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Westfield’s Park & Poplar project awarded CIRDA funding
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Development in Westfield — a key component of Mayor Scott Willis’ four pillars for growth plan — will receive a boost from the Central Indiana Redevelopment Authority.
DEVELOPMENT
CIRDA selected the City of Westfield’s Park & Poplar project as the recipient of a $4 million grant from Indiana Economic Development Corp. READI 2.0 funding. The money is part of the READI 2.0 Main Street Matters $45 million grant funding initiative.
Park & Poplar is a proposed $164 million mixed-use redevelopment project along the Midland Trace Trail from the connection at Poplar Street/Westfield Boulevard to Grand Junction Plaza. The trail runs south of Park Street businesses, including Nyla’s, The Italian House on Park and Greek’s Pizzeria. The development is expected to be funded by a combination of public and private funds.
“I’ve talked ad nauseam of my vision for downtown,” Willis told more than 75 residents at a town hall-style meeting June 20. “You’re going to start hearing about a lot of things coming to the downtown area. We’re working on multiple projects right now that are going to be transformational for our downtown area.”
According to city officials, Park & Poplar’s strategic location on the trail will enhance pedestrian connectivity to Grand Junction Plaza and Park Street’s ‘Restaurant Row,’ providing amenities and activities for residents and visitors. The area also is included in the city’s proposed Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area — a designated area where patrons 21 and older can purchase alcoholic beverages in a marked container from participating establishments, then carry those drinks within the district. That proposal, approved by the Westfield City Council June 24, now heads to the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission for final approval.
Park & Poplar aims to establish a central business district in Westfield, including parking, housing and commercial development. The development is expected to include a boutique hotel, office space, retail space, luxury multifamily residences and public parking to support local businesses and community events at Grand Junction
Plaza.
The location along the trail follows Willis’ vision of trail-oriented development that treats the city’s trails as “beachfront property” by strategically maximizing trails and encouraging developers to incorporate trail-facing amenities such as plazas, playgrounds and art installations, retaining natural areas and collaborating with the public works and parks departments to create trail connectivity to other trails and neighborhoods.
Quality growth and livability is one of Willis’ four pillars plan for Westfield, which also includes transparency and accountability, public safety and empowerment and continuous improvement.
“If you live in Westfield, you know that we’re growing at a very rapid pace. We are the sixth-fastest growing city in America. But want to hear something more shock-
ing? We’re the only city in the Midwest to show up on the top 100 list,” Willis said. “People want to live here, so what do we want to do with it? I felt like the city was growing without a real vision of where we want to go as a community. I want to grow. I don’t want to tell people, ‘No, you can’t live in this amazing place.’ I want to share with fellow Hoosiers and Americans across the country. But, we have to plan it and make sure we’re doing it in a smart way so that we all can look back in 20 or 30 years from now and say, ‘This is still a great place to live.’”
The Park & Poplar proposal is in the planning and development stage. A brief introduction of the plan was presented to the city council June 24. Closing on the first parcels related to the development — which will be temporarily used for parking — is scheduled for July 29.
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Park & Poplar is a proposed mixed-use development for the area south of Park and Poplar Streets/ Westfield Boulevard along the Midland Trace Trail. (Photo by Marney Simon)
The proposed Park & Poplar project will center on the Midland Trace trail south of Park Street.
Volunteer sleuths, advanced AI aim to help IMPD solve cold case
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
While many people look forward to spending their summers in the sun, a newly formed group of volunteer sleuths is eager to spend the next three months immersed in something quite chilly.
INVESTIGATION
The eight members of Team Monocles are using their distinct backgrounds and advanced artificial intelligence programs to attempt to solve a decades old cold case for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Ron Brumbarger, a Westfield resident
who have critical thinking skills, are articulate, the kind of people you want to be trapped in an escape room with,” Brumbarger said, adding that the group’s first in-person gathering included attempting an escape room in Fishers in late April.
Members of Team Monocles are not permitted to share details about the case, but Brumbarger said individuals will work independently and gather for weekly meetings to discuss their research, theories and to use highly advanced, secure AI programs to analyze documents.
Brumbarger, who is certified in the Simplexity method of creative problem solving, founded Apprentice University in 2013 and served as its president for a decade. It has
Sophia Delgado, Team Monocles project manager, said despite not knowing what she would be investigating she was looking forward to the process.
