- We are all put here for a purpose, and given opportunity to help others, so give back.
- Give 100 percent to all you do – even if you don’t like all aspects of it.
- Treat others with respect and dignity. If your title, position or money were gone, think about how you would want to be treated.
- Persevere.
- Don’t apologize for your success.
Carolene Mays-Medley’s 5 Rules for Success
Corporate Art
Installations brings people together and enhance a company’s image
By Rebecca R. Bibbs
About a decade ago, well-known Indiana artist Kanwal Prakash Singh watched as Julia Moore, then public art administrator for Indianapolis-based Blackburn Architects, flipped through 550 slides of works by artists from around the world.
Singh, a world-renowned Indiana artist in his own right, was tasked to come to a consensus with the six other judges and narrow down the field to 50 artists whose work would be installed in the new Indianapolis International Airport terminal.
“We were bringing the art from throughout the world to these major entry points to Indianapolis,” he said.
What was truly remarkable, Singh said, was that the airport and Eskenazi Health had committed to making art selection an early part of the design process for their new facilities.
“Art does not need to be an afterthought,” he said. “I thought that was a great thing to have art not as an afterthought but integrated as culture. It could be considered even before the building is completed so it’s in the right space and the right settings. I wish more corporations before they build their buildings they would consider this concept.”
Art experts agree corporations and individuals personalizing their workspaces play an important role in preserving heritage and educating the public. Though no one appears to have calculated the economic impact of art purchases by Hoosier companies, they also clearly allow some artists to earn a living when they purchase and display art.
Corporate art can be divided into several sub-types: Corporate or business space, healthcare facility, hotel, restaurants and bars, and retail. Each is characterized by elements that give those who interact in the spaces subtle cues about what kinds of facilities these are.
ART AS A BUSINESS
When Singh walks into an office building, courthouse or library in Indiana, there’s a pretty good chance one of his architectural line drawings hangs there.
Better known as “K.P. Singh,” he is one of hundreds of Indiana artists who have been able to make a living by producing and selling art to Indiana businesses.
Named a Sagamore of the Wabash, the state’s highest civilian honor, he’s not certain how often his drawings of Hoosier landmarks, such as State House, covered bridges or barns, grace the walls of corporate Indiana. But Singh estimates it’s grown into the hundreds since he became a full-time artist in the early 1970s.
“We have over the years done many, many projects for corporations,” he said.
As a member of the Sikh faith from India, Singh said the generosity of corporate America has enabled him to live the American dream and become one of the most financially successful artists in the state.
But the real secret to his success, he said, has been his ability to build relationships with potential audiences by participating in art fairs. There, people who never heard of him, come to know and appreciate his work, which often finds its way onto the walls of their offices.
“A lot of the people buy because they like the person, not always because they like the art,” he admitted.
Active on several boards and with myriad organizations, Singh said he’s often approached to donate a piece for silent auctions for charities. He always jumps at the opportunity, he said, because among the gift certificates, athletic memorabilia and gift baskets, his usually is the only art represented, giving him a promotional edge.
“If any of them approached us, we never said no. That was a way we could promote our art without going into a newspaper ad,” he said.
AVOIDING MISTAKES
Chris Jackson, director of Begley Art Source, a division of the Evansville Museum Shop, consults on major business art installations in southwest Indiana.
“If it’s new construction we want to understand what the vision statement is from the artists and the designers and from what the company wants to project,” she said.
Working with a consultant, Jackson said, can help businesses avoid costly mistakes. For instance, individual and collective artworks covering more than 10 percent of a wall often are restricted by building codes, she said. There also may be restrictions on materials used, such as paper or cardboard, which may require proof of flame-resistance.
“If they’re very large in scale, they often will not pass fire code inspections. Working with a professional, you won’t run into those kinds of problems,” she said.
Consultants also can help corporate clients determine whether a particular piece of art is a good value.
“We have the pulse to know how to ask why something costs a certain amount,” she said.
