Will Light Rail Really Come to the NE Corridor?

Anyone over 30 who has lived on the northeast side of Indy can probably recall the issue of a light rail system being bounced around more than a few times.  And you probably also recall how the issue would disappear from public discussion before anything serious ever became of it.  These days, things seem to be different.

Following decades of studies and policy discussions between government agencies at various levels, citizens living along what is known as the Northeast Corridor were invited to attend a series of public meetings this summer, intended to introduce mass transit options and gather stakeholder feedback.  The Indiana Regional Transportation Council (IRTC), the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (IMPO) and the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) prepared these presentations as an opportunity for community members to indicate their support, opposition, concerns and preferences regarding a plan they have developed for building a light rail commuter service along what is known the Nickel Plate or “Fair Train” route.

Back on June 18th, well over 100 people living from Noblesville down to the Ft. Harrison area turned out at the Fishers Town Hall to hear about the proposed mass transit system and see if this is something that might really happen.  The plan presented by Mike Dearing of IMPO and Ehren Bingaman of CIRTA was being offered for public comment before it would be submitted to the IRTC’s policy committee for a decision on whether or not to proceed with implementation.

The plan was developed after conducting and reviewing numerous studies, with special attention being focused on how it will alleviate traffic congestion, air pollution, length of future downtown commutes, as well as impact property values of homes and communities along the route.  A variety of systems were investigated before the “light rail” plan was selected as the “locally preferred alternative.”  Costs to build and run, as well as ease in integrating it with the current transportation infrastructure, were some of the determining factors.

The initial phase of the plan is to build a system that serves the northeast corridor during the peak periods of traffic congestion, namely morning and evening rush hour.  The goal is to have it operational by the end of 2012.  Ultimately, the long-range plan is to build a system by the year 2035 that provides all-day service for all parts of the Metro Indianapolis region.

After the plan was presented at the Fishers meeting, residents stood up and voiced opinions and concerns, a large majority of which were favorable.  It was surprising to hear voices of support from many of the people living in homes backing up to the Nickel Plate railroad tracks - those who would seemingly be opposed.  Naturally, their main concerns were generally about the noise and frequency of the trains, so many said that they would like to learn more about the noise reduction measures that will be taken.

The comments collected during the summer have now been presented to the IRTC’s policy committee which is expected to announce a decision by October on whether or not they will proceed in implementing the plan.  The committee is taking public input into serious consideration as part of its decision-making process.  If they do elect to proceed with the plan, CIRTA will conduct a 12 to 18 month environmental impact study and then begin the engineering and final design phase.  As indicated by CIRTA’s Ehren Bingaman, “It is well within the realm of possibility that we can reach our goal of having the light rail service in operation by late-2012.”

Meanwhile, citizens can still voice their opinions by calling or emailing either CIRTA or IMPO.  As both Dearing and Bingaman emphasized, their agencies are very much interested in keeping the public involved and receiving resident feedback as the project evolves.

Individuals who missed the public meetings about this issue can find out more details by visiting www.cleardirections.info, a website specifically created to acquaint the public with the proposed project.  On this website, you can watch an online video of a public meeting that took place on June 24th, or you can take a survey which will submit your feedback about the plan.  Citizens can also provide their comments or concerns by filing out a form on the IMPO’s website at www.indympo.org.

Josh McRoberts, Pacers Help Crestview Start the Day

Josh McRoberts (pictured) and members of the Indiana Pacers All-Star Reading Team visited Crestview Elementary School on September 5 to help the school “Start the Day with the Pacers.” The Lawrence Township students received Pacers back packs filled with school supplies from McRoberts, team mascot Bowser, members of the Pacemates, and other team representatives as they arrived for the school day.

The Pacers Back Pack program began last year as a way for the NBA team to encourage higher school attendance rates and to supply students with the tools they need to succeed in school.

Bonge’s Tavern Provides Unique Tailgating Experience

 If you ask a group of Geist residents where the best place to go tailgating is that doesn’t involve sports or music, someone will surely reply, “Bonge’s!” Pronounced “Bon-geeze,” this out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere restaurant offers gourmet food and tailgating delights in the form of a gravel parking lot and a small, colorful building that accommodates 65 diners.

Located in Perkinsville, Ind., you’ll find a party waiting to happen here, where customers bring their own fun. With sometimes up to a three-hour wait, diners know going in that they’re going to be around for awhile. And that’s all part of the charm.

The original owner, Chuck Bonge, developed and owned the restaurant from 1944 to 1989, which is how the establishment got its name. The current owner and chef, Tony Huelster, came along in 1999, and with him came loyal followers of good food. Before he knew it, customers were flocking to this tiny town to taste his creations. Thus, the tailgating began.

