February 14, 2023 — Noblesville

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2 long-term councilors not seeking reelection

Ayer declines to run again for council

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville Common Councilman Brian Ayer will end his 20-year run as an elected official in December after deciding not to run for another term.

O’Connor won’t run again for council

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville Common Councilman Greg O’Connor won’t run for another term, ending 16 years of service to the city later this year.

ELECTION

ELECTION

“I am proud of the progress our city has made since I began serving on council in 2003,” Ayer said. “We have worked together as a city to maintain our identity as an unmatched historic community while moving forward on projects that honor our heritage and make necessary investments to support our residents and businesses.”

Ayer serves as an at-large councilman, serving all Noblesville residents within the city limits and Noblesville Township. His term ends Dec. 31.

Ayer has been a Noblesville resident since 1964 and graduated from Noblesville High School in 1976. He and his family started Ayer’s Real Estate in 1978, which serves Noblesville and Hamilton County.

During his time on the council, he has served as council president twice and has been the chair of the council’s roads, building and land acquisition and wastewater committees. In addition, Ayer has also been a member of the Noblesville Architecture Review Board.

In a statement, city officials said Ayer’s “vision and diligence has been instrumental in many impactful city projects, including Hamilton Town Center, the Pleasant Street east-west corridor, expansion of the city’s trail network, acquisition of Finch Creek Park, the Levinson mixed-used development, construction of a new eastside fire station, and partnership with the county for construction of the 146th Street corridor.”

City officials also said Ayer has been “a prominent voice for preserving the hometown charm of the community while funding necessary infrastructure and public safety enhancements.”

“I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife, children and grandchildren and concentrating on my real estate business,” Ayer said. “We are looking forward to staying a part of the community and enjoying everything Noblesville has to offer. I always say, if you can’t find something to do in Noblesville, you’re not looking hard enough.”

Ayer is a member of the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce and served on the board and as a past president, member and past board member of Noblesville Main Street and a past board member of Habitat for Humanity of Hamilton County. He is also a member of First United Methodist Church, Noblesville Elks Lodge and Noblesville Moose Lodge, according to the city.

Six candidates have filed for three at-large seats up for grabs during the May 2 primary election: Evan Elliott, Mike Field, Paula Jo Gilliam, Nick Gomillion, Darren Peterson and Pete Schwartz. Peterson is currently an at-large councilman seeking reelection, while Schwartz represents District 2, but has filed for an at-large seat.

O’Connor, who serves District 5, began serving his fourth term on the Noblesville Common Council in January 2020 and said he is grateful and humbled by the support and confidence he has received by citizens in his district.

“I have had the distinct pleasure of serving the citizens of Noblesville for the last 15 years,” O’Connor said. “I’m proud of a number of the projects and infrastructure improvements that have been completed and are currently in process. Most importantly, we have continued to increase the tax base of the city, which will not only bring new jobs to the community but will insure an ongoing flow of funding to continue to support future development, public safety and infrastructure needs.”

In 2016, O’Connor served as council president, a position he previously held in 2009 and 2012, according to the city. He is a 36-year resident of Noblesville and will leave office Dec. 31 when his term expires.

During his time on the council, O’Connor has chaired the finance and economic development committees and has also been a member of the Noblesville Plan Commission. In a statement by the city, officials said O’Connor has been engaged in a number of projects, including the recently announced Firestone property transaction. The city is looking to redevelop a former Firestone tire plant at 1700 Division St. that closed more than a decade ago.

The site has been vacant since 2009, when the company ceased operations in Noblesville. Noblesville Deputy Mayor Matt Light told the council in December that municipal or nonprofit buildings could be built on the site, although he stressed that no final decisions have been made regarding any proposed redevelopment.

City officials also said in a statement that O’Connor has been “instrumental in setting fiscal policy for the city and enhancing accounting and financial strategies in coordination with the city controller to promote stewardship of taxpayer funds.”

O’Connor, who is senior vice president and director of commercial banking at BMO Commercial Bank, said the city is well positioned from a financial perspective to meet the challenges ahead.

“I am confident the current administration, along with the council, will continue to set the pace for quality development and job creation on an ongoing basis,” he said.

In Noblesville, O’Connor has served as a member of the board of directors of the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce and is the secretary/treasurer of the board of directors of the Riverview Hospital Foundation.

O’Connor is an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Noblesville and has volunteered for a number of other philanthropic endeavors, city officials said. Two candidates, Dave Johnson and Rocky Shanehsaz, will vie for the District 5 seat in the May 2 primary election.

Ayer

O’Connor

COMMUNITY

Field set for May 2 primary election

news@currentnoblesville.com

The May 2 primary election ballots are now set. Filing for the primary ended at noon Feb. 3. All but four races in Noblesville are unopposed.

ELECTION

Seats up for election include mayor, city clerk, city court judge, in addition to seats on the Noblesville Common Council. Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen is running unopposed as he seeks a second term, while City Clerk Evelyn Lees and City Court Judge Matt Cook also face no opposition.

Noblesville Common Council races for Districts 3, 4 and 6 are also unopposed as Aaron Smith, Mark Boice and Megan Wiles, respectively, seek reelection, while six individuals will vie for three at-large seats up for grabs during the primary.

Below is a list of all candidates who have filed:

Mayor:

• Chris Jensen (R)

City clerk:

• Evelyn Lees (R)

City court judge:

• Matt Cook (R)

District 1 council seat:

• Mike Davis (R)

• Matt Witsken (R)

District 2 council seat:

• Jay Mundy (R)

• Todd Thurston (R)

District 3 council seat:

• Aaron Smith (R)

District 4 council seat:

• Mark Boice (R)

District 5 council seat:

• Dave Johnson (R)

• Rocky Shanehsaz (R)

District 6 council seat:

• Megan Wiles (R)

At-large council seat (vote for 3):

• Evan Elliott (R)

• Mike Field (R)

• Nick Gomillion (R)

• Darren Peterson (R)

• Pete Schwartz (R)

• Paula Jo Gilliam (D)

When you have as many years repairing leaks and installing new roofs as we do at Bone Dry, it translates into having the fewest complaints. What we’ve learned in three decades can teach you a lot about who to call whenever your roof turns into some kind of medieval water torture.

Foundation awards grants

news@currentnoblesville.com

The Crosser Family Foundation, a fund of the Hamilton County Community Foundation, recently announced $338,650 in grants to 22 nonprofit organizations. Working with Hamilton County Community Foundation staff, the Crosser Family Foundation advisors support organizations focusing on the Hamilton County communities or surrounding areas in central Indiana.

Horsemanship International premier accredited center offering equine-assisted services to clients encountering physical, mental, cognitive and emotional disabilities, as well as other life challenges.

“We strongly believe in these not-for-profit organizations and are thrilled to partner with them to support the invaluable work they do to enrich our community and meet the diverse needs of our neighbors,” said Craig Crosser.

