Don’t miss your chance to recycle in the New Year!
January 8, 2011 - 10 a.m. — 2 p.m.
Broad Ripple Park Ellenberger Park
1550 Broad Ripple Ave. 5301 E. St. Clair St.
Garfield Park Krannert Park
2354 Pagoda Dr. 605 S. High School Rd
Please Bring your:
• Real Christmas trees • Old electronics
• Gift boxes • Magazines & catalogs
• Cardboard boxes • Mail, school and office paper
• Styrofoam (molded, white)
More Information
For more information call 317.327.4932, e-mail Ashlee.Kilpatrick@indy.govor visit www.SustainIndy.ORG
Saturday, December 18, 2010
New Electronics law:
The State of Indiana passed a law that goes into effect on January 1, prohibiting residents from disposing of electronics in the waste stream. In laymen’s terms that means that residents can no longer set out electronics for regular trash collection. Anything with a circuit board contains hazardous materials like lead and mercury. Monitors and televisions contain a minimum of 4 pounds of lead, and generally contain other bad nasties like mercury, cadmium, and nickel. Keeping these things from potential groundwater contamination is important for all of our health. DPW and their contracted haulers will no longer accept these items in weekly trash collection.
Our E-Cycle program (http://www.sustainindy.org/ecycle.cfm) accepts computers and computer peripherals year round. But other electronics like DVD players, televisions, vcr’s, radios, cell phones, cordless telephones, etc. are only accepted at special events. Attached is information about the first of those upcoming events for 2011.
There are also many other locations around town that accept those items, usually for free, but sometimes for a fee for televisions. For a list, please go to www.kibi.org/recycle.
Our E-Cycle program (http://www.sustainindy.org/ecycle.cfm) accepts computers and computer peripherals year round. But other electronics like DVD players, televisions, vcr’s, radios, cell phones, cordless telephones, etc. are only accepted at special events. Attached is information about the first of those upcoming events for 2011.
There are also many other locations around town that accept those items, usually for free, but sometimes for a fee for televisions. For a list, please go to www.kibi.org/recycle.
Cultural Trail update...this just in.
Southeast Corridor contractor announced
On December 8, Hunt Paving Company emerged as the lowest, most qualified bidder for the Southeast Corridor construction through the Indiana Department of Transportation's procurement process. Construction on this segment, connecting Washington St. to Fountain Square on Virginia Ave., may begin in approximately two months or by March 2011. The contractor must complete this construction by Dec. 31, 2011. Meetings will be scheduled with the contractor and adjacent neighborhoods prior to starting construction. To receive Southeast Corridor construction updates and meeting schedule please contact Gail Payne, 317.713.3333 or Gail@IndyCulturalTrail.org.
On December 8, Hunt Paving Company emerged as the lowest, most qualified bidder for the Southeast Corridor construction through the Indiana Department of Transportation's procurement process. Construction on this segment, connecting Washington St. to Fountain Square on Virginia Ave., may begin in approximately two months or by March 2011. The contractor must complete this construction by Dec. 31, 2011. Meetings will be scheduled with the contractor and adjacent neighborhoods prior to starting construction. To receive Southeast Corridor construction updates and meeting schedule please contact Gail Payne, 317.713.3333 or Gail@IndyCulturalTrail.org.
Free Tax Prep Program Receives Largest IRS Grant Yet
$150,000 in federal funding will offer boost to local program that helps low-, moderate-income families
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently awarded a $150,000 grant to Indy’s Campaign for Financial Fitness (ICFF) and the Indianapolis Asset Building Coalition (IABC) to boost the citywide Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in 2011.
The VITA program, known for several years as “Save, Earn and Learn,” works in partnership with ICFF, which is chaired by First Lady of Indianapolis Winnie Ballard. Last year, the effort received $90,000 in IRS funding and worked to prepare 4,500 tax returns for EITC-eligible Indianapolis residents. This year, the program will feature expanded sites and a special Free Tax Prep Kickoff event on Jan. 27, 2011, at Conseco Fieldhouse.
“The IRS VITA grant is a welcome boost for our local financial fitness initiatives,” said Winnie Ballard. “Providing free tax prep for thousands of eligible residents is one of the best ways we can help individuals and families in Indianapolis keep more of their hard-earned money and stay on track for long-term financial stability.”
