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2014 05 16

Column

Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v11n10)

Round the Ripple by Bill Malcolm

posted: May 16, 2014

Summer is finally here. The shaved ice shack is open. The pools at the Y, Broad Ripple Park and the Rivi are about to open. (Enjoy all three, but be warned: the Broad Ripple Pool closes on August 3.) The Monon Trail is also busier than ever.

Bike to Work Day May 16

Do you work downtown (or elsewhere)? Bike to Work Day is May 16, 2014. Celebrate with festivities at the Indy Bike Hub YMCA/City Market with a 7:55 a.m. presentation by Mayor Ballard, a free bike commuter lunch at noon, happy hour with Sun King Brewing from 3:30 p.m. to 6: 30 p.m. and a ride home. Details at www.indyCOG.org. Attention northbound cyclists: Carmel features a free breakfast for bikers at The Monon Center.

Temporary sewer pipe along Canal Towpath abuts Canal drinking supply

We have two Citizens projects going on along the Canal tow path.

Illinois Street is closed north of Westfield. This is a sewer project with a temporary large rubber pipe running along the Canal (the latter serves as the source of our drinking water).

Per Sarah Holsapple of Citizens, the sewer rehabilitation project is underway in order to repair a permanent sewer pipeline that is 80 years old and runs underground, apparently along the canal. They are rehabilitating it with a new liner. The mile long project ends at Holcomb Gardens. A contractor is on site 24 hours.

Further down the Canal Towpath towards downtown you will see another temporary pipe. A 3-year project is underway to dredge the canal. Citizens notes that the canal has become clogged with milfoil plants and since gravity is relied on to provide the flow to the downtown treatment plant, the dredging will allow better flow. The sludge is pumped out of the bottom of the canal and stored according to a contractor I spoke with. Then the water is released back into the canal.

image courtesy of Bill Malcolm

Brooks to face Denney in fall Congressional race, Delaney un-opposed, Hale vs. Friedman (Primary election results)

The primary election was held May 6. Results of interest to Broad Ripple include:

• State Representative Ed Delaney (D) has no Republican opponent although the apparently party has until June to appoint one. He represents the 86th District. (The Republicans had no candidate in the primary.)

• Freshman State Representative Christina Hale (D) will face Mike Friedman (R) in November in the 87th House District which includes Broad Ripple. Neither had an opponent in the May 6 primary. (Broad Ripple is in both districts.)

• Freshman Congresswoman Susan Brooks won 73% of the vote against two Republican challengers. She will face Democrat Shawn Denney in the November election. Broad Ripple is the new southern end of the 5th Congressional District. (Media commentators note that primary challengers have been pushing Republican candidates to the right as such challengers come from the Tea Party in many cases. This may have been the case here. Given that Broad Ripple is generally more liberal than Hamilton County, which composes most of Congressional District 5, this could be an interesting contest for BR voters.)

New boutique lodging option opens along the Monon

The Hotel Broad Ripple has opened. The 9-room hotel is unique in that each room is different and furnishings come with a story. Some of the drapes are made from material from the old Merrill Stage (formerly located on the property). Wood from an old barn was also used as well as 2 chairs from one of the houses that is now part of the hotel. One room has a fireplace (and is one of two suites). One room I saw has a beautiful view of the White River. A bar open to the public opens next month. Room rates are around $179. More information including booking can be found at www.hotelbroadripple.com.

New Garden along Monon Spruced Up

On May 4, 2014, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful's 90 volunteers helped plant the new Bill Brink Memorial Garden along the Monon Trail from 65th to 67th Street. According to Linda Shikany, owner of Marigold, this new garden will feature native plants including flowering plants, shrubs, and trees.

image courtesy of Bill Malcolm

Mini vegetables and freshly made guacamole now at the market

We have two new vendors at the Saturday Farmers' Market behind BR High School. Indiana Microgreens sells miniature versions of vegetables such as mustard, radishes, and the like. They are great in salads or eaten raw. (www.indianamicrogreens.com)

Also new is Guacamole stand which makes the guacamole at the market. They also sell baked tostadas made with no oil, as well as salsa, key lime pie and more. All ingredients are fresh. (www.weguacyourworld.com)

Welcome to these two new healthy food options at the Farmers Market which in recent years has also added "Fair Food" - lemon shake ups, sugary popcorn and the like. Until lemons are grown on trees in Broad Ripple Park, I'd like local, healthy nearby farm options better.

image courtesy of Bill Malcolm

New trails completed

The new east bound Fall Creek Trail off the Monon Trail is open. This trail takes off from the Monon Trail and runs to Pennsylvania Avenue and provides a new option for bicyclists going to the Near Northside. It also recognizes Fall Creek as a beautiful parkway.

Also the landscaping along the new trail aside Marott Park (from 75th to 65th along the east side of College) was completed last week. Crews sprayed straw and grass seed along the new trail.

Last call for spring wildflowers

See the last of the Virginia bluebells at Holliday Park and Marott Park. These 2 parks feature great spring wildflowers display known as spring ephemerals as they rush to flower and go to seed before the trees get their leaves. Norma Wallman, author of Wildflowers of Holliday Park, has her book for sale to help you identify the flowers which is available Holliday Park and other locations.

More B-R Happenings

May 15, 2014 Painting party at Broad Ripple Brew Pub 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Details at nealartistry.net

May 17, 2014 Garlic Mustard Pull at Marott Park, 9 a.m. (www.inpaws.org)

May 17, 2014 Congenital Heart Foundation Walk at Butler (www.congenital heartwalk.org)

May 24, 2014 Broad Ripple Pool Opens (Closed May 27-30)

May 30, 2014 Broad Ripple Park Concert

May 31, 2014 Broad Ripple Pool Re-opens

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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