March 12, 2024 — Zionsville

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Mayor gives updates at town council meeting

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

The Zionsville Town Council met March 4 to discuss town updates with Zionsville Mayor John Stehr, who presented updates to items

including the comprehensive plan, the recent filling of the town’s communications coordinator position, Zionsville Golf Course proposals and the South Village, among other business.

The next town council meeting is set for 7:30 a.m. March 18 at Town Hall.

What happened: Stehr gave an update on the town’s comprehensive plan.

What it means: The town posted a request for qualification for an updated comprehensive plan at the end of January. According to Stehr, RFQs are applications from consultants to help the town through the comprehensive planning process. Stehr said the town received nine proposals through the RFQ process. With the help of councilmembers Brad Burk and Sarah Sampson, a committee narrowed the proposals to three finalists: Rundell Ernstberger Associates, Hannum Wagle & Cline Engineering and planning NEXT.

What’s next: From noon to 4 p.m. March 16, a joint public meeting of the town council and plan commission will be held at Town Hall, where each firm will make a presentation. “The goal is to merge with a consensus on which company will lead us through the comprehensive plan process,” Stehr said.

What happened: Stehr and Zionsville Economic Redevelopment Commission Director Corrie Sharp gave a presentation regarding the South Village in Zionsville, which, according to town officials, is “envisioned to include areas located south of Pine Street, west of Elm Street, north of Zionsville Cemetery and east of 2nd Street.” According to Stehr, South Village will be a “mixed use development that will include office space, restaurants, shops, parking and some residential space.”

What it means: Stehr said the town is working through a planned unit development document in draft form to provide a code for mixed uses in the South Village. He told the council that the town will direct the PUD rather than a developer. Sharp said the town is looking at previous studies on the area, including the 2021 Zionsville Gateway Area Masterplan, the 2012 economic development plan and the 2014 downtown Zionsville market study and parking analysis.

What’s next: Stehr said the plan is to have a “working copy” of the PUD by the end of this month. Sharp said the 2014 downtown Zionsville market study and parking analysis is being updated.

What happened: Stehr presented an update regarding the request for proposal process for the Zionsville Golf Course.

What it means: Stehr said the town received three proposals for the operation, management and maintenance of the Zionsville Golf Course. He said one “rose to the top,” being the most consistent with what the town asked for. “Hopefully, through this process, we will be able to find some efficiencies to make the experience even better for our golfers and the employees who keep the course running,” Stehr said.

What’s next: Stehr said a meeting is planned with the finalist to negotiate details and that it is still an option to operate the course the way it has been since the town took it over in 2007. He said when the golf season begins around March 15, management discussions shouldn’t disrupt course operations.

What happened: Stehr announced that the town’s communications coordinator position has been filled.

What it means: The town hired Kaitlin Watson to take on the role of the communications coordinator. Stehr said Watson “has a long Zionsville history” and thinks she will “play a vital role in what (the town does) going forward.”

DISPATCH

What’s next: Watson will begin April 1.

Town Showdown — The final event of Zionsville Parks and Recreation’s Trailfest, the Town Showdown, will take place at Heritage Trail Park, 4050 S. C.R. 875 E. in Zionsville, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. May 17. The competition invites Whitestown and Zionsville participants to show community spirit for a chance for the town to win the Big-4 Rail Trail Golden Bike Wheel. Zionsville participants should dress in Zionsville Eagles apparel to show support for the town. Food trucks will be available from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and the community count will be held at 7 p.m. For more, visit zionsville-in.gov/753/Trailfest.

ZMYAC CHOOSES FIRST OFFICERS

At its second meeting, the Zionsville Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council chose its officers for the current term. According to Alexa Lingg, the mayor’s executive assistant, the group voted to appoint Noah Alt as president, Aiden Cope as vice president and Parker Coyle as secretary. The ZMYAC also heard from Zionsville Economic Redevelopment Commission Director Corrie Sharp about opportunities ahead for the town and strategies to help accomplish town goals. Lingg stated the high school student-led group will next focus on choosing a community service project to benefit Zionsville and on collaborating with town council members on how the ZMYAC can best serve the town in the coming years. (Photo courtesy of Alexa Lingg)

DISPATCHES

CORRECTION — In the March 5 cover story, the correct website for Insomnia Mom is insomniamom.com.

