December 22, 2020 — Geist

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

A NEW LOOK Lawrence Township elementary schools get needed upgrades / P15

Residential Customer Local

Vaccine plan uncertain / P3

Geist-area friends conduct toy drive / P7

Column: Busting COVID-19 myths / P17

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December 22, 2020

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Amy Beverland Elementary Principal Jered Pennington pauses by the new media center. (Photo by Anna Skinner)

Founded Jan. 27, 2015, at Fishers, IN Vol. VI, No. 48 Copyright 2020.

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State officials call vaccine plan ‘evolving process’

By Jarred Meeks jarred@youarecurrent.com

staff and residents of long-term care faciliappointment to receive vaccinations. ties, state officials said they are waiting for More than 50 Indiana hospitals and guidance from an advisory committee of the clinics were expected to receive a total of As more COVID-19 vaccines are expected Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 55,575 doses by the end of last week, and to arrive in Indiana, state officials continue to determine which groups should be vacciadditional shipments of Pfizer’s vaccine to coordinate an nated next. are expected to arrive each week.

PANDEMIC unprecedented, State officials also announced a vaccine The vaccine requires two doses rapidly changing data dashboard will be created in the next administered a minimum of 21 days immunization plan, saying details of few weeks to track how many Hoosiers apart. who will be vaccinated, and when, Health care workers administered have been vaccinated, with breakdowns by are uncertain as the state waits county and other demographics. the first doses in Indianapolis at for guidance from the Centers for Indiana also was chosen by the U.S. Dept.

IU Methodist Hospital on Dec. 16.

Disease Control and Prevention and of Defense as a pilot state to participate in Boone and Hamilton Counties were Box more doses. expected to receive shipments soon the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, according “I know many Hoosiers just want this to U.S. Army National Guard Brig. Gen. R. after. Each county has structured its own pandemic to be over and are eager to receive immunization plan.

Dale Lyles. their vaccine,” Indiana State Health Commis“Our soldiers and airmen are actually perModerna, an American biotechnology sioner Dr. Kristina Box said during a Dec. 16 forming front-line care worker duties today company, expected the FDA to review its virtual press briefing. “Please know, we will and have been basically for the last nine COVID-19 for emergency-use authorization get it to you as soon as we possibly can. by the end of the week, health officials said. months,” Lyles said during the Dec. 16 brief“While this vaccine is the light at what ing. “So today, we start the vaccine, and we If authorization is granted, Indiana officials has been a very long, dark tunnel, it will still expect to soon begin receiving shipments of will vaccinate all of our soldiers that have be a number of months before we can make the vaccines. volunteered to do that.” vaccines available to every Hoosier who Assuming more vaccines are granted auA state’s population and number of doses wants it across our state.” thorization by the FDA, state health officials available determine the number of doses On Dec. 11, Pfizer and BioNTech received said they expect guidance will be issued given to each state. Indiana health officials authorization for emergency use from the to ensure the most effective vaccines for said the state was allocated 55,575 doses U.S. Food and Drug Administration, allowing different age groups are administered. For of Pfizer’s vaccine. However, like other the companies to begin shipping doses to example, Pfizer’s vaccine was approved for states, Indiana officials said it will receive all states. people ages 16 and older. Other vaccines fewer doses than originally expected this The Indiana Dept. of Health announced may only be approved for people 18 and week.

Dec. 14 that the first doses had been adminolder until clinical trials on children are Although registration to receive the vacistered to front-line health care workers cine is only open to health care workers and complete. when the state’s first allotment arrived that morning. The first doses were administered to a physician, nurse, respiratory therapist, pharmacist, patient care tech and an environmental services tech at Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, according to the department.

Parkview and Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville also received doses on Dec. 14.

They were among the five pilot hospitals to receive the vaccine first. As of Dec. 16, more than 46,000 eligible Indiana health care — Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box workers statewide had registered for an

“While this vaccine is the light at what has been a very long, dark tunnel, it will still be a number of months before we can make vaccines available to every Hoosier who wants it across our state.”

To our valued readers: It seems as though it was years ago when we communicated our revised distribution plan for Geist, but it was actually only the end of March. Time flies when you’re battling the fallout from the pandemic, we suppose.

Current in Geist remains exposed to the financial repercussions of the pandemic, although we’re proud to state we have retained all full-time staff at the levels

of compensation to which they are accustomed.

As a result, we must extend our revised circulation plan for the time being. We will continue deliver to a different 25 percent of the community, as has been the case since April 7. That means, in a four-week month, a different quadrant of the community each week will receive Current by mail.

Our practice of making the newspapers available in their entirety online ensues and never will change.

As of this writing, we can’t predict when “normal” will return, but we’re aching for it to happen much sooner than later.

Thank you for your understanding as we continue to strive to get back to business as usual.

Please let us know if you have questions, and please be well and stay well.

Sincerely, Brian Kelly Steve Greenberg President/ Executive Vice Publisher President/GM

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December 22, 2020

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Fishers reaches fundraising goal, dedicates Angel of Hope

By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com Parents who lose a child now have a place to visit to find comfort and solace. An Angel of Hope Memorial Garden, PARKS an idea derived from the book “The Christmas Box,” is now in Fishers. It opened Dec. 6 in Heritage Park.

“It’s based on the book ‘The Christmas Box’ where a mother has lost her child and finds comfort at the foot of an angel in a garden,” Fishers Parks Foundation President Lisa Knowles said. “From that, people launched onto the idea of angels, and there are now over 100 Angel of Hope memorials throughout the country.”

Eighteen months ago, Fishers resident Holly Schwomeyer suggested the idea of building an Angel of Hope in Fishers to the Fishers City Council after the death of her daughter. The council passed the idea to the Parks and Recreation Dept., which in turn passed it to the Fishers Parks Foundation.

“They passed it to us as an idea that would fit in with our mission, and the parks foundation’s mission is to give residents an opportunity to participate in deciding what goes into a park,” Knowles said.

The foundation broke ground on the project on Dec. 6, 2019. The project began with an original fundraising goal of $100,000 to finish construction and landscaping. But the goal was lowered to $10,000 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We didn’t think it would be that hard because the support to that is so strong from the community,” Knowles said. “Everyone you talk to knows someone who has lost a child, which is heartbreaking but unfortunately too common. We were trying to make it a place for the families to find comfort and a place in design that was welcoming to them and a peaceful place that was in the public and not isolated.”

The project received a matching grant from the Indiana Housing Authority Creating Places for approximately $22,000.

“We had heard rumors about COVID starting, and so we thought we would go conservative and shoot for raising $35,000, because the foundation already had money to put toward the project and we had some local donors on board,” she said. “We had 60 days to raise the money starting in March.”

Lockdown mandates began a week into fundraising.

Home for the Holidays

An Angel of Hope memorial recently was installed at Heritage Park in Fishers. (Submitted photo)

“We weren’t really sure what to do, and nobody was in a position to donate, and we didn’t know what life was going to look like,” Knowles said.

The parks foundation put the fundraiser on hold, and they returned to the goal at the end of the summer.

“Our goal was always to finish this in time for Dec. 6,” Knowles said. “We thought a full year to get to create a space for those families and to open it and have a dedication by Dec. 6, 2020 was always our goal.”

The lowered $10,000 fundraising goal and matching grant would allow for the angel and the pavers to be installed and the parks foundation could return to finish the landscaping later. A fundraising event in September had to be canceled due to the pandemic, and instead, the foundation teamed with the Ambassador House and the Fishers Arts Council to present an art fair supporting local artists. More than 300 people attended, and one of the attendees was local philanthropist and entrepreneur Steven Cage.

