September 27, 2022 — Fishers

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Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XII, No. 36

Copyright 2022 Current Publishing, LLC All Rights Reserved. 30 South Range Line Road Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444

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

Current in Fishers currentinfishers.com

Fishers proposes raising food and beverage tax

By Taylor Dixon taylor@youarecurrent.com

The City of Fishers’ food and beverage tax could rise from 8 percent to 9 percent if a proposal is passed by the Fishers City Coun cil following a public hearing in October. The tax would go toward funding a newly announced event center that would be part of the larger Fishers Dis trict development, according to Mayor Scott Fadness.

GOVERNMENT

The 1 percent increase would be added to all food and beverage charges in restau rants in Fishers. Fadness said at the Sept. 14 finance meeting that the tax increase would put Fishers at the same food and beverage tax percentage as surrounding communi ties, such as Westfield and Zionsville. He said the increase is estimated to bring in about $3 million for the event center, which would be the new home for the Indy Fuel minor league hockey team.

The event center, which is part of a larger proposal that was introduced to the Fishers City Council Sept. 19, would seat about 6,500 people for hockey or basketball games and seat between 8,000 and 8,500 people for concerts.

Fadness said at the finance meeting that Hamilton County Tourism believes the

new event center would be a good place for conventions. He also said that the Indy Fuel would annually play 30 to 35 games at the event center and projected the facility would host about 125 events each year.

At the Sept. 19 Fishers City Council meet ing, the council heard a first reading on a proposed resolution to move forward with

the expansion of the Fishers District, which will be east of Interstate 69 between 106th and 116th streets.

Before the food and beverage tax pro posal can be voted on by the City Council, a public hearing will be conducted Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. at the Fishers Police Dept. Training Room at 4 Municipal Dr. in Fishers.

HSE to continue Panorama Education Surveys

By Sammy Bredar news@youarecurrent.com

ships and have strong social and emotional competencies.”

Lawson said the surveys help the school district make self-improvements.

SCHOOLS

Students within the Hamilton Southeast ern Schools district have been offered the Panorama Education Survey twice per year since 2019. The survey helps identify emotional and social areas to better help students. Finding ways to improve in those areas can help academic engagement and success, according to district officials.

Brooke Lawson, mental health and school counseling coordinator for HSE Schools, emphasized the importance and benefits of the Panorama Education Survey.

“In HSE Schools, we believe that stu dents are much more than a test score. We also understand the connection between strong social and emotional competencies and positive school climates and academic growth,” Lawson said. “Schools use this data to help make sure students feel safe at school, have positive teacher relation

“We already use and plan to continue to use the Panorama survey data when plan ning school improvement each year,” Law son said. “Schools analyze this data and put (schoolwide) strategies in place to better support students.”

Brad Ferris, academic achievement and analytics officer for HSE Schools, agreed with Lawson that the data helps the district better address students’ needs.

“These data points give us valuable in formation about what we need to change as we help students develop the academic skills necessary to succeed and to build school environments where they feel safe, welcome and productive,” Ferris said.

Ferris said the surveys have already made a positive impact on the district with regard to how it assists students.

“We have seen increases in how students

perceive their ability to regulate their emo tions, which can lead to better academic performance as well as increases in teach er-student relationships which indicate a more cooperative and caring learning envi ronment,” Ferris said.

Although HSE Schools emphasizes the im portance of the Panorama Education Survey, district officials also understand that some parents might not be comfortable with their child taking the survey. Parents who do not want their child to take the survey can opt out through the HSE Schools’ website with no impact on the student. The survey is voluntary.

“If parents are apprehensive about the questions asked by the Panorama survey or its purpose, we encourage them to visit our website where we’ve dedicated an entire page to answering questions about sur veys,” Ferris said.

For more, visit hseschools.org/happen ings/surveys to learn more about the Pan orama Survey as HSE schools.

Artist rendering of the proposed event center. (Photo provided by the City of Fishers)

There’s no such thing as too much teamwork.

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HSE debuts electric bus

SCHOOL By Taylor Dixon taylor@youarecurrent.com

Hamilton Southeastern Schools rolled out its first electric school bus earlier this month. The bus is the second in Hamilton County, with Carmel Clay Schools unveiling its in 2020.

The bus is the first in what HSE Director of Transportation Zach McKinney hopes will be the first in a fleet of 12 buses in the future.

For now, the electric bus, which McKin ney said some kindergarten students are calling “a Tesla,” is running six routes a day — three in the morning and three in the afternoon. The bus is servicing New Britton Elementary, Riverside Intermediate Junior High School and Fishers High School.

On average, the bus carries 55 students. It is charged and serviced at the HSE trans portation building. McKinney estimates the bus can run two days on a full charge, but to reduce the risk of running out of its power source, the bus is charged between routes each morning and afternoon.

more, brought the concept to his attention in 2020.

In the long run, McKinney said the electric bus will save the district money. It received a grant from the Volkswagen Mitigation Fund for a little more than $300,000, McKin ney said. The total cost of an electric bus is a little more than $400,000. HSE paid about $120,000, which is less than the cost of a diesel bus.

“We’re being good stewards of our envi ronment, but then also good stewards of our money,” McKinney said, “Granted, right now the cost of (the electric school bus) is relatively high in comparison to diesel, but we’re seeing that cost of ownership come down, so in the long run, once that cost kind of levels out from a diesel to electric, you’re going to see that the savings (are) there.”

McKinney also said the new bus will change the environment on school buses.

FAMILY FOR ALL

The idea for the electric bus had been on McKinney’s mind for a while, but he decided to pursue it when a student, Juliana Gill

“It’s cool technology, it’s different and it’s so quiet on the inside,” McKinney said. “You have all that engine noise on the inside of the cab in traditional diesel, so when you get on (the electric bus), you can hear ev erything. It’s just a completely different ride in a school bus, so it’s exciting to see it de velop and get implemented in our district.”

Kevin

Zach McKinney pauses with Juli ana Gillmore and her sister outside the electric bus on the first day of school. (Photo provided by Zach McKinney)

DISPATCHES

Send us your stories and photos — Have a story suggestion? Want an event covered? Know of a new business or have photos for submission? Please email Current in Fishers Managing Editor Taylor Dixon at taylor@ youarecurrent.com or call 317-489-4444. Remember our deadline is about eight days prior to publication.

Tailgate to support domestic violence survivors — More Than a Phone, a central Indiana nonprofit that partners with do mestic violence shelters across the U.S. to provide phones and data plans to survivors, is hosting their fifth annual fundraising event Oct. 2. The Fishers based nonprofit is hosting a tailgate before the Indianapolis Colts game that Sunday at Crane Bay Event Center in downtown Indianapolis from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The tailgate will have food, drinks, outdoor games, silent auctions and live music ahead of the game. All proceeds from the event will go towards helping sur vivors of domestic violence attain a phone and service plan to contact loved ones as they transition away from their abus ers. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.morethanaphone.org/ more-than-a-tailgate.

Friends of Fishers PAC announces fund raiser — The Friends of Fishers PAX has an nounced a breakfast fundraiser for Wednes day September 28th from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Peterson’s in Fishers. The goal is to raise funds to support the HSE School Board can didates. The event will feature State House Representative Chris Jeter and will offer the community to hear from HSE School Board candidates Tiffany Pascoe, district 1, Dr. Juanita Albright, district 2, Dawn Lang, dis trict 3, Ben Orr, district 4. Anyone interested in attending are invited to RSVP at https:// www.friendsoffishers.com/event-rsvp.

Salvation Army volunteer opportunities — The Salvation Army of Indianapolis is looking for volunteers for the Coats for Kids event on Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Families who wish to register to receive coats for their kids can visit https://centralusa.salvation army.org/indiana/coats-for-kids/. Volunteers are also needed for this event. Oct. 10-14 people can help with set up from 9 a.m. to noon and 1p.m. to 4 p.m. On distribution day, Oct. 15, assistance will be needed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone interested in volun teering can contact Kathy Dalla Costa with the Salvation Army at kathy.dallacosta@usc. salvationarmy.org.

