Founded Jan. 27, 2015, at Fishers, IN Vol. X, No. 28
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Opinions
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Lawrence North students practice Spanish skills through intern program
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Lawrence North High School piloted an internship program last year that gives Spanish immersion students hands-on work experience using their language skills. The program proved successful and has not only returned for a second year, but the number of participating students has increased.
EDUCATION
Carolyn Gassmann Moen is the world languages department chair and Spanish immersion teacher at Lawrence North. She said she designed the program for the 202324 school year as a capstone experience for students who have gone through the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township’s Spanish immersion program, which starts at the elementary level.
“The goal of the (immersion) program is that they become fully bilingual by the time they graduate,” Moen said. “This (internship class) is for seniors in the program who have done 12 years of immersion — native Spanish speakers, native English speakers, a mix of kids. And the goal of it is to get them out into our community using the Spanish that they learned through their time in the program to really serve the community that they grew up in.”
Moen said that during the first year, 20 students used their Spanish skills through unpaid internships in various locations. Some worked at MSDLT schools, helping in classrooms or working in the front offices.
“I had other kids that went to a health care clinic and did a lot of translating for patients,” she said. “I had other kids — one of them went to an engineering firm. He went to American Structurepoint and he was recognized by them as a really strong intern and he was able to be a finalist for the National American Structurepoint engineering scholarship.”
Another student interned with the Lawrence mayor’s office, she said, and helped translate documents and provide Spanish language services during Winterfest and the famers market. A student who interned in the front office of Sunnyside Elementary School was offered a paid job.
“They wanted us to move around his schedule so he could work full days with them, because he was doing such a great job,” she said. “It was really, really suc-
cessful in our first year.”
Moen said the intern program has about 30 students this year and she’s been hard at work placing them at businesses throughout the community. She said there’s demand for workers with Spanish language skills.
“These companies, when I reach out to them, a lot of them respond back within the next hour, ‘Absolutely, we would love to have some of your students,’” she said. “It’s really cool to see how excited they are to have Spanish speakers in their work environment.”
Students in the program work as interns for about two hours every other day, depending on their schedule. Moen said that before they head out to their assigned workplaces, they spend about a month in the classroom learning how to be a valuable worker.
“We started the year with doing some personality tests, but also writing their personal mission statement — what is their mission as a future employee,” she said. “So, getting them to recognize who they are (and) then also see themselves as professionals before they go out to do their jobs.”
In December, the semester-long class
ends with students drafting a resume, which can be used to apply for scholarships, colleges or jobs.
Moen said it’s great to see her students get excited about using their skills in a field of interest and to see how the experience boosts their confidence.
“Obviously, they’ve studied Spanish for all these years, but a lot of them just don’t feel like they know Spanish,” she said. “Now, they’re in a job setting where they have to use it and they came back to me a week or two after starting their internship last year, (and said) ‘Oh, my gosh, I know so much more Spanish than I thought I did,’ I’m like, ‘See, I told you you did.’ So, it’s gratifying as a teacher to be like, ‘You finally have the confidence that we’ve wanted you to have for the last however many years. And you’ve got it; you can do it.’”
The intern program’s success means it most likely will continue beyond the 202425 school year. Moen said the goal is to have all seniors who have gone through the district’s Spanish immersion program take the intern class.
Businesses interested in hosting a Spanish-language immersion intern from the program can contact Moen at carolyngassmannmoen@msdlt.k12.in.us.
(Above) Intern Johan Rodriguez in his cubicle at American Structurepoint. He was a national finalist through the company’s scholarship program. (Photos courtesy of Carolyn Gassmann Moen)
(Below) Intern Quinn Weber with her class of first-graders at Forest Glen Elementary School.
COMMUNITY
DISPATCHES
Lawrence Oktoberfest tickets available — Tickets are now on sale for the 7th Lagers in Lawrence Oktoberfest, set for Sept. 21. The event includes unlimited samples, a German band, German food, German dancing, wiener dog races and a wiener dog agility course. For more, visit LagersinLawrence.com.
Chamber membership orientation — The Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a membership orientation for new, existing and prospective members to learn about the chamber, network and meet the organization’s staff, board of directors and ambassadors. The event is set for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 27 at Heartland Film, 8950 Otis Ave. Registration is required for this free event. To register, visit greaterlawrencechamber.org and scroll down to the link for member orientation.
Indianapolis Public Library wins award — The Indianapolis Public Library has received the 2024 Marion County Friend of Extension award at the Purdue Extension Annual Meeting. The Marion County Friend of Extension Award is a new award from Purdue Extension Marion County and honors partners whose support and cooperation significantly contribute to Purdue’s success and the success of the community. Over the past two years, The Indianapolis Public Library and Purdue Extension Marion County have collaborated to bring STEM education, urban agriculture and healthy living programs to nearly 1,500 youth and families across the city, positively impacting the community’s educational landscape. IPL has two branches in Lawrence.
Legislative internships available — The Indiana Senate Republican Caucus is offering paid spring semester college internships in communications, information technology, legal, legislative, page and policy offices for the 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly. State Sen. Kyle Walker (R-Lawrence) announced through his office that qualified candidates may be of any major and must be at least a college sophomore. Recent college graduates, as well as graduate and law school students, also are eligible. Interns earn a $900 biweekly stipend. The full-time positions typically begin with an orientation in late December or early January, concluding at the end of the legislative session in April 2025. For more and to apply, visit www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Intern.