The Steven J. Cage Foundation decided to donate to the project, and Knowles said between the organization’s cash donation of $35,000, in-kind donations and other donors, as well as the IHA grant, the project is now fully funded. It held its dedication ceremony Dec. 6.

“The angel is in and we are all set,” she said. “We are still waiting for the benches to come in, but there will be benches installed in the next month.”

For more, visit fishersparks.org.

May your home be filled with health, happiness and lots of good cheer this holiday season!

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Geist-area fishing buddies cast successful toy drive

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Rob Mastin was inspired to bring some joy to children’s lives.

“He had an extermination business and he was at a house and saw GIVING BACK a little girl who didn’t have anything,” Scott Delpha said.

Delpha said Mastin had the idea for a fishing tournament designed to get toy donations. The friends, along with Chris Feltes, started the Black Friday Toy Drive Tournament in 2019. The toys collected were given to Indianapolis for Him. The faith-based nonprofit, run by Angel Moed, distributed the toys to children in the Indianapolis Public Schools district.

Delpha, a Noblesville resident, said it’s not an official club, but they have a Facebook page under Geist Fishing Community.

Mastin lives in Fortville and Feltes lives in McCordsville.

“We were blown away with the response we got with it last year,” Delpha said. “We did

really well again this year.”

Delpha said 60 people in 35 boats participated in the fishing tournament on Geist Reservoir at the Nov. 27 event.

“We had people from the Geist community just stop and drop off toys or cash donations,” Delpha said.

Delpha said they collected just more than 400 toys and donated $1,100 in cash to buy additional toys. Delpha said they collected 479 toys in 2019, but this year was still strong despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The entry fee was $60 plus a donation of a minimum of two toys.

“Most, obviously, donated more than two toys,” Delpha said. “We had some places that donated some items we raffled off. They bought raffle tickets and they bought 50/50 tickets. That’s where the majority of our cash came from, along with cash donations.”

The friends definitely plan to hold the event again in 2021.

“We love it,” Delpha said.

Bryan Phillips and his son, Jack, of Fishers, earned $630 for winning the fishing tournament.SINCE 1993

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A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITY

“The most exciting thing about studying in Indianapolis is the wealth of opportunity the city offers outside of the classroom.”

—Eden Rea-Hedrick, School of Liberal Arts At IUPUI, Eden honed her research and critical thinking skills in the classroom and put those skills to work at multiple internships. In Fall 2021, Eden will be attending Yale University to pursue her Ph.D. in English and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Read more about Eden’s story at iupui.edu/eden.

December 22, 2020

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Parables inspire kids’ books

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com A retired rabbi is drawing inspiration from the New Testament to create books for children AUTHOR featuring the parables of Jesus told in an innovative way.

Carmel resident Sandy Sasso, who retired as rabbi at Congregation Beth-El ZeSasso deck in 2013, has authored several books, but some of her most recent endeavors aim to explain popular Bible stories in a way that’s easy for children to understand.

“I believe that children have an innate spirituality and a yearning to discuss the bigger questions of life and that sometimes adults do not recognize that,” she said.

“These books aren’t about answers. They are about questions to help have a deeper conversation with our children about what really matters in life.”

Sasso partnered with Amy-Jill Levine, a professor of New Testament and Jewish

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studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School, to write “Who is My Neighbor?,” which was published by Flyaway Books in early 2019. The book is a retelling of the parable of the good Samaritan featuring “Who is My Neighbor?” blue and yellow retells the parable of creatures that the good Samaritan in historically haven’t a way that’s easy for been able to get children to understand.

(Submitted photos) along — although they don’t know why.

Through the book, which includes a discussion guide, Sasso hopes to dispel the notion that the priest and Levite who failed to stop to help a fellow Israelite in the parable were merely concerned about purity laws.

She said in Judaism, saving a life overrides ritual concerns and that the parable shows that a neighbor is one who, regardless of cultural or ethnic differences, shows care and compassion for another.

For the full story, visit youarecurrent. com/?p=197957.

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December 22, 2020

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Advertorial

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Sometimes healthcare looks like presents under the tree. ,

By Community Health Network

Providing great healthcare involves much more than medicine. Whether it is helping a family put food on the table or ensuring a patient gets home safely from an appointment. It is important to ease the daily burdens of life so patients can focus on their health.

Community Health Network Foundation, with the generosity of individuals and organizations across our communities, offers the Oncology Patient Assistance Fund to achieve that goal.

For Community Health Network oncology patients across Central Indiana, it means life can feel more secure and less stressful when it comes to meeting basic needs.

Staying afloat during unemployment People should never be forced to choose between their health and a paycheck. But for many people who are physically unable to work while faced with cancer treatments, that’s a real decision they have to make.

“When he got his last paycheck before disability kicked in, that was it. There was no more money coming in,” says Michelle, who was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer while her late husband was being treated for a brain tumor.

The Oncology Patient Assistance Fund provided gift cards to help Michelle and her family make ends meet during that vulnerable time.

“Without that support, we would have wondered where and how to get our next meal. It was truly a matter of eating or not.

The assistance gave us one less thing to worry about.”

Rolling with life’s surprises If there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that you can always expect life to throw you a curveball from time to time. And when a person is recovering from an operation, it’s all the more important that they have support for the unexpected. In January of 2018, cancer patient

Cheryl wasn’t sure where to turn when a major car repair depleted her funds. The Oncology Patient Assistance Fund helped her meet basic needs like food while she focused on getting back on the road.

“With that assistance, I didn’t have to worry about how to get through another rough patch,” said Cheryl. “I’m so grateful, it really relieved some of the chaos I was going through.”

Celebrating the holidays We’re all looking for a little bit of normalcy this holiday season.

Going through treatment and the cost of care can make a patient’s life feel anything but normal, which is why lending a helping hand is so critical around the holidays.

“I was under a lot of stress, but my caregivers truly wanted to help,” said Deandre. A voucher helped her celebrate Thanksgiving with her parents, who had moved in to care for her two kids while Deandre recovered from an operation. “That assistance provided instant relief for me and my family.”

For breast cancer patient Melody, a gift card meant she could ensure a merry Christmas for her kids. “With the holidays approaching, we were worried about what we could afford to do for our three children. Thanks to the support we received, we were able to purchase gifts and enjoy the holidays together.”

Community’s Oncology Patient Assistance Fund provides immediate respite for people with cancer across Central Indiana. By providing funding to support the program, donors to the Foundation help people afford what they need to advance on their path to wellness, like healthy lunches for their kids or prescription refills.

Learn more about the Oncology Patient Assistance Fund, and help a patient get back to their daily life by visiting eCommunity.com/foundation

December 22, 2020

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GoFundMe raises $14k for HSHC

By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com

money to the Humane Society. His request became a GoFundMe. “We have pickleball players come in, peoFishers resident and entrepreneur Steve ple we invite in, and when they come and Cage already has donated $4 million for the play, we ask for a yearly donation to go to constructhe animal shelter, and it’s GIVING BACK tion of well-received by the players,” the new Cage said.

Humane Society for Hamilton Members donate money to County in Fishers, and he’s the Humane Society instead not finished with fundraising of paying membership fees. efforts.

