24 Hours in Muncie 3 by Phil Beebe

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ike any other retail establishment with less than a week to go before Valentine’s Day, the Attic Window on Memorial Drive has its hearts in the right place — that is, in full view near the front of the store. Shelves just to the right of the entrance on Feb. 9 overflow with pink bears, mugs adorned with hearts, boxes of valentines featuring kiddie cartoon characters and other cheerful red items appropriate to the holiday. In the women’s clothing section, meanwhile, a display of elegant dresses offers some options for a romantic night out — or perhaps an upcoming prom. Amid an array of sensible, useful items such as jackets, clothing, household appliances and even free non-perishable food (set out on a table with a sign that read, “If you can’t afford to buy food, please feel free to take 10 items,”), the holidayspecific offerings mark just one of many ways the Muncie Mission-run thrift shop makes clear its status as just another friendly local retail outlet, ready to serve the steady stream of customers coming through the glass-paned doors. Housed in an open, airy space, the main portion of the store has its stock neatly organized into sections with signs designating outerwear, dishes, bric-abrac, small electronics, etc. Amid plentiful racks of clothing — where the aisles between racks are comfortably wider than your average department store — a mother urges her two teenaged daughters to “find yourself a pair of pants and a shirt.” She then follows them over to the white-fronted dressing rooms to stand outside holding extra hangers and offering opinions on the various springtime outfits. This being a Wednesday, the clerk behind the glass-topped counter turns to spin a rainbow-colored Wheel of Fortunetype apparatus before ringing customers up, to determine what percentage off each customer “wins.” The furniture department, housed in a separate wing off to the side, features tasteful groupings of couches, chairs, area rugs and tables decorated with matching cushions and knickknacks. Amazingly, until recently that area of the store served as crowded temporary housing for Muncie Mission residents displaced by the July 4 fire at the neighboring Mission

3-4 p.m.: Thrift store

3-4 p.m.: Home renovation

Supporting the Mission

Annual amount of materials recycled by Attic Window, in pounds: Paper 677,490 pounds Cardboard 254,960 pounds Glass 125,040 pounds Scrap metal 152,390 pounds Baled rags 554,900 pounds Total 1,764,780 pounds (35 tons)

Source: Muncie Mission

building. Attic Window manager Renee Hopper — who started the job just days before the fire — notes the space was renovated and improved after the men moved back to the Mission. As bright and busy as the public area of the Attic Window is, behind the scenes it’s bustling, too. Mission residents working elsewhere in the same building busily sort donated clothes for spring, setting aside items too worn to sell, to be cut up, bundled and sold as cleaning rags, or to be boxed up and sent out for recycling. Other departments sort through donated books to separate those to sell in the store, more valuable ones to auction on eBay and those to be recycled; check and repair appliances and machinery before setting them out on the sales floor; refinish furniture; and separate metal, glass and paper for recycling. “We throw very little away here,” Hopper says, emphasizing that it all goes toward supporting the Mission. — Robin Gibson

he home has a distinct unlived-in feel when you walk through the front door on this cold February afternoon. The walls are bare. All the furniture has been removed. Voices rattle off the walls and echo. Imprints of where beds and TV stands and tables used to be are visible in the carpet, but the only signs of activity now come from the work crew of BC Construction and Remodeling. A DeWalt Tools radio — who knew the company sold electronics? — sits in a corner of the living room. The hit song from the 1970s Stuck in the Middle by Steelers Wheel blares throughout the foreclosed home. “It’s real important when there’s nothing else to listen to,” Dave Bowden says about the value of the radio in helping the work crew pass the time. The Muncie company, coowned by Bowden and Brian Coffman, is here to finish a fourday project. All the walls and ceilings have been given a new coat of paint, the carpets will be cleaned, new water pipes were installed and a new stove will be brought in — improvements the real estate agent hopes will allow the house to be sold. Bowden and his crew of Brad Pickering and Calvin Sutliff are putting the final touches on the project. Bowden finishes up paintAbout the business ing areas on the walls that the ❙ BC Construction and Remodeling sprayer didn’t get, and Pickering specializes in general contract work and and Sutliff hang doors. has been in business four years. Hanging doors by yourself is ❙ Co-owner Brian Coffman travels 300-400 something of a balancing act, but miles a day bidding on projects. Pickering and Sutliff have it down pat. They balance the bottom of ❙ Co-owner Dave Bowden leads one of the the door with a foot while tightencompany’s two work crews. ing screws on the hinges into the ❙ Typical work area is Bloomington to Fort frame. Wayne, and western Indiana state line to the The tools of the workers’ trade eastern state line. are spread on the floor throughout the living room area: hammers, screwdrivers, crowbars, paint brushes, a stepladder. And this intriguing item: an aerosol can of “Goof Off.” The label indicates the product is the “miracle remover that removes all the tough stuff.” Bowden says it comes in particularly handy if he smudges some paint on the mopboards. “It’s powerful,” he says. “It will sting your hands if you get some on you.” This work day, which started with a 7 a.m. meeting in the office, is almost finished. Time to head home, see the family, get some sleep and do it all over again tomorrow. — Doug Zaleski

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4-5 p.m.: Getting creative

Other days you will find the shop packed with families, college students, retirees and everyone in between. They’ll fill the tables with their pottery, chosen from the many ready-to-paint pieces that line the walls, and individual palettes of glaze chosen from hundreds of color options.

t’s quiet inside The Artist Within. Temperatures outside hover around 0 degrees, and the streets are relatively bare of pedestrians. Unlike many Wednesday afternoons, no one is stopping to glance inside the inviting windows of the pottery shop. From inside the comfortably warm room, the lone painter can see a few brave souls rush by, heads down, hands shoved deep into their pockets. It’s too cold to admire the colorful array of pottery resting on the shelves inside. In the background, soft music plays over the speakers. An employee is wrapping a painted dish in brown packing paper and the sound of the crinkling paper barely breaks through the painter’s concentration. She’s painstakingly adding a second layer of glaze to the bright purple jewelry box she’s in the midst of painting. The inside of the box is blue. Little green dots are strategically placed around the heartshaped lid. The colors won’t make sense to most, but to her they mean everything. The three colors — purple, blue and green — are her nieces’ favorite colors, and every time they visit they make jewelry, which she plans to store inside the box. That’s the secret to The Artist Within. Every visitor is an artist and every piece of pottery a meaningful work of art. No matter who you are, how old you are, or your background. Other days will find the shop packed with families, college students, retirees and everyone in between. They’ll fill the tables with their pottery, chosen from the many ready-topaint pieces that line the walls, and individual palettes of glaze chosen from hundreds of color options. Downstairs, a pottery wheel waits for an artist to throw his or her own pottery. Owner Bob Hartley offers private lessons for those wanting to learn the trade, but the wheel is also available for the pottery-savvy. A steady flow of new artists’ work graces the walls. It’s always an eclectic mix, just like the budding artists who visit the shop. Back at her table, our lone artist looks up at the jingle of the bell. Ball State University student Megan Bohlander has come in to pick up her pottery, which has been fired to seal the glaze. Last week, Bohlander and her boyfriend, Chad Keller, had a date at The Artist Within. He painted a goblet, while she painted a square platter. She’s already got her eye on painting the pencil holder on her next visit. Like most who visit The Artist Within, she knows she’ll be back. As will our lone artist. — Lisa Nellessen-Lara

PHOTOS BY KURT HOSTETLER / THE STAR PRESS

Tyler Simpson, 3, is having some trouble hoisting himself out of the ball pit. ey Daddy, watch this!” Kadin Quidir, 4, says “You can do it! Keep trying!” his mother, Brandy, yells. as he jumps, feet first, into the ball pit. He does and manages to free himself on the third attempt. Daddy, otherwise known as Yousef Quidir, And then — with a giant grin — he jumps back in. smiles and offers encouragement from The smell of oozy cheese is filing the air. Escapades behind the black netting as his son swims in a sea of priemployee Brett mary-colored plastic spheres. Stedman is grabbing On weekends this place is packed. But it’s late afternoon a large cheese pizza About the business on a Wednesday. Kadin and his friend, Zacariah Reno, 4, ❙ Escapades Family Fun Center out of the oven in the have plenty of room. opened in 1996. snack bar’s kitchen. A “This is the best time to come,” says Zacariah’s dad, young boy is bouncing ❙ The best day to go to the indoor Michael, almost in a whisper, as if he doesn’t want the around at the counter playground? Any weekday, when it’s secret to get out. with his grandmother. less crowded. Escapades is closed on The two dads have “finally” gotten their sons together He’s worked up quite Mondays. for some play time. an appetite on the Play being the operative word. ❙ The one requirement — OK, monkey bars. The boys breeze by their parents as they make their way technically, two requirments — for At a table a few through the giant playscape of slides, rope ladders and tunplaying at Escapades? Every child must feet away, Zacariah’s nels. About a dozen other kids are scattered about, their be wearing socks. pockets are now adults sitting at nearby tables, some nursing fountain bevbulging with tickets erages, others reading romance novels. — 100 of them, to be A young girl presses her face against the bubble window exact. His dad has hit the jackpot more than a few times on at the top of the playscape, mouthing the words to Justin Dinoscore. Kadin empties his pockets onto the table. He Bieber’s Never Say Never, which is blasting from the speakhas 270 tickets of his own. ers next to the giant clown mural. They make a bee-line for the glass prize case, pointing And on the ground, slipping around in her socks (no at and pondering what prizes they will “buy” with their shoes allowed) is Celeste Posey, 3. She’s overwhelmed. She tickets. starts to head for the yellow slide, then changes her mind. Kadin goes for the giant yellow bouncy ball and two Maybe the ball pit? Nope. Perhaps she’ll do some climbing? plastic dinosaurs. Then she hears the bells and whistles from the arcade Zacariah snags a green bouncy ball. area and runs that way. Then the boys see their shoes, being delivered to the “Havin’ fun, kiddo?” manager Chris Koon asks her as she counter in a plastic bin. This is the signal that it’s time to whips by in a blur of long blond hair. She doesn’t respond go home. and doesn’t stop until she finds her mom, Monique “But I don’t want to go,” Zacariah says, his head down, Campbell, who is winning tickets by the handful at the his socks scooting slowly across the floor. Dinoscore game — 154 so far, she says. “I know, son,” his dad says. “But we’ll come back. OK?” Tickets can be turned in for prizes ranging from glow-in— Michelle Kinsey the-dark bugs to giant neon bouncy balls.

