May 30, 2023 — Fishers

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Fishers police respond to tort claim notice

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

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Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XIII, No. 17

Copyright 2023 Current Publishing, LLC All Rights Reserved. 30 South Range Line Road Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444

CRIME

Fishers Police Department Chief Ed Gebhart released a statement May 18 in response to a claim that officers racially profiled a man and his family following a confrontation with another man.

In his statement, Gebhart said an internal review “confirmed officers responded in accordance with department policy and procedure.”

Other news outlets reported that Malcolm Bunnell filed a tort claim notice through his attorney, Faith Alvarez, a few weeks after the April 21 incident. At deadline, there was no response from Alvarez to a request from Current for a copy of the claim.

In a public post on Bunnell’s Facebook page April 21, he wrote that he was “held at gunpoint in the middle of traffic by the Fishers Police Department. I was forced out of my car at gunpoint and placed in handcuffs. They then forced my girlfriend out of the car at gunpoint and placed her in handcuffs. My 4-month-old daughter was in the car the whole time this was going on.”

Bunnell and his family had attended an Eid celebration in Fishers following a month of fasting for the Muslim month of Ramadan. They decided to stop at Walmart for baby formula, and Bunnell said that on their way there, a man sped around their vehicle to get in front, made an obscene gesture and yelled out the window.

“He gets out of his car and everything,” Bunnell wrote. “I pull off and the man continues to follow me to Walmart. He then pulls next to me, still trying to provoke me to get out of my car and fight him. I let my girl out into the store and I have my baby in the car. I pull over to the front of the store and he pulls into a parking spot and gets out and keeps yelling (and) walking toward my car. I let him know it would be in his best interest to not keep approaching my car.”

Bunnell wrote that as they were leaving the parking lot, the man came back out, and again acted aggressively toward them before they drove away.

“As I am leaving the parking lot before I get to 96th street, the police pull me over with their guns drawn,” he wrote. “They told me the guy said I pulled a gun on him and was trying to fight him.”

The other man, Dustin Martin, had called the police.

Officers found no firearms in Bunnell’s vehicle. Following an investigation, Martin was arrested May 7 on charges of resisting law enforcement and providing false information.

Bunnell wrote that he was upset, disgusted and disappointed by the experience.

In his May 18 statement, Gebhart wrote that the Fishers Police Department remains committed in its efforts to be transparent with its actions, decision-making and communication.

“The Fishers Police Department received a formal complaint from Mr. Bunnell on

DISPATCH

Elder fraud presentations planned — American Senior Communities is partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana to present educational sessions on how seniors can avoid scams and fraud. The first session is 2 o 4 p.m. May 31 at Allisonville Meadows Assisted Living at 10410 Allisonville Rd. in Fishers. Another session will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. June 9 at Rosegate Assisted Living on 7525 Rosegate Dr. in Indianapolis. Elder fraud is the act of exploiting older adults for monetary gain, such as financial fraud or identity theft. Fraudsters take advantage of se-

April 25, and conducted a formal complaint investigation of the facts, circumstances and information surrounding the incident in question,” Gebhart wrote. “The internal review of all information (officer body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, retail videos from the incident, dispatch radio traffic and CAD notes, the 911 call, case report and narratives) confirmed officers responded in accordance with department policy and procedure.”

Gebhart wrote that Bunnell has not responded to invitations to meet and discuss the incident in detail and to review the videos.

“The Fishers Police Department and the City of Fishers will share all facts and evidence in the proper venue as a tort claim notice has been received, and a criminal case is pending with the Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office,” he wrote.

A tort claim is a claim for damages against a government agency. The first step in the tort claim process is filing a notice of a pending claim.

niors through numerous fear-based tactics, by posing as grandchildren or romantic interests or emailing about bogus investment opportunities. More than $5.9 billion in losses occur each year among the senior population. Elder fraud can have devastating effects not only financially, but emotionally as well. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman will present on common scams, how to identify and recover from them, and who to contact. This event is free and open to the public. For more or to RSVP, visit ASCCare.com/ElderFraud.

An April 21 incident with Fishers police led an Indianapolis man to file a tort claim notice, alleging that police had racially profiled him. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fishers)

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

COMMUNITY

Nuisance ordinance would levy fines for repeat police calls

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

working on a plan.

GOVERNMENT

Some businesses in Fishers keep police officers busier than others, and the city has come up with a way to potentially remedy the recurring problem.

On May 15, the Fishers City Council approved a first reading of an ordinance allowing the city to fine businesses that make repeated calls for police response, unless those businesses are actively working with law enforcement officials on a plan to reduce those calls.

Fishers Police Department Chief Ed Gebhart said the goal is not to fine businesses, but to find solutions in cooperation with the businesses.

“What we’re finding internally is we’re spending a lot of time going on calls repeatedly to certain businesses,” he said.

He specifically mentioned hotels — not all, but some — that make calls about suspicious vehicles; and businesses with alarm systems that are accidentally triggered by employees on a regular basis.

Gebhart said the ordinance calls for police to contact a business that has had seven police calls within a three-month period to warn the business that it is approaching the threshold for intervention. After 10 police calls in that time frame, officials would arrange a meeting to start

“Our hope is that at 10 they enter into a remediation agreement with us to work with us to mitigate the calls for service,” he said. “When we get to 15, if it continues, if they’re working with us, fine. If they ignore us, if they’re not coming to the meeting, we would consider them chronic and they would get fined.”

The ordinance exempts medical facilities, schools and government agencies.

City Attorney Lindsey Bennett said the goal is to come up with common-sense solutions to reduce police calls.

“For example, for abandoned vehicles, we might ask that they register vehicles for guests at the hotel,” she said. “(For false alarms), we would ask that they train all of their employees on their alarm system. As long as they’re working with the team and they are making progress — as long as they are making good-faith effort they will not be fined.”

If an owner doesn’t cooperate, she said, they will be designated a chronic violator for the next six months. During that time, each call for police response would result in a $250 fine.

Bennett said before the ordinance takes effect in August, city officials will meet with business leaders and have public meetings so people are aware of what is planned.

The ordinance must come back to the council for another reading and final vote.

DISPATCHES

Hamilton County launches resource website – Hamilton County is known as a thriving area where people want to live. One of the secrets to its success: a strong network of nonprofit organizations that believe that by working together, they can help their community and those who live in it. The power of that network collaboration has led to the launch of a new website — Help4HamiltonCounty.org — to provide residents with a one-stop resource for support services. Made possible by the support of the Hamilton County Community Foundation, Duke Energy, the Hamilton County Trustees Association, and Good Samaritan Network, the new web resource offers connection to services in six key areas of need:

• Aging and Seniors

• Food Assistance

• Medical and Mental Health

• Youth and Families

• Housing

• Education and Employment

The site connects users to detailed information on local organizations, as well as videos designed to provide expert insight and raise awareness, featuring interviews with nonprofit executives and clients who have received services, as well as elected officials and other community leaders. Help4HamiltonCounty.org has included Accessibility Adjustments on the new website to remove barriers and make finding resources accessible for as many community residents as possible. To learn more, use the ‘Contact Us’ page on Help4HamiltonCounty.org.

Brittany’s story.

After her diagnosis, Brittany needed all the support she could get.

THIS SUMMER, LET’S MAKE HISTORY!

washington township signature event

WESTFIELD BASH!

June 1, 5-8 p.m.; June 2, 8-10 a.m. and 6-9 p.m.

Grand Junction Plaza, 225 S. Union St., Westfield | FREE

June 1, 5-8 p.m. At the Westfield Farmer’s Market, enjoy free entertainment, dozens of vendors and Westfield Washington Schools’ American Pie concert (“Coming Back to Indiana”).

June 2, 8-10 a.m. Enjoy the Westfield Fire Department’s Pancake Breakfast on Park Street and check out vintage vehicles! (Cost for breakfast.)

June 2, 6-9 p.m. Before they head out on their international tour, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band takes the stage at Grand Junction Plaza! Local artist Kassey King opens for this FREE concert.

ALSO IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP:

June 1 & 2 | Find the Oldest Tree in Your Neighborhood

June 2 | A Day in the Life “Rocks!”

