Indy Symphonic Choir Concerts Next Weekend

The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir performs Sergei Rachmaninoff's Vespers on 6 and 7 November in two Indy churches.

Hear what has been called "the greatest musical achievement of the Russian Orthodox Church" performed at 8 p.m. Saturday in downtown Indianapolis at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, and at 2:30 p.m. the next afternoon in the newly-constructed Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Carmel.

Tickets are available online.

Fong to Leave Butler

IBJ.com reports that Butler University President Bobby Fong will leave the school at the end of the current academic year to take the helm of private Ursinus College outside Philadelphia.

Daniels as the Crocodile

Governor Mitch Daniels again will host trick-or-treaters at the Governor’s Residence, 4750 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis. From 6 to 8 p.m. on Halloween night (31 October), the The governor will pass out assorted candy provided by Indiana companies. Donations include chocolate bars from DeBrand Fine Chocolates of Fort Wayne; chocolate-dipped pretzels from Schimpff’s Confectionery of Jeffersonville; and chocolate-covered mints and fruit jells from Zachary Confections of Frankfort.

Governor Daniels and staff will dress as characters from Peter Pan, with the gov as Crocodile. Unfortunately, First Lady Cheri Daniels broke her foot on Wednesday, so she won't be there.

(Photo courtesy of the governor's office -- it's from last year, when Gov. and Mrs. Daniels dressed up as Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter)

Sixth Annual IDADA Members Exhibition

The Sixth annual exhibition by members of Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association (IDADA) opens 5 November in Gallery 924, 924 North Pennsylvania Street,
Indianapolis.

The show, juried and curated by Chicago-area educator and gallerist, Rowley Kennerk. runs through 26 November.

IDADA is a non-profit membership-based organization of studio artists, art galleries and arts-related businesses within the 20 block square of the center of Indianapolis. The prime focus of the group is the creation and marketing of unique and original art.

(Image is courtesy of the artist, Lidia Stetcher; titled "Getting Out of My Comfort Zone", it is acrylic on canvas, 48"x36".)

Follow the Money

"Troubled Las Vegas financier Jerry Slusser hosted a fundraiser last night for Mark Massa, the Republican candidate for Marion County prosecutor."

Read the rest on the Indianapolis Times blog.

and, from Paul K. Ogden's blog:
"Yesterday was one of the most shameful chapters in the history of the Marion County Republican Party. In nearly a party-line vote, the Republicans, on the Indianapolis City-County Council voted to spend $10 million of our tax dollars to help subsidize the billionaire owner of the Indiana Pacers".

OmniSource Indicted

Steel Dynamics, Inc. has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, OmniSource-Indianapolis LLC, was indicted 18 October on multiple criminal charges involving the alleged receipt or attempted receipt of stolen property.

Lapidus Plays Jazz

The second concert of the Jazz Fellowship Awards sponsored by the American Pianists Association will take place on at 8 p.m. 6 November at The Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis. The concert will feature Jazz Fellowship Awards Finalist, Zach Lapidus. Tickets are $30.

Cultural Trail's Northeast Corridor

The completion of the Northeast Corridor of Indy's Cultural Trail will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting at 5 p.m. 5 November at the intersection of Massachusetts and Park avenues, Indianapolis. The Northeast Corridor connects North and Alabama streets to 10th St. and the Monon Trail.

The following speakers are scheduled to make brief remarks:

* Congressman André Carson (D.-Ind.)
* Mayor Gregory Ballard, City of Indianapolis
* Brian Payne, President, Central Indiana Community Foundation, founder/co-lead partner with the City of Indianapolis
* Mindy Taylor Ross, Public Art Coordinator for the Cultural Trail, Art Strategies
* Lori Efroymson-Aguilera and the Efroymson family will be honored for their $2 million contribution to the Cultural Trail with the official dedication of the Efroymson Family Corridor. This corridor connects North and Alabama streets to the newly named Efroymson Alley and ends at College and Massachusetts avenues.

From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., visit the three new public art installations along this section of the Cultural Trail and meet the artists:

* "Prairie Modules 1 & 2" by M12. M12 member and local artist Stuart Hyatt will be on hand at the sculpture, located at North and Alabama streets.
* "Chatham Passage" by Sean Derry. Sean is unable to attend. Meet Mindy Ross in the alley off Mass Ave to learn more.
* "Care, Don't Care" (pictured) by Jamie Pawlus. Jamie will be at her sculpture located just outside the Art Bank on Mass Ave northeast of College Ave.

Besides, this is a First Friday art gallery opening in the Mass Ave Cultural District. What's not to like?

(Image courtesy of Indianapolis Cultural Trail)

Even More Conflicts of Interest

According to AP reporter Ken Kusmer:

"Indiana's human services agency is paying $5.25 million to a private law firm, including the brother of a key aide to Gov. Mitch Daniels, to represent the state in its fight over a canceled IBM Corp. welfare outsourcing contract.

