We just got wind of this special Donatos is putting on: starting at 4:15 p.m. on April 15, the first 200 customers at each Indianapolis Donatos store can get a Hand Tossed pizza for just $4.15. You can also get a large cheese or pepperoni pizza for less than $5. Since my taxes have not yet been filed (doh!), I may be looking for an alternative to cooking on the 15th.

The Mayors Action Center is a sucking void - a black hole where all things go to die.

Trust me on this.

Saturday, I ignored the cold and decided to get some yard work in before the snow/rain/whatever passes-for-weather-nowadays started. Outfitted dutifully with headphones and a few layers of clothing, I was well into my work when out of the corner of my eye, I saw, what looked like, a pit bull bounding up from behind me.

Continue reading "The Dogs Of The Monon"

I'm a sucker for a pun.

For everyone who missed the blaze that took out the Cosmopolitan complex, Tod Parker has some spectacular photos up on the PhotoTac website.

http://www.phototac.com/3-12-09.htm

PhotoTac is a photographic resource for fire and rescue squads, documenting real life runs. Here's some information from the website...

Welcome to PhotoTac.com, a place on the internet for Indiana firefighters and any other interested individuals to find their photographic documentation of Firefighting, Rescue, EMS, and Police.

My purpose is to bring positive exposure to these fields through hi-quality, professional photography as well as providing valid documentation of incidents, either for Arson or other important departmental needs.

The western facade of Indy's new Lucas Oil Stadium.

Saturday there were the first tours of the new Colts' stadium for those of the citizenry who were not well-heeled enough to afford either to attend the $250 admission opening Gala the night before, or season tickets which got you into a more intimate tour the following day.

Continue reading "Lucas Oil Stadium Free Tours"

Erik over at Laughing Stalk gave us a head's up about the Flavor of Fishers this weekend.

This is a first ever event, presented by the Fishers Chamber of Commerce and Community Hospital North, will be held on Saturday, August 2, from noon – 10 pm at USA Parkway Circle (behind Sallie Mae).

Check out Erik's site for the complete details!

Target's actual grand opening is today, though they have actually been open since earlier this week. To celebrate Target's opening (and the general revitalization of the Mall) the Glendale Town Center had a block party yesterday.

Continue reading "Target Grand Opening + Glendale Town Center Block Party"

So we've had some storms the last few weeks. These storms have had their accompanying damage... branches down, limbs lost, that sort of stuff. DPW was, for a time, picking up storm debris as long as it was: a.) bundled together with rope, and b.) cut to lengths of less than three feet.

Obviously this is a little bit of work. Not a lot, mind you, but certainly more than just piling limbs and crap in a big pile on the curb. So, of course, people in my Coffin Park neighborhood just piled branches and limbs on the side of the road.

Not surprisingly, DPW didn't pick any of it up. Just like they don't pick up the mattresses, recliners, or busted up ol' chiffarobes people put out, either. Now, with many things eventually the garbage scavengers will come in their rusty pick-ups and take junk like that. (They're like some sort of surprisingly effective carrion bird of the 'hood. Anything passably usable set on the curb is typically gone in a matter of minutes) But not even the least discriminating scavenger has a use for old limbs.

Apparently today, after the garbage robot ignored the limbs yet again, the brain trust apparently decided it was time to take action.

Now, what do we burn, apart from witches?... WOOD! So obviously the solution to having a large pile of storm debris wood on the curb spilling out into the road is to simply set it on fire! Problem solved!

So indeed, as I was returning to work from home this afternoon, there was a large bonfire encroaching on the road. Three individuals stood in their yard, admiring their handiwork, probably glad they had the foresight to pull their cars a good three or four lousy feet down the road in either direction so they wouldn't have to worry about, oh I don't know, their gas tanks exploding from the fact a giant fire is raging mere inches away!.

Life in Indy, what an adventure!

Marketeers and Wordsmiths may be interested in this press release that came across our inbox.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill invites consumers to help name a new, Carrabba’s-exclusive, limited-edition baby Super Tuscan wine debuting this fall from Ruffino. This is a fun opportunity for one winner to receive a $1,500 epicurean prize package including:

A case of the exclusive Ruffino wine
A catered 2008 holiday celebration for 12
A year’s worth of Carrabba’s dinners in 2009

Entries can be submitted online at www.Carrabbas.com until July 31, 2008.