Nickel Plate Arts to partner with county on squirrel stampede

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

overrun by their furry counterparts.”

Nickel Plate Arts is partnering with Hamil ton County for the 200th Squirrel Stampede. The Noblesville or ganization is hosting a series of events with different art opportunities, including free ceramic squirrels that can be picked up at its center, 107 S. 8th St. Kiln Creations, a pottery studio at 60 N. 9th St. in Noblesville, has also placed 300 clay mold squirrels with paint across Hamilton County.

CELEBRATION

Nickel Plate Arts also is giving away free ceramic squirrels at its campus with a limit of one per family. Those who are interested are asked to either attend a squirrel-related event, take a picture with a real squirrel or window cling, bring a receipt from a local restaurant or dance the Squirrel Stomp for a Nickel Plate Arts staff member.

“Kiln Creations is overjoyed to be the pur veyor of fine ceramic squirrels here in Ham ilton County,” said Louise Blazucki, owner of Kiln Creations. “Here’s to hoping these sweet ceramic stand-ins act as a talisman and protect your crop and home from being

If individuals want to learn how to do the Squirrel Stomp, local choreographer Ga brielle Morrison will be available from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Primeval Brewing, 960 Logan St., Noblesville. Patrons can also listen, dance and celebrate squirrels with local rock band The Dead Squirrels from 7 to 10 p.m. that evening.

For more on the Great Squirrel Stampede, visit visithamiltoncounty.com/squirrel.

Princess Program applications — The 500 Festival is accepting applications for the 2023 500 Festival Princess Program. Appli cations are available at 500Festival.com/ Princess. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Jan. 8, 2023. The program provides 33 wom en from Indiana colleges and universities with the opportunity to make an impact during their college years as ambassadors of the 500 Festival and its mission to enrich lives and positively impact the community. Each 500 Festival Princess will also receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Prevent catalytic converter theft — Jiffy Lube of Indiana and Indianapolis Metropol itan Police Dept. have partnered to launch the Catalytic Converter Identification Initia

tive to combat a trend of catalytic converter thefts and support vehicle safety. Through this initiative, Hoosiers that visit a Jiffy Lube store in central Indiana can opt to have their technician engrave the last 8 dig its of the vehicle’s VIN on the catalytic con verter and add a stripe of high-temp paint, which adds an extra layer of protection to any vehicle at no additional cost (and no purchase necessary). Services will remain in effect indefinitely.

Winter seasonal hiring events — INDOT will host winter seasonal hiring events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 28 at 13 locations across the state. Interested candidates may text INDOT Careers to 468311 to receive additional job postings.

CARMEL SHOWROOM 99 E. Carmel Drive Suite 100 Carmel, IN

MERIDIAN-KESSLER STUDIO 5912 N. College Avenue Indianapolis, IN

ZIONSVILLE STUDIO 117 S. First Street Zionsville, IN

Traders Point Christian quarterback improves his accuracy

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

As a Traders Point Christian School fresh man, Cooper Simmons-Little chose not to play football. He regretted it quickly.

“I chose not to play football my freshman year because I strug gled with it through middle school,” said Simmons-Little, who lives in Pittsboro. “After watching my friends playing as brothers on the football field, I missed it and joined my sophomore year.”

The 6-foot-2 Simmons-Little played receiv er his sophomore year but was injured and missed much of the season. The senior now plays quarterback.

Last season, Simmons-Little completed 141 of 315 passes (44.8 percent) for 2,154 yards with 18 touchdowns and 18 intercep tions for the Class A school in Whitestown.

In the first five games this season, he greatly improved his completion percent age by completing 108 of 174 passes (62.1

MEET COOPER SIMMONS-LITTLE

Favorite Subject: Math

Favorite Movie: “Cars 2”

College plans: Play football and major in business

percent) for 1,592 yards with 18 touchdowns and two interceptions.

“My deep ball has improved the most,” Simmons-Little said. “My goal since last year was to be able to throw the ball deeper with more accuracy.”

His receivers deserve credit as well. Senior Phillip Moran had 34 catches for 519 yards and eight TDs in the first five games.

Sophomore Colton Pollard had 26 catches for 446 yards and senior Eli Meals had nine receptions for 325 yards.

“I have solid receivers and our relation

ships have come easy,” said Simmons-Little, who also plays basketball for Traders Point. “We do little things to connect, such as (having) dinner together.”

Traders Point coach Sam Carnes said he is impressed with Simmons-Little’s leader ship during adverse moments.

Carnes, who is in his third year as Knights head coach, said he also is im pressed with Simmons-Little’s footwork in the pocket.

“A lot of kids when there is pressure will just go down or throw a bad pass or just try to go ahead and run,” Carnes said. “Coo per’s footwork has improved to the point where he is always trying to complete the pass. He is going to use his feet to maneu ver in the pocket and complete a pass. He’s thrown three or four touchdowns that way. I’m very impressed with his feet, very im pressed with his attitude.”

Carnes’ brother Ben is the Knights’ offen sive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Ben formerly was a Westfield High School assistant coach before joining his brother.

Carnes said some NAIA and smaller college teams are showing an interest in Simmons-Little.

Traders Point Christian senior quarterback Cooper Simmons-Little threw for 1,592 yards in the first five games. (Photo courtesy of Traders Point Christian)

Simmons-Little

Meet House of Representatives District 88 candidates

Compiled by Taylor Dixon Taylor@youarecurrent.com

Donna Griffin of Greenfield is challenging incumbent Chris Jeter for the Indiana House District 88 seat this fall. District 88 is northeast of downtown Lawrence and covers parts of Marion, Hamilton and Hancock counties.

Age: 63

Education: Master’s degree, sociology, University of Texas at El Paso; Bachelor’s degree Journalism/so ciology, Butler University; graduate of Arsenal Technical High School, Indianapolis

Occupation: Adjunct professor at Butler University, a substitute teacher in Hancock County and independent author and media cre ator. She has either lived or worked in all four counties of District 88.

City of residence: Greenfield

Immediate family: Griffin and her hus band, David, live in Buck Creek Township in Hancock County. They have a daughter and son-law who live in Marion County, a son and daughter-in-law who live in Blooming ton, and four grandchildren. Their oldest daughter was killed by a reckless driver in 2006 at age 23. She is the inspiration for the nonprofit they founded in 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church in New Palestine, Dani’s Dreams Innovation in Education. Dani’s Dreams has two outdoor education trails at Zion and Sugar Creek Township Park.

Previous political experience: None Why do you want to run for office? Af ter an 18-year career as a local journalist and 25 years as a teacher in El Paso, Texas, and Indianapolis Public Schools, I announced my candidacy for Indiana House District 88 for two reasons: To address in equities and lack of innovation in education policy in Indiana by listening, supporting, and celebrating Indiana’s teachers, and to represent Hamilton, Hancock, Madison, and Marion county citizens of diverse ages, rac es and perspectives.

What are your qualifications for this

office? I am not bound to any political philosophy. I am a citizen of this state and would like to be a part of creating laws that address the needs of the people who live in HD 88.

What sets you apart from other candidates for this office? I have a diversity of career experiences: 1) a wealth of knowledge and under standing of this state and its politi cal institutions through 18 years as a local reporter in Hamilton, Hancock, and Marion counties and as an editor/owner for the Pendleton Times and Times-Post in Madison County; 2) a depth of experience in education as a classroom teacher of diverse students at the high school and college lev el in El Paso, Texas, and Indianapolis Public Schools for 25 years.

How long have you lived in your dis trict? Fifteen years

What other organizations are you involved with?  I am a master journalism educator with the Journalism Education Association, a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SC BWI) and a member of Zion Lutheran Church, New Palestine

Something most people don’t know about you? I have written five children’s books, three that I have published inde pendently. I am a Hoosier history (especially sports) nerd. And I love to dance.

Something you want people to know about you? As an individual citizen, I truly do believe that I can make a difference for my community, especially for our young people.

