To all,
Many of you may have already heard, but starting at the beginning of the new year, I have accepted a new position within Mayor Ballard’s administration. I was asked to move to DPW and serve as the Executive Assistant to the Director. I will be serving primarily as the liaison to City-County Council, but will also be assisting Director Sherman with various policy issues and other special projects that may arise.
Let me assure each of you that it has been a privilege working with all of you over the past year and a half. As many of you know, I served in a very similar position under Mayor Goldsmith, so community service and working with vested neighborhood leaders are passions of mine. I believe these passions and experiences are reasons I was asked to serve in DPW and take a spirit of neighborhoods there.
One of the prerequisites I had for making the move to DPW was to make sure that I could continue to work in your areas until a replacement is found. I will bring that person to one of your upcoming meetings and introduce you to him or her. I will not let the transition be anything less than as smooth as possible. Even beyond that, I will never be more than a phone call away from the person that replaces me, anytime they might seek my thoughts on how to assist any of you.
So, this is not good-bye at all. Rather, it is the opportunity for me to ensure that “neighborhoods” become a bit more considered in how DPW plans projects and conducts business.
In the conversations that I have already had with some of you, you have told me that I was successful in one of the things I set out to accomplish. Many of you know that there is someone on the other end of the line that cares and that is willing to take the time to explain “City Hall” to any and all of you who wanted to find out how to make things happen for yourselves. City government is as local as government gets, so we ought to be fundamentally responsive to you all. I have tried to do that and, I hope, I have been at least somewhat successful in that effort. I hope that, in my new role, I will be able to continue to do that, as well.
I hope all of you have a great start to 2010…!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
IndyGo Operating on Sunday Schedule on New Year’s Day
Indianapolis–IndyGo bus service will operate on a Sunday/ Holiday schedule on New Year’s Day (Friday, January 1). If a route does not offer Sunday service, then no service will be available on this days.
Specifically, IndyGo’s schedule for New Year’s Day is as follows:
• Fixed Route: Sunday Schedule
• Red Line Circulator: No service
• Open Door Paratransit: Sunday Schedule
• ICE Fishers, Carmel: No service
• Green Line will run a regular schedule.
The IndyGo Customer Service Call Center will close at 7:00 pm on New Year's Eve and will be closed on New Year's Day. The City Market Sales Kiosk will close at 4:00 pm on New Year's Eve and will be closed on January 1 and 2. All routes, the Call Center and Administrative offices will resume regular schedules and operations on Saturday, Jan 2. The City Market Sales Kiosk will resume normal hours on Mon, January 4.
Specifically, IndyGo’s schedule for New Year’s Day is as follows:
• Fixed Route: Sunday Schedule
• Red Line Circulator: No service
• Open Door Paratransit: Sunday Schedule
• ICE Fishers, Carmel: No service
• Green Line will run a regular schedule.
The IndyGo Customer Service Call Center will close at 7:00 pm on New Year's Eve and will be closed on New Year's Day. The City Market Sales Kiosk will close at 4:00 pm on New Year's Eve and will be closed on January 1 and 2. All routes, the Call Center and Administrative offices will resume regular schedules and operations on Saturday, Jan 2. The City Market Sales Kiosk will resume normal hours on Mon, January 4.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Second Story--2009 was awesome! we're ready for 2010
Happy Holidays
Second Story enjoyed a great 2009. And we appreciate your support in helping us continue to succeed. This year, with many excellent volunteers joining our team, we've helped lots of kids in Indianapolis find joy in writing and improve their literacy skills.
We did this with:
· Summer programs on East 10th Street (in partnership with Y-Press) on the Near Eastside (see the videos here) and in Garfield Park (in partnership with Indy Parks).
· In-school programs at IPS School 15 (4th graders) and IPS School 2 (7th graders in partnership with Butler University and Central Library).
· Weekly after-school programs at the Wheeler Arts Community in Fountain Square, Kaleidoscope Youth Center and MLK Center.
· Entertaining and successful Corporate Rock Off, Zippers of Zoomerville and Harrison Center Underground fundraiser events.
Now, we're looking forward to 2010 with plans to continue our after-school efforts while also working with high school kids for the first time as we team up with University of Indianapolis to help students at Manual High School bring back their yearbook and newspaper publications.
