Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XV, No. 5
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By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
City of Fishers Police Department has reported 27 vehicle accidents between Jan. 1 and Feb. 6 at the new roundabout at 96th Street and Allisonville Road, most happening during morning and evening rush hours and lunch time traffic. Of those, two involved injuries.
The city has made some adjustments with the goal of reducing accidents at the intersection. City Engineer Hatem Mekky said that includes new pavement markings, moving yield lines to improve sight distance, new overhead signage and lighting and adjusting nearby traffic signals to create more gaps for vehicles to enter the roundabout.
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But, Mekky said, the volume of traffic at 96th and Allisonville is higher than it normally would be because of construction on nearby high-volume roadways like I-69 and 465 — and that extra traffic is expected to continue until the Clear Path road project is due for completion in 2026.
“They’re diverting to Allisonville,” he said, noting that GPS apps send traffic to the closest and fastest options when there are delays. “And obviously, with the backups — with people traveling eastbound on 465 — they either take Keystone or Allison-
ville and that just overburdens the whole intersection.”
He said most of the issues stem from drivers failing to yield as they enter because they don’t understand that cars in both lanes can continue straight; or drivers in the outside lane attempting to go left around the roundabout, colliding with inside-lane vehicles that are going straight.
The adjustments — and people getting used to the new roundabout — have made somewhat of a difference, he said.
Stephanie Perry, assistant director of community and public relations, added that the Fishers Police Department also has stepped up law enforcement in the area and that, too, should help.
“The patrols out there are really looking for people who are using lanes improperly,
not yielding, and they’ll be ticketing,” she said. “So, that just happened. I don’t think we have those numbers to share (yet), but I would say in the next few weeks, our hope is that you would see a lot less due to that.”
Mekky said the roundabout was designed for normal traffic in the neighborhood, including future growth. It was not designed to handle a significant amount of detoured traffic from high-volume roads.
“It’s unfortunate that the timing of this roundabout is kind of the same as Clear Path,” he said. “We’re getting a lot of traffic volumes that usually use the interstate and the interchanges, and we have it in a local route and a local intersection. So, the increase in traffic and the volume of traffic that goes into this intersection is a lot more currently than what it normally is.” He said the city doesn’t want to make any big physical changes to the intersection because traffic should go back to normal levels after Clear Path is complete. Mekky said congestion should improve later this year, with more lanes and ramps opening back up on the nearby major roads.
The City of Fishers is planning another roundabout project at 116th Street and Allisonville Road. Mekky said that project, which had been scheduled for this summer, might be delayed until 2026.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
A proposal to build a 15,000-square-foot commercial building on Bent Grass Lane, off Ind. 37 between 131st and 141st streets, is moving forward following a Feb. 5 architectural review by the City of Fishers Planned Unit Development Committee.
Plans for the development at 13682 Bent Grass Ln. include eight units of retail space on an approximately 2.2-acre lot. A variance previously approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals allows one drive-thu less than 400 feet from nearby residential buildings.
City Planner Christy Cashin told the PUD Committee that the Planning Department worked with the developer, Warstler Realty Group, on site plans, lighting, architectural requirements and pedestrian connectivi-
A new retail building is planned on Bent Grass Lane in Fishers. (Image courtesy of the City of Fishers)
ty, as well as mitigating impact from the planned drive-thu.
“(The) current landscape plan … includes standard landscape requirements as well as additional evergreens along the southeast property line that will provide a buffer for residents closest to the drive-thru pickup window,” she said, adding that the department recommended approval of the architectural plans.
The PUD Committee approved the plans
but requested that the developer look into ways of screening outdoor utility equipment, such as electrical meters, on the rear of the building. Architect Tim Cove with Studio Three Design said they were open to that, adding that the HVAC equipment will be on the roof, screened by parapets.
In other matters Feb. 5, the PUD Committee approved site plans and architecture for a proposed new veterinary clinic at 10978 Allisonville Rd., just north of 106th Street.
The clinic, which was not named in the committee reports, would be in a 5,700-square-foot building developed by Khan Real Estate Properties LLC.
The next Fishers PUD Committee meeting is 5 p.m. March 5 at the Fishers Municipal Center Theater, 1 Municipal Dr. Meetings also are streamed live on the city’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/@CityofFishers.
