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2014 01 24

Column

Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v11n02)

Round the Ripple by Bill Malcolm

posted: Jan. 24, 2014

We have a lot going on in the Ripple.

Businesses lax in snow removal

Did you try walking along Broad Ripple Avenue after the recent snowstorm?

Five days after the storm that dumped 11 inches on us on Sunday January 5, 2014, about half the sidewalk space along Broad Ripple Avenue had not been shoveled or plowed.

Even a few business parking lots showed no sign of being shoveled, making both pedestrian and vehicle travel treacherous. This is despite a city ordinance that requires shoveling by the business owners.

This picture taken Thursday, January 9, 2014 - 5 days after the storm - shows the problem.

image courtesy of Bill Malcolm

According to Adam Baker of the City's Department of Code Enforcement, Section 431-106 (Clearing Snow and Ice From Sidewalks) of the Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County states it is the property owner's responsibility to clear snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of, or adjacent to, their property.

Brooke Klejnot of the BRVA also weighed in on the problem: "For the past several months the BRVA has proactively urged businesses to clear their sidewalks and parking lots."

You may report problems to the Mayor's Action Center (327-4MAC)

Speaking of the storm, see my picture of the ice island on the White River and the snowy but beautiful Monon Trail at www.broadripplegazette.com under "pictures from our articles".

Ice island

image courtesy of Bill Malcolm

on the White River

image courtesy of Bill Malcolm

The Monon Trail

image courtesy of Bill Malcolm

Confusion reigns in finding a doctor in the Ripple who takes Obama care plans

Trying to find a doctor who takes a Health Care Exchange Marketplace plan (aka Obama Care) offered by the 2 insurance companies offering exchange service can be a challenge. The 2 plans have very narrow networks of doctors and in some cases, hospitals. These limited networks differ from their regular plans.

Staff at the front desk at one BR clinic told me they took both plans. However, a call to one insurance company revealed they were not accepting the limited network offered on the exchange plan by one carrier.

Yet another BR clinic had no idea if they took either of the two plans. A call to the two insurance companies revealed that they did take both plans.

In any event, if you don't have health insurance, you must enroll for it by March 31 to avoid a penalty.

See www.healthcare.gov or enroll over the phone at 800/318-2596.

For information on the Anthem Marketplace plan, call 877-292-1966.

For information on the MDWise Marketplace Plan, call them at 1-855-417-5615.

Broad Ripple Park hosts fair for those wanting to be instructors

The Broad Ripple Park instructor fair will be held on Saturday, February 1st, 2014, from 9am to noon. This is a chance for people to come the center and see if Indy Parks and them can team up and provide the class to the public. Managers representing cities all across the city will be present to help out. (The Parks Department uses third party providers to teach their classes.)

For more information, go to www.indy.gov/broadripplepark

Big Hat Books closes

Big Hat Books on Cornell Avenue has closed. The store was the only book store in Broad Ripple and one of the few independent book stores left in the city.

Indiana School for the Blind Bell Tower celebrates 75 years

Our neighbor at 75th and College has a Bell Tower which is the iconic symbol at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, was built in 1938.

Over the last 75 years, the neighbors and ISBVI school family have enjoyed the music and chimes that resonate each hour from the tower. Over the holiday season, the Indiana Blind Children's Foundation (IBCF) offered the opportunity to capture this ISBVI symbol with a specially designed ornament. The proceeds from this sale benefited IBCF and help Indiana's children who are blind and visually impaired by financially supporting and promoting the work of the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. See indianabcf.org

Bill Malcolm also writes a travel column in The Midwest Eagle and is a reporter for All Aboard Indiana (as a volunteer for both). He advocates for fair and affordable utility rates for a national association based in Washington, D.C. He welcomes reader feedback and story ideas. Send to Bill@BroadRippleGazette.com

bill@broadripplegazette.com

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