Eat Puccini’s... N W!
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Zionsville All-Stars’ run ends
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Opinions
Johns-Cole to step down as deputy mayor
news@currentzionsville.com
Town of Zionsville Deputy Mayor Julie Johns-Cole is stepping down effective Aug. 11 to pursue another opportunity.
TOWN NEWS
had adversity early when we got bounced back into the losers bracket, but we fought our way back through that to win state.”
The Zionsville All-Stars fell short of representing Indiana in the Little League Softball World Series, but manager Keith Deaton said the team’s run was special.
ACHIEVEMENT
“I couldn’t be more proud of not only how they played but how they represented the communities and their families as well,” he said. “Everybody in Zionsville really had something to be proud of as they looked back and reflected on this run.”
The Zionsville Little League 12-and-under All-Stars, who advanced by winning the state title, finished third in the Little League Softball Central Region tournament, losing 4-1 July 27 in Whitestown to a team from Ohio. Ohio was the eventual champion and will head to the Little League Softball World Series. The team beat Nebraska and Illinois in the first two games before losing to Iowa and Ohio. The 12-and-under age group is the only Little League age group that goes to the World Series.
Zionsville won the state title with a 5-1 record in New Castle. The team lost to Floyds Knobs early, but then came through the consolation bracket to win the title with a 10-5 victory over a team from South Bend.
“I think the team element was really evident,” Deaton said. “They wanted to play for each other. They had each other’s back. We
Deaton said he believed the team might overcome that adversity against Ohio.
“The girls fought and scratched, and we had some scoring opportunities that didn’t materialize like I wanted to, but it was a game for all six innings,” he said.
Deaton said he has coached the majority of the girls since they were 8 years old. His daughter, Olivia, primarily plays shortstop.
Nine of the 12 girls were on Deaton’s travel team. They teamed up three girls from other Zionsville teams for the All-Stars team.
“Our pitcher Sienna Kirschner had a great tournament,” Deaton said. “In the opening game, she threw a one-hit shutout against Nebraska (in a 3-0 victory). She did really well against Illinois. We scored 12 runs in that game. It was a night game and it felt like all the community came out to support us. It feels like we put a lot of emotion into that game. Our bats cooled off after that. We scored one run in each of those losses. Sienna’s pitching really kept us in every game we played in.”
Kirschner pitched 19 innings and had 21 strikeouts in the four games. At the plate, she was 3-for-9 with one run batted it in. Chandler Schaff was 2-for-7 with three RBIs. Allie Trout was 2-for-6 with three RBIs.
Deaton said cather Amelia McKenna had a stellar defensive tournament.
Johns-Cole
Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron made the announcement Aug. 3. Johns-Cole has served as deputy mayor since January 2020 and helped lead the town through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release from the town. A new deputy mayor had not been announced as of press time.
According to a press release, JohnsCole was involved in some of Zionsville’s major projects, including landing new corporate headquarters in Creekside Corporate Park, the development of the Zionsville Gateway Area plan, the awarding of the READI grant, the hiring of police chief Michael Spears, improvements to the Big-4 Rail Trail and the success of Carpenter Nature Preserve.
“I am grateful to Mayor Emily Styron for providing me the opportunity to serve Zionsville and its residents and businesses,” Johns-Cole stated. “I am confident the next person in this position will lead Zionsville extremely well.”
Styron said Johns-Cole has been instrumental in the town’s success throughout the past 3 1/2 years.
“Julie’s leadership has positively impacted every department in our Town governance,” Styron stated. “Her dedication to our community is unparalleled. It’s been an honor to work alongside her.”
For more, visit youarecurrent.com.
PRIVATE BANKING
Plan commission holds special meeting for zoning ordinance
By Kiersten Riedford kiersten@youarecurrent.com Jeff C. Mantock, CFA Vice President and Portfolio Manager Investment Management E. Vice President Private Banking 317-261-9735EXPERIENCE THE SERVICE AND DEDICATION YOU DESERVE
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The Zionsville Plan Commission held a special meeting July 26 to allow for public discussion on the adoption draft of a Zionsville town ordinance that would reduce zoning districts to 15 from 38 through form-based code.
Although some residents are not opposed to the proposed new zoning ordinance, others said they would prefer to have less regulations and rules for their properties.
TOWN NEWS
Form-based code is a set of regulations on land development that creates higher quality cities by using building form regulations to organize the city instead of focusing on land use. This would make Zionsville only able to build specific-type buildings based on pre-approved designs, unless a special exception is made for the building.
The draft, a 270-page document with an attached zoning map, would affect every district in Zionsville. It was created by planning specialists at McKenna, a company based in Michigan that Zionsville hired for the city rezoning project that designs economic development, zoning, form-based code, transportation, landscape design and more.
Paul Lippens, vice president of McKenna, spoke at the July 26 meeting and also at the Zionsville Plan Commission’s meeting June 28.