HAND, a Hamilton County-based nonprofit dedicated to providing affordable housing options, recently announced it will begin self-managing its 157 rental units by March 31.
Approved by HAND’s board of directors in October 2024, the decision to handle property management in-house marks a transformative moment for the organization, according to Kerri Hubble, HAND’s marketing and fundraising manager. She said HAND is collaborating with local partners and its third-party property manager, Herron Property Management, to ensure a seamless transition.
Andrea Davis, HAND’s executive director, said the change reflects HAND’s commitment to ensuring a high level of responsiveness to resident needs.
“When we build a rental property, we think about who will live there and what non-housing resources they might need to improve their situations,” Davis stated. “Taking over property management will allow us to close that loop and ensure that residents’ needs are being met in their homes and in the broader community.”
As part of the transition, HAND is expanding its team and is in the process of interviewing candidates for key positions. Hubble said the new roles will enhance HAND’s ability to bring creative solutions to affordable housing.
The transition process is underway and involves planning and staff training to equip HAND’s team with the expertise required to manage its 11 rental communities in Fishers, Carmel, Cicero, Noblesville, Sheridan, Lebanon and Tipton.
“Our residents are at the heart of everything we do,” Davis stated. “This transition is about aligning our operations with our values. We are excited to take this step forward and continue building a brighter future for the communities we serve.”
For more, visit handincorporated.org.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Pro Volleyball Federation Chief Executive Officer Jen Spicher took immediate notice of how the Indy Ignite has sparked excitement in its first season.
So, choosing the Indy Ignite to host the first All-Star Match seemed natural. The three-set match is set for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Fishers Event Center.
“The fan base has been fantastic,” Spicher said. “Indiana supports their sports, obviously their women’s sports, so it was a perfect venue. It was available and they were able to share the duties of holding the All-Star game.”
The match will be televised live by CBS. Former Indiana Pacers player Jalen Rose, whose daughter Gracie plays volleyball at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and four-time Olympic gymnastics medalist Shawn Johnson East, will co-host.
“(Being televised) means everything,”
Spicher said. “For CBS to pick us up in our second year and gift us two hours was really important for us. We’re the first professional volleyball league in the United States and to be on a national broadcast, we’re very excited about that. We’re trying to put together the absolute best event for the fans, for the athletes and the broadcast.”
Spicher said the league wasn’t planning to hold an All-Star Match until 2026.
“It came together quickly,” Spicher said. “My team is fantastic at putting on not only productions and matches, but specialty events like the championship and the draft, which we did live. We decided to rip the Band-Aid off and went after it. It’s been a whirlwind.”
Carmel resident Jim Schumacher is one of the Ignite co-founders, along with Indianapolis resident Don Hutchinson. Schumacher fell in love with volleyball as his two daughters played at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School. His daughter, Bella,
played at NCAA Division III Colby College in Maine and his daughter, Lola, plays at the University of Wisconsin.
“I think the league recognizes we’re doing a pretty good job pushing the Indy Ignite,” Schumacher said. “I think it’s the perfectly sized arena (capacity 7,500). We have some larger arenas in the league, but you worry about filling it. We’ve got great support and collaboration from the Colts, the Pacers, the Fever, the Eleven and the Fuel. All of that matters.”
The NBA All-Star game was held in Indianapolis last year and the WNBA All-Star game will be in Indianapolis in July.
“We want to ride that wave,” Schumacher said. “We want to be part of it the best we can. I know this is a huge volleyball community. I’ve lived it for the last 15 years. It’s a great sports town. We’ve got a ton of support from (Fishers) Mayor (Scott) Fadness and the City of Fishers.”
The three Indy Ignite players named to
the All-Star team are setter Sydney Hilley, outside hitter Leketor Member-Meneh and opposite hitter Azhani Tealer.
Coaching the teams will be longtime Purdue University coach Dave Shondell and Georgia Tech coach Michelle Collier.
“For a guy who has been coaching volleyball for so long, to see what is happening in Indianapolis with this franchise and this new league is really exciting,” Shondell said. “I think everyone in the sport of volleyball is really proud (of the Ignite). The people behind the wheel of the Indy Ignite are doing a tremendous job. We have two (former) Purdue players on this team, so it’s fun to go watch them. The crowds have been great. The environment has been remarkable.”
Shondell is glad that college players have the option to play professionally in the United States instead of having to play overseas.
