Zionsville Monthly-May 2023

Smooth. Savory. Easy to drink. Taste award-winning avor with every sip. is is the way a Bloody Mary is supposed to taste.

A Look at the Impact of Eli Lilly’s Investment in Boone County

There have been several media releases and announcements made about Eli Lilly’s $3.7-billion investment in Boone County. For that reason, Zionsville Monthly thought it prudent to interview David Rosenberg, Indiana Economic Development Corporation COO and Chief of Staff David Rosenberg, and a few Boone County officials to get a more comprehensive look at how this investment into the Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) Lebanon Innovation District will impact the residents of Boone County.

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Cover photo // Courtesy of IEDC

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / Neil Lucas

/ 317-460-0803 PUBLISHER / Lena Lucas

/ 317-501-0418 DIRECTOR OF SALES / Lena Lucas

/ 317-501-0418 HEAD WRITER / Janelle Morrison

/ 317-250-7298

Zionsville Community Schools

Continues to Grow Strong in Every Way

In her first 100 days as Zionsville Community School Superintendent, Rebecca Coffman has focused on a litany of areas that are important to the functionality and health of the school district. One of the key areas of focus has been on connection throughout the leadership transition.

We sat down with Coffman, who shared in her words her thoughts on her first 100 days, and we discussed what exciting initiatives lie ahead as the 2022–23 school year comes to an end.

INTENTIONAL PLANNING AND CONNECTION ARE KEY

Gradually shifting from a stance of survival to a posture of renewed strength, Coffman has been intentional with her time to rekindle relationships and build new networks. She spoke about some of

the benchmarks that she is proud of that have contributed to the successes of the current school year and will have positive impacts on the ones to come.

“Preparing spaces that are beautiful and facilitative of learning is something I’m proud of,” Coffman shared. “I’m also proud of the thoughtful planning and collaboration of not just our team but the collective team of partners in our community. Our enrollment did grow significantly, and because of those [earlier] hard conversations that we were intentional about and made time for, we were

able to have the opening of Trailside [Elementary] and the new additions at the high school that include new science labs, art, and business classrooms. It’s providing not just capacity but the right type of learning environment.”

Since stepping into her current role, Coffman has carved out time to meet with parents and families, ZCS school leaders and staff, as well as various community and civic leaders throughout the community and state, as the district prepares for what’s next in Boone County from both an economic development standpoint and a skills preparedness perspective.

“I spent my first 100 days rekindling relationships with parents and building new relationships with parents that are new to the community,” Coffman said. “I’ve met with community leaders and

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Laura Arick

leaders of different youth organizations and county agencies. I’ve had almost 200 conversations with individual staff members in the district and have spent a lot of time connecting and listening to specific experiences. I’m excited to take what I’ve heard in those conversations and couple that with our community poll that was done by a third party. Once we get that feedback and have data from that scientific sampling, those conversations will help provide context to some of that data.”

PLANNING FOR TODAY WHILE PREPARING FOR TOMORROW

While the kids are enjoying their summer break, the ZCS campuses will be bustling with facility improvement projects [playgrounds, paving, roofing, carpeting, etc.] and the administrators will be fast at work developing some exciting new initiatives and programs as they relate to the growing community and workforce needs.

“We are just shy of 8,000 [students], and we anticipate hovering around that mark as we start the next school year,” Coffman stated. “We are looking at how we are staffing for the immediate future, but also looking at the long term and watching those proposals that go to the planning commission. We are watching those timelines and are meeting with developers so we can plan how many teachers we might need at Union Elementary or Trailside Elementary. I’ve had a lot of dialogue with Westfield schools because of the development that’s coming west across State Road 32 in northern Union Township. And we’re discussing what that [development] means for us.”

Coffman continued, “We are going to be ‘pedal to the metal’ all summer long in terms of projects. We will totally open the new areas of the high school this fall and have additional restroom projects that are anticipated to be redone this summer. The other big excitement is the new soccer and lacrosse stadium that will be opening. We are maintaining the resources that the community has entrusted to us, and some of this work is already underway and will keep us quite busy this summer.”

CONTINUING TO PRIORITIZE HEALTH AND SAFETY

“I’m really proud of the continuing dialogue that we have with ZPD, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, and those agencies in and out of our state,” Coffman stated. “We continually review, reflect, and engage in training and in conversations about what the next layers are that we need to bring to protect our children, staff, and our school community. We continue to learn from different experiences and new technologies. We will never arrive at or cross the finish line. It is unfinished work that is a daily conversation.”

When asked how the district is addressing the growing needs for mental health supports and the increasing threats brought on by substance abuse and fentanyl overdoses, Coffman thoughtfully replied, “I like to remind everyone that safety is everyone’s responsibility. If you see something, say something. Use our [anonymous] reporting tool, which is monitored 24/7 and is on the school corporation website. There are instances where it’s not perhaps a school-appropriate response, but one of our trained crisis intervention team members will make sure the right response gets to the family or individual who made the report.”

Coffman added, “I am very thankful for the connections that we have with the various agencies in our county, because we do want to make sure that this is a community where our kids are well cared for and are able to learn in a safe environment.”

For families in need of support throughout the summer break weeks, Coffman encouraged people to visit any of the district’s partners’ websites, including Integrated Wellness, Aspire Indiana Health, Mental Health America of Boone County, or the Zionsville Alliance for Mental Wellness’ website, for a list of resources.

“I want to encourage individuals that you’re not alone if your family is facing a crisis or is just curious about needing support because there are resources in our county that are available and can help point families in the right direction based on their specific needs.”

