Calling all Realtors! Join us for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at each show home on the 2024 Centier Bank Home-A-Rama. Tickets will be discounted and limited to Realtors only.
Ticket Cost: $10
September 19th | 4pm-6pm
This is a fan-favorite event with a twist! Join us as we tour each of the five custom homes of this year’s HomeA-Rama, enjoy some wine and hors d’oeuvres and hear directly from the interior designers of each showcase home to learn about the latest trends, inspiration behind their show home, and more.
Ticket Cost: $55 (includes food and drink)
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
THREE WEEKENDS
THURSDAY - SUNDAY
SEPT. 12–15, SEPT. 19 – 22 & SEPT. 26 – 29
HOMETOWN HEROES
September 26th | All Day
Join us at this year’s Home-A-Rama for a special celebratory event honoring our hometown heroes. To show our appreciation, veterans, first responders, military personnel, healthcare workers, and teachers can enjoy 20% off the general admission ticket price. These unsung heroes are the heart of our community, and we thank you!
Ticket Cost: $20
Use code “Early Bird” to take advantage of early bird pricing to save $5 on your ticket through the start of the show!*
Early bird pricing ends 9/11 at 11:59 pm.
Puccini’s Pizza Pasta Puccini’s
West Clay at 131st & Towne Rd
Westfield, GPSE to move forward with Grand Park negotiations
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The Westfield City Council is expected to approve a resolution as the first step toward finalizing an agreement between the city and Grand Park Sports & Entertainment for management of Grand Park.
FACILITIES
The resolution was introduced Aug. 5. It outlines the terms of a public-private partnership with GPSE. Although introduced this month, the resolution is likely to go through revisions before approval. Council president Patrick Tamm said under state code, the resolution is required for the city to enter a public-private partnership. The resolution is not a final contract, but rather a commitment to continue negotiations with GPSE.
“The reality is, with leased terms over five years, expect some draft changes on that resolution,” Tamm said. “So, the one that is there for public consumption will change to some degree.”
GPSE is a joint venture between Bullpen Tournaments and Indy Sports & Entertainment, the operator of Indy Eleven. Bullpen Tournaments operates baseball tournaments at Grand Park, while Indy Eleven is headquartered at Grand Park’s multiuse athletic fields.
Westfield Director of Facilities and Events Matthew Deck said GPSE’s bid is the only one that allows the city to retain ownership of Grand Park.
“GPSE also brings a relationship for the development and real estate expertise of the Keystone Realty Group,” Deck said. “GPSE’s existing relationships with the NCAA, FIFA, Big Ten Conference, Horizon League, IHSAA, United Soccer League, Major League Soccer and the MLB will lead to future opportunities, as we’ve already seen with Grand Park and Westfield being selected for a (potential) base camp site for the 2026 World Cup. GPSE brings an excit-
Entertainment on a public-private agreement to operate Grand Park (File photo)
ing vision for the park and the expertise to ensure Grand Park remains the premiere destination for youth sports.”
Deck said if approved, GPSE will make guaranteed annual payments that more than double the current profit at Grand Park. The partnership also will allow residents to continue to enjoy free admission, and will allow the continuation of an agreement with Westfield Youth Sports, Inc.
“The city will no longer pay for maintenance or operations costs and can use revenue generated to invest in a Grand Park village or other investments in the city,” Deck said.
During a public hearing Aug. 5, WYSI president Chad Schenkel thanked the city for including local youth sports within the negotiations.
“The demand for our services for the youth in Westfield is continuing to increase, and the commitment for youth in Westfield continues to increase,” Schenkel said.
Linda Naas, who previously served on the RCD, commented that some of the
language in the resolution appears to be incorrect — noting that the RDC solicited proposals, not the city as listed in the document — and asked that those errors be corrected before the council approves the resolution.
One thing the resolution does not do is establish the partnership or the terms of the partnership. City leaders said the resolution only names GPSE as the sole entity the city is negotiating with for Grand Park management.
“The City Council has held a public hearing on the selection of Grand Park Sports and Entertainment to operate Grand Park as part of a public-private partnership with the City of Westfield and the Westfield Redevelopment Commission,” Mayor Scott Willis stated in a release after the meeting.
“A resolution to approve that selection was introduced at the Council meeting. Under Indiana law, the public-private partnership agreement is confidential until fully executed by the City, RDC, and GPSE. Once the contract is executed, we will be able to speak to the terms of the agreement.”
Letters
editor may be sent for consideration to letters@youarecurrent.com. Letters have a maximum word count of 300 words. Please include your city of residence and a contact phone number for verification. Current Publishing may refuse letters.
The city is negotiating with Grand Park Sports &
Sunday, October 6
12:30-4pm Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center (the Colts practice facility)
Join us for an upgraded watch party experience of the Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars away game! Enjoy tailgate food, an open bar, bounce houses for kids and more, all while supporting survivors of domestic abuse.
