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INfortwayne.com
January 2019
Out of this world
Covington Plaza 6410 West Jefferson Boulevard Fort Wayne, Indiana
Science Central planetarium in works
Happy New Year 2019!
260-436-3138
By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
Visitors to Science Central will soon have the opportunity to journey through space without leaving Earth. The interactive science center recently announced plans to build the region’s only public planetarium. There are other planetariums in the region and in the Fort Wayne area, but they’re not open to the public on a regular basis, Science Central Director Martin Fisher said. Right now, the closest public planetariums are several-hours’ drive away in Dayton, Ohio, Detroit and Chicago, he said. The project is expected to cost about $2 million, which will cover start-up costs, demolition,
BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
Science Central Director Martin Fisher points out where the planetarium will be constructed in an unused part of the building.
construction and installation, long-term operations, staffing and equipment. So far, Science Central has raised $1.6 million for the project. A start date hasn’t been set yet, but Fisher expects the project to be complete in the next one to two years. Construction – from signing contracts to ribbon
cutting – will take 10-12 months, he said. Continuing a legacy Science Central’s planetarium will incorporate the original starball from the University of Saint Francis. The university made the decision to close its planetarium in 2016 after nearly 50 years on campus.
Over the years, thousands of schoolchildren visited the planetarium on field trips and other members of the community regularly used it, but it was largely underutilized by the faculty, said Lance Richey, vice president of academic affairs at USF. See PLANETARIUM, Page 12
INSIDE: n Check out local
celebrations for MLK Day. Page 7
Fort Wayne Dance Collective celebrates 40 years with free event Contributed The Fort Wayne Dance Collective will celebrate its 40th birthday with a special event taking place 6-9 p.m. Jan. 23 at the FWDC offices, 437 E. Berry St. Suite 203, Fort Wayne. This free event will celebrate FWDC’s 40-year history of promoting diversity, innovation and inclusion through music and rhythm. The event will be set up as a gallery showcasing FWDC’s past, present, and future with various art forms, live performances and interactive activities. Guests are invited to tour the space freely while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. FWDC has a storied history of offering a variety of programming that serves the Fort Wayne community through onsite classes and outreach programs. Some of FWDC’s outreach programs include Dance in Education, Dance for Disabilities and Dance for Community. These classes take place at local public schools, service agencies and community centers. “FWDC allows people to move with their bodies rather than against them. The programs remind
Susan Dawson (260) 426-2640 x3322 sdawson@kpcmedia.com
CONTRIBUTED
The Fort Wayne Dance Collective will celebrate 40 years with a free public event Jan. 23.
students of what they’re capable of rather than forcing them to follow strict rules of movement,” student Merle Miers said. FWDC is dedicated to collaboration. FWDC partners with many community organizations that promote its mission of inclusion. In 1999 FWDC became a principal partner of Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, further strengthening FWDC’s regional connections. “Fort Wayne Dance Collective has worked with dozens of community partners in the past 40 years. Through our relationships,
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Fort Wayne Dance Collective 40th Anniversary Celebration 6-9 p.m. Jan. 23 437 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne This event is free. Guests are asked to RSVP at FWDC.org/ event/40th. we have positively impacted hundreds of thousands of citizens in our community. The breadth of our impact with community partners has been possible from the encouragement, belief, See DANCE, Page 12
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