Center Grove Magazine December 2018 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

DECEMBER 2018

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MAGAZINE

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Erin Feldmeyer / Bradley Kercheval Brian Brosmer

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6 As Good As Gold: Center Grove’s

Drake Buchanan Helps USA Wrestling Win Gold in Pan American Championships

10 Megan’s Fund: Local Organization Spreads Christmas Cheer By Providing Gifts to Less Fortunate Families

13 Paving The Way: Central Nine

Career Center Gives High School Students a Head Start at Their Careers

17 Beats For Bristol: Local Mom’s

Nonprofit Provides Support, Doppler Rental For Women Who Have Experienced Pregnancy or Infant Loss

22 Vamos A Luciana’s! Popular

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS ARE SPONSORED CONTENT

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26 Get Loud: Center Grove Alum

Vanessa Wahl Is Enjoying Life As An Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader

30 Center Grove December Events 5 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2018 / atCenterGrove.com

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Center Grove’s Drake Buchanan Helps USA Wrestling Win Gold in Pan American Championships Writer / Kevin Conrad - Photography Provided

enter Grove High School freshman Drake Buchanan earned an opportunity of a lifetime in September. The 14-year-old was one of 10 wrestlers selected to represent USA Wrestling in the 2018 U15 Schoolboy Pan American Championships in Villahermosa, Mexico. Buchanan wrestled in the 62kg weight class, winning the gold medal in Freestyle and the Silver in Greco. His triumphs helped Team USA win the Freestyle and Greco team titles and the combined championship. “I felt honored to have had the opportunity to represent USA and CG,” Buchanan says. “To be honest, it was a big relief to win gold in Freestyle. It was really surreal being on the award stand and hearing the National Anthem.” Buchanan has been preparing for this occasion since beginning his wrestling career in the Center Grove Wrestling Club in first grade. His club head coach, Mike Hesser, has been training him for the past eight years. “He was very honored to represent his country,” Hesser says. “It really hit him when he tried on his singlet for the first time and saw the USA on his chest. It was a proud moment. He went down there and represented his country with skill and sportsmanship. We couldn’t

have sent a more competent ambassador for our country and our sport.” Drake’s father, Joel Buchanan, takes great pride in his son’s accomplishments, too. “Very proud of how he took the pressure in stride,” he says. “I know the weight of it really hit when the uniform showed up. USA on one side and his name on the other. It’s Drake’s work ethic that makes him have success.” Buchanan credits Center Grove High School wrestling head coach Maurice Swain, along with Hesser and his Center Grove teammates, for preparing him for the

Pan American Championships. “Coach Hesser and Coach Swain put in extra time to help run my practices along with teammates Drue Young and Sam Howe, who put in extra time in the evenings to help me get ready,” Drake says. Hesser says Buchanan is a unique wrestler. “He has a very cerebral approach,” Hesser says. “You can show him technique, but he wants to know why we are doing it. Once he understands the philosophy behind our approach, then he trusts the technique and is able to offer advice on how to make it more effective. His body type is also

unusual for wrestling. He is tall for his weight and has long arms and legs. He is also very strong with a good sense of how leverage and body pressure works. He has a high wrestling IQ. He does a lot of good things that can’t be coached.” Former Center Grove High School wrestling head coach Cale Hoover says Buchanan has those intangible skills that make him special. “He has some natural gifts that you just can’t teach kids,” Hoover says. “He is a highly driven perfectionist, which pairs

well with his work ethic and drive. In the wrestling world, he has been exposed to training and competition in a thoughtful plan by his parents. He has always participated in numerous sports and activities to provide balance in his life. He has been improving rapidly each year, and I believe he will continue this trend. I have always thought he was a special guy who was going to do big things and I look forward to watching him progress.” “The sky is the limit for Drake,” Hesser adds. “He consistently has been a top-five wrestler in the nation for the past three to four years. He should be able to compete at the highest level now that he is a freshman in the IHSAA. He is humble yet confident. He always looks to improve. He takes that attitude wherever he goes, in the classroom, on the football field or on the mat. It will be a joy to watch him as he competes in high school.”

