April / May 2011 NORTH

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The good life in Carmel and Fishers

April / May 2011

Smart ones! Skilled ones! Identical ones!

Grow Your Own Veggies | Explore a Green Home | Hit the (Golf) Green | Enjoy Garden-Fresh Herbs




Contents

a p r i l / m ay 2 0 1 1

features

24 personalities Local students who shine

36 home & family

A modern home on 116th Street

46 home Trends 58 focus

Hardscapes and landscapes

A guide to gardening

70 in the neighborhood Twins take over Fishers

90 travel

The nation’s top bicycling cities

100 health

Resources to care for aging parents

104 arts & lifestyles Harold Owens masters the yo-yo

on the cover

36

Kendall and Keatton Matusiewicz Photo by Dan Brand, Brand PhotoDesign

Photo by Laura Guimond

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90



Contents

continued

at the front

8 editor’s note Sherri Cullison confesses

15 this & that

News and views around town

21 in style

This season’s golf gear

food

80 quick bites Local food news

82 wine, dine & find Three picks to enjoy

83 cuisine

Recipes from your herb garden

86 worth the trip Franks ‘N’ Dawgs in Chicago

out & about

118

110 student views

Local students submit their creations

114 just married Abby and Nathan Custer Kate and Danny Berger

118 our side of town

Palladium Opening Night Gala Palladium Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony The Studio Theater Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Community Day at The Studio Theater Reader Appreciation Night Carmel Clay Public Library’s “An Evening of Excellence”

124 calendar of events Things to do

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114

83


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editor’s note Listen up. I have a confession. Yes, you heard me right. I need to admit something here. I’ve made this magazine all about me. As an editor, I usually try to keep the balance of content square on the side of you, the reader. I send our freelance writers out into the world to unearth everything going on around the northside, and there’s usually so much happening that it’s downright easy to find whole magazines’ worth of narratives to tell. But it’s spring. And spring, I’m convinced, was created solely with my interests in mind. It was, wasn’t it? This all started last year, when I planted a garden for the very first time. Little did I know how much I would fall in love with playing in dirt. There are many benefits to gardening—you can grow organic food, free of pesticides, and it costs less than buying the same food at a store. Having a garden also encourages you to—gasp!—eat more vegetables. (You’ll have so many of them, in fact, that you won’t know what to do but keep eating them!) And growing your own food helps you reconnect with nature. When I fell in love with it, I immediately started planning the story for this year’s spring issue (see page 58). I hope you fall in love with gardening, too. Then there’s the beautiful, modern home on 116th Street in Carmel that we feature on page 36. I am a big fan of mid-century modern living. Andy Castleman and Stephanie Leonhard Straiger’s new home was built in honor of the past architectural style, yes, but it also offers a nod to the future: They had it built to be green. The residence boasts a 95-percent efficiency rating in the heating and cooling system alone. When I sat down with them to discuss the many other eco-friendly features of the home, I very suddenly and not-so-subtly announced I wanted to move in. They were kind enough to not kick me out immediately. Thanks again, Andy and Stephanie! P.S. I’m also available for house sitting! And speaking of travel … consider also our story on the best cities to visit with a bicycle in tow. I ride my bike with a regular group of friends every chance I can get. By now, I’ve ridden all over Indianapolis and several surrounding cities, and if I had more time, I’d head off to every one of the places we featured on page 90. Biking allows you to slow down and take in the scenery with just a little more attention to detail. Life passes us by pretty quickly—it’s nice to just cruise around once in a while. And if you should head to Portland, Ore., or Davis, Calif., or one of the other cities we featured? Send a postcard. I want to hear all about your trip. But who am I kidding? I know this magazine can’t really be all about me. So maybe what I love most about this issue is that it’s about you, too … and your young ones. NORTH magazine is rich with stories about kids this issue. We met several sets of twins who all live in one Fishers neighborhood (page 70); we got to know a busload of smart teens in our Whiz Kids story on page 24; and we even sat down with Harold Owens (page 104), who has perfected the art of yo-yoing to the point of earning Indiana state champion status. And that—I guarantee you—has nothing to do with me. Most days I marvel that I’m coordinated enough to tie my shoes, much less master a spinning disc on strings.

scullison@indynorthmag.com

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April / May 2011 Volume 2, Issue 4

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EDITOR Sherri Cullison COPY EDITOR Katharine Smith CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Brett A. Halbleib Dale Kiefer Jenny Montgomery Amy Norman Jen Stovall Parcell Ashley Petry

ART SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Amanda Waltz CONTRIBUTING ADVERTISING DESIGNER Margo Wininger CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Dan Brand Dario Impini Mike Jenneman Andrew Laker IMAGE TECHNICIAN Bob Kunzman Stock images provided by ©Thinkstock

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING & MARKETING Amy Spillman ACCOUNT MANAGER Maribeth Wood

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The Howe Summer Camp make the most of your summer

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©2011 by Home News Enterprises All rights reserved. Reproduction of stories, photographs and advertisements without permission is prohibited.

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• • • THIS

THAT • • •

Compiled by Ashley Petry

TONE If you’re looking for a gift that hits just the right note, browse the offerings at Klassical Keys. The new Fishers boutique stocks sheet music and lesson books, as well as musicthemed gifts like jewelry, stationery and music boxes. Owner Courtney Bray also offers private piano instruction. 11631 Maple St., Fishers, (317) 594-3418, www.klassicalkeys.net Photos by Jennifer Driscoll Photography

NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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Q&A: Judy Hagan As you dust off your bike helmet this spring, send a mental thankyou note to Judy Hagan, a tireless advocate for local parks, trails and greenways. In the 1990s, she was a founding member of the Hamilton County Alternative Transportation Taskforce and the Carmel Monon Greenway Committee. She also serves on the Carmel-Clay Parks Board, and in her free time she has explored the nation on long-distance bike rides with family and friends. To recognize her efforts, the city christened the one-mile HaganBurke Trail connecting the Monon Greenway and 146th Street. Photo courtesy of Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation

was into biking at that point. … He said, “You guys get in shape, and my friends and I will come over and ride with you.”

What do you enjoy about cycling? When you get back on your bicycle, you feel like you’re 10 or 12 years old again, and you can do anything or go anywhere. What motivated you to advocate for bike trails? I’m an Air Force brat, and I grew up mostly on air bases. Those are generally well-planned communities, and we could always get around on the shuttle bus or on our bicycles to go where we wanted to go, like the library or the swimming pool. When my kids were about 8 and 10, I was spending my life in the car taking them to the library and the swimming pool. Were you biking regularly back then? Not at all. Both of my boys are Eagle Scouts, and they did their bicycle merit badges. It looked like so much fun. One of my brothers

What got you hooked? We did a week-long tour in rural Indiana. The first day of that, I thought I had died. I really did. I couldn’t hold up my head to eat my dinner. On these camping rides, everyone brings their own tents, and it’s very colorful, like one of those hot-air balloon launches. The next morning, the sun was coming up, and I felt so good, and it was so gorgeous, and I thought, “Yes, I can do this.” So, yes or no on those padded bike shorts? The outfit is part of the deal. Actually, they’re very comfortable, and the shirts are all colorful. I have a closet full of T-shirts collected from all over the place. But you at least have to wear a helmet. It’s like wearing a seat belt in your car. What was your reaction to having a namesake trail? I was totally surprised. We all call that the Cool Creek Trail or the Ice Cream Trail, but I’ve gotten a real kick out of people who come up and ask if I’m that Judy Hagan.

Next time the kiddos want ice cream, leave the minivan at home and pull out those bicycles. The Carmel Access Bikeways system signposts bike routes, often through quiet neighborhoods and on nature trails, that are safe for riders of all ages. Review your route ahead of time at www.bikecarmel.com.

• • • THIS

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Roundabout fun facts: Roundabout intersections have 70 percent fewer accidents with injury than intersections with signals and 40 percent fewer accidents overall. Carmel now has more roundabout intersections (63) than it does intersections with signals (39). Three more roundabouts will open this summer, and another 12 are in the planning stages. In 2003, Carmel managed 220 miles of roadway and had 252 accidents with injury. In 2008, the city managed 395 miles of roadway—almost double the 2003 mileage—but had only 223 accidents with injury. One key factor: all of those new roundabouts.

The Other

Circle City

As you drive through Carmel’s 63 roundabouts this spring, keep your eyes peeled for tour buses. About 500 transportation planners from across the nation will gather here May 17 to 20 for the National Roundabout Conference, which will include themed bus tours such as “Multi-lane Roundabouts” and “Commercial-area Roundabouts.” Conference sessions will also address technical and administrative roundabout issues, such as handling peak rush-hour traffic volumes and accommodating pedestrians and cyclists. “Roundabouts are fairly new to the United States, so there’s a lot of communities and state departments of transportation that are looking to implement their first roundabout,” says city engineer Mike McBride. “There’s a lot of breadth of knowledge to be discussed and shared.”


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Masters of Their Craft Three Hamilton County artisans were recently juried into the Indiana Artisan program, an exclusive group of Hoosier artists and food producers. Since it began in 2008, only 19 percent of applicants have been accepted into the program, which now has 177 members statewide. “The bar is high,” program director Eric Freeman says. “The mission is to identify, recognize and promote Indiana’s highest-quality artisans.” Here’s the work of the new members:

Noblesville artist Geoff Davis first honed his wood-carving skills making ukuleles in Hawaii. When he later founded the Blue Stone Folk School, he put the skills to work as a fundraising tool, making and selling the “50 Little Birds” series of hand-carved Indiana birds. The first time Davis applied to the Indiana Artisan program, his application was declined, but he used the feedback to develop a successful application this time around. “I was thrilled when I did get in this time,” he says. “I love the traditional arts, and to be named one of Indiana’s artisans is quite an honor.”

Based in Carmel, Molti Gusti creates baked goods that honor founder Joe Albano’s East Coast Italian-American roots. “We’re based on the idea that itinerant cultures are different from native cuisines,” he says. “As immigrants came to the United States, they had to adapt to the ingredients that were available.” For the Indiana Artisan application, Albano submitted crostata di ricotta, a ricotta-based cheesecake with dried fruit and nuts. “It just sailed through,” Freeman says. “The tasting panel thought it was exceptional.”

Like Davis, Noblesville artist Carol Bell applied twice for the Indiana Artisan program, and she is “really honored to be one of a handful of potters who represent the state of Indiana,” she says. As owner of Blue Moon Pottery, Bell creates pieces that are both functional and beautiful, such as mugs, teapots and vases. “I try to create things that really bring joy to everyday life,” she explains. One of her specialties is pet hair pottery, which uses traditional Native American techniques to embed animal hair in clay—a unique remembrance of a beloved pet.

Photo by Thomas G. Richardson

Photo courtesy of Joe Albano

Photos courtesy of Carol Bell

Want a closer look? Mark your calendar for the Indiana Artisan Marketplace, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 16 and 17 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Expo Hall. Admission is $8 at the door or $5 with a coupon from www.in.gov/indianaartisan.

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It’s Easy Being Green Want to really go green? Put your money to work by patronizing businesses that are committed to an eco-friendly approach. Renee Sweany, co-founder of Green Piece Indy and Green Savings Indy, suggested a few of her Hamilton County finds. Team Green Dentistry thinks green in every aspect of its business, from using chemicalfree steam sterilization systems to stocking its lobby with organic fruit. 11559 Cumberland Road, Suite 100, Fishers, (317) 579-5400, www.teamgreendentistry.com Team Green Sweep offers house-cleaning services with an eco-friendly twist, using all-natural cleaning products that remove toxins rather than leaving new ones behind. 7720 Colonial Circle, Fishers, (317) 603-4039, www.teamgreensweep.com Litterally Divine Toffee and Truffles specializes in decadent treats that are also all-natural, vegan and organic—so your guilty indulgence causes a bit less guilt. Check the website for your nearest retail location. (317) 371-6392, www.litterally divinetoffee.com Photo courtesy of Litterally Divine Toffee and Truffles

NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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Compiled by Sherri Cullison • Photos by Andrew Laker

Finally, golf season is here, and local shops are teeing up with these sweet scores.

Resin golf figurine, $50, MJ Layne, 11760 Olio Road, Suite 200, Fishers, (317) 570-2400

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Srixon Trispeed Tour 12-Pack, three-piece distance and control balls, $30, Golf Tec, 9873 N. Michigan Road, Suite 140B, Carmel, (317) 810-0075

Nike Square Mach Speed Black Driver, $299.99, Golf Solutions, 10730 Bennett Parkway, Suite C, Zionsville, (317) 873-3636

Measure any shot, track your score and stats and store your game data with the Sky Golf SkyCaddie SG5, $299, Golf Solutions, 10730 Bennett Parkway, Suite C, Zionsville, (317) 873-3636

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• • • INSTYLE • • •

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Nike VR Pro Str8t-Fit Tour Driver, $399.99, Golf Solutions, 10730 Bennett Parkway, Suite C, Zionsville, (317) 873-3636


• • • INSTYLE • • •

Ladies’ Nike Dri-Fit Sleeveless Shirts, $49.99, Crooked Stick Golf Course Pro Shop, 1964 Burning Tree Lane, Carmel, (317) 844-9938

Men’s Adidas ClimaCool Short-Sleeve Shirts, $69.99, Crooked Stick Golf Course Pro Shop, 1964 Burning Tree Lane, Carmel, (317) 844-9938

Nike Golf Lunar Control Shoes, waterproof, full-grain leather with Nike Flywire, $149.99, Golf Solutions, 10730 Bennett Parkway, Suite C, Zionsville, (317) 873-3636

NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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Their stories are varied. Their successes are many. Here, we salute the northside’s star seniors … plus a few undergraduates to watch in between. Compiled by Ashley Petry • Photos by Dario Impini • Senior features photographed at Indiana State Museum

Sarah TeKolste PAGE 24

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Personalities

Hometown: Carmel

Sarah TeKolste

cathedral high school

This spring, when Cathedral High School produces the musical “The Secret Garden,” there will be another secret behind the scenes: assistant director Sarah TeKolste. Now a senior, she has been involved in every main stage production at Cathedral in the past four years, and the musical will be her third time as assistant director. TeKolste also served as director for “I Just Wanted Someone to Know,” a smaller production in Cathedral’s “black box” studio theater. The play is an oral history of the women’s rights movement in America, focusing on immigrant women who stood up for workers’ rights. “We do a five-show black box season, and the directors pick their own shows and their own cast and put together the shows,” says Terry Fox, director of the theater program. “She did a really nice job.” For TeKolste, theater is a fun experience, but it’s also a way to explore questions about life. “I like literature, but I think it’s more accessible when it’s put to life on stage,” she says. “It depends on the play, obviously, but there are so many questions that are brought to life by theater, and it’s part of this greater search for knowledge.” Although she devotes several hours a day to the theater program, TeKolste has also pursued other interests. She is completing the rigorous International Baccalaureate program, and she is a National Merit finalist and this year’s salutatorian. She is also one of just a handful of students

to be named an Indiana University Wells Scholar, and she is helping to establish Cathedral’s new service learning program. This past summer, she traveled to Spain with the IU Honors Program in Foreign Languages, an immersion program that places high school students with host families. Students must speak only Spanish during the trip; they’re not even allowed to listen to English music on their iPods. But for TeKolste, who wants to study Spanish, linguistics and second language acquisition, it was the perfect learning experience. Her family places a high value on education, and her mother—a teacher—has often encouraged her studies. But TeKolste is also motivated by a group of people she hasn’t yet met. “I want to be a teacher, so … becoming good at something I’m going to teach is a service for my future students,” she says. “If I don’t succeed now, I’m not going to be able to one day teach that.” Her one regret in high school: earning a B in Algebra II during her freshman year. That grade made the difference between being salutatorian and being valedictorian, and it taught her an important lesson about always doing her best—and never selling herself short. “I think there are a lot of people who have standardized test scores and GPAs higher than mine,” she admits, “but no one is as energetic as I am and as passionate about the things I want to pursue.”

NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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Hometown: Fishers

Kyle Ginty hamilton southeastern high school

When Kyle Ginty joined the school band in sixth grade, he got stuck with an instrument: his older brother’s used saxophone. Some students might have rebelled, but Ginty enjoyed playing the saxophone, and he’s been an active member of the band ever since. For the past two years, he has served as drum major of the Royal Command and Guard, Hamilton Southeastern’s marching band. The position is the band’s primary student leadership role—one that is highly visible and packed with pressure. “I would be the one on the podium conducting the entire band for the show we perform at half-time and competitions,” Ginty says. “And I’m the face of the band when students or parents have questions.” Under his leadership, the band won several regional invitationals and placed third in 2009 and 2010 at the MidStates Band Association championship, which includes schools from Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan. This year’s show featured the music of Stevie Wonder, with songs such as “Isn’t She Lovely” and “Lately.” “It got stressful for sure, but it was fun,” he says. His final high school marching band season ended in November, but Ginty still participates in concert band, which meets as a regular class, and in the jazz band that rehearses after school. Ginty carries his leadership skills into other areas, as well. He is a three-year member of Student Council, serving for one year on the executive board. He has also worked with the youth ministry at Holy Spirit Parish at Geist, where he has led confirmation retreats and held a summer internship. In school, he enjoys business classes, such as marketing, sports marketing and business management. This fall, he’ll study business at Indiana University—where no doubt he’ll be a valuable addition to the university’s famous Marching Hundred.

