Experience the arts in Hamilton County. View a wide variety of creative and free public art throughout the county. Immerse your inner artist in art classes, u-paint shops and festivals. Plus, sing along to your favorite songs with live music—from free to famous. With three recognized state cultural districts, no matter where you go in Hamilton County, experience the arts.
Start exploring at VisitHamiltonCounty.com/Art.
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Lawrence Mayor Steve Collier filed a petition March 23 with the Marion County Superior Court over the Lawrence Common Council’s decision to appropriate $250,000 to investigate who was at fault when the city’s 2022 budget was not submitted to the state by deadline.
stated. “It appears that because of that decision, the citizens of Lawrence were taxed at a rate that was 12 percent higher than what the council had approved, and the mayor received $1.5 million more in taxpayer funds.”
The petition asks the court to declare the appropriation null and void, based on state statutes that say an appropriation cannot be made without the mayor’s recommendation. Collier’s petition also asks the court to rule that the council was at fault for the 2022 budget issue, because it failed to provide the details needed for that budget to be submitted on time.
Lawrence Common Council President Tyrrell Giles issued a statement in response to the mayor’s petition. In it, Giles said he was disappointed that the mayor chose to file a lawsuit rather than work with the council to complete the investigation.
“Initial information indicates that in November of 2021, the mayor and the controller ignored the council’s adopted budget and tax rate and chose to not upload budget forms to the State of Indiana,” Giles
The statement did not address the mayor’s claim that the appropriation did not follow the process required by state law.
The mayor’s petition names all the council members, but not all of them voted in favor of the investigation funds. Democrat Rick Wells was among those who opposed that appropriation, along with Republican Tom Shevlot.
“The mayor’s action to stop this ‘investigation’ is warranted,” Shevlot said in response to a request for comment. “The taxpayers are asked to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to investigate a budget they cut without providing the line-item details of where the cuts were to be made.”
The 2022 budget normally would have been submitted to the state in fall of 2021. According to the mayor’s petition, Collier’s office submitted a proposed budget in September of that year totaling $27.8 million. The council chose to reduce that budget by several million dollars. The mayor’s office did not support those cuts, and therefore let the council know that it must provide
the details about where those cuts should be made.
There was some back and forth, with various amendments and additional budget cuts by the council. According to the petition, the final budget ordinance that passed in late October did not include the specific line-item details that are required to be able to submit it to the state. The mayor’s petition says that his office did tell the council and the council’s financial advisors that if it did not have that information, the 2022 budget would not be submitted and the city’s budget would revert to the 2021 budget.
The reversion meant that the spending plan for 2022 matched that of 2021, totaling $25.7 million. The mayor’s petition notes that the council’s financial advisor gave a presentation to the council in May of 2022, and the mayor’s office held budget workshops over the summer. Collier’s petition states that each of those events included information about the reversion,
In his statement, Giles said the council did not know about the reversion until November of 2022, which is when the council decided to start an investigation into the matter.
According to the state courts’ online database, Collier’s petition has been assigned to a five-judge panel. The council has 30 days to answer the petition.
Spring fever is apparent at the Indianapolis Public Library Lawrence Branch.
had a good turnout of volunteers to help pack seeds, said Jill Edwards, adult program specialist for Indianapolis Public Library. The library plans for at least 100 packets of each of the 32 core seed types, Edwards said.
Each spring since 2021, following a renovation project, the branch has participated in the seed library service. The program, available at 20 Indianapolis Public Library branches, allows library patrons, with or without a card, to “check out” (with no return required) packets of seeds for flowers, herbs and vegetables from March through September. Participants also can utilize the library’s resources — books, online programs and workshops — for gardening tips.
The seed program has been popular among Lawrence library patrons, said branch manager Rhonda Oliver.
“It seems this year, library visitors have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the packets,” Oliver said. “The requests and questions about the seed library began in January and continued as seed packets began arriving mid-March.”
Planning for the program began well ahead of planting weather. The Lawrence Branch
The most popular seeds so far this spring at the Lawrence Branch have been zinnias, Oliver said. Milkweed and coneflower were most in demand last year. Participants are limited to 25 seed packets per household.
Oliver said programs like the seed library are important because they are part of the library’s mission of enhancing and encouraging lifelong learning. The program also sows the seeds of other benefits.
“It stimulates interaction between the library and community members,” Oliver said. “Gardening is a pastime that encourages people to spend time outdoors in nature, which has been shown to improve mood and physical health. It also may encourage people to explore more nutritious eating behaviors by learning more about the food cycle.”
The seed library in Lawrence is in the main part of the library near the information desk and public computers. The branch is at 7898 Hague Rd. For more, visit indypl.org/seeds.
Fishers High School junior pitcher/ outfielder Jack Brown’s goal for the baseball season is single-minded.
“The goal for this season is to win as many games as we can,” Brown said. “Every person on this team wants to be celebrating on Victory Field at the end of the year.”
Fishers lost to Jasper in the 2021 IHSAA Class 4A state championship baseball game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
“Losing in 2021 was definitely tough, but the loss in the sectional championship in ’22 was more motivating,” Brown said. “Last year’s loss left a very bad taste in our mouth.”
At the plate, Brown hit .429 with 29 runs batted in last season. On the mound, he had a 5-2 record with a 2.89 ERA.
Through the first five games this season, Brown was hitting .538 and had a 1-0 record
Favorite athlete: Gerrit Cole
Favorite subject: Oceanography
Favorite movie: “End of Watch”
Favorite musician: Lana Del Rey
with a 2.33 ERA.
Fishers coach Matthew Cherry said Brown gets better each year.
“He is obviously a very gifted and talented young man,” Cherry said. “He came in as a freshman already physically strong and ready to compete at a high level. Jack has a high baseball IQ and is very self-aware about his strengths and weaknesses and
about his own throwing and swing mechanics. Jack has really grown into a baseball player who can make adjustments to his swing and throwing mechanics at any point in the offseason, during the season, in the middle of a game, etc.
“He has always been a hitter who doesn’t
try to do too much. He stays true to himself and hits line drives all over the field and allows extra-base hits to just happen.”
Brown said his biggest improvement has been becoming a better all-around baseball player.
“I made time to be a better pitcher, better hitter and I’ve gotten faster,” Brown said. “I love being a two-way player because I’m on the field every day. I like having an impact on the game in multiple ways, every time we play.”
Cherry said Brown has also grown as a leader.
“He is very comfortable with who he is and has started to emerge as more of a vocal leader,” Cherry said. “His leadership is not so much of a ‘rah-rah’ kind of leadership as much as talking 1-on-1 with his teammates about their grips on their pitches or some tweaks guys could make in their swings. Jack does a good job of talking 1-on1 with his teammates, and together they’ve continued to learn and grow as players.”