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9 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2018 / atCenterGrove.com

Local Organization Spreads Christmas Cheer By Providing Gifts to Less Fortunate Families Writer / Megan Jefferson Photography Provided

Megan Elizabeth Williams’ dream was to change the world. Megan was a 17-yearold, enthusiastic, loving young lady that enjoyed helping others. She loved finding new ways to improve her community. Rarely was she seen without a smile, a smile that many said could literally light up a room. On December 17, 2005, Megan was on her way to buy Christmas presents for less fortunate families when she was killed in a car accident. She was determined to “help

families have the best Christmas ever,” and she planned to spend her entire paycheck on gifts for kids. Rachel Kline was a good friend of Megan’s. They volunteered in Key Club where Megan served as Vice President. Together, they both graduated from Center Grove High School. After Megan’s passing, Kline and Megan’s mom, Cheryl Waterman, started the non-profit organization, Megan’s Fund. “Megan was really the kindest person you would ever meet,” Kline says. “She loved helping others, and she really wanted to

make a difference.” The mission of Megan’s Fund is to honor Megan Williams by collecting as many Christmas presents as possible for less fortunate kids in the Indianapolis area. The organization is currently in its 13th year of operation. “Seeing all the people who Megan has touched through her legacy is amazing,” Kline says. “It was tragic losing her at such a young age. But it’s comforting to see how many people she’s positively impacted in the short time she was on the earth.

10 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2018 / atCenterGrove.com

Kline, who is a fourth-grade teacher in Center Grove, says the main goal of the organization is to grow every year. It’s a small grassroots organization and they just try to buy more and more holiday gifts for families every year. Megan’s Fund works with several organizations including the Indianapolis Children’s Bureau to find families and kids who are in need of donations at Christmastime. There are plenty of opportunities to donate and help Megan’s Fund. The organization accepts cash donations. This money is used to buy things most needed by the families. Donations can be made at any Chase Bank by mentioning Megan’s Fund. Material items can be donated as well, most needed items include children’s books, educational toys, board games, grocery gift cards, baby essentials, hats and gloves and cleaning supplies.

A poem that Megan wrote inspired the vision of the charity work. I am angelic and sweet I pretend I can fly I fly I can touch the sky I touch the sky with my dreams I worry about poverty I cry for the poor children of the world I am a child of the sea I am angelic and sweet I understand I can’t help everyone I say to live life to its fullest I dream of changing the world I try to make a difference I hope they will see the things from my point of view I am a child of the sea

Visit megansfund.webs.com to see this year’s wish list of items. One of the most rewarding ways to honor Megan’s legacy is to adopt a family. Families usually include four or five people. Their wish list will be shared and volunteers are asked to shop for some of the items on that list. Numerous families have been helped by Megan’s Fund. One family received Christmas presents for two years, as the father was fighting cancer. They were so thankful for the help. Last year, the dad was finally doing well and they were at a point financially where they could adopt a family and provide gifts for their holiday. “It was really cool to see it come full circle,” Kline says. Visit Megan’s Fund on Facebook or email meagnsfund@yahoo.com for more information.

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CENTRAL NINE CAREER CENTER GIVES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS A HEAD START AT THEIR CAREERS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Located in Greenwood, the Central Nine (C9) Career Center is an area career & technical school dedicated to developing the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare students for employment in a chosen career or furthering their education at a post-secondary institution. C9, which opened in the fall of 1972, partners with nine high schools — Beech Grove, Center Grove, Franklin Central, Franklin Community, Greenwood, Indian Creek, Perry Meridian, Southport & Whiteland Community to provide students with

practical, hands-on technical training and education that prepares them for college or the workforce. All classes are either dual credit or certification based. “Our goal is to give these students the lessons and tools they need in their industry so that by the time they leave here, they are employable and college ready,” says Tiffany Sansone, Media Communications Specialist for C9. “When they graduate, they have work experience, a portfolio and a resume.” Open to juniors and seniors (and occasionally sophomores), C9 offers 28 programs in seven different concentrations

to help students discover their passion. For instance, they offer a culinary program that operates a restaurant called “To the Nines.” Open to the public on most Fridays throughout the school year, guests may enjoy either buffet style or a four-course meal. “Everything is run by our students — both front of house and behind the scenes — whether they are ordering supplies or figuring out the amount of ingredients they’ll need to make certain dishes,” Sansone says. “They’re also learning customer service skills by interacting with guests.”

