January 24, 2023 — Lawrence/Geist

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Founded Jan. 27, 2015, at Fishers, IN Vol. IX, No. 1

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

Area social club helps form friendships

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

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

Socialization is something that many experts believe adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities require to live a fulfilling life. A local social club for disabled adults wants to make a difference in that regard.

DISABILITIES

Fishers-based Thrive Social Club, a club specifically for “20-somethings” with disabilities to socialize and participate in various activities, offers members the chance to “get together, hang out and do fun activities,” according to the club leader Mari Kennedy.

The club, however, isn’t only for the benefit of members. Thrive Social Club also helps caregivers build a support system.

“It is a social opportunity for caregivers to meet and network, too,” Kennedy said.

“The mission of Thrive is to connect young citizens of all abilities in our community to participate in life-enriching social activities.”

The club was founded by the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability in 2020. It was the brainchild of committee member Kennedy, whose son, Ryan, 20, has Down syndrome.

“We created Thrive to provide people of all abilities a welcoming and inclusive way to participate in all the social opportunities in Fishers,” said Kennedy.

Thrive Social Club is guided by an advisory board that consists of members with a strong interest in the club’s mission. Joining Kennedy on the board are Fishers City Councilor Cecilia Coble, chair of the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability; Kelly Hartman from Outside the Box, a services provider for people with disabilities; and Dana Pottschmidt from Opportunities for Positive Growth, a service provider for individuals with disabilities. Pottschmidt is also involved with the Kiwanis Aktion Club, a program for adults with disabilities. Terri Smith, Zenobia Curtis and Angela Touseull are parent board members.

Coble said the club offers socialization to fill the gap that exists after high school for those with disabilities.

“My daughter, Crysta, is 20 years old,” Coble said. “After she graduated from high school, the inclusive social opportunities that are in place in a school setting are difficult to find. Many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find themselves very isolated and disconnected from the community. This social club

provides a way for people to meet, make friendships, find support and engage in community events.”

The issue of ensuring recent high school graduates with disabilities are still able to learn, socialize and feel enriched in their lives was something Kennedy wanted to spotlight.

“There are very few age-appropriate, community-based social opportunities for young adults with (intellectual and developmental disabilities) after high school,” Kennedy said. “Their typical peers go off to college, so those inclusive friendships disappear. Also, these adults generally don’t drive nor have great communication and social skills. Because of all this, these individuals lose their friendships when they graduate. Thrive was created to fill this gap after high school.”

The founders of Thrive hoped that the club could help build community connections during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when so many people felt isolated, which why the club was created in 2020.

“As human beings, we all want to feel connected with others and to participate in community events,” Coble said. “The COVID-19 situation brought even more isolation to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Thrive Social Club helps us to connect with one another and engage in the community.”

The first club meetup was on Oct. 3, 2020. Club members volunteered at Flat Fork Creek to participate in a park cleanup as part of Keep Fishers Beautiful, a citywide initiative to support the vibrancy of our city and neighborhoods hosted by the City of

Fishers.

Now, the club meets twice a month and has more than 70 members, ranging in age from 18 to 30. Previous events have consisted of swim parties, hikes, attending Fishers Summer Concerts and Movies in the Park, dance parties at 31Svn, pizza hangouts and volunteering.

Recent club outings included bowling, attending an Indy Fuel hockey game, attending A Merry Prairie Holiday at Conner Prairie in December and hosting a Friendsgiving event in November that included food and bingo.

Kennedy said her goal for Thrive is to help members make long-term friendships and let others know that Thrive Social Club is where those with disabilities can have a “safe, good time.”

For more, visit facebook.com/ThriveSocialClub.IN.

MAKING FRIENDS

Socialization is crucial for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. According to a study published in September 2022 by Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, a research journal, poor social skills development is linked to a difference in the ability to form friendships. Individuals with intellectual disabilities usually encounter difficulties in making and maintaining friendships.

The study’s recommended solution? Encourage people with disabilities to talk to more people and get involved in hands-on activities — exactly what Thrive Social Club was set up to do.

Thrive Social Club attend the Dec. 30 Indy Fuel game. (Photo courtesy of Thrive Social Club)

Hub & Spoke to offer classes on construction industry

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

FIRE DEPT. RECEIVES NEW HEART MONITORS

CAREERS

Hub & Spoke, at 8100 E. 106th St., Suite 260 in Fishers, will host a free five-week, 40-hour introductory construction course for people aspiring to join the construction profession.

Designed for students and adults looking for a career change, coursework will provide registrants with an overview of the academic knowledge and technical skills needed to succeed in the construction industry. Upon successful completion of the program, student credentials will be entered into the National Center for Construction Education and Research database that will follow the craftsperson throughout their career.

If attendees are enrolled at Ivy Tech, they can also receive credit for prior learning for the class Introduction to Construction Technology (BCTI 100).

“When you look at the class as a whole,

the thing that’s really awesome about it is you get the opportunity to reach out into the community,” said Joe Evans, director of sales for ACo, a kitchen remodeling company in the Hub & Spoke building. “You’re talking to students, business owners and community members. You never know who you’re going to make contact with.”

