February 21, 2023 — Fishers

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City of Fishers races to take Geist Half Marathon to next level

By Chris Bavender news@currentinfishers.com

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RUNNING

For 15 years, the Geist Half Marathon was managed by the Geist Half Marathon board. About nine months ago, the board’s executive leadership approached the City of Fishers to explore opportunities for the city to take on the event.

“We were flattered by that. It’s a signature event, a long-standing community event here. So, we explored those conversations, and over the course of a couple months vetted it out and analyzed various things,” said Jake Reardon McSoley, director of Recreation and Wellness for the City of Fishers. “We got some plans together and were able to move forward. We are super excited to be able to take the baton and run with it.”

Early on, Reardon McSoley said city officials believed the event was something they would need a partner to pull it off at the high level they wanted it to be. So, they reached out to Vision Event Management, a running event management company, and its owner, Jeff Graves.

“They will be our production and event management partner, so they really are in charge of a large amount of the logistics and heavy lifting for this event,” Reardon McSoley said.

“Our role is core race production of the event,” Graves said. “This has always been a great community event, and now with the City of Fishers taking it over, I anticipate it even getting better.”

Graves and Reardon McSoley meet weekly, with a larger full-team meeting monthly, and sub-groups, such as volunteers, marketing, etc.

“So, there’s a lot of planning happening

even now for an event that won’t be until Sept. 16 — just a lot of coordination of a lot of different things,” Reardon McSoley said.

One of the changes is moving the race date, which historically has been held in the spring.

“In our conversations with the board of the Geist Half Marathon, they shared they had gotten participant and community input over a number of years to potentially explore moving it to the fall, and they were actually strongly considering doing that before COVID happened,” Reardon McSoley said. “From the beginning, we looked at it as timing could really be beneficial for the community to move it to the fall for a few reasons. It has always sort of been the same week in the spring, which is exactly two weeks after the large 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. And that’s the largest half marathon in the state. It’s a huge draw, and rightfully so, and hard to share the spotlight of that event and made it difficult to compete with, to be honest.”

Reardon McSoley said organizers discovered that not a lot of people did both events, so the city started exploring what other options might look like.

“As we looked at calendars, we started to realize, ‘Hey, the weather is really nice in the fall, the reservoir looks great in the fall,’” he

said. “And from a family scheduling point of view, that May timeline is a little bit crazy for a lot of people, and the fall, come middle to (the) end of September, seems to feel a little bit calmer and it would also be a little bit better from a roadwork and construction point of view.”

In another change, the 10K race was dropped from the schedule.

“We analyzed that and what past enrollment and participation had been and national trends, and it was sort of a hot, trending distance for events. For a while there, it had cooled down,” Reardon McSoley said. “So, in the efforts of trying to do a little bit less, but at a higher or as high a quality as possible with this transition, we decided to focus on just the 5K and the half marathon.”

The course for the half marathon will stay the same, while the 5K course will be tweaked a bit.

Reardon McSoley and Graves are enthused about the vision the city has for the event.

“First and foremost, a safe event that is beyond the participants’ expectations when it comes to production,” Graves said. “We want to set a new standard for event experience.”

For more, visit geisthalf.com.

The views of the columnists in Current in Fishers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.

Graves

Reardon McSoley

The start-finish line of a previous Geist Half Marathon. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fishers)

COMMUNITY

Esports grow at HSE

By Edward Redd news@currentinfishers.com

Electronic Sports, or esports, have become so popular that colleges have started offering scholarships to students who show exceptional talent. Hamilton Southeastern High School teacher Keaton Squires has been leading a gaming club at the school since 2016.

SCHOOLS

Squires was inspired to launch a club at HSE after learning of similar clubs at Carmel and Noblesville high schools. The HSE club has evolved into competing against other schools and has enjoyed much success.

“We had some kids test out some things in the spring of 2021,” Squires said. “Our first official season was in fall of 2021.”

Keaton said the program has benefited students academically and socially. For example, HSE junior Nguyen Tat has been contacted by Anna Maria College about the possibility of receiving a full-ride scholarship.

Tat has been involved with the school’s esports club since 2022.

“The moment I joined, I met a lot of really nice people,” Tat said. “Without esports, I wouldn’t have these many friends, and my confidence wouldn’t be as high.”

Since the beginning of the program, Keaton has been talking to Sal Surra, a web professional in Fishers who shares his interest in the program’s growth.

Surra is putting together a practice center for esports players in Fishers. It will be called Yes! Gaming at 11447 Overlook Dr.

On Feb 25, the Mudsock Tournament will be held at Yes! Gaming, where students from HSE and Fishers high schools will compete.

Members of the Hamilton Southeastern High School esports team participate in a competition. Top, from left, Kenny Kay, Jordan Soine and Nguyen Tat. Front, from left, Lucas Bratton, Caroline Pierce, Gavin Bradley, Cole Womack and Wesley Leigh. (Photo courtesy of Keaton Squires)

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Learning-based day care set to open in April

By Nolan Anderson news@currentinfishers.com

*Rate advertised is for residents that live outside of Fishers City of Fishers residents receive a discounted rate, scan QR code for details

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NEW BIZ

In early April, The Learning Experience Academy of Early Education will open at 1360 Bent Grass Lane in Fishers, providing parents of newborns to age 6 with an education-focused day care option.

Greenwood residents Dhaval Patel and his wife, Disha, said they wanted to open a child care facility in Fishers that focuses on the care and educational development of kids.

“This is not your standard pick-up and drop-off day care,” Patel said. “The day care will provide a unique educational experience for each age range, focusing on early education with a built-in curriculum geared towards early childhood development.”

The curriculum consists of new themes each month that focus on hands-on learning based on educational and early childhood development standards set by the state of Indiana. The facility will offer parents access to its ‘Show-N-Tell’ app, which helps parents plan and provides a dossier of their child’s learning plans and progress.

The Learning Experience’s nationwide franchises were recently recognized as one of the top education early childhood development day cares in the nation by Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 rankings.

“We wanted to do something we would be passionate about, and that would involve us with the community,” Patel said. “Indiana is our home.”

DISPATCH

Fishers resident makes dean’s list at Notre Dame — Maggie Watson of Fishers has been named to the dean’s list in the University of Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters for outstanding scholarship during the fall 2022 semester.

Dhaval Patal

Disha Patal

FHS junior set for Miss Volunteer America pageant

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Volunteering is a passion for Fishers High School junior Vani Sharma.

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GIVING BACK

“I am involved in over 20 organizations across the globe with my E.A.S.E service projects, current ones including the Ronald McDonald House, Changing Footprints, Foster Fairies, Care for Children and City of Fishers,” Sharma said.

