HUB260. 2.2.22 - 2.10.22

FRAME

7DAYS

theFEED

SCOUT

theGOODS

hub260.com

2.2.22 – 2.10.22 (FEBRUARY: HEART HEALTH MONTH & BLACK HISTORY MONTH)

the ULTIMATE friend with benefits!

Call 260.422.6467 or go online to fwmoa.org/gala2022.

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FEBRUARY 2 – 10, 2022

CONTENTS issue details

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7 DAYS events & happenings

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theFEED food & drink culture

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disCOVER engage & connect (260)DAY WEEKEND 2022: 2.5.22 & 2.6.22 a valentine for Northeast Indiana filled with deals, discounts & specials

IN HONOR OF (260)DAY WEEKEND 2022: 2.5.22 & 2.6.22 the first 26 people (x 2) who sign up online on either 2.5.22 or 2.6.22 for a free subscription to HUB260 will receive a voucher that can be redeemed for two complimentary tickets to Purdue University Fort Wayne Department of Theatre’s performance of Dracula: An Act of Destruction (April 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, and 23) or a voucher for two complimentary tickets to a Purdue University Fort Wayne School of Music concert. Concert vouchers are valid through April 30, 2022. All vouchers must be exchanged in person at the university box office in the Rhinehart Music Center, 2101 E. Coliseum Boulevard. HUB260.com

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FRAME creative scene

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theGOODS celebrate the great

Artwork: Sumatran Florist by Alexandra Hall

2.2.22 - 2.10.22

the ULTIMATE friend with benefits!

HUB26O.com

HUB26O / HUB26OAIR

publishing director: sara fiedelholtz sfiedelholtz@HUB260.com art director: joanna gazzaneo social media producer: samuel kahn music editor: andy spinner staff photographer: olivia hanson photographer: jake baker, rod ovitt chief pooch officer: osby harrison

advertising info contact: sara fiedelholtz publishing director sfiedelholtz@HUB260.com, cell/text: 847.736.1387

on-air hosts: john o’rourke & sara fiedelholtz music editor: andy spinner produced at: Access Fort Wayne, ACPL listen: WELT (97.5 FM) Thursdays @ Noon Saturdays @ 7am WELTFM.org

HUB26O.com

©2022 HUB260 is published weekly by OSBY thinkology llc. Any views expressed in advertisements do not necessarily reflect the position of osby thinkology or HUB260.

No part of publication may be reproduced without written permission.

FEED YOUR MAILBOX WITH A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO HUB260 SIGN UP @ HUB260.com.

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7DAYS events & happenings

↑ FUTURE QUEST: Questa Education Foundation is hosting a college & career exploration event. Enjoy opportunities to explore potential careers, learn more about college options and apply for financial aid during the event.. 5-7:30pm. Free (includes pizza). Registration is highly encouraged.

Allen County Public Library, Downtown Branch, 900 Library Plaza, questafoundation.org

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FEBRUARY 2 – 10, 2022

← MORE THAN A MEAL: The Arena Dinner Theatre’s performance of Play On! Gives the audience an opportunity to experience a hilarious look at what goes on behind the scenes as a theatre group tries desperately to put on a play despite unforeseen interference. Show includes a three-course dinner by Walnut Hill Catering and Events. 7pm dinner, 8pm curtain. $40/person.

719 Rockhill Street, 260.422.4226, arenadinnertheatre.org

↑ CLASSIC & ROCK MIX: Caleb Young conducts the Fort Wayne Philharmonic as it accompanies the Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles. The show is more than just a rock concert as it offers up more than two dozen Beatles tunes performed exactly as they were originally recorded. 7:30 pm, Tickets: $27 - $86, Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Boulevard, fwphil.org

↑ OPEN BOOK: The Allen County Public Library is hosting a series of open houses at various branches to share its master plan and to get community input. Dupont Branch: February 5, 10am – 12pm, 536 E. Dupont Road; Shawnee Branch: February 9, 6-8pm, 5600 Noll Avenue, youracpl.org