In late 2008 and in 2009, we received some great support from the Indianapolis Foundation, State Farm and from individuals like you. But times are tight and finding foundation and corporate support is a challenge - especially for younger nonprofit organizations like ours.
So we need your help. The more funds we can raise, the more we can expand our programs to reach more children in 2010. It's easy to make a tax-deductible donation online through the Donate/Paypal button on our website or by sending us a check to 1014 Prospect St. Indianapolis, IN 46203.
We'd also love your help as a volunteer in 2010. Please email me if you have any questions, suggestions or just want to say hello.
All Best,
Jim Walker
Managing Director
VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE
Another big accomplishment in 2009 was finishing Second Story's website. While it is still developing, we're really proud of the site and expect to make it even more useful for kids, parents and teachers in 2010. Thanks to the site's designers, Indiana-based Medium Large, for their support on this project.
Second Story enjoyed a great 2009. And we appreciate your support in helping us continue to succeed. This year, with many excellent volunteers joining our team, we've helped lots of kids in Indianapolis find joy in writing and improve their literacy skills.
We did this with:
· Summer programs on East 10th Street (in partnership with Y-Press) on the Near Eastside (see the videos here) and in Garfield Park (in partnership with Indy Parks).
· In-school programs at IPS School 15 (4th graders) and IPS School 2 (7th graders in partnership with Butler University and Central Library).
· Weekly after-school programs at the Wheeler Arts Community in Fountain Square, Kaleidoscope Youth Center and MLK Center.
· Entertaining and successful Corporate Rock Off, Zippers of Zoomerville and Harrison Center Underground fundraiser events.
Now, we're looking forward to 2010 with plans to continue our after-school efforts while also working with high school kids for the first time as we team up with University of Indianapolis to help students at Manual High School bring back their yearbook and newspaper publications.
In late 2008 and in 2009, we received some great support from the Indianapolis Foundation, State Farm and from individuals like you. But times are tight and finding foundation and corporate support is a challenge - especially for younger nonprofit organizations like ours.
So we need your help. The more funds we can raise, the more we can expand our programs to reach more children in 2010. It's easy to make a tax-deductible donation online through the Donate/Paypal button on our website or by sending us a check to 1014 Prospect St. Indianapolis, IN 46203.
We'd also love your help as a volunteer in 2010. Please email me if you have any questions, suggestions or just want to say hello.
All Best,
Jim Walker
Managing Director
VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE
Another big accomplishment in 2009 was finishing Second Story's website. While it is still developing, we're really proud of the site and expect to make it even more useful for kids, parents and teachers in 2010. Thanks to the site's designers, Indiana-based Medium Large, for their support on this project.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Dear Fringe Fans,
IndyFringe prides itself on returning 100% of the box office to our performers. However, this means none of the proceeds from the festival can be used to support the costs associated with putting on the festival including: renting all five theatres, paid theatre technical staff, and our incredible staff of the Fringe - Pauline Moffat, Justin Brady, and part-time staff we hire during festival month as funds allow.
Please support IndyFringe in 2010 by giving a tax-deductible donation in 2009.
Make a secure online donation today.
Sincerely,
Jill Ditmire, President - IndyFringe Board
P.S. I hope to see you in January 2010 at the IndyFringe Theatre for Emerging Artists Month!
Please support IndyFringe in 2010 by giving a tax-deductible donation in 2009.
Make a secure online donation today.
Sincerely,
Jill Ditmire, President - IndyFringe Board
P.S. I hope to see you in January 2010 at the IndyFringe Theatre for Emerging Artists Month!
POST HOLIDAY RECYCLING EVENT GIVES RESIDENTS OPPORTUNITY TO RECYCLE HOLIDAY MATERIALS
The Office of Sustainability, in conjunction with Indy
Parks, the Department of Public Works and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful,
will host the fourth annual Post-Holiday Recycling Event on Saturday,
January 9, 2010
WHAT: This one-day event is designed to offer residents an
environmentally safe way to dispose of unwanted electronics and to
provide a reuse and recycling option for Christmas trees. Through this
event, residents are able to do their part as we make Indianapolis a
cleaner, more sustainable city.