2024 Kick off May Coloring Contest — The 500 Festival and STAR Financial Bank have announced the launch of the 2024 Kickoff to May Coloring Contest. The contest invites children 12 and under to participate. The coloring sheet and entry form can be downloaded at 500Festival.com/Color. Winners will be chosen based on creativity and originality. The two grand prize winners selected will receive a scholarship of $500, courtesy of STAR Bank, and a free one-year membership to the INDYCAR Nation Rookie Program courtesy of INDYCAR. All entries must be received by Noon, April 8. For more about the contest entry rules, visit 500festival.com/ kickoff-to-may-coloring-contest-rules.

Brick Street Market — The Zionsville Chamber of Commerce is searching for volunteers to help with Brick Street Market, which will return to Zionsville May 4. Volunteers are needed for several duties throughout the event, including preparation, vendor check-in, traffic control and more. To sign up, visit signupgenius.com/go/9040C48A4AE 2C7-47936785-2024#/.

New gastropub now open

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

The Zionsville Public House, a restaurant and pub, opened Feb. 19 at 10615 Zionsville Rd., in the building that formerly housed Hotel Tango Zionsville,

RESTAURANT

The space had been vacant since Hotel Tango Zionsville co-founders Travis and Hilary Barnes announced June 9, 2023, that the business would permanently close July 1, 2023.

The Zionsville Public House is only for patrons 21 and older. It features a gastropub menu, indoor and outdoor seating, a full-service bar and a game room with pool tables, darts and pull tabs.

The Zionsville Public House owner Marcus White, who also owns The Pub at Anson at 6585 Whitestown Pkwy., said the business is an excellent addition to downtown Zionsville.

“I don’t think there’s anything quite like this, especially in the downtown area,” White said. “There’s no late-night place, for sure. It’s more of a neighborhood pub, and Zionsville didn’t have anything like that.”

White said The Zionsville Public House will soon have patio seating, with the goal to open in April after completing construction projects to make the patio weather friendly.

“We’ll probably do some live music in the summer after the patio opens,” White said. “We want to be respectful of our neighbors, so maybe some acoustic stuff.”

So far, White said the burgers have been the most popular food item, but the menu features an array of foods and beverages.

“We have wings, pizza and specialty items. We will also have rotating beers throughout the year,” White said.

The Zionsville Public House is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

The Zionsville Public House at 10615 Zionsville Rd. (Photo by Jessica Todd)

Zionsville Community High School senior Walker Mattice, right, with his mother, Jennifer Mattice, at the Feb. 24 IHSAA boys state swimming and diving finals at the IU Natatorium at IUPUI. Mattice won state championships in the 200- and 100-yard freestyle events. He also won the Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award, which is selected by the IHSAA Executive Committee and is based on academics, leadership and athletic ability. The award comes with a $1,000 check for the general scholarship fund at the student’s school. The Eagles placed fourth in the team standings for their fifth-consecutive top-five finish at the state meet.

(Photo by Will Willems)

The Zionsville Hockey Club won the Indiana State High School Hockey Association Class 4A state championship March 2 in South Bend. (Photo courtesy of Jenn Kline)

Zionsville Hockey Club wins state title

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

The Zionsville Hockey Club, a team of central Indiana high school students, won the Class 4A state championship in the Indiana State High School Hockey Association title game March 2 in South Bend.

SPORTS

Zionsville defeated Evansville 1-0 with a late goal in the championship final. The team finished the season with 36-10 record.

The Zionsville Hockey Club is a varsity hockey team that competes in the Hoosier League of the Indiana State High School Hockey Association. Players are from Zions-

ville Community High School, North Central High School, Ben Davis High School, Herron High School, Cardinal Ritter High School, Lebanon High School, Pike High School and Western Boone High School.

The team is led by head coach Ben Highsmith. Alek Shahbaz, Chris Clyne, Greg Baranowski and J.T. Turner are assistant coaches.

Players interested in trying out for next season can come to the Carmel Ice Skadium at 1040 3rd Ave. S.W. from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 26. Official tryouts will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 7, 8 and 10.

For more about the Zionsville Hockey Club, visit zionsvillehockeyclub.teampages.com.

Cambri Builders expands

By Tirzah Rowland tirzah@youarecurrent.com

Indianapolis-based Cambri Builders acquired Electric Today in January and plans to open new corporate headquarters in Zionsville, housing both companies, by early fall.

BUSINESS

A nationwide commercial builder, the acquisition of Electric Today brings a local connection to the growing business, and the new building will bring Cambri closer to home for owners Eric McKinney of Carmel and John Vyverberg of Zionsville.

“We specialize in commercial buildouts ranging from franchises to ground-up projects with national developers,” Vyverberg said.

McKinney and Vyverberg founded Cambri, currently in the Park 100 area, seven years ago and continue to look for ways to diversify their business.