→ OFF THE FARM: The Downtown Branch of the Allen County Library continues its music at the library series with the Farmland Jazz Band. 2pm, Free. Allen County Library, Downtown Branch, 900 Library Plaza, acpl.lib.in.us → TALKING HISTORY: Author Christopher Elliott will share insights and details from his book Before the Dream: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights Struggles in Fort Wayne, Indiana as part of the Fort Wayne History Center’s George R. Mather Sunday Lecture Series. 2pm. Free. 302 W. Berry Street, 260.426.2882, fwhistorycenter.org

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↑ GO 4 IT: Fort4Fitness’ 21-day Body Reboot is a great way to chase away the winter blues. Making a commitment to workout and be healthy for three-weeks may seem like a challenge, but not when it is broken down into three-day increments. Must register by today. $25/person. Fort4fitness.org

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← SETTLING THE SCORE: The 70th Anniversary season of the Komets continues its home rink advantage when it takes to the ice against Indy Fuel. 7:30pm. Tickets: $14-$30/person. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Avenue, 260.483.0111, komets.com

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CULTURE CAFE: Enjoy a few notes with your morning coffee at Coffee with the Philharmonic at Crescendo Coffee and More.

1806 Bluffton Road, 10 – 11am

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→ TIS THE SEASON OF LOVE: The Fort Wayne Ballet gets in the mood with its Love Notes 2022.Couples may enjoy private stage-side tables with complimentary wine, roses, specialty chocolates and light appetizers while enjoying the most famous duets in the ballet repertoire.

(Tickets: $150/couple. Limited seating available). 7pm, Tickets start at $35, Parkview Physicians Group Artslab, 300 E. Main Street, 260.422.4226, fortwayneballet.org

↑ ART TO THE LETTER: The University of St. Francis’ Mimi and Ian Rolland Art Center features the Alphabet Exhibition. It includes 26 “letter” posters by important 20th century graphic designers including Paul Davies, Tome Geismar and Rosmarie Tissi. Free. Gallery Hours: Mondays – Fridays: 9am – 5pm; Saturdays: 10am – 5 pm; Sundays: 1-5pm. 2701 Spring Street, 260.399.7700, sf.edu

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↑ AROUND THE RINK: Enjoy a spin around Headwaters Park Outdoor Ice Skating Rink before the season ends.

Although usually open Tuesdays – Sundays, the rink will be open on Monday, February 14th and February 21st. And children under 14 can skate free on February 15th. Tuesdays – Thursdays: 3 – 8 pm; Fridays & Saturdays: 12-9pm; Sundays: 12-8pm. $4/person for children under 14; $6/person for those 14 and up. $3 for skate rental. 333 S. Clinton Street, 260.422.7625, fortwayneparks.org

HUB260.com

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Photos by Jake Baker

FOOD THOUGHT ... where cooking & culture mix brings people together to discover new cultures, explore different customs and share recipes.

The show’s theme, Breaking Bread, centers on the most widely consumed food in the world. Every culture takes four simple ingredients – flour, yeast, salt and water – and creates something filled with flavor and packed with tradition and meaning.

FOOD THOUGHT EPISODE:

INDIAN PARATHA BREAD GUEST HOME CHEFS: Abeer Saeed and her mother Reshma Saeed

FOOD THOUGHT’s host Réna Bradley and guest home chefs Abeer and Reshma Saeed

PARATHA BREAD RECIPE

GHEE*

2-1/2 cups Whole Wheat Flour (or flour of your choice) 1 teaspoon Salt 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil 3/4 cup Water Ghee*

Ghee is the foundation of Indian cooking. It’s cow butter that has been heated low and slow, then strained, to remove all the milk solids – caseins and whey.

In a bowl add 2 cups of flour and salt. Mix. Make a well and pour in the oil. Mix. Slowly add cup of water. Then knead the mixture until the dough is smooth and plyable like Playdoh.

It is cooked a step further then clarified butter, which gives it a beautiful golden color, nutty flavor and lovely fragrance.

Make 8 equal round balls. Roll each ball out in a circle and spread a little ghee all over the flattened dough. Sprinkle some flour on top and spread evenly.

Ghee preserves the butter, allowing it to be shelf-stable for long periods of time, an ancient technique practiced for thousands of years in India.

Fold the top and bottom parts of the circle towards the middles and then do the same with the remaining sides to form a layered square.

Ghee may be purchased already made at the grocery store or it can be made at home.

