March 26, 2024 — Lawrence/Geist

There’s always a lot to love about Lawrence, but this spring there seems to be even more to love than usual!

As our community was preparing for Women’s History Month in March, the Lawrence Central Lady Bears got busy making some history of their own. On February 24, our Lady Bears took the floor at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against Lake Central, winning 55-28 to bring the IHSAA 4A Girls Basketball State Championship home to Lawrence. It’s the first state basketball championship in the Lawrence Central girls basketball program’s history, but I’m sure it won’t be the last! The Lady Bears coach, Jannon Lampley, became the first Black woman coach in Indiana history to win an IHSAA girls basketball state championship, and the 28 points the Lady Bears allowed Lake Central were the fewest points ever allowed by a team in the IHSAA 4A State Championship Game.

The Lady Bears’ success is a powerful reminder that the City of Lawrence is a place where anyone willing to work hard can be a winner!

Are the stars aligning over our wonderful community? I don’t know –but the sun and the moon definitely are. On April 8, Lawrence will find itself directly in the path of an incredible total solar eclipse as it passes over North America. To celebrate, we’re hosting the Total Eclipse Fort Ben 2024 Festival at Community Park. Live music, food trucks, and family activities will begin at 12:00 p.m. as we count down to “the totality,” when the sky will go completely dark above us, around 3:00 p.m.

The City of Lawrence will welcome thousands of visitors anxious for a view of the eclipse on April 8, but I think we can give them more than that: we can give them an excellent view of our community, too. I encourage every resident and business owner in Lawrence to demonstrate your civic pride ahead of April 8. Even in the dark of the eclipse, let’s let visitors see how our city sparkles.

Sparkle on!

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS IN 2024

Total Eclipse 2024

8, 2024

Deborah Whitfield Mayor, City of Lawrence

Fiesta Lawrence

May 11, 2024

Fort Ben Farmer’s Market

June 6 - October 3, 2024

Lagers in Lawrence

September 21, 2024

New police chief has a history with IMPD, and a vision for the future

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Chris Bailey doesn’t remember a time in his life when he didn’t want to be a police officer.

The new Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department chief started going on ride-alongs with cops he knew from his old neighborhood in Indianapolis’ west end when he was 18. He joined the force in 1999 at the age of 23.

An Indianapolis native, Bailey now leads the largest municipal police department in the state. Formerly serving as chief on an interim basis, he was officially appointed to the position in mid-February by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.

Bailey started as a patrol officer in the south district, and said he spent many years there, including a stint as a bicycle officer. He was promoted through the ranks with different responsibilities and assignments along the way.

His favorite assignment was commander of IMPD’s North District.

“That’s really where my heart is,” Bailey said. “That’s been my favorite assignment as an executive on our police department. The great neighborhoods of North District — Butler Tarkington and Crown Hill neighborhoods, and Meridian Kessler and Brightwood, and the Oxford neighborhood and Broad Ripple and Geist — all those neighborhoods, I fell in love with when I was up there. North District, and (Indy’s) north side has a special place in my heart, for sure.”

Part of the district’s appeal is its diversity. he said.

“Both in demographics — the way people look — but also in the types of neighborhoods and there’s diversity in issues. You have some absolute poverty and you have some absolute wealth, all in the same service district, and talking to all those groups and managing their expectations for law enforcement was a unique experience because

New IMPD Chief

Chris Bailey has his badge pinned on his uniform by his wife, Dawn. (Photo courtesy of IMPD)

they all had unique challenges or unique expectations.”

Bailey said the district managed expectations for those different neighborhoods through multiple community meetings and partnering with residents who wanted to help keep their neighborhoods safe.

“I still hear from people up there — (one resident had) a neighborhood with several hundred houses in it and worked to put together a crime watch group that was so successful that they haven’t had a burglary in the neighborhood in over 10-plus years,” Bailey said. “He still contacts me, and I stay in touch with him and several other people there.”

It’s still early days in Bailey’s tenure as IMPD’s chief, but he is making plans to attract new officers and to make sure the next generation of law enforcement is ready to take the reins. He recently put together his executive team and command staff, which he said is a diverse group, “not only in the way they look but also their vast amounts of experience.”