Shondell’s brother, John, is an Indy Ignite assistant coach as well as a Purdue assistant.
For more, visit provolleyball.com/teams/ indy-ignite.
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.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
After a few years of development, a Fishers-based startup recently started producing specialized “coolers” that keep medical material like vaccines at their optimum temperature for several weeks with no need for batteries or electricity.
ArcticRX was founded by entrepreneurs Shane Bivens and Stuart Lowry, who began their journey working on multi-compartment refrigeration systems to help neighborhoods in food deserts. Bivens said COVID-19 sidelined that project, but the pandemic also revealed to them the issue of successfully transporting temperature-sensitive vaccines and other medical material.
“A lot of organizations suffer, like, 50 percent loss of their products that they ship out,” he said. “To me, that number was alarming. So, we built a — basically a cooler. It’s about the size of a … dishwasher and it allows things to be transported without battery or electricity for close to a month, without needing any special treatment.”
He noted that sometimes shipments get delayed, which can be a big problem for temperature-sensitive items, especially in containers that rely on some kind of power source.
While the exact science is proprietary, Bivens said their containers essentially act just like a cooler.
“If you want to keep it, like, super cold, you can put dry ice in there,” he said.
“If you want to keep it just like regular beverage cold, like refrigeration cold or freezer cold, then you can use water ice. And there’s other things you can use, like those gel packs and other things like that.”
That simplicity is purposeful, Bivens said, because they want customers to be able to integrate the containers easily into their existing systems.
ArcticRX started in Indianapolis and moved to Anderson for a while, he said. They ended up in Fishers in part because of the quality of life Hamilton County offers, along with the support they found working out of the Internet of Things Lab, 9059 Technology Ln. in Fishers, a technology innovation space for startups like ArcticRX to develop their companies.
Bivens said the company just started producing their specialized containers and have a soft goal of making 100 in the first year. That sounds like a small number, but he noted that the items that will be inside their containers are rare, valuable and lifesaving.
“This is something where you have one of something — you have all of your cancer research data, like your cell biopsies, and you’ve got those on petri dishes and if you lose those, you lose your entire business, and that could be billions of dollars of research and time and all the other things that go into that,” he said. “Initially, those are our target markets.”
Bivens said they could ramp up to 80 per week if the demand arises. Eventually, he said, they want to move into a larger manufacturing space and expand their products.
For more, visit arcticrx.com.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
An ice cream franchise that started in the Chicago area is expanding into Indiana with a new shop set to open this spring on 116th Street in Fishers.
Eiffel Waffle opened its first store in Downer’s Grove, Ill., during the COVID-19 pandemic, and despite all the restrictions and supply-chain issues at the time, the new business flourished, said Fishers store owner Kareem Mahmud.
“It was a really good concept for dessert — something as simple as just ice cream and waffles, but it works,” Mahmud said. “It works really well.”
He said the concept starts with quality ingredients and recipes, along with the right equipment.
“It might be silly to some, but even just the ice cream mixer itself — it’s a special one from Italy,” he said. “It really does affect the end result — all these little things together, it really does add up.”
Chicago-based Eiffel Waffle ice cream shop is expanding into Indiana with a store on 116th Street in Fishers. (Photo courtesy of Kareem Mahmud)
said Fishers was an attractive market to expand into because the city is booming. He noted that the company founders are of Palestinian heritage, and Fishers is home to many Arabs and Muslims.
“That was also part of the allure,” he said. “Arabs — they love their ice cream.”
He said an official opening date for the store at 8594 E. 116th St. has not yet been set, but they’re aiming for the end of March or early April — around the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Mahmud said that in the future, they hope to open more Eiffel Waffle franchises in the greater Indianapolis area. For more, visit eiffelwaffle.com.
Boardable, a global nonprofit board management software company, announced the opening of its new offices at the Switch Building in Fishers, 8626 E. 116th St.
“Central Indiana is where our story began, and it’s where we’re building our future,” stated Jeff Middlesworth, CEO of Boardable. “By establishing our new office in Fishers, we’re doubling down on our commitment to this vibrant region, which has been instrumental in our growth and success.”
The new office has more than 5,600 square feet, providing a central hub for the company’s expanding team, fostering collaboration and supporting continued growth for its local employees and those working remotely across the country. A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the new space is set for 2:30 p.m. Feb. 20.