Locally, the VITA program is a collaboration of public and private entities, including the City of Indianapolis, United Way of Central Indiana, Central Indiana Community Foundation, local banks and financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations focused on asset building and financial fitness. The grant application was submitted through the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, a public-private partnership that also is an ICFF partner and a member of the IABC.
VITA partners provide free federal tax return preparation and electronic filing to low- and moderate-income individuals. For tax year 2010, individuals and families with an adjusted gross income of $49,000 or lower are eligible for assistance.
“The Indianapolis Senior Center (ISC) is proud to partner with Indy’s Campaign for Financial Fitness to provide free tax prep services,” said Judy Oakley, ISC Operations Manager. “Our residents and members love this service because it’s prompt, their money is deposited into their bank accounts in a few days, and they feel secure in knowing the people helping them have their best interests at heart.
In Indianapolis, six neighborhood community centers and three corporate offices serve as VITA sites, helping recruit volunteers and providing staff support during a variety of hours. They include John H. Boner Community Center, Hawthorne Community Center, Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, Oasis Christian CDC, Shepherd Community Center, Southeast Community Services, Clarian Health Partners in partnership with Clarian Federal CU, Finance Center Federal CU and Citizens Energy Group.
There also will be one-day VITA sites called Mobile Tax Sites at 20 locations: Heritage Place, ISC, Bosma Enterprises, Habitat for Humanity, Villages at Mills Crossings, Stetson Apartments, Clarian CU, Finance Center FCU, Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center, Concord Neighborhood Center, Missions Place Apartments, Bethesda Temple, ELSA Weed and Seed, Christamore House, Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis, Goodwill Industries, City-County Building, UNWA, Inc., Celadon, Inc., and CVS/pharmacy Distribution Center.
The VITA grant funds will be used to:
* Enable VITA programs to extend services to underserved populations and hardest-to-reach areas, both within and outside of the City’s urban core
* Increase the capacity to file returns electronically
* Heighten quality control and improve the accuracy of returns prepared by the VITA sites
* Enhance training of volunteers
Individuals interested in volunteering to assist Indianapolis community centers with tax prep and other financial fitness services may visit www.indyscampaign.org to register.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently awarded a $150,000 grant to Indy’s Campaign for Financial Fitness (ICFF) and the Indianapolis Asset Building Coalition (IABC) to boost the citywide Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in 2011.
The VITA program, known for several years as “Save, Earn and Learn,” works in partnership with ICFF, which is chaired by First Lady of Indianapolis Winnie Ballard. Last year, the effort received $90,000 in IRS funding and worked to prepare 4,500 tax returns for EITC-eligible Indianapolis residents. This year, the program will feature expanded sites and a special Free Tax Prep Kickoff event on Jan. 27, 2011, at Conseco Fieldhouse.
“The IRS VITA grant is a welcome boost for our local financial fitness initiatives,” said Winnie Ballard. “Providing free tax prep for thousands of eligible residents is one of the best ways we can help individuals and families in Indianapolis keep more of their hard-earned money and stay on track for long-term financial stability.”
Locally, the VITA program is a collaboration of public and private entities, including the City of Indianapolis, United Way of Central Indiana, Central Indiana Community Foundation, local banks and financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations focused on asset building and financial fitness. The grant application was submitted through the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, a public-private partnership that also is an ICFF partner and a member of the IABC.
VITA partners provide free federal tax return preparation and electronic filing to low- and moderate-income individuals. For tax year 2010, individuals and families with an adjusted gross income of $49,000 or lower are eligible for assistance.
“The Indianapolis Senior Center (ISC) is proud to partner with Indy’s Campaign for Financial Fitness to provide free tax prep services,” said Judy Oakley, ISC Operations Manager. “Our residents and members love this service because it’s prompt, their money is deposited into their bank accounts in a few days, and they feel secure in knowing the people helping them have their best interests at heart.
In Indianapolis, six neighborhood community centers and three corporate offices serve as VITA sites, helping recruit volunteers and providing staff support during a variety of hours. They include John H. Boner Community Center, Hawthorne Community Center, Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, Oasis Christian CDC, Shepherd Community Center, Southeast Community Services, Clarian Health Partners in partnership with Clarian Federal CU, Finance Center Federal CU and Citizens Energy Group.