Learn more at morethanaphone.org.
Westfield Police Department gets new organizational chart
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Westfield Police Chief Shawn Keen has created a new organizational structure for the WPD, part of his effort to streamline the department, reduce redundancies and eliminate inefficiencies.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Keen presented the new organizational chart to the Board of Public Works and Safety in July.
“Some of the restructuring was based on a great deal (of information from) the interviews I conducted (with staff) and the analysis of where I wanted to take the department moving forward,” said Keen, who took over as chief April 8. “Prior to this we had one assistant chief. (Two assistant chiefs) are in line with Fishers and Carmel. It puts us in a good position as the department grows to cover all the areas of the department.”
Eric Grimes and Scott Jordan were appointed to those roles July 24. Grimes oversees operations, which includes patrol and investigations. Jordan oversees administration, which includes support and technical services.
Keen said the reorganization places shift patrols, school resource officers and traffic officers under one division. Those had previously been overseen by multiple supervisors.
“The change here is bringing those areas together so operations are under one umbrella, we have one supervisor over all uniformed personnel,” he said.
The reorganization also combined different aspects of investigations, such as detectives and crime scene investigators, under a single supervisor.
“We brought like-functions together here under one supervisor so they can more seamlessly work together,” Keen said.
On the administrative side, Keen said the department is making changes to how property and evidence is handled.
“Currently, the criminalists are collecting evidence, storing it and disposing it. It’s better to have that be a separate function for chain of custody,” he said.
Keen said the administrative side will
also handle community engagement, as well as head up efforts to seek out programming that can benefit the WPD.
“As the department looks to the future, we’re looking at things we want to try, such as drones as a first responder program or a social worker program,” Keen said. “Anything that is trending in law enforcement, we want to look at the exploration of that and whether it is right for our community.”
Keen also said records will be transferred to a civilian position to allow a certified officer to focus on policing rather than record keeping.
“This is a change within the structure of the department, but I think it’s one that will help us as we grow as a community and as a police department,” Keen said.
“We sat down to build this command team. What we’re looking for is not just servant leaders and those who are good task leaders, but also, we wanted to build a team to work together seamlessly. I think that’s what we’ve accomplished.”
Keen said training and command are adequate for growth, but investment will need to be made in additional school resource officers, the patrol division, investigation participation in task forces and an increase in civilian employees, such as intelligence analysts.
“Those are civilian positions that might help support us in ways that we just don’t have right now, those capabilities,” he said.
Follow the Westfield Police Department’s activities at facebook.com/ WestfieldPD.
WPD has a new organizational chart, including the addition of a second assistant chief. (File Photo)
Keen
AmericanFlags and PatrioticItems MadeFrom RetiredFireHose
WESTFIELD SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
Brotherhood Designs utilizes their Retired Fire Hose Waste Reduction Program to create Patriotic art as well as to supply zoos and animal sanctuaries with material they upcycle for rehabilitation and enhancement of their habitat.
MOVIES IN THE PLAZA, PRESENTED BY COMMUNITY FIRST BANK
Westfield Welcome hosts the final movie night at Grand Junction Plaza, 225 S. Union St. at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6. Visitors can bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy dinner and a movie on the great lawn. The movie will be announced on Westfield Welcome’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. Public parking is available in the parking lot at the southwest corner of Poplar Street and Park Street, and in designated on-street spots along Union and Mill Streets.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GOLF OUTING
Westfield Young Professional Council’s second Golf Outing is Sept. 10 at Wood Wind Golf Club. The outing is exclusively for young professionals 40 and under who live and/or work in Hamilton County. Tickets include a round of golf on the 18hole championship golf course, access to the practice range, golf cart, Bloody Mary bar, box lunch and entry to the 19th Hole Reception. Tickets are $400 member/$500 nonmember for foursomes; $200 member/$250 nonmember for pairs; and $100 member/$150 nonmember for individuals.
Register at westfieldchamberindy.com under the events tab.
TOWN HALL MEETING
Mayor Scott Willis will host a Town Hall meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 at Westfield Washington Public Library, 17400 Westfield Blvd. This is the third in a series of quarterly meetings to provide residents with an opportunity to connect with the mayor and learn more about the vision for Westfield’s future, as well as ongoing community engagement efforts. Residents who would like to see certain topics discussed can email communications@westfield. in.gov.
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. Jersey Street between Mill and Union streets is closed during the farmers market from 2:30 to 9 p.m. For vendor lineups and parking information, visit westfieldwelcome.com/westfield-markets.
Social media policies updated
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Westfield’s Board of Public Works and Safety approved two social media policy changes in July for city employees and users.
ONLINE
Director of Communications Kayla Arnold said the changes outline how the city will conduct social media communications and set parameters for use by the public.