4-5 p.m.: The ultimate play date

“H

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“The boys breeze by their parents as they make their way through the giant playscape of slides, rope ladders and tunnels. About a dozen other kids are scattered about, their adults sitting at nearby tables, some nursing fountain beverages, others reading romance novels.”

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44E • Sunday, March 20, 2011 www.thestarpress.com

eople leave some surprising things in books they’ve borrowed and returned to the Muncie Public Library. “Photos, bookmarks ...” Mary Lou Gentis, building manager for the Kennedy branch library on McGalliard Road,

says. “I found a $1,500 check,” adds library staffer Amber Williamson. The check was returned to its owner, of course, but some items that couldn’t be returned will be part of an upcoming library exhibit that Gentis is working on. The back room — the work room — at Kennedy is not generous in size. A handful of the library branch’s 20 staffers work to check in and return to shelves books and audio visual materials. They have to make their way carefully around plastic totes and carts stacked high with books. “It’s cozy,” Gentis says with a smile. The rest of the library, which reopened in 2008 after extensive remodeling, is sunny and inviting. At 5 p.m. this day, patrons are browsing the stacks and using computers. Candace Walker and her two children are regulars. “We usually come on Wednesdays,” Walker says. “The kids love to play on the computBy the numbers ers.” How many people are using local Not far away, Mary Upchurch is libraries? Here are “door counts” working on a library-owned lapfor December 2010: top. But it is books that bring her ❙ Kennedy Library: 16,349 back to the library time and time again. ❙ Maring-Hunt Library: 13,299 “They’re free,” she says. “And ❙ Carnegie Library: About 2,000 it’s very quiet.” Source: Muncie Public Library The library’s customers seem content to be here, looking at newspapers and magazines, perusing DVDs and wandering between shelves of books. Gentis said that while library use is high — more than 16,000 visits to Kennedy in December — the needs of customers are changing. The borrowing of audio visual materials is down but electronic usage, including e-books like the Nook electronic reader the library uses, is up. And there’s almost always steady use of the library’s computer stations. On this particular afternoon, patrons are checking e-mail and updating Facebook. “Some people work on their resumes or apply for jobs,” Gentis says. “We help quite a few people with it, and we’re proud of that.” The ultimate example, via returned book, of the need for libraries? That’s probably the dog training book that came back ... chewed up. “These are our work room chuckles,” Gentis says. — Keith Roysdon

5-6 p.m.: Quiet time

KELLY DAY / THE STAR PRESS

Coach Brian Carr speaks to his team during Burris basketball practice on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011.

their attention, as usual, on what Head A February basketball practice inside Ball Coach Brain Carr has to say about the Owls’ Gymnasium can leave casual observers feel- next opponent, even through the clamor. “We use it to our advantage,” Carr says. ing as though they’re witnessing a series of “We say, ‘This is like a crowd, and you have circus sideshows. to focus.’ Even when they’re doing their That’s because, for all the shoe squeakthing, we have to focus on doing our thing.” ing and chaotic chatter taking place on the In the hour between 5 and 6 p.m., Carr court during a Burris Laboratory boys hoops has his team cycling through another set of practice, even more comdrills, preparing to face a motion seems to be castalented Guerin Catholic cading through from off By the numbers team the following day, the court. 25: Burris postseason banners Feb. 10. “It is crazy,” Burris hanging from the rafters in Ball The practice is divided point guard Trevor Gym. between varsity and junior Woodgett says. “We have 10: People jogging on the track varsity players, with varpeople on the track, we above Ball Gym at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 9. sity on the near end under have cheerleaders prac0: Locker rooms used by Burris Carr’s watch and JV on the ticing, sometimes the boys basketball players. Instead, far end of the court. girls come in and watch they change in the building and put The Owls work through our practice. So it’s not their clothes in backpacks or on the a series of drills with odd quiet. There’s always bleachers during practice. names, including “Joey something going on.” Shooting“ and “Dummy Fortunately for Owls Wheel.” Carr says he took players, they’ve become several drills from watching other teams nearly immune to the distractions. It’s all in practice and made them his own. another day’s work of practicing inside the “I should probably go to prison because popular recreation complex on the campus I’m stealing everybody else’s stuff,” Carr of Ball State University. says, “but that’s what coaches do.” Senior guard Andrew Beaty even recalls The final drill of the evening consists of an instance when Ball State students held Burris players walking through their offenworkout classes on the elevated indoor track sive sets in preparation for Guerin Catholic. above, and trance-inducing dance music Carr then requests that each varsity playpercolated through the gym. “It’s just like being in a game,” Beaty says. er shoot 25 free throws. Upon finishing, each “There is going to be noise and distractions, player walks slowly toward the bleachers to collect his backpack and clothes, tired but so we’ve just got to stay focused.” ready for the next chaotic day on the court. The goal for players on this typically — Jesse Temple noisy Wednesday at 5 p.m. is to pinpoint

5-6 p.m.: Basketball practice

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46E • Sunday, March 20, 2011 www.thestarpress.com

5-6 p.m.: Marathon training

Walk Indiana

❙ WHAT: Walk Indiana walking marathon ❙ WHEN: Sept. 10, 2011 ❙ WHERE: Cardinal Greenway ❙ REGISTRATION/INFORMATION: walkindiana.org

It’s an eclectic mix of people from throughout the community. Black and white. Teenagers, Gen-Xers and seniors. Several of the walkers have a few pounds to lose. One is recovering from hip surgery and is using the walking marathon as a goal in her recovery. A few look like they could run the Endurathon, if they chose.

hump. Thump. Thump. Thump. The steady sound of footsteps on the soft rubber reminds walkers why they’re on the track this afternoon. They’re building their muscles and stamina at the Downtown Y by gathering with friends and strangers (for now, at least) for a weekly walking class in preparation for Walk Indiana. It’s an eclectic mix of people from throughout the community. Black and white. Teenagers, Gen-Xers and seniors. Several of the walkers have a few pounds to lose. One is recovering from hip surgery and is using the walking marathon as a goal in her recovery. A few look like they could run the Endurathon, if they chose. Despite their differences, they all have one thing in common — they’ve all set their sights on completing a walking marathon. The pace they choose tonight is up to them, as is the distance they want to walk. Tonya Locke from the Y is simply there to keep them motivated. Locke walked the marathon with her sisters last year and she smiled every step, coming over the finish line with a jaunty step, her hands in the air in victory. She’s the same way tonight. The only thing she might love more than being active herself is helping others find the potential within themselves to accomplish their fitness goals. Every one of their steps is a victory for this petite, energetic woman. Tonight’s the first night of the threemonth class. After that the group will continue, but they’ll move outside along the gorgeous Cardinal Greenway. It’s too cold for that tonight. But the elevated track above the gym will do for now. Besides, it’s a good introduction to the Y for those who’ve never visited the facility before. The track is among the more simple options at the Y. Also upstairs is a room of bikes for daily Spinning classes. Downstairs is a room filled with equipment, both cardio and strength-training. Other rooms have exercise balls, mats, hand weights and other tools for a variety of classes. Then there’s the pool, which is used throughout the day for individuals and group classes. On the track, however, it’s not about fancy equipment. Nothing is needed other than a good pair of shoes. Many of the

walkers on the track tonight have already broken in their shoes. Caroline Scruggs and Kathy Vannice trained religiously for the inaugural marathon last year, but previous commitments prevented them from participating in the actual marathon. They’ve got this year’s date — Sept. 10 — on the calendar, however. Paul Stout walked a half marathon last year. A marathon runner in his younger years, Stout has turned to walking as a way to stay fit. He’s fast and determined. He walks past the walk director and gives her a high-five. “I’m doing the full marathon this year,” he says. “My doctor gave me the OK.” A family of three — mom and her two teenage daughters — are training for their first walking marathon. They plan to do the quarter this year. If that goes well, they’ll do the half next year. That’s the plan for many of the walkers on the track tonight, including two husband-and-wife teams walking hand-in-hand. Building relationships, whether familial or friendly, is another goal of Walk Indiana that’s in evidence tonight. It’s rare to catch a complete hour together with no smart phones or television to interrupt. While some of the walkers are on their own, headphones tucked inside their ears, there’s a friend to be had for anyone looking to start a conversation. By September, these walkers will know each other well. — Lisa Nellessen-Lara

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48E • Sunday, March 20, 2011 www.thestarpress.com

6-7 p.m.: Extra practice

Count ’em up Munciana Volleyball Cub has 36 teams ranging from 11 to 18 years old.

