Jerry Lee: A Craftsman in a Craftsman

Successes Continue
for BTNA, Including
BTNA Night at Hinkle
St
Status
Quo or
L
Local Government
R
Reform?
PAGE 2
PAGE 10
Ask Beth: Change
of Address for Child
Support
PAGE 11
th e n e ws o f o u r n eighbor hood • indianapolis , indiana
Butler-Tarkington
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
EDUCATION
REFORMS MAY
BRING MAJOR
CHANGES
CAROL CALDWELL
EDITOR IN CHIEF
What is best for Indiana
students? That’s the crux of
the discussion centering on reforms that may bring sweeping
changes to Indiana schools.
Governor Mitch Daniels
and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett
have laid out an aggressive
agenda for the State Legislature, which no doubt will spur
heated debate. They want an
evaluation system for teachers
that rewards the best and gets
rid of the worst. They also
want to expand the availability
of options for parents, such as
charter schools and vouchers.
Lastly, state laws and regulations that control schools need
to be streamlined, giving local
officials and teachers more
flexibility.
With schools and the education of children being important threads in the fabric
of neighborhoods, we decided
to ask our local resources for
input into the current debate.
SEE EDUCATION | PAGE 6
www.butlertarkington.org
VOL. 56, NO. 1
Jerry Lee: A Craftsman in a Craftsman
NICOLE JAMES
BTNA BOARD MEMBER
In the well-appointed basement workshop of his Butler-Tarkington home, filled
with bolts of cloth, spools of
thread and antique industrial
embroidery and sewing machines, Jerry Atwood designs
and sews custom clothing, creating intricate designs on vintage hand-powered embroidery machines. He is a tailor
of vintage-inspired western
wear.
With a background in painting and printmaking from the
IU School of Art and Herron,
Jerry discovered his new calling after borrowing a sewing
machine and trying out a western-shirt pattern. Of his first
shirt he says, “It was horrible,
but I enjoyed the challenge
and could see potential in the
medium.” Merging his love of
hand embroidery and westernstyle clothing, he now designs
high quality, custom-designed
shirts and clothing.
The uniforms he designed
and made for the Naptown
Roller Girls were featured
on the cover of Indianapolis Monthly in October 2008.
His creations were also voted
“Best Western Wear” in India-
JAMIE WHITT
Jerry, who will marry in September, will even design and
sew his fiancé’s and his own attire for the wedding.
napolis Monthly that year. In
2010 he participated in Project
IMA: Fashion Unbound at the
IMA. He also currently works
as a first hand in the wardrobe
department at the Indiana
Repertory Theater.
Most of Jerry’s customers
are from the Indianapolis area,
but he has started branching out nationally and even
internationally, with a recent
order for western shirts from
Australia. William Lawson, a
friend and owner of a custom-
designed shirt, reports that in
addition to loving the custom
design of a vintage typewriter
on the back of his shirt and
the shirt’s pearl snap buttons,
it is the “best fitting shirt that
I own.”
Jerry is not the only crafts
person in the house. His fiancée, Jamie Whitt, also crochets, knits and quilts as a
hobby. They found their
Arts and Crafts bungalow on
Rookwood Street five years
SEE JERRY LEE | PAGE 12
PAGE 2
BUTLER BRIEFS
Consultant Hired for
Presidential Search
Butler’s Presidential Search Committee
has selected Dr. Jan Greenwood, CEO
of Greenwood/Asher & Associates,
to assist in the search for Butler’s 21st
president. Greenwood has conducted
hundreds of searches for executives in
education, health care, nonprofits, information technology and for corporate boards.
The Presidential Search Committee is
comprised of 20 individuals, including
Butler trustees, faculty, staff, students
and community members. It’s the
Committee’s goal to have a new president in place by the beginning of the
2011 academic year.
Students Win Prize
with Airport Dance
With funny lyrics and infectious dancing on a moving airport walkway, a
video created by Butler students Emily Cagle and Kristen Allen took the
grand prize in the Indianapolis Airport
Authority’s “Show Us Your Favorite
Things @ IND” contest.
In the video, Allen sang lyrics to the
tune of “The 12 Days of Christmas,”
while both of them danced on the
moving walkway and popped up in a
dozen different airport settings.
You can view the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsOdvuAaupc.
Student Affairs
Organization Honors
President Bobby Fong
President Fong’s efforts to advance
the quality of student life at Butler and
throughout higher education will be
recognized with a national award from
the Student Affairs Administrators in
Higher Education in March.
Former Trustee and alum Clarence
Crain nominated Fong for the award,
crediting Fong with fostering “a university-wide recommitment to values
upon which Butler was founded—
namely inclusion, diversity, the championing of educational access and active service to the greater community.”
Fong has served as Butler’s president
since 2001 but leaves for Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA at the end of
the academic year.
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
th e p re sid e n t’s me ssa g e
Successes Continue for BTNA,
Including BTNA Night at Hinkle
Ed Merchant, Michelle Rhoades and Jeremy Stewart and joining for two-year term
BTNA PRESIDENT
beginning in 2011. I want to thank them
It is hard to believe another year has for bringing their energy, time and talent
passed so quickly, but I am very excited to BTNA. You will be able to read more
about 2011 and all of the exciting ini- about these new board members in this
tiatives BTNA are planning. Looking newsletter.
Finally, I want to say Thank You to John
back 2010 was a very successful year for
Countryman. John has left the
BTNA. Thanks to many of
Board of Directors following
you, membership numbers
the end of his term after servnearly doubled from the previing for several years. Most reous year.
cently, John served as the TreaWe recruited four new
surer and is responsible for
board members that I think
guiding BTNA to a financially
will be great assets to BTNA.
stable position. John’s comBTNA and Butler University
BLOEDE
mitment to the neighborhood
partnered with the City of Indianapolis to bring a first ever, Tox-Drop and attention to detail will be missed.
That being said, I am happy to anto Hinkle Fieldhouse. BTNA also hosted
meetings and events that addressed key nounce that Kevin Swiontek has been
issues with city leaders, such as Public elected by the Board of Directors as the
Safety Director Frank Straub and the can- new Treasurer. Kevin has been on the
didates for Marion County Prosecutor board for several years and brings a solid financial background to the position.
and Sheriff.