13 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2018 / atCenterGrove.com

C9 also has a Landscaping program with the only school shrimp farm in the state. The Construction, HVAC and Landscaping program builds a real house that is auctioned off to the public. Last year’s house sold in 12 hours of going on the market. They have a Burn House on the property that’s used by students studying EMT, Fire & Rescue and Criminal Justice so that they can practice navigating a dark, smoky environment with little to no visibility. They also have a welding area, auto garages and visual arts workshop with video green rooms. C9 recently added programs such as early childhood education, precision machining and aviation (both maintenance and operations). One of their most popular programs is Criminal Justice in which students learn things like handcuffing techniques and court procedures. In addition, C9 has a separate division that offers adult ed classes in the evening for folks who are looking to finish their high school educations, want to learn a second language or are intent on pursuing a new career path. Central Nine reminds students that trade workers are in great demand these days as there is a shortage of workers entering the field. “So often the message students hear is, ‘You can’t get a job without a college degree,” Sansone says. “People forget the need and demand for non-college careers that can also be fulfilling and successful.” The 45 C9 instructors are different from typical high school instructors in that they are currently working in their fields. For instance, one of the criminal justice instructors is the Franklin Chief of Police. Their culinary instructor is a chef who has traveled the country cooking for celebrities. Their auto instructors were recently nominated for a teaching excellence award because of how skillfully they take what they know in the field and apply it in the classroom. Students are certainly grateful for the instruction they receive at C9. Former student Brittany Parrish, now an engineer 14 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2018 / atCenterGrove.com

What Students Study

instruction they receive at C9. Former student Brittany Parrish, now an engineer and lead team manager at Honda Manufacturing, says she appreciated the “hands-on learning” at C9. “I would encourage anyone considering vocational education to check into and really understand all of the great things that

More than 1,000 students are enrolled at Central Nine Career Center. Here’s what they study:

r i v a t e

can come out of it,” Parrish says. “For me, it was a great experience and had a major impact on both my personal and career success.” Central Nine is located at 1999 US 31 South in Greenwood. For more information, call 317-888-4401 or visit central9.k12.in.us.

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Writer / Suzanne Huntzinger Photographer / Brian Brosmer

For many couples, pregnancy is filled with excitement and anticipation. But too often a pregnancy ends in tragedy — a tragedy that could have been prevented. That was the reality for Greenwood mom, Katie Sparks. During a routine checkup, the doctor discovered her baby’s heart was no longer beating. Like many other moms who experience a stillbirth, Sparks’ experience was traumatic from the time of receiving the news of the loss to the lack of sensitivity in the way hospital staff handled her questions and inquiries in the immediate aftermath. For Sparks, the effects of the loss

compounded in ways she never expected. First came the physical complications like hemorrhaging, and then, of course, the emotional effects like post-traumatic anxiety from hormones and grief. Then, just three months later, she became pregnant again, causing a collision of post-partum hormones and new pregnancy hormones. Sparks carried the pregnancy to term and delivered a “rainbow baby” (the first birth after a miscarriage or stillbirth) but not without her fair share of anxiety. Never one to be defeated, Sparks found a way to turn her tragedy into triumph. Realizing there were likely dozens of other women who’d experienced the same thing, Sparks decided to do something about the lack of support and resources she had after

the stillbirth. “After my experience, my eyes were opened to the lack of resources a lot of women have to help them cope with loss or prevent it,” she says. “After my son was born, I knew God wanted me to do something to help people handle their loss because it can be very isolating.” So, in May 2011, Sparks founded Beats for Bristol, named for the daughter she lost. Her mission was to help other moms through the grieving process and connect them to support groups. In doing so, she uncovered some startling research. “The US has one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates of similarly developed

17 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2018 / atCenterGrove.com

Founder Katie Sparks with her children.

countries,” Sparks says. “Plus, statistics show that the anxiety and depression that comes with coping with that loss affects the subsequent pregnancy. Beats for Bristol connects those two headlines.” The original goal upon launching Beats for Bristol was to start small and help moms in Indiana. But within three days of launching her website, Sparks’ work took her on a different track.

