November 10, 2009 by Current Publishing

WILSON: SURVIVING THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM / P6

HCLA PRODUCES HAMILTON COUNTY’S NEXT LEADERS / P8

LOCAL EXEC WALKS 28 MILES TO WORK / P10

TUESDAY November 10, 2009 FREE

Carmel “mompreneur” Cindi Wise is working to raise her young kids and younger business / P2 Photo by Shane Rodimel

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Carmel “mompreneur” Cindi Wise is working to raise her young kids and younger business By Kevin Kane Current in Carmel Carmel “mompreneur” Cindi Wise wasn’t looking to make millions of dollars when she invented a baby sleeper and started her baby clothing line. Those things were done mainly out of necessity, but Wise’s new necessity is finding a way to raise her young children and even younger business. While listening over the monitor as her tired, frustrated husband struggled with their son’s sleeper during a midnight diaper change, Wise thought there must be an easier way to do this daily duty. But after an exhaustive search, she found nothing. So she made her own solution. “I didn’t set out to change the baby clothing industry,” she said. “There are a lot of moms changing their kids thinking ‘I wish they did this.’ Well, I decided to do it.” Tired of fighting with snaps during diaper changes, Wise created a sleeper that instead uses a two-way zipper that can be unzipped from the back. Soon other parents began inquiring about the sleeper, and not long after Wise filed for a patent, her marketing consultants told her the product wouldn’t last without a brand and business. Suddenly, Wise had gone from a mom looking for easier diaper changes to “mompreneur” with a whole new set of responsibilities. “I just wanted to buy something like this for myself, but I couldn’t find it,” she said. “It’s not like it’s some genius idea. It’s just an improvement on what’s already out there.”

it helps us and keeps us sane.” Both Carter and Wise are working to get their products into more boutiques, with the ultimate goal of being carried in major retail stores. Carter said she’s had preliminary talks with Wal-Mart in the past, while Wise is aiming for inclusion in Target. Though Wise isn’t yet able to price the SmartZip as low as she’d like, Carter said she’s confident the quality of Wise’s current and future products will allow her to achieve those goals. “Her products are so unique,” Carter said. “When I saw the sleeper I fell in love with it … It’s a life saver for parents.” As Wise continues to develop new products and sell her current one, she said she’ll rely on the help of her “mompreneur” friends like Carter and others to steer her in the right direction and promote her products through referrals because, like the other moms, she can’t be everywhere at once. “That’s where the power of motherhood comes in handy,” Wise said. “It’s obvious we’re all super overachiever idiots trying to raise a business and raise kids. But we’re doing it and it’s nice to know there are others out there.”

“There are a lot of moms changing their kids thinking ‘I wish they did this.’ Well, I decided to do it.”

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A “mompreneur” community

With a business less than six months old and two kids aged six and younger, Wise said getting Hello World Clothing Company off the ground has been difficult. However, she’s far from the only mom in her situation. Wise is just one of the latest additions to the growing number of “mompreneurs” in Hamilton County, and because many of these business owners also sell self-invented baby products, Wise said she’s been able to lean on this network of business-minded moms for support and advice. “I had no idea there were so many of them,” she said. “If you’re willing to ask the questions, someone in these communities is willing to help you.” One fellow “mompreneur” Wise has learned from is Carolyn Carter of Fishers. She started her online baby store CaitiMac Creations in 2006 – not long after inventing the Clingy Cord, a decorative tie-down for cups, toys and any other items commonly thrown from car seats and strollers. With nearly three more years’ experience in the baby market, Carter said she’s brainstormed with Wise about marketing the SmartZip, given advice and shared her own frustrations that she said only people in similar situations can understand. While these moms should be competitors, Carter said they’re actually allies. “We tend to stick together because it’s really hard to have a business and have a family,” she said. “We really share a lot because

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At $28, the SmartZip sleeper comes in Made Me Blush (chocolate brown and pink) and Blue Me Away (chocolate brown and blue) for ages 0-3 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months. It can be purchased online at HelloWorldClothing.com or at Carmel stores Basket Case and Salon 01.

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317.489.4444 Publisher – Brian Kelly brian@currentincarmel.com / 414.7879 General Manager – Steve Greenberg steve@currentincarmel.com / 847.5022 Content Editor – Bryan Unruh bryan@currentincarmel.com / 308.0124 Assignment Editor – Kevin Kane kkane@currentincarmel.com / 496-0020 Associate Editor – Terry Anker terry@currentincarmel.com Art Director – Zachary Ross zross@ss-times.com / 787-3291 Associate Artist – Stefanie Lorenz stefanie@currentincarmel.com / 340.1836 Senior Reporter – Brandie Bohney bbthegrammarguru@gmail.com /260.750.4266 Cartoonist – Tim Campbell tim@currentincarmel.com

OUR VIEWS

It is our opinion that during the upcoming holidays our fine city offers a broad array of shopping alternatives. We should work to explore and take advantage of them. Shopkeepers have worked hard to prepare for our community’s needs – and our purchases here work throughout the year. Local shopping keeps tax dollars home. Local companies sponsor local events, children’s programs and charities. These are our friends, family members and neighbors, and during difficult economic times looking first to local business for our needs is especially important. The retail choices in Carmel are as varied as our population. Upscale and popular Clay Terrace to our northern border, the quaint shops and galleries of the old town Arts & Design District, and the busy commercial districts between Range Line Road and 116th Street all provide extensive independent and national brand options. Certainly Castleton and Keystone at the Crossing are among additional options, but it is our belief that with sustained loyalty to local shops, our community will continue to grow and prosper, adding more stores and variety. So as we seek to fill our baskets this holiday season, let’s start our shopping at home.

Driving us crazy

It is our position that laws prohibiting teenagers from texting while driving are indicative of our government’s desire to protect us from the obvious and may be overdone. Doing just about anything while driving – other than driving – is a bad idea for anyone, not just those of us who are 18 or younger. And helping drivers understand the dangers of driving while distracted is an important goal to be sure. But driving is a dangerous activity, and while inexperienced drivers routinely increase the risk of being on the roads to us all, we are not convinced that texting while driving is of particular risk to those folks. Government uses all manner and sort of rule and regulation ostensibly to improve the lives (and life expectancies) of its citizens. In so doing, it has filled volume after volume of punitive code intended to coerce behavior and keep society civilized. And yet we routinely find new ways to take risk. But in relying on government’s zeal to prevent us from being harmed, we have somehow removed our own common sense from the equation. Driving while distracted is dangerous – whether there is a specific law telling us so or not.

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

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

strange laws

CONSTITUTION CLOSEUP

Photo Illustration

Our nation has all sorts of arcane, nonsensical laws on the books. Each week, we’ll share one with you. In Arkansas, it is illegal to keep an alligator in a bathtub. Source: Weird Laws (iPhone application)

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Every week, we will print an portion of the U.S. Constitution, followed by a portion of the Indiana Constitution. We encourage you to benchmark government policies against these bedrock documents. Today: the U.S. Constitution.. Section 3. Continued No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen. The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate,

but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of President of the United States. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present.

November 10, 2009 | 3

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The good news is a lot of Democrats lost in last week’s elections, but the bad news is a lot of Republicans won. We won’t tire of writing this: America needs a solid third party in the worst way, one that won’t layer legislation needlessly, won’t tax needlessly, won’t overspend needlessly and one that won’t run a popularity program on your dime needlessly. Until a third party becomes a major factor, we’re either headed for socialism (some are saying we’re all but there, but we believe it’s too early to call that one) or, heaven forbid, an ultra-ultra right that most will find unpalatable. The recent political history of this great nation is an embarrassment. That assessment includes presidents Obama AND Bush. Here’s a thought (and bear in mind that when we first heard the word conservative we winced), the American Conservative Party, may be the ticket. One of its guiding tenets is: The legitimacy of government exists only as long as it defends human liberty. Who could possibly argue with that? While we necessarily don’t agree with all of ACP’s positions, we believe much of what it stands for will move America forward. •••

Brian Kelly & Steve Greenberg Current Publishing, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Mickey’s Irish Pub in Carmel are teaming to raise cash and awareness for the battle against breast cancer. On Nov. 25, the night before Thanksgiving, Mickey’s will play host to the smokeless fundraiser featuring the music of Barometer Soup, dancing and dining, and silent and live auctions. There is no cover charge, but donations will be accepted at the door. We urge you to spread the word about this cause and join us if you’ll be in town. The event runs 7 to 11 p.m., so you’ll be in bed in plenty of time to start roasting the bird the next day.

Domestic tranquility COMMENTARY By Terry Anker What defines a family? Courts have been (and will be) debating this for years. And as our perspectives change, so follows our legal system. What might have been a clear-cut family arrangement in one generation seems hardly applicable to another. Og might have comfortably, and considerably more safely, shared his cave with extended family, neighbors and others; while it would cause great pain were the neighbor down the street to join my wife and me for an extended visit in our home. So by its very nature, the “traditional” living arrangement is temporal at best. And each proceeding decade has impact on its definition. So it makes some sense that civilized folk look to courts to put some framework around these shifting sands. But can any court of law, no matter how well intentioned, be an arbiter of domestic tranquility? The question comes to mind not from some high-minded debate from Washington; it stems from the many thousands, nay millions, of children who find their families defined by court order. As adults marry, divorce (and often marry and divorce again), the living arrangements of kids become fodder for all too much legal wrangling. Imagine dividing one’s time between multiple residences and schedules on a weekly basis – even the most trail-hardened

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traveling salesman would be empathetic. A friend recently expressed her frustration about threats of a protracted legal battle regarding custody, if “she didn’t cooperate” in other matters. What can she do? The expense is, at best, intimidating. And the children have no desire for further conflict. My heart breaks for that family. But I do not believe a court can define a family – the members themselves are the only ones with that power. Habitation of minors can be dictated. Love and mutual respect cannot. Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may e-mail him at terry@ currentincarmell.com.

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READERS’ VIEWS Sharp’s rebuke on target Editor: I’m troubled by Jeff Worrell’s assault of City Councilman Rick Sharp (“Sharp’s rebuke of McBride a disgrace,” Oct. 27) for once again attempting to put some accountability in the process of spending Carmel tax money. City Engineer Mike McBride and Mayor Jim Brainard don’t have many rules to play by, yet they still seem to refuse to play by those that are in place. I applaud Mr. Sharp for trying. Keep it up. R L Graffis Carmel

Wanna write us a letter? You can do it a couple ways. The easiest is to e-mail it to info@ currentcarmel.com. The old-fashioned way is to snail mail it to Current in Carmel, 1 South Range Line Road, Carmel, IN 46032. Keep letters to 200 words max (we may make exceptions), and be sure to include your home zip code and a daytime number for verification.

