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The Zionsville Plan Commission discussed the adoption draft of the Zionsville Town Ordinance June 28 that would reduce zoning districts to 15 from 38 through form-based code.
Form-based code is a set of regulations on land development to create a higher quality city by using building form regulations to organize the city instead of focusing on land use. This makes Zionsville only able to build the design for its establishment that has been pre-approved unless a special exception is made for the building.
The draft, a 270-page document with a zoning map, will affect every district in Zionsville. It was created by seven planning specialists at McKenna — a company based in Michigan that Zionsville hired for the project that designs economic development, zoning, form-based code, transportation, landscape design and more.
Currently, there are 38 zoning districts within Zionsville and the draft plans to break Zionsville into 15 zoning districts through form-based code.
Although the changes might seem drastic to some, Paul Lippens, vice president of McKenna, said many residents won’t notice the differences.
“We’ve taken all of the uses that were permitted (in) all of those 38 districts, (and) we’ve assessed them to see what they actually are,” Lippens said during the meeting.
“Do we have a need to have an umbrella salesman (zone)? Do we have a need to have a haberdashery and a millenary (zone)? Probably not, let’s just call it retail. And let’s define retail in terms of size.”
Many residents who attended the meeting voiced concerns that they might not be able to design their homes how they would want, since the codes would limit a lot of design choices.
Chris Lake, a member of the plan commission and Zionsville Board of Zoning Appeals, who has a background in architecture, said the plan was lacking a lot, especially in the
freedom for people to design spaces differently than how Zionsville already looks. He said with the drafted regulations, the BZA would be flooded with variance requests to change building designs.
“It’s like asking a painter to paint starry night with an orange paint brush and black paint,” Lake said during the meeting. “You just can’t get there. And so, while I appreciate how those standards fit very well in the Village district, they don’t fit very well spread across the entire town.”
Mark Walters, chairman of the Zionsville Historic Preservation Committee, and John Tousley, a retired attorney, attended the zoning meeting. They said the initial draft of the document, while many people have their issues with it, is a great start.
Walters said the public was involved heavily in the decision-making and planning processes for the draft. Lippens said McKenna hosted many public, outdoor events
that had various versions of discussion so the company could get the best input from a large portion of the community.
“A comment was made that the charrettes (an intense period of design or planning activity) that took place weren’t well attended, and I couldn’t disagree with that comment more,” Walters said. “The charrettes were well attended by a very strong cross section of people all over the Zionsville area, not just in the village or Town Hall. This company did a great job of trying to get people to come to it, and many people did.”
Tousley said even though the city is planning change, he hopes Zionsville keeps its historical character, regardless of the regulation decisions.
The next discussion about the draft will be on July 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Zionsville Town Hall. It is open to the public.
To read more on Zionsville zoning, go to youarecurrent.com/?s=zoning+zionsville.
July. It’s a backyard barbecue. Just come, kick back, relax and celebrate our country and celebrate our freedom.”
Schappaugh said Freedom Fest differs from other events the club has presented because it is family-friendly.
The Boone County Republican Women’s Club and the Boone County GOP will host the inaugural Freedom Fest from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 15 at the Zionsville Lions Park.
Admission is free. There will be unlimited food from Backroads BBQ with the purchase of a $5 food wristband, along with a kids zone, family games, live music and opportunities to meet local political candidates. Alcoholic beverages will be served on an adjoining property, sponsored by Klooz Brewz.
Anna Schappaugh, chair of the campaign committee for the Boone County Republican Women’s Club, said Freedom Fest is for everyone to celebrate freedom in the U.S.
“One thing that unites everybody right now, despite what your political affiliation is or what your beliefs are, is we all love freedom, and we want a life where we can have the freedoms that were designed for us to have,” Schappaugh said. “(Freedom Fest is) just a get-together with friends to celebrate freedom around the Fourth of
“There’s not always a lot of affiliation with children and politics,” Schappaugh said. “But for the first time, we’re having an event that’s family-friendly because we think that family values are important. And at the center of what’s best about our country is the family. So, we want kids to come and be inspired as well.”
Schappaugh said to incorporate the younger generation into the festival, an 8-year-old named Olive will sing the national anthem.
A Young Republicans club also will be launched, which will be announced at the festival. Schappaugh said the founding members will come up on stage and talk about what they’re looking to accomplish and more information about the club.
For more about Freedom Fest, visit facebook.com/events/926826488654689/.
Ages
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EVERY TUESDAY IS JUNE 27 – JULY 25
The best way to travel the Tenderloin Trail TM is with a passport. Claim yours today for Tenderloin TuesdayTM deals and discounts from more than 35 participating restaurants.
Claim your passport at TenderloinTuesday.com .
Aspiring innovators rarely go from zero to life-changing
In coach Jimi Kim’s view, team chemistry helped the Zionsville Youth Soccer Association’s 13-and-under boys team make history.
SPORTS
The ZYSA boys shut out Fort Wayne United 2-0 June 4 in the 13-and-under final of the Indiana State Cup. It was the first boys team in ZYSA history to win a State Cup title, according to ZYSA Executive Director Peter O’Scanaill.
Kim said this was the third year of the boys playing together and learned from losing in the State Cup semifinals by one goal each of the previous two seasons.
“We had talented players and great parents,” said Kim, who coached the team all three seasons and will return next season.