City of Fishers’ Mayor Scott Fadness welcomed the expansion
nonprofit board management company
“Boardable’s growth in Fishers highlights the innovative spirit of our tech ecosystem,” he stated. “Their work with nonprofits, specifically, embodies the positive impact tech can have on communities worldwide and we’re proud to see them continue their journey right here in the Nickel Plate District.”
Boardable serves more than 2,000 customers worldwide in education, healthcare and community and social services.
For more, visit boardable.com.
Scholarships for future law enforcement — The Fishers Police Corps has announced that it is offering a $1,500 scholarship for Fishers high school students interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement. Two previous scholarship winners now work for the Fishers Police Department — Cameron Theobald is a Fishers police officer and Jenna Burrow is a criminal forensics investigator. For more and to apply, visit FishersPoliceCorps.org. Applications are due by March 31.
Sailing camps open — Eagle Creek Sailing Club has scheduled four camps in June for ages 8 through 18 with certified instructors. Sailboats provided. For more, visit ecsail.org.
Polar Plunge at Geist set — Special Olympics Indiana’s Polar Plunge returns to Wolfies Grill at Geist, with registration starting at 9 a.m. Feb. 22. The event challenges individuals and teams to help more than 19,000 Hoosier children and adults with intellectual disabilities by taking an icy dip and raising money for Special Olympics Indiana. Plungers are scheduled to hit the water
around 11 a.m. Prizes include top fundraiser and a costume contest, with a post-event celebration afterward. For more, visit PolarPlungeIN.org.
NPD Summer Concert tickets — The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater (NPD AMP), in partnership with MOKB Presents, has announced its first two ticketed concerts of 2025. Sam Barber will perform June 7 and Chase Rice will perform June 14. Public ticket sales for both concerts opened Feb. 14. For more, visit npdamp.com/188/ Calendar-Tickets.
Fishers Community Center membership pre-sales — The Fishers Community Center, set to open in November, has launched membership pre-sales. The center will offer some features free to everyone, including an indoor walking track, indoor playground, Sahm’s Community Café and gathering spaces. Members will have access to amenities such as the aquatic facility, fitness center, sports courts and sauna. A separate membership for the 2-acre dog park will be available this spring. For more, visit FishersCommunityCenter.com.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Noblesville High School junior guard Justin Curry II understood he had to be more aggressive offensively.
“I say my mindset has been my biggest improvement,” he said. “I begin trying to dominate and attack rather than shy away.”
As of Feb. 10, the 6-foot-3 Curry averaged team-highs of 15.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Last season, opposing defenders focused on top scorer Aaron Fine, who is now a walk-on freshman at Purdue University.
“Now, this year they are all on me and they put two guys on me sometimes, which makes it tough,” said Curry, who averaged 10 ppg last season.
Yet, Curry loves the challenge.
“Especially after I score on both of them, it’s even better,” he said.
Millers coach Scott McClelland said teams focus more on Curry and junior Baron Walker, who averages 15.2 ppg.
“As the season has progressed, he
Favorite athlete: Zach LaVine
Favorite sports team: Chicago Bulls
Favorite musician: BossMan Dlow
Favorite movie: “He Got Game.”
recognized he and Baron are the marked guys, whereas last year he was (the) third, fourth or fifth option,” McClelland said. “I think Justin has done a really good job of rebounding. One of our last games, he had 13 rebounds, and we’re going to need that coming into the (state tournament). The big thing for him is trying to progress in getting physical and getting to the basket.”
Justin Curry II has become more of a scoring threat for Noblesville High School this season. (Photo courtesy of Miller Sports Media)
Curry credits his rebounding success to his mindset to attack.
“Every ball that goes up, I want to grab it, no matter what happens,” he said. “I also put up a lot of shots in the gym. When I miss a shot, I see where the ball is going to go off the rim. After so many shots, I know if the ball hits a place on the rim, I know where it’s coming off. I think that helps knowing where the ball is going to be.”
Curry said he is working on improving his shooting percentage. He shoots 43 per-
cent overall from the field and 33 percent from 3-point range.
Curry said the Millers have the talent to win the sectional, which includes defending Class 4A state champion Fishers.
“We just have to have really good games, and I think we’re capable of it,” he said.
Basketball has been part of his life for as long as he can remembers. He played football and soccer but gave those sports up early.
