March 26, 2024 — Fishers

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Opinions

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

HSE literacy educators to receive grant stipends

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Hamilton Southeastern Schools recently received about $73,000 through a state Literacy Achievement Grant, which awards stipends to educators who provide literacy instruction for students through third grade.

SCHOOLS

The HSE School Board voted March 13 to distribute those funds to 437 educators eligible under the state’s guidelines, which means about $167 per teacher or teacher aide.

Deputy Superintendent Matt Kegley told the board that in 2023, the Legislature approved $10 million annually for the grant, benefitting school districts throughout Indiana.

“That money was intended to be used

to reward those responsible for implementation and delivery of literacy and reading instruction through grade three,” he said, and HSE’s portion totaled $72,960.06. “We have chosen to disperse (HSE’s allocation) for both our teachers. teaching staff and our IAs, or instructional assistants, who have helped in reading instruction through grade three.”

The board unanimously approved a motion to approve the stipend distribution.

Also during the meeting, the board approved new administrative appointments and transfers. They include the promotion of Danielle Fetters-Thompson to assistant superintendent of foundational learning; Matt Kegley to deputy superintendent; Cecilie Nunn to director of business/deputy treasurer; and Ryan Taylor as assistant superintendent of secondary schools. Brian Murphy

was approved as a new hire to be the assistant superintendent of human resources.

During public comment at the start of the meeting, local physician Denise Rehfuss spoke, expressing concern about the lack of diversity in the district’s administration. Rehfuss, who is Black, noted that Black administrators have left the district in recent months.

“It just seems like there is a a very defined goal of eliminating anything that is different,” she said. “Our district and our community have a lot of different types of people from a lot of different areas, who have a lot of things to offer and I think that needs to be reflected in our school district.”

The board did not respond to her concerns.

The next regular HSE meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 10 at HSE’s Central Office, 13485 Cumberland Rd.

Fishers council, HSE board meet in joint session

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

The Fishers City Council and Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees met in a joint session March 14 for a series of presentations about cooperative projects between the city and school district.

GOVERNMENT

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said that, with some newly elected officials and a new school superintendent — Patrick Mapes was recently hired for that role — it seemed like a good time to share what the community is working on collectively to improve education.

“I think that’s one of the things that differentiates us as a community and through all the turmoil and struggles that we’ve dealt with over the last several years — that relationship hasn’t wavered,” Fadness said. “I mean, if you look at the day-to-day interactions between your organization and ours, we’re intermingled on almost a daily basis trying to do what’s in the best

Officials from the City of Fishers gave presentations March 14 to the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees, highlighting shared projects between the two agencies. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fishers)

interests of kids.”

Many of those programs are organized through the city’s parks department, which hosts nature experiences at various parks and helps coordinate student visits to Conner Prairie; offers activities at the MakerSpace; and started a program for

third-graders to learn about the various city departments, ending in a mock city council meeting.

“If you want your heart to explode, watch a third-grader role-play your position in a city council meeting with more poise and confidence than I have ever had in real life,” Parks Director Marissa Deckert said.

Other presenters talked about the Fishers Police Department’s School Resource Officers, Fishers Health Department’s collaboration with the district to promote health education in the classroom, and the grounds maintenance agreement, where the city takes care of school district grounds for 23 properties.

Chief of Staff Jordin Alexander highlighted the $500,000 that the city allocated this year for teacher innovation grants, which will provide financial support for educators to start new programs to enhance education; and Public Health Director Monica Heltz talked about her department’s club grants, which support student-led community service programs.

Large car gatherings lead to Fishers anti-loitering ordinance

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Large groups of people in cars — up to 500 vehicles at a time — have been gathering in various locations in the City of Fishers, leading to complaints about speeding, loitering, noise, trash and blocking access to businesses.

GOVERNMENT

The Fishers City Council voted unanimously March 18 to adopt an anti-loitering ordinance allowing law enforcement to fine individuals participating in those disruptive events $250 per incident.

businesses.

“Two weeks ago, Circle K was unable to get a gas delivery because of all the vehicles that took over the lots there,” he said.

FPD Chief Ed Gebhart said similar meetups in Indianapolis have escalated, with groups taking over streets and intersections, sometimes leading to violence.

“I think that if we continue to not have some sort of council help with fining these individuals and telling them that it’s not going to be tolerated here, I think we leave ourselves open to a very busy summer of dealing with this,” he said.

sion and Accessibility Awards from the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability. March is Disability Awareness Month.

The three honorees are Stacey Oldham, who received the Life Without Limits Award; Lauren Hayes of Heartland Church, who received the Cornerstone Employer Award; and Jillian Mack, who received the Accessibility Award.

The council also approved a project agreement with Gray Eagle Golf LLC, which plans to build housing adjacent to its golf course.

DISPATCHES

Easter egg hunts scheduled — Two community Easter egg hunts are scheduled for March 30. Kiwanis Club of Fishers is hosting its annual event starting at 10 a.m. that day at Holland Park, 1 Park Dr., offering different egg-hunt opportunities for different age groups, and kids can get their photo taken with the Easter Bunny. The Fishers American Legion Post 470 will host its Easter egg hunt starting at 11 a.m. March 30 at the Legion, 9091 E. 126th St. Age groups are 3 and under, 4-6 and 7-10. Participants for both Easter egg hunts should bring their own baskets.

Before the vote, Fishers Police Department Major Ryan Jones told the council that the meetups have been a growing problem in Fishers, with participants doing “burnouts” and other activities that cause excessive noise for surrounding neighborhoods. There are safety concerns, he said, and the meetups can cause problems for

Gebhart noted that car enthusiasts who want to gather in Fishers can go through the city’s permitting process. He said he is in contact with some of the organizers and will work with them to try and resolve the issue, but the ordinance gives police another tool to discourage unwanted behavior.

In other matters, the council recognized three individuals who received 2024 Inclu-

Economic Development Director Megan Baumgartner said the approximately 100 homes will be multi-family garden-style units. The agreement allows the developer to use tax increment financing to help fund the project, which has been in the works for many years, but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Developers plan to have it completed by 2027 at the latest.

The next Fishers City Council meeting is 7 p.m. April 15 at Launch Fishers, 12175 Visionary Way.

Register for Rookie Run — Registration is open for the 2024 Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run, which will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 11 in downtown Indianapolis. The Rookie Run is designed to introduce kids ages 3 to 10 to the joy of running in a noncompetitive and festive atmosphere. This event offers an opportunity for children to experience the excitement of a start and finish line, surrounded by cheering spectators. Learn more and register at 500Festival.com/Rookie.

Gebhart

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Hamilton County Republicans focusing on voter engagement

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

POLITICS

Hamilton County Republicans are focused this year on voter engagement and communicating their message with newer residents moving into the county from other states.

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“Sometimes, the people get tuned out due to the fact that, you know, Hamilton County — Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield — is so great,” Hamilton County GOP Chair Mario Massillamany said. “They forget that Republican leadership led them to top rankings in US News and World Report — best places to live, best place to raise a family, best place to retire.”

He said the county party’s job is to maintain that Republican leadership moving forward.

“We’re the fastest-growing county in the state of Indiana,” Massillamany said. “We’re getting people from California, Chicago, New York — from all areas of the United States moving to Hamilton County because of the amenities — the school systems and even the job opportunities here in Hamilton County. The goal is to try and make sure that people understand their Republican leadership built Hamilton County and that, without Republican leadership, you could easily be like Chicago, San Francisco, even just looking down south of 96th Street in Indianapolis.”

Massillamany said the party’s been successful with that message so far. Even with the influx of new residents, Republicans have maintained their majority on elected bodies, and even increased it.

“When I took over as the county chairman, the Democrats had five offices that they held,” he said. “Now, they only hold two. So, actually, they have lost three offices in the last two years.”

He said Democratic candidates who ran for office were “extreme,” which doesn’t appeal to Hamilton County voters.

“I think Republicans and Hamilton County in general are probably more center, center right, and so, the key is extremes on both sides of the party don’t appeal to people,” he said. “They might appeal to a certain segment, but they don’t appeal to 51 percent, which is what you need to have — 50 plus 1 percent — to win an election. Any individual Republican or Democrat that tries to push their ideas in more of an extreme way, it’s not going to be looked upon favorably in Hamilton County.”

Massillamany said part of the focus this election year will be a continued campaign encouraging Republican voters to vote early.

“You need to change the mentality of Republicans and Hoosiers in general from just going to vote on Election Day,” he said. “Indiana has now become an election month, with absentee ballots and early voting.”

