Tuesday, January 14, 2025
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FROSTY FUN
Ice Rink at Holliday Park a popular northside attraction / P14
Indy rowing center athletes excel on the water / P3
Community Health delivers New Year’s babies / P7
The Picklr opens at Keystone Crossing / P5
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Rowing Center athletes excel on the water
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
A group of high school athletes from across central Indiana are excelling in their sport — even if they don’t always get noticed.
CITY NEWS
Established in the early 1980s when the City of Indianapolis was engaged in an economic strategy to promote amateur sports, the nonprofit Indianapolis Rowing Center at Eagle Creek Park trains youth, collegiate and adult athletes.
IRC Director of Rowing and Junior Head Coach Mike Burroughs said the youth program draws about 100 teens from 19 high schools across central Indiana. He said the popularity of IRC for youth often is a result of word of mouth, as participants get their friends to give it a try.
“Rowing is a sport that everybody naturally starts later in their development just because the size of the equipment requires — you can’t start it as a 4-year-old,” he said. “It’s a great sport for either individuals that were kind of late physically developing, so they have that growth spurt or whatever as an eighth-grader and are kind of behind the curve on some of the more traditional sports.”
Burroughs said as a noncontact and low-impact sport, rowing is attractive to youth who have struggled with injuries playing traditional high school sports.
“Rowing is a fitness sport more than anything,” Burroughs said. “It’s a sport that’s fairly easy to pick up. It’s difficult to master, but at the end of the day, very similar to long-distance running or something like that, ultimately it is a fitness sport. So, you can train.”
Although rowing is not an IHSAA-sponsored sport, participants compete under the auspices of the United States Rowing Association — commonly known as U.S. Rowing.
ZCHS junior Teddy Quick said his mom signed up the whole family during the pandemic as a way to get them outside and exercising. Quick, 17, said while he wasn’t enthusiastic about the sport at first, once he gave it a chance it grew on him.
“I’m less chubby than I was before. I’m definitely stronger, have a better work ethic, (am) more patient, (have) more friends. All the good stuff. All the basics,” he said.
Ada Mertes, 17, is a junior at Guerin Catholic High School in Noblesville. A former runner, Mertes said she switched to rowing following a leg injury.
“I think I just kind of fell in love with it,” she said. “It’s so beautiful. The sport’s beautiful and you get to be in so many beautiful places rowing on the water. The way that you have to work with your teammates and trust them is also just really beautiful.”
Sophia Meier, 18, is a senior at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis. A former runner and soccer player, she was
a sophomore when stress fractures made running no longer possible. A friend told her about rowing, which led her to a camp.
“I started last fall, and I’ve loved it ever since,” she said. “It’s like the endurance of cross-country, but you’re rowing with other people. You’re with other people in a boat and it’s this whole different idea of teamwork. You all have to be like the same person when you row, you have to row together as one. I’ve done a lot of sports. I’ve never had a community that’s as wholesome and uplifting as the rowing community. Everyone’s so kind and genuinely supports each other and wants each other to succeed. It’s really amazing.”
While central Indiana might not be the first place one thinks of when considering water sports, Burroughs said rowing has a lot of history in the Hoosier state.
U.S. Rowing was headquartered in Indianapolis from 1985 to 2006. In 1996, Eagle Creek became the first of just two sites in the United States that have hosted a world championship rowing event.
“There is a bit of a history of rowing in the city, even if it may not be all that obvious,” Burroughs said. “A course requires just a little over 2,000 meters in length and 150 meters of width. It doesn’t require some place that’s got a ton of water to actually be able to hold the sport.”
Learn more about IRC programs at indyrowing.org.
Founded March 12, 2024, at Indianapolis, IN Vol. I, No. 22
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Youth from the Indianapolis Rowing Center train at Eagle Creek. (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Rowing Center)
Magnolia Wilson was the first baby born in 2025 at Indiana University Health North Hospital in Carmel. She was born at 9:54 a.m. Jan. 1, weighing 9 pounds 3 ounces and measuring 21 1/4 inches.
Magnolia is the daughter of Jackie Wilson and Megan Parrish.
“I was surprised she was the first,” Parrish said. “Everything has been great. I love delivering here.”
The first baby born on New Year’s Day at IU Health North receives a gift basket with items for the baby and family.