“Users should know that all social media posts that we make as well as comments and replies to those posts may be subject to Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act,” Arnold said. “Due to First Amendment rights, we don’t delete (or) hide comments unless they advocate violence, illegal activity, hate speech, are obscene or sexually explicit.”
Per the policy document, users have the right to appeal the decision to hide or delete comments by sending an email or letter to the City of Westfield chief of legal within five business days of the action. Users who violate the city’s terms and conditions on three or more occasions
within a 12-month rolling period may be blocked or banned from posting and may appeal that decision.
The policy notes that the city’s social media accounts are not monitored 24/7 and should not be utilized to seek emergency services. Anyone in need of emergency help should call 911. The city also does not guarantee a response to comments or messages.
The board also approved an updated social media policy and artificial intelligence policy for employees. The new policy prohibits employees from using social media while at work unless with permission of a supervisor; prohibits use of city-provided email addresses to register on social networks; and directs employees not to post anything online that “is disruptive to the city’s efficient administration of its duties.”
The AI policy outlines the principles and guidelines governing the development, deployment and use of AI technologies as related to the City of Westfield.
Read the social media policy for users at westfield.in.gov/egov/documents/1721410749_19853.pdf.
Westfield to West Fork Whiskey PUD: Try again
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Representatives from West Fork Whiskey came to Westfield’s Advisory Plan Commission in April with a village-centric plan for the land around the distillery on 191st Street.
DEVELOPMENT
In the months since, the development — featuring townhomes, an event center, green space and retail outlots — under-
went multiple revisions, altering the number of total residences, green space allocation and the alignment of a commercial block along 191st Street. West Fork entered an agreement with M/I Homes, Inc. to create the community.
Despite a positive recommendation from the APC in July, the Westfield City Council denied the application Aug. 12, citing concerns about density of townhomes and the total commercial footprint.
Despite more than a dozen revisions to
Plans for a residential development around West Fork Whiskey were denied by the Westfield City Council Aug. 12. (Image courtesy of City of Westfield)
the original plan that reduced residences from 160 townhomes to 110, increased commercial space and realigned the road into the development, councilors asked for additional changes to the plan that came for approval Aug. 12.
West Fork proprietor David McIntyre said West Fork would make commitments to abide by requests of the city council, specifically reducing units to 105 total townhomes and the reorientation of one commercial building.
City officials disagreed that the commitments were enough, since the content of
the PUD amendment could not be altered because it was approved by the APC. Mayor Scott Willis said the plans lack sufficient detail for approval as is.
But Councilor Victor McCarty, who also sits on the APC, said there is precedent for approving the PUD amendment with commitments.
“It would be similar to what we already did this year with Ravinia (PUD) that made a commitment for a fishing pier that was requested, and also Townes at Union where additional masonry on the siding was requested,” McCarty said. “It would be very similar. It would just be an additional document.”
Approval of the PUD amendment failed by a 3-4 vote, with councilors Noah Herron, Chad Huff, Kurt Wanninger and Jon Dartt voting no, while councilors McCarty, Patrick Tamm and Joe Duepner voted in favor of the amendment.
The future of the request is unknown. By statute, the PUD cannot return as presented to the city council for one year. City officials said they are open to discussing changes and bringing the PUD amendment back for a vote at a later date.
Westfield resident heads to Flag Football World Championships
ATHLETICS news@youarecurrent.com
When Westfield resident Dave Weikel attended the 2018 International Federation of American Football Flag Football World Championship in Panama, he had never seen the professional version of the sport.
Weikel, the manager of Sports Medicine at Franciscan Health in Central Indiana, was assigned as one of two athletic trainers for USA Football for both the men’s and women’s teams.
What happened next was a crash course on the fast-paced sport — one that gave him the opportunity to expand his horizons.
Weikel provides athletic training and sports medicine services to the USA Football’s Men’s Flag National Team and the USA Football’s Women’s Flag National Team.
This year, he is attending the 2024 World Championships in Finland, where a total of 660 athletes from 32 nations will battle for the gold Aug. 27-30
Weikel attended the championships in
Panama in 2018 and Israel in 2021.
“When you go to an event like the world championships, you get exposed to a lot of different teams and how they do things,” Weikel stated. “You get to interact with medical staff from other countries and learn from them. Also, you teach them as well. It is a nice side benefit to just the games themselves. You build relationships with the coaches and players along with making connections with people around the world and are able to pick their brains on some things.”
Although physical contact is limited by rule in flag football, the game is still very athletic, which means injuries are unavoidable — though generally fewer than tackle football. When providing services at flag football events, Weikel is tasked with a fair amount of rehab and injury evaluation.
During the recent training camp in Charlotte, N.C., he focused on recovery and soft tissue work.
