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(10/29/13 3:35am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Six awards recognizing those who have helped improve the community for people with disabilities were presented at the City of Bloomington’s Council for Community Accessibility awards ceremony Monday night.The awards, which ranged from self-advocacy to volunteering, were presented to community members who were nominated by peers.The Council for Community Accessibility is a volunteer group advocating for the interests of people with disabilities. The group was originally founded in 1990 as the Community Council on Handicap Concerns.The CCA promotes awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and works to develop solutions to problems of accessibility in the community.Katie Herron, chair of the council, said the awards were focused on recognizing people who care about improving the lives of people with disabilities and go above and beyond their ability to help.“The awards are for those who show they care about the issue and have done more than what was expected of them,” Herron said.Indianapolis Colts community spokesperson, Josh Bleill, opened the ceremony with a speech. Bleill, who served in the United States Marine Corps, talked about his military experiences as well as his life-changing challenge of losing both his legs in Iraq in 2006.Bleill said after overcoming the challenge of adapting to this life-changing event, he began to receive support from community members, including people he didn’t know.“I knew I had to take that first step and wait a certain amount of time,” Bleill said. “My life was much different. It changed. Their support is what kept me going.”Bleill, who spent 22 months in the hospital, was offered a job by Colts owner Jim Irsay as a public speaker, where he speaks at about 200 events per year.Bloomington resident Jessica Troxel received the first award of the night, the Self-Advocacy Award. This award recognizes a person with a disability who effectively uses resources to meet his or her own needs — including education, employment and housing — and strives toward independent living, leading others to do the same. Troxel, who lost her left arm in 2009, received all A grades after enrolling in Ivy Tech shortly after her life-changing experience. She is currently a youth advocate at the Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children.The Business Service Award, which recognizes a business that significantly employs people with disabilities or goes beyond the minimum requirements in having accessible services, was presented to the IU Campus Division and its manager, Mike Girvin.In addition to spending 11,000 hours picking up trash on campus, Girvin said his working crew has also helped build patios, stonewalls, handrails and other features to help make IU a more accessibility friendly environment.“I’m a working man,” Girvin said. “The people working for me do the things that make IU one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.”Concluding the ceremony was the Mayor’s Award, presented by Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan. This year’s recipient was the CCA’s Katie Herron, for her involvement and leadership with the organization.Part of Herron’s work is monthly meetings offered by the CCA at City Hall that are open to the public who are interested in helping those with disabilities. In addition, Herron has also dedicated her time to improving the city to make it more disabled friendly by fixing sidewalks and other public access areas.“Katie is a true leader, and the CCA appreciates it,” Kruzan said. “No one is more deserving of this award.”Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(10/28/13 2:53am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Bloomington Community Orchard promoted community education on the growth of locally grown fruits at their third annual Cider Fest Saturday afternoon.The event was staged at Winslow Woods Park, the location of the orchard’s flagship site. The festival consisted of face painting, live music, apple-based foods samples, making fresh apple cider and a classic game of bobbing for apples.Founded in February 2010, the Bloomington Community Orchard is a non-profit organization that inspires communities to cultivate thriving systems of sharing and growing fruit and is run solely by volunteers and a board of directors.Board member Josh David said the creation of the group’s orchard was community-driven. After the city provided one acre of land, the group also received grants to purchase and plant fruit trees in the orchard.“The orchard started with a simple idea that everyone should have access to free, locally grown and organic food,” David said. David said the orchard began as a small group of passionate and dedicated people with the goal of creating a site.Since then, the group has utilized its site to not only feature a large variety of fruits and berries, but also as a common area for people to engage and get to know their community members better, David said.“It’s great because we have such a diverse community just in the same sense we have such a diverse varieties of fruit trees and berry bushes,” David said. “Everyone from families, children, high school and college students, professors and retirees, the orchard has room for all of them.”In the time since the group established a location and stable supply of fruits, it focused on educating community members about plant care and how to grow their own fruit trees. Those interested in the process are encouraged by the group to visit the orchard to learn how to plant a fruit tree in their own yards.Amy Roche, chair of the director’s board, said in addition to apples, the orchard focuses on different fruits throughout the year when they’re in season. Local growers supplied the apples at this year’s festival, but the group is hoping to grow enough fruit to also supply for next year’s event.“We try to support local growers and source from them for our Cider Fest and other events,” Roche said.Former IU biology professor George Hegeman supplied apples at this year’s festival that he planted and grew himself.Hegeman, who calls himself an orchard hobbyist, said he originally became interested in planting when he had an area with old apple trees that he decided to improve by planting 10 more.Hegeman said the types of apples he grows, which include Granny Smith, Winesap and Roxbury Russet, typically become ripe in mid-September, but can vary depending on the type of apple.Because of their easiness to grow and care for, Hegeman said planting an apple tree is a relatively simple process that can be completed at home. Planting an apple tree at home is highly encouraged by the Bloomington Community Orchard.Hegeman said apples are one of the things that grow extremely well in the Bloomington area. “Most people can grow different kinds of apples fairly easy and take care of them,” Hegeman said. Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(10/25/13 4:17am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>From local grown greens to handmade pumpkin bread pudding, up to five different entrées were served at the 2013 Local Growers’ Guild Harvest Dinner Thursday night at Upland Brewing Company.Proceeds from the dinner came from ticket sales and will benefit LGG education programs, promotion of local food and farming resources for the community.Originally formed in 2004, LGG is an agricultural cooperative made up of 75 farms throughout Indiana. With nearly 200 members, including growers, retailers and community members, the organization has expanded over the last decade by increasing its community to make growing local food a more common practice.Megan Hutchinson, manager of LGG, said the goal of the organization is to promote local food and educate people interested in farming.