Last year, donations totaled Cage recently launched a approximately $10,000. This GoFundMe to raise money year, Cage wants to raise for the HSHC as the COVID-19 $25,000 for construction pandemic caused the cancelof the HSHC’s new facility, lation of one of its fundraiswhich is under construction ing events earlier this year. at 106th Street and Hague The GoFundMe, called Friends Road with an estimated comof Steve Fundraiser for Hupletion date of summer 2021.

Stanley the cat is the face mane Society, was launched “Let’s raise some money to of the GoFundMe fundraiser. in October. It has raised more (Submitted photo) get this great facility up and than $14,000 for the Humane Society. going,” Cage said.

The fundraiser started with Cage’s group The face of the fundraiser is Cage’s black of his pickleball-playing friends. They meet cat Stanley, who was adopted from an anat Cage Campus, a pickleball facility owned imal shelter in 2012. For more or to donate,

by Cage. Cage asked the players to donate visit gofundme.com/f/friends-of-steve-hshc.

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December 22, 2020

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DISPATCHES

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SPOTLIGHT Exchange Club of Hamilton County meets in Noblesville The Exchange Club of Hamilton County is a chapter of the National Exchange Club. The club’s core values are: family, community and country. The Exchange Club of Hamilton County supports the national club initiatives in Veterans Matter (housing homeless veterans) and child abuse prevention, and it also raises funds for local nonprofit organizations. The club conducts various fundraisers and looks for local nonprofit organizations to support financially. It meets twice a month, the first and third Wednesday of the month in Noblesville.

New nonprofit established Healthy&Dwell is a new nonprofit that was established this year in Noblesville. It is It was created after founder Ronda Owens-Dehmer, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, became aware of the lack of supportive housing in the area. She started Healthy&Dwell in hopes to alleviate some of that for people with a serious mental illness. The nonprofit’s goal is to provide safe, secure housing for people who need it and help with other basic necessities that they struggle with. The nonprofit has closed on a property and is in need of beds, a washer/dryer, a security system and a variety of other household items.

It also is looking for attorneys in the area who are interested in providing some pro bono services. For more, visit healthyanddwell.org.

Indiana Parkinson Foundation offers programs, services The Indiana Parkinson Foundation is a local nonprofit that has programs and services for those with Parkinson’s and their families. Programs include The CLIMB exercise program, support groups, educational events and resources. For more, visit indianaparkinson.org.

Financial Literacy and Intelligence Center of Knowledge hopes to end poverty cycle FLiCK’s mission is to end the cycle of poverty and create economic mobility in Indiana. It works to accomplish that mission by providing financial education to students, and financial counseling to adults struggling with their budgets. Especially with COVID-19 worsening and the holidays coming up, many people are struggling to make the money they have work for them. FLiCK focuses on the client’s unique emotional perspective about money. Most people have a tough time changing their financial behaviors, and FLiCK’s goal to get to the root cause of financial problems and help families thrive. FLiCK is located in Carmel near Clay Terrace, but it wants to focus on

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866.459.5360 W W W. A X I A T P. C O M virtual appointments to help people across Hamilton County and the state of Indiana. For more, email hello@ flickcorp.org, or call 855-566-3136. To donate, visit flickcorp.org/donate.

CYAP adds board members The Carmel Youth Assistance Program recently added five new board members. They are Adam Bray, Brian Henson, Jeff Nolan, David Schnase and Stephanie Whiteside.

Cherish Child Advocacy Center postpones 10K Cherish CAC, based in Noblesville, recently announced it will postpone its virtual 10K to next spring. For those who have already registered for the 10K, someone from Cherish will reach out soon.

Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County seeks donations Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County serves a huge population of homebound seniors, those with disabilities and also those who are recovering post-surgery. With COVID-19 cases spiking, the group has seen increased need. However, due to COVID-19, the nonprofit had to cancel Dancing With Our Stars, which is its biggest fundraiser of the year. It now is seeking for donations from the community. For more or to donate, visit mealsonwheelshc.org.

sits down with nonprofits in the local Indiana community weekly to learn more about the great things they are doing and how we can help support them.

Watch the lastest video at http://bit.do/score-indy

Case Design/Remodeling employee named to 30 Under 30 - Megan Heidel, an Interior Design Group Leader at Case Design/Remodeling, has been named to the “30 Under 30” group by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). The NKBA 30 Under 30 program, recognizes talented kitchen and Heidel bath professionals under the age of 30. Nominees were evaluated on their career or educational achievements, commitment to excellence in the kitchen and bath industry and leadership within their organization. Heidel graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in interior design.

While pursuing her degree, she interned with a local kitchen and bath designer where her passion for residential design and construction flourished. Since joining Case Design/Remodeling in 2015, she has been specializing in 3-D modeling software to help clients visualize their future remodel and prepare the production team for a successful build. Case Design/Remodeling Indianapolis is based in Carmel with locations in Zionsville and Meridian-Kessler CarSnoop announces new board members – Fortville-based tech company CarSnoop is an inventory-independent marketplace that provides an anonymous, dealership-free car buying and leasing experience. CarSnoop recently announced Scott Jones as a board of directors member and Shawn Schwegman as an advisory member. Jones and Schwegman are both entrepreneurs with careers in the technology and startup sector and will bring their expertise and experience to the CarSnoop business model.

Democrat Club seeks members – The Lawrence Township Democrat Club is looking for new members to join the ongoing work of supporting local, state and national Democratic candidate campaigns. The club meets the last Wednesday of every month (currently via ZOOM) to hear from speakers and discuss ways to help the community.

For more, send an email to ltdemclub@ gmail.com and or visit the Facebook page Lawrence Township Democrat Club.

City of Lawrence parks survey — The City of Lawrence is conducting a survey about its parks system. To take the survey, visit surveymonkey.com/r/LawrenceParks.

December 22, 2020

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Mobile barber on the move

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com For Antwain “Kuts” Booker, it’s a matter of have scissors, will travel.

Booker, the owner of the NEW BIZ New Element Barber, takes his 1994 Chevrolet Winnebago traveling barber shop to different areas, including Carmel, Fishers and Lawrence to provide haircuts in a luxury setting.

“It’s all positive vibes. A lot of people have never seen a mobile barber shop before,” he said. “I knew this was going to be a game-changer. The City of Indianapolis doesn’t have anything like it. There are a couple other mobile barber shops in the city, but they are not on the scale of mine. I want to give people a different experience.”

Booker started the mobile luxury service Oct. 10. The Indianapolis resident has been cutting hair for 18 years, working at five different barber shops and salons. He spent the last 10 cutting hair at home as a second job.

Booker’s mobile shop is available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays at Four Day Ray Brewing, 11671 Lantern Rd. Fishers; from 8 a.m. to

Antwain “Kuts” Booker gives a haircut in the New Element Barber Winnebago. (Submitted photo)

7 p.m Saturdays at 351 Monon Blvd., Carmel; from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays at 9160 Otis Ave., Lawrence; and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Mondays at 710 E. 56th St., Broad Ripple.

The cost is $20 for children, $30 for teenagers and $60 for adults.

“With a full-service haircut, the client (21 and older) gets a cigar, a beer and a cocktail,” Booker said.

The recreational vehicle has a bathroom, hot towel warmer and two flat-screen TVs, among other amenities. Booker bought his barber chair in New York City.

For more, newelementbarber.com.

It’s never been more important to remember the reason for the season.

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December 22, 2020

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Outside payment kiosk now open – The City of Lawrence’s outside payment kiosk, located on the south side of the Lawrence Government Center in the drive-up lane, is up and running. Those wanting to use the kiosk will enter the drive-thru lane at the southwest corner of the Government Center parking lot, 9001 East 59th St., Lawrence. The secure-payment kiosk is available 24/7 and takes cash, credit card and check payments.