Wilson lacks understanding of private schools Editor: I just finished reading Danielle Wilson’s article on private schools (“Comparing public and private schools,” Oct. 20). It would have been more aptly titled “comparing public and parochial schools,” as her background is clearly not diverse in the private school arena. My daughters attend a private school in Westfield. The tuition is reasonable, my children do not wear uniforms, and the population is more diverse than any classroom I’ve seen during our years in the public school system. I can’t speak highly enough about Montessori School of Westfield or its teachers. I will concede that having a big yellow

bus pick up my children each morning would be a blessing, but I had to go with the school best equipped to handle my children’s special needs. Food allergies are one special-needs area where the public schools lack training, experience and willingness to handle. It is painful to write that check each month, but it is definitely not on par with university tuition and well worth every penny. I hope the next time Current decides to cover something as important as education, there will be a little more research involved. Journalists should not be in the business of perpetuating myths and stereotypes. Heather Sokol Westfield

Dealing with USPS a chore Editor: Thanks for letting it out about the postal system (“USPS damage insurance? How about $2.37?” Oct. 20). You nailed everything right on. This is exactly why people cringe about dealing with the postal service. My company is in the printing business and chose not to do bulk mailings because of this very reason! We just finished up on a rush job (Friday) for a customer – a 24-hour turn-

around on a 4/4 color mailing. Only to find out that the customer’s job would not be able to go out until today (Tuesday) because their check for postage would not be in on time. The USPS certainly adheres to a different set of standards than the rest of us. Thanks for the great article. Bonnie Pinkman Woodfield Printing, Inc. Indianapolis

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November 10, 2009 | 5

Tips for surviving the Children's Museum Commentary By Danielle Wilson Been to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis lately? I have, and I’d like to share my tips for physically, emotionally and financially surviving a visit. Here we go! Pack lunches: The food court at the museum offers everything from Goldfish crackers to Angus Beef burgers, but the lines can be crazy – and more on topic, lunch for four will easily set you back $25. Clever moms pack personalized lunches ahead of time and eat in the break room when their little ones are collapsing from low blood sugar. Go early: Doors open at 10 on most days, and the parking lot and museum are generally empty at that time. As the morning wears on, though, school groups and late sleepers stumble in, turning it into controlled chaos at best. If you get there early, you can leave early, saving everyone a pop-shots-from-the-clock-tower moment. Late May and August are your best months for low crowds, as are sunny, nonholiday weekdays. I DO NOT recommend a rainy Thursday over Fall Break while both the Haunted House and King Tut exhibits are open. Holy sphinx, Batman! Keep it simple: There’s a ton to see at the CM and even more to do, and unless you’ve bred cyborgs, you can’t possibly do it all in a single visit. Pick three areas ahead of time, allow 30 minutes for each, and then call it a day. For younger kids, I recommend the Playscape, Carousel Wishes & Dreams and All Aboard. Bigger kids will also love the Dinosphere, Science Works and the free planetarium shows. Don’t panic: You will lose at least one child at least one time during your day. It’s too big, too exciting, and generally too crowded for you not to. The important thing is to discuss with your kids ahead of time what to do when they can’t find you. When it eventually happens, they’ll

DISPATCHES » Patron Appreciation Week – The Carmel Clay Public Library host Patron Appreciation Week Nov. 9–15 to wrap up its 10th anniversary year. Residents are invited to tour the building and see the changes that have occurred during remodeling. Other activities during the week will include a scavenger hunt, sculpture display and entertainment by Marc & Max the Moose. For times and other information, visit http://www.carmel.lib.in.us. » Upcoming auditions - Carmel Repertory Theatre will hold auditions for the musicial of “All Shook Up,” a musicial inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley. A total of 10 leads, 10 dancers and extra for the ensembles will be cast. Auditions will be held Nov. 16 and 17 from 7to 9 p.m. at the

6 | November 10, 2009

know either to stay put or to meet at the cool water clock, and you’ll find it easier to remain calm. Employees man all the doors, so that even the sneakiest children will find it hard to escape to another area. But I can promise you the first time one of your darlings discovers the crazy carnival mirror maze on the top floor, you’ll swear they’ve been kidnapped. Avoid naptime: You’re insane or just plain stupid if you try to haul little ones to the CM while they should be sleeping. Either go well advance and risk the nap-on-the-ride-home debacle or wait until they wake up and go in the late afternoon. The place is dead from 3-5 p.m. Buy a yearly membership: A single-day admission to the CM for our family of six costs $110. A yearlong family membership, which also includes unlimited carousal rides and discount prices to annual events, costs … wait for it … $110. Hmmm. Even smaller families benefit from membership. Use the buddy system (for grown-ups): Never go to the CM without an adult companion who has less than or equal to the number of kids you have. A single, childless sister or older empty-nester is the perfect choice, but if you can’t round up one of these gems, ask a friend. When you’re jonesing for a Diet Coke or have just misplaced your toddler for the third time, you’ll need an adult to coax you down from the ledge. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is one of the best attractions around. By following my simple suggestions, you can be assured a pleasant and emergency-personnel-free experience. Peace out. Danielle Wilson is a Carmel resident and contributing columnist. You may e-mail her at danielle@ currentincarmel.com.

Jeff Worrell

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In a past issue, we inserted a postage-paid card that we hope that — if you haven’t already done so with the previous card or online — you’ll take 20 seconds to fill out and drop in the mail to us. If you didn’t receive a card, e-mail us at info@currentincarmel.com. If you prefer, you instead may go to www.currentincarmel.com/requestercard and fill out a virtual card there. We’re attempting to qualify for a different (and better) permit from the U.S. Postal Service, and we need your help to get it done. Once we qualify for the permit, we’ll be able to invest our postage savings in

Performing Arts Center, 575 West Carmel Dr. Visit www.carmelrepertorytheatre.com or call 317-767-3973 for more information. » State of Schools address – Carmel Clay Schools Superintendent Barbara Underwood will speak on “The State of the Schools” at the Carmel Chamber’s monthly luncheon. The event will take place Nov. 11 from 12-1:30 p.m. at The Monon Center. Admission is $25 for non-members and those without reservations.

the product, giving you more of the same topical information you have requested and have come to expect. Join the wonderfully entertaining columnist Jeff Worrell, and send us that card, please. (IF YOU ALREADY RESPONDED, PLEASE DO NOT MAIL BACK THE CARD A SECOND TIME.)

» Veterans Day ceremony – Join in honoring our military veterans at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 10 beginning at 12 p.m. at the Steven A. Couts Fire Headquarters at Civic Square. » Correction – In the Nov. 3 issue we forgot to identify the undefeated Carmel Middle School team as the eighth-grade football team.

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November 10, 2009 | 7

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HCLA produces Hamilton County’s next leaders

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By Kevin Kane » Interested in being a leader? Current in Carmel Apply online at www.HCLA.net Community leaders aren’t born; they’re The class is divided into subgroups, with each trained. Since 1991, the Hamilton County Leadership of the groups having a project to complete by the end of the term. The current projects range Academy has worked to mold already promifrom providing free legal assistance to creating a nent members of the community into its future marketing plan for Meals on Wheels. leaders. After a year-long class filled with guest The HCLA’s success is dependent on its curspeakers and hands-on experience, those accepted to the program head out into the community rent class and alumni, which is why each hopeful leader must first apply and be accepted into to make a difference. the program. While the committee holds high “We’re seeing a huge number of Leadership Academy graduates populating our not-for-prof- standards for its applicants, Little said people its, community organizations, school boards and should never assume they are unqualified. Aside other elected positions,” said Brad Little, HCLA from a commitment to bettering Hamilton County, there are no prerequisites or model board president. “It is having a huge impact on applicants. what’s happening in Hamilton County.” “It’s really designed to get the leaders,” Little The class of 2010 is comprised of a diverse said. “And that can mean a lot of different mixture of Hamilton County residents with things.” various backgrounds. Whether they’re active volunteers, business leaders, attorneys or government employees, among others, each member of the current class brings unique skills and experiences to the table, which will be put to use during their Submitted Photo respective course The Hamilton County Leadership Academy's 2010 class, pictured above, consists of projects. prominent residents residing all over Hamilton County.

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What’s in a name? Does everyone need to prove his memory? COMMENTARY By Dr. Robert Montgomery Albert Einstein gave the same class at Princeton the same test two days in a row. A student called him on it. “Doctor,” he said, “why did you give the exact same test two days in a row?” “Not true” replied the great doctor, “today I changed the answers.” Through the ages mankind has had trouble remembering names and faces. “I can’t remember people” is a universal complaint. Why do we have problems remembering names and faces? Because we have never been taught to visualize what we hear. Most names do not come with a natural image. In 1848, Robert, in Germany, worked as a miller of grain, so they called him Robert the Miller. Now, seven generations later, there are several dozen Robert Millers, and none of them know the meaning of their name. When I started attending the University of Minnesota, I began to fail in every class, so I went to the university’s used book store and asked for a book to improve my mind. The older fellow behind the counter said, “There is nothing wrong with your mind.” Then he said, “Do you know what Oscar Wilde wrote? The man that is the most aware of being alive is the man that is going to be hanged in one hour.”

The leaders of every generation have learned to remember names by remembering names and faces. George Washington could call every soldier at Valley Forge by name. Napoleon could do the same. James Farley became vice president because he could recall three things about every person allowed to speak to Franklin Roosevelt. It’s fair to say the leaders in every generation have one thing in common: They know the five major rules for remembering people. Realize every name is everything there is to that individual, so be sure you hear it correctly. Try to spell the name in your mind. (Ask for help in spelling the name, and he or she will be a friend for life.) Make a remark about the name. Us the name three times during the conversation. Use the name when you say goodbye. There is no greater music than the sound of your own name. Bob Montgomery is an occasional contributore to Current Publishing. You may at info@curretnincarmel. com

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Local exec keeps promise, walks to work IN VOGUE By Brandie Bohney Current in Carmel On Oct. 28, Mark Howell walked to work. It was a dreary, chilly morning, but he got up early and headed for his office, where he serves as president of Brightpoint Americas. So what’s the big deal? Howell lives in Carmel. His Brightpoint office is in Plainfield, and he made the journey through downtown Indianapolis. Howell walked to work to honor a promise he made to the employees of Brightpoint. He agreed to walk if they reached or exceeded the company’s goal of $100,000 in employee contributions to United Way. They met the goal, so he walked the walk – all 28 miles of it. “Community involvement is a big deal for Brightpoint,” Howell said. “This is a very visible way that we can show our support for the community.” The route through downtown Indy was selected for safety, visibility and appreciation. Normally, Howell’s drive from his 116th Street home takes him down 465, but that’s not a safe – or legal – route for a walker. By walking through downtown, Howell was able to generate a lot of recognition for United Way, especially because he was accompanied for 7.5 miles by the United Way mascot, “Buddy the Bear.” In addition, Howell was able to stop at several of the agencies funded by United Way, where he thanked employees for their hard work. “It’s a great chance for us to not only get more exposure for United Way, but it also gives us a chance to thank the people who are doing all the work inside the agencies,” Howell said. United Way has recognized Howell in the past, too. In 2008, he was named United Way of Central Indiana’s Creative CEO of the Year for agreeing to work for 24 hours on top of the Brightpoint building if employees met their contribution goal. He lived up to that promise, as well.