Kyle Ginty PAGE 26

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Hometown: Carmel

Anita Wang carmel high school

For many teenagers, the best part of turning 16 is finally getting a driver’s license. For Anita Wang, however, it was being able to volunteer without parental supervision at the Humane Society for Hamilton County. “I was counting the days,” says Wang, who adopted her dog, Chips, from a shelter years ago. “Every time I go there, (I enjoy) seeing the dogs and how happy they are, and knowing that they have people who care for them.” Now a senior at Carmel High School, Wang also wanted to share her love of animals with fellow students. So last year she and two friends, Katie Moorman and Charu Dwivedi, founded Paws 4 Cause, the school’s first animal-related club. Through bake sales, community dog washes and chocolate sales, the club has raised thousands of dollars for organizations such as the Marine Mammal Conservancy and the humane society. The secret: Organizing events that let volunteers choose their level of commitment, whether that be making a batch of brownies in 15 minutes or staffing an event for three hours. “They’ve helped us with several events and have raised over $2,000 for our animals in the past year,” says Mandy Maxwell, community outreach coordinator for the Humane Society for Hamilton County. “(Wang) has been an integral part of the success of the group.” Wang hopes to be a veterinarian one day, so in school she focuses on science classes like biology and chemistry. She also participates in National Honor Society and the school’s environmental club. Her advice to younger students: Get involved. “Be open to a lot of things, and if a little thing catches your interest, go try it out,” she says.

Anita Wang

Dalton Byerly, freshman

Ali MacAllister, junior

University High School

University High School

Byerly is a 4.0 student and a goalie on the soccer team, but he also trains in competitive gymnastics five nights a week. After eight years of training, he has reached level 10 in competition, and his strongest event is the floor exercise.

MacAllister is a three-sport athlete, playing soccer, basketball and tennis, and she carries a 4.24 GPA with multiple Advanced Placement courses in her schedule. On her own time—what little she has—she serves as editor of the yearbook.

NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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Hometown: Fortville

Destini Long PAGE 28

NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

Destini Long hamilton southeastern high school

Destini Long’s mother, Traci Long, remembers her daughter’s interest in fashion taking off when she was just 8 years old, during Destini’s “Limited Too days,” Traci says. “I think it was then that I began to notice her true passion for fashion, shopping and really developing her own sense of style.” When Destini was in the sixth grade, she got her first sewing machine. Not long after she says she knew the course her life would take. She believed she would one day become a fashion designer. These days, however, the vision is a little different. After taking a marketing class as part of her high school coursework, Destini was “intrigued by the combination of fashion and marketing,” her mother explains. “Not only could she be instrumental in determining how successful the line would be, she could also identify what consumer groups would be most interested.” “I had such a love for fashion, and I had such a strong love for marketing and business,” Destini explains. “I thought why not mix them together?” Mix them together she does—on various school projects, including Hamilton Southeastern’s first fashion show in 2010, for which she handled the marketing. “I made sure people knew about it, and I was in charge of getting people to come to the event,” she says. “It went well.” Destini will serve as co-commentator with her twin brother, Donovan, for this year’s event. The well-dressed senior has also completed a slew of business and marketing-related courses. At press time, she was gearing up for a competition sponsored by Distributive Education Clubs of America, a national club that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. For the competition, Destini created a marketing proposal to generate merchandise sales and consumer traffic for DSW Shoe Warehouse. This blend of coursework and real-world retail, she hopes, will prepare her for her future endeavors. This fall, she plans to begin working toward a degree at Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga., where she will major in fashion marketing and minor in interior design. And, from there, the sky—along with the hemline—is the limit. Her dream job, she says, would be to serve as a personal stylist to a celebrity. If all goes well, however, Destini Long will be celebrity enough on her own. — Sherri Cullison


Lyndon Ji and Youkow Homma, juniors Carmel High School With teammate Jeffrey Shen, a senior at Park Tudor School, Ji and Homma researched a basic problem of quantum theory, the quantum harmonic oscillator, and placed second nationwide in the 2010 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology. Ji also placed fifth nationally in the 2010 American Regional Mathematics League and has won many other math and science competitions. Homma, meanwhile, plays varsity golf, plays flute in the band and received top honors in the 2010 USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad.

Courtney Kingston, freshman Carmel High School Kingston trains six days a week at the Central Indiana Academy of Dance, where she is a member of the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She also earns high grades and is an active member of Key Club, a volunteer organization, and Student Venture, a Christian student group.

Gregory Dugdale, sophomore Carmel High School An entrepreneur since he was 12 years old, Dugdale is a lifelong member of the Indianapolis Art Center. His pieces, such as handbags made from recycled materials, are top sellers at the center’s gift shop. He also maintains a double booth at the annual Orchard in Bloom garden show at Holliday Park, where he sells jewelry, paintings, tie-dyed pieces, scarves and handbags. His current project: a hand-knitted ball gown inspired by the ’60s.

NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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Jeffrey Shen PAGE 30

NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com


Hometown: Fortville

Jeffrey Shen park tudor school

One of the most fundamental problems in quantum theory is the quantum harmonic oscillator. You’ve probably never heard of it, if you’ve heard of quantum theory at all. But Jeffrey Shen, a senior at Park Tudor School, has studied the issue in depth and received recognition for the quality of his research. With teammates Youkow Homma and Lyndon Ji, both juniors at Carmel High School, Shen developed a project called “A Study of Nearest Neighbor Distances on a Circle: Multidimensional Case,” which examined the behavior of the quantum harmonic oscillator. In December, the project placed first regionally and second nationally in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology, the nation’s highest science-related honor for high school students. The recognition includes a $50,000 scholarship, divided among the three teammates. “The quantum harmonic oscillator models how atoms behave and interact with each other on a small scale, so we approached it mainly from a mathematical point of view,” Shen explains. When he isn’t studying the behavior of atoms, Shen is participating in other competitions, such as the U.S. Mathematical, Physics and Computing Olympiads. He hopes to make this year’s United States Math Team, a group of six students who represent their country in the International Mathematical Olympiad. He also works as an assistant in a bioinformatics lab at IUPUI, and in his spare time he scoops up gold medals at the Indiana State Piano Competition. Not surprisingly, his favorite school subject is math. “I find the things you can do with math really interesting,” he says. “Math has all sorts of applications in a variety of different areas of the sciences, and I think it really is the basis of those subject areas.” This fall, he plans to study math, computer science or both, perhaps at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Purdue University or the California Institute of Technology. At press time, he had been accepted to all three universities but was “leaning toward MIT.” Once there, he plans to pursue a career as a professor and researcher, a career for which he already has more practical experience than many graduate students.

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Hometown: Fishers

Guy Valponi, junior, Cathedral High School During spring break, Valponi heads to South Carolina, where he volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and assists a youth ministry there. At home, he serves as head usher at Cathedral and coordinates confirmation retreats at his church, Holy Spirit Parish at Geist. He is also an honors student and serves as a yearbook section editor.

Elly McGuffog, junior Hamilton Southeastern High School After being named to the Indiana Soccer Coaches Association’s Second Team All-State as a sophomore, McGuffog made the First Team All-State this year. Despite a busy practice schedule, she maintains a 4.3 GPA.

Megan Noonan, junior, Carmel High School Noonan trains at the Central Indiana Academy of Dance, where she is a member of the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble and studies ballet, jazz and modern dance. She has won several regional competitions and recently earned a full scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School’s intensive summer program in New York City.

Jacob Baldwin, junior Park Tudor School For his Eagle Scout project, Baldwin worked with the Project KID Network to equip a portable day care center for disaster areas, which is stored at Riverview Hospital. The following year, as chairman of the network’s national youth advisory board, he established Operation Safeguard, a week-long disaster training program for middle and high school students. Baldwin is now planning another training program for this summer and working with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to adapt the curriculum for other groups.

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Annie Sheppard Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School

In the midst of passionate battles about culture and religion—fought between both neighbors and nations—senior Annie Sheppard is passionate about something else: tolerance. Last year, she co-founded Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School’s Co-Exist Club, whose members promote religious tolerance by attending the worship services of other faiths. “She is expanding her awareness of the world and the options in the world for her as an adult,” says Ramsay Harik, a religion teacher and the club’s sponsor. “She has a real maturity of mind and spirit.” The Co-Exist Club is one of many ways that Sheppard works “to be in touch with the global community.” This past summer, she traveled to Oviedo, Spain, with the Indiana University Honors Program in Foreign Languages, where she lived with a host family and immersed herself in Spanish language and culture. She also has traveled to Argentina, and she visited Barcelona, Spain, during a spring break exchange trip. “I’m always looking to learn new things,” she says. “I just like learning about new cultures and new people.” Closer to home, Sheppard volunteers with Exodus Refugee Immigration, which last year helped settle more than 650 immigrants to Indianapolis from Burma, Iraq, Somalia, Iran and other nations. At first, she assisted with child care while adults were taking English as a Second Language classes. Soon, she was teaching the ESL classes herself—even though she and the students didn’t share a common language. “It was a completely new challenge to me, teaching somebody English when I don’t speak their language,” she says. “It was a good experience nonetheless. You make games out of it, because everybody loves games.” At school, Sheppard enjoys her Spanish studies, as well as classes in economics, history and government. She also plays tennis and is a four-year varsity football cheerleader. She hasn’t yet chosen a college, but she hopes for a career with an international component, such as diplomacy or immigration law. Her advice for younger students: Follow your passion. “Get involved in the activities you feel passionately about from the start,” she says. “If you don’t know what you’re passionate about, then take a chance and try new activities.”


Annie Sheppard NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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David Zheng PAGE 34

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Hometown: Carmel

David Zheng carmel high school

By all accounts, David Zheng is the perfect student. A senior at Carmel High School, he has a 4.5 GPA and earned a rare perfect score, 2400, on the SAT. He earned the highest possible score on seven different Advanced Placement tests, on topics ranging from chemistry to literature. He has also conducted biomedical research at the IU School of Medicine, and the scientific journal Applied Radiation and Isotopes recently published one of his co-authored papers. The Intel Science Talent Search and the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology also recognized his research. Zheng also serves as managing editor of the HiLite student newspaper, senior class vice president, head delegate for the Model United Nations and board member for Key Club, a community service organization. And, to top it all off, Zheng is a selftaught break dancer. In 2008, he started a break-dancing club at Carmel High School, and the performance group often wins “fan favorite” awards at talent shows and fundraising events. “I used to play piano and violin, but I didn’t think they were good ways to express myself,” Zheng says. “Break dancing was a way to express myself but still be able to perform and use music to show who I am.” Despite his myriad achievements, Zheng admits that some things don’t come easily. He is a four-year member of the track team, but he’s never made varsity. During his first practice as a freshman, he fell so far behind the other runners that he actually got lost. But he worked hard, and that year he cut his running time per mile from 6:40 to 5:49. “That helped me get out of my comfort zone, and I ended up loving it,” he says. “Through all of high school, what I’m most proud of is getting out of my comfort zone, doing things I wouldn’t have thought of and realizing, ‘Oh, this is great.’” Zheng hasn’t yet chosen a college, but he plans to study medicine, specifically neuroscience, focusing not on research but on direct patient care. “I found out in high school that, sure, it’s great to have academic accomplishments, but I feel like I’ve accomplished the most in my relationships with other people,” he says. o

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Home & Family

Couple’s newly constructed house marries mid-20th century style with green technology Story by Sherri Cullison • Photos by Dario Impini

Andy Castleman gently dropped the needle onto a Tito Puente record in the vintage Admiral record player. He turned to face his partner, Stephanie Leonhard Straiger, and smiled. The pair moved toward one another, locked arms and danced. It was the couple’s first dance in their new home. This moment had, at times, seemed as though it would never come. When move-in day finally arrived early this year, Castleman and Straiger had spent the past two years designing and discussing, overseeing construction and picking out paint swatches and reproduction fabrics. And that’s not to mention the hours spent packing two homes’ worth of belongings. Celebrate with music, sure, but it had taken much more than a song and dance to get them here.

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Stephanie Leonhard Straiger and Andy Castleman PAGE 38

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A Cinematic Entrance

In early 2009, Straiger says, she and Castleman were watching “The Incredibles” when it occurred to her that she wanted to live in a house like the Parr family’s home in the animated feature. The house was mid-century modern in style, with ample windows, an open floor plan and a flat roofline. Both Castleman and Straiger owned their own homes at the time and had been discussing plans to move in with one another. The question, then, was where to find the perfect mid-century abode. Straiger already lived in Carmel’s Arts & Design district, and she loved the walking access to Carmel’s downtown and the Monon Trail it afforded her. Wherever the pair moved, they wanted to stay close. They looked around the Carmel area, specifically in the Thornhurst neighborhood where midcentury modern homes are in abundance. “We looked at a lot of existing mid-centuries, but there were elements of each home that we didn’t really like,” Castleman said. “The closets were small, or the home didn’t have a detached garage.” The houses “just didn’t work for the year 2011,” Straiger added. Eventually, the couple decided to build—Castleman even tried his hand at home design by creating the

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original sketches of the house they wanted to one day own. And Straiger insisted on building a home that was environmentally sound. “If you’re going to build, you do it right,” she said. “That was very important to me.” Not only did she want to find a builder capable of creating the mid-century-inspired masterpiece they had in mind, but she also wanted to find a green builder. It seemed like a tall order. “We talked to builders,” Straiger explained, “and they said, ‘You can’t afford to build green.’ Each builder kept paring down our wish list.” They “were very good builders,” Castleman added, “but to get to the price point we needed to be at ….” “Suddenly it wasn’t the house we wanted,” Straiger said. It was at the Indianapolis Home Show where they eventually found Frank Redavide of Castalia Homes. Not only did Redavide already have green building under his belt, but he also had a mid-century modern home in his portfolio. “It was fate,” Straiger said.

A Happy Home

By this time, Castleman had sent his sketches to John Clem, an architect well-versed in mid-century design, and Castleman presented the revised sketches to Redavide, who then had another architect create an engineering plan for the home. Looking over the sketches, “we went through each room, redesigned it a little bit, finalized it and priced it out to where they could do it,” Redavide said. And the final product—with approximately 2,700 square feet on the main level and 2,500 or so in the basement—was still the house Castleman and Straiger wanted. With three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and the yet-to-be-finished lower level, the home features design elements reminiscent of post-World War II living—but with modern-day conveniences and size. A sunken living room, the floor-to-ceiling fireplace, walls of windows and natural bamboo floors are complemented by ice blue paint in the great room, a lime green and purple kitchen, arc lamps and heirloom antiques. For furnishings, the couple outfitted the home with a mix of both period-correct and modernday pieces. Minimalist architectural trim, clean lines and hard angles, as on the kitchen island’s triangular raised countertop, give the home a stark, modern feel, but whimsical details—like a Fred Flintstone cookie jar in the kitchen, the Jetsons’ theme song used for their door bell and scattered cocktail olive pillows in the great room—add color, warmth and personality. “We decorate for NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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ourselves,” Straiger said. “Not because of what other people think we should have. It’s what makes us happy.” Since moving in, Straiger says she has fallen in love with her kitchen, as well as with some of the other added conveniences. “I love that we put a sliding glass door in the bedroom,” she says. And the master bath, with its two sinks, two showerheads and “huge tub” are a favorite of them both. “Neither of us is a morning person,” Castleman explained, “so there’s no fighting over anything.”

Green Living

There’s also no arguing the environmental efficiency of the home. A hybrid HVAC system uses both an electric heat pump and gas, depending on the weather. “When it warms up a little bit, the heat pump will take over to heat more efficiently,” Redavide said. “When it’s really cold out, the gas kicks in.” The entire house also boasts foam insulation to help

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keep air and water from coming in. “Typical (air and water) infiltration is between 50 and 60 percent,” Redavide explained. Castleman and Straiger’s home tested out to have about 2 to 3 percent infiltration. Ask Redavide about all the green measures taken in the home, and you’ll end up talking for quite a while. He’ll mention Energy Star windows and appliances, the local products used to build the home, including the recycled materials that make up the home’s siding, the zero duct leakage (so no heat is lost) and the manifold water system, which sends water directly from the main water heater to each faucet in the home directly—via 26 different pipes. Special attention was also paid to what chemicals were used in the house. “There are over a thousand chemicals that go into homes today,” Redavide said. He took several measures to reduce that number—from installing recycled carpet with low to no formaldehyde


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to using a “green” glue in the subfloors. Talk long enough and the discussion starts to sound rather sophisticated for such an old-school premise: work with nature, rather than against it. “In Indiana, there’s so much false information out there,” Redavide said. “People think you’re building some adobe hut. In reality, these are some of the most efficient, high-performance buildings in the world.”

Back to the Future

It’s not often “high performance” gets used in relation to one’s home, but that’s exactly what Castleman and Straiger were after when they signed on with Redavide’s Castalia Homes. And it’s exactly what they received. Now with their belongings somewhat unpacked (At press time, the basement still held quite a number of boxes.), the couple

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plans to simply enjoy their modern dwelling for a while longer, before embarking on the last-minute steps toward completion. Castleman currently has a few “toys”— restored vintage cars and motorcycles—in storage, but he hopes to add a detached garage to the back of their half-acre lot before long to house them. Once the garage is in, a kidney-shaped swimming pool—the centerpiece of the backyard—will be added. Then, the couple will finish the basement, adding another bedroom, another full bath and a recording studio—Castleman and Straiger play several instruments between them. There’s also room enough for an office where Castleman, a self-employed motor sports marketing consultant, can work. And, lastly, a lounge area with a tiki bar—where Andy Castleman and Stephanie Leonhard Straiger might one day dance again. o



NORTH magazine explores the latest trends in remodeling your home—one room (or yard) at a time. Here—the fourth in the six-part series—we head outside. Story by Jenny Montgomery

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Home Trends

Photo courtesy of CASE Design / Remodeling NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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For years,

pergolas and swimming pools have been popular ele-

ments of backyard design. These days, however, homeowners are seeking more than simple landscapes and wooden decks to go with them. “Clients are spending a little bit more time at home, and they want to be able to enjoy their yards,” says Joe Russ, part-owner of Sundown Gardens in Carmel. To offer such enjoyment, backyards need to have some of the most basic elements of life: fire, water, flora—and a pool house and patio sure help, too. Mike Noll, owner of The Noll Landscape Group, says most of his clients spend between $7,000 to $30,000 on backyard remodeling projects. Many people, he says, may have only general ideas of what they want in a backyard makeover, so it’s his job to ask the right questions to make sure his clients get what they want. Though the basic elements are often the same, the sky is the limit when it comes to the added luxuries—one Noll Landscape client spent $300,000 to create a backyard paradise, complete with tennis courts and a swimming pool. Larry Greene, owner of Case Design/ Remodeling, says he also sees clients willing to pay for what they really want in an outdoor living space. “The traditional materials don’t change. Stone, fire, water, these are the things that the cave man did, literally,” Greene explains. “The thing that’s changed is how much more money people are spending.”