After winning the State Cup, the 13-yearold team had a 2-1 record June 23-25 in the Midwest Regional Championships in St. Louis, beating Nebraska and Kansas and losing to Wisconsin 2-1.
The team finished with an overall 45-3-1 record, scoring a total of 182 goals. Troy Patten, a striker, led the team with 83 goals.
Jordan Green was next with 28 goals.
“It was an amazing feeling to win state because we had worked so hard every year,” said Luke Wellman, who will be an eighth-grader at Zionsville Middle School.
“Coach Jimi (Kim) and coach Bryan (Foxworthy) switched up players’ positions to try new things and it worked. We are all really good friends, too, and help each other out. Most of us have been playing together for a long time.”
The ZYSA is a program for ages 4-16.
ways
after teachers
what
invention at a time.
“Zoe is absolutely amazing at what she does. She combines a tremendous amount of local knowledge/skill with a sincere passion around getting to know her clients. I strongly recommend Zoe.”
– Chad W.
“Zoe’s ads in our local newspaper grabbed our attention so that when we were ready to sell our home, we knew that she was the REALTOR® for us! Zoe put our house on the market on a Tuesday and sold our house on Wednesday! Zoe is a dynamo.” –Elane
“Zoe was amazing! From the first meeting, she was clearly motivated, organized, and practical. She sold our house ahead of schedule, and took care of all of the details. I would absolutely partner with her again! “ –Bob S.
Project: Templin Road Bridge reconstruction
Location: The Templin Road bridge over Eagle Creek was inspected and an engineering firm has been hired by the Boone County Highway Dept. to work on design of a complete bridge replacement. The project is expected to begin mid-May. Templin Road will be closed during construction with a detour route posted.
completed mid-September.
Project: INDOT’s 421 Forward
Expected completion: The project is expected to be
Location: The proposed project will begin approximately 2.91 miles north of I-465 (just north of Greenfield/Templin Road) and extend north for approximately 2.9 miles along US 421 to a point approximately 2.86 miles south of Ind. 32. The proposed project is anticipated to consist of various roadway improvements including pavement rehabilitation, addition of auxiliary lanes, intersection improvements, pedestrian facilities and storm drainage enhancements.
Your yearly physical or women’s health visit is your annual time with a doctor to ask your questions, share any symptoms and talk about screenings that are right for your age and health or family history. And if, like Nickiya, your screening results in a cancer diagnosis, your doctor can connect you to compassionate specialists whose goal will be to get you back to home, family, life and self sooner. With a plan, comes hope.
Schedule care now at ascension.org/StVincentWomens
Hear more from Nickiya and others:
Expected Completion: The project is expected to be completed Nov. 6.
Project: CR 800 E. and Oak St. Roundabout
Location: A full closure of Oak St. is scheduled from June 5 to Sept. 1. After the road reopens, work will continue through the fall. The roundabout will replace the existing traffic signal located at this intersection. Over the last several months, utilities within the area have been relocating their facilities in preparation for the road construction work.
Expected Completion: The project is expected to be completed Nov. 29.
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~ NICKIYA, Ascension St. Vincent patient and cancer survivor
The Boone County 4-H Fair opens to the public July 15 and runs through July 21.
The fair will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fairground parking and admission are free.
Popular events include the demolition derby at 6 p.m. July 15; the Monster Truck Show at 3 p.m. July 17-18; the 4-H Parade of Champions at 5:30 July 21; and the Queen’s Contest at 7 p.m. July 8.
Families can participate in the daily monster truck rides along with mini golf, wood carving events, opportunities to meet former Indianapolis Colts punter Hunter Smith, pony rides, hot air balloon rides, a foam party and the pedal tractor pull. There will also be free entertainment every Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evening.
The Beehive, Junior Leaders, Pork Producers Tent, Fair Shake and more community food trucks and vendors will be selling food at the fair.