The instructions for use are on the screen. Bring the preferred payment and a copy of the bill. Checks, if used, are scanned and returned when the transaction is done.

Cash is inserted in the slot provided and will only accept whole dollar amounts. Your account will be credited if you pay over the amount on the bill. The payment kiosk

availability does not change the cut-off time for making payment to avoid nonpayment disconnection. You must still make payment by 8 a.m. on the actual turn-off day in order to avoid being placed on the disconnect list. If you made your payment after 8 a.m., contact the Business Office at 317-542-0511 to confirm that you were removed from the list.

MVCSC offers 65+ club – The Mt. Vernon Community School Corp. is offering any resident living in our district who is at least 65 years old an opportunity to receive an “Mt. Vernon 65+ Club” event pass. This 65+ Club card will provide free admission to most Mt. Vernon Middle School and Mt. Vernon High School events. There are a

few event exclusions. For more, visit mvcsc.k12.in.us/ 65Club. Due to the pandemic, no event passes, including the 65+ Club Event Passes, are being accepted this school year. MVCSC is still currently issuing 65+ Club Event Passes to be used in subsequent school years.

Schools recertified with STEM designation -- The Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Townships had several schools recertified with an Indiana Dept. of Education STEM designation. The schools are Skiles Test Elementary, Belzer Middle School and McKenzie Center of Innovation & Technology.

12/31/20.

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Lawrence Township elementary schools get needed upgrades

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com The new look for the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township’s elementary schools has taken another step with the completion of two more renovations.

The district has invested more than $174 million so far on facility renovations as part of a comprehensive Blue Ribbon Facilities Plan that began in 2015. The plan includes renovations of all 11 elementary schools.

“These facilities enhancements allow us to provide a first-class environment for students that facilitates 21st-century learning,” Supt. Shawn Smith said.

The latest elementary schools to benefit from renovations are Amy Beverland and Sunnyside. Seven elementary schools have now been renovated. Renovation of the district’s final four elementary schools, Brook Park, Forest Glen, Oaklandon and Winding Ridge, are set to be completed in 2021.

AMY BEVERLAND ELEMENTARY

Amy Beverland Elementary was constructed in 1989 on just under 15 acres. This was the first full renovation with an investment of $9 million.

“This renovation is going to allow Amy Beverland to continue to build on the excellence, which is part of the tradition here,” said Jered Pennington, who has been Beverland principal since June 2016. “We did have input from key stakeholders, staff, families, and the plan came directly from the community.”

Pennington said the renovation took approximately 18 months.

The new media center is named for late Principal Susan Jordan. There is a legacy wall

Renovations at Amy Beverland Elementary include new classrooms, a new office suite, a new HVAC system and a new stoplight. (Photo by Anna Skinner)

SUNNYSIDE ELEMENTARY

Sunnyside Elementary recently underwent several renovations. (Submitted photo)

outside of the media center in her honor.

“There is a new main entrance and there are all new sidewalks,” Pennington said.

“The parking lot was regraded. We added a drive on the north side of the building with a turn-around for cars to drop off in the morning and pick up in the afternoon.”

Other improvements include new heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment and fiber optics, a new office suite, an added conference room and a digital signboard added to the campus entrance The renovation created additional classroom space, allowing for removal of four portable classrooms.

“We added two full classrooms and a full set of student restrooms were added onto the building,” Pennington said. “We were able to reconfigure on the interior

of the building to gain an additional four classrooms.”

The makerspace was added as well in the reconfiguration.

A covered walkway connection between the elementary to the early learning center has been added.

“As part of the renovation, the early learning center built two new playground spaces,” Pennington said.

A stoplight was added at the school campus entrance for safety and traffic flow.

“The major renovations are completed inside the building and most on the exterior,” Pennington said. “However, there is an additional drive being added to the east side of the building this spring, connecting Fox Road to Oaklandon Road to separate the car and bus traffic.”

Sunnyside underwent its first renovation since being built on under 16 acres in 1997.

Sunnyside Principal Tierney Anderson said the school was nice before, but now it’s amazing.

“It looks nothing like it did at first,” said Anderson, who will become the director of elementary education for the district on Jan. 1, 2021. “It’s totally a brand-new school.”

The $8.5 million renovation included a new media center, a new kitchen and a driveway that is accessible from the southeast corner of the property. Infrastructure improvements include new HVAC and fiber optics.

“There is a new PA system and sound system for when we do our performances,” Anderson said.

Anderson said five new classrooms have been added with two exterior and three reconfigured interior spaces, which eliminated the need for the four portable classrooms.

“There is a state-of-the-art makerspace where we can do a lot of STEM work,” Anderson said. “We can focus on more handson learning, more STEM exercises, additional software, so we’re really prepared to do this for our workforce or post-secondary education. Students will actually be building things, using their hands to create and improve current technology and current materials.”

16

December 22, 2020

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ESSAY

LETTER

A time to rejoice

Missing the trains

Commentary by Terry Anker This time of year usually finds us with holiday carols and festive seasonal songs playing on an endless loop in our brains. We first begin to hear them around Halloween with an ever-increasing frequency and fervor. We once found ourselves filling stores, restaurants and the public square. These tunes were the soundtrack of travel, time with extended family and too much, well, of almost everything. While the season didn’t arrive exactly the same, these melodies couldn’t be stopped. Many are welcomed as old friends, while some others would not be missed. Whatever our proclivity to them, the familiar, in times of uncertainty, is always greeted warmly.

As we mature, especially if we are lucky, our thirst for continued learning grows along with us. The same is true for the classic carols. With this more quiet-than-usual year upon us, we can invest ourselves in reevaluating the familiar — both to learn more and to love all the more. A recent playing of the Nat King Cole classic rendition of the 400-year-old hymn “Adeste Fideles” caught the attention of its 20-something listener: “I never really thought about the fact that this is not being sung entirely in English!” he mused.

Momentarily, the internet delivered a wealth of information and translated from the Latin original.

It is a call for the faithful. It is a call to exalt the glory of God. It is a call to adore the infant Christ. Those enlightened cynics among us might dismiss the whole of it as long past any real value in today’s progressive and pessimistic time. But still, is it wise ever to summarily ignore a reminder of the power found in fidelity of spirit, of coming together under one thought, of rejoicing for the great possibility found in a single birth?

Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@ youarecurrent.com.

Christmas with the cranks Commentary by Danielle Wilson I’ve finally found my holiday groove, people! Between Meijer, Amazon and a lovely merlot, I’m feeling quite good HUMOR about Christmas. True, I have not written the annual family missive, nor have I mailed a single card, but I’m not worried. “Better late than never” is our family motto!

Now, if only my husband, Doo, would stop being such a Grinch. I don’t know if this is all men, but whenever the stress hits in force, he can’t manage to pull himself together.

He’s been oscillating between “I don’t care if Maddie has dance, we’re going to get antibody tested now!” and “I can’t possibly work if you keep nagging me about addressing envelopes.” This is why I’m playing Bing Crosby nonstop. Only a sultry crooner can dissuade me from that twinkle-lit ledge.

I’m also stuffing my face with bourbon-soaked English fruitcake to stifle my retorts. I want to tell Doo to quit whining and go to the office already. Seriously, anyone

here expecting to be left alone in the peace and quiet for seven hours just days before Santa arrives is living in Fa-la-la-la-la-land.