He said the Hamilton County GOP has been nominated for a national, nonpartisan award for its campaign to promote early voting, which led to triple-digit increases in the percent of voters choosing that method.

Massillamany’s family is originally from Sri Lanka. He said they moved to the United States when he was 7 years old, fleeing violence against the Tamil ethnic group. He was drawn to politics and the Republican Party at a young age, he said, and was a page at the Statehouse when he was just 9 years old.

A local attorney, Massillamany became the Hamilton County Republican Party Chair in 2022.

“This was a great opportunity for me to be able to articulate the American-dream story that my life had, and then also to try and bring more diversity to our party,” he said, noting that he has reached out to the Sikh temple, Jewish temples and the local mosque.

Note: Current ran a previous interview with the Hamilton County Democratic Party chair. Visit youarecurrent.com to read that story.

“This was a great opportunity for me to be able to articulate the American-dream story that my life had, and then also to try and bring more diversity to our party.”

– MARIO MASSILLAMANY

Massillamany

Lawrence Central senior baseball player has all the right stuff

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Lawrence Central High School senior center fielder Ahmaad Duff might be small but his talent is huge.

“He has all the tools you want in a player — the speed, the average hitting, the glove, the arm and baseball IQ,”

Lawrence Central’s firstyear coach Tim Bragg said. “He does everything valuable to make a team go offensively and defensively.”

In his first three prep years, the 5-foot-5, 150-pound Duff, who has signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of Alabama, has a three-year batting average of .399 with 10 doubles, six triples, six home runs, 41 stolen bases and 36 runs batted in.

“His No. 1 strength is his plate discipline,” Bragg said. “He does not swing at pitches that are not in the strike zone. It’s hard to find a high school kid with that type of plate discipline — he has a great eye at the plate.”

MEET AHMAAD DUFF

Favorite athlete: Russell Westbrook

Favorite subject: Digital marketing

Favorite movie: “Avatar: The Last Airbender”

Favorite musical artist: Rod Wave

Bragg said Duff has good power despite his smaller frame.

“I kind of liken him to Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros,” Bragg said. “He’s a very strong kid. He’s well-built. He uses his speed to his advantage. He can beat out ground balls and turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples.”

Bragg said Lawrence Central’s new baseball field will be beneficial to his speed with

the larger field dimensions,

Duff said he is hoping the team can turn

it around after winning just one game last season.

“This being our last season with me playing with my boys I’ve grown up with, I want to enjoy a lot of the moments for myself and my team,” Duff said. “I want to have fun with it. I have some personal numbers I have in the back of my head.”

Duff played wide receiver for the Bears football team, becoming a starter at the end of his freshman year.

“Football is my No. 1, but not what my future holds for me,” he said. “So, I had to accept that and understand it. But baseball is not far from it. I’d go with 1A for football and 1B for baseball. I just have a different passion for football.”

Duff committed to Alabama before his sophomore season. He drew scouts’ attention with his speed during that summer playing for the Indiana Bulls. He said he began to build a good rapport with the Crimson Tide coaching staff.

“It really felt like that place became home and I can’t wait to get down there to Tuscaloosa,” he said.

Duff will report to Alabama’s campus two weeks after graduation in June.

Lawrence Central High School senior Ahmaad Duff will play for the University of Alabama next season. (Photo courtesy of Ahmaad Duff)

Duff

Barrier: Language

Barriers

You can make wishes come true at the BIG

FHS seeks first boys basketball state title

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Fishers High School boys basketball team has the luxury of a productive rotation.

SPORTS

“Our depth has been our strength,” Tigers coach Garrett Winegar said. “Our guys are really unselfish. We have nine or 10 guys contributing, and that’s been the key for us.”

ent team than the first meeting because Ben Davis’ junior guard Mark Zackery IV was still playing football at the time. The Giants won the Class 6A state football championship.

The Class 4A No. 1 Tigers (28-1) will face No. 9 defending state champion Ben Davis (23-5) in the Class 4A state championship game at approximately 8:15 p.m. March 30 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships’ first and second round at Gainbridge created a two-week break from the March 16 semistate.

Winegar said the break was a positive for the Tigers because their top two scorers, senior forward Keenan Garner and junior guard JonAnthony Hall, were dealing with lower leg injuries during the semistate. With two weeks off from competition, Winegar said both should be in better shape for the championship game.

Garner averages 15.6 points per game and 8.2 rebounds. Hall averages 11.3 ppg.

This was the first boys basketball sectional title for the Tigers since the program restarted sectional play in 2006-07. The original Fishers High School won one sectional title in 1921-22. That school closed in the 1960s and consolidation made it Hamilton Southeastern High School.

“To get out of our sectional, as competitive as it is, it was three grind-out games and you just have to find a way to win,” Winegar said. “Then we got to the regional and played really well against Kokomo.”

Winegar said the team didn’t play its best in a 48-37 semistate victory against Crown Point.

“But we came back and played well in the second half in the championship game (69-61 victory over Fort Wayne Wayne),” Winegar said.

FHS topped No. 2 Noblesville 49-47 in the sectional championship and No. 4 Kokomo 66-52 in the regional.

The Tigers defeated Ben Davis 74-61 Nov. 21 in the opening game this season.

Winegar said the Giants are a differ-

“(Zackery) does so much more for them than scoring and getting his teammates open and how he impacts the game defensively and rebounding,” Winegar said. “He’s a really talented player. He makes them a lot better and their other guys have gotten better. So, obviously, we’ve gotten better, so hopefully it will be a really good state championship game.”

Senior KJ Windham, who will play for Northwestern University next season, leads Ben Davis with a 16.3 scoring average, followed by Zackery at 10.3 ppg.

“(The Giants) have a lot of guys back who played on their state championship team last year,” Winegar said. “They know how to win. They expect to win. We talk a lot about getting our program to the point that we expect to win. In our time at Warren Central, we got to the point that winning becomes contagious.”

Winegar was an assistant coach for Warren Central for three seasons and the head coach for one season before taking the Fishers job before the 2020-21 season.

Fishers suffered its only loss to Carmel 54-46 Jan. 27. The Tigers avenged that loss by beating Carmel 54-41 in the sectional opener.

“I’ve always tried to push back on (the thinking) your team needs to lose when you are undefeated,” Winegar said. “(But) I think it helped us. We have a really good group that works hard but we were 16-0 and I think you can get a little bit complacent. Sometimes, there are corrections you need to make and when you are winning, it covers that up. After the Carmel loss, our guys bought into what we were trying to do. As a coaching staff, you let some things go when you’re winning. Since then, it woke us all up and we’ve really been able to lock in. Our guys have been able to focus on the game plan and we’ve gone on a run since that loss.”

Ben Davis beat Jeffersonville 52-51 in the semistate final. Jeffersonville had advanced by beating No. 5 Lawrence North 62-60 in a semistate opener. The Wildcats finished with a 25-4 record.

Winegar

Small fuel leak reported at Fishers gas station

ENVIRONMENT news@currentinfishers.com

Soil and groundwater were contaminated after an undetermined amount of fuel leaked from a storage tank at the Circle K at 7788 E. 96th St. in Fishers.

According to a March 15 notice from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the leaks were discovered during an inspection at the site. The inspection report notes that fuel was found in soil and groundwater, and in a sump pump for one of the gas station’s three tanks.

The leaking gas did not appear to affect any drinking water wells or surface water and had not caused vapors to build up indoors, according to the report.

“State regulations require the owner and operator of the underground storage tank to take immediate steps to contain and clean up a spill or overfill,” the notice stated. “If a release to the environment occurs due to a leaking tank, spill or overfill, the owner and operator are required to investigate the extent of the release and take steps to prevent any further release. They are also required to mitigate any fire, explosion or vapor hazards, and, to the extent possible, mitigate adverse impacts on human health and the environment.”

The leak was not large enough to require an emergency response, the report stated. The inspector, Matt Rozycki, noted that K & W Fueling Systems was dispatched to the site to investigate and make needed repairs.

CURRENT FISHERS APRIL COMMUNITY CALENDAR

EUCHRE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULED

The Fishers American Legion Post 470 will host a euchre tournament benefitting Special Olympics, with the event starting at 3 pm. April 13 at the Legion, 9091 E. 126th St. Food will be provided and the bar will be open to purchase beverages. To register, visit bit.ly/3waF2Hy.