Walk-In-Closets
Pendleton Pike road construction underway
TRAFFIC news@geistcurrent.com
A healthy crop of orange construction barrels has been planted on Pendleton Pike, a 5-mile stretch of busy roadway running through Lawrence, marking the start of construction that will improve safety along the corridor leading from I-465 to 65th Street.
The Indiana Department of Transportation project has been in the works for more than a year, with planning and design following a review of crash reports during a three-year span. The review found multiple areas along Pendleton Pike with crash rates and severity higher than the statewide average.
The new road design focuses on reducing left turns to increase safety, along with improving overall traffic flow.
The changes include raised medians, where sections of the center turn lane will be replaced with raised concrete barriers, restricting left turns. To make a left turn,
motorists instead will use nearby intersections or make legal U-turns.
According to an announcement from the City of Lawrence, green arrows at traffic signals will help guide left-turning traffic.
Pedestrian upgrades will include new sidewalk sections near 56th Street and improved curb ramps for better access to local businesses.
Construction is expected to continue for up to two years.
Orange construction barrels mark where new raised medians will be installed along Pendleton Pike in Lawrence. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence)
Ignite plans match of week
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
The Indy Ignite are more than four months away from opening their inaugural volleyball season, but team officials are working on building their fan base.
VOLLEYBALL
The team will host the Ignite High School Match of the Week Presented by Team Rehab starting Aug. 22.
“It is designed to bring attention to the fact that women’s professional volleyball at the highest level is coming to Indiana in 2025,” said Randi Raff, Indy Ignite’s director of community engagement,
The Indy Ignite begins play at the Fishers Event Center in January 2025.
“It is also designed to make a difference in the lives of young volleyball players,” said Raff, a former head volleyball coach at the University of Southern Indiana and Indiana University assistant coach. “While we establish pro volleyball in Indiana as one of eight teams competing in the Pro Volleyball Federation in 2025, we want to support volleyball at all levels across the state of Indiana.”.
The team will select an Ignite Player of the Match and feature the player on the team’s social media platforms. The player also will receive Ignite gear and a pair of tickets to Ignite matches.
“There is no better place for Indy Ignite than central Indiana, which is a hotbed for women’s volleyball, with eight prominent clubs,” Raff said. “Many hold national championships, and the Class 4A reigning state girls champions, Hamilton Southeastern, is right here in Hamilton County.”
Indy Ignite High School Match of the Week schedule is:
Week 1: Aug. 22 — Pendleton Heights at Westfield; Week 2: Aug. 29 — Hamilton Southeastern at Brownsburg; Week 3: Sept. 3 — Roncalli at Cathedral; Week 4: Sept. 11 — Carmel at Zionsville, Sept. 12 — HSE at Fishers; Week 5: Sept. 17 — Brownsburg at Center Grove; Week 6: Sept. 25 — Noblesville at Carmel; Week 7: Oct. 2 — Westfield at Avon; Week 8: Wildcard Week — The Ignite will choose three matches and poll social media audiences to pick the match to attend.
Billy Doss is an Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officer. He is assigned to District 4, which encompasses 11 counties, including Hamilton. Conservation officers have statewide jurisdiction and full police powers.
One of 214 Indiana conservation officers within the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division, Doss said he primarily works in the Noblesville and Geist areas, which include Morse and Geist reservoirs. Doss, who is coming up on 15 years of service, answered the following questions for Current about the challenges of his job.
How would you describe your job?
It’s unique. Every day is different. It’s a lot of liberty, solely based on us not only filing complaints in our community and county, but (also) addressing ongoing issues in the field. The rest of the time is
It’s been different in the past. When (I was) hired, the ideology was that they wanted us to learn the job away from our family and friends. I was stationed in the Fort Wayne district for almost two years. I did that (to) learn the job without any influences from the community or friends. The department changed around 2011 to the mentality of not uprooting people from their families but hiring quality people who could fit in their community if they can.
What’s the job trail to get to where you are?
You have to meet the minimum requirements, (including) being 21 years of age, to carry a gun for the state. It’s a high school diploma or four years of active military time. There must be a very high experience in hunting and fishing. The hiring process is about 8 months or so. You do a background investigation, a physical test, a fishing test, a written test and then
there are several interviews. If you make it through that, you get selected to go to the recruit school. If you can make it through physically and mentally and graduate, you make it to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. We can do anything as far as (enforcing) state law, but our main focus is fishing, hunting, wildlife and boating.
What does a typical day look like for you?
There isn’t one. I might go from a drowning call to a house on fire that I’m close to, to an ATV crash, to a problem at one of the state parks. It’s 11 counties in our district. I might run from Hamilton County to Richmond or Kokomo. You never know.
What are the best parts of your job?
Occasionally, we arrest people or address a situation and educate someone, and we get thanked for it. I can recall several people I’ve arrested and taken to jail for drunk driving on a lake or in a car, and I see them at the gas station and they’re in tears. They want to thank me because it changed their life. Mostly, we impact a lot of kids with our education programs. I
impact 200 kids (yearly) through the boater education program and introduction to hunting and fishing, ATV safety, water safety and survival.
