March 26, 2024 — Westfield

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Opinions

The

Youth learn to lead

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

Indiana and basketball go hand in hand. But one nonprofit organization has taken that Hoosier love for hoops to the next level this month, mixing lessons on the court with life lessons on leadership and teamwork.

EMPOWERMENT

S.L.E.D. is an acronym for Saving Lives Every Day. The organization, which was formed in 2021 in Lawrence Township, assists those who are underserved, marginalized or recently released from incarceration.

S.L.E.D. focuses on empowerment, mental health and wellness, functional family therapy, substance use disorder, affordable housing, life skills development and job training, as well as working with those they serve to create opportunities, reduce recidivism and eradicate inequities.

This month, the organization branched out into youth outreach, hosting “From March Madness to Competitive Greatness” at Competitive Greatness basketball training facility in Carmel.

S.L.E.D. President Charleston L. Bowles said the program is a collaboration between S.L.E.D., Major Fundamentals youth development program and Competitive Greatness to create a four-week workshop to inspire and embolden youth leaders in a sports atmosphere — specifically basketball. Participants spend their Sundays in March performing basketball drills and receiving training, followed by activities and discussions around the themes of teamwork, resilience, strategic thinking and goal setting. The sessions aimed to help participants be successful both on and off the court.

“At S.L.E.D., we usually work with the adult population, but we thought it would be neat to have a youth program for the month of March,” Bowles said. “We talk about instilling leadership, empowerment, and emboldening our young men through basketball. It’s been a great opportunity.”

Bowles said the program averages about 20 participants each week. Following some intense instruction on basketball fundamen-

the importance of hearing perspectives from other people.

tals, the kids gather for a leadership workshop with different speakers each week.

Bowles said participants come from all across the Indianapolis area, including Carmel, Lawrence Township, Indianapolis and Avon, and also come from varying backgrounds.

“I think what’s most beneficial first and foremost is to have community leaders, community role models and parents to show that they care,” Bowles said. “I think that really drives home the message to all the young participants here. I think also they really love to see and hear the stories from the programming that we’re sharing with them.”

Bowles said presenters at the sessions are people who have been able to turn a bad situation around and teach the youth

the importance of how to make good decisions, how to think before they act and how to take off the mask that hides their frustrations and anxiety.

“At the end of the day, I think they most appreciate seeing people who care, seeing people who want to meet them where they are, seeing leaders and role models who want to give back to their well-being and development,” Bowles said.

Besides services, S.L.E.D. also operates Corey’s House, an upcoming sober-living facility in Lawrence Township. S.L.E.D. works with the City of Lawrence, the City of Indianapolis, the Salvation Army and the Fort Ben YMCA on programming for those members who will stay at Corey’s House.

Learn more about S.L.E.D. and its initiatives at wesled4u.org.

Youth participate in basketball drills and a pickup game.

(Photos by Marney Simon)

Cheri Gable, a life coach and founder of Beautifully Broken in Indianapolis, speaks to participants on

Plans for Stations 84, 85 advance

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

The City of Westfield will move to the next step with plans to construct two new fire stations, with aggressive timelines that would have those facilities substantially completed in 2025 and 2026.

The new Station 84 will be built on 191st Street, between Tomlinson Road and Chad Hittle Drive.

The two-story, 20,000-square-foot structure will be designed for 12 personnel and will include three full apparatus bays, living and sleeping quarters, and a museum that will be open to the public.

Negotiations for the land acquisition of the site for Station 85 are still ongoing, but the proposed location is near Ind. 32 and Centennial Road/W. 31st Street.

The one-story, 16,000-square-foot building is expected to house 10 fire personnel and would include living quarters, sleeping quarters and offices, as well as three apparatus bays.

The Board of Public Works and Safety met March 13 to finalize a BOT agreement for construction of Station 84. A BOT agreement is a proposal to build, operate and transfer via public-private partnership for the development, design and construction of public facilities, provided for by Indiana law.

Because of the high response for requests for qualifications in January, the city contracted with Bravia Services to assist in the review of those proposals and

to score the responses to help the selection committee narrow it down.

That committee unanimously recommended Envoy Construction be awarded the contract as the developer/contractor of Westfield Fire Department Station 84.

There were no comments at a public hearing held March 13.

The board also approved a revised design agreement with Studio Axis, the architect/designer of the project. That revision will also include plans for Station 85.