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

Look for future articles spotlighting some remarkable initiatives that will be coming online at the start of the 2023–24 school year and in the near future, which involve parent and community participation and educational opportunities related to local and specific industries in and around Boone County.

“We want to find ways where we can continue to build comfort and trust and where parents can share experiences with us,” Coffman said. “We’re looking to develop an ambassador academy, starting next year with a cohort of parents and community members. Similar to our onboarding [process] with school members, but breaking that up over several months and having families and members of the community come in, participate, and learn about our HR evaluation process, facility study, etc., to gain a better understanding of why things such as transportation, food service, literacy, or fill in the blank, operate a certain way.”

Until then, Coffman wishes to remind everyone that ZCS offers a variety of educational and fun experiences over the summer break.

“We have different experiences available — 125 different camps or classes that we offer,” Coffman said. “Many of them are offered at Trailside [Elementary] because of all the project work everywhere. Our Summer Z’Camp is going to have roughly 270 students a week, and that’s at Zionsville West Middle School. There are a lot of offerings that are available and meet a wide range of interests.”

For more information on Eagle Recreation & Enrichment Summer 2023 programs, visit zcs.k12.in.us.

The Center for Performing Arts Is

Getting Amped in 2023–2024

The Center for the Performing Arts’ 2023–24 Center Presents Season is poised to provide a wide range of offerings to meet every taste! The Center’s aim to make its events and programs as inclusive and welcoming as possible is evident in this coming season’s lineup of entertainment and events.

GET AMPED THIS SEASON!

The action kicks off with performances in August by Chris Daughtry and Ben Harper, both making their debut appearances at the Center. Other first-timers on the upcoming schedule include New Orleans sax great Branford Marsalis, Police drummer Stewart Copeland, singer-songwriters Meshell Ndegeocello and Bruce Cockburn, and Indiana’s own singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer. Returning to the Center are many favorites from seasons past, including Spyro Gyra, jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, pianist Jim Brickman, the Righteous Brothers, and singer-songwriter Bruce Hornsby.

For fans of classic rock and pop, we have tributes to Aretha Franklin, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, Harry Chapin and Jim Croce. There’s blues from Robert Cray, country from Easton Corbin and comedy

from “Polyester Princess” Etta May. Classical highlights include mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter with the progressive string quartet Brooklyn Rider.

For intercultural flavor, check out Tres Souls, Mariachi Herencia de México, the Irish Tenors, and the globe-spanning trio of banjoist Béla Fleck, tabla master Zakir Hussain, and bassist Edgar Meyer with Indian flutist Rakesh Chaurasia.

The Center’s family performances draw from the worlds of stage and screen, with Animaniacs: In Concert, Disney tribute The Little Mermen, and the Imagination Movers of TV fame.

This year’s Holiday Series celebrates the season from many angles, including traditional music from the Vienna Boys Choir, the return of perennial favorite Dave Koz, and special holiday programs from Jon

McLaughlin, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Special events include a free community performance by the United States Marine Band and talks with TV ghost hunter Amy Bruni and “Sex and the City” author Candace Bushnell.

The Center also offers a variety of education and enrichment opportunities for people of all ages, from children’s music to book clubs to comedy lessons. We spoke with the Center for the Performing Arts CEO/President Jeff McDermott about continuing the momentum from this past season into the coming one. McDermott also shared his thoughts on the continued growth and purpose of one of the Center’s core missions: community outreach.

“I am very excited about what’s coming up [in the new season],” McDermott ex-

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of the Center

pressed. “We just finished up our [2022–23] season, and we set a record this past [season] with the most sellout performances — 22 — we’ve ever had in a season, which is tremendous. I expect to do even better this coming season. We have about 52 dynamic shows already booked, and we will continue to announce more shows throughout the season.”

SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY

In his own thoughtful words, McDermott shared how it has always been a core mission of the Center to not only curate exciting and alluring acts but to be ever mindful of ensuring that the Center, its shows, and its events are diverse and inclusive.

“It all starts with the product, and the product for us is great shows and educational programs,” McDermott stated. “We’re fortunate to have a tremendous programming team led by Dan Kemer, along with nine staff members with diverse musical interests who curate our seasons. And as I look at this [season], I continue to see us creating diversity of programming — using that term in every sense of the word — that is diverse in terms of genres, age and artists of color and nationality. We’ve got a very significant DEI initiative going on here, which has been a focus since our inception.”

McDermott shared that in the 12 years since the Center for the Performing Arts

officially opened, it has welcomed 1.3 million patrons from all 92 counties in Indiana, all 50 states, and more than 30 countries.

“I’m just as thrilled about this lineup as I’ve ever been, and it will get even better because we know that we will add other great artists throughout the season. Natalie Merchant was an ‘add-on’ this past season, as was Chelsea Handler and many others. We know that there are artists that book out on shorter schedules, while others will book out a year to 18 months in advance. So, we keep our eyes on all of that.”

IMPACTFUL COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The Prism Project at the Center is a performing arts program developed by Ball State University and designed to be physically, developmentally and cognitively appropriate for youth with disabilities. The program is a four-week camp culminating in a final performance that will take place on Sunday, June 25, in the Studio Theater located on the Center’s campus.

McDermott added, “We’re always looking at outreach opportunities and ways to enhance our educational opportunities. We’re offering the Prism Project to another community that has been underserved, and we know that music has so many healing and interactive powers. We know from our Perfect Harmony program for

seniors living with dementia that music enhances lives and triggers parts of the brain, both of which have such a positive impact. I think the [Prism] Project gives children with disabilities an opportunity to experience music, play, and create in ways that maybe are not offered in other aspects of their lives.”