DISPATCH
Community Health implements visitor restrictions — Visitor restrictions have been implemented at all Community Health Network hospitals in response to an increase in flu activity monitored by the Marion County Public Health Department. The temporary restrictions are meant to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses within hospitals. They include: no visitors under age 18; visitors are limited to immediate family or as identified by patients; no more than two visitors at a time per patient; visitors must wear masks in patient rooms when requested; no visitors with respiratory symptoms.
Megan Parrish and Jackie Wilson with their daughter, Magnolia Wilson. (Photo courtesy of IU Health North)
The Picklr pickleball club opens at Keystone Crossing
By Les Morris NorthIndy@youarecurrent.com
Dave Gilreath and Ron Brock have caught the pickleball wave and they’re crashing it into central Indiana. It’s not like the pair didn’t have enough going on. They are the founders and managing partners of Indianapolis investment management company Sheaff Brock, a business they started in 2001.
PICKLEBALL
But then Gilreath started playing pickleball in Florida. One thing led to another, and the initial result is The Picklr Keystone Crossing, in what was a former Office Max at 3810 E. 82nd St. The facility held its grand opening Dec. 21.
The 30,000-square-foot club features 10 fully fenced indoor courts, a pro shop, private event space, unlimited league play, tournaments, youth academies and open play. There are several membership options available. It’s open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
Gilreath said he was motivated to champion indoor pickleball because of the aggravating popping noise the game creates
for neighbors when ball meets racket, and the weather in Indiana.
Gilreath and Brock walked through the former Office Max during the 2023 holidays and envisioned how pickleball could be played in the space. They signed a lease soon after the tour.
“The things you’re looking for are square footage and ceiling height,” Brock said. “It’s such a strong location with all the young professionals who are great candidates to be members of our club.”
Co-owners of The Picklr Keystone Crossing Ron Brock, left, and Dave Gilreath at the grand opening in December 2024. (Photo courtesy of The Picklr Keystone Crossing)
USA Pickleball claims it is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., played by about the same number of people — approximately 13.6 million — as outdoor soccer in 2023. The trade group says core participants, defined as a person who has played pickleball at least eight times in the previous 12 months, grew 111 percent between 2022 and 2023.
The growth has not solely come from older players with their “Silver Sneakers” cards. USA Pickleball says the highest num-
ber of pickleball players in 2023 fell within the 25 to 34 age range and more than one million children under 18 picked up the sport between 2022 and 2023.
“You don’t see as many people my age as you do in their 30s and 40s,” said Gilbreath, 68.
Becca Hsu is the Keystone club’s coordinator and leads a staff of approximately 20 part-time employees. There are eight instructors who teach at the facility, too. Hsu was in physical therapy before making the switch to the pickleball industry, a transition motivated by the social benefits of the game.
“It really unites people,” Hsu said. “People are friendly and inclusive. I’ve been an athlete my whole life and I haven’t seen a sport that has the friendly community that pickleball has.”
Gilreath and Brock formed a corporation, Pickle Indy, to handle their pickleball plans and the Keystone Crossing location is the first in what is expected to be a total of at least six Picklr clubs in Central Indiana.
The next opening for a Pickle Indy is scheduled for later in January in Noblesville at 9847 Cumberland Pointe Blvd.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22
6PM & 8:30PM
Community Health delivers New Year’s babies
NorthIndy@youarecurrent.com
Community Health announced the arrival of the first babies of 2025 at three of the health care network’s Indianapolis-area hospitals.
HEALTH CARE
The first New Year’s baby for Community was born at 2:27 a.m. Jan. 1 at Community Hospital North. Lainey Goetz is the first child for Bethany and Robert Goetz of Indianapolis. Lainey weighed in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces and is 20 inches long, according to the Community Health announcement. According to the announcement, Community Hospital North has maintained a nine-year streak of delivering the most babies in the state of Indiana.
The second New Year’s baby was born 11 minutes later at 2:38 a.m. at Community Hospital East. Baby boy Hudson Dobbs weighed 6 pounds, 10.7 ounces, and is 19.5 inches long. He is the second child for Amanda and Justin Dobbs of Indianapolis and is the new little brother of Kaden. Amanda Dobbs is a nurse at Community Hospital East.
The third New Year’s baby arrived at Community Hospital South at 6:06 a.m.
and Amanda
Jan. 1. Roman Michael Dean Saevre is the son of Kyla Borders and Quinn Saevre of Columbus. The baby boy weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and is 19 inches long. Roman is receiving care at the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
The first New Year’s baby born at each Community Health hospital received a gift basket.