Though businesses have the option of buying prints, many invest in original art, Jackson said.
“We really are getting a lot of requests for original art. But it’s really more about supporting artists in the area,” she said. “There is a big difference between manufactured art and original art. I think people do recognize the difference.”
Original art also helps enhance the prestige of a business, Jackson agreed.
“If you’re willing to think outside the box and be original, that does say something about your business,” she said.
Though some companies buy art as an investment, more often than not, they are simply bought for decoration, image improvement or stress release, Jackson said.
“If you can see something beautiful or be inspired or have a conversation with somebody you have just given yourself an opportunity to feel better,” she said.
However, some companies, like Wells Fargo Advisors, which is expected to exhibit its collection at the Evansville Museum, do take their accumulations seriously, Jackson said.
“Some of the bigger corporations do actually hire curators to manage the investment of their works,” she said.
Though many may feel intimidated by the idea of original art, especially when it’s more modern and non-representational, Jackson said it’s her experience it starts bringing people together even as it’s being installed. During a recent three-day installation for an Evansville hospital, she said, the curiosity was immediate.
“When we started to install it, people came out of the woodwork and asked questions,” she said. “They would stop, and they’d want a progress report.”
7 things to consider when selecting corporate art
Art in the workplace should leave staff and clients feeling positively about your business. Here are some ways to decide how to proceed.
1. Decide what you want to accomplish with art in your workspace. Do you want to encourage productivity among staff? Or do you want to send a message to clients?
2. Survey the facility to determine the best spots to situate art. Consider not only two-dimensional paintings and drawings for the walls but also the possibilities of sculptural elements.
3. Develop a budget. Decide how much you are willing to spend on art, framing and installation costs.
4. Select art that is unlikely to be considered offensive. The office isn’t the place to display a nude. Go for something neutral like a landscape or a piece of non-representational modern art.
5. Consider the nature of your business. If you work in a conservative field like law or finance, it may be best to stick to neutral themes like still lifes and neutral monochromatic colors.
6. If you can, use your walls to promote your business. It goes without saying that if you’re a photographer, you should mount your prints; if you’re in advertising, frame some of your best and brightest ads; or if you run an architectural firm, frame some blueprints.
7. Buy local. You can not only help your business but also help an artist with his or hers.
Where to buy
Not everyone can become a Harrison Eiteljorg, whose personal art collection became the basis of the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and whose African and Oceanic collection is on permanent display at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. But here are some places to start.
Begley Art Source
915 Main St #608
Evansville, IN 47708
(812) 402-2180
www.begleyartsource.com
Castle Gallery
1202 West Wayne St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 426-6568
Editions Limited
838 East 65th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 466-9940
www.elcorporateart.com
Frame Designs
506 S. Rangeline Road
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 844 9066
www.framedesigns.net
Kuaba Gallery
1 N. Meridian Street, Suite 200
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 955.8405
www.kuaba.com
On the Go
Each phone platform’s pros and cons can help or hurt your business
By James Travis Turner
IN THE-NOT-SO-DISTANT PAST, mobile phones were clunky, limited-use devices designed and priced almost exclusively for big business users. Since then, the smartphone has become an indispensable tool for all manners and size of business.
Apple reinvented the mobile device in 2007 by putting the power of computers into handheld consumer devices through its iOS platform. Add to that Google’s Android operating system, Microsoft’s Windows Phone and Amazon’s Fire, and business consumers are left with a dizzying array of platforms from which to choose.
With the holiday season and a new budget year right around the corner, our chart is here to help you choose the best mobile device to compliment your business needs. All costs provided are for outright off-contract purchase of the device.