“It sort of just happened, this tailgating thing,” said Huelster. “Customers would come to eat, but with such a limited amount of space, we could only seat so many people. There’s nothing else to do out here, with no shops or places to visit while you wait. Since we’re first-come, first-served, people started putting in their names, then getting out their own chairs to sit in and serving up drinks to keep them occupied.”

Since then, Bonge’s has become the place to be on any given night. This 21-years-old-and-over spot has become a ritual for many, with its own unique ambiance within the confines of a wooden fence and featuring a Port-O-Let on the side. But be aware, if you’re going to go experience an evening at Bonge’s, you have to play by the rules. These include no throwing objects, like corn hole or Frisbees, no loud music, and tailgaters must stay within the confines of the parking lot.

Huelster has seen many a memorable moment out in his parking lot, and he recalls why he doesn’t allow thrown objects. “I looked outside one time and saw some guys playing with Jarts. You remember those lawn darts that are banned in this country? And then I noticed two Jaguars and a Porsche parked in the lot. I hit the door running,” he explained. Huelster had to subdue the revelers and explain why potential damage to vehicles was not a good idea.

As for other memorable moments? Huelster has seen otherwise ladylike tailgaters “relieve themselves” on the side of his pickup truck. Thus, the portable restrooms became a part of the scene during peak months. He also recalls a time when a customer drove up to the lot with a vehicle full of fire logs and large rocks. The customer then began construction on a fire pit. Needless to say, this wasn’t appropriate in a parking lot, either.

 “We also went through a phase a while back when people thought they needed to drive their fully loaded RVs into the lot. Oh, and the stretch limos were big for awhile too,” he said. But the parking lot just couldn’t accommodate that many big vehicles, and it became more trouble than it was worth for the drivers.

 Today’s tailgaters at Bonge’s are a diverse group. Some bring intricate seating options with impressive trays of fruit, cheeses and other hors d’oeuvres accompanied by wine and soft mood music. Others are happy to bring a bag of peanuts, a cooler full of beer, and perch on the back of their SUVs. Groups of complete strangers often meet and become best friends before the night is through.

When it comes to tailgating options, Bonge’s is a great destination and provides an opportunity to enjoy a little fellowship in a unique, down-home environment. For more information, including driving directions and tailgating etiquette, visit www.bongestavern.com.

A Brief History of Tailgating
There are a few different versions of how tailgating came to be, but the one most believed has to do, of course, with football. Apparently, the first college football game in 1869, between Rutgers and Princeton universities, brought the initial marriage between food and sports. It was customary at the time for spectators to share a wild game and fish dinner before the games.

Participants would back up their trucks or station wagons and put the tailgate down in order to sit and enjoy the festivities or make food available. This pre-game ritual became known as tailgating, and the pastime has not only become synonymous with attending football games, but other sports in general, as well as with concerts and social events, bringing groups of people together.

Debralene’s Helps Women with Hair Loss Find Perfect Wigs

Debralene and Dona had been life long  friends when, three years ago, as Dona went through chemotherapy treatments for ovarian cancer, they searched for a place to buy wigs. Debralene has been a hairstylist throughout her career and wanted to help Dona find something that would feel good and look great. They looked all over the area, finally finding a wig, but the experience left something to be desired. They decided there was a big need for a better experience in the central Indiana area. Debralene moved her hairstyling business from Castleton to a new location in Oaklandon, creating room for customizable and glamorous wigs, as well.

Whether you’re looking for a wig due to chemotherapy, alopecia or convenience, Debralene’s has a tremendous range of styles and colors to choose from. With her many years of experience and training, she can help you make the right selection and customize it to your exact tastes. In addition to all of her wigs, Debralene’s has a wonderful assortment of turbans, hats, and head scarves, plus all the care products you’ll need to keep your wigs looking great.

Debralene’s is a warm, inviting place to relax and enjoy your private consultation for hairstyling or a wig selection. She’ll help you select the wig of your choice from her extensive collection. Shortly, your special wig will arrive, and Debralene will help you fit it perfectly. Bring a picture, and she can even help you handpick a wig that will closely match your previous color and style.

Debralene’s is located at:

6427 Oaklandon Road
Oaklandon, IN  46237
Phone: 317 – 823-8833

For more information, email Debralene at stylene@sbcglobal.net or visit www.debralenes.com.

