Thursday, January 27, 2011

BLACK PEARLS OPENING RECEPTION TO FEATURE EXHIBITS, ARTISTS, LIVE JAZZ

Celebrate Black History Month with Indy Parks at the Garfield Park Arts Center (GPAC)’s Sixth Annual Black Pearls Exhibition opening reception. Meet the artists while enjoying the accompaniment of live jazz as the Steven Weakley Jazz Trio performs as you peruse the Art Center’s beautiful Main Gallery. The free reception kicking off the exhibition is 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011. The exhibition continues through Sunday, March 27.

Featuring original works from up-and-coming as well as established local, regional and national artists of African descent, this engaging exhibition offers a glimpse at how these artists push the visual arts into exciting territories. The exhibition, coordinated by local artist LaShawnda Crowe Storm, includes textiles, video installments, paintings, drawings, dolls and sculptures.

Guests at the opening reception are invited to take part in a hands-on family art activity in the Arts for All Studio. Celebrate the creativity of the Black Pearls exhibition and the richness of African-American culture by designing a “Freedom Quilt” and learn about the history of how the quilts were used. This free activity also is available from Feb. 5 through March 27 on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Black Pearls Exhibition will be on display during regular GPAC hours from Feb. 5 through March 27: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. There is no cost for admission to the Garfield Park Arts Center, Black Pearls Exhibition and opening reception. For more information on this and other Garfield Park events, please call (317) 327-7135, go to www.indyparks.org or visit the GPAC page on Facebook.

City of Indianapolis, Bank On Indy Partners to Host Free Tax Preparation Kickoff

All Indianapolis residents and community partners are welcome to attend Indy’s Free Tax Preparation Kickoff event at Conseco Fieldhouse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011. Marion County residents who earned less than $49,000 in 2010 may qualify for free tax preparation onsite, available through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), an Internal Revenue Service program brought to Indianapolis residents by Indy’s Campaign for Financial Fitness (ICFF) and Save Earn Learn: Indianapolis Asset Building Coalition. ICFF is First Lady of Indianapolis Winnie Ballard’s initiative to achieve financial literacy for all Marion County residents. Attendees who wish to have taxes prepared onsite may call 2-1-1 to learn what to bring.

VITA helps working families take advantage of all of the tax credits they are eligible for including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC) and education credits. Volunteers from the community help prepare basic, current-year tax returns for eligible taxpayers free of charge. Indy’s Free Tax Preparation Kickoff also will provide Marion County residents information about other ICFF programs, such as Bank On Indy to establish bank accounts, and offer these financial workshops to learn how to budget, build credit and more:

* 11 a.m. “Avoiding Fraud,” Office of the Indiana Secretary of State
* Noon “Take Charge of Your Money,” Charles Schwab
* 1 p.m. “Money Management,” Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnerships
* 2 p.m. “Successful Renting,” Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnerships

Free parking is available in the Virginia Avenue garage adjacent to Conseco Fieldhouse. Free tax preparation offered by this program continues through April at sites throughout Marion County. For more information, visit www.indyscampaign.org.

WHAT: Indy’s Free Tax Preparation Kickoff

WHO: Mayor Greg Ballard, First Lady of Indianapolis Winnie Ballard, Brighthouse Networks Indiana Division Vice President of Finance Rick Langhals, United Way President and CEO Ellen Annala, Charles Schwab Director of Portfolio Consulting Rob Hurst, IRS Territory Manager Ken Williams

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, January 27, 2011 (Remarks at 10 a.m.)

WHERE: Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis

4th Annual Light the Night for Life to be Held to Remember Victims of Homicide

Join the City of Indianapolis and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the 4th Annual Light the Night for Life vigil remembering the lives of the victims of homicide from last year. Held in collaboration with City and County agencies, the event encourages the community to honor the lives lost in 2010 and to come together against violence. The gathering will recognize and honor Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer David Moore, who was killed this week in the line of duty.


