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

Indy Fringe Festival

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

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)

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

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)

Keep Pushing...

So much is this is about having confidence, things will happen automatically.
1. Know your stuff
2. Find a community and stick with it
3. See the humor/absurdity in things
4. Have patience - it takes a year
5. No brooding at all
6. No chicken and egg problems

A Liberal Community in Indianapolis

July 12 - Despite its reputation for conservatism, there's unquestionably a pocket and band of brothers (and sisters) who prescribe to a liberal worldview. That presence was exemplified in the sizable turnout to see "Flow" a documentary that critiques growing corporate control of Indiana's water supply.

Meeting Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

July 8 - A sign of Indianapolis's comfort with multiculturalism is indicated by the very multiracial audience to hear Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation. The audience was introduced to the distinguished, Hindu-inspired humanitarian by Indiana's Attorney General. It was striking to see a highly captivated audience, clinging to Sri Sri's every word, and participating with gusto in his chant at the end.

No Time to Brood - There's So Much To Do

In a world of strangers and in a world where we people are welcoming (but not inviting), one can get discouraged and lonely. But do not despair...

1. Believe in yourself: the great qualities that you have to offer to the world
2. Discover the real you - through introspection and trying things out
3. Dive in and join different groups! There's so much to do -- "even in a place like Indiana"
4. Over time, with faith, love, and patience, you'll meet nice activity partners.
5. Those partners will become your friends.
6. And maybe you'll find your soul mate among them.

5 Ideas for Developing Your Cardio in Indianapolis

1. IndyRunners

2. Indiana Sports and Social Club

3. Central Indiana Bicycling Association

4. Sierra Club

5. Hoosier Canoe Club

And two more:
*Taking a meditation/yoga class (e.g. Art of Living)
*Getting a membership at the Natatorium

4th of July at Morse Lake (in Cicero, Indiana)

-An off the beaten track opportunity
-Family-oriented crowd
-Traditional food fare, like funnel cakes and elephant ears
-Wonderful music by "The Lapel Community Band" (stationed just east of the Lake near the corner of Buckeye and Main Streets)

Noblesville to Cicero Train

-Surprisingly, people were not drunk or unrowdy in any way
-Employees/volunteers of the ITM were friendly and helpful and courteous, reflective of a bygone?! era
-Train looked on the interior and exterior as a creaky version of the Chicago Metra train

Noblesville

-Generic, upscale suburbia
-A quaint downtown of some nice architecture (Courthouse)

Carmel

-Leafy, manicured suburbia, with interesting roundabouts

Harrison Center

-A pocket of almost continual innovative artistic activit

I wonder if it is rather unique in its pairing of an Evangelical church with an art center that appears to embrace all styles and worldviews?

Near Northside and Delaware Street

-Charming architecture
-A row of non-profits, from the Propylaeum to the Harrison Home to different religious organizations (Baptist, Jehovah's Witness)

The Luck of Living in Indianapolis

For someone who wants to have a composite, holistic understanding of the human condition, Indianapolis is a great place to be, for it's small enough to be comprehensible for which one can get to know the landscape of stakeholders, but big enough to attract true innovators who want a big laboratory to test out ideas for helping others.

Because of its geographic centrality, one can also study the human condition in smaller urban areas (Gary, Evansville) and very rural areas (e.g. the towns that dot much of Indiana).

Finding those people who spark ideas for communities

As a newcomer to Indiana, it can be discouraging to not have a community that you can walk to, or call at a moment's notice, to enjoy life with, and share your thoughts and feelings with. People are married, tied up in their own social circles, and generally immersed in their own busy lives.

Look for people who can provide that spark of ideas to build communities:

1. Young professionals that seem to be "in the know" of anything and everything
2. Young-at-heart professional that seem to be "in the know" of anything and everything
3. Leaders of hobby clubs (dancing, running, biking, etc.)
4. Youth pastors
5. People who organize retreats
6. Non-profit leaders who organize service trips

Slow Food Indy

Indianapolis has, from all that I can observe, every cultural amenity as any other metro city in the United States. This is exemplified in having a 'Slow Food Indy' group, which is committed to the worldwide Slow Food Movement.