HOUSEHOLD HEROES CLASSES AVAILABLE

Household Heroes classes at the Fishers Parks’ Maker Playground teach skills to fix simple household projects, such as drywall repair, plumbing, basic electrical wiring, tool usage and more. Maker Playground membership is not required and classes are open to anyone age 16 and older, regardless of skill. Cost is $20 per person. All sessions are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. To register, visit bit.ly/3HezXAa.

Upcoming classes are:

• April 17: Picture Hanging

• May 15: Toilet Trouble

• June 19: Drywall Repair

• July 17: Cut & Install Molding

CITY OF FISHERS GOVERNMENT

MEETINGS

The following meetings are scheduled during the month of April:

• Board of Public Works & Safety — 9 a.m. April 9 and 23, City Services Building

court room, 3 Municipal Dr.

• Fishers Armed Services Commission — 4 p.m. April 9, The Pavilion at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, 10 Municipal Dr.

• Plat Committee — 4 p.m. April 10, Launch Fishers, 12175 Visionary Way

• Finance Committee — 5 p.m. April 10, The Pavilion

• Planned Unit Development — 5 p.m. April 10, Launch Fishers

• Plan Commission — 6 p.m. April 10, Launch Fishers

• Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees — 6 p.m. April 10, board room of HSE Central Office, 13485 Cumberland Rd.

• Town Hall Building Corporation — 4 p.m. April 15, The Pavilion

• City Council — 7 p.m. April 15, Launch Fishers

• Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability — 5:30 p.m. April 16, Launch Fishers

• Nickel Plate Review Committee — 5 p.m. April 24, Launch Fishers

• Board of Zoning Appeals — 6 p.m. April 24, Launch Fishers

• Fall Creek Board of Zoning Appeals — 6 p.m. April 25, The Pavilion

Hamilton County Tourism wins award — Indiana’s annual tourism conference was held March 11-13 in Evansville, and Hamilton County Tourism was awarded Best Advocacy Initiative in its category. Additionally, Hamilton County President and CEO Brenda Myers was recognized as the recipient of the Indiana Tourism Association Distinguished Service Award.

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KID-FOCUSED

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

New HSE superintendent takes a personal approach to leadership

New Hamilton Southeastern Schools Superintendent Patrick Mapes doesn’t plan to spend all day at his desk. He wants to be seen by students, teachers, cafeteria workers — everyone.

“My goal is every day to be somewhere,” he said. “I tell Denise, my (administrative assistant), ‘I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m going somewhere.’”

Mapes has been “going somewhere” in education for more than 35 years, getting his start as a senior in high school through a special program the school offered.

“I was an athlete and, you know, in a small school, if you’re on the basketball team in rural Indiana, you were kind of important,” he said. “So, they would give me some kids who were kind of struggling.”

Mapes’ family were farmers in Randolph County, east of Indianapolis — he said the area is known for Mrs. Wicks pies. That was the early 1980s, when family farms were going under and Mapes said his father suggested he find a career other than farming.

“I went to Ball State because it was about 35 minutes from home. I could commute and continue to farm and started down the path to be a social studies teacher and a basketball coach,” he said, adding that he chose social studies because he loves history. “I’ve probably read every book you can imagine on (John F. Kennedy) and the wars and (Franklin Delano Roosevelt). I just I love that stuff.”

His first job out of college was in Daleville, kicking off his career in 1988 as a boys basketball coach and social studies teacher. But, he said, he knew he wanted to be an administrator.

“During my senior year of high school, because I was an athlete and I had all the credits I needed to graduate, I worked in the office,” he said. “I was always around the principal, and he would let me make some announcements and I kind of saw that piece of it.”

For his senior picture, Mapes said, he taped his name over the principal’s nameplate and sat at the principal’s desk. It was a joke at the time, but it turned out to be prophetic. After earning his administra-

tive license, Mapes became an assistant principal and boys basketball coach in Knightstown, but soon decided to give up coaching. He later became a principal at Delaware Community School Corp., and then was appointed superintendent.

“I was looking to move more toward Indianapolis,” he said. “An opportunity came to go work at the Department of Education. And so, I went to the Department of Educa-

tion as the director of licensing.”

Mapes worked in various other roles for the state DOE but said he missed regular interaction with students. So, in 2016 he became the assistant superintendent at Perry Township schools. The superintendent at the time was ill and Mapes soon took over as superintendent.

In the seven years he led that district, “we became the leading urban school dis-

MANAGING DIFFICULT TOPICS

New Hamilton Southeastern Schools

Superintendent Patrick Mapes is aware of debates regarding diversity and inclusion within the school district, as well as other policies enacted or rescinded by the school board. He acknowledged that a district with more than 20,000 students can’t make everyone happy.

“But we’re going to listen and make certain that we make decisions for kids and not for adults,” he said. “The state sets out the curriculum and the expectation of where we should take our children in the school system. We have to make certain that we do our kids right by that curriculum, and that we stay on track

and on task with those state standards and not get shied away by what’s happening out in the world.”

Mapes said politics doesn’t belong in school and there are certain things that parents should teach their kids, not teachers.

“We’re not going to do that here. I don’t need that — I don’t need that headache,” he said. “And I just truly think that’s not the role of the school. We’re not in every classroom every day, but we have set out expectations for everybody. The board sets out expectations for me and it’s my job to have settled expectations for the employees that work in Hamilton Southeastern Schools. I have no problem doing that.”

trict on iLearn results and we were the first-ever educator-effective school district for the National Institute of Excellence in Teaching, which meant classroom instruction was the best in their network,” he said. “They are in about 38 states, and we became kind of a model showcase for NIT.”

Mapes said the district was the most diverse in the state at that time, with students speaking 84 languages from 78 countries, and more than 75 percent of students qualified for the free or reduced lunch program. He left that job in 2023 because he was ready for something different, and while he technically retired, he said it was only to qualify for some benefits — he never intended to stop working.

“I’m too young to retire,” he said, noting that he’s 59 years old.

For the past year, Mapes helped run Stride, an online school with an enrollment of around 200,000. But, again, there was no “kid time,” and he missed the interactions with students. That led him to seek the HSE position and about two weeks into the job, he said it’s been great.

“You know, if this is the only place you’ve ever received your education, you don’t realize how blessed you are,” he said. “The facilities, the resources and the instruction that I’ve seen is first class. I’m just, like, shaking my head. My poor wife — every night, she hears something new that I’m just excited about that I’ve seen.”

Mapes said moving forward, he wants all HSE administrators to be more visible — attending school events and games. He also is shifting some responsibilities to have a full-time director of student services, for example, where before that position also had some human-resources responsibilities. He said any changes he makes will be focused on helping students.

“I’m just kind of shifting the organization and pulling pieces out that we have and making certain that aligns to a student-first mentality,” he said. “I think that’s what our community will see, and that’s what our teachers will see.”

New Hamilton Southeastern Schools Superintendent Patrick Mapes started his new job with visits to all the schools in the district. (Photo courtesy of HSE Schools)

Mapes

Are screens to blame?

Commentary by Dr. Amy Iddins

As optometrists, we frequently encounter the complaint of “tired eyes” among our patients. In this new era of near constant device use, it comes as no surprise that we are seeing more and more eye-related issues. The sensation of tired eyes can have several root causes, but the most common culprit is digital eye strain.

VISION

Symptoms like ocular burning, watering, or irritation often surface after only a few hours of device use. Prolonged use can lead to blurry vision, dry eyes and tension headaches.

It is believed that the pixelation of letters on screens degrades sharpness when compared with the crisp lettering of printed documents. You may not notice in the moment, but your eyes are working harder to read the words. Increased glare and poor contrast are also thought to make reading on screens more taxing.

Sitting awkwardly for long periods, sitting too close or too far from your device, and forgetting to blink are also contributors to strain. Lastly, not having the proper glasses can also be an issue.

The American Optometric Association recommends implementing the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes that you spend on a screen, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Other options include making a conscious effort to blink more often, using lubricating eye drops and adding glare-eliminating filters to your screens.

The AOA also suggests keeping screens 4 to 5 inches below eye-level and 20 to 28 inches away from the eyes for ideal viewing. Lastly, the crown jewel to soothing strained eyes is obviously limiting screen time altogether.

Wondering if your eye discomfort is a result of computer vision syndrome? Give your optometrist a call to schedule your annual comprehensive eye examination. You can email me at driddins@revolution-eyes.com with any questions regarding eye strain or other eye-related topics.