“We try and promote small farm advocacy,” Hutchinson said. “We’re a smaller organization, so we do what we can.”The goal of the dinner was to introduce chefs to local growers, Hutchinson said.“We’re working with five local chefs and have paired them to work with farmers so they can build relationships and hopefully work with each other in the future,” she said.Attendees at the dinner included both community members interested in farming and local growing as well as actual growers.Michigan native Mike Sill has been a produce farmer in Greene County for the last three years. Sill said he sells his grown produce to the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market.With the constant demand for fresh produce throughout the state, Sill said he constantly stays busy during harvest season.“It’s rewarding,” Sill said. “I like looking at what I accomplish at the end of the day and appreciating it.”Many farmers like Sill participate with LGG to help expand the amount of local food resources around the community. In addition to Upland Brewery, LGG has also worked with Nicks English Hut to expand their promotion of local growing.Although this is currently the organization’s only fundraiser, LGG has plans to possibly host a similar event in the spring at a farm.Shari Rogge-Fidler, an LGG board member, also serves on the board for SEED Corp., a Bloomington-based nonprofit organization committed to the growth of small business and economic self-sufficiency in south central Indiana. Using her resources with LGG, Rogge-Fidler has helped provide business-planning courses for new entrepreneurs, farmers and growers. In addition, LGG has collaborated with SEED Corp. to help teach new growers the business side of farming.“This is the first year we’ve launched this program with SEED Corp.,” Rogge-Fidler said. “Over the eight-week course, farmers and growers put together a business plan for their farm and the hope is that by planning in advanced, they will be able to improve their success rate.”Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(10/21/13 3:46am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>More than 3,000 bicyclists from Monroe County and several foreign countries toured the hills of southern Indiana this weekend at the 46th annual Hilly Hundred Weekend.The event, sponsored by the Central Indiana Bicycling Association, featured a 98.7-mile course through Monroe, Owen and Morgan counties for riders to complete at their own pace.The event featured free food and live entertainment at both the tour’s headquarters at Edgewood High School in Ellettsville, Ind., and at each of the three rest stops throughout the course.Skip Higgins, Hilly Hundred’s managing director, said the tour is not designed as a race, but as a challenge.“We want riders to enjoy themselves, take their time and listen to the music at the rest stops,” Higgins said. Participants were charged a $3 registration fee that will go toward the Central Indiana Bicycling Association Foundation, a charitable organization formed by the CIBA that promotes the benefits of cycling.Of the money that goes to the CIBA Foundation, it will be used for the foundation’s grant program to help fund events like Hilly Hundred Weekend and other bicycle-related causes.Higgins, who helped with the event the last 13 years, said riders this year came from California to Massachusetts and from as far as Belgium. The long-lasting tradition of the event, as well as word of mouth from family and friends, is what draws in more riders for the Hilly Hundred year after year, Higgins said.“With almost 4,000 riders, there’s probably 4,000 different ways they all found out about it,” he said.This year’s oldest rider was 85.“It’s a lifestyle,” Higgins said. “This is not a single weekend or an event like a bicycle race.”Ian Roper, who traveled from DeKalb, Ill., for this year’s event, said he participated to support his friends who cycle.Although he said he doesn’t regularly bike himself, Roper, 30, said the event’s laid-back atmosphere makes the tour more inviting for riders.“My friends have been participating since 2001,” Roper said. “We spend the weekend biking and camping. The event is challenging but fun to finish.”Indianapolis resident Alyn Brown participated in his fourth Hilly Hundred Weekend this year with his wife.Brown, 39, said the one thing he looks forward to is seeing the different people who come out to cycle.“You see people on an inexpensive bike where it’s the only cycling event they do all year to people who ride regularly and all the time,” Brown said. “It’s a really cool mix of people and a lot of fun.”Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(10/16/13 2:07am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>For the first time since Aug. 27, the downtown Bloomington recycling center is back in operation after reopening Tuesday.The center, just north of City Hall, was temporarily closed to improve efficiency and labor costs from prior issues that pertained to shipping recyclables. One of the changes to the center is adjusted hours of operation that are now from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. “Sixty hours every week was a lot of time to be open,” Chad Roeder, manager of the recycling center, said. “The 10 hours we cut were off-peak hours, so it won’t have an affect on people recycling and it will save us time and labor.”In addition, other improvements Roeder said the center has made are new cost-saving alternatives to sorting glass, cardboard and plastics the center receives.Previously, the center used the services of the Republic Services in Indiana, Hoosier Disposal to recycle glass, a method Roeder said many other centers also use. The center will now work directly with a buyer out of Indianapolis to recycle glass, which Roeder said is expected to save in shipping costs onward.As for cardboard, Roeder said the center has started working with the Martin County Solid Waste District to develop a new, efficient way of shipping. Normally, the center shipped cardboard using their own box truck, but this proved to be labor-intensive and costly. The center will now use a truck from the Martin County Solid Waste District on a weekly basis for shipping, only having to pay for fuel and labor, which Roeder said would also cut back on costs.The biggest space-saving improvement the center has made is the transition from using roll-off containers to sort plastics to using bags, a system Roeder called modular.Instead of shipping plastics once every five to six weeks like the center was before, they will now ship plastic sorted in bags that will be picked up from the facility weekly. “We’ve really taken care of just about all of our main issues,” Roeder said. “I think we’ve taken the project and have made it about as efficient as we can at this point.”Emilie Rex, assistant director for the Office of Sustainability at IU, said the center serves as a great resource for students living downtown due to the high demand for recycling services in the more urbanized location.“We think it’s really great that there’s a close option so people don’t have to drive all the way to the Monroe County Solid Waste District,” Rex said. “We are really supportive of Chad and the recycling center and anything we can do to encourage students to go there.”Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(10/15/13 3:29am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Acoustic gospel tunes by Johnny Cash and Hank Williams are routine for Sacred Heart Church. It’s part of why Pastor Brandon Shurr calls the church the “throwback.”The church’s goal is to be simple, providing a more classic and intimate setting, Shurr said. The church has stripped away all electrical sound equipment to allow every member in attendance to be heard.