This place is the Island of Misfits Toys, friends. We have cats vomiting on carpets, kids revolting against our self-imposed quarantine and a janky 12-foot fir threatening to topple, spectacularly, of course. Ornament shankings appear imminent.

My point is, I need Doo to get on board my Polar Express, for him to take a moment to enjoy this crazy season and, more importantly, to praise my spectacular purchasing prowess. Also, to help with this card thing.

Our Elf on the Shelf retired years ago, and these envelopes aren’t going address themselves! Peace out.

Danielle Wilson is a contributing columnist. You may email her at info@youarecurrent.com.

This place is the Island of Misfits Toys, friends.

We have cats vomiting on carpets, kids revolting against our self-imposed quarantine and a janky 12-foot fir threatening to topple.

Editor, I am a Scout in Troop 199 working toward my Eagle rank. I am currently working on the communication merit badge. One of the requirements is to email a local newspaper editor to express my opinion or share information on any subject I choose.

I don’t like how they tore up the tracks in Fishers and replaced them with walking paths. I have always liked riding on trains and have good memories of riding on the fair train ever since I was young and I am now 15. My family remembers the time when one of the train workers sat next to us and played a song on his guitar.

Even though I will always miss the fair train, it will be nice to use the trail to walk on when it is completed and more good memories can be made with families.

Lou Strycker, Fishers

I don’t like how they tore up the tracks in Fishers and replaced them with walking paths. I have always liked riding on trains and have good memories of riding on the fair train ever since I was young and I am now 15.

POLICIES Letters to the editor: Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 150 words. Letters must be thoroughly vetted prior to submission. Current retains the right to reject or return any letter it deems to carry unsubstantiated content. Current also retains the right to edit letters, but not their intent. Send letters to info@youarecurrent.com. Writers must include a hometown and a daytime phone number for verification. Guest columns: The policy for guest columns is the same as the aforementioned, but the allowable length is 240 words. Guest columns should address the whole of Current’s readership, not simply specialinterest groups, and may not in any way contain a commercial message.

December 22, 2020

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D O C T O R

Straight talk on COVID-19 Commentary by Andrew R. Greenspan, M.D. COVID-19 is “coronavirus disease 2019.” It is caused by a virus, SARS-CoV-2. The virus first appeared in late 2019 and quickly spread around the world as a pandemic. As to when it will be under control or done away with is left to conjecture at this time. There have been various myths about COVID-19, and this is an attempt to deliver dispelling facts.

Myth: COVID-19 came from a laboratory in China.

Fact: There exists no proof it was unleashed from a Chinese laboratory, but it is highly likely the virus emanated from an open live-animal market selling bats in the Wuhan district of China.

Myth: The United States isn’t overly affected by COVID-19.

Fact: The U.S. has 4 percent of the world’s population and 22 percent of COVID-19 deaths Myth: The reported numbers regarding COVID-19 are overly high.

Fact: The U.S case rate and death rate likely significantly have been underestimated.

Myth: COVID-19 mortality rates are overinflated.

Fact: The 2020 death rate from all causes rose compared to 2019, the majority as a result of COVID-19. The death rate from COVID-19 ranges from 1 in 100 to 1 in 500 among known incidences.

Myth: The death rate from the flu is worse than from COVID-19.

Fact: The death rate from Influenza-A is 1 in 1,000.

Myth: Physicians are paid more to note cause of death as COVID-19.

Fact: Physicians are not incentivized to label cause of death as COVID-19 on death certificates.

Myth: “As long as I keep 6 feet of distance, I’m good.”

Fact: The virus mainly spreads from person to persons through air droplets and particles within 6 feet, but sometimes up to as much as 12 feet.

Myth: Surface contact is overhyped.

Fact: It is possible to acquire the virus from surface contact by touching your face. The virus has been shown to survive several days on some surfaces.

Myth: “My pet(s) can’t acquire the virus.”

Fact: It also is possible, but uncommon, for the virus to spread from an infected person to an animal, like a pet. Also, there is no evidence that a person could get the virus from a pet.

Myth: “I’m in good shape because I have no symptoms.”

Fact A person can be infected, and spread the virus to others, even without having any symptoms.

Myth: “Everyone can beat this. I did.”

Fact For most people, symptoms will get better within a few weeks. But a small number of people get extremely sick and lose the ability to breathe on their own. In severe cases, their organs stop working, which can lead to death. Risk of serious illness is greater in older people and those with chronic illnesses, immune deficiency and obesity.

While children can get COVID-19, they are less likely than adults to have severe symptoms.

Myth: “I’m safer because I’m loaded up on Vitamin D.” Fact: Vitamins, mineral supplements and antibiotics cannot prevent or cure COVID-19.

Myth: Masks and distancing aren’t the answer.

Fact: Face masks and social distancing are the most valuable prevention, along with hand washing with at least 60 percent alcohol solution or soap for 20 seconds. UV lamps should not be used to disinfect your hands, but they may be used to disinfect surfaces.

Myth: “Wearing a mask just makes me inhale my own carbon dioxide.”

Fact: Masks do not cause carbon dioxide intoxication or oxygen deficiency.

Myth: “Saltwater kills all germs.”

Fact: Rinsing your nose with a saline solution does not prevent COVID-19.

Myth: “Thank goodness for winter. Bye, bye, COVID-19.”

Fact: Colder weather with freezing temperatures and snow cannot kill the virus.

Myth: “I’ve had COVID-19, so I’m in the clear.”

Fact: There is no proven length of immunity or even a guarantee of immunity after being infected.

Re-infection can occur in some cases.

Myth: “Just because they tested positive doesn’t mean I will.”

Fact: If you think you were in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should get tested, if possible, even if you don’t have any symptoms to protect those with whom you may have come in close contact.

Myth: The vaccine is a total crapshoot.

Fact: Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna very soon will be available worldwide and represent the best approach to COVID-19 prevention and elimination. Availability of vaccines does not alter the recommended practice of masks and social distancing as preventative practices at this time.

Myth: “There’s no trustworthy information out there. Everything seems conflicting.”

Fact: The most trusted resources are U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/ COVID19) and the World Health Organization (who. int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019).

For more information, email info@currentincarmel.com.

Andrew R. Greenspan, M.D., is a hematologist/ oncologist with IU Health, in practice at the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel and other IUH sites.

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After Mary Ellen and I got married, we discovered we had a true cultural divide when it came to gift giving.

HUMOR In my family, Christmas gifts had to be a surprise. It was inappropriate to ask for something specific.

Christmas morning was all about the anticipation of what you might be getting. It wasn’t what you necessarily wanted, but it was exciting.

In Mary Ellen’s family, requesting an item made perfect sense. There were no real surprises. Mary Ellen and her brother still exchange gifts. They both ask for Amazon gift cards. The only excitement is seeing who sprang for the most.

To be surprised or not to be surprised is no longer the question. Mary Ellen and I do all our shopping online, and because we share the same Amazon Prime account, we both are always aware of what the other person is buying. When we log on, we see what our significant other has purchased the previous time the website was accessed. Mary Ellen is always quick to share her approval when she sees what

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I selected.

“Oh, Dick, I just saw that you bought me a Water Sonic Fusion professional flossing toothbrush and water flosser combo. Green.

It’s nearly exactly what I asked for!”

Christmas was never this confusing before. Next year, if the pandemic is over, I plan to go to locally owned gift shops and maybe I can learn to enjoy the fun of in-person shopping again.