A Flower & Patio Show

According to Barry Fisher, landscape architect for Salsbery Brothers Landscaping, homeowners’ needs are fairly basic when it comes to plants. “Generally, they want color and low-maintenance stuff,” he explains. “What we do is a luxury—and that luxury has got to be when people come home, they don’t have to do anything,” Noll adds. “You come home, look at the pretty flowers, put some water on them and that’s about it.” To minimize environmental impact,

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Noll suggests native plants that don’t require pesticides or excessive amounts of water, and he encourages homeowners to choose slow-growing grasses to keep lawn care costs down. Patios and decks are the most-requested backyard amenities from which to enjoy the views, and landscapers offer a variety of options, though wooden decks are no longer regularly among them. Once popular, wooden decks must be sealed and stained repeatedly, and wood is more susceptible to damage like gouging or rotting. Homeowners, instead, opt for a composite material that mimics the look of wood but requires less maintenance over time. While more expensive initially, “People will say, ‘If I’m gonna go ahead and spend $2,000 on a deck, I might as well spend $3,500 for a composite deck that won’t rot or need to be restained,’” Noll explains. There’s also another new trend in patio design: pavers. These interlocking concrete or brick pieces imitate real stone, and they rival the stamped concrete patios that have been popular in recent years. Made of either concrete slabs or pavers, however, patios are relatively easy to maintain. Every few years, they need to be pressure-washed, and pavers will need new sand added between joints. Noll advises clients, however, to consider how they intend to use their patio when choosing materials. “Pavers leave gaps,” he says. “And if a woman has high heels on, what happens?”


After Before

Photos courtesy of Cory Whistler, Salsbery Brothers Landscaping NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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“We almost discourage people from full-blown outdoor kitchens. It’s central Indiana, and you get eight months out of it.” — Mike Noll, The Noll Landscape Group

Photos courtesy of The Noll Landscape Group PAGE 50

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Fire, Water and Electricity

Fireplaces and fire pits have been at the top of homeowners’ wish lists for years—especially in Indiana, where chilly evenings are the norm most of the year. But who wants the upkeep and cleanup of a traditional fireplace? Instead, homeowners “can go with a gas option,” Salsbery’s Fisher says. “You just turn it on—just like a grill—and light it up.” Noll says he gets requests for outdoor kitchens, but that clients may be better served by more practical amenities. “We almost discourage people from full-blown outdoor kitchens,” he explains. “It’s central Indiana, and you get eight months out of it.” Instead, Noll generally recommends countertops with built-in grills. According to Case Designs’ Greene, people are “definitely thinking about connecting the outside with the inside and vice versa,” he says. “When we’re doing a kitchen (inside the home) now, we have to ask the homeowner, how do you use your outdoor patio? The flow might affect the kitchen design.” Greene says his customers are still requesting full outdoor kitchen set-ups, with outdoor appliances and portable heaters to keep them warm any time of year. The available technology for the great outdoors is also growing. “We’re seeing more and more electronics, special outdoor TVs that can function when the weather is cold, more audiovisual elements in porches, LED lighting and music,” he says. Water features, also, are just as popular as ever, though preferences have changed in recent years—mainly due to ease of use. “A couple of years ago, everybody was all about the ponds,” Noll says. “We’ve always tried to steer people toward water features like bubblers, so you don’t have to deal with fish, plants, algae.” Bubblers—small, self-contained fountains constructed of natural stone or boulders—have become a popular choice for adding a water element to the backyard without the costs of maintaining a small pond. Also popular are pondless waterfalls, which—like the bubblers—feature hidden underground basins as water sources. And, as with each element of your backyard design, placement is important. Noll has a water feature in his backyard that he can see from indoors. “You don’t have to be outside to enjoy it,” he says. But you do want to see it to enjoy it. “Don’t put a waterfall on a hill that faces your neighbor, where you won’t see it,” he adds.

In the Shade

If the typical amenities aren’t enough to turn your backyard into a luxurious retreat, you can always consider adding another structure to the mix. In newer neighborhoods NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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Photos courtesy of CASE Design / Remodeling

where trees may not be large enough to provide adequate shade, homeowners often turn to structural elements to get relief from the sun. Pergolas, which offer some shade and serve as a frame for climbing plants, are in demand. Russ says the functionality of covered, open-air porches—or lanais—appeals to homeowners. “If the weather is inclement outside, they could still be under cover,” he says. “The concept of an outdoor room is a trend,” Greene says. “It’s an open room with a ceiling and a roof over it. There are some bells and whistles, like retractable screens on gazebos that are remote-controlled.” If that isn’t enough, you can always add a pool house or, as Greene calls it, a multifunction house. “When you have a pool, you can kill two birds with one stone in one building,” he explains. These outdoor structures can house bathrooms, serve as storage units and act as outdoor kitchens. They incorporate, Greene says, all the elements of outdoor living. “We’re talking about pieces of concrete and primitive materials. They’re still doing things with fire, stone and water,” Greene says, “but the world of outdoor living is interesting. It’s important. There’s a lot of money being spent on it.” o NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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FOCUS

There’s a world of opportunity right in your backyard—a place where zucchini, squash, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers may soon grow. And though it may seem too daunting a task, getting a vegetable garden going is simpler than you’d think. Even if you’re starting at ground zero, you only have

easy steps to go. Compiled & Photographed by Sherri Cullison

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1

Do Your Research

2

Decide How Much to Grow

Rita Beck, of Rita’s Backyard in Fishers, says the first thing to do when planning for a summer garden is the obvious one: research. You want to find out what vegetables grow best in this region, as well as which vegetables work well in warmer months. “Are you going to plant canning tomatoes or salsa tomatoes or hamburger tomatoes? There are so many varieties,” Beck says, but “tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are what most people plant in this area. Zucchini and yellow squash are also common, as well as complementary herbs, like chives, basil and parsley.” Also consider the size of your backyard or growing space (if you’re planting in pots on the patio). If you’re working with a small area, research plants that won’t take up a lot of room.

You also want to consider what kinds of vegetables your family likes to eat. “If they don’t eat carrots, I probably wouldn’t bother planting carrots,” Beck explains. Consider how much you’ll need to harvest for summer eating and whether you’re going to put some vegetables back for the winter through canning or freezing methods, Beck suggests. Draw a diagram of your backyard and decide how much you can fit in the spot where you’ll get most sunlight. You need to pick a place that gets at least six to eight hours of sunlight, Beck says. You also need to consider space between plants. “Each of your tags on your vegetables will tell you about spacing,” Beck says. “Make sure that you give vegetables enough room to grow and with room between them so you can get to the fruit or vegetables.”

Plant rows of pungent vegetables like onions or garlic or herbs like basil around plants to keep insects at bay.

Allisonville Nursery, 11405 Allisonville Road, Fishers, (317) 849-4490 • Brehob Nursery, 4867 Sheridan Road, Westfield, (317) 877-0188 Geist Nursery, 9890 Mollenkopf Road, Fishers, (317) 842-7481 • Habig Garden Shop, 15311 N. Meridian St., Carmel, (317) 896-2828 PAGE 60

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3

Get to Know Your Soil A healthy garden needs well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Most vegetables prefer slightly acidic soil (6 to 6.8 pH). Shaena Reinhart, an urban conservationist with the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District, suggests homeowners get their soil tested before embarking on garden projects. “This allows them to apply the right type of amendments (if any) to create a productive garden,” Reinhart says. “For example, a soil low in organic matter may need compost added to increase its nutrient content and water-holding capacity. The soils in backyards vary based on an array of factors, so a soil test is the best way to know what the soil is like now and how it can be improved.” Simple soil test kits, which usually cost around $30 and can measure levels of nutrients, organic matter and pH, are available at most garden centers. The Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District also offers soil-testing services; for more information, visit www.hamiltonswcd.org.

Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District, 1717 Pleasant St., Suite 100, Noblesville, (317) 773-2181, www.hamiltonswcd.org


Wet Lands: Always water seedlings or starter plants immediately after you’ve planted them. Different vegetables require varying amounts of water, but a good rule is to give plants anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of water a week, depending on the temperature, humidity and rainfall (more water during especially hot weather). “For the most success, you should treat your garden like you would your pet,” L&M Gardens’ Lloyd Long suggests. “Check it every day. Check the soil to see if it is dry or wet. Remember that too much water to your garden can cause as much damage as having not enough.”

To get started on your vegetable garden, you don’t need much more than the basics. The best thing to get is a good roto-tiller, advises Gary Stevenson, garden center manager at Salsbery Brothers Landscaping & Garden Center in Carmel. “The ground in this area is quite hard, so it’s good to have one of these.” You’ll also want a spade shovel, he says, to break up the soil, a good garden or bow rake, and a hoe for weeding. “That’s pretty much it,” he says. “I do this stuff, and that’s what I’ve got in my garage.” And if you want to keep your hands safe? Invest in a good pair of gardening gloves.

The best time to water your garden is in the morning, while it is still cool. Evening watering can lead to fungus problems, and it can attract slugs and snails. Shaena Reinhart, urban conservationist with the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District, encourages homeowners to practice water conservation when gardening. “Using a sprinkler to water a garden is the most wasteful option because you are watering bare areas along with your plants, which means you are wasting water and helping weeds grow in those bare areas,” she explains. “Drip or soaker hose irrigation is a much better choice, and collecting rainwater in a rain barrel and then using it on the garden is also a preferred choice above turning on the outdoor spigot.” The Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District provides educational, technical and sometimes financial assistance to Hamilton County landowners interested in installing conservation practices on their properties. “The conservation practices we promote range from simple compost bins and rain barrels up to rain gardens and retention pond shoreline plantings,” Reinhart says. “These practices collectively work to protect soil and water quality and enhance Avoid areas of your yard that retain water after it rains. You don’t wildlife habitat.” want your garden becoming a swimming pool after every sumA conservationist can visit your home to offer mer storm. Too much water can eventually drown your plants. technical assistance in planning your garden. Visit www.hamiltonswcd.org for more information.

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It doesn’t take a large investment in finances or time to get your garden going, but if you want to do it well, you need to take the time to do it right. Bill Rice, who teaches the Hamilton County Master Gardener program through the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, gives his students an overall view of some of the common mistakes new gardeners make. Oftentimes, they fail to check the fertility of their soil. “If they don’t check and see what the basic fertility is, they don’t know what they need to be adding,” he says. They also often till their soil at the wrong time. “If it’s too wet, it causes a poor seed bed,” he adds. One other common problem—not spacing out plants enough. “Be sure air can move through them,” Rice says. “Air will help dry the leaves off. The drier you can keep the leaves, the less likely your plants will have infection.” But infection can still occur. “Diseases are extremely dependent on weather conditions, some like warm, wet weather, some like cool, wet weather and some like hot, dry weather,” Rice explains. “Most diseases in a garden are also fairly specific to the type of plant. If you get spots on a tomato, it doesn’t mean you’ll get spots on your cucumbers.” There are time-tested organic remedies to treat the various diseases that can arise in your garden. Using mulch, straw or paper to cover your soil can help keep organisms in your soil from reaching the leaves of your plants, and a quick Internet search can often lead you in the right direction toward other organic treatments. But the key to healthy gardens, according to Rice, is prevention. “In most diseases, the infection occurs several weeks before we start to see symptoms,” he says. “Prevention is the most important thing. Space out your plants; don’t let them get too dense. Weed control is a big issue. It takes very few

weeds to be competitive enough to reduce what you might get out of your garden. They compete for water, sunlight, nutrients.” And how much you water your plants makes a difference, too. “You don’t want a waterlogged root system,” he adds. “You don’t want root rot problems.” If you can keep your plants healthy, the last thing to know is when to harvest what you have grown. Knowing how to tell when food is ready to eat is “a trial-and-error thing,” Rice says. “If we’re talking about tomatoes, it’s once they start turning red if they’re red tomatoes. Green beans will get real wiry and tougher to break if you wait too long to pull them. Zucchini and squash need to be harvested when they’re 6 to 8 inches long, and cucumbers should be smaller than that.” To gain a greater understanding of all things gardening, turn to Rice’s 14-week Master Gardener program for Hamilton County. “This is a community service program that uses gardening as a vehicle for that community service,” he explains. And while it’s going to give you a good overall education in gardening, “it’s not a program where you’re going to learn everything about growing specific types of plants. “I want people who take the class to have a better understanding of how plants work, of the way that diseases can affect plants, how insects can affect plants, how you minimize those impacts,” Rice says. And most important of all, he says, “the thing you really learn is how to find more information.” Master Gardener instruction is provided without charge, though there is a fee for supplies. Participants who successfully complete the program and donate an equal number of volunteer hours in community gardening services are then certified as Master Gardeners. To apply, visit www. ag.purdue.edu/counties/hamilton/Pages/ MasterGardenerProgram.aspx.

“Most diseases in a garden are also fairly specific to the type of plant.” — Bill Rice, Hamilton County Master Gardener program

Heartland Growers, 2621 E. 186th St., Westfield, (317) 867-1284 • Heinzman Farms, 2375 Pleasant St., Noblesville, (317) 770-6666 L & M Gardens Inc., 12520 E. 116th St., Fishers, www.lmgarden.com • Reynolds Farm Equipment, 12501 Reynolds Drive, Fishers, (800) 382-9038 PAGE 64

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4

Pick a Style of Garden The health of your soil may determine whether you create a flat garden or a raised bed garden, says Beck. With a flat garden, you just turn over the soil with a tilling machine or a garden rake and go—that is, right after you check for buried power lines. (The number to call is (800) 382-5544.) “This is a law and will keep you from hitting any underground phone lines, cable,” says Lloyd Long of L&M Gardens. If you’re planning a raised garden, you need to create a wood frame at whatever size works best for your backyard, fill it with 8 to 12 inches of soil, and then you’re ready to start planting, Beck explains. There are lots of positive aspects to having a raised garden. You can build several boxes with paths between them to make each vegetable easier to reach when harvesting. “For people who have bad backs, you can even put the garden up on legs,” she says. Finally, you need to consider the overall size of your garden. If you’re new to gardening, start small; you can always enlarge pre-existing beds in subsequent years.

Four things most commonly affect a seed or seedling: Water (both the presence or absence of it), light (the presence or absence of it), temperature and oxygen in the soil. Read your seed packets or ask an expert to find out what your plants need for each.

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Keep a garden journal—that way you can keep track of what you learn as you grow.


Lucky for you, there are hundreds of books to help with your gardening efforts. Even better that some of them were written with our region in mind. Here are nine, all available from Mudsock Books & Curiosity Shoppe, 11850 Allisonville Road, Fishers, (317) 579-9822. Photos by Andrew Laker

“The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible” By Edward C. Smith Storey Publishing, $24.95.

“Indiana Gardener’s Guide” By Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp and Tom Tyler Cool Springs Press, $24.99.

“Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on ¼ Acre” By Brett L. Markham Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., $16.95.

“Water Gardening for the Midwest” By Teri Dunn Cool Springs Press, $18.99.

“The Beginner’s Guide to Edible Herbs” By Charles W. G. Smith Storey Publishing, $12.95.

“Edible Gardening for the Midwest” By Colleen Vanderlinden and Alison Beck Lone Pine Publishing, $21.95.

“The Veggie Gardener’s Answer Book” By Barbara W. Ellis Storey Publishing, $14.95.

“The Backyard Homestead” By Carleen Madigan Storey Publishing, $18.95.

“Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots” By Sharon Lovejoy Workman Publishing, $13.95. NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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Make sure the soil is damp, but not soggy, when you plant.

5

Start Digging You have your spot picked, you’ve tilled the land (or built a raised bed) and now it’s time to start planting. Remember to measure how much space you need between vegetables. Larger vegetables, like zucchini and yellow squash, take up a lot more land, so you’ll want to space out your plants to allow them to breathe and adequately grow. Oftentimes, new gardeners tend to set plants too close together, which can lead to the spread of diseases, while limiting the amount of sun, nutrients and water your plant can receive. Remember: Larger plants also

need more space so they don’t overshadow shorter ones. Once you have everything planted, you’ll want to help keep weeds away. “You can always put straw in between and under your vegetable plants,” Beck says. “It conserves moisture, it keeps the weeds down and it keeps the vegetable from rotting on the ground.” Mulch also does this, she explains, and “if you’re in your garden walking around, it keeps you out of the mud, too.” Old newspapers and organic mulch can help in a number of ways. Lay down

a layer of newspaper to keep insects from getting to your plants and spread fallen leaves, flower blossoms, twigs, fallen tree needles evenly over the top to cover the soil and keep weeds at bay. Mulch helps improve the quality of soil in your garden, it helps to keep your soil temperature consistent and it deters water from evaporating too quickly (before it has helped to feed your plants). Make sure your mulch isn’t more than two to three inches thick and that it doesn’t mat together, which would prevent water from making its way to your plants’ roots.

Rita’s Backyard, 12244 E. 116th St., Fishers, ritasbackyard.com • Rosie’s Gardens and Hughes Landscape, 10402 N. College Ave., Indianapolis, (317) 844-6157 • Salsbery Brothers Landscaping & Garden Center, 4317 E. 146th St., Carmel, (317) 843-0100 PAGE 68

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waste Lands: If your soil isn’t rich with nutrients, you probably need to think about using a fertilizer to help your plants grow. The easiest and most cost-effective way to do this is by adding composting to your gardening know-how. Composting, the decomposition of once-living materials to make a substance that enriches garden soil, sounds complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. The premise: All organic matter decomposes, and all organic matter has nutrients. Your job, then, is to help along that decomposition process and then spread the leftover nutrient-rich material over your soil. The simplest way to do this: Throw your table scraps into a pile in your garden and let them rot. If you want to speed up the decomposition, however, you can fill a composting bin with your materials, regularly aerate the mixture by turning it and monitor the moisture levels and temperature. (Temperatures between 90 and 140 degrees F help materials to decompose efficiently.) “Combining kitchen scraps (no meat or dairy please) and yard clippings into a bin or pile and turning it periodically can produce a rich compost material that can be added to a garden to enrich the soil,” says Shaena Reinhart, urban conservationist at Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District. A wide variety of materials can be used for composting, including leaves, grass, weeds, egg shells, tea bags and coffee grinds. “Best of all—it’s a free soil amendment,” Reinhart adds, “and the household is reducing the amount of trash sent to the landfill.” And if you don’t want to compost your own scraps? You can look for organic aged compost ready for purchase at the garden store.