Website or best way for voters to reach you? griffinforindiana.com; email: donnag@ griffinforindiana.com.

Griffin

Name: Donna Griffin

Name: Chris Jeter

Previous political experience: Served one term as State Rep for HD 88.

Continued from Page 10 young kids in our schools and a business in our community. I know the impact State house policies can have on individuals. I live it every day.

Why do you want to run for of fice? My time in the U.S. Navy in stilled in me a heart for service, and I saw this seat as a way to serve the community I grew up in. It is an honor to serve.

What are your qualifications for this office? A servant’s heart; born and raised in Fishers.

What are the top three issues that your campaign will focus on? Pro small busi ness policies, support for law enforcement, personal freedoms.

What sets you apart from other candidates for this office? My views represent the views of our community and I have

How long have you lived in your district? Ten years since getting out of the Navy, 32 years total What other organizations are you involved with? I spend my free time with my kids in their sports. Something most people don’t know about you? I make the best mac and cheese

Something you want people to know about you? I am a Reserve officer in the United States Navy, having achieved the rank of commander.

Website or best way for voters to reach you? chrisjeter.com.

roundabout is under construction at 116th Street

Expected completion: Fall Project: New roundabout

Location: E. Main Street and Richland Avenue.

Expected completion: Fall

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

NOBLESVILLE & NORTH

Project: New trail

Location: The project will construct an 8-foot-wide asphalt trail north from Wellington Parkway of the Wellington Northeast subdivision to the 5-point roundabout at Greenfield Avenue.

Southbound 10th Street (also known as Allisonville Road) will be detoured to Eighth Street. Two more closures will happen later.

Expected completion: November.

CARMEL

Project: Roundabout, multi-use path construction

Location: The intersection of 106th Street and College Avenue is closed for construction of a roundabout. The multiuse path is under construction along 106th Street from Pennsylvania Parkway to College Avenue. 106th Street is not expected to be closed during construction of the path.

Expected completion: November

Project: Culvert reconstruction

Location: The Monon Greenway is closed from north of west Smoky Row Road to the Hagan Burke Trail.

Expected completion: End of the year

Project: Range Line Road reconstruction

Location: 116th Street to Carmel Drive. A

Project: New roundabout

Location: E. Main Street and Lexington Boulevard

Expected completion: Fall

Project: Widening and improvements along Smoky Row Road

Location: Between the Monon Greenway and U.S. 31. The road will be fully closed during the project. The Monon Greenway is closed until later this month.

Expected completion: End of year

Project: Widening of the Monon Greenway

Location: Between City Center Drive and Carmel Drive

Expected completion: November.

WESTFIELD

Project: New roundabout

Location: The intersection of 191st Street and Grassy Branch Road is closed.

Expected completion: Due to delays with utility relocation, the estimated completion date is Oct. 8.

Project: Reconstruction of 151st Street

Location: A section of 151st Street from Towne Road to Buchanan Lane is closed for reconstruction. The intersection of 151st Street and Towne Road will remain open during construction.

Expected completion: Summer

Project: Boulevard with a roundabout

Location: A section of 191st Street west of U.S. 31 is being converted into a boulevard with a roundabout at Chad Hittle Drive.

Cathedral High School

Cathedral High School open house

Cathedral High School open house

open house

Thursday, October 13

Mass - 5:00 p.m. • Open House - 5:30 - 8 p.m.

Jeter

County bond rating affirmed

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

rating from S&P.

S&P Global Ratings recently affirmed its AAA long-term rating of Hamilton County, which is the highest rating that can be given.

GOVERNMENT

The agency assigned its AAA rat ing to the county’s bridge improve ment bonds that are scheduled to close this month. The outlook is stable.

The bond proceeds will be used to fi nance a new bridge project over the White River, which will be done in conjunction with the city of Noblesville. The city’s proj ect, known as Reimagine Pleasant Street, is estimated to cost $115 million and will be completed in three phases, said City Engi neer Alison Krupski.

This is the second year the county has received a AAA rating. Hamilton County is the only county in Indiana that holds a AAA

“This rating not only saves our residents money, but also signals a sound and stable economic climate,” Hamilton County Com missioner Mark Heirbrandt said. “It certainly speaks to the hard work and team work of our county commissioners, county council and finance team.”

In its report, S&P analysts noted that the county has “[a] very strong economic profile, characterized by robust economic growth … wealth levels that are among the highest in the state, (and) robust tax base growth and strong budgetary management practices.”

Heirbrandt said to improve the county’s credit rating while it continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic and ramp up numerous projects is simply exceptional.

“Our county is fiscally strong, disciplined, resilient and poised for more growth in the future,” he said. “This rating not only saves our residents money, but also signals a sound and stable economic climate.”

Heirbrandt

Local teen wins pageant

By Chris Bavender news@currentinfishers.com

A Fishers teen is headed to the Interna tional Junior Miss pageant in Orlando, Fla., Thanksgiving week representing Indiana. Vani Sharma, a junior at Fishers High School, won the Internation al Junior Miss Indiana Junior Teen title in September.

ACHIEVEMENT

Sharma also took top honors in several optional competitions, such as Spokesmod el, Actress, and Top Model.

“For winning the title, I received an en graved plate award, rhinestone and pearl crown, satin sash, flowers, an opportunity to represent Indiana at internationals in November and the IJM Scholarship award,” she said. “Personally, I am so excited about getting to connect with girls across the globe and be able to do global service proj ects with them because pageantry is not only about self-growth, but also making a widespread impact on the lives of others.”

As a young girl, Sharma always loved fashion and recalls her first “modeling” encounter was a Barbie fashion show at an area museum. She started competing in pageants in 2016 after receiving a letter in the mail.

“I believe I was 9 when I did my first pageant, so I was in the Junior Pre-Teen division. After that year, I loved it so much that I came year after year, winning my first big title of Miss Indiana Pre-teen in 2018,” Sharma said. “I have seen myself moving from a phase of being a shy girl to a young speaker with a heart for service. Pageants have taught poise, presentation skills and building confidence and more importantly to believe in myself.”

Her pageant platform is E.A.S.E., which stands for educate, achieve, smile and

empower.

“I actually started my volunteering jour ney as a kindergartener after a family inci dent. The genuine kindness we received as a family is truly what brought us to giving back to others, with that same compas sion,” Sharma said. “As young girl, I never knew what I was doing and how I was impacting others. However, growing up, I felt very thankful that my parents instilled those values of service in me, and I work to share it to others with my initiative.”

Sharma does that through organizing community service events around Fishers, volunteering with organizations such as Changing Footprint, social media move ments like the Happiness Challenge, serving meals and playing music at the Ronald Mc Donald House. Besides volunteering, Sharma enjoys speaking to students and sharing the importance of kindness.

Sharma is working on a project called the #SHEROMOVEMENT for girl’s empowerment. You can learn more about it on her Insta gram pages: @ease_vani, @vani.sharma05, and @iam_ijmindianajrteen. For more infor mation on her involvement in E.A.S.E., visit ease-vani.org.

Vani Sharma stands with her Indiana Miss Ju nior Teen sash. (Photo provided by Vani Sharma)

Chinese program to be offered

By Sammy Bredar news@currentinfishers.com

Ball State University will be offering a free STARTALK summer program for middle and high students. The program, running from June 12-30, 2023, will teach students Mandarin and immerse them in Chinese culture.

EDUCATION

The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fishers Center for Academic and Eco nomic Innovation in Fishers.

STARTALK is a federal grant program that aims to educate students in grades K-12 in critical foreign languages. STARTALK grants support programs that teach Arabic, Chi nese, Korean, Persian, and Russian. This is the third year for the BSU STARTALK summer program.

BSU STARTALK can only accept 30 stu dents because of limited capacity. Students entering sixth through 12th grade are eli gible to apply. Those who will be incoming juniors and seniors in fall 2023 are eligible to apply for dual credit.

Liu Li, associate professor of Chinese at Ball State University.