Athletic trainers do a fair amount of taping and bracing for training camp and games. They are the same types of services that Weikel performs with the Fran-
Dave Weikel, the manager of Sports Medicine at Franciscan Health in Central Indiana, was one of two athletic trainers who provided sports medicine services for the U.S. teams at the 2018 Flag Football World Championship in Panama. (Photo courtesy of Franciscan Health) ciscan Health Sports Medicine program for local high school athletic programs.
“The players are very athletic,” Weikel stated. “Just watching them, it takes a lot of agility and a lot of quickness. There is a lot of body control that is needed. There are a lot of similarities flag football has with regular tackle football, but there are a lot of differences as well, just because
of the nature of the game. Some of the skills transfer, but not all of them. That goes both ways. Tackle football players do not always make good flag football players and vice versa.”
Flag football will be an Olympic sport at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. If all goes as planned, Weikel will be at those games assisting the U.S. teams.
“It definitely has ramped things up, knowing it will be an Olympic sport in 2028,” he stated. “The ultimate goal has always been to get football into the Olympics. The reality of having tackle football is just not feasible, with the nature of the sport, the physicality and the amount of time needed for recovery. As flag football became more popular, especially with how it grew overseas, the focus shifted to push that to the Olympic level. Since the announcement came out last year that it would be in the 2028 Olympics, the popularity and interest have exploded.”
Weikel said he’d like to see the sports medicine program at Franciscan become part of national tournaments and events. Learn more about USA Football at usafootball.com.
open house
Riverview Health Auxiliary invites you to the Autumn Elegance Style Show & Luncheon featuring the latest fashions from The Secret Ingredient.
When: Thursday, September 26, 2024
Where: The Bridgewater Club 3535 East 161st Street, Carmel, IN 46033
A cash bar will be available. The Gift Basket Raffle may be paid for with cash or debit card only—no credit card.
DRIVING IT HOME
Golf cart conversation moves ahead with planned ordinance update
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
When Mayor Scott Willis addressed residents at Westfield Washington Public Library for a town hall meeting in June, he revealed his vision for turning Westfield into a golf cart community.
As summer winds down, those plans appear to be heating up.
Assistant Westfield Police Department Chief Scott Jordan kicked off the conversation with an informal presentation before the Westfield City Council Aug. 5. He said the police department has been assisting city leaders in the process to amend the current golf cart ordinance, with an aggressive timeline to have a new ordinance in place next spring.
Indiana law prohibits golf cart use on public streets unless a municipality’s council passes an ordinance. Westfield approved such an ordinance in 2011, with an amendment in 2018 to expand use on perimeter neighborhood paths in the city’s southeast side and on the Midland Trace Trail between Carey Road and Grand Junction Plaza.
“When the ordinance was passed, only about 110 to 120 carts a year were part of the program,” Jordan said. “Since that time, we now have 900 carts in the city and it grows every year. To date, we have not had any major incidents between a cart and a pedestrian on a city trail or path. We have had incidents, but nothing on our own paths or trails that was significant.”
Jordan said the bulk of the city’s issued golf cart registrations are in southeast neighborhoods of Bridgewater, Brookside and Oak Manor. Golf carts also are popular in Chatham Hills and registrations are increasing in Viking Meadows and south of 161st Street.
“Our existing city ordinance, which is almost 14 years old now, is outdated and prevents residents from fully utilizing golf carts to reach parks, schools, restaurants and businesses throughout the community,” Jordan said. “Basically, we have (an old) ordinance. It hasn’t kept up with the times.”
Jordan said planning has moved to brainstorming priority-based ideas and actions which would result in an updated ordinance and expanded golf cart accessibility
in key areas across the city.
The first step is creating working groups to participate in discussions that include elected officials, city staff and community members.
“Almost every city department would be involved in this initiative,” Jordan said. “Importantly, it involves community members. Not just golf cart owners; all residents, because the ordinance would impact everyone.”
Jordan said input from the community is a key component to moving forward.
“We want to conduct a listening tour throughout the city. Listen to concerns that residents have. Try to understand the gaps that maybe we’re missing on the existing trail and multitrail path system and identify
any safety issues that are brought up,” he said. “Once we do that, we really need to rewrite the ordinance. That involves everyone. It’s not a police initiative, but we would provide input.”
City officials also are planning a trip this fall to Peachtree City, Ga., just south of Atlanta.
“In the late 1950s, they created a golf cart community,” Jordan said. “Today, they have 38,000 residents, 13,000 households with 11,000 golf cart registrations. Their high school has 600 golf cart parking spots. We want to visit. We want to learn more about the challenges they’ve had. What’s worked and what hasn’t.”
Jordan said Peachtree City utilizes an app and other technology to keep residents
RIDING AROUND THE CITY
Expanding golf cart access throughout Westfield involves more than simply updating the city’s ordinance.
Westfield Police Department Assistant Chief Scott Jordan said an area that needs to be addressed is connectivity.