During the course, students will learn:

• Basic safety skills

• Introductory construction math

• Basics of power and hand tools

• Basic rigging

• Basic communication skills

• Construction drawings

• Basic employability skills

• Material handling

Registration for the course is available online at hubandspoke.works/workforce-development/entremaker-program. The course will run from Jan. 24 to Feb. 25, with classes meeting on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

For more, visit hubandspoke.works/ workforce-development/entremaker-program.

Lawrence Fire Dept. announced Jan. 13 the arrival of new heart monitors. Crews trained for three days with Zoll Medical in preparation of deploying 11 new Zoll X-Series Advanced Cardiac Monitors. The department’s current Zoll X-Series monitors have been used for the last 10 years. The new monitors provide real-time CPR and ventilation feedback while transmitting readings to the medical staff at the hospitals upon a patient’s arrival. The department thanked the city’s administration for its support in the purchase of the monitors. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence)

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

vice, according to Woodruff.

CURRENT Q&A

Getting to know Daniel Beyer

A Lawrence Police Dept. officer was shot the evening of Jan. 10 while serving a warrant, and a male suspect was killed in an ensuing exchange of gunfire with police.

CRIME

The officer was treated at the scene for a gunshot wound to the leg and was released from the hospital later in the evening. The investigation is ongoing and names of those involved have not yet been released to the public, according to LPD Chief Gary Woodruff.

The incident began when officers arrived at a residence shortly after 8:30 p.m. in the 9400 block of Burrwood Circle to serve arrest and search warrants for two suspects charged with felonies in connection with an incident in which they opened fire into a neighbor’s home.

The male suspect, identified as Daylen Oatts, 30, by the Marion County Coroner’s Office, failed to appear in court on Jan. 3, resulting in an arrest warrant being issued. The female suspect, Sophia Heady, 26, of Indianapolis, has an arrest warrant in her name for a pretrial release violation, presumably because of the unlawful removal of an ankle monitoring de-

Oatts ran out of the back of the residence upon seeing officers arrive. He was met by officers on the perimeter of the property. Oatts returned inside the house, where he continued to fire at police. Oatts and Heady attempted to flee the scene in a vehicle while continuing the exchange gunfire with police. Oatts was killed in the exchange of gunfire between the suspect and officers that resulted in the LPD officer being shot in the leg, while Heady was incidentally shot in the leg as well.

The injured officer, whose name has not yet been released, was treated on the scene by fellow LPD officers who administered a tourniquet until gun fire ceased. The injured officer was then transported by two Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Dept. officers to Eskenazi Hospital where he received treatment and was discharged from the hospital before midnight.

“We are so grateful for the quick assistance of fellow police officers,” Woodruff said. “Especially the IMPD officers that transported our officer to the hospital. Without them, the outcome could have been different.”

Heady was transported to an area hospital where she received treatment. Once discharged, she will be taken into police custody.

Daniel Beyer is the manager of communications for the City of Lawrence. An Indianapolis resident, he has worked for Lawrence for five years.

Are you an early bird or night owl?

Right now, I’m kind of forced into being an early bird. My 2-year-old seems to have an internal alarm and wakes up at 5 a.m. every day, and I’m on morning duty.

What’s a no-skip album for you?

“Either/Or” by Elliott Smith, and my favorite bands right now are Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Sylvan Esso.

Do you have a role model?

My boss, the mayor of Lawrence, Steve Collier is a great mentor. He really trusts people to do their jobs and gives people credit for the work they do. He’s open to change, listens to people and he really cares deeply about the City of Lawrence.

Do you have a favorite meal to have in Lawrence?

My go-to lunch spots are Foster’s Cafe in Ivy Tech (Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl), Porter Books & Bread (The Austen Sandwich) and Fitzgerald’s Lunch House (The Rooster Sandwich).

What’s your favorite drink?

Beer. I love all kinds, but usually just PBR. If I’m getting a local growler, I’ll go with an IPA like Rail Splitter from Triton (Brewing Co.).

Indianapolis nonprofit raises record amount in donations

news@geistcurrent.com

Foster

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 Lawrence/Geist Managing Editor Rebecca Fending at rebecca@youarecurrent. com or call 317-489-4444.

LPD is hiring — Open enrollment for the Lawrence Police Dept. opened Oct. 19 with the hopes of hiring new officers by March of 2023. To learn more, visit joinlawrencepd.com.

GIVING BACK

Foster Success, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit that recently announced its support of a bill to support foster kids and their families proposed by State Sen. Kyle Walker (R-Lawrence), is celebrating raising more than $62,000 at a recent holiday event.

Foster Success raised $62,723 as part of the organization’s annual FriendsGiving event from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 each year. The record amount was a 42 percent increase from the prior year’s fundraising and awareness campaign and is 57 percent higher than the original goal.

Foster Success is the only statewide nonprofit supporting young adults (14- to 26-year-olds) transitioning out of Indiana’s foster care system. FriendsGiving encourages those who have the privilege of spending time with their families and friends during the holidays to help those who do not. Funds raised during the campaign help Foster Success ensure young people transitioning out of the foster care system receive the support and resources they need to succeed.