The first New Year’s baby for Community Health was Lainey Goetz, seen with her mom Bethany. (Photos courtesy of Community Health)
Justin
Hobbs with new son, Hudson.
Go All IN Day set — United Way of Central Indiana has set a date for its fifth annual Go All IN Day, a day of community service across the region. The event will be April 25 across United Way’s seven-county service area of Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties. For more, visit goallinday.com.
Happy Little (Virtual) 5K registration open – The Indiana DNR and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation will host the third annual Happy Little (Virtual) 5K event April 19-27, 2025, to benefit state park programs. Registrants can complete the 5K anywhere outdoors on foot, bike, skate or paddle during the race window, which encompasses Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day on April 25. Registration is $36 and includes a t-shirt, com-
memorative bib number and a Bob Ross-inspired finisher’s medal. In 2024, more than 1,000 people participated in the virtual race, raising more than $18,000 for tree plantings and healthy forest initiatives in Indiana State Parks. Register at tinyurl.com/4ket8eew.
Ivy Tech forms presidential search committee – Ivy Tech Community College has announced the formation of a presidential search committee to oversee the selection of the college’s next president. The committee, composed of representatives from the State Board of Trustees and a faculty member, will identify a leader to guide the institution. The committee will seek input from stakeholders during listening sessions this month to ensure the process reflects the needs and aspirations
of the college. National executive search firm Isaacson, Miller will conduct a thorough search for candidates who demonstrate the leadership, experience and vision needed to advance the mission of Ivy Tech. The search is expected to be completed by spring 2025. Updates will be shared at IvyTech.com/President-Search.
500 Festival Miler Series dates announced — Registration is open for the 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy, through Feb. 2. The series, held at Fowling Warehouse Indianapolis, includes three races designed to help participants train for the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. The Miler Series kicks off with a 3-Miler Feb. 8, a 6-Miler on March 8 and a 10-Miler on April 5. For more, visit IndyMini.com/Challenges.
Adult and pediatric burn care
Ascension St. Vincent burn center provides high-quality, comprehensive burn care to both adults and children, delivering specialized care, treatment and rehabilitation to patients with minor to severe burn injuries. The burn intensive care unit, for patients with more serious injuries, provides care for both adults and children, which means families can stay together for their treatment in one location. The burn center also includes a burn clinic that provides follow-up care and same-day appointments for adults and children with minor burns.
We care for:
• Frostbite
• Burns - chemicals, electrical, friction, thermal (including severe sunburns)
• Soft tissue injuries and diseases
• Scar treatment
• Inhalation injuries
Suspect in officer shooting shot, killed
NorthIndy@youarecurrent.com
CRIME
Indiana State Police issued a statewide Blue Alert Jan. 2, seeking the public’s help locating a suspect wanted in the shooting injury of an Orange County deputy. According to an announcement sent out two days later, the suspect was shot and killed by law enforcement in Louisville, Kentucky.
According to the initial alert, following the Jan. 2 shooting incident, Austin Schepers was seen driving a silver 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix with Indiana license plate CRT921. At the time of the incident, an unidentified second individual occupied the suspect vehicle.
Schepers’ last known location had been in West Baden near French Lick, about 100 miles southwest of Indianapolis at 12:58 a.m. Jan. 3.
The manhunt concluded Jan. 4 in Louisville when Indiana State Police investigators and officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department were led to a home in the 3700 block of Wheeler Avenue in Louisville.
“During the investigation on Wheeler Avenue, officers located Schepers,” the announcement stated. “While details regarding the confrontation remain under investigation, the confrontation resulted in Schepers being shot and killed at the scene by law enforcement.”
FROSTY FUN
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Real ice makes a difference and, unlike many outdoor skating rinks in the Indianapolis area, the Ice Rink at Holliday Park is actual ice rather than a synthetic material.
Despite significant weather fluctuations with high temperatures ranging from single digits to 60 or more throughout the winter months, special chillers keep the rink’s ice firm for all the visitors who show up to skate at the park’s big winter attraction, organized by the Holliday Park Foundation — a nonprofit that works with the City of Indianapolis to maintain and improve the park.
Executive Director Adam Barnes said this year marks the third season for the ice rink, which started as a way to encourage more people to visit the park during what tends to be the off season for outdoor activities.