“As we move forward, we have a newer generation of leaders that are taking on the challenge of leading police departments in the 21st century,” he said. “As I step out in a few years, there’ll be leaders prepared to lead the agency into the next 20-25 years of whatever policing holds. I’m proud of the team I put together. It’s about 35 percent African American and 30 percent women

— the most diverse command staff in the department’s history.”

Bailey said a police department should reflect the community it serves. That helps recruitment because residents see there are opportunities for people who look like them. Recruitment is essential, he said, with the department down about 300 officer positions.

Bailey said his No. 1 focus is reducing violent crime, and a key component to achieving that is hiring more officers.

He also wants to reduce the number of officer-involved shootings in Indianapolis. Bailey said there were 18 of those shootings in 2023, which is above average.

“Those aren’t all fatal, but they usually average around 10 since (the record of 22 in) 2015,” he said. “So, while it wasn’t a record year, it still causes some concern in our community.”

A new initiative launched in late February is a mental health bureau, which builds on an earlier program that pairs clinicians with officers. The teams respond to calls regarding non-violent incidents and work together to help people experiencing a mental health crisis without resorting to taking those people into custody.

“If we can avoid having the police interact with those people, that’s the goal,” Bailey said. “This new bureau’s responsibility is to try to interact with all those people that are dealing with mental health and try to figure out ways that law enforcement can be better when we respond — or not respond at all and turn that over to someone else, like the clinician-led response team that exists in the downtown district and on the east district 24 hours a day that does not involve a police officer at all. I put somebody in a command level position to help coordinate all those efforts so that we’re all rowing the boat in the same direction.”

Before his appointment to chief, Bailey served as an assistant chief to former IMPD Chief Randal Taylor, who stepped down in late 2023 after four years in the position.

Contractors to clean up unkempt properties in Lawrence GOVERNMENT

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

The Lawrence Board of Public Works voted unanimously March 14 to approve agreements with Meta Lawn Care and K.A.L. Solutions to clean up properties whose owners are in violation of local ordinances.

Board Secretary Renea Rafala said the agreements are renewed annually, and explained how the process works.

“We go through a process outlined by the city ordinance of notification to the property owner that the property is in violation,” she said. “If they do not remediate, we use these two contractors — Meta Lawn and K.A.L. Solutions — to resolve the violation for us. They will either go out and mow the grass or remove the trash.”

The contractors bill the city for the service, she said, and the city then bills the property owner. If the property owner doesn’t pay, the city files a lien on the property.

The board also approved an agreement with Sunshine Maintenance Services, which cleans the Lawrence Police Department. LPD Deputy Chief Travis Cline said there was an addition to the agreement from previous years.

“They currently clean the police department three times a week,” he said. “We are adding biweekly cleanings to our indoor (shooting) range facility.”

The next Board of Public Works meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. March 28 at Lawrence Government Center, 9001 E. 59th St.

Lawrence Chamber offers custom-made eclipse glasses

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Eclipse glasses are a hot item in central Indiana as Hoosiers gear up for the April 8 total eclipse.

EVENT

To help protect everyone’s eyes and to celebrate the celestial event, the Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce ordered 10,000 pairs of custom ISO-certified eclipse glasses. The glasses are $5 a pair.

to use them again in the continental U.S. until 2045.”

“They feature the City of Lawrence Total Eclipse 2024 official logo on the front, with the Greater Lawrence Chamber on one side and Purple Ribbon Office Solutions on the other,” Chamber President Brad Klopfenstein said. “The logo was designed by Jarod Hooten and Daniel Beyers of the City of Lawrence, and the Chamber’s own Jodi Petty did the layout for the glasses. They are definitely a nice keepsake of the event, but unless you plan on traveling the world over the next two decades chasing eclipses, you won’t get much of an opportunity

The glasses are available for purchase at Saltire Toys & Games, Porter Books & Bread, The Groovy Cat Cafe and the Greater Lawrence Chamber office. The City of Lawrence will have 1,000 pairs to distribute for free during the city’s April 8 eclipse celebration, Klopfenstein said.

For more about eclipse plans in Lawrence, visit visitlawrenceindiana.com/ events/eclipse2024.