At the July 26 meeting, Lippens reviewed changes to commercial buildings, like hotels and liner buildings, in the proposed draft.
McKenna staff added a row house, a row house neighborhood, a gallery and liner buildings to the proposed code. McKenna also reduced the height of some commercial buildings, like hotels and research facilities, in the proposed code.
“The residents that I’ve spoken with so far, we think this is a great move forward,” said Heather Lusk, a member of the Zionsville Village Residents Association. “We definitely support the direction this is going.”
Although many residents support development, some would also like to see changes for residential aspects.
“Everyone who moved here (did so) for what it is, not for what it will be in the future,” Zionsville resident Regina Sheryl said at the meeting. “This form-based planning is an attempt to make Zionsville a different place than it is.”
Many Zionsville residents have also voiced concern about the lack of parking in the village.
Zionsville resident Ralph Stacey said during the meeting that the town is growing, but there does not seem to be a guide for managing population growth. He said increased parking, speed and noise control would be beneficial to address in the zoning ordinance.
“Bigger is not better, it is just more costly and more difficult to manage,” Stacey said. “Our town needs to wake up and address this looming problem. Our destiny should be directed by our community and not by land speculators and developers.”
Lippens, addressing the concerns, said rural preservation is within the proposed code.
“What we heard (from public discussions) is new commercial development should be in a manner, in a style, that matches the village,” Lippens said. “But the rest of the town should have a growth development plan.”
Lippens said McKenna does not intend to use the proposed code to densify Zionsville. Chris Lake, vice president of the Zionsville Plan Commission, confirmed that the document doesn’t allow for changes to be made easily and doesn’t allow for more density than is already allowed in the current zoning ordinance.
Lake said the board will send a draft of public input and board members’ concerns to McKenna. The next Zionsville Plan Commission’s next meeting is Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21. It is open to the public.
DISPATCH
Board of Zoning Appeals — The Zionsville Board of Zoning Appeals met on Aug. 2 but due to a quorum not being met — the minimum number of members of the board that must be present at its meeting — all hearings and petitions have been moved to Sept. 6. Chairman Chris Lake apologized for the inconvenience. He said the board members attempted to reach out to their missing member that would’ve made quorum, but Lake said the member was unable to be reached.
Zionsville resident crowned Miss Boone County 2023
By Kiersten Riedford kiersten@youarecurrent.comJacqueline Pratt, a 19-year-old Zionsville resident, won the Miss Boone County 2023 pageant July 8.
ACHIEVEMENT
The competition was Pratt’s first-ever pageant. She said she didn’t enter with winning in mind but did it to experience it.
“There’s a video of me and my mouth is like to the floor,” Pratt said of her reaction to winning. “I was watching the other girls as they were announcing, and the girl who I thought was going to win, and then all sudden, they called my name and I just sat there. Then I went, like, ‘Oh, my gosh!’”
Growing up, Pratt — a graduate of University High School — said she frequently participated in 4-H competitions growing up, so the opportunity to enter the Miss Boone County competition was fun and nostalgic. She had previously participated in sewing, fashion review, veterinary science, gift wrapping, latch hook and tatting.
Pratt, who will be a sophomore at the University of Mississippi, said she is proud to represent 4-H as Miss Boone County 2023 because 4-H teaches children skills they wouldn’t typically learn in a classroom.
In the Miss Boone County pageant, contestants must give a speech and have three
individual interviews with multiple judges. Each interview and speech are only about a minute to three minutes.
Pratt said the prompt for the speeches was to write a one-minute speech about themselves. She narrowed her topic to events in her life that changed her perspective on something.
Pratt said her role of Miss Boone County requires a lot of work, but she looks forward to it.
Pratt will return to Boone County from college on a monthly basis to fulfill her Miss Boone County responsibilities. She said she looks forward to meeting people in the community and learning more about 4-H.
Pratt said she intends to compete at the Miss Indiana State Fair 2024 pageant I January.
ZIONSVILLE PRESENTS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
The Town of Zionsville conducted its National Night Out Aug. 1 at Zionsville Town Hall. The Zionsville Police Department was joined by representatives from the Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department, Lebanon Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana State Police, the Zionsville Fire Department and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for a night of food trucks, bounce houses, a dunk tank, a water balloon fight and more. The community also came together to honor Lt. Robert Musgrave for 45 years of service with the ZPD. (Above) A kids versus police water balloon fight was held at the National Night Out event on Aug. 1. (Submitted photos from all police departments)
Presented by
JOIN US FOR THE SECOND SATURDAY GALLERY WALK
EXPERIENCE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Live music throughout the district PLAY BINGO for a chance to win $250 gift basket!