Join us for a free public ceremony honoring veterans and their families who served during the Vietnam War period, with an address by guest speaker Army Brigadier General Kenneth Hubbard (Ret.) and a Vietnam Veteran’s lapel pin presentation.

The cat that snored

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

My wife, Mary Ellen, recently said, “Dick, I know that the snoring is not intentional. But it has some devastating effects on our health and well-being.”

HUMOR

“I’ll call the vet,” I said.

Yes, we have a pet that snores. But it’s not a dog. We have a cat that snores. A cat named Angel.

We have had two dogs over the years that snored. Both Barney and my second beagle, Toby, were snorers. It wasn’t the occasional snort that kept us awake; it was a full-blown, get-out-of-my-way foghorn. Both dogs woke themselves up every night, which made them cranky the next day. Dogs need their 18 hours.

I specifically remember the first onset of Toby’s snoring. Knee surgery had slowed him down a bit, resulting in a modest weight gain, a factor in snoring. I had observed no increase in smoking or alcohol consumption in the hound, another common cause. I Googled pets and snoring. Apparently, there’s a real epidemic of sleep disorders in the canine world: narcolepsy, jet lag, insomnia, night terrors and restless paw syndrome.

But cats?

The first thing I learned was those animals with short, flat faces — like bulldogs, pugs, Pekingese — are more apt to snore. If your human partner has a short, flat face, you just better accept it. Or trade your significant other for a horse.

The site also noted that when pets sleep on their backs, snoring is more apt to occur. The best solution is to roust them out of a deep sleep, then abruptly flip them over on their stomachs. Mary Ellen thought this sounded like a good idea because that method worked temporarily

NOTICE OF

“Yes, we have a pet that snores. But it’s not a dog. We have a cat that snores. A cat named Angel.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

The worst of graphic design

Commentary by Terry Anker

ESSAY

on me several years ago.

But I still snore. Just like the cat. One pet owner suggested gluing a tennis ball on a leather belt and wrapping it around the cat’s torso, so the bulge on his back would prevent him from rolling over. I tried this with Toby and Barney years ago. Both were pretty adept at twisting themselves into a knot, snatching the ball from the strap, and then dropping it on my head at two in the morning so we could play fetch.

I saw that one woman recommended nasal strips, but sticking one of those on a beagle’s nose is like trying to keep a bandage on a peeled banana. Another idea was giving your pet a nice foam cushioning to prop his head up at night, thus opening the nasal airway. Angel had no interest in this. But both beagles loved the pillows. Every bite of them.

Apparently, there’s not much you can do to stop a cat from snoring. A vet on the site suggested having the cat sleep in the basement. My wife quickly rejected that solution, but that did give her another thought. Now, she’s calling my doctor to see if he would advise her to do the same thing with me.

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

Notice is hereby given that the Common Council of the City of Fishers, during a regular meeting, on March 18, 2024, approved and adopted Ordinance No. 031824A, An Ordinance Creating Chapter 132 of the City of Fishers Code of Ordinances (Loitering). This Ordinance created Chapter 132, Loitering Prohibited and included a Penalty as follows:

§132.99 Enforcement and Penalty.

(a) Citations for violation of this chapter may be issued by the Fishers Police Department. Any person who shall violate any provision of this section shall be subject to the following penalty provisions:

(1) Except as otherwise provided by state law, rule or regulation, any violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of $250.

(b) Any person issued a violation of the restrictions and provisions of this chapter shall pay a fine to the City’s Ordinance Violations Bureau in the amount set forth in §36.08. If the violation is not paid, an enforcement action may be filed by the Fishers Law Department in the Fishers City Court. Section 36.08 is hereby amended to include the following:

§ 36.08 SCHEDULE OF FINES.

(A) Fines or fees imposed by reason of a violation of any of the following ordinances shall be eligible for disposition at the Ordinance Violations Bureau established within the city.

In the 1951 film “A Streetcar Named Desire,” the lead actor, Marlon Brando, sported a simple white T-shirt as outerwear. That rebellion against the then-dominant fashion soon became a fad. By the 1958 U.S. presidential campaign, supporters of candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower added a slogan “I Like Ike” to T-shirts, and the notion of “graphic design” printed itself onto American, then global, culture. In their original form, the mottos emblazoned were only “graphic” in that they were artistic interpretations of some intended message (imagine the yellow smiley face of the 1970s). But now, much of the clothing has become graphic in the other definition of the word, namely obscene, profane, violent or intentionally disturbing.

Airports, sporting events and sidewalks are opportune for those eager to share with us their view on some subject via a personal billboard. Maybe it is to share news of one’s support for the local soccer team or assert brand loyalty to an expensive luxury-goods manufacturer. We have become

so inundated by the messages that many go noticed only subconsciously. So, those craving an audience turn up the intensity of their communication.

A fit-enough middle-aged human sauntered along, working to ensure that others could not pass him in the long hallway. His pace guaranteed that each would be presented with his personal ideology presented on both the back and front of his attire. “No f***s given” proclaimed the bright design on a dark cloth. Is his endeavoring with such great vigor that all know that he does not care prove the very contrary? Is the profane message proclaiming: Please give me your attention for it is desperately needed? If we really didn’t care, why would we bother to tell anyone? Profanity, vulgarity, counter-cultural iconography — are they all secret messages saying, “ Please look at me?”

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

Time to get a move on

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Sold! Friends, our beloved home of 14 years went on the market on Valentine’s Day and was under contract less than 48 hours later. The housing market is definitely back.

HUMOR

And so is my anxiety. I thought it was stressful getting ready to sell, but I had no idea how crazy it would get once we actually had to pack up and get out. For some reason, the multiple mini-purges and yard sales and Goodwill runs that I had naively assumed would make the final push a piece of cake failed miserably in preventing a full-on last-minute panic. And it didn’t help that we still have no place to move to and we filled our first storage unit with various-size boxes, brick-a-brack, and three huge Tupperware containers of Barbie Dreamhouse accessories before we’d even gotten to the big stuff. That sectional ain’t gonna fit!

The even-larger storage unit No. 2 is now busting at the seams, too, as is my in-law’s spare garage bay. What the hello? How and when did we accumulate all this stuff? Even as I type, our kitchen isn’t completely empty. We have several end tables and a weighsa-ton ice chest that the movers forgot, and

“Even as I type, our kitchen isn’t completely empty. We have several end tables and a weighs-a-ton ice chest that

the movers forgot, and there are three area rugs and the contents of our garage to haul somewhere.”

– DANIELLE WILSON

there are three area rugs and the contents of our garage to haul somewhere. Did I mention closing is three days away? Gulp!

So, yeah, I’m sweating meatballs. I’d also like to Clorox the bathrooms and Swiffer the floors, if only to avoid being deemed “filthy” by the new owners. But there simply may not be time. And that’s OK. I’ll harness my anxiety and focus on the positive: We sold our house! Peace out.

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

Actor, director finally reach ‘That Championship Season’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

During a breakfast several years ago, Jim Simmons was asked a question by his friend, Lori Raffel.

“She said, ‘If I ever get the rights to ‘That Championship Season,’ will you audition for me?’ And I said, ‘OK,’’’ Simmons said. “Then years passed, literally, and I saw the audition notice. I think it might have surprised her when I showed up.”

Simmons, a Fishers resident, plays the role of the coach in Main Street Productions’ presentation of “That Championship Season,” set for April 4 to 14 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. Raffel, the director, said directing the show is a bucket list item for her.

“That Championship Season” won the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play.

Jason Miller’s play centers on the 20th anniversary of a high school championship team, with the coach meeting four of his five top players.

“One of the players is the mayor of the town and his principal financier,” Simmons said. “One of the guys hasn’t been there for a couple of years because he’s an alcoholic and has been traveling around the country and been kind of destitute. As they start to talk about the campaign for mayor and get a little more drunk, secrets start to come out. Everybody has a secret the other doesn’t know about and it starts to come close to destroying their relationship.”

Simmons said the coach has two long soliloquy speeches.

“They will be fun to do because he really gets emotional about it,” Simmons said. “The toughest part is he’s a real throwback and he’s racist. He keeps trying to draw them back to when they played for him because that keeps his influence on them.”

Simmons said it’s difficult to present something likable about the coach with his views about Black and Jewish people.

Noblesville resident Adrian Blackwell

plays Tom, the youngest member of the team.

“The process has been wonderful,” Blackwell said. “It’s challenging for me because it’s a much more dramatic part. Usually, I play a bumbling, comedic relief character where I get some laughs and then go off stage.”

