Indianapolis

Support Early voting in Marion County, Indiana

There’s a move afoot by the local GOP to try to kill early voting in Marion County, Indiana. Early voting is convenient for people with busy schedules and was wildly successful in 2008 and 2009 in getting record numbers of people to the polls.

Marion County Clerk Beth White is supporting a plan to resurrect satellite voting for the November General Election. If you would like early voting, you can attend an Election Board meeting, call or email the election board, or:
Sign the petition sponsored by the County Clerk to keep early voting in Marion County.

Continue ReadingSupport Early voting in Marion County, Indiana

Mayor Greg Ballard’s Many Tax Increases

Now that campaign season is rolling around our Mayor Ballard — whose original campaign charge was all about repealing property taxes in Indiana — is hauling out one of his favorite talking points: claiming he held the line on new taxes. Ballard was whipped into office on the froth of the anti-tax rabble after Governor Mitch Daniel’s repeated property tax bungles statewide.

In reality? Not at all true on the “holding the line” claim. The Indianapolis Times puts together the facts, with the help of an observant letter-writer (Melissa De Groff) to the Indianapolis Star:

The statement in the editorial “Recycling beats trash talking,” March 27, that Mayor Greg Ballard has held the line on tax increases simply doesn’t hold water. Ballard was elected on widespread anti-tax sentiment, vowing to repeal the bipartisan-supported income tax hike enacted to fund 200 additional police officers, and promising no new taxes during his administration.

It looked good in the paper. But more than two years into Ballard’s term, Indianapolis residents are still waiting. Instead of a full repeal of the income tax, Ballard delivered a fraction of his promise. Instead of no new taxes, Ballard has solicited 30 tax increases: one sewer rate hike, two water rate hikes and 27 user-fee hikes (“Indianapolis wants to boost user fees,” Dec. 23, 2009). And instead of “holding the line” on city spending, each of Ballard’s budgets have increased the property tax burden on residents.

World-class cities need to push forward continuously, like Eli Lilly and EnerDel do in the corporate world. That’s why additional recycling opportunities merit additional exploration. But “holding the line” won’t cut it, especially when Ballard hasn’t earned the praise.

Continue ReadingMayor Greg Ballard’s Many Tax Increases

Homespun: Modern Handmade

I’ve mentioned INDIEana Handicraft Exchange here before; Stephanie and I were introduce to the contemporary craft fair by a friend and have attended their events twice. It’s helped inspire the two of us to plan and scheme about our own crafting projects and what we might be able to do someday as a potential vendor.

In their words: “The INDIEana Handicraft Exchange is a D.I.Y. contemporary craft fair that showcases the work of artists and crafters who use traditional crafting techniques mixed with a contemporary edge.”
Now the folks who run the Exchange — Neal and Amanda Mauer Taflinger — are opening a new venture in Indianapolis – a store for local artists to sell their work. Homespun will be opening up on east Washington Street in the Irvington neighborhood.

Continue ReadingHomespun: Modern Handmade

links for 2010-02-03

Continue Readinglinks for 2010-02-03

links for 2010-01-30

Continue Readinglinks for 2010-01-30

links for 2010-01-27

Continue Readinglinks for 2010-01-27

Weekend Update 2010-01-19

Nope, I haven’t quit the 365 photo project, I’m just behind on putting the photos I’ve taken up. I know – three day weekend for me and I couldn’t get it done. But I was working on the project — I want to do some portrait work, and we have a southern-exposure window that I wanted to put a chair in front of so I could take some pictures in natural light. That entailed taking down the Christmas tree, rearranging the library, and moving the trunk from in front of the window. Lots of work, but now I have a place to seat people in pretty lighting.

I’m trying to create some variety and different opportunities, because all my pictures are of knitting and cats. 😉 It hard to come up with entertaining things to photograph when I hate the cold and am hibernating at home a lot.

I’m the knitting cat lady! Yes, knitting and cats. And dogs – wouldn’t want to forget the pooch.
Scarves I'm knitting
Gratuitous knitting photo

Things will also pick up once it gets warmer. This coming weekend we’re going to a skating competition for Stephanie and I’ll have a lot of pictures there, and we do get out a lot more in the spring.
Stephanie took me out last night to a Asian/Vietnamese food place on the east side of town – Sandra Rice and Noodles. OMG. The best lemongrass chicken I’ve ever had, hands down. Simply wonderful. I have leftovers that I can’t wait to get at. We tacked a dessert on to the order so we could use a coupon – rice pudding that was the best afterthought ever. Really delicious. It’s on Pendleton Pike, so it’s a bit out of the way, but definitely worth the drive from downtown for us. Yum yum yum. I wish I were a better writer when it comes to food, but I’m not good at separating flavors and identifying what went into a dish. And I tend to only talk about places I really enjoy, so every food review sounds the same – “Yummy, delicious, best ever.” Not terribly helpful to anyone, other than to let you know what I like.

Continue ReadingWeekend Update 2010-01-19

links for 2009-11-02

Continue Readinglinks for 2009-11-02

Downtown Indianapolis Restaurant Delivery Options

  • Post author:
  • Post category:Indianapolis

I put together this list of downtown Indianapolis delivery options for my own reference. If you happen to know of others or if this list needs an update, please comment with suggestions.

Aunt Polly’s – 317-632-3663
Bazbeaux Pizza – 317-636-7662
Best Taste China Buffet – 317-684-1818
Bob’s Tu Your Door – 317-358-2627
China King – 317-685-8630
Domino’s Pizza – 317-635-3030
Giorgio’s Pizza – 317-687-9869 (giorgiosindy.com for menu)
Hong Kong Chinese 1524 N Illinois St. – 317-951-8882
Jimmy John’s – 317-686-0246
Luca Pizza di Roma – 317-423-2373
Papa John’s – 317-632-7272
South of Chicago Pizza & Beef (619 Virginia Ave.) – (317) 203-7110
Tip Top Tavern – 1341 N Capitol Ave – (317) 423-9905
Vito’s on Penn – 317-636-2200

Continue ReadingDowntown Indianapolis Restaurant Delivery Options

Revolt (or something) at the Statehouse

If you know anything about local Indiana politics, you’ll understand why this video is really damned funny.

UPDATE: As I was watching this, I was struck at how prescient local artist and commentator StAllio! was when he wrote about the event planning for this shindig a month ago:

if you even know what all that means, you’re probably one of the event’s organizers. i don’t see this protest attracting a lot of protesters nor much media attention. the whole thing is too vague and ephemeral for tv reporters, who won’t have a clue how to cover the thing. and in today’s economy, i don’t see the typical taxpayer getting too riled up about “the executive and legislative revolving door”–these days, people are more worried about just finding jobs and making ends meet. if this were a focused protest centered around, say, the mess at the CIB, i could see it being a moderate success. but a kitchen-sink protest of complaining about “corporate welfare” is doomed to failure.

I should have quoted him when I wrote this this morning, but I hadn’t had any coffee yet.

Continue ReadingRevolt (or something) at the Statehouse