Photos by Brandie Bohney

Brightpoint president Mark Howell walked from his home in Carmel to his office in Plainfield after employees raised $100,000 for United Way.

10 | November 10, 2009

If you would like to contribute to United Way or read more about Howell’s journey, visit www.liveunitedgiveunited.org. There are also several more photos of Howell’s walk on Brightpoint’s Facebook page.

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Carmel Rotary helps make memorable holiday for troops COMMENTARY BY Jeff Worrell Northern Afghanistan is a remote, miserable and lonely place. It is currently home away from home for 175 Hoosier men and women serving in our armed forces. The Carmel Rotary Club hopes to ensure December is memorable and a little warmer for each devoted soldier, putting together holiday CARE packages for the Hoosier troops. The first challenge for the club was to raise the $2,000 needed to ship the packages. Next, and without hesitation, Meijer answered Rich Taylor’s call for $1,000 in seed money to help purchase the contents of each package. Tricia Carrington decided reading is a great way to pass the time, so she coaxed the Carmel Women’s Club to get involved. They came through with over $5,000 worth of books donated by various publishers. Also seated at the Rotary planning table was dentist Kurt Rupenthal. His vocation yielded toothpaste and toothbrushes courtesy of BENCO Dental Supply. Toothpaste, socks, snacks, books – all the essentials for a very practical, utilitarian CARE package. Yet the Rotarians couldn’t help but think something was missing. They checked their list twice, but what had been overlooked? Paul Wonch, with his twinkling eyes and the beard on his chin as white as snow, let out a chuckle and allowed his Santa side to show. He

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Submitted Photo

The Orchard Park Elementary student council

exclaimed, “I sense what is missing, and I know just where to go!” He knew Orchard Park Elementary School would be willing to share. So each will include a handwritten note and a picture of the kids. In Carmel, the stockings will soon be hung by the tree. In Afghanistan, soldiers know we appreciate their efforts to keep us all free. If you would like to make each CARE package bigger than it already is, it’s not too late to donate to

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Jeff Worrell is a local business owner. He recognizes volunteers on “Connecting with Carmel” on cable channel 16. Contact him at jworrell@advantagemedical.com

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November 10, 2009 | 11

» Faux finish – There is a whole world out there of faux finishes beyond sponge and rag techniques. There are plasters, metallics, crackles, lime plasters, faux bois (woodgraining), faux marbe (marbling), as well as the staples: color washes, blended glazes and striae. Walls are only the beginning, though, as ceilings, floors, furniture, and existing counter tops can be treated as well. The product for countertops is durable, environmentally friendly, and can achieve effects such as granite, onyx, and other natural stones. - www.thedecoratingvoice.org

Vicky Earley is the principal designer for Artichoke Designs in downtown Carmel. If you have an interior design question, please contact artichokedesigns@aol.com.

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roman shade is mounted on a board on the top, that element provided the protection from the cold air. Next came floor-length panels wide enough to extend well outside the window frame and close without a gap. These, too, were lined and interlined. The interlining was used in both for appearance as well as insulation. There is a richness that is obvious when a window treatment has that additional layer of fleece between the decorative fabric and lining.

The atrium doors in the mud room are just lined and interlined panels installed on a rod with finials. They, too, are wide enough to extend outside the frame of the door and close tightly as needed. Adding a roman shade or cornice would have been inappropriate for this application, so the rod was simply placed closer to the wall while still allowing for easy opening and closing. This installation blocks some, but not all, of the rising air behind the panels. The immediate difference in floor temperature was dramatic. The room temperature recovers far quicker now, as well. Although this was not the perfect window insulating option, it does provide a noticeable difference due to the interlining. This season, I can proudly announce that I have tossed my pink Snuggie into a heap on the floor, and I am moving courageously into the depths of yet another Indiana winter with window treatments ready for service.

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» Cufflink resource - Cufflinks aren’t for everyone. Some guys can’t be bothered with them; others are passionate collectors. For the latter group, the vast, perfectly edited selection of cufflinks from Paul Stuart is perfect for self expression. Some are plain and simple, some are daring and colorful, and altogether the array of options is just downright unbeatable. Go to www.paulstuart.com and check it out. It might inspire you to become a cufflink guy, after all. - www.gq.com

COMMENTARY By Vicky Earley “The right window treatment can help turn a room from drab to divine” … blah, blah, blah. You have heard that a million times. Right up there with those contrived words of decorating wisdom comes, “You can save energy with the proper window treatments.” I am here to testify to the accuracy of the second statement. I wrote a column a year ago about the insulating properties of window treatments. It almost sounds like a mom-type lecture to say it again, but I’m a mom, so here goes. We have survived six winters in our circa 1970 Cape Cod. Since I am not a creature of the cold, it is fortunate that the house was built well and makes up for its age with sound structure and insulation. In spite of that, there has always been an uneasy chill in the family room, which was an addition, and in the mud room, which has atrium doors. I put my words of wisdom to the test last year and asked my fabricator, Lawson, to make window treatments for these areas as recommended for insulation. My plan was to start with a relaxed roman shade that was lined and interlined. Since a

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How do you spell ‘kid power’? COMMENTARY By Becky Kapsalis A-M-B-E-R K-R-I-E-C-H. Amber Kriech is a 14-year-old Carmel High School student who embodies all the qualities young, self-motivated, caring teenagers are made of. Granted, receiving the Prudential Spirit of Community Award, the Colts All Star Student Award and the recent Children’s Museum Power of Children Award are noteworthy accomplishments. But they are, nonetheless, not what motivates Amber. According to her mom Sharon, Amber has been exposed to the spirit of giving from a very young age. Her dad Ken and Sharon are, themselves, kindred spirits when it comes to helping others. They introduced Amber to church and community experiences. So much so that it became second nature to Amber to dedicate herself to making a difference. The project she chose to earn for her Girl Scout Silver Badge and ultimately her “Power of Children Award” was to create and build a library at the East 10th Street United Methodist Youth Center. After four months of building bookcases, filling the shelves with donated

books (with the help of friends), Amber has left her legacy on kids who may otherwise never have a chance to know another world exists outside their environment. A wise man once wrote “Every society is judged by how it treats it’s least fortunate amongst them.” I’m always curious to know what parents do to motivate their children to become the best version of themselves. I asked Sharon what she believes she and her husband Ken have done to influence Amber in such a positive way. “We noticed early on, when Amber chose to sing in the church choir at age four, she enjoyed being a Good Samaritan. From that point on, we encouraged her to participate in as many volunteer opportunities as she chose, seeing, firsthand, where there was a need. We noticed her self-confidence and self-worth building with each accomplished deed.” Here’s to kid power through the power of parents. Hugs! Becky Kapsalis. aka YiaYia (pronounced Ya-Ya.) is a certified parenting advocate and child behavior coach. You may reach her at 317-848-7979 or e-mail becky@ askyiayia.biz.

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November 10, 2009 | 13

Dot-to-dots: using ellipses By Brandie Bohney Even if you don’t know what ellipses are, you know what they are. How many times have you read an e-mail or blog or other informal communication with one – or probably more – sentences, clauses, phrases or incomplete thoughts that ended in a series of three dots? One meant to keep you hanging … So there it is. The ellipsis. An elusive and overused piece of punctuation. It’s one that drives me a little nuts, because while most people know its informal use, few people know its formal use, and fewer still use either correctly. Here’s the skinny: In formal writing, when quoting a source, ellipses are used to show that a portion of the quotation has been removed. It’s important that the removal of the words is done simply to make the quotation more concise; words should never be removed if in doing so the meaning of the quotation is changed even slightly. Now, depending on which style manual you’re following, the ellipses may or may not have spaces between them, and you may or may not need to add a fourth period to indicate where a sentence ends. Those are specific details for you to reference your style manual. That’s the formal use, and frankly, the only use I really like. I’m not a fan of the more informal uses, in spite of the fact that they are

grammatically acceptable by most standards. Except, apparently, mine. The more informal use is to indicate, especially in dialogue, a trailing off, uncertainty, or loss of connection to the current thought. My issue isn’t so much the occasional and sometimes quite humorous use of ellipses for a thought cut short, but with the incessant abuse of the ellipses in this capacity. With the exception of one friend of mine who uses no punctuation or capitalization at all in any e-mail she sends, virtually every person I know has used ellipses in e-mail communication more frequently than necessary. Does it make them bad people? No. Does it make me want to stop being their friends? Of course not. I’d have no friends left. It does, however, make me wish that ellipses had only one purpose: recognition of omission in quotations. So let me say this: If you insist on using ellipses to indicate you’ve lost your train of thought or to express uncertainty, do so very sparingly. Very sparingly. Even more sparingly than you use exclamation points.