Sprinkle a little flour on the square and roll it out to become an event square. Place the rolled-out dough on a medium-high heated pan. Don’t flip the dough until you see small bubbles form on the top. Gently flip and brush ghee on the semi-cooked side. Then flip again and add ghee to that side. Cook until golden brown on both sides.

FOOD THOUGHT ... where cooking & culture mix on Saturdays 9:30am on ACCESS FORT WAYNE COMMUNITY CHANNEL 2 ON: Channel 57 / Comcast Channel 27 / Frontier

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FEBRUARY 2 – 10, 2022

To make ghee, start my simmering a saucepan of butter

until the milk solids sink, then cook over very low heat until the milk solids turn golden brown. (A pound of butter needs at least 45-minutes, and bigger batches need even more time.)

Butter is around 20% water, so removing the water through simmering creates an 80% yield. In other words, one tablespoon of butter is lost per every five tablespoons of ghee, which is why ghee can be pricey when purchased.

Skim off rising foam, strain the remaining liquid through a fine mesh strainer until only the browned solids remain. This should create a golden-hued liquid ghee.

foodthought.net To watch this episode produced by

thinkboxstrategies.com

theFEED food & drink culture

:: GET IN THE SPIRIT: A new distillery and tasting room has opened in Fort Wayne. The father-and-son team, Kenn and Aaron Scribner, have opened Copper Forge Distilling. It currently offers three spirits rhodium distilled gin, iridium Caribbean style rum and titanium triple-filtered vodka. The Scribners like their vodka to be slightly sweet with subtle character and nothing bitter or sharp. This is why its vodka is made of corn which brings the flavor and produces easy sipping. Copper Forge’s vodka is made from Indiana corn and malted barley, purified water and triple filtered through special charcoal to create a vodka that even 007 would love in his shaken, not stirred, martini. 4830 Jean Drive, 260.633.0014, copperforgedistilling.com. Be sure to check out its special deal for (260)DAY WEEKEND: 2.5.22 & 2.6.22.

:: NOTES OF HEALTH: The Piano House Nutrition just opened its doors. It offers a healthy bar atmosphere with drink offerings of smoothies and teas infused with supplements and boosters. And yes, there is a baby grand piano for anyone who desires to tickle the ivories while hanging out. This is the third location for Piano House. It already has locations in New Haven and Van Wert, Ohio. The health bar is opened Mondays – Fridays, 6:30am – 3pm and Saturdays 8am-2pm. It will be hosting a grand opening with all the festivities on Saturday, February 19th with a special prize for the first 50 customers. 1202 W. Main Street, 260.424.1999. Be sure to check out its special deal for (260)DAY WEEKEND: 2.5.22 & 2.6.22.

:: DATE NIGHT: Enjoy the perfect Valentine’s weekend treat at Sweets So Geek. Make a reservation for 2 or 4 people for 6pm, 7pm or 8pm and the bakery will set aside for a table for you to enjoy a special Valentine filled with its offering of sweet treats. And feel free to bring the kids to show the entire family some love. 6722 E. State Boulevard, 260.312.5758, sweetsogeek.com

:: COOKIE TIME: Take advantage of being able to purchase Girl Scout cookies through March 14, 2022. The Girls Scouts of Northeast Indiana-Michiana have made it extra easy to purchase cookies through DoorDash, from 4-7pm on Fridays and Saturdays or to find a booth visit gsnim.org and enter your zip code in the Find Cookies tool or download the free Cookie Finder app to a smartphone. Boxes of Thin Mints, Shortbread, Carmel deLites, Lemonades, Toast-Yay!, Peanut Butter Sandwiches and Carmel Chocolate Chip (gluten-free) are available at $5/box or $6/box for gluten-free. Gsnim.org

:: JOIN THE CLUB: The Landing Beer Co. is rolling out its mug club.

How it works: join the club for $55 (part of the cost goes towards the purchase of your 20-ounce clay stein from MudLOVE). Your stein will be kept behind the bar throughout 2022 and you get to fill it up for the same price as any of the Landing’s 16-ounce beers. You also get a free top-off on your birthday and as a member your first top-off is on the house. The membership also gets you 20% off all canned beer and growler fills for carry out. 118 W. Columbia Street, 260.265.2022.