WHO: Joe Hogsett, U.S. Attorney Southern District of Indiana; Olgen Williams, City of Indianapolis Deputy Mayor for Neighborhoods; Chief Paul Ciesielski, IMPD Chief of Police; Terry Curry, Marion County Prosecutor; Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis; Other City Officials and Community Leaders

WHAT: 4th Annual Light The Night For Life

WHERE: Fervent Prayer Church 10512 E. 38th St.

WHEN: Thursday, January 27 6:30pm – 8pm

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Celebrate Black History Month Downtown

February is Black History Month and venues throughout Downtown are offering a wide range of events celebrating African-American heritage and traditions. For a complete calendar of events, call Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. at 237.2222 or search online at www.indydt.com.



Experience living Black History on Indiana Avenue

Indiana Avenue is a powerful version of the American dream through an African-American lens. The Avenue is the historic African-American commercial, entertainment and worship center. Today’s landscape is filled with enduring landmarks, a burgeoning university campus, contemporary residences and a lush waterway. Indiana Avenue truly is rhythm reborn. The rich heritage comes to life on stage, in public art, museums, art galleries, nightlife and in the church. Visit www.DiscoverIndianaAvenue.com for more information about Indiana Avenue.



Also located on Indiana Avenue is the historic Madame Walker Theatre Center. The Madame Walker Theatre Center, housed in the historic Madame C.J. Walker Building, has long symbolized the spirit of creativity and community pride in Downtown Indianapolis. Celebrate Black History Month with the Walker Theatre by joining Freetown Village for an evening dinner theatre called “This Little Light” on Feb. 18. Enjoy live music and a lesson in history at this living history museum. Also join the Madame Walker Theatre for Jazz on the Avenue Feb. 25 in the Ballroom for live jazz and cocktails. Call 236.2099 or visit www.walkertheatre.com for more information.



Art & Soul at the Indianapolis Artsgarden

Don’t miss more than 18 FREE performances throughout the month of February as part of the 15th annual Art & Soul in the Indianapolis Artsgarden, which kicks off Jan. 27. This annual celebration of African-American art and artists celebrates Black History Month. The performances feature a broad range of musical, dance, spoken word, poetry and living history from both established and emerging artists. Highlights throughout the month of February include Billy Wooten Jazz Trio, Gregg Bacon, June Rochelle, the Asante Children’s Theatre and many more. For more details and a schedule of events, visit www.indyarts.org or call 631.3301.



Learn about black history

Join The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis as black history comes alive during the month of February. Don’t miss Target Family Night Feb. 3 from 4 – 8 p.m. Celebrate African-American heritage and achievements in history, science, art and music FREE of charge. Experience a slave’s flight to freedom and learn to navigate using the Big Dipper during Follow the Drinking Gourd starting Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. On Feb. 3, 5 and12, celebrate Black History Month in Lilly Theatre with vignettes exploring the lives of Levi Coffin and Madame C.J. Walker at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and 1 p.m. on Saturday. To learn more, call 334.3322 or log on to www.childrensmuseum.org.

In celebration of Black History Month, the Indiana Historical Society and Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library (IMCPL) invite children and families to learn about Indiana’s rich African-American history by participating in the Indiana Black History Challenge. The Indiana Black History Challenge is a contest that invites participants to investigate famous African-American Hoosiers and their contributions to society. The 10-question challenge can be taken online beginning Feb. 1. Printed game cards will also be made available at the beginning of February at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, as well as all branches of the IMCPL.

The first 5,000 entrants to the Indiana Black History Challenge will receive a prize. All participants who complete the challenge and answer all questions correctly are entered into a drawing for the grand prize and runner-up awards. The grand prize is a Family Fun Pack that includes an overnight stay at the Omni Severin Hotel in Downtown Indianapolis; four tickets to special exhibitions at the Indianapolis Museum of Art; a $25 gift certificate to Weber Grill Restaurant and a family membership to the Indiana Historical Society, which includes free admission to the Indiana Experience for a year. One winner from each IMCPL branch and the History Center will receive a runner-up prize of a family four-pack of tickets to an Indianapolis Indians game. For more information, contact the IHS at 232.1882 or e-mail programs@indianahistory.org.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art’s (IMA) Hard Truths: The Art of Thornton Dial exhibition will open Feb. 25. As an artist, Dial explores the truth of American history and culture in all its complexities and contradictions. This exhibition includes more than 50 pieces of Dial’s work that range from sculptures to paintings and that address some of the most compelling issues of our time. Find out more information on the exhibition at www.imamuseum.org or call 923.1331.