Time is of the Essence According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac frost chart, Indianapolis has a 180-day growing season. The last and first frost dates of the year are April 22 and Oct. 20. To best plan your garden, choose vegetables that will reach maturity within that time. “A lot of people like to start (their plants) from seed, but it takes a good 10 days for anything to germinate,” explains Rita Beck, of Rita’s Backyard in Fishers. “We have such a short growing season, for the impatient gardener, it might be better to start with a plant that is already rooted.”

If you’ve already planted your garden and the weather forecast calls for frost, you should cover your plants with a cloth sheet, advises Long of L&M Gardens. “Don’t use plastic, as this will not prevent damage.” According to the Urban Farmer website, www.ufseeds.com, the quickest vegetables and herbs to reach maturity include kale, spinach, onions, peas, lavender, basil and sage. Beans, peppers, radishes, tomatoes, parsley, coriander and rosemary can take somewhat longer, not reaching maturity for 75 to 80 days.

Seasons Gardens, 12595 Cumberland Road, Fishers, (317) 578-4769 • Shields Gardens, 17808 Grassy Branch Road, Westfield, (317) 867-3344 Stonycreek Farm, 11366 E. Indiana 38, Noblesville, (317) 773-3344 • Sundown Gardens, 13400 Old Meridian St., Carmel, (317) 846-0620 NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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In the Neighborhood

Time to check out the water supply in one northside community Story by Ashley Petry • Photos by Dan Brand, Brand PhotoDesign

Veronica Otero often jokes that her Fishers neighborhood needs a warning sign: “Expectant mothers, beware.” On just one street in the Bristols community, five next-door neighbors have welcomed new babies to the family—all of them sets of twins. Mike and Denise Matusiewicz started the trend with their twins, Kendall and Keatton, now 4. Later, when Paul and Ann Demery were expecting, everyone teased them about having twins, until they realized it wasn’t a joke. In the next two years, three more sets of twins followed. “We were all weirded out about it for the longest time, because we thought, ‘What are the odds of this happening?’ It’s just so surreal,” Denise Matusiewicz says. Five neighbors on one street who all have twins? It’s not as improbable as it sounds. Jyotirmoy Sarkar, a statistics consultant and associate professor at IUPUI, puts the probability between .008 and .019, or about 1 percent, based on Hamilton County population figures. “The event still has a low probability,” he says, “but it is not as extremely rare as one would think at first.” Either way, the situation works well for these families, who share advice, schedule play dates and pass down baby items to the younger sets of twins. “We’re all pretty close,” Denise says, “and God figured we could handle it.”

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The Demery Family Parents: Paul and Ann Twins: Morgan and Addison, 2 Residents since: 2002

Reaction to having twins: Paul and Ann were “ecstatic” when they got the news, but Ann was concerned that she would get the twins mixed up. “That always worried me,” she says. “I can tell them apart, but a lot of people think they look very much alike.” About the neighborhood: Paul and Ann both work full time, so they don’t schedule as many play dates as they would like. Even so, “I don’t think we could have asked for greater neighbors,” Ann says. “On the weekends in summer, our yards just become one big yard, and the kids play back and forth.” Best thing about having twins: Watching their different personalities develop. “My girls are totally opposite in personality, which is great,” Ann says. “It’s great to see them develop and their personalities come out— even born at the same time under the same conditions.”

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The Matusiewicz Family Parents: Mike and Denise Twins: Kendall and Keatton, 4 Sibling: Kylie, 12 Residents since: 2003

Reaction to having twins: Mike and Denise were thrilled, but also concerned about having two babies at once. “The first six months are obviously the hardest, but it’s fun,” Denise says. “There’s never a dull moment in our household.” Most challenging thing about having twins: “It’s monkey-see, monkey-do,” Denise says. “What one did, the other one did. If one was getting in trouble, the other one was usually doing it, too.” On the plus side, mom gets lots of exercise running back and forth between them. Advice to parents of multiples: Don’t be scared. “The twin life is a good life,” Denise says. “When I say they are twins, people have the reaction of, ‘Oh, bless your heart.’ But I tell people it’s a blessing.”

Modern design translates to a chic nursery or cool kids room!

1708 East Pleasant St., Noblesville | 317-770-7700 decor4kidsstore@aol.com | Visit us online at www.decor4kidsstore.com NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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The Otero Family Parents: Joel and Veronica Twins: Joey and Olivia, 2 Sibling: Sebastian, 7 Residents since: 2003

Reaction to having twins: Twelve weeks into her pregnancy, Veronica knew something was different. But she didn’t believe the news at first, not until the ultrasound technician showed her the two heartbeats. “I thought, ‘Oh, my goodness,’” she says. How Sebastian reacted: “He had always wanted a brother or a sister, and to give him the news that he was having both, that just blew his mind,” Veronica says. She and Joel tried to stick to Sebastian’s usual routine—a difficult challenge when Veronica was put on bed rest seven months into the pregnancy. “That little guy really stepped up to the plate and took care of his mommy,” she says. Most challenging thing about having twins: Sticking to the routine. “When Sebastian was first born, we had a routine then, but as he got older we were able to break away from that,” Veronica says. “Now, everything takes such great thought. … Venturing out is not as free as it used to be.”

“He had always wanted a brother or a sister, and to give him the news that he was having both, that just blew his mind.” — Veronica Otero, in regard to her oldest son, Sebastian

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The Kuhns Family Parents: Jeff and Melissa Twins: Ashton and Evan, 2 Sibling: Tyler, 4 Residents since: 2004 Reaction to having twins: Early in Melissa’s pregnancy, she suspected that something was different this time around. She joked with Jeff and the neighbors about having twins—until the next ultrasound, when she realized it was true. “I had always wanted twins when I was younger, but to actually have it become reality was something different,” Melissa says. “We were concerned with how we were going to balance it, and we had to get a bigger car. We were going to have three car seats and three cribs in the house.” How Tyler reacted: “It was hard for him to understand,” Melissa says. “He had just turned 2 when they were born, so he would think he was helping or being nice or giving them a kiss, but really he was head-butting them.” The best thing about having twins: Watching them interact with each other. “They ‘get’ each other,” Melissa says. “They look out for each other, and they’re sensitive to each other’s needs.”



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Call 800-450-4548 or 765-747-6090 to schedule appointment Community health Pavilion • 13121 Olio Road • fishers Office hours: Thursday evenings and every friday. in case of emergency, our doctors can be reached 24 hours a day. We accept all private insurance and Visa and Mastercard.

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The Akers Family Parents: Scott and Gail Twins: Gabrielle and Kennedy, 5 months Sibling: Cooper, 3 Residents since: 2006

Reaction to having twins: Unlike other twins on the block, the Akers twins are adopted. The family had a “smooth adoption journey” with their older son, Cooper, and his birth mother sought them out when she became pregnant again. “We were there all the way from the beginning of her pregnancy,” Gail says. “I went to all her ultrasounds and was there at the birth.” The best neighborly advice they’ve received: Get the twins on a schedule. “Otherwise you’re going to be constantly doing things,” explains Gail, who has asked the other parents “all kinds of things” about having twins. “It’s been really great and very helpful.” The funniest moment: After the twins were born, Scott and Gail took them out to lunch. When the waitress saw them, she said “Oh, I have twins, too.” A week later, they went to a different restaurant, and again the waitress was a mother of twins. “I thought that was so funny,” Gail says. “And I get a kick out of everybody in the stores who is just in awe. People have a fascination with multiples.” o

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QUICKBITES

good luck charm

After opening a little over a year ago, Wild Ginger on 116th is still going strong Compiled by Jen Stovall Parcell Photo by Sherri Cullison With 20 years in the restaurant business behind them and an already-long list of fans of their former Wasabi on 82nd St. restaurant, Naomi and Robert Liu didn’t need much luck to draw attention to their newest creation, Wild Ginger on 116th, when they opened it in February 2010. They simply needed to continue doing what they’d been doing so well. But they almost didn’t. After selling Wasabi in 2008, the pair wondered if they might need a break from the restaurant business altogether. They considered other lines of work. They pondered moving to other cities (they looked into Orlando, Fla., Nashville, Tenn., and Chapel Hill, N.C.), but, in the end, the Lius loved their lives in Fishers, Naomi says. They decided they were staying put. Lucky us. Though the dining room at Wild Ginger seems minimalist (Naomi describes it as contemporary, elegant), there’s nothing minimal about the thought and work that went into its decor. The natural light, rich colors and open space (with 180-degree

views of Fishers’ downtown) are all by design. Add to that the hanging ceiling planes (influenced by Tatami mat arrangements, which, according to Japanese culture, can bring good fortune), a bold wall mural of the wild ginger plant and the hanging paper crane sculpture (symbolic of peace and good luck in Asian cultures), and you’ll see that no stone (or crane, in this instance) was left unturned. Approximately 600 cranes populate the multi-tiered crane sculpture. “My family and I actually helped and made all the cranes,” Naomi explains. “It took about six months at a rate of five minutes per crane.” The same care goes into the food, with sushi, tempura and teriyaki dinners filling out the menu. The Mistake roll, with spicy tuna tempura, serves as the eatery’s “Sushi 101” option, while the Flaming Dragon (a combination of eel, cucumber, avocado, shrimp and crab salad served flaming, thanks to a shot of Bacardi 151) remains a popular favorite among more experienced diners. A temperature-controlled wine room

keeps the approximately 50 wine selections at a comfortable 60 degrees. Chardonnays, cabernets and pinot noirs are all available, as well as beer, sake and plum wine. While Naomi’s duties encompass the front of the house, her husband is hard at work in the kitchen. “We make a lot of our own sauces, and we don’t skimp on the ingredients,” she says. “It is not easy, but we work six days a week because we want to bring you the best experience. There is a lot of coordination and communication that goes on behind the scenes. There are very long hours, but it is worth it.” All in all, a little over a year into the couple’s latest venture, it isn’t luck that keeps drawing customers in. When asked what makes Wild Ginger special, Naomi admits she doesn’t really have a fancy answer. People love the food, the service and the décor. “I think a lot of it is attention to the business,” she says. “We don’t just hire people and then be owners. We are intimately involved in the day-to-day operations. We are proud of what we do.”

Wild Ginger | 8235 E. 116th St., Fishers | (317) 842-9888 | www.wildginger116.com PAGE 80

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In the mood for

COOL

… brunch?

BEGINNINGS Photo courtesy of Bruce Elscott

Not quite breakfast and not quite lunch, brunch offers the best of both worlds, and with Mother’s Day on the horizon, there’s no better time to schedule a stop at one of these northside spots. Whether you’re looking for a fruit plate, finger sandwiches or some beloved biscuits and gravy, here are five places to celebrate Mom with good taste.

After spending 25 years as an on-air radio personality, Bruce Elscott found himself a victim of a station layoff. Wondering where to go from there, he and his wife researched opening their own business, determined to find their niche in Fishers. And find it they did—with a cherry on top. Elscott opened Yogi Frozen Yogurt on 116th Street in 2009.

Kelties Restaurant & Catering 110 S. Union St., Westfield, (317) 867-3525 Choose from a Mother’s Day menu (available 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) that offers biscuits and gravy, homemade crab cakes and bread pudding, or instead opt for the eatery’s signature (and so rich that the name seems like a misnomer)“Beggar’s Purse,” a blue-cheese-infused chicken salad stuffed into a puff pastry“purse” and baked to a crispy brown.

La Mie Emilie 15 W. Main St., Carmel, (317) 816-1200, www.lamieemilie.com Open on Mother’s Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., La Mie Emilie pays homage to mothers with offerings of crepes, omelets, fresh fruit and biscuits and gravy, as well as the restaurant’s highly touted eggs Napoleon, which piles eggs, seared ham and Gruyere cheese atop a toasted, open-faced croissant.

Petite Chou 14390 Clay Terrace Blvd., Suite 150, Carmel, (317) 566-0765, www.cafepatachou.com Located in Carmel’s Clay Terrace, the sophisticated Petite Chou offers its annual Mother’s Day brunch from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Try the day’s specialty omelet, which will feature Indiana asparagus and white cheddar cheese, or the ricotta cheese waffles, drenched with a delicious orange-scented creme anglaise.

The Roost 7371 E. 116th St., Fishers, (317) 842-3735, www.sahms.com/index.php?cID=74 The Roost, one of Fishers’ best-kept secrets, may not have a Mother’s Day brunch specifically, but it does offer a daily menu thick with options. Choose from 14 specialty omelets, French toast made from homebaked bread or a whole mess of sandwiches and made-from-scratch soups.

Traders Point Creamery 9101 Moore Road, Zionsville, (317) 733-1700, www.tpforganics.com Quiche, omelets and crepes are just a few of our favorite things at the Loft Restaurant at Traders Point Creamery, but on Mother’s Day (open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.), you may want to dive into a plate of crab Benedict, a yummy concoction that places delicious crab, a poached egg and house-made hollandaise on a toasted English muffin.

Why frozen yogurt? When I lost my radio job, I could possibly have gone to a different city, but my wife, Lisa, and I love Fishers and had just built a new house here. We decided to stay and open our own business. Did anything from being in journalism prepare you for the world of yogurt? The biggest thing I took with me from my radio career was how to deal with customers (who I sometimes accidentally refer to as “listeners”). Over the years, I talked to thousands and thousands of people at station events and over the phone. People expect to be treated with friendliness and kindness, and that’s our biggest priority here at the store. What’s the biggest difference between those two worlds? I’m working for myself, instead of for a program director who reports to a manager who reports to a regional manager. My wife and I took the financial risk of opening the store, but we also get the rewards from its success. It also means not having to get up at 4 in the morning as I did for 15 years. My alarm clock has dust on it. I love it! Why is frozen yogurt better than ice cream? First of all, it’s much, much lower in calories and fat than most frozen custard or ice cream. Our fat-free chocolate frozen yogurt, for example, has just 88 calories in a small (3.5-ounce) serving. It also has healthy probiotics. Parents like to take their kids out for a treat without stuffing them full of hundreds of calories. Kids don’t care about this stuff, however. They just know that it tastes good. Kids call it “ice cream” when they come in, and the parents don’t correct them.

What are the most popular flavors among customers? Do you have a personal favorite? Strangely enough, I’ve seen this particular concoction made over and over again by kids: cake batter yogurt topped with gummy bears. I also have people come in around lunch time and request a cup filled with nuts, fresh fruit, granola and a small bit of fat-free vanilla yogurt. I’d have to say my own personal favorite is the fat-free chocolate. I’m pretty basic. What are the new flavors to be featured this summer? We tried a red velvet cake yogurt from a new supplier, and our customers loved it. We’ll bring that back. In the summer, we make the best key lime frozen yogurt ever. We have gallons and gallons of real key lime juice shipped up here from Florida. Waffle cone versus sugar cone versus cake cone? Which one wins? I love waffle cones. We have a waffle cone maker in the store, and we can make our own waffle bowls. It fills the store with the best fresh-baked smell. When’s the busy season? Does frozen yogurt really ever go out of season? We’ll start getting really busy the first warm days in March, then by the time school gets out for the summer, it’ll get crazy. November through February, we stay just busy enough to stay open. Lots of regulars come back once or twice a week through the winter. Thanks, regulars. We love you!

Yogi Frozen Yogurt 12660 E. 116th St., Fishers, (317) 595-YOGI (9644) www.yogifrozenyogurt.com o NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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There’s a world of palate-pleasing finds out there. Get some. Compiled by Jen Stovall Parcell Photos courtesy of SoHo Café and Gallery

Coffee + food + art = Love. With locally made pastries and organic soups, salads and sandwiches on the menu, Rangeline Road’s recently opened SoHo Café and Gallery has everything to sate and caffeinate. Choose from a long list of lattes, cappuccinos and mochas, as well as herbal teas and smoothies, and take in a little art while you’re there. Local artists rent studios inside the café so diners can watch pieces go from concept to creation, all over a steaming cup of Joe. SoHo hosts monthly teas, art lessons, open mic nights and more. 620 S. Rangeline Road, Carmel, (317) 564-4800, www.sohocafecarmel.com

Souverain Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008. Kick back with a glass of Souverain and a prime rib at Detour – An American Grille, which is scheduled to open this April in Carmel’s Arts & Design’s District. “This cab has a high level of acidity, which is easier to break down the marbling in the steak,” explains Matthew Whisler, general manager. But cabernet and steaks aren’t the only attractions. The 6,100-square-foot American Grille boasts dozens of flat-screen televisions and serves beer, burgers and heart stoppers like the “Triple Bypass,” a 2-pound Italian beef sandwich. 110 W. Main St., Carmel

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Summer School. Don’t just cook; create all year long with the hands-on cooking classes offered for adults and kids at Kiss Z Cook in Carmel. Check the calendar online at www.kisszcook.com for the latest specialty courses, such as Mom & Me, Date Night and Girls’ Night Out, or sign up for the Foundation Series, the center’s most popular class series, which kicks off in May. The classes cover kitchen basics, like “knife skills, sauces and stocks, starches, meats, poultry and more,” manager Jay Rivett says. The series “gives people a chance to try out some different techniques and foods they may not have tried before.” 890 E. 116th St., Suite 125, Carmel, (317) 815-0681


Cuisine

GARDEN FRESH Vegetables are incredible, yes, but sometimes it’s the homegrown herbs that really make the dish. Try these for a fine-tasting finish. Compiled by Jen Stovall Parcell • Photo by Sherri Cullison

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Garden Fresh Herb Butter (Provided by Bub’s Café, 220 Second St. SW, Carmel, (317) 844-2822, www.bubsburgersandicecream.com) 1 pound butter, room temperature 8 nasturtium blossoms (chopped) 6 basil leaves (chopped) 2 sprigs thyme leaf (stripped and minced) 3 sage leaves (chopped) 1 tarragon stem 6-8 inches long (stripped and chopped) 1 rosemary sprig (stripped and chopped) 8-10 strands of chives (sliced) 2 cilantro sprigs (stemmed and chopped) 2 parsley sprigs (stemmed and chopped) 2 cloves garlic (peeled and minced) 1 lemon (juiced) 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon Lea Perrins Worcestershire sauce ½ teaspoon white pepper Salt to taste All the fresh herbs should be placed in a container of cool water agitated gently to loosen any dirt or hidden garden pests. Allow enough water so the herbs float, lift the herbs out of the water so the soil remains in the bottom, place on paper towels and allow draining before processing. Blend all the above ingredients in a mixer and whip until well blended. Place in air-tight storage container in the refrigerator up to two weeks or freeze up to six months. PAGE 84

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Eddy’s Balsamic Vinaigrette (Provided by Eddy’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill, 11693 Fall Creek Road, Geist, www.eddysnbg.com) 4 cups oil 4 cups balsamic vinegar ½ cup white sugar ¼ cup brown sugar ¼ cup honey 1 tablespoon fresh basil chiffonade Salt and pepper to taste Combine oil and vinegar in a food processor on low speed. Slowly add sugars until mixed. Then add honey slowly to combine all ingredients. Finish with fresh basil, salt and pepper.