“Since they are going to be in such close proximity, it upsets the workflow of everything and the process to get things done in a timely manner,” Fire Chief Rob Gaylor said. “So, we’d like to extend that agreement with Studio Axis to cover Station 84, the final couple steps, then start that again with Station 85.”

Gaylor said there will be cost savings by combining the two projects.

The bid process for Station 84 should be complete by late spring, with construction starting potentially in July and a completion date of October 2025.

Construction of Station 85 could begin as early as March 2025, with an end date of April 2026.

“That’s substantial completion. That does not mean we’ll be in there and operating, that’s a goal, I think it’s feasible, but that’s substantial completion with those dates,” Gaylor said.

The total cost of the combined construction is $7.5 million in both hard and soft costs, to be paid for via bonds.

Westfield

FIRE DEPT.

Grant will purchase ADA sleds

news@youarecurrent.com

Westfield Welcome will use $2,500 in grant funding from Visit Hamilton County to enhance the winter experience for people with disabilities.

GRANTS

Westfield Welcome was one of 30 Hamilton County nonprofit organizations that were awarded funds from Hamilton County Tourism’s 2024 Tourism Gives program. The grant will be used to purchase up to three Americans with Disabilities Act skating sleds for the Ice Ribbon at Grand Junction Plaza.

In 2023-24, the Ice Ribbon at Grand Junction Plaza held its inaugural season, welcoming more than 4,000 guests between mid-November and late-January. The ADA sleds are equipped with features that ensure safety and comfort, such as padded seats and backrests, footrests, and a pusher handle. ADA sleds are designed to be used by people with a wide range of disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs, crutches or have limited mobility.

“We are thrilled to be able to make our

Visitors skate at the Grand Junction Ice Ribbon on opening day in November 2023. (Photo courtesy of City of Westfield)

Ice Ribbon more inclusive and welcoming to everyone in our community. We are looking forward to expanding our relationship with the Westfield Mayor’s Council on Disabilities to continue seeking opportunities like this and offering additional inclusive programming throughout the year,” Mayor Scott Willis stated.

Visit Hamilton County awarded a total of $95,000 in grant funding to nonprofits for the 2024 cycle, including the Westfield-Washington Historical Society, Hamilton County Artist Association, Actor’s Theatre of Indiana, Museum of Miniature Houses, Indiana Peony Festival, Great American Songbook Foundation and Hamilton County Parks.

CURRENT WESTFIELD APRIL COMMUNITY CALENDAR

BICYCLE SALE

Conquest Cycling, an all-volunteer Westfield based organization, will hold a bicycle sale from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. April 6 at 1199 E. 181st St., next to Grand Junction Brewing. Hundreds of bicycles will be available for $300 or less. Cash or Venmo accepted. The organization also hosts sales Tuesday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m. and Thursday evenings from 7 until 9 p.m. Volunteers with Conquest Cycling repair and repurpose more than 500 donated bicycles each year and distribute those bicycles through partnerships with Circle City Relief in Indianapolis and Grace Care Center in Hamilton County. Donations of bicycles in any condition are welcome.

ECLIPSE IN WESTFIELD

The City of Westfield will host solar eclipse festivities at Grand Park Sports Campus from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. April 8. Attendees can enjoy food and drinks from food trucks, a concert with the 1985 Band, attractions and inflatables, and total darkness from the eclipse. Grand Universe will have viewing telescopes on-site to educate attendees about the solar eclipse

and its history. Tickets are only available for pre-purchase and are $25 per standard-size vehicle. Eclipse viewing glasses are included. Overnight RV and camper parking will be available for $100. Tickets are not available on the day of the event. Order tickets at westfieldwelcome.com.

VIRTUAL LEARNING APRIL 8

Westfield Washington Schools will have an eLearning day April 8 because of the eclipse. The Before and After Program will close at 1 p.m.; Infants, ones and twos will close at noon; threes and fours will close at 1 p.m. Developmental preschool will not be held April 8.

FAMILY DANCE

Westfield Welcome will sponsor the annual Mother-Son Dance and the Daddy-Daughter Dance April 27 at the Bridgewater Club. The Mother-Son dance takes place from 2 to 4 p.m., while the Daddy-Daughter dance has two sessions, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and 7 to 9 p.m. All ages are welcome, but the recommended age range is 3 to 10. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. March 27. Learn more by visiting westfieldwelcome.com/events.