“I’m glad, Dear. You seem to know more about the purchase than I do.”

“Yes, it will be delivered between Dec. 17 and 21 and I can return it until Jan. 31, which I probably will because I wanted it in white, not green.”

“Is there anything else you’d like?”

“Yes, I was kind of hoping for the COSORI Air Fryer XL (Oilless Cooker, including an LED touch digital screen, with 11 pre-sets). I went ahead and ordered that, too. Thank you. You are so thoughtful. I can’t wait to open it.”

Mary Ellen had gotten gifts for me, which

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

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“OK, Mary Ellen, while we’re at it, thanks for the battery organizer/battery storage case with tester for AA, AAA, AAAA 9V CD lithium 3V (BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED).”

“Well, Dick, thanks for ruining Christmas. I wanted that to be a surprise. I even bought you some batteries to go with it.”

A half-dozen boxes are piled just inside our front door (all from Amazon) and we haven’t got the slightest idea what’s in them. If we open the wrong box in order to wrap the gift, that might ruin the surprise, which, of course, it clearly isn’t a surprise, because we both know what we are getting. We just don’t know what box it’s in.

Christmas was never this confusing before. Next year, if the pandemic is over, I plan to go to locally owned gift shops and maybe I can learn to enjoy the fun of in-person shopping again.

What a nice surprise that would be.

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Ashley Wilson, left, director of surgical services, collects Dilly Bars donated by members of the Greater Indianapolis Mortgage Bankers Association. Also pictured, from left, Charisse Johnson, Dawn Deputy-Poe and Mikie Collins. (Submitted photos)

Riverview recognizes employees with Operation Cheer

By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com Riverview Health Foundation recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic is a difficult time for health care emGIVING BACK ployees. So, Operation Cheer was created.

The hospital’s senior executive group wanted to let employees know how much they are appreciated.

“COVID numbers have been increasing throughout central Indiana and the United States, and we have more and more patients we are treating, so our staff stress levels are increasing,” Riverview Health Foundation Executive Director Megan Wiles said. “What can we do to recognize or give little pats on the back for our employees to let them know how much we appreciate everything?”

The foundation began recognizing Riverview employees the week of Thanksgiving, and Wiles said the plan is to continue the effort at least through New Year’s Day. “We took baskets and tubs of candy and snacks to all the different departments with a sign about how much we appreciate their help and support,” Wiles said. “On Dec. 1, we launched 12 Days of Health Care Heroes, which is something the foundation has sponsored. We randomly select two staff members in the morning shift and two in the evening shift, and they can select between different prizes available.”

During another time, Dilly bars were distributed to all staff members, and other snacks have been delivered.

“So many businesses and restaurants

From left, Amy Benitz and Eric Nixon with the food services department receive a basket of treats to kick off Operation Cheer at Riverview Health.

Sue Nickol, patient access specialist at Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care– West Carmel/Zionsville, receives popcorn for Operation Cheer popcorn day.

were so kind in the early stages of COVID and donated meals to hospital staff, so we are reaching out to those to ask for another donation because stress levels are so high right now,” Wiles said.

The foundation is helping by paying for the items to give to employees.

“The idea is really just a pick me-up and how can we help keep our staff going,” Wiles said. “It’s stressful here at work and stressful at home because of what everybody’s dealing with.”

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December 22, 2020

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Indiana Ballet Conservatory’s ‘The Nutcracker’ goes virtual for parents

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com The show must go on for the Indiana Ballet Conservatory. It just won’t be in front of an audience because of the rise of COVID-19 cases in PERFORMANCE Indiana.

Four performances were originally planned to be held Dec. 19-20 with a receded capacity at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, but all in-person performances have been canceled.

IBC founding Artistic Director Alyona Yakovleva-Randall made the decision to produce an in-studio, socially distanced, adapted production of “The Nutcracker” for the students. A version with each of the three casts will be recorded so that each student will have the opportunity to perform the roles they had been training hard to perform. The performances will be recorded for their parents since they can’t watch in the Carmel studio. The students will wear masks and social distance.

Yakovleva-Randall said IBC had considered a livestream, but that wasn’t feasible because of finances and the equipment required.

“The cast has changed three times, but not the Sugar Plum and Prince,” she said.

“We can only have 15 people in the studio at one time.”

So, sections of the performance were recorded separately.

“It just makes sense to do the best we can right now,” Yakovleva-Randall said.

Kaitlin Casavan, a homeschooled senior from Westfield, returns as Sugar Plum Fairy for the second year.

“I love doing this part and performing it,” Casavan said. “It’s been fun and a new challenge to work on performing, even when you can’t express your emotions through touching. It’s nice being able to do the normal way and then doing it a different way. It’s something new, but it’s a challenge. Having performed the role before, I kind of know how to express

Civic Theatre “Elf The Musical,” a recording of the 2019 performance of the Civic Theatre production from The Tarkington in Carmel with added features, will be streamed at select times through Dec. 26. For more, visit civictheatre. org.

Actors Theatre of Indiana “A Christmas Carol,” featuring Jefferson Mays playing each character, on-demand livestream available through Jan. 3, 2021. For more, visit atistage.org.

Westfield Playhouse “Christmas at the Playhouse,” a recorded version of five holiday short plays, will be available through Christmas for a suggested minimum donation of $10. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.

From left, Abigail Kimball, Louis Gonzalez, Cadence Burke, Ian Anderson-Conlon and Kaitlin Casavan rehearse for “The Nutcracker.” (Submitted photo)

myself while doing the piece, so it’s a little easier without doing all the stuff we did last year.”

Casavan is glad the dancers have been able to maintain a practice schedule.

“I know a lot of people have been able to keep doing the hobbies and the activities that they love,” she said. “We would have been really behind in our training if we weren’t able to come in and work hard every day. I’m grateful we’ve taken these precautions that we do this every day.”

Abigail Kimball, a 15-year-old Fishers resident, has been with IBC for 13 years.

Kimball served as Sugar Plum Fairy understudy last year and moved into the main role this year.

“It’s hard trying to do it social distanced,” Kimball said. “The choreography has gotten a lot more challenging. You can’t touch, so you have to do something that’s more interesting. There are no big, huge lifts.”

Cadence Burke, 16, moved to Carmel with her family when she was 14. Burke will be performing as Sugar Plum Fairy for the first time after being an understudy last year.

“I think everyone always wants to

be Sugar Plum and I’m excited to get to perform it, even if it is in the studio,” she said. “Everyone looks forward to ‘Nutcracker’ at Christmas time. A lot of schools have had to cancel ‘Nutcracker’ and that was an option for us, too, but I’m glad we decided to do the studio because I think everyone will enjoy it and it will still be beautiful and magical.”

Louis Gonzalez is from Michigan but lives with a host family in Carmel.

“This is my first time doing Cavalier (or Prince). I’ve done ‘Nutcracker’ before, but I’ve never done this huge main role before, so I’m super excited,” Gonzalez said. “I’m glad we get to show what we’ve been working on. It would be ideal to do it on stage, but we get to still perform.”

In his third year at IBC, Ian Anderson-Conlon, originally from Madison, Wis., was an understudy in the Cavalier role the previous two years and now plays the lead.

“It will be amazing, even if we can’t touch each other or do lifts,” Anderson-Conlon said. “But the music is enjoyable, so it will still be a lot of fun.”

For more, visit indianaballetconservatory.org.