Brad Klopfenstein, left, and Jodi Petty from the Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce model the chamber’s custom eclipse glasses, available for $5 each. (Photo courtesy of Brad Klopfenstein)

Leah Beardslee’s parents, Barry and Pat Norman, both died from cancer. Beardslee is raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a nonprofit that helps people who are undergoing treatment for blood cancer. (Photo courtesy of Leah Beardslee)

Lawrence teacher raising funds to help cancer patients

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

A second-generation educator in Lawrence Township schools is honoring her parents’ memory by raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a nonprofit that helps people who are undergoing treatment for blood cancer.

Leah Beardslee is a kindergarten teacher at Amy Beverland Elementary School, and her parents both worked for the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township — her father was a high school teacher and her mom was the treasurer for Lawrence North and Lawrence Central high schools.

Beardslee’s parents both died from cancer. Her mom, Pat Norman, had a rare form of brain cancer; and her dad, Barry Norman, had multiple myeloma. Her dad’s cancer and resulting treatment introduced the family to LLS and the services the nonprofit provides. With treatment, he lived with cancer for eight years.

“He had received several grants (from LLS) to cover medication costs that were really expensive and he received a CAR T (T-cell) transplant, and I did not know that the person who did all the research on that and developed that treatment — all of that research was funded by LLS,” she said.

So, when she was nominated to be a “visionary” for the organization’s annual fundraising effort, Beardslee decided she owed it to her dad to help the group that provided

so much support for her family.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Visionary of the Year award will go to the nominee who raises the most for the organization. But, Beardslee said, she is not doing it for the award.

“It’s not really about me winning,” she said. “I feel like I’m going to win if I can raise money to support other people that are going through this.”

She said services from LLS were vital to her family.

“When you get a first diagnosis and you get the treatment costs and things like that, it can be really overwhelming and scary, and there are lots of opportunities for support through that organization,” she said, from monetary support to transportation to and from treatment. “Just all kinds of support that you don’t think you need in the beginning.”

Beardslee said her parents were childhood sweethearts and were together until her mom died. Although her mother didn’t have a blood cancer, she said she’s raising the money in honor of both parents.

“She would have wanted to support the (group) that took care of my dad, too,” Beardslee said. “It just felt wrong to leave her off of this. I’m involving family and friends. I’m kind of the face of this campaign but my whole family — I have two siblings — we’re all in this together.”

Beardslee said she wants to raise at least $50,000 through individual donations and sponsorships. For more or to donate, visit pages.lls.org/voy/in/indy24/lbeardslee.

PHILANTHROPY

Lawrence Spring Fling set for March 30

The City of Lawrence, Maddie Smiles and Benjamin Harrison YMCA will host the city’s annual Spring Fling at 9:30 a.m. March 30 at Community Park in Lawrence.

The annual event will include visits with the Easter Bunny, crafts and games, and — of course — Easter egg hunts.

Starting at 10 a.m., there will be a series of four egg hunts organized by age. Children 3 and under start first, then every 15 minutes a new egg hunt will begin, ending with the final group of children — ages 10 and up.

Participants will gather at the community center at Lawrence Community Park, 5301 N. Franklin Rd.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is recommended for the egg hunts. To register or for more information, visit visitlawrenceindiana.com/ events/springfling.

Maddie Smiles is accepting donations

Four Easter egg hunts for varying age groups are planned during the annual Spring Fling, set for March 30 at Lawrence Community Park. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence)

of candy to fill the Easter eggs. Donations can be made at Moo & Loo Frozen Treats and More, 5645 N. Post Rd. In Lawrence.

CURRENT LAWRENCE/GEIST APRIL COMMUNITY CALENDAR

LAWRENCE GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

The following meetings are scheduled in Lawrence during the month of April:

• Common Council — 6:30 p.m. April 1 and 17, Lawrence Government Center, 9001 E. 59th St.

• Police Merit Commission — 6 p.m. April 8, Lawrence Government Center

• Utility Service Board — 5:30 p.m. April 9 and 23, Lawrence Government Center

• Parks Board — 5:30 p.m April 10, Lawrence Government Center

• Board of Public Works — 5 p.m. April 1 and 25, Lawrence Government Center

• Board of Zoning Appeals — 6 p.m. April 16, Lawrence Government Center

• Redevelopment Commission - 4:30 p.m. April 25, Lawrence Government Center

• Storm Water Board — 5 p.m. April 29, Lawrence Government Center

• Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township Board of Education — work session at 5:30 p.m. April 15; regular meeting 7 p.m. April 29, at the Lawrence Education and Community Center, 6501 Sunnyside Rd.