PHOTOS BY GREG FALLON / THE STAR PRESS

Munciana 16-2 coach Poncho Alvarez works with his team on Feb. 9 at the Munciana facility in Yorktown. Alvarez has been with the organization for nine years.

t is 6 p.m. on a country road in Yorktown. And in a building that, from the road, could be just about anything, there is a furious amount of activity unfolding. It is the Munciana Volleyball Club facility, and this night is packed not only with practice for hundreds of young girls and women, but for picture day, too. The lobby of the facility — which is also home to the Yorktown YMCA — is littered with players prepping themselves for team and individual photos. The floor is even more cluttered with Ugg boots and Asics duffle bags thrown in every corner, under every chair. A few parents sit among the athletes, some on computers as they take advantage of the Wi-Fi connection provided here. There is a concession stand open, too, though few seem to be taking advantage. The real reason everyone is here, however, is through a set of double doors where six full-sized volleyball courts await. Practice is well under way. It began for many athletes at 5 p.m. Those same players gathered as early as 4:30 for their pictures. On court 3, there is one man who typifies what Munciana has become: Meet 16-2 Aztecs coach Poncho Alvarez. The coach is in his ninth year with the club. And even after that much time, Alvarez leads every moment of this practice as if the next point will make or break a national club championship for his 10 players. Between every point, between every drill, Alvarez is yelling — sometimes constructive, sometimes complimentary, sometimes jokingly. The smile rarely leaves his face as the beads of sweat fall from his head and soak the back of his shirt. It is the first day of the club season that Alvarez has his entire squad at one practice. He has swimmers and basketball players and a cheerleader on his team, too. Rarely does he get the chance to get this kind of work done. At the end of one drill, at least a dozen volleyballs are scattered around the court. Alvarez shouts, “Shag ’em up!” Then, he counts to 10. Quickly. The players scramble from one corner to another as they make a mad dash to return the balls to a collection basket. Alvarez counts down, “three, two, one!” and throws a ball high into the air as practice immediately resumes, in this instance before his players have even fully returned to their positions on the court. “It’s a great game,” he says with an enormous grin. “I love to see passion. But if you let them walk through practice, they’ll take advantage of that.” It is, without any question, a controlled chaos. As practice for this team and those on the other five courts inside this facility winds down, a new round of chaos awaits. The teams that practice 7-9 p.m. have gathered along the baselines, ready to swarm the courts and take advantage themselves of every second of practice time. — Greg Fallon

Thirteen of those teams are regional teams, meaning they compete much more locally than the others.

The players scramble from one corner to another as they make a mad dash to return the balls to a collection basket. Alvarez counts down, “three, two, one!” and throws a ball high into the air as practice immediately resumes, in this instance before his players have even fully returned to their positions on the court.

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6-7 p.m.: Dinner time

It is just after 6 p.m. and Alan Sternberg, a couple of servers and owner Tom Green are expecting a slow-but-steady stream of customers this evening. It’s bitterly cold outside and it’s a Wednesday, and neither circumstance encourages restaurant patronage. But by 6:30, more tables in the dining room are being filled and orders are coming into the kitchen.

here’s not a lot of room in the kitchen shared by Blue Bottle and its sister eatery, Restaurant 2(oh!)4, on Walnut Street in downtown Muncie. But chef Alan Sternberg moves easily from six-burner gas stove to cooler to prep table as he gears up for the dinner crowd. It is just after 6 p.m. and Sternberg, a couple of servers and owner Tom Green are expecting a slow-but-steady stream of customers this evening. It’s bitterly cold outside and it’s a Wednesday, and neither circumstance encourages restaurant patronage. But by 6:30, more tables in the dining room are being filled and orders are coming into the kitchen. By this point in early February, Sternberg has been chef at Green’s downtown restaurants for only a couple of weeks. The Chesterfield-area resident has experience in the kitchen at both a country club and Hoosier Park casino in Madison County. “He’s learning quick,” says Green about Sternberg’s role as the man in charge of the menu at Blue Bottle and Restaurant 2(Oh!)4. Sternberg has settled into a routine. He comes in at 2 p.m. and begins baking bread, including the grilled flatbreads used for the restaurants’ popular pizzas. He also begins the slow-roasting of meats that will appear on the menu later in the week. Tonight he’s smoking a beef brisket in preparation for Friday’s dinner. “We’re trying to spice things up,” Sternberg said of the new menu he’s working Big money on, which Nationally, how big is the business includes of eating out? gnocchi, a ❙ Sales: $604 billion potato pasta served with ❙ Locations: 960,000 pesto and ❙ Employees: 12.8 million — one of white wine the largest private-sector employers sauce. The ❙ Restaurant-industry share of the restaurant food dollar: 49 percent hasn’t had a Source: National Restaurant Association lot of pasta on the menu and Sternberg is looking forward to introducing more. Green, a pilot who got into the restaurant business after years of what he calls “hanging out” with a lot of food-oriented people, is plainly proud of trying new dishes. He points to what is on the upcoming Valentine’s Day menu. “There isn’t anybody else in town doing

KEITH ROYSDON / THE STAR PRESS

Chef Alan Sternberg of Restaurant 2(Oh!)4 and Blue Bottle works on a pizza for a patron on Feb. 9.

Israeli couscous,” Green says. Server Dakota Smith ducks into the kitchen to slice Cuban bread and put some in a basket. In a few minutes, a tape with a new table’s order pops out of a small printer in the kitchen. The restaurant’s popular flatbread pizza has another taker. Sternberg takes a piece of grilled flatbread and covers it with spinach, roasted red peppers, black olives and two kinds of cheese. “We’ll put this in the oven to melt the cheese and crisp up the flatbread,” he said. The kitchen will be busy for the next couple of hours, but the restaurant really bustles on the weekend. “We’ll have people here until 10 or 11 on Friday and Saturday,” Green said. “We’re happy to have them here and don’t want to hurry them out.” — Keith Roysdon

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It takes all kinds to make up Wednesday evening’s four-week-long class. There are plenty of canines like Miley with energy to spare, along with some more submissive pooches like a sheepish dachshund-mix called Jenny. And somewhere in between falls a therapy-dog-in-training, a 4-year-old Great Pyranees named Lollipop Sugarplum.

7-8 p.m.: Jazz at The Silo

More about The Silo

❙ Hosts theme nights twice a month, including Black and White parties. There is jazz night every Wednesday and a live DJ on weekends. ❙ Features various tastings throughout the month at its mini bar, from wine to vodka to whiskey to rum. ❙ Open 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.-midnight on Sunday.

KELLY DAY / THE STAR PRESS

TOP AND BOTTOM: Ball State student Brittney McQueen high fives her Sheltie, Junie, during a dog training class at Happy Clean and Smart on Feb. 9. ABOVE: Kayla Cooper, 14, works with her dog, Lollipop Sugarplum, a four-year-old Great Pyranees.

