Broad Ripple Magazine April 2021

APRIL 2021

MAGAZINE

PACERS BIKESHARE SYSTEM MAKES IT EASY TO EXPERIENCE INDY

GOLDLEAF SAVORY & SWEET ON THE ROAD Rachel Randolph Goes Mobile With Van Lifestyle

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and mentoring programs. To kick off the collaboration, Catch the Stars and The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis’ first big event, Tourney Time at Tarkington, will be held on April 3. The youth basketball clinic is a free event for the community, for ages 7 through 15, and those interested can pre-register through catchthestars.org as a participant or volunteer.

Jenny Cash, vice president of The Parks Alliance, oversees the operations, programming and maintenance of Tarkington Park to help sustain and maintain the $6 million investment previously made for the park. The investment included the children’s play area, splash plaza, basketball and tennis courts, paths, shelters, field sports and the cafe.

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Tea’s Me Cafe Opens New Location in Tarkington Park Writer / Alesha McCarty Photographer / Michael Durr

Community, collaboration and growth has been at the forefront of Tea’s Me Cafe’s mission ever since Tamika Catchings, retired pro basketball player for the Indiana Fever, took over the establishment in February of 2017. When the opportunity

to further develop that mission arose with the new and improved Tarkington Park, it was a perfect fit.

The cafe will carry on its cozy, neighborhood vibe, and also expand community programs through Catch the Stars Foundation, Catchings’ nonprofit organization that provides local youth with fitness, literacy

“Tea’s Me joined to oversee the cafe, and brought a whole element of community, youth engagement, and empowerment through Catch the Stars, but also the cafe and Tamika’s involvement in the community,” Cash says.

“We’re excited for families to visit, eat, play, and maybe grab dessert for the drive home.”

The Tea’s Me menu features breakfast and lunch items like omelets, sandwiches, pizza, smoothies, cookies, carrot cake, coffee, lemonade, and of course their tasty looseleaf teas.

Darla Harmon, the Tarkington location manager, is thrilled to get started, and has a background in both the journalism and restaurant industries. Harmon’s love of tea comes from a health perspective, as a former soda drinker, and she now enjoys tea for a healthier lifestyle.

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“We’re actually adding a matcha - I love matcha, and I recently became a fan and can’t start my morning without it,” she says.

The cafe is also adding a matcha lemonade, which is perfect for the long, summer days

ahead. Harmon is also thrilled about the new veggie-forward options they will offer, including a chickpea salad sandwich and veggie wraps. The staff hopes to expand the menu while keeping it affordable for families that are enjoying the park.

The space will also serve as a community spot.

“Anything that the Parks Alliance does, we will be a part of it,” Harmon says.

The cafe is available for birthday parties, tea parties, bridal showers and other special events, and you can reserve the space through the official website.

Some of the facility’s special events feature meet-and-greets with Tamika, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Fame inductee.

“Tea is just good for you, and that’s one of the things growing up we always had - tea in the house,” Tamika says, adding that her Tamika’s sister, Tauja Catchings, is also current go-to tea is Tropical Cyclone green heavily involved and manages the catering side of the business. She loves to indulge in a tea, a best-seller. hot cup of caramel almond black tea, which For more info, visit teasmeindy.com. tastes like a decadent caramel brownie.

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Catch a Ride PACERS BIKESHARE SYSTEM MAKES IT EASY TO EXPERIENCE INDY Writer / Jon Shoulders Photographer / Michael Durr

Back in 2012, about one year before completion of the eight miles of urban bike and pedestrian paths that comprise the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick, leaders of that project began thinking about ways to help residents and city visitors access and experience all that the Cultural Trail offers.

Soon, a plan for a bike-sharing concept began to emerge.

“With the eight-mile Trail in downtown, it made it possible to have a bikeshare program in the city,” says Kären Haley, executive director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. “Back when the Trail was coming to life, we knew that people were going to use the Cultural Trail to ride bikes. We were thinking about how to continue to make it accessible for people, and available to residents and visitors. Providing bikes through a sharing program seemed like a really great next step for the city, for residents and visitors to be able to get around on the Trail.”