While these successes are due to the BTNA is committed to being a good
hard work of our board of directors steward of our funds and Kevin will do
and our membership, we know we need an excellent job.
to continue to do more to make ButlerTarkington a truly remarkable neighbor- RECENT ACTIVITIES
Over the holidays, BTNA adopted a
hood.
family in need through the Martin Luther
King Jr. Community Center (MLKCC).
MEMBERSHIP
As I mentioned, our membership BTNA provided budgeted money along
numbers increased in 2010. It is critical with additional financial donations from
that we continue this trend and more peo- several members of the Board of Direcple become actively invested in BTNA, tors to the MLKCC in order to purchases
either financially or through volunteering. and deliver gift to a needy family that reWe cannot effect positive change in the sides in Butler-Tarkington. The donation
neighborhood without the commitment provided a family of four in our neighof our residents. Please continue to sup- borhood with clothes, bedding, coats and
port BTNA is you are currently doing so shoes.
BTNA worked with Butler to get a
and if you are considering it I encourage
you to attend a meeting and submit your mid-block crosswalk installed at Buckingmembership using the envelope in this ham and Sunset. I am happy to say that
it has been installed. Butler will be placnewsletter.
ing new signs and painting stripes for the
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
crosswalk when the weather improves in
I want to welcome four new members the spring. I believe this crosswalk will
to the Board of Directors. Ann Foster,
SEE PRESIDENT | PAGE 15
NEIL BLOEDE
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
New Members Join BTNA Board
The
Butler-Tarkington
Neighborhood Association is
pleased to announce our four
newest board members.
ANN FOSTER
Ann (Poehlmann) Foster
grew up in Indianapolis and
attended Shortridge High
School and Purdue University during the turbulent civil
rights/Vietnam era. Upon her
graduation from Purdue and
employment in Indianapolis,
she moved to Butler Tarkington where she has owned
property for 30+ years. In
the mid 70s she served on
the BTNA Board (recalls
meetings in Damon Roach’s
barbershop) and compiled
the newsletter (crude mimeographed copy back then). One
special memory she has from
those years was the BTNA
logo contest that led to the
four interlaced, multi-colored
hands logo which continues to agnostics. After retiring, she
appear on the outside of the spent three years as a consulBTNA newsletter. Ann also tant for clinical trial projects
lived several years in the Geist while developing her “second
area, closer to her employer, career” teaching yoga and
sailing and watchmovement classes
(InwardFocuseding sunsets over
Movement@gmail.
the water; but soon
after moving out
com).
She has
teaching certificathere she realized
that she missed the
tions in Advanced
Hatha Yoga (with
interesting diversity
therapeutic
foof Butler TarkingFOSTER
ton. She returned
cus) and Bones for
14 years ago. Ann maintains Life®. Her current teaching
and enjoys her home with often combines Hatha Yoga
unique 1920s features, con- approaches with Bones for
tinually expands her gardens, Life® processes for people
walks her old dog along the with movement concerns (i.e.
canal and is often on a tandem arthritis, Parkinson’s Disease,
bicycle exploring the city with MS, diabetes, stroke recovery,
cancer, etc.); she teaches in a
her partner.
Ann raised her family in variety of locations (including
BTNA and had a challeng- Riviera Club and Oasis) and
ing, rewarding 30-year corpo- focuses on “baby boomers”
rate career with Boehringer and seniors.
With the opportunity to
Mannheim/now Roche Di-
Sierra Flowers
Your Neighborhood Florist Since 1984
Valentine’s Day is Monday, February 14.
Remember your loved ones
with a gift of flowers.
We carry a nice
assortment of
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silk arrangements,
candles, cards,
dish gardens,
balloons, angels,
vases,
garden stones,
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and much more
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925-4585
PAGE 3
visit many cities during her
corporate and personal travels,
Ann sought out and toured
unique urban neighborhoods.
These tours around the country reinforced her appreciation
of the specialness and possibilities of Butler Tarkington/
Midtown.
At this time in her life,
Ann enjoys teaching yoga
and “inward focused movement,” traveling with her partner, visiting her out-of-state
grandkids, volunteering on
the local Red Cross Disaster
Action team and acting as a
guide at Eiteljorg Museum.
She is interested in working
with the BTNA board for two
years with the goal of helping
expand the unique possibilities within Butler Tarkington
and Midtown for supporting
neighborhood businesses and
serving all residents.
SEE NEW MEMBERS | PAGE 13
PAGE 4
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
Gardening Tips for the Winter Months
With BTNA’s own Master
Gardener guiding you, your
garden should look great this
Spring!
LARRY FITZGERALD
BTNA BOARD MEMBER
Even though we are only into the
winter a few weeks, our December
weather gave us an early taste of the
wintery white stuff and freezing temperatures. So what can be done in January and February? Several things come
to mind while sitting by the fireplace.
Annuals. Believe it not, I have already
seen spring seed packets at K-Mart next
to the Christmas and Valentine displays.
This is a good time to review your plans
for the coming season. Annuals can
provide spring and summer color and
fill in areas where perennials and bulbs
die out. Think of the areas that might
need some color and incorporate them
into your early planning.
Bulbs. This is a good time to force
bulbs inside. Set bulbs on a bed of pea
gravel in a shallow dish. Add water to
the bottoms of the bulbs. Put them in
a cool place to encourage roots. Once
bulbs start to sprout, move them to a
bright, cool place until they flower. It
should only take a few weeks and you
can enjoy the early beautiful colors.
If you have been storing bulbs
over the winter, make sure they are
not sprouting. If they are, move them
to a cooler place to store until spring
planting.
Vegetables. Lay out your plans for your
spring garden. Plan to run rows east to
west for better lighting. Locate taller
plants to the north to keep them from
shading lower growing plants. Check
into garden books and on the Internet
for new varieties of plants. Check garden tools and replace and repair as necessary.
Perennials. Plan ahead. Check plants
that need to be removed, plants to be
divided, and new plants to try. Consider
size, color, shape, sun/shade requirements. Check size of plants at maturity
to avoid crowding plants. Perennials
require deeper digging to turn the soil
for better root growth, normally 12-15
inches.
Roses. If you have cones covering
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plants, make sure they have a few holes
in the side so as not to warm the plant
and cause damage when the weather
changes back to freezing. Check nursery catalogs for new specimens.
Trees. Winter is a good time to prune
established trees, as you don’t have to
deal with the leaves. Do not prune flowering trees at this time as the buds are already set for spring blooming. Consider
locations for additional tree plantings
in the spring to add beauty and value
to your landscape.