“Foster Success is incredibly grateful to those who opened their hearts to help the young people we support during a time that is often the loneliest,” Chief Develop-

ment and Communications Officer Travis Tester stated. “What was even more astounding was that 75 percent of donors during this Friendsgiving were new donors to the organization. That shows that our education campaign is touching Hoosiers around the state and spurring them to take action to support these young people.”

“The funds raised will be used to ensure those exiting the foster care system have the skills and support needed to be successful,” President and CEO Dr. Maggie Stevens stated. “Foster Success provides education support, workforce readiness, health and financial well-being and other programs to give these young people the opportunity to thrive in adulthood.”

United Way seeking volunteers for ReadUP program – United Way of Central Indiana is seeking volunteers for its ReadUP program. The program sends individuals to elementary schools across the region to read with third graders who are behind on their reading skills. Volunteers who are interested must complete a background check and a one-hour training session. For more, visit uwci.org/readup.

Prevent catalytic converter theft – Jiffy Lube of Indiana and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Dept. have partnered to launch the Catalytic Converter Identification Initiative to combat a trend of catalytic converter thefts and support vehicle safety. Hoosiers that visit a Jiffy Lube store in central Indiana can opt to have their technician engrave the last 8 digits of the vehicle’s VIN on the catalytic converter 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.

Success held its annual Friendsgiving meal event Dec. 20 and hosted many foster kids and families. (Photo courtesy of Foster Success)

Hamilton Southeastern senior point guard guides team to success

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Hamilton Southeastern senior Olivia Brown is the consummate point guard.

“She has a knack of knowing where to be and reading the other team’s offense to get her hands on a lot of passes,” Royals girls basketball coach Brian Satterfield said. “Olivia has also been great at creating opportunities for her teammates and herself at times. She sees the floor so well and looks to find her teammates whenever they are open. Her biggest improvement from last year is taking care of the basketball. Her decision-making and places she gets to on the floor have allowed her to lower her turnover average from a year ago. She is our best defender and doesn’t always score a lot of points, but she has a hand in most of the points we score.

“She leads us in assists, steals, deflections and tied for the lead in blocks while second in rebounding.”

MEET OLIVIA BROWN

Favorite subject: Health sciences

Favorite TV show: “Grey’s Anatomy”

Favorite movie: “The Princess and the Frog”

Prior to Jan. 17, the 5-foot-7 Brown was averaging 6.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 3.8 steals per game for the Royals (17-2). She commits only 2.7 turnovers per game.

“One of my big goals is to keep turnovers down and assists up,” she said. “I try to keep a 3-to-1 assists-to-turnovers ratio.”

Brown said she has improved on being a leader.

“One of the things (Satterfield) challenged me is to open my mouth even more than I have before and really get across to my teammates what we need to get done,” she said.

Brown, who has played varsity all four

years, is a three-year starter.

Satterfield said Brown is a fierce competitor.

“She is one of our hardest workers every day,” he said. “The staff wishes she would be more vocal on the court at times, but she, along with our other seniors, are always reaching out and talking to players to make sure everything is good.”

Brown said the team has many scoring options. Riley Makalusky was leading the team with a 18.8 points per game scoring average, followed by her sister, Maya Makalusky, at 15.3 ppg.

“As the point guard, I see all the things that are happening on the court,” Brown said. “I think we have such a wide skill set and everyone knows how to play their roles really well. I love the team chemistry we have going.”

Brown competed on the Royals’ track and field team as a middle-distance runner. Although she said track kept her in shape for basketball, she gave it up after her sophomore season to concentrate on basketball for recruiting purposes. Brown has signed with the University of Akron of the Mid-American Conference.

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Hamilton Southeastern senior point guard Olivia Brown averages 7.4 assists per game. (Photo courtesy of Olivia Brown)

Brown

LAWRENCE LAUNCHES CITYWIDE DIVERSITY CAMPAIGN

Earn up to

Connect Savings Account

Earlier this month, the City of Lawrence launched a citywide marketing campaign focusing on the city’s diversity. The city has a goal to “celebrate the citizens of Lawrence” with “I Love Lawrence” billboards located throughout the city, according to the city on social media. Billboards can be found at 56th Street and I-465, near Lawrence Central High School and one at Pendleton Pike and 56th Street. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence)

Fishers plans roundabout for 116th Street and Allisonville Road

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

The City of Fishers announced plans Jan. 10 to replace the traffic light at the intersection of 116th Street and Allisonville Road with a roundabout.

CONSTRUCTION

Additional design and environmental fees were determined to be necessary by the Board of Public Works and Safety. An additional amount of $38,970 brought the total contract amount to $413,825.43 for the city to complete the project.

The makeover is a result of the Allisonville Road Corridor Study approved by the board last year.

City Planning and Zoning Director Megan Vukusich said the reason the corridor study focused on the areas from 106th Street to 126th Street was because most commercial developments are located in the area.

“We felt that we do have some development happening at 96th Street and Allisonville Road, new commercial development and felt the focus on development from 106th Street to 126th Street is where the main commercial development is located,” Vukusich said.