Brown committed to the University of Louisville in the fall of 2021.
“Louisville checked all the boxes I was looking for in a place to go,” Brown said.
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The City of Lawrence is spearheading a new Community Champions program to support nonprofit organizations that provide vital services to residents.
Cori Korn is chief of staff for the mayor’s office. She said this is something she’s been working on for about a year with Cindy Corbett, Lawrence Lions Club secretary and the visual impairment specialist for the MSD of Lawrence Township; and Dave Humes, a community activist involved with numerous nonprofit groups.
Nonprofit collaboration and mutual support are a couple of big goals for the program, Korn said. And the city will provide help as well, including facilitating meetings and creating a page on the city’s website that’s dedicated to nonprofit resources.
“It’s going to be one place where you can use a filter and say here’s my need and the nonprofits will be listed,” Korn said. “Really, it’s about bringing the vision that Lawrence is a community where neighbors work together for the success of all.”
For the webpage, each nonprofit can submit a logo and a 200-word description of what it offers, and a link that takes a resident directly to that nonprofit organization’s website.
To kickstart the new Community Champions program, the City of Lawrence is hosting a meeting from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 26 at Jenn Park. Mayor Steve Collier will give
a welcome and share the vision of the program, Korn said, and then “it’s kind of like a speed-dating.”
Representatives from nonprofits will be put into groups for breakout sessions to talk about how they want to move forward with the collaborative process. Korn said they’ll put groups together by size, then by mission, and then in random pairings to generate as many ideas as possible.
“As they’re talking, we want to get how they can help each other be successful,” she said, “It’s truly about creating that network of support for each other to meet the needs of our community.”
Korn said any nonprofit that offers services in Lawrence is welcome to attend. She said the plan is to have two meetings a year to keep up the collaborative momentum and look for ways to make the program better.
The steering committee for the new initiative includes Community Health Network, IndyGo, Jane Pauley Health Center, Kiwanis Club, City of Lawrence, Lawrence Lions Club, Lawrence Small Claims Eviction Diversion Initiative, MSD of Lawrence Township and the North Shadeland Alliance.
– The 19th annual Women of Vision luncheon will be held April 27 at the Ritz Charles in Carmel. Without Borders Boutique, Bash Boutique and Carolyn’s Corner Gift Shop will be in attendance to showcase their new spring clothing lines. Shopping begins at 10:30 a.m. with lunch and the program following at 11:30 a.m. featuring motivational speaker and comedian Amy Dee. Proceeds from the event benefit women and children served at Riverview Health. Register by visiting donate. riverview.org/23WomenofVision.
— Registered voters now can vote early for the May 2 primary election. Voters throughout
Marion County can cast their ballots early at the Indianapolis City-County Building through May 1. Additional early voting satellite locations open April 22–April 30. In Lawrence Township, the satellite early voting location will be the MSD Lawrence Education and Community Center, 6501 Sunnyside Road. It will be open for voting on weekends and weekdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is midnight on April 20. The form can be submitted electronically at indianavoters.com. Voters also can call 317-776-8476 and request an application over the phone. All mailed-in and dropped-off absentee ballots must be received by the Elections Office on or before 6 p.m. on Election Day.
Volunteers help with the 2022 shred-it day in Lawrence. (Photo courtesy the City of Lawrence)
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The City of Lawrence is planning its annual shred-it and electronic recycling day, set for April 22. Lawrence Police Dept. Chief Gary Woodruff said the event is hosted by the police department and Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana.
CLEANUP
“We will be doing electronic recycling, paper shredding, (and) prescription drug drop off, where we take in unused or un-
needed prescription medications, to make sure they are disposed of properly,” Woodruff stated. “This is all a crime-prevention effort to help protect people’s identities and have a safe disposal method for each of those items.”
There is a requested donation of $5 per shredding box, and a $20 fee for television and computer monitors. Proceeds will benefit Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana. There is no fee for medication disposal.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 22 at Belzer Middle School.
Nickel Plate Arts will celebrate the return of spring, creativity and youthful adventurers with its annual Welcome to Fairyville event throughout April. Welcome to Fairyville will feature crafts and activities for all ages and will be on the Nickel Plate Arts campus in Noblesville, 107 S. 8th St. Most events are free to attend or participate.
ture-themed activities, officials said. In addition to the scheduled events that will take place throughout downtown Noblesville, participants will also can enjoy walk-in and take-home projects through local arts partners.
ARTS
“Welcome to Fairyville is our most joyous celebration of the year, a time when we celebrate the return of spring, the endless creativity of our community, and the youthful adventurer inside our own hearts,” Nickel Plate Arts Director Ailithir McGill said. “The magic of Fairyville is that it brings out the kid in all of us and inspires wonder and curiosity that help us see beautiful downtown Noblesville in a whole new way.”
The event is centered on Earth Day and places a heavy emphasis on outdoor, na-
McGill said the event is a fun celebration that promotes the mission of Earth Day while also supporting local businesses and artists.
“My team looks forward to Fairyville every year because it gives us an extra outlet for all sorts of creativity. From identifying the best ways to include dozens of different artists and merchants, to figuring out how to build a giant salamander puppet, this program is a wonderful challenge,” McGill said. “We, along with the more than two dozen businesses and organizations who team up to bring Fairyville to the community, look forward to welcoming everyone to the Fairyville Trail.”
For more, visit nickelplatearts.org/ fairyville/.
Duke Energy customers will see their electric bills drop starting this month after a rate decrease was approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
The utility company had filed a request to drop rates nearly 16 percent with the IURC in early March, which was approved by that agency March 29. For residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month, the decrease reflects a drop of $26 a month.
The latest rate decrease, which will continue through June, follows a 5 percent drop in rates that went into effect in January. Duke Energy officials said customer electric bills were higher in 2022 primarily because of soaring fuel costs that affected the cost of power utilities produced as well as what they purchased on the energy markets.
In addition, officials pointed to volatility in the energy markets worldwide to labor shortages at railroads that delivered fuel that caused fuel costs to increase.
“Fuel and purchased power can account for as much as 25 to 45 percent of an average residential customer’s bill, so when the markets are volatile, it can have a big impact on energy bills,” Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar stated. “We’re starting to see costs stabilize, and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has approved our request to pass those savings along to customers.”
Utilities adjust prices based on fluctuating fuel costs four times a year, which must be reviewed and approved by state utility regulators, officials said.
“Fuel rate adjustments are not permanent; fuel costs rise and fall, and utilities pass those costs to our customers with no profit, so customers pay what their utility provider pays,” Duke Energy said in a statement. “Duke Energy’s priority is to purchase fuel at the best possible price, through steps such as long-term contracts and using a diversity of suppliers.”