7-8 p.m.: Dog Training Class

our-year-old Miley takes up more space than she realizes. With big, round eyes, a long, floppy tongue and a tail more suited for knocking unsuspecting passersby to the floor, the black Labrador is — to put it lightly — full of energy. That’s the behavior that lands her at Happy, Clean and Smart’s Basic Manners dog training class with her owner, Taylor Partezana, and Taylor’s dad Tony. It takes all kinds to make up Wednesday evening’s four-weeklong class. There are plenty of canines like Miley with energy to spare, along with some more submissive pooches like a sheepish dachshund-mix called Jenny. And somewhere in between falls a therapy-dog-in-training, a 4-year-old Great Pyranees named Lollipop Sugarplum. Lolly, as his owners Katelyn and Kayla Cooper call him, seems to weigh as much as the two girls weigh combined. The gentle giant learns to “sit” and “leave it,” all with the goal of passing his therapy dog test later in the year. ‘Basic Manners’ The Cooper girls’ grandmother, Linda Springer, talks proudly As the dogs arrive, owners and canines of her granddaughters’ plan to have Lolly visit hospitals and greet each other. Once everyone is seated, retirement communities to cheer up their patrons. “It was all the dogs are allowed 15 minutes of free their idea,” Springer beamed. She describes how Basic Manners play. They run around, off their leashes, class has allowed the sisters to learn to work together as much and play with toys and each other. After as it has helped Lolly learn the skills necessary to be promoted burning off a bit of energy, each dog works to therapy dog status. specifically with his master to practice Some of the manners the puppy pupils and their owners learn the lessons learned so far. Finally, a group every week include “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and “drop it.” Dogs that game — like baseball — gets the whole love to tug learn the virtue of walking patiently; owners with class up and involved. bad habits learn to handle their dogs calmly and confidently. Happy, Clean and Smart is at 5700 Bonnie Krupa, who runs Happy, Clean and Smart, uses one of Kilgore Ave. and offers grooming, boarding, her own dogs as an example for the rest of the class. Each sucdaycare and a pet spa in addition to cessful move is followed by a much-appreciated treat, and the various levels of training classes. whole performance is capped with a high five between master and four-legged friend. Watching her granddaughters instruct Lolly with positive results, Springer can’t help but smile. “My personal belief is that dogs are angels,” she said. And, if they’re not angels when they arrive, Happy, Clean and Smart hopes them to help them earn those halos by the time they head out the door. — Taylor Etchison

he band is pleasant and the air is clean. That’s enough to entice most patrons who walk through the doors of The Silo in downtown Muncie on this Wednesday evening. Each Wednesday is billed as jazz night between the hours of 7 and 10 p.m., with a quartet called Live Jazz Tonight providing live entertainment. But from 7 to 8 p.m., patrons are sparse at the bar at Walnut and Adams streets. With temperatures dipping into single digits in early February, customers have stayed away. Just nine people are scattered through the place: six at the bar, two in a booth and one alone at a table. In a few months, things will be different. “When the weather’s nice, we have lots of people sitting outside, lots of people coming and going,” says Phil Cooley, the band’s pianist, between sets. “The joint gets noisy. We have to turn up the amplification a little bit. Right now, we’re not even using amplification on bass.” The few people inside The Silo say they come for different reasons. “I like no smoking,” Tom Kundenreich says. “That’s a big plus from my standpoint. I like the beer selection and I like the people behind the bar. I enjoy the music, but that’s not what drew us here tonight.” “It’s great service,” says Bob Weaver, who is seated next to Kundenreich on a barstool. “It really is. We live in Yorktown, but we love hanging out here.” Brian Lough adds: “They serve hard liquor. You’ve got a lot of beer bars in Muncie downtown, but I prefer hard liquor.” Among the specials listed on the wall for jazz night are $4 Crown Royals and $2 Coors Lights. In the corner, a wine-tasting is set to begin in a few minutes. Cooley says his group has been coming to The Silo since the place opened last March. Now they’ve developed a weekly routine of sorts. They play at Vera Mae’s on Tuesday nights and The Silo on Wednesdays. Occasionally, they’ll head over to White River Landing to play on Saturdays. Cooley adds that he and his bandmates have been playing off and on since 1956. Their first gig was at the Parker Street Fair that year in Parker City. Having a weekly time slot now makes it easier for friends of the group to swing by. “We usually get a pretty good crowd of good supporters,” Cooley says. “Our good friends come to hear us. We get a chance to meet a lot of new folks. We’ve developed a few fans along the way.” Eric Butler, who is bartending the handful of Silo patrons at the bar, says the band used to come out on Saturday nights before a decision was made to move them to Wednesday nights. “It seems to do better Wednesday evening,” Butler says. “People seem to enjoy it. It’s a nice change of pace.” At 7:50 p.m., the lights in the bar dim. Few patrons have pushed through the doors. Butler says that should change in the next two hours. If it doesn’t, spring is just around the corner. — Jesse Temple

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8-9 p.m.: Bowling

8-9 p.m.: Choir rehearsal

ehearsal is officially under way as Cynthia Smith greets the seven choir members standing in front of her at 7:40 on this Wednesday night at First Baptist Church. Behind Smith is a dry-erase board with the intervals etched in marker. “Let’s tune our intervals ... DO RE MI FA SO LA TI DO,” says Smith, a Ball State University doctoral student majoring in voice performance. Smith, a soprano with a voice that puts Mariah Carey’s to shame, warms up the choir before turning the reins over to director Matt Headley at 7:52. “Can everybody sing your starting pitch?” Headley says. Sweet heavenly music fills the air as the sopranos, altos and tenors all join together and sing in unison as the pianist plays the keys to Name of Love. Late arrivals join the group and in all, there are six men and six women, plus Matt and the pianist, his wife Heather Headley. Matt Headley’s eyes are wide and focused on each member of the choir as they sing the verses. His hands move in sharp up-and-down and curved motions. Suddenly, he interrupts and asks the sopranos to work on a line in the song. The group sings it over until the tones are where he wants them. Matt then says, “From the top” and snaps as he KELLY DAY / THE STAR PRESS counts to two to introduce the beat. The choir responds Matt Headley leads choir practice at First Baptist Church on Feb. 9. on cue, their voices in tune as they belt out Name of Love. Matt joined First Baptist in July On this Wednesday, the choir tries 2009. The pastor of the church, to perfect a difficult hymn, Blessed is Wade Allen, hired him to take over First Baptist Muncie the Man. ❙ ADDRESS: 309 E. Adams St., Muncie the choir and lead the contempoA man in the back row questions rary worship band — which plays when the breaks should be during the ❙ CONTACT: fbcmuncie.org or during the second Sunday service. (765) 284-7749 song. Matt juggles a hectic schedule in “This is what I get to do as a direcTraditional with ❙ SUNDAY SERVICES: order to lead the choir and worship tor, is show you where you can take the choir at 9:15 a.m.; contemporary band at First Baptist. The 26-yearbreaths,” Matt says before singing the with worship band at 11:15 a.m. old is taking classes at Northern words back to the group to demonFind sermons, blog posts, worships Seminary in Lombard, Ill., near strate the quick breaks for breath. and other information about the Chicago. He leaves for Lombard This particular hymn is tricky for church online: fbcmuncie.org on Monday morning and returns Heather, too. She plays the keys over Wednesday morning each week. and over before giggling and saying, His life is busy, but Matt reflects “I’ve got it this time.” on the direction God is leading him After singing the same line about as nothing but wonderful. two dozen times, the choir perfects the tones and “It’s an amazing experience,” he says with a wide pitches. The choir then spends the final five minutes smile on his face. rehearsing the last song, I Lift Up My Eyes. Each week, Allen tells Matt the focus of his sermon Before leaving for the night, Dana Davis, comes to so that Matt can choose songs to match the message for the front to lead a devotion at 8:40 p.m. She recites the both services. Bible verse, 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13. On Sunday, the choir sings one song — called the Davis then calls out for prayer requests. The seven anthem — before the sermon. The group then leads the men and seven women close their eyes, bow their heads congregation in hymns. An organist, Rebecca Rolland, and call on God to answer their prayers. They then say accompanies the choir. “Amen” in unison before dispersing for their homes on The First Baptist congregation hears a finely-tuned this bitterly cold Wednesday winter night. choir on Sundays, resulting from the Wednesday-night — Kara St. Myer rehearsals.

t 8 p.m. on a Wednesday, Liberty Bowl is loud with the sound of balls crashing against pins and bowlers cheering wildly - and sometimes comically - for their teammates. Mike Schoeff grabs his bowling ball from where it sits among the other five balls on the ball return. He wipes off the oily residue with a towel, then takes his stance and lines up his starting point. Schoeff watches his ball glide down the lane, still standing in his followthrough pose with his right hand hanging in the air. The ball collides with the pins. Strike. Schoeff whips his body around and smiles with triumph at his teammates. Schoeff is a veteran of bowling who has been playing on leagues since the 1990s. “In the ’90s, I was playing on four or five different leagues a week,” he said. “Right now, I’m on two different leagues.” On this night, he’s playing with the Eagles mix handicapped league. It’s a night of experienced bowlers at the alley, with bowling leagues on one side and the Ball State University men’s and women’s bowling teams on the other. The Ball State team practices at the Liberty Bowl every Wednesday night, and at Munsee Lanes on Monday nights. Women’s Coach Monty Vaughn explains that this year’s team consists of mostly freshmen. “We’re having a rebuilding year with only two returning players,” he notes. — Lacy Fuller