Li said students will be immersed not only in the Chinese language, but in the culture, as well.

The theme of the program is “Visiting a Chinese Family.” Program organizers have strived to ensure that students receive a truly immersive learning experience.

“We will also try to create an environment similar to living in Beijing, so there’s Chinese families or host families they can live with,” Li said. “Hopefully, they will get an authentic environment like living in China.”

The deadline to apply to is Oct. 31. Besides the actual camp, there will be pre-camp and post-camp online learn ing. To apply, visit forms.bsu.edu/forms/ startalk_chinese_summer_program.

Students in Chinese dress after a Dragon Dance. (Photo courtesy of Ball State University)

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking to identify this man suspected to be involved in vehicle thefts across four counties (Photo provided by Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)

Suspect sought for theft

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

ner sticker across the rear window and was last known to have yellow duct tape around the driver’s side mirror, authorities said.

CRIME

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying a man involved in a rash of vehicle thefts that occurred across four counties.

The sheriff’s office said the thefts oc curred the week of Aug. 24 in Boone, Hamil ton, Madison and Putnam counties with the suspect being described as a white male in his late teens to early 20s. The suspect’s ve hicle is a Honda Element between the years of 2003 and 2006 with a distinctive flag ban

The vehicle was last seen in Loma, Colo., traveling west on I-70 and has a stolen license plate from Anderson. The license plate number is ZIG433.

Anyone with information about the iden tity of the individual is asked to contact detective Greg Lockhart by emailing greg. lockhart@hamiltoncounty.in.gov or call 317-776-2235. The public can also call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-626-8477 to remain anonymous.

FOR MarkFHall.com

FEDERAL HILL COMMONS

COME PACK THE PANTRIES. HELP FEED HUNGRY NEIGHBORS.

By Taylor Dixon taylor@youarecurrent.com

The City of Fishers approved two-thirds of a $1.1 billion economic development plan Sept. 19. Andretti Global, Stevanato Group and the expansion of the Fishers District were all topics of conversation at the Sept. 19 City Council meeting. Both the Andretti Global and the Stevanato Group projects were approved and will move forward with construction.

The new event center and expansion of the Fishers District east of Interstate 69 had a first reading and will be brought up again at the next city council meeting sometime in October. Before it goes back to council, a public hearing will be held Oct. 6 to discuss funding the event center with a 1-percent increase in Fishers’ food and beverage tax.

“This really is a new chapter in the (City) of Fishers,” Mayor Fadness said at the Sept. 19 council meeting. “I couldn’t be prouder of the decisions and the work to date that have put us in the position to be contemplat ing $1 billion of economic development.”

RACING INTO TOWN

Andretti Global, the parent company of Andretti Auto sport, announced Aug. 22 that it plans to build a $200 million headquarters in Fishers. The 575,000-square-foot building will be constructed on 99 acres in Fishers near the Nickel Plate Trail Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve and Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport.

It is expected to create up to 600 new jobs by 2026.

The projected average annual salary for the jobs will be about $100,000 and will create 956 con struction jobs during the year of construction, ac cording to city officials

The new building will serve as a headquarters and base of operations for former IndyCar driver Mi chael Andretti’s racing team’s NTT IndyCar Series, Indy Lights and IMSA programs and future racing programs. It will also house a museum, restaurants and other amenities.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2023; be complete by 2024; and be operational by 2025.

The headquarters will feature modern technologies and will allow Andretti Global to welcome the racing commu nity through involvement with the Fishers Parks Nature First program, planned indoor amphitheater, museum and innovations center that will showcase Andretti’s legacy.

“We’re really truly trying to create that atmosphere along the Nickel Plate Trail for walking paths and topof-the-line fitness facility and all the top amenities and things to truly have that for (everyone),” Andretti said. “We’re just excited and proud to be a part of it.”

Concerns were raised about the headquarters being placed near Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve. Andretti said the company has plans to work with the City of Fishers Nature First Program to ensure that the property will not be negatively impacted by the project.

FROM ACROSS THE POND

The City of Fishers announced Sept. 14 the expansion of the Italian pharmaceutical and bio technology manufactur ing company Stevanato Group. In June 2021, the Stevanato Group an nounced plans to build a 200,000-square-foot, $140 million facility at the Fishers Life Science and Innovation Park.

Earlier this year, Stevanato executives approached the City of Fishers about expanding the planned facility. The company proposed an investment of $512 million and hire a total of 515 employees by 2031.The project was greenlit by council members at the Sept. 19 city council meeting. Construction on the Stevanto facility has al ready begun. The company plans to start manufacturing operations in early 2024.

Stevano Group will be creating about 500 new jobs that will pay about $70,000 annually, according to infor mation presented at the Sept. 14 finance meeting.

“We were looking at a couple of different states and then narrowed it down to Indiana, and we were looking at several different areas and evaluated all those areas and determined that Fishers was the best location for the new building,” said Scott Hamm, project manager for the Stevanato Group building. “The thought was this is a growing area where a lot of people are moving to, and with the trajectory of the population growth, we thought it would be good to support the business.”

Hamm also said Italian engineers will relocate to Fish ers, so part of the decision was also because of the fact that they believe the city will be a good place to live.

“It’s a safe place to live (and) the cost of living is rea sonable here compared to other metropolitan areas, so that’s clearly a factor as well,” Hamm said.

The current plan is to have construction completed by the end of 2023 and start production of smaller items, such as syringes, in early 2024.

The City of Fishers announced Sept. economic developments, including a new center that would the Fishers District. new event center, proved, would be to the Indy Fuel league hockey team.

The total expansion to cost $550 million between 106th and expansion will also tainment and residential

The district will

• The Union, cording to project a multi-family include about feet of retail and up to 80,000

• The Slate, a two hotels, square feet projected to Thompson

• The Commons, also have restaurant, At the heart center, slated Team owner league hockey Hawks will the 2024-25 spectators

Entertainment.

“Quite frankly, making in this community, the mayor and the (Fishers),” Hallett

The Indy Fuel, Farmers Coliseum tices at the Fuel 36 games planned center, is projected cording to Fadness Hamilton Southeastern expected to have event center. In at the Indiana State Ashlee Boyd, managing the expansion of growth in Fishers

“(The expansion a great asset to around this area. destination entertainment another very unique give it regional recognition ana and continue

Artist rendering of the new Andretti Global headquarters moving to Fishers. (Renderings provided by the City of Fishers)

Artist rendering of the Stevanato Group building on Cumberland Road.

FUELING UP

Fishers Sept. 14 new developments, event would grow District. The center, if ap be home minor team.

expansion of the Fishers District is slated million and will be located east of I-69 and 116th Street, southeast of IKEA. The also include new retail, restaurant, enter residential businesses.

will consist of three major projects. They are: which will cost about $150 million, ac project developer Thompson Thrift. It is multi-family and entertainment option that will about 250 luxury apartments, 60,000 square retail and restaurant space, 150 hotel rooms 80,000 feet of office space.

multi-use residential facility including 254 residential spaces and 110,000 of restaurant and retail space, is to cost about $64 million, according to Thrift.

Commons, which will be an event center and restaurant, retail and residential space. heart of the commons will be a new event slated to be the new home for the Indy Fuel. owner Jim Hallett said the professional minor hockey affiliate of the NHL’s Chicago Black play in the event center beginning in 2024-25 season. The center will hold up to 8,500 and be managed by Hallett Sports & Entertainment.

frankly, for me to make the investment that I’m community, it’s because of the energy of the council that excites me to invest in Hallett said.

which currently plays in the Indiana Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, prac Tank in Fishers. The team currently has planned in its first season at the new event projected to host about 125 events a year, ac Fadness

Southeastern and Fishers high schools are have their graduation ceremonies at the recent years, the ceremonies have been State Fairgrounds.

managing partner at Thompson Thrift, said of Fishers District will help spur economic Fishers by bringing more people to the area. expansion of the Fishers District) is going to be help spur economic development in and area. It’s going to provide another regional entertainment venue,” Boyd said. “It’s just unique destination for the city that will recognition throughout the state of Indi continue to put Fisher on the map.”