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“I got a call from a mom in Oregon and I helped to connect her to the resources she needed,” she says. “Now I talk to women in all 50 states and six different countries. I’ve helped more moms outside of Indiana than in state. It underscores how fetal mortality is a global issue and proves how important women’s emotions are to future pregnancies.” Connecting moms to appropriate resources was a great first step, but Sparks wanted to do something that provided an ounce of prevention and some peace of mind. She wanted to buy doppler fetal monitors so she could rent them to moms allowing them to hear the baby’s heartbeat and put their minds at ease. So, Sparks and some friends put together a small dine to donate fundraiser, some memorial walks, and the most successful of all, the Touch a Truck event. Touch a Truck invites guests for a $5 cover fee to check out 40 different types of trucks like cranes, Hummers and limousines. They can get in, touch, honk the horn and vote for their favorite.

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“We had a huge turnout, music was playing, we had plenty of food vendors, and the truck owners got really competitive with each other for the coveted ‘Best Truck’ title,” Sparks says. The events raised enough funds for Sparks to purchase the Dopplers. The Dopplers are FDA approved and under full warranty. Moms can rent the device for free, but a $25 donation is appreciated. Beats for Bristol cautions patients that it is to be used to supplement standard medical care, not to replace it.

18 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2018 / atCenterGrove.com

The overwhelming success has been thrilling for Sparks who was previously a teacher. But she admits running the organization alone has not been easy. “I talk to 50 women a month from all over the world,” she says. “It’s a heavy load for me as a single mom. About a year and a half ago, I reached a point where I thought it was getting to be too much for me. But I thought it over carefully and realized how important it is to help these moms, so, I decided to quit teaching and do this nonprofit full-time.” Besides the anonymous donation, Sparks has received generous donations from families who’ve heard about the organization and families who donate to

sponsor a doppler in honor of their baby who died. “It’s really cool to see it all come full circle,” she says. Beats for Bristol has surely come full circle and then some. Sparks has secured a $6,000 grant with the Johnson County Community Foundation to help build their program locally by purchasing dopplers. Just recently, Sparks was asked by Johnson Memorial Health to help them with training in the Resolve Through Sharing program. The national bereavement care program provides very specific training to health care professionals giving them the tools to handle loss in the most sensitive

and appropriate manner. Sparks is also delighted to be invited to attend a national pregnancy loss and infant death conference in St. Louis as an exhibitor. “I’m excited and nervous,” she says. “I’m hoping to nail down some sponsorships. It’s a blessing to have the time to build relationships with doctors and hospitals and make Beats for Bristol sustainable.” For now, Sparks wants to sustain Beats for Bristol by concentrating on the organization’s three main goals. First, the organization works to improve maternal and fetal outcomes. An alarming 49,000

19 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2018 / atCenterGrove.com

babies die annually between 20 weeks gestation and their first birthday, not including miscarriages prior to 20 weeks gestation. For statistical purposes, a stillbirth is a fetal death occurring after 20 weeks gestation. That translates to 65 babies dying every day before their first birthday. In addition, two women a day die from pregnancy complications. “We hope to change that by providing critical education, improved prenatal care

and other support systems,” she says. Reducing maternal anxiety is next on the list. Research has proven that increased anxiety, stress or depression increases the risk of the child developing ADHD, impaired cognitive development or other emotional issues.

Finally, the organization works to improve marital relationships and family dynamics. “Couples who experience loss through pregnancy or childbirth are 80 percent more likely to divorce within three years,” Sparks says. “It’s critical to give these couples and their families the education and bereavement support they need to heal.”

“These moms need better emotional support to achieve better outcomes,” she says.