Mission Possible — Assistance League of Indianapolis will present its Mission Possible fundraiser on April 22 at the Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St. in Indianapolis. Learn more at alindy.org/mission-possible.html.
During the 2022 general election, the Hamilton County Election Board received 15 complaints of alleged voting improprieties.
That’s far more than typical, said Kathy Kreag Williams, Hamilton County clerk and the secretary to the election board. Previous election cycles would see one or two complaints, she said, perhaps more in a presidential election year.
The county election board had been considering formalizing its complaints process before the uptick, which Williams attributed to interest in local school board races that included several first-time candidates. The increase in allegations prompted the board to act to create the form.
“This is just standardizing the process to make sure we get the information we need to proceed with their complaint in an efficient manner,” Williams said.
The Election Board Grievance Form is available at bit.ly/3GljBWp. The form also can be mailed or emailed upon request by contacting the clerk’s office at 317-776-9629.
The process is as follows:
• Once a grievance form is submitted, the complainant is contacted by email, and the complaint is forward to the election board members.
• The complaint is presented at the next election board meeting after the filing. The board meets on an as-needed basis, and on election days (this year’s primary is on May 2, with the general election Nov. 7) and 10 days after the elections for provisional ballot review.
• Both parties would be notified of the allegations coming before the election board and would be expected to attend the next meeting to answer questions regarding the complaint. The board would decide if grievances are valid and if any action is required.
Because the form was introduced after last fall’s election, the process hasn’t yet been tested. If forms are filed about this year’s primary and general election, the hope is they streamline dealing with allegations. The new process isn’t expected to result in a decrease in complaints, Williams said.
news@currentinfishers.com
Among the 29 Indiana artists chosen for the 2023 Hoosier Women Artists awards are Frances Ruiz of Fishers and Madhuchhanda Mandal of Carmel. The awards were announced March 29 by Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Arts Commission. The winning art pieces were among 230 submitted this year and will be displayed in Crouch’s office, and the offices of First Lady Janet Holcomb, Indiana Auditor Tera Klutz, Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner and Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush.
role in highlighting women artists by showcasing their artwork in my own office year after year.”
ART
The artwork chosen includes paintings, photography, digital art, paper quilling and multimedia. Crouch’s office will display 18 of the chosen pieces.
“It is amazing to annually honor many of the state’s outstanding female artists,” Crouch stated. “I am very proud to play a
Ruiz’s painting of a woman dancing is called “Bailando Bomba de Roche,” which means “Dancing Bomba in the Evening.” It was among those chosen for Crouch’s office. Mandal’s painting is called “The Faceless Entertainer,” and depicts a woman dancing in traditional Indian clothing. Mandal’s piece will be displayed in Rush’s office.
“It is a privilege to recognize the creativity of Hoosier women artists,” Rush stated.
“I am proud to be a part of the initiative and display their work in my chambers.”
The Hoosier Women Artists program started in 2008, according to the announcement. Any artists living in Indiana who identifies as female can submit one piece to the program annually. This year, submissions were due by early February.
500 Festival seeks volunteers — The 500 Festival is seeking volunteers for to assist with more than 100 areas of volunteer opportunities throughout the month of May. More than 7,000 positions are available. Volunteer positions include handing out participant packets at the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Expo; distributing snacks and beverages along the course and at runner services for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K; hosting fourth-grade class study trips at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of the 500 Festival & Indianapolis 500 Education program; and escorting marching bands or greeting spectators and helping them find their seats as an usher for the AES 500 Festival Parade. Volunteers receive two tickets to Indy 500 qualifications, a volunteer T-shirt, a collector’s pin and an invitation to the 500 Festival’s Volunteer Appreciation Day hosted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway May 23. For more, visit 500Festival.com/Volunteer.
J.R. Sandadi of Carmel left the corporate world several years ago to focus on volunteer service. His efforts have included running marathons to raise money for charity and serving as a board member of the Carmel Interfaith Alliance.
How do you motivate yourself to keep going on marathon training runs or races?
Having a meaningful purpose for each marathon. For example, running to support a particular cause or charity can provide extra motivation to train harder and perform better during the race. Whatever the cause, having a purpose beyond personal goals can provide a sense of fulfillment and help to stay committed to training and performing at one’s best.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Never stop learning. My dad always used to say, life is a journey of continuous learning and growth. Stay curious, explore new things and embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and improve.
What is your dream vacation?
Banff and Jasper National Parks with serene lakes, stunning trails and abundant wildlife is a favorite vacation of mine. A close second is Iceland, a place of magically haunting beauty that mesmerized
me with its stark landscapes and surreal natural wonders, with cascading waterfalls, vast glaciers and mesmerizing Northern Lights.
What food do you most dislike?
Cabbage. Enough said. If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Healing powers. The ability to heal others would be a valuable superpower for situations where people are suffering from physical or emotional pain. Do you have a hidden talent?
I have a passion for cooking, particularly when it comes to fusing Eastern and Western culinary traditions. I enjoy experimenting with different ingredients and techniques to create unique and flavorful dishes.
What do you do when you’re creatively stuck?
I find that going for a run is incredibly helpful when I’m experiencing a creative rut. The meditative and transformative nature of running allows me to clear my mind and approach problems with a fresh perspective.
Is there a book that you recommend to everyone?
As an enthusiastic reader, I enjoy exploring various
genres, but being a practicing Hindu, I find that the Bhagavad
Gita offers a comprehensive guide to life philosophy. Recently, I completed reading “Invisible Child” by Andrea Elliot. Through her poignant storytelling, Elliot sheds light on the struggles of homeless families and the shortcomings of the social welfare system. Do you have a favorite podcast? If so, what is it?
As a history enthusiast, I thoroughly enjoy tuning into “The Thread” podcast. One particular episode that captured my attention traces the origins of nonviolence (ahimsa) and its spread across continents, beginning with the life and work of Dr. (Marting Luther) King. The podcast traces back to how Dr. King was influenced by Gandhi and Bayard Rustin, who was King’s mentor and instrumental in organizing the march on Washington.
What is your favorite meal in town?
We enjoy dining at Divvy because of its fusion menu. Blue Sake Grill is a close second. Love their Sushi.
What is your go-to song to get pumped up?
One of my all-time favorite songs to get pumped up is “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.
At the Lawrence Theater at the Fort stage, a group of mostly women gathers regularly to practice their dance moves, have fun and maybe learn something new at a free drop-in Urban Line Dance class.
Urban line dancing has been around for more than 60 years, but instructor Deitra Mayfield got her start a little more than 20 years ago. She and some friends had been going to clubs to dance informally and got noticed. They were invited to a dance gathering called United We Dance. The friends then decided to form their own group in 2004 — Triple Take Productions — and started learning different dances.