June 3 | Mainstreet Productions’ Westfield Founders, Weekends at Barker Cabin, and Historic Downtown Walking Tour

June 23 | Family History and Art Activity Day

June 30 | Cool Creek Bicentennial Concert

Hamilton County Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit

FREE | Learn about all five of our Bicentennial themes: Arts, Diversity/Inclusion, Education, Historic Preservation, and Parks/Environment. Visit hamcoturns200.com/events to see where the exhibit is scheduled to be on display.

noblesville township signature event

HAMILTON COUNTY FABRIC ARTS SHOW

August 4-September 1, with open reception August 5 Noblesville | FREE

Hosted in partnership with Nickel Plate Arts and the Noblesville Township Representative, this art show will showcase artists and techniques for different fabric arts. Check out heirlooms and new pieces and vote for your favorite. Still accepting submissions!

ALSO IN NOBLESVILLE TOWNSHIP:

Daily in July | Fun At The Forest Park Carousel and Tom Thumb Golf Course

July 8 | Hamilton County Military & Veterans Celebration and Resource Fair

July 15 | American Legion Post 45 Reopening

July 19 | Taste Of History: Early Noblesville Dining And Recipes

July 22 | History Faire, Political Celebrities And The Vote Ice Cream Social

July 29 | Light Up The Night, Gibson Guitar and Mandolin Company Traveling Instrument Tour

FALL PREVIEW signature events

FALL CREEK TOWNSHIP and DELAWARE TOWNSHIP join forces and partner with Conner Prairie to create a permanent reminder of the Hamilton County Bicentennial! Attend the Bicentennial Marker Unveiling at Conner Prairie on SEPTEMBER 9.

Access the entire 2023 BICENTENNIAL EVENT LINEUP and get event/program details: HamCoTurns200.com

wayne township signature event

FARMING PRESENT AND PAST

August 13, 2-5 p.m., Clarksville Christian Church, 16600 Lehr St., Noblesville | FREE, some food for sale

Join lifelong farmers Donald and David Zeller as they discuss how farming in Wayne Township has changed over the decades. This will include a show-and-tell of artifacts. Inside the church, enjoy history displays about Clarksville and surrounding areas.

Outside, experience the Hamilton Southeastern Schools FFA “touch a truck” area with old tractors alongside new Reynolds farm equipment, and old Ford trucks and Model T’s alongside new trucks off the Don Hines dealership lot. Free refreshments, with the Wayne/Fall Creek Lions Club offering food for sale.

ALSO IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP:

August 12 | Taste Of History: Finding Your Farming Ancestors

CLAY

o

Maps of Carmel, an artistic map of Clay Township’s farms and homesteads during the early 20th century. Maps are a keepsake and will be available for free THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER.

TOWNSHIP

rganizers present Vintage

Public input sought for new White River park

news@currentinfishers.com

The City of Fishers Parks Department is seeking public input as it plans for the new White River Park, a 120acre site at 96th Street and Allisonville Road.

RECREATION

Fishers Parks has collaborated with Browning Day to host opportunities for public input and engagement with community members and stakeholders, according to an announcement from the city. Those opportunities are:

• Fishers Geist Waterfront Park: June 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Fishers Trails and White River Park Open House: June 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Launch Fishers, 12175 Visionary Way. This will include a brief project overview, followed by an open house with interactive activities and project input. An online survey to share feedback on what should be included at the new Fishers White River Park. The short survey should be completed by July 31 at surveymonkey.

com/r/FishersParks.

The survey asks where people taking the survey live, what kinds of water activities they would like to see available (canoeing, swimming, etc.); what kinds of other activities they’d like to see offered (bird watching, educational hikes, trail races, etc.); amenities people are interested in (bathrooms, a dog park, etc.); amenities people are not interested in; and what would make people feel safe and welcome.

Fishers, Carmel, Westfield, Zionsville make top 10 for safety

news@currentinfishers.com

Crime rates for violent crime and property crime in Indiana are decreasing, according to Safewise, a national organization that looks at crime statistics.

CRIME

The top 10 safest cities in Indiana include Zionsville, coming in at No. 2; Carmel at No. 4; Fishers at No. 5, and Westfield at No. 7. Carmel and Fishers also were included in the Safewise top 10 list of safest cities to raise a family; and Zionsville was No 81 on the list of top 100 safest cities in the United States.

The No. 1 safest city in Indiana, according to the Safewise list, is St. John, located in the northwest part of the state. Also on the list are Dyer (third), Brownsburg (sixth), West Lafayette (eighth), Huntington (ninth) and Greenfield (10th).

Safewise reports that Indiana is one of 17 states that experienced decreases in both violent crime and property crime during the past reporting year, and both of those state

crime rates fall below the national average. However, surveys of Hoosiers indicated that 5 percent more Indiana residents were concerned about violent crime than the prior year, and gun violence concern rose by 8 percent.

Property crime concerns among Hoosiers also rose, with most respondents especially concerned about package theft.

“About 61 percent of Indiana residents feel concerned about package theft, and property crime comes in second at 53 percent” the announcement states. “Hoosiers worry less about violent crime (49 percent) and gun violence (49 percent), which makes sense because our survey respondents were more likely to have experienced property crime than violent crime.”

Natural disaster concerns also were included in the survey, and Hoosiers worried most about strong winds. Understandably, Indiana residents had fewer concerns about hurricanes and earthquakes.

For more, see safewise.com/blog/ safest-cities-indiana/#city1

The City of Fishers is developing 120 acres at 96th and Allisonville Road into a new park. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fishers)

Jump start your savings.

Fishers students take top honors in poster contest

news@currentinfishers.com

Fishers students took first, second and third place in a statewide poster contest to raise awareness about the dangers of radon gas.

ADVOCACY

The American Lung Association announced that for the first time in the contest’s history, the top three winners attend the same school: Hamilton Intermediate.

The winners are Emily Chen, 14., first place; Kylie Zheng, 13, second place; and Chloe Jordan, 13, third place. Each won a cash prize.

According to the announcement, children ages 9 through 14 were eligible to participate. The American Lung Association and the Indiana Department of Health coordinated the selection of the winners from the 15 Indiana schools that participated.

“Radon causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. The only way to know if your home has high levels is to test,” John DeRosa, a senior director at the Lung Associa-

tion said. “It’s amazing to see the children bringing radon awareness to their local communities.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that all homes with radon levels at or equal to 4 picocuries per liter install a radon mitigation system. For questions about radon or to test your home, visit Lung.org/radon or contact the Lung Association at 1-800-272-9723. For more, go to lung.org/radon.

Bradburn embraces Mt. Vernon coaching opportunity

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Joe Bradburn is quite familiar with Mt. Vernon High School.

byville. Rhoades was on paid leave following the arrest. Assistant coach Nate Bingham served as interim head coach for the final four games.

ATHLETICS

“I’ve been associated with it in some way living in the area,” Bradburn said. “My daughter went to Mt. Vernon. I know a lot about Fortville and Mt. Vernon Community Schools. I love how it’s a family atmosphere and the community still has a hometown feeling. Obviously, they have good talent right now. The community is what I enjoy as much as anything.”

Bradburn

Bradburn was recently hired as the Mt. Vernon boys basketball coach. Bradburn, who has a 301-234 record in 24 years as a head coach, coached Greenwood the past six seasons. He replaces Ben Rhoades, who resigned following an arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated Feb. 20 in Shel-

“I was in that conference (Hoosier Heritage) when I coached Yorktown, and Mt. Vernon has just always had gritty, tough players,” Bradburn said. “The success of the athletic programs throughout history speaks for itself. It’s exciting and fun to be part of it.”

Bradburn, who previously lived in Fortville, lives in Fishers.

“They’re growing and neighborhoods are getting bigger,” he said. “It’s a good time to be part of that type of excitement.”

The Marauders were 22-3 in 2021-22 and 17-7 in 2020-21, winning sectional titles each year. The team finished 16-9, losing in the sectional final last season. Freshmen guards Julien Smith (13.1 points per game) and Luke Ertel (13.0 ppg) were the two top scorers.

This poster by Hamilton Intermediate student Emily Chen won first place in a statewide contest to raise awareness about radon gas. (Photo courtesy of the American Lung Association)

CURRENT JUNE FISHERS COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FISHERS PARKS SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION

Fishers Parks offers summer camps for children ages 4-10 to explore interests, make friends and shake off the summer-break boredom. More options are in the works for tweens to teens. Whether a kid is an adventurer, nature-lover, artist, allstar athlete or scientist-in-training, Fishers Parks offers a variety of activities. Learn more and register at playfishers.com/167/ Summer-Camp.