“Early on, we realized the competitive edge of an in-house electrical division and have seen it grow along with the company,” Vyverberg said.

When McKinney and Vyverberg heard that Electric Today, formerly of Muncie, was for sale, they determined it would be an ideal fit for their business plan.

“The price point was good and the volume of work they were doing was just spot on,” McKinney said.

Vyverberg agrees.

“We’ve been talking about branching out — what other kinds of businesses could we run and it be kind of a natural transition, a natural fit? And an electrical company was, in our opinion, a very natural transition,” Vyverberg said. “We already kind of knew the lingo. We knew the ins and outs of how to run an electrical division.”

Continued on Page 9

John Vyverberg, left, and Eric McKinney co-own Cambri Builders, which recently acquired Electric Today. (Photo courtesy of Electric Today)

Continued from Page 8

Electric Today also installs EV stations, generators, service pools and spas and provides warranty work and some commercial work, but “residential is our sweet spot,”

McKinney said.

McKinney and Vyverberg said the transition has been seamless thanks to the Electric Today staff and operations manager

Gary Bough of Noblesville, who moved over from Cambri.

The new building, at 6400 Technology Center Dr. in Zionsville, will house the two companies and several tenants (to be named later) and is almost fully leased.

For more on Electric Today or to schedule a service, visit electric-today.com/. For more on Cambri Builders, visit cambri.com/.

ZCHS STUDENTS NAMED SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS

20th Annual

Women of Vision Luncheon

April 25, 2024

Join us in person for a luncheon where we’ll listen to motivational humorist and speaker Desi Payne. Desi, will share “The Incredible Power of Laughter.” As a breast cancer survivor, Desi understands the power of resilience.

Location: Ritz Charles, Carmel

For questions, contact Polly Craig at pcraig@riverview.org or 317.776.7938.

Register online by April 10 at riverview.org/24WomenofVision.

Register Here!

Hear what your neighbors are saying....

Hear what your neighbors are saying....

Hear what your neighbors are saying...

“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.”

“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.”

-Chad W.

“Zoe put our house on the market on a Tuesday and sold our house on Wednesday! Zoe is a dynamo.”

-Elane J.

-Chad W.

“Zoe was amazing!

“Zoe put our house on the market on a Tuesday and sold our house on Wednesday! Zoe is a dynamo.”

-Elane J.

From the first meeting, she was clearly motivated, organized, and practical. She sold our house ahead of schedule and took care of all the details.

“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 the details.

"Zoe was amazing! She got us way more for our house than we ever could have imagined."

"Zoe was amazing! She got us way more for our house than we ever could have imagined."

- Suzanne P.

I would absolutely par tner with her again!”

- Suzanne P.

- Bob S. Call for a consultation today!

I would absolutely par tner with her again!”

- Bob S.

Call for a consultation today!

Zionsville Community High School recently announced the 10 students who are finalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition. The selection of Merit Scholarship winners is underway. Winners will be announced in April. Finalists are, front, from left, Sam Rushton, Cooper Siegler, John Gunderman, Matt Clarizia and Sunay Konnur and back, from left, Principal Tim East, Naitik Rambhia, Sarah Ngo, Shivam Dave, Madeline Wilson and Allie Johnson. (Photo courtesy of Candy Hays)

Greyhounds senior point guard grows as a leader

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School point guard Ryan Clevenger made his biggest strides in leadership this season.

Clevenger

“I had to take that role being one of the only seniors with experience from last year,” he said. Greyhounds boys basketball coach Ryan Osborn said Clevenger filled the role quite well.

“Ryan was a vital piece to our team this season,” Osborn said. “He grew up in terms of leadership, accountability and production. Ryan brought a level of toughness to practice every day that challenged everyone in the gym. There aren’t many productive point guards out there that lead without saying a whole lot.”

Osborn said Clevenger learned how to lead the team when it mattered most.

“His teammates respected him and responded with the same level of competitive spirit,” Osborn said. “Watching Ryan grow into a humble leader over the last

MEET RYAN CLEVENGER

Favorite athlete: Paul George

Favorite TV show: “The Rookie.”

Favorite musician: Zach Bryan

Favorite subject: Business

Favorite vacation spot: Rosemary Beach, Fla.

four years is one of the biggest joys I’ve experienced as a head coach. He takes pride in doing things the right way and it was important to him that he left an impression on our team and younger players that would resonate for years to come. He exceeded expectations.”

Clevenger averaged 9 points, 3.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game for the Grey -

Ryan Clevenger was a key performer for Carmel High School’s basktball team. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Clevenger)

hounds, who finished with a 12-11 record.