Snapperz Serves Up Fun for All Ages

Junior Reporter Autumn Gates and her mom (Managing Editor Laura Gates) visited the new Snapperz family fun center during its Grand Opening Aug. 30. Here’s what this 33,000-square-foot facility in the rear of the Sports of All Sorts complex on Sunnyside Road has to offer — from a kid’s and a mom’s perspective!

Kid’s View
Snapperz is a place where dreams come true! Snapperz has an awesome soft play unit with everything you could imagine, lots of video games, a cool laser tag room, a bunch of creative themed inflatables, a climbing tower and a bungee trampoline. When you’re on it, it seems like you’re flying!

There is also a dark bowling alley lit up with glowing lights. When my friend, Lucie Aspling, saw it, she said, “This is awesome! Snapperz is like Chuck E. Cheese and Great Times combined.”

Snapperz also has delicious food. Everything there was pure fun! I love Snapperz, and I hope to come back. I would highly recommend Snapperz!

Mom’s View
Snapperz will likely become the Geist area’s premier playdate destination. It has something to offer kids of all ages, from a tot station for babies to laser tag and cosmic bowling for teens. Even adult “kids” were getting into the action on the bungee trampoline!

Colts fans packed the place during the grand opening, which featured autographs by popular players (Snapperz is owned by Colts snapper Justin Snow, hence the name).

After the official celebration ended, the crowd thinned out to a more normal weekend level. The ample size of the facility handles crowds well, with plenty of rooms dedicated to birthday party groups.

A day at Snapperz might cost you as much as a theme park if you were to do all the “extras.” The $8 entry fee ($10 on weekends) is reasonable for use of all the inflatables (including the slide) and the four-level soft play unit, and parents get in free. However, laser tag and bungee trampoline are both $5 extra, and a round of bowling or a climb on the rock wall will cost you another $3 each.

Local mom Tori West liked that the facility includes smaller inflatables and a tot area for younger kids like her 13-month-old, Bo. Monique Gillespie said she was thrilled to find entertainment for all three of her kids — ages 4 to 10 — under one roof, although the price of entertaining three kids there could prevent her from going often.

Snapperz is sure to be a hit for birthday parties and playdates, especially as the weather turns colder. Watch a video of the Grand Opening on www.atGeist.com. For more details on Snapperz, visit its website at www.snapperzfun.com.

 

Seasons Gardens Fundraiser for Special Olympics

September 14, 2008
6:00 pm	to	9:00 pm

Seasons Gardens is holding an annual fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics Hamilton County, Indiana on Sunday, September 14 from 6:30-9pm. Enjoy an evening strolling the grounds at Seasons Gardens with friends, listening to live music, sampling food from local restaurants, and sipping wine for a great cause. A silent auction will include sports tickets, gift certificates, and other great prizes. Seasons Gardens is located at 12595 Cumberland Road, Fishers, IN 46038. Tickets are $40. Call 317-571-TEAM (8326) for tickets, or buy tickets online at http://www.specialolympicshamiltoncounty.org.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel is transforming to Travel Leaders

Local travelers may notice a new name in travel the next time they walk in the door of their favorite travel agency or when they seek them out online. That’s because after leading the way in travel by serving millions of travelers from coast to coast, the more than 500 U.S.-based franchised travel agency locations operating as Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates are leading travel in an exciting new direction – and changing their name – to Travel Leaders. The agencies remain locally owned and operated.

The new brand was selected in recognition of the instrumental leading role the travel company has forged on behalf of travelers ever since its beginnings as Ask Mr. Foster. In proudly transforming itself with a new brand identity, Travel Leaders is also announcing consumer-centric initiatives specifically designed to transform the overarching experience Travel Leaders’ clients can expect from the new brand and its promise to corporate and leisure travelers alike: “When your journey includes us, you travel better.”

The brand name change process was initiated earlier this year when Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates, now a division of Minnesota-based The Travel Franchise Group (TTFG), became independent from Carlson, the international hotel, marketing, restaurant and travel company and Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), specializing in business travel management. TTFG is the largest franchisor of travel agencies in North America and is a unit of Travel Acquisitions Group, which was formed in January 2008 when Carlson sold its Carlson Leisure Group (CLG) to CLG President Michael Batt. An extensive rebranding process was initiated to distinguish franchisees from CWT and culminated with the announced transformation into Travel Leaders.

“As Travel Leaders, we are transforming our business quite visibly through the rollout of a new name that embodies our years of expertise in offering the best travel experience available,” stated Roger E. Block, CTC, president of the Travel Leaders nationwide network of agencies. “But to put our money where our new name is, we are formally unveiling a number of client-focused initiatives, also many years in the making. Like any journey that offers something new and exciting, Travel Leaders is poised to lead travel in an extraordinarily fresh direction.”