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in between Founded by the early settlers of Carmel and the Quaker Church, Carmel Cemetery offers final resting space to people of all religious affiliations. Located on gently rolling hills between Rangeline Road and the Monon Trail, Carmel Cemetery is a peaceful, private sanctuary offering burial space for generations of loved ones. Our well-maintained property welcomes visitors for quiet reflection year round. • Individual & Family Burial Space • Individual & Family Cremation Space

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Listen up, teens: Beauty comes from inside COMMENTARY By Maddi Bourgerie Every woman knows the expression “having a fat day.” It’s a term used to describe the selfconscious feeling that overcomes us when we are getting ready in the morning. It means one simply feels bloated, big in size and uncomfortable in one’s skin. This feeling of self-consciousness developed from a stereotype about what women should look like. It has overcome our society. Women feel self-conscious because of how others see their bodies. It is a sick cycle that leaves all women wishing they looked a little different. My mom, with three girls, has done an outstanding job teaching us to love ourselves and love how God made us. However, looking through my People magazine, I still find myself feeling guilty for wishing I was thinner or has better bone structure or maybe just looked a little more like that gorgeous model staring back at me. Continuing to look through the pages, there was a story on a Ralph Lauren model and how she was fired because she was getting too big and could no longer fit in to a size two. This story struck me as disgusting. Being 5’10 at 120 pounds is abnormal and most likely not healthy. This model’s story shows that our society’s image of beautiful is seriously corrupted. However, this faux pas in our society is finally

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being recognized. People are no longer just talking about this stereotype; change to recognize true beauty has begun. Dove beauty products have begun a campaign, the Dove Real Beauty and self-esteem fund. This campaign has shown that curves are OK, and that being comfortable in one’s skin is how things should be. There is a video I think every young girl or self-conscious woman should watch – it’s called the Dove Evolution, and it’s on YouTube. I see girls in magazines and models, and I aspire to be totally different. I know longer use them as a comparing tool, and it’s no wonder our deception of beauty is destroyed. The model that was fired is beginning to encourage young girls to not fall victim to the stereotype. I would hope one day that everyone realizes they are beautiful the way they are. There are all different types of beauty; the most beautiful people are the ones whose beauty shines from inside out. Beauty can come in different shapes and sizes. My advice is to embrace the natural beauty you have.

Q. Is now a good time to plant or build a patio? A. NOW through early December is the best part of the year. Planting conditions are ideal and suppliers offer us great values. Also, take advantage of ’09 pricing versus the frenzy of spring ’10 pricing. Q. What about remodeling projects? A. Timing is everything. Some material costs are at decade lows and most contractors are ready for a few new projects for the winter. Q. Can I put in a small bathroom in our basement? A. Likely. Most newer homes are pre-plumbed for this. Older homes require a little more ingenuity (pump system, additional plumbing, etc.)

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www.choosesurroundings.com Maddi Bourgerie is a student at Carmel High School. Contact her at maddiclarexo10@aol.com

November 10, 2009 | 15

RESTaurant

Adam hoffman

Gelato da vinci

Owner of Big Hoffa’s Where do you like to eat? Houlihan’s What do you eat there? The best buffalo wings I’ve ever had What do you like about Houlihan’s It’s everything you want in a restaurant. It’s that good. Houlihan’s 6020 East 82nd St, Suite LL02 Indianapolis, 46250 845-9428

The corn that's not yellow

Gelato Da Vinci is no longer just a restaurant that carries nearly 100 handmade flavors of gelato, Segafredo coffee imported from Italy and a few lunch items. The small, family-owned shop in Clay Terrace recently added both a beer and wine selection and a full dinner menu. But Gelato’s owners Ben and Darlene Colvin stress that their restaurant isn’t like anything else in Carmel. Their goal is to make a 100 percent authentic Italian bistro. To accomplish that, they use imported ingredients, unique recipes, madeto-order meals and an intimate setting. General manager Jim Colvin said he’s had customers tell him the new dinner menu includes some of the most authentic Italian food they’ve experienced in the United States. That’s why there’s a wheel of real, stamped, imported parmesan cheese behind the counter, why Colvin grows the restaurant’s supply of basil and oregano, and why sauces simmer up to six hours before being used. 14390 Clay Terrace Blvd., Suite 170 | Carmel, IN 46032 Phone: 317-816-9100 Web: www.gelatodavinci.com Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Chocolate ganache, by gosh By Molly Herner Current in Carmel Chocolate ganache is a wonderfully versatile dessert option. Both France and Switzerland claim credit for creating the dish in the mid-1800s as it spread throughout Europe. Ganache is a seemingly fancy alternative to the typical uber-sweet cake frosting and is sure to impress your dessert guests.

It is a thick mixture of chocolate and cream that is quick and easy to make. This recipe can be poured over your favorite cake in place of icing or chilled and formed into chocolate truffle candies. Molly Herner, is the baker/pastry chef at Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano in Noblesvile. You may email her at odette05@aol.com.

Chocolate Ganache Ingredients • 2 pints chocolate chips (dark or milk chocolate) • 1 cup heavy whipping cream • 2 tsps sugar Directions: 1. Melt chocolate chips using a double boiler, which is one saucepan filled a fourth of the way with water (bring water to a simmer) and a glass bowl placed right inside the saucepan over the simmering water. 2. Pour heavy cream over the top of the unmelted chocolate chips. 3. Add sugar into the mixture. 4. Let all ingredients melt together slowly over medium heat until completely

16 | November 10, 2009

combined and smooth. 5. Be careful not to let it burn. Chocolate burns very easily and can’t be save once burnt. 6. Remove from heat and let come to room temperature. 7. At this point you can chill it for a few hours and roll it into balls coated with cocoa powder or your favorite chopped nuts for truffles. Or you can let it come to room temperature and pour it over a cake in place of icing. 8. Once poured over the cake, let it chill in the refrigerator until hard, like a chocolate shell. Use a knife dipped in hot water to slice through the cake when serving.

COMMENTARY By Chef Michael Vlasich Definition: “The fruit of a black pepper bush, or a very small payment used to satisfy the requirements for the creation of a legal contract.” Just a few centuries ago, you could settle your debt using this legal tender, peppercorns, which were equal to gold, silver, diamonds or jewels. Considered a luxury for the upper class, at one point sentences were so severe for adulterated peppercorns that would be forced to sacrifice a limb or be placed in slavery. Prior to the 19th century, pepper was rare, originating from the coast of India. It is the oldest spice used by mankind. It is now the most widely used spice, accounting for a quarter of the world’s spice trade. Aside from its role in food flavoring, pepper has medicinal properties, serving as a digestive stimulant and expectorant. The hot and pungent flavor causes the membranes of the nose and throat to exude a lubricating fluid, which is helpful for respiratory distress and is an aid for coughing up mucus. Externally, it is used as an ointment to help with skin afflictions and hives. There are three basic types of peppercorns: green, white and black, which all come from the same plant. All are the same peppercorn, just in different stages of development and processing. All three have different flavors and basic uses. The white have the pungent spicy flavor; black are usually used for more robust dishes; while ground white is more subtle and suitable for dishes in which you do not want to see the black specs. Green are usually in specialty dishes or more often used in combination with the others.

Some of you are probably asking, “What about pink peppercorns?” Well these are actually not peppercorns at all; they are berries that come off a different plant that resembles the other types. While not even in the family, it does slightly enhance the flavors of the others when mixed in.

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

peppercorn crusted chicken • 1 whole 2.25 lb. roasting chicken • 1/2 cup Dijon mustard • 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce • 1 1/2 tbsp. Three peppercorn mix • 1 each 1/2 lemon • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs • 3/4 tsp. granulated garlic • Salt and pepper to taste Take the peppercorns and coarse grind; mix with the breadcrumbs and garlic. Take the chicken and prepare for roasting, then rub the Worcestershire sauce over the entire surface. Next, swear the mustard over all, followed by salt and pepper. Lastly, take the breadcrumb mix and coat the bird as much as possible. Place into a 350-degree preheated oven, then roast 45 minutes to an hour until 150 degrees in the thighs on a thermometer. Upon finishing, squeeze the ½ of lemon over the bird, let set 10 minutes and serve.

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DISPATCHES » Free decorating classes – Drake Interiors is offering free Christmas decorating classes from 6-7 p.m. Nov. 12 and 19 and 9-10 a.m. on Nov. 14 and 21. The classes will take place at 1350 S. Range Line Road. Call 317-566-6500 for registration.

» Kitchen computer - The QOOQ (pronounced "cook"), is a kitchen computer that might be able to make cooking a pleasurable experience for those who are a little gun shy around the oven. QOOQ comes with video recipes as well as 500 preloaded dishes, and when you need a little entertainment, QOOQ doubles as a digital picture frame and receives internet radio stations. So far, it’s only available in France but may be stateside in the near future. - www.popgadget.net » New RPAC directors - The Regional Performing Arts Center Foundation announced the addition of four new directors to its board: Frank Basile, Ersal Ozdemir, Eric Stovall and John Thompson. They join current directors Douglas Haney, Nancy Heck, Rosemary Waters and Rollin M. Dick. » Crafty apples - The Native American art of making apple heads is both easy and fun. Follow these instructions for a creative fall craft: • Choose a big apple and start by peeling it. • Then, with a sharp knife, form the nose, make eye sockets, and cut a line for the mouth. • Carve around the mouth to accentuate the cheeks, and make some lines around the eyes and on the forehead. • Soak the head in lemon juice for about a half hour (so it doesn’t turn brown) before hanging it to dry. • When the head is almost dry (in 10-20 days), add peppercorn or bean eyes. Use your imagination to make some hair and a body to go with the head. - www.almanac.com

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Gallery owner brings ‘Articulation of Movement’ to A&D District By Arika Herron Current in Carmel Vibrant colors, interesting composition and organic shapes rule the Articulation of Movement exhibit at the Magdalena Art Gallery in Carmel’s Arts & Design District. Featuring Magdalena Art Gallery co-owner Magdalena Hoyos-Segovia and Thomas Towhey, the exhibit of more than 20 pieces will be up through Nov. 13. Segovia, a full-time artist for more than a decade, said she invited Towhey to do the exhibit with her because she is inspired by his ability to create abstract work that is still inviting to the viewer. “(Towhey) uses many elements and superimposes them on each other, but creates the same organic peacefulness that I do,” HoyosHoyos-Segovia Segovia said. “He uses movement in a different way. It’s softer. It’s reflective.” Hoyos-Segovia said the movement exhibition is the next step in what she is doing with her artwork. She said it started with showing a different approach to art and beauty, and now she wants people to reflect on the moments created by the work. “It’s more than an execution of lines and objects and impressions,” Hoyos-Segovia said. “It’s a way to transmit a way of thinking. Everything else is secondary.” She doesn’t follow traditional rules of painting. Instead, Hoyos-Segovia simplifies her subjects, most often people, into bold lines and wide spaces of vibrant color. Fifteen such works of different sizes and subject matter are featured in the exhibit and available for sale. Eight of Towhey’s works are also available for viewing and/or purchase. His contributions range from poster size to one piece, “The Decompression Chamber,” over eight

Submitted Photos

'Pollination' by Thomas Towhey

feet tall. Hoyos-Segovia and Magdalena Art Gallery co-owner Mary Johnston also run the Carmel Academy of Arts in the space above the gallery at 27 East Main St., Carmel, IN, 46032. Exhibit hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 12-6 p.m.