“We learned the line dances by attending other classes,” Mayfield said. “There wasn’t too much YouTube at the time. Now, it’s all over YouTube. But at that time, you almost had to appear in person to somebody’s class.”
Over time, they learned many different dances and met a lot of people in the line dance world from all across the United States.
“Just about every state you go to has a line dance class,” Mayfield said. “Currently, here in Indianapolis, there are like four or five major groups that you can learn line dancing from. But then there are also some individuals that just teach line dancing.”
Mayfield is one of those individual teachers. She’s been offering the Lawrence-based class for a couple years and said she has a few regulars. Others drop in when they can.
“It changes every week, really,” she said. “You know, sometimes, I’ll be thinking I’m the only one that’s going to show up. Other times I come in and I’m just amazed, ‘Where did you all people come from?’ Because we are utilizing every crook and cranny of the stage at that point.”
A recent class was on one of the busy nights, with about two dozen people on stage following along as Mayfield led them through different dances. She starts out with simple dances and builds the group up to more complex steps.
The class lasts two hours, but people come and go as their schedules allow.
Janice Gardner is one of Mayfield’s regular dancers. At 71, she said she still loves to dance, but the biggest reason she shows up is the teacher.
“This lady right here,” Gardner said, pointing to Mayfield. “This is the best thing going, right here.”
Gardner said she likes to dance whenever she has an opportunity, because it’s fun and good exercise.
Mayfield knows a lot of different line dances and has even choreographed some original dances.
“My dances kind of like stayed locally here. But at some event out in Las Vegas that I did not attend, one of my dances was taught,” she said, “It got back to me that they had taught my dance out there. So, there’s a few people
that, as far as the West Coast, the East Coast, North Carolina, I know are teaching this dance that I made up.”
That dance is to the John Legend song “Penthouse,” and a video of it can easily be found on YouTube by searching for “Penthouse line dance.”
As more dancers show up, the class starts and everyone finds a spot on the theater stage. Mayfield turns on the speaker and starts the first song. There’s not a lot of detailed instruction as they start moving, but the steps are repetitious. After a few minutes, it would be easy to follow along even for a beginner.
Mayfield said not everyone catches on quickly, but it’s
still fun.
“I have one lady and I’m so proud of her because, you know, she doesn’t necessarily catch on to the steps right away, but she’s been consistent in coming and just moving,” she said. “I love that she has stuck it out.”
Because Mayfield’s class shares the theater stage with other productions and events, it doesn’t have a consistent schedule. To find out when classes will take place, visit artsforlawrence.org and click on “events.”
Mayfield’s Urban Line Dancing class is free and registration isn’t required. Donations are accepted.
According to the Urban Line Dance History website, this version of line dancing can be traced back to the late 1950s and early 1960s, with the rise of The Madison.
Dave Bush Jr. was the “godfather” of urban line dancing and created many different dances in his 66 years. Bush was born in 1947 and died in 2013. Some of the dances he choreographed were “Bus Stop,” “Silky Smooth,” “Chesterfunk” and “Running Man.”
Some popular line dances through the years are the Hustle, YMCA and the Electric Slide.
Tobacco and vaping use among youth has risen in recent years. A Hamilton County organization is working to halt and reverse that trend, with the help of high school students.
Katie Jensen is executive director of Breathe Easy Hamilton County. She said a handful of high school seniors recently visited Fishers Junior High to talk about the dangers of tobacco.
The seniors were Nicole Liu and Maddie Stuckwisczh from Noblesville High School, and Suhita Chintalacharuva,and Terryn Green from Hamilton Southeastern High School. They talked to seven groups of seventh- and eighth-graders, sharing health information and personal anecdotes.
Liu talked about her grandfather’s struggle with tobacco.
“My grandpa had been a smoker for his entire life, and even though he would always try to quit, he couldn’t,” Liu told the younger kids. “It was devastating for my family, and he passed away from lung cancer due to using these addictive products. The tobacco industry killed my grandpa and kills thousands more every year.”
Chintalacharuva was pleased with how well the middle schoolers listened.
“I was so surprised and excited about how receptive the kids were to our presentation. They seemed very engaged and were always jumping to answer questions,” she said.
“It really showed that a lot of kids don’t think vaping and smoking is cool and are willing to learn about this issue.”
Jensen said the younger grades are always much more engaged when older kids are the ones giving a presentation.
“When we take the high school kids with us, and they
get up there, these kids are mesmerized,” she said, adding that they survey teachers and students after each presentation. “Repeatedly, their favorite part is hearing from high schoolers.”
Jensen said tobacco and vaping use generally starts around seventh and eighth grade. They offer prevention education programs for fifth- and sixth-graders. For the middle-schoolers, she said, they try to offer strategies for saying no.
“The strategy that’s the most successful is the one that feels natural,” Jensen said, noting that the strategies can be used if they’re presented with any situation where they feel uncomfortable. “We ask every student to come up with what they would do. We want every kid to leave our training knowing what they would do (if offered tobacco or vaping products).”
Prevention is the first goal, and helping youth to quit once they start is the second. Jensen said kids need help to stop just as much as adults, and more schools are moving away from suspension for breaking tobacco and vaping rules. Addiction treatment, education and resources are replacing that punitive response.
Jensen said the Breathe Easy Hamilton County program started small last year, and hopes to grow with time.
The youth education program is part of the statewide VOICE program, and Breathe Easy Hamilton County is part of the Good Samaritan Network. For more, visit breatheeasyhamiltoncounty.com.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Cannabis is now legal either for medical or recreational purposes in all four states bordering Indiana, and while there have been attempts to change Hoosier law related to cannabis use, those efforts have yet to gain traction.
A couple of Fishers business owners hope that public support for cannabis legalization can change lawmakers’ minds.
Katy Wiley and Scott Moorehead operate Stash Ventures, which owns cannabis businesses in Michigan. They do some administrative work in Fishers, but the product side of the operation is kept completely out of state.
Moorehead said his family ties to Indiana run deep.
“My family has been business owners in Indiana since the 1930s,” he said, noting one of the firms is the wireless services company Round Room, which is headquartered in Fishers.
Wiley said that while Stash has been successful in Michigan, they want to bring that economic success to Indiana, as well. She said they have worked with state lawmakers and were able to get sponsors in 2022 and this year for bills that would decriminalize cannabis. However, those bills were not picked up for a formal hearing.
Wiley said most Indiana residents favor legalization.
“There is good data that in the state (showing) constituents want legalized cannabis,” she said. “So, we’re trying to educate all the legislators.”
Wiley said a public campaign encouraging voters to advocate with lawmakers is a next step. Moorhead said he’d like people to do that even if they oppose legalization.