“Going 8-2 in our last 10 games was a

For Jephrey, a backache could have ended in heartache.

fun experience as it turned our season around,” Clevenger said. “Especially with how hard those 10 games were, it was awesome to go 8-2.”

In that stretch, Carmel beat then-Class 4A No. 1 Fishers 54-46 Jan. 27 and then-4A No. 1 Lawrence North 42-35 Feb. 1. Both were home games for Carmel.

“Beating both two No. 1 teams back-toback was a great experience for us as we had great weeks of preparation leading into that, so we had total confidence going into the games,” Clevenger said.

Fishers got revenge by topping Carmel 54-41 in the Feb. 27 Class 4A sectional opener.

Clevenger said he still hasn’t made a college choice. He plans to major in business and is considering playing basketball in college.

Growing up, basketball was always his favorite sport to play, Clevenger said.

“I have played it ever since I can remember,” he said. “I also played football and baseball but stopped playing both of them to focus on basketball.”

He stopped playing baseball going into his freshman year.

The sudden, shooting pain he experienced was caused by a life-threatening ruptured aneurysm. The expert team at Community Heart and Vascular Hospital responded with skill and compassion. Exactly the kind of care that makes a difference.

Learn more about screenings at eCommunity.com/vascularscreen

DO YOU JIU-JITSU?

Martial arts expert trains adults, kids, first responders at Zionsville studio

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

John Parson has practiced jiu-jitsu most of his life. Now, the Zionsville resident is combining his expertise and business skills after opening his new instructional gym in Zionsville.

In October 2023, Parson purchased the business formerly known as Endurance BJJ and changed the name to Bushido Jiu-Jitsu, a training facility for adults and children interested in learning that martial art.

“I had been teaching (at Endurance) for about three years,” Parson said. “Because it was not my academy, I didn’t make the curriculum, which had been severely overrun by me. I have put in a curriculum where students have to learn Gracie fundamentals, which is how students start and end up in jiu-jitsu. That was how I learned, and I took over with that curriculum.”

Bushido Jiu-Jitsu, at 5078 W. 106th St. in Zionsville, offers training Monday through Friday and has open mat time on Saturdays. Parson said the most significant change he made to the gym, which has been undergoing renovations but has been open throughout, was introducing new training equipment.

“The biggest investment was for a Fuji spring subfloor,” Parson said. “When we’re doing takedowns, we’re going from standing to the ground, and the mat is now way more instrumental in preventing injuries. I spent a considerable amount of money on redoing the whole facade of the inside with the mats.”

Bushido Jiu-Jitsu will hold a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. April 13 to celebrate the completion of renovations.

“We’re going to have some first responder and jiu-jitsu seminars following the ribbon cutting with food,” Parson said. “We will also collaborate with some local departments in town and Indianapolis. It is quite a big event to look forward to.”

Parson said his depth of knowledge and experience in jiu-jitsu is what sets his training facility apart from others in the area.

“My experience is unlike anybody else around here,” Parson said. “Most have only trained in Indiana, and they just trained in jiu-jitsu. I first trained for self-defense, then mixed martial arts and then jiu-jitsu. I’ve traveled nationally and internationally extensively, practicing and competing. So, it’s considerably different than anything within 250 miles of here.”

Part of Parson’s goal for Bushido Jiu-Jitsu is to train military service members and first responders.

“I have trained with every walk of first responder up into the highest branches of the military,” Parson said. “My goal is to bring that full circle to Zionsville, teaching first

responders like police officers. If you have a police officer who’s more trained, they will be able to deescalate situations much easier without having to resort to some sort of bad encounter first. They’ll be able to control a situation verbally and physically. We teach first responders like police officers, firefighters and corrections officers in prisons and jails how to deescalate situations with jiu-jitsu.”

Daniel Wallace, who has worked for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office for five years, has practiced jiu-jitsu at the Zionsville facility for three years. He said the training has helped him on the job and with his mental health.

“I started jiu-jitsu after I got into a fight at work,” Wallace said. “At that point, (the training) was needed not only to protect myself but the people I am interacting with. If I can successfully execute the techniques I have learned, it limits my probability of getting injured. It makes me more confident and is great for my mind when working under stress. Bushido Jiu-Jitsu is a great community with a lot of great people.”

Drew Warner, a Carmel resident who has trained at the facility for two years, said practicing jiu-jitsu has also been beneficial in several areas of his life.

“I played basketball growing up, and I forgot what it was like to have camaraderie and practice teamwork with a group of people,” Warner said. “It is a game-changer compared to working out by yourself.”