“We already have a large number of wider asphalt perimeter paths,” he said. “Most of our east-west roads have these wider paths and some of our north-south roads have them. Our trail system is underutilized.”
Jordan also said the planning process will involve updating the registration process to make it more efficient for residents and the WPD.
The existing ordinance requires golf carts to be registered
up to date on the golf cart policy.
“They also have a mapping program, so that’s something we’ll look into as well,” he said.
City officials agreed that the public plays an important role in the process.
“We want to get people from all corners of the city involved and a reasonable number that we can actually get something done,” Willis said.
Councilor Kurt Wanninger echoed the sentiment.
“I look forward to going through this process and getting community engagement; that will be important,” Wanninger said. “(The ordinance) is outdated and needs some improvements to it. I think it would have some good benefits to our community; it’s just how it’s going to be structured in the end.”
The process of updating the ordinance ultimately falls on the council.
“An important part of this will be to educate and inform the public,” Jordan said. “Right now, we have a lot of people in the south-central portion of the city who aren’t fully familiar with the ordinance. A lot of these wider perimeter paths are already being used. We really just want to catch up to what people are actually doing. Part of the education would talk about the enforcement provisions; the registration and golf cart requirements; and the rules of the road.”
with the WPD and equipped with headlights, taillights and turn signals. Golf cart operators must be at least 16 years of age, possess a valid driver’s license and carry insurance. Since golf carts do not have speedometers, they are only permitted on roads where the speed limit is 25 mph or less. Jordan said that rule essentially means golf carts are only permissible in neighborhoods or on approved trails.
Jordan estimated there are between 100 and 200 golf carts that are not properly registered with the city.
Read the text of the golf cart ordinance at westfield.in.gov/ egov/documents/1543520378_43272.pdf.
ON THE COVER: Westfield is looking to amend its golf cart ordinance by spring 2025. (Photo by Marney Simon)
Golf carts at Chatham Hills are present both on the golf courses as well as in streets. (Photos by Marney Simon)
The Midland Trace Trail between Carey Road and Grand Junction Plaza is an official golf cart route in Westfield.
Carmel resident singing the blues on album
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Christopher Wyze has played in several blues cover bands but never expected to write his own songs.
A longtime Carmel resident whose actual last name is Wirthwein, Wyze didn’t think his German name would work well on a blues record. In July, the song “Back to Clarksdale” reached No. 1 on the RMR, or Roots Music Report, song chart. The album, Christopher Wyze & The Tellers’ “Stuck In The Mud,” reached No. 2 on the RMR blues chart based on worldwide radio play.
Wyze co-wrote all the songs, is the lead vocalist and plays harmonica. The Tellers’ name comes from songs as a form of storytelling.
“These aren’t pop songs,” Wyze said. “This is about people with real stuff going on in their lives. They’re not doing very well.”
Wyze, 67, wrote eight songs with Ralph Carter, a Los Angeles producer, who he met in Mississippi.
“Having written 42,000-word books, this is like 200 words,” Wyze said. “I almost can’t believe people get paid to do this. It’s very short form, but it’s fun.”
Carter was a bandmate and musical tour director for Eddie Money.
“Ralph was in that big rock ‘n’ roll world and I met him at (a) blues camp in Mississippi,” Wyze said. “I started to learn the harmonica. Ralph said you have to start writing songs. I said, ‘Yeah, right. I don’t write.’ I hadn’t written any songs.”
Approximately three years ago, Wyze saw a Wall Street Journal article about a new recording studio in Muscle Shoals, Ala. He sent it to Carter, half-jokingly writing that it would be a good place to record the album. But Carter said Wyze needed to write the songs and they would do the album together.
Six months later, Wyze had written the songs and he and Carter had turned them into music.
“Carter had auditioned and hired the studio musicians,” Wyze said. “We packed up and went to Muscle Shoals, where all
the great musicians in the world recorded and we recorded the record.”
That was in May 2022. Wyze spent the next year trying to find a record label, which some music people told him would be too difficult. Wyze joined the Nashville Songwriters Association. After a critique of his songs, Wyze was given a mentor. He got positive feedback from the mentor, Jim Reilley, a producer, who had been with a band called The New Dylans.
“He said, ‘This is good stuff. I would buy it,’” Wyze said.
Reilley tried to encourage Wyze to publish them himself, but Wyze knew the value of having a publisher or label behind him. Wyze said he has written five books and each has a publisher. Two of the books were written with golf designers Pete and Alice Dye.
“I know how to sell and market ideas,” Wyze said. “I sold publishers on publishing my books.”
Reilley introduced him to John Phillips of Select-O-Hits, which was started by Phillips’ father and his uncle Sam Phillips, who founded Sun Records.
Wyze was signed by Big Radio, a divi-
sion of Select-O-Hits, in December 2023. Wyze said his publicist, Betsy Brown, is one of the best in the blues music industry.