AMAZON FIRE PHONE
Platform: Fire OS
Key Features
• Firefly Product Scanning Technology
• Mayday Customer Service
• Dynamic Perspective
Cost: About $650
Pros: The fire phone is the newest entrant to an already crowded market, but a lot of time was spent developing unique features. It offers a dynamic 3D-like perspective, Firefly product scanning and Mayday help from customer service agents using video chat. The Firefly scanning feature has the largest implication for ecommerce companies. This feature quickly identifies more than 100 million movies, TV episodes, songs, and products by simply pressing the dedicated Firefly button. Once recognized, users can purchase this item on Amazon within seconds.
Cons: Although the Fire phone has some innovative features that could prove useful to the bottom line, the tech community has overwhelmingly suggested it isn’t ready for prime time just yet. If you used any other platforms in the past, it may not seem like much of an update on essential features available today. Also, the Firefly feature is great for companies that manufacture their own products sold on Amazon but could prove troublesome for resellers who can’t control which company appears first on their listings.
APPLE iPHONE 5s
Platform: Apple
Key Features
• iWork
• Best Variety of Applications
• Fingerprint Scanner
Cost: $403 to $725, depending on bells and whistles
Pros: As of this publication, Apple had not yet released its much-conjectured iPhone 6. The iPhone 5s, however, marks Apple’s seventh revision of its high-end mobile device. It has a well-refined set of core features and looks very similar to its original design. The iPhone is lightweight with a smaller screen size compared to most of the competition. The biggest advantage of the iOS ecosystem is the App Store, which has 1.2 million apps available for download. These applications range from games like Angry Birds to enterprise-grade software from companies like SalesForce.com. This provides an opportunity for businesses to integrate devices that employees love while also adding value back to the bottom line.
Cons: The biggest limitation of the iPhone is the lack of first-party integration within the individual business IT environment. Currently, companies depend on third-party software solutions to manage iPhones in their environment. This introduces financial risk related to the cost to acquire and support these services but unlocks the ability to manage, secure and protect these devices.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S5
Platform: Google Android
Key Features
• Enterprise Built-In
• Water/Dust Resistant
• Companion Devices
Cost: Up to about $750, depending on retailer
Pros: The Samsung Galaxy S series is the most popular device using Google’s Android operating system. It was the first phone to introduce a touchscreen more than four inches long and continues that trend with a beautiful 5.1-inch screen on the S5. Like Apple, Android has tons of applications and enjoys the same benefits. Samsung differentiated itself by making an early investment in wearable devices like smart watches and fitness bands. These companion devices add a second screen that provides the ability to get information and connect with people without reaching for the phone.
Cons: Like the iPhone, companies using the Android platform depend on third-party software solutions to manage most devices well. In addition, Android phones historically have been known to become infected with malware, spyware and other unauthorized software. This is a result of Google’s embrace of a more open-source platform that allows app makers more access to the core features of the phone. Samsung created a first-party management solution called Knox that provides robust hardware and software integrated security for Samsung mobile devices, which alleviates this concern. Unfortunately, a large majority of other Android manufactures don’t have first-party tools for this level of company integration.
NOKIA LUMIA ICON
Platform: Windows
Key Features
• Microsoft Office
• Enterprise built-in
• Personalized services
Cost: About $500
Pros: The Nokia Lumia series is the most popular line of Windows Phones. It’s marketed as the world’s most personal smartphone with features like Cortana but yet to have built-in Enterprise Integration. Cortana is Windows Phone’s first digital assistant that acts like Apple’s Siri in many ways but is more personalized based on the information kept in her notebook. Once she learns more about the owner in the notebook, users see things like flight information she’s found from email confirmations, weather, the latest news and even traffic information once she learns commute routes. And all of these interests and preferences are under the user’s control via Cortana’s notebook. On the Enterprise side, 96 percent of PC operating systems run on Windows, and Microsoft has built-in Enterprise integration with mobile versions of Office, SharePoint, and OneDrive that doesn’t sacrifice formatting allowing you to get more done on the go. The devices can connect to your existing VPN network or be managed by your IT department via Microsoft System Center, Intune, or a host of other IT management solutions.