Parson, who lived in Massachusetts and Connecticut before moving to Zionsville, added a kids’ program to the curriculum when he bought the business. His three children, Dean, Jane and Gus, all train in jiu-jitsu at the facility.

“My kids have all trained jiu-jitsu with me from the time

they were little,” Parson said. “Training kids in jiu-jitsu is an important part of the curriculum. At the academy, we have quite a big kids’ program now and are able to train kids and empower them to be what we call ‘bully proof.’ It gives them self-confidence and teaches them to be responsible for their actions.”

Parson eventually wants to visit local elementary schools and provide programs and opportunities for kids to get involved with the academy.

A former collegiate runner, Parson hopes Zionsville and surrounding communities can foster the same “sense of belonging” that he has found with jiu-jitsu.

“You’re celebrated in jiu-jitsu. Whether you are big or small, slow or fast, there is no hindrance,” Parson said. “You can still be good no matter your physical size or athletic ability. I am infatuated with that. It has become a way of life for me.”

For more about Bushido Jiu-Jitsu, visit bjjbushido.com. ON

IF YOU GO

What: Bushido Jiu-Jitsu will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony followed by first responder and jiu-jitsu seminars.

When: 10 a.m. April 13

Where: 5078 W. 106th St. in Zionsville

Adults training at Bushido Jiu-itsu. (Photo by Jessica Todd)

Parson

VIEWS

Sweet dreams of no teens

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

HUMOR

The Wilson family has reached a major milestone, friends. Our youngest turned 20 recently, marking us as officially done with teenagers! Huzzah! And while I’m ecstatic to be finished with that challenging phase of life and know that in reality nothing has changed, I’ll admit to already being nostalgic. My babies are adults now!

The middle school years, I do not miss. They are horrible for kids and they are horrible for parents. Bullies, periods, braces, acne, mean girls, band concerts and that godforsaken carpool line. Ages 13 and 14, no thank you!

But high school and those first few steps into independence after graduation? Those are the memories I cherish. Like the time when our oldest was 16 and called to tell me he’d been in a fender bender, four days into having his driver’s license. It was Mother’s Day. Classic. Or when we busted our other son with a girl he’d sneaked in through the

walk-out basement. We immediately christened him the 17-year-old “Night Moves.” And I’ll never forget the trip to New York with his twin sister her senior year when we waited literally for hours in the freezing rain to get an overpriced-but-worth-it milkshake at a swanky SoHo joint. Of course, our fourth child has been our world traveler, spending most of her 19th year backpacking across three continents. The hundreds of FaceTime calls to hear about her latest crazy cab ride or hostel debacle have brought me immense joy.

What’s up next? Who knows. Grad schools, cool loft apartments, perhaps a wedding or, gulp, a grandbaby. Regardless, the Wilsons are saying farewell to teenagers! Huzzah! Peace out.

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

READERS’ VIEWS

Michigan jury got it right

Editor,

Terry Anker missed something in his Feb. 13 column about the 2021 fatal mass shooting by a 15-year-old at a Michigan school.

In Michigan, a person under the age of 18 may not possess a firearm in public except under the direct supervision of an individual 18 years of age or older. And they can’t purchase one until they reach the age of 18.

The shooter’s mother broke the law, and she could not have cared less. Her son

could have purchased the gun illegally, but he didn’t have to. It was given to him as a present. Also, was it not her that told the child, “You just have to learn how to not get caught?” Now, that’s how you teach your child accountability!

The jury got it right. I hope she takes her last breath in prison, and I hope the father is dealt the same fate.

Mike Abrams, Noblesville

PUZZLE ANSWERS

Answers to HOOSIER

HODGEPODGE:

Doubles: BOILER, DATE, ENTENDRE, JEOPARDY, PLAY, SPACE; Ingredients: BELL PEPPER, CHEESE, EGGS, HAM, ONION; States: IDAHO,

An ‘egg-asperating’ grocery list

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

Do you need help? I’d like to give you some. Help is unwanted in my house. I try to give help, but my wife Mary Ellen doesn’t want it.

HUMOR

She is totally helpless.

This is of her own choosing. If you are confused by this, let me give you a few examples that might be helpful.

When Mary Ellen cooks dinner, I always ask, “Anything I can help with?” It’s been more than 40 years since she could think of something that I would really be of any help doing. I sometimes say, “Is there anything you can help me, help you with?” Nope. Nothing.

On rare occasions, she requests that I go to the supermarket, but she takes no chances with my ability to find exactly what she needs.