Accepted items include:
* Christmas trees (remove all ornaments, lights, tree stands, plastic
bags, and other decorations)
* Cardboard boxes
* Gift boxes (no wrapping paper)
* Styrofoam (white foam, clean with no glue)
* Electronics (examples include: computer equipment, cell phones, TV's
no larger than 27 inches, VCRs, DVD players and stereos)
Volunteers will be on hand to help unload recyclables.
WHERE: Broad Ripple Park - 1550 Broad Ripple Avenue
Ellenberger Park - 5301 E. St. Clair Street
Garfield Park - 2354 Pagoda Drive
Krannert Park - 605 S. High School Road
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2010
Parks, the Department of Public Works and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful,
will host the fourth annual Post-Holiday Recycling Event on Saturday,
January 9, 2010
WHAT: This one-day event is designed to offer residents an
environmentally safe way to dispose of unwanted electronics and to
provide a reuse and recycling option for Christmas trees. Through this
event, residents are able to do their part as we make Indianapolis a
cleaner, more sustainable city.
Accepted items include:
* Christmas trees (remove all ornaments, lights, tree stands, plastic
bags, and other decorations)
* Cardboard boxes
* Gift boxes (no wrapping paper)
* Styrofoam (white foam, clean with no glue)
* Electronics (examples include: computer equipment, cell phones, TV's
no larger than 27 inches, VCRs, DVD players and stereos)
Volunteers will be on hand to help unload recyclables.
WHERE: Broad Ripple Park - 1550 Broad Ripple Avenue
Ellenberger Park - 5301 E. St. Clair Street
Garfield Park - 2354 Pagoda Drive
Krannert Park - 605 S. High School Road
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2010
Monday, December 21, 2009
TAX PREP INITIATIVE GETS BOOST FROM IRS GRANT LOCAL VITA PROGRAM HELPS LOW, MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has awarded a $90,000 grant to members of the Indianapolis Asset Building Coalition to boost the IABC’s citywide Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in 2010.
Locally, the VITA program occurs through a collaboration of IABC members, including the City of Indianapolis, United Way of Central Indiana, Central Indiana Community Foundation, local banks and financial institutions and various not-for-profit organizations focused on asset building and financial fitness. The grant application was submitted through the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, a public-private partnership that is also a member of the IABC. By contributing $20,000 to the project, the Indianapolis Foundation, which is affiliated with CICF, contributed a significant portion of the matching funds needed to receive the IRS grant.
VITA partners are organizations that provide free federal tax return preparation and electronic filing to low and moderate income individuals. For tax year 2009, individuals and families with an adjusted gross income of $49,000 or lower are eligible for assistance.
In Indianapolis, eight neighborhood community centers serve as VITA sites, helping to recruit volunteers and providing staff support during a variety of hours. They include John H. Boner Community Center, Christamore House, Concord Neighborhood Center, Hawthorne Community Center, Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, Oasis Christian CDC, Shepherd Community Center and Southeast Community Services. There will also be one-day VITA sites at Goodwill Industries and other locations to be announced in early 2010.
The VITA program, known for several years as “Save, Earn and Learn,” works in partnership with “Indy’s Campaign for Financial Fitness,” which is chaired by First Lady Winnie Ballard.
“I am passionate about promoting financial fitness throughout Indianapolis, because I believe improving financial health is one of the best ways we can improve the quality of life for all citizens,” said First Lady Winnie Ballard. “Through Indy’s Campaign for Financial Fitness, we are helping connect individuals with tools and resources to help them live within their means and make their hard-earned dollars stretch further.”
Under the national VITA Grant Program, the IRS awarded nearly $8 million in matching grants to 147 organizations that will offer free tax preparation services during the 2010 filing season. There was a strong response to the 2010 VITA grant solicitation, with 360 organizations submitting applications that, combined, requested more than $30 million in matching funds.
“We're proud to support the VITA program and their volunteer tax preparers who provide an invaluable service to millions of taxpayers,” said Richard Byrd, Jr., IRS Wage and Investment Operating Division Commissioner.
The funds will be used to:
•Enable VITA programs to extend services to underserved populations and hardest to reach areas, both urban and non-urban
•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.uwci.org/volunteer to register.
Locally, the VITA program occurs through a collaboration of IABC members, including the City of Indianapolis, United Way of Central Indiana, Central Indiana Community Foundation, local banks and financial institutions and various not-for-profit organizations focused on asset building and financial fitness. The grant application was submitted through the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, a public-private partnership that is also a member of the IABC. By contributing $20,000 to the project, the Indianapolis Foundation, which is affiliated with CICF, contributed a significant portion of the matching funds needed to receive the IRS grant.