A COMMITTED COMMUNITY

The success that the Center for the Performing Arts continues to realize is in large part due to its loyal patrons, generous sponsors, talented staff members and committed volunteer corps.

“People who work in the nonprofit world aren’t doing it for glory or monetary impact,” McDermott said. “They’re doing it because they love what they do and because the mission is meaningful to them. It’s an opportunity to make a difference and leave a legacy. We’ve got a corps of 300 community volunteers who serve as ushers and docents, and they do this because they love [the center]. We couldn’t do what we do without them. They are certainly part of what makes it

all work so well. Our sponsorships help us bring in great artists from all over the world, including lesser-known artists who are often of equal or higher ability, world-class performers who may not have the same commercial recognition. We do this because it aligns with our mission, is the right thing to do, and is made possible by our individual donors and corporate partnerships.”

Buy early and buy often! Visit thecenter presents.org to purchase your season sub scriptions and tickets and for more informa tion on programs and upcoming events.

Carmel Jazz Fest Presents: Tim Cunningham

FRI, AUGUST 11TH, 2023: TARKINGTON STAGE:

9 PM – 10:30 PM: Tim Cunningham

SAT, AUGUST 12TH, 2023:  TARKINGTON STAGE:

11 AM – 12:30 PM: Tim Cunningham

For decades, the words “smooth,” “sultry”, “cool,” and “funky” have been used to describe Cunningham’s high-energy and emotional stage show, as his sexy blend of smooth jazz and soulful R&B connects with people of all ages, races and genres of music. This unique and versatile style has earned Cunningham the pleasure of opening for such jazz greats as Dave Koz, Norman Brown, Brian Culbertson and George Benson. On the flip side, his bumpin’ R&B flavor has on occasion paired him with Earth, Wind & Fire; Cameo; Boyz II Men; Patti Labelle; Frankie Beverly; Jeffrey Osborne and the late Luther Vandross.

Signed to Atlantic Records in 1996, his first major label release, “Right Turn Only,” featured the efforts of Will Downing, Brian Culbertson, Kevin Whalum and Bobby Lyle. Its featured single, “This is the Life,” hit #19 on the Smooth Jazz Chart and received much international airplay. Cunningham’s additional CD credits include “Sax Change Operation,” “A Change in Altotude,” “Waiting For Love,” “Inner Peace”

and “Manchester Road,” which was picked up by Nite Breeze Music/Universal in 2008. His 2011 release, entitled “Reflection,” features a cool collection of original tracks packed with smooth grooves and emotional ballads. The “Tim Cunningham Live” album, where he covers some of his favorite songs, was released in 2012.

Cunningham’s latest exceptional CD, entitled “Freedom,” was released in October 2022.

Janelle Morrison: You’re from the same area that Carmel Jazz Fest Executive Director/Founder Blair Clark is from, right?

Tim Cunningham: Blair and I grew up in the same city: Lansing, Michigan. And being musicians, we’ve known each other from working on various gigs and that kind of thing.

JM: I read that you played football at Michigan State, but luckily for us, you chose your passion for music over a professional career in the NFL.

TC: In junior high school, I started playing saxophone in the 7th grade. And when I got to high school, fortunately, there was a jazz band, which a lot of schools didn’t have. I was able to perform in the jazz and concert bands while I was playing football [and] basketball and running track. I was very fortunate to get a football scholarship to Michigan State. I never really thought that I [would], because there were 120 plus guys on the team and only 22 positions. But I ended up starting my freshman year.

My junior year, I switched my major from music to telecommunications, which was something else that I loved. My scholarship was only good for five years, and since I was really involved with playing football, it would have taken six years to finish up a music major. I had the opportunity to sign with the [Dallas] Cowboys as a free agent. They came to the table and offered me a $1,000 signing bonus and $40,000. A lot of people asked why I didn’t do that, and even though this was 40 years ago, that wasn’t a lot of money to play football. My roommate was a first-round pick — Carl Banks — who got picked by the New York Giants, and he was making like $600,000. So, I turned down the contract and finished my degree in telecommunications.

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of CJF

Don’t miss out on Tim Cunningham’s set and grab your Carmel Jazz Fest tickets at carmeljazzfest.org!

JM: At what point did you decide to focus more on your music and start recording?

TC: First of all, I had to practice. I was a decent player but not to the point of David Sanborn and all these great players. And not that I am now; I’m just saying I really needed to practice to get to the next level. When I got to the point that I thought it was good enough to go out and search for a record deal, nobody would even respond. I sent my demo to several companies. The one company that had the decency to send me a letter saying, “We listened to your music, but it’s just not for us,” ended up signing me two years later. I got that deal with Atlantic Records in 1994, and the album came out in 1996.

JM: What a transformation of the smooth jazz industry as a whole, but of the whole cutting of an album process in the last 20 years, right?

TC: Sadly, a couple of years after the album came out, Atlantic totally shut down the jazz label, and the smooth jazz [radio] stations started to drop, and they all went by the wayside. Then I began producing my own CDs, and fortunately, I got my first computer in 1997 and recording software

just 3–4 years later. That’s basically what I’ve been doing: emailing tracks back and forth, and this whole project that I just did was done in the basement, not in a studio. When I got all the tracks together, I emailed them to the guy who mixed it in Detroit, and I sent the final mix over to a guy in Oregon who did the mastering for me, and there was no studio money [spent] at all.

JM: You’ve performed at various events and festivals in Indianapolis, but this will be your debut here in Carmel.