Schedule highligts:
SATURDAY, JULY 15
• 8:30 a.m. Start of 4-H Fair Fun Run
• 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Antique Tractors & Machinery Exhibit on display
• 9 a.m. 4-H Rabbit Show - Boone REMC Hall
• 9 a.m. 4-H Horse & Pony Western ShowHorse Arena
• 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hay Mountain - Come climb the Mountain & Straw Maze - Boone REMC Center Circle
• 6:30 to 9 p.m. Free Entertainment-The Dan Burnell Band
• 6 p.m. Antique Tractor Parade
SUNDAY, JULY 16
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Little Farm Hands “Hand imprints” - Antique Tractor Tent w/ Fergie
• 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Young McDonald’s Farm Open
• 1 to 2 p.m. Family games hosted by former Colt’s punter Hunter Smith
• 5 p.m. Street Legal & ATV Mud Bog
• 5:30 to 8 p.m. Free Entertainment-Terry Lee Ridley & his Million Dollar Band
• 6 to 7:30 p.m. $1 Hay Rides - pickup south lot
MONDAY, JULY 17
• 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Putt Putt Golf-Plunkett Show Arena-check out putter & ball at Young McDonald’s Farm
• 2 to 10 p.m. Laser Tag– Southeast of Boone REMC Circle
• 5 p.m. 4-H Horse & Pony Parade of Champions & Versatility - Horse Arena
• 5 to 7 p.m. Boilermaker Special Rides
• 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free Entertainment— Community Band directed by Barb Springer
TUESDAY JULY 18
• 9 a.m. 4-H Swine Show - Witham Health Services Pavilion
• 10 a.m. to noon 4-H Robotics Demonstration - Plunkett Show Arena
• 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Free Entertainment- The Black Box Theater Performance - Family Pavilion
• 6 to 8 p.m. Pony Rides-Boone REMC Center Circle
• Full Throttle Monster Trucks-North Track
• 5 to 6:30 p.m. Pit Party
• 6:30to 7:30 p.m. Free Entertainment- Talent Factory Dancers - Family Pavilion
• 7 to 9 p.m. Monster Truck Show
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19
• 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 4-H Dairy Goat ShowWitham Health Services Pavilion
• 9 a.m. 4-H Poultry Show - Boone REMC Hall
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Superhero Meet & Greet-
Boone REMC Center Circle
• 6 p.m. 4-H Dairy Show - Witham Health Services Pavilion
• 7:30 p.m. Hot Air Balloon Rides
THURSDAY, JULY 20
• 9 a.m. 4-H Llama/Alpaca Show - Centennial Hall South Arena
• Noon Kiwanis Luncheon - Beehive
• 2 p.m. Tallest Corn Stalk Contest - Boone REMC Center Circle
• 3:15 p.m. 4-H Dog Kennel Decoration Contest - Centennial Hall North
• 5:30 p.m. 4-H Livestock Auction - Witham Health Services Pavilion
• 8 to 10p.m. Foam Party
FRIDAY, JULY 21
• 2 to 3 p.m. Queen’s Tea Party - Boone County Farm Bureau Inc. Community Building
• 4 p.m. 4-H Dog Trick Contest
• 5:30 p.m. Parade of Champions - Witham Health Services Pavilion
• 6 p.m. Pedal Tractor Pull - Plunkett Show Arena
• 8 to 10 p.m. Foam Party
For a full schedule of events, visit boonecounty4h.org/fair.
Hoosier Village’s Christmas in July sale — Hoosier Village in Zionsville will be hosting a Christmas in July sale on Friday and Saturday from 9 to 1 p.m. July 14 and 15. The sale will include thousands of holiday items from Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and into the New Year. Included are Christmas village houses and the quality furniture, household goods and sewing and craft supplies. Entrance to Hoosier Village is located at 5300 W. 96th St. and off Zionsville Road. The sale will be held inside the Stone Orphanage Building. Directional signs will be posted on the Hoosier Village campus.
Artists needed — The Zionsville Cultural District has issued an artist call-out for a mural to be painted on the northwest side of the Cripe building at 45 N. Main St. in Zionsville. Proposed renderings should be artistically engaging and sufficiently stimulating to ignite conversation, foster interaction and evolve appreciation by the general public. For more, visit zvillecd.org. Submissions must be sent to markn@zvillecd.org in PDF format and received by 5 p.m. Sept. 1.
Freedom Fest celebration — The Boone County Republican Women's Club and the Boone County GOP present Freedom Fest from 4 to 9 p.m. July 15 at Zionsville Lions Park, 11053 Sycamore St. The program will feature craft beer, barbecue from Backroad BBQ, live music, kids activities, keynote speakers, a flag ceremony and more. Admission is free. Drinks and food can be purchased.
Zionsville Street Dance — Zionsville’s biggest street party is the Zionsville Street Dance. The street dance will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 5 in downtown Zionsville on Main Street. The bands this year are The Janeways, followed by headliner Mike and Joe. The street dance will have a kids area and local food trucks, wineries and beer on-site. For more, visit zionsvillechamberofcommerce.growthzoneapp.com.
Second Most Purchasing Power — SmartAssest released its annual study on the places with the most purchasing power. The study measures the places where average living expenses are most affordable for people living there by measuring the cost of living relative to local income in each county. According to the study, Boone County has a $50,972 cost of living and a median income of $83,077, ranking second in Indiana with a purchasing power index of 76.20.
I just had the most wonderful week, and, strangely, I don’t know what to say about it. It was wonderful because I spent it with two of my daughters and four of my granddaughters.
One daughter and one granddaughter live in Missouri, and the other one lives in Seattle. A fourth granddaughter flew in from Denver, where she lives with her husband, two Bernese Mountain dogs and a horse. The one from Seattle came with her husband – a loving, gentle giant of a man – and their two girls.
We see my Missouri family more or less regularly, but it was five years ago we last saw the Pacific Coast clan. We flew to their part of the world in the month of June and spent a week huddled in our coats in what Seattleites call summer.
They took us to the beach one day, and even though I’m sure the temperature was just above freezing, the girls wore swim suites and splashed away in the Pacific waters.
They planned a swim day during their time in Missouri as well, but the temperature rose to 105 degrees, and I watched culture shock spread across everyone in the family as we talked about frying eggs on the sidewalk.
The highlight of the trip was a birthday party for my granddaughter. She just turned 16 and spent a lot of time talking to her dad about getting her driver’s license and launching an ambitious teenage career that involved driving a car.
My Missouri daughter is a Master Gardner and is ready to record the effects of birthday cake on her garden. Eggs, sugar and chocolate. What could go wrong?
Since it was too hot to do much outside, everybody gathered in front of the television and binge-watched movies. In between movies, we read books. I am blessed to have a family that loves to read. And we talked — about anything and everything.