FOOTING THE BILL

The event center, which is a part of the Thompson Thrift expansion of the Fishers District, is the center piece of the $550 million project. The event center is expected to cost $320 million.

To pay for the expansion, the City of Fishers has pro posed a 1-percent increase in the city’s food and bever age tax. The increase would raise the tax from 8 percent to 9 percent, if the proposal is passed by the Fishers City Council following an Oct. 6 public hearing.

The 1 percent increase would be added to all food and beverage charges in restaurants in Fishers. The increase is estimated to bring in about $3 million for the event center, according to Mayor Scott Fadness. The public hearing on the proposed tax will be at 5 p.m. at the Fish ers Police Dept. Training Room at 4 Municipal Dr.

ON THE COVER: A new proposed home is unlike any other in the Village Center neighborhood in Fishers. A shipping container home was first put forward to the Nickel Plate Review Committee July 23rd.

EARN UP TO . APY*

Map of where the expanded Fishers District will sit east of I-69.

Artist rendering of the proposed event center.

ESSAY

Cost of not knowing

Commentary by Terry Anker

Cocktail menus are often conspicuous ly absent prices. Some food menus are, too. Boutiques routinely keep the MSRP on a need-to-know basis. Consumers, it seems, don’t need to know. One is urged to try it on, fall in love and throw down the credit card. How much we would pay and how much the object is worth to us is not a consideration.

Health care is likewise priceless. Asking cost is almost always met with a look of abject confusion. “Why do you care? How much is your health worth to you?” How can we know the answer to that question unless we know how much we are about to be charged? Shaming and social pressure do the dirty work. It is like middle school all over again, and good decision-making is out the window.

Nonprofits have their own version. An acquaintance reaches out to see if we’re interested in catching up over a meal. In fact, he has an open spot at an event next week. No need to buy tickets, it’s on him. In addition to our talk, we’ll learn something about the cause. It all conceals a modern fundraising tool, the “get-to-know-us” breakfast.

The host is already sold on the project and is “network marketing” to us. For the cost of a continental breakfast, he becomes entitled to arm-twist cash for the cause before we are freed. It is a timeshare presentation for charity. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with the device, if we know what we are getting ourselves into. But the Trojan horse of it all is the demand for giving. “Give a lot,” the pledge card directly placed into our hands by the host pressures. “Give every month,” it not-so-politely urges. We find ourselves cajoled into giving to a cause that, while important, is not central to our priorities.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Loving my empty nest

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

My, how times have changed! I re cently attended a birthday party for the soon-to-be 3-year-old of a co-worker. Be sides the grandmother and great-grand mother, I was the oldest person there and the only one without little kids claimable as blood kin. Although this is not a new phenomenon — our young est is 18, after all — the idea that I no longer am beholden to nap schedules and cupcake sugar rushes and bouncy house injuries really hit home. And it was magical.

I thoroughly enjoyed sitting back and watching the chaos unfold, able to enter the fray if — and only if — I chose. I was not required to chase down a toddler as she made a break for a neighbor’s jun gle gym, nor did I need to carefully pre pare a dinner plate with nonchokeable, cut-up grapes. I didn’t have to worry about food allergies or skinned knees or the bees wreaking havoc near the baked beans. And when a tense moment erupt ed during the present-opening grand finale — “That’s my Baby Moana!” — I could legitimately just shake my head and giggle.

Lest you think I’m a complete jerk, I did help clear plates and locate juicebox straws, and I occasionally assisted with step navigation. But the point is, I was under no obligation to do so. I was there as a true guest, unencumbered by the responsibilities and expectations of parenthood.

— DALE CARNEGIE

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.

The moral of my story is this: Even tually, everyone makes it to the empty nest Promised Land, where backyard barbeques are actually delightful experi ences and other peoples’ children, much like puppies, are unlimited sources of entertainment. My, how times will change.

Peace out.

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

Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@ youarecurrent.com. a receipt, not a

WHERE IS TIM? — Tim Campbell, a Carmel resident and internationally decorated cartoonist, is taking a break from Current in an effort to focus on his work for a newer cartoon syndi cate, Counterpoint, as well as other projects. Campbell had drawn nearly weekly for Current since October 2006.

An eggstra interesting read

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

cuddly capon on camera.

My wife and I didn’t go to the Indiana State Fair this year, the first one we missed (other than the two years affected by COVID-19 closures) since we moved to Indiana in 1982. Mary Ellen’s favorite thing is going to the poultry barn to see the baby chicks. I love to get a grilled you-know-what on a stick. We don’t talk much about our favorite things on the way home.

HUMOR

Menards sells mag azines called Chick ens and Poul try World — both dedicated to the proper care and breeding of our feath ered friends. On the cover, the editor is seen holding his buddy, a handsome Springer Spaniel. I guess he has learned he’ll attract more chicks holding an adorable puppy than cuddling a rooster.

Inside these magazines, let the puns begin. There are puns I am sure have made their way into every edition through the years. Let’s face it, there are only so many chicken plays-on-words you can come up with to name various sections of the periodicals.

Eggciting recipes: During Easter, we see this wordplay in every newspaper a hun dred times. Enough, already. It’s, well, you know … eggasperating.

Online eggstras and eggsclusives: The plays-on-words here cover the spectrum from horrible to somewhat clever. Mary Ellen and I only eat cage-free eggs, and we want the jokes to have free range, as well.

Cracking up: Their joke page, of course.

A chicken in every shot: Don’t have an adorable cat to feature in YouTube videos? Here’s some advice on how to capture your

Chicken scratch: Gifts and gadgets for chicken lovers with the subtitle, “Everything Our Readers Are Crowing About.” You buy an app that figures how many eggs annually to expect from your flock. Yes, it’s called a cluck-u-lator.

Get the shell out: Ensuring the maximum daily egg production from each breed. This pun is also used in Turtle Monthly Digest in articles encouraging pet owners to exercise their aquatic friends with a daily walk.

Fowl language: A glossary of import ant terminology for bird lovers. Actually, I like that pun. But once or twice is enough.OK, three times.

– DICK WOLFSIE

There were also questions in a feature called “Chicken Chat.” A better title would be, “Can We Squawk?” I know nothing about chickens, but I would like to take a stab at some of the answers.

Q: My chicken seems bored. Her head is down, and she is all fluffed up. What does that mean?

A: It is definitely a chicken.

Q: I raise quail. Recently, I found one run ning around my yard with half of its head missing. What should I do?

A: It’s too late.

Q: I am considering hatching chickens myself for the first time. Any suggestions?

A: No, but if you are successful, we’d like to interview you for this magazine.

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

Mary Ellen’s favorite thing is going to the poultry barn to see the baby chicks. I love to get a grilled you-know-what on a stick.

Welcome, Samer Kawak, MD

Monkeypox dashboard launches

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Hamilton Surgical Associates is pleased to welcome Dr. Samer Kawak to the team. Dr. Kawak attended Indiana University School of Medicine and is board-certified in general surgery and fellowship-trained in colon and rectal surgery. Dr. Kawak prides himself on creating a safe space for patients where they feel comfortable discussing their problems and needs. Dr. Kawak has extensive training in robotic surgery, and is committed to providing the most up-to-date treatment to patients when appropriate.

What do you do for fun?

I enjoy cooking, hiking and playing basketball.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kawak, call 317.776.8748 or visit riverview.org.

PUBLIC SAFETY

The Indiana Dept. of Health has launched a new data dashboard showing the preva lence of monkeypox cases in the state broken down by age group, gender, ethnicity, race and public health district.

Since mid-June, Indiana has reported 153 probable or confirmed cases of monkeypox. The dashboard does not include two pre viously reported pediatric cases because follow-up investigations determined those to have been false positives.

As of Sept. 21, there were 143 cases of probable or confirmed monkeypox cases in District 5, which covers Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, Mor gan and Shelby counties, according to the dashboard.