TC: I’ve been here in St. Louis since 1994, and I play a couple of local spots, but I’m doing my own shows and promoting my own shows. I ran into Blair last year, and he told me he was doing this festival, and I was like, “That would be cool.” I’ve played in Indianapolis a couple of times. I did the Circle City Classic a couple of times, but it’s been so long since I’ve played there. It’s going to be nice to come back [to Indiana], and I’ll

be coming back in February for the NBA All-Star Game, which will be fun.

JM: I think the stories and emotions told through a saxophone are some of the most soulful sounds on the planet. I think people coming out and supporting jazz festivals is cathartic for the soul. Why do you think it’s important for folks to come out and experience live music and jazz festivals?

TC: The saxophone is the closest thing to the human voice; it makes you feel good. I think it’s important for them to go out and see [musicians] and listen to music. Quite honestly, a lot of people like instrumental music because it doesn’t interfere when they’re listening. What I do, specifically, when I release a CD, is focus on the melody. I believe the melody is the most important part of a song that people can remember. They always remember the chorus of a song but might not remember the verses. That’s why they call it the “hook,” because it’s basically hooking you to the song.

FRI. AUG 11TH & SAT. AUG 12TH, 2023

SPYRO GYRA

EVELYN CHAMPAGNE KING

JOSH KAUFMAN | JENNIE DEVOE

THE BOTTOM 40 BAND | FREDDIE FOX

30 JAZZ, BLUES + R&B ACTS | 8 STAGES

ART MARKET | FOOD VENDORS | BEER & WINE

THE DAVE BENNETT QUARTET | BRENDA WILLIAMS

PREMIUM BLEND | TAD ROBINSON BAND

BLAIR CLARK | PAVEL & DIRECT CONTACT

DYSFUNKTION BRASS | TOMMY BALDWIN

STEVE ALLEE BIG BAND | TIM CUNNINGHAM

BOTH SIDES OF JONI PROJECT FT. ALEXIS COLE

|

SARAH SCHARBROUGH & BETHANY ROBINSON

HURRICANE & THE GANG | UNIVERSITY JAZZ BANDS

JOE FILIPOW | SUE WICKLIFF

THE DANNY LERMAN BAND

CARMELJAZZFEST.ORG

THE PALLADIUM | CARTER GREEN | CARMEL GAZEBO

THE STUDIO THEATER |THE TARKINGTON | POP-UP SHOWS

FEINSTEIN'S AT HOTEL CARMICHAEL | JAZZ ON THE MONON

Capturing the Essence of

Artomobilia With Photography

In the central core of Carmel, 20,000+ car enthusiasts congregate throughout the Carmel Arts & Design District every summer for Artomobilia. This annual first-class automotive event combines art and automobiles. This year, Artomobilia will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2023.

A LOOK BEHIND THE LENS

Photography plays a crucial role in documenting the Artomobilia event. Photographers capture images of the showcased cars, the venue, the crowd, and other elements that highlight the atmosphere and essence of the event. These photos serve as a visual record of the event, preserving the memories and allowing people who couldn’t attend to experience it vicariously.

Photographing Artomobilia allows attendees to capture personal memories of the event. People often take their own photos of the cars, the venue, and their experiences during Artomobilia. These images are shared on social media, fostering engagement and creating a sense of community among participants.

Overall, photography at Artomobilia serves to capture and promote the beauty, creativity, and passion associated with automotive art. The photographs play a vital role

in documenting the event, attracting attendees, promoting artists’ work, and sharing the experience with a broader audience.

Artomobilia Event Director John Leonard shared his thoughts on the impact that photography has, especially post-event.

“My sense is, for instance, that the Indianapolis 500 race is inextricably connected to the track, but the track is there all year round, and it kind of gets celebrated all the time,” Leonard said. “But the Artomobilia events are a moment in time, and then it goes back to its regular thing. So, my view is that without these guys taking photos, a lot of the action is lost or simply left to everybody’s recollections. The thing that I love about having these photographers, as well as everybody else that contributes photos, is that it keeps the event alive long after it happens, and the images really help rekindle those memories about what happened, and without those, it’s difficult to describe.”

Meet the Photographers Behind Some Iconic Shots

and his team have really created something very special within the Midwest region, where they place an emphasis on the art of the cars. As a photographer, the [fundraising events] are even more fun because the venues, like Lucas Estate, have allowed better access to the cars — not having to fight the crowds—and having a beautiful environment to shoot makes it a different opportunity to be even more artistic and to take a more elegant approach to it.”

View more of Grove’s work at seangrove.myportfolio.com.

ANTHONY ROSS TYLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Anthony Ross Tyler is a commercial and fine art automotive photographer/graphic designer based out of Nashville, Tennessee.

An incredible and historic opportunity to capture the iconic image of three generations of the Ford GT in both road and road trim. With the assistance of the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Team, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, members of the Artomobilia Alumni, and renowned photographer Anthony Ross Tyler, these images were captured, representing more than 60 years of Ford Performance. This extraordinary image was featured on the cover of Carmel Monthly as part of the publication’s coverage of Artomobilia that year.

“It was definitely one of those shots in my portfolio that even if I hadn’t shot it, I would still like to look at it,” Tyler expressed. “It was a really cool experience. This was a ‘John Leonard’ project where he cooked it up with the Artomobilia team and landed on that theme.”

The issue was getting all five cars in one controlled spot for the iconic photo shoot.

SEAN GROVE

A lifelong car enthusiast, Sean is an Indianapolis-based automotive artist with interests in both photography and industrial design.

