Archive for the 'Guest Blogger' Category

Safe passage

christopher newgent 150x150 Safe passagePerhaps no one in Indianapolis noticed the seasonal shortening of days more than the 50-some bike commuters who were ticketed recently when they chose the Monon Greenway as the safest route to work instead of busy rush hour streets. Under the banner of public safety, city policy prohibits the use of Indy Parks trails between sunrise and sunset. This policy closes a major corridor for commuting cyclists now that winter is coming, a problem made worse by Daylight Saving Time. Soon, the rides to and from work will be by moonlight, and what then?

DST isn’t the problem. Indianapolis needs to recognize the Monon for what it has become—a commuting corridor for cyclists whose only other options are heavily trafficked Keystone or College avenues.

To its credit, the city forgave all tickets issued in the past few weeks, and discussions regarding changes to the policy are taking place. So what do you think? Should the trail be open after dark? Should the city require commuters to register for a special after-dark pass? Should people simply be responsible for their own safety?

What’s the big idea?

kate snedeker 150x150 What’s the big idea?Back in the day, when time-on-hand outweighed kids-in-house, my husband started an idea book. He’s an engineer, and he filled the spiral-bound ledger with drawings and inventions that would some day make us a million dollars. I even offered a few ideas myself.

I opened it the other day and was startled to see we stopped thinking creatively several years ago (see above time/kid reference). But what we wrote when we had the energy was quite good.

Before I share, a caveat: someone else may have already invented these, but my voluminous research (okay, quick Google search) didn’t turn up anything, so we’ll claim credit.

A sampling from our book:

  • Solar-powered bridge warmer to eliminate ice build-up in winter
  • Microscopic transmitter to locate important items (jewelry, remote controls)
  • Desktop torchiere (one of those lamps that shoot light straight up)
  • Toddler utensils that change color with the temperature of the food
  • Drive-thru bagel shop (that was mine!)
  • Genius but still secret idea for point-of-sale at a supermarket (if you work for Marsh, Kroger or Whole Foods, contact me immediately—I’m about to save your business!)

Someday, when the kids are older, we’ll dust off the idea book. For now, I view it as a relic of a quieter, saner time.

What’s your million-dollar idea? And what’s keeping you from executing it?

Think. Read. Talk. Listen.

kristen fuhswells 150x150 Think. Read. Talk. Listen.October is Arts & Humanities Month, which means 31 days of thinking, reading, talking and listening—through which we can all create a stronger, more vibrant community. Here are five must-dos on my personal list:

IDADA (Indianapolis Downtown Arts and Dealers Association) First Friday tour. There’s no better way to spend a Friday night in Indy than to wander from gallery to studio to performance space. Start at our place—the Meredith Nicholson Home (1500 N. Delaware St.)—for a discussion about how schools can serve as catalysts for urban renewal.

Wallow in your Hoosier-ness. Indiana authors, artists, musicians and poets will showcase their talents at An Evening in Brown County on Sunday, Oct. 11. I’m looking forward to Hoosier wine and beer, plus tapas made from locally grown food. here.

Travel back in time. I’ll explore the religious and visual culture of 17th-century Spain and Latin America–for free. Sacred Spain: Art and Belief in the Spanish World, opens Oct. 11 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. It features 80 works of art, including the legendary Crown of the Andes, an actual crown set with 450 emeralds.

Start a book club. If you’re like me and haven’t joined or started a club yet, it’s time. The Indiana Humanities Council will even lend you the books, for free.

Take a road trip. I’m planning to take advantage of the great weather and scenery that October offers and head north, south, east and west, knowing that wherever I go I’ll find a great museum or Hoosier landmark.

Check out the Indiana Humanities Council for a full 31-day guide to humanities events around Indiana.