“She represented some tremendous artists,” Wyze said. “She took me on because she knew Ralph Carter and he’s the real deal.”
In March, Wyze traveled to Clarksdale, Miss., and recorded three more songs and a video.
One of the band members is Wyze’s friend, Westfield resident and bass player Gerry Murphy, who co-wrote two songs, including “Back to Clarksdale.” One of the musicians on the album was Eric Deaton, a guitarist who also plays with the Black Keys.
“He’s a monster talent,” Wyze said of Deaton.
Wyze said some of his favorite blues artists are Howlin’ Wolf, Junior Wells and Jimmy Reed.
Wyze owned and operated his own advertising company called 5MetaCom. He sold the company but still consults for it.
Murphy said he isn’t surprised Wyze was able to secure a label.
“Chris is a smart, hardworking businessman,” Murphy said. “(I’m) impressed by the stamina to perform in such a competitive profession like the music production business, for sure. We have been involved in several locally successful efforts since our meeting in 2006. In that time, we’ve been bandmates, we’ve been friends, we’ve become writing partners and now business partners. Being able to help drive (Wyze’s) original music of the Americana, blues and roots genre is just huge.”
Wyze and Murphy play together in the band Factory Authorized Technicians, but they haven’t played recently.
“I spend 40 to 50 hours a week on this project,” Wyze said.
Wyze’s goal is to have a band play the songs on the festival circuit in Europe in 2025.
“We’ll probably do a show in Memphis or Clarksdale this fall,” he said.
For more, visit christopherwyzeandthetellers.com
‘MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET’
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Million Dollar Quartet” runs from Aug. 29 to Oct. 6 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Dueling Pianos presented by Brittany Brumfield and Baby Grand Entertainment is set for Aug. 30, followed by Eric Baker & Friends presents: Southern California in the ’70s Aug. 31 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
SYMPHONY ON THE PRAIRIE
Proud Tina: The Ultimate Tribute to Tina Turner is set for Aug. 30, followed by The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute Aug. 31 at Symphony on the Prairie at Conner Prairie in Fishers. Both performances start at 8 p.m. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.
‘WE ARE FAMILY? THE STAGE PLAY’
Shandrea Funnye presents “We are Family? The Stage Play” Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.
SAMMY HAGAR
Sammy Hagar’s Best of All Worlds Tour with special guest Loverboy will appear at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville. For more, visit livenation.com.
ROB ZOMBIE
Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper: Freaks on Parade concert is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 31 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville. For more, visit livenation.com.
PITBULL: PARTY AFTER DARK TOUR
Pitbull and special guest T-Pain will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 1 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville. For more, visit livenation.com.
DISPATCH
Fork + Ale holds holds weekly concert series — Fork + Ale, 350 Veterans Way, Suite 150, Carmel will hold a concert series from 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday through Nov. 6. The series, which started Aug. 21, continues Aug. 28 with Sam King.
MUSIC
Christopher Wyze on the railroad track in Clarksdale, Miss., in March. (Photos courtesy of Christopher Wyze)
Opera in the Park returns
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
For Lyndsay Moy, Indianapolis Opera’s Opera in the Park is always special and this one has special significance.
CONCERT
Moy, director of education and community engagement for Indianapolis Opera, will be joined by Ganson Salmon as feature performers in Opera in the Park in a 7 p.m. free concert Sept. 7 at Garfield Park in Indianapolis.
“Since this is our 50th anniversary season, we really wanted to highlight Hoosier talent, so (general director) David (Starkey) graciously asked me to sing because I was raised in Indianapolis,” Moy said.
After earning a master’s degree at Cleveland Institute of Music, she returned for her residency at Indianapolis Opera in 2015.
“I’ve been here with the company ever since,” she said. “That’s just been a big joy for me.
Moy, a Brownsburg resident and Pike High School graduate, will perform the Italian version of “Gabriel’s Oboe/Nella Fantasia” with oboe player Pam Ajango. She also sings “Alto’s Lament.”
“It features a lot of musical theater and a lot of comedy, which is my bread and butter,” Moy said.
There will be some pieces from “Barber of Seville,” which Indy Opera will perform in November.
Salmon is appearing in Opera in the Park for the first time since 2021.
Salmon will sing “Nessun Dorma” from “Turandot” and a piece from “Rigoletto.”
A Heritage Christian School graduate, Salmon grew up in the Lawrence area and returned during the COVID-19 pandemic when theaters were closed in New York City.
“Being an Indy-bred tenor, it feels only right that I get the honor of playing a part in this 50th anniversary season,” said Salmon, who lives in Whitestown.
For more, visit indyopera.org.
Moy Salmon
Headliners follow fathers’ paths
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Bernard Allison was always taught not to copy other performers’ styles.
MUSIC
“Every song I do is my own spin,” Allison said. “My dad always said if you are going to do somebody’s music, you have to do it how you do it, not how it’s been done before. I’ve stuck to that strategy.”