“I find it interesting to relate my flight school training with this case, in relation to attentiveness to detail and problem solving,” Delgado said. “I find some parallels that I think will be interesting.”
IMPD Capt. Roger Spurgeon said he tries to find “every way possible to bring violent crime cases to a successful conclusion.”
Technological advances — such as DNA analysis — have helped solve previous cold cases, and he is hopeful other emerging tools will do so in the future.
“While my ultimate goal is a successful conclusion, reasonable accomplishments for this team during this process would be to create a new list of action items for detectives to pursue down the line in our
Team Monocles learns details of the case it will investigate during a May 28 meeting in north Indianapolis. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)
WESTFIELD FOUNDERS COME TO LIFE
Members of the Westfield community came to Westfield City Hall June 18 for a presentation on the city’s founders, hosted by the Westfield Washington Historical Society and Museum. Players from Main Street Productions/Basile Westfield Playhouse brought to life forefathers Simon and Hannah Moon, Asa and Susannah Bales and Ambrose and Elizabeth Osbourne for the 25 residents who attended the presentation. The performances highlighted the arrival of settlers to Westfield in 1832, the town’s early development of streets, businesses and homes and Westfield’s Quaker roots. In the roles of the Osbournes were Jennifer Arthur and Kevin Shadle. The Westfield Washington Historical Society and Museum will hold its next program, a tour of Union Bible College and Academy, at 7 p.m. Aug. 27. For more, visit wwhs.us. (Photo by Marney Simon)
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Westfield Rocks the 4th returns to
news@youarecurrent.com
Westfield Rocks the 4th, presented by Citizens Energy Group, returns to Grand Park Sports Campus from 4 to 10 p.m. July 4.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
The event features food trucks, free concerts and a fireworks display at the conclusion of the night.
Entertainment on the main stage includes house music from 4 to 5:30 p.m.; 90s cover band X Generation from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; the hot dog-eating contest at 7:15 p.m.; and The Big 80s from 8 to 10 p.m.
On the kids stage is Mik the Music Man from 4 to 5:30 p.m., 6 to 7:30 p.m. and 8 to 10 p.m. In between Mik the Music Man’s shows are the kids’ watermelon-eating contest at 5:30 p.m. and a magic show from 7:30 to 8 p.m.
The event is free to attend but the Kids Zone requires wristbands. Those bands — which are $10 each — can be purchased
Grand Park
online or at the event
“Citizens Energy Group is excited to again celebrate our nation’s birthday with the Westfield community as presenting sponsor of Westfield Rocks the 4th,” stated Citizens Energy Group President and CEO Jeffrey Harrison.
Schedules, wristbands and parking can be found at westfieldwelcome.com/ westfield-4th.
Westfield Rocks the 4th returns to Grand Park Sports Campus from 4 to 10 p.m. July 4. (File photo)
Westfield Youth Assistance Program receives grant funding
news@youarecurrent.com
The Westfield Youth Assistance Program is the recipient of a $15,000 grant courtesy of Hamilton County Community Foundation to support services for local youth.
NONPROFIT
The funds will assist WYAP in its mission to connect Westfield youth with services such as mentoring, tutoring, mental health support, camps and other enrichment activities.
“My son was going through depression, but thanks to the psychologist WYAP helped us find, along with the programs offered, he was able to push through.” stated Martha, mom of a WYAP youth. “He’s given it all in his academics, as well. The support is just … I’m speechless. Thank you so much for all that you’ve done.”
Founded in 2009, WYAP works with youth and families in Westfield who face
challenging life circumstances. WYAP’s early intervention advocates create individual action plans that provide services to fit the needs of those children and their caregivers.
The organization has seen an increase in the number of youth in the program coinciding with Westfield’s growth. Grants and donations help WYAP meet the needs of those at-risk youth.
Westfield Youth Assistance Program is a nonprofit that serves youth ages 3-17, coordinating with children and families to connect them with services and resources and to empower youth and their parents and caregivers. Learn more at youthassistance.org/westfield.
Hamilton County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Central Indiana Community Foundation, administers charitable funds, foundations and organizational endowments for individuals, families and nonprofit entities. Learn more at HamiltonCountyCommunityFoundation.org.
WESTFIELD-NORTH
Hoosier happy hour returns
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Happy days are here again in Indiana. At least, by the hour.
CHEERS!
Signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb in March, House Bill 1086 went into effect July 1, allowing retailers and craft manufacturers to “reduce or increase the price of alcoholic beverages during a part of the day” — marking the return of happy hour for the first time in the Hoosier state since 1985.
Patrick Tamm, president and CEO of the Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association, said the initial ban on happy hour almost 40 years ago was a “knee jerk reaction” to some tragic alcohol-related events. Since the ban, the state has allowed allday drink specials but not “happy hour” designations.
Tamm said the change was bipartisan and includes several restrictions. Happy hour can only run until 9 p.m.; 2-for-1, bottomless drinks and contests involving alcohol are prohibited; and happy hour is limited to four hours a day and 15 hours a
week.
“There was a lot of work done with the Alcohol and Tobacco Commision to make sure it was done in a way that was responsible,” Tamm said, adding that most establishments will likely opt for happy hour promotions in late afternoon and early evenings, Mondays through Thursdays.
“It really allows a restaurant to take a look analytically and historically to see when they are slow,” Tamm said. “Each business owner will make those decisions, and it will be day-by-day and week-by-week.”
Tamm said the amended law includes a “two-cocktails-to-go” measure, which allows a bar or restaurant to prepare, sell and deliver alcoholic beverages for carry-out to a customer in sealed, nonoriginal qualified containers.
“It means margaritas, punches, vodka and soda to-go with the purchase of a carry-out meal,” Tamm said. “If (a retailer) has signature cocktails, they can sell that. It’s a good option for customers if restaurants choose to utilize that privilege.”
Read the text of the bill at iga.in.gov/ legislative/2024/bills/house/1086/details.
Cambri moving to Zionsville
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
When Cambri Builders started to outgrow its office space on Zionsville Road in Indianapolis, customizing a new home was a no-brainer.
BUSINESS
Cambri Builders specializes in commercial development, including health care facilities, strip center and retail renovations, design/build projects and retail tenant improvements.
Cambri chief operating officer Eric McKinney and president John Vyverberg started the company in a 2,700-square-foot office space in 2017. The business is planning a move to 8,000 square feet within a newly constructed 40,000-square-foot building in Zionsville this fall. The project at 96th Street and Zionsville Road, under construction by Cambri, includes a commercial building that will house Cambri as well as multiple other tenants. The site is already 80 percent leased out.
Cambri’s commercial construction and renovations résumé includes some notable projects completed across the country,
including the 500th Ollie’s Bargain Outlet store in Iowa City, Iowa.
McKinney said the company was fortunate to land some clients outside of Indiana when they began, but hope to focus on local development as they expand.
“We’d like to develop more business in Indianapolis,” McKinney said.
Cambri’s notable projects include Kincaid’s Meat Market in Fishers, Helium Comedy Club in Indianapolis, Mary’s Mountain Cookies in Carmel, Chipotle, Michael’s and Five Below in Brownsburg and their new building in Zionsville.
Learn more at cambri.com.
To purchase tickets visit IndyOpera.org call 317-283-3531 or scan the code
Cambri Builders is building a new office at 96th Street and Zionsville Road. (Rendering courtesy of Cambri Builders)
Appointees made – Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb recently announced several appointments to various state boards and commissions, including two residents of Westfield: Chief Patrick Hutchison, EMS division chief with Westfield Fire Department to the Emergency Medical Services Commission for a term until Sept. 30, 2026; and Seth Harden, Upper Wabash River Project director for The Nature Conservancy, to the Land Resources Council until April 30, 2028. Gubernatorial appointments are an ongoing process, with approximately 500 appointments made throughout the year. Learn
more at in.gov/gov/governors-office/ boards-and-commissions.
Adult Summer Camp – The Indiana State Museum at White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis will host Adult Summer Camp from 7 to 9 p.m. July 12. Adults can leave the children at home and enjoy an exclusive opportunity to unwind with friends and experience the museum after hours, with food, themed cocktails, classic camp activities and more — all inspired by the museum’s new “Good Night Forest” exhibit. The museum’s galleries will be open for
guided after-hours tours. The adults-only program is open to visitors ages 21 and older. Tickets are $45 for nonmembers, with a 10 percent discount available for Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites members. Space is limited. Purchase tickets at IndianaMuseum.org.
Downtown dinner party – Reservations are available for the 7th annual Dinner Party on Union, hosted by the Downtown Westfield Association. The event is 6 to 11 p.m. Sept. 21. Dinner Party on Union is the largest outdoor dinner party in Indiana, according to the association.