E.A.S.E stands for educate, achieve, smile and empower.

So, it seems fitting Sharma won the Miss Indiana Teen Volunteer competition Jan. 21 in Floyd Knobs,

The Miss Volunteer America national competition is set for March 9-11 in Jackson, Tenn.

“I think the key to earning the title was my passion in interview,” Sharma said. “I spoke to the judges about my service initiative, E.A.S.E, and what service means to me. Service is a value that I’ve learned to appreciate from a young age, and being able to be a part of a pageant organization that has that same core value is just amazing. The beautiful crown has five points, and each of them represents the organization’s mission S.E.R.V.E. (scholarship, education, responsibility, volunteerism. empowerment).”

Sharma is getting ready for the competition with the categories of talent, interview, fitness and evening gown.

“I have been preparing by completing my paperwork, serving my community and, of course, practicing in my heels as well as my shoes,” Sharma said. “From working out preparing for the fitness competition, practicing in my heels for gown, doing mock interviews, practicing my dance for talent, and doing yoga and breathing exercises, I am working on improving myself both physically and mentally. I feel that this preparation

Fishers High School junior Vani Sharma captured the (Miss Indiana Teen Volunteer title. (Photo courtesy of Rob Metzger)

is valuable not only for the Miss Volunteer America nationals, but it is preparation for a continued healthy lifestyle for the future.”

Sharma plays the clarinet in her school’s wind ensemble. She also holds leadership positions as the FHS volunteer coordinator for the National Honor Society and a mentor leader in DECA .

“I have been so honored to win in several pageants over the years and I’m so grateful to have been chosen as the 2023 Miss Indiana Teen Volunteer,” Sharma said. “I can’t wait to spend this year representing such a wonderful organization.”

Miss Volunteer America is one of the largest pageants offering scholarships focused on volunteerism.

“Her initiative ties perfectly to the social impact initiative of S.E.R.V.E. for Miss Indiana Volunteer and Miss Volunteer America,” said Bob Jones, executive director for Miss Indiana Volunteer. “We are a new pageant scholarship system with this being our second year. Miss Volunteer America was created by Allison DeMarcus to support the importance of promoting female leaders who understand the value of volunteering and serving our communities to make an impact on our future.”

For more on Sharma, visit ease-vani.org. For more, visit missvolunteeramerica.net/ miss-teen-volunteer-america.

DISPATCHES

Local resident makes dean’s list at Trinity Christian College — Fishers resident Kara VanDyke, a student at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Ill., has been named to the school’s dean’s list for fall 2022.

Nonprofit to present viewing of documentary — Fishers Multi-Faith Community for Compassion — whose mission is to

provide opportunities to meet neighbors, to learn and improve the city — in partnership with the Delaware Township Trustees are hosting a presentation of the Academy Award-winning documentary “A Stranger at the Gate” from 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Delaware Community Building. Presale tickets are $5. For more, call 317-595-3484,

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Carmel High School swimmer regains form after summer set

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School sophomore swimmer Lynsey Bowen showed her determination and resilience this season.

“She had a tough summer (in 2022),” Greyhounds swimming coach Chris Plumb said. “She got sick, but she came back and put in the work. She is just maturing as a person. To see her be here and swim like she did was just awesome.”

Bowen repeated as the 500-yard freestyle champion Feb. 11 in a state record time of 4 minutes, 42.81 seconds at the IHSAA girls swimming and diving finals at the IU Natatorium at IUPUI in Indianapolis. She won the 200 freestyle title in a time of 1:45.49.

“Last year, I tied the record (4:45.15) and this year I broke it, which felt really good to not be sharing the record,” she said of the 500 freestyle race. “I had two of my teammates in the 500 with Lexi (Ward) and

MEET LYNSEY BOWEN

Favorite athlete: Katie Ledecky

Favorite movie: “Elf”

Favorite subject: English

Hobbies: Bike riding, baking

Alyssa (Street). I’m just so proud of them, they did so good. I’ve been swimming with Lexi (Ward) for 10 years and I’m just so glad we went 1-2.”

Bowen was fourth in the 200 freestyle in last year’s state meet.

“It felt really good,” she said. “I just tried to sprint as fast as I can and get my hand on the wall, work on my turns and

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underwaters.”

Bowen helped the Greyhounds capture their 37th consecutive state championship with a record 498 team points.

“I think this team is the best team I’ve ever been a part of,” Bowen said. “Everyone is so encouraging, and the meet was so much fun.”

Bowen said it took time to regain strength after being ill.

“I missed most of July and didn’t really swim anything at Summer Junior Nationals,” Bowen said. “I think I got back to mostly 100 percent at Winter Junior Nationals in December.”

Then she concentrated on improving.

“I worked on my stroke a lot and my turns,” she said. “Lexi and Alex Shackell have helped me so much with my technique and turns. I’m getting better and stronger every day in practice.”

Bowen’s sister, Kendra, is a former CHS swimmer who won the 200 freestyle in the state meet in 2019, her senior year. Kendra is a senior swimmer for Purdue University.

“I just always wanted to be like her, and I look up to her so much,” said Lynsey, whose mother, Renee, swam at Ball State University.

Campbell

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Carmel High School sophomore Lynsey Bowen was a double winner at the state finals. (Photo courtesy of Luke Miller Photography)

Bowen

Getting to know Sharon Gleason

Sharon Gleason, a Zionsville resident, is president of Assistance League of Indianapolis, a nonprofit with several community outreach programs in central Indiana.

How did you become connected to the Assistance League?

I was introduced to Assistance League by a friend and neighbor. I attended a couple of fundraising events with her and her husband. I loved the mission of the organization and an ability to give back within my own community.

What do you enjoy most about the Assistance League?

The ability to give back, making a difference for children and adults in my community. I also love the friendships I have made.

What is your best habit?

Being organized. I am a list person!

Do you have a hidden talent?

I make a pretty good iced-sugar cookie!

What do you do when you’re creatively stuck?

I like to read and learn from others what inspires them. This helps me think of my own world in a different way.

Is there a book that you recommend to everyone?

“Small Great Things” by Jodi Picoult

What is the most underrated holiday, and why?

Thanksgiving. I do not think it is really underrated, but it is my very favorite holiday. It is a celebration of family and friends without all the commercial trappings. It is a day to count my many blessings.

What is your biggest indulgence?

Chocolate!

Do you have a favorite meal in town?

Muldoon’s Irish Stew. Especially in the winter.

What is your dream vacation?

Going to the beach, biking, kayaking and reading.

Thursday February 23 4 - 9

Junior swimmer helps HSE finish in fourth place

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Hamilton Southeastern High School junior Audrey Crawford considers this her best swimming season.