“Our goal with any dashboard is to pro vide accurate, up-to-date information on the status of an outbreak or important public health issue to keep Hoosiers informed,” said Lindsay Weaver, chief medical officer with IDOH. “As the monkeypox situation

evolves, we continue to review cases and lab results in consultation with our federal partners to ensure our data accurately re flect the current situation.”

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family of viruses as small pox. The illness typically begins with fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and exhaus tion about five to 21 days after exposure.

Person-to-person transmission is possi ble through skin-to-skin contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores or contaminated items, such as bedding or clothing, or through exposure to respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact, ac cording to the IDOH.

Within one to three days, or sometimes longer after the appearance of fever, an in dividual develops a rash. The illness typical ly lasts two to four weeks, and people are considered infectious until all scabs from the rash have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed, according to the IDOH.

The dashboard, which is available at monkeypox.health.in.gov, will be updated Monday through Friday by 5 p.m. to reflect cases identified as of 5 p.m. the day before.

DISPATCHES

Walking for arthritis – Walking is so benefi cial in fighting arthritis pain that it’s consid ered a natural medicine. Painful, stiff joints make it hard to get moving but moving is exactly what is needed for pain relief. For maximum benefits, you should try to walk at a moderate pace for at least 30 minutes every day. If 30 minutes is too much, start with less time and work up gradually.

Source: American Journal of Public Health

Fiber to fight diabetes – New research shows that people who are willing to more than double the fiber in their diets from 16 to 37 grams per day can better control diabetes. It needs to be a high amount of diverse types of fibers. Getting nearly 40 grams may sound like a tall order, but it’s actually not that hard and it could make a radical difference in your blood sugar level by increasing insulin production.

Source: BottomLineHealth.com

Helping loved ones recover – When a loved one is ill, you can help their recovery even if you have no medical training. When you talk to them, get an update and be sympathetic, but quickly shift to a positive, upbeat tone. Don’t talk about your own illnesses. Let the

person know that you are looking forward to meeting for lunch, or some other outing, in the near future. Have a funny story or wonderful reminiscence to share. Laughter is a great healer, and it can make the recov ering person’s day.

Source: BottomLineHealth.com

Improve your focus – Do you have more trouble concentrating than you used to? Studies show that our attention spans are declining, largely due to the use of technol ogy. We feel we have to respond to every text, alert and call immediately. Instead, try putting the phone on “do not disturb” mode for a few minutes when you need to focus on something else. You may find it easier to concentrate and you probably won’t miss anything truly important.

Source: Cynthia Green, Ph.D.

Sunscreen tip – Most skin cancers are a result of exposure to UV radiation. UV radi ation comes in two forms – UVA and UVB. Sunscreen products list an SPF on the label, but the SPF only refers to protection from UVB rays. Make sure to buy products that are labeled as “broad spectrum.”

Source: fda.gov.

Story Cottage to open new facility in October

By Sammy Bredar news@currentinfishers.com

Join us for the 7th annual

HEALTH CARE

Story Cottage is an exclusive memory care option with facilities in Indianapolis and Carmel. The unique facility is opening a third location in West Clay in October at 1840 W. Main St., Carmel. The other Carmel location is on the south east corner of Carey Road and Beech Drive in the Maple Acres neighborhood.

Story Cottage residents receive excep tional care, according to Story Cottage officials, so family members can be assured that their loved one is in excellent hands.

Story Cottage Vice President Carrie Cash said Story Cottage is unlike other memory care options.

“Our mission with Story Cottage is to create flourishing moments for those with memory loss,” Cash said. “With the small number of residents and caregiver-to-resi dents ratios not found anywhere else with

in the industry, it is easy for our care team to know and understand each resident’s story, (such as) where they were born, what their career looked like and how many chil dren they had.

“This allows our caregivers to draw from those stories to create moments.”

Story Cottage also offers unparalleled comfort for its residents, according to Cash.

“What sets Story Cottage apart is the fact that we have built homes within neigh borhoods,” Cash said. “For one client in particular, when caring for his wife became too difficult, he was able to move her to Story Cottage within his own neighborhood and can drop by daily to share a meal or to walk with her throughout the neighborhood that they have called their own for nearly 30 years.

“The home-like setting is what provides familiarity and comfort to our residents.”

Visit storycottageliving.com/ to learn more about Story Cottage.

DISPATCHES

Video game stock growth — The video game industry is booming. The global video game market is likely to double to $300 billion in revenue by 2025, according to tech research firm GlobalData, driven by the expansion of mobile-phone and online gaming. Also, there has been tremendous growth in games played by multiple players over the Internet, such as Fortnite, in which 100 players fight against one another for survival. And rather than buying individual games in stores such as GameStop, players are paying fees for monthly subscriptions to online services that allow them to stream or download games. Two subscription services, Apple Arcade and Google Stadia, were launched last year, but they’ve had lukewarm results, partly because of compe tition from free online video game providers such as Epic Games, the privately. Epic made more than a billion dollars in 2019 by selling optional virtual accessories such as character outfits. Investors should focus on third-party video game publishers with a history of churning out blockbuster games for consoles, PCs and mobile devices. Two attractive video game publishers now are: Activision Blizzard (ATVI) hits include World of Warcraft, which has had $9 billion in rev enue since 2004. It partners with YouTube

to stream live broadcasts of tournaments for games such as Overwatch and Call of Duty.

Electronic Arts (EA) makes best-selling games such as the FIFA soccer series, Mad den NFL and Battlefield

Source: BottomLineInc.co

Free smoke alarms and tests — The Amer ican Red Cross Home Fire Campaign is a multi-year effort to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent. People of all ages are vulnerable to home fires. The Red Cross encourages everyone to call 1-888-684-1441 to make an appointment to test existing smoke alarms and/or install free alarms in your home.

Price checking app — To save some mon ey during the holidays, try the free app ShopSavvy. Whether you’re shopping for groceries or preparing to make a bigger purchase, such as a TV or appliance, if you’ll be visiting a brick-and-mortar store during your search, this app will help you find the best price. While in a store, simply use your phone’s camera to scan an item’s barcode, and the app will show you how much other stores charge for it, both locally and online.

Source: BottomLineInc.

October 1, 2022

Escorted ride through Hamilton County Event T Shirt | Lunch | After Party

Riders: $50 | Passengers: $25

Kickstands up, Police escort begins 9:00am 9:15am 11:00am

Registration and light breakfast at humane society for Hamilton county

Tour of new state of the art facility

After Party at harley davidson of 1indianapolis :00pm Includes lunch, drinks, and live music from The Tempos

Tickets available at HamiltonHumane.com/RuffRide

Benefiting the Pets Healing Vets program of Humane Society for Hamilton County: Pairing Hoosier veterans with emotional support animals

Event is rain or shine Tickets are non refundable

Presented by

Civic director has emotional ties to ‘Rent’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Civic Theatre Executive Artistic Director Michael Lasley has a special connection to “Rent.”

The musical centers on struggling artists in Lower Manhattan’s East Village. Two of the char acters are HIV positive and another has AIDS.

Lasley is directing the rock musical, “Rent,” and his wife Marni Lemons is the assistant director. Civic’s production is set for Oct. 7-22 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Per forming Arts in Carmel.

“It’s a seminal piece of theater for peo ple of a certain age,” Lasley said. “COVID brought up other epidemics in my mind, and the AIDS epidemic has been going on since the early 1980s. While we’ve made a lot of progress, it still exists. There are thousands of people who die from AIDS every year. It’s far more treatable if you are in a situation where you can seek out treatment. It’s still a serious health issue in the world. Many of the characters are HIV positive.”

Being in the artistic world, Lasley said he and his wife lost many friends because of the AIDS epidemic in the early and mid-1990s.

“It seemed like we were going to more funerals than our parents and grandpar ents because it was taking so many peo ple from the theatrical and artistic world,” Lasley said.

Lasley said the musical, which debuted in 1996, ran 13 years on Broadway. The composer, Jonathan Larson, died at age 35 of an aortic dissection on the night of the off-Broadway opening for “Rent.”