Visit the Indiana State Museum for their “African Americans in Indiana” gallery search starting Feb. 1 to uncover the rich culture and contributions of Indiana’s black communities. Meet President Lincoln on Feb. 12 and enjoy period music and activities or see Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches in the Legacy Theater through the end of March. Log on to www.indianamuseum.org or call 232.1637 for more information.

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art will host the 4th Annual Leon Jett Memorial Lecture featuring Dr. Quintard Taylor, professor of American History at the University of Washington, on Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. Taylor will discuss how African Americans helped shape and develop the American West. A new exhibit that is partnered with the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian called Red Black: Related Through History will open Feb. 12. Red Black will showcase the interactions between early black slaves and Native Americans. Log on to www.eiteljorg.com or call 636.9378 for more information.

Head over to the Garfield Parks Art Center for “Black Pearls”: An Artistic Celebration of Black History Month starting Feb. 5. The FREE exhibit showcases African and African-American artists and will display sculpture, drawing, painting and ceramics. Hands on creative family activities will take place every Saturday and Sunday throughout February. Hours for Garfield Parks Art Center are Tuesday – Thursday 2 – 9 p.m., Friday 1 – 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 – 5 p.m. For more information call 327.7135 or visit www.indyparks.org.



Black History performances

The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) presents Charlayne Woodard’s Going Solo: Neat from Feb.10 – March 6. In this sequel to Woodard’s “Pretty Fire,” teenaged Charlayne encounters boys, high school, civil rights and her own vivid imagination, all while learning to live with her disabled aunt, Neat. Tickets, show information and a schedule of consortium events are available by calling 635.5252 or visiting www.irtlive.com.

Join the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for the 26th Anniversary Celebration of Black History Concert Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. The ISO’s annual concert celebrates the significant impact of African-American culture on classical and symphonic music as well as the superb artistry and creativity of black artists, composers and conductors. This year the concert will be conducted by an Indianapolis audience favorite, Thomas Wilkins. This event is FREE and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for general seating. Log on to www.indianapolissymphony.org or call 639.4300 for more information.

E Pluribus Unum receives $50,000 Joyce Award

Central Indiana Community Foundation is proud to announce it has received the prestigious Joyce Award from the Chicago-based Joyce Foundation in support of E Pluribus Unum, a public art project by Fred Wilson commissioned for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick. Since 2003, the Joyce Awards program has been the only granting opportunity exclusively supporting artists of color in major Midwestern cities. The $50,000 award is made directly to arts organizations, and is meant to support the work of individual artists as well as significant community engagements.

Since October, E Pluribus Unum has been on hold while the CICF and the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee's Race and Cultural Relations Leadership Network hold additional community conversations in 2011.

“Receiving a Joyce Award is a great honor,” said Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) President and CEO Brian Payne, who is leading the Cultural Trail's $2 million investment of new public artwork along the Trail. "While we remain fully committed to a process that will allow much more dialogue about this project, a process that is fully supported by the Joyce Foundation, this type of national recognition acknowledges and celebrates the vital role art is playing in creating the opportunity for dialogue around race relations in Indianapolis."

For more information visit http://www.indyculturaltrail.org/12511_JoyceAward.

Friday, January 21, 2011

We Need Your Help! Share your Powerful Story at Neighbor Power!

Request for Powerful Stories
Deadline: February 7th

Do you want to share your powerful grassroots story with more than 300 people in Indianapolis? Do you want to talk about ways your neighborhoood or organization was successful in making our city an even better place to live, work, and play? If so, we want you to be involved!

Join us at Neighbor Power!, an annual event that helps people across the city focus on the great things that can happen when we work together to revitalize our Indianapolis neighborhoods. The free conference will include discussions and workshops on neighborhood issues and awards to recognize activities that are already working to improve our city.