(Advertorial)
Tom Wood Subaru, in its continued commitment to making a positive impact in our community, recently made a heartwarming donation of blankets and craft kits to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. The gesture aims to provide comfort, warmth and fun to young patients during their hospital stays, bringing a touch of cheer to their healing journey.
Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, renowned for its exceptional pediatric care, was thrilled to receive the generous donation from Tom Wood Subaru. The blankets, known for their cozy and high-quality material, are a symbol of care and support for the brave children undergoing treatment.
Tom Wood Subaru’s commitment to giving back to the community aligns perfectly with the hospital’s mission of providing exceptional healthcare services to children in need. By creating a comfortable environment, the blankets not only offer physical warmth but also contribute to the emotional well-being of the young patients and their families.
“We are incredibly grateful to Tom Wood Subaru for their thoughtful donation,” expressed Laura Keefe; Certified Child Life Specialist at Peyton Manning. “The blankets bring smiles and comfort to our young patients during their time at the hospital. This act of kindness showcases the compassion and dedication that Tom Wood Subaru has for our community. Everyone has been so grateful for comfort and distraction!”
This initiative is part of Tom Wood Subaru’s larger philanthropic efforts under the Subaru Love Promise, a commitment to making a positive impact in areas such as healthcare, education, animal welfare, and the environment.
Tom Wood Subaru, along with Annabeth Stem from the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, were honored to support Peyton Manning
Children’s Hospital and contribute to the wellbeing of the children in their care. Together, they strive to create a brighter future for the community they serve.
You may ask, “How can I help?” Well, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital is in great need of the following: Infant toys, colored pencils, markers, coloring books (regular and adult), puzzle books (word search, sudoku, etc.), and infant board books (new packaged items only please). They solely rely on donations around the holidays, so during this time of year, they are really running low on these items!
If you would like to donate to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, please bring donations inside door 4, the main entrance of the children’s hospital, during normal business hours; Monday through Friday. If you have questions, please contact Laura Keefe at laura.mcilrath@ascension.org or by phone at 317-338-8835.
As the blankets wrap the young patients in warmth and comfort, Tom Wood Subaru, The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society and Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, will continue to inspire hope and healing, reminding us all of the power of compassion and the difference we can make when we come together.
Hey there, folks! Take a good look at this zoomed-in image we’ve snagged from a spot in Zionsville. We want you to channel your inner Sherlock and head over to youarecurrent.com/mysterysnapshot to submit your best guess about where this photo was taken. Ready for the challenge? Check back next week for the answer.
The second Diabetes Awareness and Family Fun Day will be from 2 to 5 p.m. July 16 at Zionsville Lions Park.
The event, sponsored by the Zionsville Lions Club, aims to educate the community about diabetes while providing games and crafts for the entire family.
The Family Fun Day is free, and registration isn’t required.
Dr. Mel Prince, an endocrinologist and diabetes advisor for the Lions Club International Foundation, is the medical advisor for the event and is assisted by committee co-chairs Brandon Bischof and Sue Bowron-White.
Prince said the prevalence of diabetes in Indiana of 12.3 percent is higher than the national average of 11.3 percent.
“Our goal with these events is to improve quality of life for those who are already diagnosed and offer an opportunity to learn how to prevent it for those who are not,” Prince said.
Medical professionals will be on-site to provide screening for diabetes and will provide information and answer questions.
“It is a three-step process that involves a short questionnaire to start,” Bowron-White said. “If numbers show someone may be at risk, they can have their finger pricked. Depending on those results, professionals may do an A1C test, another finger prick.”
Last year, more than 40 people were screened for diabetes at the event.
“My hope for this year is to double the number of people screened,” Bowron-White said. “We hope word of mouth and extra publicity will draw more community members to the event.”
In addition to diabetes screenings, children and parents can enjoy an obstacle course, corn hole, ladder gold, water balloons, rock painting and other activities.
“We will have tables set up and guides to show people where to go for screenings and information, healthy snacks, crafts and activities,” Bowron-White said.
According to the Lions Club, the activities are a reminder that an active lifestyle can help prevent and control diabetes.
“If we can help even one person with the information at our event, I will feel blessed,” Bowron-White said.
Rain date is set for July 23.
What: Games, crafts and activities for the entire family and free diabetes screening and information.
When: Sunday, July 16, 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: Zionsville Lions Park
We’re all prone to cast the aspersion. No matter how mature we have become or imagine ourselves to be, we feel the need, from time to time, to label our fellow humans as idiots. They cut us off in traffic. They go through the 12-items-or-less line with 27 items. They say something on their social media feeds that is so disturbingly inconsistent with our own studied and thoughtful views that we know that there must be something wrong with them. Perhaps they write an entirely incomprehensible column that we wonder who, in their right minds, would have conferred a doctorate upon the writer. We determine them to be idiots, each and every!
Definitionally, an idiot is medically determined to be one suffering from an intellectual disability. Yet, we probably intend it as a pejorative. “Those folks are just plain stupid.” So far, stupid has not been defined as a protected class of Americans, so we evaluate applicability individually, based upon
circumstance. Math would dictate that half of the people in any room are smarter than the other half. But most of us are brighter sometimes and not-so-bright at other times. Experience, prudence and education all enter the equation. The hubris of youth can lead to an abundance of kidiotic behavior. With each passing year, the expectations increase but we are likely to tolerate imprudence from youngsters while expecting more from those of us a bit longer in the tooth. Sure, I.Q. is a weighty variable on our preferences and actions. But is it the most important? Does it ever seem not to matter? If we all make suboptimal choices from time to time, is carelessness, disregard, immaturity or aggression to blame? Are we doomed to grow from kidiot to idiot? If not, how do we avoid it?
