Thursday, October 28, 2010

A Parent’s Call To Action

Parent Advisory: Please be aware this program contains adult language and content. Not suitable for children.

This project was supported by Award No. 2008-PG-BX-0003 by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs

C.A.G.I.

Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative


FREE Prevention & Intervention Summit

Learn the signs of gang involvement
Hear from experts in the gang prevention field
Find ways to take action



For more information or to attend this FREE event contact:
(317) 327—3928
WWW.INDY.GOV/GANGPREVENTION

All participants MUST pre-register





Saturday, November 6, 2010

WHERE:

Crispus Attucks High School
1140 Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. St.

TIME: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Refreshments will be served

HALLOWEEN HAUNTS FOR SPOOKS OF ALL AGES AT INDY PARKS

Looking for some fun, spooky Halloween happenings for the whole family? Grab your craziest costume and get to Indy Parks! We have fun for everyone at Garfield and Christian Parks, so what are you waiting for… Tricks or Treats?


Ghoulish Garfield is a spooktacular family-friendly event at Garfield Park. Take the fun-frightening hayride journey through the historic park and tour the Haunted Conservatory with ghosts and goblins hiding at every turn. Create creepy crafts at the Garfield Park Arts Center and mix a batch of slimy “Goblin-Goo.”

MC900436215[1] Garfield Park and Family Center, Arts Center, Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Dr.
MC900436215[1] Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29 – 30, 7 - 9 p.m.

MC900436215[1] Hayrides $2, Haunted Conservatory admission $1 (recommended ages 10+), all other activities free

Monday, October 25, 2010

CITY PARTNERS WITH LUCAS OIL STADIUM & CONSECO FIELDHOUSE IN EPA-FUNDED SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

New Program Will Enhance Recycling Participation At Sports Venues

The City of Indianapolis is partnering with Lucas Oil Stadium and Conseco Fieldhouse to implement a plan that will increase recycling participation at the City’s largest sports facilities. In sponsorship of the effort, Indianapolis has been awarded $42,600 in grant funding by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Resource Conservation Challenge Program.

“A more sustainable city is a more livable city,” said Mayor Greg Ballard. “Partnerships like this are vital to creating an environment in which residents and visitors alike can recreate while contributing to a brighter future for Indianapolis. Increasing the availability of recycling is a simple way we can encourage our sports fans and City visitors to participate. I commend our partners for their commitment to quality of life in Indianapolis and making our city one of the most sustainable in the Midwest.”

The Enhanced Sports Stadium Recycling Program includes support from the City’s Office of Sustainability, Lucas Oil Stadium, Conseco Fieldhouse, the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee, Indiana Sports Corp., the Indiana Recycling Coalition and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. As part of Mayor Ballard’s continuing effort to make Indianapolis one of the most sustainable cities in the Midwest, in its mission to increase recycling participation within the City’s sports stadiums, the program also seeks to improve the overall attitude of recycling at these facilities.

The overall objectives of the program at both facilities are to:



· Identify recyclables in the current waste stream

· Develop and implement a holistic recycling education campaign

· Increase awareness of recycling options

· Increase recycling tonnage and improve the facilities’ environmental impact

Both facilities have established recycling programs. Materials collected include aluminum cans, steel food containers, glass bottles, plastic cups, paper and cardboard. The Enhanced Sports Stadium Recycling Program will focus on increased collection of beverage containers including plastic, aluminum and glass.

According to the National Association for PET Container Recycling (NAPCOR), visitors to indoor sports venues typically utilize two beverage containers at events. Based upon NAPCOR estimates, one event in Conseco Fieldhouse with 18,000 visitors could generate more than five and a half tons of recycling. Any and all enhancements to recycling in these facilities will have a huge environmental benefit as well as improve employees’ and visitors’ attitudes towards recycling.

For more information about how Mayor Ballard is creating a more sustainable Indianapolis, visit www.SustainIndy.org.