PICK OF THE WEEK

Spirit and place festival

When: Nov. 6-15 Where: More than 40 venues are scattered throughout Indianapolis. Cost: Admission to most events is free. Info: spiritandplace.org or 317-274-2455 Details: Spirit & Place is Indiana’s largest civic festival. It promotes civic engagement, respect for diversity, thoughtful reflection, public imagination, and enduring change through creative collaborations between arts, faith-based and civic institutions. The festival features 10 days of events for all ages and interests – dialogues, exhibits, performances, workshop services, tours, and more – creating a citywide celebration and conversation.

November 10, 2009 | 17

Book OF THE WEEK

curried shrimp with rice

The Rescue artist

Ingredients: • 1 tbsp. olive oil • 1 large onion, chopped • 2 carrots, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 2 tsp. curry powder • 1 cup long-grain white rice • kosher salt and pepper • 1.5 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined • 1/2 cup fresh basil Directions: 1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 6-8 minutes. 2. Add the garlic and curry and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 2 minutes. 3. Add the rice, 2.5 cups water, 1/2 tsp. salt,

Cocktail

PLANTER's punch Ingredients: • 1.5 oz. Smirnoff White Grape Vodka • .25 oz. triple sec

By edward dolnick

and 1/2 tsp. pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. 4. Season the shrimp with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper and nestle them in the partially cooked rice. Cover and cook until the shrimp are opaque throughout, 4-5 minutes. Fold in the basil and serve. • 2 oz. cranberry juice • 1 oz. lemon-lime soda • 1 squeeze lemon wedge Directions: 1. Combine in a cocktail shaker with ice. 2. Shake, strain and serve in a martini glass. 3. Add a squeeze of lemon wedge.

This book describes the theft of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” from the National Gallery in Oslo in 1994 and the search by undercover agents to recover it. Two thieves drive up in a stolen car, put up a ladder they had hidden the night before, break a window, and in less than two minutes, drive off with a painting worth more than $70 million. What follows is part true crime and part adventure story. Charley Hill, an undercover agent at Scotland Yard, masquerades as a man in the employ of the Getty Museum to trick the thieves into coming out in the open so negotiations to recover the painting can begin. Interwoven with the narrative of the theft of “The Scream” are descriptions of other art thefts, discussions of security issues for museums and the dangers and perils of undercover work. In compelling prose, Edward Dolnick describes a true-life adventure of art theft. The characters are well-described: the thieves dangerous and alarming and the undercover agents clever yet vulnerable. This creates plenty of tension and suspense in the narrative. Readers who enjoy reading about art crime might also enjoy the nonfiction titles “The Irish Game: A True Story of Crime and Art” by Matthew Hart and “The Art of the Steal” by Christopher Mason, as well as the fiction titles “The Man Who Stole the Mona Lisa” by Robert Noah and “The Flanders Panel” by Arturo Perez-Reverte. Reviewed by Marian Corya CCPL Readers’ Advisory Librarian Visit the Carmel Clay Public Library’s Web site at www.carmel.lib.in.us for more book reviews.

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THEATRE

Fiddler on the Roof Jr.

Music on Main

‘Jack and the Beanstalk’

The Power of Light

Creekside Middle School in Carmel will present Fiddler on the Roof Jr. on Nov. 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and will be available at the Creekside bookstore from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. up to two weeks prior to the performance and at the door on performance dates.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s Pyramid Players proudly present “Jack and the Beanstalk” as the final show in the 2009 Live Theatre For Kids series. Don’t miss this exciting adventure, on stage through Nov. 14 in the intimate atmosphere of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Performances take place at 10 a.m. on Fridays and at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays. For reservations or more information, call 317-872-9664.

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church will host the Brass Roots Trio, performing its American Vespers program on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. Admission for adults is $10; students and children admitted free of charge. The church is located at located at 1402 West Main St. in Carmel.

Encore Vocal Arts invites individuals to celebrate music as a source of hope and light in their lives with it second concert this season entitled “The Power of Light” on Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. From traditional spirituals to modern choral compositions, this concert features luminescent choral singing in one of the city’s exquisite settings, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church at 4217 Central Ave. in Indianapolis. General admission is $12, $8 for students under 18. Call 317-576-7676 for more information.

Holiday spectacular

More than 400 choral students from Carmel High School will present their “Holiday Spectacular” at the Dale E. Graham Auditorium at Carmel High School over four days: Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets go on sale Nov. 4 in the CHS book store.

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‘My Way’ tribute

Featuring nearly 60 classic songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Actors Theatre of Indiana is staging a musical tribute to “Ol’ Blue Eyes” that runs for two weeks this November in the Carmel Community Playhouse at Clay Terrace (14299 Clay Terrace Blvd.). Performances run Nov. 4-15. Nightly performances Wednesday through Saturday begin at 8 p.m. Sunday shows start 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $32 by calling 317-669-7983 or by visiting www. actorstheatreofindiana.org. Senior Citizen, student, and group discounts are available.

LIVE MUSIC Mickey’s Irish Pub

The following musical acts will be playing live at Mickey’s Irish Pub,13644 N Meridian, Carmel. For more information, call 317-573-9746: Nov. 13: Pack of Chihuahuas Nov. 20: Bunny Brothers Nov. 25: Barometer Soup (smoke-free fundraiser for breast cancer research)

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November 10, 2009 | 19

Scenes from late October

Readers submitted photos displaying their late-October experiences, including fun with fallen foliage, Halloween parties and FC Tucker’s annual haunted office for young trick-or-treaters. 1: (Left to right) Olivia Elsby Alaina Shinaver and Grace Elsby 2: Ava and Riley Joleen with father Mark 3: Lisa and Talia Robinson 4: Alex Werth and Molly Angus 5: Tim and Barb Campbell 6: Clerk-Treasurer Diana Cordray and Barbara Conway 7: City Council President Eric Seidensticker and wife Cindy 8: Jack and Bev Naberhaus

8 Submitted Phtoos

20 | November 10, 2009

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DISPATCH » Marketing seminar - Howard Cox of Somerset CPAs and Lorraine Ball of Roundpeg will teach Marketing by the Numbers, discussing the fundamentals of a comprehensive marketing plan based on the underlying “numbers” that drive a business. The class will take place on Nov. 10 from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Somerset Conference Center in Indianapolis. Admission is $35 per person. » Network during breakfast – Riverwalk Commons is offering a complimentary breakfast and networking opportunity on Nov. 19 from 7:30-9 a.m. Meet with other area professionals, tour the facility and enter to win door prizes. RSVP by calling 317-770-0011 by Nov. 16.

» Ten stocks to buy in November 1. Gentex (GNTX) 2. Coach (COH) 3. Tenaris (TS) 4. Noble Energy (NBL) 5. BP (BP) 6. Liberty Bancorp (LBCP) 7. Toyota Motor (TM) 8. America Movil (AMX) 9. Alpha Pro Tech (APT) 10. Intergroup (INTG) - moneycentral.msn.com » Healthy workplaces honored – Katz, Sapper & Miller was named to the list of Healthiest Employers of Indiana winner in the 100-499 employees category. Community Health Network was winner in the 5,000 employees or more category with St. Vincent Health being a finalist in that category. Healthiest Employers is an innovative awards program created to recognize those companies that proactively shape the health of their employees.

» Wall Street’s buy list 1. Bucyrus International (BUCY) 2. NutriSystem (NTRI) 3. Amazon.com (AMZN) 4. Liz Claiborne (LIZ) 5. Sunrise Senior Living (SRZ) -moneycentral.msn.com

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Are we really all self-centered? COMMENTARY By David Cain My mother once told me people are only concerned with themselves. “Don’t worry,” she said, “nobody cares what you are doing but me and your dad. The rest of the world is concerned with themselves.” What terrible advice. It was contrary to what I believed. I believed the world was a caring, thoughtful place that wished good things for all. I thought everyone wanted to help me and cared about my success. Was I wrong? Have you ever felt like everyone is watching you? Do you feel like everyone cares about you – your progress, your successes your failures? Here’s a dose of reality: They don’t. Human beings are self-centered by nature. It is how the brain is wired. People care about themselves and what they are doing – they care about their survival. They do care about what you are doing to the extent it relates to them or makes them feel better or worse. The brain makes decisions about its own well-being and survival. There’s a snake in the bushes; it slides up and bites you on the leg. There is someone standing next to you. What do you think is going

through their head? Bad news: They are probably thinking, “Will he be okay?” followed closely by, “Glad that didn’t happen to me.” That’s the self-centered nature our brain. It’s all about our survival. The good news is it can be used to your advantage. Make your messages about your customer, not about you. Start by considering their problems, fears or anxieties in the context of what your business offers, and then talk about that. Remind them of their problems and make your solution about them. It sounds easy and straightforward, yet many businesses continue to talk about themselves. “We are this” and “we are that,” rather than making it about the customer. Your message should be as simple and to the point as throwing a snake on the table – everyone reacts to it without even thinking. Except instead of beating it with a club, they want to buy it. David Cain works at MediaSauce, a digital media and online marketing company in Carmel. David welcomes your questions or comments at David.Cain@MediaSauce.com.

Overcome your brain’s hardwiring and focus on the customer

How to beat inflation COMMENTARY By Ryan Fuhrmann Inflation represents the extent to which prices for goods and services increase over time and erode the purchasing power of your hard-earned dollars. Central banks, such as our Federal Reserve, across the world spend much time worrying about keeping inflation in a tight range, as both deflation and inflation can be bad for business and economies. A concern these days is that interest rates are too low and will encourage an unnecessarily rapid economic recovery that will eventually stoke inflation. The following are some ways to whip inflation if you are worried how it might impact your finances. For starters, gold is considered a hedge to inflation, and even though its value is reaching alltime highs, it will likely keep rising along with inflation fears and if/when it actually occurs. Hard assets such as real estate and commodities are also seen as secure investments during inflation, because they represent physical assets that are “real” and whose value can’t be easily eroded. Government and municipal bonds are not the assets to hold, as inflation eats away at their

returns. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, or TIPS, have a variable interest rate component meant to rise when inflation (which is measured by the Consumer Price Index) does, so consider these in your portfolio. They key metric when investing in bonds is real interest rates, which subtract the negative impact of inflation on returns. Your own salary is another inflation hedge, as companies habitually award annual cost-ofliving adjustments to protect the purchasing power of your salary. Stocks can also protect against inflation provided you invest in firms that are able to pass along higher prices to their customers and protect their profits. All bets are off when hyperinflation rears its ugly head and has occurred in countries such as Brazil in the 1980s. Fortunately, hyperinflation is rare in developed countries such as the U.S. Ryan C. Fuhrmann, CFA, is a financial writer and investment manager based in Carmel. He has no positions in any company mentioned above. Feel free to contact him at ryan@fuhrmanncapital. com or visit his Web site at www. RationalAnalyst.com.