COMMUNITY ART ACTIVITY
Nancy Keating of Mosaic Gardens and Carmel Art on Main Gallery and Gifts will host a chip in Community Mosaic at Anthony’s Plaza (201 W. Main St.). You can start “chipping in” at 4 p.m.
Dog days of summer
Commentary by Ward DeglerHere we are in the dog days of summer. Most of you probably know these days have nothing to do with dogs.
Rain on Main, a popular painted rain barrel contest and auction, kicks off this weekend with a display of 20 decorated barrels along Main Street. Vote on your favorite in the People’s Choice contest on the Rain on Main Facebook Page.
To learn more go to RainOnMain.com
PLAIN TALK
It’s all about Sirius, the dog star, which rises with the sun throughout July and most of August. Next to the sun, it is the brightest star in the heavens.
The ancient Greeks made note of this and believed the star added to the heat of the sun and actually caused the sweltering temperatures of late summer. We know that is nonsense because Sirius is some 50 trillion miles farther away than the sun. Net effect on us: zilch. Even so, mariners have long relied on Sirius for navigation, particularly during the summer months when it is brightest.
We can’t dismiss dogs entirely, however. During dog days, the star is positioned as the eye of the constellation Canis Major, which is Latin for “greater dog.” Moreover, the three stars that make up the belt of the constellation Orion — the hunter — point directly at Sirius. A glance at the night sky, then, gives us a glimpse of the hunter of our universe and his faithful dog.
Dog days are different in different parts of the world. They come earlier in the south and later in northern latitudes.
Sirius is also subject to Earth’s wobbly orbit. Astronomers have figured out that in another 13,000 years, Sirius will rise in the middle of the winter rather than summer. Then we can talk about the dog days of winter.
They still won’t have anything to do with dogs.
Ward Degler lives in Zionsville with his wife. He is the author of “The Dark Ages of My Youth ... and Times More Recent.” Contact him at ward.degler@ gmail.com.
DISPATCH
Creek Week — Zionsville’s yearly celebration of Eagle Creek through recreation, stewardship and education will take place from Aug. 7 through Aug. 12. Creek Week features activities for all ages. To register for the Creek Week events and programs, visit zionsvillein.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29943.
Student advocates for diabetes
By Jessica Todd leila@youarecurrent.comOn July 9, 12-year-old Zionsville resident Sophia Hollis traveled to Washington D.C., to join a delegation of her peers and celebrity advocates at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 2023 Children’s Congress.
AWARENESS
The JDRF’s mission to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat Type 1 diabetes and its complications.
The event involved more than 160 children with Type 1 diabetes who met with some of the top decision-makers in the U.S. Government, such as U.S. Sens. Mike Braun and Todd Young of Indiana, to inform them of the role they can play in supporting the T1D community.
Hollis, diagnosed with TD1 at age 3, participated in leadership and character-building programming, interacted with diabetes role models and engaged in several activities on Capitol Hill, including attending a Senate hearing to share personal testimonies about the challenges of living with T1D.
“I was excited to go to Washington D.C., and educate lawmakers on life with T1D,” Hollis said. “Living with T1D impacts the smallest things, such as going to school or hanging out with my friends.”
During the JDRF Children’s Congress, Hollis visited Capitol Hill and shared her story with Braun and Young.
“It was a fun journey having the ability to spread awareness, share my story and make sure people know about all the things I have gone through,” Hollis said. “I want to raise awareness to find a cure.”
For more about JDRF, visit jdrf.org.
KNOWS ZIONSVILLE
“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 J.“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.NEW LEADER
Coffman looks forward to first full school year at ZCS superintendent
By Jessica TOdd jessica@youarecurrent.comAs summer winds down, Rebecca Coffman looks forward to continuing her first full year as superintendent Zionsville Community Schools when classes begin Aug. 14.
Coffman is a 2001 Butler University graduate who has played an active role in ZCS since 2001, when she became a middle school science teacher. She was the Zionsville Middle School assistant principal from 2007 to 2012, when she became principal of Union Elementary.
Coffman moved to Zionsville in 2013 with her husband, Chris Coffman, and three sons, who are students in the district.
“Being able to experience the schools through the lens of a parent has been a nice opportunity to immerse myself within the community,” Coffman said. “I appreciate every opportunity to meet new people and make new connections.”
Coffman was hired as superintendent in February following the retirement of Scott Robison, who served as superintendent for 15 years.
“It has been an exciting transition,” Coffman said. “I take the challenges and responsibilities seriously when it comes to the needs of our students and community, and I feel honored to have been chosen for this position.”
As Coffman continues her first full year in the role, she looks forward to checking items off her to-do list and to leaving a mark on the corporation. She said her primary focus is on welcoming new families and students into the district.
“There are 206 new students in first through 12th grade and around 502 new preschoolers and kindergarten students this year,” Coffman said. “As of now, we have enrolled 829 new students in the district, which could still increase before school begins.”