Blackwell said he is on stage for the full 90 minutes.

“It’s just a much bigger role than I’ve usually played and it’s very exciting and challenging to try to live up to that,” Blackwell said.

Earl Campbell, a Noblesville resident, plays the role of the mayor.

“We realize that our lives have really gone nowhere we thought they would go and finding that out in middle age,” he said.

Campbell said he read the play several years ago and it didn’t resonate with him until he was older.

“There is a quote that great art makes society take a look at itself,” Campbell said.

“I feel this is a good reflection on a lot of the mindsets there are out there today and a lot of challenges we still have as a society. There are a lot of towns that are still operating in corruption.”

Campbell said one of the other players, Phil Romano, might not support the mayor’s campaign, instead supporting a younger, more progressive opponent. Campbell said that is a major drama of the reunion.

Campbell’s character gets drunk during the reunion and his speech becomes slovenly.

“I’ve never played completely lit up on stage and there is a challenge of overdoing that,” he said.

Ken Kingshill, from Whitestown, plays Phil. Indianapolis resident Mark Kamish plays James, Tom’s older brother. The fifth player never returns to the reunions because he felt the championship wasn’t won fairly for reasons that are revealed during the play.

For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.

‘BEAUTIFUL”

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical” through March 30 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘DRIVING MISS DAISY’

Civic Theatre’s “Driving Miss Daisy” runs through March 30 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

The Freeform concert series will feature Otnes with Melanie Pierce at 7:30 p.m. March 27 and Georgette Jones at 7:30 p.m. March 30 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael. For more, feinsteinshc.com

‘FABLES AND FOLKLORE’

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre presents “Fables and Folklore,” at 7 p.m. April 5-6 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

‘CROCE PLAYS CROCE’

Croce Plays Croce’s 50th Anniversary Tour is set for 8 p.m. March 30 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

LIVE AT THE CENTER

The Live at the Center series features Bullet Points at 7:30 p.m. March 27 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG”

“The Play That Goes Wrong” is set to run through March 31 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.

DISPATCH

March 22, at thecenterpresents.org.

From left, “That Championship Season” cast members are Earl Campbell, Adrian Blackwell, Jim Simmons, Ken Kingshill and Mark Kamish. (Photo by Lori Raffel)

Nick Carter set for Palladium concert — In the wake of the Backstreet Boys’ successful world tour, Nick Carter will bring his solo “Who I Am” world tour to the Center for the Performing Arts this fall. The show is set for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets starting at $35 and went on sale

On April 8, get ready to be mesmerized by a celestial masterpiece as the communities of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield and the Northern Towns become the perfect stage for the Total Solar Eclipse, when the moon gracefully dances in front of the sun and casts its shadow across the landscape.

Witness the magic of the cosmos with friends and family at official viewing locations like Carmel Civic Square, Conner Prairie, Cool Creek Park, Grand Park Sports Campus, Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center and Strawtown Koteewi Park.

Grab your Eclipse glasses, set up your cameras and join Hamilton County in this celestial celebration— it’s guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience!

1 CARMEL CIVIC SQUARE

2 CONNER PRAIRIE

3 COOL CREEK PARK

4

#VISITHC

THE SKY WILL BEGIN TO CHANGE AROUND 1:50 P.M. WITH TOTALITY AT 3:06 P.M.

Hamilton County is in the narrow path of totality for the Total Solar Eclipse. These communities will be some of the best places to experience prime views of the epic event.

Arcadia 3m 6s

Atlanta 2m 56s

Carmel 3m 29s

Cicero 3m 15s

Fishers 3m 39s

Noblesville 3m 27s

Sheridan 2m 51s

Westfield 3m 19s

What is a HELOC?

Commentary by Slater Young Mortgage Loan Officer, NMLS# 2104170

You’ve probably heard of a HELOC, or home equity line of credit, but you may not realize the impact this powerful tool can have on the journey of homeownership.

First, many misinterpret this loan as not a mortgage, when in fact it is. It is typically a second lien, behind your first mortgage. The important thing about this loan is that it does not impact your payment with your primary mortgage. This can be a great tool to use for home renovation, debt consolidation or other creative uses that do not get rid of your low interest rate on your primary mortgage.

The way it works is simple. We take 89.9 percent of the current value of your home, subtract your outstanding mortgage balance, and the remaining equity becomes available for future use. The nice thing about a HELOC is that similar to a credit card, if you do not have a balance, no payment is due.

Each HELOC can look different based on the financial profile of the homeowner,

which can result in different interest rates and draw lengths available. A bonus to the HELOC is that the costs to put one in place are typically a fraction of those associated with a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. Once in place, you can draw up and pay down the balance as you see fit. A caution to many prospective borrowers is the lack of repayment on this loan can result in a balloon payment due at the end of the term.

Contact Community First Bank of Indiana for more information regarding mortgage products and your eligibility. This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. All loans must satisfy bank underwriting guidelines. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #614034.

(Stock photo)

A timely termination leads to 111-year-old flooring business

By Mary Farucci news@youarecurrent.com

EF Marburger Fine Flooring on Allisonville Road in Fishers prides itself on providing all types of flooring for residential and commercial needs. Variety includes hardwood, carpet, tile, vinyl, glass and marble, among others.

A locally owned and family-operated business since its founding in 1913, EF Marburger Fine Flooring also has cabinet options, countertops and other home-related items in its showroom for customers interested in remodeling their kitchen, bathroom or basement.

“My great-grandfather Eli Franklin (Marburger), who the company is named after, worked at the flooring department at Blocks Department store in downtown Indianapolis,” said Kelly Marburger Novak, who now operates as the president and co-owner, along with her sister, Kimberly. They are the great-granddaughters of Eli Franklin Marburger.

“As the story goes, he was fired after returning back to the store five minutes late on his lunch break when he decided to start his own flooring business,” Marburger Novak said.

The rest is EF Marburger Fine Flooring family history.

“Originally, it was called The Guarentee Rug Company,” Marburger Novak said.

“Later, he changed it to EF Marburger. But he wanted to start a company that just helped and took care of customers. That was instilled in my grandfather and then my dad. That’s always been the most important thing. We want to make it easy

Continued on Page 5

EF Marburger Fine Flooring operates a showroom at 9999 Allisonville Rd. in Fishers. (Photos by Mary Farucci)

From left, Kimberly Marburger and Kelly Marburger Novak.

Continued from Page 4

for the customers and we want to make sure that they’re happy. That’s the backbone of the company.”

In 2018, Marburger Novak and her sister were officially handed the reins of the business by their father when he decided to retire.

The store, which has moved several times since its founding, has been at 9999 Allisonville Rd. since 1990.

“Literally, it’s the perfect place because we’re so centrally located to Carmel and Geist and Noblesville, Westfield,” Marburger Novak said. “It really is like your neighborhood flooring store. We love the local feel.”

For more, visit efmarburger.com.

Communication, efficiency inspires ‘un-corporate’ service business

By Tirzah Rowland news@youarecurrent.com

Sam Elsts started his family-owned pressure washing business, My Guy Services, 12 years ago to make extra money while studying business at IUPUI. The 2017 graduate now strives to be the go-to-guy for exterior home cleaning in the greater Indianapolis area.

“We’re not a corporation. We want to extend a helping hand to the people in the city we call home,” Elsts said.

rate and exact pricing for all of our services,” Elsts said. “And the price is shown as what the price is. The only time that is changed is if the price goes down.”

There is a service minimum of $299 for a basic house wash with an 18-month warranty against the return of algae.

My Guy Services provides power washing, pressure washing, concrete sealing, gutter cleaning, gutter guard installation and exterior window cleaning.

Core values for Elsts and his team are communication, efficiency and professionalism. He said they differentiate themselves by retaining a team yearround and providing timely booking windows.

The company’s website allows for service quotes within 30 seconds and convenient online scheduling.

“Since we’ve been in business so long, we know what things cost, and a few key indicators on the size of your home and what you’re wanting will give you accu-

“The average ticket for clients is right around $550 because they’re typically getting more than one service from us. They’re not just having us wash the house,” Elsts said.

The company provides discounts for bundled services.

Service hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Online quotes and the call center are available seven days a week.

The team also provides corporate and residential Christmas light installation beginning in October and snow plowing services as needed. The average cost for My Guy Services residential Christmas light installation is $1,200.

Elsts and his team were hired by the Indianapolis Zoo to wrap 50 trees for its lights display and contracted with the city to branch wrap 40 trees around Monument Circle.