“I loved basketball and wanted to focus on that,” he said. “I love seeing the results from the work I put in.”
His parents, Justin and Nicole Curry, played junior college basketball.
Curry has scholarship offers from Northwestern University, the University of Illinois-Chicago, DePaul University, Indiana State University, the University of Toledo and Kent State University.
Curry, who plays for the Indy Heat Gym Rats travel team, said he hopes to receive more college offers before making his decision in the fall.
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
Lake Meadows Senior Living resident Joyce Townes, left, led a cooking class at the center and shared the results with other residents. She and her daughter, Cheri, made Stone Soup from a
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
It’s been a decade since Fishers became a city and since Scott Fadness became the city’s first — and only — mayor.
Fadness marked that milestone during his Feb. 5 State of the City address in front of more than 650 audience members at the new Fishers Event Center. He noted that his first son also is 10 years old and, since then, he and his wife have added two more boys to their family.
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am, personally, to be a parent, to be a dad in this community,” Fadness said. “A community that really cares about their families, a community where my kids get a worldclass education in our school system… To be a father and be a parent in a community like this has been the greatest reward of my life. It’s been extraordinary — (and) that physical transformation of my family parallels my other obsession: your city.”
Fadness noted the growth Fishers has experienced in the last decade, focusing first on the city’s economy. He said that in the past decade, the city’s total assessed value has nearly doubled to more than $16 billion, yet it maintains the lowest property tax rate of Indiana’s 10 most populous cities.
“The amount of growth in this community has been astounding,” he said. “And the gross assessed value per capita speaks to the fact that we didn’t just grow a residential base. We grew a commercial base, which is vitally important.”
The residential base did grow, though. Fadness said Fishers’ population grew more than 35 percent since 2010, and now is a little more than 100,000 citizens with a median household income of about $125,000. Fadness said that in the early days of growth, people moved to Fishers from the four corners of Indiana.
“Over the last decade, people are coming from all four corners of the world,” he said. “It is extraordinary when I walk around my own neighborhood and talk to my neighbors about where they’re coming from.”
Part of the city’s economic growth is in the life sciences industry and Fadness spent some of his time on the stage interviewing Cory Lewis from INCOG BioPharma
Services, which fills sterile injectable medications for distribution and is one of many new life-science companies that has moved to Fishers in the past 10 years.
Fadness also talked about his “singular obsession,” which he said is how to run government better. He said that despite the growth the city has experienced, Fishers’ local government has maintained a ratio of five full-time employees per 1,000 residents. He said Fishers has 130 fewer
city employees than neighboring Carmel, and half as many as South Bend or Evansville — all cities of around 100,000 residents. He touted the city’s health care costs for employees, which has remained relatively flat — and will continue to — despite annual national increases in health insurance premiums. He said they were able to do that through a partnership with Community Health Network, and that partnership will save the city about $20 million over the
next five years.
“What does that mean for us? It allows us, and has allowed us, to invest in things that actually make life better for our residents,” he said.
Fadness also talked about projects that are coming up in the next year or two, such as the CityView mixed-use development in downtown Fishers, the Andretti Global headquarters off 96th Street close to the municipal airport and completion of the Fishers Community Center.
Fadness said that, as he looks back on the past decade, he looks forward to the next 10 years.
“I can tell you, there’s never been a minute that I haven’t been anything but completely grateful for having had the opportunity to share in this Fishers story,” he said. “I do believe to my core that collectively, we can seize any opportunity before us and we can tackle any challenge that confronts us, as long as we do it collectively together. So buckle up. We’re just getting started.”
City of Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness made a few announcements Feb. 5 during his State of the City presentation, including plans for a second Target store.
“Nothing says you made it like having two Target stores in your city,” he joked, adding that the downtown Target store is popular. “If any of you have ever tried to get into the 116th Street Target store near Christmastime, or really any Saturday, you know it’s a very, very busy place.”
Fadness said the 148,000-square-foot Target store is coming to 136th Street in east Fishers, south of Southeastern Parkway at Exit 210, with construction due to start this year.
Other announcements Fadness made during his presentation were:
• A $30 million investment from BW Development to bring a new 35,000-square-foot restaurant and retail space to The Crossing at Fishers District, close to the new Fishers Event Center.