Hendricks and Putnam County

After seeing the unfortunate, homogenous sprawl of Avon, it was good to see some semblance of 'small town' Indiana in Danville. Putnam County, at least on the part that is on US 36 W, has a generally pleasant, rustic feel: rich tree canopy along the roads, no ugly billboards, and pleasant farmfields.

Indianapolis Museum of Art

Art challenges the mind to think differently about how reality is viewed, processed and understood. And a place like the IMA - with an astonishingly diverse and rich collection spanning several periods - is just the place to stimulate new thinking. How it could be a vehicle - an inspiration - for dynamism of thinking towards tackling the key problems of Indiana and elsewhere.

Senator Lugar

Some observations...

1. Thought leader - understands themes, but key decisions seem to be made by another
2. Cautious politico
3. Loyal Republican
4. Passion is for foreign policy commentary, not so much Indiana

Neighborhood where Emmerich Manual High School is

2405 Madison Ave, Indianapolis 2405 (south of Raymond)

Neighborhood where George Washington High School is

2215 W Washington St (Belmont); just west of the White River

Speedway

People I know:
-RM
-TM
-Cleaners

Irvington

Lockerbie

Chatham Arch

A Quick Drive through Fletcher Place

-Drove through yesterday, the Kirkwood of Indianapolis, or so it seems.
-Working class feel
-Ethnic

Restaurants that I've been to there:
The Milano Inn
The Bosphors
Nick Iaria's

Butler Tarkington, Meridian Kessler, Meridian Hills, Arden

Three very tree-lined, well-to-do neighborhoods of Indianapolis. The Central West End of Indy. Being revived as kids go to college, and parents seek to be nearer to downtown

Exploring Multicultural Indiana: A Focus on the Sikhs

**Gurdwara Sahib India Community Center
4420 West 56th Street
Indianapolis
(317) 291-0131 [no one answers on Sunday morning]
-About 16 minutes from downtown

**Guru Nanak Sikh Society
3301 Van Buren St
Indianapolis, IN 46203-3319
(317) 786-2331 [generic voicemail on Sunday morning]
-About 12 minutes from downtown

**Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis
10950 Southeastern Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46239
317-862-SIKH (317-862-7454)
Manjinder.Gill@gmail.com
-about 21 minutes SE of downtown

Observations of Downtown Indianapolis

Making Change in Indiana

People accept the fact that Indiana is different, slower to adopt to new things.

So what do those breathless for big change do?
1. The crystallization effect (a small demonstration project in one city, and then in another)
2. The ripple effect (e.g. Obama)

What would Jesus say about Indiana?

I heard the other day that on every street corner of Indiana, there is a church. Is the spirit of Jesus evident...

Five state-specific concerns that He might have:
1. Contempt for certain communities of people:
a. immigrants
b. environmentalists
c. gays
d. the homeless
2. Ill-treatment of animals: hogs, cows in CAFOs
3. Materialism: sports obsession, car culture, big-time eating, sprawl

Looking for the Culture of Indiana

Homogenizing forces:

1. Advertising by major corporations
McDonalds
Coca Cola

2. Common retail stores
Walgreens
Starbucks
Walmart

3. Market share of companies
The Big 3, Toyota

4. Corporate farms
Acres of same-looking corn and soybean fields

And yet, peeling that back, what makes Indiana different? And gives it character?
1. Its landscape: diverse for such a small state
2. Its people: especially English/German stock heritage
3. Its idiosyncratic towns, like Reynolds or St. Meinrad

And why does that character matter?
-It's interesting: intellectually, aesthetically

Why does Governor Daniels enamour some people?

1. Focused on jobs
2. Energetic
3. Optimistic
4. Midwestern (i.e. no nonsense, plain spoken)
5. Perceived as a problem solver

CAFOs in Indiana

Could we just as well have been in Iowa, NC, or MO?