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odd Sandman is directing the cast of The Diviners, a story of death and faith set in a 1930s Hoosier town, and one actor is worried about his ear. “It wasn’t always this big,” the man says after a third try at a scene performed at The Civic Theatre wherein his lobe is angrily tugged by an aunt who doesn’t want her niece spending time with him. “Yes it was,” Sandman replies. “I always noticed that about you.” As the rest of the crew laughs, the actor continues 9-10 p.m.: Muncie to protest. “If it doesn’t go back,” he Civic Theatre rehearsal says, “no one will ever marry me.” Another actor scoffs. “As if anyone was.” The director switches scenes and instructs part of the ensemble as they set up for the play’s climax. “C.C.,” a former preacher played by Ryan Lash, is taking “Buddy,” played by Andrew Cutshaw, to the river to bathe. Buddy is terrified of the water — his mother died saving him from drowning when he was a boy — and C.C. must gently coax him just to get his feet wet. The actors deftly work the scene, playing as if the empty hall was at capacity. Lash becomes enraged when he notices some town folk who have come to the river believing a baptism is about to take place. As he tries to shoo them away, Cutshaw, whose character is sweet but dim, much like a boy in a man’s body, is taking to the water, and the weight of imminent tragedy is palpable. The actors are on their mark, and aside from a quiet instruction from Sandman, the scene is rolling. The town folk begin to sing a hymn as Lash shouts for them to leave, and Cutshaw slips from the imaginary river bank into deep water. He can’t swim. He thrashes about in a remarkable display of a drowning man who is standing on a dry stage. When his head slips beneath the invisible water line, the singers voices cease — this boy is drowning and the audience is with him. His head emerges and the singing returns to his ears. Lash sees his friend’s struggle and rushes to save him as the others follow. The performances are so engaging that the splashing water is nearly audible as Lash jumps in and ploddingly drags Cutshaw from the water. But he is too late. “It was a good day for a drowning,” one actor says. And with that, the emotional tension of the scene diminishes and the cast moves on to the next act — as generations of actors have done in the 79-year-history of the Muncie Civic Theatre. While the stories might have changed, the passion of the actors remains the same. — Sam Gibbs

The van arrives at the pub at 9:26 p.m. Standing in the vehicle-filled parking lot, a man, holding two six-packs of beer, watches the van pull up next to him. He slides the door open and enters. “You weren’t there too long tonight,” Williams says to the man, who asked to stop at the Village Pantry on his way home. It’s pretty common, according to Williams, for patrons to ask to stop off at a convenience store before going home. “It’s a dollar extra if (the stop) is on the way. If it’s out of the way, it’s an extra fare,” Williams says. Under one minute, the man is in and out of the store and back in the van, ready to head home. When he arrives, he must run into the LATHAY PEGUES / THE STAR PRESS house to get cash for his fare. PDQ taxi driver David Williams drives the streets of The patron is honest and returns to settle Muncie on Feb. 9. his charge. But it’s not uncommon for riders to try and get away without paying. 9-10 p.m.: Taxi service “In the past two months, it’s probably haps the clock strikes 9 p.m. on this Wednesday evening, David Williams, pened to me three times,” says Williams, who admits that loss comes out of his pay. 38, Albany, is already two hours into “We definitely get all types of characters. his 12-hour shift. Majority of them are usually nice,” he says. Hunger has set in, and Williams finishes off At 9:42 p.m., Williams pulls up and honks a package of Nacho Cheese Combos and sips the horn in front of a home on West Brook on a bottle of Mountain Dew. Street. “When we have time, we just hit a drive“I don’t get out and knock on doors at thru,” Williams says. “If you’re lucky, (a night,” says Williams, implying that wouldn’t patron) will ask you to pull in a drive-thru.” be the safest practice. On this particular night, however, there A couple of minutes pass, and a gentleman appears to be no spare time to grab restaurant approaches and enters the van. fare, hence the Combos and soda. Like the last rider, he too asks to stop at a Business is quite steady. convenience store on the way. By 9:07 p.m., Williams pulls up to the main Also like the last patron, that will be an entrance at Texas Roadhouse. extra dollar. “Howdy,” Williams says to the gentleman A block away from the convenience store who enters the PDQ Taxi caravan. “Where you waits a female patron at an apartment building. headed?” The patron is Dea Hawkins, who just got off The taxi pulls up and honks the horn. No one responds. A couple of minutes pass work, headed home for the night. and then Williams holds the two-way radio to Hawkins says his wait was about 30 minutes, his mouth. which he claims is not too bad. “Do you have a number for this lady,” he A frequent user of PDQ Taxi, Hawkins asks the dispatcher. understands that some time the wait can take “Yes, I’ll give her a call,” the dispatcher a while. That’s why he calls a little early if he responds. must arrive somewhere at a certain time. After a few seconds, the dispatcher tells “If you have to be at work at 11 o’clock, don’t Williams that the patron is on her way down. call (a taxi) at 10:30,” Hawkins suggests. About five more minutes pass, and still no After about a 10-minute ride on Muncie’s woman. west side, the Dodge Caravan arrives at “This is the part I hate,” Williams says. Hawkins’ front door. “Waiting on people to come out.” “You guys have a great evening,” he says The wait easily turns into 10 minutes, and after he pays and shuts the door behind him. finally, a woman emerges from the building Williams’ next destination isn’t too far from and enters the van. the recent drop-off. By this time, it’s a couple of minutes past 10 “I’m about to pick someone up from Big p.m., as Williams pulls off into the night, and Shots (pub),” he says. “I know who he is awaits more calls from the dispatcher. because I dropped him off a couple hours ago.” — Lathay Pegues

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ven on the coldest night of the year, lights from the southside Walmart casts a glow on the horizon, a beacon luring shoppers on their way home from a late shift at work or a late meeting. And, it’s obvious from the dozens of shopping carts scattered around the parking lot, many beached at odd angles atop iceberglike piles of snow from the recent storm, that plenty of people have found the bright lights and beckoning Walmart sign irresistible. Inside, many empty or partially empty shelves where Hamburger Helper, pizza, juice and yogurt have once been tell the same story. “Attention Walmart shoppers, ...” a tinny female voice began over the store’s loudspeaker, informing shoppers that one of the store’s two entrances is being closed for the night. The 20 or 30 shoppers wandering around the cavernous store are clearly outnumbered by store workers, mostly stockers staging mountainous pallets of all kinds of products to refill shelves. Individual shoppers mostly wander the long aisles of the grocery department alone, with just fleeting glimpses to remind them that there are others there, too, picking up a gallon of milk or packaged meat for tomorrow’s lunch. Did you know? A muffled crash followed by ❙ Walmart has more full-time shouts of “Are you OK?” signals a employees — 2.1 million — than seven pallet mishap that results in cases times the population of Iceland. of Capri Sun toppling into a free❙ Each week nearly one-third of the U.S. standing freezer at the end of one population visits Walmart’s U.S. stores. aisle near the back of the store. A ❙ Last year Walmart sold more crew — like a flash mob — mysbananas than any other item. teriously appears and disappears, ❙ Walmart is the largest overall cleaning up the mess in minutes employer in the United States, and with no harm done. the biggest employer in 25 states. A male voice periodically sumSource: www.businessinsider.com mons stockers to the back to unload a truck, where they presumably gather and disperse just as fast as they do in the front of the store. In the main passages of the store, more shoppers and employees intersect, with friends greeting friends, chatting and laughing and catching up. A few teens are spotted having a good time in housewares, climbing onto empty shelves alongside the laundry baskets, then jumping out, laughing and moving on to their next store adventure — entertainment on a night too cold to be out on the street. Every now and again a serious shopper appears, perusing the makeup, buying pet food or picking out the perfect Valentine’s gift. But even though it’s warm inside, it’s evident temperatures headed below zero outside have put a chill on the late-night Walmart shoppers. — Kathleen Scott

10-11 p.m.: Lastminute shopping

KEITH ROYSDON / THE STAR PRESS

Frank Rice arranges beer on shelves in a cooler at Muncie Liquors on Wheeling Avenue shortly after 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 9.

“This is the busiest and the coolest,” says Rice, who is 26. “And at this job, I feel y 10 p.m. on a cold Wednesday appreciated.” evening, much of Muncie seems Rice points out a curiosity on the counto be winding down. But at the ter: A skull-shaped bottle of vodka called Muncie Liquors package store on Wheeling Avenue, the near-constant noise Crystal Head. It is made by a Canadian from the buzzer on the front door makes it company co-founded by actor Dan Aykroyd. At nearly $57 a bottle, it is more clear that the evening at nearby Ball State expensive than many of the store’s other University is just revving up. selections. “What’s got you drinking whiskey this Rice doesn’t use a hard sell on customevening?” Frank Rice asks one young ers but is quick to make a recommendation woman who’s just placed a bottle on the counter. She replies that she’s buying it for for those stumped by the wide selection of a friend. The woman hands over her debit beer, wine and liquor. “They have everything here,” customer card and — after checking her I.D. to make sure she’s 21 — Rice bags her purchase and Ashley Trotter says. “A real wide variety.” Trotter is part of a parade of customers wishes her a good evening. streaming in and out of the store. By the Rice, tall and lanky and covered with tattoos, is wearing an Oakland Raiders cap time a customer steps to the counter to pay, the door buzzer signals another has and a friendly expression. There’s a baseentered the store. ball bat standing in a corner behind the Many of them are college-age women, counter, but you get the feeling that Rice and Rice is clearly not averse to that. seldom has trouble with his customers. “One thing I like is the non-stop pretty He has a friendly word for each, most of whom are young adults. Rice works 5 p.m. girls,” Rice says, later adding, “Perks of the to close most nights, so he sees a lot of the job.” Then he turns and focuses on work, same faces regularly. “Best liquor store on campus, right?” one answering the phone, handing over empty customer says over his shoulder as he pulls cardboard boxes to a customer and ringing up purchases. a carton of cold beer out of a cooler. Before 11 p.m. rolls around, Rice makes The store — like the rest of the Muncie what might be his single priciest sale of the Liquors chain — is owned by local businight: One of those skull-shaped bottles of nesswoman Linda Koger. Rice praises Crystal Head is bought by a customer, who Koger — “the most awesome boss I ever carefully carries it out into the cold night. had” — and says he loves working at the — Keith Roysdon near-campus location.