FREE FISHING DAYS

On free fishing days, fishers do not need an Indiana Fishing License. On the following days — or on any day if you own an Indiana fishing license — drop a line in Fishers Parks’ stocked ponds or natural waterways.

• June 3-4 (Free Fishing Weekend)

• September 23

Here are the best fishing spots in Fishers Parks:

• Flat Fork Creek Park, 16141 E. 101st St.

• Cheeney Creek Natural Area, 11030 Fishers Point Blvd.

• Saxony Lake & Beach, 13358 Pennington Rd.

• Heritage Park at White River, 10598 Eller Rd.

FISHERS FARMERS MARKET AT SAXONY OPENS JUNE 7

Help kick off the 2023 Fishers Farmers Market at Saxony June 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Break up the midweek slump and shop handcrafted items, gifts, produce, florals and food trucks. This weekly Wednesday night market is the perfect spark to your mid-week restock during June, July, and August. New this year is handcrafted items by local makers in the north-Indy and Fishers area. The Saxony market is at 13578 E. 131st St., Fishers.

SUMMER FREE CONCERT SERIES

The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in downtown Fishers has announced the lineup for its annual Free Tuesdays series that offers weekly performances every Tuesday in June and July, including the July 4th holiday.

This 2023 lineup is as follows:

• June 6 – Six Foot Blonde

• June 13 – DUDE!

• June 20 – Jukebox Luke

• June 27 – My Yellow Rickshaw

• July 4 – Karma *Note: This show will begin at 8 p.m. with fireworks following the show at 10 p.m.

• July 11 – Street Pennies

• July 18 – Groovesmash

• July 25 – Hank Ruff

SPARK!FISHERS FESTIVAL CLOSES OUT JUNE

The annual weeklong Spark!Fishers festival will take over downtown Fishers the last full week of June, running from June 20 through June 24. Events include the Spark!Fishers 5K run/walk and kids fun run, Spark!Fishers Car and Art Show, free concerts, and the Spark!Fishers Street Festival – the biggest day of the week – with a parade, multiple stages of live music, food, drink, and artisan vendors, art displays, kids and teen zones. Planned events are:

• Tuesday, June 20, a free concert with Jukebox Luke starts at 7 p.m.

• Wednesday, June 21, the evening 5K fun run and walk starts at 7 p.m.

• Thursday, June 22, the car and art show runs from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Friday, June 23, a free concert starts at 8 p.m. Artist to be announced.

• Saturday, June 24, the street fair, parade, and aerial show runs from 3 to 10 p.m.

WEDNESDAY WALK SET FOR FLAT FORK CREEK PARK

Take an hour of your morning once a month for a casual walk with Fishers leadership to learn more about what they do, from large-scale events like the Fishers Farmers Market and Glow in the Park, to small community-favorite programs like StoryWalk, art classes at the Maker Playground. Wednesday Walks will be offered on a monthly basis at rotating parks in Fishers. All are welcome. No RSVP or registration required. The next Wednesday Walk is set for 9 a.m. June 14 at Flat Fork Creek Park, 16141 E. 101st St., Fishers.

SQUARE AND ROUND DANCING CLASSES SET

Learn how to square or round dance with Do-Si-Squares, a Fishers Parks Community Professional Partner! With a variety of classes for a range of skill levels, the Do-SiSquares crew can get you started in a new hobby or help you pick up where you left off with previous instruction. Phase I: Learn to Square Dance is an introductory square dancing class run every Monday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Roy G. Holland Memorial Park building. Cost is $21 per person, which covers classes through the month of June. Open to those age 13 and older, class dates for this series are June 5, 12, and 19. Learn more at playfishers.com/682/ Square-Round-Dancing.

FISHERS RESIDENTS

Fishers residents are invited to write letters for a time capsule that will be installed in the new Fishers Arts and Municipal Complex. (Image courtesy of the City of Fishers)

Letters for time capsule needed

news@currentinfishers.com

The City of Fishers invites members of the community to share the story of Fishers with future residents through a letter-writing campaign running through June 30.

EVENTS

Letters will be placed inside a time capsule in the new Arts and Municipal Complex at 1 Municipal Dr. The complex is under construction and is set to open next year. The time capsule will be placed inside the keystone of the new building and will be opened in 50 years — 2073.

Letters can be delivered in person to the blue mailboxes in the breezeway of the Fishers City Services Building at 3 Municipal Dr., and in the lobby of Hamilton East Public Library in Fishers at 5 Municipal Dr. No envelope is required if the letters are dropped directly into a blue mailbox. Letters also can be addressed to “Fishers Time Capsule” and mailed to 3 Municipal Dr., Fishers, Indiana 46038 by June 30. Letters should be no more than one page.

Residents also can swing by the Fishers Parks booth at the Fishers Farmers Market June 10 and 17 to write and submit their letters, according to an announcement from the city.

The City of Fishers has created a Mad Lib letter template for kids that is available for download on ThisIsFishers.com/Fishers150.

The letter-writing campaign will help to wrap up the city’s yearlong sesquicentennial celebration, which launched last June and honors 150 years of Fishers history. Fishers, then called Fishers Switch, was founded in 1872.

FISHERS

Project: 146th and Allisonville Interchange

Location: Phase 1 of construction for the grade separation intersection improvement will begin at 146th Street and Allisonville Road. One thru lane and one left turn lane in all directions will be closed through the intersection. Closures of Sowers Drive and Saville Road at 146th Street will be necessary in June. Additional notifications will be provided prior to the closures. In addition to these closures, the worksite speed limit will be 35 mph.

through 2024.

Project: Nickel Plate Trail

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

Location: The remaining paving work from 96th Street to 106th Street is underway, and construction crews are currently working to clear and prep the area for paving.

Expected completion: Fall of 2023.

Project: Geist Greenway Trail

WHO WE ARE

Expected completion: The entire project is set for completion in summer 2025

Project: Fall Creek Road

Location: Citizens Energy Group is mobilizing the lift station on Fall Creek Road near Geist Woods Way, resulting in the closure of Fall Creek Trail.

Expected completion: August

Project: 106th Street & Kincaid Drive

Location: Construction of center curb on 106th Street and intersection improvement at 106th Street & Kincaid Drive to modify to a right-in-right-out entrance started in April.

Expected completion: August 2023

Project: Roundabout preconstruction at 106th and Hoosier Road

Location: 106th Street and Hoosier Road. Utility relocation is taking place now for the project, which goes out to bid this spring.

Expected completion: To be determined.

Project: Ind. 37 Improvement Project

Location: Ind. 37 and 141st Street. A pre-construction phase is in place. During this phase, 141st Street will have a temporary right-in-right-out traffic configuration.

Expected completion: The full timeline for the 141st Street interchange will be provided after project bids are accepted in the Summer of 2023.

Project: Clear Path Improvement Project (I-465 and I-69 interchange)

Location: New ramps will provide direct movements from eastbound I-465 and northbound I-465 to northbound I-69. Binford Boulevard. will also be reconstructed to separate local traffic from traffic entering and exiting I-69 and I-465. Access to I-69 from Binford Boulevard will remain open. Drivers can expect to see significant activity on I-69 at the 82nd Street interchange. The ramp from I-69 North to 82nd Street and the ramp from 82nd Street to I-69 North is closed through late 2023. For detour routes and additional project information, visit clearpath465.com

Expected completion: Project lasts

Location: Stone is currently being placed between 126th Street and Valley Crossing Drive as part of the Geist Greenway Project. When material is brought in, there will be an increase in construction traffic. Traffic will be briefly stopped as trucks are entering and exiting the road. 126th Street is anticipated to be closed starting June to construct the speed table and trail crossing. Traffic will be briefly stopped as trucks are entering and exiting the road.

Expected completion: To be determined

Project: 2023 resurfacing

Location: ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is taking place in Rolling Knoll and will then begin in Spyglass Hills as part of the 2023 Resurfacing Project. Homeowners will be notified via door hangers prior to any curb restoration near their home.

Expected completion: Summer 2023.

Project: Cumberland Road Reconstruction

Location: Daily lane closures just south of 126th Street for sanitary and water line work, and between 106th Street and 116th Street for tree clearing. The full project is in the design phase.