Cons: The biggest limitation of the Window Phone platform is the App Store, which currently includes considerably fewer apps than th Android and Apple devices. This has continued to inconvenience former iPhone and Android users who are looking for a specific app from their previous device. Within the past six month, major brands have started to invest in Windows Phone apps, and the top 50 apps are available across the platform. Even with this limitation, the Nokia Lumia Icon is the best phone for business as it balances between work and life with the tools needed to get work done, and more than 250,000 apps.
Sweet Treats
Nostalgia leads Carrie Abbott to update tried and true candy favorites
By Rebecca R. Bibbs
IN 2012, CARRIE ABBOTT LAUNCHED Indianapolis-based Newfangled Confections with Carrie’s Frittle® Candy, a sweet treat that combines the best of fudge and peanut brittle. The company since has expanded to include Southern pralines, soft butter mints, spicy pecans and special holiday candies.
Abbott said her intent was to take Hoosiers back to their childhood memories of the expansive candy aisles at places like Hook’s Drugstore.
In addition to her shop at 613 E. North St., Newfangled Confections also can be found at Yats restaurants, Trader’s Point Creamery and Rooster’s Market & Deli in Whitestown. Orders also can be taken online at newfangledconfections.com and shipped nationwide.
Abbott shares with IMBM her recipe for a successful business.
IMBM: What inspired you to strike out on your own and start Newfangled Confections?
Abbott: For me, I was inspired by food gifts I used to give as favors at the end of catering jobs I was hired to do. It was a little something people would remember the entire evening. On a broader scale, I have a business, hospitality and baking background. What better than to open a treat shop?
IMBM: You recently returned with your family for a visit to your native Korea. What, if anything, did you learn about the business practices there that you can apply to your own business?
Abbott: It was interesting to see business practices there. Cleanliness, friendliness and hustle were three things that jumped out at me. Especially in tourist areas, the U.S., Indy and in my business we need to think about how you appear to your customer. Cleanliness, especially a food business. Friendliness, as in the best customer service possible. Everyone says that customers are important. But you better be ready to live and breathe by this statement if you want to succeed, while maintaining strong ethics. And lastly, hustle. I’m nearing 40 years old, and I can’t imagine not hustling at work. I don’t know if it’s something I was taught or born with, but I’m really seeing a lack of hustle in the younger generation. I’m guessing you can find these things in many businesses in Indiana and that is why they are successful. It just really struck me as differentiating factors compared to businesses starting out in Indiana.
IMBM: How did you secure funding to start your business?
Abbott: I saved. It wasn’t much, but motivation, attitude and a total vision go a long way and present opportunities unimaginable. For a food business in Indiana the number one stopper is money for a kitchen or rental. I saved $2,000 and put it all in a marketing campaign, added another $3,000 and basically started a business at -$3,000. I knew I had something special, and I was going to sleep and breathe Frittle candy until it was big. I was gifted with two amazing kitchen rental opportunities. But also, I was hyper-focused on finding a kitchen. Always be planting a bunch of seeds.
IMBM: What has been your biggest challenge in starting your business, and how did you overcome it?
Abbott: One of my biggest challenges and many business owners will tell you this was getting out of my own way. You have a good idea, great tools, good staff; everything is lined up perfectly. For some reason, on certain stages of business, I want to grow it when it doesn’t need it, scale down when it should ramp up, not return all those email requests. It’s really a matter of focus, delegating and essentially getting out of my own way. I overcome it with daily faith and living with the knowledge that it’s a candy business, and I’m not saving lives here. I keep a positive attitude, keep the faith and forgive myself of a bad day, week, month and move forward.
IMBM: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned while getting your business off the ground?
Abbott: One of the most important lessons I’ve learned while getting Newfangled Confections off the ground is leaning on community and packaging. In regards to leaning on community, do a market event with other vendors, and look around. Everyone is at different stages of learning. You’re about to spend eight to nine hours with them in a close setting. Kindly and openly ask for guidance and mentoring. People are very eager to help and mostly stop you from making the mistakes they made. If someone offers you advice, don’t judge and be offended. Just smile and let them know that’s a good idea (even if you thought of it before) because it IS a good idea; remember you thought of it too.