We're seeking people to share powerful stories during discussions and workshops on the neighborhood issues we all face. We need YOU to inspire and empower others with your stories. Together, we can make a difference, so let us hear from you. To complete a presenter application click here or go to www.neighborpowerindy.org.

Neighbor Power! is put together by Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center, Making Connections Indianapolis, and the Indianapolis Coalition for Neighborhood Development.

Please forward to your friends and colleagues. Remember: deadline is February 7th. For more information email Shawn Thomas at sthomas@lisc.org

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

FREE SMOKE ALARMS STILL AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF

After three months, the Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office still has nearly 500 smoke alarms to distribute, free of charge, to lower income Hoosiers who are deaf or hearing impaired. The Indiana State Fire Marshal is calling on the public to help spread the word.

"Since the program was first announced, we have identified families and individuals to receive roughly 700 of these smoke alarms," said Indiana State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson. "Applications are moving along, but we need help to spread the word in every Hoosier community. If you are deaf or hearing impaired or have a family member who is deaf or hearing impaired, go online and apply for a free smoke alarm. If you know of an individual who is deaf or hearing impaired in your neighborhood, workplace, community or elsewhere, encourage them to apply as well. Our primary objective is to get these alarms into the hands of Hoosiers who need them most."

The Indiana State Fire Marshal is also urging fire departments statewide to reach out to their communities with this message.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office is a division of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS).

Funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, a $300,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant was used to purchase 1200 alarms in October.

The smoke alarms consist of a strobe light and bed shaker to allow the person who is deaf or hearing impaired to be awakened at night or see the strobe light while awake. The alarms, which usually cost several hundred dollars, will be installed in homes by local fire departments free of charge to recipients.

Individuals who are interested in receiving one of these smoke detectors, and who cannot afford to purchase one on their own, should apply online at www.in.gov/dhs by clicking on "Application for Smoke Alarms."

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Trash Collection Schedule Adjusted for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Curbside recycling and trash collection will operate on a slide schedule during the holiday week

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) would like to remind residents that there will be NO curbside recycling, residential or heavy trash collection on Monday, January 17, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

All residential trash, heavy trash and curbside recycling routes will run one day behind for the entire week. Monday routes will be serviced on Tuesday, January 18; Tuesday routes will be serviced on Wednesday, January 19; and so on. Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday, January 22. All services will return to normal schedules on Monday, January 24.

For more information, please contact the Mayor’s Action Center at (317) 327-4622 (MAC).

IndyGo Service Adjustments for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

IndyGo would like to remind riders that its local fixed route service will follow a Saturday schedule on Monday, January 17, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

IndyGo’s Open Door paratransit service as well as its Red Line Downtown Circulator and Green Line downtown/airport express will operate on their regular schedules. The company’s customer service call and retail centers will be open regular business hours, while the administrative offices will be closed.

If you have any questions regarding IndyGo operations on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, please contact the IndyGo Customer Service Call Center at 317.635.3344. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. until noon. You can also visit IndyGo.net for more information, which includes an easy-to-use Online Trip Planner.

Downtown honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, Jan. 17 is a day dedicated to the achievements and the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many Downtown venues will hold special events. For a complete calendar of events, call Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. at 237.2222 or search online at www.indydt.com.



Madame Walker Theatre Center and Indiana Avenue

To celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the 25th anniversary of the federal holiday, the Madame Walker Theatre Center will host a free breakfast at the Urban League at 10 a.m. before the annual Freedom Walk on the Avenue. The Freedom Walk will begin at the Indianapolis Urban League on Jan. 17 at 10:45 a.m. and will follow the walkway of Indiana Avenue to the Madame Walker Theatre Center. Preceding the Freedom walk, The Madame Walker Theatre Center will commemorate American icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a film produced by the College of Aspiring Artists at 11a.m. and then begin a commemorative celebration at noon. The program entitled Feel the Movement will feature local and national artists, dance ensembles, prayer and guest speakers. This program will also be filmed as part of a national documentary for the Presidents Library in Washington, D.C. This annual celebration is FREE to the public. For more information, call 236.2099 or visit at www.walkertheatre.com.