Guests will enjoy dinner from Prime 47, live entertainment from The Bishops and a silent auction. Reservations are $400 per couple; $1,600 per 8-person table; and $2,000 per 10-person table. A limit of four front-row 10-person tables is available for $3,000. Proceeds go toward the association’s mission of endowing, enhancing and enriching downtown Westfield. Previously, the association has donated to projects at Grand Junction Plaza, Westfield Playhouse, Student Impact and the new Westfield Washington Public Library. Reserve seats at westfieldchamberindy. com under the events tab.
DISPATCHES
School supply kits – Westfield Washing ton Schools families can purchase backto-school supply kits for students enrolled at the early learning center, elementary schools, intermediate school and middle school. The kits include supplies indicated on the classroom supply lists by grades, including pens, pencils, crayons, markers, notebooks, glue and other items, listed by both school and grade level. To order a supply kit, visit 1stdayschoolsupplies.com and enter your zip code, then choose the appropriate school.
Italian Fest – Saint Maria Goretti will host the annual Italian Festival July 13 at the church, 17102 Spring Mill Rd, in Westfield. The festival begins with a 4:30 p.m. mass, followed by food, games, prizes, inflat ables and fireworks. The event is held rain or shine. Wristbands for games and inflatables are $10 for children ages 2-5 and $15 for children over 5, with a $60 max price for families. Food tickets are $1 per ticket and prices vary per item. For more information and to purchase tickets and wristbands in advance, visit smgonline. org/ifest.
Farmers market – The Westfield Farmers Market presented by Duke Energy runs from 5 to 8 p.m. each Thursday through Sept. 26 at Grand Junction Plaza, 225 S. Union St. in Westfield. The market includes meat and produce farmers, unique artisan vendors and food trucks. For vendor line ups and parking information, visit west fieldwelcome.com/westfield-markets.
United Way announces medical debt relief program — A joint investment of over $1.7 million from United Neighborhood Centers of Indianapolis and United Way of Central Indiana will relieve more than $239.6 million in medical debt for more than 112,000 people across the region. The effort began after an anonymous donor gave $1.2 million to the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt to abolish more than $169 million of debt for 74,013 people in Marion County. United Way of Central Indi ana contributed an additional $500,000 to Undue Medical Debt to abolish more than $70.4 million of additional debt for more than 38,000 people in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties. Undue Medical Debt uses donations to buy medical debt in bulk at a discount. Then, rather than collect the debt, the nonprofit abolishes it. For more, visit unduemedicaldebt.org.
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A PLACE OF HOPE
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
First passed in 2000, the Indiana Safe Haven Law allows a person to surrender their infant anonymously without fear of arrest or prosecution. In 2017, Indiana expanded the Safe Haven Law to allow for baby boxes at hospitals, and in 2018 those locations were expanded to include fire stations with available 24/7 emergency medical services.
Members of the Westfield community gathered June 17 for the dedication and blessing of a Safe Haven Baby Box at Westfield Fire Station 81, 17001 Ditch Rd. The box is the 239th Safe Haven Baby Box in the U.S. and the 127th in Indiana.
“I am very passionate about giving mothers an option to safely surrender babies anonymously and lovingly,” said Mariah Betz, assistant project coordinator with Safe Haven Baby Boxes. “To date, we have had 49 babies surrendered in our Safe Haven Baby Boxes and we have helped over 150 parents surrender, in-person and hand-to-hand, in multiple states.”
Baby boxes are safety devices permitted under the Safe Haven Law that are installed in an exterior wall of a designated fire station or hospital. The boxes have an exterior door that automatically locks upon placement of a newborn inside and an interior door that allows a medical staff member to secure the child from inside the building. When opened, the door trips a silent alarm inside the building to alert staff.
A nonprofit organization, Safe Haven Baby Boxes was started by Monica Kelsey, a Woodburn native who discovered she was abandoned as an infant. When she saw a baby box in operation in Cape Town, South Africa, she was inspired to start the organization to educate the public on safe haven laws, provide a crisis line, provide resources and create safe places for parents to legally surrender their infants.