‘The Prom’ earns Heartland Film award editorial@youarecurrent.com “The Prom,” a new Netflix film, was named the recipient of Heartland Film’s Truly Moving Picture Award on Dec. 11, the same day it was released. Since 2010, the Moving Picture Award has honored nearly 200 studio-released films and serves as a curatorial standard, assisting moviegoers in identifying impactful films that do more than just entertain.

“The Prom” was directed by Ryan Murphy, an Indianapolis native, and stars Meryl Streep, James Cordon, Nicole Kidman, Jo Ellen Pellman, Ariana DeBose and Keegan-Michael Key. “The Prom,” a film adaptation of Chad Beguelin, Bob Martin and Matthew Sklar’s award-winning, Tony-nominated Broadway musical, is about down-on-their-luck Broadway stars who shake up a small Indiana town as they rally behind a teen who wants to go to the prom with her girlfriend.

For more about Heartland Film Truly Moving Picture Award or the Indy Shorts High School Competition, visit heartlandfilm.org.

December 22, 2020

NIGHT & DAY

Current in Geist

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Indy Opera launches fundraiser

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

slowed in recent years.

“I’ve always wanted to give back to the Indianapolis community in some kind of Angela Brown sees great benefits in the way,” Brown said. “Having worked most of Indianapolis Opera’s vision of acquiring and my career with the Indianapolis Opera, this improving is like a no-brainer.”

BASILE CENTER the Basile The campaign launched with gifts Opera Center. of $1.5 million from the Lilly EndowThe Indianapolis Opera has ment, Inc. and $500,000 from the launched a campaign to acquire and Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable sustainably operate the historic Foundation, Inc. In addition, there Meridian Kessler landmark to make have been major gifts from the Indiit a permanent fixture for the Opera anapolis Foundation, Frank and KaBrown and the central Indiana arts and trina Basile, Arnie Hanish, Claudette cultural community. and Larry Einhorn, and Garry and Louise “Raising this money will help make it a Frederickson to raise the campaign’s total viable arts organization and building that to more than $2.5 million in commitments, the community can come to, and having me more than half of its $4 million goal. as part of the whole structure, having a stuThe opera has called the former Greek dio dedicated to vocal lessons is a perfect Orthodox Church home for the last decade thing for the Indianapolis Opera to be part since its purchase by Indianapolis business of,” Brown said. “I’m excited about having a leader Bill Oesterle. home within the opera company.”

With donations from Oesterle, the BaBrown, who is from Indianapolis, began siles and many others, the company has giving lessons at the Angela Brown Vocal made more than $1 million in improvements Studio at the Basile Center in the summer of through the years.

2019. Her performance travel scheduled has For more, indyopera.org/BOC.

Playhouse offers recorded show

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The cast of five short plays recorded a performance of “Christmas At The Playhouse.”

(Submitted photo)

Gingrich and Michael Donohue. Brandi Davis is the producer for the production.

“This is a recorded performance that you can watch on your own time,” Davis said.

“Once you have purchased your virtual seat to the show, a link will be emailed to you to give you access to the recording.”

Davis said the show became available Dec. 15 and will be available through Christmas.

Cast members include Eric Bowman, Courtney Corcoran, Courtney Gray, Susan Hill, Jan Jamison, Steven Marsh, Travis McDearmon, Caitlin Skinner, Rich Steinberg and Julie Wallyn.

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By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com A member of the Indiana Playwrights Circle, Dee Timi requested submissions from other Indiana Playwrights for THEATER a holiday-themed short play of 10 minutes.

She received 11 submissions.

“Playwrights are out there, and we are writing,” Timi said. “But live theater and quarantines don’t go well together.”

Timi, a Westfield resident, turned to Main Street Productions, whose shows are presented at Westfield Playhouse.

“Several board members from Main Street Productions picked five of the holiday shorts to become their ‘Christmas At The Playhouse’ and asked me to direct,” Timi said. “These short plays consist of two or three actors in each show, all wearing masks or face shields. We take our temperatures at the stage door, use hand sanitizer liberally and wipe down areas like insane clean freaks. We are truly trying our best to do a theater production without risk to actors or the crew.”

The short plays were written by Timi, Andrew Black, Mark Harvey Levine, Josie

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Buondí, a bright, beautiful breakfast and lunch spot nestled in southwest Carmel. I tried a variety of menu items, but the Buffon Toast was my favorite — smoked salmon layered atop a blanket of goat cheese and topped with zesty capers, tomatoes, red

onions and creamy avocado. I also tried the Andretti (12.95), a savory crepe folded with chicken, leeks, brie and cream horseradish spread; the Ascari ($11.95), an asiago bagel with a garlic herb spread, arugula, an overhard egg, avocado, cheddar cheese and bacon; the Sophia ($12.95), a sausage, goat cheese and roasted red bell pepper frittata; and the Nutella Mascarpone French Toast ($10.95), which is as delicious and sweet as it sounds. Caffé Buondí also has an impressive selection of coffee drinks, cocktails and smoothies. I was impressed with the portion sizes and the prices for what you get. Typically, high-quality Italian dishes are known to be a bit pricey. I’ve included Caffé Buondí on my list of favorite places, and I now consider it my favorite brunch spot.

Behind bars: Peanut Butter Old Fashioned Get it at Four Day Ray, Fishers Ingredients: 1 oz. Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, 1 oz. Jim Beam, 2-3 dashes of rhubarb bitters, Luxardo Cherry and juice Directions: Add ingredients to glass with large ice cube and top with cherry and cherry juice.

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d are subject to changes or substitution without notice. Items shown are artist’s renderings and may contain options that are not standard on all models or not ot include closing costs and other fees to be paid by buyer (including a builder fee as described in the purchase agreement) and are subject to change without chase agreement for actual features designated as an Everything’s Included feature. Models/lifestyle photos do not reflect racial or ethnic preference. This is not prohibited by law. Copyright © 2020 Lennar Corporation. Lennar, the Lennar logo, Everything’s Included, and the Everything’s Included logo are U.S. registered

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RECIPE

Chicago beef burgers with bacon and Trillium cheese Compiled by Anna Skinner Serves: 2 Ingredients: • Two Chicago beef burger patties from Old Major Market, oldmajormarket.com • Four to six slices of bacon from Old Major Market • Two slices of Trillium cheese from Tulip Tree Creamery • Two brioche buns.

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Use Old Major Market Chicago beef burgers and bacon to construct this delicious burger at home. (Photo by Anna Skinner)

Directions: Fry 2 to 3 slices of bacon per burger. When crispy, remove and drain on a paper towel. In a fresh pan, melt a pat of butter over medium heat and toast the buns, cut side down.

When toasty, remove and place on a serving platter. Turn heat to medium high and add the burgers. Cook 3 minutes per side.

After you flip the burger, during the last minute add a slice of

23

kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S.

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Lakeside Drive on theLakeside Drive | 11959 Fishers, Indiana 46038 Trillium cheese to the burger. Melt time varies based11959 into thickness of the cheese, but cook until it begins to melt 317.577.1911 | Fax 317.576.8070 Fishers, Indiana 46038 the burger. Build burger on the toasted buns and serve with an 317.577.1911 arugula salad lightly tossed with olive oil and lemon juice and topped with freshly grated parmesan.

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December 22, 2020

LIFESTYLE

Current in Geist

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Battle of the clauses Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt Today we’re going to tackle two opposing types of grammatical clauses: dependent and independent clauses.

A dependent GRAMMAR GUY clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb, but not a complete thought. Dependent clauses cannot stand on their own as complete sentences. For example, “When he was a young warthog” includes a subject and a verb but isn’t a sentence on its own.