“I met John [Leonard] at the second Artomobilia Show, and I was in middle school at

the time,” Grove shared. I was very fresh into photography, and I’ve been officially involved with [Artomobilia] for about ten years now. Between Artomobilia and the associated events that John and his team put together, these are the main channels that I’ve used to generate a wide variety of images. From my perspective, it’s all about the art and personality of the cars, and getting to see the cars displayed as art is really nice, especially in a region where that’s not typically what you see with car shows. John

“What we were trying to accomplish was every single car being lit like it was the hero in the shot,” Tyler recalled. “We needed a controlled location and a place where I could have a camera 20 or so odd feet off the ground because we weren’t going to show all five cars from ground level in a way where they would all translate as being epic and important.”

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Jason Lavengood, Sean Grove and Anthony Ross Tyler

With the assistance of his young son and five Hot Wheels cars, Tyler arranged all five Ford GT models in different layouts to take back to Leonard and his team for approval.

“I took a macro lens on my camera, and basically using armchair math, I figured out how high the camera needed to be and arranged the Hot Wheels [models] into different layouts that I thought would work. We landed on the one with the new Ford GT [that year] in the middle with all of the other generations pointing towards it, providing an excellent view of all five vehicles in the shot.”

View more of Tyler’s work at photo.arosstyler.com.

JASON LAVENGOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

Jason Lavengood is an internationally recognized fine art and commercial photographer based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Lavengood’s epic shots of the 2022 Ferrari SF90 are a sampling of his exceptional collection of works.

“For me, it’s very much about art,” Lavengood shared. “I’ve been a photographer since I started developing film at [age 13]. Artomobilia is a day-long festival in Carmel that’s just cool, and it’s done so top-notch. It’s much more than just cars with the people, food, and music. It’s an amazing event. It was pretty cool rolling up to a brand new SF90.

It was the first time I had seen it in person. John presented the shots to everyone at Artomobilia, and they really liked the head on shot, so that’s the one we ended up using on the cover. I was so proud about that. It was really cool.”

Lavengood shared that intricate shots like these are not as easy as just pointing and shooting. There are many factors that determine the outcome of a shoot, in particular outdoor shoots in an urban environment.

“It had been an early morning shoot, and I had scouted the location the day before, but I had not anticipated the shadows of the building and the way that the sun was reflecting off of some of the windows that created some shadows,” Lavengood explained. “We had to wait for the sun to move before we could shoot. So, lighting, especially natural lighting, and waiting on the sun, the clouds, or whatever, are huge factors in

any shoot like this. And then there’s being able to put a large object in a place where there aren’t’ too many distractions. Whether that’s street signs, people, or traffic; you want the focus to be on the car, and you have to have or create an environment that allows that.”

View more of Lavengood’s work at lavengoodphotography.com.

Stay tuned for more Artomobilia coverage over the next few months! Carmel Monthly is proud to be a longtime media sponsor!

Next on deck: POPSICLE 10000, Presented by GATOR MOTORSPORT on Saturday, June 17th

Hosted in the CARMEL ARTS & DESIGN DISTRICT 100% of the entry fee proceeds will go to support Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana.

Hosted at Rick’s Boatyard Cafe www.artomobilia.org/popsicle

Live With Color

Captures Energy and Emotions Through Art

Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Anastasiya “Ana” Combs grew up surrounded by art, culture and history. Since her early childhood, Combs has been honing her craft and developing as an artist. Presently, Combs is an accomplished artist here in Indiana whose commissioned work is highly respected and sought after.

Combs’ collection, created out of her studio in Greenfield, boasts extraordinary pieces that cannot be simply categorized into just one artistic style. What is noticeably consistent in her collection is her ability to transport one directly into the scene, where the energy and emotions of the piece are profoundly felt by the person staring into it.

INSPIRED BY HISTORICAL BEAUTY AND ART

Combs was about six or seven years old when she began drawing. Her mother had enrolled her in music school as a child, but Combs’ passion lay in a different artistic discipline, and at around age 12, she, along with a childhood friend, secretly took the entrance exam to the neighboring art school, where she was accepted.

During the 1990s, when Combs was in college, the competition among artists in Russia was fierce. She spoke about

how much more competitive the creative industries were than any others in her native country at that time.

“I wanted to go into the art direction [in college], but the competition to be a [successful] artist was really high,” Combs explained. “Now, it’s a little bit different, but back then, it was super hard. There are a lot of talented people but not so many colleges.”

Combs continued to paint throughout college to make extra money and sold paintings and portraits to friends and acquaintances.

“In that time space, I started painting with oil,” Combs said. “Before, I had been doing more graphics, watercolors and pastels. In college, I started painting with oils, and because of my dad’s friends who restored a lot of the museum and palace paintings, they would give me oils and materials to paint with. Buying art supplies in Russia during ‘perestroika’ was hard if you did

not belong to the ‘artist society.’ They gave me an easel, paints and brushes, and I started experimenting.”

Having lived abroad and in the U.S., this talented wife, mother, computer programmer and artist has accumulated many life experiences and portrays many of these in her paintings.

“I did a lot of experimenting and learned a lot on my own when I came here to the U.S. when I was 22,” Combs said. “I married John [Combs], and when my son was about 10 or 11, I got a little studio [before acquiring her current and larger studio]. That’s when I started to get more serious and got involved in art shows, and began getting commissioned work.”

Combs’ work has been featured in local art shows, including the Carmel International Arts Festival, and her requests for commissioned work keep her content and busy. She also offers private and group art lessons for adults in her spare time.