“We are a participatory church,” Shurr said. “We like everyone to have a voice in the service. All voices are heard in the singing and call and response readings.”Sunday marked the one-year anniversary of the church, located on the corner of West Kirkwood Avenue and North Madison Street.Shurr said the members who attend Sacred Heart feel loved and accepted because of the church’s about 30-member community, which provides the opportunity for everyone to know one another better. Many people who are typically attracted to the church are those who Shurr said haven’t been involved with a church recently or ever.“It has been said by one of our community members that we have a ‘good amount of weirdos’ at Sacred Heart,” Shurr said. “So anyone that feels on the margins or they don’t fit in at other churches may likely find a place at Sacred Heart.”Weekly events offered by the church include Sunday morning worship services, book groups Wednesday nights and parent and child play group activities Thursday mornings. The church also offers monthly craft nights.In addition to weekly services, the church participates in various fundraising and community service projects.In the spring, the church organized a benefit concert to raise money for Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, an organization that provides healthy food to chronically malnourished people. The church has also lent space for volunteer training sessions for the Bloomington Writing Project.“We strive to get involved with existing organizations in town that people in our church community are already involved with,” Shurr said.For School of Informatics employee Todd Theriault, Sacred Heart offers more than just the basic assets of a regular church. Theriault, who regularly attends Sunday worship services and Wednesday night book club meetings, said the intimate atmosphere the church offers makes it one of a kind.“Sacred Heart has a commitment to maintaining a positive force for social justice and the community and also to make a positive impact on Bloomington,” Theriault said. Theriault has been attending the church since it opened. He said he appreciates the opportunity to become so closely acquainted with the church’s members.“It’s a church where if people are gone, you miss them,” Theriault said. “It feels very much like being part of a family.”Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(10/11/13 4:07am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Michelle Hannon is working to raise awareness of autism as the Monroe County Autism Foundation’s president.The foundation is organizing their second annual Walk for Autism from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday to raise money for community members who have autism.The Monroe County Autism Foundation is a nonprofit organization that serves children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and provides financial resources for educational and therapeutic interventions, Hannon said.The event will feature a 5-kilometer walk at the Monroe County YMCA, as well as live entertainment, contests and a booth with information about autism.All proceeds, which are collected from entry fees, sponsorships and donations, will go to the foundation and be donated to families who experience autism by providing scholarships. Hannon said this weekend is expected to draw in a large crowd after success from last year’s walk.“We’ve added a few new vendors at the resource tent so that families with kids on the spectrum can get information on how to help their loved one,” Hannon said. Last year, the event focused more on autism awareness and was not fundraising-oriented, but Hannon said this year, the walk is more established and expected to bring in more participants than last year.Andrew Lambert, marketing director for the foundation, said the idea of the walk came from the foundation’s board members.“We were determined to mix health and wellness with the world of autism,” Lambert said. Lambert said with the many challenging changes that are a part of insurance coverage, the foundation wants to be a stop gap between what private and public insurance companies are willing to pay and the money needed to get children services they need.“We are hoping to have somewhere between $5,000 to $10,000 in contributions coming from this event, but of course we strive to do even more after the event finishes,” Lambert said. Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(10/09/13 2:18am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Indianapolis is one of three cities invited to place a bid to be host to Super Bowl LII in 2018, the NFL announced Tuesday.New Orleans and Minneapolis are the other two finalists.Three other cities — Dallas, Miami and Tampa — had also previously submitted an application to be considered for placing a bid.Representatives of the six cities made a pitch during the NFL’s fall meeting Tuesday in Washington D.C. Immediately following the meeting, the League announced their top three selections.“It is very gratifying the NFL asked Indy to submit a bid to host Super Bowl LII,” Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said in a statement following the League’s announcement. “Indy’s reputation for hosting great events is unmatched. I have no doubt our team will put forth an exciting plan to host another Super Bowl that will make the NFL, its owners and football fans around the world very proud.”In conjunction with the city’s accomplishment, Gov. Mike Pence said in a press release, “Indiana far surpassed expectations in 2012, and we look forward to submitting another promising bid to showcase once again Hoosier hospitality and all that Indiana has to offer.”Indianapolis is hoping to duplicate its success from its first time as host to the Super Bowl in 2012 at Lucas Oil Stadium.Events and attractions organized during Super Bowl XLVI weekend included an outdoor Super Bowl village on Georgia Street and other programs at the Indiana Convention Center. This led Lucas Oil Stadium to receive positive feedback from attendees and the NFL.Lucas Oil was named the best venue in the NFL by Stadium Journey Magazine in 2012.Allison Melangton, president of Indiana Sports Corporation and chair of the 2018 Indianapolis Super Bowl Bid Committee, said the city plans to utilize this opportunity again in the best way possible.“We are extremely excited to move forward in the 2018 Super Bowl process,” Melangton said. “The 2012 Super Bowl had a tremendously positive impact on Indiana, and our community is ready to produce a compelling bid for 2018.”Indianapolis, however, can expect competition.Although it hasn’t hosted a Super Bowl since 1992, Minneapolis broke ground this month to build a $975 million fixed-roof football stadium slated to be complete by 2016.Despite the typical cold, harsh temperatures present during the month of February in Minneapolis, the Minnesota Vikings’ new stadium is anticipated to be the main attraction to host Super Bowl LII.If Super Bowl LII is played in Minneapolis, it would be the farthest north the game has ever been played.Likewise New Orleans, who has been host to an NFL record of 10 Super Bowls, has plans to celebrate the city’s tricentennial in addition to Super Bowl LII.Jay Cicero, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation president and chief executive officer, said in a statement, “What better time for New Orleans to host its record 11th Super Bowl than during a party 300 years in the making?” Nevertheless, Indianapolis plans to compete with the two other cities using their best resources possible.