ECLIPSE CELEBRATION

The City of Lawrence, Arts for Lawrence and the Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting several eclipse-related celebrations leading up to the April 8 total solar eclipse. An art exhibit opened in March at Arts for Lawrence, 8920 Otis Ave., and remains open through the day of the eclipse; a pickleball tournament is scheduled for April 7; and a festival will take place throughout the day on April 8 at Lawrence Community Park. For more, visit visitlawrenceindiana.com/events/ eclipse2024.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

A stage production of the classic Lewis Caroll story is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. April 19 and 20; and 3 p.m. April 20 and 21 at Arts for Lawrence, 8920 Otis Ave. Presented by the Agape Theater Co. For more, visit artsforlawrence.org/tickets.

LAWRENCE

CHAMBER PLANS APRIL EVENTS

The Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its monthly Water Cooler Wednesday networking event for 7:45 a.m. April 10 at Heartland Film. The chamber’s Chew On This monthly luncheon is set for 11:30 a.m. April 16 at The Garrison. For more and to register, visit greaterlawrencechamber.org.

3Rivers couldn’t be more excited to bring our commitment to financial wellness and community give back to Central Indiana!

We look forward to meeting you and learning how we can help you reach your financial goals.

3riversfcu.org/join to get started or stop by one of our three new locations:

Lawrence Central senior baseball player has all the right stuff

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

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

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

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

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

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

MEET AHMAAD DUFF

Favorite athlete: Russell Westbrook

Favorite subject: Digital marketing

Favorite movie: “Avatar: The Last Airbender”

Favorite musical artist: Rod Wave

Bragg said Duff has good power despite his smaller frame.

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

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

the larger field dimensions, with 375 feet in the gap and 395 feet to center field. Duff said he is hoping the team can turn

it around after winning just one game last season.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Duff

ALL ABOARD

Display at Indianapolis Public Library Fort Ben Branch to celebrate model trains

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Bill Kennedy has been making model trains and railroads for seven decades, starting with simple wooden kits and working his way up to highly detailed trains and track designs.

He and other members of the Central Indiana Division of the Model Railroad Association will share their love of model trains with a special one-day exhibit, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 30 at the Indianapolis Public Library’s Fort Ben Branch, 9330 E. 56th St.

“We will have 10-12 different small railroad layouts with trains running throughout the day,” he said. “People (will be) there to talk about various things that they asked (us) to display.”

Kennedy said he enjoys the process of designing a model railroad and the imagination that’s needed to make it all come together. It starts with planning out a track to carry the trains, he said. Then comes the construction part — making the trains, laying the tracks and designing the scenery that the trains run through. His favorite part is when it’s all put together and he gets to run his trains along the tracks.

“Operating is the most fun, of course, and sometimes it’s roundy-roundy and sometimes it’s very detailed switching layouts where you operate and place cars someplace and move them to another place because that’s what real railroads do,” he said.

Kennedy said creating a functioning model railroad is a STEM activity, with an added letter.

“There’s an acronym that we frequently use nowadays called STEM — science, technology, engineering and math,” he said. “Model railroaders kind of extend that to STEAM, which is science, technology, engineering, art and math, because we do a bit of artwork in terms of creativity with developing that layout.

“But you have to work through basic engineering principles and science of electricity and so on and so forth to get there. So, STEAM is a pretty important part of our hobby.”

Kennedy said that through the exhibit,

members of the CID of MRA want to encourage more people to take up model railroads as a hobby. He said it isn’t as popular as it once was.

“Way back when, you had hardware stores on the corner and there were little mom-and-pop shops, but they’d have trains at Christmas, and they didn’t just have one basic set — they had extra cars and extra track, different power systems to power the engines and whatnot and different engines, and that that was a big Christmastime thing,” he said.

Stephen McKenzie is the interim branch manager for the IPL Fort Ben Branch. He said the exhibit will be in the library’s community room and, in addition to the trains and railroad displays, will include information about the history of the rail that used to run through the former Fort Benjamin Harrison Army base.