“(It’s) a way to get people outside and active and show that you can still be outdoors in the wintertime,” he said. “I think in Indiana, a lot of people just kind of hunker down for the winter. So, we wanted to show ‘Hey, you can still come out and have fun and be outside and enjoy the winter weather.’”
Barnes said the park’s rink is unique because of its setting.
“Being in a city park — nothing against some of the other rinks — but going downtown to the rink at Gainbridge (Fieldhouse is a) different experience, just because you’re in downtown Indianapolis,” he said. “I think one of the other things that sets us apart is just — it’s a little more quiet and quaint.”
Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Rd., has 94 acres with several miles of trails — some adjacent to the White River — playgrounds, a nature center and the iconic Holliday Park Ruins, which skaters can see from the ice rink.
The rink has open skating hours during the week and on weekends, and is available for private events, such as birthday parties or corporate holiday parties. Barnes said the foundation also organizes special programs and events throughout the skat-
Ice Rink at Holliday Park a popular northside attraction
ing season.
Coming up on Jan. 24, is a special fundraiser to help pay for the Skate it Forward program, which provides free skating opportunities for under-resourced communities.
“We’re doing a skate-a-thon event, so kind of a fun, 24-hour skate (where) teams can sign up and have a skater out on the rink for a couple hour chunks, but skating 24 hours,” Barnes said. “We’ve got a Valentine’s Day skate, which we did last year — that was really kind of a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.”
The Valentine’s Day event will include special food concessions, a free drawing for restaurant gift cards and a free “Make Your Own Bouquet” activity provided by Willow & Star Flowers.
Barnes said corporate and nonprofit partnerships also help make the Ice Rink at Holliday Park a unique experience for Indianapolis residents, including drop-in hockey lessons on Wednesday evenings, school field trips and weekend concessions from vendor MashCraft — which has beer and wine for adult guests.
Although it’s been offered only a few years, Barnes said the rink has become a
popular destination.
“We’ve seen almost 30,000 skaters in the first two years,” he said. “We’ve seen an increase from year one to year two and are expecting a little bit of an increase this year, as well. We increased the size of the rink from year one to year two. One of our goals for the future is to continue to expand and ultimately end up with a full (National Hockey League)-size rink, which can accommodate more people and give folks a little more room to spread out when they’re out there skating.”
The rink now is 60 feet by 135 feet and can accommodate up to 300 skaters at a time. Tickets to skate are $14 per person and include skate rental.
Barnes noted that all proceeds from the ice rink go back to the foundation, which was founded in 1990.
“Holliday Park is a city park, so it’s owned and managed by Indy Parks,” he said. “They do the absolute best they can with the resources that they have. But there are 215 parks, I think, in the Indy Parks system at this point. A lot of the parks have friends groups or advisory councils or foundations that are able to kind of support and supplement their
neighborhood park through volunteer service and fundraising and advocacy.”
The Holliday Park Foundation funds capital improvement projects and programming, such as the ice rink and the popular summertime Rock the Ruins concert series. For more, visit hollidaypark.org.
IF YOU GO
What: The Ice Rink at Holliday Park, a 60x135-foot ice rink
Where: Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Rd.
When: Open through early March. Hours vary. Visit hollidaypark.org/rink for full schedule
How: Tickets are $14 per person, including skate rental, and are available online at hollidaypark.org/ rink or in person. Children 4 and younger skate for free.
ON THE COVER: Holliday Park’s ice rink is a popular winter destination for Indianapolis residents. (Photo courtesy of Holliday Park Foundation)
The Ice Rink at Holliday Park returned for a third season in late November 2024, and remains open through early March. (Photos courtesy of Holliday Park Foundation)
currentnightandday.com
Audience picks ‘Yesterday and Today’ setlist for Beatles interactive tribute act
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Billy McGuigan and his two brothers have deep ties to Beatles music and the memories associated with the songs.
“Our dad was a military man who traveled all over the world,” McGuigan said. “When we didn’t have money, we always had his Beatles records and guitar. We lost our dad to leukemia when he was 42. This music is what kept his spirit alive with us and kept us together as brothers. When we started 17 years ago, there were probably 30 to 40 Beatles acts with everyone dressed like The Beatles. We didn’t dress up as kids, so we didn’t want to do that.”
McGuigan, 49, and his brothers Ryan, 46, and Matthew, 42, created Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience.” The band will perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 18 the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Before the two-hour tribute show, audience members are invited to fill out request cards listing their name, favorite Beatles song and the reason the song is so important to them.