What are some of those tough parts of the job?
You work in the community and take an oath to enforce the law. There are people you arrest who are family, friends, acquaintances and important people in the community. It’s always a touchy situation. The other thing is the number of deaths. There are a lot of accidents in nature. We’re the ones that deal with that and notify the families. That weighs on a lot of officers.
How much fun do you have with your job?
There’s a ton of fun. We laugh a lot. We joke with people. Our job is to bring people to compliance and show them how to ethically and legally enjoy the natural resources we have. When that happens, it’s good for everybody.
For more, visit in.gov/dnr/ law-enforcement/contact-us/.
Doss
Lawrence plans Community Safety Day
EVENT news@geistcurrent.com
The City of Lawrence’s annual Community Safety Day is returning, with safety demonstrations, information booths and a special “suit up” challenge featuring police and fire department personnel.
Community Safety Day runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 24 at Fire Station 40, 9530 E. 59th St. in Lawrence.
“Community Safety Day, which is free and open to the public, is an opportunity for residents from Lawrence and beyond to see up-close demonstrations of some of the state-of-the-art technology used by the city’s first responders to safeguard the community’s health and safety,” a news release from the city stated.
Among the demonstrations scheduled is the IU Health Mobile Stroke Unit, which will share how the unit saves lives, along with information about stroke prevention and treatment.
“When someone’s having a stroke, every second matters,” the news release stated. “In 2021, the Journal of American Medicine reported that patients with acute stroke symptoms who receive treatment from a mobile stroke unit have significantly less disability 90 days later than patients who receive standard EMS treatment.”
Members of the Lawrence Police Department will demonstrate the safe and effective deployment of Tasers on volunteers from the Lawrence Fire Department, according to the news release, and both departments will face off in the first Community Safety Day “Suit Up” Challenge, starting at 1 p.m.
“Members of LPD’s S.W.A.T. unit will compete with Lawrence firefighters to see who can ‘suit up’ and be ready to respond to an emergency the fastest,” the news release stated. “Attendees may be surprised to see just how much equipment our brave first responders have to wear when they get the call to roll out.”
Other event offerings include a bike safety course for all ages to practice their skills, a limited supply of free bike helmets courtesy of the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority, drones and a demonstration from PHI Air Medical Helicopter, a medical transport company.
The event will include a live DJ, food trucks and booths from approximately 50
The City of Lawrence’s annual Community Safety Day is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 24. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence)
organizations and agencies, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, local churches and public health professionals.
Cathedral High School congratulates Olympic Gold Medalist, Olympic recordsetter, and 2019 graduate Cole Hocker and extends a warm “you’re so welcome” to him. In a post-medal interview, Cole thanked Indianapolis, Indiana, and “especially Cathedral” for all the support. Cathedral is a faith-filled school where caring educators know, love, encourage, and support their students. And that support doesn’t end when a student graduates because of our Holy Cross value of Family. After winning Gold, Cole also stated, “I just felt like I was getting carried by the stadium and God.” How beautiful to see our Holy Cross value of Zeal on a world stage! Zeal, which is Cathedral’s Holy Cross Value for this school year, is the great desire to make God known, loved, and served. Those with this virtue fulfill their duties with eagerness, affection, courage, and perseverance. (Kind of like an Olympic Champion!) Greatness called, and you answered, Cole! You make our Holy Cross value of Excellence shine like GOLD!
• Maintenance-free living with seasonal lawn care and 24-hour maintenance
• Functional and stylish floor plans with wooded and waterfront views
• Wide array of amenities including community trails, fitness center, pool and a pet spa
• Planned social activities, trips and educational events
• TrailSEEKERS wellness program for a more fulfilling experience
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Butler student encourages local youth to consider DECA
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
A Butler University undergraduate wants local youth to expand their knowledge and prepare for the future.
ENGAGEMENT
A 2022 graduate of Hamilton Southeastern High School, Eric Bedrosian, 20, moved with his family to Westfield two years ago. Now a junior year at Butler University, Bedrosian is studying marketing and finance.
In April, Bedrosian was elected to serve as the International President of Collegiate DECA.
DECA — formerly known as Distributive Education Clubs of America — is a nonprofit career and technical student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the world.
DECA’s high school chapters include Westfield, Carmel, HSE, Noblesville, Brebeuf Jesuit and Zionsville. In his new position, Bedrosian said his goal is to reach out to students, families and community stakeholders to provide more information on how everyone can benefit from DECA.
“I started doing DECA my junior year of high school during (the pandemic). It was something that a couple of my buddies just called me one day and they said the easiest way to describe it was a business competition,” he said.
Berdrosian competed his junior and senior years at HSE, and in 2022 he and his teammates Alex Jurkovich and Ajay Singh were named International Champions at the International Career Development Conference. It inspired him to stick with the program in college.
When he arrived at Butler, there was no chapter.
“When I was looking at Butler, I had the opportunity to meet the business dean and tell him (I wanted to) start a collegiate chapter, and he said go for it,” Berdosian said. “So, freshman year I founded the chapter with a group of really great people. We grew the organization and became the third-largest collegiate chapter in the world out of 200 and just have had a great time growing the organization at the local level.”
He ran for his position in the international division after learning more on how
Westfield resident and HSE graduate
Eric Berrosian is one of the founders of the DECA chapter at Butler University.