Shrubs. Check shrubs for weather
damage and remove any damaged stems.
Brush snow off shrubs before it freezes
to avoid broken branches.
Lawns. Think about getting your lawn
mower in for early servicing. Companies are not busy at this time of the year,
and you will be ready for spring and
avoid delays at the height of the spring
season.
As the daylight increases two minutes each day, so does our excitement
and anticipation for spring. Enjoy the
rest of the winter knowing 2011 is going
to be a fun and exciting time to garden.
Stay warm!
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
PAGE 5
Property Tax Caps Are Now in State Constitution
at 139,741 to 43,611, with 36 percent
of registered voters voting on the isBTNA BOARD MEMBER
sue. Thus, voters statewide supported
As a result of property tax caps, the the measure by almost 72 percent while
average taxpayer in Marion County is voters in our county supported it at just
paying one-third less in property taxes over 76 percent.
There are two significant parts of the
than they paid in 2007, with 98.5% of
homeowners paying less than they paid amendment approved by the voters.
First, the amendment caps
in 2007. Until November,
property
taxes at a simple,
those caps, which have deone, two, or three percent of
livered hundreds of millions
the property’s assessed value.
of dollars in taxpayer savings
Your principal place of resiacross the state, were set in
dence may not be taxed at
state law where they could
more than one percent of its
be changed by the legislature.
assessed value. Property taxes
Now, those caps are a part of
COTTERILL
on agricultural land and other
the state constitution.
Readers will recall that in our Janu- residential property, such as a property
ary 2010 newsletter, Governor Mitch used as a rental property, may not exceed
Daniels outlined his plan to seek voter two percent of the assessed value. And,
approval to put property tax caps in our other real property, like land used for
state constitution and explained why he commercial purposes, may not be taxed
felt the caps should be in the constitu- more than three percent.
Pretty simple indeed. So, if your
tion.
“At this point, taxpayers face a double house is assessed at $100,000, your
danger that this vital protection will be property tax bill cannot exceed (subject
stripped away. Those who dislike the to one exception below), one percent of
de-facto spending limits caps impose at that, which is $1,000.
some point will try to persuade the legislature to remove them. Or, a court could
interpret the ambiguous language of ArThe average taxpayer
ticle 10, Section 1, of the Indiana Conin Marion County is
stitution to strike them down by judicial
fiat,” Governor Daniels wrote. “That’s
paying one-third less
why the tax-cut plan includes the proin property taxes than
posal that caps be placed in the Constitution. This time, we want property tax
they paid in 2007.
relief to be not only deep but lasting.”
As you would expect, it is not easy to
The caps, now firmly in the state conamend the state constitution. The General Assembly must approve the pro- stitution continue to deliver savings to
posed amendment, and then the identi- taxpayers. The State’s Legislative Sercal text must be approved by the General vices Agency (LSA) reports that 98.5%
Assembly again in a year after a general of homeowners are paying less than they
election. Only then may the question paid in 2007. LSA further reports that
be put to the voters. The General As- the largest percentage of homeownsembly did that, and, in November, In- ers enjoyed between a 30% and 49%
diana voters overwhelmingly approved decrease in their tax bills from 2007 to
the measure by a vote of 1,124,413 to 2010. Savings continued, as tax bills for
438,687, with 41 percent of registered all taxpayers decreased 6.4% in Marion
voters voting on the issue. The result County from 2009 to 2010, which was
in Marion County was slightly stronger greater than the statewide reduction of
CHRIS W. COTTERILL
1.4%.
But, as I mentioned, there is an exception to the caps. The amendment
also provides that “property taxes imposed after being approved by the voters in a referendum” are not subject to
the caps. Since the referendum process
was required by state law, we have seen
a proliferation of referendums across
the state, with the results suggesting that
voters are deciding each one on their
merits.
Here in Marion County, we have had
school referendums, including those
from Franklin and Perry township
schools fail, and one from Beech Grove
schools pass. Two others have had a
direct effect on our neighborhood. An
Indianapolis Public Schools referendum
passed in 2008, permitting IPS to raise
taxes to pay for as much as $278 million in school renovations. The Health
& Hospital Corporation also had a referendum seeking voter support for a
new Wishard Hospital, which was overwhelmingly approved.
Though the caps are now in the constitution, the General Assembly may still
set the criteria for how referendums are
able to be placed on the ballot. As of
this writing, there are currently seven
bills on file to be considered this session
that in some way affect the referendum
process. Senate Bill 323, for example,
would remove the requirement that our
City-County Council must approve a
school’s request for a referendum to be
placed on the ballot. And, Senate Bill
384 would prevent a school from seeking an increase in its operating costs over
what it received for operating costs via a
prior referendum.
If you want more information about
your property tax bill, the Department
of Local Government Finance has a
detailed guide available online at www.
in.gov/dlgf/2516.htm. If you would
like to read the state constitution, you
can find it online at www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/const/. You will find the
property tax caps in Article 10, Section
1.
PAGE 6
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
Superintendent Bennett Has Bold Ideas for Reform
EDUCATION FROM PAGE 1
Superintendent Bennett has said that
Indiana’s education system is in the middle of the middle when it comes to student achievement. “Indiana is a state that
finds itself in the middle of the pack nationally in a nation that’s in the middle of
the pack internationally.”
State Representative Ed Delaney, one
of Butler-Tarkington’s voices in the Statehouse, asks: “If Indiana’s in the middle or
even nearer the top, is that adequate? Is
that where we want to be?” Delaney suggests there’s a lack of clarity about what
we expect of our children and what we
want them to take away from our educational system.
Nate Schnellenberger, president of
the Indiana State Teachers Association,
pointed out in a recent article that going to school used to mean learning the
basics, but schools now help provide a
range of services: breakfast, expanded
counseling and identification of learning
disorders, to name a few. “A hungry kid’s
number one area of attention is not going
to be that science or math homework,”
Schnellenberger said.
Mary Jo Moss, retired teacher and
neighborhood resident, says that when
teachers are asked what interferes with
their attempts to teach effectively, these
are the things offered most often: 1) The
quantity of testing and record keeping
that takes away from instructional time;
2) children with behavior problems that
upset the atmosphere for learning; 3) student absences; 4) lack of parental support
for educational objectives; 5) frequent
transfers in and out of schools as families
move.
Teachers contend with a variety of circumstances in classrooms, not all of them
under their control, making objective
evaluation of their performance difficult.