INDY CENSUS EFFORT PRODUCES SECOND-HIGHEST PARTICIPATION RATE IN NATION

CIRCLE CITY SECOND ONLY TO SAN JOSE AMONG AMERICA’S 20 LARGEST CITIES

IN FINAL 2010 U.S. CENSUS MAIL-BACK RATE TALLY

In the 2000 Census, Indianapolis proved its place among the country’s leading communities as America’s 12th most populous city. If mail-back rate is any indication, when the final count is finished on the 2010 U.S. Census, the Circle City may be in even more elite company.

Indianapolis ranked second among America’s 20 largest cities in the U.S. Census Bureau’s final mail-back rate report for the 2010 Census, producing a 75 percent mail-back rate that trailed only the 76 percent produced by San Jose, Calif.

“Our city’s superb census response in 2010 reinforces what we know to be true of Indianapolis – our residents and businesses accomplish great things when they work together,” said Mayor Gregory A. Ballard. “This effort, directed by a group of outstanding community leaders comprising our Census Complete Count Committee, will guarantee continued access to vital resources and help improve the quality of life for every individual in our city.”

Mayor Ballard formed the Complete Count Committee to promote awareness and help ensure a complete and accurate count for Indianapolis in the 2010 U.S. Census, appointing a group of leaders from across the community working under the direction of committee co-chairs Amos Brown and Steve Smith.

Indianapolis’ mail-back rate was four points higher than the 71 percent produced in the 2000 Census.

“The people of our community clearly recognized the importance of the 2010 U.S. Census, and with this opportunity to tremendously affect our future, they stepped up, made the right choice and made a difference for Indianapolis,” said Congressman Andre Carson. “An accurate and complete census count is critical to ensure that the resources our community needs are available. With an assist from the Complete Count Committee, under the leadership of Amos Brown and Steve Smith, we made sure that in 2010 – and for the next decade – Indianapolis will count.”

Across the city, every township outperformed its 2000 Census mail-back rate, led by a whopping 9-point jump for Center Township, which went from 61 to 70. Likewise, Decatur surged from 70 to 78, Franklin led the way with 81 percent, and all townships produced rates above 70 percent, with Lawrence at 76, Perry at 78, Pike at 75, Warren at 76, Washington at 77 and Wayne at 73.

“This was a great result for the people of Indianapolis,” said Brown, who co-chaired the Complete Count Committee. “By any standing, all of the hard work done by this committee and others throughout government, the private sector, and the community and grassroots groups across Indianapolis made this possible. And of course, the people of Indianapolis made it happen.”

The 2010 Census will help direct more than $400 billion in federal funds each year to communities across the country and to be used for hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, public works projects and emergency services. An accurate count ensures the funds are dispersed properly and determines the number of seats Indiana will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. Businesses use census data to help inform business decisions and spur growth, and funding for vital services as determined by the census can make a positive impact on the lives of employees and their families.

Visit www.census.gov/2010census/ to learn more.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS TO RECEIVE OVER $1 MILLION FROM HUD FOR PLANNING GRANT

Grant will help city incorporate sustainability at the planning level

The Planning Division of the Department of Metropolitan Development will receive $1,197,622 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement sustainable elements at the city planning level in order to improve Indianapolis' quality of life. As a part of HUD's Sustainable Communities Challenge Grant, the funding will be used to help update zoning ordinances and development requirements allowing better use of existing developed areas and how to configure new development to better suit future needs. The three year effort will focus on three areas of the City with prototype projects and then evaluate how those prototypes can be implemented on a broader scope.

"This grant is a welcomed boost to our effort to become one of the most sustainable cities in the Midwest," said Mayor Greg Ballard. "Incorporating more sustainable concepts into our planning process will help solidify sustainable living as a mainstream practice in Indianapolis for decades to come."

In a parallel move, a task force will be created to address issues on a county-wide basis to help with big picture ordinance revisions. The lessons learned will help redevelopment in the three targeted neighborhoods to devise methodologies that can be applied for the whole county. The areas targeted are near 22nd and Monon Trail, Shelby and Hanna and East 10th street between State and Rural.