Lawrence Central senior baseball player has all the right stuff

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

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

“He has all the tools you want in a player — the speed, the average hitting, the glove, the arm and baseball IQ,” Lawrence Central’s firstyear coach Tim Bragg said. “He does everything valuable to make a team go offensively and defensively.”

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

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

MEET AHMAAD DUFF

Favorite athlete: Russell Westbrook

Favorite subject: Digital marketing

Favorite movie: “Avatar: The Last Airbender”

Favorite musical artist: Rod Wave

Bragg said Duff has good power despite his smaller frame.

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

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

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

it around after winning just one game last season.

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can make wishes come true at the BIG WISH GALA!

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

Duff

Barrier: Language

Are screens to blame?

Commentary by Dr. Amy Iddins

As optometrists, we frequently encounter the complaint of “tired eyes” among our patients. In this new era of near constant device use, it comes as no surprise that we are seeing more and more eye-related issues. The sensation of tired eyes can have several root causes, but the most common culprit is digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome.

VISION

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Symptoms like ocular burning, watering, or irritation often surface after only a few hours of device use. Prolonged use can lead to blurry vision, dry eyes and tension headaches, along with an increase in neck and shoulder pain.

So, what exactly causes our eyes and bodies to react negatively to screens? It is believed that the pixelation of letters on screens degrades sharpness when compared with the crisp lettering of printed documents. You may not notice in the moment, but your eyes are working harder to read the words. Increased glare and poor contrast are also thought to make reading on screens more taxing.

Sitting awkwardly for long periods, sitting too close or too far from your device, and forgetting to blink while engrossed in a bright screen are also main contributors to strain. Lastly, not having the proper glasses prescription can also be an issue, especially when doing near work that requires the eyes to focus.

So, how can we tackle this problem or alleviate its effects? The American Optometric

“For every 20 minutes that you spend on a screen, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.”

– DR. AMY IDDINS

Association recommends implementing the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes that you spend on a screen, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Other options include making a conscious effort to blink more often, using lubricating eye drops and adding glare-eliminating filters to your screens. Many of our patients find it beneficial to use prescription computer glasses with anti-reflective coatings or blue-light filtering properties. The AOA also suggests keeping screens 4 to 5 inches below eye-level and 20 to 28 inches away from the eyes for ideal viewing. Lastly, the crown jewel to soothing strained eyes is obviously limiting screen time altogether.

Wondering if your eye discomfort is a result of computer vision syndrome? Give your optometrist a call to schedule your annual comprehensive eye examination. You can email me at driddins@revolution-eyes. com with any questions regarding eye strain or other eye-related topics.

Dr. Amy Iddins is an optometrist with RevolutionEYES in the Fishers office. Contact her at driddins@ revolution-eyes.com.

OBITUARY

Mary (Colleen) Vincenzetti, 86 of Carmel, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2024 surrounded by her family. Colleen was born August 8, 1937 in Saulte Ste. Marie, MI to the late Thomas and Gertrude Hallesy. A memorial Mass was celebrated Friday, March 22 at 11:00 am at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church. Colleen is survived by her husband of 67 years, Philip; children, Carol A. (husband, Dave) Clarkson, Linda M. (husband, Gary) Smith, Phil T. (Betsy) Vincenzetti, James A. (wife, Stacey) Vincenzetti; grandchildren, Jennifer, Chris, Julie, Nick, Tiffany, Philip, Justin, Brandon, Jacob and Ryan; 15 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her grandson,

Jonathan and 5 brothers.

Colleen was a great role model as a wife and mother who showed kindness to all but wasn’t a pushover! She was a master cleaner and no one could compare to her linen folding skills! She enjoyed gardening, bird watching and shooting at squirrels who tried to get her birdseed! Her biggest passion was kids! She relished the time she spent snuggling and reading to her grandkids and great grandkids. Her golf game was unmatched with two holes in one with Phil as her witness! She was a fireball and in the words of one of the aides, “She was as light as a feather but strong as an ox!”

Westfield Washington Township offers resources, enrichment

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

Westfield Washington Township Trustee Jamie Goetz Mills has only been in the township’s lead role since the start of 2024.

SERVICES

But at the helm, she is working to educate the community on just what they can expect out of their township government.

