WIXLIB

2Views & NewsFir Felledfice, my daughter Delaneytexted photos showing ourfreshly-fallenChristmastree, each cat positionedbeside the daytime destruction, triumphant, likeproud lions gloating over adowned water buffalo.It wasn’t enough tosimply toy around with afew ornaments. They tookout the whole damn tree.Perhaps the haloed dachshund ornament toppingthe tree – in memory ofour dead dog – put the catsover the edge. Such intensejealousy.I posted the photos onFacebook of course. One“friend” recommended positioning orange peels beneath the tree to keep thecats away. “We tried it atour house, and it really didwork,” she wrote.Peeling oranges seemedtoo labor intensive. Rolling oranges at the cats approaching the tree seemedmore entertaining.Another “friend” commented, “Hang it from theceiling or nail it to the wall.”I assumed he meant thetree and not the cats. I wasin no mood to turn my living room into a movie setfor The Poseidon Adventureor having a PETA protest inmy front yard.Foolishly, I re-stood thetree.Later that night, therearose such a clatter. Cashhadsomehowgottentrapped headfirst inside aAdvocating forVictims of Crime and Abuseprevailinc.orgI was born and raised right herein Noblesville. I grew up in ahome without domestic violenceor assault – it wasn’t somethingI saw, or even heard about. Butwhen I was introduced to Prevailof Central Indiana, I was shockedby the number of individualswho are affected by domesticviolence. In 2018 alone, Prevailhelped more than 4,000 clientsin Hamilton County. (Nearly 80percent of clients are womenand children.) Domestic violenceand abuse are hard topics todiscuss, so you don’t often hearabout them. But at Tom WoodVolkswagen in Noblesville,we’re breaking the taboo andraising awareness for Prevail, anorganization that helps familiesin Hamilton County.– Mike Bragg, GM of Tom WoodVolkswagen in NoblesvilleTo help HamiltonCounty familiesaffected by domesticviolence and sexualabuse, you can donatethe following items:Walmart bag. In blind panic, he bounced off the wallslike a pinball as he tried toescape.Then it happened.Running full speeddown the hallway, stillcaught in the bag, possiblyeven on the verge of suffocation, Cash collided withthe tree, his trajectory asperfect as an Earl Anthonybowling ball striking thehead pin. Before I couldyell in anger a certain favorite word of mine (“timber” it was not), I helplessly watched the tree crash tothe floor again, ornamentsrolling here and there, anempty Walmart bag nowwith a big hole in its bottomleft behind, the newly-freedcat nothing but a whiteflash before disappearinginto the kitchen.Days passed but still thegreen heap that had oncebeen a lovely Christmasdisplay remained on thefloor. I couldn’t muster theenergy to upright the tree,my Christmas spirit shattered like a pawed glass ornament. It was no use to restand the tree a second time.It would only be the targetof yet another toppling.Delaney and I walkedaround or stepped overthe felled tree. The cats, ofcourse, had nothing to dowith the downed tree after that. They yawned andwent into rooms for a nap,dreaming up new challenges and ways to achievePhoto provided by Scott Saalmanhousehold domination.Welcome to our Habitatfor Inhumanity.I pondered a new Christmas tradition: Decorate atree but leave it on its sideon the floor. That or improve my accuracy at roll-ing oranges.Scott Saalman alsowrites columns for the Dubois County Herald and theEvansville Courier & Press.He is now a proud Fishersresident. You can reach himat scottsaalman@gmail.com.Bold, Aggressive,and VersatileThe all new ID.4 will revolutionize the way you drive!While charging at home you'llnever start your day without a fullcharge of an EPA estimaged rangeof 250 miles!With three years of free fastcharging on the Electrify Americacharging network, your freedomhas never been more electric!Care Committment ConvenienceTom WoodVolkswagenNoblesvillefrom Page 1have such a diverse and talented network of alumni. Iam excited to see what connections may form, thanksto this new digital community. We all have lessons toshare, opportunities to giveand relationships to build –let’s support HSEF in thisendeavor and help make theTigers Royals Alumni Network a great success!”The alumni community is available to allalumni and friends of thedistrict. Alumni of HSEHigh School or FishersHigh School can submittheir own information andconnect with other alumnithrough the online directory. Members of the networkcan also find informationabout class reunions, andwill be a resource for alumni, supporters, and friendsto receive news about district events, opportunities,and initiatives.To learn more aboutTigers Royals Alumni Network and to get more involved in the HamiltonSoutheastern Schools community, visit TigersandRoyals.org. Individuallypackaged snacks Lysol Hand sanitizer Disinfecting wipesDrop off items atTom Wood Volkswagenin Noblesville,14701 Tom Wood Way.Alumni14701 Tom Wood WayNoblesville, IN om WoodVolkswagenNoblesvilleE. 