The administration’s reform package
calls for identifying and rewarding teachers based upon their performance. They
want reliable, fair, accurate evaluations,
informed by student achievement or
growth data, to inform decisions about
hiring, firing, compensation, etc.
CALVIN PORTER
State Representative Ed Delaney says 50% of the state budget is spent on K-12
education, plus another 14% or so on higher education. There is no surplus of
funds to spend on bonuses.
Dr. Ena Shelley, Dean of Butler University’s College of Education says ”the
question lies in what constitutes an accurate assessment of teacher performance.
Reliance on one test score is simply insufficient data. For example, a teacher in a
setting where children frequently move
in and out of the district, will not have
the same opportunities to provide student
growth as a teacher whose student population is stable.”
Merit pay, or recognizing performance
through compensation is also part of this
discussion.
Representative Delaney says there’s a
key problem with bonus pay in today’s
fiscal environment. “There is no surplus
of funds to spend on bonuses. In short,
it’s hard to increase the pay of teacher A
without reducing the pay of teacher B. “
Kamona Coleman-McDowell, Principal of James Whitcomb Riley, IPS School
#43, says incentives could be good for
schools, allowing them to invest additional funds in classrooms. However, merit
pay would be bad for teachers because it
would force them to compete with one
another, when they should be working as
a team. “Competition eliminates collaboration,” she says.
Moss agrees. “Teachers will compete to have the ‘best’ students assigned
to them and problem students will have
more negative reactions from teachers,
with bonuses creating tension and jealousy within a staff.”
Dean Shelley suggests that instead of
merit pay for student performance, perhaps we should consider rewards for the
ongoing professional development of
our best teachers. “Exemplary teachers
might be given the opportunity to leave
the classroom for a year and coach other
teachers, or teach in an education program. Maybe they spend time in schools
around the country learning new methods
that can be brought back to their schools.
These options honor the achievements of
teachers, provide additional career incentives, offer them support and professional
growth, and enrich their school districts.”
Although the administration is not
calling for scrapping the entire collective bargaining system, compensation
based upon performance would require
re-working collective bargaining agreements between school corporations and
teachers’ unions so they focus on salary and wage-related benefits. When it
SEE EDUCATION | PAGE 7
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
Charter Schools Too Much Competition for IPS?
EDUCATION FROM PAGE 6
comes to tenure, that “should
be awarded to teachers based
on performance instead of
seniority,” is the state’s position.
Bennett has said that education reform is the civil rights
issue of our generation. How
can we offer equal educational
opportunities to all children,
give parents a voice and provide high quality options for
families? Part of his answer
would mean having state
education dollars follow the
needs of students so parents
can select the best possible
educational options for their
children. The administration
wants to eliminate caps on
charter schools, while granting schools and communities
more authority to convert failing schools to charters.
Schnellenbeger contends
“there is no empirical research
that shows charter schools
do any better job than public schools.” Some, such as
Moss, feel “charter schools
bleed away students and funding from public schools. Further, the debate about parents
having a choice of schools for
their children need not mean
the start-up of new schools
with specific themes.” She
says this is an approach that
can be achieved within the
existing public schools, such
as the Center for Inquiry, the
Montessori options and others. These magnet programs
have proved to be highly effective, she says.
Bennett says the reform
package begins the debate
this legislative session on what
is best for Hoosier children.
We must be willing to engage
in difficult conversations, he
PAGE 7
CALVIN PORTER
Mary Jo Moss, retired teacher, contends there is already
a way to remove bad teachers: the principal has to follow
administrative guidelines to document poor teaching.
says, and stop asking how to
get more money for education
and begin pursuing the most
education for our money. We
can’t afford to keep doing
what we’ve been doing.
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or Selling in the
Butler Tarkington Area?
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PAGE 8
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
New Conversations Online through Social Media
Last issue, we explained how to tweet, and
this issue Susan Appel explains how and why
you should get engaged in social media.
SUSAN APPEL
BOULEVARD PLACE CONSULTING
Social media and marketing are transforming the way we
communicate. The definition of social media is the use of webbased technologies to create interactive dialogs. Or, to put it
more simply, to have a conversation over the Internet.
Some common social media tools are:
• Facebook - www.facebook.com: Over 500 million users
• Twitter - www.twitter.com: Over 170 million users
• Blogs (or “web log”): Estimated at over 400 million blogs
• Discussion forums - Part of blogs, websites or Facebook
pages
There are some estimates suggesting these tools are used
more frequently to gain information than newspapers and
company websites. Studies also show that 75% of people trust
a recommendation from a friend while only 15% trust an advertisement.
Social media provides the tools and venues for consumers to
make and receive recommendations on products, services and
even the best thing to order at a restaurant. Social media offers
us great opportunities as consumers and business owners.
products, places or topics would you like to receive additional
information or join in a discussion.
For example, Indianapolis-based Blue Mile (www.bluemile.
com) offers updates to its customers via Facebook, Twitter and
eNewsletters on training products, product promotions and
community activities.
Even though you can gain an abundance of information
from social media, it doesn’t have to be a one way street. Remember the definition of social media is to create interactive
dialogs. Once you join a social network you have the ability to
easily join the discussion and share your opinion. What other
avenue do you have to interact with decision-makers in organizations or community leaders from the comfort of your home?
I know what you are thinking, no one is going to listen to
your comments. With social media, as in life, you won’t always
be listened to, but people are listening. Take the airline industry. We have all had extremely difficult situations with airlines.
Either flights are canceled, baggage is lost, or planes are stuck
on the runway. Well, people are now Tweeting about their experiences as they are happening and posting messages on Facebook sharing their bad experiences.
Airlines are listening. Why? Social media has created a megaphone of sorts for travelers. Instead of a person having a private conversation with an airline employee, people are shouting from the roof top and sharing their experiences in a very
public way with social media. This has caused many airlines to
SEE SOCIAL MEDIA | PAGE 9
HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECT YOU AS A CONSUMER?
Many people wonder how they can take advantage of social
media as a consumer. First thing to think about is for which
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JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
Businesses Will Listen to What You Say Online
PAGE 9
SOCIAL MEDIA FROM PAGE 8
create staff dedicated to monitoring and
responding to what is being said via social media.
Social media allows consumers to get
more information on the things they care
about, but also creates a forum for discussion.
HOW CAN YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT
AS A BUSINESS OWNER?