(Photo courtesy of Eric Bedrosian)
the organization touches high school and college students worldwide. Now, he’s working to increase involvement.
“The high school division focuses more on preparing you for college, what you want to do, what you want to study and the things that you are excited about,” Berdosian said. “The collegiate level, we really start to do that career preparedness. We’re working to get you out into the workforce, ready to go. There’s only so much you can learn in a college class. Sometimes it takes that extra, competitive experience or that extra push to do well in your life.”
DECA students participate in competitive events focused on business management and administration, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality and tourism, marketing and personal finance.
“The other side to DECA is more of the networking opportunities and leadership opportunities,” Berdosian said. “A lot of members join just to get that networking and career experience. We really advocate for (career and technical organizations) where people can get out and about in their communities and get involved. Sometimes people don’t know they exist, but we serve over a quarter-million students every year but there are people who still don’t know what DECA is.”
Berdosian said DECA is more than its mission statement. Between the high school and collegiate divisions, DECA serves more than 260,000 members internationally. Indiana’s association governs high school and college chapters across the state. He wants to engage with community leaders to help spread the word about the organization.
Learn more at deca.org.
Geist Montessori Academy charter school offers optional teaching model HANDS-ON LEARNING
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Geist Montessori Academy started as a small, private preschool founded by a group of parents, but has grown into a multigrade public charter school that serves about 300 students in the central Indiana region.
A few days before the start of school, teachers were arriving to set up their classrooms at the school building, 6058 W. 900 North in McCordsville. GMA Executive Director Jennifer Gosch took a break from greeting teachers to talk about what the school offers.
She said GMA became a public charter school in 2006 under Ball State University, with no tuition charged for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The school continues to offer tuition-based preschool. As a public charter school, Gosch said, GMA is subject to all the state’s education regulations. But, she said, “as a Montessori school, we get to do things a little bit differently.”
Working within state guidelines, GMA follows the instructional philosophy developed in the early 1900s by Maria Montessori, an Italian doctor.
“She was really a mover and a shaker in her time,” Gosch said. “Through her scientific work, she observed children — specifically, she worked with mentally disabled children who, at that time, would have been cast out and kind of just left to their own devices.”
Gosch said Montessori realized the methods and materials she developed while teaching those children would work for all kids, and started the alternative education movement that bears her name.
Gosch said the Montessori method can be a good option for kids who don’t do well in traditional schools.
“A lot of times in traditional, larger district schools, there’s a real push on academics and academics are king — and definitely academics are important, but an academic mark isn’t the only measure of a child’s success,” she said. “Dr. Montessori really believed in whole-child education.”
At a Montessori school, kids learn at their own pace rather than learning specific subjects at specific grade levels, Gosch said. GMA also teaches certain subjects in
(Below)
Teacher
Stacie Seipel gets her classroom ready a few days before school starts at Geist Montessori Academy.
a different order than traditional schools.
“For example … when I went to school, we learned how to add, subtract, multiply and then divide,” Gosch said. “But Dr. Montessori knew that it was developmentally appropriate for children to learn how to add and then multiply, to subtract and then divide.”
Because those subjects are taught in a different order, Gosch said GMA students don’t always perform as well on state-required grade-level standardized tests.
“It’s not that they don’t know; it’s that they haven’t had that lesson yet,” she said, adding that scores improve in later grades. “It really is kind of this tricky balance of trying to adhere to the Montessori philosophy and the scope and sequence of a Montessori curriculum and balance that with the accountability that comes with the state standards and being a public school.”
She noted that a Montessori education is something parents should be committed
WHO WAS MONTESSORI?
According to the American Montessori Society, Maria Montessori founded a childcare center in a poor inner-city district in Rome in February 1907 — the Casa dei Bambini, or Children’s House — and began developing her unique education method.
“While the children were unruly at first, they soon showed great interest in working with puzzles, learning to prepare meals, clean their environment and engaging in hands-on learning experiences,” the website states. “Dr. Montessori observed that, before long, the children exhibited calm, peaceful behavior, periods of deep concentration and a sense of order in caring for their environment. She saw that the
children absorbed knowledge from their surroundings, essentially teaching themselves.”
Within a year, Montessori opened two more schools and in 1909 she published a book detailing her methods.
“By 1910, Montessori schools could be found throughout Western Europe and were being established around the world,” the website states. “In 1911, the first Montessori school opened in the United States.”
After an initial surge of Montessori schools in the U.S., the number declined in the 1920s, but picked back up again in the 1950s. Now, there are about 5,000 Montessori schools in the United States. For more, visit amshq.org.
to, because the benefits are cumulative. GMA also doesn’t offer transportation, so while it’s open to all children in Indiana, most of the students live within relatively easy driving distance for parents.
“We pull a lot of families who live in Hamilton Southeastern or Mount Vernon or Lawrence Township (school districts),” Gosch said. “But we also have families that are coming to us from Westfield and Carmel and New Palestine, Pendleton, Anderson. There was a family who was driving from Muncie every day. But the family that was driving from Muncie decided to move to McCordsville, because they’re like, ‘We love the school, but we can’t keep doing the drive,’ so they moved to be closer to the school.”