Be sure to check out The Landing Beer Company’s (260)DAY WEEKEND 2022: 2.5.22 & 2.6.22 deal!

2022 CUISINE CALENDAR Indulge and celebrate with good cheer & good taste.

February: National Cherry Month; Great American Pie Month; National Chocolate Lover’s Month; National Snack Food Month 2.2

National Tater Tot Day

2.3

National Carrot Cake Day

2.4

National Homemade Soup Day; National Stuffed Mushroom Day

2.5

World Nutella Day; National Frozen Yogurt Day

2.7

National Fettucine Alfredo Day

2.9

National Bagels & Lox Day; National Pizza Day

2.10

National Have-A-Brownie Day

HUB260.com

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SCOUT score at the stores EVERLASTING BLOOM: The problem with sending flowers for Valentine’s Day is that the blooms eventually wither and die… not exactly the best symbolic gesture for everlasting love. But Creative Women of the World has the perfect solution… a bouquet of felt flowers ($10-$26/stem).

And the creative team at the store is willing to create the perfect bunch including a few heart stems ($8 each) and love letter stems ($12 each) properly placed for good measure. The felt flowers are made by global goods partners, a not-for-profit social enterprise that is committed to providing sustainable jobs for women. So not only will your bouquet express your feelings to your mate but also will show some love to those in the world who need it the most.

125 W. Wayne Street, 260.267.9048, gocwow.org

WELL WISHES: If you haven’t taken a stroll on Wells Street recently you wouldn’t know it has become home to several independent boutiques.

Starting furthest north on the street there is Monarch Beauty Boutique (1837 N. Wells Street, 260.209.2121, monarchbeautyboutique.com) filled with trendy fashions to help women get their beauty on. Meraki Collective + Company (1530 N. Wells Street, 260.420.8996, shopmerakimuse. com) is the second location for co-owners Raegan Cureton and Courtney Spann’s take on hip finds and great fashions. Meraki’s original location is located in Warsaw.

The store is definitely girly with a great selection of party dresses and accessories, including Meraki’s very own vintage repurposed designer collection jewelry made from refurbished Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, and Parada

joinFWM.com/purpose

Impacting Lives ...one spool of wire at a time.

At Fort Wayne Metals, we manufacture materials that are used in medical devices around the world, and we don’t take that lightly.

We help people live more fulfilling lives. You can too. Join us.

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FEBRUARY 2 – 10, 2022

pieces. Moving down the street there is Cog and Pearl (1420 N. Wells Street, 260.494.9640) a boutique and gift emporium. And coming to the end of the street towards the bridge is Shaman’s Shadow Artist’s Village (1012 N. Wells Street, 260.739.7489) a place for mixed-media art classes and an art gallery filled with works from indigenous people around the world.

disCOVER connect & engage

KNOW THE CODE. BE (260) PROUD (260)DAY WEEKEND 2022: 2.5.22 & 2.6.22 is a valentine for Northeast Indiana. It is the opportunity for the residents of the communities in the (260) area code to be proud about the place they call home.

These 2-6-0 themed deals, discounts & specials are a way for us all to celebrate and feel great about living in Northeast Indiana.

Note: All the (260)DAY WEEKEND deals are only valid & available on 2.5.22 and/or 2.6.22 unless otherwise indicated. For a complete list of deals and last-minute updates visit 260DAYWEEKEND.com

THE GOODS SATISFY your sweet tooth with a 26% discount on purchases over $20 at Little Sweets Spot. 315 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, 260.200.1015

SAMPLE the spirits at the tasting room for the new Cooper Forge Distilling with the purchase of its 50ml tasting bottles for $2.60 each. 4830 Jean Drive, 260.633.0014, copperforgedistilling.com

POP an extra 26% discount when you purchase six or more bottles of its spirits at Hotel Tango Distillery. 10212 Chestnut Plaza Drive, 317.653.1806, hoteltangodistillery.com

BUY a mixed-flavor pack of a dozen bagels from Shop Two Sixty for $26 and get a free 8-ounce tub of its signature 260 schmear. Deal only available at the sourdough bagels and provisions’ stand at Fort Wayne’s Farmers Market at Parkview Field. 285 W. Douglas Street, shoptwosixty.com