Molly Grollimund of He Knows Your Name, an Indianapolis-based ministry that claims the remains of unknown persons and provides for burial services, said the footprint on each Safe Haven Baby Box belongs to Baby Amelia, an infant who was abandoned at Eagle Creek Park in
Second Safe Haven Baby Box installed in Westfield
December 2014. Grollimund said the baby’s remains were claimed by Linda Znachko, founder of He Knows Your Name. It was at the infant’s funeral where Znachko and Kelsey came together to work on a solution for abandonment.
“Her mother had a crisis pregnancy and Baby Amelia was left outside on a cold winter night,” Grollimund said. “Likely, Amelia’s mother was driven by fear and perhaps feeling that she had a lack of options. Every mother in crisis needs options; the ability to choose a safe and anonymous surrender. And that (is what Westfield Fire Department) continues to provide.”
WFD Chief Rob Gaylor said the new box is part of the continuing relationship between first responders and the organization.
“This is our second partnership (with Safe Haven Baby Boxes), and hopefully not our last,” Gaylor said. “We’re just seeking
a way to give back to the community and provide mothers a way and a means to get some assistance for their child that they so desperately need.”
Westfield Deputy Mayor Danielle Carey-Tolan echoed that sentiment.
“This is truly an exciting day for us, to include our second baby box here in Westfield Washington Township,” Carey-Tolan said. “It’s honoring to know that we have a place where moms can go and have a vital resource when there are no other resources for them to have. With the proven success (of baby boxes) time and time again, we are just honored to have this as a staple and we hope to have more in the future.”
Grollimund said the baby boxes provide not just a solution, but hope.
“Abandonment is criminal. But safely and anonymously surrendering a baby is not,” Grollimund said. “To the future mama who may one day have to make the diffi-
cult decision to safely and anonymously surrender her little one through these Safe Haven Baby Boxes, we champion them. We thank them for choosing life for their baby.”
The baby box is the second in Westfield. The other is at WFD Station 83, 17944 Grassy Branch Rd. Safe Haven Baby Boxes also are located at Zionsville Fire Station 92, Carmel Fire Department Station 45, Noblesville Fire Station 74, Fishers Fire Station 397 and Lawrence Fire Department Station 38.
“Thank you to the Westfield Fire Department for giving families another option to surrender their newborns,” Betz said. “This box offers no shame, no name and no blame.”
ABOUT SAFE HAVEN BABY BOXES
Safe Haven Baby Boxes allow parents to surrender an infant anonymously. There are no cameras installed at the locations and there is no face-to-face interaction during the surrender.
According to its website, the Safe Haven Baby Boxes organization’s primary goal is to raise awareness of the Safe Haven Law by providing boxes for safe surrender of infants as well as a national 24-hour crisis hotline, which to date has referred more than 500 women to crisis pregnancy centers, assisted in
nine adoption referrals and has received more than 150 legal surrenders.
The crisis line is available free of charge for calls or texts at 866-99BABY1.
Since the first Safe Haven Baby Box was installed in April 2016, no abandoned infants have been found deceased in the state of Indiana.
Learn more about Safe Haven Baby Boxes at shbb.org.
ON THE COVER: Baby boxes are safety devices permitted under the Safe Haven Law that are installed in an exterior wall of a designated fire station or hospital. (Photo by Marney Simon)
Matt Gaylor, lead pastor at NSpire Church in Westfield, reads a blessing for the Safe Haven Baby Box installed at Westfield Fire Station 81. (Photos by Marney Simon)
The baby box at Station 81 is the second in Westfield and the 127th in Indiana.
Playing chicken
Commentary by Dick Wolfsie
Several years ago, the American Dairy Association ran a contest to find a recipe for the best grilled cheese sandwich. I was very unhappy about the entire cheesy affair. I feel that when you try to make a better grilled cheese sandwich, it’s no longer really a grilled cheese. Instead, it’s a cheese sandwich with artichokes. Or it’s a cheese sandwich that’s grilled with honey-maple bread. Or peanut butter. The ingredients for a grilled cheese sandwich are simple: American cheese, white bread and butter.
HUMOR
Now, I have an issue with chicken salad.
Wherever you go, you think you know what to expect when you see this on the menu: Chicken salad – $12.95.
Don’t fall for it. This is no paltry sham. It is a poultry swindle of gourmand proportions.
When I see the words chicken salad, I have a childhood vision: Small bite-size pieces of pulled roasted chicken deliciously mixed with real mayonnaise and succulent chunks of celery to make the dish crunchy. That’s it. Maybe a little salt and pepper. That’s chicken salad.