In total enrollment, ZCS has about 8,000 students, and Coffman said the district is continuing to watch that before the school year officially begins. She said the district has been talking with developers and using enrollment projections for hiring and ordering decisions.
“Every year around the end of October or the beginning of November, we will do a thorough analysis and report to demonstrate our enrollment at every building and grade level in the district,” Coffman said. “I anticipate we will be right where we (are) projected to be or slightly higher. We (are) projected to have 182 new students.”
Coffman said several projects and activities are underway to ensure a welcoming environment for students.
“This year is exciting because we are opening our new 100,000-square-foot addition at Zionsville Community High School,” Coffman said. “We have also made many improvements at our other campuses, such as replacing roofing and flooring. We are also doing some playground replacements.”
The addition at ZCHS is a remodeling project that began in 2020 that includes new classroom spaces. According to Coffman, the first kitchen at ZCHS was constructed in 1967, but it has been renovated to accommodate art and business classes.
Per curriculum, Coffman said fifth-grade teachers are in the process of learning about new instructional math materials for the classroom.
“We have been encouraged by the state to hold off on ordering new materials until they have rolled out all of the information
with new standards,” Coffman said. “Our teachers are getting engaged with the state level because they will be examining materials that will soon be available for all school corporations. Our educators will be a part of that review process for the future.”
As for state funding, Coffman said ZCS remains the least-funded district per pupil in the state.
“There is a funding formula with a specific amount and a component called the complexity index that looks at the number of students enrolled in the district who receive financial benefits,” Coffman said. “The amount of funding the district receives per student is determined by that percentage.”
The district is also promoting its Eagle Ambassador Academy, a program designed to take people inside ZCS to gain in-depth knowledge of how the school system operates.
“We want to encourage residents interested in learning more about ZCS to apply to be in our first cohort of the Eagle Ambassador Academy,” Coffman said. “Every month we hope to break down different elements of the school corporation and spend time answering questions and sharing information.”
Not surprisingly, Coffman looks forward to the start of the school year.
“We are excited with some of the new businesses coming into Boone County and are looking at ways that we can develop strong partnerships so our students can learn about passions they may want to pursue after high school,” Coffman said. “I am excited about learning how to open more doors for our students. I hope we continue providing experiences for new families to feel welcome and be a part of what ZCS offers.”
Applications are available online through Aug. 25 for those who want to join the Eagle Ambassador Academy at bit.ly/3OljixT.
For more about the school year can be found at zcsstrong.org/ZCS-School-StartGuide-2023-2024/index.html.
ON THE COVER: Zionsville Community Schools
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Aug. 9 - Aug. 11: Teachers return
Aug. 14: School begins
Sept. 4: Labor Day - no school
Oct. 13: End of first quarter
Oct 16 - Oct. 20: Fall Break - no school
Nov. 22 - Nov. 24: Thanksgiving - no school
Dec. 22: End of second quarter and first semester
Dec. 23 - Jan. 8: Winter break - no school
Jan. 8: Teacher day - no students
Jan. 9: School resumes
Jan. 15: Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
Feb. 19: Presidents Day holiday
Mar. 15: End of third quarter
Mar. 29 - Apr. 8: Spring Break - no school
May 27: Memorial Day - no School
May 31: End of fourth quarter and second semester
June 3: Teacher records day - no school
June 3 - June 7: Make-up days if needed
June 9: Commencement
VIEWS
Discern when to learn
Commentary by Terry Anker
Dread the popcorn moment
Commentary by Dick WolfsieESSAY
Touring the campus of a beloved alma mater with their soon-to-be-college-bound offspring, the doting parents did everything possible to convey their love for the place to their youngster. She, in-hand, took it all in. “There is where Mom and me first met,” Dad proudly proclaimed, pointing to the gazebo visible through the trees. “Oh,” responded the daughter, now more attentive to the chirping phone in her hand than in the parental-sponsored tour down Memory Lane. Disappointed that the sales pitch was not going entirely as planned, Mom and Dad resigned themselves to the disinterested child. The next day would be the formal student-led campus tour for a group of potential enrollees.
As the time came, the daughter was sent along with the pack of teenagers guided by one of their own, not much older. The parents skipped it and went to lunch, certain there was no reason for more effort dedicated to the lost cause. Three hours later, the daughter reappeared filled with energy
and entirely committed to attendance! What happened on this tour? She regaled her astonished parents with tales of trails, edifices and opportunities of great interest. These were things that she’d visited many times before — in fact, their phones were filled with pictures of them standing in the spot yesterday that she’d described as seeing for the first time just now. How could this be?
We process information as we need it. Knowing about her parents courting was not yet appealing, but keeping up with her peers was. Eventually, the family history will matter, and the gaggle of teens won’t. Alas, often we don’t learn our lesson until too late. It must matter to us to get our attention. Until that moment, we think it can wait. Maybe, but too long and it’s lost forever.