“Dick, I need almond milk. I am sending you a text to remind you exactly what to get. It has to say ‘unsweetened’; it has to say ‘Almond Breeze’; and it has to say ‘Original’ on the container. It can’t say ‘Vanilla.’ Now, I will also send you a picture of the package so you can’t make a mistake.”

I ask people shopping in the dairy depart-

“When Mary Ellen cooks dinner, I always ask, “Anything I can help with?” It’s been more than 40 years since she could think of something that I would really be of any help doing.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

ment if they know where almond milk is, and they just shrug. Apparently, these people drink something that comes from a cow’s udder. Yuck!

Finally, I saw a pecan milk bottle, so I bought it.

“What did you buy, Dick? This is cashew milk. I don’t like cashew milk.”

“I figured any nutty idea was as good as the next.”

Once, she requested canned tomatoes and said she would text me a photo and description of exactly what she wanted. But when I got to the supermarket, my phone was dead. I wasn’t taking any chances. I did not want to go back to the store. So, I got tomatoes every which way: Diced, as a sauce and a soup, stewed, crushed, whole peeled, quartered, sun dried and condensed. They

were all wrong. I was back at the store an hour later. What the heck is tomato paste? At least, it doesn’t sound as bad as Gorilla Glue.

Recently, Mary Ellen requested I stop and pick up — get ready for this — a container of egg whites.

“Mary Ellen, I’ll never find something weird like that. I’ll buy two dozen eggs and separate them myself.”

“No, the package must say cage-free. It has to be 100 percent liquid, and it must be zero cholesterol.”

I asked one of the clerks, “Do you sell egg whites?”

“Of course.”

“Where should I look?”

“Inside our eggs.”

Finally, later that day, Mary Ellen agreed she would extract the egg whites herself. This incident did cause some conflict between us, but we made up. Now, only our eggs are going to be legally separated.

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Soprano Brown featured in Indy Opera’s ‘Charlie Parker’s Yardbird’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The role of Addie Parker was made for Angela Brown.

MUSIC

Brown debuted the role of Charlie Parker’s mother, Addie Parker, in June 2015 at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater. She will reprise the role in the Indianapolis Opera’s production of “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird,” set for 7 p.m. March 16 at Madam Walker Legacy Center in Indianapolis.

The story focuses on the legendary saxophonist and one of the inventors of bebop. The premise has Parker’s soul linger between life and death, and his spirit returns to his famous New York City jazz club called Birdland, where he is challenged to compose a final masterpiece.

The Indianapolis soprano said the story follows Addie from a young mother to the time of her son’s death from a heart attack at age 34 in 1955. Charlie Parker was a heroin addict.

“Addie is a role that was created for me, so I was able to put my fingerprints on her first and being able to draw from all of my ancestors like my mother and my grandmother and thinking about all the Black mothers in the community,” Brown said. “When I was growing up, that poured into me. I’m able to put flesh on the bones of Addy and just imagine how she felt having a son that was multitalented that she loved and adored, but that had vices in life and the fear and the anguish and the pains that she gets to come out four separate times in this 90-minute opera. She’s giving you frustration, she’s giving you joy and adulation. She’s giving you fear and she’s also giving you grief, so it’s been great to portray.”

Brown said she has reprised the role in all but two of the presentations. It was the first opera to be performed at the Apollo Theater in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. It’s also been performed in London.

“I never gave birth to a child, but I have three stepsons,” Brown said. “I know how much I love them and seeing them go through as Black men in America. This was a woman before the Civil Rights Movement who was proud of her son but she knew he was a drug addict. He also was married and had a child, but he also was playing around on his wife and he liked white women. She knew at that time she could be lynched or killed in Kansas City, Mo.”

Brown said the music is accessible to audiences.

“You hear the names of the different pieces that he made famous,” Brown said. “It was all scored on a saxophone. You feel the influences of bebop throughout the opera.”

Brown described the opera as a 90-minute “ghost story,” which opens with Parker dying.

“The premise is Charlie Parker is com-

ing back to write a symphonic piece that he’s always wanted to write,” Brown said. “He dies in a white woman’s apartment, his benefactor. So, he has been placed in a morgue as John Doe. He comes back in spirit form. While his spirit is writing this music, he is visited by his mother, his best friend Dizzy Gillespie and his three wives. They are all telling him he’s a genius, he’s well-loved but he has to get off the drugs. Finally, there is a funeral and he is set free.”

Brown can’t remember the last time she performed at Madam Walker.

“I’ve done special programs,” she said. “I’ve never done an opera or some type of stage play, but I’ve definitely sung there.”

Brown said it’s fitting to be held at Madam Walker because Parker performed at the jazz clubs nearby on Indiana Avenue.