Pasta with lamb sausage & feta (Provided by Woodys Library Restaurant, 40 E. Main St., Carmel, (317) 573-4444, www. woodyscarmel.com) Pasta sauce: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary (de-stem) 2 cups diced fresh tomatoes 4 cups tomato sauce 1 six-ounce can tomato paste 1 cup dry red wine 2 cups chicken stock Sear cut lamb sausage in skillet until brown. Add sauce and heat until bubbly. Toss in your favorite cooked tubular pasta and top with feta cheese o

(Details on page 99)

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Jupiterimages

Franks ‘N’ Dawgs 1863 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, (312) 281-5187, www.franksndawgs.com

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Worth the Trip

It isn’t the beginning of baseball season that leaves such a good taste in our mouths every April—but, rather, the hot dogs. Story by Sherri Cullison • Photos courtesy of Franks ‘N’ Dawgs

If ever there was a city built for baseball and hot dog consumption, it’s Chicago. Windy City dwellers love their dogs so much that they created their own distinct style. (All-beef hot dogs on steamed poppy seed buns, with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes and a dill pickle spear, anyone?) But for some Chicagoans, even that wasn’t enough. Say hello to Franks ‘N’ Dawgs, located in the popular shopping district known as Clybourn Corridor. Here, hot dogs are delivered to your table with more majesty than your standard Oscar Mayer Weinermobile can ever provide. The eatery takes the hot dog out of its street-food roots and enters it into the five-star cuisine ring, and the resulting tastes, you might say, are grand slams … in a world formerly only rife with base hits.

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Alexander Brunacci is a self-proclaimed foodie; his brother, Frank, is a celebrated chef at Sixteen Restaurant in Chicago’s Trump International Hotel. Two-and-a-half years ago, a conversation between the pair lead to an idea: Open a restaurant that elevated a popular street food to a fine dining experience. Alexander explored all ideas, such as taking tacos to higher, holier ground, but hot dogs won out. “We were unlimited in types of flavors” with hot dogs, Alexander explains. “We could make our own sausages.” Alexander, who eventually opened the restaurant in March 2010, says every detail adds to the fine dining experience. Artisan gourmet specialty sausages are made daily. The French-style pain de mie buns are, too, baked daily, then buttered and toasted before set to serve as edible plates for the sausages. “We assemble the sandwich to make it look very attractive,” Alexander says. “We balance textures, sweet and sour. Just like in a fine dining experience, it’s a total of the parts.” And the parts, including the restaurant’s side dishes, are drawing rave reviews. One entree features housemade turkey and date sausage, a crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish and pickled carrots. Another, a marinated tofu dog, is topped with grilled eggplant relish and portobello with salsa verde. There’s also a dog made of veal, accentuated with a date chutney, carrot ginger mayo, cilantro and toasted almonds. For sides, choose from the triple truffle fries (made with truffle salt, truffle butter, truffle oil and fresh herbs) or the shaved Brussels sprout salad with lemon zest. There is a playful side to all this serious talk about street food. Each month, celebrity and local chefs are invited to invent their own specialty dawg for the “Iron Dawg” competition. The sales of two dawgs—one a reigning champion, the other a new contender—are calculated at the end of each month to determine which was more popular, and, thus, who the next month’s reigning champion will be. In the end, however, Chicago wins with another hot spot to score a hot dog (though one that’s decidedly haute, compared to typical ballpark offerings). “They’re gourmet sandwiches,” Alexander says, “with prime cuts of meat, made fresh every day. That results in a flavor profile that you can’t get elsewhere.” o PAGE 88

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“Belly Up” Pork sausage, mustard glazed pork belly, pickled fennel and macerated grapes

“Lyonnaise Fries” Hand-cut fries, braised pig cheek, arugula, poached egg and a Dijon mustard vinaigrette

“Sweet Home Chicago” French toast, stuffed with chocolate ice cream, bananas, kiwis, strawberries, freeze dried mango, chopped almonds and butterscotch sauce


Popular menu items at Franks ‘N’ Dawgs

“Black Sheep” Toasted black pepper lamb sausage, black pepper oyster sauce, buttermilk vinaigrette, pear and red onion slaw and basil

“Spicy Yucatan” Pork & achiote sausage, avocado, pickled habanero and red onion, queso quesadilla cheese, deep-fried tortilla strips and cilantro

“Truffle Mac N’ Cheese” Bratwurst sausage, truffle mac ‘n’ cheese with Parmesan, brioche bread crumbs and thyme

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For a change of pace, these bike-friendly cities offer roads less traveled Story by Ashley Petry

As winter gives way to spring, the Monon Greenway will once again fill with bikers of all ages and abilities. But after the 20th ride to Bub’s Burgers or Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, you may long for a new cycling challenge, which means it’s time to pack up those padded shorts and get out of town. Here, we’ve rounded up the nation’s top five biking cities, perfect for cyclists who want a vigorous biking challenge or just a casual pedal around town.

Photo courtesy of Travel Portland / Polara Studios PAGE 90

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Travel

Portland, Ore.

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Bicycle Friendly Communities level: Platinum Bicycling magazine rank: Second From craft brewing to recycling to farm-to-fork dining, Portland is known for its sustainable, do-it-yourself mentality, a philosophy that extends to its unrivaled bicycle culture. The city has a dense network of bike lanes, bike boulevards and off-street paths, with more than 320 miles of bikeways within the city limits and another 600 miles of bikeways in the surrounding region. Its extensive mass-transit system is bike-friendly, and the city is replacing much of its traditional vehicle parking with bike-parking facilities. “If you’re a moderately skilled cyclist, you can ride pretty easily to pretty much any place in the city,” says Roger Geller, the city’s bicycle coordinator. Tourists often start their visit at Pedal Bike Tours (www.pedalbiketours.com), which offers bike rentals and guided pedal tours. Tour sights include the Oregon Brewery Trail, the Wine Country Trail, the Coffee Trail and the Bites by Bike culinary tour. Another popular option is the Lava Tour, which features Portland’s two (thankfully extinct) volcanoes. Each year, the city hosts about 2,100 organized bike rides, an average of six rides per day. Among them are the Worst Day of the Year Ride in February, the Bunny on a Bike Ride at Easter and the Naked Bike Ride in June—which is exactly what it sounds like. To accommodate cycling tourists, Portland International Airport recently added a unique feature: a bicycle assembly station equipped with all the tools you need to put your bike back together after the flight. When it comes to cycling, the city of Portland thinks of everything. When to visit: Time your trip for the annual Portland Bridge Pedal in August, when the city closes its main highways and bridges to vehicle traffic. “You’re up on these high spans over the river, with the views you usually only get when you’re flying by in a car, and you’re able to stop, take pictures and really soak it in,” says Laura Guimond, the sustainability communications manager for Travel Portland. Top trail: The Springwater Corridor multi-use trail winds along the Willamette River, from the heart of Portland to the small community of Sellwood. “Along the way, you will see bald eagles, ospreys on their nests, the great blue heron, which is our city bird, and all manner of wildlife, and it’s just a short pedal out of town,” Guimond says. The hookup: The Portland Wheelmen Touring Club (www.pwtc.com) offers a huge variety of group rides, from short

weekday rides to multi-day camping and biking tours. If you’re traveling with children, check the schedule for specially designed family rides. Where to eat: The Hopworks Urban Brewery bills itself as the city’s first ecopub, with organic beer, sustainable food and even a bike-powered beer stand that makes appearances at local events. Owner Christian Ettinger, who studied brewing science in Davis, Calif., is an avid biker, and the brewery is decorated with bikes and biking memorabilia. 2944 SE Powell Blvd., Portland; (503) 232-4677; www. hopworksbeer.com Where to stay: In the heart of downtown, the Ace Hotel has a hipster reputation, low prices and a fleet of free bicycles for guest use. As a bonus, it’s right across the street from one of the city’s newest bike shops. 1022 SW Stark St., Portland; (503) 228-2277; www.acehotel.com/Portland

To create this list, we weighed data from the League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly Communities program, which assigns designations of platinum, gold, silver and bronze to the nation’s most bikefriendly communities. Only three cities in the nation have earned platinum status, and all three are included here. We also reviewed Bicycling magazine’s recent list of the nation’s top 50 cycling cities, and finally we balanced our selections for geographic diversity.

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5 davis, calif. Bicycle Friendly Communities level: Platinum Bicycling magazine rank: Not applicable. (The magazine considered only communities of 100,000 or more.)

At certain intersections in Davis, more than 1,000 bikes pass through every 15 minutes — and this is in a city of just 65,000 people. The joke here is that Davis could easily compete with Portland as the nation’s “best biking city,” if only it could get itself recognized as a city. For bikers, the amenities here are staggering: more than 60 miles of on-street bike lanes and another 60 miles of bike paths in the greenbelt areas. Many busy intersections have overpasses or underpasses for pedestrians and cyclists, and some also have traffic signals with a special phase for bikers. The city is also home to the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, which moved from New Jersey in 2010 and merged with the California Bicycle Museum. “We have one of the earliest bikes known, from 1823, and we have bikes with big wheels, multiple wheels, big seats, side-by-side tandems,” says Tara Goddard, the city’s bicycle and pedestrian coordinator. “That’s a must-see if you’re going to come for a bike-themed vacation.” Elsewhere in Davis, tourists will find many other examples of cycling culture. The city has a huge number of bike shops, and the University of California campus locks down roadways in between classes to give cyclists the right of way. Residents voted years ago to eliminate school buses, so children learn early to commute by bike. The bicycle is so integral to Davis culture that it is even depicted on the town’s logo. “It’s such a big part of our civic identity here that it permeates everything,” Goddard says. Top: The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame photo courtesy of the city of Davis. Center: Amgen 2010 photo by Evan Davis. Bottom: Davis Farmers Market photo by Diana Childress. PAGE 92

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When to visit: “May is really the best month to come here,” Goddard says. The Amgen Tour of California often runs through Davis in May, although it will go through nearby Sacramento this year. In addition, the region celebrates the “May is Bike Month” program with a schedule of lectures and workshops, bike auctions, group rides, a bike-themed film festival and a few wacky events. The wild card on last year’s schedule: “Tour de Cluck,” a bicycle tour of the city’s backyard chicken coops. (It sold out.) Best area to explore: The heart of Davis is Central Park, which is home to both the Bicycling Hall of Fame and one of the nation’s best farmers markets. On Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, locals—most of them on bikes—crowd the market for fresh produce, honey, local meats, cheeses and other goodies. Top trail: For a mellow ride around town, try the 12-mile Davis Bike Loop, which passes through the 100-acre UCDavis arboretum. For a more rigorous ride, head to Mix Canyon Road, which climbs to an elevation of about 2,700 feet in the nearby foothills. On clear days, the view includes the Golden Gate Bridge and the entire Central Valley. But a word of warning: With an average grade of 9 percent and a top grade of 23 percent, this is said to be one of the steepest paved roads in the nation. The hookup: The Davis Bike Club (www. davisbikeclub.org) boasts that it has a group ride “virtually every day of the year,” from short weekday rides to ultra-distance tours. Where to eat: About 12 miles from Davis in Winters, Calif., the Putah Creek Café is a popular destination for Davis bikers, who use the journey to burn off the enormous home-style brunch. 1 Main St., Winters; (530) 795-2682; www.putahcreekcafe.com Where to stay: Frequently voted the best hotel in Davis, the low-key Hallmark Inn has a fleet of bicycles for guest use. Ask for the special biking package, which includes an upgraded king balcony room, complimentary bike and helmet rental, and two tickets to the Bicycling Hall of Fame ($179). 110 F St., Davis; (530) 753-3600; www.hallmarkinn.com NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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boulder, colo. Bicycle Friendly Communities level: Platinum Bicycling magazine rank: Third

Š2009 Paul Bousquet/Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau PAGE 94

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With more than 300 “blue sky” days a year, Boulder has long been a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s also home to the University of Colorado, whose 29,000 students have helped establish a deeply rooted cycling culture in this high-altitude destination. “We have a very extensive, very robust bikeway network. Essentially, you can get just about anywhere in the city by bike,” says Marni Ratzel, the city’s bike and pedestrian transportation planner. Boulder has 300 miles of dedicated bikeways, almost equal to its 305 miles of centerline roadways for vehicle traffic. The city also has 76 underpasses for pedestrians and cyclists, making busy intersections safer and more efficient. It is also launching the Boulder B-cycle bike-share program this summer, and construction of a 45-acre bicycle park is expected to be completed this spring. For those interested in urban planning, Boulder offers a self-guided Beyond Bike Paths tour, which highlights the city’s biking amenities and explains the steps taken to achieve platinum status in the Bicycle Friendly Communities program. (For a tour map, see www.goboulder.net.) When to visit: June is Bike and Walk Month in Boulder, and the city organizes more than 50 special events, including group rides and educational clinics. Best area to explore: On the historic Pearl Street Mall, which is closed to vehicle traffic, you’ll find street performers, live music and some of the city’s best shops and restaurants. Or load your bike onto a bus and head to nearby Celestial Seasonings for the popular factory tour. Top trail: After acclimating to the high altitude (and drinking lots of extra water), try the 3-mile Foothills Trail, which begins at the Foothills Nature Center and passes Wonderland Lake. The hookup: The Boulder Cycling Club (www.bouldercyclingclub.org) organizes yearround group rides, often on Saturday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday evenings. It also has a Visiting Cyclist Program, which connects tourists with bike rentals, places to stay and people to ride with. For a more casual meet-up, head to Amante Coffee, where cyclists often gather on Saturday mornings before hitting the trails. 4580 Broadway, Boulder; (303) 448-9999, www.amantecoffee.com Where to stay: The Millennium Harvest House Boulder is located along the popular Boulder Creek Path, and it’s just minutes (on one of the hotel’s rental bikes) from the University of Colorado, the Pearl Street Mall and other popular attractions. 1345 28th St., Boulder; (303) 443-3850; www.millenniumhotels.com NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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minneapolis

Photo courtesy of “Meet Minneapolis”

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Bicycle Friendly Communities level: Silver / Bicycling magazine rank: First


1 On the calendar of cycling events in Minneapolis, the most noticeable is the Winter Bike Commuting Class, where students learn how to bike safely in winter, how to maintain bikes in cold temperatures and how to dress for a safe commute. The classes, which are free, are one of many ways Minneapolis is working to become more bike-friendly despite its frigid climate. “We have hearty bike enthusiasts and commuters who will bike even in the middle of winter,” says Kristen Montag, marketing communications manager for the Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association. “There’s a lot of emphasis here on doing things sustainably, so I think it’s that and also the health factor.” For tourists, Minneapolis has a strong—and growing—cycling infrastructure, with 82 miles of off-street bike paths and 43 miles of on-street bike lanes. One of the highlights of the system is the full-service Freewheel Midtown Bike Center, which opened in 2008 and offers bike repairs and rentals, plus showers and bathrooms for cyclists. It’s located on the

Midtown Greenway, a 5.7-mile trail that crosses the southern portion of the city and connects the Chain of Lakes with the Mississippi River. Other options for bike rental include more than 60 bike shops in the area, such as the popular One on One Bicycle Studio. Or look for the 65 bike-share kiosks downtown, operated by nonprofit Nice Ride Minnesota. Top trail: The gem of the Minneapolis trail system is Grand Rounds, a 50-mile loop around the city. The trail’s seven byway districts pass by the Mississippi River, Minnehaha Creek and the Chain of Lakes, as well as the downtown riverfront area and many quiet residential neighborhoods. When to visit: To see the city in a different light, plan your trip around the annual Night Owl Classic, this year on Aug. 20. The non-competitive ride follows the Mississippi River and passes some of the city’s best-known landmarks. Options include a 3.5-mile Mini Hoot, an 8.5-mile Family

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Flight and a 16.5-mile Hoot Loop, which is recommended for more experienced riders. Best area to explore: The city’s main thoroughfare, Nicollet Mall, is closed to non-service vehicle traffic, and it’s lined with some of the city’s most popular shops and restaurants. The 11-block stretch is also home to the Minneapolis farmers market, held on Thursdays from May through October. The hookup: The University of Minnesota recently launched Cyclopath (www.cyclopath. org), an online service that generates bike routes based on starting and ending points in the seven-county Twin Cities area. It’s a geowiki, meaning users can edit the map, rate and discuss the trails, tag bike-friendly locations and share other insider gems. Where to stay: The Sheraton Midtown is located on the Midtown Greenway, just minutes from Nicollet Mall, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and other local attractions. 2901 Chicago Ave. South, Minneapolis; (612) 821-7600; www.starwoodhotels.com o

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madison, wis. Bicycle Friendly Communities level: Gold Bicycling magazine rank: Seventh

Photo by John Maniaci

On busy streets near the University of Wisconsin, cyclists often make up to 12,000 trips per day. But students aren’t the only ones who cycle here. Even during winter break, when students are gone and the temperatures are well below freezing, those same streets often see 2,000 cyclists a day. “They plow the bike paths here before they plow the streets,” says Diane Morganthaler, vice president of marketing and strategic planning for the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau. The city—which is working diligently for a platinum ranking in the Bicycle Friendly Communities program—has 40 miles of bike paths within city limits, plus another 200 miles of trails within the county. The compact city is easy to explore on two wheels, and it is the starting point for several of Wisconsin’s most popular trails. The city is also testing a new bike-share program, which will include 35 kiosks in the downtown area. For cyclists here, the appeal goes far beyond infrastructure. “It’s the geography and geology of the area,” says Arthur Ross, the city’s pedestrian and bicycle coordinator. “Being at the edge of a glaciated area, you have a choice of heading into areas that are relatively flat or areas that are quite hilly.” Madison also sits on an isthmus between two lakes, so waterfront loop trails PAGE 98

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are popular on weekends. Along the lakeshore, cyclists often gather at the Memorial Union, where the huge outdoor patio offers drinks, snacks and an unbeatable view. When to visit: To cycle the city without traffic woes, visit during the twice-annual Ride the Drive event. The city closes about 15 miles of its streets to car traffic, and 40,000 people turn out for music, food and the chance to see the city from a “car-free, care-free” perspective. The next event is June 5. Top trail: Running 40 miles from Madison to Dodgeville, the Military Ridge State Trail passes farms, forests and wetlands, as well as wildlife observation platforms and a historic railroad depot. It also touches the southern edges of Blue Mound State Park and Governor Dodge State Park, which have their own elaborate networks of hiking and biking trails. State trail passes are required ($4/day or $20/year). Best area to explore: The State Street pedestrian mall, which connects the University of Wisconsin and Capitol Square, is home to 200 cycling-friendly shops and restaurants, including more than 20 sidewalk cafes. Nearby are the Madison Children’s Museum, the State Historical Museum, the Madison Art Center and other popular attractions.