For a quote or more information, visit myguyservicesllc.com.

Elsts

My Guy Services provides concrete sealing, pressure washing and other services. (Photo courtsey of Sam Elsts)

JOHN KIRK

Representing some of the world’s most revered brands, the 120,000-square-foot showroom brilliantly displays sophisticated, stylish and timeless designs. We are the largest Stickley dealer in Indiana. Whether you are looking for a unique single piece in our accessories store, or an entire roomful of furniture, our showroom has it all and more.

Some of the many brands we carry:

Enhancing the value of your home

Commentary by Robbin Edwards

There is no shortage of options when it comes to spending money on your home. There are plenty of lists on the internet about which of those options will add value. But those lists assume unlimited space and money, and they are not tuned to your market. Not everyone has the ability to add a bathroom, or the budget to totally remodel a kitchen. And sometimes something as simple as paint color can make a huge difference in the marketability of a home.

There are various factors to consider before tackling improvements, and often, they are market-specific and can change depending on the area in which the home is located, interest rates and price points. Depending on these factors, certain improvements will be more appealing to buyers and net more return on investment than others. It may pay to consult with a real estate professional about current and projected market trends and buyer preferences if your intent in making home renovations is to increase the value of your home.

For example, adding a bathroom or pantry traditionally enhances the value of a home. But, with current work-fromhome trends, it may be better and less expensive to convert that space into an office. Similarly, open floor plans are no longer universally desirable, given the need for privacy while working from home; so you might want to think twice before knocking down that wall.

Finishes also vary by market and price point. While gold fixtures may be making the rounds of high-end homes currently, they are not universally desirable and do not fit every home style.

While kitchens and primary bathrooms consistently rank high in providing a substantial return on investment, that doesn’t mean that everyone should run out and renovate these spaces. It depends on other factors and the overall condition of your home. A great kitchen in a home with deferred maintenance is not a good use of your money. You might be better off replacing the roof, the HVAC system, the siding or the windows before a

A real estate professional can help homeowners determine which projects add the most value to a home. (Photos courtsey of Robbin Edwards)

Continued from Page 4

kitchen renovation. Maintenance items can deplete a buyer’s cash quickly, so a well-maintained house is often more appealing than a home with a single, fabulous, updated space.

It is a good idea to make a list of the enhancements your home needs and those you want before tackling any project. We often do two different consults for clients. One is for the homeowner who plans to stay in their current home and is contemplating a bigger renovation. They want our input on space considerations and material choices based on current market trends. This homeowner wants to enjoy the result of their renovations while ensuring that the design and materials they chose will be appealing if they choose to sell.

The second consult is for the homeowner who wants to sell and knows that the home needs some improvements but is unsure of which direction to take. Often, these improvements are condition and maintenance related. Replacing carpet, painting and a professional deep clean can instantly change the look and feel of your home, making it more desirable for a buyer.

If you are considering a renovation and unsure about the direction, or you are thinking about selling your home, but you don’t know where to begin with getting your house ready, it is a good idea to get the advice of a real estate professional. They can give you feedback on how certain changes may fit your market and be perceived by potential buyers.

Enjoy your outdoor area year-round. Rain, shine, hot or cold.

Robbin Edwards is the founding member of Edwards Realty Group. You can contact her at robbin. edwards@encoresir.com.

ABOUT US

At The Heartland Builders, our mission is simple: Change the narrative of what it means to be a contractor. Our team has been carefully selected based on their overall experience and their dedication to treating our customers and their properties with respect. More than that, we complete work efficiently to minimize the disruption to your home life or business activities, and we do this without sacrificing on the superior quality that we instill in everything we do.

OUR SERVICES

• ROOFING & INSURANCE CLAIMS

• INTERIOR REMODELING

• HARDIE & VINYL SIDING

• GUTTERS & GUTTER GUARDS

• CONCRETE

• INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

• DOORS & WINDOWS

• & MORE

TESTIMONIAL

“I can’t say enough about the team of The Heartland Builders. Their communication, project management, workmanship, craftsmanship, and work ethic are top notch. For our kitchen remodel, each day the team showed up early, left around dinner, and worked the entire time. The team delivers on their word and obligations discussed through the sales process (a rare feat in any industry).

I’m already looking forward to our next project with The Heartland Builders.”

— Matt & Sarah Lang, Carmel

At Timber Ridge Fence Co., we believe in delivering speedy installations using high-quality wood, vinyl, and aluminum for all residential and commercial properties in Indianapolis. Choosing the perfect fence is not easy, but we’re here to help every step of the way - and we provide FREE ESTIMATES.

the

Changing colors, automation among outdoor lighting trends

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

When it comes to outdoor lighting, many homeowners are looking to add some new hues to their house.

Whether it’s green for St. Patrick’s Day or orange at Halloween, color-changing systems have been in high demand of late, according to John DeWaal, president of Carmel-based The Lampliter.

“They can set them for different holidays,” DeWaal said.

Automation is another trend, he said, which uses smart controls to program bulbs to switch on and off, dim or change color. The Lampliter will install and set up the system so the homeowner can control it from anywhere through a smart phone app.

“It’s good for people who are away from home for a while, who go away for the winter or who are on vacation,” DeWaal said. “They can monitor and control lighting if they want to make it look like they are home by turning the lights on and off a couple times a night. They could do it manually or program it.”

The Lampliter, which DeWaal co-found-

ed in 2018, works with homeowners to determine which lighting products and designs will best meet their needs. The company offers free consultations to get started.

“We’ll get an idea of what kind of lighting they like, what kind of style they like, what kind of finish they want on the lighting and also look at their house and the architecture,” DeWaal said.

The Lampliter aims to simplify the process as much as possible for clients, whether it’s for an indoor or outdoor project.

“Our goal is to make (the project) as simple and turnkey as possible. Then they can avoid having to go to a big box store and get overwhelmed by looking at the options and trying to understand what’s right for their home,” DeWaal said. “(Through online retailers), there are thousands and thousands of options when it comes to lighting. Our process helps narrow that down and make it a much easier and simplified process. They tell us what they want, and we bring it and we

Continued on Page 13

A landscape lighting installation by The Lampliter. (Photos courtesy of John DeWaal)

Continued from Page 12

put it up.”

DeWaal said outdoor lighting upgrades can provide several benefits for homeowners, such as increased security by discouraging intruders.

“They don’t want to be seen, so if they look at a well-lit house, they are probably going to pass it and go find a darker house where they can hide,” he said.

Outdoor lighting also improves safety for homeowners and guests, DeWaal said, as it allows them to see more clearly as they approach during dark hours.

Another benefit is improved aesthetics and the ability to customize the look to the homeowner’s taste.

“For us, outdoor lighting — or lighting in general — is the jewelry of a house,” DeWaal said. “A lot of times the simple process of updating lighting on the exterior of a house can really change the complexion of it for the better in many ways. And of all the things you can do to upgrade your house, it’s one of the more affordable ways to do it.”

Learn more at TheLampliter.com.

We are a full-service, licensed, bonded and insured roofing company serving Indy and surrounding areas for over 15 years. Let our trained roofing technicians inspect your roof free of charge so you know if your home is protected!

Air duct cleaning grows in popularity

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Mite-E-Ducts Air Duct Cleaning General Manager Clay Winters has seen the growth of his business through the years.

“I think the knowledge and understanding of air duct cleaning and the importance of indoor air quality has increased,” Winters said. “People are more aware of the benefits of better indoor air quality. In addition to that, our technology has gotten better. The way we did it 30 years ago compared to how we do it now, it’s just more efficient. There’s better tools and technology than there used to be.”

Winters said the COVID-19 pandemic made people more aware of the importance of indoor air quality. He has been working in the Zionsville business since May 2000. His father, Alan Winters, is the owner and started the business in 1995 for his father, Ted Winters, who had some duct cleaning experience. The late Ted Winters retired in 2001.

“So, the main reasons why people are

“People are more aware of the benefits of better indoor air quality. In addition to that, our technology has gotten better. The way we did it 30 years ago compared to how we do it now, it’s just more efficient.

– CLAY WINTERS

having it done are to help remove any dust or allergens in the duct system, pet hair, pet dander,” he said. “We have a whole list of customers with allergies or asthma who are having it done on a regular basis to basically just help with the air quality in their home.”

Winters said it is recommended every three to five years to have the air ducts cleaned in your home.

“Our customers that have bad allergies

Continued on Page 15

A before and after of air duct cleaning.