Later in 2012, the Cultural Trail team sought out a bike service provider for the planned bikeshare program, eventually partnered with BCycle, a company owned by Trek Bicycle Corporation, and obtained Trek bikes for each station. The bikes feature adjustable seats, lights on the front and back, bells, and baskets for securely carrying personal items. Each bike is also equipped with a secondary lock for riders who wish to, for example, briefly run an errand and lock a bike securely without a station nearby.

The bikeshare system was officially launched on April 22, 2014.

By that point, 29 stations with a total of 250 bikes were operational along the Cultural Trail. Since then, those numbers have grown to 50 stations totaling 525 bikes available around the city, including a Broad Ripple station presence since September of 2019.

“On the Trail you’re separated from cars and the street, and you can feel safe and comfortable riding a bike no matter who you are or what your ability is,” Haley says. “Broad Ripple has been a very popular station, as well as our station a little bit more south at

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"It’s one of the best ways to see the city. You can easily go to a station, hop on a bike, and easily see so much of what Indy has to offer.”

- KÄREN HALEY Westfield and Illinois streets - that one’s key because it’s so close to the Red Line. You can take a bike after you take the Red Line, and have that interplay of available public transit.”

The program was primarily funded through a federal transportation grant obtained in partnership with the City of Indianapolis, as well as a philanthropic gift from the Herbert Simon Family Foundation.

throughout the city than ever before. The 38th Street bridge opened in March, eliminating the need for bikers and pedestrians to deal with six lanes of traffic while crossing.

The Cultural Trail staff has also launched the EveryBody Rides program, which helps to provide opportunities for all people to access to the bikeshare system, regardless of factors like income level. Qualifying individuals can obtain a subsidized annual pass for $5 per month.

“That program is really popular, and with a lot of people in incomechallenged situations right now, if you can pay $5 for your transportation for the month, that’s going to help,” Haley says.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, the Cultural Trail staff has continued to sanitize bikes as they’ve come into the main office for maintenance before sending them back out in the field, and they’ve put out constant messaging on social media and newsletters reminding riders to use sanitizer before and after bike use.

Haley adds that the Cultural Trail team continues to work with the Indy Department of Public Works to leverage federal funding opportunities, towards potential future expansion.

“That philanthropic gift is how we got the name Pacers Bikeshare,” Haley “2024 is when we’re in line for our next federal funding, so that says. would be another infusion into the bikeshare system,” Haley says.

“In the meantime we’re always thinking about how to serve more The system was immediately well-received according to Haley, and soon questions began coming in from locals regarding what was next for neighborhoods and more residents, and looking at where there is bike infrastructure where we can put stations to set people up for success. the program. After obtaining additional funding, Cultural Trail leaders worked alongside the Department of Public Works to carefully plan and Making stations highly visible and recognizable is also important - places expand the system. The organization also incorporated input from local where the community feels comfortable going.” residents and owners of property adjacent to the greenway system, after Haley says people of all ages continue to enjoy the bikes, and ages 8 to 80 holding several public meetings to discuss expansion. can use them.

“We worked in partnership with the city to apply for more federal “I see kids, I see grandparents, and I think it’s because they’re easy to ride funding, continuing to look at the data that showed us people were and adjustable,” she says. “It’s one of the best ways to see the city. You can riding on the Cultural Trail and along the greenways,” Haley says. easily go to a station, hop on a bike, and easily see so much of what Indy “We then looked to expand outside the downtown area, along the has to offer.” city’s greenway system including the Monon Trail, and along the city’s protected bike lane network. We also wanted to use stations to For more info including a station map, visit pacersbikeshare.org. encourage more bicycle infrastructure. ” The bikes can be accessed 24/7 throughout the year, and riders can return the bikes at any station. There are several options to pay for rides - users can purchase an annual pass for $125, which includes unlimited 60-minute trips, or choose a pay-as-you-ride option, which costs $1 to access a bike, and 15 cents per minute for the duration of a trip. The time frame for the annual pass starts running from the first time a customer actually checks out a bike - not at the time of purchasing the pass.