STATE FINALS

“I think this season

I’ve improved a lot in some different areas,” Crawford said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a breakout season, but it’s the season I’ve most improved.”

Crawford was second in the 200-yard individual medley in 1 minute, 59.87 seconds and 100 butterfly in 53.56 seconds at the Feb. 11 IHSAA girls swimming state finals at the IU Natatorium at IUPUI. The Royals finished fourth in the team standings with 148 points.

Crawford was second in the 100 butterfly and fifth in the 200 IM in the state finals as a sophomore.

“Going in I wanted to get second again,” Crawford said. “I kind of knew that it would be tough but that was a goal of mine.”

Crawford was joined by seniors Laura Bergman, Anna Stole and Ashley Saple on the third-place 400 freestyle relay team. She also was on the fourth-place 200 medley relay with senior Katelyn Kertin, sophomore Kiley Zoeller and freshman Naomi Haines.

“I had a lot of fun,” Crawford said. “I love being with my team.”

Crawford committed to Auburn University in November 2022.

“I was in a lot better mood when I committed to have that off my plate,” Crawford said. “It’s a good motivator going into college and my senior year.”

Hamilton Southeastern coach Christian Hanselmann said the team’s goal was to get third.

“We got fourth. It was a really competitive meet, so for us to get that we’re happy with that but definitely not satisfied,” said Hanselmann, who is in his second year as coach. “We’re trying to do better than that. We had a senior-heavy group (at state). So, we have some major holes to fill.”

Senior Grace Newton was seventh in the 100 backstroke. Zoeller, Bergman, Saple and senior Ava Olson placed seventh in the 200 freestyle relay.

A special thanks to Allied Solutions for participation and sponsorship of many of our holiday events.

Crawford

FAST LANE TO SUCCESS

Hall of Fame swimming coach finds new home at FHS

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Joe Keller had no desire to leave his job as Northridge High School boys and girls swimming coach.

“We had a ton of success for a small school,” Keller said. “It was home and I felt I could retire there and be very happy.”

His Northridge boys swimming team finished third three times in the IHSAA state finals. His girls team was poised for success after finishing fifth in 2016 and sixth in 2017.

“One of the struggles I had in taking (the Fishers) job is we had a really good team,” Keller said. “So, it was hard to leave that, but I knew we had potential here with all the resources.”

Keller was first persuaded to look into the Fishers High School job by former Tigers coach Jay Chambers, who was leaving for USA Swimming. Keller was eventually convinced and officially started July 1, 2017, as coach of the FHS boys and girls teams and the Fishers Area Swimming Tigers, known as FAST. The Northridge girls team did end up finishing second in 2018.

However, in his six seasons at Fishers, Keller’s success as a coach has grown. He was recently named to the Indiana High School Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame. He will be inducted April 15 in the coaching category for the class of 2023 at a banquet in Indianapolis.

Keller’s FHS girls team notched its fourth consecutive second-place finish Feb. 11 in the IHSAA state finals. Carmel has won 37 straight girls state titles. Keller’s FHS boys team was second in the 2021 state finals.

Keller doesn’t get wrapped up with his own coaching honors.

“Everything I do is about the kids,” Keller said. “The (Hall of Fame) is a recognition for all the athletes and the coaches that have been a part of that process. I just had the honor of driving the boat.”

His swimmers know he does more than that.

“He definitely deserves it,” FHS senior JoJo Ramey said of the Hall of Fame honor. “I’m going to miss swimming for him next summer. He’s been amazing and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without him.”

Ramey’s senior teammate Kate Mouser

shares that sentiment.

“Coach Keller is the best coach,” she said. “He’s so supportive. There is no one like him. It’s hard to put in words how much he means to me and how much he has pushed me along the way to where I’m at. Everything I’ve accomplished is a credit to him.”

Keller, 53, started coaching immediately after graduating from Ball State University. Keller, who was a BSU swimmer, started at Northridge in the fall of 1991. At that time, girls swimming was a fall sport. Northridge had started its swimming program 1 1/2 years before Keller took over. Under Keller, Northridge won 13 girls sectional titles and 16 boys sectional crowns.

Keller and his wife, Patti, have three sons, Philip, Kristopher and Timothy. Philip and Kristopher both swam for Northridge.

Philip is a Noblesville High School assistant soccer coach. Kristopher is an assistant swimming coach for FHS and FAST. Timothy graduated from FHS in 2019.

FISHERS FINISH SECOND IN THE GIRLS SWIMMING STATE FINALS AGAIN

With Carmel High School girls swimming team winning its 37th consecutive IHSAA state title, second is about as good as it gets for the rest of the state.

Fishers coach Joe Keller is pleased his team was second for the fourth consecutive year but admitted it’s a bit of a mixed bag of results.

“We’ve set a standard now where being state runner-up and scoring over 200 points is kind of the norm,” Keller said. “It’s the second-highest score we’ve had at a state meet. I feel like there were things left we could have done. That’s not to take away from this team because they have worked incredibly hard. These girls have been tremendous leaders.”

The Tigers were second with 233 points in the IHSAA girls swimming and diving state finals Feb. 11 at the IU Natatorium at IUPUI in Indianapolis. Carmel set a record with 498.

“I think it’s expected for our team to get second,” senior JoJo Ramey said. “We really had no thought of getting lower than that.”

Ramey finished second in the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 46.05 seconds, and third in the 500 freestyle in 4:50.52.

“I’m pretty pleased with my times but I really wanted to win individually,” said Ramey, who will swim for the University of Florida. “It’s OK, but I’m proud of everything I’ve done in my four years.”

Senior Kate Mouser, who will swim for Purdue next season, finished fourth in 500 freestyle.

Mouser was fourth in the 200 individual medley, and her junior teammate Avery Stein was fifth.

“We’re working our way up trying to get first, but right now I’m very happy with that,” Mouser said. “I love our senior group.

Everyone is so supportive of each other. They’re my family. They’re my sisters.”

Mouser, Ramey, senior Nalanie Marinel Cortez and freshman Addison Carlile were on the 400 freestyle relay team, which placed second.

Mouser, Ramey and Stein were on the third-place 200 medley relay with sophomore Emma Schwertfeger.

Stein placed fourth in the 100 breaststroke.

Stein, Schwertfeger, sophomore Claire Francis and Carlile were on the fourth-place 200 freestyle relay team.

ON THE COVER: Fishers High School coach Joe Keller headed to Indiana High School Swimming and Diving High of Fame. (Photo by Adam Sief)

The Fishers High School girls swimming team celebrates with the runner-up trophy. (Photo courtesy of IHSAA)

Fishers High School coach Joe Keller instructs during practice. (Photo by Adam Sief)

Dirty Dough preparing to open in Fishers

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Dirty Dough is the latest cookie company to enter the area market.