So, what is chicken salad on most menus? It’s slices of chicken lowered onto a plate of soggy lettuce or spinach. That is not chicken salad. Allow me to say that again: THAT IS NOT CHICKEN SALAD.
I always have to explain this to a waitress who doesn’t quite get it. Mainly because the restaurant doesn’t serve it.
“May I help you, sir?”
“Yes, do you have chicken salad?”
“Of course. What kind of dressing would you like on that?”
There’s the first clue that we’re not speaking the same language. You don’t put goop on real chicken salad. It’s already
“So, what is chicken salad on most menus? It’s slices of chicken lowered onto a plate of soggy lettuce or spinach. That is not chicken salad.”
– DICK WOLFSIE
got mayonnaise. You can slather blue cheese dressing on slices of chicken that have been plopped onto a garden of green things. But never violate real chicken salad.
“Miss, I don’t want chicken SALAD. I want CHICKEN salad.”
“Huh?”
“Look, how would you make egg salad?
“I’d hard-boil eggs and then smoosh them up with mayonnaise.”
“Great. Tell the chef to do that same thing — only with chicken.”
She was still confused.
“Suppose I ordered egg salad. Would you give me a big plate of lettuce with a hardboiled egg in the middle of it?”
Her eyes lit up. It was finally sinking in.
I will admit that making the perfect chicken salad requires a certain deft touch to successfully combine these simple ingredients: chicken, mayo and celery.
If you are reading this and own a restaurant, I hope you appreciate the free advice. I have always believed that staying on top of things is good.
Unless you are a slab of chicken.
Contact
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Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker.
him at wolfsie@aol.com.
Bird is the word at new museum
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Visitors looking for a respite after dropping cash at the new Terre Haute Casino Resort can visit the Larry Bird Museum in the Terre Haute Convention Center.
Capital Improvement Board Museum co-chair Terri Conley said Bird insisted on the museum admission being free. The museum’s kickoff was celebrated with Bird’s return for a public ceremony May 30.
The museum is small at 2,720 square feet but packed with Bird’s memorabilia from Springs Valley High School, Indiana State University and the Boston Celtics. There are several interactive exhibits. Visitors can shoot free throws, as well.
Bird put Terre Haute on the national basketball map by leading Indiana State to the 1979 NCAA championship game before losing to Magic Johnson-led Michigan State. Bird’s Celtics and Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers continued the rivalry in the NBA and the two eventually became good friends. An exhibit with Johnson is featured in the museum.
Johnson signed a jersey in 1993 with the inscription “To Larry Bird, ‘The Greatest Basketball Player Ever.’ But more important, a friend forever.”
Bird concluded his career by playing on the 1992 Dream Team, which cruised to the Olympic gold medal. Ten days later, Bird announced his retirement after 13 seasons because of back problems. Bird, nicknamed “Larry Legend,” helped the Celtics capture NBA titles in 1981, ’84 and ’86. He was named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. As a head coach, Bird led the Indiana Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers.
There also is an exhibit featuring Bird’s stint as Pacers coach and executive.
The exhibits include Bird’s legendary status as a trash talker.
Bird said he always is a bit amazed when he sees so many young people wearing his No. 33 jersey.
“I think that’s what social media is all about — thank God they didn’t have that when I was playing,” he said, adding that “Terre Haute has followed my career. You don’t make these journeys alone. Terre Haute always had my back.”
Bird said he doesn’t need any more recognition from the home of his alma mater.
“I got a little street named after me,
I got a statue out there and now a museum here,” Bird said. “Thank you, Terre Haute, but I think that’s enough for a while. You have no idea how much I respect the city and the people in it.”
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Reservations are required.
For more, visit larrybirdmuseum.com.
‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” runs through July 7 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
SERPENTINE FIRE
Serpentine Fire, a Earth, Wind & Fire tribute act, will join the Carmel Symphony Orchestra at 8:30 p.m. July 3 at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel. A patriotic tribute of George M. Cohan featuring Actors Theatre of Indiana performers will start at 8 p.m. For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
“Indy Nights with Ryan Ahlwardt & Friends” is set for July 5 and “Chrome Horse, the Bob Dylan Tribute” July 6 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
‘THE LONE STAR LOVE POTION’
Red Barn Summer Theatre presents “The Lone Star Love Potion” through July 7 at the Frankfort venue. For more, visit redbarntheatre.net.