Commentary by Danielle WilsonFriends, I’ve always considered myself a “fit” person. I work out regularly and take geriatric vitamins. But my recent experience with Delta Airlines suggests that I’m not in as good a shape as I thought. Here’s the skinny.
large purse. I arrived as the last person was being checked in under the final boarding call — unable to breathe, let alone talk, and with a now-defunct boarding pass. Bless the attendant who quickly assessed my situation and got me on the plane.
My 6 a.m. flight from Mobile, Ala., to Atlanta was delayed 25 minutes because of, per the pilot, “a series of unfortunate events.” This was problematic because I had a tight layover, but I didn’t sweat it. The ATL-IND route runs every two hours. If I missed my original, I’d just catch a later one.
But Delta had no faith in me and automatically bumped me to another flight — the following morning. Umm, no. Unacceptable. There was still time! I’d have to navigate a crowded jetway, 30 B gates, several escalators, a stupid train and the majority of Terminal A, but it could be done. So, off I raced, sprinting and speed-walking, trying not to pee my pants, dragging a carry-on and
As I collapsed in my seat, though, I was a hot mess. I could not slow my heart rate, and my blood pressure was through the roof. What was happening? I should be able to hurry through an airport without suffering a cardiac episode, but apparently not. “Ma’am? You’re in the wrong seat.” Oh, lord. Despite exercise and old people supplements, friends, I’m not in as good a shape as I thought!
Peace out.
Danielle Wilson is a contributing columnist. You may email her at info@youarecurrent.com.
“As I collapsed in my seat, though, I was a hot mess. I could not slow my heart rate, and my blood pressure was through the roof.”
– DANIELLE WILSON
I love baseball, and now with a few rule changes, the games are faster and even more exciting. I knew it would be fruitless, but I was hoping to entice my wife, Mary Ellen, to enjoy the sport so we could watch a few games together. So, one day in the car, I attempted to pique her interest.
“Would you watch a baseball game with me one night?” I asked.
“How long does a game last?”
“Well, no one knows exactly.”
“How could that be? Haven’t they been playing baseball for over a hundred years? Can’t somebody time it?
“It’s not like football or basketball. Theoretically, the game can go on forever.”
“Maybe it just seems that way?”
“Let’s try again. Ask me any questions you might have about baseball.”
“OK, why do they call it a strike when the guy doesn’t hit it, but in bowling it’s a strike when he does?”
“Again, I have no clue.”
“And why four balls and only three strikes?”
“I don’t know that, either.”
“Maybe my questions are too hard, Dick. Here’s an easy one: When is the World Series?”
“They don’t play those games until November, after each baseball team has played 162 games in the regular season.”
“Then when is the Super Bowl?”
“That’s in February after each football team has played 17 games. Again, in the regular season.
“That sounds like an easier job than 162 games. Maybe it’s hard to find guys willing to work every Sunday. Dick, is your favorite team in the National Group or American Group?”
“They are not groups. They are called leagues, the American League and the National League.
“What’s the difference?”
“Again, you have stumped me. It’s a hard
“I couldn’t really answer most of Mary Ellen’s questions. As I continued talking about baseball, I glanced over, and she looked like she was nodding off. We pulled over and I drove.”
– DICK WOLFSIEquestion to answer.”
“Why is that a difficult question? Nordstrom and Kohl’s are in different leagues. Any fan of shopping knows that.”
“OK, here’s one difference. The American League has a DH, a designated hitter. The pitcher does not bat. Someone bats for him.”
“That doesn’t seem very fair to the pitcher.”
“The pitcher doesn’t care.”
“Well, if he doesn’t care, he shouldn’t be playing.”
“By the way, Mary Ellen, there was a perfect game a few nights ago.”
“What does that mean?”
“The pitcher allowed no hits, no runs, no walks. Not a single person reached base. Everything was perfect.”
“Sounds perfectly boring. Why would anyone go to a game like that?”
I couldn’t really answer most of Mary Ellen’s questions. As I continued talking about baseball, I glanced over, and she looked like she was nodding off. We pulled over and I drove.
That night we watched a game together. I explained to her the fascinating intricacies of baseball. It was a close one between the archrival Cubs and Dodgers. I don’t know the final score. I fell asleep in the seventh inning.
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Tad Robinson is thrilled to be part of the inaugural edition of the Carmel Jazz Fest.
“It looks to be a nice eclectic group of musicians,” the Greencastle resident said. “I think they are doing a beautiful job organizing it.”
The Tad Robinson Band will perform from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 11 and 1:30 to 3 p.m. Aug. 12, with both shows on the Gazebo stage.
Robinson sings and plays harmonica. The band consists of Paul Holdman, guitar/ vocals; Brian Yarde, drums/vocals; Harlan Terson, bass guitar; and Kevin Anker, keyboards.
Terson is from Chicago and the others are from the Indianapolis area.
Carmel Jazz Fest is set for Aug. 11-12 at six different venues throughout the city.