“Our competition is stiff, but we look forward to showcasing the strengths of our community and earning the right to host Super Bowl LII,” Melangton said.Indianapolis will officially submit its bid in April. The NFL announced shortly after Tuesday’s meeting they would release the winning city at their spring meeting May 19-21 in Atlanta, Ga.Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who was in Washington D.C. Tuesday, tweeted, “Congrats to the great city of Indy for making it as a Super Bowl finalist!” Irsay had previously stated he was “ready to go in and call in as many favors as I have to from the other 31 owners,” when Indianapolis announced its plan last August to submit an application to place a bid at Lucas Oil Stadium. After Tuesday's decision by the NFL, Irsay told Colts.com that “considering the track record of our community, clearing this first phase is well-deserved — but there is still much work to be done.”Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(10/08/13 3:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU alumna Lindsey O’Brien Kesling was only 22 years old when she passed away from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in November 2010. But that didn’t stop her family from carrying on her legacy.The Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington partnered with the Lindsey O’Brien Kesling Wishing Tree Foundation and First Alert to organize a carbon monoxide awareness event Monday. The goal of the event was to educate families affiliated with the Boys and Girls Club on the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.Emma Falender, director of operations intern for the Boys and Girls Club, said the event was geared toward parents.“We’re encouraging them to sign a petition for legislators to pass a law to make it mandatory for carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in homes,” Falender said.Those who signed the petition received a complementary carbon monoxide detector courtesy of First Alert.Features at the event included a DVD presentation on carbon monoxide safety as well a tour of a fire truck and safety tips from the Bloomington Fire Department.This event was the second of eight that will take place until next month by the LOK Wishing Tree Foundation. The final event will take place in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Nov. 2, the location where Lindsey passed away.Lindsey’s family created the Foundation three years ago after her passing. Because Lindsey was a big sister in the Boys and Girls Club, the Foundation has continued to work closely with the organization.In addition to working with the Boys and Girls Club for this year’s first annual carbon monoxide awareness event, the Foundation also created the Lindsey O’Brien Kesling Performing Arts Program through the Club. By setting up online fundraisers, the LOK Wishing Tree Foundation has started offering academic scholarships for art students in the Monroe County Community School Corporation who are also a member of the Boys and Girls Club.Tri-North Middle School student Charlie Brown was a recipient of one of the Foundation’s scholarships this year. Brown said when he first started playing the violin three years ago it was more for recreation. After taking lessons and practicing with the Boys and Girls Club, however, Brown got the opportunity to perform at the Monroe County Public Library, which he said was a defining moment in his musical career.“Ever since I put on the concert, it opened so many doors for me,” Brown said. “I’ve gotten a lot better at the violin over the years.”Brown’s interest in the violin became greater after being exposed to an electrical violin performance through the LOK Performing Arts Program. Dot Kesling, Lindsey’s mother, said the Foundation’s performing arts program’s goal is to allow “kids to watch incredible live performances in professional caliber which they otherwise may normally not get to see.”“Not only do these performers come in and perform for the children, but after the performances the kids get to talk to them and ask questions,” Kesling said.The program also offers theatre and performance workshops during the summer for students to attend. Kesling said the Foundation offers this program because it’s a well-rounded representation of what Lindsey’s passions were.After Lindsey became inspired from a wishing tree she saw while traveling in England, the Kesling family planted a tri-colored beech tree in honor of her in LaPorte, Ind., her hometown. The Foundation uses a wishing tree as their symbol to represent the group’s mission and desire to help make young artists’ wishes come true. “Lindsey had the ability to live out her dreams,” Kesling said. “She lived larger in her 22 years of life than most adults I know. She embraced everybody she came in contact with and was very effervescent.”Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(10/03/13 3:51am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Local Hoosiers gathered at Monroe County Public Library Wednesday to become more informed about recent changes to the Affordable Care Act.The event was organized by IU Health Bloomington Hospital, the City of Bloomington and Affordable Care Act Volunteers of Monroe County. The meeting was focused on educating and spreading awareness of the ACA and maximizing health insurance coverage for Bloomington residents. More than 40 residents attended the event, which served as a kickoff to what is intended to become a weekly meeting until March 2014.The ACA, originally signed into law in 2010, establishes state-based health insurance exchanges that are regulated online marketplaces administered by either federal or state government. As of Tuesday, uninsured individuals and small businesses can purchase private insurance plans under the ACA.David Meyer, an ACA volunteer organizer, said this is crucial for the 15,000 residents of Monroe County who are currently uninsured. Meyer said this 12 percent of the population are in need of information about the health insurance options that exist for them.“Very few of those who are uninsured are aware of the financial support that is available to help with costs,” Meyer said. He said some people don’t even know of their options.“Many of them also have never had health insurance and don’t know where to begin or how health insurance works,” Meyer said.The group’s mission is to support Monroe County and Indiana communities by expanding knowledge and awareness of the ACA to minimize the number of residents without health insurance coverage.Meyer, who spent a month organizing the event, said the group’s focus is to refer clients to appropriate organizations that can further assist the uninsured as well as train volunteers to help the group’s cause.Volunteers work as informers by distributing ACA marketplace information to the community through flyers and social media.ACA volunteer Linda Mongold said this meeting is intended to be the first of many as a continuing way to keep the community informed about the ACA and the changes that will continue to come with it.“These volunteers are going to help people who have not had health insurance to get them to sign up for health care that starts in January,” Mongold said. “Most people who need insurance don’t even know about it.”Mongold said the group has started informing the community three months before the new health care plan begins in January because the sign up date ends Dec. 15.“We’re hoping to make this a weekly thing for community members to learn more about health care options available for them,” Mongold said. “It’s important for people to be updated on.”Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(09/30/13 3:24am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>More than 5,000 participants consisting of local Hoosiers and other athletes competed at Memorial Stadium on Saturday to raise more than $170,000 during the 14th annual Hoosiers Outrun Cancer.The event featured a 5-kilometer racecourse for the 147 registered teams.An additional racecourse was set up for a 1-mile Kids’ Run and Family Walk, and donations were accepted from those who were unable to participate in the actual race. The money raised was donated to the IU Health Olcott Center for Cancer Education.Jon Barada, president of the Bloomington Hospital Foundation, said the event is a huge contributor that helps keep the Olcott Center a part of IU Health.“Since the moment I arrived here, everyone that I’ve talked to has said, ‘You’re not going to believe it until you see it,’” Barada said. “This is an amazing event.”Barada was appointed as the foundation’s new president last July as part of the IU Health Bloomington Hospital’s fundraising division.Barada said Kim Rudolph, special events manager for the Bloomington Hospital Foundation, was the backbone in organizing the event.Rudolph said contributions from local businesses were a huge asset in financially supporting the event.The race included support from more than 20 sponsorships and corporate participants, including Southern Indiana Physicians, IU Health Bloomington Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary and Bloomington Anesthesiologists, P.C.“This event has many sponsors. I can’t even begin to name them all,” Rudolph said. “We are well supported by the community.”Rudolph said this year’s event raised between $170,000 and $180,000. The event has raised more than $2 million during the last 14 years combined, all of which has been donated to the Olcott Center.According to IU Health’s website, “The Center offers an extensive lending library, weekly support groups, patient advocacy and some individualized financial assistance.” As a part of IU Health, the center provides one-on-one education with clients and their family members. Rudolph said the center also offers services and education, free of charge, to anybody who has been affected by cancer.Rudolph said participants at this year’s race consisted of cancer survivors as well as supporters who donated to the cause to support friends and family. Providing support to those who have fallen victim to cancer is what Rudolph said helps bring in more participants for the event year after year.“I think from family members, friends and neighbors, the word really spreads about the cause and helps draw in more people,” Rudolph said. “They want to come out and help support the community.”Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twtter @brttfrmn.
(09/26/13 3:50am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>State lawmakers are currently facing pressure by a lobbying group regarding their stances on same-sex marriage in Indiana as the 2014 Indiana legislative session approaches.The Indiana General Assembly will vote in January on a proposal that would put a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage on the November 2014 general election ballot.An Indianapolis-based lobbying group is surveying legislators about their intentions when it comes time to vote in January 2014.The survey, which ends today, is being conducted by Advance America, formerly known as Citizens Concerned for the Constitution. Attorney Eric Miller founded the organization, which claims to be the largest pro-family, pro-church, pro-private and home schooling and pro-tax reform organization in the state.In an Aug. 28 letter to state legislators, Miller said he intends to collect the survey’s responses and “make them available to citizens around the state.”Although state law currently prohibits same-sex marriage, the Indiana Republican party amended a law in July, originally passed in 1997, that classifies falsifying information on an Indiana state marriage license as a Level 6 felony. This would put same-sex couples wanting to marry at risk for automatic violation, as state marriage licenses only allow one male and one female to be listed on the legal document, according to courts.IN.gov.State lawmakers originally delayed voting on the constitutional ban in February.The reason for the delay was to see how the U.S. Supreme Court would rule on a similar constitutional amendment in California this summer, as well as a federal law that excludes benefits to same-sex couples, according to an article in USA Today. As of August, the challenged law is still pending in California state court.“The marriage amendment could have easily passed this year,” Miller said in the USA Today article. “And there will be tremendous pressure, including financial pressure, on the 150 legislators to kill the amendment in a House or Senate committee next year and to stop it on the floor of the House and Senate.”According to a press release from Freedom Indiana, a group that identifies itself as a bipartisan statewide organization, a poll conducted Sept. 17-19 showed most Hoosiers thought amending the state constitution is the wrong method of addressing the issue of same-sex marriage. The poll found almost three-fourths of Hoosiers are in favor of some legal recognition or of rights for gay and lesbian couples. More than 50 percent of respondents said they would vote against the amendment if it meant banning civil unions, among other possible consequences. “The message from these results is clear: Hoosiers overwhelmingly support some legal recognition for same-sex couples, and they oppose amending the Indiana Constitution to address the issue of same-sex marriage and rights,” Freedom Indiana Campaign Manager Megan Robertson said in the release.In addition, Freedom Indiana presented these poll results to state legislative leaders Tuesday.Doug Bauder, office coordinator for the IU Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Student Support Services, said Freedom Indiana and similar organizations are doing great work around the state discussing the merits of marriage equality with people of various political persuasions and religious convictions.“I’m hopeful that the momentum that is building around this issue on a national level will impact our state and that any attempt to add discrimination to our state constitution will be defeated,” Bauder said.Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(09/25/13 3:42am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Continuing their Dine Out for Friends program, the Friends of Monroe County Public Library collected donations from customers Tuesday at Uptown Cafe, which will help support the library’s programs and services.The Friends of the Library advocates the mission, vision and values of the Monroe County Public Library, in addition to supporting library collections, services, programs and staff development, according to the Monroe County Public Library’s fall newsletter.The Friends of the Library board created the Dine Out for Friends program in June 2010. The program selects a local restaurant every few months and provides a flyer for customers to present with their bills. Depending on the restaurant, between 10 and 25 percent of a customer’s bill is donated to the library at no extra cost.Uptown Cafe collected 10 percent from the bills of customers who chose to participate Tuesday.Uptown Cafe Manager Juliet Smith said in addition to helping support the library, the Friends of the Library’s fundraising tactics also help bring in business.“Our restaurant is almost 40 years old,” Smith said. “A lot of people in town know about us already, so this also helps promote us.”Smith said 1 in 3 customers typically present a flyer with their bills.Besides Uptown Cafe, other establishments that have contributed to the program include the Village Deli, Nadia’s Bistro and Noodles & Company. To date, more than $4,000 has been donated to the library. Mary Jean Regoli, secretary of the Friends of the Library board, said the money from Uptown Cafe, along with other restaurants, supports all of the library’s programming. There are special programs for children, teens and adults.Programs also exist for summer reading, adult reading and literacy. Regoli said the Dine Out for Friends program has drawn in anywhere from $100 to $250 each time, depending on the restaurant and its popularity.