There also will be one-day VITA sites called Mobile Tax Sites at 20 locations: Heritage Place, ISC, Bosma Enterprises, Habitat for Humanity, Villages at Mills Crossings, Stetson Apartments, Clarian CU, Finance Center FCU, Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center, Concord Neighborhood Center, Missions Place Apartments, Bethesda Temple, ELSA Weed and Seed, Christamore House, Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis, Goodwill Industries, City-County Building, UNWA, Inc., Celadon, Inc., and CVS/pharmacy Distribution Center.
The VITA grant funds will be used to:
* Enable VITA programs to extend services to underserved populations and hardest-to-reach areas, both within and outside of the City’s urban core
* Increase the capacity to file returns electronically
* Heighten quality control and improve the accuracy of returns prepared by the VITA sites
* Enhance training of volunteers
Individuals interested in volunteering to assist Indianapolis community centers with tax prep and other financial fitness services may visit www.indyscampaign.org to register.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Mayor Details $740 Million in Taxpayer Savings for Modified Combined Sewer Overflow Consent Decree
Mayor Greg Ballard today detailed plans to save Indianapolis residents $740 million and provide cleaner waterways faster than originally planned. During a meeting of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee this morning, the Mayor discussed the savings ratepayers will realize from the city’s modifications to the Consent Decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). In addition to the savings, the improvements will divert ahead of schedule 3.5 billion gallons of sewage from polluting local waterways.
“Indianapolis was the first city in the nation to successfully renegotiate its agreement with the EPA. This announcement will save hundreds of millions of dollars for our residents, improve the environment and strengthen the city’s position as a great place to do business,” said Mayor Ballard.
The Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Consent Decree is an agreement between the City and the EPA and IDEM, under which Indianapolis developed and is executing a 20-year plan to curb the overflow of raw sewage from combined sewers into waterways. At Mayor Ballard’s direction, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) assessed the decree’s cost-overruns and through value engineering achieved the modification plan, which will allow the City to meet the required Consent Decree performance criteria and 2025 timeline but in a more cost-effective manner.
“With these improvements, we can revise project schedules to increase capacity at the treatment plant as more overflows are captured, prevent more sewage from reaching our rivers and streams earlier, and use more cost-effective strategies,” said DPW Director David Sherman.
The EPA, IDEM and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) approved the plan on June 3. Final approval by the courts is required. The plan will modify 14 of the 32 Consent Decree control measures, provide new projects including pump stations, and change schedules and operational aspects to capture overflows earlier than initially planned.
“Like our community’s streets, bridges and sidewalks, our sewer system is a component of Indianapolis’ infrastructure that is woefully outdated and in need of repairs,” said Bill Blomquist, president of the Infrastructure Advisory Commission. “I am very pleased to see CSO as a priority and one that is being tackled as aggressively as other major infrastructure needs.”
The Consent Decree requires that, by 2025, the city capture and treat 97 percent of the sewage overflows in the Fall Creek watershed and 95 percent in the White River watershed in a typical year. By 2025, overflows will be allowed to occur during two storms per year on Fall Creek and four storms per year on White River and other waterways, in a typical year.
“It is very much in the interest of the business community, as well as that of every resident and organization in Marion County, that we address the sewage overflow issue aggressively,” said Deborah Daniels, chairperson of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee. “I am gratified to see Mayor Ballard and his administration making these tremendous strides with efficiency – getting more done than planned, in less time, at lower cost.”
In addition to its environmental and economic impact, the plan will help improve neighborhoods through design and construction of co-functional buildings and improvements at sites around the city including Juan Solomon Park and Coffin Golf Course. The plan has earned recognition from the EPA and other national organizations. Mayor Ballard presented details of the plan at the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCOM) Water Committee in June and the American Water Summit in November and will travel to Washington, D.C., next week to present the City’s major infrastructure improvements to an audience of national leaders at the USCOM Water Summit.
Citywide Tunnel System to Capture Sewage Overflows Years Ahead of Schedule
Currently, when Indianapolis experiences as little as a quarter inch of rain, combined sewers reach capacity and raw sewage overflows into local rivers and streams. To address raw sewage overflows, the City’s Consent Decree requires a citywide storage tunnel system in which wastewater will be stored until space is available at the city’s two wastewater treatment plants – Belmont Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) Plant or Southport AWT Plant.
The citywide tunnel system will be comprised of five tunnels: the Deep Rock Tunnel Connector (formerly the Interplant Connection), Fall Creek, White River, Pleasant Run and Lower Pogues Run. The tunnel system will have the capacity to store 250 million gallons of raw sewage during large storm events and will significantly reduce raw sewage overflows. The tunnel system will address combined sewer overflow locations throughout Indianapolis by serving as a more integrated, underground storage facility for sewage.