"Barnes & Thornburg of Indianapolis was hired despite several conflicts of interest arising from the fact that it also represents former IBM partners involved in the welfare deal. Bryan Corbin, a spokesman for the state attorney general's office, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that 'hiring this firm was a specific request of the Governor's Office'."

This Indianapolis Observer wonders how Mitch Daniels can remain a squeaky clean would-be Republican nominee for president in 2012 while sanctioning such malfeasance.

These two blogs have reasoned commentary on the mess: Advance Indiana and Ogden on Politics.

Colts Players As Role Models -- Not!

According to Advance Indiana, "The [Indianapolis] Star has a list of 12 Colts players who have been arrested over the past 5 years."

Why isn't this Indianapolis Observer surprised?

Indy Symphony Names New Music Director

Conductor Krzysztof Urbański (pictured) becomes the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s seventh Music Director effective 1 September 2011, according to an announcement today by the ISO. At age 28, he is the youngest music director among major orchestras in the United States. Urbański will return to Indianapolis to conduct in concerts on 20 and 21 May, and will lead the ISO in its Opening Night Gala in September 2011.

In April of 2010, Urbański made his U.S. debut with the Indianapolis Symphony and returned for a second visit during Marsh Symphony on the Prairie in June. In September, the ISO’s search committee unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Urbański to the post, and the ISO musicians overwhelmingly supported the recommendation.

Urbański graduated from the Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw in 2007, and in the same year, was the unanimous First Prize Winner of the Prague Spring International Conducting Competition. He works regularly with all the major Polish orchestras, including Sinfonia Varsovia, the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra and served as Assistant Conductor to the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra from 2007-2009.

Urbański, who was born in Pabianice, Poland, and his wife Joanna currently reside just outside Warsaw. He will become an Adjunct Professor of Music (Orchestral Conducting) at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music when his tenure with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra begins in 2011.

Three More Reporters Jump Ship

According to blogger Ruth Holladay, three more "name" reporters have left The Indianapolis Star:

Francesca Jarosz has gone to the Indianapolis Business Journal, Bill Ruthhart heads to the Chicago Tribune and Daniel Lee is leaving for a PR post with Clarian.

Just When You Think Things Can't Get Any Worse...

The state hires Barnes & Thornburg with a contract not to exceed "$5,250,000". To do what? "This agreement is to retain legal counsel to provide advice and consultation on contract administration and interpretation issues relative to the Eligibility Masters Service Agreement between FSSA and IBM for the Eligibility Modernization Project."

Oh, my. Or, as Paul K. Ogden writes in his blog: "The biggest problem though is that the contract sets out the worst conflict of interest I have ever seen in my 23 years of practicing law."

This Indianapolis Observer is once again appalled at the corrupt practices of the state government -- rivaled only by the city government. Where is the Tea Party when you really need it?

Film Festival Runs Through 23 October

Heartland, the annual 10-day celebration of international film, includes movies from Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan (and the United States).

For more information, including a schedule, go online.

Paul K. Ogden Cuts to the Chase

"Indianapolis residents do not deserve to have their futures and the futures of their children and grandchildren mortgaged by a Mayor who is willing to sell them out to make insiders wealthy in the hopes of winning the next election."

Read the rest here.

The Government We Deserve?

"There's a free-for-all in both the Daniels and Ballard administrations to cash in on political insider status as much as possible."

Read the rest here -- it's a comment by the author of the Advance Indiana blog on Paul K. Ogden's blog.

This Indianapolis Observer notes that the only serious investigative reporting is being done on the blogs these days, and NOT in that sorry excuse for a newspaper over at 307 North Pennsylvania Street.

City-County Council Might Start Doing Its Job?

From IBJ.com: The Capital Improvement Board on Monday will begin the arduous task of convincing a skeptical panel of City-County Council members to adopt a budget for next year that includes $10 million for the Indiana Pacers.

Members of the council’s seven-member Municipal Corporations Committee already are expressing discontent about the $73.1 million operating budget CIB officials will present to them on Monday evening. While the committee won’t vote on its recommendation until 19 October, councilors from both political parties said last week they were inclined to reject it.

That could signal a tough ride for the budget in the full council, which is expected to vote on it 25 October.

Read the rest here.

National Livability Challenge Workshop in Indy

Indianapolis has been chosen by CEOs for Cities to host the first US Initiative National Livability Challenge Workshop, to be held at the Indiana Repertory Theatre complex today through 13 October.

With livability defined by CEOs for Cities as “access to art, beauty and nature every day,” the three-day Livability Challenge features presentations from six Indianapolis-based organizations in addition to presentations and workshops lead by a panel of national livability experts. The US Initiative is a nationwide campaign spearheaded by CEOs for Cities to create cities that are of, by and for us.