About two minutes before the show, McGuigan said they put together a setlist from the audience, which he said makes each performance unique.
McGuigan said the show is less about how The Beatles dressed and more about what their music means to the concertgoers.
“Now, there are not as many bands dressing up like The Beatles, and we’re still around because our show has heart,” McGuigan said. “We’re not just playing the songs because someone is paying us to do it. We would do it, anyway. We just bring all our friends in the audience with us. At the end of the show, instead of twisting and shouting, you’ve gone through an experience that was kind of unique and unlike anything else out there.”
McGuigan said they have played every Beatles song in their catalog at least once on stage. The catalog contains approximately 225 songs.
The band played “Now and Then,” which was released in November 2023, one day after it was released. John Lennon, who was killed in 1980, recorded it as a home demo. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr completed it with overdubs and guitar tracks by George Harrison, who died in 2001.
McGuigan said the band can perform songs by McCartney’s Wings band and solo songs by the four Beatles, so they can play about 400 songs. He said there is rarely a show when “Hey Jude” isn’t requested. Other heavily requested songs are “Here Comes the Sun,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “She Loves You.”
“Those consistently make our show,” he said.
McGuigan said he recently received six requests for “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.”
This is the first time McGuigan has
played in the Indianapolis area.
The brothers don’t play a particular Beatle on stage. McGuigan sings most of the McCartney songs. Ryan performs most of Lennon’s songs and Matthew sings most of Harrison’s songs.
“I play piano and guitar,” McGuigan said. “Matthew is music director and plays bass guitar and piano, and Ryan does a little of everything. He plays percussion and hits buttons on his keyboard.”
The band, which is based in Omaha, Neb., has three other members besides the siblings. Keyboard player Darren Pettit has been with the group since the start.
“We do about 100 shows a year,” McGuigan said. “The best part is having my brothers with me because we’ve been doing it since we were little kids. To see the adult versions of them become rock stars is kind of fun.”
Before McGuigan started the band with his brothers, he toured as the late Buddy Holly for several years.
‘MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS’
“Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” runs through Feb. 9 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
’YESTERDAY AND TODAY’
“Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience” is set for 8 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
“Thank You for the Music! An ABBA Party” is set for Jan. 16, followed by “Indy Nights with Ryan Ahlwardt & Friends” Jan. 17 and “Dueling Pianos” Jan. 18 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All three performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
DISPATCHES
Civic Theatre fundraiser set — “Waiting in the Wings,” a fundraiser to support Civic Theatre, is set for Jan. 22 at Feinstein’s cabaret in Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. There will be performances at 6 and 8:30 p.m. The cast will perform selections from shows Civic Theatre officials plan to stage in the future. The cast includes Bella Agresta, David Brock, Drew Bryson, Sadie Cohen, Joe Doyel, Jay Fuqua, Braxton Hiser and Sally Root. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
‘Luminaries’ series features African American Classical Composers — The Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts’ “Luminaries” series will present “The Music and Lives of African American Classical Composers” at 2 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Palladium in Carmel. Saxophonist Trevor Conerly and pianist Andrew Brown will perform several musical pieces while highlighting the lives, challenges and stories of the composers. Conerly, a DePauw University graduate, is a saxophonist who lives and works in the Indianapolis area. Pianist Andrew Brown is a fellow DePauw grad and Indianapolis native. Admission is $10 and includes light refreshments. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
From left, Ryan, Billy and Matthew McGuigan from “Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Battles Experience.” (Photo courtesy of Billy McGuigan)
Actresses embrace murder mystery
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Devan Mathias views a murder mystery play as a juicy piece to put together because the actors and production team already know the ending.
MYSTERY
“We get to build those clues into the show throughout the rehearsal process, planting seeds for the sleuths in the audience along the way, but we have to do that without tipping our hats too much,” Mathias said. “So much of what’s happening in a murder mystery is about what’s ‘not’ being said, but rather what’s happening without words, all right in front of the audience. The challenge for us as actors — and part of what makes it such fun — is to develop these really rich backstories and strong opinions of each other to breathe life into that aspect of the story.”
The Fishers resident portrays Greta Ohlsson in “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” set for Jan. 9 to Feb. 9 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis.