For more, visit indyopera.org.

‘BEAUTIFUL”

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

‘DRIVING MISS DAISY’

Civic Theatre’s production of “Driving Miss Daisy” is set for March 15 to 30 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents. org.

‘BOHEMIAN DELIGHT & THE FIREBIRD’

Carmel Symphony Orchestra will present “Bohemian Delight & The Firebird” at 7:30 p.m. March 16 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Dan Hall and Steven Stewart will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 14 and Ryan Ahlwardt and his Friends are set to perform at 7:30 p.m. March 15 and vocalist Maddie Poppe March 17-18 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael. For more, feinsteinshc.com.

ST. PAT’S COMEDY AT THE CAT

St. Pat’s Comedy at The Cat, presented by Dave Dugan, is set for 7:30 p.m. March 15-16 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way. For more, visit thecat.biz.

DISPATCH

‘Guys and Dolls’ — The HSE Drama Club and the Performing Arts Department will present the American classic “Guys and Dolls” March 14, 15 and 16. Performances begin at 7 p.m. in the Leonard Auditorium at Hamilton Southeastern High School. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Visit Purplepass.com/HseMusical to order. “Guys and Dolls” is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. It is based on two short stories by Damon Runyon. The story, which includes New York gamblers and gangsters, had its Broadway debut in 1950 and was made into a 1955 movie with Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons.

Angela Brown performs as Addie Parker in New Orleans Opera production. She will perform in Indianapolis Opera’s production of “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird” March 16. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Strout Photography)

Musical gives fresh look at crime

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

A chorus girl, actress and model, Evelyn Nesbit has been described as one of the first to be labeled an “It Girl.”

READING

Nesbit was at the center of what was billed as one the crimes of the century when, in 1906, architect Stanford White was killed by Nesbit’s husband Harry Thaw. Nesbit alleged White raped her when she was intoxicated or unconscious, but she later had an affair with him.

A reading, which includes musical numbers, of “Evelyn and the Eternal Question” is set for 2 p.m. March 16 at the Carmel Clay Public Library’s Community Room. Admission is free for the Actors Theatre of Indiana’s Lab Series program. A registration link is on atistage.org.

Scott said she knew the story of “Girl in the Velvet Swing,” and E.L. Doctorow’s “Ragtime,” both movies about Nesbit.

“I used to work at the Indiana Historical Society, and they had a tiny collection of books in the break room,” Scott said. “One

of the books in the collection was ‘American Eve’ by Paula Uruburu, which gave a more detailed account of Evelyn Nesbit’s life. I started reading this book at the beginning of the #MeToo movement and during the (Supreme Court justice Brett) Kavanaugh hearings, and a light bulb went off in my head. I saw the pattern of history repeating itself, particularly when someone speaks truth to power and gets damaged by it. Every popular reference to her is always told in cartoonish ways where we forget that Evelyn was a teenager put in impossible situations. The choices were limited then. So, I wanted to explore this story from a victim’s advocacy perspective. Not to judge her or make her a cartoon, but to demonstrate how easy it is to get trapped in these situations with dangerous people.”

At first, Scott was interested from what she described as a true crime nerd’s perspective.

“I love ‘Ragtime,’ and naturally, all of her photos are stunning, but I did not look too deeply into her life until I started writing this musical,” Scott said.

Artist inspired by grocery strolls

Commentary by Randy Sorrell

Al Hopkins walks through the produce section of local grocery stores to “get his creative on.”

PAINTING

His realism art of fresh fruit and veggies is incredibly detailed. The colors are so precise and real that it seems like I could reach into the painting and pluck off a blueberry. Persimmons were a recent inspiration in his highly controlled studio environment.

Hopkins has dabbled in art since his high school art classes taught by the admired James P. Doversberger (1928-2017) at Tipton, where he experimented with oils/acrylics and watercolors before firmly sticking with oils.

After getting married in the 1990s and launching his career, Hopkins took an artistic respite for a few years. His talent landed him directly in the Hoosier Salon upon his serious return around 1996 with multiple showings since. It was quite an accomplishment and soon was followed by exhibiting in the Indiana Heritage Arts exhibition!

The Carmel resident noted that Freder-

ick Ebbesen Grue (1951-1995) is a strong influence. Most of Hopkins’ paintings are 6-by-8-inches or 5-by-7-inches and take between 40 to 60 hours to complete — understandable, considering the extreme details, multiple layers and refined shadows that his still lifes reflect. Visit his Instagram @alhopkinsfineart or his compelling blog anartistinindiana.globspot.com for more.