Regarding product packaging, scan the shelves of the big manufacturers. They can’t do it without the packaging. Ask for help again. Be open to ideas that you haven’t thought of, even the ideas that completely suck. Be inspired by a dog treat packaging, even if you’re making a new beverage. Also, a bonus lesson: Listen to impartial successful folks. Your family and friends love you and don’t want you to fail. But the successful impartial folks will give you straight advice.
Startup features companies that have been in operation for one to three years. To have your company considered for feature, please email info@indianapolisrecorder.com with the name of your company, contact information, a short description of your product or service and a link to your website.
Central Indiana
Affordable housing helps working families with low incomes
By Victoria Davis
WITH THE GENTLE SWAY OF HER HAND, Ronda Weybright leads the tour around the offices of RealAmerica Development and Management in Fishers.
She pauses briefly to reflect on her latest project in Shelbyville where once stood an abandoned 1880s school plastered in graffiti. Set with restored terrazzo floors and high ceilings, photos of the property are revealed as décor within the office.
Dressed in a soft blue shirt and khaki pants, one would never understand these are items Weybright had not always possessed. She grew up in a family that did not thrive financially nor did they have much to call their own.
“My family and I lived in church housing, and in exchange, by dad would mow the lawn,” she said.
Today Weybright is the founder and president of RealAmerica Development and ignites the fire inside herself to help others through the growth in affordable housing.
RealAmerica is one of several companies and organizations responsible for bringing affordable housing to Central Indiana, which includes Marion, Johnson, Morgan, Hendricks, Boone, Clinton, Tipton, Hamilton, Madison, Hancock and Shelby counties.
Founded in 1995, RealAmerica Development LLC, specializes in constructing and managing affordable housing for Indiana residents. With more than 23 properties, in cities like Bargerville, Danville and Shelbyville, 98 percent are dedicated to affordable housing.
“We go to areas when the community contacts us for a need of housing or if we happen to have a connection to someone in the area,” Weybright said. “We have almost 1,600 units in a combination of family and senior housing.”
The process to begin a new development is very competitive, especially in Hamilton and Marion counties, Weybright added.
“A lot of people are developing affordable housing in those counties and the process can be very long.”
HANDS-ON INVOLVEMENT
With an abundance of affordable housing projects taking place, it may be difficult to discover those who are truly passionate about helping the communities in which they work.
“We stay small so I can be apart of every phase,” Weybright said. “When we go to pick out a piece of dirt or site or lay it out, I will be on site. I want to stay involved in every aspect because my name is on the line and reputation. Our investors, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, is where we get credit from. My reputation and track record means everything to me.”
Weybright said affordable housing has always been instilled in her simply because of her background. She grew up primarily poor, and after working as a secretary at a real estate company, she knew she had found her passion.
“From that point, I knew I wanted to do real estate, but until I got the opportunity to do farm housing, I knew I had found my passion. I can’t imagine not doing it.”
Over the years, Weybright said, affordable housing has changed physically and includes several amenities to which typical home owners have access. Developers are able to obtain a property based on a point system, called the qualified allocation plan that is administered by the state.
The project is judged on things like location, levels of rent and amenities.
“They’ve encouraged services and amenities, quality, energy-efficiency, all of that for a project to be approved,” Weybright said. “The point system has been really good in notching up the quality. We are now challenged to see what we can bring to the table.”
She refers to all of her properties as “her babies” because they each have a story behind them, and she cares for them as such. Sitting just across her desk is a large lion’s head statue she saved from the school building in Shelbyville.
There wasn’t always a rush to begin construction for affordable housing, Weybright said.