• A proposed mixed-use development at The Crossing, which will be presented soon to the Fishers City Council. The development will include multifamily housing and retail space.
• A second AgriPark, bringing the urban farm experience to west Fishers, offering you-pick produce, special programming and more. The
Fishers AgriPark in the Geist area is a popular destination but also is a long drive for those who live on the community’s west side.
• New investments from life-science companies, including INCOG BioPharma Services expanding its Fishers site; and Stevanato Group expanding manufacturing of drug delivery devices and adding research and development.
• Plug and Play, a platform that connects startups to corporations, venture capital firms, universities and government agencies, has partnered with Launch Fishers to bring business connections and resources to Launch Fishers companies.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Steve Wariner has always wanted to play at the Palladium, which is not far from where he grew up in Noblesville.
“I’ve heard about the great acoustics and it’s a beautiful building,” Wariner said. “I know my pal Glen Campbell played there (in 2011 on his Goodbye Tour). Mac McAnally, one of my best friends, just played there. Mac and I have written many songs together.”
Wariner, a 1973 Noblesville High School graduate, will get the opportunity when he performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“This will definitely be a homecoming for me,” Wariner said. “I have a sister and a brother who still live in Noblesville. I’ve heard from a bunch of classmates that said they will be there. I have so many great memories of Noblesville and Hamilton County, but most of my life I’ve been here in Tennessee.”
Wariner, 70, has written many songs for himself and others during his hit country music career. He has won four Grammy Awards and is a member of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He said his most cherished honor is when he won the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year, “Holes in the Floor of Heaven,” in 1998.
“I’ll play a bunch of hits that my fans will be looking for, and then I’ll do a couple of songs that are songwriters’ songs that I wrote but didn’t record that were hits for other people,” Wariner said.
Some of those include “Long Neck Bottle” by Garth Brooks, “Nothin’ But the Tailights’ by Clint Black and “Where the Blacktop Ends” by Keith Urban.
“I wrote a new little song that’s very relevant to Hamilton County,” Wariner said. “It’s tongue-in-cheek and kind of funny. But I’m holding it secret, so I’m not going to talk about it much.”
Wariner said he will open the second half of the show with the Gretsch guitar that he designed.
“I play some electric and then play a homage to my two mentors Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed,” he said.
Wariner will play some of his hits, including “The Weekend,” “Heart Trouble” and “Some Fools Never Learn.”
“I do some medleys, but I don’t shortchange the songs. I do long versions,” he said.
Wariner also wrote the theme song for “Who’s the Boss?” that debuted in 1984.
“I’ll do that and talk about that being my biggest hit,” said Wariner, laughing. “People will always say, “Oh my God, I didn’t know you did it.’ I don’t always do it, but sometimes I pull it out just for fun.”
Wariner left school during his senior year to play with country star Dottie West. She offered him a job when she saw him
play in Indianapolis.
At first, he didn’t think he could leave.
“I left midway through my senior year,” Wariner said. “I was talking with the counselors, and we worked on it. I was able to take my tests early and there was a mandatory half credit I had to do on the road.”
Wariner began playing drums in a band with his father, Roy Wariner, when he was young. His father mostly played country but also played some Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins songs.
“I was infatuated and loved music,” Wariner said. “My dad knew more songs than anyone I’ve seen other than Chet Atkins. My dad was a very gifted musician. He could play fiddle, harmonica and steel guitar.”
Wariner’s oldest son, Ryan, is a guitarist in the rock band Heart. His younger son, Ross, is a music composer.
For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘JERSEY BOYS’
“Jersey Boys” runs through April 13 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
Civic Theatre’s production of “Pride & Prejudice” runs through Feb. 22 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
“Summer Nights: The Music of Grease” is set for Feb. 20, followed by “An Evening With Matt Soverns” Feb. 21; and “Because of You: A Tribute to Tony Bennett” Feb. 22 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Each performance is at 7:30 p.m. For more, feinsteinshc.com.
SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND
Songwriters in the Round is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts at Carmel. For more, the centerpresents.org.
The Belfry Theatre and Hamilton County Theatre Guild’s production of “Little Women” is set for Feb. 21 to March 2 at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument St., Noblesville. For tickets, visit thebelfrytheatre.com or call or text 317-773-1085.
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Kalani Pe’a performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts at Carmel. For more, the centerpresents.org.