“We’re trying to tie in the model trains to the heritage of the area,” he said. “Apparently, the train tracks actually ran directly

(through) where the library is standing.”

And the former rail depot on Lawton Loop is still standing and now houses La Hacienda restaurant.

The March 30 event will include crafts and activities for kids, McKenzie said, and they will have a display of books related to the topic.

Although the exhibit opens at 10 a.m., the first hour is geared toward patrons with sensory sensitivity.

“As much as possible, we’ll try to make it so that the trains are not as loud,” he said. “So, for people who have sensory needs, they can still enjoy the event without worrying so much about giant crowds and stuff like that.”

He said the intricate work on some of the trains and railroad designs is impressive.

“They’ve got some trains in the display case right now, and it’s kind of amazing how detailed some of them are, especially — they have the tiny … trains — they’re so

small but they’re so detailed,” McKenzie said. “It’s like, wow, a lot of craft went into making that.”

He said they hope to host the model railroad exhibit annually.

For more, visit indypl.org/locations/ fort-ben.

ON THE COVER: A model of the MONON, the Hoosier Line, is seen in 1/87th scale. (Photo courtesy of Bill

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Fort Ben Model Railroad Train Show

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 30

WHERE: Indianapolis Public Library’s Fort Ben Branch, 9330 E. 56th St., Lawrence

SPECIAL NOTE: From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., the exhibit is geared toward those with sensory sensitivities.

Kennedy)

(Above) A parade of Welsh Narrow Gauge locomotives celebrate a Gala of Narrow Gauge Steam on the 50th Anniversary of the 009 Society, a mostly British organization of modelers. (Photos courtesy of Bill Kennedy)

(Below) A model of Union Pacific steam engine Number 119, the engine that linked East to West at the Golden Spike celebration near Promontory Point, Utah, circles part of the collection at the Little Snowy Mountains Railways.

Barrier: Language

The cat that snored

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

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

HUMOR

“I’ll call the vet,” I said.

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

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

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

But cats?

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

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

But I still snore. Just like the cat.

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

– DICK WOLFSIE

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 CARMEL CIVIC SQUARE

2 CONNER PRAIRIE

3 COOL CREEK PARK

4

#VISITHC

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

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

Arcadia 3m 6s

Atlanta 2m 56s

Carmel 3m 29s

Cicero 3m 15s

Fishers 3m 39s

Noblesville 3m 27s

Sheridan 2m 51s

Westfield 3m 19s

What is a HELOC?

Commentary by Slater Young Mortgage Loan Officer, NMLS# 2104170

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Stock photo)

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

By Mary Farucci news@youarecurrent.com

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

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

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

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

The rest is EF Marburger Fine Flooring family history.

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

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

Continued on Page 5

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

From left, Kimberly Marburger and Kelly Marburger Novak.

Continued from Page 4

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

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

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

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

For more, visit efmarburger.com.

Communication, efficiency inspires ‘un-corporate’ service business

By Tirzah Rowland news@youarecurrent.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The company provides discounts for bundled services.

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

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

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

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

Elsts

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

JOHN KIRK

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

Some of the many brands we carry:

Enhancing the value of your home

Commentary by Robbin Edwards

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

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

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

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

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

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

Continued from Page 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT US

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

OUR SERVICES

• ROOFING & INSURANCE CLAIMS

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• DOORS & WINDOWS

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TESTIMONIAL

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

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

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the

Changing colors, automation among outdoor lighting trends

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

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

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

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

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

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

The Lampliter, which DeWaal co-found-

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

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

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

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

Continued on Page 13

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

Continued from Page 12

put it up.”

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

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

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

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

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

Learn more at TheLampliter.com.

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

Air duct cleaning grows in popularity

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

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

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

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

“So, the main reasons why people are

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

– CLAY WINTERS

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

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

“Our customers that have bad allergies

Continued on Page 15

A before and after of air duct cleaning.

(Photo courtesy of Mite-E-Ducts)

Continued from Page 14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more, visit airduct.info.

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

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

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

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

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

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

Continued on Page 17

Continued from Page 16

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

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

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

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

Rund said his team offers a personalized experience for homeowners.