“The bikes are a little of everything - there’s an exercise component, a leisure component, and it’s also public transportation where people use these to get to work and run errands,” Haley says.

With the recent opening of a bridge bringing the Monon Trail over 38th Street, bikeshare users have more accessibility and safe connectivity 11 / BROAD RIPPLE MAGAZINE / APRIL 2021 / BroadRippleMag.com

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GOLDLEAF S AV O R Y & SW E E T Writer / Shay McCoy Photographer / Alesha McCarty

I

f you’re looking for a quick bite to eat before work in the morning, or grabbing a cup of coffee to take with you along the Monon Trail, GoldLeaf Savory & Sweet has all of this and more.

Owners Kristine and John-Christian Bockman have refined their vision for the space and made it into an inviting atmosphere, with hanging plants enveloping customers as they wait for their coffee, local art on display, and a blue accent wall to tie the design and vibe of the space together.

The community around GoldLeaf has shown its support throughout the pandemic, and in turn GoldLeaf provides space to exhibit local art that can be purchased. The people living around GoldLeaf see the business as mutually beneficial in a way that John-Christian describes as “contagious, and the support of the community has created a barbershop mentality where we can connect with our regulars.”

Even though they opened right before the pandemic took hold throughout the U.S., business hasn’t slowed down, and getting to know regular customers has helped them plant roots and make connections.

Owners Kristine and John-Christian Bockman 14 / BROAD RIPPLE MAGAZINE / APRIL 2021 / BroadRippleMag.com

“The community has shown their support, and we love establishing relationships with our regulars,” Kristine says.

GoldLeaf ’s name comes from the owners’ motto, “Stay Gold, Indy,” as well as their dedication to providing quality food and keeping community in mind. The takeout-based menu includes coffee, seasonal drinks, wine, local beer, and breakfast and lunch items all day starting at 7 a.m. Nothing on the menu exceeds $10, and the owners are proud to serve food made with quality ingredients at a low price. Outdoor seating at GoldLeaf is expected to be open in early spring.

GoldLeaf Savory & Sweet is located at 1901 East 46th Street in Indianapolis.

You can reach them by phone at 317600-3542, and visit their website at goldleafindy.com for menu offerings and hours of operation.

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pandemic. According to Heger, there is a waitlist for more product right now.

“Periods don’t stop because of a global pandemic,” Heger says. “We’re doing all that we can to address the need and encourage even more people to get involved and support our efforts.”

One way to do that is through their D.A.S.H. (Dignity, Aid, Safety, and Hygiene) Kits. These care packages are created specifically for women who have recently fled an abusive situation. Many times, a woman’s safety plan involves leaving everything behind. If they do pack a bag, menstrual hygiene products are not often included. In fact, Heger shared that on the lists of essentials to pack provided by domestic violence organizations, not one mentioned menstrual hygiene products. Understandable. They are bulky, replaceable, expensive, and not a priority. However, they are necessary.

Writer / Kelly Young Photographer / Michael Durr

Ask Rachael Heger about her career as the National Director of Affiliate Outreach for the international nonprofit, I Support the Girls, and she will tell you that she fell into the job by accident. What started out as a New Year’s resolution to collect 3,500 bras by her 35th birthday in January 2016 has turned into her life’s work.

COVID-19 has certainly challenged the organization. They have seen an increase of 35% in demand because of the

The D.A.S.H. Kits cost $25 to ship to a survivor. Each kit includes new pairs of underwear, bras, a three-month supply of the menstrual products of their choice,

She has taken what she calls a “hypothetical hobby” and become an accidental advocate in two significant areas — one is homelessness and dignity for girls and the other is menstrual health management and menstrual hygiene for homeless and low-income women – both are critical in helping women restore their dignity during a very devastating time.

In just four years, I Support the Girls has created an impressive global movement.

The organization has grown to 58 affiliates in the U.S. and abroad, and they have distributed more than 8,800,000 products to 850,000 girls and women worldwide.