“It’s always good to play in that community because there are a lot of people who love roots music, Americana, blues and jazz,” Robinson said. “I think the festival is doing a great job in representing those music (genres).”
Robinson said many of the groups performing in the Carmel Jazz Fest make great music.
“We’ll be playing some new tunes that will be on the upcoming album, plus doing our usual set of blues and soul,” said Robinson, whose band’s setlists are mostly his original songs.
Robinson has seven albums on the Seven label and Delmar Records. He is working on a new album and expects to make an announcement of a release later this summer.
Robinson, who has played in more than 20 countries, did three tours outside the U.S. in 2022.
During last year’s busy schedule, Robinson performed Aug. 31 in the Live at Center Series at the Palladium, then a few days later he performed at the inaugural All In Music and Arts Festival at the Indiana
State Fairgrounds.
“I got to perform with the Allman Brothers Dreamset, which was a really nice experience,” he said. “I think the idea of the dreamsets is unique and a nice idea. All the guys couldn’t have been nicer. I enjoyed that festival a lot. I’d love to return.”
Robinson, who is originally from New York City, lived in Chicago for a decade before moving to Greencastle. He has 10 Blues Music Award nominations, which are considered the Grammys for blues music.
Robinson has already spent 10 days in Sweden this season.
“Later in the year, I’ll also be on the West Coast with some touring in Southern
California,” he said. “It’s been a good year.”
At 67, Robinson shows no signs of slowing down.
“We’re just beginning,” he said. “In the world of roots music, jazz and blues, I don’t think they hold age against you as much as in pop music. I think sometimes people see it as an asset. You get rid of your bad habits, and you know how to communicate more musically at that level when you are a little bit more experienced. Doors seem to be opening, so I’m happy to go through them.”
For more, visit tadrobinson.com. For festival tickets and the schedule, visit carmeljazzfest.com.
“Sophisticated Ladies” is set to run July 14 through Aug. 20 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
“Liberace and Liza: A Tribute” is set for 7:30 p.m. July 14-15 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinhc.com.
Indianapolis Opera’s annual fundraiser, Lobster Palooza, is set for 6 to 10 p.m. July 15 at the Basile Opera Center, 4011 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis. For more, visit indyopera.org.
Red Barn Summer Theatre presents “Curtains” through July 16 at the Red Barn Theatre in Frankfort. For more, visit redbarntheatre.net.
“Arrival from Sweden, the Music of Abba” will be featured at 8 p.m. July 14-15 in the Symphony on the Prairie series at Conner Prairie in Fishers. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.
Three win CarmelFest Has Talent titles — Westfield resident Spenser Johns won first place in the 17-and-old division in the CarmelFest Has Talent competition July 3 at the Carmel Gazebo stage. Rachel Dwaram, Fishers, finished second and Jenna and Jacey Green, Columbus, Ind., third. In the ages 13-16 category, Vivian Vreeman, Carmel, took first place. John Paul Pack, Carmel, finished second and Jackson Mullen, Fishers, third.
In the 12-and-under class, Azalia Davidson, Noblesville, was victorious, followed by Liv Keslin, Zionsville, in second and Leah Dwaram, Fishers, in third. First place paid $300, second place $200 and third place $100 in all three categories.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Serving as musical director of “Sophisticated Ladies” has a special meaning to Tenéh Karimu.
olis since the 1980s.
“So, for me, and quite a few people, this will be our first time experiencing this,” said Karimu, who is leading an eight-person orchestra.
SONGBOOK ACADEMY IN CONCERT*
Sat Jul 22 at 7pm
DAUGHTRY: BARE BONES TOUR*
Wed Aug 9 at 7:30pm
SPYRO GYRA*
Sat Aug 12 at 8pm
BEN HARPER*
Tue Aug 15 at 7:30pm
LIFE WITH THE AFTERLIFE: TRUE TALES OF THE PARANORMAL WITH GHOST HUNTER
AMY BRUNI
Sat Sep 16 at 8pm
UPTOWN: MOTOWN REMIXED
Thu Sep 28 at 7:30pm
ANIMANIACS: IN CONCERT
Thu Oct 5 at 7:30pm
HARRY CHAPIN AT 80: A RETROSPECTIVE, FEATURING THE CHAPIN FAMILY
Fri Oct 20 at 8pm
BILL FRISELL FIVE AND AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE’S
OWL SONG
Sat Oct 21 at 8pm
ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Sat Oct 28 at 8pm
AN EVENING WITH BRUCE COCKBURN
Wed Nov 1 at 7:30pm
BÉLA FLECK, ZAKIR HUSSAIN, EDGAR MEYER WITH RAKESH CHAURASIA
Thu Nov 2 at 7:30pm
GRACE POTTER
Fri Nov 3 at 8pm
ETTA MAY
CANDACE BUSHNELL: TRUE TALES OF SEX, SUCCESS AND SEX AND THE CITY
Sun Nov 12 at 7pm
ANNE SOFIE VON OTTER & BROOKLYN RIDER SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH
Fri Nov 17 at 8pm
MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO
Sat Nov 18 at 8pm
THE BLACK MARKET TRUST
Sun Nov 19 at 7pm
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR: CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA
Fri Nov 24 at 2pm
JIM BRICKMAN: A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
Thu Nov 30 at 7:30pm
THE MIDTOWN MEN: HOLIDAY HITS
ALAN CUMMING & ARI SHAPIRO: OCH & OY! A CONSIDERED CABARET
Sat Feb 3 at 8pm
MARIACHI HERENCIA DE MÉXICO: HEREDEROS
Fri Feb 9 at 8pm
SOFIA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Fri Feb 23 at 8pm
ARETHA’S GOLD: CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN
Fri Feb 24 at 8pm
THE IRISH TENORS
Fri Mar 8 at 8pm CARRIE NEWCOMER WITH PIANIST GARY WALTERS & STRING QUARTET
Sat Mar 9 at 8pm
BRUCE HORNSBY WITH YMUSIC
PRODUCTION
“Sophisticated Ladies,” which will be presented July 14 to Aug. 20 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theater in Indianapolis, features the music of Duke Ellington.