EVOKING EMOTIONS AND MEMORIES

“I paint in a few different directions,” Combs shared. “I am passionate about cityscapes, and what I want to bring out of the cityscape is not just the architecture and details, but I am also focused on the energy that you feel in the place. I’m focused on what the person will feel — do they feel the hustle and bustle of the place or do they feel a kind of serenity? I’m always trying to bring that emotion into a piece.”

If you are considering commissioning a portrait or painting and would like to work with Combs, contact her on her website and be sure to follow her on her social media accounts.

To see a sampling of Combs’ exquisite collection and for more information, visit livewithcolor.net. Be sure to follow Combs on Facebook at: AnastasiyaCombsArtist or her personal FB page at: anastasiya.combs/ and on Instagram at: anacombs75. Read Combs’ story in its entirety online by clicking on the QR code!

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted

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Scan for a chance to win 2 tickets to a July show at Feinstein's!

Indulge in upscale dining and cocktails at Feinstein's, an intimate entertainment venue delivering a unique experience unlike any other in the Midwest!

Zack Zadek: In Concert featuring BEETLEJUICE STAR Elizabeth Teeter | Broadway

Natalie Douglas-Back To The Garden: Songs Of The 60's | Tribute To Iconic Artists of This Decade

Enchante | Burlesque

An Evening With Judy Kuhn | Grammy & Tony Nominee — Singing Voice Of Pocahontas

Jazz Bru nch: Blair Clark Birthday Brunch

Anthony Nunziata: Romance From Italy To Broadway | Signiture Take On Classic Love Songs

Drag Me To Brunch | 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. Show

Baby Grand Entertainment Presents: Dueling Pianos | Live Human Jukebox Experience

DECEPTION: An Evening of Magic & Lies | Magic Show

Adam Pascal | Original Roger Davis in RENT The Musical On Broadway & 2005 Movie

Frank Sinatra: The Tri bute | Don Farrell & Terry Woods Jazz Quartet Celebrate Sinatra's Life

An Evening With Samantha Pauly | Originated role of Katherine Howard in SIX the Musical

Liberace & Liza: A Tribute | An Exhilarating Night Of Musical & Comical Fireworks

The Piano Man: A Billy Joel Tribute | Highlighting The Hits Of The Piano Man

A Look at the Impact of Eli Lilly’s Investment in Boone County

There have been several media releases and announcements made about Eli Lilly’s $3.7-billion investment in Boone County. For that reason, Zionsville Monthly thought it prudent to interview David Rosenberg, Indiana Economic Development Corporation COO and Chief of Staff David Rosenberg, and a few Boone County officials to get a more comprehensive look at how this investment into the Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) Lebanon Innovation District will impact the residents of Boone County.

WHY BOONE COUNTY?

Eli Lilly’s proposal to bring two new manufacturing facilities to the LEAP District has moved forward, and the sitework has commenced. The site will bring up to 700 high-wage jobs and approximately 1,500 construction jobs north of Lebanon, east of I-65, and south of County Road 450 North. The Eli Lilly site will encompass more than 1.6 million square feet and will act as an anchor to the IEDC’s LEAP Lebanon Innovation and Research District.

“LEAP was announced as a district to attract the economies of the future and

to retain that top talent as we continue to move into advanced manufacturing industries and get the economy that we want for Indiana over the next 50 years,” Rosenberg stated. “Creating shovel-ready sites as a state is critical to meet the speed and needs of the market, and they say speed is the new incentive. Obviously, dollars and cents are very important to companies, but being able to meet their speed to make that investment into a shovel-ready site so they can get a return on that investment sooner is absolutely critical to those industries.”

Rosenberg continued, “Boone Coun-

ty has been a county of growth for years now, and you’ve seen that with the Lebanon Business Park and other developments going on around there. The LEAP location is right on the 50-yard line between Purdue University and the Indianapolis labor markets and all the great communities within Boone County and the northside of Indianapolis that can provide that workforce as well. Then there’s the ease of doing business, whether it’s getting to the airport or having highway access. All of these factors made Boone County a no-brainer in terms of the business case for the location there.”

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted

AN UNPRECEDENTED PROJECT

The Eli Lilly project is unlike any other by way of not only its location but also in how it will contribute to the ecosystem that will be built around the two facilities.

Rosenberg added, “LEAP is not going to be a traditional business park. It is intentionally designed to attract those economies of the future, and having all of that in one place and creating that cohesiveness with industry, workforce, and community is so important for these industries to know that they can put their facility here and they’ll have the workforce and partners in the ecosystem around them so that they can succeed for the next five decades.”

Per Rosenberg, “April 17, 2023, was a historic day for Boone County, the region, and Indiana as a whole with the groundbreaking of the $3.7-billion investment for Eli Lilly. The vision for LEAP was quickly realized, and Lilly, being the cornerstone of LEAP, truly fulfills that mission. It is also the largest single investment in Eli Lilly company history, and it’s the largest deal that the IEDC has ever done. Dave Ricks [Eli Lilly’s chair and CEO] even said on the

day of the announcement that without a site like LEAP, Eli Lilly would not have located this [site] in Indiana. It is a true response to the market and what they need for us to be competitive among our peer states. In terms of high-wage jobs, we’re looking at near or over six figures as the average annual salary in a production facility that Eli Lilly will run [for the next several decades] in Boone County.”

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Eli Lilly committed $15 million over five years to the Ivy Tech Foundation, which will fund up to 1,000 scholarships.

“This creates scholarships and experiential learning at Ivy Tech for high school and college students going into pharmaceutical manufacturing,” Rosenberg explained. “That’s an incredible example of government, higher education, and industry coming together to create that workforce pipeline, ensuring that companies are successful as they locate here.”