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

Learn more at indianapolis. closetsbydesign.com

SAFETY TIPS

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

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE DETAILS.

RV PARKING

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

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE DETAILS.

SOUVENIRS

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

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE DETAILS.

currentnightandday.com

Actor, director finally reach ‘That Championship Season’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

Simmons said the coach has two long soliloquy speeches.

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

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

Noblesville resident Adrian Blackwell

plays Tom, the youngest member of the team.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.

‘BEAUTIFUL”

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

‘DRIVING MISS DAISY’

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

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

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

‘FABLES AND FOLKLORE’

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

‘CROCE PLAYS CROCE’

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

LIVE AT THE CENTER

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

‘THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG”

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

DISPATCH

Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets starting at $35 and went on sale March 22, at thecenterpresents.org.

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

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

CROCE PLAYS CROCE: 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

Bullet Points set to perform

By Ken Severson editorial@youarecurrent.com

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

CONCERT

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

GREGORIAN: PURE CHANTS

Thu Apr 18 at 7:30pm

RUMOURS: A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE

Sat Apr 20 at 8pm

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

Sat Mar 30 at 8pm RAY CHEN

Fri Apr 12 at 8pm

SAMMY MILLER AND THE CONGREGATION

Fri Apr 19 at 8pm

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN: TRIBUTE

Fri May 17 at

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘DRIVING MISS DAISY’ LANDS AT STUDIO THEATER

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

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

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

Carmel residents Bob and Pam Alonzo attend the show.

(Photos by Jennifer Haire)

Director familiar with ‘The King and I’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

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

MUSICAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘Golem’ world premiere set

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

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

PERFORMANCE

Gregory Hancock

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org

Jose

Across

1. Mazda sports car

6. Drug cops, for short

11. Squealer

14. Injured in the bullring

15. Best possible

16. Purdue’s Ross-___ Stadium

17. Local Italian restaurant

19. WIPX network

20. Part of NBA, briefly

21. Examined closely

23. Stay out of sight

25. Marion County community

27. IU women’s basketball coach Moren

30. Poem of praise

31. Sis’ sib

32. “Sleepless in Seattle” director Nora

34. ___ Indianapolis (illfated ship)

35. Little litter members

38. Bag on the Victory Field mound

39. Local Italian restaurant

41. Regions

44. Top mark at Fishers HS

45. Cook in fat

48. Ballroom dance

50. Sault ___ Marie

51. Meadow

52. Roman robe

53. “Shoo!”

56. Femme fatale

57. Card game

59. Vaper’s device

61. Earth Day mo.

63. Local Italian restaurant

67. Guy’s date

68. Indy Zoo primate

69. Debonair

70. Big name in ice cream

71. Aggressive sort

72. So far

Down

1. British sports car

2. Debtor’s letters

3. Video game parlors

4. Make fun of

5. Puts two and two together

6. Pen point

7. Competent

8. Copy, for short

9. Gangster who supposedly hung out in Hobart

10. Neatnik’s opposite

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

12. Commotion

13. Big ___ Conference

18. Snug bug’s place

22. Belief system

23. Rockets, on a Pacers scoreboard

24. Broad Ripple bouncers check them

26. Line dance

28. Financial performance measure, initially

29. Brown County lodging

31. Full of chutzpah

33. Writing style

36. Reward for a Convivio Italian waiter

37. Chip dip

39. Asian gambling mecca

40. Pumpkin pie spice

41. Perform with the Mud Creek Players

42. Butler frat letter

43. With enthusiasm

45. June 14 celebration

46. Sleep stage

47. Pound sound

49. ___ Furniture

54. Pinch

55. Variety show

56. Computer woe

58. Manning or Luck

60. Spanish house

6 Fabric Patterns

4 ISO Sections

3 Dog Sounds

5 -xy Words

61. Go gray, say

2 Eiteljorg Museum Tribes

1 Indiana’s “Maple City”

62. Bachelor’s abode

64. Indianapolis Indians pitching stat

65 Wife without in-laws?

66 Westfield HS volleyball court divider

Answers on Page 23

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ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A SHOP TO CALL HOME?

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

PUZZLE ANSWERS

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

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

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

Space reservations due:

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