(Photo courtesy of Mite-E-Ducts)

Continued from Page 14

or asthma tend to lean more towards that three-year mark and have it done a little bit more often,” he said.

Someone who doesn’t have as many allergies might go closer to the five-year mark.

Another reason to have duct cleaning is moving into a brand-new home, because there is often construction debris and drywall dust.

“Drywall dust is almost like soot. People will have moved into a home and notice there is this thin layer of drywall dust all over everything,” Winters said. “So, we do duct cleaning on brand-new homes and homes that have had a major remodel.”

Winters said some custom home builders perform the duct cleaning before the owners take possession.’

Another reason for duct cleaning, Winters said, is for smoke or fire damage.

Winters said the pricing often depends on if there is one or two furnaces in the home. The square footage of the home and number of vents are factors as well.

Winters said consumers need to be aware of scams from some duct cleaning businesses.

“It’s one of the lower-level costs because you can’t get into the business for under $10,000,” he said. “The problem with that is anybody can say they do (it).”

The National Air Duct Cleaning Association is the governing body and Winters said Mite-E-Ducts technicians are certified.

“The problem is they can’t regulate all these guys that come out of the woodwork and try to claim to be air duct cleaners,” he said.

For example, Winters said some companies might offer coupons for $99 or $49 duct cleaning.

“I tell people the average duct cleaning takes three to five hours for one system,” Winters said.

So, he asks potential customers if they think a company can come into the house for three to five hours and truly do the proper work for $99.

Winters said 90 percent of those companies come out and then start raising the cost, often targeting elderly people.

“When people call us, we give them upfront pricing,” he said.

Winters said his business primarily uses truck-mounted equipment, which serves as a giant vacuum.

“So, none of the dust and debris is being refiltered inside the home,” he said.

For more, visit airduct.info.

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Closets are a large part of Closets by Design’s business, of course, but the Indianapolis-area franchise offers space-saving design solutions throughout the home, including garages, bedrooms, pantries, laundry rooms and entertainment centers.

Franchise owner Anthony Rund, who lives in Carmel, said his team can help figure out storage options or upgrades for pretty much anywhere in the home.

“Our team here takes care of the process, start to finish — everything from a designer coming out and meeting with customers in their home, listening to what they need and then coming up with a custom design for their space and taking the measurements and all that, to the team at the shop here that does the engineering work and manufacturing,” he said. “And then our install crew goes out and puts it in.”

Rund has owned the franchise for two years, but the business has had an Indianapolis presence for about six years at 1810 S. Lynhurst Dr. He said he previously worked with Caterpillar.

“I started looking at different opportunities and saw this business and really liked it,” he said. “And with four kids, I saw

Continued on Page 17

Continued from Page 16

the value in some of the systems (for) keeping things organized.”

He said the team can optimize storage for all kinds of spaces, including small closets. In fact, he said, small spaces probably benefit the most from custom organizing.

Rund added that homeowners these days are looking to add more drawers to their closet designs, reducing or eliminating the need for bedroom dressers.

“Almost every job we’re doing some element of drawers and essentially moving a dresser-type space into the closet,” he said.

Rund said his team offers a personalized experience for homeowners.

“The time we spend up front — we’re listening to what customers’ needs are, coming up with that custom solution and then the capability we have right here in Indianapolis to build the product, manufacture it and then go out and install it,” he said, adding that a custom closet can fill a homeowner’s needs better than something standardized from a big-box store.

Learn more at indianapolis. closetsbydesign.com

SAFETY TIPS

Eye safety is very important! Make sure everyone has access to the eye protection. Have small children practice wearing the Eclipse glasses BEFORE the day of the event. Avoid bringing pets outside or to viewing locations, their eye safety is important too!

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE DETAILS.

RV PARKING

Looking for convenient RV parking close to Eclipse events in Hamilton County? We’ve got you covered with convenient parking options!

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE DETAILS.

SOUVENIRS

Commemorate this rare celestial event with unique items tailored to Eclipse enthusiasts. Visitors can find an array of memorabilia capturing the essence of this momentous occasion, ranging from Eclipse-themed t-shirts adorned with whimsical designs to intricately crafted keepsakes featuring the celestial alignment itself.

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE DETAILS.

Director familiar with ‘The King and I’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Brian Jose has a long history with “The King and I,” having acted in the musical three times.

MUSICAL

So naturally, he has some ideas about the production as he is directing the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic for Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Performances are April 4 to May 19.

“There is only so much you can do with altering the words and music for your productions as per performance rights,” Jose said. “The words are the words. So, you have to think of other ways you can impact the story told as a director. It was imperative to me that we cast a mixed Anglo-Indian woman as Anna Leonowens. Historians have pointed out that Anna was of Anglo-Indian descent, something that has eluded the casting of this role for most productions. For me, that slight shift makes all the difference. Instead of a story that can easily be seen as a white savior-colonialism story, we get

Jose

a more complex story about a woman who has had to suppress her culture in order to advance in society to provide for her children as a single mother. And on top of that, (is) invited to a foreign country where she then decides to scold them for behavior not accepted in the more modern Western world. (It’s a) way more fascinating conundrum than simply a white woman intrigued by an exotic land.”

Jose said there is a reason the Thai government has banned the show in its country since its inception.

“It’s based on source material that is questioned for its accuracy and honesty,” Jose said. “I don’t think the book, nor the musical, ever claimed to be either.”

The musical was based on the book, “Anna and the King of Siam.”

This is the first time Jose has directed at Beef & Boards, although the 1992 Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School graduate acted as Bun Foo in the 2007 production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘Golem’ world premiere set

By Mark Ambrogi

mark@youarecurrent.com

Gregory Hancock’s latest creation uses a folklore tale to address the rise of antisemitism.

PERFORMANCE

Gregory Hancock

Dance Theatre’s production of “Fables and Folklore” features the world premiere of “Golem” and the return of “Pinocchio.” The performances are set for 7 p.m. April 5-6 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

Hancock, GHDT executive artistic director, said “Golem” is a story from folklore of a rabbi who creates a creature out of mud to protect the Jewish ghetto of Prague from persecution.

“I draw elements of this story into the piece, but it really is addressing the rise in antisemitism and current conflicts throughout the world,” Hancock said. “It is a timely piece that draws inspiration from the past to direct a voice to the present.”

Hancock said Prague is one of his favorite cities and he has visited several times.

“Golem” is presented in partnership with the Jewish Community Center of Indianapo-

lis. “Pinocchio” was last presented in 2013 at The Tarkington.

In “Pinocchio,” the main roles are Gepetto, The Cricket, the Blue Fairy and Pinocchio, along with an array of steampunk puppets. Abigail Lessaris is reprising her role as The Cricket, but all the other roles are being performed by new dancers.

Hancock said the two dances, “Golem” and “Pinocchio,” are interesting paired together.

“While the storylines and the music are vastly different, the common thread of a man creating a puppet or golem tie the program together,” Hancock said.

For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org

Josie Moody dresses up as the Blue Fairy from “Pinocchio.” (Photo by Lydia Moody)

Bullet Points set to perform

By Ken Severson editorial@youarecurrent.com

Local talent will be on display at 7:30 p.m. March 27 when alternative rock band Bullet Points plays its original music as part of the Live at the Center series at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

CONCERT

The Indianapolis band, fronted by co-founder and lead singer David Hazel and featuring bass player and co-founder David Barajas, guitarist T.J. Briggs and drummer Matt Beaumont, has been together since 2016. All are veterans of the Indy music scene.

“I have about 24 years of history with at least one of the other guys,” Hazel said. “We have played with different bands during that time.”

Hazel played for the seminal alternative band The Lemonheads for a brief period in Europe. All four still call the Indianapolis metro area home.

After releasing their first EP, “Business Card,” the band went to work on their first full-length album, “Paso Doble,” released in October 2020, along with two self-made

music videos. They also toured the Midwest and have performed live on WTTS-FM and on the show “All Indiana” on WISH-TV.

Bullet Points original songs include “Blood Dreams,” “Erase Me” and “Just Like You.”

Hazel said anything can influence a song, but he is influenced by relationships.

And there could be a new album, possibly in 2025. Hazel has written several songs, and the band plans to showcase them along with its older tunes at the Palladium.

Tickets are $10 or register for the free livestream at thecenterpresents.org/ BulletPoints.