Some of the organizations receiving support include:

Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources ($15,000) — Funds will support its “Beyond the Barn” mental health initiative through the implementation of two 10-week Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) programs targeting teen girls and women who have been victims of crime or abuse. Agape is a Professional Association of Therapeutic

NONPROFITS EVENT

Fueled for School ($22,000) — Grant will provide 110 Noblesville School students with weekend meal packs. The total number of students (grades K-12) served will increase to 360 or 100% of the children who have requested support. Nearly 25 percent of all Noblesville school students K-12 experience food insecurity. Fueled for School partnered with Noblesville School to fill this need. Fueled for School provides food-insecure youth with nutritious meal packs.

Roberts Chapel Church & Burial Association, Inc. ($20,000) — Grant will support the creation of story content for Phase I of Roberts Settlement’s Legacy Walk exhibit. Roberts Settlement is one of a handful of Black settlements that remains intact with tangible historic resources tied to its founding and prominence.

A full list of grantees can be found by visiting cicf.org/2023/02/06/crosser-family-foundation-announces-nearly-350k-in-grants/.

Traveling exhibit launches Bicentennial Celebration

By Rich Brown news@currentnoblesville.com

Hamilton County’s Bicentennial Celebration is kicking into high gear this month, with dozens of activities in several cities. One of those attractions is the “Traveling Exhibit,” which will make stops in the following municipalities: Noblesville, Fishers, Cicero, Carmel, Arcadia, Sheridan and Westfield.

An opening reception is set for Feb. 17 at 11810 Technology Dr. in Fishers.

“Our inspiration for the ‘Traveling Exhibit’ was places in our county that might tell a larger story,” said Jessica Layman, Hamilton County bicentennial coordinator. “For example, many residents may be aware that Ruoff Music Center is located in Hamilton County, but they may not know that live entertainment and arts of all kind had a long history there.

“We’d like visitors to the exhibit to be able to think a little more deeply about our history.”

The exhibit is funded by the Hamilton County Community Foundation. It features panels created by Hamilton County historians and graphic designers. Each panel educates about the history and culture of the county.

“History is always evolving,” Layman said. “And being aware of the past can bring a better context to where we are now and where are going in the future.”

The exhibit is comprised of a group of dramatic panels. Each panel focuses on one of the five themes of the Bicentennial Celebration: Arts, diversity and inclusion, education, historic preservation and parks and environment.

Dates for the exhibit run through October 20. Admission is free, but each location hosting the exhibit will have its own operating hours.

For more, visit hamcoturns200.com/ events. For exhibit dates and locations, visit visithamiltoncounty.com/event/ traveling-exhibit/69266/.

Off to the Rookie Run races

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

Beth Spoonmore enjoys running, and she’s glad to see her children starting to love it, too.

500 FESTIVAL

Thanks to the 500 Festival’s Rookie Run, presented this year by Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase, her daughter and son have had the opportunity to participate in a race set to their scale.

“It’s a short enough distance that it’s not intimidating or overwhelming for their age, and it’s a really fun environment,” Spoonmore said. “They were both successful at it, and that made them feel good about themselves.”

This year’s event, set for May 14 in downtown Indianapolis, will feature courses for children ages 3 to 10 that range from two blocks to a one-third mile, with the distance increasing for each age group. The youngest racers will begin at 12:30 p.m., with the final group set to start at 2:30 p.m.

Participants in the event, which is noncompetitive, will receive a race bib, goodie bag and finisher medal and experience running past a cheering section before they cross the finish line.

Matt Adams participated in the Rookie Run as a kid and remembers it as a “cool experience” to run through downtown streets. More recently, he’s attended the event as a volunteer and has enjoyed watching the young runners feel the same sense of awe that he did.

The Rookie Run is held in conjunction with Kids’ Day, a free outdoor festival on Monument Circle. The event will feature more than 40 exhibitors and plenty of educational and interactive family activities. This year Kids’ Day coincides with Mother’s Day.

Registration for the Rookie Run opens Feb. 16. Learn more at indymini.com/ rookierun.

Getting to know Victoria Kintner

Zionsville resident Victoria Kintner has been a violinist for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra since 1993. She previously was a member of the Boston Pops Esplanade and Boston Ballet orchestras and has written the programs for the ISO’s “Teddy Bear” series, designed for children ages 3-6 and consisting of original stories, live musical selections and movements for audience participation.

Where did your passion for music and the desire to perform it come from originally?

My dad (Paul) was an electrical engineer, but he played the viola. He would have friends come over and they would play string quartets. It was a Saturday night event at least once a month. I remember from age 7 that I begged to play, and probably by the time I was 11, I was sitting in with them. For some of the easier music, I would play the second violin.

What is your favorite piece of music to play?

A: I love (Gustav) Mahler symphonies. He wrote nine symphonies, and I love those symphonies. The richness and the texture. They’re beautifully written.

What exactly is the “Teddy Bear” series, and why is it important to you?

They started in 2014. The woman in the education department at ISO had been asking about designing a program for little kids from 3 to 7. They’re 45 minutes long. I’ve written five different programs, and in there they’ve introduced 18 different instruments from the piccolo to the tuba. We do 10 to 15 concerts per year and have served over 8,000 children at this point.

Rookie Run participants cross the start line in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Beth Spoonmore)

NHS leading scorer gets lift on tips from Indiana legend

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville High School senior guard

Luke Almodovar’s passion for basketball is understandable. He’s had a quite a mentor.

His grandfather, Billy Keller, was a star guard at Purdue University and played seven seasons (1969 to 1976) with the Indiana Pacers in the ABA. Keller, a 1965 Indiana Mr. Basketball from Indianapolis Washington High School, also was a basketball coach at the University of Indianapolis for seven seasons.

“Growing up, any time he could, he would try to get the ball in my hands and work with me,” Almodovar said. “I didn’t realize it then, but it really helped me out a lot learning from him. He’s a great teacher and great coach.”

Keller is Almodovar’s mother Jill’s stepfather. These days, Keller watches games from livestreams in Florida.

“Almost after every game he calls or texts

MEET LUKE ALMODOVAR

Favorite subject: Science

Favorite athlete: LeBron James

Favorite musician: Luke Bryan

me to give me things to work on,” Almodovar said.

The 6-foot-3 Almodovar, who recently accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, is averaging nearly 17 points per game for the Millers, who were 13-5 as of Feb. 10. He averaged 12.6 points as a junior and 11 ppg as a sophomore.

“On the court and off the court, I feel

I’M RIDING WITHOUT PAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME.

On the back of her horse is Ginger’s favorite place in the world. When her chronic back pain became so bad that it kept her out of the stables, she realized how limited she’d felt for years. She turned to the expert care at Goodman Campbell to get her back in the saddle.

Learn more about Ginger and her story at GoodmanCampbell.com.

Noblesville High School guard Luke Almodovar gets advice from his grandfather, former Purdue and Indiana Pacers guard Billy Keller.

improved as a leader,” Almodovar said.

lost a few games we shouldn’t have,

but it helps learning from our losses.”

Noblesville coach Scott McClelland said he noticed more of a commitment from Almodovar this season.

“He was not only working to improve individually, but to help our team,” McClelland said. “From a basketball standpoint, he’s hit 40 (three-pointers) in 18 games. He’s shooting over 50 percent from the 3-point line. He’s shooting 56 percent from the field. He’s had a good senior year.”

Almodovar said he wants to play in college right away, so NAIA program Saint Francis was a good fit.