Just as social media provides consumers with the opportunity to participate in
the conversation with businesses, busiTWITTER.COM/SUSANAPPEL
nesses can create conversations around Appel manages her own Twitter account (@susanappel) with more than 2,400
the benefits they are providing to con- followers.
sumers. This will result in an increase in
started is to look at a business or person
can I reach out via social media?
business for a very small investment.
• How am I going to incorporate this using social media well and try to imitate
If you are a business thinking about
their activities. Once you dip your toe in
into my offline activities?
utilizing social media, ask yourself a few
Imagine as a business owner that you the water, you will start to develop your
questions before getting started:
had thousands of active listeners. You rhythm.
• What information are consumers could drive sales, fill seats, drive awareNext time you feel passionately about
looking for that I can provide?
ness and create advocates. With social an issue, try Tweeting the Indianapolis Star
• What is my plan for generating con- media, these results can be gained in editor. You may be surprised at the result.
tent (you stop talking and people months.
Appel, a resident of Butler-Tarkington, can
stop listening)?
There is only one constant with so- be reached at boulevardplaceconsulting@gmail.
• To which key consumer influencers cial media: change. A great way to get com and via Twitter @susanappel.
SPECIAL VALENTINE’S SHOPPING ON
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH, NOON - 5PM
&
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH, 10AM-6PM
PAGE 10
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
Status Quo or Local Government Reform:
Arguments Now Being Heard by Legislature
The Indiana State Legislature is currently
considering a number of bills to change and
even eliminate township government.
• A number of trustees employ their spouses or other
close family members. Nepotism has no place in the government where taxpayer dollars are involved.
The 2007 Commission felt that eliminating township
government would make local government more efficient
R. MARK LAWRANCE
and
better meet the needs of citizens throughout the state.
INDIANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Countywide planning can result in improvements in fire proIndiana’s complex local government system with many tection with better coordination of equipment and personnel
overlapping units does not allow for the most effective and within a county. Emergency poor relief can be delivered at
efficient delivery of services for Hoosiers. In today’s chal- the county level with greater fairness and efficiency. Property
lenging economic climate and with the recent
tax assessing is already being done more consisadoption of property tax caps, now is the time to
tently and efficiently thanks to the elimination of
make it better.
all but a few township assessors in 2008.
In late 2007, the Indiana Commission on Local
Although those wanting to preserve the status
Government Reform made 27 recommendations
quo seem to be a minority, their arguments apthat provide a roadmap for modernizing Indiana’s
parently have carried more weight with legislators
local government structure and better serving taxthan those who believe in the need for and desirpayers. The Indiana General Assembly has sucability of reform. Over the past few decades, the
LAWRANCE
cessfully implemented several recommendations
legislature has heard similar arguments but has not
so far. The most overdue and obvious one that must be ad- taken action towards major change. Now the Assembly is
dressed during 2011 is township government elimination.
once again considering township reform. If you have strong
Township proponents say this form of government is feelings either way, you should communicate with your state
closest to the people, trustees better know who truly needs representatives about this issue.
emergency assistance, and are fiscally prudent. Critics of the
This article is an opinion piece and does not necessarily represent the
status quo present several different arguments:
opinion of the Butler-Tarkington Neighborhood Association Board.
• Indiana is the only state where townships blanket 100%
of the entire state. Most Hoosiers pay for three separate
layers of local government: county, municipal and township.
• Townships spend around $400 million annually, yet hold
another $230 million in unused surpluses—and surpluses for many townships have actually grown considerably
over the last year. Taxes could be reduced or the surpluses used for other community priorities, such as public
safety, libraries and parks.
• Townships are inefficient at providing emergency poor
relief. U.S. tax law says a charitable entity cannot exceed
25 cents in administrative costs to deliver $1.00 in services. Townships in Indiana spend an average of about
$1.00 in overhead to deliver $1.00 in emergency poor relief.
• Over half of Indiana’s 1,006 townships serve less than
two households per month with poor relief. Townships
also adopt their own rules for poor relief, leading to an
inequitable patchwork of guidelines and relief provided
across the state.
• While some claim that township government is “closest
to the people,” most Indiana citizens can’t name their
township trustee, describe what that person does, or
name any of the township board members.
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
PAGE 11
Ask Beth: Change of Address for Child Support
social security number. You’ll then need to sign and date the
form. If you complete the form in our office, we’ll handle copying your identification. You can also email (slang@indygov.org)
or fax (327-4813) the form to us; however, please do not forget
to include a copy of your ID.
If you’d rather not hassle with a check, you may
want to consider direct deposit. The state’s child support collection unit has the form available on its web
site: www.insccu.com. You’ll want to follow the detailed instructions provided on the form and submit
the request to the address on the top of the form.
In addition, you will want to include on your to-do
Dear Proud Mom:
CLERK
WHITE
list changing your voter registration record. A voter
As a new mom myself, making sure all children receive the care and support they deserve is extremely important to must update their voter registration record any time they move
me. The Marion County Clerk’s office is responsible for manag- or change their name. This form is available online at www.indy.
ing many of the financial aspects of the child support program. gov/voter or by calling (317) 327-VOTE. You cannot fax or
Although the state centralized some of the collection activities, email your voter registration form. An original signature is reour office still receives in-person cash payments and provides quired, so you’ll need to mail it to the Voter Registration Board
or bring it by their office.
credit and debit card payments online and over the phone.
Congratulations on your new job and best of luck in finding
Updating your child support records is pretty straightforward.
You can download a copy of a name or address change form by a new home for you and your child!
Sincerely,
visiting www.indy.gov/clerk and going to the child support secElizabeth L. White, Marion County Clerk
tion under the forms tab. You can also call the child support
“Ask Beth” is a monthly column written by Clerk White and aimed
division at (317) 327-4709 to request a form be sent to you or
stop by our office in Room W-123 in the City-County Building at educating the public about the services provided by her office. For more
information, visit www.indy.gov/clerk or call (317) 327-4740.
between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The form asks you to provide your name, old address and
new address as well as a copy of a state or federal ID card and
BUTLER UNIVERSITY
Dear Beth:
I’m the custodial parent of a great, three-year old kid. I’ve
been lucky enough to find a better job in this economy, but it’s
on the opposite side of town. I’ve started to apartment hunt and
plan to move in the next few months to reduce my
commute time. What do I need to do to update my
child support records to ensure I continue to receive
my support payments at my correct address?