"As we reflect on the two years since Mayor Ballard created the Office of Sustainability, we have a lot of great programs to celebrate," said Kären Haley, director of the City's Office of Sustainability. "Receiving this grant will allow us to look for ways to implement sustainable elements early in the planning stages of development. This is just another great step towards Indianapolis becoming one of the most sustainable cities in the Midwest."

HUD's Sustainable Communities Challenge Grants will foster reform and reduce barriers to achieving affordable, economically vital and sustainable communities. These funds will be used by communities, large and small, to address local challenges to integrating transportation and housing. When these activities are done in conjunction with transportation projects, they can greatly increase the efficiency and access of local transportation while encouraging mixed-use or transit-oriented development. Such efforts may include amending or updating local master plans, zoning codes, and building codes to support private sector investment in mixed-use development, affordable housing and the re-use of older buildings. Other local efforts may include retrofitting main streets to provide safer routes for children and seniors, or preserving affordable housing and local businesses near new transit stations.

INDOT, City of Indianapolis and Indy Parks announce stream restoration project

Partnership includes INDOT’s first off-site stream mitigation with Indy Parks

Today, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announced an innovative partnership with the City of Indianapolis, Indy Parks and the Indianapolis Parks Foundation to fund and construct a $1 million off-site stream restoration project. The streams run through Pleasant Run Golf Course on land owned by the City and managed by Indy Parks and are being restored to mitigate impacts from INDOT’s 465/69 Northeast project.

Included in the stream restoration project will be sections of Pleasant Run, South Creek and Spring Branch on the Pleasant Run Golf Course property. The project will restore approximately 1.2 miles of streams using a combination of stream bank grading (earth work) and the naturalization of the habitat in and near the water. “This is a first-of-its-kind off-site stream mitigation partnership for INDOT and Indy Parks and one that we consider innovative,” said Troy Woodruff, INDOT deputy commissioner of operations, at today’s announcement at Pleasant Run Golf Course. “In keeping with our mission, we are excited to restore this stream on the City of Indianapolis’ land and leave the natural habitat better than it was when this project began. INDOT’s stream mitigation on Indy Parks’ land will also allow the improvements to be more readily observed and enjoyed by the public. We think this is a win-win situation for all parties.”

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard also discussed the project along with Stuart Lowry, Indy Parks’ director. “This project will have major positive environmental impacts for the Pleasant Run area,” said Mayor Ballard. “The partnership between Indy Parks and INDOT is one we hope to replicate for future projects.”

The idea to restore a stream located on City of Indianapolis land came from INDOT, which needed to mitigate for stream impacts associated with INDOT’s 465/69 Northeast project. The project is adding travel lanes and improving interchanges along eight miles of I-465, from just east of the U.S. 31/Meridian Street

interchange to just north of Fall Creek Road, as well as more than two miles of I-69, crossing over 82nd Street and ending just south of the 96th Street interchange.

Instead of mitigating land near the project or on other private land – which, depends on the availability of suitable land that meets the mitigation requirements, adds land acquisition costs and requires a willing seller – INDOT partnered with Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) professor Robert Barr of the Center for Earth and Environmental Science to come up with a plan to mitigate the impacts off-site from the project but within the same watershed. Federal requirements dictate that when conducting off-site stream mitigation, the area mitigated should be at a 2-to-1 ratio to the area affected by the project, which is how INDOT determined the 1.2 miles of stream for mitigation purposes. After INDOT and Barr developed the strategy and identified a potential off-site location, INDOT then entered into a $240,000 contract with the Indianapolis Parks Foundation to fund the cost for advisors and consultants to put together the mitigation plan.

The regrading of specific sections of the stream banks will result in a more stable stream channel, and the banks will then be replanted with native plant, shrub and tree species. Sections of the stream that will not be regraded will be “naturalized,” meaning all non-native invasive plants will be removed and replaced with native species, improving the overall habitat for wildlife.

INDOT let the contract for bid on Sept. 1, 2010, and it was awarded to Sunesis Construction Company for $760,000 on Sept. 14, making the total cost of the project $1 million. Work is anticipated to begin later this month or next month and is scheduled for completion in late April 2011.