GMA has combined classrooms, so children have the same teacher for two years. Gosch said instruction is different from a traditional classroom, with more smallgroup teaching followed by kids working on their own assignments.
“For the majority of their day, they’re working very independently and develop time management, prioritization of tasks, handling a workload — all of these things that I’m still working on as an adult,” she said.
Each classroom has a lead teacher and an assistant teacher who can provide guidance or answer questions.
Lead teacher Elise Anderson, who has taught at GMA for three years, was setting up her fifth- and sixth-grade classroom. She said she likes the big-picture concept of a Montessori education, along with the respect and encouragement the teaching method gives to students.
“The encouragement that they are capable — they are capable of being peacemakers; they are capable of taking care of an environment; they are capable of making decisions on their work,” she said. “I think that builds a lot of life skills that are needed later in life.”
Anderson said her own kids attend GMA, which shows how much she appreciates the teaching method.
For more about Geist Montessori Academy, visit gmacademy.org.
ON THE COVER: The bead wall is a hands-on teaching tool commonly used in Montessori schools. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)
(Above) Jennifer Gosch, executive director for Geist Montessori Academy, talks about the bead wall — a hands-on teaching tool commonly used in Montessori schools. (Photos by Leila Kheiry)
Actor returns as Jerry Lee Lewis in ‘Million Dollar Quartet’
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
For Brian Michael Henry, performing in “Million Dollar Quartet” expanded his musical horizons.
MUSICAL
“I love rock ‘n’ roll music, and I love getting to be able to play with a real band onstage,” he said. “The first time I played with a band was in this show and I’ve done it in many different situations since, but ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ taught me how to play with other musicians.”
Henry reprises his role as Jerry Lee Lewis in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Million Dollar Quartet” Aug. 29 to Oct. 6 at the Indianapolis venue. Henry played Lewis in the 2018 production at Beef & Boards.
The musical recounts an event on Dec. 4, 1956, when a twist of fate brought Lewis, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash together at Sun Records in Memphis, Tenn., for a legendary jam session.
“There’s a new challenge every time I do it,” Henry said. “Sometimes, it’s the physicality. I’ll need to really stretch for the piano jumps and playing backwards. It’s also a lot of energy to keep up over the course of the show. Jerry Lee doesn’t really leave the stage once he enters at the beginning, so it’s a bit of an endurance test.”
Henry said he is in at least his 10th production of the musical.
“Some of those include productions where I was an understudy but went on and performed the role multiple times during the run,” he said. “I recently understudied Jerry Lee and Sam Phillips in both the Christmas version of the show and the original version. I was able to go on for Sam Phillips in both versions and it was really great to see the show from that vantage point.” Naturally, the show has become one of Henry’s favorites.
sicals, so doing this show is really a fun departure,” he said.
Henry looks forward to returning to Beef & Boards.
“When I did the show here in 2018, I just had a wonderful time,” he said.
“Working with Eddie (Curry) and Jeff (Stockberger) and everyone at Beef & Boards was so much fun and I’m really looking forward to seeing them again. I have some other great friends who will be in this production, so I’m looking forward to working with them as well. I also really enjoyed Indianapolis and I can’t wait to explore the city again.”
Curry returns in the role of Sam Phillips. Stockberger returns as director. Stockberger and Curry are Indianapolis residents.
hattan (N.Y.) School of Music.
Henry has written and recorded two albums, one EP and some singles
“I come from a classical music background, but with singing,” he said. “I went to school and grad school for opera. I’ve been playing piano since I was about 14, which is a little old to become a concert pianist, But, while I’ve gravitated toward classical music with singing, I’ve always been drawn to rock music at the piano. I used to have to barter with my piano teacher and if I’d work on my classical pieces, she’d in turn let me work on a Billy Joel song.”
‘LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL’
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” runs through Aug. 25 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
“Simply the Best: A Celebration of Tina Turner” is set for Aug. 22, followed by “Deceptions: An Evening of Magic & Lies” Aug. 23 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com
SYMPHONY ON THE PRAIRIE
“Free Fallin: The Tom Petty Concert Experience” is set for Aug. 23, followed by “Face 2 Face: A Tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John” Aug. 24 at Symphony on the Prairie at Conner Prairie in Fishers. Both performances start at 8 p.m. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.
‘THE WOMAN IN BLACK’
Carmel Community Players’ production of “The Woman in Black” runs through Aug. 25 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.
IMAGINE DRAGONS
Imagine Dragons: Loom World Tour is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville. For more, visit livenation.com.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
New Kids on the Block with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville. For more, visit livenation.com
DISPATCH
“I tend to do a lot of ‘Golden Age’ mu-
Henry, who is based in New York City, grew up in Lock Haven, Pa., and earned his undergraduate degree at Penn State University and his master’s at the Man-
Making their Beef & Boards debuts are Sam C. Jones as Johnny Cash, Cody Craven as Carl Perkins and Jesse Plourde as Elvis. The production’s hit songs include “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?”, “Great Balls of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Hound Dog.”
For more, visit beefandboards.com.
Fishers Blues Fest announces headliners — The Nickel Plate District AMP will host the 12th annual Blues Fest Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. The free two-night festival includes performances by local and national blues artists. Headliners for the all-ages, family-friendly concert lineup include Shemeika Copeland Aug. 31 and Bernard Allison Sept. 1. The full lineup for both nights will be released at npdamp.com/BluesFest. Tickets aren’t required for admission.