There are three corporate-owned stores in Fishers, Zionsville and Indianapolis.

Romney Stewart, chief operating officer for the company, said it had been seeking a Carmel location but wasn’t able to work out a lease agreement.

“We continue to look at potential store locations in Carmel and other areas in Greater Indianapolis for other possible store locations in the future,” he said.

The lease for the Zionsville location at 6634 Whitestown Pkwy. was just recently signed.

Stewart said the company is already working with the appropriate municipalities and departments for all necessary permits for the new store locations in Fishers, 13180 Market Square Dr., Suite 101 in Indianapolis; and 6159 N. Keystone Ave., Suite 400 in Indianapolis. The locations will be the first Dirty Dough stores in Indiana.

“A local general contractor has been selected to do the construction work at these locations,” he said of the Fishers and Indianapolis stores. “We are targeting

Dirty Dough features stuffed cookies. (Photo courtesy of Dirty Dough)

opening dates sometime within the March to May time frame, subject to a number of construction-related variables.”

The company’s procedure is to use a special machine to make its stuffed cookies.

“We use special balling machines in our production facility in Lindon, Utah, that inserts fillings, mix-ins and layers into our cookie dough batches to make them distinctly different from what you find in your local neighborhood cookie, resulting in deliciously gooey, filled, softer and thicker cookies,” Stewart said.

DISPATCHES

Hiring a tax professional — In most states, including Indiana, tax preparers do not have to meet any licensing standards, so you need to do your homework if you plan to hire a professional to do your taxes. Ask about any professional certifications, such as a CPA or Enrolled Agent. Find out what your recourse against the preparer is if you get audited and penalties are assessed. Finally, ask for references and check them out.

Source: BottomLineInc.

Cryptocurrency risks — Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson wants to remind Hoosiers to be cautious about such investments. Common cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Unlike traditional currency, these have no physical form and are not backed by tangible assets. They are not insured or controlled by any central authority and are subject to very little regulation. As a result, the potential for fraud is

high. To learn more, visit IndianaMoneyWise. com.

Discounts that actually cost you money — Retailers have latched onto a way to offer giant percentages off that are mesmerizing to shoppers but are not what they seem.

The pitch: You get a gigantic discount, typically up to 70 percent off, but the fine print notes that you get that discount only on a second or third of multiple similar items. Signs in store windows and on store shelves (and online) shout out the percentage and shoppers often don’t do the math to see just how unimpressive these offers typically are. For example, based on an offer of “buy two, get the third 50 percent off,” you take three items to checkout, where you then receive a total discount of 17 percent because you pay full price for the first two items.

Source: BottomLineInc.com

Fishers gears to raise awareness for disabilities

By Chris Bavender news@currentinfishers.com

The City of Fishers will host its annual National Disability Awareness Month celebration starting March 1. The goal of the event is to raise awareness for what life is like for those with physical and intellectual disabilities.

by educating the community and working together, we could create more inclusion, accessibility and work opportunities in Fishers.”

SCHOOLS

“It is important to share what the City of Fishers has done to create a life without limits for its residents, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Cecilia Coble, committee co-chair. “It is important because we need to continue to educate people about disabilities. Disabilities are part of the human experience. Sixty-one million adults in the United Sates live with a disability.”

This year’s theme, “Building Our Future Together,” was chosen to coincide with the City of Fishers’ 150th anniversary.

“The future and how to include all people is always an exciting conversation — and one on which we want to continue a focus. But people with disabilities have endured a great deal to emerge to this point,” said Kelly Hartman, committee co-chair. “As we look ahead, it will be important to consider where we have been, what lessons we have learned along the way and how that wisdom will empower the future.”

Advocating for disability inclusion is a passion for Coble, a Fishers City Council member, who is the mother of a special needs daughter with autism and intellectual disabilities.

“Almost eight years ago, my mother-inlaw also had a massive stroke that led her to have physical disabilities. When I was elected as a Fishers City Councilor in 2015, I was committed to making a positive impact at the local level for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” she said. “There are many challenges and needs facing the disability community. I felt that

Coble asked Hartman to join her as co-chair because of the latter’s extensive firsthand experience advocating for the disability community.

“After nearly 30 years of working in the field supporting people with intellectual disabilities on both the statewide and national stage, I realized there were significant unmet needs within our own community of Fishers,” Hartman said. “As a resident of this evolving city, I was inspired to take action locally to assure all people, of all capabilities are included in opportunities throughout this community.”

The March 1 kickoff will be the official unveiling of the event theme with Hartman as the keynote speaker. Art receptions March 3 and 10 will be in collaboration with the Fishers Arts Council and feature the artistic talents of individuals with disabilities.

Other events include the March 2 OneZone March Disability Awareness Breakfast: Finding Your Next Great Hire, featuring panelists who will offer insight on hiring individuals with disabilities and debunking disability myths in the workplace; workshops at the Hamilton East Public Library; and the return of the Ally Campaign.

“The Ally Campaign encourages the community to become an ally for disability inclusion. The toolkits include a T-shirt, yard sign, stickers and resource materials,” Coble said. “The resource materials include a language guide, answers to frequently asked questions about disabilities, a pledge to be an ally and social media graphics.”

Residents can pick up a toolkit beginning March 1 at Launch Fishers or at the Fishers City Services building, starting March 2.

For more on National Disability Awareness Month in Fishers, visit fishers. in.us/999/March-Disability-Awareness

FAMILY

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Personalized Care With A Gentle Touch

Personalized

Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. Molly E. Dwenger, D.D.S. info@fishersdentalcare.com

Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. Molly E. Dwenger, D.D.S. info@fishersdentalcare.com

Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S.

Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. Molly E. Dwenger, D.D.S. info@fishersdentalcare.com

Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com

Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S.

Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. 11959 Lakeside Drive | Fishers, Indiana 46038 317.577.1911

Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com

Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com

Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. Molly E. Dwenger, D.D.S. info@fishersdentalcare.com

| Fax 317.576.8070

Email:

Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com

Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. 11959 Lakeside Drive | Fishers, Indiana 46038 317.577.1911 | Fax 317.576.8070

Coble Hartman

And it’s Gorgeous We Have Nothing to Show You...

Not at your service?

Commentary by Terry Anker

“It’s not my job,” sneers the kid behind the counter. Perhaps, we think. But if not them, then who? OK, specialization leads to greater efficiency. Having the latte person make the Americano might slow down the entire production line leading to the kind of biblical chaos that was only known to readers of the Old Testament. Skinny-foam customers would likely get disproportional halves of “caf” to “decaf.” And some highly educated MBA’s vision of the perfect optimization of steps required to dispense coffee would be disrupted. Still, can’t we just get an extra cup?

