CreateAthon Invites Proposals from Non-Profits

VISION3 Creative invites Indianapolis-area non-profit organizations to submit applications for Vision 3's 1st annual CreateAthon, to take place 13 September.

CreateAthon, in its 10th event year internationally, is a 24-hour blitz during which Vision3 will provide marketing and creative services to 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that have little or no marketing budget on a pro-bono basis.

Vision3 is the first and only Indiana creative agency to participate in the CreateAthon event.

CreateAthon was founded by South Carolina agency RIGGS in 1999. Since the program's expansion from a single market to an international effort in 2001, 40 agencies have joined the CreateAthon network, holding CreateAthon events in their cities.

This effort has benefited 833 nonprofit organizations with 1,809 projects valued at $7 million.

The round-the-clock creative and design work will begin at 9 a.m. 13 September. Work will be presented to the non-profits at 9 a.m. 14 September. Vision3 will receive client changes the following Monday morning at 9 a.m., then complete the final revisions.

The deadline for CreateAthon 2007 applications is 10 August. Organizations selected by Vision3 to receive CreateAthon 2007 services will be announced 14 August.

Click here for applications, or call 317:269-0556.

Vision3 is a fast-growing creative agency with a mastery of both design and technology in the creation of branded messages.

USA Swimming National Championships

More than 1,000 swimmers, including top U.S. Olympians will travel to Indianapolis for the 2007 ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships, according to the organization’s press release.

The competition, to be held tomorrow (31 July) through Saturday (4 August) at the Indiana University Natatorium on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, is the final long course Nationals before the 2008 Olympic Team Trials in swimming.

Due to the volume of pre-sale ticket orders, the organizing committee is no longer accepting online orders for the championship. Tickets are available at the IU Natatorium. (Ticket office times are posted at here.)

Stewart Leads Allstate 400 at Mid-Point...and Wins!

Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - Tony Stewart leads Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard after 80 of 160 laps. The No.20 Home Depot Chevrolet has a 0.695-second lead on Juan Pablo Montoya.

UPDATE:
Tony Stewart passed Kevin Harvick with nine laps remaining and pulled away to win the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard this afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 2000 Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya was second in his first start in this event, and four-time winner Jeff Gordon was third. Harvick ended up seventh.

Boston Tea Party, Indy-Style

Here's the word from Ruth Holladay's blog:

"Pissed-off Indianapolis Hoosiers will rally at the Broad Ripple/Central Avenue canal bridge at 11 a.m. Saturday. 'Bring your tax assessments,' says the flier. 'Tea bag of assessments will be dunked in the Broad Ripple Canal.'

"Gary Welsh has the notice posted on his blog Advance Indiana; it was also talked about on Greg Garrison's radio show this morning, hosted by Ike Randolph. Hoosiers for Fair Taxation will sponsor the tea party, if sponsor is the right word."

UPDATE:
The protest even made Inside Indiana Business and IndyUndercover.

UPDATE 2:
The Indianapolis Star says: : "500 protest at Broad Ripple 'Tea Party'." The blogs estimate a turnout at double that number.

Work to Begin on I-465 Interchange

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) next week will start rebuilding the interchange at I-465 and 38th Street in Indianapolis, according to Inside INdiana Business.

The project calls for the replacement of the West 38th Street bridge, widening of the entrance and exit ramps, construction of a new entrance ramp and a walkway for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The project is expected to last through late 2008.

The public can learn more about Accelerate 465 by visiting the project Web site, or by calling the HNTB public outreach office at 317:917-5315.

Beech Grove Gets its Free WiFi Going

Beech Grove will have a broadband wireless network in place by the end of this year.

Once installed, Federal Signal Corporation’s network will be available to public safety officials over a licensed 4.9 GHz frequency through mobile connections in their vehicles.

In addition, WiFi internet access on a 2.4 GHz frequency band will be available to everyone else.

This Indianapolis Observer is definitely impressed. First Fountain Square, and now Beech Grove. If the Southside is so techno-savvy, what’s wrong with the rest of Indy?

Skating Academy Stays Put at Pan Am Plaza -- For Now

The Indiana Worlds Skating Academy has agreed to a 9-month lease extension for its space at Pan Am Plaza, reports the Indianapolis Business Journal's Property Lines.

The organization will remain downtown at least until April 2008, said Academy Executive Director Pam Robinson. The group was told in October 2006 that it would have to move to make way for a new convention hotel, but the city chose another plan instead. The Academy still is eyeing a move to the State Fairgrounds.

National FFA Meets in Indy, Again

“Blue Jackets, Bright Futures” is the theme for the 80th National FFA Convention to be held in Indianapolis October 24-27.

More than 55,000 students, adult advisers and industry sponsors are expected to attend the event. This is the second year the convention is being held in Indianapolis.

The organization is also seeking volunteers who will help greet attendees, host education tours and career success tours.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 495,046 student members who are preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture as part of 7,242 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA, headquartered in Indianapolis, changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education.

Looking for Indy's Art?