10-11 p.m.: Evening spirits

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s the night grows deeper, the bitter cold seems have a life of its own, enveloping everything in its path, wrapping itself around both people and things, causing the very air to shimmer. Even on such a frigid night, the Sunshine Café lives up to its name, inviting passersby inside with a promise of hot coffee and a warm welcome. A half dozen or so cars are in the parking lot, and another pulls up. Four or five laughing and chattering college-age young adults of both sexes spill out and rush the door. Inside it’s warm and bright and the boppin’ ‘50s and ‘60s music is more appropriate to their parents or even grandparents’ youth than theirs, but nevermind, they have more important things on their minds as they pile in around a table chattering about their work days, coursework, what friends and acquainInteresting tidbits tances are doing ❙ Between midnight and 7 a.m., four or and what’s the best five urns of coffee amounting to about thing on the menu. 20 gallons are brewed and served. Five or six tables ❙ The restaurant might be the safest are occupied by place in town between 1:30 a.m. and 5 locals of all ages a.m. as local law enforcement officers from the 30-ish cycle in every hour one or two at a time couple in the corner for their shift break. to the middle-aged ❙ The most popular late-night meals, man and woman according to the shift manager and chief in the center and cook, are the Philly Steak & Cheese another group of Omelet and Chocolate Chip Pancakes. young adults. All seem to have settled into that comfortable place where good company, good conversation and good food meet, and the clatter of silverware and the din of the chatter vie with the music. The distinctive aroma of coffee brewing permeates the place, complemented by the irresistible smell of burgers, fries and omelets as they pass by on their way from the kitchen to the table, expertly balanced by Brittany, a pretty, young, blonde server. As the 11 o’clock hour wore on and temperatures outside continued to drop, the older diners finished their meals and left, leaving the Sunshine Café to youth and the staff, but the young people didn’t even notice. — Kathleen Scott

11 p.m.-midnight: Late-night dining

DOUG ZALESKI / THE STAR PRESS

Aaron Wand works an overnight shift as night auditor at Muncie’s Holiday Inn Express on Feb. 9.

The man never misplaced his bottle, but he couldn’t hang on to his room key. At 2 a.m., he he Maytag Repairman, the man billed walked through the lobby on his way to the as the loneliest guy in town on his work front desk to get his eighth key of the night shift because of the reliability of his made. product, has nothing on Aaron Wand. The man noticed a fellow guest wearing a The night auditor at Holiday Inn Express on leather jacket he didn’t like and made a derogaMuncie’s northwest side reports to work at 11 tory comment. A heated argument ensued, and p.m. five days a week and checks out at 7 the next Wand was forced to call the police. morning. The drunk guest walked outside and was evenOn this particular evening, when most of his tually met there by police. “They took him to his hotel guests are sleeping, Wand has plenty of room and he never came back out,” Wand says. time to talk to a visitor as he stands behind the The Rat Pack, which performed a show in check-in desk. Muncie a year ago, had an unpleasant meeting “I’ve found if you work a shift most people with several state SWAT team members. One won’t work, you can keep a job,” he says. SWAT member was drinking while sitting on Wand waits to serve guests, but there’s little the floor in front of a room a Rat Pack member activity as the clock ticks past midnight. wanted to get in to go to sleep. The hotel has 76 rooms, and 66 have been sold Police were called again to settle a dispute, and on this cold February night. That’s a good numthe situation was peacefully resolved. ber for a Wednesday, and Wand figures it isn’t Those issues aren’t common, however. going to change. Most nights there’s never a peep from anybody. It’s rare when somebody walks in off the street Wand typically answers phones and checks in or calls for a room at this time of night. any late guests during the first three hours of his Though it’s quiet tonight, it isn’t always that shift. way. Guests can get rowdy. He performs his night auditor functions startWand remembers one guest, a government ing at 2 a.m., he gets room bills printed about 4, employee, who enjoyed a few too many scotches then starts preparing the express breakfast that one night. The man walked around the hotel serves people starting at 6:30 a.m. lobby with a bottle of scotch in one hand and his “This shift gives you stability,” he says. glass in the other. — Doug Zaleski

11 p.m.-midnight: Overnight stay

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ollowing is just some of the news of the day — Feb. 9 — from pages of The Star Press:

New bill: You’ll pay more for a marriage license — unless you take prep classes | 5A Muncie, Indiana

THURSDAY February 10, 2011

NEWS

75¢

Front-page headlines in The Star Press that we covered on Feb. 9 and that appeared in print Feb. 10: • Courts — ‘Mentally ill’ attacker gets no treatment — A Muncie man who pleaded guilty — but mentally ill — in a 2005 attack on a fellow Central High School student has received no treatment or counseling of any kind during his more-than-four years in prison. Travis A. Marlett was 17 when he used a homemade knife to cut the throat of a 16-year-old girl he found alone in a Central classroom on Sept. 26, 2005. • Neighborhoods — Neighborhood council attendance on the rise — Attendance is growing at meetings of the Council of Neighborhoods, which is expanding through an initiative of the Muncie Action Plan. • New job — Muncie Action Plan hires new part-time administrator — Larry Strange, who moved to Muncie from New Albany in 2008, will work 20 hours a week for the committee. • Entertainment — Kids: Don’t Try This at Home — Sword swallower Dan Meyer was featured on the front pages of The Star Press. He was to do to a benefit performance at Emens Auditorium.

TOLL OF THE SNOW DAY: The extended school year could affect graduation at some schools, including Southside | 3A W W W. T H E S T A R P R E S S . C O M

� Travis Marlett hasn’t received counseling while in prison for cutting a classmate’s throat in 2005. By DOUGLAS WALKER

dwalker@muncie.gannett.com

MUNCIE — A Muncie man who pleaded guilty — but mentally ill — in a 2005 attack on a fellow Central High School student has received no treatment or counseling of any kind during his more-thanfour years in prison.

Other local headlines of the day:

• Muncie man beats, headbutts 70-year-old mom for half an hour. • Schools will add days to end of the year. • No decision on Selma marshal’s future.

� Weed and Seed and Muncie Action Plan team up to expand the Council of Neighborhoods.

MUNCIE — Attendance is growing at meetings of the Council of Neighborhoods, which is expanding through an initiative of the Muncie Action Plan (MAP). Created by the city’s federally funded Weed and Seed project, the council attracted 40 or so people to its meetthe-candidates night at the southside Ross Community Center before the November general election. A month later, two dozen attended a meeting at Friends Memorial Church (in the Old West End) on code enforcement. And last month, nearly three dozen people showed up for a meeting at Ross to discuss expansion of the council into a citywide group. Up until now, the council has represented only inner-city neighborhoods, which have the highest rates of drug-related

CHRIS BERGIN / THE STAR PRESS

SWORD SWALLOWER Dan Meyer performs for The Star Press on Jan. 26. He will appear on Friday at Emens.

KIDS: DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME

By JOHN CARLSON

jcarlson@muncie.gannett.com

THURSDAY

February 10, 2011 out more amazing ONLINE: Check photos andGreganFallon,exclusive video on our Sports editor: 213-5876 E-mail: sports@muncie.gannett.com

THE SHOW

WHAT: Swords for Africa WHO: Dan Meyer, Rupert Boneham of Survivor and others. WHERE: Emens Auditorium WHEN: 7:11 p.m. Friday TICKETS: $5 students, $10 adults, available at Emens box office, Ticketmaster and Tan U Very Much. INFORMATION: www. swordsforafrica.com

range missed an uncontested putback. Those two plays summed up the night for the Cardinals, and yet they trailed by just three points with the ball in their hands in the waning seconds. Ultimately, though, a mental mistake cost the Cardinals any shot at a victory as Bowling Green held on to beat Ball State 65-64 in a Mid-American Conference cross-divisional game Wednesday night in Anderson Arena. Ball State (14-9, 6-4 MAC West) cut the deficit to four with 5.7 another offensive rebound and point short as Bowling Green (12-

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Sports

By MIKE WELLS mike.wells@indystar.com

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers did their best to fall further behind in the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They had the ball stripped from them. They threw errant passes. They even turned the ball over trying to get it in bounds for the second straight game. All in the fourth quarter. When it was all said and done, though, the Charlotte Bobcats were the ones crying foul when the final horn sounded. The Pacers escaped with a narrow 104-103 victory over the Bobcats at Conseco Fieldhouse on Wednesday. “Man, we’ll just take this one and run with it,” said Pacers forward Danny Granger, who had 25 points. “We definitely showed characteristics of a young team. We have to learn how to finish. We have to execute better down the stretch.” Pacers point guard Darren Collison missed a runner in the lane that would have put the Pacers up three with 7.9 seconds left in the game. Rather than use one of their remaining timeouts, the Bobcats raced the ball up the court where former Pacer Stephen Jackson tried to draw contact with Collison on his 32-foot heave as time expired. The officials didn’t call a foul, which caused many of the Bobcats, including coach Paul Silas to stay on the court and question the no-call. “The referee had the right to make a call,” Silas said. “It’s a judgment call. He said it wasn’t a foul so you have to go with it.” And Collison? “I don’t feel like I fouled him,” he said. “Whatever happened, happened.” Jackson led the Bobcats with 27 points. The Pacers are taking the win and not looking back because it could end up having playoff implications. The win gave them the tiebreaker over the Bobcats and moved them a full game ahead of Charlotte for the final

• BSU falters in second half; loses at BG. • Pacers climb to 8th. • ND tops Louisville for sixth-straight win.