Rosenberg further discussed the value of the geographical advantage of the LEAP District in Boone County and its impact on the workforce pipeline.

“Purdue [University] is an invaluable partner, and what they bring to the table is one of the main reasons why locating this first LEAP District in Boone County made a ton of sense,” Rosenberg said. “Purdue is a 30-minute drive north, and you can share not only talent but resources and research. Lafayette and West Lafayette will also see huge benefits from the LEAP development, and LEAP will see huge benefits from the development that is going on in Lafayette and West Lafayette.”

Rosenberg added, “IU is an invaluable partner as well with their research, development and focus on life sciences. The possibilities are truly endless by having all these partners come together. We’ve seen a lot of our competition start to move to the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states, so having resources like LEAP and having the financial resources and incentives that the legislature gave us this year to put together deals in Indiana has huge momentum, and we see even bigger possibilities ahead.”

IMPACTS ON INFRASTRUCTURE

We spoke with both Rosenberg and Boone County Director of Highways Nick Parr about the immediate impact that the construction of the Eli Lilly site will have and what improvements are necessary.

“We have a great working relationship with both the city and county engineers and INDOT,” Rosenberg said. “We’re not going in with any preconceived notions about how the entire site should be worked out. It’s going to be in partnership with the city and county partners and INDOT as well as the industries to ensure that we have the road network and the infrastructure access to rail and highway that they need for them to be successful, again with that partnership with the city and county at the forefront.”

Parr added, “There are three sides of the Lilly project that are the main concerns for moving traffic. The main impact of County Road 300 N from State Rd. 39 to US 52 will be a main route for traffic and a primary route for traffic because of the weight rated structures, gravel roads, and other roadways that join the Lilly project or run adjacent to it. All construction traffic has to run 300 N off of State Rd. 39 or off of US 52 to work its way to County Rd.

150 W, which is south of the Lilly project. That movement will take you north right into the Lilly site, and that is the number one concern right now.”

Parr and Rosenberg both explained that the IEDC has proposed improvements to the immediately impacted roads, for which the IEDC will pay 100% of the related improvement costs.

“It gets close to a total of 3,000 workers a day that it will take to build the Lilly site,” Parr shared. “To get those folks to

and from, it’s going to take intersection improvements on all of the [impacted] roads as well as temporary traffic signals. There’s going to be coordination with the INDOT because all of the traffic flow ends up on a state road to leave the site. There’s a bridge replacement and a small structure replacement that IEDC plans to pay for, and the county has reached an agreement with IEDC so that we can hire our inspection team to oversee the construction and inspection, and IEDC will

then reimburse the cost that the county incurs for that inspection work.”

The Boone County Commissioners submitted the following statement on how they collectively perceive the impact that the Eli Lilly project will have on the county and throughout its six communities:

“The Boone County Commissioners believe the addition of Eli Lilly’s research and production facility to the economy of Boone County can and will have many positive effects. We welcome high-paying jobs such as the ones that will be offered by Eli Lilly at this new facility and recognize that Eli Lilly has been a long-time Indiana company. While we continue to work through the challenges brought on by the construction of said facility, we are mindful of the economic opportunities this facility will bring and are excited for the future of Boone County’s economy and workforce, with Eli Lilly as a part of it.”

For more information on the Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) Lebanon Innovation District, visit boonecountyinnovation.com.

NextStep Psychology

Member Wings

Is Indy’s Premier Private Flight Club

Say farewell to the airlines! Your private jet awaits, with a Beyond First-Class experience provided by Indy’s premier private flight club, Member Wings. Avoid lengthy TSA and boarding lines and learn how Member Wings can make your entire flying experience fun again!

REIMAGINING THE AIR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

Member Wings is an exclusive private club that provides its members with access to hidden aviation services and facilities. Member Wings offers its many benefits and amenities only to its members, allowing them to enjoy the privileges of private flights without the costs and responsibilities of aircraft ownership.

Although commercial air travel can be a fast and efficient means of transportation, it also comes with many inconveniences. You probably have experienced some of these, such as flight

delays, missed connections, cancellations, intrusive security measures, and baggage issues. These unnecessarily add to your overall travel time, cause extra expenses and delays, and disrupt your travel plans. In-flight comfort or the lack thereof is almost always a problem, with small seats lacking legroom and too close to your neighbor. And don’t forget airline customer service ... enough said.

As a Member Wings Club Member, you can choose to enjoy the luxury and comfort of having the entire plane to yourself and your family or travel partners, or to share the plane and fly at bargain rates

with other members. Onboard beverages, customized snacks, meals and beverages, and Flight Attendant services are available upon request.

Our Corporate Members are able to work with their teams and/or clients while we fly them to their meetings, all while surfing the clouds in a First-Class, confidential, and secure boardroom-like setting. Our individual members can enjoy the comfort and convenience of flying First-Class with their family and friends without airport hassles, in-flight discomfort, and missed connections. With Member Wings, you just arrive at

a beautiful private terminal, board your jet and fly. We park your car and handle your luggage. At your destination, we handle your baggage and work with your ground transportation provider to get you quickly on your way.

SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY

Member Wings prides itself on prioritizing the safety of its members and their guests. Member Wings flights are sourced and operated through an exclusive network of FAA Part 135 licensed charter operators and certified by Aviation Research Group US (ARGUS) and/ or Wyvern, a standard-setter in flight safety audits. We rely upon them to audit their compliance with Federal Aviation Administration Regulations for FAR Part 135 operations to ensure that properly maintained aircraft and qualified pilots and crews are utilized for our flights.