They key metric when investing in bonds is real interest rates, which subtract the negative impact of inflation on returns.

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MONEY MATTERS How closely do you follow the stock market? “Casually. It’s from a personal interest, having some investments, but also from a market-watch standpoint. I like to keep an eye out and see where the trends are happening.” Jim Morris Carmel

“Not at all. I’m just not into stocks.” Michael Burwell Carmel

“Not at all. I don’t have any stocks.” Misty Bryant Carmel

NOW OPEN

WHAT’S IT WORTH

Harvest fresh market

MY OPINION

Fresh and local are the specialties of Harvest Fresh Market and Deli, the newest addition to Carmel’s Village of WestClay. The market held its grand opening, Oct. 31, offering a wide range of grocery retail and market services to the community. Owner Chuck Blackwelder tried to house a number of services in one market because the Village of WestClay isn’t large enough to support various individual specialty shops. “We think putting each shop under one roof will give us a greater chance for success,” Blackwelder said. Harvest Fresh Market accommodates a bakery, butcher shop, fresh flowers, deli and large selection of groceries. The market also specializes in Indiana artisan products. An aisle dedicated to Hoosier products holds anything from maple syrup to woven baskets to soy skin products. Chefs and directors of operation Allison Campbell and Amanda Taylor will run the market from day to day, as well as serve original, made-from-scratch recipes. Daily offerings include soup, sandwiches and carryout dinners.

Location: 5258 Apache Moon in Carmel Square footage: 4,352 Rooms: Four bedrooms, three full and two half bathrooms, great room, dining room, kitchen, nook, den, laundry room, three-car garage Strengths: Priced on the lower end of the neighborhood; sits on large, open, fenced back yard, and features a finished lower level Weaknesses: Needs granite counters in the kitchen, and there are a lot of homes on the market in this price range.

TAYLOR

CORRECTION: The phone number for Lambert’s Lowery Organ Center in last week’s Now Open was for the Anderson store. The correct number for the new Noblesville store is (317) 773-2002

When my food team ventured to Eldoret last March, we witnessed sanitary conditions that were unbelievable in the 21st century. Essentially, there were not any sinks where the food handlers used the bathrooms. There were not any antibacterial gels or gloves or lights. Dr. Mamlin is the real hero. Dr. Mamlin’s says, “We’re standing in the middle of history’s worst medical disaster ever.” The IU School of Medicine has saved more than 100,000 lives. So why did Dr. Mamlin not get the award? Because Joe is humble. He does the best that he can with the limited resources he is given. He returned to Kenya last week, but he had to get his final fix of pastrami for 11 months before he returned to improve the world. There is always next year! www.medicine. iupui.edu/kenya/

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My vote for the Nobel Peace Prize COMMENTARY By Brian Shapiro When President Obama received that Nobel Peace Prize, I was angry. Obama has made a lot of promises, and he convinced the country and the world that he needed a super majority in congress. The President has gone AWOL. He is essentially a “cool” president that is not deliverOBAMA ing on any of his promises. The biggest blunder of the entire process was the Swedish giving him the Nobel Peace Prize based on expectations. I had lunch last Monday with Dr. Joe Mamlin, who should be the rightful owner of the medal. Joe is not a rock star, TV host, CEO, or even a politician. He has more than 105,000 HIV patients in Western Kenya. The medical system he has created in Kenya is the model for the rest of the world when dealing with third-world countries.

Keith Albrecht is a Carmel resident and realtor with RE/MAX Real Estate Groups. Contact him at 317-819-3388 or Keith@ KeithsHomes.com.

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Brian Shapiro is a Carmel resident and contributing columnist. He owns Shapiro’s Deli and is a nonpracticing CPA/JD. You may e-mail him at brian@shapiros.com

He is essentially a “cool” president that is not delivering on any of his promises. www.currentincarmel.com

November 10, 2009 | 23

DISPATCHES » Consumer Choice Award winner - The National Research Corporation (NRC) has recently recognized St.Vincent Indianapolis Hospital as a 2009/2010 Consumer Choice Award winner. The award identifies hospitals which healthcare consumers have chosen as having the highest quality and image in more than 300 markets throughout the U.S. This is the 14th consecutive year the hospital has been recognized by NRC for the Consumer Choice Award, and is the only facility in Indianapolis to be honored.

» Joint pain seminar – Clarian Human motion will host a series of free joint pain seminars in November. Those who attend will be able to speak with an orthopedic specialist, ask questions and receive treatment suggestions. The upcoming seminar is Nov. 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Clarian North Learning Center. » Team USA physician - For the past three years, orthopedic sports medicine surgeon James Bicos, MD, of St.Vincent Orthopedics has treated the men and women athletes of USA Gymnastics and Olympic teams. Most recently, Dr. Bicos served as team physician at the World Championships in London for USA Gymnastics from October 13-18. » Sinless spread – Finally, a peanut butter you can really stick with. PB2 is a powdered version of everyone’s favorite guilty pleasure that has 85 percent less fat than the traditional jarred peanut butter. How? The oil is squeezed out of the peanuts; you add water to make it spread. Log on to bellplantation.com to buy ($16 for four 6.5-oz jars) or to find a nearby store that sells it. -Good Housekeeping » Eating for youth – Researchers at Unilever Corporate Research in the U.K. have come up with a menu of wrinkle-defying fare. The findings: higher intake of linoleic acid and vitamin C leads to fewer wrinkles, less dryness, and stronger skin, while consumption of fats and carbs is associated with more signs of aging. -Remedy

24 | November 10, 2009

Lifestyle Lift firm troubled, but its procedure is sound COMMENTARY By Dr. Barry Eppley Due to the marketing and appeal of a facial rejuvenation procedure called the Lifestyle Lift, many people have at least heard of it. A scaleddown version of a facelift, the Lifestyle Lift is not unique or new but is actually a common procedure performed by many plastic surgeons. Unknown to most, the Lifestyle Lift is a branded name and is a blended marketing and service approach to delivering minimally invasive facelift surgery. In essence, it is a franchise approach to selling surgery, with office locations in 22 states (the closest to Indianapolis is in Cincinnati). While there is nothing wrong with that concept, the Lifestyle Lift company was recently fined $500,000 in New York, where its corporate headquarters are located. The attorney general there has settled complaints against the company, which has admitted it used employees to pose as satisfied customers in online ads. Apparently, the company ordered employees to write positive reviews of the Lifestyle Lift procedure on message boards and other Internet forums to appear as unsolicited testimonials and endorsements, thus violating consumer protection laws.

While the company and the way it operates may be sketchy, the actual operation is still a sound one. The limited or “short-scar” facelift is very popular and highly successful. It makes up nearly half of the facelifts I perform. Younger patients today want to treat jowl and neck sagging early, rather than waiting until it looks worse. Therefore, their facial concerns are less severe, and they do not need a full facelift operation. The limited facelift is often combined with other smaller procedures (e.g., Botox, injectable fillers, laser resurfacing, neck liposuction, eyelid tucks) to create an even better overall result without extending one’s recovery. Older patients (who really do need a bigger operation but often do not want it) can still get a simpler and less invasive operation that will provide some real improvement. This usually fits their financial situation and allows them to have surgery they can afford with a recovery that fits into their work or leisure schedule. Dr. Barry Eppley is a certified plastic surgeon at Ology Medical Spa in Carmel. You may reach him at info@ currentincarmel.com.

Hepatitis B vaccination Hepatitis B is spread through sexual contact, contaminated needles and blood, and there are two vaccines that prevent against it. Each year more than 78,000 Americans become infected with hepatitis B and about 5,000 die of associated liver diseases, including cancer, yet few know that he CDC recommends the vaccine for all sexually active people who are not in committed long-term relationships. - Health

Naturopathy and flu prevention By Dr. Carolyn Berghuis It’s that time of year again: cold and flu season. However, the main player this year, H1N1, has changed the landscape considerably and seems to be the topic of today’s conversation, igniting the entire vaccination/immunization debate once again. The field of naturopathy has much to offer in the arena of disease prevention, including H1N1. Consider the following practical information to strengthen your immune system. Healthy lifestyle measures • Limit sugar: A single sugary snack can suppress immune activity for up to 48 hours. • Wash your hands: And keep them away from your face and nose. • Get some sleep: Consistent inadequate sleep lower’s the body’s defenses. • Limit stress: Prolonged exposure to high amounts of stress hormones inhibits normal immune function. Immune-strengthening remedies • Healthy bacteria: In general occasional supplementation with lactobacillus acidophilus, bifido bacteria and fructo-oligo saccharides (FOS) are enough to aid this portion of immunity. • Vitamin D: This vitamin has been shown in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to prevent colds and flu. • Vitamin C: Vitamin C has been shown to aid in the prevention of influenza, as well as

shortening the duration and reducing the severity of infections already contracted. • Astragalus: Astragalus is a great immune booster and also an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress. • Garlic concentrate: Garlic is a great antimicrobial and antiviral. Remedies to consider during an illness • Echinacea: Echinacea has the immune-boosting polysaccharides that give it an important role in naturopathic antiviral offerings. • Andrographus: This herbal is proven to shorten the duration of colds and flu. It is my favorite immune boosting herbal. • Olive leaf extract and/or oregano oil: Both are excellent anti-virals. • Homeopathic gelsemium: An excellent homeopathic used for all types of flu. It is important to consider that each of us has unique nutritional needs, and what is right for one individual is not necessarily correct for another. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional when seeking natural healthcare answers. The above material is for educational purposes; it is not prescriptive, and it is not meant to diagnose or treat any disease. Carloyn Berghuis is a doctor with Joy of Raphael Holistic Wellness Center & Natural Pharmacy. You may reach her at info@currentincarmel.com

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Nearly one-third of the hospitalizations associated with H1N1 have been people with asthma, but only about 8 percent of the population is asthmatic. So what should you be doing about H1N1 if you—or your children—have asthma? • Take your medication. Take daily meds even when you are feeling fine because they help protect the lungs from triggers like infections. • Get vaccinated. People with asthma are in a high-risk group and should get vaccinated as soon as possible, but should wait for the shot rather than taking a nasal spray version. • Get rapid treatment if you do get sick. Contact your doctor if you have H1N1 symptoms; if symptoms rapidly get worse, seek emergency treatment immediately. -www.health.com

• Fat-fighting calcium: Researchers at the University of Tennessee found that obese people who went on a low-calorie diet that contained three daily servings of calciumrich dairy lost 70% more weight and 64% more body fat than those who ate just one serving of dairy a day.