VITA partners are organizations that provide free federal tax return preparation and electronic filing to low and moderate income individuals. For tax year 2009, individuals and families with an adjusted gross income of $49,000 or lower are eligible for assistance.
In Indianapolis, eight neighborhood community centers serve as VITA sites, helping to recruit volunteers and providing staff support during a variety of hours. They include John H. Boner Community Center, Christamore House, Concord Neighborhood Center, Hawthorne Community Center, Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, Oasis Christian CDC, Shepherd Community Center and Southeast Community Services. There will also be one-day VITA sites at Goodwill Industries and other locations to be announced in early 2010.
The VITA program, known for several years as “Save, Earn and Learn,” works in partnership with “Indy’s Campaign for Financial Fitness,” which is chaired by First Lady Winnie Ballard.
“I am passionate about promoting financial fitness throughout Indianapolis, because I believe improving financial health is one of the best ways we can improve the quality of life for all citizens,” said First Lady Winnie Ballard. “Through Indy’s Campaign for Financial Fitness, we are helping connect individuals with tools and resources to help them live within their means and make their hard-earned dollars stretch further.”
Under the national VITA Grant Program, the IRS awarded nearly $8 million in matching grants to 147 organizations that will offer free tax preparation services during the 2010 filing season. There was a strong response to the 2010 VITA grant solicitation, with 360 organizations submitting applications that, combined, requested more than $30 million in matching funds.
“We're proud to support the VITA program and their volunteer tax preparers who provide an invaluable service to millions of taxpayers,” said Richard Byrd, Jr., IRS Wage and Investment Operating Division Commissioner.
The funds will be used to:
•Enable VITA programs to extend services to underserved populations and hardest to reach areas, both urban and non-urban
•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.uwci.org/volunteer to register.
Friday, December 18, 2009
SAVE THE DATE: POST HOLIDAY RECYCLING EVENT GIVES RESIDENTS OPPORTUNITY TO RECYCLE HOLIDAY MATERIALS
The Office of Sustainability, in conjunction with Indy
Parks, the Department of Public Works and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful,
will host the fourth annual Post-Holiday Recycling Event on Saturday,
January 9, 2010
WHAT: This one-day event is designed to offer residents an
environmentally safe way to dispose of unwanted electronics and to
provide a reuse and recycling option for Christmas trees. Through this
event, residents are able to do their part as we make Indianapolis a
cleaner, more sustainable city.
Accepted items include:
* Christmas trees (remove all ornaments, lights, tree stands, plastic
bags, and other decorations)
* Cardboard boxes
* Gift boxes (no wrapping paper)
* Styrofoam (white foam, clean with no glue)
* Electronics (examples include: computer equipment, cell phones, TV's
no larger than 27 inches, VCRs, DVD players and stereos)
Volunteers will be on hand to help unload recyclables.
WHERE: Broad Ripple Park - 1550 Broad Ripple Avenue
Ellenberger Park - 5301 E. St. Clair Street
Garfield Park - 2354 Pagoda Drive
Krannert Park - 605 S. High School Road
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2010
Parks, the Department of Public Works and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful,
will host the fourth annual Post-Holiday Recycling Event on Saturday,
January 9, 2010
WHAT: This one-day event is designed to offer residents an
environmentally safe way to dispose of unwanted electronics and to
provide a reuse and recycling option for Christmas trees. Through this
event, residents are able to do their part as we make Indianapolis a
cleaner, more sustainable city.
Accepted items include:
* Christmas trees (remove all ornaments, lights, tree stands, plastic
bags, and other decorations)
* Cardboard boxes
* Gift boxes (no wrapping paper)
* Styrofoam (white foam, clean with no glue)
* Electronics (examples include: computer equipment, cell phones, TV's
no larger than 27 inches, VCRs, DVD players and stereos)
Volunteers will be on hand to help unload recyclables.
WHERE: Broad Ripple Park - 1550 Broad Ripple Avenue
Ellenberger Park - 5301 E. St. Clair Street
Garfield Park - 2354 Pagoda Drive
Krannert Park - 605 S. High School Road
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2010
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