“The playwright, Ken Ludwig, has done such a marvelous job honoring the original Agatha Christie tale while also bringing the comedy of this story to the forefront,” Mathias said. “What’s lovely about this script, and our production, is that it unites the mystery and the comedy genres in such a delicious way. I think that’s also very true of my character, Greta Ohlsson. She’s quite an odd duck. There’s a definite element of slapstick comedy, which is always a joy to create and share with audiences. Learning the specificities of a Swedish dialect to play Greta and finding ways to let that help the storytelling, characterization, comedy and truth of this weird little being has been such a treat.”
Noblesville resident Suzanne Stark portrays Princess Dragomiroff.
Stark Continued on Page 13
Mathias
Fanoos Ensemble presents ‘Heart of Afghanistan’
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
The Fanoos Ensemble will introduce a Carmel audience to a unique blend of their heritage.
MUSIC
The group will perform its “Heart of Afghanistan” program at 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts.
Elham Fanoos, 27, who is based in New York City, plays piano and is the music director.
The Fanoos family’s father, Ahmad, came to the U.S. in 2021 and is the vocalist and plays the harmonium. Elham’s younger brother, Mehran, who is an Indiana University music student, plays the violin and Sohail Karimi plays the tabla.
“We like to call (Sohail) a brother from another mother because we’re very close,” Elham said.
The “Heart of Afghanistan” program is in collaboration with American Voices, which presents music around the world.
“We started presenting the program in 2022 and have performed in about 25 states and over 40 concerts so far,” Elham said. “We are mixing Afghan music with Western classical music because we believe this is a unique ensemble.”
The program includes Afghan folk music — traditional odes based on Sufi poetry.
“We incorporate Western harmonies, rhythms and patterns with my dad’s singing,” Elham said. “It’s presenting Afghan music in a unique way that has never been done before like this. The music is mostly based on Persian poetry, and we incorporate poems from Rumi, one of the famous poets from the 13th century, and include one of the most influential singers of Afghanistan, Ahmad Zahir, who was as-
Continued from Page 12
Stark said there are challenges with any role, particularly ones that are new to her resume.
“I am so looking forward to finding out ‘who’ I will end up being as we work through the rehearsal process,” Stark said. “The age of the Princess is the same range as my age, but I imagine I will approach her with more gravity than my normal personality or the roles I usually play.”
sassinated on his 33rd birthday in 1979. We include some originals from my dad’s compositions and our original arrangements.”
The family didn’t really play together in their home country.
“This idea hit us that we had to do this,” Elham said. “It’s a representation of Afghan culture, Afghan people and Afghan music. Our longtime goal is to change perceptions that some people have about Afghanistan and Afghan people. We’d like to play as much as possible.”
When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, music was banned in Afghanistan.
Elham, who has been in the U.S. since 2015, said his father evacuated from Afghanistan with the help of Fox News.
“It was very unsafe for him and there were a lot of threats on him because he is quite well known in Afghanistan because he was a judge on ‘Afghan Stars,’” Elham said. “It was similar to ‘American Idol’ and big around Afghanistan. He was evacuated with my sister and her family. My mother is still in India and we’re trying to get her here.”
For more, visit fanoosensemble.com. For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org.
Stark said finding comedic moments in a play that has a dark theme is an interesting challenge.
“I will find my voice and posture and movements and timing dependent on the other characters I’m interacting with on stage and the vision the director has for the production,” she said. “So, no matter the challenges, they become opportunities for character growth as the rehearsals unfold.”
For more, visit beefandboards.com.
From left, Mehran Fanoos, Sohail Karimi, Ahmad Fanoos and Elham Fanoos will perform Jan. 25 in Carmel. (Photo courtesy Elham Fanoos)
Blueprint for Improvement: Chic Fishers primary bath renovation After
Commentary by Larry Greene
Built in 1995 in Fishers’ Lakeside Green neighborhood, this home’s primary bathroom was ready for a transformation. The new owners wanted to upgrade their builder-basic space into something bright and beautiful. By keeping the same layout but reimagining the design, our team created a room that feels entirely new.
THE BLUEPRINT
• Replacing the tub with a walk-in shower elevated the functionality of the room, bringing a spa-like serenity to the homeowners’ daily routine.
• The addition of a floating vanity keeps the compact space open and airy while offering ample storage.
• A tongue-and-groove ceiling treatment, stained to match the vanity, makes a statement by adding warm, organic charm and unique style.
• Marble tile combined with gold accents in the finishes introduces refined elegance and a touch of livable luxury.