“No matter what your opinion is, contacting your representative and stating your opinion to have the discussion would be fantastic,” he said.
There has been some movement toward federal decriminalization of cannabis. However, Moorhead said it would benefit the state economically to legalize it before the feds.
“Today, because of the federal laws, if a state does choose to legalize cannabis in some way, that product has to be grown, processed, produced (in the state),” he said.
“So it creates an entire infrastructure — jobs in farming, biology, chemistry, testing, regulation. That infrastructure is important to get set up ahead of federal legalization because once that happens, crossing state lines becomes an opportunity.”
Established businesses in neighboring states that already have that infrastructure would be able to take advantage of interstate commerce. Moorhead said Indiana would miss out on high-paying jobs that go with the cannabis industry.
“What you’re left with is retail,” he said. “You’ll have missed out on the opportunity to do the things that Hoosiers are really, really good at.”
Wiley added that legalizing cannabis provides an opportunity for the state to regulate it, and to learn from mistakes other states have made through the legalization process. She said that as a parent, she wants to make sure cannabis is properly regulated. But that can’t happen until it’s been legalized.
“By not acting, we’re behaving as though cannabis isn’t in the state,” she said. “It very much is.”
Indiana’s state government is controlled by Republican lawmakers. An email to the state GOP asking for comment regarding cannabis legalization was not answered. The governor’s press secretary responded to a request for comment with a short message stating, “If the governor releases a statement regarding this topic I will let you know.”
Commentary by Terry Anker
Most of us find our inboxes filled every day with offers, newsletters, promises and threats, nearly always unsolicited, from folks we’ve not heard of and don’t know. “The nation’s leading dietician recommends this tree bark to melt fat,” shouts the headline. Maybe, but probably not. Regardless, we find ourselves confronted with claims to be sorted. This week, a dear friend, unknown until now, named Hadley, urged reading of her recent study that discovered that 1 in 3 good Hoosier workers fear that artificial intelligence, or AI, will take their jobs. While Hadley insinuates that the closeness of our imagined friendship is all that is required to establish her expertise, a reasonable person might question the veracity of her findings.
Still, AI is worthy of further consideration. While it is likely premature to prepare “Terminator” movie-style for the coming hordes of occupying machines, we can see clearly that many of the mundane human tasks of a generation ago have already been supplanted by “smart” devices. Automobiles do
not require tuning, and long-distance telephone calls occur without the intervention of an operator. Good. Rather than lament the emerging technology as cataclysmic, is there a path to its use that benefits those of us who might be replaced? Could this column have been written by a smart bot? Probably, and some will assert that it would be better. Would it follow then that some AI “writer” might build a following and celebrity? Would we send letters of praise and criticism? Or would we recognize that arguing with an algorithm is unlikely to advance humankind?
If so, does the human element remain essential? Can AI, with all the data in the known universe, come to “feel”? Will it know fear, hope, longing, pride or envy? Will it teach us how to swim yet never touch the water?
Friends, most of you know that I am not a night person, nor even really an evening one. My ideal dinner time is 5 p.m., with bed around 8 p.m. If I can’t adhere to this schedule, let’s just say I degrade rapidly. And if sleep deprivation is already in the house, well, god help you all.
I’m trying to calm my panic and figure out a polite way to bail. Should I tell the truth and leave? Is that rude? Should I suck it up and persevere? It’s her birthday! Ugh. Oh, lord, what if they want dessert?
Such was the case recently when I headed over to a fancy steak restaurant with my sisters-in-law to celebrate one of their milestone birthdays. I’d slept terribly and was running on cheese sticks and willpower when I showed up for the 6:30 reservation. We had to wait another 20 minutes to be seated before receiving notably slow service and didn’t place our orders until 7:30. Seven. Freaking. Thirty. Can you feel my pain? See preferred timeline above.
I could sense myself becoming more withdrawn from the conversation, falling into a familiar flight or fight space where I’m trying to calm my panic and figure out a polite way to bail.
Ultimately, I pulled it together and stayed to split the check. But the lateness of the meal and the day was simply too much. I stomped into the house at 9:30, growled at my husband, Doo, and grumpily hit the sack, wearing full-eye makeup and a cloak of bitterness.
I could sense myself becoming more withdrawn from the conversation, falling into a familiar flight or fight space where
— DANIELLE WILSON
Anyhoo, this is why I’d rather eat an afternoon frozen pizza on the couch and then make my way to bed before dark. Everyone’s happy, no one gets hurt. Peace out.
Danielle Wilson is a contributing columnist. You may email her at info@youarecurrent.com.
And now, a 100 percent true story of how I really did humiliate Brett some 30 years ago.
A British researcher has come up with a fascinating theory. His premise is that when fathers tell dumb jokes and lame puns, it prepares their kids to deal with awkward circumstances, giving them a little experience in life with embarrassing and demeaning situations. So, were the jokes I told my son bad, and if so, was that a good thing?
I called Brett, who is now an adult, to share the story I had just read.
“Brett, it’s Dad. I need to tell you something.”
“Geesh, Dad, I’m 35 years old. Not another juvenile joke!“
“That’s just what I was hoping you’d say. I read an article that claims my telling dumb jokes to you when you were a kid helped you grow into a well-adjusted adult.”
“It’s true, Dad. I never thought you were funny, but reacting to your lame puns really did help me deal with other awkward experiences down the road.”
“Brett, that is exactly what the British psychologist said. Are there any jokes that were particularly bad that might have really led you to a more productive and satisfying life?”
“Well, I remember one about the duck who walked into a pharmacy and said, ‘I need some lip balm, and you can put it on my bill.’ Now, Dad, that’s just a dreadful joke. I found it demeaning and insulting for both of us.”
“Thank you so much for saying that. How lucky you were to have such a humorless
Brett was in the fourth grade, and I was doing field reporting for WISH-TV. The Broadway show “Cats” was playing at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, and I thought it would be fun to have the makeup artist apply the same cosmetics on me as she did for the actors in the show. The process took quite a while. When I looked at myself in the mirror some two hours later, it was bizarre feeling like my normal self but staring at a cat in the reflection. That’s when I had an idea. I would go to my son’s class and surprise the kids with my new feline face. When I reached the school, I checked in to the main office, explained my plan and made my way to Brett’s room. After getting the teacher’s attention through the tiny side window and identifying myself, I slithered in through the door.
The kids went wild — screaming, laughing, meowing. “Who is it?” asked one kid in the front row. No one knew who I was, of course, with one notable exception.
From the back of the room came my son’s voice dripping in embarrassment, “Probably my father.”
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.
Mother Nature can be a real mother. Especially when it comes to roofs. That’s why you should consider a roof that stands the test of Father Time. Bone Dry. We’ve been around for over 30 years because we install roofs that last just as long. Nothing weathers the weather quite like a Bone Dry roof.