Yes:
The people: laconic, friendly, proud of their way of life
The challenges: input costs (fertilizer, seed, feed), big corporates
The ethics: indifferent to feelings of the animal
The animals: breeded across the U.S.
The weather: Midwestern

No:
The culture: pride of eating pork; raising hogs
The land: particularly swampy in Indiana
The political climate: Governor is hugely backing ag as part of a strategy for growth

The Experience:
1. Revolting: confined nature of hog existence, living in their own manure, denied light
2. Smelly
3. Sobering: the ag system is too big to change
4. Understanding: hog farmers are under tremendous economic pressure, the folks are nice, and willing to share their lifestyle in great detail

Downtown Indy

One of the central questions:

--Can we promote a bold vision without real carrots and sticks?
e.g. How can mixed use development happen without incentives?

--Will the Cultural Trail be the real game changer?

--Why doesn't the vision for downtown go beyond that?
a. expanded buses
b. subway
c. a transformational program for the homeless

Central Indiana Flooding

I haven't seen any firsthand, but some thoughts:

1. Our best moral selves can come out of this: generosity, cooperation, forgiveness
2. Our best cognitive selves can come out of this: massive, fast-paced coordination

Let's hope that 1, 2 lead to permanent change. Let's also hope that local leaders think about how to site smarter (across all sectors - away from water bodies) and build smarter (e.g. not just durable, but ecologically more attuned, like wetlands instead of less durable sewage treatment plants).

Another area of discussion I hope to see--
How do we deal with all of the degradation to the environment? -- the trees, the animal life, the plant life, and the water bodies themselves?

Will people talk about global warming - and it possibly being the underlying culprit?

County Politics in Indiana

Some observations:

1. Broad interest, little energy: half-hearted interest
2. A few stalwarts in the audience who truly care
3. All the county commissioners - predominantly white males - have one of the following qualities:
a. bald
b. glasses
c. beard and mustache
d. some of the above
e. all of the above
4. Everyone making nice, but not feeling that inside
5. A disinteres in truly understanding the other's view

Promoting Social Change in Indiana: Different Models

*The Corporate View
Keep business unregulated, and they'll be great stewards of their community through support of non-profits.
Example: Eli Lilly

*The Ministry View
The church is the protector of the weak, innocent, sick, abused.
Example: Redeemer Presbyterian

*The Democrat/Jeffersonian View
If man is self-governed, he will make the right decisions in the best interest of his community.
Example: Democracy School

*The Regulatory View
Government must move business actors towards doing things in the best interest of the public
Example: Many secular public interest groups

How does one live?
Acknowledging the path that one is own, and evolving to something better: more truthful, just, loving.

Serving People, through Love of God, a View from Indianapolis

Indianapolis appears to be dotted with ministries - ministries that serve the poor, homeless, the hungry, the ill. With all of the enormous suffering in the world - the incredibly suffering state of the human condition - the work of these organizations provides evidence of the good qualities of man, and in the power of faith to develop man into something even better.

Coverage of Rural Indiana in the Star

Anecdotally, so many people in Indianapolis seem to have migrated from small towns. And yet so little coverage in the Star pertains to rural Indiana and its various distresses, linked to job losses, CAFOs, the meth and teen pregnancy crises, etc.

The Web and Sense of Place

It goes without saying that the web provides a staggering, breathtaking, mind-blowing, awe-inspiring volume of information. It humbles you to recognize how little you know through casual surfing. It can teach you so much.

But that infinity of knowledge can leave one pursuing a wholly atomized approach to living - where you just learn what you want to learn, and build relationships only with people that you want to build relationships with, not your neighbors. It can create an indifference to your immediate surroundings. I think about how few people know each other in my building. How anonymous it feels (though less so compared to my previous city). I think about how little the urban papers cover rural affairs - the proliferation of CAFOs, the teen pregnancy and meth crises, the slow elimination of small family farms, the distress of manufacturing losses.

Is civic life harmed, on net, by the web?

Indiana's Greens

I'm coming to learn firsthand that there are multiple segments of Indiana's population that care about the condition of the environment, though certainly have different motivations, views on policy approaches, sense of priorities, etc.