Lasley said Civic Theatre presented a concert version of it in 2010.

“It was a bigger cast, but less staging,” Lasley said. “We mostly concentrate on the music.”

Olivia Broadwater, a 2020 Zionsville Community High School graduate, plays Maureen Johnson.

“She is a powerful, bisexual woman who

is a performer and protester,” Broadwater said. “It’s a role that is pushing me outside of my comfort zone, artistically, and finding the confidence to do some of these awe some, crazy things on stage (is challenging).

Vocally, it’s a very good challenge for me. I’ve had a blast playing her. She is just so power ful and it’s awesome to get to play.”

Broadwater said she has been watching the musical for years.

“This is definitely the closest to a rock musical I’ve done,” she said. “But I’m clas sic rock girl. I like all the oldies. One of my goals is to be in ‘Rock of Ages’ because that is one of my favorites.”

Broadwater loves the fact that the production is almost all singing, like ‘Les Miserables.”

“There isn’t much plain dialogue,” Broad water said.

Broadwater was first runner-up June 18 in the Miss Indiana competition. Auditions for “Rent” were two days later. She told her mother she wasn’t going to go at first.

“I was nervous and didn’t feel prepared on the audition day, and my mom said, ‘Just go do it, it will be fun,’” she said. “It wasn’t one of the most fun auditions I’ve ever had. I was glad I ended up going.”

Broadwater, a Ball State University mu sical theater major, is traveling from Mu nich for rehearsals. So is fellow Ball State junior Julia Ammons, a 2020 Carmel High School graduate who plays Alexi Darling, among other ensemble roles, and is one of the two dance captains.

“I saw it once with the national tour and once with a smaller production,” Ammons said. “I loved both times I saw it and could envision myself being part of it someday.”

Ammons has performed in Civic’s Young Artists Program in the past. Her last pro duction at Civic was “Elf” in 2019.

“This show has more maturity and inti macy work that we do with our intimacy coordinator, which is stuff I’ve worked with before but not in this depth,” Am mons said.

Ammons said she is used to performing in more traditional musicals, not rock musicals.

“Alexi talks really fast, and she is pretty annoying,” Ammons said. “She says a lot of phone numbers really fast, so there was a lot of memorization. But it came pretty easily once I started working on it.” For more, visit civictheatre.org.

‘ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE’

“Escape to Margaritaville” runs through Oct. 2 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indi anapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

’THE CURIOUS SAVAGE’

Main Street Productions of “The Curious Sav age” will be presented from Sept. 29 through Oct. 9 at the Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.

‘REHEARSAL FOR MURDER’

The Belfry Theatre will present “Rehearsal for Murder,” a murder mystery, through Oct. 2 at the Ivy Tech Auditorium in Noblesville. For more, visit thebelfrytheatre.com.

WHAM

Live at the Center presents WHAM (We Have All Music), a Carmel-based nonprofit group, as part of the Live at the Center series at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets are $5 or register for the free lives tream at the centerpresents.org.

JOSHUA BELL

Violinist Joshua Bell will be accompanied by pianist Peter Dugan in concert at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Palladium in Carmel. For more, visit the centerpresents.org.

TOWER OF POWER

Tower of Power will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Palladium in Carmel. For more, visit the centerpresents.org.

DISPATCH

Men sought for choral group – VOCE, Voic es of Choral Excellence, is looking for male vocalists with tenor, baritone and bass ranges. Singers with music degrees or cho ral experience and excellent music-reading skills are encouraged to apply. VOCE is a small semi-professional vocal ensemble based in Carmel. It meets twice a month on the second and fourth Sundays from 2-4 p.m. at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 1402 W. Main St, Carmel. For more or to schedule an audition, contact Brenda Iacoc ca at bmiacocca@gmail.com or 317.946.2056, or visit voceindy.org.

MUSICAL

Olivia Broadwater, left, and Miata McMichel appear in Civic Theatre’s production of “Rent.” (Photo courtesy off Joshua Hasty Photography)

Ammons

‘Curious Savage’ set to open

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Nancy Lafferty and her association with “The Curious Savage” goes back many years. As a high school junior in Uniontown, Ohio, she played the role of Mrs. Savage, a woman in her 60s, and she then played the role of Mrs. Savage in 2004 at the Belfry Theatre.

PLAY

“I’ve directed the show at two different high schools in Florida and Georgia,” said Lafferty, a McCordsville resident. “This is the first time I’ve directed with adults.”

Lafferty will direct Main Street Produc tions’ “The Curious Savage,” which runs Sept. 29 through Oct. 9 at the Basile West field Playhouse.

“It’s a solid old chestnut,” Lafferty said. “It’s a sweet, sweet story and has one of the most beautiful endings. It is a beautiful theme that is timeless.”

Lafferty said legendary actress Lillian Gish, who got her start in silent films, played Mrs. Savage in the play’s Broadway debut in 1950.

Lafferty recommended to Carmel resident Tanya Haas that she audition for the role of Mrs. Savage. Haas was not familiar with the play previously.

“It’s about a wealthy widow whose step children have her committed to his home (for the mentally ill) because she is basically giving away all their money to give people their dreams in memory of her husband,” Haas said. “They want the money for them selves, and she has hidden it somewhere and nobody knows where.”

Haas said the residents of the home are kind and embrace Mrs. Savage.

“Where her family members try to claim that she is insane,” Haas said.

Haas, who is playing a character approx imately 10 years older, said this is the first time she has played a character who is old editorial@youarecurrent.com

The cast of “The Curious Savage,” front, from left, Phoebe Aldridge (Fairy Mae), Tonya Haas (Mrs. Savage), Jennifer Poynter (Florence); Back, from left, Rachel Pope (Miss Wilhelmina), Tom Riddle (Dr. Emmett), Lisa Warner (Mrs. Paddy), Thom Johnson (Hannibal), Steven Marsh (Titus), Ian A. Montgomery (Samuel), Jan Boercherding (Lily Belle). (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

er than herself.

“She has a very gentle personality, and I feel I also have a gentle personality, which is part of what Nancy saw in me to play the part,” Haas said.

Haas said the challenge is she has many more lines than anyone in the cast.

“Other than the first couple of scenes, I am on the stage for the rest of the play,” Haas said. “I have lines throughout all those scenes.”

Haas has dyed her hair to silvery blue.

“She is the oldest of the residents and she takes on a motherly role,” Haas said. “She loves them and appreciates them. She doesn’t want her freedoms taken away be cause she is trying to be a good person and help others.”

Lafferty said the role is demanding and would be hard for a woman in her late 60s or 70s to play.

“I saw this part in Tonya,” Lafferty said. “She had the right characteristics of Mrs. Savage — the tenderness, nurturing, a little bit of sarcasm. All the characteristics I was looking for, she had it.”

Actress offers auditioning tips

For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org. classes to local artists. Twenty-five percent of class participants are sponsored at-risk youth and BIPOC artists.

CLASS

Sierra Boggess, the Broadway star of Dis ney’s “The Little Mermaid” and “The Phantom of the Opera,” will teach two in-person auditioning classes Oct. 15 for Discovering Broad way Inc. at Grace Church, 5504 146th St., Noblesville. The nonprofit incubates Broad way-bound musicals and offers master

“For our young artists, learning from Sier ra Boggess is a dream come true,” Discover ing Broadway founder Joel Kirk stated. “I am thrilled for the attending students to have the opportunity to experience the expertise and acquire knowledge from one of Broad way’s most beloved leading ladies.”

Brazilian performer to join CSO

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

them,” Assad said. “It not, ‘Let’s just do Latin music.’ It’s, ‘Let’s celebrate music for what it is.’”

MUSIC

Carmel Symphony Orchestra Music Direc tor Janna Hymes watched Brazilian pianist and vocalist Clarice Assad perform a set of pieces in a concert in Maine.

Hymes liked what she saw and invited her to perform with the CSO.