A new Internet-based tool makes finding 60 pieces of public art in Indianapolis easier than ever before, says the Arts Council of Indianapolis.

The Public Art Locator (P.A.L.) features choices of street or satellite maps, categories of public art for enhanced searching and photos and background information.

Go to PAL and select Public Art Locator to launch the service.

...Just HAD to Share This List!

Courtesy of Taking Down Words blogspot are the Bestest Circle City Things:

* Best Place To Hang Out On A Friday Night, Drink Huge Beers, Meet Your Future Spouse: The Rathskeller
* Most Gastronomic Fun You Can Have With Unsuspecting Out-Of-Town Guests: St. Elmo shrimp cocktail sauce
* Cheapest Date: a stroll on the Downtown Canal, followed by $1 beer night at the Distillery
* Second Cheapest Date: lawn seats for an Indians game, pack your own food and drinks
* Most Adorable Local Weathercaster: Angela Buchman
* Best Way To Get Some Free Culture: IDADA First Friday art tours
* People-Watching Event Of The Year: Gen Con
* Guiltiest Pleasure: South Bend Chocolate Company chocolate malts
* Adult Attraction Most Unfortunately Not Located Downtown: Indianapolis Museum of Art
* Kidlet Attraction Most Unfortunately Not Located Downtown: Children's Museum
* Best Music Venue If You're Angling For That Feet-Stuck-To-The-Floor Atmosphere: The Vogue
* Top Compliment Visitors Pay: "Y'all are just so nice and friendly here."

Zappa Plays Zappa

"Zappa Plays Zappa" is Sunday's headline event in the Egyptian Room of the Murat Theatre in Indianapolis.

"Frank Zappa is easily among the most respected/least heard musicians in modern music history," notes Lou Harry in today's Indianapolis Business Journal daily arts coverage. "His music is also so distinctive that he's one of the least covered."

"Which makes this event all the more interesting. There's no standard cover band. Zappa's work is being performed here by his son, Dweezil, who not only includes musicians who played with pop but showcases clips of Frank in action. The question Zappa fans will want to know: Does Dweezil attempt to recreate the sounds of the album versions or bend them to his own vision?

"From reports, Dweezil leans toward the former, attempting as best he can to avoid contemporizing the music. A good sign: He has no interest in doing his own recordings of the songs, preferring that the concerts inspire listeners to seek out the original music. Fans…and those who never had a chance to hear Frank Zappa in all his crazy glory, should be pleased," Harry concludes.

To be part of the event, check out the website or call 317:231-0000. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show at 8 p.m. The Murat's located at 502 North New Jersey Street, Indianapolis.

Homicide #66?

A young woman was found dead at 42nd and Millersville Road, according to IndyUndercover.

The Beat Goes On

Evidently the City-County meeting tonight involved a lot of tax-related drama.

This Indianapolis Observer is sorry she missed the excitement!

Boston Tea Party, Indy-Style

Tomorrow -- Sunday, 15 July -- should be interesting in downtown Indianapolis.

A protest rally is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. around Monument Circle.

Protesting what? The drastically increased property tax bills households -- but not businesses -- in Indiana have received in the past week.

Bob Dylan at The Lawn on Sunday

Bob Dylan performs at The Lawn at White River State Park on Sunday (15 July).

Gates open at 5 p.m., with the show set to start at 7 p.m. at the outdoor venue, 801 West Washington Street, Indianapolis. For information, call 317:233-2434.

No Formula One Race in Indy in 2008

The United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will not be on the 2008 Formula One schedule after eight consecutive annual events since 2000, the IMS reports.

After recent meetings, Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO Tony George and Formula One Management Ltd. CEO Bernie Ecclestone mutually agreed to not schedule Formula One racing in 2008 at Indianapolis.

"After several discussions, Bernie Ecclestone and I were unable to agree how to keep Formula One in Indianapolis for the near term," George said. "However, we have agreed to leave the door open for a potential future date.

"It has been a pleasure having the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis, and I hope that as we approach our Centennial Era at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an opportunity might present itself that would allow its return."

The 2007 event was June 17 and was won by British rookie Lewis Hamilton. At the time, George and Ecclestone agreed to a mid-July deadline for a decision about future events.

83rd Hoosier Salon Opens 23 July

The 83rd Annual Hoosier Salon Exhibit opens 23 July in the Indiana State Museum's Ford Gallery.

The juried show features more than 200 paintings, drawings and sculptures by Indiana artists.

The museum is in Indianapolis' White River State Park.

Indy Gets Grant to Help Ex-Offenders

The Indianapolis Private Industry Council Inc. (IPIC) has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to implement a program to help ex-offenders on probation or parole find employment, according to Inside INdiana Business.

"Apollo 13: Reentry Success" will assist 270 people ages 18 to 29 through work-readiness training and career counseling.

Footsteps into Fall: A Progressive Dinner

Mark your calendar now for a special evening on Friday (14 September).