Business headlines of the day:

• GOPers grill Bernake over inflation. • Black Gold Rush: West’s shale oil could transform oil industry in U.S. • High sugar prices help U.S. farmers pay off debt. • Dow ekes out 8th-straight day of gains.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PACERS CENTER Roy Hibbert shoots in front of Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson in the second half Wednesday.

playoff spot in the East. The Pacers, who host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, are only a game behind Philadelphia for the seventh seed. “Without a doubt this was a huge game for us,” Collison said. “We talked about it before the game because we know a game like this could come in handy at the end of the season.” Center Roy Hibbert continued his

re-emergence by tying his career high with 29 points to go with 10 rebounds and two blocks. Hibbert’s performance almost became an afterthought because of the Pacers’ carelessness with the ball in the final quarter. The scrappy Bobcats, led by Jackson and Gerald Wallace, forced the Pacers into six turnovers in the final quarter.

FAB

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HOOPS

TV guide

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Each week, The Star Press sports writer Jesse Temple will rank the top five boys basketball teams in East Central Indiana. Send comments to him at jtemple@muncie.gannett.com. Record and last week’s rankings are in parentheses. 1. WINCHESTER (14-2) (3) The Golden Falcons haven’t lost a game in 2011, and that’s good enough to boost them into the top spot of this week’s Fab Five, as other ECI teams have faltered. Winchester defeated Tri 89-46 on Jan. 28 and then took care of Monroe Central 65-52 on Tuesday. With the victory, the Golden Falcons now have won eight consecutive games dating back to the Randolph County Tournament. Brandt Miller led Winchester with 26 points against Monroe Central, while Cody Woodbury had 13 points and Conner Detweiler nine. The Golden Falcons’ eight-game winning streak is the longest since the 2008-09 season, when Winchester won 17 straight on the way to semistate. Winchester plays host to Cambridge City Lincoln (2-12) at 7:30 p.m. today. 2. NEW CASTLE (12-3) (1) New Castle falls one spot after losing to Class 3A No. 10 Rushville 53-51 in overtime on Jan. 29. The Trojans led the Lions by four points entering the fourth quarter but couldn’t close the deal. New Castle responding by defeating Marion 78-65 on Monday, the Trojans’ highest point total in a game since November. Steven Bennett led the Trojans with 22 points against the Giants — one of four New Castle players to score in double figures. Jordan Hahn had 15 points, Caleb Jackson 14 and Jordan Richardson 10. New Castle will be tested heavily this week, as it travels to face Richmond (12-4) at 7:30 p.m. today in a North Central Conference clash. The Trojans play host to Pendleton Heights (14-2) on Tuesday. 3. CENTRAL (10-6) (2) Since beginning the season 2-3, the Bearcats have gone 8-3 and appear to have everything in line for making a run in the Class 4A New Castle Sectional come March. Central dropped a game that perhaps it shouldn’t have on Jan. 28, when the Bearcats lost 68-62 at Huntington North. But Central also defeated Logansport 53-48 last Friday to avoid a losing streak. In that game, Bearcats forward Nick Osborne tallied 24 points and 14 rebounds, Mark White had 13 points and Adam Botts 12. Botts is beginning to pick up his scoring pace. He’s reached double figures in each of the last three games, averaging 16.3 points per contest during that span. Central plays host to Anderson (3-12) at 7:30 p.m. today and travels to Pendleton Heights (14-2) on Saturday. 4. BLUE RIVER (12-4) (4) If things go as the Vikings anticipate in the next few weeks, then Blue River should finish with its best regular season record in four years.

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SOUTH BEND — Ben Hansbrough scored 25 points and Carleton Scott had nine of his 16 points in overtime Wednesday night to lead No. 8 Notre Dame to an 89-79 win over No. 16 Louisville. Tim Abromaitis added 23 points for the Fighting Irish (20-4, 9-3 Big East), who extended their overall win TODAY’S POLL QUESTION

streak to six games and their home streak to 17. This was the fifth overtime game in the last nine meetings between the two teams. Louisville beat the Irish at home last year in double-overtime. Kyle Kuric scored a careerhigh 28 points and Terrence Jennings added 14 for Louisville (18-6, 7-4) before fouling out in overtime. Preston Knowles, the Cardinals’ leading scorer at 14.9 points a game, returned to the starting lineup after missing a home win over DePaul on Feb. 5. and finished

Q: Do you think the Pacers have turned things around and will make the playoffs?

High temperature: 15 (3 p.m.); Low temperature: 4 (1 a.m.) Low wind chill: -20; Precipitation: none

Social media — all day We posted and tweeted, too

A look at how Muncie residents were using Facebook and Twitter on Wednesday, Feb. 9: • The Ball State athletic department announced some recruiting news. • A Muncie woman vented about her iTunes account getting hacked, and money from the account being missing. • Perhaps dreaming of warmer days while it was 10 degrees outside, one Muncie family posted photos from a summer vacation. • One Muncie couple was

� See COUNCIL, 2A

with 13 points. Notre Dame scored the first 14 points of overtime after Scott hit a 3-pointer to start the extra period. Scott added a three-point play to put the Irish up by eight with 3:12 left. Scott then grabbed an offensive rebound and dunked the putback, and Ben Hansbrough drove the lane for a layup with 1:06 left to push the Irish lead to 14. In the final minute of regulation, Knowles missed a 3point attempt and Hansbrough knocked the rebound out of bounds with 25.6 seconds left.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS

Q: NASCAR season starts in a week and a half. Do you care? No 64.2% | Yes 35.8%

Louisville had a chance to win it, but Knowles missed again from long range to send the game to overtime. Kuric vaulted over Scott Martin near the end of the first half and dunked with eight-tenths of a second to play. Martin was whistled for a foul, but Kuric picked up a technical on the play. Abromaitis hit both free throws and Kuric hit his as well to give the Cardinals a 44-40 halftime lead. Jack Cooley provided a lift off the bench in the first half for the Irish with 10 points. Results as of 10:45 p.m. Total votes: 240

BUSINESS

GOPers grill Bernanke over inflation

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WASHINGTON — Members of Congress sharply questioned Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke Wednesday over whether the Fed’s policies are raising the risk of higher inflation in the months ahead. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said he is concerned that the Fed won’t be able to detect inflation until “the cow is out of the barn” and inflation is already spreading dangerously through the economy. Bernanke acknowledged that inflation is surging in emerging economies. But he downplayed the risks to the U.S. economy, even as lawmakers expressed concerns about rising gasoline and food prices. Inflation in the United States remains “quite low,” Bernanke said. He blamed higher prices on strong demand from fastgrowing countries such as China — not the Fed’s policies to stimulate the economy, including buying $600 billion worth of Treasury debt. Bernanke’s remarks suggest the Fed will stick with the bond-buying plan through June, as scheduled. The program is aimed at invigorating the economy by lowering rates on loans and boosting prices on stocks. It was Bernanke’s first appearance before the House since Republicans took control last month. He faced tough questions from them, despite being a member of the party. Ryan worries that the Fed’s stimulus policies, including the debt purchases, could trigger inflation or fuel speculative buying of stocks or other assets. “Many of us fear monetary policy is on a difficult track,” Ryan said.

� Weather disasters abroad send sugar costs soaring at home. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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OIL SPRAYED OVER 15 acres downwind of a runaway oil well owned by Denver-based SM Energy Company is shown in this 2010 file photo. The well 12 miles east of Cheyenne, Wyo., is among the first drilled in a rush to tap the Niobrara Shale underlying Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska.