INDULGE in the purchase of two half-dozen orders of cupcakes and get a free cupcake at Sassie Cakes. 1014 Broadway, 260.478.8973, sassiecakes.com

EATS

BUY two dozen cookies and get six free at Cookie Cottage. 620 W. Washington Center Road, 260.471.6678, cookiecottage.com GET an oil change for $26 at McMahon’s Best-One Tire. 4201 Coldwater Road, 260.483.9594; 2906 W. Coliseum Boulevard, 260.206.6051; 5319 Illinois Road, 260.387.6638; 6921 IN-930, 260.493.7088, mcmahonsbestonetire.com TAKE 26% off all orders placed through the 195 Cuisines Charcuterie website. (Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day boxes not included.) Use the code: 260DAY. 195cuisines.com

TASTE a special three course offering for $26 at Umi Fort Wayne. The deal offers an appetizer (choice of vegetable egg roll or pan-seared dumplings); choice of specialty sushi roll (except for Dr. Singh Roll); and dessert (slice of chocolate cake or cheesecake). 2912 Getz Road, 260.203.9975, umifortwayne.com RAISE a glass with $2.60 half-pints at The Landing Beer Co. 118 W. Columbia Street, 260.265.2023, landingbeer.com ENJOY a special $26 three-course meal at Solbird Kitchen & Tap. The offer includes an appetizer, entrée (choice of two tacos, a burrito or quesadilla) and dessert. 1824 W. Dupont Road, 260.451.0052, solkitchenfoods.com

STOP into Tazza Café for one coffee & cookie flight for $12.60. The flight includes two espresso drinks or hot cocoa and a sample of cookies from The Sassy Vegan.

5991 Bluffton Road, 260.248.7285, thesassyvegancc.com

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disCOVER connect & engage FEEL GOOD ENJOY a small tea (does not include any boosters) for $2.60 at the new Piano House Nutrition. Its sugar-free herbal teas can include B6, B12, energy and metabolism boosters, antioxidants and aloe infused water. 1202 W. Main Street, Facebook.com/Pianohousenutrition GET a two month and 60 day membership at CrossFit 260 for $300. (This equates to purchasing a three-month membership and getting one month free.) Membership includes access to all CrossFit, Olympic lifting and endurance classes as well as childcare during scheduled hours. 1425 W. Main Street, 219.309.4123, crossfit260.com ENJOY 26% off all services (including massage, waxing, skincare and Dermalogica products) at Healing Hands Fort Wayne.

Note: This deal will be available through 2.28.22. 6527 Covington Road, 260.494.6905, healinghandsfortwayne.com TRY a Pure Barre class for $2.60. And while you are at the studio enjoy 26% off all retail.

4716 Illinois Road, 260.444.4832, purebarre.com GET 26% off a 60-minute facial with chemical peel (does not include microdermabrasion) at Sweet Cheeks Sugaring Studio. Note: This deal is available through February 28th.

1628 Catalupa Street, 260.909.1773, sweetcheekssugar.com RECEIVE a new patient consultation for back, shoulder, hip or knee pain for $26 at Integrative Health. Reserve your appointment throughout the month of February. 10528 Coldwater Road, 260.440.4636, fortwayneintegrative.com

EATS continued SAVOR a special meal deal at 2Toms Brewing/Full Circle BBQ. The $26 special menu includes an appetizer, entrée, side dish, dessert and beer. 3676 N. Wells Street, 260.402.7644, 2tomsbrewing.com, fullcirclebbq.com

ART DECORATE your walls with a 26% discount on online purchases only from artist Alexandra Hall. Valid on limited edition prints (discount does not include original art works by Alexandra Hall). Use the code: 260AHArt. Alexandrahallart.com ENJOY a fun Wine & Canvas class for $26 at Studi07 Fort Wayne. Multiple classes are offered. Must pre-register. For class schedule and details visit Facebook.com/Studi07fw, 3414 Fairfield Avenue, 260.312.0964

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FEBRUARY 2 – 10, 2022

SHOP BUY some great gifts for your special friends – including yourself with 26% off all purchases at LMODesigns at its booth at the YLNI Farmers Market, Aunt Millie’s Perfection Bakery 350 Pearl Street, LMOdesigns.com TAKE an additional 26% off Jophiel’s semi-annual sale.