Allison’s love for blues, however, did come from his late father, Chicago blues legend Luther Allison, who died at 58 in 1997.
Allison is the Sept. 1 headliner at the two-day 12th annual Fishers Blues Fest at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. Shemekia Copeland is the Aug. 31 headliner for the free festival. The hours are 4 to 10 p.m. each day.
Allison, 58, performed on one of his father’s live albums at age 13 and later toured as a member of his father’s band.
“This whole year is based on ‘Luther’s Blues’ and my previously recorded songs with my father,” Allison said. “Our set is combined with my last albums, pretty much all original songs. I do one cover, but pretty much Allison material.”
“Luther’s Blues,” which has 20 songs, was released earlier this year.
Allison was his father’s band leader for nearly three years.
“I just pick and choose which (songs) suit me,” he said. “I look for certain songs that I felt were overlooked as opposed to ones that everyone knows. We’re excited to have a blues party and meet some old fans and some new fans.”
This is the 30th anniversary of Ruf Records, the label for Allison and his father.
Like Allison, Copeland’s devotion to blues came from her father.
Bernard Allison will perform Sept. 1 at Fishers Blues Fest. (Photo courtesy of Bernard Allison)
“My father was a great blues musician named Johnny Copeland, so I grew up with it,” she said.
Copeland, who lives in California, grew up in New York City and then spent 20 years in Chicago. Her songs often address social issues.
“I feel if you are going to make music, you should make good music that is good for the heart,” she said.
Copeland has been a blues fan since she was a child.
“Blues, gospel, soul, just American-roots music,” she said.
Copeland is releasing a new album, “Blame It On Eve,” Aug. 30. She will play some of that new music at the Blues Fest.
For more, visit npdamp.com.
ADVERTISEMENT FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Proposals for the performance of the City of Westfield’s Landscape Maintenance Services will be received by the City of Westfield, Indiana, at the Westfield Public Works Building, 2728 E. 171st Street, Westfield, Indiana, 46074 until 12:00 p.m., local time, on Friday, October 18th, 2024.
Written confirmation of intent to bid is due on August 30th, 2024. A copy of the full Request for Proposals documents can be found on the City of Westfield website at http://www.westfield.in.gov
Please direct all questions regarding this Request for Proposals to Ben Meier, Parks and Recreation Landscape Manager, City of Westfield, 2706 E 171st Street, Westfield, IN 46074, (317) 619-5813, bmeier@westfield.in.gov
Today
Barriers to care are not always obvious. Thanks in part to community partners and donors, these barriers are being overcome. Learn more or join the movement at EskenaziHealthFoundation.org.
Creekside charm at Starkey
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Get up close to one of the area’s most prominent natural resources with a walk through Starkey Nature Park in Zionsville. The 80-acre, heavily wooded park is next to Eagle Creek, where seven connecting natural surface trails and two staircases provide a combined total of just more than 3 miles within the park.
Trails are moderately rugged and can only be accessed by two staircases at the trailhead at 667 Sugarbrush Dr., or by the ramp connection from the Big-4 Rail Trail.
Although trails are well marked, they are not recommended for anyone who is not steady on their feet. The trail surface is uneven with trip hazards such as roots, rocks and some overgrowth. As the trail is creekside, portions can often be covered with water.
Starkey Nature Park’s signature photo op is the arched stone bridge over Eagle Creek. Built in 1919, the bridge was part of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway, which operated from 1852 until 1962 and was later turned into the Big-
4 Rail Trail.
Starkey Nature Park is open year-round from dawn until dusk. Parking is available at the trailhead on Sugarbrush Drive. Hikers can also park at Town Hall and travel 1 mile south on the rail trail to the access ramp; at the Zionsville Road trailhead and travel 1 mile north on the rail trail to the ramp; or at Overly-Worman Park to connect to the Big-4 Rail Trail opposite of Starkey Nature Park. Bicycles are not allowed on the trails at Starkey Nature Park.
TAKE A HIKE!
Trails at Starkey Nature Park are well marked. (Photo by Marney Simon)
LIFESTYLE
Across 1. Witches’ group 6. Recipe amt. 10. Part of MSG 14. Butler frat letter
15. “___ Abby”
16. Castleton Square Mall store sign
17. In first place in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference
18. I-65 big rig
19. Hawaiian island
20. Track meet starter’s gun
22. Area pizza place
24. Meadow
26. Gillette razor
27. City known for its zoo
32. Cornell’s home
36. Clumps of dirt
37. Absurd
39. Voyage preceder?
40. Ye ___ Shoppe
41. Area pizza place
42. Rainbow guy: ___ Biv
43. Hoosier Park feedbag morsel
44. “Now you ___, now you don’t”