FREE admission at White River State Park attractions

Visitors who bring a canned good for Gleaners Food Bank will receive one FREE admission per person per attraction in White River State Park on Monday, Jan. 17 in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Bring donated items to the Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis Zoo, IMAX Theater, Eiteljorg Museum, NCAA Hall of Champions and Victory Field. There is one FREE admission for each can of food contributed. The Park is also offering FREE parking on MLK, Jr. Day. Visitors may park in the underground garage located off Washington Street in front of the Indiana State Museum, in the parking lots at the Indianapolis Zoo and Victory Field and in the lot across from Victory Field next to the Visitor’s Center.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the West in the RB Annis Western Family Experience. See how four families live in the West and walk into a Navajo Hogan or climb aboard a true-to-life stagecoach. More information is available by calling 636.9378 or visiting www.eiteljorg.org.

Visit the IMAX Theater and experience in IMAX® 3D a great adventure from the dinosaur age with Sea Rex: Journey to a Prehistoric World. Immerse yourself in a lost age and get ready for a face-to-face encounter with the T-Rex of the seas! Five FREE show times for Sea Rex are 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 2 p.m. The IMAX will officially launch this movie in February. Call 233.4629 or log on to www.imaxindy.com for more information.

Join the Indiana State Museum’s celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with documentary films and performances throughout the day, along with FREE admission to the museum galleries from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ODD Indiana in the new Lincoln Financial Foundation Gallery will be open, along with the core galleries on the first and second floors. Visit www.indianamuseum.org for more information or call 232.1637.

The Indianapolis Zoo will be open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visitors can walk the grounds and see lots of animals and enjoy the exhibits with smaller crowds. Favorite activities will include the 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. dolphin shows, shark petting in the nation’s largest shark touch pool and heating things up with the meerkats in the Deserts Dome, where it’s a comfy 82°. Log on to www.indyzoo.com or call 630.2001 for more information.

The NCAA Hall of Champions will have several student-athletes from IUPUI to lead fitness clinics at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Throughout the day, there will also be small arts and crafts and opportunities to win official NCAA merchandise. Come learn about what will take place on April 4 when the NCAA commemorates Senator Robert Kennedy’s historic Indianapolis speech that took place on the evening of Dr. Martin Luther King’s tragic death. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Log on to www.ncaahallofchampions.org for more information.

New this year will be FREE health screenings indoors at Victory Field, courtesy of Wishard Health Services. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., health care professionals from Wishard will offer blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings. Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings will also be offered, along with healthy advice regarding portion sizes and what folks should eat relative to their weight, etc.

The Indiana Historical Society will offer FREE admission on Monday, Jan. 17, as it honors and celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Enjoy FREE admission to the Indiana Experience, behind-the-scene tours of the History Center, programs featuring You Are There historic interpreters and crafts, as well as family-friendly fare in the Stardust Terrace Café, operated by Hoaglin To Go. The History Center will also host the Martin Luther King Community Center's Living the Legacy Awards in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theater. Performances of music, poetry and dance will take place throughout the day. The History Center is normally closed on Mondays but will be open on Jan. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Celebrate the life, dream and legacy of the late Dr. King at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Jan. 17 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The museum will offer all guests special entertainment throughout the day with FREE admission! For more information, log on to www.childrensmuseum.org or call 317.334.3322 for more information.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art celebrates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from noon – 5 p.m. Spend the day exploring the galleries with the docents, playing art-related games and make some of your own art. FREE. Visit www.imamuseum.org or call 923.1331 for more information.

IUPUI's Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is an annual campus tradition. Hundreds of IUPUI students, faculty, staff and guests volunteer at community sites across Indianapolis from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. as a way to honor Dr. King's commitment to service and social justice. Visit http://life.iupui.edu/osi/volunteer/mlk.html for more info.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Mayor’s Office, United Way Kick Off 2011 Winter Assistance Fund

Area Donors Step Up to Ensure Local Residents Who Need Help Most Stay Warm

Mayor Greg Ballard and United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) President and CEO Ellen K. Annala today kicked off the 2011 Winter Assistance Fund drive by accepting $215,000 from four local donors, putting the fund within $135,000 of the goal of $350,000 set by United Way and the City of Indianapolis.