Sincerely,
Proud Mom
BCAS
Butler Community Arts School
Private instrumental lessons for
all ages taught by Butler students
on Butler’s campus.
Need-based
scholarships
available.
For more
information, call
(317) 940-5500
BCAS@butler.edu
Piano, Voice, Strings, Woodwinds, Brass,
Percussion, Guitar, Harp, Music Theory
and Composition
GROUP CLASSES:
Music for Little Mozarts
(group piano for ages 5-6)
Steel Drum ensemble (ages 11 and up)
Butler Children’s Orchestra (ages 7-12)
Butler Youth Jazz Orchestra (ages 14-18)
www.butler.edu/BCAS
6050 North Meridian t 253.1277 t www.stpaulsindy.org
SUNDAY 7:45, 9:00 & 11:15 a.m.
t
WEDNESDAY 8:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
PAGE 12
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
Living the Legacy Awards Honor Local Leaders
also included song, dance, monologues, a sneak preview of a
new play production, rap, short video documentaries which
BTNA BOARD MEMBER
included panel and audience interaction. Below is a list of perth
formers:
The Martin Luther King Community Center (located at 40
Menelik Adisa; Rev. Anne Henning Byfield; Destiny Casson;
& Illinois) held a Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration on MonShaunell Chrisite; ECURB; Pastor William Gary, Alday, January 17th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Indilen Chapel A.M.E.; John E. Girton, Jr.; Reverend Faana Historical Society. The celebration included the
ther Boniface Hardin; Garry Holland; Iibada Dance
honoring of local leaders with the 2011 “Living the
Company: Featuring the Adult Company Epiphany;
Legacy” Award for service to the community.
InfeRed; Kamau Jywanza; Gwen Kelley; Wyse LogAward honorees included:
ic; Mrs. Tannika Patton; Norma Shelbourne; The
• Rev. Anne Henning Byfield of AHB & AssociBook of Ruth: Remixed (Excerpt of Cast- Sneak
ates
Preview) by Author and Producer Monique Spells;
• Garry Holland of Holland & Associates
Nadine Walker; Netetia K. Walker; Pastor Elaine
• Alice Jean Oliver, Community Volunteer & SeBARTH
Walters, Bethel A.M.E. Marion, IN; The Washingnior Advocate
• Ed Potts of Mid-North Public Safety Committee (MPSC) ton 4: Jeremiah, Nichele, Micayah, and Joele Washington and
• Rev. Dr. Edward and Mary Susan Wheeler of Christian parents Bobby and Nichele Washington.
For more information about the Martin Luther King ComTheological Seminary (CTS)
munity Center, contact Netetia K. Walker at nwalker@mlk• John Barth, former BTNA President
The Martin Luther King Community Center’s celebration msc.org or visit www.mlk-msc.org.
JOHN BARTH
A Craftsman in a Craftsman
JERRY LEE FROM PAGE 12
ago. They chose the neighborhood because they liked the history and diversity, as well as the shops and mix of old and new
houses. They describe the neighborhood as eclectic and very
accessible.
The 1922 bungalow has a fireplace, built-in glass fronted
bookcases, French doors, and many wood beams—all Arts
and Crafts touches that make it both cozy and classic. They’ve
worked to keep the style authentic, painting the walls in Arts and
Crafts colors and installing Arts and Crafts style light fixtures.
Their September wedding will take place at home, because,
according to Jamie, “That’s how much we love our house.”
Their wedding attire, Jerry’s suit and Jamie’s retro-vintage 1950s
style wedding dress, will be designed and sewn by Jerry.
the new s of o u r n e i g h b o rh o o d • i n d i a n a p o l i s , i n d i a n a
Butler-Tarkington
www.butlertarkington.org
Editor in Chief
Carol Caldwell
carol61244@att.net
Advertising Manager
Marilyn Porter
c.m.porter@att.net
Page Layout
Chris W. Cotterill
chris.cotterill@gmail.com
BTNA Mission
About the Newsletter
Letters to the Editor & Advertisements
To enhance neighborhood livability,
to maintain open communication with
state and local government and other
neighborhoods and neighborhood
associations, to involve neighbors in
neighborhood activities, to eliminate
prejudice and discrimination, to defend
human and civil rights, and to combat
juvenile delinquency.
The Butler-Tarkington is the official
newsletter of the Butler-Tarkington
Neighborhood Association (BTNA)
and is funded with BTNA membership
fees and advertisements.
To write for The Butler-Tarkington,
please contact the editor in chief. For
information about advertising, please
contact the advertising manager.
This newsletter exists to provide relevant news and diverse perspectives in
and around our neighborhood.
Letters to the Editor are encouraged
and should be sent to editor in chief.
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
New Members Join BTNA Board This Year
PAGE 13
ucation at St. Richard’s Episcopal School and became a first time home-buyer in
NEW MEMBERS FROM PAGE 3
EDWARD J. MERCHANT
(at 33rd and Meridian) and from there she early 2010. With a current work comEd Merchant is an attorney with the continued on to Cathedral High School mute of just seven minutes, door-to-door,
Indianapolis law firm of Ruckelshaus, where she was active in musical the- Michelle is thoroughly enjoying her home
Kautzman, Blackwell, Beatre and student government. in Butler Tarkington.
mis & Hasbrook, where he
Growing up, Michelle swam
In her spare time she enjoys taking
practices in the areas of civil,
for the Riviera Swim Team and spinning and pilates classes as well as runcriminal and appellate litigation
sang with St. Paul’s Episcopal ning in the neighborhood with the famand business and tax law. Ed
Church Choir (taking part in ily dog Marley. She also participates anearned his Bachelor of Science
multiple national and interna- nually in the Indianapolis Mini Marathon
degree from Indiana Univertional performances). She has and Race for the Cure. With expertise in
sity in 2003 and his law desince converted to Catholicism social networking and communications,
MERCHANT
gree from Indiana University
and currently attends St. Joan Michelle hopes to assist the BTNA in
in 2006. Ed is a member of the India- of Arc Catholic Church.
supporting local businesses and increasnapolis Bar Association and serves on the
Upon graduation from Cathedral, ing awareness of everything Midtown has
board of the Sigma Nu Fraternity Alumni Michelle attended DePauw University in to offer.