As labor markets have tightened, the things that used to get done are now not happening. Young workers are scoring some of the lowest labor participation rates ever recorded. Older workers are retiring early as not before measured. And highly productive employees are self-reporting significant reductions in the amount of time they are putting into their jobs. Maybe it is a needed reset of expectations and demands. Maybe

Get a Sneak Peek at What’s Coming to Fishers

The excitement is building as The Courtyards of Fishers, Epcon’s newest low-maintenance community, is coming soon to Fishers, Indiana. And while there may be nothing to show you here just yet, we invite you to discover everything this gorgeous community of 50 homes will feature. You’ll really love Epcon’s new luxury ranch homes, designed and built for your lifestyle now and for years to come, featuring open, light-filled interiors and private, garden courtyards. And it’ll be easier than ever to enjoy the natural world as The Courtyards of Fishers is nestled in a beautiful and secluded wooded area with walking trails and a pond.

The community will also offer a low-maintenance lifestyle (no more mowing, edging or raking) that provides you with more time to do the things that matter most. With great proximity to Geist Reservoir, Fishers AgriPark, Top Golf, Fishers Yard District and Hamilton Town Center, you’ll have plenty of recreation, entertainment, shopping and dining to fill your days with. Additionally, I-69 is nearby, offering easy access to downtown Indianapolis from this beautiful boutique community.

©2023

we have all gotten a little lazy. Whatever the genesis or the analysis, we find that we’re being told to do it ourselves with increasing regularity and ferocity.

The promise of technology might help to carry us along. Soon, we hope, some device will lift the shifted burdens. In the meantime, we’re left to manage our own beverages or learn to live without. As we are confronted with a new paradigm of service, can we come to accommodate the changes gracefully while clinging to the fundamental elements of civil interaction? Kind, respectful exchange still carries the day, in most cases. But conflict over increasing gaps in expectation between providers and customers may be a harbinger of a new age in human interaction. We just want an extra cup. Is it really that diffcult? Well, it might be.

Out of sight, way out of mind

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

I’ve come to the realization that I may take the adage “out of sight, out of mind” a bit too seriously when it comes to my husband, Doo. Case in point, his recent ski trip.

HUMOR

Basically, since I wasn’t part of this vacation and because I was more excited to have Doo gone, his itinerary literally went straight from my inbox to deleted mail with no acknowledgement on my part.

I knew he would be in Colorado and that he’d be meeting up with our older girlchild who’s at Colorado State University. And of course, I knew the exact day of his departure because I’d been dreaming for months about the five evenings of blissful solitude I’d be enjoying, filled with cozy frozen dinners for one in a perfectly tidy living room. Heaven was nigh!

But that’s about it. So, when our daughter called to ask for the Airbnb code, I could not help. And when my friends at work wondered where they were skiing, I responded, “Breckinridge? Veil? The Rockies?” I didn’t know the airline, if he was renting a car, nor that three of Doo’s buddies were going,

– DANIELLE WILSON

too. Basically, since I wasn’t part of this vacation and because I was more excited to have Doo gone, his itinerary literally went straight from my inbox to deleted mail with no acknowledgement on my part. He would be dead to me, and I couldn’t wait. But what if something had gone wrong? I would have been worthless to investigators had he suddenly disappeared or had a horrible accident. I’d have probably heard about the killer avalanche on the radio and turned the station. “Ooh, I love this song!”

Regardless, Doo has returned and my brief sojourn as a single lady is over. I still have no idea where he was, though. Out of sight, out of mind. Peace out.

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

IP86, LLC. Although all floorplans, features, illustrations, and specifications of the homes and communities are believed correct at the time of publication, the right is reserved to make changes, without notice or obligation. Windows, doors, ceilings, layout, colors, finishes and room sizes may vary depending on the options and elevations selected. This information is for illustrative purposes only and not part of a legal contract.

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

Left to my own ‘devices’

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

Mary Ellen and I compete against each other every evening as we watch “Jeopardy!” I usually win because she is also playing sudoku and is only listening to the show. She doesn’t realize the closed-caption answers come up on the screen. When I hear a clue like, “It’s the highest point in South Dakota,” I yell out, “What is Black Elk Peak?” Mary Ellen is impressed and asks, “How did you know that?” Her question would be easier to answer if I were willing to admit to cheating.

HUMOR

at a blistering 3 mph, and I’m expected to make this decision on the run? Well, it’s not really a run, but still, it’s a blistering 3 mph. I know one thing: Whichever option I choose, the phrase, “Can you hear me now?” is bound to be said a dozen times during the call.

The other night I asked Alexa to play John Legend. My Apple Watch chimed in and said, “Sorry, to hear John Legend you must sign up for Apple Music.”

There’s more competition in our household. We have the following electronic devices plugged in: My Amazon Fire, Mary Ellen’s Kindle, my Apple Watch, her Fitbit, three Alexa Echoes and two iPhones. Oh, and a landline phone, which I seldom use. But you’d have to pry it from my cold, dead hands. I’m old school.

I purchased new hearing aids before the holidays. These incredible devices have changed my life, but not always for the better. They’re intended to interface with other electronic devices, which has caused a bidding war for my undivided attention.

When I’m jogging, for example, my cellphone might ring. I hear that ring through my hearing aids. After I dig the phone out of my sweatpants pocket, I select how I want to take the call: over my headset, through my hearing aids, on the speaker or holding the phone to my ear. Here I am, moving

“I’m not talking to you,” I yelled at my wrist. Then I realized I should watch my tone because all the gadgets in my house are monitoring me. They know my most personal secrets. Best not to disrespect them.

Recently, one of my wife’s audio books for her monthly book club started coming though my hearing aids, and I couldn’t turn the sound off. I was doing the dishes, so I just kept listening. Later that week, I was the only person at the ladies’ book club who hated “Bridget Jones’s Diary.”

Yesterday, I asked Alexa what the weather would be like for the next week. She said, “I’m sorry, I can’t answer that question while you are driving.”

“I am not driving,” I hollered. “I am on my treadmill, going at the blistering speed of….”

POLICIES

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

There’s more competition in our household. We have the following electronic devices plugged in: My Amazon Fire, Mary Ellen’s Kindle, my Apple Watch, her Fitbit, three Alexa Echoes and two iPhones. Oh, and a landline phone, which I seldom use. But you’d have to pry it from my cold, dead hands. I’m old school.

– DICK WOLFSIE

It’s not about the music in Carmel Community Players production

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Tanya Haas doesn’t want attendees to be misled by the title of Carmel Community Players’ upcoming production.