My wife Mary Ellen and I went to see a movie last week with our friends Bob and Cathy.
Feeling the back-to-school blues
Commentary by Danielle WilsonFriends, summer is coming to an end and I’m starting to feel the anxiety of heading back to school. With less than a week left to luxuriate in lazy mornings and Netflix shenanigans, I’m already panicking over lesson plans and class rosters and strategically designed bathroom breaks. What I wouldn’t give for another month! Or four.
HUMOR
But it seems like yesterday when I absolutely longed for this time of year, when I couldn’t wait for that beautiful yellow bus to show up on our street! As a stay-at-home mom, I reveled in the August return to routine and schedules and hours without my precious little angels. Our family operated far better when everyone had a place to be each day and limited access to Minecraft and “SpongeBob.” And by family, I mean me. My creativity is noteworthy, but even I struggled to fill June and July with enough exciting activities to keep my rugrats engaged. Story hour and zoo visits can only get you so far, and then you’re left eyeballing each other over a third round of Capri Suns and Goldfish wondering who’s going to crack first. Hint: It’s not them.
But now that once much-anticipated ice cream social represents the end of my vacation, too, my break from endless grading and teenage angst. When I see the new kindergartens practicing pickup, my gut reaction is no longer a fist pump but rather a middle finger. And when I hit Meijer, I must purposefully avoid the northwest quadrant, lest the mechanical pencil and three-ring binder sales trigger my educator PTSD.
Alas, another school year approacheth, and so, too, does my anxiety. Peace out.
HUMOR
“Are you going to get popcorn again, Mary Ellen?” I asked.
“I have to. It’s been a movie tradition for me since high school.”
“So was necking in the balcony, but you cut that out completely after we got married.”
Once we reached the theater, the tension rose.
“Dick, I’ll find seats for the four of us,” Mary Ellen said. “You wait in line for the popcorn.”
“Why do I have to wait in line? I don’t even like popcorn. And when I come into the movie theater, you’ll forget to look around for me. Then I walk aimlessly up and down the aisles while people stare at me. Everyone assumes I’m all alone and have no one to sit with. Or I’ll wave my cellphone flashlight to get your attention and all three of you slump down in your seats while you laugh hysterically. At the Tom Cruise movie I never found where you guys were sitting, but I did get my 10,000 steps in searching for you.”
Of course, I do wait in line and buy the popcorn as directed. It drives me crazy that you pay about six bucks for a bucket of air. What a rip-off. And I don’t let my wife forget it.
“Did you know, Mary Ellen, that when I was a kid, popcorn in the theater was only a quarter?”
“Yes, and here’s another update — the actors in films are talking now.”
And then there’s eating the popcorn. Mary Ellen takes one piece from the top of the box with two fingers, then bites off
half at a time. Yes, two bites per kernel. She claims this helps her rhythm and draws her into the movie. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch my wife’s arm go down to the box, up to her mouth. Up and down. Up and down. Up and down. For two hours. Ahhhhh!
She pretty much follows a similar routine at home. After we have searched for a good flick or series on Netflix, Mary Ellen is at the stove to make popcorn the old-fashioned way. Just oil and popcorn in a pot, which she meticulously jiggles at the right speed, so every kernel is popped. The movie starts and the routine begins — one piece at a time, every 10 seconds, for the entire show. About 500 times. If she preferred M&Ms, she’d weigh 400 pounds.
Here’s the right way to eat popcorn in a movie. Dig way down into the container, which spews the popcorn all over the person in the seat next to you. Take an entire handful, shake the kernels in your fist like a pair of dice and throw several into your mouth at one time. Then while still chewing, reload and prepare to fire again. This is how Orville Redenbacher wanted you to do it. You could look it up. Heaven knows why there aren’t instructions on the popcorn box.
The next day her fitness trainer, Justin, asked her if she had been doing her upper body exercises.
“Yes, I did them for three hours last night,” she said. “When we went to see ‘Oppenheimer”’ at the movies.”
LEGAL NOTICE OF STANDARD CONTRACT RIDER NO. 56 GOGREEN DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC
DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC (“Duke Energy Indiana”) hereby provides notice that on or around August 10, 2023 Duke Energy Indiana in accordance with 170 IAC 4-4.1-10 will file a request to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (“Commission”) for approval under the Commission’s thirty-day administrative filing procedures and guidelines to revise its Standard Contract Rider No. 56, GoGreen. This revision will update the GoGreen tariff to make it consistent with the reduced rate participating customers are now paying for Green Power kwh purchases. This submission is expected to be approved approximately thirty days after filing, unless an objection is made. Any objections may be made by contacting the Secretary of the Commission, or Randall C. Helmen of the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor at the following addresses or phone numbers:
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
101 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 East Indianapolis, IN 46204-3407 317-232-2703
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor - PNC Center 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-232-2494
Duke Energy Indiana, LLC
By: Stan Pinegar, President“When I see the new kindergartens practicing pickup, my gut reaction is no longer a fist pump but rather a middle finger.”