Expected completion: The full project should begin in fall of 2023. A completion date has not been determined.

NOBLESVILLE & NORTH

Project: Pleasant Street

Location: 1.1 miles west of River Road to 10th Street and includes work by Hamilton County for a bridge to be built over the White River.

Expected completion: End of 2024

Project: Pleasant Street

Location: Various locations; Eighth Street and Pleasant Street will be closed after Memorial Day (motorists are advised to use detour routes or visit www.reimaginepleasantst.com for more information)

Expected completion: Work will be ongoing

Project: Stony Creek pedestrian trail

Location: Under Ind. 37

Expected completion: Construction will continue this year with the trail expected to open by early summer.

Project: Roundabout construction

Location: Ind. 32 and River Road

Expected completion: End of summer

CONGRATULATIONS

TO THE CATHEDRAL CLASS OF 2023

Indy Eleven to field a pro women’s team

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Indy Eleven’s commitment to growing the sport of women’s soccer recently took another major step.

SOCCER

Record-breaking reported scholarship offers of more than $73 million!

Where the Cathedral journey is taking the Class of 2023

Albion College

American University

Arizona State University – Tempe

Ball State University

Baylor University

Belmont University

Butler University

Canisius College

Clemson University

College of Charleston

College of the Holy Cross

Colorado State University – Fort Collins

Cornell University

DePauw University

Dominican University

Earlham College

Grinnell College

Hanover College

High Point University

Indy Eleven announced May 17 its commitment to the USL Super League, a new professional women’s soccer league kicking off in August 2024. The Eleven will join an initial group of 10 to 12 markets as pioneering members of the first division league in women’s soccer.

Indy Eleven President/CEO Greg Stremlaw said Indianapolis will join the USL Super League when the new stadium is ready.

“It’s important to us to complete Eleven Park and the new stadium for both the men’s and women’s teams to play there,” he said.

Stremlaw, a Noblesville resident, said groundbreaking will happen soon, but the club is not getting locked into a date when the stadium will be finished.

Holy Cross College

Howard University

Indiana University – Bloomington

Indiana University-Purdue University –

Columbus

Indiana University-Purdue University –

Indianapolis

Ivy Tech Community College

Johnson and Wales University – Charlotte

Juniata College

Lourdes University

Loyola University – Chicago

Lynn University

Marian University

Marquette University

Mercer University

Mercyhurst University

Miami University – Oxford

Michigan State University

Morehouse College

Pepperdine University

Purdue University – Fort Wayne

Purdue University – West Lafayette

Rockhurst University

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

St. Catherine University

Saint Edward’s University

Saint Louis University

Saint Mary’s College

The Ohio State University

The University of Alabama

The University of Findlay

The University of Tennessee –Chattanooga

The University of Tennessee –Knoxville

Trine University

United States Air Force Academy

United States Military Academy

Preparatory School

United States Naval Academy

University of Cincinnati

University of Colorado – Boulder

University of Dayton

University of Evansville

University of Indianapolis

University of Kentucky

University of Miami

University of Michigan –Ann Arbor

University of Mississippi

University of Missouri

University of Notre Dame

University of Redlands

University of South Dakota

Valparaiso University

Wabash College

Washington University in St. Louis

Wellesley College

Western Michigan University

Xavier University

“If the stadium is fully operational in 2025, it’s our intention to enter the league at that time,” he said. “The premiere of an elite level, top-tier women’s pro league launching at the same time we are breaking ground on an elite level, top-tier stadium is more than fate and coincidence. It’s what happens when great ideas and hard work hit the calendar at the same time.”

Indy Eleven’s USL W League team, a pre-professional team made up mostly of college players, went undefeated with a 10-0-2 record in its inaugural regular season in 2022. The team will play its 2023 home opener against Racing Louisville at 7 p.m. June 2 at Grand Park Events Center in Westfield.

The league will include teams from Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Lexington, Ky., Phoenix, Spokane, Wash. Tampa Bay, Tucson, Ariz., and Washington, D.C. Indianapolis is one of five cities slated to join in subsequent seasons.

Stremlaw

Brittany’s circle of support.

Being diagnosed with cancer can feel like your world’s suddenly stopped. That’s why we make sure you talk to an expert within 48 hours. So you can start nding the answers you need. With world-renowned cancer care close to home, your circle of support just got stronger.

Learn more at eCommunity.com/cancer

COMMUNITY

CHS senior infielder finishing with strong hitting season

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School senior infielder Case Sullivan has watched his batting average climb considerably for his final high school season.

Sullivan hit around .220 last season. He is hitting about .400 for the Greyhounds, who were 17-8 as of May 23.

“I did a ton of development with my summer team, Canes Midwest, being around a lot of high recruits,” Sullivan said. “I think we had 11 Division I recruits. My coach, Jeremy Honaker, helped me through it. Playing at that high level, you feed off the energy from those guys. I had the opportunity to play against a lot of tough competition. I gained 15 to 20 pounds and gained strength before my senior year. I was just really ready to get after it.”

Sullivan started off the 2022 season stronger, but an injury caused him to miss some games and threw off his timing.

“Then I fouled a ball off my face about

MEET CASE SULLIVAN

Favorite subject: Math

Favorite athletes: David Ortiz and Mookie Betts

Favorite movie: “The Sandlot”

Favorite musician: Morgan Wallen

seven or eight games into the season,” he said. “I broke my orbital floor, my nose and six stitches on top of my eye. I had to come back from that and didn’t get back to the point, but I think I still put us with a chance to win a sectional title last year.”

Sullivan said he struggled with confidence after coming back from the facial injury.

AMERICA’S MOST ACCOMPLISHED BRAIN AND SPINE TEAM— JUST MINUTES AWAY

“Having the summer that I did (was beneficial) and (now I’m) just trying to be a leader for a lot of these guys my last high school season,” he said.

CHS first-year coach Ty Neal is impressed with Sullivan’s leadership.

“Case has embraced the new culture and expectations the coaching staff has implemented,” Neal said. “Case is an excellent leader and is passionate about the game and his teammates.”

Sullivan started the year at third base, but has played shortstop most of the season.

“I’m fortunate to play with JD Stein and we switch,” Sullivan said.

Stein, a sophomore, has committed to play baseball at the University of Louisville.

Sullivan will play for Marshall University next season in the Sun Belt Conference.

“So it will be a lot of warm-weather baseball,” said Sullivan, who plans to major in business and entrepreneurship.

Sullivan has played some recreation basketball and soccer.

“But ever since I was little all I wanted to be was a baseball player,” said Sullivan, whose father, Corey Sullivan, played golf at Indiana University.

Learn more at GoodmanCampbell.com.

Goodman Campbell

Brain

and Spine is a world-class neurosurgery team pioneering best practices and providing collaborative, patient-centered care—and right here in Central Indiana.

Case Sullivan is hitting .400 for the Carmel High School baseball team. (Photo courtesy of Case Sullivan)

Sullivan

BEACH SEASON

New Geist Waterfront Park officially opens

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Fishers’ newest park has been softly open to the public since April 22, and has seen steady use, especially on some of the recent beautiful days. The hard opening over Memorial Day weekend kicked off what Fishers officials call “beach season.”

About a week before beach season started, it was nearly 80 degrees on a sunny afternoon. Families wandered through the park’s brand-new facilities; kids clambered over the pirate-ship play equipment; a group of lifeguards finished up training in preparation for the coming months; and almost everyone dug their toes into the soft, sandy beach.

Taking a tour of the park, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said development included completely overhauling the beach to make it swim-friendly for a variety of ages.

“So, all that water you see out there was actually drained,” he said. “There was a dam made, the water was pumped out, all the fish were actually shocked — they captured them and then put them back in the lake, so they didn’t die. And then they had to literally haul in thousands of cubic yards of fill. If you have a 4-year-old or a 7-year-old, when they walk out there, it’ll be a nice, natural kind of incline versus what otherwise I think was like a 20- or 30-foot drop off.”

Jake Reardon-McSoley, City of Fishers director of Recreation and Wellness, said the city brought in about 12,000 tons of sand to build up the beach and make it a better swimming experience, compared to the usual muddy lake bottom.

“It has now resulted in a great, very family-friendly experience,” he said. “There’s a gradual slope for 50 feet that goes down to a maximum depth of 4 feet. And actually, our Department of Public Works team works very hard, raking it daily. So, it almost looks like a golf course sand trap when people come in the morning.”