In Indiana, one of the main roles for townships is to provide assistance — something that was previously known as poor relief, a term Goetz Mills would prefer not to use.

“If you are in a time of crisis, and you do need immediate assistance, we’re here to help,” she said. “That is our core. We are here to help the community. We want to help people get through that immediate crisis, but we’re also going to be alongside you because we want to be able to prevent that from happening in the future.”

By state law, township assistance includes items such as housing and utility aid for low-income families, plus funding assistance for food and health care needs.

In addition, Westfield Washington Township also offers programming, such as youth education enrichment, fitness, hobbies and training for youth and adults and language classes. The township also provides maintenance for a handful of cemeteries and operates MacGregor Park and its 3.6 miles of trails on Ind. 38.

The township engaged in a strategic planning process in 2023 to help shape the direction of the township offices and offerings over the next several years.

“We’re a connector. We’re connected with the city. We partner with them a lot. We have a lot of nonprofit partners who we connect to,” said Chelsea McCarty, marketing manager for Westfield Washington Township. “A big part of the township that people don’t know is that connection piece, that we put our hand in a lot of different pots to strengthen partnerships and engagements.”

Goetz Mills also said the township has been working closely with the city as Westfield continues to grow.

Westfield Mayor Scott Willis has been clear that his administration is focused on growing Westfield, which could include expanding the city’s borders to encompass

Westfield Washington Township offers residents several services, including financial assistance for those who qualify, education and enrichment programs, and management of MacGreggor

the entirety of the township’s borders.

Should that happen, the city would take over some of the township’s responsibilities to the residents, but there would still be work for the township to do.

“It is about the growth that we need as a city, and that really is from a tax base as well,” Goetz Mills said. “So, if you look at what is incorporated in the city, there needs to be some well thought out responsible annexation within the township as well as within the townships that touch us so that we can grow responsibility. How do we bring more business in, because we have to flip our tax base (from majority residential to majority commercial/industrial). That will probably not happen within (Willis’) tenure as a mayor. But I do think there will be some annexations.”

Goetz Mills added that the kind of expansion that would stretch Westfield’s borders would likely be a long process but said Willis and the Westfield City Council are working toward thoughtful, strategic growth, which includes significant collaboration between the city and the township.

Township offices will be relocated to the new Westfield Washington Library building in June.

Westfield Washington Township residents can find information or register for programming at westfieldwashingtontwp.us.

Park. (Photo by Marney Simon)

ON THE MARCH

Westfield High School music and performing arts director expands programs

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

For Andew Muth, music education is more than just a job.

Now in his fifth year as Westfield High School’s director of bands and performing arts, Muth isn’t just a band leader.

In his role over the past five years, Muth has created five- and 10-year detailed plans based on his vision for bands and performing arts. But as the district celebrates Music in our Schools month throughout March, he is hesitant to take all the credit for how the program has blossomed during his tenure.

“I think one of the great things about Westfield and what we’re doing here is, I view it as a collaborative and team effort,” Muth said. “My name is first on the call sheet most days, but ultimately, we’ve created a culture of lots of people working together to make great things happen.”

Muth started at Westfield High School in 2019 when the district was revamping its music department.

Band has been front and center in Muth’s life since he was in first grade, when one of his teachers told his parents that he had natural talent. Muth started in theater in elementary school while attending Paoli Community Schools in southern Indiana, and quickly moved into the band as well, and was drum major in his high school marching band. He brought those lessons with him to his current role.

“When I came to Westfield High School, I thought about my experience,” Muth said. “In my experience, every adult in every room that I had been involved in band was working really hard to make sure that I had the absolute best experience possible. We refer to that here as a world class experience. We want to offer our kids what we feel is the most well rounded, most detailed, most complete music education that we can possibly give them.”

Muth has transformed the music and performing arts program, even during the pandemic, from only a handful of classes in 2019 to last year’s seniors who took home a gold medal at Winter Guard International, and this year’s seniors making it to the state finals in marching band, competing in the same class alongside some of the top bands in Indiana. Most recently, Westfield Winds took second place at the WGI Mideast Power Regional; Westfield Open Guard finished their program in fourth place at IHSCGA Open Class State Finals; and Westfield Indoor Percussion won first place at IPA Brownsburg.

Muth said he is proud of the efforts of the students to advance a program even though they only have limited time to participate, a philosophy they refer to as “one rock at a time,” which refers to building up the program piece by piece to benefit future Shamrocks.