Tell me your story at rsorrellart@gmail. com or rsorrellart.com.

Cheers!

Scott

Carmel artist Al Hopkins’ painting of fruit.

(Photo courtesy of Al Hopkins)

Randy Sorrell, a Carmel artist, can be reached at 317-6792565, rsorrellart@gmail.com or rsorrellart.com.

THE ULTIMATE Mixed Protein Box

A visit to Egypt’s Grand Museum

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing tour of Egypt, we visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, or GEM, which will soon bring Egypt’s most famous attractions within walking distance of each other.

TRAVEL

The Grand Egyptian Museum is on the Giza Plateau a little more than a mile from the famous Giza pyramids. The massive museum, the largest of its kind in the world, includes 20 acres of indoor exhibit space and a 7-acre courtyard. The cornerstone of the museum was laid in 2002 and completion was originally scheduled for 2013, at an expected cost of $500 million. A series of delays have repeatedly pushed back the official opening, now scheduled for this spring, and increased the cost to at least $1 billion.

The GEM is now partially open, with visitors able to see a small part of the items that will eventually be there. The courtyard features a 50-foot-tall, 110-ton “hanging obelisk” mounted atop a unique plinth so visitors can walk under it and see the un-

derside cartouche of Pharaoh Ramses II. Just inside is a colossal 3,200-year-old statue of Ramses II. The 83-ton statue, which previously stood in a Cairo square, was moved into the building during construction. Several important statues from antiquity are arranged on steps ending with a view of the Giza pyramids.

When the museum fully opens, it will include more than 100,000 items, many of which will be on display. For the first time, visitors will be able to see all 4,549 items found in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in 1922, including the famous gold death mask. The GEM is expected to attract up to 15,000 visitors a day from around the world, three times the number who visit the crowded Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo that now displays some of the Tutankhamun treasures.

Ancient statues at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

The Giza Pyramids are near the Grand Egyptian Museum just outside of Cairo. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Across

1. Like some WRTV newscast banter

6. Eli Lilly and Company inventory

11. “___ voyage!”

14. Deliberately mislead

15. Gold bar

16. Big name in ice cream

17. Send to the Indiana Senate

18. SUV at Bill Estes Chevrolet

19. Ages and ages

20. Michiana city that could be in the state’s menagerie

22. Poor imitation

24. Nary a soul

27. So-so

28. Seasonal Golden Arches sandwich

31. Rock genre

33. Lecherous look

36. FOX59 reporter Graves

37. Workshop items

39. Expunge

40. Peculiarity

42. Futuristic animated TV family

44. U-turn from NNE

45. Mario’s brother in video games

47. Wander

48. ___ Christian Anderson

50. Wildebeest

51. Grill brand

52. Chum

54. Chews like a beaver

56. John Roberts’ judicial grp.

59. Hamilton County city that could be in the state’s menagerie

64. Tuna type

65. Halley’s ___

68. Baby-to-be

69. Bar Louie spirit

70. Public persona

71. Amherst school, familiarly

72. Picnic pest

73. Interior design

74. Most of Santa’s mail Down

1. Sheltered, at sea

2. Shapiro’s pickle flavoring

3. Onion’s kin

4. Nagging desire

5. Garfield Park Conservatory garden type

6. “Same here”

7. Genetic letters

8. “Gross!”

9. Blunder

10. Power source

11. Marion County city that could be in the state’s menagerie

12. Fragrance

13. Big Apple inits.

21. Indy Zoo CEO Shumaker

23. ___ Speedwagon

25. “The Matrix” hero

26. Texting icon

28. What you’d be smart to join?

29. Northwest Indiana city that could be in the state’s menagerie

30. Hinkle Fieldhouse backboard attachment

32. Bullring cheer

34. Ocean vessel

35. Current big shots, briefly

37. Getting even with

38. Full of tension

40. Campfire residue

41. Carry with effort

43. Weep

46. Paintball shooter

49. Had a seat

51. Conflict that ended on Nov. 11, 1918

53. Clearheaded

55. Subsequent

56. Heroic tale

57. Goatee site

6 Double ___

4 “I” US States

3 UND Fencing Team Blades

5 Denver Omelet Ingredients

58.

2 UIndy Colors

1 “Pride in Progress” City

60. Prefix meaning “half”

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024

CARMEL FISHERS

NOBLESVILLE WESTFIELD NORTHERNTOWNS

THE SKIES ALIGN FOR A SPECTACULAR SHOW IN HAMILTON COUNTY ON APRIL 8, 2024

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

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

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

VisitHamiltonCounty.com/Eclipse

Apply with JOHNNY