Brian Michael Henry reprises his role of Jerry Lee Lewis in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Million Dollar Quartet.” (Photo courtesy of Beef & Boards)
Henry
Barkeep Vodka hits market
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Craig Huse is convinced Barkeep Vodka will be popular with vodka drinkers.
BEVERAGES
“In my 35 years in the hospitality industry, I’ve had the privilege of sampling nearly every premium vodka on the market,” said Huse, CEO of Huse Culinary who also is one of four partners in Barkeep Vodka. “Yet nothing compares to the purity and smoothness of Barkeep Vodka, crafted using True Essence Foods’ patented compression filtering process. This groundbreaking technology has set a new standard for vodka and is poised to revolutionize the spirits industry as a whole. We are thrilled to pioneer this transformation with Barkeep Vodka, delivering the cleanest-tasting vodka experience to Hoosiers.”
Huse Culinary operates several Indianapolis-area restaurants, including St. Elmo Steak House, 1933 Lounge and HC Tavern + Kitchen.
“True Essence Foods Flavor Balancing equipment is a proprietary, nonadditive mechanical filtration system that uses
controlled pressure to eliminate off-flavors, resulting in a cleaner, balanced, more consistent tasting spirit without additives or preservatives,” said Matt Rubin, CEO of True Essence.
The product is available at most package liquor stores and should be available soon at major grocery stores. Along with Huse Culinary restaurants, it is available at other area restaurants.
Along with Jones and Craig Huse, the other partners are Jamie Blake and Chris Clifford. All live in the Indianapolis area.
“We feel this is an important fact when zero of the top 10 best-selling vodkas in Indiana are both owned and operated in the Midwest,” Jones said.
For more, visit barkeepvodka.com.
Barkeep Vodka was recently launched by four Indianapolis-area partners. (Photo courtesy of David Puimer)
CSO to hold Motown/disco concert
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Mélisse Brunet has a broad appreciation for Motown and disco classics.
MUSIC
Brunet
“A lot of people grew up with that music,” said Brunet, who grew up in Paris. “It’s a lot of nostalgia and it’s part of our DNA. I’m so glad a lot of this music also includes orchestra.”
Brunet will serve as guest conductor for Carmel Symphony Orchestra’s Motown and Disco concert. She will be joined by Jeans ’n Classics, a group of musicians who blend rock music with symphonies, at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel.
Brunet, who lives in Philadelphia, is the conductor for the Lexington (Ky.) Philharmonic and Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa.
Brunet conducted Jeans ’n Classics last year.
“It’s a great band,” she said. “I’m also working with them with my orchestra in Pennsylvania. I’m doing a Queen (tribute) show with them. They’re amazing. I love both disco and Motown. ‘Disco Inferno’ always makes me very happy. People are going to have a big variety of selections that are going to bring back memories to them. I hope to see a lot of costumes.”
She recently conducted a pop show in Lexington, where she wore a Tina Turner dress and Prince’s “Purple Rain” outfit.
There will be a disco costume contest at 7:30 p.m. before the CSO concert.
Brunet was featured in “Maestra,” a 2023 documentary about five international female conductors.
Brunet came to the U.S. from Paris in 2010 as an exchange student.
“I didn’t know that I would love the U.S. and American people,” she said. “I became an American citizen in February. I have a lot of qualities that are purely American and I didn’t know about that before I moved because each country is so different. The only thing that hasn’t changed is my accent.”
For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
THE PALLADIUM
The Center Celebration 2024 presented by Ice Miller is SOLD OUT! We’re so grateful to the many generous people and companies who have signed on to support the Center’s wide range of arts and educational programming, from big-name concerts to classes and lectures to free events for schools to our Prism Project arts camp for youth with disabilities – and the list goes on.
Even if you missed this opportunity, you can still join us in continuing to bring these programs to the community. Just visit our website at TheCenterPresents.org/Donate to make a tax-deductible donation to the Center and its mission.
Proceeds benefit the Center’s arts and educational programming
Special thanks to our community partners, including Ice Miller, First Merchants Bank, Aaron Wealth Advisors, Open Gate Design, the Payne & Mencias Group, Studio M Architecture, Will and Yasmin Stump and Shiel Sexton
A CELEBRATION OF GLOBAL CONNECTION
FEATURING REPRESENTATIVES AND PERFORMERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD!
carmelartsfestival.org
CULTURAL DISPLAYS FROM: Cortona, Italy | Jelgava, Latvia | Kawachinagano, Japan
Rueil-Malmaison, France | Seiffen, Germany | Visakhapatnam, India
Ataturk Organization (Turkiye) | Ukrainian Society of Indiana
DANCE PERFORMANCES BY:
Lielupe Folk Dance Ensemble (Jelgava, Latvia)
Holy Trinity Hellenic Dance Troupe (Greek Dance)
Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos (Mexican Dance)
The Indianapolis Chinese Community Center
CARMEL JAZZ FESTIVAL ATTRACTS VISITORS
The second Carmel Jazz
and “America’s
Aug. 9 schedule included Danny
“America’s Got
and
FREE EVENT LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
Feeling strapped for cash but still want to have some fun? Each week, Current helps you find things to do without breaking the bank. Here’s what’s on tap this week:
Join Hamilton County Parks and Recreation for a free visual experience from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 23 at Potter’s Bridge Park in Noblesville, 19401 Allisonville Rd. The historical bridge will be decorated with luminaries and the event will have live music, food trucks, a beer truck and lighted canoes.