The district has also invested in the program, increasing staff and adding course offerings from beginners to advanced. The music and performing arts program now

has more than 300 students enrolled in various electives, including 140 students in band, 20 in guard, 130 in choir, 100 in theater, and dozens more in various classes from marching band to piano, guitar and music theory.

Muth said the Shamrock Marching Band is top tier in a state renowned for elite marching band programs. He said the Indianapolis metro area is nationally known for great band programs, alongside Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Orlando.

“These are the places in the county where great things are happening in band, programs that have been successful for 30 years. Generations of band kids have gone through those programs,” he said.

With the program starting to outgrow its space, Muth is assisting the district in the design effort to expand and renovate the music area.

“We’re still building, we’re still growing, we’re still making great things happen and growing toward where we

want to go,” Muth said.

Muth credits the work of others for his success and the success of the program, noting that band is a lot of hard work that requires much more than students and staff. He said the program is only successful because of the dedication of parents who play an active role by waking up early and staying up late to get the band and their instruments to where they need to be.

“Music is something that kids can invest every part of themselves into,” Muth said. “I think the great thing about band specifically is that our activity isn’t just something kids can invest in, it’s something that families can invest in.”

Learn more about WHS band and guard at westfield.band.

ON THE COVER: Westfield High School director of bands and performing arts Andrew Muth directs the WHS 2023 holiday band performance. (Photo courtesy of Westfield Washington Schools)

40 UNDER 40 RECOGNITION

At the start of 2024, Andrew Muth was named one of the Yamaha Music USA 40 Under 40.

“They recognize different people in the music industry,” Muth, 34, said. “They just recognize people who have brought what they deem as special or interesting to music education. I was honestly very surprised that I was recognized.”

Yamaha launched the 40 Under 40 music education advocacy program in 2021 to honor educators who make a difference in growing and

strengthening their music programs.

Each of the honorees excel when it comes to proactively taking the necessary steps to create a strong music program; proposing and implementing new or bold ideas; showing innovation and imagination in achieving plans and objectives; and establishing, growing and improving music education in their schools and communities.

Learn more at hub.yamaha.com under the educators tab.

(Above) The music department is not just about marching band. Muth oversees all of the WHS performing arts, including choir and theater. (Photos courtesy of Westfield Washington Schools)

Muth

(Below) Band at Westfield High School is only successful thanks to the adults who assist, according to director Andrew Muth.

The Sixpence proposes new venue in Westfield

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

The owners of a popular event venue in Boone County are looking to open a second facility in Westfield. Representatives for SixPence Events, LLC went before the Advisory Plan Commission earlier this month with a proposed planned unit development on Springmill Road south of 186th Street.

DEVELOPMENT

The proposed development, labeled Westwood PUD, would establish a modern, highend special event venue, according to the staff report provided to the APC.

“This proposed new special events space will be a long-term asset to the Westfield community. It’s operated by a known operator who will offer their high-quality services to those in Hamilton County,” said Russell Brown, an attorney representing SixPence Events, LLC.

The proposed PUD would allow for the development of a 13,000- to 15,000-square-

The concept plan for an events venue on Springmill Road includes a building, pond, and landscape buffering. (Image courtesy of City of Westfield)

foot special events building, plus accessory buildings.

The site design includes a single access point from Spring Mill Road and large open areas.

A public hearing was held March 4 before the APC. Commissioners had questions about two retail outlots adjacent to the property and potential future plans for developing the outlots.

The petitioner will make any necessary revisions to the proposal based on comments by the APC prior to further consideration.

For more, visit thesixpence.com.

Grand Park welcomed 1.M in ‘23

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

Westfield’s Grand Park had a successful year for hosting events and visitors in 2023.

FACILITIES

The Redevelopment Commission reviewed the year-end report for the sports complex during its March 18 meeting.

Officials said the year-end data surpassed the 2022 numbers, with a total of 1.1 million visitors in 2023, including 211,578 athletes.

Fourth-quarter revenues were up 3.15 percent from the same time period in 2023 at $1.5 million, with expenses at $1.1 million, a 44 percent decrease from the previous year.

Overall, revenues in 2023 at Grand Park totaled $6.7 million, with expenses of $4.9 million.

Grand Park operation officials said the park and the city continue to evaluate both the financial numbers and the number of visitors to see how the city can attract more people to Grand Park, while also bringing those visitors to other parts of

the city to shop, stay and eat.