The Deep Rock Tunnel Connector, which will extend from the Southport AWT Plant at Southport Road and Tibbs Avenue to north of the Belmont AWT Plant near the White River and Harding Street, will be the first phase of the tunnel system. From the Deep Rock Tunnel Connector, the four remaining storage tunnels will be extended along White River, Fall Creek, Pleasant Run and Pogues Run.
“Indianapolis was the first city in the nation to successfully renegotiate its agreement with the EPA. This announcement will save hundreds of millions of dollars for our residents, improve the environment and strengthen the city’s position as a great place to do business,” said Mayor Ballard.
The Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Consent Decree is an agreement between the City and the EPA and IDEM, under which Indianapolis developed and is executing a 20-year plan to curb the overflow of raw sewage from combined sewers into waterways. At Mayor Ballard’s direction, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) assessed the decree’s cost-overruns and through value engineering achieved the modification plan, which will allow the City to meet the required Consent Decree performance criteria and 2025 timeline but in a more cost-effective manner.
“With these improvements, we can revise project schedules to increase capacity at the treatment plant as more overflows are captured, prevent more sewage from reaching our rivers and streams earlier, and use more cost-effective strategies,” said DPW Director David Sherman.
The EPA, IDEM and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) approved the plan on June 3. Final approval by the courts is required. The plan will modify 14 of the 32 Consent Decree control measures, provide new projects including pump stations, and change schedules and operational aspects to capture overflows earlier than initially planned.
“Like our community’s streets, bridges and sidewalks, our sewer system is a component of Indianapolis’ infrastructure that is woefully outdated and in need of repairs,” said Bill Blomquist, president of the Infrastructure Advisory Commission. “I am very pleased to see CSO as a priority and one that is being tackled as aggressively as other major infrastructure needs.”
The Consent Decree requires that, by 2025, the city capture and treat 97 percent of the sewage overflows in the Fall Creek watershed and 95 percent in the White River watershed in a typical year. By 2025, overflows will be allowed to occur during two storms per year on Fall Creek and four storms per year on White River and other waterways, in a typical year.
“It is very much in the interest of the business community, as well as that of every resident and organization in Marion County, that we address the sewage overflow issue aggressively,” said Deborah Daniels, chairperson of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee. “I am gratified to see Mayor Ballard and his administration making these tremendous strides with efficiency – getting more done than planned, in less time, at lower cost.”
In addition to its environmental and economic impact, the plan will help improve neighborhoods through design and construction of co-functional buildings and improvements at sites around the city including Juan Solomon Park and Coffin Golf Course. The plan has earned recognition from the EPA and other national organizations. Mayor Ballard presented details of the plan at the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCOM) Water Committee in June and the American Water Summit in November and will travel to Washington, D.C., next week to present the City’s major infrastructure improvements to an audience of national leaders at the USCOM Water Summit.
Citywide Tunnel System to Capture Sewage Overflows Years Ahead of Schedule
Currently, when Indianapolis experiences as little as a quarter inch of rain, combined sewers reach capacity and raw sewage overflows into local rivers and streams. To address raw sewage overflows, the City’s Consent Decree requires a citywide storage tunnel system in which wastewater will be stored until space is available at the city’s two wastewater treatment plants – Belmont Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) Plant or Southport AWT Plant.
The citywide tunnel system will be comprised of five tunnels: the Deep Rock Tunnel Connector (formerly the Interplant Connection), Fall Creek, White River, Pleasant Run and Lower Pogues Run. The tunnel system will have the capacity to store 250 million gallons of raw sewage during large storm events and will significantly reduce raw sewage overflows. The tunnel system will address combined sewer overflow locations throughout Indianapolis by serving as a more integrated, underground storage facility for sewage.
The Deep Rock Tunnel Connector, which will extend from the Southport AWT Plant at Southport Road and Tibbs Avenue to north of the Belmont AWT Plant near the White River and Harding Street, will be the first phase of the tunnel system. From the Deep Rock Tunnel Connector, the four remaining storage tunnels will be extended along White River, Fall Creek, Pleasant Run and Pogues Run.
IndyGo Holiday Service Notification
As we enter the busy holiday season, it’s important for IndyGo riders to be aware of how Christmas and New Year’s Days will impact their local travel plans.