OTHER FREE AREA EVENTS
GREEKFEST — GreekFest, an event with authentic Greek food, live Greek bands, cooking demonstrations and more will take place from 4 to 10 p.m. Aug. 23 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 24 at 3500 W. 106th St. in Carmel. Admission is free and items will be available for purchase.
Talent” fan
Connecticut resident Maceo Miller, 9, was excited to see B. Thompson perform live. He attended the concert with his grandfather Marvin Miller (Carmel). Maceo plays trumpet, bass and flute.
Rob and Ingrid Perdue (Carmel)
Kenneth and Diane Wendeln (Carmel)
Festival’s
Lerman on Carter Green stage
Got Talent” contestant Bryan Thompson, who performs as B. Thompson, opening for Antonia Bennett and Carmel Symphony Orchestra at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts. The two-day festival concluded Aug. 10. (Photos by Jennifer A. Haire)
Stefanie Patterson inside the Indianapolis Salt Cave handand-foot detox room, which has
Lawrence-based salt cave focuses on healing
By Conrad Otto conrad@youarecurrent.com
Indianapolis Salt Cave in Lawrence was founded in 2018. The man-made salt cave mimics salt mines in Poland and uses pink salt for halotherapy services to help with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.
HALOTHERAPY
Owner Stefanie Patterson recently answered questions from Current about the company.
What is the backstory of Indianapolis Salt Cave?
We are recreating the environment of a salt mine. We have about 9 tons lining the walls and the floor. It’s basically a room completely made of salt, direct from the salt mines in Poland. We are really trying to mimic that atmosphere. We not only have that salt lining the walls and the floor, but we also have a machine that’s called a halo generator. What it’s doing is using pharmaceutical-grade salt in the machine and it’s grinding up super fine, finer than a dust particle. It then aerosols it into the air during your session. Not only are you getting the salt surrounding you in the walls and the floor, but you’re also breathing those particles deep in your lungs.
What is the goal?
We are spreading holistic healing in a responsible, kind and compassionate manner. We want to make sure that people are introduced to a therapy that can really complement their health journey, but also just help relax them, help (with) stress relief.
What was the building process like?
We had a guy come from Poland who grew up going to the actual salt mines. He
brought his brother and his son and helped us get the salt imported and then helped build the cave. It was a pretty extensive process. The salt boulders literally come as boulders, so it’s like a puzzle piece trying to fit them all together and make it feel like a cave — as authentic as possible.
What are the treatments like?
It really depends on what you have going on with your body already, or what your goal is coming here. I would definitely recommend the salt cave, that is the one more for your respiratory health. We also have infrared saunas — that would be mainly for people with body inflammation. We also have our hand-and-foot detox. It’s a room where you put your hands and feet on heated salt blocks, so it’s going to gently pull out toxins and heavy metals through sweat. Our newest treatment is called our fire and ice treatment. We have it out in a yurt. It’s basically an infrared sauna with red-light therapy and cold plunges. That would be good for recovery if you’re an athlete.
What has the public feedback been like?
People love it. We have quite a few people who come back on a regular basis. We have really good testimonials of people who have used this as a compliment on their health journey. We’ve had really good feedback. It’s been fun to see those transformations.
What is to be expected on a first visit?
For most sessions, we would tell you to dress comfortably. There’s really not a whole lot of prep work you need to do. We tell you all about the treatment that you’re doing and then we make sure you’re comfortable. All of the indoor sessions are 45 minutes. The yurt treatment is an hour. For more, visit indysaltcave.com.
Come
heated salt blocks.
(Photo by Conrad Otto)
Stay hydrated in the heat
Commentary by Kevin Nowak
As temperatures rise in late summer, it’s crucial to prioritize staying hydrated to maintain good health. Our bodies face increased risks of dehydration, making it essential to understand the importance of proper hydration.
HOW WATER CAN HELP YOUR BODY
Water is essential to life. Our bodies rely on it for numerous vital functions. Here’s why staying hydrated is especially crucial in summer:
• Regulates body temperature: Sweating is our body’s natural mechanism to cool down. This process can quickly deplete our water stores, leading to dehydration. By drinking enough fluids, we replenish the water lost through sweating.
• Supports physical performance: Whether you’re hitting the beach, going for a hike or enjoying outdoor activities, staying hydrated is key. Dehydration can lead to decreased endurance, muscle cramps and fatigue.
• Maintains cognitive function: Dehydration also affects our brains.
Studies have shown that even mild dehydration can impair cognitive function, leading to difficulties in concentration, memory and mood.
• Prevents heat-related illnesses: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and inadequate hydration can result in heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS
Recognizing the signs of heat-related illness is crucial for staying safe during summer. Common symptoms include excessive sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache, nausea and rapid heartbeat. It’s essential to take immediate action to prevent the condition from worsening. Move to a cooler place, rest and drink plenty of fluids. In severe cases, symptoms may escalate to confusion or seizures.