“I want to play next year,” said Almodovar, who plans to major in business and minor in communications. “I don’t want to go to a big school and sit on the bench. The opportunity was perfect.”

Jill, whose maiden name is Lyon, played on Noblesville High School’s 1987 girls state championship team. She played volleyball at Purdue Fort Wayne and so did Almodovar’s father, Norman. Jill has previously served the NHS head volleyball coach three times. Almodovar’s sister, Lexie, is a NHS graduate who plays volleyball for the University of Dayton.

Campbell

Goodman -

(Photo courtesy of Jill Almodovar)

Almodovar

I’ve

“We’ve

Nickel Plate Arts to feature Mannell exhibit

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Nickel Plate Arts in Noblesville will feature an exhibit by artist Jerry Mannell during the month of February. The exhibit, “Transtangentialism,” will be on display in the Stephenson House on the Nickel Plate Arts campus, 107 S. 8th St., from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. In Mannell’s work, the composition, color and lines are often tangential to each other and relate, but not in a direct way, according to Nickel Plate Arts.

ARTS

The overall mood or message in the canvas is transitional as the elements form into something that engages the viewer, according to Mannell.

“I use modeled shapes. I try to relate color instead of using the natural world as a basis,” Mannell said. “It’s all out of my head, representing the world around me. My work is made up of plastic shapes and mechanical gadgets and is created out of context. No one knows what they are, but they are all around us.”

Mannell was a fine arts major in college but eventually took interest in advertising and graphic design.

“Graphic design work has pushed me in a certain direction. Creating a logo, you don’t want it to be literal, it’s something abstract,” he said.

In his work, Mannell said everything is self-contained as a stand-alone shape or group of shapes and incorporates a lot of movement as well.

“You want the eye to move in a Z-shape in advertising,” Mannell said. “You can make

Nickel Plate Arts in Noblesville will feature an exhibit, “Transtangentialism,” by artist Jerry Mannell during the month of February. (Photo provided by Nickel Plate Arts)

the eye move from one side of the canvas to the other and relate that to color on the lower right-hand side. The eye keeps on moving in terms of shapes and color, and that’s all in the composition.”

Mannell has his own repertoire of shapes, noting that anything triangular and green is reminiscent of nature and growth.

Guests can meet Mannell during a public reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 21 on the Nickel Plate Arts campus. Artwork can be purchased by contacting Nickel Plate Arts or ordering online from nickelplatearts.org/ exhibits.

DISPATCHES

Free meditation classes available — Sahaja Yoga Meditation is hosting free weekly meditation classes at The Community First Bank, 707 E. Ind. 32, Westfield. For more information, call 205-765-6103 or email indianameditation@gmail.com.

Students can page at Statehouse — Hamilton County lawmakers are inviting students to spend a day as a House page at the Indi-

ana Statehouse. House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, said students ages 13 to 18 can sign up to page, and assist lawmakers and staff with daily duties. Opportunities to page are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the session, which began on Jan. 9 and must conclude by the end of April. For more, visit indianahouserepublicans.com/pageprogram or call 1-800-382-9841.

Mannell

Send us your stories and photos – Please email story suggestions on new businesses, interesting residents, upcoming events, news tips and photos to Current in Noblesville Managing Editor Matthew Kent at matthew@ youarecurrent.com. For photo submissions, please provide the full names of individuals, along with a short description of the event, location and the date of when it took place.

Applications open for UWCI pitch contest – Nonprofits interested in winning funding from United Way of Central Indiana by showcasing their innovative ideas can now apply to compete at an April pitch contest. At Propel, human services organizations will pitch their ideas on how to reduce barriers for those from under-resourced

communities or asset-limited backgrounds. The event is open to nonprofits serving residents in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan or Putnam counties. Interested nonprofits can apply by submitting a letter of interest and a five-minute video about their project or idea by Feb. 27. Applicants do not need to be accredited with United Way to participate. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of community leaders. Finalists will make their pitches live April 27. A location for the event will be announced at a later date. A $30,000 award presented by United Way will be selected by a panel of judges, a $50,000 award presented by Audiochuck will be chosen by the media company and an audience-choice winner of at least $5,000 will be voted on by the public. Finalists will receive $2,000. For more information or to

apply, go to uwci.org/propel.

UWCI names finalists for ELEVATE awards – United Way of Central Indiana has named 20 finalists for its ELEVATE Awards, which will honor the region’s top young philanthropists. Winners will be announced at a 1970s disco-themed brunch event Feb. 18. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Biltwell Event Center, 950 S. White River Parkway W. Drive, Indianapolis. Tickets starting at $50 can be purchased at uwci.org/elevate, while profiles of finalists can also be found on the site. ELEVATE raises money for United Way’s Basic Needs Fund, which helps provide Hoosiers with healthy food, affordable housing, reliable transportation and access to health care services.

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Invasive plants a nuisance for gardeners Inmates participate in hospitality training program

Commentary by Betty Montgomery

Over the years, gardens have been enriched by the introduction of plants from other parts of the nation and from abroad. Most are fundamental to our lifestyle, such as food crops, while others, like hostas and begonias, enhance our gardens.

to the U.S. during the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. It was touted as a great ornamental plant for its sweet-smelling blooms and sturdy vine good for control erosion.

GARDENING

These non-native plants species are also called exotic species. Some exotic species are invasive while many are not invasive. The ones that are invasive can be a real nuisance.

Now, what is an invasive species? Invasive plants compete against other plants, crowd them out and discourage the growth of our native plants species, also called indigenous plants.

They produce large quantities of seeds, thrive on disturbed soil, smother roots of surrounding vegetation and inhibit the growth of native plants around them.

However, non-native plants are not invasive everywhere. There are plants listed as invasive in the South that are not invasive in the North, and vice versa.

Conditions vary wildly in our nation because of the size. Species become invasive if it outcompetes and displaces native species, causing ecological and economic damage and we should avoid planting them for sure.

One of the most popular food crops in the world are tomatoes. They originated in the Andes, growing in parts of Chile, Ecuador and Peru. Primroses, begonias and hostas are a few of the flowering plants that are frequently planted in gardens.

We also plant spruces, junipers and yews that come from Asia. These are beloved plants, and none are considered invasive.

On the other hand, kudzu, a perennial vine native to Japan and China, spreads like wildfire. It is said to be the “invasive vine that ate the South.” It was first introduced

Another plant that became popular, about 40 years ago, was the callery pear. People love these trees because they have showy, white flowers in the spring and produced colorful leaves in the fall.

Today, these invasive pear trees are coming up everywhere and continue to spread. Now, they are plants that you should certainly steer clear of planting.

In Indiana, Asian bush honeysuckle, callery pears and burning bush are some of the ones that should not be planted. There are wonderful native plants that can give you the same effect, plants like service berry, redbud, winterberry and chokeberry.

What is the best way to get rid of invasive plants? That is the $64,000 question! You can manually remove them or use herbicides.

You can tackle them manually by digging them out or cutting them down. If you want to remove them organically, you can try using a vinegar mix as an herbicide, but the most popular herbicide/chemical is glyphosate. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and follow the recommended amount to mix for specific plants.

The best thing to do when deciding to purchase a new plant is to read about what you are considering to plant. Make sure it is a good plant for your area. So, find a plant that pleases you and have fun trying something new in your garden.