COMEDY

“Even though the title is, ‘The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,’ it is not a musical. There is a little bit of singing as part of the plot, but it’s definitely a straight play,” Haas said.

Carmel Community Players’ production will run Feb. 24 to March 5 at the Ivy Tech Noblesville Auditorium.

The play takes place in an isolated mansion in the middle of a snowstorm. A group of performers and producers are cut off from the outside world with a deranged murderer, called the Stage Door Slasher, on the loose.

Haas, a Carmel resident, plays Helsa,. “She isn’t a major character in terms of stage time, but she is very important to the plot,” Haas said. “She tells everyone a bit about her life in the course of the show but is quite mysterious. One of the things I love about the role is also what is challenging about it, in that it’s a lot of physical comedy, which I love doing but my body doesn’t always love as I get older. I also have a German accent in the show, which I had thankfully been working on since appearing in a production of ‘The 39 Steps’ in 2021.”

Haas said the show is fun for the entire cast because the comedy is deliberately over the top.

“Not one character is meant to be subtle,” she said. “I think audiences will really enjoy it because it’s the type of show that just makes you laugh, and there’s really nothing serious about it all despite being a murder mystery.”

Zionsville resident Elizabeth Ruddell said she chose to direct the play because it is hilarious.

“There are many characters in it, and they are all bigger than life,’ Ruddell said. “I have seen this show many times before.

Each production brings something new to it. That’s why it is a joy to direct. There are challenges for the show, but it is not with the actors, all of whom are very talented and very funny. The challenge is the set, which holds many surprises for the audience. Be prepared to feel suspense and laugh. What a great combination.”

Noblesville resident Robert Fimreite plays Patrick O’Reilly.

Fimreite, 62, acted during his senior year in high school in Whitehall, Wis.

“I had to be talked into doing that, and then I took a 40-year hiatus,” Fimreite said. “I had a bucket list of things I wanted to do, and I wanted to do a show.”

In October 2018, Fimreite returned to

the stage as Lurch in Carmel Apprentice Theatre’s “The Addams Family” at The Cat in Carmel.

“Now, I’m doing three to four shows a year,” Fimreite said. “It’s been fun. It’s a great way to meet people and make new friends.”

Fimreite said he is performing his role with three different accents: Irish, New York City and German.

“That will be a challenge to me,” he said. “It’s been hilarious watching everyone develop their character.”

Fimreite agreed the show will be an audience favorite.

For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

‘FOOTLOOSE’

“Footloose” runs through March 26 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK’

Civic Theatre presents “The Diary of Anne Frank” through Feb. 25 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

‘NEW WORLD DANCES’

The Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will present “New World Dances” Feb. 25-26 at The Florence at the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

‘PROOF’

Mud Creek Players’ production of “Proof” runs through Feb. 25 at the Mud Creek Barn Theater in Indianapolis. For more, visit mudcreekplayers.org.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE

“National Geographic Live: Lindsay Zanno: T. Rex Rises” is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

LIVE AT THE CENTER

The Live at the Center series will feature the Katherine Nagy Trio with Tim Wright at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets are $5 or register for a free livestream at thecenterpresents.org.

NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA OF UKRAINE

The Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts.

FLOYD NATION

Floyd Nation: Experience Pink Floyd, a tribute band, will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts.

‘THE CAT IN THE HAT’

Civic Theatre will feature “The Cat in the Hat” Feb. 28 to March 4 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

Cast members of “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” are, front, from left, Tanya Haas, Kelly Keller, Jeffrey Haber; middle, from left, Hannah Janowicz, Eric Bowman, Eboni Wallace, Amber Roth; back, from left, Robert Fimreite, Sam Brown and Richelle Lutz. (Photo courtesy of Carmel Community Players)

February 21, 2023

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LEGAL NOTICE OF DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC’S STANDARD CONTRACT RIDER NO. 50 PARALLEL OPERATION – FOR QUALIFYING FACILITY

DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC (“Duke Energy Indiana”) hereby provides notice that on or around February 27, 2023, Duke Energy Indiana, in accordance with 170 IAC 4-4.1-10, will submit its Standard Contract Rider No. 50, Parallel Operation-For Qualifying Facility (“Standard Contract Rider 50”) to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (“Commission”) for approval under the Commission’s thirty-day administrative filing procedures and guidelines. This filing of Standard Contract Rider 50 provides the updated calculation of the standard offer rates for the purchase of energy and capacity for 2023. Standard Contract Rider 50 is available to all qualifying Duke Energy Indiana customers and is expected to be approved approximately thirty-days from the date of filing, unless an objection is made. Any objections may be made by contacting the Secretary of the Commission, or Randall C. Helmen with the Indiana Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor at the following addresses or phone numbers:

Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission 101 W. Washington St. Suite 1500 East Indianapolis, IN 46204-3407 317-232-2703

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor PNC Center - 115 W. Washington St. Suite 1500 South Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-232-2494

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CHS graduate to guest conduct

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Evan Cooper was ready to guest conduct Indiana Wind Symphony’s tribute to legendary film composer John Williams in September 2022.

JOHN WILLIAMS

But IWS Music Director Charles Conrad needed emergency eye surgery and the concert was postponed about 10 days before it was set. Now Cooper, a 2005 Carmel High School graduate and Franklin Central High School director of bands, will get a second shot as the IWS is set to present the Williams tribute at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

time spent on the study of the music. A unique sense of accomplishment and pride can be enjoyed by everyone in the room. Unfortunately, a canceled concert stifles the energy of the preparation. Fortunately, on the 26th, we’ll be able to finally unleash the music and play a great concert for those in attendance.”

Cooper will conduct Harry Potter’s “Symphonic Suite” and “The Raiders March” from “The Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

Cooper

“I’m thrilled to finally get to conduct these great works by such a great composer,” Cooper said. “Like John Williams’ music, there is building suspense and energy as an ensemble prepares for a concert. The excitement peaks at the performance where the ensemble lets loose all the energy spent in preparation — the focus, hours of practice,

SYMPHONY PALLADIUM

“I have very fond memories of watching Indiana Jones on his adventures when I was younger,” Cooper said. “My cousin and I would love wearing hats like his and diving around the living room furniture trying to escape the bad guys. It’s special to conduct the John WIlliams melodies, not only from the movies, but the soundtrack to many of my most fond memories.”

Conrad will direct the rest of the concert, which includes music from “Star Wars,” “Jaws,” “Superman” and “Schindler’s List.” For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org.

Ukraine orchestra to visit

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine was booked in 2021 to play Feb. 24, 2023, at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

At the time, the Center for the Performing Arts president/chief executive officer Jeffrey McDermott said no one had any idea what that date would signify. Russia invaded Ukraine Feb. 24, 2022, igniting a war between the two nations.