– DANIELLE WILSON
Ex-Michigan State player chose saxophone over shot at pro football
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.comA former Michigan State University football player, Tim Cunningham had an opportunity to sign a $40,000 free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys.
He wasn’t really interested because football was a means to an education and music was his passion.
“I had 20 credits to finish and if you sign a pro deal, your scholarship is gone,” he said.
Cunningham, a saxophonist who lives in St. Louis, will have two performances with his quartet in the two-day Carmel Jazz Fest. Cunningham will perform from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. He then returns to play from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at The Tarkington. Cunningham needed an early spot because he has a performance scheduled that night in St. Louis.
Cunningham, whose last season playing for Michigan State was 1983, got a record deal with Atlantic Records and his first album, “Right Turn Only,” came out in 1996. Now 61 years old, he continued working as a full-time musician from 1991 to 1998, when the record label dropped all its jazz artists.
“A lot of the smooth jazz radio stations were dropped,” said Cunningham, an insurance adjuster. “I just went back to work and worked on my own CD projects at home. It was bad that you didn’t have a major label out there to promote you with the big money. But it was good that you own your own (master recordings). I was performing two or three times a month.”
Cunningham had some regular weekly gigs in the early 2000s. Then he started performing his own shows in St. Louis and out of state.
“Most jazz musicians work on the weekends,” he said. “The demand for us to be playing on a Wednesday or Thursday is not the same as a big R&B or pop act. It’s
early to hold down a regular job and get out on weekends.”
Cunningham has nine albums, with “Freedom” being released in October 2022. A single, “Enough Said,” with live drum and some piano parts, was recently released.
Cunningham performs a lot of remixes of his favorite song. His best-known song is “This is the Life,” which he wrote with Culbertson.
“But I have to play songs people will recognize and I sprinkle in a few of my originals here and there,” he said.
Cunningham and Carmel Jazz Fest Executive Director Blair Clark are from Lansing, Mich., and have known each other for years.
Cunningham was going to give up football after ninth grade, but he got talked into playing because the team needed players. He had been playing backup quarterback but got moved to running back because of injuries. He started to get letters from colleges.
“I guess God wants me to play football,” he said.
Cunningham played strong safety for
Michigan State, earning a starting spot during his freshman season and remained a starter throughout his career. University of Alabama coach Nick Saban was Cunningham’s defensive backs coach as a senior.
AUG. 11
Gazebo Stage: 5-6:30 p.m.: Brenda Williams & Friends; 7-8:30 p.m.: Tad Robinson Band; 9-10:30 p.m.: The Danny Lerman Band. The Tarkington: 5-6:30 p.m.: The Dave Bennett Quartet; 7-8:30 p.m.: Sarah Scharbrough & Bethany Robinson; 9-10:30 p.m.: Tim Cunningham. Studio Theater: 5-6:30 p.m: Sue Wickliff; 7- 8:30 p.m: Tommy Baldwin; 9-10:30 p.m.: Joe Filipow. Carter Green: 5-6:30 p.m.: Premium Blend; 7-8:30 p.m.: Jennie DeVoe; 9-10:30 p.m.: The Dave Bennett Quartet. Kids Zone/The Athenaeum at Carter Green: 6:30-7 p.m.: Mr. Daniel, 8:30-9 p.m.: Mr. Daniel. Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael*: 7:30 p.m.: Harry Allen & Rossano Sportiello.
AUG. 12
Gazebo Stage: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dysfunktion Brass; 1:30-3 p.m. Tad Robinson Band; 4-5:30 p..m: The Bottom 40 Band; 6:30-8 p.m.: Blair Clark; 9-10:30 p.m.: Evelyn Champagne King. The Tarkington: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Tim Cunningham; 1-2:30 p.m.: Josh Kaufman; 3:30-5 p.m.: Both Sides of Joni Project ft. Alexis Cole; 6-7:30 p.m.: Steve Allee Big Band; 8:30-10 p.m.: College Professors. Studio Theater: 11 a.m -12:30 p.m.: University of Indianapolis; 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.: Butler University Jazz Collective; 4-5:30 p.m.: Ball State University Jazz; 6:30-8 p.m.: Indiana University. Carter Green Stage: 5- 6:30 p.m.: Freddie Fox; 7-8:30 p.m.: Hurricane & The Gang; 9-10:30 p.m.: Pavel & Direct Contact. Kids Zone/The Athenaeum at Carter Green: 2-5 p.m.: Mr. Daniel. Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael*: 7:30 p.m.: Denise Times. The Palladium*: Carmel Jazz Fest headliner 8 p.m.: Spyro Gyra. * Tickets sold separately and not included in festival pass pricing. To purchase tickets and add-on experiences, please visit the carmeljazzfest.org.