This bit of news made me do a double take upon opening my regularly scheduled newsletter from Radio Radio: On May 21st, 2008, Pete Best will be at Radio Radio performing with The Pete Best Band. Here's a chance for any rock aficionado to watch one of the founders of rock 'n' roll in a very intimate setting that simply should not be missed.

Local staples Bigger Than Elvis will open the night and tickets are only $10 in advance.

The Marion County Public Library booksale continues through this week-end, with Friday being the half-price sale day and Saturday being the "$5 For A Bag Of Books" day. Even without these great deals, prices start at $1 for a book, so there's no reason not to do a little browsing.

Book sales are held at the Library Services Center, which is located at 2450 N. Meridian. For more information, visit the Marion County Library website.

Slashdot is reporting that GenCon is filing for Chapter 11. For those who don't know, GenCon is a multi-day games exposition convention, where industry giants set up shop to display their wares and hundreds upon thousands of gaming enthusiasts gather to experience the latest role-playing, card and video games. GenCon is held in several cities through out the year, and for the past several, it has made a home in Indy.

And we all know that ginormous conventions mean ginormous revenue for the city. Downtown businesses prosper, jobs become available and everyone wins. While the early word is that this move will not affect the convention for its stay in Indy during August of 2008, it certainly bodes ill for future years. We'll have to see how this particular game plays out.

After several years at its Broad Ripple location, Sunflower Market will be closing up shop in February. However, it's not just this particular location, it's the whole chain.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2008/01/28/daily11.html

A company spokeswoman said that the division did not meet the company's goals. Supervalu had planned to expand the stores nationally as a competitor to larger organic chains like Whole Foods and Wild Oats.

http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7787557

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Sunflower Market is closing its chain of grocery stores including its location in Broad Ripple.

The stores are known for their organic foods but Officials say it could not compete with other organic stores.

The Sunflower Market will close the week of February 18th.

IndyScribe reader Mark Oehler contributed the following review:

I was inspired to finally make the trip by a friend. She has developed the habit of taking out-of-town guests to the restaurant at Trader's Point Creamery. Like Shapiro's or the Brickyard, it is a unique Central Indiana experience - something you can't find everywhere.

Continue reading "Trader's Point Creamery"

My first thought was "you've got to be kidding me". It's hard to believe, that these works of art are indeed paper. And not just paper, but paper snowflakes. Yes - paper snowflakes.

Ryan Hoffar, one of Indy's own, possesses the unique talent of taking the old snowy-day afternoon kindergarten art class project of making a paper snowflake and turns it into intricate abstract designs, motifs and even silhouette images. Instead of the traditional scissors, Ryan switched to using razor blades, but the effect is stunning nonetheless.

You can see (and purchase) some of Ryans incredible work on his website.

Just over two years ago, I wrote some hopped-up bit about Carmel and its corporate built arts district. So obviously this little tid-bit in the news could not have escaped my notice.

Carmel orders 10 more outdoor sculptures Public arts funding to provide nearly $1M for 1 current, 10 new lifelike sculptures

CARMEL, Ind. -- Mayor Jim Brainard has ordered 10 more lifelike sculptures for his outdoor public art display in the Arts & Design District.

He'll use public arts funding to pay for the J. Seward Johnson Jr. pieces, which come with a price tag of about $1 million. That also includes the cost of a statue already in the district.

The Norman Rockwell-style statues depict scenes such as a boy riding on his father's shoulders and a woman walking a dog.

....

Brainard said the statues will attract businesses to the Arts & Design District and enhance the quality of life in Carmel, making it easier to draw corporations to the city.
"It creates economic activity in this area that for many years wasn't doing well," Brainard said.

Some criticize spending taxpayer money on the statues.

"To take away people's tax dollars and spend it on art that usually is funded by private benefactors is just unbelievable," said Mark Rattermann, a city councilman who proposed cutting arts funding from this year's city budget. "The mayor believes that we should spend tax dollars for entertainment and culture. And he calls himself a Republican."

Sue Maki, president of the Hamilton County Tourism Commission, said the statues will be worth the investment because of the tourism they'll bring to Carmel. She said the statues would provide an impetus for people to come to Hamilton County and explore its offerings.

"It just adds to the tourism product we have here," Maki said. "It's a place-making type of action in this city. Ten years from now, we'll be very thankful."

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071214/LOCAL/712140457/1006

Continue reading "Brainard and Seward"