The study is in response to concerns of residents that the area was in need of the

Fishers conducted a study of the Allisonville Road Corridor and determined that a roundabout was needed at the intersection of 116th Street and Allisonville Road. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fishers)

same attention paid to areas such as the Nickel Plate District.

The roundabout is expected to be completed by February 2024.d

City council

approves,

repeals bonds for parks and streets projects

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

City of Lawrence residents will now have to wait to see improvements made to various public parks and city streets after the Lawrence Common Council repealed several million dollars in previously approved general obligation bonds.

The common council approved $3.6 million in general obligation bonds during a Nov. 16 meeting last year. On Dec. 5, the council met again and voted to repeal the approval of the bonds on the grounds that the city’s 2022 budget was reverted to the approved 2021 budget from the state, which resulted in a reduced spending budget, according to Lawrence Mayor Steve Collier.

“Our spending was reduced by a couple million dollars,” Collier said. “It wasn’t anything (the city) couldn’t handle, but there were projects we wanted to get done that weren’t going to get done.”

The initial reason that Collier wanted a bond was to fulfill one of the city’s longterm goals: A municipal center to house city and school operations.

“We wanted a place to house the school administration and (for) our government to have one joined building that could have any public meeting in the same building,” Collier said. “That’s a rather large goal, and the project total likely would be close to $20 million — a monetary contribution of both the city and schools.”

The Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township would be able to contribute to its share of the project with the previous bond approval. However, the city needed to find funds for its share of the project. Collier asked former Lawrence Deputy Mayor/ Chief Financial Officer Jason Fenwick to find a way for the city to contribute its share.

Fenwick found a way by increasing the city’s bonding ability.

The city’s net assessed value, or NAV, increased by 18 percent in 2022 — a 13 percent gap above the baseline NAV of each Indiana city. Fenwick suggested leveraging the city’s NAV by asking for a smaller bond the city’s tax rate stagnant but increasing the amount of future bonds for the municipal building project.

Baker Tilly, a public accounting and con-

sulting firm, advised the Lawrence Common Council on its budget and also recommended that the city take out a bond for smaller capital projects throughout the city to keep taxes level.

Collier learned of the opportunity for $3.6 million in bonds to be presented to the common Council for approval and sent a letter to Council President Lisa Chavis and council members Shawn Denney and Sherron Freeman on Aug. 24. The letter advised council members that the opportunity for the bond was available.

“Our goal (with the bond) was to get done what we didn’t in 2021,” Collier said. “We wanted to invest that money in our parks to get parking lot paving done, get sidewalk ramps in the parks for ADA compliance, a garage to shelter city vehicles and build eight additional pickleball courts at Lee Road Park to host professional tournaments.”

Freeman was the only member to respond to Collier’s letter and volunteered to sponsor the bond within the common council.

On Sept. 14, after moving to add the bond approval vote to the agenda for the Sept. 21 common council meeting, Collier received an email from the city’s bond attorney, Adam Steuerwald, an associate of Barnes & Thornburg, that the Lawrence Common Council’s attorney, Kristina Wheeler, a partner in the utilities group of the law firm of Bose, McKinney and Evans, stated that council president Chavis was unaware of the bond proposal.

That was the first indication of contention between the council and mayor’s office, Collier said.

On Nov. 16, the final day for the bond to be approved and claimed before the end of 2022, the council approved the bond by an 8-1 vote.

The southern parking lot at Veteran’s Memorial Park was one of the sites expected to benefit from the bonds to fix potholes and uneven pavement. (Photo by Rebecca Fending)

Following the approval was a four-tosix-week period before the bond could be placed. During that period, Denney and Wheeler discovered that the council had “overspent” its budget for Wheeler’s services, according to Collier.

“In order to be able to pay her, there has to be an appropriation (to move funds from one council spending account to another),” Collier said. “The council had $350,000 in their capital improvement fund that had been untouched for four years. (City Controller) Tyler Douthit reminded the council that they had the money but that they needed to file for an appropriation for the money to be moved into a different fund to pay council debts.”

The council responded by requesting to move $250,000 out of the fund to pay for an audit of the city’s spending.

“We have been audited every year since I’ve taken office,” Collier said. “We publish each year’s budget online in March or April, and we’ve won awards for our budget presentations. I’m not sure how much more clear we could be about our spending.”

Denney cited the city’s reverted budget as the council’s decision to repeal the approved bond.

“The complete disregard of a simple, yet important, act to submit the approved 2022 Budget to the Indiana Department of Local Government and Finance in a timely manner is either a gross mismanagement of his administration; an attempt by the mayor to mislead the members of the common council to double dip on projects in a bond request; or for some nefarious political agenda,” Denney stated in a press release on Dec. 6. “I call for the immediate resignation of the city controller and for the mayor’s office to use funds from its budget to pay for the forthcoming audit.”

Collier’s disappointment in the council’s

decision to repeal its approval revolved around the city’s inability to update its public parks.

“The saddest thing is that we were trying to get an ADA-compliant pass for every person to be able to use our parks,” Collier said. “Now, without that bond, Lawrence residents won’t see those park improvements. We don’t have the funding for that, but it doesn’t mean we won’t keep trying now.”