Betty Montgomery is a master gardener and author of “Hydrangeas: How To Grow, Cultivate & Enjoy,” and “A Four-Season Southern Garden.” She can be reached at bmontgomery40@gmail.com or please contact Hamilton County Invasive Partnership at hcinvasives@hamiltoncounty.in.gov or through www.hcinvasives.org.

DISPATCH

Melt the Trail 5K slated for Feb. 25 — Westfield Welcome will host the ninth annual Melt the Trail 5K event Feb. 25 at Grand Junction Brewing Co., 1189 E. 181st St., Westfield. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. with participants being able to redeem drink tickets, purchase food and enjoy music and arcade games at the brewery. The taproom is kid and dog friendly. Registration is $35 and will increase to $40 on Feb. 11. Packet pickup will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at Riverview Health Westfield Hospital, 17600 Shamrock Blvd. and on race morning at Grand Junction Brewing Co. For registration or more details, visit meltthetrail.com.

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Several community organizations in Hamilton County and governmental partners have launched a hospitality training program in the Hamilton County Jail.

INITIATIVE

The 10-week program provides participants with valuable communication, problem-solving and customer service skills to pursue careers in the hospitality industry, officials said. The training was made possible through funding from Hamilton County’s ARPA Committee and is operated through a partnership between the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton County Tourism and Invest Hamilton County.

Two cohorts of men have passed their certifications with a 100 percent pass rate, while a women’s cohort began Feb. 6, officials said.

“We know that giving individuals a second chance is the right thing to do,” Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said. “Programs like this that attach that second chance to economic opportunity are another example of forward-thinking innovation and collaboration in our community.”

Hamilton County’s hospitality industry was among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a labor shortage, officials said. The ARPA grant is meant to support the industry’s rebound, according to the county.

“(We) knew workforce shortages were a barrier for our local lodging partners so the

support provided by the Hamilton County Council and Commissioners and the talents of Invest enabled us to take action,” said Brenda Myers, president and CEO of Hamilton County Tourism. “Our local hospitality industry includes quality workplaces that care about their people and the community. In meeting the men in this program, I believe many of them will find great success in this industry.”

Participants in the program receive nationally recognized Guest Service Gold and most of the Certified Front Desk Representative credential from the American Hotel and Lodging Education Institute.

“We are exploring the skill and credential needs of our ecosystem on a consistent basis,” said Mike Thibideau, president and CEO of Invest Hamilton County.

“Customer service and the other skills attached to this program prepare individuals for multiple pathways of opportunity.”

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Dept. and its jail, through its TOWER and Launch HOPE programs, provide therapeutic environments focused on reducing recidivism and helping individuals find long-term recovery from substance use and mental health struggles.

“We are proud of the program and the hard work that the program participants put in, not only to better themselves but to lay the foundation for a good future,” Hamilton County Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush said.

Any employers interested in participating are asked to contact Thibideau by emailing mthibideau@investhamiltoncounty.com.

Thibideau

ALL THE RIGHT NOTES

Bethany Robinson named Outstanding High School Music Educator of the Year

By Matthew Kent matt@youarecurrent.com

A Noblesville High School teacher has been named the Outstanding High School Music Educator of the Year by the Indiana Music Educators Association. Bethany Robinson, who has been teaching music since 2005 at Noblesville Schools, was presented with the honor last month during the Indiana All-State Jazz Ensemble concert, which featured four of her student musicians performing in the top state honor band. Robinson serves as jazz band director and assistant band director at the high school, which has grown from one to six jazz bands.

Robinson, who grew up in Kokomo and now lives in Fishers, said she developed a love for music by playing in a band setting and participating in a jazz, concert, pep and marching bands during high school. She said it seemed like a natural fit to be involved in music, describing the experience as the best part of her high school career.

However, Robinson’s personal interest in music came directly from her parents, who were both musicians. She had initially decided to study bio-medicine, but eventually switched her major to music while attending Olivet Nazarene University, where she eventually graduated.

Robinson said as an educator, she wants students to find themselves in their music. She noted that one thing that helps is the fact that she is a professional bass player, which allows her to continually grow as a teacher and musician.

“I’m constantly learning new things all the time within my own playing, so we’re trying to transfer it within the (four) walls of a school to something that can come alive for them,” Robinson said. “To do that, they have to find a passion and a love for it.”

Robinson’s work with her students and developing the jazz program hasn’t gone unnoticed at the high school.

“Bethany has grown our jazz programming into the national powerhouse it is today through the commitment, expertise and passion she brings to her students and our school every day,” said Craig McCaffrey, principal at NHS. “Her reach and influence extend far beyond the Noblesville community, and we’re so proud and thankful to call her one of our own.”

Robinson said what she enjoys from an educator’s standpoint and seeing students perform is connecting youths to music as a whole.

“It’s really bringing it to life for them,” she said.

Robinson has also earned accolades as a musician and educator and is involved with several associations. She is the chair of the National Association for the Music Education Jazz Council and is president of the Indiana Jazz Educators Association.

Robinson was named the 2014 Indiana Jazz Educator of the Year, 2015 Noblesville Schools Teacher of the Year and was a 2016 Indiana Teacher of the Year semifinalist, according to the school district. In addition, Robinson is a two-time national Grammy educator finalist, two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and has served as the keynote speaker at multiple music conferences, including the 2021 Australia National Band and Orchestra Conference.

Robinson, who was also named the Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Hero last year, noted that awards often serve as a personal reminder that “it’s important to share that with other people.”

“It’s very meaningful, but unexpected,” she said.

ON THE COVER: Noblesville High School teacher Bethany Robinson serves as jazz band director and assistant band director at the high school. She was recently named as Outstanding High School Music Educator of the Year by the Indiana Music Educators Association. (Photo by Adam Seif)

MORE ON ROBINSON

Bethany Robinson, who has taught with Noblesville Schools since 2005, is a professional bass player when she’s not busy teaching. For more about her professional background, awards and upcoming performances, visit bethanyrobinsonjazz.com.

Robinson

“Bethany has grown our jazz programming into the national powerhouse it is today through the commitment, expertise and passion she brings to her students and our school every day.”

— Craig McCaffrey, principal at NHS

Bethany Robinson practices on her upright bass at Noblesville High School, where she has taught since 2005. (Photos by Adam Seif)

with New MLS Laser Therapy

Riverview continues search for permanent president/CEO

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

dent and oversaw a multi-hospital region of St. Vincent Health, according to Riverview Health.

HOSPITAL

Riverview Health is continuing its search for a permanent president/CEO following the recent resignation of Seth Warren.

Keith Jewell continues to serve as the interim president/CEO as the search is underway.

Warren, who gave no public reason for his departure, resigned from his position in December.

Warren had served in the top leadership position for Riverview Health since 2016 after being appointed to the role by the Riverview Health Board of Trustees. Jewell was named interim president and CEO last month by the board and started in the position Jan. 18.

Jewell comes to Riverview Health with more than 30 years of health care experience and most recently served as chief operating officer at OnPoint Real Estate Solutions in Fishers. He previously worked at St. Vincent Health in Evansville as presi-

Jewell also spent 20 years at Franciscan Health, serving as the executive vice president and chief operating officer for Franciscan’s central Indiana region, according to Riverview Health.