When I looked at myself in the mirror some two hours later, it was bizarre feeling like my normal self but staring at a cat in the reflection.
— DICK WOLFSIE
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Composer John Berners’ admiration for author William Faulkner inspired a piece called “In Rowan Oak.”
“An American in Paris” runs through May 14 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
‘THE
“I wanted to write a dramatic, new romantic-kind of Gothic-sounding piece,” said Berners, a Greenwood resident and music professor at the University of Indianapolis. “The title came after I was already working on music. But Faulkner is described as a Southern gothic writer, and his books are all set in Mississippi in the early 20th century. There’s lots of tension in that society, for sure. There is a tragic aura hanging over everything, and that does match the music. I named the piece after his home in Oxford, Mississippi.”
Berners wrote the original piece for a chamber orchestra.
“I reworked the whole thing for a full symphony orchestra,” Berners said. “I tore out half of it and replaced it, so all of it has been rewritten. It’s not really the same piece anymore, even though the title is the same and some of the themes are the same. It was pretty much comparable to writing a whole new piece.”
The world premiere of the composition will be included in Carmel Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks 5 concert at 7:30 p.m. April 22 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
Berners is married to CSO principal flute player Tammy Thweat.
“I heard John’s music online and was immediately attracted to it,” CSO Artistic Director Janna Hymes said. “There is an angular, percussive sound to it with a compelling result.”
Berners wrote the original piece more than 12 years ago.
After talking with Hymes, Berners decided to expand the piece to include a full brass and percussion section.
“So that became my summer project of 2022,” he said. “The original piece had things that Janna liked and things I liked,
so I didn’t want to just discard it. I wanted to rejuvenate that material. We made it bigger, and we think it will have more drama to it with the full orchestra and the huge concert hall because it is gothic music.”
Hymes said she loves premiering new works.
“There is always an excitement about playing a world premiere, a piece that has never been played before as there are no expectations or comparisons to other performances,” Hymes said. “It’s always a treat to work with living composers.”
Cellist Sterling Elliott will be a special guest at the concert, performing on selections from Camille Saint-Saens and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
“Sterling is an amazing young man,” Hymes said. “At 23, he is mature, calm and has an extremely warm heart. His playing is spectacular with a depth and sophistication beyond his years. This will be our third time working together. I just performed with him in a concert in Arizona and he was brilliant.”
Hymes said Elliott possesses tremendous charisma.
“I know our audience is going to fall in love with this young musician and his extraordinary abilities,” she said.
Elliott learned to play the cello at age 3 and made his concerto debut at age 7. He is a student at New York’s Juilliard School of Music
For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.
Main Street Productions will present “The Spitfire Grill, a musical, will run from April 13 to 23 at the Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.
MARC
Marc Cohn and Shawn Colvin will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 13 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
ABILENE
Abilene will perform at 8 p.m. April 15 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘HOLLYWOOD
Indiana Wind Symphony’s “Hollywood Musical Magic” concert is set for 6:30 p.m. April 16 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
Celebrate Opera Day is set — Indianapolis Opera is encouraging fans to participate in Celebrate Opera Day April 19 to play opera, post about opera, talk about opera, and support opera. The Indianapolis Opera’s Facebook and Instagram will provide updates, feature short videos, opportunity to compete in contests and win prizes. Fans are encouraged to watch #CelebrateIndyOpera and share favorite operatic moments with the Indianapolis Opera For more, visit indyopera.org.
Son to discuss artist Nancy Noel documentary — Alex Noel Kosene will speak April 13 at The Bluffs of the Chinese House at Conner Prairie in Fishers. The speaker is a filmmaker whose forthcoming documentary is about his late mother, famed artist, Nancy Noel, whose studio was in Zionsville. The Contemporary Club of Indianapolis event begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails and viewing of N.A. Noel Gallery works.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Conner Prairie announced April 4 the 2023 season of Kroger Symphony on the Prairie starting June 23 at the Conner Prairie Amphitheatre in Fishers. Tickets to the general public will go on sale April 11 on the ISO website. Tickets can also be purchased at central Indiana Kroger stores, at the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office at 45 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, or by calling the box office at 317-639-4300. A new feature this year is those purchasing tickets to three or more concerts automatically receive a 10 percent discount, with no code needed. The discount is calculated at checkout.
The schedule is as follows (*denotes concerts featuring the ISO):
*June 23-24: The Music of Harry Potter with conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez.; *June 30-July 3: Star-Spangled Symphony, patriotic celebration, complete with fireworks. Featuring Conductor Alfred Savia and vocalist Vanessa Thomas;;*July 7-8: “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” in concert featuring the ISO led by former ISO Assis-
tant Conductor Jacob Joyce. The original film will be shown on the large screens as the orchestra performs the soundtrack. Program starts at 8:30 p.m.; *July 14-15: Arrival from Sweden: Music of ABBA with Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly leading the ISO; *July 21-22: Broadway under the Stars. Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly leads a performance of Broadway favorites featuring vocalists Victor Robertson, Katie Swaney, AshLee Baskin, and Jim Hogan; July 28-29: Face2Face: A Tribute to Elton John & Billy Joel; Aug. 4: Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston (not associated with the Estate of Whitney Houston); Aug. 5: Tusk: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band; Aug. 11: The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute; Aug. 12: Here Come the Mummies with Rock E Bassoon (featuring musicians of the ISO); Aug. 18: Marshall Tucker Band.; Aug. 19: Unforgettable Fire: U2 Tribute Show; Aug. 25-26: One Night of Queen with Gary Mullen and the Works; Sept. 1: Aeromyth: The Ultimate Aerosmith Tribute Experience; Sept. 2: Pyromania: The Def Leppard Experience; Sept. 3: Voyage – The Ultimate Journey Tribute Band.
For more, visit IndianapolisSymphony.org.
“Air” is a great American sports story about the unconventional team behind the rise of the Air Jordan brand.
It was 1984. “The A-Team” was a hit with TV audiences, Cyndi Lauper and Run DMC occupied the airwaves, Cabbage Patch Dolls made every girl’s Christmas list, and Larry Bird, Moses Malone and Magic Johnson dominated the NBA. Adidas and Converse captured most of the sports shoe market, while Nike had only 7 percent of the industry’s sales.
Directed and produced by Ben Affleck, “Air” is an inspiring story about the pressures of risking it all. Matt Damon, who also serves as a producer on the film, plays Sonny Vaccaro and is tasked with delivering a much-needed boost to Nike’s floundering basketball division. Relying on instincts, he decides to bet everything on then-rookie Michael Jordan, the third-overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft.