The sand has been a big attraction even before swimming was allowed. People were building sandcastles, and kids explored equipment made specifically for sand play.

Reardon-McSoley said the swimming area has three natural fresh-water springs that were discovered during development. Those, combined with six aerators the city

installed in the swimming area, will help keep the water from growing dangerous levels of algae.

“And then we operate this the same that really any aquatic recreation during the summertime would do,” he said. “We get water-quality samples tested weekly. And we’ve already started getting them and everything’s a thumbs up. So, we’re excited.”

There will be eight lifeguards on duty when swimming is allowed, he said — six on the beach and two in the water. There is a launch ramp on one end of the beach for nonmotorized watercraft, and a vendor on-site who will rent out kayaks and paddle boards to those who don’t have their own.

Reardon-McSoley said there also will be a local food vendor selling concessions. And, of course, there are restrooms. Most of the park is ADA accessible.

The new Geist Waterfront Park includes a piratethemed playground with special heatresistant turf. (Photo by Adam Seif)

The park is about 70 acres in total, and 40 acres have been developed. The playground has a soft artificial turf that doesn’t retain heat, so it won’t burn little bare feet on a hot summer day. There are shelters around the playground with picnic benches for visitors to get out of the sun. One shelter is available for rent for special events.

The remaining 30 acres, still under development, will be dedicated to “passive” recreation, Reardon-McSoley said, with gravel trails and other quiet engagement opportunities.

The city has received criticism because of the $50 parking fee for nonresidents to come to the park during beach season. Fadness said the park is a $30 million investment that the taxpayers of Fishers paid for, so it’s right for them to have priority. He said the $50 fee for nonresidents to park

is comparable to what individual Fishers residents have paid for the park’s development, and will continue to pay for its maintenance.

“We certainly understand the rest of the region’s desire to utilize this park for free or at a nominal fee, and man, I wish we could accommodate that,” Fadness said. “And maybe someday, if demand goes down, there would be an opportunity for that. But right now, I don’t anticipate that to be the case, at least this first year.”

Fishers residents can register with the city at playfishers.com/219/Geist-Waterfront-Park, where they can download a “SmartPass” onto their phones to park at no charge. Those without a smartphone can get a physical card, according to the city’s website. During beach season — Memorial Day to Labor Day — nonresidents can go to the same link to purchase a one-day parking pass at least 48 hours in advance.

Reardon-McSoley said a parking space will be reserved for anyone who has purchased a pass ahead of time. Parking passes will not be sold on-site.

Nonresidents who walk, bike or take a ride-share service to the park do not need to purchase a parking pass. When beach season is over, there will be no parking charge for anyone visiting the park.

HOW DID GEIST WATERFRONT PARK COME TO BE?

The 70-acre site that is now Geist Waterfront Park had been a rock quarry. Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said it was the last section of land around Geist Reservoir that had not been

“For many, many years, there’s been a lot of development around the lake, but primarily residential homes,” he said. “A lot of beautiful, wonderful homes and wonderful neighborhoods.

For as long as that’s occurred, there also has never really been public access to the water. So outside of that boat ramp across the street, if you wanted to go enjoy the water, there really wasn’t a location for you to do that.”

When the quarry ceased operations, the owners initially planned to turn it into another residential neighborhood, Fadness said. But he had other thoughts for the site.

“Ultimately, when we heard that they were considering build-

ing yet another 90 or 100 homes, we took a step forward and decided to secure the land for all of Fishers residents for the foreseeable future,” he said. “And that took a period of time. It was a lengthy, drawn-out negotiation with the owners, but ultimately, we were able to settle on a price.”

That price was $15 million. The developers potentially could have made more by building and selling high-end homes. But, Fadness said, there’s a certain amount of risk in that venture, compared to simply accepting a $15 million check and walking away.

The city went through a public-input process to find out what the community wanted from the new park, and from 2019, work has been ongoing to make the Geist Waterfront Park into what it is today.

Geist Waterfront Park is located at 10811 Olio Rd. in Fishers.

developed for housing.

ON THE COVER: Geist Waterfront Park opened for the summer season over Memorial Day Weekend. (Photo by Adam Seif)

Progressively better sight

Commentary by Dr. Jeremy Ciano

When it comes to seeing clearly at all distances and having the ability to scan your eyes from side to side without strain, there is a huge difference in progressive lens designs and manufacturing techniques. Let’s examine the two biggest variables that impact your vision.

VISION

Field of View: If you look through a keyhole, the closer you get, the more of a room you can see. When your eyes are closer to the hole, you have less restrictions in your peripheral vision. As you move back, you see less and less of the room. In modern, digitally manufactured, progressive lenses, the prescription is etched onto the back surface of the lens (closer to your eye) to give you a remarkably wider field of view. Older technologies that are hand ground onto the front surface of the lenses give a much narrower and restrictive peripheral field view.

Clarity: Another alarming difference between the quality of progressive lens designs is in the precision and accuracy of converting the prescription from the doctor’s office to the lens itself. The difference between manually grinding lenses at your local one-hour retailer or your typical insurance-grade/mass-produced lenses versus a custom, digitally etched prescription is amazingly more accurate. In fact, the hand-shaving processes of lens fabrication is measured in 0.25 of a diopter, whereas digitally enhanced lenses are accurately produced in 0.01 diopter increments. That is 25 times more accurate! That precision and accuracy accounts for the difference between you watching your favorite movie on VHS or Blu-Ray or a 1-megapixel camera versus a 25-megapixel camera.

Hopefully, this info will allow you to make a more informed decision on your next pair of glasses so you can continue to see life in hi-definition!

Dr. Jeremy A. Ciano, an international lecturer and published author, is a Current Publishing columnist. For more information or to ask a question, he may be emailed at DrCiano@ Revolution-EYES.com.

M USIC MONDAYS

Gary Wasson, Breanna Faith, Doug Resendez and more.

Tuesdays at noon and 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6 p.m.

May through October

Visit Midtown Plaza to watch family-favorite movies on the big screen.

July 7: Auditions! Go to the Midtown Plaza Carmel website to learn more and to upload your audition video.

August 12: Audition Deadline

Friday, August 25: Kids starting at 6 p.m.

Saturday, August 26: Teens at 5 p.m., Adults at 7 p.m.

Sunday, August 27: Finals & Award Ceremony at 5 p.m.

Midtown’s Got Talent, presented by Allied Solutions, returns for its fourth year! We are looking for talented vocalists and musicians, age ten and older, with stage presence and charisma!

For details about the competition criteria and program, visit MidtownPlazaCarmel.com and look for the Midtown’s Got Talent logo and link to the registration form. The preliminary schedule above is subject to change depending on number of contestants.

Presented by MidtownPlazaCarmel.com

Fishers resident new Arrive CFO

news@currentinfishers.com

to change the global package delivery industry.

LEADERSHIP

Fishers resident Todd Pepmeier is the new chief financial officer for Indianapolis tech firm Arrive, formerly known as Dronedek.

According to an announcement from Arrive, Pepmeier’s background includes executive leadership roles in finance and operations across automotive, aerospace, health care and information technology sectors. He has held executive positions in manufacturing, sales, product development, engineering and consulting services at Agilify Automation, Kinney Group, Ascension Health, Rolls-Royce and the Ford Motor Co.

“Startups require people with extensive knowledge across a variety of fields, and Todd certainly brings that to the team,” Arrive CEO Dan O’Toole stated. “He’s earned a stellar reputation for increasing profitability, thinking creatively and driving forward progress within organizations, and we’re sure he’ll be a great addition to the team.”

Pepmeier said he was attracted to Arrive’s business model and its potential

“My two decades in business have been all about change and implementing new processes for corporations but Arrive presents a great opportunity to lead change in an emerging market,” Pepmeier stated. “It’s a tenacious young company with a lot of creative potential and an energetic team. I’m looking forward to helping Dan and his crew scale the organization.”

Pepmeier earned his Master of Business Administration from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University. He and his family live in Fishers.

Arrive is a technology company that focuses on the development of autonomous drone and robotic delivery. The company’s smart Mailbox-as-a-Service platform and infrastructure solutions help autonomous delivery networks to operate more efficiently with secure and climate-assisted cargo space, smart alerts, and chain of custody.

According to the company, it has raised more than $8.5 million from 4,700 investors. For more, visit arrive.tech.