“Our first property we had to get through a few fights for something we thought was important. We wanted to change the stigma and find the growth patterns of the city. After a while, community members were more comfortable and actually recommending places to us. We want people to know they drive pass affordable housing everyday and don’t know it, and that’s the idea.”
All RealAmerica properties, regardless of income level, are furnished with Energy Star-rated appliances, washer and dryers, covered front porches and playgrounds.
QUALITY OF LIFE
Amy Nelson, executive director of the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, said not only is affordable housing needed, the location of that housing is specifically important.
“Where someone lives impacts the quality of their lives,” she said. “Having a safe place you call home impacts whether or not your housing investment will flourish, the opportunities you will have, and employment that will be available. Where you live determines if your local supermarket will carry fresh fruits and vegetables, the quality of the schools your children will attend, and your access to businesses and transportation options. Your home is more than a roof over your head.”
Within the state, there are two commonly used housing programs, Section 42 and the section 8 Voucher Program. Section 42 is an affordable rental-housing program implemented by the federal government. The Section 8 Voucher Program is also a government program that allows low-income residents to pay 30 percent of their income to live in safe housing.
Section 42 allows developers of affordable housing to receive a federal tax credit. In exchange the developer will manage the upkeep of the property to maintain safety among other things. Developers agree to keep the housing income restricted as well as the rent. Eligibility for this program is based on household income set by each county and can vary per area.
For example, Hendricks and Johnson counties’ median income limit is set at $64,300 and is then broken down into separate categories based on the number of people living in that household.
Nelson said housing assistance recipients are usually single mothers, those with disabilities and people of color.
“According to Census and HUD (Housing and Urban Development) data, there were 159,157 rental units in Marion County in 2013,” said Nelson. “In contrast there were 7,247 housing choice voucher households in Marion County. Voucher holders were 89 percent Black, 8 percent white, 1 percent Hispanic and 1 percent other.”
Of those using Section 8 in Marion County, 30 percent receive employment wages, but the income is too low to support a family unit she added.
Marty Vangas, vice president of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, said counties scattered across Central Indiana are seeing an increase in affordable housing, and many cities are reconstructing their downtowns to include to residential life.
“Residential development is happening all over the area,” he said.
City Close-Up
Westfield chugs along as a center of the historic Underground Railroad
By Victoria Davis
STROLL THROUGH THE STREETS OF WESTFIELD and visualize the environment as a safe house for those who were in search for a better life, where they could be free from the control of others. Imaginary footprints from runaway slaves still lie in the soil where one of the main Underground Railroad routes was formed.
Many of the 24,000 residents may be unaware of the rich history that lies beneath the soil of the area, including the city’s involvement with the Underground Railroad, which began in the mid 1830s. Three main routes were believed to travel through Indiana, and one of them plowing straight through the middle of Westfield is known as the North Central route.
“With the sizable Quaker population, they could help many escapees with a minimum of worry about secrecy,” said David Heighway, Hamilton County historian.
Named one of the top 50 “Best Places to live” by CNN Money Magazine in 2013, Westfield, located about 20 miles north of Indianapolis, prides itself on its small town culture.
Asa and Susannah Bales founded Westfield in 1834 when they opened their home and operated the first Underground Railroad station. The family owned a barn that was quite larger than most where they hid slaves in the cellar, using false walls and trap doors. About 10 years later, a portion of the Bales’ land was sold to the Anti-Slavery Friends for a church and cemetery.
Residents of the area opened their homes to fugitives while providing clothing and food to nurse the runaway slaves back to health. Dozens of courageous families are responsible for the freedom of thousands of slaves.
Today The Anti-Slavery Cemetery, the Bales family’s final resting place, sits just west of their former home.
ATTRACTIONS
Westfield is filled with distinct reminders of the areas dedication and heritage of playing a vital role in the Underground Railroad.
Haunted Underground Railroad Walking Tour: This three-hour tour is sure to raise lots of eerie questions about Westfield’s involvement in the Underground Railroad while encountering the area’s most haunting legends. Led by professional paranormal investigators, the tour is blended with ghost stories and Underground Railroad tales.