Many times, the key to identifying a dependent clause is by finding a dependent marker word. Some of these dependent marker words include “because,” “since,” “if,” “when,” “while” and “after.”

If dependent clauses are clingy phrases, dependent marker words are the red flags signifying the clauses’ desperate, lonely status.

An independent clause, on the other hand, is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and conveys a complete thought. An independent clause is a complete sentence, although you can cer-

tainly connect multiple independent clauses together to form a super sentence. An example of such a super sentence is: Tony won an Oscar, and Oscar won a Tony. You see, coordinating conjunctions including “and,” “but,” “or” and “yet” can tie two independent clauses together like a movie with an equally good sequel (like “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” followed by “Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey”).

When it comes to the battle for clausal supremacy, the independent clause prefers to fly solo, while the dependent clause grips on to its independent neighbor like a baby koala. In the case of the battling Clauses, Christmas spirit ultimately prevails, thanks to the Coca-Cola polar bears showing up to put South Pole Santa on the permanent naughty list. Will there be a sequel to this Santa saga? It depends.

Curtis Honeycutt is a national award-winning, syndicated humor writer. Connect with him on Twitter (@curtishoneycutt) or at curtishoneycutt.com.

In the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem. (Photo by Don Knebel)

History of Grotto of the Nativity Commentary by Don Knebel The Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories, is revered by Christians as marking the very spot TRAVEL of Jesus’ birth. Whether it does is a matter of faith.

The Bible recites that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a village about 6 miles south of Jerusalem, but says nothing about the actual site. The Gospel of Luke provided a clue for early Christians in saying that Mary laid her newborn in a feed trough. In A.D. 248, Origen of Alexandria, a Christian theologian, repeated rumors that Jesus had been born in a cave, a rational deduction because people in Bethlehem at the time often kept their animals in caves beneath their homes.

After Emperor Constantine declared in 313 that Christianity was an acceptable religion in the Roman Empire, he sent his mother Helena to the Holy Land to identify sites important in the life of Jesus. She reported that Jesus had been born in a Bethlehem cave beneath a Roman temple to Adonis, the lover of Venus. Constantine demolished

the temple and replaced it with a church, dedicated in 339. After the original church was destroyed during a revolt by Jews and Samaritans against the Byzantine Empire, Emperor Justinian rebuilt the church in essentially its current form in 565. The cave beneath the Church of the Nativity became known as the Grotto of the Nativity.

In 1717, Roman Catholics placed a 14-point silver star in the Grotto over what they claimed was the flat stone where Mary had lain as Jesus was delivered. In 1847, the star was stolen, allegedly by Greek Orthodox monks. The star was returned under government orders in 1853 and the Greek Orthodox Church was given control of the portion of the Grotto that included it. Roman Catholics were given control of another portion of the cave, said to be where the manger was located.

Don Knebel is a local resident who works for Barnes & Thornburg LLP. For the full column visit donknebel. com. You may contact him at editorial@youarecurrent.com.

Current provides excellent value and reach with both its print and digital offerings. I feel confident Current’s weekly newspaper helps O’Malia’s Living draw customers from across the six northern markets it covers. The targeted email campaigns increase visitors to my website, giving me the opportunity to gain new customers. These results are why I have Current’s print and digital solutions in my advertising plans for 2020.

December 22, 2020

LIFESTYLE Across 1. Lucas Oil Stadium spectators 6. Walked over 10. Butte’s kin 14. Settle a debt 15. First-class 16. Westfield HS final, for one 17. Put in order 18. Hole-in-the-wall gang?

19. TV’s Warrior Princess 20. Pina colada ingredient 23. Sault ___ Marie 24. Boone County Fair barn bleat 25. Pacers’ three-point line, e.g.

26. Religious offense 27. Clothing or textiles merchandise 32. Howard Hughes’ H-4 Hercules aircraft, familiarly 36. Loan letters 37. East 82nd Street furs name 38. Choose 39. Poker stake 40. Poet’s “dusk” 41. July 4 noisemaker 45. Bucks to blow

Current in Geist

www.geistcurrent.com 1 47. Picnic pest 48. Jog on the 14 Monon Trail 49. IND guess 17 50. The Colts’ Chris 20 Ballard and Pacers’ Chad Buchanan, 23 briefly 53. Holiday tune... and what can be 32 found in the puz37 zle’s circles 58. Lively for one’s 40 age 59. Verne captain 45 60. Take to the stump 61. Sax mouthpiece 62. Future MBA’s 58 hurdle 63. “The ___ Limits” 61 64. Slushy drink 64 65. Fishers HS trig class term 66. Must have Down 1. Vegas dice game 2. Ignited again 3. Think out loud 4. Hourly pay 5. Like Batman and Robin,

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as a duo 6. Site of Purdue’s 2000 Outback Bowl game 7. Agitate 8. A single time 9. Party spinners

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29. Sty cry 30. Overdo the TLC 31. Hamilton County Court plaintiff 32. Appear to be 33. “Not guilty,” e.g.

34. Carmel company: Ingersoll ___ 35. Quayle successor 39. Perform at The Tarkington 41. IV, sometimes 42. Victory Field game segments 43. Pro ___ 44. Et cetera 46. Dr. Jekyll’s alter ego 49. Ham it up 50. Fireplace item 51. Distributed 52. Prognosticators 53. Oil cartel 54. Eiteljorg Museum tribe 55. I-465 rig 56. IRS agent 57. Noblesville HS test answer, maybe 58. ___ Lanka Answers on Page 27

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Pet & House Sitting Service

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317-802-6565 317-432-1627 “The Safe and Reliable Alternative to Boarding” Insured/Bonded Serving Carmel & Westfield

• House Wash • Roof Wash • Concrete Cleaning & Sealing • Stamped Concrete Cleaning & Sealing • Deck Cleaning & Staining • Fence Cleaning and Staining • Paver Cleaning and Sealing • Dock Cleaning and Sealing

Give us a call at 317-490-2922 to schedule your Free Quote & Demonstration omaliashsr.com Serving, Hamilton, Marion, Boone Madison & Hancock counties NOW HIRING

NOW HIRING

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS FOR SKILLED CARPENTERS!

COMPUTER TECHNICIAN NEEDED Local Computer repair shop in need of PC and Mac techs with experience pref both PC and Macs, certification strongly desired, pleasant personality & some sales experience. Pay starting at $16/ hour and up for F/T. Send resume with cover letter to jobs@ctcarmel.com

Looking for job security? Simpson Construction Services has so much work that it must hire five people for residential remodeling NOW. The skilled carpenters we select will have strong abilities in bathroom remodeling, but also with respect to kitchens, decks, basements, wood and tile flooring, doors and windows, interior and exterior painting, drywall, plumbing and electrical, siding and room additions. Again: Only skilled carpenters need apply.

For immediate consideration, call Gary Simpson at 317.703.9575.

YOUR CLASSIFIED AD HERE! Call Dennis O’Malia 317-370-0749

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Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Shoes: HEEL, LOAFER, MULE, SANDAL, SNEAKER, WEDGE; Ranges: BLUE RIDGE, CASCADE, ROCKY, SMOKY, TETON; Paintings: AMERICAN GOTHIC, GUERNICA, MONA LISA, THE KISS; Entrees: FILET MIGNON, PRIME RIB, RIBEYE; Counties: ADAMS, ALLEN; Nonprofits: FLANNER HOUSE

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December 22, 2020

Current in Geist

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