“The Winter Assistance Fund is one of Indianapolis’ great collaborations,” said Mayor Ballard. “It speaks volumes about the character of our local companies, foundations and residents that we are able to meet the needs of so many Indianapolis residents. The fund has had a dramatic impact on the community and so have the contributions of individuals who recognize how great the need is for their neighbors.”

Calls for utility assistance to Connect2Help, a United Way agency that operates the 2-1-1 telephone information and referral service, have skyrocketed 387 percent in the past five years, and United Way anticipates the increased need to continue. The start-up contributions announced today are $75,000 from Citizens Energy Group, $50,000 from Indianapolis Power & Light, $80,000 from Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and $10,000 from The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate.

The Winter Assistance Fund is for Marion County residents whose income exceeds guidelines for government energy assistance, yet still have difficulty keeping up with high winter heating bills. Last year, the fund helped 1,376 households, including seniors and families with children, by raising $450,167 in assistance.

“We are now in the third year of this economic downturn. Families who have been ‘just holding on’ are moving into crisis, and the organizations who serve them are also facing resource challenges. Keeping people fed, in their homes, and warm must be a priority for our community, if we are to avoid increases in homelessness, hunger and death,” Annala said.

Residents can dial Connect2Help 2-1-1 to find the nearest neighborhood community center or township trustee office to apply for help through the Winter Assistance Fund.

Customers of Citizens Energy Group and IPL will receive Winter Assistance Fund contribution envelopes in their gas and electric bills, providing opportunities for individuals to give to the fund. Contributions are tax deductible and can also be made online at www.uwci.org or by mailing a check to: United Way of Central Indiana, Winter Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 660054, Indianapolis, IN 46266-0054.

Indianapolis Sets Record for New Job Commitments, Capital Investment in 2010

More than 8,700 new jobs and $934 million in investment promised by 73 companies

Mayor Greg Ballard and Scott Miller, CEO of Develop Indy, announced today that Indianapolis secured commitments for 8,737 new jobs and $934 million in capital investment in 2010, setting new record highs for both. The announcement was made today on the City’s Northwestside at Hat World, Inc., one of 73 companies that committed to hiring new workers.

“Our aggressive pursuit of new jobs is paying off,” said Mayor Ballard. “Not only did we secure commitments for more new jobs and a greater amount of capital investment in 2010 than any other year on record, we exceeded the total number of new job commitments secured from 2003 through 2005 combined. Our pro-business attitude and the business-friendly climate that exists in Indianapolis continue to allow us to retain and grow our existing companies while making it much easier to attract new companies to our city.

The greatest number of new job commitments came from the life sciences industry with 3,761, followed by information technology with 1,466 and logistics with 1,323. The average wage for new jobs is $23.81 per hour, as compared to $21.48 in 2009.

Develop Indy also worked with Indianapolis-based companies to retain 7,159 jobs with an average wage of $22.59 per hour, as compared to $21.83 in 2009. The greatest number of retained jobs was in the life sciences industry with 3,391 jobs. The second and third highest numbers of retained jobs were in advanced manufacturing with 1,168 and logistics with 1,043.

“We are thrilled that even during challenging economic times, companies overwhelmingly chose Indianapolis as the place to hire new workers and invest capital,” said Miller. “However, with many Indianapolis residents still looking for work, we won’t take these successes for granted. We will continue to implement strategies to retain and grow our existing companies and attract new companies to our city, concentrating our efforts on industries such as life sciences and information technology that are poised for further significant growth.”

Dow AgroSciences, Arcadia Health Care, AIT Laboratories, Hat World, Inc., Ascension Health, Beckman Coulter, Dallara, Clarian Health, USA Football, Exact Target, and Fusion Alliance were among the list of new and growing companies in Indianapolis in 2010.

Miller also noted an increase in the ratio of private dollars versus public dollars invested through incentive programs, including tax abatement.

