I'm leaving my full-time gig with the gazette. . . and for some reason, it makes me feel almost like I am leaving Broad Ripple. But hopefully, that's not the case.

I will still be writing stories (and when Alan allows me to, writing these lovely editorials that I enjoy so much), but I came to the conclusion that it's time for me to "move on."

I feel that during the time I was at the Gazette, I was able to bring quite a bit to the table. I was very happy to see it grow in numerous ways, and I am still very excited to continue writing more in-depth stories to you that you will probably never see in that large daily newspaper that some of you may read

Alan was a great guy because he took a chance on me. I had no experience beyond my college newspaper and a zine that some friends and I put together, but I always listened in my classes during my education, and, believe it or not, only missed about three of them throughout my college experience.

Alan almost always allowed me to make good, solid news judgment and to practice freedom of speech at the Gazette. In return, I realized that although there are certain things that were news in Indianapolis, they were not fit for the Gazette, and therefore learned just how important a community newspaper is to its community-and how much more people need to be involved in their community.

I am beginning to sound like a broken record, and if you don't want to read any more about how important it is to be involved in your community, stop reading now.

I started my new job about a week ago, where I got a text from a good friend of mine that Sunflower market was closing. I could not believe it. I love that place.

Sunflower brought fair-priced, healthy food, an easily accessible parking lot and a ton of community support-that is, they supported the community, by sponsoring runs, donating food to community events, opening their lot up for the farmers' market, etc.

However, it appears that the community did not support them. Now, I could be entirely wrong. Their closing could have nothing to do with sales and be a result of some bad form of management that none of us will ever be aware of. Even so, what will that building turn into now? Another bar? Or even better, will that entire building be torn down to squeeze in another 20 condominiums (and you can't argue it's not zoned for that-I've learned that where there is a will or the money, there is a way).

My friend and I continued our conversation later about what was happening to the village, and both concluded our next step will probably involve moving to Fountain Square-a place that has yet to attract "yippie" developers (although they will most certainly catch on soon).

"Yippie" is a cross (Yuppy + Hippie) between people who want to live that boho-hippie lifestyle that an area like Broad Ripple has to offer, but not do all the work involved in keeping it alive (another phrase I like to use is "NAHS," which stands for New Age Hippies). So they buy their $200,000-$300,000 condos and take in all the community has to offer them without doing anything to give back to the community (I could also say, "drink up" all the community has to offer. . . yes?). The past argument was that the people who buy these condos don't have the time to fix up old houses, but still want to live in the village.

I'll be waiting all the replies that tell me to move to Fountain Square, because maybe what I have described above is what some people want. Maybe that is the future of Broad Ripple. I know many people work hard (without pay, mind you) in hopes it doesn't happen, but sometimes it doesn't pay off.

However, even if I am no longer staffed on the Gazette, I hope to continue working with the community to assure that at least some of Broad Ripple is able to retain what initially drew me to this area of the city in the first place-kitchy, old-fashion charm, and the feeling of walking down the sidewalk and thinking you can say "hi" to everyone.

- Ashley Plummer