Here are my observations of the Indiana Greens:

1. Small, tight knit, with a view that environmental protection is their whole life
2. Concentrated in Bloomington and Indy but actually pretty dispersed
3. Composed of disparate groups, not all of whom would call themselves green
4. Angry about degradation in their immediate world, and having an attuneness to assaults on the environment from a state, national and international perspective
5. Distrustful of large corporations, and people/organizations affiliated with such institutions

Rocky Ripple

A treat to visit a place so removed from the commerical monotony that unfortunately scars much of Indianapolis. Rocky Ripple, adjacent to the White River, is a pleasure to visit. People seem in love with this neighborhood, and they feel like one family. I think my impression is colored by the specific composition of the party that I went to in Rocky Ripple, who seemed so uninhibited but good-natured.

Chicago- with all of its green innovations -- never gave me that sense of place, in part because it is so large. Indianapolis has so much promise to be a city that feels like a 'home'town!

On the CICP

The driving force behind the Super Bowl. Made of the most powerful titans in all of Central Indiana. Committed to "getting things done" and a great focus on economic development, private sector development (a la Daniels). In wonderment over their next steps to deal with public transit in Indiana, a space that seems so astonishingly barren. As with the IMA, how can non-profit groups try to tap into the energies that drive men and women to foresake the quiet life and family life to reach a grand vision of landing the Super Bowl? Perhaps aim for something more tangible, and frame the effort to built commuter rail in Central Indiana as a competition with other cities to reach metropolitan greatness?

Some views:

*Chamber-
-legislative deference
-pessimism about funding options at state and federal level

*Environment
-sprawl
-livability over sustainability
-air quality
-hunting/fishing interests

On the Indiana Museum of Art

Here is a cultural institution in a medium-size Midwestern town aspiring for greatness, and apparently having the patron love and funds to make that happen. Where does the energy and drive for the abstract (e.g. contemporary art) come from in a state that seems so down home and practical? How can public interest groups and non-profits understand the energies that underpin the IMA tap into it, for advancing the greater good?

The practical side of my own self wonders about the seemingly profound opportunity cost of investing in contemporary art over poverty alleviation. But that I struggle in trying to answer that question makes me understand why people always tell me that art "challenges" them.

What key things can Indianapolis do to make this town attractive to top talent?

1. Easier, more modern transit
a. more running trails
b. more bike trails
c. public transit

2. Great schools
a. higher graduation rate
b. more investment in top faculty

3. More livable city
a. more canals
b. more parks

Understanding the Hoosier Identity

Politics: moderate, little direct confrontation in the State House

Religion: deeply religious, with churches dotting the landscape

Race: rarely a topic of open conversation

Schooling: clear tracking of kids to different trajectories of high school (e.g. Cathedral), college (e.g. Wabash)

On IUPUI's Bantz

Chancellor Bantz is a soft-spoken man (a Midwestern man?), with a delight for story-telling, observations, and academic citations.

He is someone also keen to make IUPUI come to its own, with an identity distinct from Purdue and IU, emerging as a great urban-based university. He speaks of helping to consolidate its various schools, build up its graduate schools, and develop a focus on economic development-related departments.

The Changing Makeup of Indianapolis

I've begun to learn about Indianapolis's changing racial make-up: its growing Latino population, and growing population of other ethnic groups, some here as refugees. The coming years will be fascinating to watch: how that new ethnic mix will shape our politics, and our priorities.

What gives the downtown character?

What is truly value-added about the choices of architects and urban planners in the city?

What's not:
a. the skyscrapers - pretty, but nothing earth-shattering
b. the chain retailers and restaurants
c. the masses of parking lots

What does:
1. War Memorial and Monument Circle

2. The green spaces, especially White River State Park and the canal

3. The Cultural Trail

The Merits of City Living

I feel fortunate to live in the downtown area, which is a window to so many realms of Hoosier life:

*Corporate Indiana: Lilly, Wellpoint

*Government Indiana: the State House, the district court

*Religious Indiana: Wheeler Mission, Redeemer

*Sports Indiana: Lucas Oil, RCA Dome

*Agriculture Indiana: Farm Bureau

*Struggling Indiana: the homeless, the mentally ill

Greening the Southern Part of Indianapolis?

People who learn that I've just moved to Indianapolis love to remark about the progress that Indianapolis has made in redeveloping its downtown in a short period of time. I hear that it took an oligarchy to do that -- then Mayor Dick Lugar, along with city business leaders like Eli Lilly, who made big-time momentous decisions: tearing down ugly buildings, creating green space, and using newly created funds from Unigov to fund public works projects. As I've remarked before, there are many beautiful spots in the vicinity of Monument Circle that seem to be the fruit of what was seemingly an authoritarian process.

