The Plot Thickens

"The downtown mafia's goal in installing [Mark] Miles was to permanently shore up its long-standing mantra that professional sporting events are the end-all, be-all for the economic future of Indianapolis and Central Indiana, and that professional sports can only thrive if billions of dollars in public investments are made to ensure their vitality."

So says Gary R. Welsh on his Advance Indiana blog. Read it here.

He talks about Joe Hogsett and Tony George and Tony Hulman and Mary George and Guy Trolinger and Bernie Ecclestone and the ADA suit and Greg Fehribach and Fred Nation and "Miles, Mr. Rent-A-Civic Leader himself", and Matt Tully. Riveting reading for this Indianapolis Observer.

"Even the lone anti-corporate welfare holdout among the [Indianapolis] Star's editorial team, Dan Carpenter, chimed in with his blessing of the deal--apparently after being drugged and sent away to a Gannett-run re-education camp for hopeless idealists."

Hoosier Hysteria

OK, so it's not happening in Indy -- but once again the Hoosier state is making national (and international) headlines for being stupid.

Indiana group fights for “gay-free” prom screams the headline on Salon.com.

"After failing to ban gay teens from attending Sullivan County High School’s official prom, a group of Indiana parents, students and a local teacher is fighting for a separate “traditional” prom that would keep gay kids out."

Other mentions:
Indiana Anti-Gay Prom Plan Sparks Backlash
Indiana's Anti-Gay Prom Is Getting Worse
Sullivan High School's Students, Staff Distance Themselves From Anti-Gay Prom Plan Frenzy
Indiana school group petitions for a 'gay-free' prom

This Indianapolis Observer thinks that gay kids have been attending proms as long as high schools have been hosting 'em.

It's About Time!

West 79th Street in Indy's Pike Township -- from Noel Road to Fox Run Road -- will be closed for repairs Thursday (14 February) through 1 March.

The work along West 79th Street is a road stabilization project, which includes improvements planned for the road foundation and adjacent bank as well as road repairs and resurfacing.

This Indianapolis Observer (who drives West 79th Street often) is relieved. For years, the north side of the pavement has been subsiding into the Eagle Creek Valley -- more so in the past few months.

It's almost a sheer drop to the valley floor where the pavement has failed. Driving over the stopgap measure of metal plates has been worrying (as the pavement continues to slip). A more permanent repair will be welcomed.

German-Americans in Indy

The Indiana Historical Society has partnered with the Athenaeum for an exhibit that celebrates the legacy of German-Americans in Indianapolis.

It explores the many contributions of these immigrants to the ongoing story of the city through a dynamically designed approach to text, graphics and illustrations. It highlights themes of Art/Culture, Architecture, Business and Education.

The Athenaeum was opened in 1893 as Das Deutsche Haus at 401 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis.

The exhibit is in the historic landmark's hallway at the entrance to the Auditorium - one of the Athenaeum's major meeting spaces. The installation assists docents in bringing history to life as they conduct tours of the venue, offered twice a month and by special appointment to groups, including school groups.

It's open to the public at no charge.

Pondering America's Dilemma re: Egypt

What is the state of Egyptian democracy two years after the popular revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak? How much influence does America have in an area that is increasingly unstable and potentially anti-American? How will the Egyptian military and the civilian government balance power in this volatile region?

Mohamed Arafa, Adjunct Professor of Islamic Law at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, and Assistant Professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, Alexandria University Faculty of Law (Egypt) will discuss options during a presentation from 3-4:15 p.m. 14 February in Room 3015 of the Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis Business School/School of Public and Environmental Affairs, 801 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis.

Arafa served as Egypt’s expert in the drafting of the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index for 2012.

(And a tip of the hat to Provocate.org for alerting this Indianapolis Observer about the event.)

ISO: Success

The Indiana Symphony Society’s Board of Directors announced today [3 February 2013] that it has exceeded the $5 million goal for new donor commitments in connection with its major fundraising campaign.

This Indianapolis Observer is relieved.

C'mon, Gov. Pence -- a little common sense, please

Only in indiana can you save a wounded fawn from being torn limb from limb by savaging coyotes... so the Indiana Department of Natural Resources can come to your home, kill it in front you -- and then arrest you for saving it.

This true story has international legs -- and the Hoosier State is, once again, a laughing stock.