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Vamos a Luciana’s Popular Mexican Restaurant & Cantina Celebrates Grand Opening In Greenwood Writer / Jon Shoulders Photographer / Erin Feldmeyer

Debbie Bosworth, operations manager for Luciana’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, says the process of opening a fourth location in Greenwood has been rather similar to each and every step of the restaurant’s three-year journey - that is to say, something of a whirlwind. Back in 2015, Bosworth’s daughter Sarah Bravo and her husband Alberto made it their goal to launch a family-operated Mexican restaurant with a focus on fresh, house-made ingredients. Their dream was

to open their eatery within 10 years, but fate soon sped up the process and 10 years became 10 weeks. “Alberto had been working at La Hacienda near Binford Avenue, and around Cinco de Mayo in 2015 he and Sarah decided to make it a long-term dream to open their own business,” Bosworth says. “It was supposed to be this slow, long-term thing, but through word of mouth we visited the Broad Ripple Avenue location that had become available, and by September we opened. It’s hard to believe, looking back.” The Bravos found themselves working

around the clock to establish their restaurant as a community fixture and often had their baby Luciana - for whom the eatery is named - playing contentedly in a pack ’n play onsite while mom and dad made sure operations were running smoothly. “Luciana was only a few months old back then, and the customers at Broad Ripple really watched her grow up that first year,” Bosworth says. “It was certainly a fast learning process, and we learned a lot in those first months about how to operate efficiently and successfully.”

22 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2018 / atCenterGrove.com

Nine months later a second Luciana’s opened in the Clearwater Crossing shopping center on East 82nd Street, followed by a location in Columbus. Bosworth says the reason for opening a fourth location on Indy’s southside was simple — a growing demand for the fresh cuisine that the Bravos and their staff offer. “We’ve had a lot of people drive from the southside over the years to our first two locations, and we actually were looking for a good spot on the southside before

the Columbus opportunity came along and we got busy with that,” she says. “So we’ve been excited to have a presence on the southside, and the demand dictated it more than anything.” The new location on State Road 135, previously occupied by Hal’s Fabulous Vegas Bar & Grille, houses a staff of about 35 and offers the same fresh ingredients on its menu as Luciana’s sister locations, cooked up in-house each and every day. Bosworth says the arroz con pollo, with

chicken, house-made rice and queso, has been a favorite among Indy and Columbus patrons, as well as the chicken soup and fajitas. She adds that Luciana’s queso, which is made fresh in-house in 90-pound batches, has become a culinary addiction for many a customer. Burritos, quesadillas, tacos, nachos and chimichangas are all on offer, and other house specialties include the Steak a la

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Mexicana, a tender ribeye dish sautéed with jalapeños, onions, peppers and tomatoes, and the Camarones a la Diabla, which comes with sautéed and buttered shrimp and onions served in a spicy diablo sauce. Lunch specials are typically served Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the drink selection includes margaritas as well as draft and bottled beers.

“We’re actually in the process of doing a new menu, which we’re excited about, adding a few more traditional things and some vegetarian items,” Bosworth adds. Bosworth feels fortunate that each of Luciana’s openings has been the natural outgrowth of a growing customer demand. “We’ve not gone and looked for locations, they’ve come and found us because of the

reputation of the food,” she says. “Alberto is very visionary and is a hard worker with high standards for the kind of food we serve. It’s always fresh-made — that’s very important to us.” Luciana’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina is located at 1133 N. State Road 135 in Greenwood. Call 317-743-8925 or visit lucianasmexicanrestaurant.com for more info including dine-in and catering menus.

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Christmas At

BLUFF CREEK 25 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2018 / atCenterGrove.com

CENTER GROVE ALUM VANESSA WAHL IS ENJOYING LIFE AS AN INDIANAPOLIS COLTS CHEERLEADER Writer / Michelle Kaufman Photography Provided by the Indianapolis Colts

Center Grove graduate and Indianapolis Colts cheerleader Vanessa Wahl went from not owning a single Colts apparel item to having 90 percent of her wardrobe be Colts themed and being part of a “glorified sorority but with more rhinestones,” she says. She did competitive dance from preschool through her senior year of high school and was also on the high school dance team for four years.

