Wednesday, June 30, 2010

WellPoint Admits Security Breach

Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc. has notified 470,000 individual insurance customers about a security breach that may have exposed medical records, credit card numbers and other sensitive information, reports IBJ.com.

This Indianapolis Observer takes note of the fact that the breach was discovered in March, and revealed at the end of June.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

From Advance Indiana's Blog

The Republican-controlled Indianapolis City-County Council wrecklessly approved at tonight's council meeting a whopping $16 million contract for a publicly-traded company that has been losing millions of dollars a year and was facing potential delisting as a publicly-traded company on NADAQ for the second time because its stock has consistently traded below $1. As recently as March 31 of this year, Zanett, Inc. warned investors that debt-refinancing issues could force it out of business. The council approved Zanett's contract by a 15-11 vote with most Democrats voting against it.

It's all here.

Monday, June 28, 2010

IBJ Wins Journalism Awards

The Indianapolis Business Journal won eight awards at the Alliance of Area Business Publications’ summer conference Saturday in Indianapolis, the IBJ reports.

Judges from the University of Missouri's School of Journalism evaluated 555 entries from 47 publications, including papers in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. All told, 107 gold, silver or bronze awards were handed out.

IBJ won gold awards in three categories, including best daily e-mail.

In honoring IBJ Daily, judges wrote that it “provides a wealth of business news and information in a tidy summary that is easily digestible.”

Friday, June 25, 2010

Movies in the Park

It's summertime -- time for Movies in the Park.

Catch a flick at dusk (call 317:327-PARK for movie titles). Here's the schedule:

• Northwestway Park on 3 July

• Municipal Gardens on 10 July

• Holliday Park on 17 July

• Southeastway Park on 31 July

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Reiner Movie to Premiere in Indy

Movie director Rob Reiner's next film will debut in Indiana. Heartland Truly Moving Pictures says it will host Reiner and his new movie "Flipped" on 2 August in Indianapolis, according to Inside INdiana Business.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

With the 4th of July Just Ahead....

City Ordinance 407-201
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to use, ignite, or discharge any consumer fireworks, as defined in IC 22-11-14, at any place in the consolidated city, except during the following times:
(1) On June 28 through July 3rd, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and two (2) hours after sunset;
(2) On July 4, between the hours of 10:00 a.m.. and 12:00 midnight;
(3) On July 5 through July 9th, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and two (2) hours after sunset;
(4) On December 31 and January 1, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. on December 31 and 1:00 a.m. January 1.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Town Hall About Utilities Transfer

A Town Hall Forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. 23 June in Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 1301 North Goodlet Avenue, Indianapolis.

The topic is the proposed transfer of water and sewer utilities to Citizens Energy Group. It's hosted by Annette Johnson, Pike Township Board Member, and moderated by radio host Amos Brown.

In attendance will be members of the Mayor's Office, City County Councillors, NAACP, Citizens Action Coalition, Clergy Members, Citizens Energy Group and other elected officials.

Y'all come -- and tell 'em what you think of this sham political maneuver to disguise raising our taxes in the form of increased sewer and water fees!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

City Market Renovation Moves Forward

A massive renovation project for the historic city market in Indianapolis has received a green light, according to Inside INdiana Business. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission has approved a $3.5 million plan to rework the market. Officials say $2.7 million is for the main portion of the market and the rest will pay for changes to its east wing.

This Indianapolis Observer agrees with other cynics who speculate that this is merely "dress up" for the 2012 Superbowl! By then, Indy will have its own Potemkin Villages!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Another Mile Completed!

A ribbon-cutting is set for 10 a.m. tomorrow (18 June) to mark the opening of the North Corridor of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. Officiating at the Downtown Canal on Walnut Street just west of Senate Avenue are Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and Brian Payne, president of the Central Indiana Community Foundation.

The newly completed mile of the trail connects the American Legion Mall, Canal and White River State Park, Ransom Place historic neighborhood and Indiana Avenue. The Frank and Katrina Basile Corridor, on Walnut Street from Capitol Avenue to the Canal, also will be dedicated.