“I grew up listening to jazz, especially Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan and Dianne Reeves,” Karimu said. “I stole my mom’s Duke cassette tape, which this show has so many of the songs on, and (I) would listen to it pretty much every night. Jazz is such an integral part of the fabric of this country because it comes directly from the songs and lives of members of the African Diaspora, specifically survivors of American chattel slavery. I am so honored to be a part of this production with this inimitable cast and team.”
The Indianapolis resident has never seen the show. Karimu said this is the first time the show has been performed in Indianap-
This is the 100th anniversary of when Ellington moved to New York City to perform. Act I examines Ellington’s early days at the Cotton Club through his widening acceptance abroad, while Act II explores the private man as captured in his music
“We have a smaller ensemble than other productions, but that simply gives all of our folks more time to shine and bless us with their gifts,” Karimu said. “I’ll be on the keys and conducting. I took a bit of a break between my last show (‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’) and this one, but I plan on this production being a springboard of sorts for more performing, for me, as well as the rest of the team.”
Karimu’s previous Beef & Boards’ experience was performing in the Live Theatre for Kids productions in 2017 as Dr. Wink in “Pinkalicious.”
For more, visit beefandboards.com.
THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS: BILL MEDLEY & BUCKY HEARD
Fri Oct 6 at 8pm
THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH*
Sun Oct 8 at 7pm
THE ROBERT CRAY BAND
Wed Oct 11 at 7:30pm
WISH YOU WERE HERE: THE SIGHT & SOUND OF PINK FLOYD
Sat Oct 14 at 8pm
STEWART COPELAND: POLICE DERANGED FOR ORCHESTRA
Thu Oct 19 at 7:30pm
Fri Nov 3 at 7:30pm
AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE
Sat Nov 4 at 8pm
TRES SOULS
Sat Nov 4 at 8pm
THE LITTLE MERMEN: THE ULTIMATE DISNEY TRIBUTE BAND
Sun Nov 5 at 3pm & 7pm
EASTON CORBIN
Thu Nov 9 at 7:30pm
GREGORIAN: PURE CHANTS
Fri Nov 10 at 8pm
Fri Dec 1 at 8pm
DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS TOUR 2023
Tue Dec 5 at 7:30pm
JON MCLAUGHLIN: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Fri Dec 8 at 8pm
PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND HOLIDAY SHOW
Sat Dec 9 at 8pm
BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY’S WILD & SWINGIN’ HOLIDAY PARTY
Wed Dec 13 at 7:30pm
AN EVENING WITH BRANFORD MARSALIS
Fri Jan 26 at 8pm
Sat Mar 9 at 8pm
IMAGINATION MOVERS
Sun Mar 10 at 1pm & 4pm
JESSE COOK
Sun Apr 7 at 7pm
RAY CHEN
Fri Apr 12 at 8pm
SAMMY MILLER AND THE CONGREGATION
Fri Apr 19 at 8pm
RUMOURS: A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE
Sat Apr 20 at 8pm
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN & SPECIAL GUEST
Fri May 17 at 8pm
For Eve Hodges, being selected as one of the 40 national finalists for the Songbook Academy is an exciting opportunity.
“There is a lot of work that goes into choosing music that suits your voice, cleaning those songs and then filming an audition,” said Hodges, who will be a Zionsville Community High School senior in August. “So many details had to be polished, and it was extremely rewarding for that to result in acceptance into this program. The team directing Songbook has also done a great job hyping everyone up and getting us excited for an awesome week in July.”
The Songbook Academy, a summer intensive program conducted by the Great American Songbook Foundation, is set for July 15-22 at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
Hodges looks forward to learning from music industry professionals.
“I am ready to learn about performance and storytelling as well as techniques that will serve me well in the future,” Hodges said. “I am also very excited to meet students that share a love of music. After having friends participate in Songbook, I have seen the community of musicians that it attracts, and I am very excited to be joining it.”
Hodges said she loves how music from
the Songbook era includes jazz standards as well as Golden Age musical theater.
“It is such a fun collision of worlds that encourages singing at ease,” Hodges said. “It is very comfortable to sing and delightful to listen to. Whether it be an upbeat song or a ballad, I find this era of music relaxing and comforting.”
Hodges plans to study music in college.
“I am looking at music education programs hoping to share my love of music with children,” she said. “I am excited to study both vocal music and piano music in college and grow my abilities.”
The Songbook public performances are July 18, 20 and 22. For more, visit thesongbook.org.
This Windermere home featured a spacious master bath with good bones but an outdated style. Thanks to a few functional upgrades and an elevated mix of materials, this bathroom makes each day feel like a spa day.