A progressive dinner tour of six historic Old Northside Neighborhood mansions is planned for 5-9 p.m. including:

*Morris-Butler House Museum (hors d’oeuvres and wine)
*DeWolf-Allerdice Bed and Breakfast (soup)
*Old Northside Bed and Breakfast (salad)
*President Benjamin Harrison Home (pictured) (sorbet)
*The Propylaeum Club (dinner)
*The Yellow Rose Inn (dessert)

Of course, reservations required, call 317:636-5409 or email.

Cost is $70 per person.

Tempel Receives Award for Distinguished Service to Education

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has named Dr. Eugene R. Tempel (right), executive director of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, a winner of the 2007 James L. Fisher Award for Distinguished Service to Education.

The Fisher Award is given for extraordinary service to education of national and/or international significance, beyond service to a single institution or state.

Tempel is a nationally recognized expert in the study and practice of philanthropy and nonprofit management. He was deeply involved in the creation of the Center on Philanthropy and has served as its executive director since 1997. During the past two decades he has held numerous leadership positions for Independent Sector and with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where he currently serves on the Ethics Committee. The NonProfit Times has named him to its list of the country's 50 most influential leaders in the nonprofit sector each year since the list was created.

Tempel earned a B.A. degree in English and philosophy from St. Benedict College, an M.A. in English, and a doctoral degree in higher education administration from Indiana University and holds Certified Fund Raising Professional designation. He will be honored today during a luncheon at the CASE Summit for Advancement Leaders in Chicago.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is one of the largest international associations of education institutions, serving more than 3,300 universities, colleges, schools and related organizations in 54 countries. CASE is the leading resource for professional development, information, and standards in the fields of education fundraising, communications, and alumni relations.

The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University is a leading academic center dedicated to increasing the understanding of philanthropy, improving its practice and enhancing participation in philanthropy through research, teaching, public service and public affairs programs in philanthropy, fundraising, and management of nonprofit organizations.

A part of the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), the Center operates programs on the IUPUI and IU Bloomington campuses.

Hi, my name is Jim Herman...

I'm editorial page editor of the Star, and I also coordinate
the Star's Reader Council. The council is a group of readers
who meet monthly with top Star editors to talk about the newspaper
and IndyStar.com.

Our purpose is to gather ideas from this group about how we might
make the Star a better newspaper and online product.

I write to invite you to join our group.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. in the
6th floor conference room at the Star. We meet for about 90 minutes
and talk about issues of the day, etc.

Interested?

Let me know.

Jim Herman
Editorial Page Editor
Indianapolis Star

317-444-6228

Herron Faculty Exhibition

The annual exhibition of recent professional work by faculty members of the Herron School of Art at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis continues through 26 August.

The closing reception will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday (24 August).

This exhibit not only provides Herron students an opportunity to see the work their teachers create, but also share with the Indianapolis community work by its most talented local artists.

Gallery Summer Hours are Tuesday - Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. in the Herron School of Art & Design, 735 West New York Street, Indianapolis.

The Incredibly Shrinking Indianapolis Star

The blogosphere of sports writers has taken note of the egregious staffing cuts at The Indianapolis Star.

Check out the discussion here.

Forum Heats Up

At least three sets of comments are pouring into The Indianapolis Star's forum on the whole story of Ms. Atkins and her attempts to eliminate her son's partner from his life.

"I'm appalled at so many levels I don't know where to begin"

The Indianapolis Star wrote a cute little religion puff piece on Jeanne Atkins yesterday.

As Paul Harvey would say, here's the rest of the story, courtesy of Ruth Holladay's blog.

"The story of the owner of Atkins Elegant Cheesecake and her deeply prayerful life with her employees gets prominent play on the Star's web page today and in the Gannett-owned Noblesville Ledger," Ruth reports.

"Here's a little different slant --- Atkins' cheesecake boss lady Jeanne Atkins' halo is tarnished by a recent nasty court battle involving her gay son and his partner of 25 years. That aspect of her life -- which was legal news in a June 27 court ruling -- goes strangely unexamined and unmentioned in this sugar-coated piece of cheesecake reporting.

"The Atkins decision was summarized in the Indiana Law Blog when it was issued June 27th, just as every Indiana appeals court decision is summarized, every day.

"I'm appalled at so many levels I don't know where to begin," Ruth says. This Indianapolis Observer is in complete agreement.

Instead of being lauded for her piety, Ms. Atkins should be run out of town on a rail, with tar and feathering for good measure. What a nasty woman!

I-465 Road Repair

The first phase of the Accelerate 465 transportation project will begin this month, according to Inside INdiana Business.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has awarded $85 million in contracts for the project, which involves widening Interstate 465 between West 56th Street and I-74 in Indianapolis. Construction will take place over the next two years.

IBJ Backs Mass Transit.

"In the Indianapolis region, there’s no viable alternative to the car," notes The Indianapolis Business Journal.

"The IndyGo bus system is underfunded compared with systems in peer cities. Its lack of resources translates into schedules and routes so inadequate that it’s typically used only as transportation of last resort."

This Indianapolis Observer (who lives three miles from the nearest stop -- for a bus that only goes downtown) agrees wholeheartedly!