Riverview Health officials said as president and CEO, Jewell will continue to advance the organization’s growth strategy. He will work closely with the hospital’s board of trustees and leadership team to further shape the future of healthcare in Hamilton County, officials said.

Riverview Health spokeswoman Brandy Hill said the Riverview Health Board of Trustees has formed a search committee and is actively vetting candidates for the role.

“There is no set timeline as we want to make sure we conduct a thorough process in order to find the right person to serve as a longtime president/CEO,” she said.

DISPATCHES

Walking for arthritis — Walking is so beneficial in fighting arthritis pain that it’s considered a natural medicine. Painful, stiff joints make it hard to get moving but moving is exactly what is needed for pain relief. For maximum benefits, you should try to walk at a moderate pace for at least 30 minutes every day. If 30 minutes is too much, start with less time and work up gradually.

Source: American Journal of Public Health

Fiber to fight diabetes — New research shows that people who are willing to more than double the fiber in their diets from 16 to 37 grams per day can better control diabetes. It needs to be a high amount of diverse types of fibers. Getting nearly 40 grams may sound like a tall order, but it’s actually not that hard and it could make a radical difference in your blood sugar level by increasing insulin production.

Source: BottomLineHealth.com

Helping loved ones recover — When a loved one is ill, you can help their recovery even if

you have no medical training. When you talk to them, get an update and be sympathetic, but quickly shift to a positive, upbeat tone. Don’t talk about your own illnesses. Let the person know that you are looking forward to meeting for lunch, or some other outing, in the near future. Have a funny story or wonderful reminiscence to share. Laughter is a great healer, and it can make the recovering person’s day.

Source: BottomLineHealth.com

Improve your focus — Do you have more trouble concentrating than you used to?

Studies show that our attention spans are declining, largely due to the use of technology. We feel we have to respond to every text, alert and call immediately. Instead, try putting the phone on “do not disturb” mode for a few minutes when you need to focus on something else. You may find it easier to concentrate and you probably won’t miss anything truly important.

Source: Cynthia Green, Ph.D.

Warren Jewell

Construction of TCU branch in Westfield underway

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Construction of a new Teachers Credit Union branch is underway in Westfield. It is expected to open this summer.

BANKING

The branch, at 45 W. Tournament Trail, is part of the new Spring Mill Centre complex that is under development at the corner of Ind. 32 and Spring Mill Road.

The newest location will feature the latest banking technologies, including Live Video Tellers in the drive-up and a self-service coin machine, according to Teachers Credit Union. This is the second branch to open in the area in as many years, as the new Carmel Drive branch opened last spring

at 635 E. Carmel Dr..

“We are excited to add our newest location in Westfield and to be able to provide greater convenience for our members in this community,” said Nicole Alcorn, chief member experience officer at TCU. “The new branch is centrally located to provide easy access and enhanced amenities for our members in the Westfield area. Plus, I think our members will appreciate the design of our new location. The branch is going to be beautiful and will provide an ideal setting to serve their banking needs.”

The new Westfield branch is expected to be completed by late summer of 2023 and open to members soon thereafter. The new location will replace the branch currently located at 144 W. Main St. in Westfield, officials said.

DISPATCHES

Hiring a tax professional – In most states, including Indiana, tax preparers do not have to meet any licensing standards, so you need to do your homework if you plan to hire a professional to do your taxes. Ask about any professional certifications, such as a CPA or Enrolled Agent. Find out what your recourse against the preparer is if you get audited and penalties are assessed.

Source: BottomLineInc.

Discounts that actually cost you money -- Retailers have latched onto a way to offer giant percentages off that are mesmerizing to shoppers but are not what they seem.

2% - Why This Career Center Looks Different

Because of Invest’s incubation of the Career Center project in Hamilton County, and our receipt of a Modern Youth Apprenticeship grant, I was invited in August to join a conference in Colorado for the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA) put on by CareerWise USA. Modern Youth Apprenticeship is an amazing model and we’re doing some amazing stuff with it here…

in high-end CTE programs by the physical limits of what one building can hold.”

The pitch: You get a gigantic discount, typically up to 70 percent off, but the fine print notes that you get that discount only on a second or third of multiple similar items. Signs in store windows and on store shelves (and online) shout out the percentage and shoppers often don’t do the math to see just how unimpressive these offers typically are. For example, based on an offer of “buy two, get the third 50 percent off,” you take three items to checkout, where you then receive a total discount of 17 percent because you pay full price for the first two items.

Source: Source: BottomLineInc.com

Mike Thibideau President & CEO

As a part of this conference, we got to take a field trip out to a local Career Center. It was one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever been in. They took us from one state-of-the-art room to the next and I found myself thinking, “why aren’t we building one of these in our county?”

So, I asked the question… fortunately with me on the field trip was Carrie Lively, our Executive Director for the Pursuit Institute (formerly the Hamilton County Center for Career Achievement). Carrie waved her hand around this beautiful nine-figure building and said, “see all of this?... 2% Mike… every place that builds one of these, no matter how awesome, is automatically capping enrollment

This was a lightbulb moment for me. When Carrie and our schools are working to build a new training program housed at an employer, individual school corporation(s) or community partner they’re building scalable delivery from day one. This programming is much less restricted by physical space, exponentially less reliant on capital budgets, more engaged with local employers, and flexible to student demand.

It is a solution that also drives equity… because instead of one lottery-based monument to career education only accessible to the privileged or stigmatized few we’re developing grassroots Career education that becomes part of every student’s experience in education (without having to get on “that bus” and go elsewhere).

I love pretty buildings… and state of the art training… but I’ve been shown there is a better way… and I believe. Fortunately, so do our school leaders, employers and community leaders.

To learn more about The Pursuit Institute, visit thepursuitinstitute.org

Construction of a new Teachers Credit Union branch is underway in Westfield that is expected to open this summer. The branch, located at 45 W. Tournament Trail, is set to open this summer. (Photo provided by Teachers Credit Union)

LEGAL NOTICE DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC

Public notice is hereby given to affected property owners pursuant to 170 IAC 4-9-4(f) that within two (2) to six (6) weeks of the date of this notice, weather permitting, Duke Energy Indiana, LLC will be performing vegetation management as part of its power line maintenance program in the area described below. As part of this project, one of its contractors that employ qualified utility line clearance tree workers will be trimming and/or removing trees and brush to clear the lines of vegetation in order to provide safe and reliable electric service. Vegetation management will be performed in/near Noblesville on or near streets identified below:

Beginning at the substation located near the corner of Pleasant St & S 16th St, to include the areas around & near: W of 37, N of Wellington Pkwy, E of S 10th St, S of the substation

The date this notice is published initiates the two (2) week period for calculating implied consent by an affected property owner under 170 IAC 4-9. If you have any questions you may contact the Duke Energy Vegetation Management toll free number, 866-385-3675. Duke Energy Indiana, LLC Vegetation Management Department

LEGAL NOTICE DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC

Public notice is hereby given to affected property owners pursuant to 170 IAC 4-9-4(f) that within two (2) to six (6) weeks of the date of this notice, weather permitting, Duke Energy Indiana, LLC will be performing vegetation management as part of its power line maintenance program in the area described below. As part of this project, one of its contractors that employ qualified utility line clearance tree workers will be trimming and/or removing trees and brush to clear the lines of vegetation in order to provide safe and reliable electric service. Vegetation management will be performed in/near Noblesville on or near streets identified below:

Beginning at the substation located on Cherry Tree Rd, approx. .15 miles S of E 160th St, to include the areas around & near: N of Haverton Way, E of Cherry Tree Rd, S of 38, W of Allisonville Rd

The date this notice is published initiates the two (2) week period for calculating implied consent by an affected property owner under 170 IAC 4-9. If you have any questions you may contact the Duke Energy Vegetation Management toll free number, 866-385-3675.