‘SOPHISTICATED LADIES’
“Sophisticated Ladies” runs through Aug. 20 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
The Freeform Concert Series presents Fox Royale with Anna Rose at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Admission is free. There is a $25 food and beverage minimum per person. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
SYMPHONY ON THE PRAIRIE
The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute is set for 8 p.m. Aug. 11 and Here Come the Mummies with Rock E. Bassoon will perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 12 in the Symphony on the Prairie series at Conner Prairie in Fishers. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.
‘MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS’
The Carmel Community Players’ production of Ken Ludwig’s “Murder on the Orient Express’’ runs through Aug. 13 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.
DISPATCHES
Russell Dickerson concert set for Fishers — MOKB Presents and The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in Fishers announced Russell Dickerson live in concert Sept. 10, along with special guest David J. Tickets for the Russell Dickerson show can be purchased at npdamp.com. Russell Dickerson’s show is part of the venue’s annual summer series. Snarky Puppy was previously announced for a Sep. 8 concert. For more, visit npdamp.com.
Carmel International Arts Festival music lineup set — The Carmel International Arts Festival, set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 23-24, will include The Hippie Dream, Tim Brickley and the Bleeding Hearts and Tim Wright during the first day of festival hours. Entertainment will continue into the evening with the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra. ART ROCKS is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. with Bluewater Kings Band from Chicago. The music continues Sept. 24 with the Kenny Phelps Trio, Touch of Grass and Phone Club.
SINGLE TICKETS NOW ON SALE!
Spyro Gyra takes Jazz Fest spotlight
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.comSpyro Gyra saxophonist and founding bandleader Jay Beckenstein figures the group’s jazz fusion style is pretty well known in jazz circles by now.
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“We’re going on our 50th year. It’s surprising if someone who likes jazz hasn’t seen us before,” Beckenstein said. “We are conscious of playing music that reaches people. Our form of jazz is lyrical and combines a lot of styles, and people like it.”
Spyro Gyra is the headliner for the Carmel Jazz Fest, capping the two-day festival with an 8 p.m. concert Aug. 12 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts. It is a separate ticketed event, available through thecenterpresents.org.
“Something about jazz festivals is they attract an audience that is really nice,” Beckenstein said.
Spyro Gyra has received 13 Grammy nominations.
Beckenstein said the band will likely perform one song from recent albums of cover songs.
“We’ve done 33 albums and only one had the covers,” Beckenstein said. “At this stage of our career, we find that at least a percentage of the audience wants the music to be from our heyday. An average set for us will be 10 songs, and five of them will be classics.”
Beckenstein said there are three songs that are musts: “Shaker Song,” “Catching the Sun” and “Morning Dance.” He said all three were played heavily on the radio in the 1970s and 1980s.
The band started in clubs in Buffalo, N.Y.,
in 1974 before it emerged as a national act.
“We got our first record out in 1976,” Beckenstein said. “We did our best to distribute that, but we had very low expectations being from Buffalo. In many ways, players in the band, who were very good, were starting to get offers to do other things. It felt like it was a farewell record to Buffalo and a farewell record to the band. The first record did so well that it not only kept the band together but got us a national deal for a second record.”
Keyboardist Tom Schuman, who joined the band when he was 16 before the release of the first album, retired in March to move to Barcelona, Spain.
Beckenstein, 72, said he understands the 65-year-old Schuman’s decision because traveling is hard, and he wants to spend more time with his wife.
“We have found a fantastic player, Chris Fischer, and in the end a little change is stimulating,” Beckenstein said.
In the early days, Beckenstein said there were years when the group played 150 concerts. In recent years, the band has cut back to 60 to 70 shows.
DISPATCHES
Center Presents single-event tickets on sale — Tickets for individual performances for the Center Presents season went on sale to the general public Aug. 4. Subscription packages still are available for the 2023-2024 Center Presents Season at the Center for the Performing Arts. Presented in partnership with Allied Solutions, the season features more than 50 events in a broad range of genres, with more to be added. Tickets are available online at thecenterpresents.org, by phone at 317-843-3800 or through the Fifth Third Box Office at the
Civic Theatre individual show tickets on sale — Tickets for Civic Theatre’s 2023-24 season are now available. The season opens with the regional premiere of “The Prom” Oct. 6-21. This holiday season features the return of “Elf The Musical” Dec. 1-24. In the winter of 2024, Civic Theatre will feature two classics: “Romeo & Juliet” Feb. 9-24 and “Driving Miss Daisy” March 14-30. The main stage season closes with “Anastasia” April 26-May 11. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
Vocalist to return to roots
By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.comAs a former Zionsville resident, singer Chad Mills enjoys any opportunity to perform in town.