In competing for Jordan’s attention, Vaccaro builds a relationship with Deloris, played by EGOT winner Viola Davis, the
mother who negotiated the unprecedented deal that changed the world of sports marketing forever. The casting of Davis, the story’s central character, was Michael Jordan’s idea.
“Air” breaks all the rules in an entertaining and heartwarming story for sports and movie fans alike.
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.
Location: Ritz Charles Carmel
Register online by April 13 at riverview.org/23WomenofVision.
For questions , contact Polly Craig at pcraig@riverview.org or 317.776.7938.
The Indiana Wind Symphony is going back to the movies for its next concert.
Earlier this year, the IWS performed a tribute to film composer John Williams.
The “Hollywood Musical Magic” concert set for 6:30 p.m. April 16 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel and will feature Williams along with other famous composers such as Max Steiner, Meredith Willson, Bernard Herrmann and Ennio Morricone.
phony’s principal oboe player, will be the featured soloist on Morricone’s “Gabriel’s Oboe” from “The Mission.”
The concert’s guest conductor Todd McCready had served as the director of concert bands at Fishers High School for eight years, and 14 years overall in the Hamilton Southeastern Schools district. He is now a project management consultant with BCforward in Indianapolis.
McCready
“It’s going to be a wide range,” IWS musical director Charles Conrad said. “We’re going to hit some big early film scores like ‘Gone with The Wind,’ ‘Citizen Kane’ and “The Wizard of Oz.’”
Conrad said the concert will include a piece from “Lawrence of Arabia,” a 1962 film.
“Then we’ll do some more recent ones like ‘The Mission,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘Cowboys’ and ‘Titanic,’”
Fishers resident Ellen Huckabee, the sym-
“All the film scores on this concert are fun, but I am probably looking forward to the ‘Suite from Titanic’ by Jari Villanueva,” McCready said. “It’s a 15-minute, four-movement suite that includes a whole range of memorable music from the movie, and of course it ends with ‘My Heart Will Go On.’ The band sounds great, and I’m honored to get to work with them on this concert.”
McCready also is conducting a piece from “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.”
Conrad said he is intrigued by Hermann’s “Citizen Kane” overture, which he didn’t remember.
For more, visit Indianawindsymphony.org.
Vocalist Morgan James’ recent albums have featured a classic soul sound. But she said as a 1990s kid, she wanted to return to her rhythm and blues roots.
James released the album “Nobody’s Fool” March 31 and has embarked on a tour in support of it. James is set to perform at Feinstein’s at 7:30 p.m. April 14-15 at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel.
James’ first studio album, “Hunter,” featured R&B music.
“We’re returning a little bit to the R&B sound after making two back-to-back classic soul records,” James said. “We brought in more of those ‘90s flavors. The songwriting, the singing and the background vocals and all that is still what my fans know and love, but we’ve brought in more of the R&B flavors. It’s been amazing to sing some of the songs from ‘Hunter’ and some of the songs from my other albums on this tour as well because they go really well together. So, it’s nice to integrate all the albums.”
James said she is excited to make her debut at Feinstein’s in Carmel. She has performed in Feinstein’s clubs in New York and San Francisco.
James said the set will be varied.
“We do a couple of fan favorites as well as covers people know and love,” James said. “We’re going to do a couple of songs from each of my albums. I think there is something for everybody.”
James co-wrote most of the songs with husband Doug Wamble, who also produced and arranged the album. The sole cover on the album is Jeff Buckley’s “Everybody Here Wants You.” Wamble also accompanies James on guitar on tour.
James said the two-month tour is the longest headlining tour she has ever done.
“I definitely like to tell people what some of the songs are about or why we wrote them,” James said. “I think that is the benefit of playing listening rooms is that people want to hear personal stories. I definitely tell several of those.”
For more, visit feinsteinshc.com
Brenna Whitaker has a lasting connection to “The Spitfire Grill.”
“I love the show,” Whitaker said. “I was in it (as Shelby) and vocally directed it 10 years ago (at the Belfry Theatre). It has stayed in my head the last decade, so I was thrilled to be a part of it again.”
Whitaker will direct Main Street Productions’ presentation of “The Spitfire Grill,” a musical, April 13-23 at Basile Westfield Playhouse.
Whitaker was originally slated to be the vocal director, but when the director had to withdraw, she took on both duties. This is the first time the Noblesville resident has directed with Main Street Productions.
“There aren’t any songs that you want to skip because it’s just lovely music,” Whitaker said. “I always love a small-cast musical. There are seven members in the cast. You bond in a way that is really remarkable with a smaller cast. I think that every character has such an interesting arc that they go through. For me, it’s just such a lovely story of redemption and second chances. It has stuck with me, and when I saw that it was on the schedule, I wanted to be a part of it.”
The musical is based on the 1996 movie. Westfield resident Chrissy Crawley plays the role of Percy Talbott, who was just released after serving five years for manslaughter. She sees a photo of Gilead, Wis., in and old travel book in prison and decides that would be a good place for a fresh start.
“Every character is trying to take a step forward and figure out who they are, change and continue to grow,” Whitaker said. “It’s the story of rebirth and starting over for everyone, not just Percy.”
Crawley said Percy shows up and thinks she might have made a mistake because people aren’t nice to her and gossip a lot.
“She thinks, ‘Did I make a mistake? Was this really a good place to start again?’”
Crawley said. “Then over time, they warm to her, and she grows a tight-knit little family and decides to stay long term.”
Crawley said she had never heard of the musical or the movie it was based on.
“I’ve never done a show with audio tracks before. I’ve always either had a pianist or a small string orchestra,” she said. “So it’s kind of a learning curve for me. We have
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songs and then there’s dialogue and then there’s more songs and there’s more dialogue, so the timing has to be so precise. That’s been the biggest challenge for me. I think the (lines) memorization kind of comes back to you like riding the bike.”
Crawley said she took time off because her son turned 2 in January.
“I thought I wanted to get back into (acting) now that we have things under control,” she said.
Crawley said the show is her first serious musical.
“I love all the songs in the show. They are really catchy,” she said.
This is Crawley’s first show since moving to Westfield. Her most recent performance was in “Mamma Mia!” at Civic Theatre of Lafayette in February 2020, just before the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020.
Crawley, who started singing in her school choir in third or fourth grade, performed in musicals and choir at Crown Point High School. She performed in a choir at Purdue University, where she met her husband, who also is a singer.
Georgie Teipen, Greenfield, plays Hannah, who owns the restaurant where Percy works. Like Crawley, Teipen hadn’t seen the musical before.
“I think audiences are going to be moved by it,” Teipen said. “It’s funny. It’s heart-touching. It’s about issues that face all of us and coming to a place of forgiveness. There’s lots of very meaningful songs.”
