Ponzi Probe Ensnares Indiana Businessman

That's the headline on a page one story in the "Money & Investing" section of The Wall Street Journal today. "The federal investigation into Timothy S. Durham, who is also known for is extensive car collection and 30,000-square-foot mansion, is roiling Indiana politics, where Mr. Durham was a big contributor to Republican politicians, including Gov. Mitch Daniels," reporter David Kesmodel writes.

(And, just for chuckles, note that Durham was born in and grew up in Seymour, Ind. -- hometown of Johnny "Cougar" Mellencamp.)

Housing Statistics Continue Upward Trend

Double-digit increases dominated the market in November, according to statistics released today by the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS®.

Both units sold and pended increased by 16 percent during the September to November 2009 period, when compared to the same period in 2008. Units sold and units pended also increased 6 and 9 percent, respectively, during the six-month period ending in November.

Total sales volume, average sale price and median sale price also increased during the three-month period. Total sales volume increased 19 percent to $950 million, while average and median sale price increased 2 and 4 percent, respectively.

"Glazed America: The History of the Doughnut"

The doughnut isn't as simple as you'd think. In "Glazed America: The History of the Doughnut", Paul Mullins uses the baked good as a lens onto North American culture and society. Both a breakfast staple and a snack to eat any time of day or night, doughnuts cross lines of gender, class, and race like no other food item. Favorite doughnut shops that were once neighborhood institutions remain unchanged -- even as their surrounding neighborhoods have morphed into strip clubs, empty lots, and abandoned housing. Blending solid scholarship with humorous insights, Mullins offers a look into doughnut production, marketing, and consumption. He confronts head-on the question of why we often paint doughnuts in moral terms, and shows how the seemingly simple food reveals deep and complex social conflicts over body image and class structure.

His presentation takes place at 11:30 a.m. 11 February in the Faculty Club, University Place Conference Center, 900 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis. For information, contact Gail Williamson. Registration for the presentation is online.

The Star Needs Good Copyeditors

Downsizing at The Indianapolis Star provides many chuckles, but today's snafu is golden. On the graphic accompanying the "Holiday Night Lights" feature on the front page of the Metro+State section, the interstate highways are mislabeled.

I-65 heading north is labeled I-74, I-74 heading west is labeled I-65, I-74 heading east is labeled I-65 and I-65 heading south isn't labeled at all.

Good job, guys! BTW, it's obvious the folks producing the paper don't really live in Indy!

Well, It's Not Exactly Indianapolis

but, what the heck: Indy can claim John Mellencamp 'cause he grew up just down the road apiece in Seymour! In any case, his youngest son has a campaign to get his dad to stop smoking. And Mellencamp said he'd quit if 1,000,000 joined his Facebook page. What are you waiting for? Go here.

Cultural Trail on Track Toward Completion

Individuals, foundations and corporations have donated more than $1 million this year to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. To date, $43 million of the $55 million budget has been raised by both private and public funding for the eight-mile trail connecting downtown cultural districts and greenway trails. Details on donors are online.

The Shrinking of the Merry Month of May

The month of May is getting shorter at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, reports Inside INdiana Business. IMS officials say activities leading to the 2010 Indianapolis 500 will be shortened by a week. Opening Day at the track will be 15 May 2010, with the race slated for 30 May 2010. Officials are also planning to condense Pole Day and Bump Day into the same weekend.