Neighborhood Choir Academy set — The Indianapolis Children’s Choir presents its Neighborhood Choir Academy program, 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 22 at the ICC Performing Arts Center, 9111 Allisonville Rd., featuring ICC choral directors, choir members and guest clinician Dr. Anthony Trecek-King. Cost is $10 per child but is free for Access Pass holders. To register, visit icchoir.org/ neighborhood-choirs.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Kendrell Stiff is ready to test his comedic acting skills.
The Indianapolis resident plays the title role of “The Cat in the Hat” in Civic Theatre’s production of the show at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Two public performances are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 1. Eight weekday student matinees run from Feb. 25 to March 6.
roles at Civic Theatre, where he portrayed Angel in “Rent” and Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet.”
“I don’t get to do a lot of character acting, so I’m used to making smaller, less exaggerated movements,” he said. “But with this role, I have to do the complete opposite and it’s an absolute pleasure getting to (do it).”
Stiff portrays the role previously played by Jonathan Studdard, who played the role of The Cat five times at Civic.
“I think what I like most about the role is that it’s a complete departure from any role I’ve ever done before,” Stiff said. “It’s so over-the-top ridiculous that it forces me to break out of my comfort zone, which I am always grateful for. It gives me a way to learn and utilize new skills. And also, who doesn’t want to be a little crazy sometimes?”
The role is different from Stiff’s previous
Noblesville resident Emily Bohannon returns in the role of The Girl for the third time. The other cast members are from Indianapolis. They are Nolan Daugherty, The Boy; Danny Kingston, The Fish; Karen Hurt, Thing 1; and Alex Smith, Thing 2.
The 2 p.m. March 1 performance is designated as a relaxed performance, designed to create a welcoming experience for patrons with sensory sensitivities. ASL interpreters will be at the performance and large-print programs will be available for the visually impaired.
Any student or preschool group interested in purchasing tickets for any of the weekday matinee dates can email groups@ civictheatre.org. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
editorial@youarecurrent.com
The Great American Songbook Foundation is celebrating Women’s History Month in March with a screening of a new
PBS documentary that draws from its extensive Songbook Library & Archives.
“Showstoppers! Great Women of TV Variety” honors artists such as Carol Burnett, Cher, Ann-Margret, Diahann Carroll, Della Reese, Doris Day, Mitzi Gaynor, Lily Tomlin and other trailblazing women who changed American popular culture through the network television musical variety series and specials of the 1960s and ’70s. Hosted by threetime Grammy Award winner Debby Boone, the one-hour special features full-length song, dance and comedy performances as well as interviews with the stars and others involved.
Performing Arts in Carmel.
Following the screening, attendees can attend an in-person panel discussion with the film’s host, Debby Boone; its Emmy-winning filmmakers, René Reyes and Shane Rosamonda; and Holly Foster Wells, granddaughter of the late Peggy Lee and president of Peggy Lee Associates, who is featured in the film. Attendees also will receive pre-recorded greetings from special guests.
In conjunction with the screening, a temporary display in the adjacent Studio Theater from 1 to 5 p.m. March 2 will feature costumes worn by stars featured in the documentary, many of them Songbook Hall of Fame members. Tickets aren’t required to view the items worn by artists including Mitzi Gaynor, Ella Fitzgerald, The Lennon Sisters, Peggy Lee and Eydie Gormé.
The Songbook Foundation will screen the film at 2 p.m. March 2 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the
Throughout March, the costumes will be displayed in the Songbook Exhibit Gallery at the Palladium.
Tickets aren’t required to view the items worn by artists.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Following his 20 years as a standout NFL quarterback, Drew Brees decided to put his Purdue University degree to work.
“I was hoping my management degree would give me the opportunity to give back and invest in the communities that have meant so much to me,” Brees said. “We have three business brands in the greater Indianapolis area.’
Brees and former Purdue teammates Ben Smith and Jason Loerzel formed Boilermaker Ventures. Brees and Loerzel live in New Orleans and Smith lives in Fishers.
Boilermaker Ventures partnered with Indianapolis businessmen to open The Picklr in Noblesville. Boilermaker Ventures owns Stretch Zones in Fishers, Carmel and Zionsville. They also own EverBowl restaurant in Noblesville and one in West Lafayette.
Smith said they have the rights to more than 100 EverBowls in 12 states. Boilermaker Ventures also owns businesses in New Orleans.