In operations, visitor parking ratings were poor for Lot J. City officials said the gravel parking area in Lot J, which covers the eastern portion of the lot and is used as overflow parking, is in the process of being replaced with a solid asphalt surface, with completion expected in early May.

“Most of our capital needs are repairs, painting. Our common theme if you go out there is that you’re seeing trusses go up and we’re improving signage,” said Blake Hibler with Bullpen Tournaments, Grand Park events organizer. “We’re trying to improve the fan experience. We’ve got to redo these fences, we’ve got to paint the facility, we’ve got to clean up. We’ve been doing regular maintenance (but) we need a deep power cleaning of all the brick (and) concrete.”

Total Grand Park rental revenue in 2023 was $3.4 million, and Grand Park received $200,666 in sponsorship revenue.

The full report can be viewed at westfield.in.gov/egov/documents/1710356591_70034.pdf.

The cat that snored

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

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

HUMOR

“I’ll call the vet,” I said.

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

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

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

But cats?

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

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

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

– DICK WOLFSIE

The worst of graphic design

Commentary by Terry Anker

ESSAY

on me several years ago.

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

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

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

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

In the 1951 film “A Streetcar Named Desire,” the lead actor, Marlon Brando, sported a simple white T-shirt as outerwear. That rebellion against the then-dominant fashion soon became a fad. By the 1958 U.S. presidential campaign, supporters of candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower added a slogan “I Like Ike” to T-shirts, and the notion of “graphic design” printed itself onto American, then global, culture. In their original form, the mottos emblazoned were only “graphic” in that they were artistic interpretations of some intended message (imagine the yellow smiley face of the 1970s). But now, much of the clothing has become graphic in the other definition of the word, namely obscene, profane, violent or intentionally disturbing.

Airports, sporting events and sidewalks are opportune for those eager to share with us their view on some subject via a personal billboard. Maybe it is to share news of one’s support for the local soccer team or assert brand loyalty to an expensive luxury-goods manufacturer. We have become

so inundated by the messages that many go noticed only subconsciously. So, those craving an audience turn up the intensity of their communication.

A fit-enough middle-aged human sauntered along, working to ensure that others could not pass him in the long hallway. His pace guaranteed that each would be presented with his personal ideology presented on both the back and front of his attire. “No f***s given” proclaimed the bright design on a dark cloth. Is his endeavoring with such great vigor that all know that he does not care prove the very contrary? Is the profane message proclaiming: Please give me your attention for it is desperately needed? If we really didn’t care, why would we bother to tell anyone? Profanity, vulgarity, counter-cultural iconography — are they all secret messages saying, “ Please look at me?”

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

Time to get a move on

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Sold! Friends, our beloved home of 14 years went on the market on Valentine’s Day and was under contract less than 48 hours later. The housing market is definitely back.

HUMOR

And so is my anxiety. I thought it was stressful getting ready to sell, but I had no idea how crazy it would get once we actually had to pack up and get out. For some reason, the multiple mini-purges and yard sales and Goodwill runs that I had naively assumed would make the final push a piece of cake failed miserably in preventing a full-on last-minute panic. And it didn’t help that we still have no place to move to and we filled our first storage unit with various-size boxes, brick-a-brack, and three huge Tupperware containers of Barbie Dreamhouse accessories before we’d even gotten to the big stuff. That sectional ain’t gonna fit!

“Even as I type, our kitchen isn’t completely empty. We have several end tables and a weighs-a-ton ice chest that the movers forgot, and there are three area rugs and the contents of our garage to haul somewhere.”

– DANIELLE WILSON

there are three area rugs and the contents of our garage to haul somewhere. Did I mention closing is three days away? Gulp!

So, yeah, I’m sweating meatballs. I’d also like to Clorox the bathrooms and Swiffer the floors, if only to avoid being deemed “filthy” by the new owners. But there simply may not be time. And that’s OK. I’ll harness my anxiety and focus on the positive: We sold our house! Peace out.

The even-larger storage unit No. 2 is now busting at the seams, too, as is my in-law’s spare garage bay. What the hello? How and when did we accumulate all this stuff? Even as I type, our kitchen isn’t completely empty. We have several end tables and a weighsa-ton ice chest that the movers forgot, and

Danielle Wilson is a contributing columnist. You may email her at info@youarecurrent.com.

currentnightandday.com

Actor, director finally reach ‘That Championship Season’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

Simmons said the coach has two long soliloquy speeches.