THE BLUEPRINT
• A luxurious soaking tub replaced the original deck-style tub, and wall-to-wall carpeting that made the room feel dated and drab and was replaced with stunning porcelain tile.
• Built-in shelving featuring beautiful sconces surrounds the tub nook, providing additional storage and display space as well as privacy.
• The shower was upgraded with a frameless glass enclosure and features Calacatta Gold marble and brushed gold fixtures, giving the shower space an upgraded spa-like feel.
• Tonal wallpaper, butcherblock counters stained in a rich tone and brushed gold fixtures complete the bathroom’s elevated aesthetic.
Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.
As soon as I wrote a column on Caps Lock, the lowercase -- a.k.a., “minuscule” letters -- demanded an essay of its own. The irony is that both of my Apple keyboards have decapitalized the command keys, leaving Caps Lock in a minor key.
he didn’t always employ that style. The trend of his name appearing in small letters started in the 1960s, when book cover designers decided to opt for this style. After that, the “e.e. cummings” format stuck.
I’m sure the first topic that comes to mind is the American poet E.E. Cummings. Edward Estlin Cummings (you can see why he went with “E.E.”) often wrote in all lowercase letters, played with spacing and challenged traditional punctuation rules. Cummings took full advantage of his poetic license but didn’t always write exclusively in lowercase. Contrary to popular belief, Cummings didn’t even write his own name in all lowercase letters. His signature clearly featured two capital “E”s with periods after each one, and a capital “C” followed by an apostrophe and a lowercase “s.” How’s that for a John Hancock?
Cummings’ poetry did feature entire poems in lowercase letters, although
Fast forward to today, when we find many areas of no caps. Texting has led to shorthand typing that often lacks proper capitalization or punctuation. I don’t fault people for this method, as they are simply eking out a brief communiqué. The person receiving the message gets the point without needing the formal style we’re used to seeing in books, newspapers and magazines.
In these other forms of communication, the rules aren’t as important as the perceived urgency to communicate. After all, telegraphs never discriminated between uppercase and lowercase.
Today, in our continuing tour of Alaska, we first visit Anchorage and then take a scenic highway on to Seward. In 1914, a site at the end of Cook Inlet in Southcentral Alaska was selected for unloading materials for building the Alaska Railroad. A tent city sprang up, which was incorporated as Anchorage in 1920. The city grew rapidly, first because of the railroad, then because of military installations, and finally because of oil discovered at Prudhoe Bay. Today, Anchorage, with a population of nearly 300,000, is by far the largest city in Alaska. About 40 percent of all Alaskans live there. Covering 1,706 square miles, about five times the size of Indianapolis, Anchorage is the United States’ fourth-largest city by area. The modern and vibrant city includes a number of important statewide cultural institutions, including the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts and the 170,000 squarefoot Anchorage Museum.
ning along the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet, the highway passes the picturesque and glacier-covered Chugach Mountains and offers numerous places to stop for hiking, whale watching, moose and bear sightings, kayaking and the like. The City of Seward, named for former U.S. Secretary of State William Seward, who arranged for the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867, is between the mountains and the Gulf of Alaska.
With fewer than 3,000 permanent residents, the number of people in Seward swells dramatically during the summer with the arrival of large cruise ships. Seward is the site of an important annual salmon run in July and August. It is also the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, where more than 40 flowing glaciers have created some of the most spectacular fjords in the country.
The 127-mile Seward Highway, connecting Anchorage and Seward, provides some of the most scenic views in the country. Run-
Across
1. Brickyard 400 sponsor
4. WTTV spot seller
9. Gomer Pyle’s org.
13. Nest egg choice
14. Sharp flavors
15. White River angler’s basket
16. US Senator who attended ISU
18. The “U” of UHF
19. Gets older 20. Split hairs
22. ___ Friday’s
23. One lacking in pigment
25. Defunct IND carrier 26. Abound 27. Prefix with natal 28. Santa ___, Calif.
30. Underwater explorers
32. Shapiro’s, for one 34. Rid of weaponry
37. US House of Representa-
tive who attended Indiana Wesleyan
41. Temporary vehicle from Tom Wood
42. Wyo. neighbor
45. Grow every which way
48. Grissom, e.g., initially
51. Fair Oaks Farms cow chow
52. Place to dock
53. Bedwear, briefly 56. Bill of ___
58. Art museum vase
59. Persian ruler
60. Butler frat letter
61. Florida tourist attraction
63. US Vice President who attended IUPUI
67. Similar
68. Odds opposite
69. Fire
70. Some sneakers
71. Like Indiana Dunes
72. IU Health trauma ctrs. Down
1. Bro or sis
2. Three, up front
3. Mathematical curve
4. Daughter of Zeus
5.
33. Decorative filling
35. Word with bag or cream
36. Poet Teasdale
38. Stock market index name
39. Indiana Gov. Gates
40. “Impossible!”
43. Pecan, e.g.
44. Colts stats
45. Mouse’s sound
46. University of Evansville school color
47. Far from fresh
49. “My ___ Flicka”
50. Tissue analysis
54. Edgerrin in the Colts Ring of Honor
55. Hindu deity
57. Old AT&T rival
59. Sault ___ Marie
62. Approves
64. Need an attorney? “1-800 Call ___”
65. I-69 sight