Local residents recognized for business accomplishments

news@currentinfishers.com

ation workplace, we’re in good hands with young people like these making it happen.”

Area residents included in the program this year are:

ACHIEVEMENT

Conexus Indiana recently announced the newest members of the Conexus Indiana Rising 30, a group of young professionals recognized for their accomplishments in the advanced manufacturing and logistics industries. Area residents were among those chosen for recognition.

The Rising 30 program is in its third year, according to the announcement.

“It is exciting to see such a rich pipeline of young professionals who already are contributing to Indiana’s largest economic engine,” Scott Brand, executive vice president of Subaru of Indiana Automotive and chair of the Conexus Indiana Board, stated. “As Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries continue to modernize and embrace the next-gener-

• Noblesville’s John Coleman (Backhaul Direct)

• Fishers’ Adam Gushwa-Williams (Rolls-Royce)

• Fishers’ Kendal Rosenbaum (Circle Beverage)

• Geist-area resident, Nicholas LaNeve (LHP Analytics & IoT)

• Carmel’s Natalie Roberts (Flexware Innovation)

• Carmel’s Morgan Chang (Purdue University)

Rising 30 honorees represent diverse professions, including quality specialists, entrepreneurs and business owners, engineers, educators, CEOs and software designers, according to the announcement. The companies they work for range from massive international companies to startups in cities and towns across the state.

Williams

Pepmeier

Rosenbaum

VIEWS

READERS’ VIEWS

Consent agenda tool to pummel opposition

Editor,

In Hamilton County, consent agendas are being used to obscure the actions of local school boards. See (Current in Carmel Managing Editor) Ann Marie Shambaugh’s recent article about Brook Lawson’s hiring in Carmel.

This consent agenda rule is meant to improve meeting efficiency and to consolidate mundane, routine topics into a single vote, in order to spend time on items where unanimous consent is not obvious.

A member may remove a consent agenda item for discussion, which demonstrates a lack of unanimous consent. That item must then be moved to the main agenda for further discussion.

The consent agenda should not be used to keep information from the public, from ideologically opposed members, nor to vote on information discreetly outside of the public eye. It’s not a “confidential” agenda, but a “consent” agenda. My hope is that our local school boards will use it appropriately in future meetings.

Mike Jamieson, Fishers

POLICIES

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

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Roof Cleaning Pressure Washing Epoxy Floors

Calls to post-graduation action

Commentary by Terry Anker

unscathed by the passing years.

ESSAY

‘Tis the season, the graduation season, that is. Just as surely as leaves erupt from barren trees, notices, announcements and invitations burst from our mailboxes carrying tidings of matriculation. Adults, children and young adults of our friends, business associates and family are marking the end of some component of their formal education. Kudos to them. The pursuit of knowledge is always a good thing.

Like all matters, many of the traditions surrounding these events have changed. We find ourselves stuffing the congratulatory envelopes with more cash than a few years back and guests at the ceremonies are just as likely to wear shorts and flipflops as neckties. But still, the graduates themselves don the slightly ridiculous mortarboard cap and long robe. They march in line, receive diplomas and other recognitions and move the tassel dangling from the square academic hat from right to left signifying attainment of their degree. Even more, the speechifying, recognitions and charges to those assembled have largely remained

I ‘May’

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Faculty and staff make final remarks to fully mint their nascent progeny. Dignitaries drawn from community leaders and exemplar alumni take the podium to impart their accumulated wisdom. Sometimes, they are poignant, entertaining, inspiring and memorable. Sometimes, they are not. Almost always, there is a charge to the gathered class. “Go forth and…” is the general idea. It is in these words that we find reflected our current trends. Go forth and prosper. Go forth and contribute. Go forth and be vulnerable. Go forth and embrace change. Go forth and defend tradition. Go forth and build a fortune to donate to this school.

Each of the varied and disparate from above reflect speeches heard just this year. Some miss the mark and others are on target. Given the microphone, what would we say?

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

HUMOR

It’s May, people, and you know what that means. No, not the race. Race, schmace. I’m talking about the life-altering phenomenon that occurs when college kids return. And though we technically only have one coming back, my wonderfully quiet house and relatively full fridge are about to take a beating. Somehow, I must find the will to survive the next 10 to 12 weeks.

We’ve already had “the talk.” You know, the one that makes parents sound like Old Man Get-Off-My-Lawn Wilson. “So long as you are under my roof … blah blah blah.” Curfews, chores, driveway spot — basic family responsibilities and expectations. But even assuming he abides by all the rules, his mere presence, while enjoyable in small doses, changes the dynamics of our humble abode.

For starters, my husband Doo and I have grown quite accustomed to being empty nesters. No constraints on dinner, TV, bed-

time. But now there will be another human being in the mix, someone with actual opinions and perceived needs and a history of staying up until dawn playing Xbox.

I’m particularly concerned about his ability to consume vast amounts of calories. While hitting Meijer in anticipation of the ensuing food shortage, I saw several other moms filling carts with PopTarts, Cheeze-Its and various other “luxury goods” that our coeds cannot afford. It’s like a plague of locusts has arrived for the summer, and no kitchen is safe from its destructive gastronomical path.

How will we survive this temporary home invasion? I’m not sure. And it’s still only May. Stupid May. Peace out.

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

Terry

“It’s like a plague of locusts has arrived for the summer, and no kitchen is safe from its destructive gastronomical path.”

– DANIELLE WILSON

FAMILY

Well, there went her ticket to sainthood

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

must have me confused with my husband.”

“Ma’am, your license plates are expired.”

“How could you possibly know that?”

“There’s a little sticker on the plate. It says 2022.”

HUMOR

My wife, Mary Ellen, is vacationing with my sister in North Carolina. This trip worries me. If my name comes up, no one in that car will take my side.

Mary Ellen was just pulled over for a minor infraction. She never breaks rules, believing they were made to be followed. This kind of harebrained notion caused a rift in the way we raised our son. To her credit, in more than 35 years, Brett has not spent a single night in jail.

“Well, how can you expect me to see that from the driver’s seat?”

I actually tried that line myself once, hoping to get a laugh from a cop. I got a sobriety test instead.

Now, back to the phone call from Mary Ellen right after she was stopped.

“Dick, I was just pulled over by the police.”

“Why didn’t you let my sister drive the getaway car?”

never even hot-wired a car.

woman

Getting stopped by the police has crushed her, ruined her clean record and put a damper on her vacation. My wife’s life has been exemplary. She never had detention, never cheated on a test, never told a lie, never even hot-wired a car. The woman was a saint. Until now.

When you have a clean past, being followed by a police officer is a perplexing and nerve-racking experience. I’ve studied how to deal with the cops when getting pulled over for speeding. For example, I know that saying, “Officer, I was running out of gas, so I had to get home quicker,” doesn’t work.

Mary Ellen has no experience in this area. When she noticed the lights flashing behind her, she waved the policeman around her … for about 23 blocks. Then it dawned on her that he was after her.

“When you stop crying, ma’am, may I see your license and registration?” the officer asked.

“Oh, there must be some mistake, officer,” Mary Ellen said. “I’ve never done anything wrong in my entire saintly life. You

“Look, this is no joke. Up until 20 minutes ago, I had a perfect record. I had never done anything wrong in my life. Do you know what this stain on my reputation means?”

“A big celebration at the convent! You’ve moved a lot of the sisters into first place.”

This event apparently created some soul searching on Mary Ellen’s part.

“Dick, this brush with the law has given me a new perspective. I’ve led too sheltered an existence. In fact, marrying you is really the only questionable thing I’ve ever done until today.”

“Hey, marrying me was not exactly committing a crime.”

“No, but it’s probably the closest I’ll ever come.”

POLICIES

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

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

“She never had detention, never cheated on a test, never told a lie,

The

was a saint. Until now.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

New Works to present three premieres at Palladium

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Saxophonist Cecily Terhune is eager to perform a new piece in a special setting.

PERFORMANCES

“The opportunity to perform a new work for the New Works project is monumental,” the Carmel resident said.”I’m honored to be able to experience the Palladium’s precise acoustic capabilities as a solo performer performing a piece I’m passionate about.”