ON THE COVER: The common council’s decision to repeal its approval of the general obligation bond will delay the construction of eight new pickleball courts at Lee Road Park. (Photo by Rebecca Fending)

WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN

With the repeal in place, Lawrence was unable to secure the $3.6 million bonds for the following projects:

• $1,000,000 – Community Park, Franklin Road parking lot.

• $175,000 – Veteran’s Memorial Park, south parking lot.

• $500,000 – Veteran’s Memorial Park, north parking lot.

• $350,000 will allow for the addition of eight pickleball courts at Lee Road Park.

• $345,000 will be invested in ADA accessibility of the parks.

• $125,000 – Community Park, pouredin-place (a post-consumer recycled rubber material) playground surface.

• $85,000 – Alexander Park, pouredin-place playground surface.

• $85,000 – Veteran’s Memorial Park ADA-compliant walkways.

• $50,000 – Lee Road Park ADA-compliant path to pickleball courts.

• $25,000 will be used to add programmable Locks for all Park restroom facilities.

• $1,205,000 Funds will be used to design 59th St. building expansion.

• Parking lot reconstruction/ expansion.

• Additional storage facilities for equipment.

• Wash bays for vehicles.

Common-model luxury

Commentary by Terry Anker

Moving along our nation’s highways, we encounter all manner and sort of peculiarity. The world’s largest ball of twine is just ahead. Or, at Exit 328 B, we can enjoy the “world’s best” cup of coffee in air-conditioned comfort 24 hours a day. Wow! Still, most of what we meet is more mundane. It is the commonplace.

As such, both windscreen and rearview are filled with base-model modes of transportation piloted by base-model humans. There is nothing wrong with driving the most common car on Earth. In fact, that vehicle, the Corolla, has been well-tested and can be commonly repaired. Some would argue that owning it is a genius move. Can we take the same position in being a very common commoner?

In most options, we are not granted much choice. Our color, age, trim package and nameplate are determined before delivery to the lot. We are left to take what we get. The luxury edition went to the last person, and we are stuck with something with crank windows from 2004.

Monster truck or Italian sports car, we decide on maintenance. We decide which after-market accessories to install. We decide how and where we drive it. Sure, some got the hybrid with abundant “free” fuel. Others found themselves with a family truckster with 19 cup holders. Yet once delivered, we determine if we stay at base model or work to move up a bit. Education, exercise and relationship maintenance all add to our standard stock. We may not have been born rich, brilliant or beautiful, but we can clean update, and improve the model we are dealt.

The way we care for this one might give us a head start when St. Peter stands to negotiate our trade-in. But for most today, a top-performing Kia is likely better than a stalled Lamborghini.

Life is a (crazy) dream

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

wind and the dead-people visits distracted me from closing up shop, so to speak.

HUMOR

I don’t know what is going on inside my head lately. I had a dream last night that went from my grappling with a personal case of head lice while babysitting a couple of preteen strangers to me at an Easter parade where deceased friends kept stopping to say hello. I didn’t awake until the zombie horde forced a semi off a bridge next to where I was drinking coffee. I asked my husband, Doo, what he thought these visions meant, and he responded with a short monologue ala Sigmund Freud, emphatically telling him to, “Get out. Now!” Hilarious.

Doo also reminded me that I had left a bathroom drawer open, wide enough so that when he stumbled in this morning, he clocked his left thigh so hard he now has a noticeable bruise. I vaguely recall rummaging for Advil around 4 a.m. while peering through a window to determine if a tornado was approaching. I guess the screaming

All this is to say that, clearly, I have too much on my plate, at least subconsciously. As I type, I am mentally listing today’s “chores,” along with work and family “stuff” that needs to be addressed in the near future. But what’s a girl to do? Ignore parenting, wife-ing, teaching, cleaning, managing, shopping, sudoku-ing, exercising, planning, living altogether?

I’m certain my latest intake of Thai food and psychological thrillers aren’t helping, but in my defense, have you watched “The Menu” yet? Wonderfully disturbing. So, I’ll just have to deal with the crazy dreams and hope life settles soon.

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.

I didn’t awake until the zombie horde forced a semi off a bridge next to where I was drinking coffee.

– DANIELLE WILSON

Getting testy over dark chocolate

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

recycle bin. Here’s the feature article’s headline:

Some Trader Joe’s dark chocolate has dangerous levels of lead and cadmium.

HUMOR

My wife read some troubling information in one of her monthly magazines. You might think the source of this bad news was Prevention, where every page is full of things you should not be full of, like red meat, trans fats, cakes and pies. Next thing you know they’ll be telling us to lay off cheese. Or did I miss that issue?

No, this time the messenger was Consumer Reports. As a result of our subscription, over the years we learned we purchased a lemon of a car, an energy inefficient freezer, unsafe snow tires and a dangerous snowblower.

At the back of the magazine, they list what items they are presently testing in their labs. So, there’s a good chance we also bought the wrong toaster, mattress and insect repellants. Last month, they were rating blood pressure monitors, which I really need when reading one of their reports. We’ve learned that we wasted lots of money buying useless vitamins and organic food options. I have trouble sleeping at night because CR rated my pillow choice very low — lower even than MyPillow. I bought a MyPillow years ago, but I returned it. I emailed the owner and told him that sleeping with my head on his product made me lean to the left.