The hookup: Every weekend from April through November, the Bombay Bicycle Club (www.bombaybicycle.org) organizes group rides of 25 to 50 miles or more, often on scenic back roads near Madison. In the summer, the club also organizes 25-mile “social rides” on Thursday evenings and 10mile beginners’ rides on Tuesday evenings— a perfect way for tourists to interact with locals. All rides are rated as flat, moderately hilly or hilly, and participation is free. Where to eat: Locals flock to the Weary Traveler Freehouse, which has bike-themed décor and sponsors many cycling groups and events. The menu features local microbrews, casual farm-to-table dining and plenty of healthy options, such as carrot sticks instead of fries. It’s in the eclectic, bike-friendly Williamson Street neighborhood, known to locals as Willy Street. 1201 Williamson St., Madison; (608) 442-6207; www.wearytravelerfreehouse.com Where to stay: Built in 1857, the Mansion Hill Inn was the first residence on “Big Bug Hill,” the most elegant area of Victorian Madison. In 2008, Trek Bicycle Corp. bought the inn, adding cycling décor and incorporating bike-friendly amenities, such as a bike-rental program for guests. 424 N. Pinckney St., Madison; (800) 798-9070; www.mansionhillinn.com o


Nominate your mom for NORTH magazine’s Most Outstanding Mom (M.O.M.) Award. Send us your letters of recommendation, in 200 words or less, by Friday, April 29 to northmail@indynorthmag.com. The winning letter and a photo of the winning mother will print in our June issue, and M.O.M. will receive: • A stunning diamond necklace from Reis-Nichols Jewelers 24 diamonds set in 14k white gold, retail value $1,500

• Mother’s Day brunch for six at The Mansion at Oak Hill Valued at $165

• An overnight stay for two at French Lick Springs Hotel Includes dinner for two at 1875: The Steakhouse (value up to $100) and spa service of choice (value up to $90) at the Spa at French Lick

• A Mother’s Day floral arrangement from McNamara Florists

SpONSORed by NORTH MAgAziNe & THeSe geNeROuS SpONSORS:

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Health

As the baby boom generation begins to swell the ranks of the newly retired, it’s becoming increasingly common for middle-age adults to find themselves in new roles: caring for their elderly parents. Here, some insight and suggestions for managing your aging parents’ health. Get involved

It may seem obvious, but when life gets busy, it’s easy to forget to check in on your parents. Not only do you want to ask questions about their health, but you need to get involved. First, you need to be allowed to be involved, which means getting written and signed permission for health care providers to share information with you about your parent’s health. Due to the constraints placed on health care providers by the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), adult children should consider drawing up a document—to be signed by both the parent and his or her child—that spells out the parent’s consent for providers to share “Protected Health Information” with adult children. If you were to accompany your mother into an exam room, for instance, her doctor would be free to discuss any aspects of her health in front of you. But should you remain in the waiting room, her doctor would be prevented by law from discussing her case with you unless written permission had been obtained and submitted. Once this document is in place, health care providers are free to discuss all aspects of your parent’s situation with you. You also need to put together “a list of your parent’s medications along with the names of the doctors who prescribed them and the dosages they’re taking,” says Dr. Jeffrey Wheeler, a physician with Internal Medicine & Pediatrics in Fishers. Elderly patients may see numerous physicians, he explains, and having an accurate, up-todate list of current medications can go a long way toward helping health care professionals provide the best possible care for parents. The list should accompany the patient on every visit so physicians can review

your parent’s use of medications to rule out potential problems. By monitoring their lists of prescriptions, you can also keep control of the costs. “Be sure their medications can be switched to generics when appropriate,” Wheeler suggests. Switching to generics may prevent a parent from neglecting to take medications as prescribed in an effort to save money. In addition to medications, take along to doctor visits a bag filled with all the vitamins, herbs, over-the-counter medications and nutritional supplements your parent may be taking. Some supplements may interact with medications, and it’s important for a parent’s physician to understand precisely what he or she is taking and in what amounts, in order to rule out any inadvertent drug interactions. By bringing prescription drugs along as well, it should be easy for physicians to determine if your parent is taking drugs as prescribed. “It’s a way to eliminate errors,” Wheeler explains.

Recognize the signs

Dr. William Slama, who practices at Metro Infectious Disease & Primary Care Associates in Carmel, notes that by the time our parents are elderly, most of the major medical problems commonly faced will likely have manifested themselves and will be under treatment. Assuming these issues are already being addressed, Slama suggests you focus your attention on detecting the possible signs of early dementia. “Short-term memory loss is one of the first things you’ll notice,” Slama says. A parent may For assistance with assessment of cognitive function and overall health and wellness, contact: St. Vincent Center for Healthy Aging 8220 Naab Road, Suite 101, Indianapolis (317) 338-7780, www.stvincent.org

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have excellent recall of childhood memories, for instance, but may be unable to remember what he or she just had for lunch. Another sign: “They’ll get quiet, stop talking,” Slama adds. “Most patients don’t notice what’s happening.” And that’s where you come in. For assistance with nutritional needs, contact: Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County Inc. 395 Westfield Road, Noblesville, (317) 776-7159 www.mealsonwheelshc.org.

Wheeler suggests adult children watch for signs of cognitive decline in their parents, such as an inability to balance a checkbook, getting lost while driving or accusing people of rearranging or taking items in the home. “This is the most sensitive issue of all,” he explains. “If you suspect memory loss, outcomes are better if you catch it earlier.” Treatments are available that can stabilize memory loss for three to five years. “It’s not wrong to ask a patient’s doctor to do a baseline Alzheimer’s screening,” Wheeler adds. While this may require scheduling a separate appointment, it enables physicians to better assess the progression of any mild memory impairment and to take steps to curtail it. “As dementia progresses, living alone becomes very dangerous,” Slama says. Some adult children move their parents in with them, but some parents may resist being moved. Social workers can perform a safety assessment in the home, and Meals On Wheels may be able to assist with meal deliveries.

Parents on the go

Avoid problems before they arise. Medicare patients can get a free physical examination within the first year or two of enrolling in Medicare. “Everyone should take advantage of this,” says Wheeler, “but you have to schedule it in the first two years.” Keep your parents active. While frequent falls are a clue to potential problems, you don’t want to simply tell your parents to take it easy. Rather, “if your parent is weak, or experiencing frequent falls, ask her doctor about physical therapy,” Wheeler suggests. The goal is to encourage increased strength and more mobility, not less. “With physical therapy, patients can maximize their health, while maintaining mobility and independence.” Insurance often pays for this service. As eyesight and hearing decline, driving can also be an issue, Slama says. Broaching the subject is unlikely to be easy, however. Try taking your parent to the local branch of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and ask officials to administer a driving test. While “Indiana doesn’t PAGE 102 NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com


take licenses away too easily,” Slama notes, it will gladly administer the driving portion of the exam upon request. Should your parent fail, your problem may be solved, handily absolving you of responsibility for taking away their treasured driving privileges. “Hamilton County has a driving service for the elderly,” says Slama. For a nominal fee, it may be possible to arrange transportation around the county for your parent.

Deal with depression

It’s important for concerned adult offspring to be on the lookout for signs of depression, Wheeler says. Excessive fatigue, loss of interest in hobbies, loss of appetite, falling body weight and excessive sleep may be a sign of clinical depression requiring attention. And these symptoms are easily confused with early signs of dementia. “Depression is very common, and it is often missed,” Wheeler explains. Slama says depression among the elderly is a problem that is often ignored but is highly treatable. “Keep them as busy as you can,” Slama recommends. “Don’t encourage them to sit down. ... Get them engaged in activity, physical and mental.” Should you suspect depression, talk to your parent’s physician about other more advanced ways to treat the illness. For transportation assistance within Hamilton County, as well as other programs benefiting seniors, contact: PrimeLife Enrichment Inc. 1078 Third Ave. SW, Carmel (317) 815-7000 www.primelifeenrichment.org

Plan for the worst

You need to have “an end-of-life discussion,” Wheeler says. Hammer out the provisions of your parent’s wishes regarding end-of-life decisions and formalize them in a living will. “Be sure to communicate those decisions to every member of the family,” he adds. The living will, also known as an advance health care directive, provides instructions regarding what actions should be taken in the event that the patient is no longer able to make those decisions for him or herself. It appoints a specific person who assumes these responsibilities in the case of patient incapacity. Finally, says Slama, give yourself a reality check. Recognize that it may not be in an elderly parent’s best interest to aggressively pursue every conceivable medical option to prolong life, as the end of life approaches. “Kids need to be realistic in terms of what’s feasible,” Slama explains. “It’s hard to give up on parents, but there comes a time when nothing medically will help.” o NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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Arts & Lifestyles

State champion Harold Owens has had many ups and few downs in his still-young, competitive yo-yo career Story by Brett A. Halbleib • Photos by Dario Impini

Back in seventh-grade study hall, Harold Owens III spent much of his time studying science. Maybe not the science his teachers had assigned him, but science nonetheless. Owens studied objects in motion. He studied the effects of gravity. He studied inertia and friction. And he held his teacher in the palm of his hand. Still does. Owen is a yo-yo expert, a yo-yo champion and a yo-yo artist. From those humble study hall beginnings at Carmel Middle School, Owens has since gone on to become an Indiana state champion—a feat he hopes to repeat in May before moving on to participate in his first national competition.

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Harold Owens NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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Win or lose, he’s come a long way since study hall, where he got hooked by watching a friend, Mitch Ginder. “I’d be his audience in study hall,” Owens says. But it was no simple, round, wooden disk on the end of a string that caught his attention. Ginder’s yo-yo was like none he had seen before. Old-style yo-yos work off a basic system: a wood peg through the middle with a string around it. “That friction limits the yoyo,” Owens explains. Modern yo-yos, however, house a ball-bearing mechanism, which greatly reduces the friction. “So the momentum you have will last longer and let you manipulate the string for a long time—that’s what lets you do the tricks.” Remember old tricks like “walk the dog”? With modern yo-yos, you could walk the dog to Broad Ripple, take it to the vet, get it groomed and have its picture taken with Santa—and the yo-yo would still be spinning. Encouraged and inspired by Ginder, Owens soon acquired a yo-yo of his own—a Fast 201, made by the YoYoFactory—and attempted his first trick. “I’m sitting there with a yo-yo at the end of a string, spinning helplessly,” Owens says. “It’s harder than it looks. I’ve heard that a lot, but it’s true.” Fortunately, he had time in seventh-grade study hall to master the basics. “I didn’t have too much homework back then,” says Owens, now a Carmel High School senior. He thought he could get as good as Ginder. He started setting goals—then setting bigger goals. And he practiced—a lot. At home. In the living room. At school. Walking down the hallways. “But I never let it affect my studies,” he points out.

Claim to fame

When he got to high school, Owens tried a few other activities. He played football for two years but found “it’s a lot of work.” All he has time for is school, yo-yoing and his job at Nu-Way Cleaners in Carmel. Most classmates at Carmel High now instantly recognize him as “the yo-yo guy.” He practices while walking down the hallway. At first, he thought teachers might object. “But eventually, they figured out I’m under control,” he says. “I’ve never hit anyone else.” Owens excels academically—in and out of the classroom. “You know how fathers and sons usually talk about sports?” mom Cassie Owens asks. “These two knuckleheads will sit around and deconstruct a calculus problem on a whiteboard in his father’s office, or talk about chemical compounds and what effect it’ll have on blah, blah, blah. It’s different.” At first, his parents, Harold Jr. and Cassie Owens, thought the yo-yo was a fad, just a random thing. But after about a year of nonstop yo-yoing, “they figured out that it was my NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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thing,” Owens says. “They embraced it. They’ve been very supportive. I showed my mom a lot of stuff—she was my audience that first year.” Cassie isn’t surprised by her son’s yo-yo success because “he continually amazes me,” she says. “He just looks at a thing and then figures it out.” She knew he was getting serious about the yo-yo when he started keeping a notebook filled with tricks he wanted to learn. She says, “Once he started another notebook on yo-yo tricks, that’s when we knew, OK, he’s really gonna stick with this.” Owens went about filling up his yo-yo notebook by consulting videos and other experts from the Internet, which yielded a treasure trove of information. “The Internet is a great thing,” he says. “There’s so much stuff out there. You can look up tutorials on YouTube, watch videos of people or chat with people and figure out stuff.” Owens made steady progress but soon found he had worked his way through the tricks for beginners. He returned to the Internet, but this time he began studying videos meant for exhibition rather than education. “I’d watch other people and try to pick things up from their routines,” he says. He knew he was getting pretty good when he found he was able to piece together different tricks and routines from a variety of sources and make it his own—also known as freestyling. Owens prefers freestyling. “You get to show what you can come up with,” he explains. “It’s more original.” In freestyle competitions, each entrant gets a set amount of time to perform, usually two or three minutes. Anyone can enter the freestyle category, but it’s tougher. “That’s where the most advanced players are.”

Auspicious beginning

Owens entered his first competition—the annual Indiana State Yo-Yo Contest, held at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis—in May 2009. He placed third in state and 13th in the overall competition (which includes entrants from any state). “Pretty good for my first contest,” he says. “That was the first time I’d ever seen a huge room full of people who do what I do. That was a really exciting moment for me.” For his mom, too. “I was absolutely overjoyed that he was recognized for the talent I always knew he had,” she says. At the event, Owens networked with other competitors. “I met the guy who was fourth in the nation at the time, Chris Fraser,” he says. “We’re both about the same age. I’d seen him, watched his videos. And I got to talk to him and hang out. I think it’s that way with any sport. When you get out and meet people, you get so much inspiration and you get better. You get to teach those who aren’t PAGE 108 NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

as good, and you get to ask those who are better how they do the things they do.” Owens continued to practice and improve. He returned to the Indiana State Yo-Yo contest in 2010 and had quite a day. “I took the SAT that day, in the morning,” Owens explains. “I didn’t have time to practice or anything. It took us 25 or 30 minutes to get to the competition—after the SAT. I was panicking, but we made it. We got there, and I had 10 minutes before I had to do a prelim.” He turned on Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” (performances include music) and proceeded to put on a yo-yo clinic. Once he was finished, Owens walked away with first place in the resident competition—and first in the overall competition. “To go from 13th to first in one year—I was very surprised,” he says. He won about $300 in cash, plus generous gift bags. He estimates he received about $1,000 worth of yo-yos and merchandise. (Oh, and he scored a 2000 on his SAT—well above the state average of about 1544.) Having won at the state level, Owens went on to place well enough at regional competitions to qualify for the National Yo-Yo Contest. He felt he was ready for the big time. He and his father set out last October for California, but an airline scheduling blunder prevented them from making it to California in time for the competition. “There was nothing they could do,” he says. “The earliest flight wouldn’t have arrived until 5 p.m. the next day. It would’ve been over by then.” “I was so sad,” Owens recalls. “That was a huge disappointment for me.” But he has since been using the experience as motivation. He’s amped up his practices. “To miss something that important, it makes you want to try really hard,” he says. “It gives you something to prove.” Owens feels he’s ready for this year’s state and national competitions. He’s training every day with one of the nearly two dozen yoyos he owns—most of which sell for around $120. “I won a lot of them at contests,” he explains. “And it’s like an investment. I’ll keep them as long as I can.” Most yo-yos are made from aluminum. “It’s durable and lightweight. You don’t want a heavy yo-yo—somewhere between 60 and 70 grams,” Owens says. “They’re machined, and they’re really precise. You need that for the level of performance that yo-yoers demand.” His yo-yos occasionally acquire scratches and dings—especially if they hit concrete. “It’s really hard to keep a yo-yo more than a year without hitting something. But that won’t keep it from working.” Should Owens win at nationals this year, he’d like to secure a sponsorship from a major yo-yo company. He’d get free merchandise—


“It’s harder than it looks. I’ve heard that a lot, but it’s true.” — Harold Owens

plus he’d get to travel the world promoting yo-yos as part of a sanctioned team. “I would enjoy that a lot,” he says. Ultimately, he hopes to make it to the 2011 World Yo-Yo Contest, held in the fall in Florida. “It is the coolest contest you could go to,” he explains. “Three days of living with every yo-yoer you could imagine. You just hang out all the time.” And if yo-yo glory proves elusive? Well, it turns out all that science in study hall paid off in other ways. Owens has accepted a full scholarship to Jackson State University in Mississippi, where he plans to begin his pursuit of a degree in chemical engineering. That is, when he’s not practicing his freestyle routines. o

trends | food | health | people | home | travel | leisure | events | & more

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Featuring the art, writing, poetry and photography of talented northside students. If you know a talented young poet, writer, artist or photographer on the northside, please send in their creations for possible inclusion in our next issue. E-mail high-resolution photographs or word documents to northmail@indynorthmag.com. And don’t forget to include the student’s name, age and school.

