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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v15n03)
Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm
posted: Feb. 02, 2018

Round the Ripple header

Icy Roads, Unplowed Sidewalks Plague The Village
Did you drive on College Avenue on the morning of January 24, 2018?
If yes, you may have assumed that ice trucks had salted the road. They hadn't.
DPW used a "private weather forecast" which erroneously predicted rain - not black ice and snow (unlike the WTHR and Weather Service which apparently called it accurately).
To make matters worse, huge new potholes appeared in the section of road north Broad Ripple Avenue.
Being from Wisconsin, I am constantly amazed at how poorly Indianapolis handles winter weather.
While DPW had 12 salt trucks out that morning for the entire city, INDOT said they had 60 (and does not rely on the forecast used by DPW).
Also, can we suggest to Broad Ripple landlords to shovel their sidewalks? In Wisconsin, if you don't the city will do it for you and send you a bill.


Riverwalk Planned Between Village And Br Park
A new River Walk is in the planning stages between Broad Ripple Village (near McDonald's) along the White River over to Broad Ripple Park.
Unlike the previous plan which would have been a board walk along the river, this version will instead be at street level, according to organizer Brad Warnecke.
The idea to link the Village and the Park has been around for 30 years.
Now a new 26-member task force has formed to look into the idea. Organizers include Tom Healy, Bruce Buchanan, Brian Chandler, and others.
They are talking with DPW, IndyParks, and the Nina Mason Pulliam Trust (which is promoting ROW-Reconnecting Our Waterways) as well as local landowners like McDonald's.
They are also having a landscape architect draw up a draft plan.
I asked if this would be like the new Cultural Trail downtown. Warnecke said he doubted it due to the high cost of the Cultural Trail.
The exact route has not been selected nor has a funding source been identified. The Broad Ripple Park itself is under a master plan review at the moment. The group has a newsletter with 50 subscribers.
For more information or to participate in the project, contact Brad Warnecker at bradleyj.warnecke@gmail.com.


Escape to Mexico
Having never been, I took my first trip to Mexico recently. Puerto Vallarta to be exact. The air fare from Indy is very reasonable (around $211 each way). I took American through Phoenix on the way down and Southwest on the way back through Houston. Hotels are a bargain as are meals, drinks, and everything else. PV itself is very safe although the cobblestone streets are a hazard (and charming). The Vallarta Botanical Garden is a must as is the Mercado streetscape full of vendors. Don't miss the great restaurants with great fresh shrimp dishes for about $8.
Your dollar goes far against the peso (18 to the dollar) and you can practice your Spanish.
Be prepared for questioning on our President, especially from Canadian tourists. I finally started telling people I was from Calgary. The people of Mexico are warm and friendly. As the t-shirt said, "Relax, you are on the fun side of the Wall." My only complaint-few places took credit cards and there were few bank ATMs.


Upcoming
Feb. 3, 2018 - Meet Indianapolis Library CEO Jackie Nytes Glendale Branch, 3pm
Feb. 18, 2018 - Backyard Bird Count at Holliday Park, 1:30 pm
Feb. 24, 2018 - Sap to Syrup Day at Holliday Park
Mar. 18, 2018 - Hosta Program, Holliday Park
Apr. 7, 2018 - Wildflower Walk with Norma Wallman
Apr. 21, 2018 - McCormick's Creek Trip by Holliday Park
May. 19, 2018 - Rafting Trip by Holliday Park





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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