Duke Energy Indiana, LLC Vegetation Management Department

Balancing silence and words

Commentary by Terry Anker

Texan Jeannie C. Riley became the first female recording artist with a song topping both the pop and country charts. The hit, “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” tells the story of a smalltown single parent who is thought to be a less-than-fit mother. The institution sends a note home with the middle school child to admonish Mom to clean up her act. In a how-dare-you-judgeme moment, the outraged Mrs. Johnson marches off to a PTA meeting to be held that very day. Confronting the assembled volunteers and officials, she lambasts them by delineating each of their own moral shortcomings. We can all find a little satisfaction in lashing out at someone who dares to critique us. We are good people, right? So, let’s teach those who might criticize that they’d better be ready for some public humiliation. In the last line, the lyrics triumphantly proclaim it to have been “the day Mama socked it to the Harper Valley PTA!”

ESSAY

Generally, it is a good idea to live and let live. We refrain from the nominal opinion about others and expect that they do the same for us. But is there a time when judgement is not only prudent but required? Do we express concern when the teenager next door seems a little too fixated on weapons? Do we do the same when the one on the other side seems a little too eager to smoke illicit substances? Are we perfect enough to throw a stone? Probably not. Still, do we have an obligation to risk being shamed by the angry Mrs. Johnson to urge her better provision for the minor in her care? Our own shortcomings may release us from the duty, if there is one, to help hold society together, but there must be times when we cannot stay silent.

Does this ever get easier?

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

They say that parenting never gets easier, that even when your children grow up, you’ll still worry about them. I never believed any of this, especially while I was a stay-at-home mom to four little ones. Anything had to be better than dealing with endless diapers and unidentifiable rashes and middle-of-the-night shenanigans. But they’re right. Parenting never gets easier, it just changes.

sex trafficking ring? We’ve seen “Taken,” we know how it works. “But Mom, you were in Vietnam by yourself and were fine!” “That’s because I was a middle-aged woman with readers and clunky orthotic shoes!”

HUMOR

Take, for example, our youngest, who is currently enjoying a semi-gap semester. She’s living at home, doing a class online and working at a local coffee shop (RIP, empty nest). Recently, she’s decided to assert her power as a woman by going to the Balkans. Solo. And then to a youth hostel in the mountains of Poland. Again, solo. In total, she’ll be gone six weeks backpacking through Europe. All by her young, beautiful lonesome.

Our initial response? Absolutely not! What if you get snatched and sold into a

She pressed her case: “Where I’m going is safer than half the large cities in the U.S., and besides, I’m 18. And I’m paying for everything. You actually have no say.” Fine.

Now, I’ll spend the next few months in abject terror that even if she somehow avoids being kidnapped, she’ll fall into a ravine while hiking, lose her passport, be mugged at gunpoint, contract a deadly disease and/or (gasp) fall in love and decide to stay! The horror.

Nope, parenting certainly does not get easier.

Peace out.

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

Generally, it is a good idea to live and let live. We refrain from the nominal opinion about others and expect that they do the same for us.

– TERRY ANKER

And our survey says …

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

this survey are in debt. Are you?

• Thirteen percent of men who fill out this survey need ED medicine. Do you?

HUMOR

At first glance, it seemed like a pretty good deal. Enjoy a complimentary $25 gift card from one of the local supermarkets. All it required was answering a few questions online. I figured it was a marketing scam. I wasn’t born yesterday. In fact, as you’ll see, I was born 100 years ago.

I had to agree to certain contractual terms, including giving my permission for the research firm to forward my responses to businesses that could contact me to pitch their products or services. What was I thinking?

The first line asked me the date I was born. I was honest about the exact day in March, but I scrolled all the way to the bottom of the drop-down menu and found the earliest birth year listed. I clicked on 1923. I thought that might dissuade the life insurance salespeople from pestering me with calls.

Next, I was confronted with several odd questions disguised as statements:

• Ninety-two percent of females who fill out this survey want to receive free samples. Do you? (Was this a trick question? I’m a guy. How do I answer that? I think the first question on tests should be the easiest).

• Forty percent of those who fill out this survey meditate. Do you? (Yes, and right now, I’m deep in thought, wondering why I am doing this for a lousy 25 bucks).

• Then things started getting really serious:

• Eight percent of those who fill out this survey are unemployed. Are you?

• Six percent of those who fill out this survey are clinically depressed. Are you?

• Eleven percent of those who fill out

Next, they asked my level of education. One of the choices was,“I’d rather not answer this.” No such option was available for my mental state, my sex life or my financial status. But did I complete high school? Apparently, that’s getting way too personal.

Here was another inquiry: Have you considered replacing the aluminum siding on your home?

I clicked “yes,” because I was afraid that too many “no” answers would have suggested I was just in this for the free frozen pizzas I was going to get with my gift card. While I was still typing, the phone rang.

“Mr. Wolfsie, this is A.A. Monroe Home Improvement. Based on your response 45 seconds ago, we have determined that you are exactly the kind of person who can benefit from our aluminum siding, which comes with a lifetime warranty for as long as you own your home.”

“Look at the survey. I’m 100 years old. Could I rent your siding?”

In a final notation, the research company reserved the option of substituting a prize worth the equivalent of the $25 in free groceries, which probably meant a knock-off Rolex. I called the hotline number and told the woman that I felt I had been conned and that the entire questionnaire was a waste of my time.

She said 82 percent of the people who took the survey felt exactly the same way.

POLICIES

Letters to the editor: Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 150 words. Letters must be thoroughly vetted prior to submission. Current retains the right to reject or return any letter it deems to carry unsubstantiated content. Current also retains the right to edit letters, but not their intent. Send letters to info@youarecurrent.com. Writers must include a hometown and a daytime phone number for verification. Guest columns: The policy for guest columns is the same as the aforementioned, but the allowable length is 240 words. Guest columns should address the whole of Current’s readership, not simply special-interest groups, and may not in any way contain a commercial message.

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

I clicked on 1923. I thought that might dissuade the life insurance salespeople from pestering me with calls.

– DICK WOLFSIE

Carmel Jazz Festival set for debut in August

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel residents Blair Clark and Ashley Ulbricht want to celebrate their love of jazz and the city.

MUSIC

Thus, the Carmel Jazz Festival is set for an August debut.

Clark is the executive director/chief executive officer of the nonprofit. Ulbricht, an attorney, is the president.

Clark said part of the mission is to showcase Carmel’s state-of-the-art entertainment venues.

