidays, and while the adults were all in the kitchen, laughing and playing cards or talking, us kids would watch it on repeat back in the middle bedroom,” Payne said. “I never got bored of this movie. I love that my kids are starting to go through the same phase now, although it has to contend with TikTok now.”

to stray too far from those images in people’s minds but would still like to bring it along with us into new, fun visions. I also want to keep it fresh for the kids and adults alike. Our family-friendly shows have something for everyone.”

Payne said the show has a nice mix of cast members who have performed at Beef & Boards and some who are newcomers.

Payne will direct Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz,” which runs May 23 to July 7 at the Indianapolis venue.

“My biggest challenge with a show like this is keeping it fresh,” Payne said. “People come expecting the same nostalgia and feelings they got when they first watched the movie. We don’t want

“I have several cast members that I’ve had the pleasure of working with a lot over these last several years, (and) some, like Ty (Stover), who I’ve known since I was a child, and others that I will be meeting for the first time in person on our first rehearsal day,” Payne said. “It’s always nice to welcome new people into the Beef & Boards family.”

Payne said the adult cast is normal size.

“But once you add in all those cute Munchkins, it is a pretty large cast for us,” Payne said. “We are utilizing several Munchkins in shorter contracts.”

For more, visit beefandboards.com.

Payne

Visiting the Valley of the Kings

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing tour of Egypt, we visit the Valley of the Kings, containing at least 65 royal tombs, including that of Tutankhamen. By about 1500 B.C., Egyptians had either forgotten how to build pyramids or had concluded that they were too easy to rob. So, they began burying the pharaohs and their families, along with other important Egyptians, in a valley on the west bank of the Nile River near the modern city of Luxor, called Thebes by ancient Egyptians. The site was apparently selected because of the large pyramid-shaped rock overlooking the valley. The area’s soft limestone allowed workers to dig sloping shafts extending hundreds of feet to underground burial chambers enclosing a giant stone sarcophagus. Along all the walls and ceilings, artisans painted scenes of the pharaoh’s life and life with the gods, some intended to give the pharaoh help with questions asked at the final judgment. The pharaoh’s earthly possessions were buried with him (or her) for later use if, as expected, he survived

TRAVEL

that judgment.

To prevent looting, the entrances to the tombs were scattered and concealed behind tons of limestone. But the camouflage did not work, and the tombs were systematically raided. Raiders eventually found and looted all but the tomb of Tutankhamen, who had died at age 19 after a very short reign.

Valley of the Kings near Luxor, Egypt. (Photo by Don Knebel) Don

LIFESTYLE

1. Medical setback

8. IND safety org.

11. Green prefix

14. Impersonate

15. Non-Rx

16. Nile snake

17. Drinking fountain, to a Hoosier?

18. Classic shoe style

20. Hoosier National Forest tree

21. Direct to a specialist

22. Colts second-stringers

25. Raggedy Ann, e.g. 26. Comfort

30. Captain Nemo’s vessel

33. Pops out, as a DVD

35. “___ the ramparts...”

36. Taunts

Centric Projects, LLC is submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) of our intent to comply with the requirements of 327 IAC 15-5 to prevent stormwater pollution for construction activities associated with the development of the Chicken N Pickle at 9001 Maynard Lane in Fishers, Indiana. Stormwater will discharge into the city stormwater sewer system (MS4) via inlets protected with fabric filter. Any water not discharged into the sewer system will flow into the Crossings at Fishers District Detention pond and ultimately into Sand Creek and Mud Creek. All stormwater discharges will be properly controlled through the approved erosion control plan and the stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWP3). Please direct any questions to Brad Wehde at (816) 389-8300 or brad.wehde@centric.build.

38. Ahead by a point

39. Heavy rainstorm, to a Hoosier?

42. Hard guy to find in kids’ books

44. Hammerin’ Hank

45. IndyGo vehicle

48. Eye makeup

50. Metal craftsman

52. Electri-

LEGAL NOTICE DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC

cian’s supply

53. Very long time

55. Frozen treat

56. Wanderer

58. LPs’ successors

60. Flying Wham-O toy

63. “Did you eat, yet?” to a Hoosier?