Sponsored and co-hosted by Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) and Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. (IDI), the Challenge will feature projects meant to dramatically influence the city’s livability from: The Indianapolis Museum of Art, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc., Blackburn Architects, Indy Parks and Recreation, Central Indiana Community Foundation and Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. The invitation-only event will also include input and discussions from approximately 100 local business and civic leaders with a goal of identifying 12 actionable projects that will continue to transform the city of Indianapolis.

Ballard Charges Taxpayers for Campaign Literature

I guess we shouldn't be surprised that the Mayor would use taxpayer dollars to promote his re-election. After all, this Mayor has shown a total disregard for taxpayers, his latest transgressions being diverting property taxes to support of the Pacers and backing an $86 million loan for a private developer who couldn't get a loan on a project deemed to risky.

Read the rest on Paul K. Ogden's blog.

Polar Realms Arrive in Indy

A new exhibit, Polar Bears to Penguins, opens tomorrow at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis.

Children and families can explore the polar extremes and learn about the ways these two geographic opposites play a role in our environment – even here in the Midwest. Visitors will learn about the ways in which the Arctic and Antarctic regions look the same, but are home to very different animals, plants and people.

Gang Prevention & Intervention Summit

A gang prevention and intervention summit will be held 6 November at Crispus Attucks High School, Indianapolis. Unfortunately, the city lists no time period for this event on its website, but perhaps before the day arrives they will have figured it out.

The summit is co-sponsored by the City of Indianapolis, the Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Attorney’s Office, United States Department of Justice and the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

Registration for this free, public event is open now through 1 November by calling 317:327-3928 or go online.

Lucas Buys Hilbert Mansion!

The founders of Lucas Oil Products Inc. today announced they are purchasing the former mansion in Carmel of disgraced businessman Stephen Hilbert.

Forrest Lucas, an Indiana native whose company owns the naming rights to Lucas Oil Stadium in neighboring Indianapolis, said he did not know exactly what he and his wife, Charlotte, will do with the 36-room mansion.

By the way: they bought it from CNO Financial Group for $3 million, a steep discount to the original $20 million asking price. (Wonder why Tomisue and Steve didn't just buy it back?)

Poll Workers Needed

More than 3,500 workers are needed to work the 2 November general election in Marion County. If you would like to volunteer to work at the polls on election day, please contact the Clerk's office at 317:327-5100, or you can fill out a form to volunteer by clicking here.

Gallery 924 Opens

The Arts Council of Indianapolis has opened its own exhibition space. Gallery 924, a 1300-square-foot space, is located within the Arts Council offices at (not surprisingly) 924 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis.

The gallery opened last Friday (1 October) with an exhibition by glass artist Ben Johnson (that's one of his works, pictured), which will run through 29 October.

Gallery hours are 6-9 p.m. on "First Fridays", 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through "regular" Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays.

Remember the Ayres Tearoom?

Take a step back into the 20th Century at Signature in the Indianapolis Propylaeum, 1410 North Delaware Street, in Indy's Old Northside neighborhood.

On 13 October, women who were models at the late, lamented L.S. Ayres & Company will walk among diners at lunch, presenting lovely fall fashions.

Reservations are a must for this special event, which starts at 11:30 a.m. Lunch cost is $18, plus gratuity. Call 317:638-7881. If you can't get there in October, there'll be another chance on 10 November.

Regular lunch hours at Signature are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and English tea is served from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Imagining Slaves as Loyal Confederates

"Imagining Slaves as Loyal Confederates: A Dangerous and Enduring Fantasy" is the title of a presentation by Dr. Peter Carmichael at 5:30 p.m. 21 October in Room 450A, Campus Center, Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. It's a "Barlow Lecture in the Humanities" presented by the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI. A reception follows.

His talk will explore the idea of the "devoted black slave" during the Civil War and how the historical memory of this form of human bondage continues to shape contemporary politics today.

"The notion that slaves and whites served together in Confederate armies out of mutual fidelity resonates with large segments of the American public who desire a sanitized Civil War of white heroism," says Carmichael, the Robert C. Fluhrer Professor of Civil War Studies and Director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania

"In the current cultural wars over 'Southern heritage', those who want to disassociate the Confederacy from the evils of slavery and racism often trot out the idea of loyal slaves defending the South to prove that human bondage forged an unbreakable alliance between master and the enslaved. Extolling slaves as Confederate heroes is a dangerous misuse of history, and unfortunately the practice has been on the rise of late, especially among members of heritage groups who insist that they are the true defenders of Southern history," says the professor.

A 1988 graduate of the Department of History, Dr. Carmichael is also the 2010 recipient of the School of Liberal Arts Distinguished Alumni Award. The Award recognizes alumni who have brought honor to their alma mater by distinguished career of service or achievement or by giving extraordinary service to the School. The Award will be presented following the Barlow Lecture.