Dancing

1. Starr Amar, Second grade, Carmel Elementary 2. Billy Ivy, Carmel Middle School 3. Carly Ellefsen, 12th grade, Lawrence Central High School 4. Momoha Kato, Fourth grade, Cherry Tree Elementary 5. Anna Hosfeld, Carmel Middle School 6. Delaney McNamar, St. Luke Catholic School 7. Marisabel Segovia, Carmel Middle School 8. Meredith Ashburn, Third grade, Carmel Elementary 9. Elly Liu, Kindergarten, Carmel Elementary 10. Katie Krauter, Carmel Middle School 11. Elizabeth Richardson, Third grade, Carmel Elementary PAGE 110 NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

y passion Dancing is m y key Dancing is m o te thing to d It’s my favori the real me It brings out at costume Putting on th stage Going on that u do it atter how yo m t o n es o d It at’s your age Or really wh ’s not a sport People say it think it is I personally ns around Everybody ru It’s showbiz. Get use to it,


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Mary & Martha’s Exceedingly Chic Boutique is a unique clothing boutique on Carmel’s Main Street. We strive to help women find clothing that brings out their true beauty and makes them feel fantastic. We carry lines from Pandora, Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, Joseph Ribkoff, Michael Stars, Susana Monaco, CJ by Cookie Johnson Jeans, Chan Luu, Mystree, Free People and many others!

Mary & Martha’s ExcEEdingly chic BoutiquE 111 W. Main street, suite 120 317.848.2624 www.maryandmarthas.com

L’EVENTO [luh-VEN-toh] : We make planning your own event easy and fun. From the initial “just getting started” phase to the final details, we can assist you at every step. A friendly Client Concierge will be happy to answer your questions and provide information on the area’s finest vendors. Best of all - our services are completely free! Visit us today to get your planning underway!

L’Evento Event Resource Boutique 21 S Range Line Road, Suite 100, Carmel 317-564-4856 • www.leventoboutique.com

Mo Gal non & lery M & S ain hop s

Don’t miss these great spots

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Carmel Arts & Design District

Art s& Lof Desig ts & n D Sho istric t ppe s

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Public Art

Integrity Automotive was founded in 1994. We offer complete domestic and foreign auto repair service and currently serve the Carmel, Indiana and surrounding areas. We have found our niche in the community by providing honest, high quality auto service and repair. Integrity Automotive differentiates itself by offering a personal repair service with a fully trained technical staff. This offers an incredible value to customers who rely on clear communication and smooth work flow to get their cars serviced efficiently and quickly. Our goal is to maintain a loyal customer base through a personalized approach on business.

IntegrIty AutomotIve 40 S rangeline rd Carmel, In 46032 Phone 317.573.0107 | Fax 317.573.0131 www.IntegrityAutomotive.net PAGE 112 NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

Ol Mo d Town non Apa on the rtm ents

Art s Dis & De trict s Offi ign ces

Consignment store specializing in furniture, lamps, artwork, and accessories for your home. Our inventory changes daily and includes fabulous items from model home close-outs, estates, and local consignments.

AmAndA’s City-ChiC Consignment 522 s. Rangeline Rd, Carmel 46032 317-573-0061 www.indianapolisconsignment.com

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1) 28 Star Studio | 25 West Main Street (317) 848-2828 | www.28starstudio.com

2) 541 Salon | 541 North Rangeline Road (317) 580-0541 | www. 541salon.com

3) Amanda’s City Chic Consignment | 522 South Rangeline Road (317) 573-0061 | www.amandascitychicconsignment.com

4) Artichoke Design Boutique - 10 South Rangeline Road (317) 587-7411 Home Store - 240 West Main (317) 571-8087

For All Your Chiropractic Needs

Welcome to Rangeline Chiropractic, serving Carmel, Indianapolis, Westfield, Noblesville, Zionsville, and surrounding areas. Dr. Hillary Hushower is committed to providing quality chiropractic care to people of all ages. Visit www.Rangelinechiropractic.com for new patient specials.

www.artichokedesignsstudio.com

5)Artisan Masterpiece | 19 East Main Street, Suite 300 (317) 818-0774 | www.artisanmasterpiece.com

6) ArtSplash Gallery | 111 West Main Street, Suite 140

RANGELINE CHIROPRACTIC 531 N. Rangeline Rd., Carmel 317.574.1115

(317) 564-4834 | www.carmelartsplash.com

7) Barrett Eye Care | 111 West Main Street, Suite 135 (317) 571-9292

8) Circle City Tuxedo | 1117 South Rangeline Road (317) 815-1679 | www.circlecitytuxedo.com

9) CK Designs | 5 West Main Street (317) 569-9450 10) Computer Troubleshooters 316 South Rangeline Road, Suite C (317) 867-0900 | www.ctcarmel.com

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11) Edward Jones: Kelly Hindman | 39 West Main Street

23 Ran geli ne

RD

(317) 843-2455 | http://www.edwardjones.com/en_US/fa/index.html&CIRN=313718

12) The Ginkgo Tree | 105 First Avenue NE (317) 8GINKGO | www.theginkgotree.net

13) The Great Frame Up | 21 First Street SW

27

(317) 843-2030 | www.carmel.thegreatframeup.com

14) Integrity Automotive | 40 South Rangeline Road (317) 573-0107 | www.integrityautomotive.net

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in

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26 9

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(317) 564-4856 | www.leventoboutique.com

18) La Dolce Salon and Spa | 1119 South Rangeline Road

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(317) 848-0294 | www.ladolcesalon.com

19) Lauck and McLean Optometry | 30 First Street SW (317) 848-9081 | www.lauckmclean.com

20) Magdalena Gallery/Carmel Academy for the Arts 27 East Main Street (317) 844-0005 | www.magdalenagallery.com

Ind iana Cen Design ter

17 25 16

5

17) L’Evento | 21 South Range Line Road, Suite 100

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21) Mary and Martha’s Exceedingly Chic Boutique 111 West Main Street, Suite 120 (317) 848-2624 | www.maryandmarthas.com

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3 8 18

16) Kilpatrick Traditions | 301 South Rangeline Road 317-569-1782 | www.kilpatricktraditions.com

4 14

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15) Kanji Classroom Advanced Japanese Language and Culture Program (317) 348-0529 | www.kanjicamp.com

22) Museum of Miniature Houses | 111 East Main Street Circle City Tuxedo has everything you need to make sure you look and feel great at your next formal event. Whether you are getting married, going to prom, or attending a black tie gala, Circle City Tuxedo will help you find the perfect look.

(317) 575-9466 | www.museumofminiatures.org

Experience. Integrity. Personal Service. Tuxedo Rentals & Sales. We will sponsor your event!

(317) 848-0020 | www.savvydecor.com

CirCle City tuxedo 1117 S. rangeline Carmel, iN 46032 317-815-1679 www.circlecitytuxedo.com

23) Rangeline Chiropractic | 531 N. Rangeline Road (317) 575-1115 | www.rangelinechiropractic.com

24) Renaissance Fine Art & Design | 246 Main St. W (317) 506-8477

25) Savvy Décor | 41 South Rangeline Road 26) Simply Sweet Shoppe/Second Story Playhouse 30 North Range Line Road (317) 818-9866 | www.30northrangeline.com

27) Visiting Angels | 241 North Range Line Road (317) 569-0262 | www.visitingangels.com

28) Woodys Library Restaurant | 40 East Main Street NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com (317) 573-4444 | www.woodyscarmel.com

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JUSTMARRIED Abby & Nathan Custer Dec. 31, 2010 - Jan. 1, 2011 St. Louis de Montfort & Renaissance North Hotel Photos by Brian McGuckin www.brianmcguckin.com Flowers by Traci Mosby / Bella’s Blooms; dress purchased at David’s Bridal; hair by Carly Rush / Makefresh Salon; makeup by Brandy Colip / Eyemax.

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oliver’s twist invitations • stationery

Whether your event is elegant and sophisticated or casual and fun, Oliver’s Twist will set the tone for what will be a very special occasion.

 clay terrace carmel, indiana

317.569.8420 www.oliverstwistllc.com

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JUSTMARRIED Kate & Danny Berger Jan. 15, 2011, at Laurel Hall Photos by Stephen Simonetto www.SimonettoPhotography.com Cake by Maggie Lorgoulloux, Charleston, S.C.; flowers by Jan Johnson / Wedding Flowers Design Studio; dress purchased at Posie Patch.

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OUR SIDE OF TOWN Palladium Opening Night Gala Jan. 29, 2011 At The Palladium 1. The Center for the Performing Arts hosted “A Landmark Celebration” gala on Jan. 29, 2011. A temporary structure at the Palladium’s south entrance provided the glamorous backdrop for the cocktail reception and dinner. Premier Events planned the celebration with Kahn’s Catering presenting the dining experience. 2. Arts critic Lou Harry attended the gala concert featuring Michael Feinstein, jazz artist Chris Botti, pop icon Neil Sedaka, recording artist Dionne Warwick and Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson. 3. Palmer Kelly Design created the florals for the gala event. 4. Carmel Mayor James Brainard with his wife, Liz Brainard, and daughter, Martha. 5. Greg Hale and Monika Nyby. 6. Alex and Emily Poladian. 7. The Encore Celebration featured five distinct night clubs within the Palladium, including a dance party on the Palladium’s stage, just below the organ pipes. 8. Guests mingled outside the Palladium in a temporary structure at the south entrance. 9. Kristie and Andrew Smith smile for the camera. 10. Kahn’s Catering presented a shrimp appetizer station during the pre-show cocktail party. 11. Carmel residents Ila and Jack Badger.

Photos by Sherri Cullison

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OUR SIDE OF TOWN Palladium RibbonCutting Ceremony Jan. 22, 2011, at The Palladium 1. Balloons drop after remarks and a ceremonial ribbon cutting. The occasion included formal remarks by the Center for the Performing Arts CEO/President Steven B. Libman, Artistic Director Michael Feinstein, board chairman Rollin Dick, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard and architect David Schwarz. 2. Carmel resident Julia Bonnett performed during “Take Center Stage at the Palladium.” This musical showcase featured all ages and a variety of talent from across Indiana. 3. Members of the 38th Infantry Division Band of the Indiana Army National Guard. 4. Guests left the ribbon-cutting with a souvenir ribbon marking the Palladium opening. 5. Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, Artistic Director Michael Feinstein and CEO/President Steven B. Libman. 6. Carmel Brass took the stage immediately following the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The concert marked the premiere performance of “The Palladium Suite,” composed by Carmel resident Scott Jurek.

Photos by Mike Jenneman

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The Studio Theater Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony March 2, 2011, at The Center For The Performing Arts 1. The Human Slinky performs. The performance artist has appeared on “Late Night with David Letterman,”“The View” and “America’s Got Talent.” 2. Bill Hammer of the Carmel Redevelopment Commission shared remarks during the ceremony. 3. Kahn’s Catering inaugurated the opening with an ice sculpture showcasing the theater’s logo. 4. Dignitaries cut the ribbon.

Community Day Feb. 26, 2011 At The Studio Theater at The Center For The Performing Arts 1. A view from the second floor, looking down on the 200-seat Studio Theater. 2. Community Day included performances from central Indiana musicians. 3. Audiences enjoy the intimate flavor of the Studio Theater. 4. Ray Compton, right, emceed the event.

Photos by Sherri Cullison

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OUR SIDE OF TOWN NORTH Magazine Reader Appreciation Night Jan. 20, 2011 At Tastings Wine Bar and Bistro at the Conrad Hotel 1. (From left) Tammy Hunt, Lori Hartman, Scott Barratt, Julia Ware, Mike Rolf and Meredith Jones. 2. Tastings keeps bottles of wine in rotation for two to three months before switching to a new label. 3. Heather Lloyd and Tricia Bechman. 4. (From left) Jeremy Sells, Lisa Sells, Nancy Lerch and John Allen. 5. Attendees lounge and sample “tastes� of wine from the circular tasting stations. 6. Cynthia Olsen.

Photos by Sherri Cullison

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2011 An Evening of Thanks March 4, 2011, at Carmel Clay Library 1. Guest of honor Dr. Kent M. Keith addresses the crowd. 2. Carmel Clay Public Library Director Wendy Phillips, left, talks to Jill Meisenheimer. 3. (From left) Elijah Condellone, Anne Gillespie and Jim Nestor 4. Michael Ann McIlwraith looks at the newly unveiled donor recognition plaque. 5. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres were served at the event. 6. (From left) Judge Robert K. Staton with Gregory Phillips. 7. Foundation Board President David Temple. 8. (From left) Linda Kennen, Karen Kohlmann, Rich Kohlmann and Elizabeth Brainard.

Photos by Mike Jenneman

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Calendar of Events

April & May

SATURDAYS

The Hedgehog Music Showcase Radio Revue takes you on a trip back to the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s. The revue takes the form of a live radio show featuring music from the era. Concessions are available. Cost: $5 per person. Time: 8 p.m. Saturdays. Location: 101 W. Main St., Arcadia. Information: (317) 984-3560 or www.arcadiainarts.com.

APRIL

Compiled by Amy Norman

Tony Award nominee and “American Idol” finalist Constantine Maroulis reprises his acclaimed performance as Drew in the first national tour of the five-time Tony Award-nominated smash-hit musical “Rock of Ages,” an arena-rock love story told through the hits of Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Poison, White Snake and more. Show dates and times: 7:30 p.m. April 12, 13 and 14; 8 p.m. April 15; 2 and 8 p.m. April 16; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. April 17. Tickets: $22 to $69. Location: Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis. Information: (317) 940-9697 or www.cloweshall.org. Head to Conner Prairie and have an “eggs”cellent adventure. Learn about the tradition of giving Easter eggs and participate in an egg craft, then decorate a basket and search for Easter eggs. Reservations required. Cost: $12 per person for nonmembers; $11 per person for members. Kids must be accompanied by an adult (at no charge). Dates and times: 9:30 to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m. April 2 and April 22. Location: Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers. Information and reservations: (317) 776-6006 or www.connerprairie.org. “I Hate Hamlet,” a comedy set in John Barrymore’s apartment in New York City, hits the stage of the Carmel Community Playhouse. With his television career in limbo, the actor is offered the opportunity to play Hamlet onstage, but there’s a problem: He hates Hamlet. Show times: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Dates: April 1-3 and 8-10. Tickets: $15 adults; $12 students and seniors 62 and older. Location: Carmel Community Playhouse, 14299 Clay Terrace Blvd. Suite 140, Carmel. Information: (317) 815-9387 or www.carmelplayers.org. The Carmel Repertory Theatre performs “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris,” which reflects the full scope of what it means to be alive, where every song is a story. Show times: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Dates: April 7-10, 14-17 and 21-23. Location: The Studio Theater, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 767-3973 or www.carmelrepertorytheatre.com.

APRIL & MAY Actors Theatre of Indiana brings “Chicago,” winner of six Tony Awards and the Academy Award for best picture, to the stage. “Chicago” features a dazzling score and the immortal staging by the PAGE 124 NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com


great Bob Fosse. Times vary. Show dates: April 28May 1, May 4-8, May 11-15 and May 18-22. Tickets: $25. Location: The Studio Theater, 355 City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 669-7983 or www.actorstheatreofindiana.org.

THROUGH APRIL 3

The second greatest spectacle in racing returns to the Indiana State Museum. Race your derby cars on the tallest, longest and fastest Pinewood Derby track. Location: 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. Information: (317) 232-1637 or www.indianamuseum.org.

APRIL 1

Savion Glover brings SoLE PoWER to the Palladium as he continues to thrill audiences with his technique, footwork and blinding speed. Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $15 to $55. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 8433800 or www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.

APRIL 1-3

Come see old favorites and what the year has in store during Conner Prairie’s Opening Weekend. The newest offerings include the Junior Aeronaut Adventure, Help Build a Potter’s Shop in Prairietown and the Trading Post Horse Packing program. Times: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 1 and 2; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 3. Cost: $14 adults; $13 seniors 65 and older; $9 children ages 2 to 12; free for members and children younger than 2. Location: Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers. Information and reservations: (317) 776-6006 or www.connerprairie.org.

APRIL 2

Pack a picnic lunch with the ever-popular PB&J and head to Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve to celebrate National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day. Enjoy peanut butter and jelly themed games and activities, including planting your own peanut plant to take home and trying different jellies. Cost: $4 for a Fishers resident; $6 non-resident; children 3 and younger free. Time: 11 a.m. Location: Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve, 10410 Hague Road, Fisher. Information: (317) 595-3150 or www.fishers.in.us/parks.

APRIL 3

The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra makes its central Indiana debut on its first North American tour in five years at the Palladium. Time: 7 p.m. Tickets: $35 to $65. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 8433800 or www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.

APRIL 7-8

Kids 6 to 13 are invited to “Archaeology, Action and Art!” at Conner Prairie. Participants will experience what it feels like to be an archaeologist during a simulated dig, make their own pottery, canoe on the pond, roast s’mores over a fire and more. Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $55 per person for non-members; $50 per person for members. Location: Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers. Information and reservations: (317) 7766006 or www.connerprairie.org.