Terhune’s project is one of three selected for the second season of New Works: An Arts Commission Project, an initiative of the Carmel-based Center for the Performing Arts to promote and sustain central Indiana’s working artists and arts communities in an inclusive way by supporting the creation of new works across the arts disciplines. The three winning proposals, selected by judges, will be presented in a free presentation at 8 p.m. June 10 at the Palladium, followed by a talkback discussion.

Instrumental and electronic music composer Katie Madonna Lee of South Bend composed “Boon Bestowed” for Terhune.

“We worked together to conceptualize the piece and she wrote the motifs,” Terhune said. “‘Boon Bestowed’ is composed of four separate movements and is 10 minutes long.”

Each movement will feature one instrument from the standard saxophone quartet: soprano, alto, tenor and baritone. Each movement represents a powerful female archetype: nurturer, leader, activist and teacher.

“The visual component began as a slideshow but is now a series of short videos representing each of the powerful female archetypes,” Terhune said.

Terhune, a 2011 Carmel High School graduate, teaches private woodwind lessons

for CHS and Noblesville High School students. She performs regularly with Audiodacity and other groups.

Another New Works is Emily Franks’ original dance piece, “Suits.” She developed it with the help of Noblesville-based En Pointe Indiana Ballet, where Franks is a part-time instructor. Franks, who lives in downtown Indianapolis, previously was a dancer for Dance Kaleidoscope.

“This was my first time being able to create a longer piece, which has always been a dream of mine,” Franks said. “After retiring from dancing professionally, I wasn’t sure where I would find my artistic outlet, but choreographing and creating works has been such a fun and new experience for me. I’m falling in love with it.”

The narrative is a mystery about a sto-

len document, set amid the human dynamics of corporate culture.

“I’m naturally more introverted, so I tend to be more of an observer than a talker,” she said. “I’ve always loved to people-watch and imagine their stories and lives. I imagine the people around me that I don’t even know live some pretty cool lives. After thinking about the corporate workforce, I wanted to tell a story through movement that would be close to watching a movie. I really wanted it to be accessible to all, where it wasn’t very abstract and anyone could see a plot line in the movement.”

The piece is made up of seven sections and runs 18 1/2 minutes.

“I retired from dancing professionally in June 2022 due to health reasons,” Franks said. “After getting diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, the athletic career of a dancer was just no longer sustainable. Seeing these incredibly talented students dancing my work up on the stage brings me just as much joy as performing did in my professional career.”

Franks has worked with the En Pointe dancers for several months on the piece.

“They’ve really impressed me with their dedication to their work as such young artists,” she said. “Their passion for the art shines through the choreography I gave them.”

Robert Moore, co-artistic director of En Pointe with his wife Polly Ribeiro, offered advice.

‘Rob has been such a wonderful mentor and watched me work through this process,” Franks said.

The third New Works is Jamey Guzman’s “Open Heart Surgery,” a contemporary opera piece modeled after a TV medical drama. It features three singers and several musicians from Bloomington-based New Voices Opera. Guzman collaborated with librettist Carolina Cao to tell a story of a young doctor caught between her dreams of film and her Immigrant family’s expectations of a career in medicine.

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘BEAUTY & THE BEAST’

“Beauty & the Beast” runs through July 9 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘LIVE AT THE CENTER’

The Live at the Center series presents Public Universal Friend at 7:30 p.m. May 31 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets are $5 for in-person or register for the free livestream at thecenterpresents.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Zack Zadek, who is working on the project with Discovering Broadway, will perform at 7:30 p.m. June 1 along with Elizabeth Teeter at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Natalie Douglas will sing Songs of the ’60s at 7:30 p.m. June 2-3. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘FAIRY DOLL’

Indiana Ballet Conservatory presents “Fairy Doll” at 1 and 4 p.m. June 3 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit indianaballetconservatory.org.

DISPATCHES

Dugan’s comedy show set — Dave Dugan presents: Comedy at The Cat is set for 7:30 p.m. June 3 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. Dugan is the co-headliner and host. The other co-headliner, Troy Davis, will perform with his daughter CoLee Reyes opening for him. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more, visit eventbrite.com/e/ comedy-at-the-cat-tickets-638831832207.

Two shows added to Palladium — The Center for the Performing Arts, which released its schedule May 22, has added two more shows to the 2023-24 schedule. Roots-rock singer-songwriter Grace Potter will appear at the Palladium for the first time Nov. 3. Actor Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro will present an evening of songs and stories titled “Och & Oy! A Considered Cabaret” Feb. 3, 2024.

Saxophonist Cecily Terhune’s New Works piece called “Boon Bestowed’’ will be performed June 10 at the Palladium. (Photo courtesy of Cecily Terhune)

Franks

Duo set to release single

By Mike Beas editorial@youarecurrent.com

The love and heartfelt appreciation Fishers residents Cory Carleton and Travis Brant have for the City of Indianapolis is expressed through their music.

JAZZ

Carleton and Brant, longtime jazz musicians who formed the band Axon Radio in 2019, sought to do so earlier in their career.

Only lately has the timing been right.

“There is quite a history of jazz and jazz musicians here in the city, and I don’t think a lot of people know about the jazz scene in Indianapolis,” said Brant, 48, a drummer who, along with bass player Carleton, 51, recorded the smooth jazz single, “Naptown Hustle,” which will be available to radio June 19.

“We were waiting for the right piece of music and the right musicians to work with,” Brant said.

Carleton and Brant have collaborated for 30 years, including in the band Meet, the forerunner to Axon Radio beginning in 2008.

Their new single features guitarist Paul Brown, whose impressive resume includes

being part of more than 60 No. 1 contemporary jazz radio hits.

Noted saxophone player Darren Rahn, a jazz giant in his own right, produced and co-wrote “Naptown Hustle.”

“It was literally just the two of us, bass and drums, and it was purely for the love of music,” Brant said. “We just played, and that’s the secret.

The jazz duo’s latest single can be streamed starting June 9. For more, visit axon-radio.com,

ATI reading helps playwright

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Emma Rund was delighted when she learned Actors Theatre of Indiana wanted to include her play in its Lab Series.

PLAY Rund

“In the playwriting world, there’s a lot of submitting and never hearing back, so when you finally get that 1-in-50 that is interested in working on your play, it’s extremely exciting,” the 2015 Guerin Catholic High School graduate said. “With this play, it was especially gratifying because I wrote it back in 2017. I submitted it to ATI in 2019, and then let it sit untouched for four years. Getting to pull it back out of the drawer to work on it again as a more experienced playwright was an absolute blast.”

The reading of “Rosemary & Time” was held May 20 at the Carmel Clay Public Library. The play is about Rosemary struggling with early onset Alzheimer’s. When her daughters come home for Thanksgiving, she must face the fact she is losing her grip on reality.”

“The actors in this reading were absolutely fantastic talents and they did a marvelous job with the play,” Rund said. “My favorite moment as a playwright is hearing audiences talk about how the play affected them. If the play sparks conversation, that’s a good sign in my book, so I think the reading went very well because the talkback afterwards was full of conversation.”

Rund, who grew up in Lebanon, was active in Carmel-based Civic Theatre’s Young Artists Program, appearing in three musicals. After graduating from Ball State University, she moved to Chicago to pursue her playwriting career. She works at the University of Chicago in central communications.

The reading helped Rund learn about the audience’s response to some of the comedic moments and their tolerance for the challenging characters.

The talkback definitely also planted some seeds for revisions,” Rund said. “Some of them are larger questions and I’ll need to marinate on them for a little while before I tackle another draft of the play.”

Cory Carleton, left, plays the bass while Travis Brant performs on the drums for Axon Radio. (Photo courtesy of Travis Brant)

‘Still’ an openhearted documentary on actor’s battle

Commentary by Julieanna Childs

Michael J. Fox has never been still. It wasn’t until his battle with Parkinson’s disease that he slowed down and began living in the moment.

the director. When asked what she means to him, he falls silent, then gives one word: “Clarity.”

MOVIE REVIEW

Wickedly funny and self-deprecating, Fox — in the documentary film “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” — recounts his sudden rise to fame in the 1980s and the moment he fell in love with actress and future wife Tracy Pollan, who played Alex P. Keaton’s girlfriend in Season 4 of “Family Ties.” His Parkinson’s diagnosis at age 29 left him depressed and battling alcoholism.

“My first three years of sobriety were like a knife fight in a closet,” he said.