For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.
Prevail strives to empower victims of crime and abuse on their path to healing, while engaging the community to support safe, healthy relationships. For more information visit prevailinc.org.
From left, Georgie Teipen, Chrissy Crawley and Katelyn Maudin rehearse a scene from “The Spitfire Grill.” (Photo courtesy of Teresa Skelton)TO SIGN-UP FOR WEEKLY DIGITAL EDITIONS, MORNING DAILY BRIEFINGS AND BREAKING NEWS ON YOUR PHONE
Don’t you love when linguistics and geography collide? No, I’m not talking about the town of Noun, Alaska, where people, places, things and ideas live in harmony; I’m talking about different names for different places. Different pen strokes for different kin folks, I suppose. And, just so you know, Noun, Alaska, is not real (although it should be).
Based on my one semester as an English major and my finalist status in the fourth-grade geography bee, I am completely qualified to cover the intersection of the two topics.
We should start with the world’s tallest mountain, although it will be all downhill from here. Famously, Mount Everest was named after 19th-century Surveyor General of India George Everest. Although I can confirm Everest never climbed his eponymous mountain, legend has it that he never even set eyes on it. Mount Everest is the mountain’s exonym, while its Tibetan endonym is Chomolungma, and the Nepali endonym is Sagarmatha.
Regarding some of the world’s largest capital, their inhabitants and fellow countrymen have local names (endonyms) for them, while in the U.S. and elsewhere, we have other names (exonyms). For instance, Rome (exonym) is known locally as Roma (endonym). Russia’s capital city of Moscow (exonym) is known internally as Moskva (endonym).
Today, in our continuing tour of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we come to Jericho, a city with biblical significance and many historic firsts.
Jericho, with a population of about 20,000, is in the Palestinian Territories just west of the Jordan River and about 20 miles east of Jerusalem. Although located within the Judean Desert, Jericho has long been known as the City of Palms because of its lush tropical landscape, watered by underground springs. Nomads attracted by those springs founded Jericho in about 10,000 B.C., creating what many believe is the world’s first permanent settlement. In about 9,400 B.C., Jericho residents erected the world’s first city walls. A cylindrical stone tower in Jericho, built in about 8,000 B.C., was the tallest man-made structure in the world until about 2,650 B.C., when it was surpassed by the stepped pyramid of Djoser in Egypt. At 846 feet below sea level, Jericho is the lowest city in the world.
Jericho is the site of the biblical story where Joshua “fought the battle” and the “walls came tumbling down.” Most archaeologists today believe that the walls of Jericho were destroyed by an earthquake hundreds of years before the presumed time of Joshua and that Jericho was not occupied at that time. Jericho is near where the Bible says Jesus was tempted by Satan for 40 days and 40 nights before he began his ministry. The Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Temptation in the hills above Jericho, a popular tourist destination reachable by cable car, remembers that story. Jericho is
the eastern terminus of the treacherous Jericho Road leading to Jerusalem that was the setting for Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan. Jericho is also the site of the story of Jesus healing the blind beggar and dining with Zacchaeus while on his way to Jerusalem for the last time.
Today, we’re delving into the world of endonyms and exonyms. If that sounds Greek to you, that’s because it is! Endonyms and exonyms are both toponyms, or “place names.” The suffix “-nym” translates to “name,” while “endo-” and “exo-” respectively mean “in” and “out.”
This means endonyms are place names used by people inside a place, while exonyms are those used by people outside a place. How about some examples?
40. Woolly mama
41. Gaucho’s lasso
43. Kind of cord
45. Barrel maker in an I-69 city?
48. Lip-puckering
49. ___ and downs
50. Mideast land
53. Analogy words
55. Sports grp. with an office on the Downtown Canal
Walk
59. Scoundrel
60. Toilets in a Dubois County city?
63. “Evita” role
64. Those opposed
65. IRT or PU, e.g.
66. Rep. rival
67. “It ___ me!”
68. French impressionist
Down
1. Genie’s home
2. Trendy berry
3. Silent assents
4. Indianapolis Opera highlight
5. ___ and outs
6. Call off
7. “Fernando” foursome
8. Mercy from a Hamilton County Court judge
9. “___ Haw”
10. Blunder
11. Cookie with the same colors as a crossword
12. Metric weight
13. Spiral shape
18. Japan’s third largest city
22. “Evita” role
23. Albuquerque college (Abbr.)
25. Suitable
26. Spy org.
27. Sent by jet
28. Competed in the Mini-Marathon
29. ___ Wednesday
30. Out-of-town fan at the Big Ten Tournament, maybe 31. Geneva’s river
32. Nicky Blaine’s smoke producer
33. Footnote abbr. 34. “Not guilty,” for one
creators
waiting
3 Broad Ripple Restaurants
buddy
5 IUPUI Math Classes
2 U.S. Neighbors
1 Indiana City Known As “Athens on the Prairie”
“bone” or “breaker”
61. “Wheel of Fortune” buy 62. US Rep. Banks
Answers on Page 27
WILL
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STAMPS! COVERS! COLLECTING SUPPLIES!
The Indiana Stamp Club hosts its Spring Stamp Fair, April 15 & 16 at the Lawrence Community Center, 5301 N. Franklin Rd., Lawrence, Ind. Show hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-3. Free admission and ample free parking.
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To schedule an interview, send your resume with contact information to: frontdesk@integrityautomotive.net
40 S Rangeline Rd Carmel Indiana 46032 www.IntegrityAutomotive.net
A math teacher at Midwest Academy will be responsible for teaching all aspects of mathematics, including fundamental and introductory algebra skills, to Middle School and High School students in a progressive environment designed for children with learning differences. This position is full time and compensation is commensurate with experience. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a child-centered mentality are essential to this position. To apply please send your resume to careers@mymwa.org
MR
Position involves two main responsibilities: data entry and providing exceptional customer service through phone, email and text interaction. Other responsibilities may include general office tasks, ordering, and scheduling. Part time or Full time hours available, Monday through Friday. Great work environment w/ excellent pay including bonus potential. Two years data entry and/or customer service experience required. Pay negotiable according to experience and skill level Send resume to mrwindow@mrwindowcompany.com
Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Comics: BLONDIE, GARFIELD, LI’L ABNER, MUTTS, PEANUTS, ZITS; Classes: ALGEBRA, CALCULUS, GEOMETRY, STATISTICS, TRIGONOMETRY; Eye Parts: IRIS, LENS, PUPIL, RETINA; Restaurants: AMBROSIA, BAZBEAUX, UNION JACK; Neighbors: CANADA, MEXICO; City: COLUMBUS
bigger than a hospital.
Healthy people make our community thrive. That’s why— your focus is our focus.