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

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

Noblesville resident Adrian Blackwell

plays Tom, the youngest member of the team.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.

‘BEAUTIFUL”

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

‘DRIVING MISS DAISY’

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

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

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

‘FABLES AND FOLKLORE’

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

‘CROCE PLAYS CROCE’

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

LIVE AT THE CENTER

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

‘THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG”

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

DISPATCH

and went on sale March 22, at thecenterpresents.org.

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

Nick Carter set for Palladium concert — In the wake of the Backstreet Boys’ successful world tour, Nick Carter will bring his solo “Who I Am” world tour to the Center for the Performing Arts this fall. The show is set for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets starting at $35

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

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

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

1 CARMEL CIVIC SQUARE

2 CONNER PRAIRIE

3 COOL CREEK

4

#VISITHC

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

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

Arcadia 3m 6s

Atlanta 2m 56s

Carmel 3m 29s

Cicero 3m 15s

Fishers 3m 39s

Noblesville 3m 27s

Sheridan 2m 51s

Westfield 3m 19s

What is a HELOC?

Commentary by Slater Young Mortgage Loan Officer, NMLS# 2104170

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Stock photo)

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

By Mary Farucci news@youarecurrent.com

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

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

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

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

The rest is EF Marburger Fine Flooring family history.

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

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

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

From left, Kimberly Marburger and Kelly Marburger Novak.

Continued from Page 4

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

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

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

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

For more, visit efmarburger.com.

Communication, efficiency inspires ‘un-corporate’ service business

By Tirzah Rowland news@youarecurrent.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The company provides discounts for bundled services.

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

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

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

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

Elsts

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

JOHN KIRK

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

Some of the many brands we carry:

Enhancing the value of your home

Commentary by Robbin Edwards

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

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

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

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

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

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

Continued from Page 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT US

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

OUR SERVICES

• ROOFING & INSURANCE CLAIMS

• INTERIOR REMODELING

• HARDIE & VINYL SIDING

• GUTTERS & GUTTER GUARDS

• CONCRETE

• INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

• DOORS & WINDOWS

• & MORE

TESTIMONIAL

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

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

— Matt & Sarah Lang, Carmel

At Timber Ridge Fence Co., we believe in delivering speedy installations using high-quality wood, vinyl, and aluminum for all residential and commercial properties in Indianapolis. Choosing the perfect fence is not easy, but we’re here to help every step of the way - and we provide FREE ESTIMATES.

the

Changing colors, automation among outdoor lighting trends

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

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

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

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

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

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

The Lampliter, which DeWaal co-found-

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

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

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

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

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

Continued from Page 12

put it up.”

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

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

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

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

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

Learn more at TheLampliter.com.

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

Air duct cleaning grows in popularity

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

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

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

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

“So, the main reasons why people are

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

– CLAY WINTERS

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

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

“Our customers that have bad allergies

Continued on Page 15

A before and after of air duct cleaning.

(Photo courtesy of Mite-E-Ducts)

Continued from Page 14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more, visit airduct.info.

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

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

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

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

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

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

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Continued from Page 16

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

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

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

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

Rund said his team offers a personalized experience for homeowners.

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

Learn more at indianapolis. closetsbydesign.com

SAFETY TIPS

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

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE DETAILS.

RV PARKING

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

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE DETAILS.

SOUVENIRS

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

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE DETAILS.

Bullet Points set to perform

By Ken Severson editorial@youarecurrent.com

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

CONCERT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘DRIVING MISS DAISY’ LANDS AT STUDIO THEATER

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

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

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

Carmel residents Bob and Pam Alonzo attend the show.

in Carmel. (Photos by Jennifer Haire)

CROCE PLAYS CROCE: 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

Director familiar with ‘The King and I’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

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

MUSICAL

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

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

Sat Mar 30 at 8pm RAY CHEN

GREGORIAN: PURE CHANTS

Thu Apr 18 at 7:30pm

RUMOURS: A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE

Sat Apr 20 at 8pm

Fri Apr 12 at 8pm

SAMMY MILLER AND THE CONGREGATION

Fri Apr 19 at 8pm

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN: TRIBUTE TO TONY BENNET

Fri May 17 at 8pm

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

Jose

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

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

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

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

For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘Golem’ world premiere set

By Mark Ambrogi

mark@youarecurrent.com

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

PERFORMANCE

Gregory Hancock

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org

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

A visit to Karnak

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing tour of Egypt, we begin a visit to Luxor at Karnak, Egypt’s second-most visited site.