(Fall and winter apparel, shoes, boots and coats are already reduced 50-60%.)

Deal is available in-store only on February 3rd, 4th and 5th.

6410 W. Jefferson Boulevard, 260.436.8338, jophiel.com

GET 26% off total purchase at Eye Specs On Main. And because the store isn’t open on weekends, this special is available on Friday, February 4. 222 W. Main Street, 260.399.5738, eyespecsonmain.com TAKE 26% off all online purchases on 2.5.22 & 2.6.22 at CatPeoplePress.com. Use the code: 260DAY GET 26% off online purchases (excluding Phan Gear) on souvenirs and Fort Wayne-branded items from Visit Fort Wayne. Visitforwayne.com/store/ ENJOY special deals and discounts at Peony Rose Boutique. Deals include cardigan sweaters for $26, earrings for $2.60 and 26% off total purchase (excludes sale items). 142 N. Main Street, Roanoke, peonyroseboutique.com GET 26% off everything on SARIBARI.com. Deal cannot be combined with other offers. Use the code: 260DAY. Saribari.com TAKE 26% off all online candle purchases over $35 at Praise Worthy Candles, praiseworthycandles.com GET a $2.60 discount on all purchases of $26 or more at Creative Women of the World. The discount cannot be combined with other coupons and/or offers and does not include LOTUS or sale items. Use the code: 260DAY. 125 W. Wayne Street, 260.437.7217, gocwow.org PURCHASE any small, medium or large bottle of oil or vinegar and receive the same size bottle of butter, garlic or Tuscan herb olive oil for 26% off at The Olive Twist.

Available at both locations: 6410 W. Jefferson Boulevard, 260.436.3866; 203 N. Main Street, Auburn, 260.333.0866, theolivetwist.com TAKE 26% off everything in the online store including golf club covers and accessories at Tactical Caddy. Use the code: 260DAY. Etsy.com/shop/TacticalCaddy DELIGHT in 26% off entire purchase (excluding Ambre Essence and Spanx) at The Find. 133 W. Wayne Street, 260.203.3498, thefindfw.com ENJOY 26% off entire purchase at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art’s Paradigm Gallery. 311 E. Main Street, 260.422.6467, fwmoa.org GET 26% off all purchases over $100 at Mercantile on Main and Spry Fashion. Special discount is offered through 2.6.22. The store is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 11am – 5pm. 1753 W. Main Street, 260.413.5028, mercantilefw.com RECEIVE 26% off all purchases on Sandelite Candle Company’s Etsy page. Use the code: HUB260.

Etsy.com/shop/SandeliteCandleCo

SHOP continued

EXPERIENCE continued

FREEBIES

SUPPORT Third World Fair Trade Shoppe’s employment training program with a donation of $260 and receive a World Atlas (value: $60). Also purchase 10 Wobbly Critters made in Mexico for $26. And for $2.60 you can pick up a box of Organic Fair Trade Tea bags.

611 W. Wayne St., 260.422.6821, thethirdworldshoppe.com

VISIT the Fort Wayne Museum of Art for $2.60/person.

311 E. Main Street, 260.422.6467, fwmoa.org

SPEND 26 minutes doing something new.

COME to the Heritage Pointe of Huntington and get a $260 discount/week (for up to four weeks) during the months of February, March or April (some restrictions apply). 1180 W 500N, Huntington, 260.375.2201, heritagepointeofhuntington.org GET select balcony tickets for $26 to The Oak Ridge Boys concert on Sunday at the Honeywell Center. Use the code: 260DAY. 3pm. 275 W. Market Street, Wabash, honeywellarts.org

BUY NOW, USE LATER

EXPERIENCE GET $2.60 off each general admission ticket for Science Central. This is $9.40/ticket if purchased at the door and $7.40/ticket if purchased online. Use the code: CO2600.