“In 2010, for every dollar of public money invested in tax abatement, the City received private investment commitments of $17.88, the highest ratio in the past decade. Simply put, more private investment is following the public dollars used to attract these businesses than any other time in the recent past,” Miller said.

Since 2008, Develop Indy has secured commitments from companies to create or retain 36,500 jobs and invest more than $1.4 billion in Indianapolis. In early 2010, the City of Indianapolis increased its funding of Develop Indy so the organization could add additional staff and provide additional resources to companies seeking to expand or locate to Indianapolis.

The Develop Indy 2010 Jobs Report can be accessed online at http://www.developindy.com/ContentFiles/435/2010%20Progress%20Report_Low%20res.pdf.

Fifty-Count Complaint Filed Against Alleged Negligent Landlord

Nuisance case is first to be filed of many under investigation and review

INDIANAPOLIS – City Prosecutor Helen Marchal and Health and Hospital Attorney Amy Jones today filed a 50-count complaint against property owner Peter Kisenko for alleged health code and zoning violations at 15 of Kisenko’s rental properties in Marion County. The filing is a joint effort between the City’s Department of Code Enforcement, Health and Hospital Corp., and the City Prosecutor's Office.

“Peter Kisenko has a troublesome track record as a landlord. For more than a decade, his rental properties have been the subject of numerous code violations and police activity,” said City Prosecutor Marchal. “This case serves as proof that a comprehensive, multi-agency enforcement approach transcends traditional efforts. We no longer are just responding to complaints; we are proactively investigating negligent landlords.”

In addition to the code violations, the City alleges that Kisenko’s actions and failures to act as a responsible landlord have created a public nuisance. This claim allows the City to request reimbursement for costs associated with the inspection and enforcement time and resources related to the adjudication of health code violations, civil zoning violations, and criminal violations as well as punitive damages. Kisenko faces possible civil fines of more than $300,000 if found in violation of the current code violations. If determined to be in violation of the state public nuisance count, the City also would request substantial fines.

“Great cities are made up of great neighborhoods. For the past three years, we have been dedicated to revitalizing our community by investing in our crumbling infrastructure, strengthening public safety and building neighborhoods of which our residents can be proud, and we are committed to continuing these efforts,” said Mayor Greg Ballard. “For too long, negligent landlords have been a drain on city resources. If you are in the business of rentals and income-producing properties, you must be responsible to your tenants, your neighbors and the people of Marion County.”

The case against Kisenko is the first complaint to be filed of many nuisance cases under investigation and review by the Department of Code Enforcement; Nuisance Abatement; Health and Hospital Corp. and the attorneys representing those entities.

Spring 2011 ICBI Application Deadline Approaching

Application Deadline Approaching! Act Now!

The Indianapolis Community Building Institute (ICBI) curriculum is designed to empower participants by making them more effective leaders. Participants learn many things, including connecting with resources, constructively dealing with conflicting views, and successfully facilitating meetings. They also learn how to effectively market their neighborhoods, develop collaborative partnerships, and leverage existing resources, while connecting with residents from across the city.

INRC will offer the next cycle of ICBI on the following dates:

Intensive Track One:

Saturday, January 22 and Saturday, January 29

8:30am to 3:00pm; INRC will provide lunch

Intensive Track Two:

Saturday, March 5 and Saturday, March 12

8:30am to 3:00pm; INRC will provide lunch

Intensive Track Three:

Saturday, April 16 and Saturday, April 30

8:30am to 3:00pm; INRC will provide lunch

Graduation

Thursday, May 13

5:30pm to 8:00pm - Program begins at 6:00pm

Note: Participants must attend all sessions

With your feedback, INRC has fine-tuned the ICBI workshop offerings, including the expansion of some topics and removing some from requirements.

To be part of this program, please contact your INRC Neighborhood Development Specialist at 317-920-0330 or visit www.inrc.org to begin the application process for this FREE training opportunity!

Cliff Myers moving up...

Good afternoon.

Today is my last day with the IMPD Southeast. I will be moving over to Investigations as the Deputy Chief. It has been my honor to serve you and work along-side you. We have had great success!. My replacement has not yet been named.


Thanks for the best three years of my career!



Cliff Myers