“Now that people know about it, they make plans to get together and say, ‘Hey, if we’re going to eat out this week, let’s make it on Dine Out for Friends day,’” Regoli said.The library selects most of the program’s restaurants.Regoli said recent additions to the list of businesses this year were Smokin’ Jack’s Rib Shack and Bobby’s Colorado Steak House. The proceeds from the two restaurants have combined to make the program’s biggest contribution of more than $725.The Friends of the Library’s next Dine Out for Friends date is slated for Oct. 23, at both Bucceto’s restaurants in Bloomington During this Dine Out for Friends event, customers will have the opportunity to donate 20 percent of their bill.“The Friends of the Library have been doing very well with the program this year,” Regoli said. “It’s a great and easy way for people to get involved with the library.”Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(09/23/13 4:23am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Students, teachers and athletes competed Saturday at the Edgewood Intermediate School for the sixth annual Dollars for Scholars 5-kilometer Run/Walk.The event, organized by the Edgewood Dollars for Scholars chapter, collected sponsorship donations and entry fees to supply future scholarships for Edgewood High School seniors. The Edgewood Dollars for Scholars chapter is an Ellettsville-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase scholarships available for Edgewood High School students, according to the organization’s website.Ellettsville resident Kenny Williams has volunteered for the event for the past 18 years. Williams said the race was originally affiliated with the Quarters for Kids run until the chapter took it over to make it an annual fundraiser six years ago.“The chapter annually gives out a little over $40,000 in scholarships,” Williams said. “Every single bit that we make here will be used for scholarships, too.”A majority of the funds the chapter raised came from sponsorships. This year’s title sponsor was Smithville, a communications company, which Williams said has been a frequent sponsor and contributor to the chapter in the past.Williams said the 64 participants at this year’s event was a smaller turnout than years past, but the amount of sponsorship funds is expected to still be a helpful contribution to the chapter’s goals. In years prior, Williams said the fundraiser has raised up to $6,000.“The number of racers and walkers varies each year, but the amount of sponsorship money we receive stays consistent,” Williams said.Many of this year’s racers were students from the Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation, Ellettsville’s main school district. Likewise, teachers and faculty also participated in the event. Edgewood Dollars for Scholars Chapter President Johnny Lindsey said an addition that’s helped draw more people out to the event is the race’s association with the Magnificent 7 Road Race Series. The series promotes and markets the independent road races of South Central Indiana by assigning participants with points every time they compete in a series-approved race. Lindsey said participants from Saturday’s event who are also competing in the series are eligible for the series’ championship if they complete all the required races.Lindsey, who’s been chapter president for the past 10 years, said in addition to raising funds for scholarships the event also promotes a healthy lifestyle.Because of the intermediate school’s location next to a vast fielded area, the event’s racecourse was able to consist of 5 kilometers for participants to walk or run at their desired pace and finish at their own time.“Our goal here is to try and raise as much scholarship money as we can,” Lindsey said. “Everyone who participates and sponsors plays a big part in helping us continue our goals as a chapter.”Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(09/18/13 2:16am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Monroe County Public Library unveiled its next phase of renovation plans Sept. 12 as it continues to move forward with construction on the building’s first floor.Included in the plans are a Digital Creativity Center and a designated area for teens. Several rooms and departments will also move to expand building space.The first phase of renovations began in 2009 with updates to the facility’s children’s department. Since a flood swept into the library through its Grant Street entrance in June 2008, new carpeting was also installed throughout the building to cover the exposed cement.The facility originally opened in 1970, followed by its first renovation in 1997. In the 43 years of the library’s existence, many improvements have been implemented.Library Director Sara Laughlin said an addition to the building from the renovation 15 years ago was a drive-up window. Because its previous location was in an awkward spot with a concave curve, customers were unable to drive their car up next to it to return and pick up books and were forced to walk up instead. Laughlin said an updated drive-up window has been established in the building’s parking lot.The library’s upcoming renovations, however, will focus on a different perspective. Laughlin said the newest phase of renovations will be directed toward teenagers.“We felt that teens were an audience we didn’t particularly have an appropriate area for,” Laughlin said. “They’re at a different developmental stage. They’re not children, but they’re not full-fledged adults yet.”Laughlin said the original plan called for combining the teen area with a Digital Creativity Center, but after talking with both teenagers and digital creative experts, they noticed people of all ages were interested in using the Digital Creativity Center.“We originally wanted to add a Digital Creativity Center with a space for teens because they have certain ways they communicate,” Laughlin said.The library’s Digital Creativity Center will provide access to equipment and software for customers to create their own customized projects. This includes recording music in a production studio as well as filming and editing video projects in a green room. Just as customers would normally check out books, Laughlin said they will now be able to create their own projects with top-of-the-line resources.The library’s teen space will feature a gaming area, cafe and performance stage. In addition to promoting academic studies, a quiet lounge will also be made available.The Friends of Library Bookstore will also be updated and moved directly across from the building’s atrium, allowing more room for retail space, the children’s books area and new seats. The library’s children’s program room will be expanded and updated as well.In addition, new meeting rooms ranging from small to large sizes will also be added to the building.As of now, the library’s Board of Trustees has set aside $830,000 to move forward with these renovations, anticipating about $780,000 for construction costs.Marilyn Wood, associate library director, said the board is still investigating ways to reduce costs.“We’re looking at the reuse of furniture that we might have now as one way to cut cost reductions,” Wood said.Wood also said a general obligation bond and funds previously set aside by the board are available to accommodate the renovation funds. Bloomington resident Christine Matheu is the project’s architect and previously worked on renovation projects for the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, the Wells Scholars Harlos House at IU and the interior of the Monroe County Courthouse. Matheu said the library is anticipating a summer or fall 2014 completion date.