So, what did CR report on that upset my wife? Mary Ellen is a chocolate lover, and the darker, the better. Well, things could not have gotten any darker than last week when the new CR landed in our mailbox, just minutes before she tossed it in our

Say it ain’t so, Joe! That’s where Mary Ellen gets most of her chocolate. She will also occasionally pick up nonessentials like eggs, milk, bread, fresh fruits and vegetables.

For years, my wife’s consumption of chocolate was encouraged by reports that chocolate was good for us — especially the dark variety, which is full of antioxidants. True, it contains some caffeine, but if you can’t sleep, what better way to stay awake than scarfing down a candy bar?

CR tested dark chocolate bars at Trader Joe’s. For some bars, eating just an ounce a day puts someone over a level that CR’s experts say may be harmful. Well, there goes Halloween. Scary, huh?

Mary Ellen wanted to know whether the CR folks had to taste the candy, and if so, were there any openings available for those jobs?

My wife is health conscious and will cut down on her chocolate consumption. She asked if I’d be willing to make some similar sacrifices, based on past CR reports. I’m proud to announce that the vitamin pill I took last Tuesday was the last I will ever take.

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.

We’ve learned that we wasted lots of money buying useless vitamins and organic food options. I have trouble sleeping at night because CR rated my pillow choice very low

DICK WOLFSIE

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

currentnightandday.com

Actress Huffman gets challenged in ‘Bright Half Life’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

It’s only fitting that Kate Huffman helped bring the play “Bright Half Life” to Indianapolis with her deep ties to the Indianapolis area.

Huffman, a 2001 Cathedral High School graduate from Indianapolis, has ties to Hamilton County as well.

Her sister, Molly, recently moved back to Indianapolis from Carmel. Huffman has two cousins living in Carmel and one in Noblesville.

The two-person play, written by Tanya Barfield and directed by Amy Harmon, was staged in Los Angeles with Huffman in 2022. Huffman and South Asian actress Krishna Smitha will return in their roles in the play, which will be presented Feb. 1619 at The District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis.

The play is a love story about interracial gay marriage.

“It’s a simple story that spans decades, and you Rubik’s Cube it up and we’re in our 30s for a page and half, and then 20s for a full scene,” Huffman said. “It’s brilliantly crafted. It lets you feel like you are getting the story of this relationship somewhat in order, even though it’s all over the place.”

Huffman said the play is an incredible challenge for an actress.

“The ability to authentically go back and forth between all those different stages of where you are in your life and relationship (is challenging),” Huffman said. “The first time I read it, (I thought), ‘This is beautiful,’ and ‘Oh, my gosh, this is so challenging to take on.’ I was lucky enough to get casted.”

Huffman said audiences have responded well to the performances.

“It’s been a beautiful journey,” Huffman said. “It’s fun. It’s funny and it’s relatable. It’s devastating. It’s like a dream-like ex-

perience to go through the play the way it’s told. It was written for any woman of color to play Erica’s love interest. The initial script had it for an African American. In the back there are scenes that are written for (a) Latina actress or East Asian actress and a couple others. There wasn’t anything for a South Asian actress, so we got to go back and forth with the playwright a little bit.”

Huffman said The District Theatre General Manager Pauline Moffat reached out to her about bringing the play to Indianapolis.

Huffman had brought her solo show, “I’m Too Fat for This Show,” a comedic look at her eating disorder, to Indy Fringe and The District Theatre previously. She toured with the solo show for several years.

“I told Pauline, ‘I didn’t write this play and don’t own it. If you want to us to come out, we have to work together to get the rights,” she said. “I’m thrilled it’s really happening because I think it’s a cool story for Indianapolis to get to see.”

Huffman said the play is one of the most special productions she has been involved with.

“I’ve had a lot of cool experiences, and at the end of all of them, I’d say that’s my favorite,” she said.

Huffman has a recurring role in the Apple Plus TV show, “Physical,” which stars Rose Byrne. She has been in a variety of TV shows, including “Fresh Off the Boat,” “On the Spectrum,” “Castle” and “$#*! My Dad Says.”

Huffman also is a body positivity coach and speaker in Los Angeles. Sometimes she includes screenings of her show, “I’m Too Fat for This Show.”

“I would do my show again if someone paid me so very much money. It’s a pretty exhausting show,” she said. “I’m grateful I have a recording of it.”

“Bright Half Life” has performances at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16-18 and 4 p.m. Feb. 19. For tickets, visit indydistricttheatre.org. For more, visit katehuffman.com.

‘CLUE’

“Clue” performances run through Feb. 5 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

TAY BRONSON & THE TACKLE BOX

The Live at the Center series features Tay Bronson & the Tackle Box at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets are $5 or register for a free livestream at thecenterpresents.org.

‘GHOST LIGHT CABARET’

Civic Theatre will present ‘Ghost Light Cabaret,” a fundraiser, in performances at 6 and 8:30 p.m. at Feinstein’s Cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

THE MAVERICKS

The Mavericks will perform a concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets are $5 or register for a free livestream at thecenterpresents.org.