Boilermaker Ventures has the area development rights to The Picklr in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The goal is to develop more in the Indianapolis area.
“We’ll support all those when they open up a Picklr franchise,” said Brees, who visited The Picklr grand opening Jan. 28 in Noblesville. “The Picklr model is something I think is going to take the country by storm. When you are a member at one, you have access to all. It promotes the sport and gets more people playing.
There are not enough courts. There aren’t enough outside spaces to build because a lot of communities are pushing back on building pickleball facilities outside next to residential. Here, you are inside where weather is never a factor. People can congregate and create a social atmosphere.”
Brees, a Super Bowl MVP who retired after the 2020 season and is a lock for the Hall of Fame, said it was important to have businesses in Hamilton County and Zionsville.
“This is one of the fastest-growing communities in the country, with the northern suburbs of Indianapolis,” said Brees, who played for the New Orleans Saints and the-then San Diego Chargers.
“What an incredible place to live with incredible schools, obviously right on the road from Purdue. I spent a lot of time here in college, and obviously one of my best friends in the world, Ben Smith, is living here, along with a lot of Purdue guys I played with.”
It helps that Smith, who works in operations for Eli Lilly, is nearby to oversee the businesses.
“We have learned the hard way that it is important to live close to where your businesses are located,” said Smith, who has lived in Fishers for approximately 12 years. “Not only having the oversight of day-today activity but, more importantly, just being part of your local community. When we tried to expand into the Chicago area, we were not successful for those two reasons. Living in Fishers and often visiting all of the northern suburbs due to youth sports makes me realize how lucky we are to live in a great area of the country.”
Commentary by Larry Greene
This home in Zionsville’s Thornhill neighborhood was ready for an upgrade, starting with its hall galley bathroom. With the original layout preserved, our team reimagined the space as a monochromatic modern retreat tailored to fit the homeowner’s routine. By integrating thoughtful design elements, we transformed the bathroom into a fresh, contemporary space with improved functionality.
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Space reservations due: Ad content due: Advertorial content due: March 14 March 17 March 17
Across 1. Basic cable, basically 6. Nuclear weapon
11. Dutch airline
14. Peak performance for the Colts
15. Doing battle
16. “Norma ___”
17. Fun fundraising event at Wolfies Grill at Geist on Feb. 22
19. List-ending abbr.
20. Meeting list
21. Natural to a region
23. Occupy by force
26. Warrior princess
27. Letters of urgency
31. Many, many years
32. IND bag-checking org.
34. Old Italian money
35. Disencumbers
37. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame designer
41. Sports organiza-
tion that benefits from 17-Across
44. Japanese city
45. Indianapolis Opera highlight
46. “Star Wars” princess
47. Apt. units
49. IndyCar dashboard letters
50. High-strung
51. Gillette brand
54. Blood component
57. French manor
59. Dine at Peterson’s
64. Big ___ Conference
65. Sound from participants of 17-Across
68. Wagering option, briefly
69. Sign on a help desk
70. Beginning 71. Sunbeam
72. Type of simple question
73. Cheated, slangily
Down
1. One of the Three Bears
2. Excited
3. Ivy League school
4. IRS agent
5. “Rigoletto” composer
6. Long-time Channel 6 host Harlow Hickenlooper’s real name: ___ Fryar
7. A/C measure
8. Possessed
9. Fridge message holder
10. Mated, as horses
11. Krispy ___ doughnuts
12. Language of IU’s motto: Lux et Veritas (Light and Truth)
13. Muslim holy city
18. Big name in freshly baked bread
22. Case in point 24. “Ta-da!”
25. Country between France and Spain
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Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission 101 W. Washington St. Suite 1500 East Indianapolis, IN 46204-3407 317-232-2703
27. In addition
28. Drinks slowly
29. Region
30. Hoarder
33. Kind of card in a phone
36. Loses traction
38. ___ Piper
39. Vapor Trails buy
40. “By Jove!”
42. Descartes conclusion
43. Talk on and on
48. Few and far between
51. Carmel Community Players performer
52. Butler frat letter
53. Sprinted past
55. Waits in the shadows
56. Stereotypical pirate’s cry
58. Where a 1978 press photo of Indianapolis City Councilman Rozelle Boyd is for sale for $19.99
60. Old Palm smartphone
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