Christmas Eve – Friday, December 24
∙ Administrative staff out of the office
∙ Customer service call center closes at 3 p.m.
∙ Customer service retail center at 34 North Delaware closes at 3 p.m.
∙ Buses operating on regular schedules
Christmas Day – Saturday, December 25
∙ Administrative staff out of the office
∙ Customer service call center closed
∙ Customer service retail center at 34 North Delaware closed
∙ Fixed route buses operating on a Sunday/Holiday schedule*
∙ Open Door Service operating on a Sunday/Holiday schedule
∙ ICE commuter express routes not in service
∙ Red Line downtown circulator not in service
∙ Green Line Airport Express operating on its regular schedule**
New Year’s Eve – Friday, December 31
∙ Administrative staff out of the office
∙ Customer service call center open regular business hours
∙ Customer service retail center at 34 North Delaware closes at 3 p.m.
∙ Buses operating on regular schedules
New Year’s Day – Saturday, January 1
∙ Administrative staff out of the office
∙ Customer service call center closed
∙ Customer service retail center at 34 North Delaware closed
∙ Fixed route buses operating on a Sunday/Holiday schedule*
∙ Open Door Service operating on a Sunday/Holiday schedule
∙ Red Line downtown circulator not in service
∙ Green Line Airport Express operating on its regular schedule**
*If a fixed route does not normally operate on Sundays, then that route will not offer service on Christmas and New Year’s Days. Such routes are 4, 11, 16, 21, 22, 24, 25, 30, 34, 55 and 87.
**The Green Line Airport Express is the only IndyGo route not affected by the holidays, making it a great travel option for those flying out of town. This non-stop bus service operates daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. between downtown Indianapolis and the Ground Transportation Center at the Indianapolis International Airport. There are 10 convenient downtown bus stops for the Green Line, located near the major hotels, the Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. Service frequency is every 20 minutes, with an estimated travel time of 15 minutes. Passenger fare is $7, payable on board by Visa, MasterCard or cash. Exact fare is required.
Christmas Eve – Friday, December 24
∙ Administrative staff out of the office
∙ Customer service call center closes at 3 p.m.
∙ Customer service retail center at 34 North Delaware closes at 3 p.m.
∙ Buses operating on regular schedules
Christmas Day – Saturday, December 25
∙ Administrative staff out of the office
∙ Customer service call center closed
∙ Customer service retail center at 34 North Delaware closed
∙ Fixed route buses operating on a Sunday/Holiday schedule*
∙ Open Door Service operating on a Sunday/Holiday schedule
∙ ICE commuter express routes not in service
∙ Red Line downtown circulator not in service
∙ Green Line Airport Express operating on its regular schedule**
New Year’s Eve – Friday, December 31
∙ Administrative staff out of the office
∙ Customer service call center open regular business hours
∙ Customer service retail center at 34 North Delaware closes at 3 p.m.
∙ Buses operating on regular schedules
New Year’s Day – Saturday, January 1
∙ Administrative staff out of the office
∙ Customer service call center closed
∙ Customer service retail center at 34 North Delaware closed
∙ Fixed route buses operating on a Sunday/Holiday schedule*
∙ Open Door Service operating on a Sunday/Holiday schedule
∙ Red Line downtown circulator not in service
∙ Green Line Airport Express operating on its regular schedule**
*If a fixed route does not normally operate on Sundays, then that route will not offer service on Christmas and New Year’s Days. Such routes are 4, 11, 16, 21, 22, 24, 25, 30, 34, 55 and 87.
**The Green Line Airport Express is the only IndyGo route not affected by the holidays, making it a great travel option for those flying out of town. This non-stop bus service operates daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. between downtown Indianapolis and the Ground Transportation Center at the Indianapolis International Airport. There are 10 convenient downtown bus stops for the Green Line, located near the major hotels, the Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. Service frequency is every 20 minutes, with an estimated travel time of 15 minutes. Passenger fare is $7, payable on board by Visa, MasterCard or cash. Exact fare is required.
Christmas Sale
2010 Southeast Community Service Center
Christmas Sale
Friday, December 3rd 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 4th 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
2nd Floor Senior Citizen Center
Sponsored By:
Southeast Community Services
901 Shelby Street
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Christmas Sale
Friday, December 3rd 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 4th 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
2nd Floor Senior Citizen Center
Sponsored By:
Southeast Community Services
901 Shelby Street
Indianapolis, IN 46203
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