Additionally, INDOT is working with Indy Parks on a preliminary plan to develop a wetland and stream mitigation bank. Mitigation banks are developed for future INDOT projects requiring mitigation not possible on the project site, and they have the potential to save the State of Indiana time and money on individual projects. The proposed Indy Parks bank, if approved, will be developed at various City park locations scattered throughout Marion County.

Parking Proposal Revised; Benefits to City Increase

New proposal allows early termination and projects approximately $620 million in revenue

Mayor Greg Ballard, along with City-County Councillor Barbara Malone, today announced revisions to the parking proposal that will expand the benefits to the City of Indianapolis, both now and into the future.

“After nearly two months of review and listening to feedback from the City-County Council, business owners and the general public, I am pleased to present this revised proposal to the Council,” said Mayor Ballard. “By incorporating early termination provisions and significantly increasing the amount of money available to invest in downtown and Broad Ripple infrastructure in the future, this innovative collaboration provides for even greater flexibility for future community development efforts and events, along with new, easy-to-use parking meter technology.”

Following Mayor Ballard’s announcement of the proposal on August 20, the City-County Council met to review the proposal twice and made recommendations to improve the plan. Most importantly, the revised proposal now includes a termination for convenience clause, which allows the City to terminate the contract at its option every 10 years if the City believes the contract is no longer in the best interest of the community. The City will incur a termination payment if the agreement is ended before the 50 year contract expires, but the fee will decrease each 10 year period.

"With the revised proposal announced today, I continue to be proud to be a part of the plan to modernize our City’s parking meter system," said Councillor Malone. "With a highly-competitive selection process and an active public outreach program that truly listens to the people of Indianapolis, this proposal continues to do what’s best for our city – both now and for the long-term."

While the upfront payment in the revised proposal has been reduced from $35 million to $20 million, the City is projected to receive approximately $620 million over the life of the proposal, as opposed to the $400 million previously announced.

“ACS is committed to providing Indianapolis a parking system that meets the City’s objectives. Our team will bring intelligent transportation systems to Indianapolis that will help spur economic development and create jobs while providing more convenient parking options,” said David Amoriell, group president of Transportation Solutions at ACS.



Other proposal revisions include:

* The City may permanently remove up to 200 meters without impacting its revenue share
* The City maintains advertising and naming rights
* The City will be able to remove meters in a zone and add the same number of meters in that zone without impacting its revenue share
* Proposed meter hours of operation in Broad Ripple will be changed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. to align with the Mass Ave meter hours
* Existing residential permit programs will be grandfathered and the revenue from such programs will remain with the City
* ACS will administer a permit program only if directed to do so by the City and the revenue from such programs will be shared between the City and ACS
* Termination Payment Amount:
o 10 year is $19.8 million
o 20 year is $16.25 million
o 30 year is $12 million
o 40 year is $8 million

The ACS team includes significant participation from two locally owned partners, Denison Global Parking and Evens Time. Denison Global, a joint effort of Denison Parking and Global Parking, a Minority-owned Business Enterprise, will assist ACS with the on-street parking operations as well as manage all of the off-street parking garages and lots in the parking system. Evens Time, a locally owned Woman-owned Business Enterprise, will assist ACS with installing new meter technology and maintaining the equipment in the parking system.

If the proposal is approved by the City-County Council, ACS has committed to locating 200 new jobs, not related to the parking proposal, in Indianapolis. ACS estimates this will contribute more than $40 million in economic impact to the City.

By modernizing the City’s parking system, residents, employees and visitors of downtown and

Broad Ripple will have a better parking experience. New multi-space meter technology will enhance quality of life, make parking more convenient for customers, allow for the use of credit and debit cards, and increase available space. Convenience and turnover are key elements of creating a vibrant economic environment.

For more information about the public parking system initiative and to view all submitted proposals, please visit www.indy.gov/parking.

MAYOR TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR 10th ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY AWARDS

Deadline for applications extended to November 12, 2010

The office of Mayor Greg Ballard is accepting applications for the 10TH Annual Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity Awards (MCOD). The recognition will be awarded to businesses and organizations throughout Marion County that embrace, celebrate, and apply holistic inclusion and participation of a diverse people, making the workplace a better environment in which to work and the community a better place in which to live, work and raise a family.