146th StreetThanks forreadingTheReporterTesT Drive ToDayThat’s why Cash meowedin a majorly sweet way toget Scott’s attention. Scott’sa sucker for this.CASH: That was thebeauty of our plan. Sureenough, as hoped, Scottfell for my feigned felinecuteness and took my photo. I did not dare bat at anyof those shiny ornamentssurrounding me, for thatwould’ve alarmed Scottand caused him to use thatirksome squirt bottle. He’salways saying, “make myday” or “do you feel lucky,punk?” before squirting us.COPPOLA: Oh, suchlow-hanging ornament fruitdangling before Cash, yetmy fur brother didn’t takethe bait! Such self-restraintdemonstrated by Cash.CASH: How desperately I wanted to swipe at thatangel ornament, and thegingerbread man, and theSanta—COPPOLA: Such willpower.CASH: By me avoiding havoc, Scott assumedall was right in his sad littlepeople world. He never suspected what we ultimatelyhad in store for his shinytree.COPPOLA: Such aman-fool. Purr. Purr. HiFive me, Cash!CASH: Ouch, damn it,Coppola! Hiss. Hiss.COPPOLA: Sorry. I forgot. I’m not declawed.Now, fast forward a fewdays. While I was in the of-from Page 1

Views & NewsGot winter blues? Keeping upgood exercise habits may helpshortened day“Sunshine isCOLUMNISTlight hours. SADmy quest.” – Winbegins and endsston Churchillat about the sameDecember –times every year.a time for celeIf you're likebration, for joy,most people withfor time spentSAD, your sympwithfriendstoms start in theand loved ones,which hopefully SHARON McMAHON fall and continueBe Wellinto the winterincludes precaumonths; sappingtions during thischallenging time during the your energy and makingyou feel moody.pandemic.Treatment for SADAll that is true, indeed.However, for many people may include light therapypsychothere are other issues to be (phototherapy),faced between November therapy and medications.and early March and that Again, please contact youris my topic – SAD, or Sea- licensed health care prosonal Affective Disorder. fessional for any of theseWhile it is true that there recommendations or referare those who suffer from rals. Symptoms specific todepression which is not sea- winter-onset SAD, somesonal, that is not something times called “winter blues,”that I will address here and may include irritability, lowshould be addressed only energy, heavy or “leaden”by those who are trained feeling in the arms or legs,oversleeping and appetiteand licensed in that area.SAD is a disorder that changes which may includereflects the sometimes-pro- carb cravings. Additionally,found changes which light increased stress or pressuredeprivation can cause in the due to holiday events or exbrain. There are some who pectations, workplace yearmay be seriously affected end deadlines, and financialby the decreased sunshine issues can contribute to seaand shortened daylight sonal despondency.hours in the winter months,Don't brush off thatand some who are only yearly feeling as simply amildly affected yet still feel case of the "winter blues"adverse outcomes of those or a seasonal funk that youhave to tough out on yourown. Take steps to keepyour mood and motivationsteady throughout the year.Up your fitness regimenor at least keep it steadyduring the winter monthsif your physical conditionwarrants. Walk whenever possible – outside if theweather cooperates, insideon a treadmill or shoppingmall if needed. Stretchingand flexibility are particularly important this timeof year as we are usuallybending, reaching, liftingitems for decoration or toprepare for holiday company. Strength training is vitally important as well. Notonly will you feel more energetic and focused throughthe dark winter months, youwill get a head start on yourearly spring training!Indulge in a few goodies through the holidayseason but remember to bemindful of the refined carbohydrate treats and offsetthat indulgence with qualityprotein and complex carbsin your eating plan. If yourphysician approves a Vitamin D supplement, thatmay help you during thelow sunshine days to come.And remember – after Dec.21, daylight hours will begin to increase!And, finally, I wouldlike to share wonderfulnews for our family. Youmay recall that my daughter-in-law has had a veryserious battle with leukemia the past two years,which included a bonemarrow transplant last December. We have learnedthat she is now in remission and we are incrediblyblessed to learn this.Warmest wishes frommy home to yours this holiday season,Sharon McMahon, CNWCThe opinions expressedin this article are not intended to replace advice ofyour personal physician orlicensed health