Saturday, September 27, 2008

White River State Park

White River State Park

*canals: very well maintained, and surrounded by beautiful developments

*river: lengthy, scenic river walk

IMAX in Downtown Indianapolis

-vast, multi level space
-2nd floor entry leads to Indiana State Museum's majestic atrium

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Indy Fringe Festival

August 31st event
-A small turnout
-Young unmarried couples; singles; gays
-People slightly drunk
-No inspiring conversation
-Odd themes

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Harrison State Park

-beautiful hardwoods
-gentle slopes
-beautiful circuit, surrounding the lake
-primarily unfriendly attendees; though organizers (from Mt. Carmel Baptist) very friendly:
Joanna (Milwaukee), Marty, Walter, wife and son (organizer) - relative is Italian

Square dancing

-peppy, high energy
-variety (due to multiple partners)
-humorous (e.g. funny words)
-catchy (e.g. banjo)

Saturday, August 9, 2008

The Indiana State Fair

Expected:
-the tradition
-lots of fatty food (e.g. fried vegetables)
-a showcase of agriculture (livestock)
-the 4H activities
-the religious presence (e.g. Right to Life)
-the propaganda: biofuels
-exhibition of Americana: high school bands, lots of farmers congregating

Enjoyment:
-seeing the animals..the bahing goat, the pensive horse, the cock-a-dooling of the rooster
-the clown band

Surprises:
-percentage of Latinos, African-Americans
-the ancillary businesses: quilting
-the commercial presence: auto companies (in retrospect, catering to a "masculine" audience)
-the pop culture element: the concerts, the radio stations
-the presence of different state agencies
-horse breeding
-exotic animals

Disappointments:
-Actually expected it to be much more crowded, many more booths (more makeshift)
-No really healthy or sustainable presence
-Small number of non-profits, esp. public interest types
-Non-friendliness of rural people

Kayaking on the Wildcat

Evansville, Vincennes

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Lake Lemon, Yellowwood State Forest, and Brown County

We may have an urge to travel abroad, but it ought not be because we cannot find beauty here at home. There is so much that America has to offer, and I can begin to appreciate that spending time in the beautiful lands and waters of Brown County.

It's pristine air, pastoral views, and its quiet lakes and forests, do make for a great get-away from the hectic pace of urban life, and a life filled with challenges of both a professional and personal nature. I am so grateful that one can enjoy nature's beauties so close to Indianapolis.

*Lake Lemon: largely wide open of calm water, with a few motor boats and developments along the shore.

*Yellowwood State Forest: truly rustic, with narrow, gravel roads, preserving as much of the true character of the forest as possible

*Brown County's countryside: very pastoral, interrupted with some residential developments (clean, not trashy though)

Sprawl quite apparent, though, in the neighborhoods south of downtown...

Sustainable Community in Indianapolis

Great signs of commitment:

1. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful
Their new space will help to convene groups together

2. The Central Indiana Regional Council
As a platform for convening various groups together to work on common advocacy issues

3. Many groups committed to sustainability
KIBI, Journey's Fire, Indy Chamber, IndyGreen Print, Indianapolis Climate Change Network, Casa Verde, Cottage Home Neighborhood Association (Tyler/Laura/Andrea), NUVO, City of Indianapolis (Brownfields Coordinator)