Asa Bales Park: In the heart of Westfield lies 13 acres of trees and grasslands dedicated to Asa Bales, the founder of Westfield. The park features multiple shelters, a playground; skate park – all while adding natural scenery by the Thompson Canal. A walking trail connects Downtown Westfield and the Grand Junction Trail located at the southern area of the park. The town’s annual Fourth of July celebration “Westfield Rocks the 4th” also takes place in this area.
Westfield-Washington Historical Society and Museum: Discover the hidden gems in Westfield and Washington Township at this local museum filled with historical photographs, artwork and documents dating back to the 1800s when the town was founded.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Roadway Inn and Suites: Located at 15131 Thatcher Lane, this includes king and double beds. The Inn is equipped with a fitness center, wireless Internet, an indoor heated pool and guest laundry.
Old Towne Carmel Bed and Breakfast: This 100-year old home at 521 First Ave. in nearby Carmel is restored to its glory for those who would prefer a “homey” feel during their stay. Choose one of three guest rooms before enjoying the fireplace den, private brick patios and home-baked sweet rolls.
Prairie Guest House: Located at 13805 Allisonville Road in nearby Fishers, this is more than just your average bed and breakfast. With more than nine suites to choose from, visitors can begin their morning with a cup of herbal breakfast tea, a sweet potato hash and eggs breakfast or in the in-house yoga studio.
DINING
Big Hoffa’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que: Westfield brings on the barbeque at Big Hoffa’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, 800 E. Main St. Voted the best BBQ by A List Indy in 2012, this local restaurant serves up pulled pork, creamy mac and cheese, and homemade peach cobbler.
Jan’s Village Pizza: Visit a real mom and pop establishment and Westfield’s only pizzeria. Made from fresh ingredients, customers can enjoy gourmet pizzas, sandwiches, wings and salads at affordable prices.
Erika’s Place: Stop by this casual diner,102 S. Union St., for a western omelet for breakfast, a snack of fried pickles or a loaded Mexi Tater for lunch.
Woodburn teen selected for national leadership program
Jasmine Jackson, 16, of Woodburn, was among 50 students nationwide to be selected to participate in the Four Star Leadership program in Oklahoma City. The program offers leadership training, policy debate, speech competition and scholarships, and the opportunity to engage with national and global leaders. Jackson, a junior at Concordia Lutheran High School, was chosen for her demonstrated leadership abilities and outstanding character. She was selected twice as a Superior Cadet in her Junior ROTC unit, is involved in rowing, softball, drill team, color guard and earned an academic letter award. She plans to go to one of the military academies, or Texas A&M. Program sessions followed curriculum designed to develop leadership skills and challenge students through team-building exercises, collaboration, spontaneous problem solving and competition. Excursions provided participants opportunities to further develop and employ those skills through cultural experiences and service projects.
Japanese ballet students train in Indiana
The Indiana Ballet Conservatory (IBC) hosted 21 ballet students from Japan during the summer to train with its world-renowned faculty. In addition, 15 students from around the U.S. and 42 from around Indiana came to the class in Carmel. These pre-professional students are seeking the high-level training necessary to pursue a professional ballet career and sought out IBC specifically for the quality of its instruction.
Black data processors meet in Indianapolis
The Black Data Processing Association (BDPA) hosted its 36th annual National BDPA Technology Conference in Indianapolis. There, they honored and celebrated the contributions of several outstanding Indianapolis citizens whose Information Technology expertise have benefited young people.
Topiary expert lectures in Fishers
As part of “Gardens & All Things Green,” a two-week celebration of gardening and horticulture in Hamilton County, noted topiary expert Pear Fryar presented a free lecture and topiary demonstration. Fryar, the 80-year-old son of a sharecropper, is known for taking plants from the compost heaps at local landscapers and creating verdant masterpieces.