Recognition will be given for outstanding performance, in one or all of the following four (4) categories:

Community Relations - Activities that encourage and support diversity in the community; Development - Opportunities for diversity strategies within the organization; Leadership – Vision develops and supports diversity strategies throughout the organization; Workforce Diversity – Diversity representation in the workplace.

Additionally, the top award given is the special Sam H. Jones Award, named in honor of the first president of the Indianapolis Urban League, who was a tireless advocate for peace, justice and racial understanding. It recognizes a business or organization with exemplary performance in all four categories, the “Best of the Best”.

Nomination forms are available online at: http://www.indy.gov/eGov/Mayor/Diversity/Diversity_Award/Pages/home.aspx or by calling 317-327-5091. Nominations may be submitted online or postmarked by Friday, November 12, 2010 at 4:00 P.M.

The 2011 MCOD Award winners will be honored and recognized at this year’s 10th Anniversary Celebration of Diversity Awards Luncheon that will be held Friday, January 21, 2011 at the Marriott-Downtown.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Leaf Season

It is that time of year again. Leaf Season! The City will begin picking up leaves separately from regular trash on November 8th, and continue to do so until December 3rd. You may set out up to 40 bags per week. Generally there is a separate truck that picks up your leaves, and sometimes that truck does not get through neighborhoods until a little later in the day. You still need to have them out by 7am, but depending on how heavy the season is, sometimes it can be as late as 6pm before they get them picked up. So, if you set them out and they are still there at 5, you might hold off on contacting the Mayor’s Action Center until the next day, or via RequestIndy later that evening.

Thank you all for your diligence and for those who had already started asking.

City, Clarian Announce $192 Million Development Will Begin Soon Along 16th St. Corridor

Neuroscience Center

More than 2,400 jobs will be created and retained as a result of new neuroscience center and administration building

Mayor Greg Ballard and Clarian Health President and CEO Daniel F. Evans today announced plans to move forward with a $192 million development near 16th St. and Capitol Ave. downtown. The project will encompass nearly six city blocks in the area and will include a new state-of-the-art neuroscience center as well as an administration building.

When all phases of the development are complete, approximately 1,187 new jobs will be created and 1,225 jobs will be retained. The project is also expected to generate roughly 1,700 construction jobs along the way.

"The impact of this project, including more than 2,400 permanent jobs being created and retained, will provide a significant economic boost for downtown and for all of Marion County," said Mayor Ballard. "This development also means remediation of brownfield sites and unsafe buildings, adding exempt properties back to the tax base, investment in public infrastructure, and investment in public safety."

Group

All phases of the development add up to a $192 million total investment in Marion County and will move previously exempt properties back to the county's tax base. Up to $38 million will come from the downtown consolidated TIF and will be used for public infrastructure improvements related to the project, such as road, sewer, and utility improvements. $6 million will be used to provide upgraded public safety facilities and parks amenities in the area, including a new high-tech fire station to replace the current IFD Station 5 located at 16th St. and Capitol Ave. $1.5 million will be used to remediate brownfield sites and unsafe buildings within the project area.

Project partners include Clarian Health, Shiel Sexton, Indiana University, and Landmark Healthcare Facilities.

Mayor Ballard, Councillor Cain Solicit Feedback on RebuildIndy Residents share ideas for project prioritization, Mayor listens

Mayor Greg Ballard this evening hosted the latest in a series of forums for public input on the RebuildIndy program. Joined by City-County Councillor Ginny Cain, Mayor Ballard shared his vision for drastic infrastructure improvements through RebuildIndy.

“The time to act on our city’s failing infrastructure is now. Too many Indianapolis residents experience neighborhood flooding during heavy rains and flat tires due to crumbling roads,” said Mayor Ballard. “Our city has a unique opportunity to improve our future with one of the largest infrastructure investments in the City’s history. Crumbling streets, sidewalks and bridges that have required attention for decades will finally receive much-needed improvements.”