‘DRIVING MISS DAISY’ LANDS AT STUDIO THEATER

“Driving Miss Daisy” opened March 15 to a nearly sold-out audience. The Civic Theatre’s production was a short drive through an “evolving relationship … that extends beyond the confines of a car ride,” according to Michael Lasley’s director’s note. The show explores the relationships between a Jewish widow, Miss Daisy Werthan, her son, Boolie Werthan, and a Black chauffeur, Hoke Colburn. The performances brought many laughs along with softer moments. The show runs through March 30 at the Studio Theater in Carmel. (Photos by Jennifer Haire)

From left, Bullet Points members are Matt Beaumont, David Hazel, David Barajas, T.J. Briggs. (Photo courtesy of Bullet Points)

A birthday gift from their children, Bob and Sylvia Coma, Zionsville, attend “Driving Miss Daisy.”

Carmel residents Bob and Pam Alonzo attend the show.

LIFESTYLE

A visit to Egypt’s Karnak

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing tour of Egypt, we begin a visit to Luxor at Karnak, Egypt’s second-most visited site.

TRAVEL

Karnak is a complex erected between 1970 B.C. and 30 B.C. by about 30 pharaohs, each adding shrines and temples. Encompassing about 900 acres, Karnak is the world’s second-largest temple complex. Most of what remains was built beginning in 1550 B.C., when Thebes (now Luxor) became Egypt’s capital.

Major projects were begun by Pharaoh Thutmoses I and continued by his daughter Hatshepsut, Egypt’s only female pharaoh. Hatshepsut erected two 97-foot-tall granite obelisks in front of a restored temple to the goddess Mut, the wife of Amun-Ra, the area’s primary god at the time. One of them is the world’s second-tallest standing obelisk. Hatshepsut also built the Red Chapel, reconstructed in 1997 from its original materials.

In about 1450 B.C, Pharaoh Thutmoses III built the Sacred Lake near the temple honoring Amun-Ra. Stone steps around the lake lead into the water, which symbolized the primeval waters of creation. Priests purified themselves in the lake before performing religious rituals. Religious scholars believe the Sacred Lake was probably the origin of water purification rituals in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The great hypostyle hall, honoring Amun-Ra, was completed by Pharaohs Seti I and his son, Ramses II, often considered the pharaoh of the Exodus. The hall, the largest in the world, occupies 1.2 acres and includes 134 columns arranged in 16 rows, with the two taller rows in the middle each including six 80-foot-high columns having a diameter of 10 feet. All the

columns and surrounding walls are covered with hieroglyphic reliefs honoring Amun-Ra, Seti I and Ramses II.

By about 350 B.C., a 2,000-meter-long avenue flanked by 600 sphinxes connected the Luxor Temple to Karnak. Some of those ram-headed sphinxes still lead to the main entrance of Karnak.

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

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

CITY OF FISHERS, INDIANA

Residential Solid Waste, Yard Waste, Recycling Collection and Disposal

Pursuant to Indiana Code 36-9-30-5.3, notice is hereby given that the City of Fishers, Indiana (the “City”) intends to issue a Request for Proposals and Qualifications (“RFP”) for Residential Solid Waste, Yard Waste, Recycling Collection and Disposal within the City (the “Services”). In general, the proposed Services consist of weekly pick-up of bagged, containerized and/or bundled household Solid Waste, Yard Waste and bi-weekly (or alternatively weekly) curbside commingled Recycling from all eligible Residential Units within the geographic limits of the City and disposal. The Services may also include Solid Waste and Recycling collection and disposal for designated City Facilities.

Beginning on March 4, 2024, the proposed RFP may be viewed by the general public during business days, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the following location: Fishers City Services Building (Front Desk) 3 Municipal Drive Fishers, IN 46038

The RFP may also be viewed online at https://fishers.in.gov. Questions regarding the RFP should be submitted in writing via email to alexanderj@fishers.in.us.

The City will further receive written comments on the proposed RFP until April, 3, 2024 @ 10:00 a.m., local time, to the City of Fishers, Attn: Residential Solid Waste RFP Comments, Fishers City Hall, 3 Municipal Drive, Fishers, IN 46038, or emailed to _alexanderj@fishers.in.us. Comments may address the scope or contents of the proposed RFP. Following the completion of the comment period, the City may issue the RFP as originally proposed or as may be modified.

City of Fishers, Indiana

Inside the hypostyle hall at the Karnak complex in Luxor, Egypt. (Photo by Don Knebel)

Across

1. Mazda sports car

6. Drug cops, for short

11. Squealer

14. Injured in the bullring

15. Best possible

16. Purdue’s Ross-___ Stadium

17. Local Italian restaurant

19. WIPX network

20. Part of NBA, briefly

21. Examined closely

23. Stay out of sight

25. Marion County community

27. IU women’s basketball coach Moren

30. Poem of praise

31. Sis’ sib

32. “Sleepless in Seattle” director Nora

34. ___ Indianapolis (illfated ship)

35. Little litter members

38. Bag on the Victory Field mound

39. Local Italian restaurant

41. Regions

44. Top mark at Fishers HS

45. Cook in fat

48. Ballroom dance

50. Sault ___ Marie

51. Meadow

52. Roman robe

53. “Shoo!”

56. Femme fatale

57. Card game

59. Vaper’s device

61. Earth Day mo.

63. Local Italian restaurant

67. Guy’s date

68. Indy Zoo primate

69. Debonair

70. Big name in ice cream

71. Aggressive sort

72. So far

Down

1. British sports car

2. Debtor’s letters

3. Video game parlors

4. Make fun of

5. Puts two and two together

6. Pen point

7. Competent

8. Copy, for short

9. Gangster who supposedly hung out in Hobart

10. Neatnik’s opposite

11. Indiana Jones flick: “___ of the Lost Ark”

12. Commotion

13. Big ___ Conference

18. Snug bug’s place

22. Belief system

23. Rockets, on a Pacers scoreboard

24. Broad Ripple bouncers check them

26. Line dance

28. Financial performance measure, initially

29. Brown County lodging

31. Full of chutzpah

33. Writing style

36. Reward for a Convivio Italian waiter

37. Chip dip

39. Asian gambling mecca

40. Pumpkin pie spice

41. Perform with the Mud Creek Players

42. Butler frat letter

43. With enthusiasm

45. June 14 celebration

46. Sleep stage

47. Pound sound

49. ___ Furniture

54. Pinch

55. Variety show

56. Computer woe

58. Manning or Luck

60. Spanish house

6 Fabric Patterns

4 ISO Sections

3 Dog Sounds

5 -xy Words

61. Go gray, say

2 Eiteljorg Museum Tribes

1 Indiana’s “Maple City”

62. Bachelor’s abode

64. Indianapolis Indians pitching stat

65 Wife without in-laws?

66 Westfield HS volleyball court divider

Answers on Page 23

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ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A SHOP TO CALL HOME?

Integrity Automotive is looking for a full time automotive technician. In business for 28 years in downtown Carmel with a solid, happy customer base and a positive, good-natured work environment. The best candidate is a motivated, well-organized technician with at least three years hands on experience in automotive diagnosis, problem-solving and repair. Able to interpret and apply diagnostic/repair information from computerized databases and other sources. Also able communicate clearly and effectively with your supervisor, your fellow employees and, as needed, with customers. A complete job description is available with a request to frontdesk@integrityautomotive.net. We offer competitive pay with a Monday through Friday work week and (after 90 days) up to four sick/personal days per year and paid holidays. To schedule an interview, send your resume with contact information to: frontdesk@ integrityautomotive.net . 40 S Rangeline Rd Carmel Indiana 46032 www. IntegrityAutomotive.net

PUZZLE ANSWERS

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Patterns: ARGYLE, GINGHAM, HOUNDSTOOTH, MADRAS, PAISLEY, PLAID; Words: BOXY, FOXY, GALAXY, PROXY, SEXY; Sections: BRASS, RHYTHM, STRING, WIND; Sounds: BARK, GROWL, HOWL; Tribes: CHEROKEE, NAVAJO; City: GOSHEN

I DO , Current Publishing’s inaugural wedding guide printed on bright-white stock, will debut May 14 with a mailing to 139,235 households in Carmel, Fishers, Geist/Lawrence, Noblesville, Westfield, Zionsville and North Indy.

Current services a highly educated, high-household income audience, and there are plenty of couples, or parents of couples, planning for pending nuptials. I DO will feature multiple wedding-centric touchpoints from choosing the date to identifying the honeymoon location and every single detail in between.

Space reservations due:

Ad content due: May 3, 2024 May 6, 2024