Travel Leaders is formally launching system-wide initiatives specifically designed to transform the customer experience. The four major proprietary components include:

• The www.travelleaders.com consumer Web site that not only offers full booking capabilities, but also easy access to travel experts throughout the United States.
• Excursion Society private shore excursions to ensure one-of-a-kind experiences for premium cruise customers.
• The Travel Leaders Certified Travel Specialist program, offering one of the travel industry’s most rigorous levels of professionalism to serve travelers expecting a higher degree of expertise and knowledge when planning trips.
• A Personalized Travel Planner designed to seamlessly provide customized travel information to cruise customers.

Although the Travel Leaders name may be new, TTFG can trace its beginnings to 1984 as the Carlson franchise system “Ask Mr. Foster Travel,” which itself was North America’s first travel agency chain established in 1888. The journey has taken the agencies from Ask Mr. Foster to Carlson Wagonlit Travel – the largest franchised travel agency network in the United States – with a brand known around the world, and now to Travel Leaders.

Ultimately, it is the goal of all Travel Leaders locations to ensure that when travelers entrust them with their travel planning, they receive a consistently wonderful experience through every Travel Leaders location, coast to coast. “As we transform our name, we’re also transforming each traveler’s experience, taking them to an entirely new level. Simply put, ‘When your journey includes us, you travel better,’” said Block.

Your local Travel Leaders Associate location is Geist residents owned by Geneva & Alex Kutin

Finding Sunshine in a Gloomy Market

Before I discuss what I believe to be positive market signs, I want to take you back to a very uncertain time in our country and economy: September 2001. Even before 9-11 occurred, the markets were in a steep decline as the technology bubble had popped, pulling the entire market down. 9-11 caused a further slide, depressing values even more. I ‘ve gone back and calculated a few “what-ifs.” If you had purchased $10,000 of Vanguard Index 500 Mutual fund on October 1, 2001, it would be worth $13,781 on June, 30 2008. Even if you’d purchased a very conservative mutual fund at one of the worst possible times in history, and realized the losses of the recent bear market you still would have profited.

Now, if you had waited a few more months after 9-11 and bought at what appeared to be the deepest, darkest hour, you would have profited far more. For example, if you had purchased $10,000 of Vanguard Index 500 on September 30, 2002, it would be worth $17,338 on June 30, 2008.

9-11 was a scary time for all of us. There was a great deal of uncertainty and it was unclear if life would ever be the same. Investors were frazzled and many threw in the towel. But the truth is we emerged a stronger country in many ways.

The fact is markets don’t grow in a linear method. Markets rock up and down yet over the long term, they appreciate nicely. While it is easy to focus on the near-term problems, it is equally important to focus on five- and ten-year goals. As tempting as it may seem, if you jump out of the market now, you might be incredibly disappointed in years to come. Opportunities abound.

This is the time when, as a portfolio manager, I get excited because I am setting up for long-term gains. Investing in uncertain times like these can be disconcerting. Yet as an experienced investor, I know there is no other way to get into a deeply discounted market.

The banking crisis, real estate meltdown, and shrinking dollar have made this a difficult market to navigate. Although deep storm clouds hover above, this doesn’t mean markets won’t recover; this is merely a temporary setback.

Things are starting to look better as energy and credit markets appear to be stabilizing. Some feel that there is no way our country can overcome such huge hurdles in this decade but I don’t see this as realistic. The United States of America is still the dominant market force, well-equipped to resolve today’s economic concerns.

If energy prices continue to retreat, it is my belief we are nearing the bottom of this correction. This is good news and those who exploit these rock-bottom values will be extremely pleased in years to come. Although there is no way to assure we are at the bottom of this market cycle, I believe a prudent strategy is to start dollar-cost-averaging into a high-beta portfolio. The reason we focus on a high-beta portfolio is because it gives it a “turbocharged” effect. If the market recovers 25%, a high-beta portfolio could out-appreciate the market.

While we’re not out of the woods yet, I see signs of life in our economy. If indeed this recovery has legs, it would be reasonable to expect positive performance out of equity portfolios in months to come. I know this will be a welcome sight.

Don’t let this bear market steer you away from your long-term goals. Corrections, market turbulence, and portfolio deviation is never a pleasant experience and it can be tempting to make hasty decisions in pivotal times like these. Patience, reasonable expectations, and careful planning are invaluable when weighing important financial decisions. Finding a way to thrive as you emerge from a bear market is when you get the highest value from your investments. And those can be sunny times, indeed.