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November 10, 2009 | 25

The simple truths of dating COMMENTARY By Rachael Noble In the early stages of dating, I’m always thankful for my network of friends who tell it to me straight and gently inform me when I’m wrong. So here are some simple dating practices for all of us to keep in mind while getting to know someone. My best friend once told me probably the most vital dating truth I’ve ever heard: You can never say the wrong thing to the right person. Meaning, if the person you are dating is too sensitive to everything you say or any problem that comes up, perhaps that is not the right person for you. If he’s truly interested in you, he will accept things like where you are in life, your busy schedule, your dating history, your need to talk about issues, etc. Committing to working through problems is one thing, but putting up with someone who has you walking on eggshells is another. Someone who wants to walk away or pulls back from you emotionally after the first signs of trouble is not as interested as he should be. If you’re expected to put up with disrespect and selfish behaviors, maybe it’s time to reevaluate the relationship. For example, someone who just expects you to put up with things like

their hanging out all the time with their exes or flirting with other people (and even has the nerve to make you feel like the bad guy for having a problem with it) is simply disrespecting you. It is up to you to either communicate your feelings and let him/her know what your boundaries are or to walk away. Listen to that small voice inside you, and to some extent, also listen to those around you. I think women have an advantage in the intuition department. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a strange feeling that something wasn’t right, and my instincts have not once failed me. And if your friends are cautioning you to be careful, don’t jump to conclusions, but do take mental note and try to verify one way or the other. Don’t simply live in denial that nothing is wrong. Singles, let’s be smart about our dating, especially in the early stages. Be open to relationships, but be sure to apply these simple dating practices and always proceed with caution. Rachael Noble is a single Carmel resident and contributing columnist. She can be reached at nobleadvice@yahoo.com.

Singles, let’s be smart about our dating, especially in the early stages.

26 | November 10, 2009

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Mystery, confusion and comfort: Celebrating the life of a friend COMMENTARY By Bob Walters In a November 2004 e-mail exchange with a dear friend, I wrote: “Over the weekend, for no particular reason, I found myself contemplating God and Christ as a mystery, and locked onto thinking about the difference between confusion and mystery. “I can see now that my spiritual life changed three years ago (after being baptized in 2001), because my relationship with God through Christ became a mystery, rather than just being confusing. I think there is a key distinction here. Confusion picks at our rational being; it is uncomfortable and something we avoid. “Mystery, and its close sibling, wonder, can hold us rationally in their limitless arms with comfort and peace, even in the absence of understanding. When we pray for understanding, we should expect peace in return, not necessarily knowledge. When we pray for wisdom and discernment, we should expect greater comfort, not necessarily more answers. “Yet, as opposed to the ‘Age of Reason,’ the ‘Age of Mystery’ doesn’t sound especially appealing. It seems to require rejection of reason, which is required to live productively and ensure our human survival. Reason is God’s great gift to man that makes us different from the animals. But so is spirituality a great and singular gift.

“It’s a mystery to me, and I’m OK with that.” Came the reply that evening: “That is a mysterious e-mail! There will always be a part of the Faith that will be a mystery to us. If we knew as much as God, we would try to pull off a coup and take over. Besides, there are only a few of us who know it all. As John Wooden said, ‘It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.’ An interesting reading for you would be I Kings 3:6-14. Young Solomon pleased God by asking for a discerning heart instead of long life and wealth. “So, God gave him understanding and wisdom with the longevity and big bucks thrown in. It is right for us to ask for the right stuff and we get more than we expected. You are certainly right in saying that mystery creates a calming effect.” That, along with some other clever word plays and personal encouragement, was longtime Indianapolis pastor Russ Blowers, a Christian who preached the Gospel. He died two years ago today, Nov. 10, 2007. I – and many others – miss him so.

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DISPATCHES

» Sleek portable speakers - Philips has unveiled its latest portable speakers for the Korean market: the SBA1700. And they are back with the disc-shaped profile, perhaps to please the purists. They are plug-and-play and connect to an audio source via a 3.5mm stereo connector with the promise of a 20-hour long playtime (3 AAA batteries, 1.5V). The SBA1700 is rather dearly priced at around $60, but we bet it will be your every penny’s worth. - www.popgadget.net » Wii 2 on the way - With the success of Nintendo’s Wii, it really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone to hear that a “Wii 2” is in the works. There isn’t anything official just yet, but word is that it should be released in Q3 of 2010, and will be rolled out worldwide simultaneously, not to mention there will be trade-in programs to sweeten the deal. While there aren’t any concrete specs just yet, it seems that there will be a built-in Blu-ray drive for 1080p games and movies. Hopes are that Nintendo will improve on the Wii’s trademark motion-sensing capabilities of its Wiimote. - www.ubergizmo.com » Updated Lite-Brite? - Lite-Brite is one of those toys that has managed to withstand the test of time with very little innovation. You jam plastic pegs in a hole, they light up, and you get art. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. Sketch Art from a company called Hi-Tec Art is a lot like Lite-Brite, but instead of clear plastic pegs it uses individual LEDs that stick to the background and light up on their own. Each set comes with 100 3mm LEDs of assorted colors. - www.ohgizmo.com

28 | November 10, 2009

Pros and cons of 64-bit Windows 7 COMMENTARY By Gary Hubbard Without question, the future of personal computing is in the 64-bit realm. Sixty-four-bit processors and operating systems have been out for quite a long time, but they were once only useful primarily to “techies” with specific technological needs. Windows 7 is poised to change all that – even for casual users. But in my opinion, if you commit to it right now, you are on the back end of the “leading edge” (which is often translates to the “bleeding edge” because of the problems that come with new technologies). Here is why I view 64-bit computing in the late stages of the leading edge: • 64-bit operating systems require 64-bit processors (which you have, but most older computers don’t). • To take full advantage of the 64-bit platform, you must also have 64-bit applications, which are few and far between for the casual computer user. • You must have 64-bit drivers for all of your hardware and peripherals (forget about support for really old components, printers, scanners, etc.). • You must have 64-bit anti-virus software and other vital security software. • You’re wasting your time if you don’t have

more than 3 GB of RAM. • You must be willing to put up with companies that are still trying to get their drivers and software compatible with 64-bit operating systems (which, thanks to Vista, is becoming much less of an issue) For most folks, seeing any appreciable difference between a 32-bit and 64-bit system while surfing the Internet, checking e-mail and writing letters is likely to be slim to none. Power users, hardcore gamers and vertical-application business users are a different story, but that’s typically not who reads this column. None of the “average user” tasks really stress a properly configured 32-bit system. With all the 64-bit hype, too many users are improperly blaming the “32-bit limitation” as the reason their computers are running so slow. The reality is that most folks don’t properly maintain their computers and are inundated with unnecessary programs, hidden malware and cheap hardware. Those buying a new computer with lots of

64-bit friendly hardware and lots of RAM are in a much better position to make the transition than those with older systems with just barely enough hardware to run a 64-bit OS. In review, 64-bit is absolutely the way to go if you can verify your hardware, peripherals, drivers and programs are all compatible with a 64-bit environment. If you are technically incapable of determining these things, too lazy to do the homework or don’t want to have to wipe out your existing Windows Vista installation, stick to the 32-bit version (or consult a knowledgeable professional). If you are somewhere in between, wait a little while so that more of the issues can be discovered and you can benefit from the learning curve forged by others. Gary Hubbard is the owner of Data Doctors Computer Services - www.datadoctors.com. Have a technology question? Send it to CurrentInCarmel@datadoctors.com

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DISPATCHES

PETS OF THE WEEK

» Movin’ for Mutts – Help out the animals at the Hamilton County Humane Society and your own health by joining Movin’ for Mutts Nov. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Westfield Intermediate School gym. Two hours of fitness fun taught by nationally certified Instructors will be offered for a minimum donation of $20 to the HSHC. Spaces are limited, so reserving a spot early is recommended. Do so by calling Allyson Love at 446-2068.

Lucy is a 3-year-old female white with tan hound/terrier mix. Lucy is a very active girl who would love to find a home with a big fenced-in back yard where she can run and play. She is spayed, house trained and knows the commands “sit” and “down,” but she needs a home where she will be the only dog. She will need an active family who will make sure she gets plenty of daily exercise, and she’s not opposed to taking a training class or two to help her refine her obedience skills. Lucy is a beautiful girl who will make a wonderful family pet.

» Love triangle – When a new person is added to the living dynamic where a pet is already happily occupying, problems can arise. Consider the following to make the transition smooth: Stick to the schedule. Companion animals depend on stability. Create a connection. At first, giving your pet a special treat whenever your partner arrives can create a positive association. Compromise. Balancing your pet's needs and your partner's wishes creates a relationship that will work well for everyone. Make yourself heard. Clarify the special needs of your pet to your new partner. - www.hsus.org » Seizures in pets – Seizures may occur in pets for a variety of reasons. If your pet has a seizure, heed the following advice: • Protect the pet from injuring herself during or after the seizure. Keep her from falling from a height and especially keep away from water. • Remove other pets from the area as some pets become aggressive after a seizure. • Protect yourself from being bitten. • Record the time the seizure begins and ends, and if it started with a certain body part (such as twitching of an eye). • If the seizure or convulsion lasts over 3 minutes, cool the pet with cool (not cold) water on the ears, belly and feet, and seek veterinary attention at once.

My dog has an ear infection … again! COMMENTARY By Dr. Mary Marcotte Ear infections and allergies (sister diseases) are by far the most common, frustrating diseases seen in veterinary medicine. They are frustrating for you, your pet, and yes, even those of us who try to help your dog feel better. It is frustrating because there is usually no effective one-time solution to these problems.

Why does my dog have an ear infection?

More often than not, dogs with ear infections have allergies. Dogs, just like people, can be allergic to virtually anything in the environment, including something in their regular diet. The difference between people and dogs is dogs usually do not have upper respiratory symptoms when they suffer from allergies. This is because the majority of their histamine receptors are in their skin. The most commonly irritated spots are the feet (especially in between toes), the face, the belly and the ears! Some dogs will only show irritation within their ear canals. Once the ears are irritated, they are no longer able to keep yeast and bacteria from causing infections.

What is causing the infection?

The most common causes of ear infections are yeast and bacteria, and not all bacteria are the same. This is why it is important that a cytology is performed (microscopic examination of ear swab). A cytology not only tells us what kind of infection your pet has, it also tells us how severe the infection is. This is a vital diagnostic tool to assess when we have successfully treated the infection.