“European orchestras are a staple of our classical programming at the Center, and those performances typically are booked years in advance,” McDermott said. “When we confirmed this show back in 2021, we had no reason to expect anything unusual. The coincidence of the date just seemed to confirm that this performance carried a special significance. We’re pleased that the show gave us an opportunity to partner with the local Ukrainian American community and the consulate in Chicago.”

The Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine, led by Theodore Kuchar, will perform at 8 p.m. Kuchar has been the artis-

tic director and principal conductor of the Ukraine orchestra since 1994.

McDermott said when the Center for the Performing Arts announced the 2022-23 season in the spring of 2022, Ukraine was the focus of the world’s attention.

Two nonprofit groups, the Ukrainian Society of Indiana and Indiana Supports Ukraine, will be in the lobby to share information about their efforts to celebrate Ukrainian culture and ship supplies to people living through a winter of war.

The concert will include works by Johannes Brahms, Edvard Grieg and Antonio Dvorák, with piano soloist Oksana Rapita For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Theodore Kuchar conducts The Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine. (Photo courtesy of the Center for the Performing Arts)

‘Ant-Man’ fun for the family

Commentary by Julieanna Childs

The new Ant-Man movie, “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” is the 31st in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the first of Phase Five, tagged the “Secret Wars,” with additional releases scheduled between 2024 and 2025.

outside of our space and time, a “Star Wars” vibe visual medley with creative life forms and droids. As they travel among rebels and allies, Janet’s secrets expose a connection that threatens to destroy them all.

MOVIE REVIEW

The movie kicks off with the return of Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), Hope Van Dyne/Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Cassie (Kathryn Newton), Scott’s now 18-year-old daughter. The group returns to the Quantum Realm, facing down supervillain Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors). Majors’ delivers a Darth Vadar-like, menacing performance of the outer world outlaw who originally made his debut in the comic book “Fantastic Four No. 19” in 1963. The character will have a more prominent role in the MCU’s upcoming projects, “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.”

Janet is the film’s star, leading the costume-clad alliance in their journey through the Quantum Realm, a sub-atomic sphere

Rudd is entertaining in reprising his role of Scott, just your average divorced, nice guy superhero bug dad raising a talented teenage daughter. Cassie comes into her own, learning the ropes of honing the talent and traits inherited from her dad. Sadly, Hope/Wasp is given little influence in the quest; her character is primarily insignificant, reduced to reactionary one-liners of the other players.

Much like Cassie’s meta telescope that transports them into the Realm, “Quantumania” sucks you into the action and delivers a few surprises in a fantasy world of victory and vengeance.

During the past 14 years, Julieanna Childs has worked as a film studio representative, contracting for all the major Hollywood studios. Her film reviews can be found at TheJujuReview.com. She is a Hamilton County resident.

BEHIND BARS: NEW YORKER COCKTAIL

The New Yorker is sophisticated, yet very fun. Created by Vanessa B. from The HC Tavern + Kitchen, the New Yorker is made of Maker’s Mark, spiced simple syrup, lemon, orange and a red wine float, garnished with an orange wheel. To see a video of this drink being mixed, scan this QR code.

(Photo courtesy of Huse Culinary)

Where’s Amy?

Academy set to perform

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel-based Nrityangan Kathak Academy has had to wait to stage its eighth annual showcase.

Where’s Amy attends Civic’s ‘Anne Frank’

DANCE

The academy’s showcase is set for 4 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Pike Performing Arts Center, 6701 Zionsville Rd., Indianapolis. Doors to the auditorium will open at 3:30 p.m. for the free showcase.

The performance is the first since February 2020, which was presented just before the COVID-19 lockdown began, the academy’s founder/director Anindita Sen said. The academy’s studio is inside Sen’s Carmel house.

Special dances this year include collaborations with area artists. Sen said the academy is partnering with saxophonist George Wolfe, professor emeritus of Ball State University’s department of music, and Amudhan Venkateswaran on the Indian drums called tabla.

“Together with them we are presenting Kathak to a well-known jazz piece in a true fusion manner,” Sen said. “This is the first

time that anyone has attempted Kathak to ‘Take 5.’ We are also collaborating with my student Rasitha Jayasekare from Sri Lanka, who has trained in Kandyan dance form while growing up in that country, in our attempt to present a Kathak Kandyan fusion dance for the very first time.”

There are 54 students participating, ranging in age from 6 to almost 60. The majority of students are from Carmel, Zionsville and Fishers. Some are from Muncie, Crawfordsville and the south side of Indianapolis.

For more, visit indykathak.com.

Mullen earns role in ‘Five Points’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Hamilton Southeastern Junior High eighth-grader Jackson Mullen had the time of his life. Mullen, 13, attended a Discovering Broadway master class with Sierra Boggess in the fall of 2022 and ended up being selected to participate in Discovering Broadway’s “Five Points” concert, which was presented Feb. 10 at Madame Walker Legacy Center in Indianapolis.

Carmel resident Josh Kaufman sang a number as P.T. Barnum. This was his first experience with Discovering Broadway, which was founded by 2012 Carmel High School graduate Joel Kirk.

PERFORMANCE

“This experience has been the best thing to be with all these amazing actors and singers,” Mullen said. “I’m so honored. Indiana is such a great place.”

Mullen was thrilled to work with Jessie Mueller, who won a Tony award for “Beautiful.” Aisha Jackson, who played Anna in “Frozen,” was another cast member. She was the first Black woman to play Anna on Broadway.

“I went to New York when I was 9 and saw her as Anna, and I got a picture with her,” Mullen said. “I thought it was cool that now I get to work with her.”

Mullen

“It was interesting because going into it, all I had was the song that I was doing,” Kaufman said. “It was a little bit of discovering for me, and all of us as well.”

“Five Points” is set in New York in 1863 during the Civil War. It follows Willie Lane, a young Black performer, and John Diamond, an Irish immigrant and dancer.

This is the first time Kaufman, winner of Season 6 of “The Voice” in 2014, appeared in the incubation process for a production. A team has been working on “Five Points” for several years.”

“It was fun to do that,” said Kaufman, who played the title role of “Pippin” on Broadway in 2014. “I have such a broad range of music interest, so it’s nice to put yourself in a different style and try something different.”

Kirk said it was exciting to see all 900 seats filled.

For more, visit discoveringbroadway.org.

Carmel-based Nrityangan Kathak Academy performs North India dances. (Photo courtesy of An

Amy Pauszek is a photographer, award winning film producer and scouting and casting associate for Talent Fusion Agency in Indianapolis. She can be reached at Amy@youarecurrent.com. To see more of her photos, visit currentnightandday.com.