I wonder what the development plan is for southern Indianapolis? So many abandoned lots. So much dilapidating housing stock. Could this be the second phase of the Renaissance of downtown - perhaps largely green in nature?

Learning about the festivals of Indianapolis

*Circle City Fair

*Indianapolis State Fair

*Indy Fringe Festival
http://www.indyfringe.org/

The University World of Indianapolis

*Butler University
Came to learn about

*Marian College
Know the head of the Eco Lab

*Indiana Wesleyan
Met an admissions counselor from there

*Ivy Tech College
Several legislators have links

*Martin University
Had an interesting environmental science program

*University of Indianapolis
The home of the Lugar Scholars program

Indianapolis-Based Non-Profits that I'm Learning About

Noble of Indiana:
http://www.nobleofindiana.org/

Christel House
http://www.christelhouse.org/

Ambassadors for Children
http://www.ambassadorsforchildren.org/www2/

Impressions of Indianapolis

Pros:
*Graspable
Sufficiently small to "get to know it all" but sufficiently big for there to be diversity

*Solid cultural institutions:
a. art museum
b. zoo
c. theatre(s)
d. symphony
e. opera

*Some very visually appealing areas--
1. War Memorial area
2. Monument Circle
3. State House environs

*Seemingly good race relations

Cons:
*Too many:
-allergens in the air
-parking lots
-jay walkers
-people who've eaten way too much

*Too little racial/cultural diversity

*Dominated by local titans
Anthem to the east, Lucas Oil to the south, Lilly to the southeast, Clarian to the Northwest

*Takeover of retail by chains
-This is especially true outside of downtown - metro Indy could be anywhere USA

Impressions of People in Indianapolis

-Hoosiers:
nice
somewhat serious
very sports focused (basketball, Colts, racing)
like low-density living (Carmel, Fishers, Greenwood, Moresville, Lawrence)
grounded in a "dominion"-view of man, reflected by lack of sustainable living qualities

-Young professionals
mostly married

-Men:
buzz cuts
serious

-Women:
very short hair

Some Interesting Groups to Meet People

*Hoosier Canoe Club
http://www.hoosiercanoeclub.org/

*Indy Runners
http://www.indyrunners.org/

*Amnesty International
http://www.indypeaceandjustice.org/

*Keep Indianapolis Beautiful
http://www.kibi.org/

*Fred Astaire Dance School of Indianapolis
Apparently lots of college-age people, and very good instructors
http://www.indyballroom.com/

*Riola Dance
http://riolodance.com/default.aspx

*Indy Dancers
http://www.indydancers.com/id.htm#Indy%20Dancers

*Brickyard Boogie Dancers
http://www.brickyardboogiedancers.org/

Random Ways to Meet Young Professionals

*Attend First Fridays
http://www.idada.org/

*Go to galas, awards luncheons
Here are a few examples:
http://www.goodwill-indy.org/luncheon/default.asp
http://www.japanindiana.org/

Other Neighborhoods I've Become Aware Of

*Broad Ripple
-Three Sisters Cafe: good food!

*Castleton
The location of two women that I greatly respect

*Chatham Arch
Where an aquaintance of mine lives

*Crown Hill
Preserved by city-minded activists

*Fountain Square -The 50s-ish theatre dominates the identity of this area

*Geist
Where Governor Daniels apparently lives

*Fletcher's Place
-Great restaurants like The Milano Inn, The Bosphors, and Nick Iaria's

*IUPUI
Wonderfully new, modern buildings. Great soccer field, and cool student center

*Irvington
A few friends live here, but I haven't been. Apparently a great pizza place

*Lockerbie -traditional rowhouses -backdrop is the skyline - but also parking lots

*Mass Ave -Easy walk from restaurant to restaurant -Indianapolis Cultural Trail gives this area a European feel -theatres abound, including Murat (never been) and Phoenix Theatre

*Meridian Hills
"remains a wooded residential enclave for the wealthy and upper-middle class," as they say on Wikipedia