RebuildIndy is the City’s initiative to rebuild deteriorating thoroughfares, residential streets, sidewalks, and bridges, as well as address neighborhood drainage and flooding issues and demolish unsalvageable abandoned homes that pose a public safety threat to neighborhoods. Infrastructure improvements will create local jobs and ultimately increase public safety for neighborhoods and residents, which supports Mayor Ballard’s commitment to make Indianapolis a more livable city.

Councillor Cain listened as residents shared their ideas for improvements in their neighborhoods.

“It is important to me to hear feedback from our neighborhoods. As a member of the City-County Council, it is my priority to meet with our residents to learn their needs,” said Councillor Cain. “RebuildIndy gives us a once-in-a-generation chance to make significant improvements to our infrastructure. I appreciate having had the opportunity to host this forum with Mayor Ballard and value the feedback of those who participated.”

The transfer of the water and wastewater utilities to Citizens Energy Group was approved by the City-County Council at the end of July. If it is approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), the City will invest more than $425 million into the RebuildIndy program. This is in addition to the $88 million already committed for transportation improvements.

For more details or to submit an infrastructure need for consideration, visit www.indy.gov/RebuildIndy.

Low-Income Job Seekers to Get Neighborhood-Based Assistance IPIC to direct CDBG funds to support barrier-busting workforce services

Mayor Greg Ballard today announced a portion of the City’s share of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding totaling about $600,000 will be directed to more effectively serve low-income job seekers through existing neighborhood-based organizations beginning in January.


The Indianapolis Private industry Council (IPIC) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) this month to identify community-based organizations that will connect unemployed and chronically underemployed low-income residents with career pathways aligned with Indianapolis’ growing economic sectors of life sciences, information technology, logistics, advanced manufacturing, and motorsports.


“Local organizations who are already serving this population with related support services will receive a boost in funding and, equally important, resources and experts from Indianapolis’ three WorkOne offices to better train, place, and help retain in the workforce our low-income citizens,” said Mayor Ballard.


Federally funded workforce development services are currently delivered through the WorkOne offices of Marion County. These large offices have high client traffic and are better equipped to assist individuals with few barriers to employment, according to Brooke Huntington, President and CEO of IPIC.


“We have learned that the most successful employment programs that facilitate long-term job retention and career advancement emphasize all or a combination of job-readiness training, basic skills development, and vocation-specific skills development,” said Huntington. “Therefore, we believe that citizens with significant employment barriers can be more effectively served in a more personalized environment, through community-based organizations already engaged in barrier-busting workforce development activities.”


The new initiative will strengthen the connection between community-based organizations, neighborhood-level programs, and the WorkOne offices of Marion County to ensure assistance to low-income job seekers. In conjunction with the CDBG funding, IPIC will leverage federal workforce funding to bring employment services and case management support to the selected organizations on a regular basis. The program also strengthens the capacity and capability of workforce-serving community-based organizations to receive and administer highly regulated federal workforce development funds.


Over the past 15 years, employment and training programs have evolved beyond solely job placement into more comprehensive workforce development initiatives that often focus on longer-term outcomes such as labor market retention, career advancement, family self-sufficiency, and economic development, according to Bill Taft, Executive Director of Local Initiatives Support Corporation and Chair of IPIC’s Neighborhood Workforce Development Committee.


“We know that workforce development strategies fail when they are not comprehensive, and we know that supportive service programs are most successful when they are tied to full-time work in the labor market or when service delivery is accompanied by job search requirements,” said Taft.


Using CDBG funds, IPIC will fund community organizations that:

• Provide workforce development services such as job-readiness training and vocational skills training for entry level and low income workers;

• Provide educational services such as basic education, ESL training, and GED training;

• Provide supportive services that enhance job placement and retention outcomes;

• Demonstrate an interest in expanding community partnerships to better meet the comprehensive needs of their clients;

• Will enter into a performance-based agreement with IPIC that requires outcome tracking and reporting; and

• Demonstrate an interest in working collaboratively with and receiving technical assistance from IPIC and WorkOne staff to enhance organizational capacity to meet employment-focused outcomes.