67. Secluded spot

68. Annoy

69. Taking a sabbatical

70. Fine, to NASA

71. Radiator sound

72. Everlasting Down

1. City Barbeque bit

2. Ostrich kin

3. Ad-___ (improvise)

4. If all goes well

5. Gloomy atmosphere

6. Flower part

7. Always, poetically

8. Waterpark accessory

9. Suppress

10. Skin woe

11. Have a tenderloin at Mash House

Public notice is hereby given to affected property owners pursuant to 170 IAC 4-9-4(f) that within two (2) to six (6) weeks of the date of this notice, weather permitting, Duke Energy Indiana, LLC will be performing vegetation management as part of its power line maintenance program in the area described below. As part of this project, one of its contractors that employ qualified utility line clearance tree workers will be trimming and/or removing trees and brush to clear the lines of vegetation to provide safe and reliable electric service. Vegetation management will be performed in/near Carmel, Fishers on or near streets identified below:

• Beginning at the substation located near the intersection of E 146th St & N Gray Rd to include the areas around & near: N & W of the substation, E of Cool Creek Park Rd, S of Joshua Cir

• Beginning at the substation located near the intersection of Florida Rd & E 113th St to include the areas around & near: N of Newburyport Dr, E of Windswept Dr, S of Royalwood Dr, W of the substation

• Beginning at the substation located near the intersection of E 126th St & Cumberland Rd to include the areas around & near: N of E 121st St, E of the substation, S of Meadow Lake Dr, W of Marilyn Rd

The date this notice is published initiates the two (2) week period for calculating implied consent by an affected property owner under 170 IAC 4-9. If you have any questions, you may contact the Duke Energy Vegetation Management toll free number, 866-385-3675. Duke Energy Indiana, LLC Vegetation Management Department

12. CBS forensic franchise

13. Pos., to neg.

19. Bloomfield’s county

21. Scented splash

22. ___-cone

23. OPEC member

24. Cause for alarm?

25. 43rd prez, informally

27. Bitterly harsh

28. Alphabet run

29. Mentalist’s claim

31. Arctic house

32. Diminutive, in rap names

34. Papa ___ Pizza

37. Hindu garments

40. Fair Oaks Farms milk dispensers

41. Mama’s boy

42. U-turn from ENE

43. Tuna type

46. Eiteljorg Museum tribe

47. Seashell seller

49. Is undecided

51. Man’s title

54. Tech whizzes

57. Kimono sashes

58. Lincoln’s coin

59. Proofreader’s notation

60. Lilly watchdog org.

61. ___ Speedwagon

62. Current printer’s need

Mayor Hogsett

Actress Mendes

___ Aviv Answers on Page 19

WE DO CONTACTLESS EXTERIOR ESTIMATES

Automotive is looking for a full time automotive technician. In business for 28 years in downtown Carmel with a solid, happy customer base and a positive, good-natured work environment. The best candidate is a motivated, well-organized technician with at least three years hands on experience in automotive diagnosis, problem-solving and repair. Able to interpret and apply diagnostic/repair information from computerized databases and other sources. Also able communicate clearly and effectively with your supervisor, your fellow employees and, as needed, with customers. A complete job description is available with a request to frontdesk@ integrityautomotive.net. We offer competitive pay with a Monday through Friday work week and (after 90 days) up to four sick/personal days per year and paid holidays. To schedule an interview, send your resume with contact information to: frontdesk@integrityautomotive.net . 40 S Rangeline Rd Carmel Indiana 46032 www.IntegrityAutomotive.net

Tourism with a GREATER PURPOSE.

CARMEL FISHERS NOBLESVILLE WESTFIELD NORTHERN TOWNS

This year, during National Travel & Tourism Week, May 19-25, Hamilton County Tourism celebrates industry and community partners doing amazing work in sustainability and stewardship programs throughout the destination.

Scan the QR Code to learn more about Hamilton County Tourism’s Inspire initiative.