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“It’s like a high,” said Mills, a singer who writes and produces his own music. “Any time I’m on stage or stand on a street corner, I love connecting with people. When you can sense that you’re connecting with them, there’s nothing like it.
Mills, who now resides in Hamilton County, will be featured during the Summer Concert Series from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at Lincoln Park 41 S. Second St. in Zionsville. Admission is free.
Mills said singing for crowds wasn’t something he imagined doing growing up. It’s a gift he discovered while studying engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute.
“I was in a fraternity there and a couple of guys in our house played guitar,” Mills said. “I had a buddy who was kind enough to start teaching me some chords and I just fell in love with it right away.”
Mills has performed in the Indianapolis area for nearly 18 years. Besides performing his own music, he also sings cover songs during live shows. He enjoys folk, bluegrass and Americana music.
Mills’ original music is inspired by memories of growing up in the Indianapolis area. One of his popular songs, “The Indiana Song,” reminisces about the things he missed about home during a time when he lived out of state.
For more, visit chadmillslive.com.
NIGHT & DAY
Grant to perform at Center Gala
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.comJeffrey McDermott understands that the Center for the Performing Arts’ annual gala has a challenging mission each year.
ter Celebration, which is set to begin at 5 p.m. Sept. 23. Grant previously performed at the Palladium in October 2012 and again to a sold-out house in May 2019.
FUNDRAISER
“Our goal every year is to create an unforgettable experience for our most vital supporters, and that’s a challenge, because this audience knows what we can do,” said McDermott, president and chief executive officer of the Center for the Performing Arts. “In choosing a headliner, we look for artists who not only have broad appeal but also have made distinctive contributions to the music world. That’s true of our previous headliners, like Chris Isaak and Straight No Chaser, and it’s certainly true of Amy Grant, who has enjoyed great success while also breaking boundaries in the industry. She’s a proven hit with our patrons, and we look forward to seeing her in this intimate setting.”
Singer-songwriter Grant, a six-time Grammy Award winner, will perform at The Cen-
Grant
The event includes a cocktail hour, dinner, performance by Grant and after-parties throughout the Palladium. There is also a live auction. It is the Center’s key fundraising event of the year.
Proceeds from the gala support the Center’s arts and educational programming, including Center Presents performances as well as children’s concerts and camps, book clubs, lectures and music classes. The Center also offers free student matinees for school groups and a Transportation Grant Program that reimburses their travel costs.
Jeff and Shari Worrell of Carmel, serving their second year as steering committee cochairs, are joined by Carmel resident Adam Arceneaux in the first of his two years as a co-chair. Arceneaux is Indianapolis managing partner at law firm Ice Miller LLP, the gala’s presenting partner,
For more, visit thecenterpresents.org/ gala.
Blueprint for Improvement: Outdoor enhancements in Zionsville
Commentary by Larry GreeneBuilt in Zionsville’s Austin Oaks section in 1999, this home’s owners were looking to make their outdoor space more dynamic. Our design included space for entertaining and protection from the elements while featuring low-maintenance materials that make upkeep a breeze.
THE BLUEPRINT
• The existing raised deck was removed and a screened porch, new deck and ground-level patio were built in its place.
• The new porch provides protection from the sun, rain and insects, while the stone fireplace can provide a relaxing ambiance and warmth to extend outdoor enjoyment through the fall.
• An outdoor kitchen and integrated storage were added to make entertaining, meal prep and cleanup a breeze. Trex composite decking provides the look of natural wood with minimal maintenance and added durability.
• Roofing, siding and soffits were carefully crafted to match the home’s façade, ensuring the new porch blends seamlessly into the existing aesthetic.
1. Fair Oaks Farms cow collection
5. Indy Fuel rubber disks
10. Crisscross pattern
14. Black-and-white cookie
15. How pastrami is often served at Shapiro’s
16. Nevada city
Jewelers
41. Part of a Santa costume
44. Tiny bit
45. Mideast nation
46. Sunrise Cafe patron
47. Piercing tools
49. ___ culpa
50. Type of Fishers HS rally
52. Monotonous cadence
55.
58.
60.
61.
64.
68.
69.
71.
72.
73.
74.
skiing champ)
28. Pricey Japanese beef
29. Mental picture
30. Clutter-free
31. Bites like a beaver
33. Envision
36. Ignore the script
38. BBs, e.g.
39. Sharp-witted
40. Unforeseen difficulty
42. Victoria Spartz’ pos.
43. Fear
48. Unexpected winter break, for kids
51. Fiscal gain
53. Sound from a peeved poodle
54. Pacify
55. Milkmaid’s main squeeze?
56. Segment
57. Gobble (down)
59. Ye olde jerk
62. African grazers
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Brian Harmeson (317)414-9146
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Locally owned and operated in Hamilton County
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