“I really, really loved dance team because we got to dance in front of fans instead of just competing for a piece of plastic,” Wahl says. “It felt more meaningful. Especially during football season, I loved being on the sidelines and that’s pretty parallel to what we do with cheer now. I didn’t feel out of place when I started cheer because I was so used to dancing on the sidelines.”

her thing.

Wahl was in Los Angeles pursuing commercial dance when her mom sent her a link to Colts tryouts for the 201718 season. She was initially unsure but decided to go to a clinic class to prepare for auditions even though it didn’t sound like

Wahl is currently in her second year with the team and says she enjoys that the program is focused on more than just dance.

“It totally kicked my butt, and it was one of the hardest things that I had ever done,” she says. “I immediately fell in love with it because of that. I originally did it because I wanted a push in some sort of way that was different than anything that I had ever had before.”

“It’s very much into fitness as well and

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that’s something I’ve always wanted to get into, and we really do push for fitness and to be an athlete, not just a dancer,” Wahl says. “Cheer isn’t about being the perfect dancer, it’s about being a good person more than anything and showing that in every aspect of your life, whether you’re on the field or off the field. That’s why I love it.”

Family is a big part of Wahl’s life, too. Her mother, Hannah, is the head varsity coach for the Center Grove High School dance team. Her stepfather’s grandfather worked for the Colts, and Vanessa’s family and her boyfriend come to every game. “I cheer with my friends and then I stay at their houses and we have sleepovers before games and stuff,” she says. “It’s nice

that I’m not away from any of the people that are near and dear to my heart. They’re just down the street or across the way on the football field.” One of Wahl’s favorite parts of being a member of the Colts cheerleading team is going out into the community and seeing and meeting people who are being impacted by some part of the Colts

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organization.

cheerleaders were able to learn a warm up and dance from Vanessa and Rachel, and even though they didn’t have matching cheer shoes or bows, those items didn’t seem like a necessity.

“Whenever I see a horseshoe, I think, ‘I’m a part of that,’” Wahl says. “It’s very heartwarming to be involved with such a huge organization.” Wahl’s all-time favorite community appearance is with her fellow cheerleader and best friend Rachel when they surprised an IPS middle school cheer team. The

“They don’t have the basic necessities that other school cheer teams might have,” Wahl says. “But they had all these chants ready for us, and they were just so excited to entertain and they didn’t need a sparkly outfit to do

it. It was my favorite time at an appearance because I got to teach them a dance, and I got to see their faces light up. They didn’t usually practice with music or anything so to be able to get them out of their comfort zone and learn a little dance with us was by far my favorite cheer memory so far.” To keep up with Wahl and the 25 other Colts cheerleaders, visit colts.com/ cheerleaders.

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DECEMBER EVENTS 6 8

KID CITY CHRISTMAS EXPRESS

Tickets are $10/family up to 5 and then just $2 per family member over 5. Event includes a holiday movie with popcorn, a holiday craft, Hot Cocoa, A train ride to grab a “Selfie with Santa”! Greenwood Community Center 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

CGCSC PARENT SEMINAR SERIES The CGCSC Teaching & Learning Department is hosting a series of Parent Seminars this year to share with parents the progress of collaborative efforts to improve student learning through a fundamental change to the way we are approaching teaching and learning. Learn more at centergrove. k12.in.us/parentseminars. 2797 Trojan Ln, Greenwood 6:30 p.m.