professional.Please consult your physician for any issues you mayhave related to nutrition orfitness activity.3Westfield startsnew ‘Rock Strong’staff award programThe REPORTERWestfield WashingtonSchools (WWS) has announced a new staff appreciation initiative: The RockStrong Award presentedby the Westfield EducationFoundation.This is a quarterly awardgiven out at each school,plus operations and studentsupport programs to recognize teachers, instructional assistants, instructionalcoaches, building secretaries, bus drivers, substituteteachers, food service staffand operations staff forthe great work they do forWestfield children and thecommunity.Each quarter, all schoolsplus operations and studentsupport programs (BAC/TOTS/All Aboard) willreview nominations fromstaff, students, families andthe community and selectsomeone who representsits values and culture toreceive the Rock StrongAward. Westfield Education Foundation will present the award winners witha commemorative plaqueand a 50 Amazon gift cardto show appreciation for allthey do.The first Rock StrongAwards will be given at theFeb. 8 school board meeting. The submission window for this quarter willclose on Jan. 25.Click here to nominatea WWS staff member.Follow The Reporter on Facebook!Anderson OfficeCarmel Office(765) 639-0671(317) 848-0201www.spartz.house.gov

4News & Letters to the EditorWhite River Regional OpportunityInitiative receives 20M READI grantThe REPORTERThe White River Regional Opportunity Initiative (WR-ROI) was recentlyawarded 20 million fromGovernor Eric J. Holcomband the Indiana EconomicDevelopment Corporationas part of the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI).The WR-ROI region ismade up of three Central Indiana counties – Hamilton,Madison, and Marion – aswell as Zionsville in BooneCounty, and McCordsvillein Hancock County. Theproposal detailed a cohesive regional vision, goals,and projects or programsrelated to economic development within the WhiteRiver Region.“The READI programhelps invest in quality oflife initiatives and train ourworkforce to move towarda stronger Central Indianaregion,” said NoblesvilleMayor Chris Jensen. “Weare grateful to the IEDCand Governor Holcomb onmaking these regional investments a priority. Theseefforts help us tell Indiana’ssuccess story to the nationand beyond.”The total investment ofthe WR-ROI totaled 591million and included 148million in local public matchfrom local governments,parks and tourism agencies,planning entities, bonds, andTIF allocations; and 313million in private matchfrom developers and privateequity, corporate sponsors,and philanthropies.The WR-ROI received 20 million of its 49.9 million request. Mayors, cityleaders and major stake-Graphic providedholders will meet in early2022 to discuss projectsand allocate READI Grantfunding for the region.The WR-ROI communities came together to seizethis opportunity to investin this vital Central Indianaregion. The WR-ROI servesas a job center and economic hub for the state. The Regional Development Planfor the White River Regional Opportunity Initiativerepresents a transformational opportunity to further accelerate population growth,talent attraction and retention, and smart economicdevelopment in the region.“The Central Indianacommunity works bestwhen we work together,”said Indianapolis Mayor JoeHogsett. “This funding willprovide another valuableopportunity to achieve ourshared vision for continuedgrowth and developmentand can ultimately transform our region.”Home to almost 1.5million people, the WRROI Region has grownsignificantly over the past10 years, gaining 10 percent population from 2010to 2020 (compared to Indi-ana’s 4.2 percent). The WRROI seeks to continue thattrend, while making appropriate investments in physical and social infrastructureto ensure residents havewhat they need to thrive anddeveloping the White Riverinto a world-class attractionthat serves Hoosiers andtourists alike for generations to come. This includesenhancing quality of place,quality of life and wellbeing, environmental health,and sustainability; boostingsupport for business, entrepreneurship, and innovationactivity; training and education initiatives to prepare theworkforce for future economic trends; and equitabledevelopment projects thatensure the WR-ROI Regionis an attractive place whereall residents benefit fromgrowing economic opportunity in the coming decades.