THIRD EYE BLIND
The Summer Gods tour featuring Third Eye Blind and special guest Yellowcard will perform 6:30 p.m. July 6 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville. For more, visit livenation.com.
‘ANNE OF GREEN GABLES’
The Carmel Community Players’ Rising Star Production of “Anne of Green Gables” runs through July 7 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more visit carmelplayers.org.
DISPATCH
Tickets for Floyd Nation on sale — Floyd Nation, a Pink Floyd tribute band, will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The band previously performed at the Palladium in February 2023. The Floyd Nation VIP soundcheck experience includes a preshow performance along with a full light show beginning at 4:30 p.m. plus access to early merchandise sales and a meet-and-greet by the merchandise table. VIP add-on pricing is $25. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
One of Larry Bird’s NBA All-Star jerseys and trophies are on display. (Photos by Mark Ambrogi)
An exhibit shows Bird’s love for his hometown of French Lick.
Palladium gets new sound, lighting system
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Center for the Performing Arts President/ CEO Jeff McDermott knew the Palladium needed upgrades to its sound system.
IMPROVEMENTS
“We always knew we needed a sound system specifically designed for it,” McDermott said. “We also knew our lighting and sound system was aging. Like technology — I tell people if you had a 14- or 15-year-old iPhone or Android, you would be way out of date with it.”
McDermott said there was a need to upgrade to attract more top artists, plus it was getting to the point where it was hard to find parts for speakers and lighting at the Palladium.
“It was pretty much state-of-the-art in 2009 and 2010 when ordered and installed,” he said of the Palladium, which opened in 2011. “Time changes that, so we’re very excited to get two new systems that will make a big difference to our patrons.”
McDermott said the Palladium initially was envisioned as more of a classical concert hall.
“It was certainly made for that, but didn’t exclude it from being an opera or country hall, or a hall that could be used for a wide variety of art forms,” McDermott said. “What we found was the speakers were fine for their time and they did a nice job for a lot of years. When it was time to change, it really made sense to go with something more universal. We know we had specific artists that asked what our sound system is and they had certain requirements we couldn’t meet. There have been opportunities we have not been able
A side view of the Palladium’s new PA system. (Photo courtesy of Center for the Performing Arts)
to fulfill because the sound system, the PA system, wasn’t the appropriate system. I think this will eliminate that altogether.”
One example is Ringo Starr & His AllStarr Band determined the previous sound system wasn’t suitable for their show.
“It’s one thing to have a hall that is acoustically perfect, but the PA system has to complement it,” McDermott said.
The cost for the new sound and lighting systems is approximately $1.5 million, paid from the city’s 2021 tax increment financing bond issue.
The Center’s staff, with the aid of the Carmel Redevelopment Commission, which oversees capital improvements on the campus, solicited three bids for the design and installation of the system. The winning proposal came from two Greenfield-based companies, Force.Tech and Mid-America Sound. Their design was based on an acoustic analysis conducted by Haverstick Designs, a Carmel company. The design added microphone testing throughout the room and the use of LiDAR technology to create a three-dimensional digital model of the interior surfaces.
Installation of key components took place in June.
FREE EVENT COOL CREEK CAMPFIRES
Feeling strapped for cash but still want to have some fun? Each week, Current helps you find things to do without breaking the bank. Here’s what’s on tap this week:
Cool Creek Park at 2000 E. 151st St. in Carmel will hold a free campfire on the north side of the park from 7 to 8 p.m. July 3 and on several other dates throughout the summer. Campfires will include songs, nature presentations and marshmallow roasting. Preregistration isn’t required.
OTHER FREE AREA ACTIVITIES
WALKING CLUB: Moms meet monthly to hike Noblesville Strawtown Koteewi Park trails. For more, visit hamiltoncounty.in.gov/296/Parks-and-Recreation.
MOVIE: Hamilton East Public Library presents a free screening of Trolls Band Together, 1 to 3 p.m. July 6 at its Fishers branch, 5 Municipal Dr. Register at hepl. libnet.info/event/10186437.
Natural surface trails, shade at Cool Creek
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
It only takes a short walk through Cool Creek Park on 151st Street to understand why it’s one of the most popular recreation destinations in Hamilton County.