Karnak is a complex erected between 1970 B.C. and 30 B.C. by about 30 pharaohs, each adding shrines and temples. Encompassing about 900 acres, Karnak is the world’s second-largest temple complex. Most of what remains was built beginning in 1550 B.C., when Thebes (now Luxor) became Egypt’s capital.

Major projects were begun by Pharaoh Thutmoses I and continued by his daughter Hatshepsut, Egypt’s only female pharaoh. Hatshepsut erected two 97-foot-tall granite obelisks in front of a restored temple to the goddess Mut, the wife of Amun-Ra, the area’s primary god at the time. One of them is the world’s second-tallest standing obelisk. Hatshepsut also built the Red Chapel, reconstructed in 1997 from its original materials.

In about 1450 B.C, Pharaoh Thutmoses III built the Sacred Lake near the temple honoring Amun-Ra. Stone steps around the lake lead into the water, which symbolized the primeval waters of creation. Priests purified

themselves in the lake before performing religious rituals. Religious scholars believe the Sacred Lake was probably the origin of water purification rituals in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The great hypostyle hall, honoring Amun-Ra, was completed by Pharaohs Seti I and his son, Ramses II, often considered the pharaoh of the Exodus. The hall, the largest in the world, occupies 1.2 acres and includes 134 columns arranged in 16 rows, with the two taller rows in the middle each including six 80-foot-high columns having a diameter of 10 feet. All the columns and surrounding walls are covered with hieroglyphic reliefs honoring Amun-Ra, Seti I and Ramses II.

By about 350 B.C., a 2,000-meter-long avenue flanked by 600 sphinxes connected the Luxor Temple to Karnak. Some of those ram-headed sphinxes still lead to the main entrance of Karnak.

Inside the hypostyle hall at the Karnak complex in Luxor, Egypt. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Hypostyle hall and obelisks at Karnak.

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

Across

1. Mazda sports car

6. Drug cops, for short

11. Squealer

14. Injured in the bullring

15. Best possible

16. Purdue’s Ross-___ Stadium

17. Local Italian restaurant

19. WIPX network

20. Part of NBA, briefly

21. Examined closely

23. Stay out of sight

25. Marion County community

27. IU women’s basketball coach Moren

30. Poem of praise

31. Sis’ sib

32. “Sleepless in Seattle” director Nora

34. ___ Indianapolis (illfated ship)

35. Little litter members

38. Bag on the Victory Field mound

39. Local Italian restaurant

41. Regions

44. Top mark at Fishers HS

45. Cook in fat

48. Ballroom dance

50. Sault ___ Marie

51. Meadow

52. Roman robe

53. “Shoo!”

56. Femme fatale

57. Card game

59. Vaper’s device

61. Earth Day mo.

63. Local Italian restaurant

67. Guy’s date

68. Indy Zoo primate

69. Debonair

70. Big name in ice cream

71. Aggressive sort

72. So far

Down

1. British sports car

2. Debtor’s letters

3. Video game parlors

4. Make fun of

5. Puts two and two together

6. Pen point

7. Competent

8. Copy, for short

9. Gangster who supposedly hung out in Hobart

10. Neatnik’s opposite

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

12. Commotion

13. Big ___ Conference

18. Snug bug’s place

22. Belief system

23. Rockets, on a Pacers scoreboard

24. Broad Ripple bouncers check them

26. Line dance

28. Financial performance measure, initially

29. Brown County lodging

31. Full of chutzpah

33. Writing style

36. Reward for a Convivio Italian waiter

37. Chip dip

39. Asian gambling mecca

40. Pumpkin pie spice

41. Perform with the Mud Creek Players

42. Butler frat letter

43. With enthusiasm

45. June 14 celebration

46. Sleep stage

47. Pound sound

49. ___ Furniture

54. Pinch

55. Variety show

56. Computer woe

58. Manning or Luck

60. Spanish house

64.

6 Fabric Patterns

4 ISO

5

2

1 Indiana’s

65

66

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PUZZLE ANSWERS

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