SERPENTINE FIRE

Carmel Symphony Orchestra will join with Serpentine Fire, an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band, for a concert at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.

“FAMILY FUN!’

Camel Symphony Orchestra will present “Family Fun!”, an interactive show where children can join the musicians on stage, at 3 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.

Handler, The Wallflowers to perform at Palladium — Comedian and talk host Chelsea Handler and The Wallflowers are the latest additions to the schedule at the Center for the Performing Arts. Each is appearing for the first time at the Palladium. Handler performs at 8 p.m. April 14. The Wallflowers, led by singer-songwriter Jakob Dylan, the son of Bob Dylan, perform at 7:30 p.m. April 26. For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org.

PLAY

Krishna Smitha, left, and Kate Huffman star in “Bright Half Life.” (Photo courtesy of Kate Huffman)

Huffman

ATI feature greatest hits in show

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Actors Theatre of Indiana will draw on its past for its first fundraiser of the year.

FUNDRAISER

“ATI Greatest Hits, Vol. 1” is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the 200seat Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The show will feature ATI co-founders Cynthia Collins, Don Farrell and Judy Fitzgerald, along with other area performers.

“We will have our own solos from past productions, such as ‘Cabaret,’ ‘La Cage aux Folles,’ ‘Gypsy,’ and as co-founders, we will open the show together with a number,” Collins said.

Collins said she looks forward to performing “Nowadays” from “Chicago” with Holly Stults.

Farrell said he is eager to revisit some of his favorite shows in ATI’s history.

“For me, personally, it will be nice to reprise some songs from ‘Sweeney Todd’ and ‘La Cage aux Folles,’” Farrell said. “(It will be nice) seeing some other of my favorite actors reprise roles in shows such as ‘A Year With

Frog and Toad’ (and) ‘25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.’ Just so many great hits will be brought back that evening.”

Magician Jon Mobley will perform his “Sleight of Mind” show at 2 p.m. Feb.11 at the Studio Theater for another fundraiser.

“I personally saw Jon at another event and was frankly spellbound by him,” Farrell said.

In the final February fundraiser, Farrell will perform songs from Barry Manilow’s show, “One Voice: The Music of Manilow” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Studio Theater.

For tickets, visit atistage.org.

Nunziata, Wray to share stage

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

director Michael Orland works with Wray. Nunziata and Wray have talked over the phone but have not yet met in person.

“This is such a huge opportunity for me, and I am genuinely so excited,” Wray said.

MUSIC

Singer/Songwriter Anthony Nunziata has become a regular visitor to Carmel. Nunziata will make his fourth engagement in 16 months at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael.

“The community of Carmel has embraced me and my music with such open arms and hearts,” said Nunziata, who is based in Nashville, Tenn. “It has quickly become one of my favorite cities to play in and I look forward to coming back frequently.”

Nunziata will be joined by special guest Amelia Wray, a 17-year-old singer and actress.

“Amelia is a huge talent and I’m excited for her to share her talents with her hometown audiences of Carmel,” Nunziata said. “(We’ll perform) a classic song, an original and a surprise duet we will be debuting just for the Carmel audience.”

Nunziata’s friend and sometimes musical

“Performing is my favorite thing in the world, and I cannot wait to do it with Anthony. It’s not only going to be an amazing experience for all, but it’s going to be full of music and good food.”

Wray will play her new single, “Disappear,” a classic song by Elton John, and a duet with Nunziata. Wray, who played a recurring character on Disney Channel’s “Sydney to the Max,” released “Disappear” on streaming platforms in November 2022. She wrote the song with Orland and Bill Grainer.

“It’s an empowering song I wrote from a personal experience of mine that discusses heartbreak and healing from it,” Wray said. “It’s such a special song and I hope everyone who hears it loves it.”

For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

A PLAY BY Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett

BASED UPON “Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl”

NEWLY ADAPTED BY Wendy Kesselman

Nunziata Wray

From left, Judy Fitzgerald, Don Farrell and Cynthia Collins are Actors Theatre of Indiana co-founders. (Photo courtesy of ATI)

‘The Son’ is powerful filmmaking

Commentary by Julieanna Childs

“The Son” is a heart-wrenching dive into mental health and the struggles of parenting.

drowning child, his burden of fault and his desperation to protect his son -- all the things the parenting books don’t teach us.

‘THE SON’

Writer-director Florian Zeller (“The Father”) takes a powerful look into mental health, divorce and parenting through a teen’s struggle with depression and the parents who are helpless to rescue him.

One day, Peter (Hugh Jackman) is interrupted when his ex-wife, Kate (Laura Dern), shows up with news that their teenage son is deeply troubled. Nicholas (Zen McGrath) is despondent, withdrawn from life, skipping school and lying to his parents. He’s frustrated and can’t escape the pain he bears every day. Hoping to change his mental state, he moves in with his father.

The story centers on Peter as he struggles to manage his dream job, his new wife, Beth (Vanessa Kirby), and their baby while adjusting to more time with Nicholas. The film explores the guilt and shame Peter carries amid not knowing how to save his

In one of the film’s more revealing scenes, Peter visits his father (Anthony Hopkins) to check on his health. The two are estranged. His father is callous in their exchange and unapologetic for prioritizing work above his family.