Two different categories of awards will be made:


Category 1, which qualify for a grant of $75,000-$100,000: Organizations with a history of successfully offering a range of workforce development services for hard-to-serve populations. These organizations have the existing staff resources and infrastructure as well as employer networks to deliver a robust solution that includes neighborhood partnerships and innovative workforce development strategies.


Category 2, which qualify for grants of $20,000: Organizations with a history of successfully providing one or more components of a comprehensive workforce development program. This may include intensive employment-based case management, employer network development and job placement facilitation, and/or targeted pre-employment training.


“Creating a pipeline of job-ready candidates requires that we enlist organizations with strong community connections, effective outreach and recruitment services, comprehensive assessment tools, high quality supportive service delivery, and partnerships with employers,” said Huntington.

A Parent’s Call To Action Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative

FREE Prevention & Intervention Summit

Parent Advisory: Please be aware this program contains adult language and content. Not suitable for children.

This project was supported by Award No. 2008-PG-BX-0003 by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs



Saturday, November 6, 2010

WHERE:

Crispus Attucks High School

1140 Dr. Martin

Luther King Jr. St.

TIME:

8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Refreshments will be served



Douglas S. Hairston

Director

Front Porch Alliance

Office of Mayor Greg Ballard – City of Indianapolis

DHairsto@indy.gov P: 317-327-4336 F: 317-327-5271

Monday, October 11, 2010

Indianapolis to Host First of Five National Workshops Designed to Create the Next Generation of Great American Cities

Selected from 45 cities across the country, 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 from October 11-13, 2010. 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 pearheaded 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.

The event’s agenda will also feature presentations identifying livability trends from nationally-recognized experts, including: Adrian Benepe, Commissioner, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation; Donald K. Carter, Director, Remaking Cities Institute, a research center in the School of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University; Deborah Marton, Executive Director, Design Trust for Public Space; William B. Rogers, President and Chief Executive Officer The Trust for Public Land; and Lily Yeh, Principal, Barefoot Artists.

“We are honored that CEOs for Cities chose Indianapolis as its first host for this exciting process, not only because we recognize the potential benefits from hosting the event, but because it also underscores the achievement we have already made in livability and quality of life in Indianapolis and central Indiana,” said Brian Payne, president, Central Indiana Community Foundation. “The Challenge presents our civic and business leaders with an incredible opportunity to share our ideas and vision with a collection of the foremost livability experts in the country. We’re confident that this will be an important process, one that will add even more luster to Indianapolis.”

“Downtown Indianapolis has certainly come a long way, from “India-No-Place” some 20 years ago to being recognized today as a national model for urban revitalization,” said Tamara Zahn, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. president. “We’re very excited to showcase Downtown, including The Canal and White River State Park Cultural District and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, as part of the CEOs for Cities Livability Challenge. The ideas, insight and inspiration generated during the Livability Challenge will certainly contribute to Downtown’s promising future.”

“Indianapolis is a city that has put a stake in the ground on the value of being a city defined by inspiring places,” said Carol Coletta, president and CEO, CEOs for Cities. “It only makes sense,then, that Indianapolis would be the host city for the Livability Challenge. It's a city that has much to teach and with leaders who have demonstrated their ability to turn big ideas into reality.”

The Community Challenge – the second in the US Initiative series – will take place in Detroit, Michigan from December 10 - 11, 2010.

IUPUI Focus Group

As part of their capstone project, IUPUI SPEA graduate students are working on a special project for IMCPL and need your help.

They are holding a focus group on Tuesday, October 19, 2010, at the Fountain Square Library, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM to collect feedback from customers on how they use the library as well as the value they place on library services.


Refreshments will be served.


Please feel free to forward on.


Call 275-4390 and let us know if you plan on attending.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

MARION COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER FIRE SAFETY FAIR

Where?

Marion county child advocacy center
4150 n KEYSTONE Ave. (Parking lot)
Friday, October 22
12:00pm-3:00pm

IF IT RAINS, EVENT WILL BE RESCHEDULED TO ANOTHER DATE.
FOR QUESTIONS OR ADDITIONAL INFO CALL 327-6969.