Kathy Palmer (Westfield), left, and Carrie Rodriguez (Noblesville) attended Civic Theatre’s Feb. 10 opening night of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Do not miss this incredible production with family and friends. The acting, set design and story are so powerful. The production runs through Feb. 25. For more, visit civictheatre.org or call 317-843-3800. (Photo by Amy Pauszek)

Blueprint for Improvement: Contemporary kitchen in Carmel

Commentary by Larry Greene

Built in 1980 in Carmel’s Cedar Point neighborhood, this home’s original kitchen was ready for a remodel to improve form, function and flow.

THE BLUEPRINT

• The existing peninsula was removed to improve flow and infuse the space with light.

• An island was added to increase functionality for the homeowner, an avid baker.

• Caesarstone Misty Carrara countertops were used on the perimeter cabinets, and Bianco Paradiso granite was used to accent the island.

• White upper cabinets combined with a light backsplash resulted in an airy and open feel, while base cabinets in a warmer wood tone help to ground the space.

Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.

Singling out hybrid words

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

Our family bought a minivan last year. With child No. 3 on the way, we needed more room for car seats and Cheerio dust. While some people hesitate to get on board with the idea of buying a minivan, I was all about it.

GRAMMAR GUY

My wife and I looked into hybrid minivans to save money on gasoline. Unfortunately, the hybrid van life was too rich for our blood, so we opted for a traditional gas-guzzler. Our kids named the newto-us gray minivan “Delfín,” Spanish for “dolphin.”

Hybrid electric vehicles operate through the combination of an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, utilizing energy stored in batteries. Hybrid words (also called hybridisms) combine prefixes and suffixes from multiple languages to create new words.

The most common type of English hybrid words combines Latin and Greek prefixes and suffixes. Since we’ve been talking about vehicles, we’ll start with the

word “petroleum,” which combines the Greek word “petra” (rock) with the Latin word “oleum” (oil). In the same way, the word automobile fuses the Greek “auto” (self-) with the Latin “mobilis” (movable). Here are a few of my favorite Greek and Latin hybrid words. The word liposuction fuses the Greek “lipos” (fat) with the Latin “suctio” (sucking). Dysfunction combines the Greek “dys-” (bad) with the Latin “funtio” (performance). Of course, this invention came much later than the Greek and Latin languages, but the word television marries the Greek “tele-” (far off) and the Latin “visio/visere” (to see). Note we have a company that makes TVs called Visio.

Nearly every example of English hybrid words combines Greek and Latin, and — interestingly — the Greek prefix or word usually comes first.

Visiting the City of David

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing tour of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we come to Jerusalem, an ancient city important to Jews, Christians and Muslims. Today we will visit a site that some archaeologists believe goes back to the time of biblical King David.

TRAVEL

According to the Bible, David captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites in the 10th century B.C., and made it the capital of a kingdom uniting the 12 Tribes of Israel. People today probably imagine Jerusalem at the time as a great city, reflecting their view of David’s United Monarchy. However, most scholars believe that David’s Jerusalem occupied a narrow hilltop strip comprising no more than 10 acres, with a population of perhaps 2,000. This area, now called the City of David, was southeast of Mount Moriah, where King Solomon later built the first Jewish Temple across the Kidron Valley from the Mount of Olives.

Excavations in the City of David area began in the 19th century. In the 1920s, archaeologists discovered a 60-foot-high terraced structure made of stone along the eastern side of the hill, overlooking the Kidron Valley. The purpose of this structure, labeled the Stepped Stone Structure, has long been a mystery. In 2005, Dr. Eliat Mazar, an Israeli archaeologist, reported that she had found another stone structure, just as unimaginatively called the Large Stone Structure, supported by the Stepped Stone Structure. With great fanfare, she said she had found King David’s palace. Other archaeologists quickly disagreed, saying that

there would not be a palace in such a small “hill-country village” at the time of David.

The site of Dr. Mazar’s excavations has become a popular tourist destination in Jerusalem. Guides point out that whatever the purpose of the Stepped Stone Structure, the square stone found at its lower righthand corner, with a hole in the center, is undoubtedly a latrine.

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

View of the Mount of Olives from the City of David in Israel. (Photo by Don Knebel)

Don Knebel is a local resident. For the full column visit donknebel.com. You may contact him at editorial@ youarecurrent.com.

The Stepped Stone Structure in the City of David.

A latrine in the City of David.

Across

1. Expenditures

6. Org. with more members from Africa than the Mideast

10. In the Red?

14. Dickens’ Heep

15. Indiana Tech president Einolf

16. Hr. divisions

17. Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore

19. Spa treatment, for short

20. Seazcond oldest town in Indiana (in Perry County)

21. Like a spot in “Macbeth”

23. High card

26. Crushes and musses

29. Scot’s denial

30. Opposite of front

32. “Star Wars” princess

33. Old Russian rulers

35. Leave high and dry

37. TNT part

39. Indiana Senate President

(and Lieutenant Governor)

43. Agree to join

44. Snoozing

46. Nose around

49. Change direction

51. Balkan native

52. Surveillance device, briefly

53. Part of an Indiana driver’s license exam, usually

56. RN’s forte

57. Work too hard

59. Puts on WFYI

61. Latvia’s capital

62. Indiana Senate Minority Leader

68. Tidy

69. Butler frat letter

70. Poker declaration

71. Leaky radiator sound

72. Former Colts first round

pick Dawkins

73. Aggressive personality

Down

1. Mangy mutt

27. Pesto ingredient

28. Non-clergy

31. Musical instrument of a sort

34. Spiritual essences

36. Dozed for a bit

38. Word with mass or rapid

40. “Nick at ___”

41. Ancient Brit

42. Recuperate

45. Plastic pipe, initially

46. Shows disdain

47. Maritime forces

48. Some Swiss watches

50. 40th US president

54. Meditation teachers

55. Distinguishing feature

58. “Peanuts” expletive

60. “Stargate Atlantis” network

63. ___ v. Wade

64. IND schedule abbr.

65. Cut off

66. Bullring cheer

6 Board Games 4 Things with Buttons

5 Languages 1

2. Spanish gold

3. Longtime Indy 500 announcer Collins

4. Bakery buy

5. Bake eggs in a shallow dish

6. “No prob”

7. Crooked Stick scorecard number

8. Indianapolis Indians pitching stat

9. Bonnie’s partner in crime

10. Alarm clock toggle

11. Earthy color

12. Make beloved 13. Stage whispers

18. Had prior arrangements

22. 2022 World Series winner

23. “Washboard” muscles

24. Felines

25. Sandy shade

67. Nutritional fig. Answers on Page

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