PRIVATE JET SHARING

Our Members are able to significantly reduce their flight costs by sharing their itinerary and aircraft with their families, associates, guests, and other members. For example, in winter months Florida is a popular destination. We avoid the usual larger Florida airports. Our members can choose to land at over 300 secondary airports in Florida. Usually, one is available close to your destination Member Wings’ future plans include member-shared flights from Indianapolis. Shared private jet aircraft seating from 4 to 20 passengers are available. Current plans are for members to share a seven- or eight-seat luxurious mid-sized jet, or a larger jet aircraft based on passenger count. For most Florida destinations, your flight time can be as little as two hours and fifteen minutes. Pricing for our member-shared flights will be determined by the trip length, aircraft type used for the flight, and the number of members and guests sharing the flight. Members can propose their own dates and destinations, and their own group of members and guests sharing their flights. Other shared flight opportunities are planned for sporting events, Las Vegas, Arizona, and popular snow skiing destinations, and members can travel to their personal favorites as well. Planned

sports trips include IU, Purdue, and Notre Dame college games, as well as IndyCar races, Indianapolis Colts games, PGA Tour events, and other major sporting events. Member Wings members also enjoy the benefits of reciprocal club memberships! Member Wings is affiliated with exclusive clubs such as The Columbia Club and SILO Auto Club and Conservancy, and these affiliations extend Member Wings’ offerings far beyond our member aviation services. Member Wings is also proud to be affiliated with and was the title sponsor of the Concours d’Elegance Car Show in support of The Columbia Club Foundation and is a supporter of Folds of Honor and Indy Concerts for a Cause.

A PASSION FOR THE INDUSTRY

Member Wings President Janet Fitzgerald Sipe is a former 30-year telecommunications executive with a passion for the aviation industry. “I was with AT&T for 30 years, and the last 10 years of my career, I worked exclusively with United Airlines,” Sipe shared. “I was responsible for all of their voice and data services, coast to coast, including Hawaii. The concept behind Member Wings came after viewing what was happening in the airline industry. We want to provide beyond First-Class service to our custom-

ers and avoid the hassles and pitfalls of commercial flying.”

Airline crew and pilot shortages, plus a decrease in the airline industry’s workforce, continue to plague the industry, post-COVID-19. Sipe spoke about how these issues and other pain points that are inherent to the commercial airline industry not only impact the quality of the flight itself but also dictate how many flights are available because of the workforce shortage.

“Just look at the news, and you can see the impacts that are happening in this industry, and the pilot shortage is a really big component,” Sipe stated. “As a result, we are seeing a lot of flight training schools in operation. But if you’re a private pilot for a charter company, you have more flexibility in your work-life balance, which I think is very important. If you have happy pilots, you’ll have a happy and safe flight.”

Additionally, reducing the chance of missed flights or missed connections is another major component of the Member Wings model.

“Yes, you may book a very cheap flight, but you get what you pay for,” Sipe said. “You may have one or two stops to get to your destination, or maybe you never get to your destination [missed connections]. Member Wings, for the most part, can get you to where you need to be nonstop and avoid the hassles of the larger airports and commercial airlines. Member Wings nonstop flights are determined by the size of the aircraft and are dependent on the factors of the members’ travel itineraries, but flights from the Indianapolis area to Florida are nonstop.”

Member Wings currently offers flight services to and from anywhere in the Continental U.S. and international destinations are planned to be available in 2024.

“Our members can book their flights via our mobile app for Google or iPhone, online via our website, or by email or phone,” Sipe said. “Our members pay a one-time membership fee and reasonable monthly dues thereafter. The cost of each flight is set according to the members’ preferences. It’s not a cookie-cutter situation. All flights are customized based on the person or people wanting to take the trip and what their needs are.”

Member Wings can fly out of many Indianapolis airports, including Indianapolis Executive Airport in Zionsville, Indiana, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport in Fishers, Indiana, as well as other Indiana airports and cities.

Sipe added, “We are in the process of onboarding our flight coordinator, to care for inquiries regarding our services. I get all of the support@Memberwings. vip emails along with our flight coordinator. We want to make certain we respond in a timely manner to our clients. We also have a unique URL for people to inquire about Membership online: MemberWings.vip/inquire.”

Don’t miss another connecting flight or endure another miserable air travel experience! Visit Memberwings.com and learn about our corporate and individual private flight club benefits today! Make flying fun again and experience beyond first-class luxury with a Member Wings membership!

Also, be sure to follow Member Wings on LinkedIn and Facebook.

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP

nitial fee (one-time)$20,000

Monthly dues$1,000

MEMBER WINGS

Typically, 4 – 5 passengers

Up to two hours of comfortable flight.

Cessna Mustang

MID SIZED JET

Typically, 6 – 8 passengers.

Stand-up cabin.

Expanded baggage compartments.

Comfortably sized lavatory.

Coast-to-coast range possible (dependent on aircraft and passenger count).

Cessna Citation/Citation XL; Hawker 800/850 XP

SUPER MID SIZED JET

Typically, 8 – 10 passengers.

Larger overall dimensions.

Longer range (with full passenger count).

Embraer Phenom 300; Cessna Sovereign; Cessna Citation X

LARGE JET

Typically, 10 – 16 passengers

Separated seating areas.

International range.

Bombardier Challenger 300/350; Hawker 4000; Gulfstream GIII/GV

MANY OTHER AIRCRAFT ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO MATCH YOUR NEEDS

*Member’s spouse or plus 1 can use Member Wings services without the main person on the flight.

on aircraft, destination, type of flight