Other speakers include: Christopher Barney, chairman of the Madame Walker Theatre Board of Directors; Dr. Lisa Harris, President and CEO of Wishard Health Services, and Matt Gutwein, President and CEO of Marion County Health and Hospital Corp.

As a bonus to entice spectators, there'll be free food and pedometers! The organizers promise yummy treats from Creation Cafe and a pedometer, courtesy of Wishard Health Services (while supplies last).

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Conference on Health, Disability and the Law

The 8th Annual Conference on Health, Disability and the Law, set for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday (18 June), will explore the question of how health reform could impact children with disabilities and their families. Specific presentations by national and regional experts will share the current status of national- and state-level health reform activities, including discussion of the impact of health care on families and how we can best advocate for the health care needs of children with disabilities.

Keynote speaker is George Jesien (pictured), Executive Director, Association of University Centers on Disabilities.

It takes place in the Wynne Courtroom of Inlow Hall, Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis, 530 West New York Street, Indianapolis. For more information, email Carsandra Knight.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Indy Urban Farming Forum

So, you think 'cause you live in a city you can't be a farmer? Sustain Indy is out to prove you wrong! There's an intro session on urban gardening and farming at 7 p.m. 21 June in the Garfield Park Arts Center, 2505 Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis.

Included on the agenda: Safe Soils Discussion for Brownfield Lots / Urban Infill Lots; urban ecology, Peace Gardens and a Q&A with Office of Sustainability Director, Kären Haley and City Brownfields Program Manager, Chris Harrell.

Who should attend? Anyone interested in learning more about urban farming, gardening and farmers markets in Indianapolis. The event is organized by the City of Indianapolis’ Office of Sustainablity and the Brownfields program. For more information, send an email.

Monday, June 14, 2010

McOuat Place Set for Redevelopment

The owners of two historic buildings in downtown Indianapolis are planning a redevelopment project, reports Inside INdiana Business. Plans for McOuat Place restore many of the original details of the turn-of-the-century buildings. The development will involve retail and residential space.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

100 Acres to Roam, No Restrictions


The New York Times has a feature today on the Indianapolis Museum of Art's Art & Nature Park, opening to the public next weekend.

This Indianapolis Blogger took note of the new venue a few posts ago, here.

You might want to avoid the opening hype, but do get out to see it: astonishing!

The photo, by A.J. Mast for The New York Times is “Free Basket” by Los Carpinteros.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Water Headed to Gas Utility?

The Indianapolis Board of Waterworks gave its blessings Friday to the sale of the city’s water and wastewater utilities to Citizens Energy Group, reports IBJ.com.

That leaves the City-County Council and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to vote whether or not to approve the $1.9 billion deal proposed by Mayor Greg Ballard last March.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Ludwick to Head Independent Colleges of Indiana

Richard L. Ludwick officially assumed his duties as president and CEO of the Independent Colleges of Indiana on 1 June. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Indianapolis, ICI is a nonprofit association representing Indiana’s 31 nonprofit, accredited, undergraduate degree-granting institutions of higher education.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Ballard to Appear in Pike Township

Here's your chance, northwestsiders! Mayor Greg Ballard will be at the 7 p.m. gathering of the Pike Township Residents' Association tonight (9 June) in the Pike Township Government Center, 5665 Lafayette Road, Indianapolis.

Bring your questions, concerns, ideas -- and hear the answers from the mayor himself.

What to ask about? Oh, the water company/gas company, bike lanes, City Market, subsidy for the Pacers...this Indianapolis Observer has a few!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Anderson for State Senate?

According to Democratic operative Terry Burns, two-term Marion County Sheriff Frank J. Anderson will be announcing in the next few days that he’s running for the Indiana Senate seat now held by Republican Jim Merritt.

This Indianapolis Observer can't wait to see how Anderson will field questions about his running of the Marion County Jail.....