Association of Indiana University. Ed’s Greencastle.
wife, Abby, is a corporate development
At DePauw, Michelle majored in psy- JEREMY M. STEWART
manager with WellPoint. She earned her chology and minored in French (from
Jeremy was born and raised in BloomBachelor of Science degree from Miami her St. Richard’s background) and film ington, Indiana. He attended Ball State
University, and her Masters Degree from studies. While in college Michelle served University where he received degrees in
Notre Dame. Their newborn daughter, as president of the school’s Union Board Architecture and Environmental Design
Harper, was born in October.
and brought the Black Eyed Peas and Ben in 2006. He began his career at the inteOriginally hailing from Marion, Indi- Folds to campus! She was also
rior design firm Carson Design
ana, Ed and Abby moved to the Butler active in Greek life as a memAssociates in Carmel, Indiana.
Tarkington neighborhood in September ber of Kappa Alpha Theta and
In 2008, Jeremy took a job with
of 2009 and immediately fell in love with vice president of Pan Hellenic
A2SO4 architecture, where he
its charm, energy and diversity. Intrigued Council. As an alumna, she
remains currently. Jeremy is
by the rich history and strong presence currently serves as the Alpha
a registered architect, interior
of the BTNA, Ed quickly recognized Chapter’s Facility Corporation
designer and LEED accredited
the significance of the Association and Board Treasurer.
professional. His career focus
STEWART
grew to understand its indispensible role
After graduation in 2005,
has been on the renovation
in maintaining the unique character of Michelle moved to Carmel to work at a and restoration of historic properties inthe neighborhood. Appreciative of the small advertising and public relations firm cluding Windsor Halls at Purdue and the
fact that the hard work of many BTNA but ended up returning to DePauw just local St. Clair Place Neighborhood.
members is directly responsible for what six months later to serve in their DevelJeremy moved with his wife Christy to
Ed loves about this neighborhood, he opment Office. Michelle then moved to the Butler Tarkington Neighborhood in
felt compelled to give back to
downtown Indianapolis in an May 2008. This neighborhood was apthis community by joining the
effort to be closer to the air- pealing to him because he was seeking a
BTNA Board of Directors.
port and accommodate her home that is centrally located within city
A family man at heart, Ed
travel schedule. Downtown life and closer to work, a home that is archienjoys spending time with his
was wonderful and it gave her tecturally interesting and one with history,
family and friends. Next to his
a greater appreciation of the charm and character. Implementing his
passion for family and friends,
city; however, she missed the focus on historic restoration, Jeremy has
Ed has a high-level of enthu“neighborhood feel.”
made an array of improvements to his
RHODES
siasm for the outdoors, includIn 2008, Michelle traded in own home, giving it a much-needed faceing golf, water skiing, running and fishing. her frequent flier miles at DePauw and lift from its years of neglect. As a board
returned home to St. Richard’s Episcopal member, Jeremy hopes to aid in the overMICHELLE RHODES
School as the Director of Development all beautification of the neighborhood
Michelle Rhodes grew up in Indianap- and Alumni Relations. She also decided and to be a resource for the neighborolis, just north of Butler Tarkington in the (thanks in part to the $8,000 tax-credit) hood residents for the renovation or resMeridian Kessler area. She began her ed- that it was finally time to purchase a home toration of their own homes.
PAGE 14
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
Meet the Artists & Get Online Tutoring at IMCPL
MEET THE ARTISTS EVENT
One of the city’s most renowned artistic events celebrates its 23rd year when
the works of locally prominent AfricanAmerican artists are on display during
the “Meet the Artists” exhibit from January 25 to March 26 at Central Library, 40
E. St. Clair Street.
As a venue for giving voice to new and
established artists, the exhibit provides
an opportunity for individuals of all ages
to view works representing a variety of
artistic mediums. This year’s guest artists
include Deloris Drane (mixed media),
Angela Fisher (dolls), Onye Ndika (jewelry), Eric Shelton (organic sculpture),
and Gevoris McCrary (woodcut prints).
Featured artist will be Anthony Radford
(mixed media), who has long served as
the exhibit’s curator.
The public is invited to mix and mingle
with the artists and enjoy an evening of
cultural entertainment during the “Meet
the Artists Gala Reception” on Saturday,
February 19th from 5:45 to 10 p.m. at
Central Library. Performers include the
Griot Drum Ensemble; Fighting Words
Poetry; illusionist and magician Walter
King, Jr., aka “The Spellbinder; the Nu
Soul Theory Band; and Cc. Elaine’s Fashion Show. Freetown Village will present
storytelling and games for children and
families. In addition, authors Paula Kuria,
Aminah Iman, Al Smith and Alicia Fleming will sign and sell their works, as will
portrait artist Glenn L. Walker and jazz
CD vendor Robert E. Thurman.
The gala is free and open to the public.
FREE ONLINE TUTORING SERVICE EXADULTS AND STUDENTS
Adult job seekers as well as students
needing homework help can take advantage of new offerings from Tutor.com,
the world’s largest online tutoring service,
available from the Indianapolis-Marion
County Public Library’s web branch.
Career specialists and expert tutors
from across the nation can provide live
one-on-one assistance for adults in writing a resume or cover letter, searching for
a job or preparing for an interview. This
free customized help, provided in a supportive and encouraging environment,
PANDS FOR
furthers IMCPL’s mission by offering
needed resources for individuals to improve their workforce literacy skills.
This job assistance is available in Tutor.com’s Career Center daily from 10
a.m. to 10 p.m.
A traditional service of Tutor.com allows students in grade school through
college to receive help with their homework questions. Since 2006, Marion
County students have logged over 25,000
sessions with online tutors to receive
Live Homework Help in the subjects of
math, science, English and social studies.
Live Homework Help is available with
new daily hours from 4 - 10 p.m.
A new mobile strategy, Tutor.com To
Go, is now available in the Apple App
Store to give students mobile access to
Tutor.com’s library of online lessons,
worksheets, videos and test-prep resources at any time. The new service will
give students access to resources from
their iPhone or iPod Touch and help
them stay on task with their school’s curriculum and be prepared for each day’s
lesson.
Robbie Williams
CRS GRI, LTG,PMN
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
Lilly Endowment Gives $1 Million to CTS
Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) has received a
grant of $1,181,500 from Lilly
Endowment Inc. to develop
creative new approaches for
educating pastors, ministers
and counselors, according to
David Herzog, Chairman of
CTS’s Board of Trustees.