Jackman gives one of his best on-screen performances as a father fighting to save his son. Dern is equally emotional as she teeters between reminiscing over happier times and the difficult decision to protect their son.

A happy tale of rainbows and butterflies, it is not. Instead, “The Son” confronts the sins of a father’s past and grants the audience a few sunbeams between the moments of distress.

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

BEHIND BARS: SIGNATURE MARGARITA

The Signature Margarita mixed by St. Elmo bartender, Kiya. This drink features Hiatus blanco, Grand Marnier, and lime, served over crushed ice.

To see a video of this drink being mixed, scan this QR code.

(Photo courtesy of Huse Culinary)

Blueprint for Improvement: Warm and welcoming Carmel kitchen

After

Built in Carmel’s Eden Estates neighborhood in 1980, the home’s owners were looking to improve the kitchen’s functionality and update the room’s style — without losing the room’s warm and inviting character.

THE BLUEPRINT

• The fridge and double ovens once dominated the space, interrupting the room’s flow. Relocating the appliances increased the amount of counterspace, improving the kitchen’s functionality and aesthetic.

• Glass, stone and ceramic mosaic tile behind the range creates a beautiful focal point that unifies the room’s color palette.

• Removing the soffits provided ample room for taller cabinets, creating the illusion of a higher ceiling while increasing the kitchen’s storage space.

• Organizational additions — including a pull-out spice rack, cantilevered drawer organizers and a knife block drawer — ensure everything has its place.

Before

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

Commentary by Larry Greene

Modifiers are misplaced words

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

I didn’t wear glasses until I was 19. As an up-and-coming visionary word nerd, I had never thought I needed corrective lenses. Of course, I always fancied monocles, although I didn’t know how to keep one in place.

sentence in one of two ways. We don’t know if “often” modifies “karate-chopping” or “causes injury.” To correct this, we need to move “often” so it is clear which phrase it is affecting.

GRAMMAR GUY

As it turned out, I was near-sighted. I learned this by attending a large lecture hall-format class in college. I found myself squinting to see the professor’s handwritten notes scrawled on the chalkboard.

I began to get headaches from the eyestrain. Soon enough, I went to an optometrist and got my first prescription glasses. Now, I look 17 percent smarter!

You knew a grammar tie-in was coming, and here it is: The headache caused by a squinting modifier. Yes, squinting (or ambiguous, as they’re sometimes called) modifiers are misplaced words or phrases that are placed in a sentence so that they could refer to one or two parts of a sentence.

Here’s an example: Karate-chopping often causes injury. Due to the placement of the modifier “often,” we can interpret this

Byron told a stranger at the bus stop eventually the moon would shrink to the size of a walnut. In this example, does “eventually” modify “told” or “would shrink”? Did Byron wait until the stranger at the bus stop was walking onto the bus? Either way, I’d be suspicious.

Gluten-free creperies are open on Leap Day only in the village of Coubisou. Now, for those of you who don’t know French towns, Regardless, the placement of “only” in the above sentence makes you wonder: Are the specialty creperies only open on Leap Day, or are they only open in Coubisou?

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

A brief tour of Nazareth

Commentary by Don Knebel

As we continue our tour through Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we come to Nazareth, where Jesus lived before he established his ministry around Capernaum.

TRAVEL

Nazareth is about 25 miles southwest of Capernaum. At the time of Jesus, it was so small that it did appear on any maps. The road from Nazareth to Capernaum wound through the Arbel Pass and ended at the village of Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene, an early follower of Jesus. The caves above the Arbel Pass, where people had lived for thousands of years, were the site of a failed Jewish revolt against Roman rule in 40 B.C.

Today, Nazareth is the largest city in northern Israel, with a population of more than 75,000. Each year on March 25, nine months before Christmas, thousands of pilgrims come to Nazareth to remember the Annunciation, the time most Christians believe the angel Gabriel revealed to Mary she would conceive the Son of God.

Roman Catholics head for the Franciscan Basilica of the Annunciation, the largest church in the Middle East, built over a cave claimed to have been Mary’s home, with stairs leading to a room claimed to be Mary’s kitchen. A column is said to mark the spot where the archangel Gabriel stood while making his announcement. Greek Orthodox visitors go instead to the smaller Church of St. Gabriel, which lies over an ancient spring, also claimed to be where Gabriel appeared to Mary.

Travelers to Nazareth can stop at the Arbel Pass and see the caves where Jewish

rebels held out before being thrown to their deaths by Roman soldiers. An ancient well still stands beside the road that Jesus probably took to Capernaum when residents of his hometown rejected him. Many sites in Israel claim to allow people to “walk in the footsteps of Jesus.” The Arbel Pass really does.

Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. (Photos by Don Knebel)

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

A cave under the Church of the Annunciation.

Arbel Pass near Nazareth.

Speech Pathology Services is looking to hire a part-time business manager for a small pediatric private practice located in Carmel. If interested, please contact: info@spscarmel.com

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, goodnatured 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