Monday, June 7, 2010

Sports Team Owners Try to Make Nice

In what Simon Crookall, president of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, termed "an unprecedented partnership", the owners of two of Indianapolis’ professional sports teams, Jim Irsay of the Indianapolis Colts and Herb Simon of the Indiana Pacers, have agreed to serve as Co-Chairmen of ISO’s Capital Campaign Committee.

This Indianapolis Observer is...speechless!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Indianapolis Prize Announced

Save the Elephants founder Iain Douglas-Hamilton (center in photo) has been named the 2010 recipient of the Indianapolis Prize, the world’s leading award for animal conservation. In recognition for his
lifetime achievements, Dr. Douglas-Hamilton will receive $100,000 and the Lilly Medal at a gala ceremony 25 September at The Westin Hotel, Indianapolis.

Born in Dorset, England, Douglas-Hamilton grew up in Constantia, Cape Town, South Africa, attended Gordonstoun School in Scotland and received his bachelor’s degree and doctorate from the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. He currently works and resides in Nairobi, Kenya.

In 1993, Douglas-Hamilton founded Save the Elephants (STE) in Northern Kenya, in order to create an effective and flexible nonprofit dedicated specifically to elephants. The organization works to sustain elephant populations and preserve the habitats in which elephants are found, while at the same time fostering a heightened appreciation and visibility for elephants and their often fragile existence.

The biennial $100,000 Indianapolis Prize represents the largest individual monetary award for animal conservation in the world and is given as an unrestricted gift to the chosen honoree. The Indianapolis Prize was initiated by the Indianapolis Zoo as a significant component of its mission to empower people and communities, both local and global, to advance animal conservation. This biennial award brings the world’s attention to the cause of animal conservation and the brave, talented and dedicated men and women who spend their lives saving the Earth’s endangered animal species.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Holcomb To Discuss the "Real" Billy Pilgrim

Who was the real-life soldier who inspired the Billy Pilgrim character central to Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five? Historian Grant Holcomb will tell the story of this soldier at 7 p.m. 8 June in the Athenaeum, 401 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis. It's sponsored by the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Politicians Park Free; Handicapped Fee Doubled

As noted in The Indianapolis Star and elsewhere today, the Indianapolis Airport Authority has announced an end to its discount parking for the handicapped (instead of paying $9 a day to park in the parking garage adjacent to the terminal, the fee is now $18 a day).

However, as Advance Indiana points out, Indiana's state legislators, mayors and councilors will still be able to park at the airport for free.

This Indianapolis Observer is not surprised. It's kinda like handing the Pacers $15 million while closing city swimming pools and library branches.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Celebrate the Opening of 100 Acres

100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park opens at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road, on 20 June. The Park site is bordered by the White River and adjacent to the IMA’s current 52-acre campus.

An Artists Forum is set for 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on 19 June in the IMA's Tobias Theater. The IMA commissioned eight contemporary artists from around the world to respond to the 100 Acres site with installations that comment on the nexus of art and nature. Hear the artists in dialogue about their work with the curators, park architects, and IMA staff who collaborated to bring 100 Acres to life. The forum will include park artists and architects as well as Lisa D. Freiman, Chair, Department of Contemporary Art at the IMA; Sarah Urist Green, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art; and Maxwell Anderson, The Melvin & Bren Simon Director and CEO.

A Preview with Artists & Architect begins at 6 p.m. on 19 June. Members and other VIPs will explore the site-specific works of art, see the completed Visitors Pavilion designed by architect Marlon Blackwell, and experience the landscape journeys designed by landscape architect Ed Blake. Tickets are $125 (for IMA members only) and include both the preview and opening party, which is 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets just for the part are $50 for IMA members and $80 for others.

Performers at the opening party are Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond, Dayna Kurtz, Liz Janes, Arrington de Dionyso, Helado Negro, Jordan Munson, Epstein, The Outside Orchestra and DJ Kyle Long.

Casual festive attire is the dress for this "rain or shine" celebration. Note: Be sure to dress for the weather; there will be no tents.

On 20 June, bring the family and enjoy a free celebration of the grand opening between noon and 5 p.m.