The grant comes at an important time in the school’s
life and during a time when
much is changing for denominational seminaries like CTS.
It also comes as the seminary
searches for a new president
and celebrates the ministry of
retiring President Edward L.
Wheeler.
“The changing demographics of congregational
life, the increasing complexity
of pastoral ministry and the
emergence of new technologies are changing theological
education,” stated Herzog.
“Lilly Endowment’s gift to
CTS will enable us to build
upon our current capabilities
and explore new strategies to
address these realities.”
One million dollars of the
grant will serve as a lead gift
for the CTS Fund for the Future providing the seminary
with resources to develop
and implement programs de-
signed to send into the community a sizable and steady
stream of excellent pastors
who will lead, minister to and
sustain thriving congregations.
“Our charge is to engage
in a serious re-thinking of
what it takes to prepare men
and women to be excellent
pastors of congregations in a
rapidly changing ecclesial and
cultural environment,” said
Herzog. “This will require us
to collaborate in new ways
with congregations to attract
the most promising students
to produce pastors, ministers
and counselors with the skills
required to address new and
yet unknown challenges.”
The remaining $181,000
will fund the presidential
transition at CTS. Earlier
this year, President Edward
L. Wheeler announced his
intention to retire effective
June 30, 2012. Herzog stated
that Wheeler will be named
president emeritus June 30,
2011, after 14 years of leadership. CTS hopes to name a
new president in time to begin serving as of July 1, 2011.
In the final year of service to
CTS, Wheeler will serve as a
resource to the new president.
PRESIDENT FROM PAGE 2
ory Locker Room”—to meet
and mingle with their neighbors. It was a fun night and an
exciting game.
President’s Report
create another place to safely
access campus.
On Friday, January 21st,
BTNA hosted a membership
night at Hinkle Fieldhouse
for the Butler v. WisconsinGreen Bay basketball game.
Over 40 tickets were sold to
BTNA members at a discount
and even more attended the
pregame reception in the East
Classroom—a.k.a. “The Hick-
END NOTE
Finally, in 2011, BTNA intends to continue to build on
our activities that have proven successful, conduct more
community outreach and act
as an advocate for Butler Tarkington.
PAGE 15
WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/USER/THECTSVIDEO
David Herzog, Chairman of CTS’s Board of Trustees (left)
and CTS President Edward Wheeler at the announcement.
“The generous grant from
Lilly Endowment will allow
CTS to build upon our strong
history as a leader in postgraduate theological education and enhance our legacy
of ministerial preparation,”
stated Wheeler.
According to Dr. Craig
Dykstra, senior vice president for religion at Lilly Endowment, CTS is poised to
make good use of the grant.
“Talented faculty and staff, a
sizable endowment, beautiful
facilities and a diverse student
body all place CTS in an excellent position to make promising new strategic moves that
will extend its important role
in strengthening religious life
in Indiana and throughout the
country,” he said.
CTS is related to the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) and is one of the most
diverse congregational leadership centers in the nation. It
is a fully accredited, ecumenical seminary with a student
and alumni base representing
nearly 40 different denominational and faith communities.
In addition to offering
eight graduate-level degree
programs, CTS provides
dozens of classes annually
through its Lifelong Theological Education and Faith
Learning Initiative series. It
also offers comprehensive
counseling services to the
community through its Counseling Center.
JEREMY STEWART
Forty neighbors took advantage of the BTNA Night at
Hinkle, including (left to right) Curt Singh, Marcy Singh, Neil
Bloede, Megan Bloede, Shannon Kelley, and Ted Feeney.
PAGE 16
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011
Butler-Tarkington Neighborhood Association
P.O. Box 88234 – Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
Board of Directors
John Barth
President Neil Bloede
JoAnn Johnson
jbarth53@hotmail.com
neil.bloede@hotmail.com
joann2007@aol.com
Chris Cotterill
Vice-President Ike Willett
Mike Morgan
chris.cotterill@gmail.com
isaac.willett@bakerd.com
mmorgan@butler.edu
Tom Dolan
Treasurer John Countryman
Kevin Swiontek
tdolan@butler.edu
john.countryman@raymondjames.com
kswiontek@indy.rr.com
Larry Fitzgerald
Secretary Catherine Clements
Brendan Teeley
shrumhousing@sbcglobal.net
cathclements@yahoo.com
bpteeley@gmail.com
Non-profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 2869
Indianapolis, IN
Nicole James
njames@imcpl.org
Schools Collect 50 Tons of Outdated Phone Books
Sunnyside
Elementary
school took first place and
$532 in this year’s Project ReDirectory phone book recycling program, a program of
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful
in partnership with AT&T
and Republic Services of Indiana. The school collected
9.09 tons of directories, or
18,180 pounds and 18% of
the total phone books collected by the schools.
The eleven schools participating in the program this
year shattered last year’s collection efforts. In 2009 four
schools collected 28 tons of
directories. This year a total
of 50.5 tons was collected
which equates to 100,900
pounds.
An additional 15.5 tons or
30,990 pounds were collected
at drop-off locations such as
parks, Republic Services recycling facilities, and an AT&T
distribution warehouse. In all
nearly 43,000 directories were
recycled during the event.
“Congratulations to all the
schools, parents, teachers,
and everyone in the community that participated in this
very important project,” said
Tammy Stevens, recycling
manager, Keep Indianapolis
Beautiful. “The results are
truly indicative of our community’s desire to make a difference in our environment.”
“The challenge was fun for
the students and instilled the
importance of recycling in
the management of our solid
waste stream, said John Drier,
general manager, Republic
Services.” “I congratulate everyone who took part to make
this project so successful.”
2011 INDIANA BLACK
HISTORY CHALLENGE
Families are invited to celebrate Black History Month
and learn about Indiana’s Black heritage during the 2011
Indiana Black History Challenge, presented February 1st
through 28th by the Indianapolis-Marion County Public
Library and the Indiana Historical Society.
This year, participants can investigate rural Black
communities and pioneers by using an online study
guide, answer ten questions, and return their answers
on game cards that can be obtained at either the Indiana
Historical Society at 450 W. Ohio Street in Indianapolis
or any IMCPL location.
Each participant will receive two tickets to the Indiana Experience exhibition area at the Indiana Historical
Society and be entered into a drawing for a grand prize
package. Library branch winners will receive tickets to
attend an Indianapolis Indians baseball game.
For more information, visit www.imcpl.org or www.
indianahistory.org.