Treatment

Sometimes we are lucky and can treat an ear infection once with appropriate medications. If your dog suffers from chronic infections, however, it may be time to discuss the possibility of allergies with you veterinarian. It is also important to know that with chronic, recurring ear infections, 85 percent of dogs will have an infection within their middle ear canal. The middle ear is the space behind the eardrum, and therefore topical drugs will not be effective. An infection of the middle ear canal (otitis media) requires oral medications.

Why is it important to address the allergies?

Chronic infections can lead to resistant bacterial growth. This is similar to MRSA in people. When the typical bacteria are continuously killed off by an antibacterial agent, this can lead to growth of a more resilient organism (usually pseudomonas). Killing this organism requires very specific and usually expensive antibiotics that need to be determined by a culture and sensitivity (also expensive). I have seen many animals with this type of infection, and it is very difficult to treat. Some animals may even require extensive surgery that can cost thousands of dollars. If your pet is suffering from recurrent ear infections, it is time to talk to your veterinarian about a more aggressive approach.

Igor is a 7-month-old male black DSH. Igor is neutered, litter-box trained and gets along well with other cats. He was found by an Animal Control officer wandering the streets of Hamilton County. After a visit with a veterinarian, Xrays and medication, Igor went into foster care to recover. Once his leg was healed, he came back to the shelter and has since suffered an eye infection and upper respiratory infection. This poor little guy has had to deal with a lot in his first seven months of life, but he hopes now that he is strong and healthy someone will decide to give him a chance and give him a forever home. For more information on these and other animals at the Humane Society, call 317-773-4974 or go to www.hamiltonhumane.com.

Dr. Mary Marcotte is a Carmel veterinarian. You may reach her at info@currentincarmel.com.

• If your pet has two or more seizures in a 24-hour period, seek veterinary attention. • If your pet has one seizure that is less than 3 minutes and seems to recover completely, contact your veterinarian’s office for further instructions. A visit may or may not be recommended based on your pet’s medical history. - www.veterinarypartner.com

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November 10, 2009 | 29

Eating healthy by pure coincidence

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Mike Redmond is an author, journalist, humorist and speaker. Write him at mike@ mikeredmondonline.com or P.O. Box 44385, Indianapolis, IN 46244.

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cakes. It goes back to when I was a kid. My whole family ate blueberry pancakes on Sundays, and I was called a weirdo when I wanted mine plain. To this day, I haven’t touched a blueberry pancake, and that was 47 years ago. I am nothing if not dedicated. • Kiwi fruit. Bless their fuzzy brown outsides and sweet green insides. • Sweet potatoes. I prefer squash, but I don’t mind a hot sweet now and again. And no, I don’t need them in brown sugar with marshmallows. Ick. • Spinach. Call me Popeye. • Tomatoes. Call me … well, I can’t think of anyone. But I love tomatoes. • Walnuts. That’s actually my snack of choice these days – a handful of walnuts just before bed. • Dark chocolate. OK, sometimes I have a piece of dark chocolate with my walnuts. So sue me. So there I was, looking over this list of healthy foods and feeling proud of myself, indeed. I’ve made a conscious effort to eat better this year, and here were things I had been eating all along not because they were healthy, but because I liked them. That they were making me healthier was just a bonus. Then I read the fine print. This was an article from a ladies’ magazine about how these foods would make you more beautiful, with lustrous hair and glowing skin and all that girl stuff. Beauty? Luster? Glow? One look at me and you know it’s bogus. Oh well. On the upside, you’ll notice it didn’t say anything about sprouts.

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COMMENTARY By Mike Redmond Someone sent a list of super-healthy foods, and I was pleased to see that most of them were high on my list of Things I’d Eat Even If They Weren’t Good For You – which is not a very long list, me being a man and all. I’ve long observed that women are much more likely than men to something nasty if it’s good for them. Brussels sprouts, for example. Brussels sprouts are horrible. There is simply no good reason for Brussels sprouts to even exist. They taste like a mouthful of sulphurous compost. But I have known several women who would load their plates with sprouts – even while admitting they didn’t really care for them – because they are (a.) a vegetable and (b.) good for you, allegedly. I have my doubts. Guys, on the other hand, will simply say “No thank you,” or “I’ll pass,” or “Get those things out of here before I hurl.” Anyway, back to the list. It contained a lot of really good stuff that was already on my grocery list, such as: • Wild salmon. Which is the only kind I’ll eat. I’ve seen some reports about farmed salmon, and in some cases … well, let’s just say you’d be better off eating a hot dog. • Low-fat yogurt. I’m not wild about yogurt, but when I eat it, it’s low fat. Everything S i J o haround n s ohere n , is low fat. Except me. V i c eI love P roysters. e s i dOne e noft these / days • Oysters. I’m going to an oyster bar where R e a l t o r / M a n a g eI’ll r tell them to keep them coming until I say stop C a–ror mpass e l out. F. CI. want Tu ctokeseer where Office my limit is. The only thing stopping me is this strong feeling that I will embarrass myself when the bar closes and I’m still eating. • Blueberries. Love ‘em. Except in pan-

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‘I’m not drunk, officer; I’m just a lousy driver’ COMMENTARY By Dick Wolfsie “Have you been drinking,” asked the officer, politely I might add, when he stopped me on Broad ripple Avenue in Indianapolis, after I had turned west from Keystone. I was on my way home from a WISHTV remote, my usual Sunday morning beat. “Drinking?” I said with a bit more hubris than is generally advisable when addressing a law enforcement officer. “It’s 9:30 in the morning.” “When is the last time you had a drink?” “I don’t remember?” “That’s not a good sign, sir.” “That’s not what I mean. I think I had a beer three nights ago,” I stammered. Stammering, by the way, is not recommended during a situation like this. The officer then explained that when I made my turn I “nicked the median with my front tire,” and that in his experience as a police officer, “this usually means the person has had a few too many.” “Officer, this is silly. I’m not drunk. I’m just a lousy driver.” As

you can see, I was having trouble saying precisely what I wanted to say. Another bad sign, by the way. The officer went back to his car with my registration. A few minutes later, he retuned to my vehicle… “May I ask if you have ever been arrested?” “Arrested? Look, I know you’re doing your job, officer, but other than three days overdo at Blockbuster, I’ve never been in trouble in my life.” “Sir, I am going to let you go, but based on your careless turn, I could give you a breathalyzer test to see if you are legally drunk.” “If it’s legal, what’s the problem?” (Author’s note: That last line I just made up. But the rest of the story is 100 percent true) When I got home, Mary Ellen asked me why I was so late. I told her that when I made a left turn off Keystone I hit my front tire on the median and a cop pulled me over for being intoxicated. “You do that all the time. Why didn’t you just tell him you’re a lousy driver?” “I did tell him that.” Mary Ellen burst out laughing. “I was just kidding. I can’t be-

lieve you said something that stupid.” The more I thought about this incident, the angrier I got. I called my friend Rob Butler, who sold me my car, and told him the story. “That’s amazing. How do these things happen to you?” said Rob. “And the funny part is, you’re a good driver.” “I am?” “Of course not, I was just kidding” The more I thought about this faulty left-hand turn, the more I wondered about my driving ability. So the other morning I went back to that corner and made the same maneuver multiple times. In nine out 10 attempts, I was successful in negotiating that pesky strip that separates the street. If I were a baseball player in the World Series, that would be a .900 average. But it wouldn’t be for hitting. It would be for missing.

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

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November 10, 2009 | 31

Correspondence with a handyman COMMENTARY By Randy Sorrell Q: Hi. I am calling about a few handyman things I need completed around the house, such as some touch-up painting and caulking on a few windows, and I would also like to winterize our home. Is that the sort of thing remodeling companies do? A: Sure. Most professional firms employ carpenters, electricians and guys who are proficient with tools. Q: Really! So you could hang a new ceiling fan and even a few new paintings we purchased in the Arts & Design District? A: Oh yeah, and do it correctly,

too. What else are you hoping for? Have you developed a list? Q: Well, we have always wanted to put travertine tile in our bathroom, and since we are going to stay in our house a little while longer, we thought we would change the fixtures, too – new faucets, doorknobs and other things to update the house. We even thought about painting our kitchen cabinets instead of purchasing new ones. Is that a good idea? Maybe the counters – it depends on the budget. A: That’s an impressive list; let me catch my breath. Yes, most home improvement companies thrive with “honey dos,” and painting your cabinets can be a cost-effective strategy with a great ROI. An experienced pro would need to see the project to accurately comment. Q: I’m curious, are you insured, and how do you charge? By the hour or job? Will you give me a formal proposal? A: Great questions. Any company you hire simply must be properly protected with worker’s compensation and

Top three handyman requests: Hang pictures, repair drywall, repair a dripping faucet National average hourly fee: $60-100 Who employs a handyman service? Those without much time on their hands or who aren’t handy liability insurance – for their protection and yours. No exceptions. A formal proposal is critical. Most will have an hourly charge that may seem ambitious, especially if electrical or plumbing is required. Professional firms employ professional teams making professional decisions and incomes. Q: What about staff? Have they been trained or through some sort of security clearance? My kids are home, we just cleaned our carpets, and if the dog escapes one more time, I’m in big trouble. A: Glad to hear our industry has the same concerns.

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Randy Sorrell is president of SURROUNDINGS by NatureWorks+, a Carmel home improvement firm. He may be reached at 317-679-2565, randy@choosesurroundings.com or www.choosesurroundings.com.

Concrete maintenance will preserve your wallet COMMENTARY By Ellen Rosebrock Question: What is the most overlooked area of the home requiring winter maintenance? Answer: Concrete driveways and sidewalks are often the most overlooked. Concrete is supposed to last forever, isn’t it? It’s durable and fairly indestructible, so how can it deteriorate? The truth is concrete has to be maintained if you want it to last the lifetime of the home. Maintaining the integrity of the concrete is far less costly than replacing it. Along with replacement costs, in some situations, tearing up landscaping and sprinkler systems is unavoidable. Although unlevel concrete pads or a crumbling surface will not affect your creature comfort during the winter

32 | November 10, 2009

months, it can cost you a bundle to repair when not properly maintained. The winter months are most damaging to concrete. Concrete “heave” is when a section of concrete rises above other adjacent pads. Concrete “spalling” is when it looks like the moon’s surface on your driveway (pock marks). Both can be prevented with the proper maintenance. The seams, cracks and surface should be properly sealed every fall. Ellen Rosebrock is the owner of Mr. Handyman of Southern Hamilton County. You may reach her at ellen. rosebrock@mrhandyman .com.