1950 N. Clinton Street, 260.424.2400 ENJOY a $2.60 drop-in fee for use of Turnstone’s Plassman Athletic Center track and pool on Saturday from 9am – 1pm. 33220 N Clinton Street, 260.483.2100, turnstone.org

REGISTER for Fort Wayne Dance Collective’s Winter/Spring Heels Series with AiJaye Crowder and get the three classes for $26. (It is equivalent to buying 2 classes and getting the third free.) Spring Heel Classes are March 18, 2022, April 22, 2022 & May 20, 2022. Register at fwdc.org. Use the code: 260DAY. 437 W. Berry Street, 260.424.6574, fwdc.org

TAKE a 260-minute tech break.

POST 26 things you love about living in the 260 on HUB260’s Facebook page.

SHARE an Instagram and/or Facebook post about why you love living in the (260) with 26 of your non-resident friends.

PLEDGE not to say anything negative about living in the (260) for 26 days.

TRY to hold a plank for 260 seconds or do 26 pushups, sit ups and squats in less than 260 seconds.

TAKE a 2.6. mile walk/run on the treadmill or outside

RESERVE black or white-padded folding chairs for your 2022 event and lock-in the special price of $2.60/chair (subject to availability) at All Occasion Party Rentals. 4620 Speedway Drive, 260.484.3964, alloccasionpartyrentals.com GET 26% off all catering orders placed on Saturday and purchase $30 gift cards for $26 at GiGi’s Playhouse/ Genesis Health Bar. And a special gift will be given to those who donate $26 or $260 to GiGi’s Playhouse.

6081 N. Cilnton Street, 260.482.7529, gigisplayhouse.org

GET connected, inspired and empowered. Join the Greater Fort Wayne, Inc.’s Women’s Network with a special membership rate of $26. Must apply online.

Women.gfwinc.com

ENJOY 26 minutes in nature TAKE a 26 minute cat nap LINGER in bed for 26 minutes longer MAKE a list of 26 things you are going to do in the (260) in the next 60 days PLAN to get together with 2 of your best friends 6 times in the next 260 days

HUB260.com

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FRAME creative culture

Monika Meler T

here is no doubt that Fort Wayne-based printmaker Monika Meler is elevating the art of printmaking with her innovative designs and forms of experimentation that are contrary to the more formal techniques of printmaking.

Archipelago (detail), Relief print, and cut paper

When her prints are viewed there are several elements that stand out. First, is her use of color.

“Color is so important. It is one of the hardest elements to grasp when learning art,” said Meler.

Meler, 40, emigrated to the U.S. from Poland when she was 10 years old. Her family settled in Chicago. While in high school, Meler discovered the work of abstract painter Wassily Kandinsky.

“I was drawn to his works. I loved his use of color and the way he used abstract shapes to express ideas,” said Meler. “When I saw his artwork, it solidified what I wanted to do.”

While in art school in Milwaukee, Meler was drawn to printmaking because of its history and relationship with graphic arts and design. “I liked that it is a fine art form that could be used in contemporary ways,” she said.

She also admitted that because of the machinery used in printmaking, the technique felt very comfortable to her; because when her family came to the US, her parents worked as cleaners in an auto dealership and she would help her parents at work.

“Being around all the machines in the auto shop made me feel very comfortable in a print shop,” said Meler.

In 2018, she moved to Fort Wayne to teach not only printmaking but also the foundation art courses at the University of St. Francis’ School of the Creative Arts.

In her teaching, Meler creates an environment for students to develop their dexterity and sense of materials. She also continues to pursue her creative endeavors and continues to question and learn through the exploration of her ideas.

Meler’s least favorite color is beige.

“It doesn’t make a statement. Color makes a statement. Colors have very deep psychological affects on our optical senses. Color is very complex and it can say a lot without using a lot of images,” she said.

Second, it is easy to see how Meler’s printmaking is very different from the traditional two-dimensional aspects of the art form. She uses lots of stencils and uses the printing press as a way to create an alternative version of a relief process.

“I really like printmaking. It is a very intensive process. It takes a lot to really understand the process of layering,” she said. “I love that it is so active and labor intensive. I am not good at sitting still. I like to be in motion. Printmaking suits my natural way of being.”

Meler believes her artwork allows her to not only express her ideas but also to bring awareness to societal issues.

“Through my current work, I am exploring what is happening during the Anthropocene – the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on the climate and environment,” she said.