Talk with your advisor today about the opportunities bear markets can offer you.

Marc Schrenker is the Chief Portfolio Manager for Icon Wealth Management, and ICON Company

Last Days for the Geist Clubhouse

A community landmark for the last 20 years is closing in Admirals Bay.

Allen Rosenberg, Jr. manages the Marina Limited Partnership, owners of the Geist Clubhouse at 12549 Old Stone Drive. He confirmed today in a phone call that the Geist Clubhouse will be closing its doors at the end of the year.

“We’ve been operating at a loss for the last few years and can’t justify the cost,” said Rosenberg.

The Geist Clubhouse has been a selling point for many families moving to the Admirals over the years, especially those living in or near Admirals Bay. With three swimming pools, swim classes, tennis courts and banquet facilities, residents have had an affordable club ($350-$450 per year) to enjoy with their families.

However, maturing families and nearby competitors like the Indianapolis Yacht Club have forced the Marina Limited Partnership to cut their losses and move on.

With Geist Clubhouse being surrounded on three sides by Admirals Bay, the Marina Limited Partnership approached the Geist Harbours Property Owners Association (GHPOA) in late 2007 about a possible purchase of the clubhouse. A GHPOA subcommittee of Bob Tollini, Terry Fulk, Tom Britt and Ken Yale met in private with Allen Rosenberg Sr. and Allen Rosenberg Jr. to perform a due diligence study on the 13-acre facility.

“We wanted to give GHPOA the first right of refusal on the property,” said Rosenberg Jr. “Our hope is to have it continue in operation as a clubhouse.”

After two months of private meetings and discussions, the GHPOA subcommittee recommended to the GHPOA Board of Directors not to purchase the property this spring. Committee members cited the financial risk and dwindling enrollment as reasons not to pursue the purchase. The GHPOA Board voted unanimously to decline the offer (view written statement on GHPOA.com).

“I think we all felt that the Geist Clubhouse is a huge asset to Geist Harbours,” said GHPOA President Bob Tollini. “But we would have a hard time convincing residents on the other side of the reservoir in Masthead and Beam Reach to pay more each year in dues for a clubhouse they would never visit.”

Many residents hate to see the facility go, including Jeanne Lugo, who lives on the west side of the clubhouse property. She found out about the potential sale when a survey crew was staking the Geist Clubhouse property in late May.

“It will be a sad day for the whole community if we lose the clubhouse,” said Lugo.

Indianapolis City Councilor Ginny Cain, also an Admirals Bay resident, is concerned as well. She is more upset that nearby residents were not informed earlier about the possible sale.

“I just wished the GHPOA would have hosted some hearings, a referendum, or something to communicate this to the residents sooner. I’m afraid we’re going to lose a great community resource,” said Cain.

“If we can’t find a buyer to take it over ‘as-is’, we will subdivide the property into lots consistent with the adjoining neighborhood,” Rosenberg explained.

Rosenberg admitted that time is running out on a buyer to take over the clubhouse and continue operations. Notices will be mailed to 2008 club members next month informing them of the closure.

“If we don’t have an acceptable offer by the end of September, we’ll go ahead with the plan to develop the ground.”

If there are residents or local business owners interested in purchasing the Geist Clubhouse, please email Tom Britt or contact Allen Rosenberg, Jr. at 317-845-0270.

Lucas Oil Stadium: An Aerial View from Indy Ski School’s Derek Dechert

Long before the masses of Colts fans got their first look at Lucas Oil Stadium last weekend, Derek Dechert was taking in the enormity of the site from a different perspective.

You may know Dechert as the operator of Indy Ski School. When he isn’t on the water giving ski lessons, you’re likely to find Dechert at some of the hottest events and venues in town. Dechert is a stagehand with IATSE Local 30, which is why he was perched on the rafters at Lucas Oil Stadium as part of the Aerial Arts rigging team.

“We were hired to do all kinds of crazy climbing,” he said. The job ranged from ductwork to hanging Super Bowl banners. (Dechert captured these aerial shots of the massive stadium on his cell phone.)

As you can guess, Dechert is a bit of a daredevil. He usually works on lighting at concerts and sporting events. He’s lighting director for all of the Indiana Ice games.

“There’s a show going on every day of the week,” Dechert said.

So next time you see an event with amazing lights, sounds and special effects, your neighbor Derek Dechert may be lurking somewhere up in the rafters. And when you watch your first Colts game in Lucas Oil Stadium, think of Derek and be glad there are people who are not afraid to climb to the top of a super-sized, seven-level stadium!

« Previous Page — Next Page »