Kevin Nowakis the Emergency Department medical director at IU Health Saxony Hospital in Fishers
Different in the same way?
Commentary by Terry Anker
Studies have long shown that we humans tend to flock together. It seems that we are likely to earn about the same as those with whom we spend most of our time. That makes some sense, one could suppose, because we’d then have about the same disposable income to enjoy together and we’d be confronted with many similar financial challenges. Likewise, we are ordinarily within 20 percent or so in personal body weight to those in our social circle. OK, if we work out a lot or find ourselves to be barbecue masters, our proximity to the ideal BMI might direct us to collect with others similarly motivated.
ESSAY
The same can be said about education levels, political proclivities, religious identity and conception of justice. We absorb the world around us in the context of the way that others react to it. Still, many of us are confirmed in the belief that we are independent thinkers, free from the influence of social order and constraint.
Are we simply fooling ourselves by seeking those who are not a part of our peer group with whom to find a contrast? We stand on one side of the street with our people and point mockingly at those situated on the other. They might declare, “How can they stand to be in the sun?” At the very same time, others express, “We are so grateful for the warmth and light afforded over here!”
Perspective is important in forming our world view. Yet, what is the role of our innate human urge to be a part of the club? Perhaps, even more urgently, we fear being excluded. Doesn’t even the most eccentric of us search for a cohort of equally unusual persons to call partners? Don’t we want to be different in the same way as them?
Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent. com.
Any objections may be made by contacting the Secretary of the Commission, Randall C. Helmen with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor at the following addresses or phone numbers:
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission - PNC Center 101 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 East Indianapolis, IN 46204-3407 Telephone: 317-232-2703
Energy
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor- PNC Center 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South Indianapolis, IN 46204 Telephone: 317-232-2494
LLC By:
Stan Pinegar, President
Brotherhood Designs utilizes their Retired Fire Hose Waste Reduction Program to create Patriotic art as well as to supply zoos and animal sanctuaries with material they upcycle for rehabilitation and enhancement of their habitat.
Blueprint for Improvement: Open concept overhaul in Carmel
Commentary by Larry Greene
You had us at open concept! Our team was thrilled to help our clients reimagine their east Carmel home’s first floor. We transformed a dated layout into a modern, functional space that balances aesthetics and practicality. By removing walls and reworking the floorplan, a spacious open-concept kitchen and dining area were created — now ideal for entertaining both family and guests.
THE BLUEPRINT
• The former kitchen and dining room spaces were combined to create a new, larger kitchen that serves as the heart of the home.
• An underutilized formal living room evolved into the new dining room, improving flow and expanding gathering space.
• The new island is the perfect combination of form and function–increasing prep and convening space, while also defining the kitchen and dining areas.
• Rich wood tones on the new flooring and windows add a warm contrast to the cool hues of the cabinets, pendant lights and polished chrome hardware.
Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.
After
Before
LIFESTYLE
kayo count
32. Pub projectile
33. First-aid kit item
34. See 17-Across
36. Decrease
39. “In that case...”
40. Chum
43. Bird-related
44. Pound hound
45. Havana’s home
46. Pretzel topping
47. Viral GIF, e.g.
48. Arm part
49. Moving day rental
51. DePauw vs. Wabash, for one
53. Spoofs or pranks
55. See 17-Across
56. Common soccer score
57. Charged particle
58. Drug addict
59. Stoli and Smirnoff
60. Hoosier astronaut
Grissom
61. IU profs’ degrees Down
1. Sure thing 2. Create motion pictures? 3. Balkan native
4. Gym wear
5. Fourth rock from the Sun
6. Mess hall grub
UFO crew 8. Cried like a kitten
Workplace safety org.
No-nos for Olympians
Shapiro’s dessert choice
Non-Rx
Teensy
Stubborn beast
“___ It Be”
Chemical element in batteries 26. Buddhism branch
Opposite of WNW
29. Advise of danger
30. Kind of list
32. Day’s first light
33. Rose-Hulman, e.g. (Abbr.)
34. Geist docking device
35. “Please, go ahead”
36. Car fuel
37. Indianapolis Fertility Center lab eggs
38. Not at full strength
40. Put into print
41. Scrubbed, at NASA
42. Barnes & Thornburg staffers
44. A Simon
45. Keep mum
47. Ponders
48. Juan Peron’s first lady
50. Palindromic girl’s name
52. Brown County lodgings
53. WFYI film series
54. Numero ___
Answer: heartfelt
Zionsville HS volleyball team stat Answers on Page 23
SR. SOFTWARE ENGINEER
BorgWarner PDS (USA), Inc. seeks a Sr. Software Engineer based out of our office at 2151 E Lincoln Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902. Note, this is a hybrid position whereby the employee will work both from home and from the aforementioned office address; from our technical center, 13975 BorgWarner Drive, Noblesville, Indiana 46060; and from home. Hence, the employee must live within a reasonable commuting distance of the aforementioned office address. Note, this position does not require travel. Design and implement embedded software solutions for automotive controllers, among other duties. Email resume to ccregar@borgwarner.com and reference job number R2024-1124.
PUZZLE ANSWERS
Glaziers / Glass Installers –Gatsby Glass of NW Indianapolis is now hiring! Join now to support our rapidly growing business – apply by email at GG135@gatsbybyglass.com
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