18 / BROAD RIPPLE MAGAZINE / APRIL 2021 / BroadRippleMag.com

a cloth mask, a special toiletry item, and a bag to hold everything. It is their hope that the kits will provide comfort, and a base from which survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner violence can begin to rebuild their lives.

Individuals who wish to donate can do so on their website, isupportthegirls.org/ dashkits. The same site can be used by a survivor who can confidentially request a kit.

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Looking ahead to 2021, Heger is hopeful.

“If what we’ve accomplished in just four short years is any indication of what we can do, I’m confident our impact will continue to grow,” Heger adds. “While we have a lot of work ahead of us, I am very optimistic. People are good and they want to help us.”

Rachel lives in Meridian-Kessler with her husband and 8-year-old daughter. She’s one local resident who doesn’t mind walking out of her house and seeing bags of bras and boxes of pads left on her porch, donated by family, friends, and people in the community who want to help make a difference.

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In a time when more and more Americans are working from home, Rachel Randolph has made the decision to put her home office on wheels.

“If I can make my home and car payment all the same thing, I’m literally saving money being remote, and I can live in this thing where I can drive to these places I want to go to,” Randolph says.

RACHEL RANDOLPH GOES MOBILE WITH VAN LIFESTYLE

No stranger to exploring new terrain, Randolph moved to Indianapolis from Manhattan in 2014, after losing her job as a pastry chef due to injury. Upon coming to Indianapolis, she found herself without a social network, which led to the start of a meet-up concept she called ConnectED. “ConnectED was basically just a space for people to have discussions on what it meant to communicate and what we struggle with,” Randolph says.

“From there, I really felt called to help people figure out communication skills.”

This led to Randolph starting her own business, called Spec.

“I took a neuro-linguistic programming course to understand my own programming so I could improve communication skills from the inside out,” Randolph says. “It’s basically just really fancy introspection. Then, I realized that not a lot of people knew what introspection was and how it played a role in communication. I created Spec, which is introspective communication consulting.”

Randolph began working remotely out of the Speak Easy in Broad Ripple.

“I’m a Speak Easy member and an entrepreneur,” she says. “I love Broad Ripple. I love the people and members of the Speak Easy.”

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With much of her work going remote, however, now seemed like as good a time as any to pursue the van life.

“Everything just lined up and made a lot of sense,” Randolph says. “It made more sense to do it than to not do it. That’s where I was back in August, so from August to now is when it all went down.”

Throughout the year, Randolph plans on migrating to where the weather is best.

“In my new lifestyle, I’ll travel seasonally,” she says. “Now, it’s the springtime and I’m going to head to the southwest. I’ll probably do summer in Washington and Montana. I’ll come back to Indy in the fall, and then I’ll do another loop.”

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As she embarks on these adventures, however, Randolph emphasizes that Broad Ripple will always remain home to her.

“Indiana, and Broad Ripple specifically, are my home base,” she says. “I will always come back here. My friends that live here have been so supportive. I’ve benefited so much from Broad Ripple that I probably wouldn’t have been able to do this without Broad Ripple. It’s not a stretch to say that. It took a village, honestly, to make this solo van traveling happen.”

Learn more about Spec at yourspeccoach.com, and keep up with Randolph’s adventures at instagram.com/rachelannerandolph.

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Hand-Enameled FOREVER Roses on One Troy Ounce Fine Silver, $55 each. Made in Indiana (includes protective capsule and gift box).

Katherine Fehn, April 2021 featured local artist Meet the Artist - Saturday, April 17th | 5-10PM

FINE ART & FUN STUFF 6202 N College Ave Indianapolis, IN 46220 OPEN: Thur-Sat 1-7 | Sun 1-5 www.gallery6202.com | (317) 602-2185

23 / BROAD RIPPLE MAGAZINE / APRIL 2021 / BroadRippleMag.com

J & J Art Enterprises, LLC

24 / BROAD RIPPLE MAGAZINE / APRIL 2021 / BroadRippleMag.com