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.
to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Sides: BACON, GRITS, HAM, MUFFIN, SAUSAGE, TOAST; Foes: BUCKS, BULLS, CELTICS, KNICKS, PISTONS; Materials:
PUZZLE ANSWERS
LIFESTYLE
Across
1. Gloomy atmosphere
5. Zionsville Farmers’ Market fruit
9. Wall Street term
14. Slurpee alternative
15. Indiana Toll Road toll unit
16. Self-assurance
17. Start of a quote attribut-
ed to Martin Luther King, Jr.
20. Fable fellow
21. Pirelli product
22. Hair holder
23. Vintner’s valley
26. ___ Diego
27. Pacers tiebreakers, briefly
28. IU and PU foe
31. Ticket, slangily
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER
Docket No. PZ-2024-00243 V
Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on the 27th day of January, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Hall Caucus Rooms, 1 Civic Sq., 2nd Flr., Carmel, IN 46032, will hold a Public Hearing upon a Development Standards Variance application to: The applicant seeks the following development standards variance approval for a wall sign: Sign height (109” height allowed, 117.6” requested).
With the property being known as: The site is located at 2599 E. 98th St. and is zoned S2/ Residence and Keystone Parkway Overlay District.
The application is identified as Docket No. PZ-2024-00243 V
The real estate affected by said application is described as follows:
Number: 17-14-07-04-06-012.000
Deeded Owner: Lighthouse Tabernacle Inc
Address: 2599 E 98th St
Legal Description: Acreage 5.24 Section 7, Township 17, Range 4
Property Use: Exempt Religious
Zoning District: S-2/Residential
Overlay Zoning District: Keystone Pkwy Overlay
The petition may be examined on the City’s website, through Public Documents - Laserfiche.
All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above application, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place.
Connection Pointe Christian Church c/o Glen Hatheway, Finance and Operations Director
PETITIONERS
33. Asian New Year
35. Colts supporters
37. Did the Mini-Marathon
38. Pancake topper
40. Texter’s “Just sayin’”
41. Quote, Part 2
43. “What’s ___ for me?”
45. Hose woes
47. Fish story
48. Indiana State Prison chamber
49. Fight decision, for short
50. Kind of question
52. VCR button
53. Bier Brewery brew
55. IND scanning org.
57. Pop
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER
Docket No. PZ-2024-00240 V
Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer meeting on the 27th day of January, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Sq., 2nd Flr., Carmel, IN 46032, will hold a Public Hearing upon a Development Standards Variance application to: Seek approval for the reduction of the required parking spaces per building square footage ratio required per the College Hills PUD Ordinance for the Parkwood Buildings 8 and 9.
With the property being known as: 800 E 96th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240 / 900 E 96th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240
The application is identified as Docket No. PZ-2024-00240 V.
The real estate affected by said application is described as follows: 17-13-12-00-00-013.001 / 17-13-12-00-00-013.002
The petition may be examined on the City’s website, through Public Documents - Laserfiche.
All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above application, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place.
Bryan Sheward PETITIONERS
59. Swindle
60. Duke Energy measurements
62. Black-and-white cookies
66. End of quote
70. “The Barber of Seville,” e.g.
71. Mata ___
72. Top-notch
73. U-Haul rival
74. Thumbs-up votes
75. “Uncle!” Down
1. Adel’s Gyros bread
2. Tummy pain
3. Jeans brand
4. Allow to board
5. Cook’s spray
6. PC file suffix
7. Came down
8. Just say no
9. Abundant
10. AAA Hoosier Motor Club job
11. One who works on a grand scale?
12. So far
13. Takes a break
18. Apple tablet
19. Coach Parseghian of Notre Dame
24. Cat sounds
25. Trendy berry
28. Slightly awry
29. Wood cutters
30. Not deliberate
32. It may be obtuse
34. Indiana Mr. Basketball from North Central HS: ___ Gordon
36. Letters on a love letter
38. Shorthand pro
39. Heap
42. Snake’s warning
44. RN’s specialty
46. Take up arms
50. Harley competitor
51. Aroma
53. Westfield Playhouse player
54. Ditzy
56. “Quiet!”
58. 70-Across highlights
61. Canine command
63. Showbiz “grand slam”
64. “Good heavens!”
65. Put your foot down
67. Mine find
68. Fury
69. Bro’s sib
Answers on Page 14