Black gold rush West’s shale oil could transform oil industry in U.S. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A new drilling technique is opening up vast fields of previously out-of-reach oil in the western United States, helping reverse a two-decade decline in domestic production of crude. Companies are investing billions of dollars to get at oil deposits scattered across North Dakota, Colorado, Texas and California. By 2015, oil executives and analysts say, the new fields could yield as much as 2 million barrels of oil a day — more than the entire Gulf of Mexico produces now. This new drilling is expected to raise U.S. production by at least 20 percent over the next five years. And within 10 years, it could help reduce

KURT HOSTETLER / THE STAR PRESS

@THESTARPRESS.COM

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NEW ORLEANS — A series of disasters in Australia’s sugarcane region and foul weather in Brazil, India and China have driven up world sugar prices, and many U.S. farmers are making enough to pay off loans and buy new equipment. But specialty candy lovers will have a less happy Valentine’s Day. Jaye Cuccia, owner of Evans Creole Candy Factory Inc. in New Orleans’ French Quarter, said she raised prices in late November for the first time in about eight years, from $14.95 to $18.90 for a box of 10 pralines. “I probably need to increase my prices again,” said Cuccia, who uses 200 to 400 pounds of sugar a week. A year ago, a 50-pound bag cost $15 to $17; now, she’s paying $30 to $35. Small companies are most quickly affected by price increases, said Susan Smith, spokeswoman for the National Confectioners Association. “The small companies buy small amounts of sugar. And they buy that sugar frequently.” Prices at Laurel Street Bakery haven’t gone up yet, “but it’s getting close,” said owner Hillary Woodbury, who runs a breakfast-and-lunch cafe and sells wholesale to other coffee shops and restaurants. “Especially since there’s all sorts of rumors that flour’s going to go through the roof also.” Price increases for one ingredient won’t usually force her to boost hers, but two at a time is a different matter, she said. � See SUGAR, 2C

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Check out Jesse Temple’s blog on Jamie Drummer online.

oil imports by more than half, make it economical. But drilladvancing a goal that has long ers learned how to increase eluded policymakers. the number of cracks in the “That’s a significant contri- rock and use different chemibution to energy security,” says cals to free up oil at low cost. Ed Morse, head of commodities “We’ve completely transresearch at Credit Suisse. formed the natural gas indusOil engineers are applying try, and I wouldn’t be surprised what critics say is an environ- if we transform the oil business mentally questionable meth- in the next few years too,” says od developed in recent years Aubrey McClendon, chief execto tap natural gas trapped in utive of Chesapeake Energy, underground shale. They drill which is using the technique. down and horizontally into the Petroleum engineers first rock, then pump water, sand used the method in 2007 to and chemicals into the hole to unlockoilfroma25,000-squarecrack the shale and allow gas mile formation under North Dakota and Montana known as to flow up. Because oil molecules are the Bakken. Production there sticky and larger than gas rose 50 percent in just the past molecules, engineers thought year, to 458,000 barrels a day, the process wouldn’t work to squeeze oil out fast enough to � See OIL, 2C

� See FED, 2C

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WES-DEL’S Chris Shipley battles with Zack Meeks (left) and Jake Greenberg of Delta during their game January 21.

High sugar prices help U.S. farmers pay off debt

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C THURSDAY

February 10, 2011 Business editor Keith Roysdon, 213-5828 E-mail: business@muncie.gannett.com Page designer Sam Gibbs, 213-5856

W W W. T H E S T A R P R E S S . C O M

ENERGY

Page designer Taylor Etchison, 213-5848

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Weather: Statistics from Feb. 9

crimes and violence. “Essentially, this council is the heart of the Weed and Seed effort, but it’s also the heart of the (entire) city, as neighborhood people band together to take ownership of the city, ... and do all those things we talk about to make

Muncie Action Plan hires new part-time administrator

� See FAB FIVE, 2B

ND tops Louisville for sixth-straight win � No. 8 Irish down No. 16 Cardinals 89-79, extend win streak to six.

Next meeting

The next meeting of the Council of Neighborhoods will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Muncie Boys & Girls Club, 1710 S. Madison St. Ball State University criminal justice faculty and students will present the results of a survey of more than 600 residents on topics including graffiti, vandalism, safety, noise, crime, drug use and their opinions of the police department.

THE MAN 783-7737 Phone: (800)at website thestarpress.com irst you watch, then you wince. Page designer WHO: Sword Sam Gibbs, 213-5856 “This is called the drop,” Dan swallower Dan Meyer before bef e liftbefor lif QUOTE: (On using a ing the gleaming sword directly lowing came effortlessly ef rtlessly to the native effo late performer’s sword) above his upturned face, inserting its Hoosier, who recently moved to “I kind of feel bonded tip past his teeth and lowering it half-ahalf Muncie because he has family here. with her now, that I’ve foot down his throat. (mixed) her DNA with Meyer figures it took him fully 13,000 Then, heleftletwhen go. scored a meaningless basket astries become its part-time adminmine.” By SETH SLABAUGH 12, 7-3before MAC East) their seconds successfully swallowed bef befor e hewithstood swallowe Jones stepped to time expired. initial surge and led for the final seths@muncie.gannett.com Smooth as glass, the sword’s blade istrator. FACT: A graduate of MU_MN_1ST_02-10_N_B_C_1_C sword first 25:47 of the game. in 2001. the free-throw line. “We’ve got to have time andhis up to its hilt. disappeared all the score way wa recognition,” Larry Strange, who moved Indiana State University, “Our defense on Ball State “I madeita myself, differThe junior forward worked self in my bathself, sank a thefew first feet Billy Taylor to coach said. “…to When ence,” Bowling Green coach M U N C I E to Muncie from New Albany an any From away it’s hard he is also a musician, a day, 10 said. to 12“Wetimes da every day, da pull the Cardinals Randy started to dribble it outroom, Louis Orr kept them INSIDE | 3Cer. — The Muncie in 2008, will work 20 hours a songwriter and diver. er watch, andone. almost within He I harder off four thought he to wasbelieve, going for 3. Ifor balanceyears,” and disrupted them he admitted, adding it CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING then for missed thought we had recognition just enough and made enough Jones but it’s Action Plan INDIANA week for the committee, said INFORMATION: real,theanother feat that thisof it plays EAST CENTRAL a atcouple years afwas ra that before afte bef e he befor second and Randy and knew we weren’t going to getwas the end to win. Itafter OIL PER BARREL (MAP) steering co-chairman Virginia Nilles, swordswallower.net/ sword has I perDavis celebrated grabbed the tipped ball. swallower many opportunities. big windo for it was hop-could us.”consistently. committee has who is director of the Muncie Davis started to dribble out to times ing he now. would get it out and get Ball State sank its first six cuttingedge formed countless $86.71 the 3-point line but then sudden- a 3 or at least reverse it around shots and led 15-6 five minutes hired a local Public Library. ary ary. innertainment.com that’sup not swordat swalsa ly stoppedBut and pulled from to and say we would’ve least had a into the game. But the Cardinals � See SWORD, 2A professional about 16 feet out. He missed the chance to tie it.” proceeded to miss their next nine jumper and Malik Perry grabbed Instead the Cardinals fell a � See STRANGE, 2A planner to Strange

BSU falters in second half, loses at BG BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Ball State guard Jesse Berry inexplicably slipped and fell out of bounds as he tried to cut left along the baseline. Just 90 seconds later, Jarrod Jones grabbed an offensive rebound and from point-blank

The Muncie Action Plan is expanding the Council of Neighborhoods to include all areas of the city. If you are interested in volunteering as a neighborhood organizer or block captain, visit www. muncieactionplan.com or call Jim Wingate at 287-3123.

By SETH SLABAUGH

W W W . T H E S T AMeyer R P R E S Sexplained, .COM

By THOMAS ST. MYER

Want to volunteer?

seths@muncie.gannett.com

SPORTS F

tstmyer@muncie.gannett.com

� See MARLETT, 6A

Neighborhood council attendance on the rise

Proceeds Pr eeds from Proc fr Friday’s Fr y’s Frida y’ event at Ball State St e will benefit the High Stat Street United Methodist Church’s Chur ’s mission trip Church nz nzania B to Tanzania

� Short misses doom Cardinals in one-point loss to Falcons, 65-64.

Travis A. Marlett was 17 when he used a homemade knife to cut the throat of a 16year-old girl he found alone in a Central classroom on Sept. 26, 2005. Investigators said the attack, while unprovoked, had been planned by Marlett.

‘MAKE MUNCIE A BETTER PLACE’

MU_MN_1ST_02-10_N_B_B_1_C

Inside Woods feeling positive going into Dubai 4B

‘Mentally ill’ attacker gets no treatment

Sword swallower plays his role to the hilt

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THE NEWS OF THE DAY

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frustrated about weather-related home problems, such as possibily frozen water pipes. • WLBC was promoting an on-air appearance by Congressman Mike Pence. • A Ball State student posted he was excited about going home to see mom for the weekend. • A Muncie mom gave a shout-out to her child for success in the school spelling bee. • A Ball State student “hopes his Spanish class won’t be the death of him.” • A man alerts other drivers to police watching for speeders on Ind. 67. • A woman is contemplating starting a nonprofit animal shelter for dogs. • A mom is happy her son got his license today. • A man works out while listening to GirlTalk. — Tasha Caldwell

MU_MN_4TH_03-20_N_B_G_20_C 60E â&#x20AC;˘ Sunday, March 20, 2011 www.thestarpress.com