“This plan was a truerepresentation of what canhappen when we see ourselves as one region andbring our collective assets tothe table,” remarked FishersMayor Scott Fadness. “TheWhite River is one of ourbest, but underutilized, assets of our metro. I’m encouraged that the selectioncommittee saw the value theIndianapolis Region bringsto our state and the impactwe can make on the state’seconomic, talent, and quality of life efforts.”The IEDC awarded 500 million to support regional development plansacross 17 regions representing all 92 counties.The competitive processrequests tripled the allocated 500 million READI budget, as submissionsamounted to more than 1.5billion and detailed nearly800 projects and programswith a potential investmentof 15.2 billion. The regional redevelopment plansincluded housing, trails,broadband, childcare andwellness initiatives, workforce development programs, and telling Indiana’sstory to the world. The plansenumerated a nearly 10-to-1capitalization leverage ratio from private and publicsources as compared to stateinvestment.“This is governmentat its best – bringing communities together with thecommon goal of advancingour state,” said ZionsvilleMayor Emily Styron. “I amexcited about the outcomeshere in Zionsville and theforward momentum with theZionsville Gateway Plan.”For more informationon the WR-ROI READIGrant, visit mywhiteriver.com/readi.About the White River ROIThe White River Regional Opportunity Initiative (WR-ROI) Partnershipconsists of representativesfrom three counties – Hamilton, Madison, and Marion– and eight communities:Anderson, Carmel, Fishers,Indianapolis, McCordsville,Noblesville, Westfield, andZionsville within a total offive counties (Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Madison, andMarion). The White RiverROI shares cohesive regional vision, goals, projects andprograms related to economic development within theWhite River Region.Letter to the EditorShaffer questions spending 2.5M on roundabout artDear Editor:Backward-looking Carmel demonstrated its lack of foresight and confusedpurpose in announcing a 2.5 millionroundabout sculpture extravagance on96th Street.Four artworks bought with borrowedmoney will “pay homage” to the verygas-guzzling, climate-threatening, parking-lot-filling machines the mayor so often and so smugly criticizes. “When wasthe last time you had a romantic strollthrough a Walmart parking lot?” he arrogantly asks time and again.Prior to the automotive eyesores’announcement, the city had spent 2.3million on all other sculptures combined.The 2.5 million came from borrowingthe mayor’s henchmen on the city council approved earlier in the year. It’s partof a 13.5 million slush fund for theCarmel Redevelopment Commission(CRC). The fund carries a 9.2 millioninterest price tag and is to be repaid byCarmel business taxpayers, the majorityof whom don’t sell cars.Apart from the hypocrisy and expense, the four metallic monuments tomotoring apparently will boost car sales.The CRC director responsible for thisaesthetic crime said the mayor “wants toensure the dealerships remain in Carmelrather than move north, as many Indianapolis-based dealerships did with newdevelopment.” The director continues:“We want to lock (the dealerships) inplace. We want this to be the premiereplace to buy a vehicle in the state. Themayor’s thinking always has an economic development component behind it, andthat’s a huge one for this location.”Two questions:1. Wouldn’t a 2.5 million tax cut forcar dealers be a better lock-in strategy?2. How many new dealerships will“develop” because the confused, sophomoric aesthetes in city hall added 2.5 million more to the city’s 1.5 billion debt?As an appointee to the Biden Administration’s advisory committee onclimate change pipe dreams, the mayorcould have expanded the backward looking monuments to include the first electric car in the United States – WIlliamMorrison’s 1890, six-passenger wagonthat zipped along at 14 m.p.h.Alas, the final question remains:When will the State of Indiana rein in therunaway Carmel debt-and-spend merrygo-round?Bill ShafferCarmelLetter to the EditorWeingarten to Senators Young, Braun:You’re the reason for broken supply chainNews. Sports. Views. Events.This is . . . The Hamilton County ReporterDear Editor:Senators Young and Braun publisheda letter to the Supply Chain DisruptionTask Force expressing their deep concernover supply issues.Maybe they should look in the mirror. They have tried to block the infrastructure bill that addressed many of thelong-term relief needs and instead expect people to snap their fingers and themagic genie would add docks, storage,trucks and expanded highways and raillines to appear.Maybe, just maybe, instead of beinghighly critical, they start to work with others across the aisle and we could get morethings done. So far, they seem to feel it ismore important to act against their constituents and make political noise timeand time again instead of solutions.Joe WeingartenFishersLetters to the Editor do not reflect the opinions of The Reporter,its publisher or its staff. You can submit your ownLetter to the Editor by email to News@ReadTheReporter.com.

