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Science Central planetarium in works bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
Briefs .................................... A3 BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
Science Central Director Martin Fisher points out where the planetarium will be constructed in an unused part of the building.
Recreation ..........................A11
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
Community Calendar............................. A14
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.
Restaurant empowers adults with Down syndrome A new restaurant is serving healthy, fresh options while giving adults with Down syndrome experience in the food service industry. GiGi’s Playhouse celebrated the grand opening of GiGi’s Genesis Health Bar with a ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 17.
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Family ................................. A13
BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
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Food & Drink ....................... A8
Health bar employee Cameron Shomo offers Kathy Neuenschwander a smoothie sample at the grand opening.
By Bridgett Hernandez
QUALITY ROOFING AFFORDABLE PRICING EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE
INSIDE DUPONT
By Bridgett Hernandez 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,
January 2019
The restaurant is the center’s newest career development program providing opportunities for more than 30 adults who have graduated from GiGi U, a 15-week career readiness program. Cameron Shomo, one of the health bar’s employees, passed out smoothie samples at the grand opening. He
graduated from GiGi U and said the program helped him with his money and communication skills. He also works concessions at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Shomo said he enjoys every aspect of working in a food service setting and See RESTAURANT, Page 2
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 See PLANETARIUM, Page 3
SAVINGS…
Check out the savings and coupons in this month’s Penny Saver.
INSIDE: n Check out local
celebrations for MLK Day. Page 6