Oscar award-winning director Davis Guggenheim spent a year interviewing Fox for “Still” and observing his family life with Pollan and their four children. The heart of the documentary is his love story with Pollan, whose unwavering support leaves him speechless during a conversation with

The film goes inside Fox’s therapy appointments with doctors unveiling the physical impairments Parkinson’s has taken on him. He walks in a jerky saunter, trying not to lose his balance. But the charisma and charm that made Fox a star haven’t diminished. Recovering from a stumble on a city sidewalk, he says to a passing fan, “Nice to meet you! You knocked me off my feet!”

Fox approaches his disease as a personal journey to help others, refusing to retreat from life: “I’m still me people recognize, just me plus Parkinson’s,” he said.

In 1999, Fox testified before Congress advocating for more research and funding.

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.

Time for farmers markets

Commentary by Mark LaFay

There is quite a bit to love about May in Indiana. The obvious is the passing of the gray gloom and the warming temperatures. The Indy 500 takes us through to the end of the month. Kids wrap up another year of school and plow into summer vacation. Last but not least is the summer farmers market season!

There are numerous farmers markets within a short Saturday morning drive. We (Old Major) sell at the Zionsville, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Garfield Park and Broad Ripple markets every Saturday morning. You can also find us at the Wednesday SoBro market and the Thursday Westfield market. The Thursday Westfield market is roaring back to life this year thanks to the hard work of Nick Stepaniak and the Westfield Chamber of Commerce. This year you will find 50 vendors every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Grand Junction Plaza. Here are a handful of vendors that you should check out:

• Tulip Tree Creamery – Great local creamery making great cheese in the Dutch tradition. Check out their trillium, it is similar to brie and it wins lots of awards!

See them at the Saturday Carmel market.

• Pig’s Tale Charcuterie – These guys make great snack sticks, summer sausage and dry-cured salamis. New to the scene and definitely a great addition to your charcuterie board. See them at the Westfield Thursday market.

• Circle City Sweets – Check them out at the Carmel Saturday market. Great baked goods. My favorite is the ham and cheese croissant.

• Old Major – Great bacon and sausage, with pork, chicken and beef options, including beef bacon and pork bacon. Local and delicious. Visit us at Westfield this week.

• My Dad’s Sweet Corn – I detasseled corn for Alan Baird when I was 13 years old. They grow fantastic sweet corn that comes in season by the Fourth of July. Check them out at the Carmel Market.

FOOD

Mark LaFay is a butcher, certified sommelier and founder of Old Major Market, 4201 Millersville Rd. Suite 107A.

INSIDE & OUT

Blueprint for Improvement: Complete basement transformation

Commentary by Larry Greene

Built in 1989 in Carmel’s Queen’s Manor neighborhood, our clients were ready to transform their basement from an unfinished storage space into a fully functional extension of their home, with room for everyone.

THE BLUEPRINT

• A warm beige, tan and sky-blue palette provides an airy, warm and welcoming ambience, despite being subterranean.

• The entertainment center cabinetry provides plenty of storage space and feels more like furniture thanks to details like crown molding and beadboard backing.

• Sky blue stain on the cabinetry in the wet bar area provides a touch of style and subtle hint of color.

• Even the tiniest occupants in this home were taken into consideration in designing this space. The area under the staircase transforms into the perfect playhouse — complete with a tiny Dutch door, mail slot and window boxes.

• The built-in bookcase serves a dual purpose, providing storage and display space while disguising the door leading to the mechanical closet.

Flowery language in full bloom

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

As spring turns to summer, I love taking leisurely laps around my house to see what’s in bloom. Nearly every day, I find a new flower opening its doors for business to bees and butterflies.

got a drink of water from the water fountain. Depending on where you grew up, you could also say Judith got a drink from the drinking fountain or the bubbler.

GRAMMAR GUY

Sorry to get so gushy about flowers, but native perennials are kind of my thing.

Flowery language is characterized by the abundant use of lengthy, occasionally outdated vocabulary and the inclusion of figurative expressions. In general, the jury is in on flowery language; it says, “Don’t use it!” I’ll be the judge of that.

Let’s see some examples. “As Judith languished in her cotton-mouthed state, she laboriously approached the silver oasis that promised aqueous vitality. As she painstakingly summoned the spirit to press her dainty thumb against the fountain’s operative button, water flowed like a river into her eagerly awaiting mouth.”

Whew. Glad you made it, Judith. A straightforward way of writing the above paragraph is: Judith was thirsty, so she

How about this one: Rik raced faster than a cheetah on the hunt toward the falling, hurtling white sphere. As the ball neared the blades of grass at a rapid clip, Rik sprawled out to secure it in the safety of his leather mitt.

Simply put, Rik made an exceptional diving baseball catch. Whether the play ended up on SportsCenter’s top plays or not, perhaps we’ll never know.

Using a blend of direct and flowery words is the secret sauce to make writing interesting and easy to understand. Writers should aim to inform but also entertain. If you go all-out with flowery language, it’s easy for the message to get lost in translation.

Visit to the September 11 Memorial & Museum

Commentary by Don Knebel

ered largely intact.

Foundation Hall at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Reflecting pool at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

TRAVEL

Today, in the last (for now) look at often-overlooked places in New York City, we visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, remembering the 2,977 people killed at the site by the Sept. 11, 2001, attack and the six killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

President Barack Obama and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg dedicated the memorial and museum on May 15, 2004. The memorial includes a wooded park on the World Trade Center site, with two 1-acre reflecting pools occupying the footprints of the destroyed twin towers. The names of the 2,983 victims are inscribed on 152 bronze panels on the pools, which include the world’s largest man-made waterfalls, masking city noises. The museum occupies 110,000 square feet beneath the park, extending to bedrock 70 feet below ground level. Visitors descend to Foundation Hall, the largest section of the museum, on a ramp adjacent to a stairway that 9/11 survivors took to safety, moved to the underground museum after being recov-

At the bottom of the ramp is an evocative work by artist Spencer Finch, comprising 2,983 individual paper panels of varying shades of sky blue, with a quote from Virgil: “No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” Along one side of Foundation Hall is a slurry wall that was designed to hold back the Hudson River from the towers and survived the attack. Among the 14.000 artifacts on display are a fire engine destroyed in the attack and the 36-foot-tall Last Column, the final column removed from the wreckage that includes a variety of inscriptions and messages. Twisted steel beams reflect the enormous temperatures from burning fuel that led to the towers’ collapse. For me, the most sobering part of the visit was the chance to talk with survivors, who volunteer to recount the horrors of Sept. 11.

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

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

5. Support beam 10. Evansville winter hrs.

13. “Jingle Bell Rock” singer (born in Bloomington)

15. Hinkle Fieldhouse cheer

Haute)

37. Immigrant’s subj.

38. “Family Feud” reruns channel

39. Have sushi at Chiba

41. Burn a bit

44.

32. Ex-Pacers coach and broadcaster (born in Terre

24. 2023 March Madness winner, briefly

26. Texter’s “Ta-ta!”

27. Indiana School for the Deaf subj.

30. “Ghosts” playwright

31. Hoosier National Forest growth

33. Start 34. “I” problem 35. Smell bad 36. Challenge 40. Colts stats 41. Capital of Minn. 42. Poker declaration 43. Caught in the act 44. Close 45. Rush headlong 47. “Silas Marner” novelist 48. Low-pitched

51. Indiana Supreme Court garb

Refusals 45. Cow collection

46. New employee 48. British nobles 49. Misery

50. Greater in size

53. Feel unwell

54. Indianapolis Ballet spins

58. Waste not

59. Real-life “Hoosiers” star (born in Pierceville)

60. ___ Zeppelin

61. Eye problems

62. Website with homemade Indy 500 jewelry

1. UK TV network

2. Tic-tac-toe win

3. Lots of ozs.

4. CVS medical exam administered on the forearm

5. Via, for short

6. WRTV’s “Duffy’s Diner” creator: ___ Duffy

7. Stomach woes

8. Break into pieces

9. Indiana tax ID

10. Certain Greek

11. French philosopher Jean-Paul

12. Pulsates

14. Governor Robert Orr’s alma mater

19. US President with two Grammys

20. WTTV schedule abbr.

21. A Simon

22. Butter substitute

School Supplies

Evansville’s County

52. They go with gals

54. WFYI net. 55. Egyptian boy king

56. Ambulance letters

57. KGB job

Answers on Page

FINE BATHROOMS