“I was with musicians who just got together to perform that one concert (in Maine),” Assad said. “The music was a varied combination of world music, Brazilian music, classical music and jazz. It was me on keyboards and singing arrangements that I had written for the group that I performed. (Hymes) said she loved the music and felt it could really work with her orchestra.”

Assad will make her CSO debut with the concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The concert celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

“I’m also performing some Bach with

Assad, who was born in Brazil and is based in Chicago, will be joined by India napolis-based band Pavel & Direct Contact. Assad said she watched Pavel Palanco-Safadit in online performances.

“He’s incredible,” said Assad, who said this will be her first appear ance in the Indianapolis area.

Assad came to the U.S. to attend college. She studied at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Hymes said it will be an upbeat and thrill ing program.

Hymes has not worked with either per former before, but said she feels like she has.

“The reason I say that is that we have been in communication for over a year, and I have a strong grasp of their musical lan guage and performance skills,” Hymes said. “Both of these artists are extraordinary.”

Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per cou ple. For more, visit CarmelSymphony.org.

Assad

Heartland’s festival has state ties

FILM By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Films from the Heartland International Film Festival and Indy Shorts Interna tional Festival captured 33 Academy Awards nomi nations and won seven Oscars in 2022.

Heartland Film Artistic Director Greg Sorvig is con vinced there will be several Academy Awards contenders among the more than 115 films in the 2022 Heartland Film Festival, set for Oct. 6-16.

“We have an amazing slate of inde pendent films which makes up the lion’s share of our lineup,” said Sorvig, a Carmel resident. “We have become an Oscar stop. Distributors see something special with our festival. If it plays in Indiana, it will play anywhere.”

The opening and closing nights have Indi ana ties. “Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues” will open the festival at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at The Toby at Newfields in Indianapolis. Sorvig pointed out Armstrong’s recording career began in Indiana when he recorded “Chimes Blues” with King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band in 1923.

“We all know Louis Armstrong but there is more behind the man,” Sorvig said. “The director really brings Louis to life. (Arm strong) kept these super-detailed journals, so you get to see those journals come to life with some great narrators.”

The festival’s closing night begins at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at The Toby with “The Whale” with Indianapolis native Brendan Fraser. The actor visited the festival in 2019 on the 20th anniversary screening of his film “The Mummy.”

“The Brenaissance started a couple years ago when he returned here,” Sorvig said of the welcome Fraser received at the festival. “We loved Brendan before it was cool. ‘The Whale’ is the story of a reclusive English teacher living with severe obesity who intends to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.”

Fraser should be an Oscar contender, Sorvig said.

For more, visit heartlandfilm.org.

Sorvig

Where’s Amy?

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.

Where’s attends Center Celebration

From left, Angie and Randy Ernst (Carmel), Jeanne Merry (Carmel), Pete Emigh (Westfield), Shari and Jeff Worrell (Carmel) and Kim and Randy Sorrell (Indianapolis) attend the Center Celebration Sept. 16 at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel for the annual arts gala. Manhattan Transfer, Straight No Chaser and the Lennon sisters were inducted into the Songbook Hall of Fame. Guests enjoyed a lovely dinner, fabulous auction and a great concert featuring Michael Feinstein with the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre performers and Straight No Chaser. The gala raised money for pro gramming for kids and young adults to be a part of great music programs. Guests were dressed to the nines celebrating and supporting the arts. Through table reservations, auction sales, partnerships and donations, the gala, presented by Krieg DeVault, raised more than $689,000 in support of the Center’s arts and educational programming. (Photo by Amy Pauszek)

From left, Bill and Nancy Palmer (Carmel), filmmakers Laura and Jeffrey Graham (Car mel/Los Angeles), Linda Maurer (Carmel) and Carol and Brian Urbanski (Carmel) at tended the Sept. 14 Heartland VIPs and Sips announcement party at Daniel’s Vineyard in McCordsville. The 31st Annual Heartland International Film Festival revealed more than 100 independent films for viewing from Oct. 6-16. For more, visit Heartlandfilm.org. (Right) Brianna and Ronnie Saunders (West field). (Photos by Amy Pauszek)

Dawn of zombie noun

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

in tonight at 10 p.m. after the seven-day forecast.

Legend of Plymouth Rock

Commentary by Don Knebel

Last week, we visited Provincetown, Mass., where the Pilgrims first came ashore in the New World. Today, as we return from Cape Cod, we visit Plymouth, Mass., and its famous rock.

TRAVEL

On Nov. 11, 1620, the Mayflower landed near Provincetown. After 41 male passen gers signed the “Mayflower Compact” while still onboard, the passengers disembarked. Because of the harsh winter conditions, most of them went back onto the ship. After three expeditions identified a suitable site for a farming settlement, the Mayflower sailed across Cape Cod Bay, arriving near what is now Plymouth on Dec. 18, 1620. During the following winter, the passen gers lived on the ship, finally going ashore in March 1621. None of the writings of the Mayflower passengers made any reference to going ashore on or near a rock, let alone a specific rock. However, 120 years later, a local resident proclaimed that a 10-ton boulder identified during construction of a wharf in Plymouth Harbor was a literal step ping-stone as the Pilgrims walked ashore. Despite its implausibility, Plymouth resi dents promoted the story and the legend that “the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock” was born.

In the years since 1741, Plymouth Rock has been broken, moved around town and cemented back together. So much of the original boulder has been chipped away for souvenirs that only about a third remains. Today, the rock, with “1620” carved into it, lies higher than where it originally lay under a stone portico erected in 1920. Nearby is the Mayflower II, a replica of the original ship that sailed from Plymouth, England, to

Plymouth, Mass., in 1957 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Plym outh, with a population of about 60,000, is a pleasant coastal town about 40 miles southeast of Boston, offering some of the best whale watching, shopping and restau rants in the area.

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

NOTICE

STATE OF INDIANA, COUNTY OF HAMILTON: SS

I, Kathy Kreag Williams, Clerk of the Hamilton County Circuit Court, pursuant to IC 3-11-13-22 and 3-11-14.5-1 do hereby publish notice of a test of the voting systems to be used in the General Election held November 8, 2022 to ascertain that the system will correctly count the votes cast for all selections. The test will be conducted in the Hamilton County Election Office at the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center, One Hamilton County Square, Noblesville, Indiana on the 7th day of October, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

Witness my hand and seal this 13th day of September, 2022.

Kathy Kreag Williams

Hamilton County Circuit Court Clerk

Is it too early to talk about zombies? Halloween is still about a month away, but Home Depot is selling creepy inflat able lawn creatures. In addition, Star bucks has its pump kin spice latte (the McRib of hot drinks) back on the menu. Surely, it’s zombie season.

GRAMMAR GUY

I love a good rebranding effort, and that’s pretty much what writer Helen Sword did with nominalizations. A nom inalization is a noun made from other parts of speech. Picture the leg of a verb or the neck of an adjective sewn onto a suffix like “-ism,” “-ity” or “-tion.” What you end up with is a new noun. Sword calls nominalizations “zombie words” because, as she writes, “they consume the living, they cannibalize active verbs, they suck the lifeblood from adjectives, and they substitute abstract entities for human beings.”

So, what are some examples of zom bie nouns, and are they lurking in your basement, waiting to eat your kids? Tune

“Writers who tend to overload their sentences with nominalizations tend to sound pompous and abstract,” writes Sword, who has the coolest last name since Danny Machete. OK, I made up Danny Machete, but you could bet both authors write some sharp prose.

Zombie nouns have taken over the souls of well-meaning words, leaving us with bloated terms including causation, annoyance, collusion, formulate and implementation. When these words are used sparingly and intentionally, they can stand out; however, the amalgamation and confluence of these integrated syn chronizations result in the obfuscation and overutilization of unnecessary, an noying utterances. Plus, you sound like a snooty jerk.

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

Aerate and Cleanup? Leaf Removal?

The Mayflower II in Plymouth, Mass., is a replica of the original Mayflower. (Photo by Don Knebel)

Portico over Plymouth Rock.

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