“It’s not only one of the best places to live, but it’s one of the best places to come for entertainment, and we have some great event spaces for that,” said Clark, a vocalist who also is a voice coach.

The Carmel Jazz Festival is set for Aug. 11-12 at several venues across the city.

“We want to bring the flavor, feel and flair of New Orleans to Carmel,” Ulbricht said. “We have all these venues, but we don’t have a dedicated music festival for Carmel that includes other international and national acts.”

Acts will perform at The Tarkington and Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts and outside the venues on Carter Green. There also will be acts at the Carmel Gazebo.

“We are partnering with the Palladium for at least one act,” said Ulbricht, a violinist and backup vocalist for SixFigures.

Ulbricht said Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael also is a partner, and there will be multiple acts in the two-day period.

“We are putting up some pop-up performances, sponsored by the city, during Meet Me on Main, which is always the second Saturday of the month,” Clark said.

Clark said the event will be a great indoor and outdoor opportunity, which includes food trucks, for attendees.

“We’re focused on making our local vendors and businesses put their productions and their stuff up there,” Clark said.

Ulbricht said there will be VIP experiences throughout the two-day festival.

Clark said they are in conversations with national performers, including Evelyn “Champagne” King.

Carmel resident Josh Kaufman, the winner of Season 6 of “The Voice,” is expected to perform. Among other area performers expected to appear are soul and blues singers Tad Robinson and Jennie DeVoe and jazz musician Steve Allee.

“We’re bringing the top-end local acts around the state of Indiana,’ Clark said.

“We want to make sure it’s an all-inclusive experience of local, international and regional acts.”

Jazz bands from Indiana University, Ball State University and Butler University will perform Aug. 12 at the Studio Theater.

“Then all the professors from those colleges will be performing after that at The Tarkington,” Clark said. “We’re hoping to get the high school jazz bands as well. One of the missions is to get instruments

and lessons in the hands of underprivileged kids. We’ll be collaborating with other musical outlets to get them to donate instruments and the instructors to donate some free lessons.”

A portion of the proceeds from the festival will benefit that mission.

Current Publishing is serving as the media sponsor.

The hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 11 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 12. Tickets are $25 for Aug. 11, $35 for Aug. 12 and $50 for both days. Attendees will get wristbands to enter different venues.

There will be separate tickets for performances at Palladium and Feinstein’s. For more information and tickets, visit carmeljazzfest.org.

‘FOOTLOOSE’

“Footloose” will run through March 26 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK’

Civic Theatre will present “The Diary of Anne Frank” through Feb. 25 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

‘NEW WORLD DANCES’

The Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will present “New World Dances” Feb. 18-19 and Feb. 25-26 at The Florence at the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

‘NIGHT MUST FALL’

Main Street Productions of “Night Must Fall” will be presented through Feb. 19 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.

‘PROOF’

Mud Creek Players will present “Proof” through Feb. 25 at the Mud Creek Barn Theater in Indianapolis. For more, visit mudcreekplayers.org.

‘AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS’

The Belfry Theatre’s production of “Around the World in 80 Days” will runs through Feb. 19 at Arts for Lawrence Theater at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave., Lawrence. For more, visit artsforlawrence.org.

‘THE MUSIC OF MANILOW’

Actors Theatre of Indiana co-founder Don Farrell will perform “One Voice: The Music of Manilow” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘ARTE D’ITALIA’

“Arte D’Italia” feature classical pianist Francesco Attesti, of Cortona, Italy, in a concert at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. There is another event at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17, featuring Attesti in a jazz trio. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Blair Clark, left, and Ashley Ulbricht are the organizers of the Carmel Jazz Festival. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

Opera show at Union 50 returns

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Indianapolis Opera General Director David Starkey is determined to make opera accessible to all.

FUNDRAISER

The Opera Cabaret at Union 50 helps in that regard. The fundraiser is set for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Union 50, 620 N. East St., Indianapolis. Indianapolis Opera resident artists will perform an intimate cabaret-style program that will showcase opera favorites, musical theater hits and American Songbook gems.

“We’ll be singing selections from ‘The Magic Flute,’ our May show,” Starkey said. “We’ll be singing music from our March opera workshop show.”

There will be a tribute to Ned Rorem, a prolific contemporary classical music composer who was born in Richmond and died in November 2022 at age 99.

A multi-course meal will include a complimentary glass of wine.

“Last year’s Opera Cabaret at Union 50 was an extension of all the neighborhood

concerts and different food events that we did in 2020 and 2021,” Starkey said. “It was a large mixture of whatever we could do to serve the community. Those two years we were singing all over the city. We learned a lot, not only about our neighbors, but also how much food and fine drink were a part of people’s gatherings, so we wanted to continue that in a more formal way.”

Starkey said Union 50 has a great cabaret music stage.

“It’s an ideal experience for an evening for a gathering with friends and to help raise money,” Starkey said. “At the same time, we are still doing these activities in neighborhoods that may not have the same economic capabilities. We want to give back. Not everybody can come to a fundraiser at Union 50, but there are some that can do that and help us raise money. Some of the money helps us go into the communities that can’t afford us at normal prices.”

Starkey said last year’s Union 50 fundraiser was successful in raising dollars for the education department to sing throughout the entire community.

For more, visit indyopera.org.

Floyd Nation set for Palladium

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Floyd Nation keyboard player Bob Harris knows his granddaughter won’t remember it, but he is excited she will get to see him play.

Harris’ son, Wryan, lives in Carmel with his wife, Laura, and 3-year-old daughter, Caelyn.

Floyd Nation will perform the music of Pink Floyd at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. There are 10 members on stage, including three female singers. The band’s studio is in Ft. Myers, Fla. “I was in a Pink Floyd tribute band prior to joining this one,” Harris said. “All of us in the band are avid fans of Pink Floyd. It’s fortunate that we all found each other. We all work together well. There are no overbearing egos.”

Harris said the band starts the set with “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” a fan favorite.

“It sets the mood for the night,” Harris said. “Toward the end of the show, we play

‘Comfortably Numb’ and ‘Run Like Hell.’ Those songs are typically in frenzy. When we play ‘Another Brick in the Wall,’ a lot of people get up to dance.”

Ray Nesbit, who grew up on the southwest side of Indianapolis and graduated from Decatur Central High School, is one of Floyd Nation’s founding members.

“I guess you could say I’m the architect of it,” Nesbit said. “This whole thing is happening a lot faster than any of us thought it would. Our first gig is a little over a year ago.”

Nesbit started as the sound engineer, but now that the sound system is established, he plays guitar.

“In the ‘90s, I did a solo act and was known for playing Pink Floyd as well,” Nesbit said.

Nesbit was introduced in the 1990s to Brendon McDonnell, who is Floyd Nation’s lead guitarist and vocalist.

“We’ve been playing Pink Floyd together for 25 years, and here we are in a band together. It’s pretty cool,” Nesbit said.

For more, visit floydnation.live. For tickets, visit the centerpresents.org.