APRIL 8

Martin Preston recreates the magic of Liberace with favorites like “The Beer Barrel Polka,” “Malaguena,” “The 12th Street Rag” and “I’ll Be Seeing You,” carefully reproduced from the original signature arrangements. Time: 6 p.m. Cost: $45, which includes the show and a prime rib dinner buffet. Location: The Mansion at Oak Hill, 5801 E. 116th St., Carmel. Information: (317) 843-9850 or www.oakhillmansion.com.

APRIL 9

known for his role as Day-Day opposite Ice Cube in both “Next Friday” and “Friday After Next.” He also has starred in films such as “The Hangover,” “The Fighting Temptations” and this summer’s “Lottery Ticket.” Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $39.50 to $49.50. Location: Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis. Information: (317) 917-2727 or www. consecofieldhouse.com.

APRIL 9-10

Experience firsthand the fears and challenges faced by Indiana’s runaway slaves during “Follow the North Star,” a dramatic and powerful re-enactment where participants play the parts of runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad. Will you find freedom? Will anyone help you? Also April 16-17 and 23-24. Reservations required. Cost: $20 per person for non-members; $17 per person for members. Location: Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers. Information and reservations: (317) 776-6006 or www. connerprairie.org.

APRIL 15

The Joffrey Ballet brings its unique, inclusive perspective on dance, which proudly reflects the diversity of America with its company, audiences and repertoire, to Clowes Memorial Hall for the first time. Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $35, $30 and $25. Location: 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis. Information: (317) 9409697 or www.cloweshall.org.

Debby Boone takes to the Palladium stage in a musical tribute to her late mother-in-law, the legendary singer Rosemary Clooney. Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $40 to $70. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 843-3800 or www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.

Adam Riviere brings his electro-acoustic ambient music to the Eiteljorg. His music is centered on the spirit of the Native American flute, along with the tongue drum and steel drum. Location: Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. Information: (317) 636-9378 or www.eiteljorg.org.

Learn about Conner Prairie’s historic breeds of sheep and watch as skilled hands remove their wooly coats. Try your hand at historic textile crafts and watch demonstrations of sheep herding, spinning, dyeing and weaving wool into cloth. Location: Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers. Information and reservations: (317) 7766006 or www.connerprairie.org.

Enjoy the tremendous harmonies of The Wright Brothers Band. The Indiana-based band is sure to bring a smile to your face. Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $25 to $70. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 843-3800 or www. thecenterfortheperformingarts.org. Comedian and actor Mike Epps comes to the stage in “Mike Epps and Friends.” Epps is best

APRIL 15-17

APRIL 16

A thousand and one stories come to life with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra as it performs “Scheherazade,”“Romeo and Juliet” and “The Firebird” during “A Thousand and One Nights.” Time: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 to $40. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 8433800 or www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.

APRIL 6

More than 15,000 children passed through Terezin Concentration Camp during World War II; fewer than 100 survived. “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” shares the hopes, fears and beauty of the children of Terezin. This true story is told through the artwork and poetry these children left behind. Recommended for children 10 years and older. Time: Noon. Tickets: $13 adults; $8 children younger than 18. Location: Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis. Information: (317) 940-9697 or www.cloweshall.org.

APRIL 16

Put on your pink and head to IUPUI for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Time: 9 a.m. Cost: $25. Information: (317) 638-CURE or www.komenindy.org.

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APRIL 29-MAY 1

Sylvia McNair & The Four Freshmen take to the ISO stage. Time: 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday; 8 p.m. Saturday; and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $28 to $75. Location: Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle, Indianapolis. Information: (317) 639-4300 or www.indianapolissymphony.org.

Photo by Laura Beatty

Come plant a tree in celebration of Arbor Day at the Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve. After the tree planting, naturalists will lead forest hikes. Free. Location: 10410 Hague Road, Fishers. Information: (317) 595-3150 or www.fishers.in.us.

APRIL 30

Grammy-winning producer and composer Marcus Miller and Wallace Rooney, the phenomenal trumpeter and carrier of the Miles Davis torch, pay tribute to the legendary Miles Davis during “Celebrating Miles.” Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $20 to $65. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 843-3800 or www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.

APRIL 29-MAY 1

APRIL 17

APRIL 26

The Grammy-winning Kronos Quartet, one of the most celebrated and influential string quartets of our time, brings its adventurous approach to the Palladium. Time: 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 to $70. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 843-3800 or www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.

“From the Top” with host Christopher O’Riley is the pre-eminent showcase for America’s best young musicians. Time: 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 to $80. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 843-3800 or www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.

APRIL 21

“The Devil Went Down to Georgia” made Charlie Daniels an overnight success. Come hear why The Charlie Daniels Band became a rollicking, Grammy-winning success. Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $30. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 843-3800 or www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.

“Click, Clack, Moo” a hilarious musical about negotiation and compromise comes to the Clowes Memorial Hall stage. When Farmer Brown’s granddaughter Jenny comes to visit, the farmer declares the farm a “tech-free zone.” He puts Jenny’s laptop in his barn along with the cows who end up using her computer to type requests for themselves and the other farm animals. Time: Noon. Tickets: $13 adults; $8 children younger than 18. Location: 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis. Information: (317) 940-9697 or www.cloweshall.org.

APRIL 23

APRIL 29

MAY 11

Hear the story of the Three Sisters Garden (corn, beans and squash) and take home seeds to plant in your own garden. Enjoy activities and explore ways to honor the Earth, including storytelling and a round dance as the Eiteljorg celebrates the life of Leon Jett, who through his life, his work and volunteering was a wonderful example of making the world a better place. Bring a canned food item to donate to Gleaners Food Bank. Location: Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. Information: (317) 636-9378 or www.eiteljorg.org.

Michael Feinstein, artistic director for the Center for the Performing Arts, takes center stage for an evening of timeless music. A multi-platinum selling, five-time Grammy-nominated entertainer dubbed “The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” Feinstein is considered one of the premier interpreters of American standards. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 843-3800 or www. thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.

Take a walking tour filled with stories of ghosts of the Underground Railroad mixed with modern-day gangsters and spirits from Westfield’s haunted history. Reservations required. Cost: $15 adults; $10 seniors 65 and older; $10 children 11 and younger. Time: 8 p.m. Location: Asa Bales Park, 132 W. Main St., Westfield. Information: (317) 840-6456 or www.unseenpress.com.

Photo by Dario Impini

PAGE 126 NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

The Jordan College of Fine Arts Department of Dance at Butler University performs “Sleeping Beauty.” Experience the enchantment and majesty of this time-honored classic set to some of the most beautiful music ever written for the ballet. Time: 8 p.m. April 29 and 30; 2 p.m. May 1. Tickets: $21.50 to $28.50. Location: Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis. Information: (317) 940-9697 or www.cloweshall.org.

MAY 2

Enjoy Indianapolis’ best performing arts organizations as they come together for one night of heart-stopping, thought-provoking performances to benefit HIV education and prevention in Indiana. Time: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $25, $45 and $120. The $120 ticket includes admission to a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. and Afterglow Party after the show. Location: Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis. Information: (317) 940-9697 or www.cloweshall.org.


MAY 5

Indiana’s own Joshua Bell returns home when he performs Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at the Palladium. Christoph Eberle makes his ISO debut leading Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony. Time: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $30 to $90. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 8433800 or www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.

MAY 6

The first First Friday on The Square in Noblesville is set. Don’t miss a ride on a real caboose. Each month is a different theme. Time: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Information: (317) 776-0205 or www.noblesville.biz/nmainstreet.

MAY 7

The Indianapolis Children’s Choir will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a Gala Concert, which will feature all of the performing choirs joining together. Young singers from first-graders in ICC’s Preparatory Program through high school singers in the Indianapolis Youth Chorale will perform. Time: 3 p.m. Tickets: $12 in advance; $13 day of the show. Location: Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis. Information: (317) 9409697 or www.cloweshall.org. Actors from the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre join the Carmel Symphony Orchestra for Peter Boyer’s multi-media work, “Ellis Island: The Dream of America.” Time: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 to $40. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 843-3800 or www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org. Celebrate National Train Day with the Indiana Transportation Museum. Enjoy a ride through the Hamilton County countryside. Cost: Bring a nonperishable food item and receive $1 off or bring a regular-size grocery bagful and receive one free ticket. Information: (317) 773-6000 or www.itm.org. Treat mom to a five-course tea at R.L. Wilson House, 278 S. Eighth St., Noblesville. Cost: $29.95 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations required. Information: (317) 770-9399 or heavenlysweetscakes.com. The Pizza Plus Express departs from the Indiana Transportation Museum and travels to Tipton, where you can enjoy pizza or casual American cuisine at one of three restaurants. Meal is additional and paid for at the restaurant. Reservations required. Location: Indiana Transportation Museum, 701 Cicero Road, Noblesville. Information: (317) 773-6000 or www.itm.org. Join Ronald Weiss and amateur astronomer Dan Malone to learn about and attempt to view stars, planets, constellations, satellites and deep sky objects. In the event that the sky is cloudy, an indoor astronomy program is planned. Weiss is an adjunct professor of astronomy and earth science for Vincennes University. Location: Taylor Center of Natural History, 12308 Strawtown Ave., Noblesville. Time: 6 p.m. Ages: Adults and families with NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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school-age children. Information: (317) 984-5556 or myhamiltoncountyparks.com.

MAY 7-8

Browse 20 different varieties of plants, herbs and heirloom tomatoes at the Mother’s Day plant sale at Conner Prairie. The sale supports gardens in historic areas and provides a hands-on experience as guests help plant, cultivate, harvest and preserve heirloom plants representing the 1830s to the early 1900s. Prices range from $2 to $5. Location: Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers. Information and reservations: (317) 7766006 or www.connerprairie.org.

MAY 8

Do something different and treat your mom to a special time beginning with a train ride to Tipton where you’ll dine at the Elks Club and enjoy its special Mother’s Day buffet. All proceeds from the buffet benefit the Elks Cancer Fund. Reservations required. Time: 10:30 a.m. Information: (317) 773-6000 or www.itm.org. Enjoy an elegant Mother’s Day buffet at The Mansion at Oak Hill. Cost: $27.50 per adult and $18.50 per child. Time: 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. Reservations required. Location: The Mansion at Oak Hill, 5801 E. 116th St., Carmel. Information: (317) 8439850 or www.oakhillmansion.com.

MAY 13-15

The Indianapolis Opera presents “La Traviata,” featuring some of opera’s most loved arias and ensembles. The performance features the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. “La Traviata” is performed in Italian with easy-to-read translations projected above the stage. Time: 8 p.m. May 13 and 14; 2 p.m. May 15. Tickets: $30, $70, $98 and $115. Location: Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis. Information: (317) 940-9697 or www.cloweshall.org.

MAY 14

Hop aboard the Great Town Train as it travels from Noblesville to Tipton and several Hamilton County towns in between. Ride round trip or choose to visit one of the towns along the way. You can board at Noblesville or Tipton. Location: Indiana Transportation Museum, 701 Cicero Road, Noblesville. Dates: May 14 and 21. Information: (317) 773-6000 or www.itm.org.

MAY 17

Learn about early Indiana history through the life of Maconaquah, formerly Frances Slocum before she was taken captive by a Delaware raiding party in 1778. The movie “Child of Two Americas” will be shown, and Debbie Bowsher, tourism director for Miami County, will offer a virtual historic tour of the county, highlighting sites related to Maconaquah. Time: 7 p.m. Location: Taylor Center of Natural History, 12308 Strawtown Ave., Noblesville. Information: (317) 984-5556 or www.myhamiltoncountyparks.com.

MAY 18

Take a break from work and plan to attend the 20th annual Fishers Chamber Golf Outing at PAGE 128 NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

IMS photo by John Cote

MAY 7

Thousands will head downtown for the 35th running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Time: 7:30 a.m. Information: (317) 614-6130 or www.500festival.com.

MAY 13-14

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is calling on owners of classic cars to display their magnificent machines in competition for blue-ribbon awards at the 100th Anniversary Indy 500 Mile Race Celebration of Automobiles. The event is for automobiles manufactured between 1911 and 1961, the first 50 years of the Indianapolis 500. Information: www. indianapolismotorspeedway.com.

MAY 15

Bring the kids to Monument Circle for Chase 500 Festival Kids Day, the state’s largest outdoor free festival for children. Time: Noon to 4 p.m. Information: www.500festival.com.

MAY 21

Information: (317) 492-6700 or www. indianapolismotorspeedway.com.

MAY 25

Feel like an Indy car driver as you take a lap around the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day. Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: $7 per person; children 6 and younger free.

MAY 28

Get into the spirit of the Indy 500 at the IPL 500 Festival Parade. Time: Noon. Information: www.500festival.com. The 500 festivities continue with the IZOD Indy Fan Festival and Concert. Time: 6 to 11 p.m. Free. Location: Monument Circle.

MAY 29

Get ready for an exciting race as the Indianapolis 500 continues to be “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Time: Gates open at 6 a.m.; racing begins at noon. Tickets: $20 to $150. Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Information: www. indianapolismotorspeedway.com.

Top drivers take to the track in an effort to win the pole position for the Indianapolis 500. Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4400 W. 16th St., Indianapolis. Information: (317) 492-6700 or www. indianapolismotorspeedway.com.

MAY 22

Don’t miss the excitement at the track as drivers have one last chance to make the field for the Indianapolis 500. Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

y photo courtesy 2009 Community Da

of 500 Festival


Ironwood Golf Club. Time: 10 a.m. Cost: $150 per person or $600 per team of four. Location: Ironwood Golf Club, 10955 Fall Road, Fishers. Information: (317) 578-0700 or www.fisherschamber.com.

MAY 20

Enjoy the sultry sounds of the alto sax with “Super Sax: David Sanborn and Candy Dulfer.” Six-time Grammy and multi-platinum award winner Sanborn brings his signature bluesy tone to the stage. Platinum-selling artist Dulfer has made her name in the pop music world as a soloist for major stars Prince, Pink Floyd, Van Morrison and Dave Stewart. Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $45 to $70. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 843-3800 or www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.

MAY 21

The Indiana Wind Symphony will perform its final concert of the 2010-11 season, “Emblems and Epitaphs,” featuring a performance by trumpet soloist Natalie Dungey. The concert also will feature the presentation of the annual James B. Calvert Outstanding Music Educator Award. Time: 7 p.m. Tickets: $15. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 843-3800 or www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org. The Carmel Farmers Market opens for the season. The market is open every Saturday through the end of October offering only Indiana grown and/or produced edible products, along with annuals and perennials. The market offers a wide variety of organic and chemical-free meats, poultry, fruits and vegetables. Time: 8 a.m. every Saturday. Location: Center Green at the Palladium, Carmel. Information: (317) 710-0162 or www. carmelfarmersmarket.com Enjoy a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits and other handmade goods by local vendors at the Noblesville Main Street Farmers Market. Time: 8 a.m. every Saturday. Location: Main Street, Noblesville. Information: (317) 776-0205 or www. noblesville.biz/nmainstreet. Enjoy a four-course gourmet meal served in elegant style in the L&N dining car from 1930. Experience travel as it used to be. Reservations are required. Time: 5 p.m. Cost: $70 per person. Location: Forest Park, 701 Cicero Road, Noblesville. Information: (317) 773-6000 or www.itm.org. Help beautify Westfield during the Westfield in Bloom Community Plant Day. Volunteer to help plant flowers in the many gardens at Quaker Park. Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Quaker Park, 17501 Dartown Road, Westfield. Information: (317) 372-9455 or www.westfield.in.gov.

MAY 21-22

Marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, special programs at Conner Prairie will highlight the stories of Indiana regiments that fought in the battles. Re-enactors from across the Midwest will discuss their uniforms, equip-

ment, campaigns and battles fought. Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 21; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 22. Cost: $14 adults; $13 seniors older than 65; $9 children ages 2 to 12; free for members and children younger than 2. Location: Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers. Information and reservations: (317) 776-6006 or www.connerprairie.org. Enjoy arts, crafts, a flea market, food, entertainment and kids activities at the Arcadia May Festival. A car show will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Time: 8 a.m. Location: Downtown Arcadia. Information: (317) 606-8037.

MAY 22

The Cleveland Orchestra, one of the most sought-after performing ensembles in the world, along with pianist Emanuel Ax will perform at the Palladium. Time: 3 p.m. Tickets: $20 to $70. Location: The Palladium, 335 W. City Center Drive, Carmel. Information: (317) 843-3800 or www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org. The Carmel Clay Historical Society will open “The Illustrations of Franklin Booth.” Booth was a nationally known illustrator who grew up and lived in what is now part of Carmel. The exhibit will feature illustrations and artifacts. Time: 2 p.m. Location: Monon Depot Museum, 211 First St. SW, Carmel. Information: (317) 846-7117 or www.carmelclayhistory.org.

MAY 28

The Fishers Farmers Market features more than 35 vendors offering fresh produce, live goods, bakery items, specialty products, meat and cheese and handcrafted gifts. The market is juried. Time: 8 a.m. to noon. Location: Fishers Train Station Lawn, 11601 Municipal Drive, Fishers. Information: (317) 578-0700 or www.fisherschamber.com.

MAY 28-30

Enjoy special Memorial Day weekend programming and a farm wedding in 1836 Prairietown at Conner Prairie. Military personnel and their immediate family members enjoy free admission. Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 28 and May 30; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 29. Location: Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers. Information and reservations: (317) 776-6006 or www.connerprairie.org.

MAY 29

Head to the Hoosier Park Racing & Casino for the 18th edition of the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational Pace during Thrillyard 200. The race attracts some of the nation’s top older pacing horses. Time: 4:30 p.m. Location: 4500 Dan Patch Circle, Anderson. Information: (800) 526-7223 or www.hoosierpark.com.

MAY 30

The Kids Koncerts return. All performances are interactive and geared toward children ages 2 to 5 years old. Time: 10 a.m. Free. Location: West Park, 2700 W. 116th St., Carmel. Information: (317) 8487275 or www.carmelclayparks.com. o NORTH | www.indynorthmag.com

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