CITY PROVIDES BUSINESS RESOURCE PORTAL FOR CERTIFIED MINORITY, WOMEN, AND VETERAN BUSINESS OWNERS

The City of Indianapolis and the Department of Minority & Women Business Development (DMWBD) announced today a new, free online portal resource to build business opportunities for City-certified minority, women, and Veteran business owners through an agreement with local firm Innoventum.

"This new portal will provide our city's certified vendors easy access to online training modules that will enable and empower them to not only start, but to sustain and grow their businesses", said Greg Wilson, DWMBD, Director.

Under the administration of Mayor Gregory Ballard, the DMWBD has been providing business consultation, training workshops covering specific topics, and regular networking events for its certified vendors. However, a needs assessment revealed many vendors lacked business administration and development education. The new Innoventum portal will provide the type of resources and tools for these vendors to hone and enhance their skills.

"We're so excited to provide a training portal to the City of Indianapolis and its certified vendors to help them grow their businesses", said Denise Gosnell, President and CEO of Innoventum. "Our training programs have some amazing business building techniques that even the most successful businesses can see benefits."

Utilizing the Innoventum Portal will provide quick and easy access for vendors to the necessary resources and tools for continued business development.

The portal can be accessed at: http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DMWBD/Pages/InnoventumPortal.aspx.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Herron School of Art and Design senior photography students present The Dysfunction of Dysfunction

Herron School of Art and Design senior photography students invite you to an opening reception for their inaugural exhibition, The Dysfunction of Dysfunction, on Wednesday, October 13 following visiting photographer Brian Ulrich’s lecture at 5:30 p.m. in Eskenazi Hall’s Basile Auditorium. The split-level exhibition will be in the Marsh Gallery on the first floor, and in the Underside Gallery on the lower level. The show runs thr...ough October 23. The Herron Galleries are free and open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5p.m. and on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Parking Information
Guests of Herron School of Art and Design should park in the Sports Complex Garage, just west of Herron where limited parking is available. Park in the visitor side of the garage and bring your garage ticket to the Herron Galleries for parking validation, courtesy of The Great Frame Up.

Event for regular gallery hours:
http://eventful.com/indianapolis/events/the-dysfunction-/E0-001-034170128-1

Event for opening night only:
http://eventful.com/indianapolis/events/the-dysfunction-dysfunction-/E0-001-034170092-7

AND
http://thedysfunctionofdysfunction.weebly.com/

Weed Ordinance Revision is up for City-County Council Vote

Support the code change allowing the exclusion of rain gardens and native plantings from the Indianapolis weed laws at the DPW Council committee review. The proposal passed in committee, and will go on for a vote by the full City-County Council this Monday evening on Oct 4.


This is the time we would definitely benefit from the support of Marion County residents who are in favor of such a change. Please feel free to pass the word along to other folks. If folks can't attend the meeting, they could instead contact their city council person before the meeting on Monday night.

It is proposal #261 on the agenda at
http://www.indy.gov/eGov/Council/Meetings/Council/Documents/2010/10-04-10age.pdf

The proposed changes the code can be found at
http://www.indy.gov/eGov/Council/Proposals/Documents/2010/PROP10-261.pdf



There was some concern in the committee meeting about the deletion of the “nature habitat area” exclusion (on page 2). The folks supporting this change are hoping to be able to answer these concerns at the council meeting on Monday night. Essentially, they believe that the properties that now are excluded using the “nature habitat area” definition will either fall into the “Native Wildlife Planting Registry” or they are already excluded from residential weed laws due to their existing zoning (such as school, park, or corporate “nature parks”).

New Spay/Neuter Clinic for the Fountain Square Area

If you have a couple of moments, please take this little survey related to a proposed new spay/neuter clinic for the Fountain Square area. It's being done by an IUPUI student, and he needs 50 responses. Please also feel free to forward this to others who live and work in the area. Thanks!

https://www.kwiksurveys.com/?s=HINJJJ_9d733b83