Summer sausage in winter plans

Commentary by Mark LaFay

The lineup for Super Bowl LVII was cemented two weeks ago, and the congratulations go to Kansas City and Philadelphia. I didn’t have a dog in the fight, so my interest level was a bit low. Regardless, the Super Bowl is a great excuse to get together with friends, eat some tasty snacks and play a few games of euchre. This year, we whipped up some hot wings and a few hot dips. Of course, we will also have a small spread of meats and cheeses for grazing throughout the evening. One thing you can always count on finding in the Midwest, and you will definitely be finding at my home, is summer sausage!

Summer sausage is a generic American term used to describe any sausage that can be stored without refrigeration. Rarely ever is summer sausage a term used to describe dry-cured salamis, or other preserved dried sausages heralding from other parts of the world. In my family’s tradition, summer sausage is almost always venison. We are a hunting family, and without fail, we process our deer into summer sausage. Summer sausage, however, can be pork or beef, and

it is almost always smoked or has smoke flavoring.

Summer sausage is great with sharp cheese, grainy mustard and a crunchy cracker. It is a hearty and delicious snack that can be quite filling. One of my favorite summer sausages can be found in Wawa, Ontario, Canada, at Young’s General Store. But if you don’t find yourself three hours north of Sault St. Marie, a couple options you can find locally are Neuske’s and Old Major Summer Sausage.

Neuske’s is based out of Wisconsin. Its summer sausage is a 10-ounce chub that is lightly smoked with fruit wood. It has a subtle spice flavor and is quite delicious (full disclosure, Old Major is my company). Old Major Summer Sausage is all beef, smoked with hickory and cherry and lightly seasoned. Future Super Bowl plans? Work the sausage of summer into your plans!

Mark LaFay is a butcher, certified sommelier and founder of Old Major Market, 4011 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis.

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What’s in a name?

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

A visit to Caesarea Maritima

Commentary by Don Knebel

GRAMMAR GUY

Names hold enormous power. I’ve always been impressed by people who go by names with only one word — Cher, Beyoncé, Prince, Madonna, Bono, Beck, Banksy or Pelé come to mind. These one-word names are called mononyms. Add Plato, Aristotle, Fergie, Fabio and Coolio, and you’re looking at quite the lineup of mononymous people. If you’re not singing “mononym” to the Muppet tune of “Mahna Mahna,” you will be by the end of this sentence.

You probably know about pseudonyms. These “pen names,” “noms de plume,” or even “aliases,” are the names authors use for a particular purpose. Classic examples include Dr. Seuss, Mark Twain and Mrs. Silence Dogood. Modern examples include Richard Bachmann (Stephen King) and Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling).

However, do you know the word for the “given” name of an author who goes by a pseudonym? It’s called an “orthonym.” Mark Twain’s orthonym (a.k.a., his original name) was Samuel Clemens, and Dr.

Seuss’ orthonym was “Theodore Giesel.” While “pseudonym” translates to “false name,” “orthonym” means “true name.”

Now I need to discuss another type of pseudonym — the stage name. In the entertainment industry, performers want to stand out in a sea of fame-seekers. One great way to do that is with an interesting name. You probably didn’t know that Jamie Foxx is a stage name for the man with the given name Eric Bishop. Have you ever heard of Robert Zimmerman? You probably know him by his stage name, Bob Dylan. To rattle off a few more stage names, how about Elton John (Reginald Dwight), Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane Mortenson), Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta), and the greatest actor of all time, Nicolas Cage (Nicholas Coppola).

TRAVEL

In our continuing tour of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we come to the Mediterranean coast about 28 miles southwest of Megiddo to visit the ruins of the spectacular ancient city of Caesarea Maritima.

In 40 B.C., the Roman Senate named Herod, whose ancestors had converted to Judaism, the “King of the Jews,” with authority over Judea, Galilee and Peraea, an area east of the Jordan River. Herod’s little kingdom along the eastern Mediterranean lacked even a suitable harbor. Herod soon undertook a number of massive construction projects, both to gain the loyalty of Jews wary of his Nabatean ethnicity and to impress his Roman patrons.

To create a harbor, Herod’s engineers designed breakwaters extending several hundred meters from the straight Mediterranean shoreline. Divers, trained to stay underwater for five minutes, placed forms on the seabed and filled them with newly invented concrete that hardened under water. When completed in 13 B.C., the harbor was the largest on the Mediterranean. Herod constructed a 164-acre city adjacent to the harbor, named Caesarea in honor of Caesar Augustus. Home to 100,000 people, Caesarea included 100 warehouses for products passing through the port, a temple to Augustus, a lighthouse, a hippodrome and a 4,000-seat theater. A 13-mile aqueduct, sections of which are still standing, brought water to the city, which became the Roman capital of Judea in A.D. 6. Herod’s city, which rivaled Alexandria, is now called Caesarea Maritima to distinguish it from Caesarea Philippi.

In 1961, archaeologists excavating the

theater uncovered an engraved slab of limestone identifying Pontius Pilate as the “prefect of Judea,” the only contemporaneous evidence of his existence. Today, visitors attend concerts in the restored theater, dive among the ruins of the sunken breakwaters, destroyed by an earthquake in about A.D. 100, and understand why history remembers Herod as “the Great.”

PUZZLE ANSWERS SPONSORED BY SHEPHERD INSURANCE

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE:

Animals: DOLPHIN, PENGUIN, SEAL, SHARK, TURTLE, WHALE; Sports: BILLIARDS, BOWLING, GOLF, SQUASH, TENNIS; Gifts: CHOCOLATE, JEWELRY, LINGERIE, ROSES; Words: INDIANA, REPERTORY, THEATRE; Bars: GREGS OUR PLACE, TINI; Sport: CYCLING FRENCH, GERMAN, GREEK, ITALIAN

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

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

Aqueduct at Caesarea Maritima. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Caesarea Maritima Harbor.

swers to the starred clues, phonetically 41. *Roll-call vote

42. Large amount 44. Brings up to speed 46. Busy month for the IRS 47. Four-time Indy 500 champ

48. Most cunning

52. Linen’s place

54. *Butler alumna bio word

55. ___ culpa

56. A score

59. Cuts into cubes

61. Penske Chevrolet SUV

64. Angers

66. Hoosier National Forest home

67. *Is aware of

68. ___ helmet (safari wear)

69. *Big bash

70. Group of eight

71. Meh

72. Scent

Down

1. If all goes well

2. Thanksgiving role

3. “Seinfeld” role

4. Job for Church Brothers Collision Repair

5. Bygone IND carrier

6. Black ___ spider

7. German auto

8. Email button

9. Thread holders

10. Former Indiana Black Expo prez Mckinzie

11. Regret

12. PU Big Ten foe

13. Verve

21. Perfume oil

23. Lip application

26. What Macs ran on, until a 2016 renaming

28. Mini-Marathon, e.g.

29. IU’s Kelley School deg.

30. Pirates’ domain

32. Surrounded

33. Poker declaration

34. Olympic sled

37. Sit ___ by (do nothing)

38. Big Apple inits.

39. Card game 41. Wasn’t well 42. Kings, on a Pacers scoreboard 43. USMC rank 44. Dove shelter

5 Sports that use Balls

6 Marine Animals 4 Valentine’s Day Gifts 3 IRT Words 2 Indy LGBTQ+ Bars

1 Marjor Taylor Sport

62. Nelson Mandela’s org. 63. Chris Wright summer forecast

65. HBO alternative Answers on Page 20

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