45. Delaware’s capital
46. Fear
48. Petroleum plant
50. Blunders
52. Spy org.
53. Area pizza place
57. Make equal
62. Fishers N-S road
63. French cheese
65. Muscat native
66. IndyGo map dot
67. Neckwear at 19-Across 68. Vision-correcting surgery
69. Many millennia
70. Gov. Holcomb
71. Playing marble Down
1. Henhouse
2. ___ Severin Hotel
3. Pet docs
4. Showbiz award “grand slam”
5. Area pizza place
6. Colts stats
7. Broken Barrel bar order
8. Pago Pago’s place
9. Unsullied
10. Dough
11. October birthstone
12. Fruity soda brand
13. Burden
21. “To Kill a Mockingbird” author
23. Art Deco designer
25. Nimble
27. Current reporter’s coup
28. Muslim deity
29. Signal, in a way
30. JFK’s predecessor
31. WFMS studio sign
33. Over
34. More demure
35. Furious
38. Ancient Mexican
41. Not too bad
42. Indy Councilor Gibson
44. Foal’s father
45. Area pizza place
47. Gets into some Jazz
Kitchen music
49. “Fee, ___, foe, fum”
51. More certain
53. Big name in speakers
54. Indianapolis Opera voice
55. Utah national park
56. 13, in old Rome
58. Online publication, briefly
59. Space inits.
60. Army outfit
61. Indianapolis township
64. PC key
Answers on Page 19
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INVITATION TO BID for the Project:
WESTFIELD-WASHINGTON SCHOOLS
SHAMROCK SPRINGS ELEMENTARY
747 W 161st Street
Westfield, IN 46074
Pre-Bid Conference:
This meeting will be conducted virtually. August 20th, 2024; 9:00 am (EST) https://tinyurl.com/Shamrock-Springs-PreBidMTG Bid due date:
September 5, 2024; 2:00 pm (EST) Via Building Connected
Public Bid Opening Immediately Following: Westfield Washington Schools 19500 Tomilson Road, Suite B Westfield, IN 46074
Virtual Bid Opening Option:
https://tinyurl.com/Shamrock-Springs-Bid-Opening
Notice is hereby given that Garmong Construction Services (“CMc”), is requesting bids from qualified contractors to provide work and services related to the public work projects located at WestfieldWashington Schools for Shamrock Springs Elementary, in Westfield, IN.
Bids must be submitted electronically using Building Connected.
The sealed bids for this project at Westfield-Washington Schools for Shamrock Springs Elementary will be received electronically until September 5, 2024, at 2:00 PM (EST).
All bids received at such place, date, and time will be opened and read aloud publicly at the location listed above immediately after the posted time. All bids received after such time or incomplete bids will not be considered.
All work for the complete construction of and services for this project shall be performed under contracts with the CMc. The form of the contract is set forth in the bidding documents. Bidders must submit a completed SBOA Form 96 financial statement, statement of experience, proposed plan or plans for performing the work, and the resources, labor, technology, materials, supplies, and equipment bidder has available for the performance of the work. Bidders must include a satisfactory bid bond or certified check pursuant to Ind. Code § 36-1-12-4.5, payable to the CMc. Bid security shall be in the amount of 5% of the bidder’s total contract price. Should a successful bidder within ten (10) days after written notice of acceptance of bid withdraw its bid, fail to provide the required payment and performance bonds, or execute a satisfactory contract, the CMc may then declare that bid security forfeited as liquidated damages, not as a penalty.
Bidding documents for each project, including plans and specification are on file with the CMc and examined at https://tinyurl.com/Shamrock-Springs-Elementary (“Bidding Site”) Bidders must establish an account on the Bidding Site in order to be added to a distribution list to allow the bidder to receive communications, notices, and addendums related to the bidding documents.
Prior to approval and execution of the CMc’s contracts, each contractor who is the successful bidder for a project shall furnish an approved performance and labor and materials payment bond in the amount of 100% of the contract amount, which shall cover the faithful performance of the contract and the payment of all obligations arising thereunder. Performance and payment bonds shall remain in full force and effect for a period of one (1) year after the CMc’s acceptance of the work and CMc’s final settlement with the successful bidder.
CMc reserves the right to hold bids, including any alternates, for up to sixty (60) days from the date of the bid opening. CMc reserves in its sole discretion the right to cancel the solicitation, reject any or all bids, is not obligated to accept the lowest or any other bid, and may waive any irregularities, discrepancies, omissions, variances or informalities in the bidding procedure.
A meeting for discussion of this project, reviewing the scope of work, project specifications and drawings, contract documents, qualifying requirements, and other important matters will be on August 20, 2024, at 9:00 am EDST. All prospective offerors are encouraged to attend this important meeting. Offerors will be responsible for complying with items discussed at the meeting.
Questions regarding this project, or requests for fair and equal treatment, can be directed in writing to the CMc via Bidding Site or at bochsenhaut@garmong.net
Locally
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