Cool Creek Park’s interior natural surface trails measure 2 miles, but connections allow trail users to customize their hikes by distance and difficulty level. Portions of the trails are uneven with some grade changes and trip hazards that may make it difficult for inexperienced hikers.
Hiking along the shaded interior is a perfect way to get out of the sun and heat, but make sure to bring bug spray and check for ticks after each hike. Long pants are recommended to avoid bugs and poison ivy, which grows along the side of the trail.
Don’t know how to identify poison ivy? Remember this trick — three leaves come off a single stem, with the side leaves resembling mittens while the front leaf is symmetrical. The 90-acre park opened in 1990 and is
TAKE A HIKE!
Cool Creek Park has two miles of natural surface trails. (Photo by Marney Simon)
operated by Hamilton County. Besides trails, park amenities include athletic fields, a music pavilion, a nature center, shelters, picnic tables, a playground and restrooms. Along the creek there are multiple benches and swings.
The park is open year round from dawn until dusk. Visit Cool Creek Park at hamiltoncounty.in.gov under the Community/Parks & Rec tab for more.
Taking care of special eyes
Commentary by Dr. Katherine Schuetz
Good news: We are not all the same. Some of us, or our kids, need different approaches than the standard, whether it comes to learning, medical issues or developmental milestones. Just like all educators are not equipped to work with special needs students, not all doctors are trained how to examine and treat patients who can’t communicate or undergo testing the standard way.
VISION
We are fortunate to have specialists that are wonderful working with patients with developmental delays, are on the spectrum or have physical disabilities. Knowing that your provider is educated in appropriately approaching you or your loved one makes a world of difference.
We know that asking a nonverbal person to look at the chart and read the letters is simply not effective. But showing them a video that captures their attention and then looking with a
special instrument that doesn’t touch them, we can assess whether that patient needs a glasses prescription. For each special needs patient, we carefully explain what we’re going to do before we do it and use many other personalized methods to maximize each situation.
Kids of any developmental ability don’t know to complain about imperfect vision, because it’s what they know and live with every day. We all have some imperfection in our lives that we deal with because it’s just the way it is. But poor vision is a situation that can be corrected in most patients. There are simple, nonthreatening, noninvasive ways to check the vision and ocular health of every patient. Just make sure you see someone who knows how to do it!
Dr. Katherine Schuetz is based at Little Eyes in Carmel. She is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Optometry. Learn more at LittleEyes.com.
Panda Express side
Start of an Albert Einstein quote
Astound
41. Indigenous
43. Mine finds
44. Winner’s Circle Sports
Pub screens
46. GOP foe
47. Mach 1 breaker
48. Eiteljorg Museum Western tribe
50. Derisive shouts for the visiting team at Lucas Oil Stadium
52. Silent assent
53. Winter wear
55. Quote, Part 3
62. Distort
63. Hotel Carmichael offering
64. Zionsville Pizzeria hot spot
65. Belles of the ball, briefly
66. Noblemen
67. Plant starter Down
1. In the past
2. Moving vehicle
3. Ind. neighbor
4. Final authority
5. Civil rights org.
6. Black eye, informally
7. Nincompoop
8. Suffix to Green, Plain and West on an Indiana map
9. Showy flower 10. Roman 1004 11. High card
Rx 17. Had meatloaf at Sahm’s
Reclined 21. Beer barrel
22. Some young cows
23. Kit with toy bricks
25. Turkey Creek barrier
26. Chair a meeting
27. Body of science?
28. Foxy
30. Tiny particle
31. “Step ___!” (hurry)
Flower Market
33. Table scraps 34. Tennis shot 36. Sea eagles
37. CIA cousin
39. URL starter
40. Celtics, on a Pacers scoreboard
42. Ambulance letters
45. One who won
48. Current reporter’s query
49. Scents
50. Bone with teeth
51. Belief system
52. Defunct Indy evening paper
54. AES electrical units
55. ‘60s psychedelic
56. ‘50s prez
57. Valentine’s Day mo.
58. Wall St. profitability measure
59. “___ Got a Secret”
60. Reggie Miller’s NY foil:
FINE BATHROOMS
The City of Carmel is proud to recognize our Olympians as well as Carmel Swim Club’s Chris Plumb, who will travel to Paris on the Olympic coaching staff.
Follow the City of Carmel’s Facebook page for information about Olympic viewing on the big screen.
Alex Shackell
Drew Kibler
Aaron Shackell