“It’s all very exciting,” Matheu said. “The teen center and Digital Creativity Center are two new spaces that have never been tried in Bloomington before.”Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(09/16/13 2:11am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Kicking off this year’s National Hispanic Heritage Month, the City of Bloomington Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs organized its third annual Latino Leader and Organization/Agency Awards Saturday at the Monroe County Public Library.During the ceremony, four awards were presented, recognizing those who have helped the Latino community through service during the past year.The nominees were reviewed for their work and voted on by the Commission.The event was also organized by La Casa Latino Cultural Center and El Centro Comunal Latino.Daniel Soto, Latino outreach assistant for Bloomington’s Latino Programs and Outreach division of the Community and Family Resources Department, said many of the nominees at the ceremony were high school seniors.Melissa Britton, associate director at the IU Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, received the Latino Leader Award.Soto said this award is given to someone who’s involved and works with the Latino community to help improve the environment. Britton has helped organize Latino community events and programs.“She’s done a lot for our community,” Soto said.The Commission’s criteria for nominations include demonstrating leadership skills and showing initiative to advocate for issues that promote the inclusion of the Latino community.“We want to recognize those who help our community without being paid,” Soto said. “It’s to show our appreciation and give them recognition. Even being nominated for an award is wonderful.”Britton previously worked for the city’s Latino Programs and Outreach Division. She said the award was a generous recognition of the work she’s done for the city. Britton recently took on the position as associate director with theIU CLACS.“It’s a very wonderful place to work,” Britton said. “I’m fairly new, but so far everyone’s real nice, and it’s been a good time.”Other events the Commission organized at the library throughout the day included crafting activities for children, a Latino-themed play and a musical performance by the Mariachi Band of Indianapolis featuring Hispanic folk songs.Throughout the rest of the month, more events and performances will be featured in Bloomington to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month. Events include Spanish exhibits at the IU Art Museum, a documentary at the IU Cinema about Mexican painter Rufino Tamayo and the eighth annual Fiesta del Otoño Fall Cultural Festival at the Bloomington Farmer’s Market this Saturday.With more than 2,000 residents of Bloomington identifying as Latinos and Hispanics, Soto said this year’s Heritage Month is expected to be a successful celebration and representation of the Latino community’s culture.“Many people call themselves Hispanic, or many others call themselves Latino, but we’re all one group,” Soto said.National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated throughout the U.S. from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, and recognizes the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans, as well as their heritage and culture.The month’s start date celebrates the anniversary of Independence Day for the five Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras andNicaragua.Follow events and culture reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(09/13/13 3:59am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Indiana Public Retirement System Board of Trustees meets in Indianapolis today to discuss moving their start date from July 1 to Aug. 1, 2014, regarding recent changes implemented for retiring Hoosiers.The board previously voted on changes that will impact how much new retirees will be eligible to earn from their annuity savings accounts. Under the state’s current defined benefit pension plan, people who work a certain amount of years receive monthly payments by the state once they retire.Jeff Hutson, spokesman for the INPRS, said the state’s retirement system operates under a hybrid plan. This involves the use of an annuity savings account, where 3 percent of a member’s wages go.When a worker retires they must then decide what to do with their ASAmoney.Hutson said a person could annuitize it, roll it over into another investment or take a lump sum distribution to use for personal expenses.Only half of retirees in the state annuitize their money into monthly payments, but the state also takes into consideration how long a person is expected to live. This way, the INPRS knows how much they’re paying out and how much they will earn, Hutson said.Hutson said retirees are allowed to return a lump sum amount earned over their time working to their pension fund. This guarantees monthly payouts based on 7.5 percent of that lump sum.The changes implemented by the INPRS, however, would call for a lesser percentage.Although these changes could cost future-retiring employees, Hutson said they were necessary by the state.“Without these changes, we face a loss of up to 300 million dollars,” Hutson said.Hutson said the employees who will face the most repercussions from this are those in the public sector, primarily school teachers.Gail Zeheralis, director of government relations for the Indiana State Teachers Association, said this wouldn’t only affect teachers, but also employers who work in the school system, such as school bus drivers and cafeteria workers.The board of trustees is contemplating pushing the start date back in order to accommodate the school year. Because most state schools don’t dismiss for summer until June, moving the start to August would prevent teachers from having to retire earlier.The ISTA is currently working on plans to help accommodate those who plan on retiring in the near future.“Since the implementation date is not until next summer, we’re certainly going to work and try to provide some insight to the board’s changes,”Zeheralis said.Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(09/11/13 4:01am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett has been cleared of any wrongdoing in reference to claims he made grade adjustments for certain state schools last year, according to a report released by the state legislature Friday.The report investigated Bennett’s changes to the grading system, which were claimed to have been politically influenced to support Indianapolis charter school Christel House Academy. Christel DeHaan, a top donor to Bennett’s previous campaign, founded the school.State lawmakers requested the review after the Associated Press released emails between Bennett and his staff in July. The emails showed Bennett took special precautions to change Christel House Academy’s grade to an “A” after originally earning a “C.”“They need to understand that anything less than an A for Christel House compromises all of our accountability work,” Bennett said in an email last September to the Indiana chief of staff.Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore David Long, along with Republican Legislative Leader Brian Bosma, requested the report. In a press release from Long, he said he was pleased with the report, which was done by John Grew, executive director of State Relations and Policy Analysis at IU, and Bill Sheldrake, president and founder of Policy Analytics.In the release, Long said the report “will help immensely as the state begins work on a new A-F grading process.”According to the report, the adjustments made by the Bennett administrative were necessary to eliminate certain scores from the Christel House Academy’s grade. The report concluded Bennett had fairly applied the grade.According to the report, the grade change for Christel House Academy was plausible, and the treatment afforded to the school was consistently applied to other schools with similar circumstances. The report did, however, state that a significant portion of the education community did not understand or trust in the accuracy or fairness of Bennett’s tactics.Bennett, who resigned as Florida’s education commissioner last month, released a statement saying he felt the report vindicated him.“The report clearly shows that accusations of manipulation of the A-F system for a single school are false and malicious,” Bennett said in the statement. “You will remember that when the Department of Education released school grades last year, I said the process was imperfect and could be improved greatly. Still, it is a far better measurement and accountability tool for our schools than has ever been used in our state.”According to the Gradebook Blog from the Tampa Bay Times, Bennett said he resigned to avoid becoming a distraction to Florida Gov. Rick Scott and others pushing the education “reform” agenda in Florida. Although the report did not analyze Bennett’s political motives, it did call for a number of changes to the grading system. These adjustments include working more closely with lawmakers and the governor to explain changes to the grading system, bringing in more outside experts for advice and adding measures other than test scores to the formula. Terry Spradlin, director of Education Policy for the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy at IU, said the school grading system, which has been used by the state for the last two years, is still undergoing legislative review and awaiting new recommendation by the Indiana Department of Education.“The concern is that the current system is not transparent or effective at giving schools fair grades,” Spradlin said. “Because there’s now a misperception that the system is flawed, education leaders and policy makers feel that it at least needs to be reviewed.”Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(09/09/13 3:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Crowds at the Monroe County Fairgrounds enjoyed a variety of music and homemade foods while balloons filled the sky this weekend during the inaugural Kiwanis Club of South Central Indiana Balloon Festival.Raising several thousands of dollars through ticket sales, hot air balloon rides and food sales, the proceeds Kiwanis made will be donated to Riley Children’s Hospital, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington and future Kiwanis service projects, said Vanessa McClary, charter president of the club.McClary said she teamed with fellow Kiwanis member and Airbus Balloon Rides owner Andy Richardson, and the two organized the event to feature a variety of hot air balloons for participants to spectate and ride. These included hot air balloons that resembled a scarecrow, Rocket Man and a dragon.“I started this Kiwanis Club about seven years ago,” McClary said. “I’ve just always dreamed of putting on a hot air balloon festival because I love balloons, and I think the community in general loves seeing them, too.”McClary said planning the festival took a full year, as she worked to organize the fundraiser to be appealing to the community and in line with SCI Kiwanis Club’s other service projects.The event’s main attraction was the hot air balloon races conducted all three days throughout the weekend.Richardson said the races were conducted at the most suitable times — in the early morning and late evenings.“The winds are more stable and easy to predict during these times of the day,” Richardson said. “It makes for a smoother hot air balloon ride.”In addition, a chili cook-off contest was organized, which McClary said gave contestants the opportunity to show off their culinary skills and donate to the festival’s fundraising cause by paying an entrance fee.One of the event’s most anticipated features was the Kiwanis Idol singing competition, which required auditions prior to the contest.People of all ages were invited to participate in the American Idol-based contest, with first place receiving allotted time at local recording studio Stables Studio.More musical festivities were featured in the evenings on the main stage, where attendees enjoyed the live pop and rock musical performances of national touring artist Marc Broussard and local Bloomington artist Jenn Cristy.Keeping up with their other yearly events, the club also organized its seventh annual Health & Safety Family FUN! Fair. The fair provided health screenings and education for families in attendance.After a successful first year, McClary said there are plans to bring the festival back again next year and make the Hot Air Balloon Festival an annual SCI Kiwanis Club event.“We’re working on next year’s festival date right now, and we’ll know within a week when it will be,” she said.Follow events and culture reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.
(09/06/13 2:07am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>African clothes were auctioned off and musicians performed Middle
Eastern music at the Giving Back to Africa fundraising gala Thursday
night at Fields Clubhouse.The event’s topic was “Continue the
Story,” which gave attendees the opportunity to help raise money for the
group’s cause and program through a silent auction and donations.GBA
is a Bloomington-based, nonprofit organization which was founded seven
years ago by Dr. Louis Calli, Jr., a Bloomington cardiologist. GBA
partnered with Congolese educational institutions and non-governmental
organizations with the goal to empower GBA beneficiaries, through
service-centered education, to become servant-leaders capable of taking
control of their own lives while serving as change agents in their local
communities and throughout the nation, according to the group’s
website.Calli, president of GBA, said the idea for the organization came from his wife, who is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. After participating in numerous mission trips to Africa, they created GBA in order to give back from outside the DRC.One
of the events throughout the evening was the silent auction, which gave
attendees the opportunity to donate to GBA and acquire items from
Africa. “I think this is one of the best silent auctions
Bloomington has to offer,” Calli said. “It’s very unique and has a lot
of really great things.”Auction items included tickets to six
different upcoming IU basketball games, but also featured items that
correlated with African culture, including artwork and handcrafted
pieces portraying different African themes and men’s and women’s
clothing handsown out of fabric bought in the DRC.Jessica Quirk,
a graduate from the IU Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior
Design, helped organize the clothes and said the fabric used to make
the clothes was originally bought at a market in Kinshasa, the capital
of the DRC.“We took pictures of clothing designs and styles we
liked,” Quirk said. “A tailor from Kinshasa helped us design the
different outfits.”Throughout the night, guests also enjoyed the sounds of Middle Eastern music by local music group Salaam.The
fundraiser is currently GBA’s main event for the year, but Calli said
the organization plans on having a spring breakfast fundraiser in the
upcoming year.“There’s also a Giving Back to Africa IU student association for IU students to become more informed,” Calli said.Follow events and culture reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.