2018 CHAMBER HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

The Chamber Board of Directors, Ambassadors, Chamber Partners and staff invite you to join us to celebrate the closing of the year with plenty of holiday cheer! Advance registration for this event closes on Wednesday, December 5 at 5 p.m. This is a 21 and over event. Barn at Bay Horse Inn 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

PANCAKES WITH SANTA Join us for breakfast from 9 to 11a.m. or brunch from 12 to 2 p.m. Kids of all ages are invited to join us for a delicious breakfast buffet by Sweet & Savory Catering, including a Sunshine breakfast casserole, scrambled eggs with cheese, hash brown casserole, fresh fruit and berries, smoked bacon and sausage, assorted baked goods and a buttermilk pancake bar! The Sycamore at Mallow Run 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

12 CHEFS OF CHRISTMAS 2018 The Indianapolis City Market is excited to host 12 Chefs of Christmas, a culinary celebration featuring 12 local chefs and 12 Indiana breweries pairing food and beer! Each participating chef will create a menu item meant to be paired with a specific beer from their partner brewery. With your ticket you will get to try a sample of each food and brew, and if you’re a fan of the beer then head to Tomlinson Tap Room to purchase a full pint! Indianapolis City Market 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA What kid wouldn’t want to have breakfast with Santa? Come and join us for a great time as Kris Kringle himself appears to spread Christmas cheer to you and your family. Greenwood Community Center 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

30 / CENTER GROVEMAGAZINE MAGAZINE/ /DECEMBER DECEMBER2018 2018 / / atFishers.com atCenterGrove.com 8 / FISHERS

Central Indiana Orangetheory Owners: Carolyn and Shaun McDonald (Carmel, Fishers-Geist, West Carmel-Zionsville and the future Fishers-Nickel Plate), Katie Douglas (Greenwood and Downtown Indy), Lyle Feigenbaum (Avon) and Jennifer Haas (Ironworks and the future Broad Ripple).

Writer / Julie Young Photographer / Bradley Kercheval

Looking for a total body workout that adheres to your schedule, offers guidance not guesswork and helps you continue your path to progress long after the workout is over? Then Orangetheory Fitness may be the perfect fitness solution for you. “We have classes scheduled throughout the day with nationally certified coaches who monitor your progress and make sure you are not over or under training,” says Carolyn McDonald, owner of Orangetheory studios in Carmel, FishersGeist and West Carmel-Zionsville. The newest studio, Fishers-Nickel Plate, is set to open in January 2019 directly across from Fishers City Hall. Shortly after, a Broad Ripple/Butler area studio will open at the intersection of Kessler and College in Indianapolis. Developed by former Pilates instructor, Ellen Latham, Orangetheory is a sciencebased workout that gets results. It is centered on the principle of EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) that suggests if one challenges their body at the correct intensity, they will experience an effect that keeps them burning calories even after the workout is over.

“If you spend 12 or more minutes of the hour-long workout in the ‘Orange Zone,’ which is at 84 percent or more of your maximum heart rate, you will experience the afterburn,” says Katie Douglas, owner of Orangetheory studios in Greenwood and downtown Indianapolis. “You don’t have to work out every day because your body will be burning calories even as it recovers.” With 1,000 locations throughout the US (and seven here in Central Indiana), Orangetheory is designed for all fitness levels and they boast a diverse community of clients with a variety of fitness goals. Staff members and coaches take the time to get to know each member, build a rapport and assure them that they will get the maximum benefit from the Orangetheory workout. McDonald says each member wears a heart rate monitor that tracks their progress in real time throughout the class and gives them (and their coach) insight into their performance. Orangetheory takes the guesswork out of your fitness regimen and creates a reciprocal relationship between you, your coach and other Orangetheory members. Plus, the workout changes every day and that variety keeps members engaged. “The level of community created in each studio is one of my favorite aspects about the Orangetheory program,” McDonald

says. “The coaches work hard to ensure that every member is comfortable and they are wonderful about offering modifications as needed to ensure everyone feels successful in their workout.” Everyone on staff is trained to offer a welcoming, energetic environment and each location offers a robust schedule of between 60-70 hours of training each week, so Orangetheory is ready whenever you are. “Members schedule classes during the times most convenient for them either in person or with our app,” Douglas says. “In addition, because all Orangetheory memberships are reciprocal, members are welcome to take classes at any studio in the country.” McDonald believes Orangetheory is the future of fitness and she is proud to be part of it. “We have grown so quickly over the past four years here in Central Indiana and our members are constantly building on this incredible TEAM OTF community and culture,” she says. “For local residents, your first class is free, so why not come by and see what we are all about?”

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