*So Bro -Beautiful old homes with lots of trees

*White River State Park
-Eiteljorg: impressive Western art
-Indiana State Museum: beautiful atrium

Finding Groups for Young Professionals

*Indianapolis Sports and Social Club
http://indy.playcoed.com/market_about.php

*Indy Indoor Sports
http://www.indyindoor.net/

*Off the Wall Sports
http://www.offthewallsports.net/

*Sportzone
http://www.sportzoneindy.com/index.php

*Indy Hub
http://www.indyhub.org/

*Redeemer Presbyterian http://www.redeemindy.org/
Has a reputation of having lots of young professionals

*Smaller Indiana
http://www.smallerindiana.org

Churches, and other places of worship

*St. Lukes
Very welcoming congregation. Massive sanctuary. Lots of older people.
Apparently a good environmental ministry.

*Christ Church in downtown
Beautiful, intimate. Half full.

*Second Presbyterian
Very neat architecture. People seem kind of serious.

*Redeemer Presbyterian
Very talented young musicians. Traditional architecture. Mix of modern music and traditional forms (e.g. catechism element). Lots of new parents and young married couples. Sermon dragged on forever, and didn't seem too cogent.

*Roberts Park United Methodist
Dominated by older people.

*St. Mary's Catholic Church
'Rebuilding congregation,' lots of young families; good percentage of Latinos.

I'd love to see a great gospel choir. Please let me know if you know of one!

Finding things to do: concerts, lectures, get-togethers

*Christian Theological Seminary
http://www.cts.edu/Programs/Index.cfm?NavID=8&PageID=98
The Faith Learning Initiative offers courses throughout the year

*Indy Parks
http://www.indygov.org/eGov/City/DPR/Programs/Fun+Guide.htm
An amazing array of inexpensive, taught arts classes (e.g. dance), but age range will be very wide, from 18 on up

*Indy.com
http://www.indy.com/events
Impressively comprehensive

*Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association
http://www.indy.org/

*Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Office of Catholic Education
http://www.archindy.org/oce/index.asp?action=program_news&id=2
Their young adult page is unfortunately barren!

*NUVO
http://www.nuvo.net/
Very heavy on the music and art scene, less so on interesting lectures and presentations

*Provocate
http://www.provocate.org/
Good pulse on interesting lectures in the city

*Indy Downtown
http://www.indydt.com/
Good for tracking ongoing activities. The search engine doesn't seem as strong at tracking events on any given day

*IUPUI Events Calendar
http://events.iupui.edu/
Skeletal calendar, alas.

*The Entertainment Guide
http://indianapolis.entertainment.com/discount/siteguide.shtml
Good for generating ideas for places to go in Indianapolis

Action-oriented activities that I'm exploring

*Dance:
East Coast Swing (Fountain Square): http://www.fountainsquareindy.com/
Comments:
-very cool live 'Big Band' music
-the ambience, like a puppet theatre
-the acoustics are bad
-lots of college-age kids, few young professionals

Starlite Ballroom http://www.starlitedanceindy.com/
Comments:
-the site of several dance clubs
-near Lafayette Square

*Voice
-St. Luke's: very nice choir director. Seemingly few young professionals in the choir, though.

Neighborhood Explorations: Downtown

Downtown:

Here are some things that I like about downtown:

*The War Memorial
-Majestic with amazing symmetry

*Chase Tower
-A symbol that while downtown is very walkable, it has some big city nuggets

*Favorite Restaurants
Pizza: Bazbeaux, Palomino
Pancakes: Le Peep

A Newcomer to Indianapolis and Indiana

I am new to Indianapolis and in Indiana. I thought I'd create a blog to narrate some of my efforts at meeting people like me. I hope that some of what I learn will be helpful to others who are new to the city, or are seeking to broaden their community.

Who am I?
*A straight, 30 something single professional male with a broad array of interests.
-Faith: a blend of two faiths, reflecting my heritage and my philosophical love
-Music: international, classical
-Dance: west coast swing, rumba
-Food: Thai, Chinese, Italian, gourmet pizza, organic food
-Politics: centrist, respecting the merits of a variety of political traditions