5News & ViewsGreat American Songbook Foundation opensapplications for Songbook Academy 2022The REPORTERU.S. high school singers with interests in musicaltheater, jazz and classic popular music can apply nowto experience a life-changing week of performances,pre-professionaltrainingand personal mentoringfrom Broadway stars andother arts and entertainmentprofessionals.The Great AmericanSongbook Foundation hasopened the applicationprocess for its 13th annual Songbook Academynational music intensive,taking place July 16-23,2022, at the Foundation’shome, the Center for thePerforming Arts in Carmel. Candidates may applyat getacceptd.com/songbookacademy. The 2022event will mark a return toan in-person, on-site gathering after two years in anonline format prompted byhealth concerns.“We’ve learned that theSongbook Academy has amajor impact on the participants regardless of format,but needless to say, we’revery pleased to offer thisyear’s finalists the specialcamaraderie and sense ofcommunity that come fromspending the week together in shared spaces,” saidChristopher Lewis, Executive Director of the GreatAmerican Songbook Foundation.Only 40 students nationwide are selected eachyear to experience the lively and rigorous schedule ofworkshops and masterclasses on topics such as vocaltechnique, vocal health,song interpretation, phrasing, stage presence, musichistory, business concernsand auditioning for collegearts programs. Participantsbuild relationships withpeers and pros, performbefore live audiences andjoin the Songbook Academy Alumni Network to stayconnected and informedabout college programs,auditions and performanceopportunities.Heading up the rosterof professional mentors, asalways, will be SongbookFoundation Founder Michael Feinstein, the fivetime Grammy-nominated“Ambassador of the GreatAmerican Songbook.” The2022 guest mentors are stillto be announced; last year’sincluded Grammy-winningvocalist Catherine Russelland stage and screen starsTelly Leung and SoleaPfeiffer.The week culminatesin the Songbook AcademyFinals, a performance presented by the Center forthe Performing Arts in the1,600-seat Palladium concert hall. Awards are presented for excellence in several categories, and manyfinalists receive nationalperformance opportunities.SongbookAcademyalumni include MaddieBaillio (2014), who appeared in NBC’s HairsprayLive!, Netflix’s Dumplin’and the recent film adaptation of Cinderella; AnaïsReno (2018), a rising staron the New York City jazzscene; and Melinda Rodriguez (2013) and Julia Cooper (2016), who have competed in recent seasons ofNBC’s The Voice.How to applyTo be considered for theSongbook Academy, highschool students living in theUnited States are invited tosubmit videos with performances of two contrastingLet’s have an ‘invest in Indianasession’ – not culture warsWe are like- Guest COLUMNIST parable to howlong it takes toly to hear a lotfill our gas tanks.of noi

veniently delivered to my door by 1) my son who was trying to impress a girl on a first date by rescuing one from the street (alas, there wasn’t a second date) and 2) a girlfriend who rescued one from the cold but then ditched me a week later, making me the stray (the cat