Meler brings elements of collage, cut outs and other works-on-paper into her printmaking.

WATCH THE EXHIBIT’S CURATOR TOUR 12

FEBRUARY 2 – 10, 2022

“I am looking at how humans are generally rejecting the natural things around them but in their homes, they are surrounding themselves with images and things that represent nature while the natural world is falling apart all around them. The idea is people are idolizing the natural world as long as they have a hand in making it.”

show & tell Enjoy a creative conversation with local printmaker Monika Meler about her artwork, inspiration and thoughts about abstract art.

A Sense of Place: Abstract Art in Northern Indiana

December 3, 2021 – March 13, 2022 311 E. Main Street, Fort Wayne IN 46802 260.422.1374 | Fwmoa.org

George Morrison When his career as a successful architect came to an end, George Morrison turned his talents to his work as a sculptor.

Morrison, 72, mainly works with ceramics, although he has recently started to experiment with diecut paper. And it easy to see the architectural influences of structure and form in his work.

It is clear from Morrison’s work that both clay and paper allow for the expression of form, pattern, volume and space. “I often use molded, extruded, thrown and slab formed clay as my building blocks for my architectural sculptures,” he said.

For Morrison it isn’t only what he does to the clay to create his sculptural shapes, but also his incredible knowledge of the technical including color, glazing and firing his pieces that give his sculptures their interesting coloration, sheen and textural presence.

Clay has always been Morrison’s material of choice, but he also has begun to apply his understanding of how-to construct forms by using repeating shapes and patterns to create clean, simple yet complex paper sculptures.

“Clay is my go-to material, but recently I have been doing more with paper,” he said. “Clay has its limitations. You must understand a material and how it is limited. Brick can do things that steel and concrete can’t. You must learn about a material and what are its properties.”

However, beyond his deep understanding of building forms, creating balance and designing specific elements, Morrison also has extensive knowledge about clay’s artistic capabilities.

“My interest in clay has been inspired by the summers I spent as an apprentice bricklayer with my father who had a masonry construction company,” he said. “Brick building is essentially ceramics.”

Morrison’s sculptural forms are very much influenced by the material he is using. “I am also influenced by architect Louis Kahn, one of the masters in the use of brick, who taught that each building material should be used as an unadorned expression of its unique qualities and characteristics.”

Working with paper and its ability to be folded, cut and structured, Morrison is relying more on his architectural skills and knowledge of physics than his artistic talent.

“I like experimenting with paper. It is a very different material and behaves in different ways. It is possible to build forms that are very architectural,” he said.

“What is very interesting is that when I was an architect and before we had CAD (computer-aided design), we would build the models out of paper.

It allowed us to make a visual impression of our ideas for the structure.”

Morrison’s paper sculptures are very experimental and offer him the ability to solve problems architecturally while designing something that is functional and visually stimulating.

The inspiration for his current paper sculptures are the designs and patterns seen in the Le Contrade di Siena. (A contrade is the Italian plural of contrada. A contrada describes a district within an Italian city. The Contrade di Siena represents the 17 flags for the districts that form the city of Siena.)

“I really like working with clay and paper. These materials are so closely related to architecture.

And at the same time, every material has its own characteristics,” said Morrison.

“But what I enjoy most about creating sculptures is the process. It is so much fun to experiment and use these materials in different ways and to just see what happens.”

show & tell Enjoy a creative conversation with local sculptor George Morrison about his artwork, inspiration and thoughts about abstract art.

A Sense of Place: Abstract Art in Northern Indiana

December 3, 2021 – March 13, 2022

311 E. Main Street Fort Wayne IN 46802 260.422.1374 Fwmoa.org

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theGOODS celebrate the great

Diane Groenert’s artwork of homes and buildings are always filled with whimsy from her play with lines, colors and perspectives. Now, Groenert can add wit to her skillset.

Taking a big departure on what we have come to expect from Groenert, she is now incorporating words and ideas in an inventive way to create pieces with both humor and artistic flair.

There is nothing like a well-executed play on words.

Diane Groenert’s artwork may be found at the Paradigm Gallery, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, 311 E. Main Street, 260.422.6467, fwmoa.org; dagroenert.com

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FEBRUARY 2 – 10, 2022

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