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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v15n06)
Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm
posted: Mar. 16, 2018

Round the Ripple header

Spring Has Sprung In The Ripple
The snow drops are already gone and the hepatica are out (or soon will be) at Hepatica Hill in Holliday Park. It's spring and that means spring wildflowers.

Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm
image courtesy of Norma Wallman


Don't miss Norma Wallman's spring wildflower walk at 10 a.m. on April 7, 2018, at Holliday Park (registration required).
Norma told us about what wildflowers we might find: spring beauties, trout lilies (white and yellow), cut-leaf toothwort, hepatica, Dutchman's breeches, squirrel corn, and many more. To get a sneak preview of what might be in bloom (in April and throughout the year), view "The Blooming of the Seasons" on YouTube. If you are nice, she will point out where to find the very rare shooting star plus the three types of trilliums.
Her book, Wildflowers of Holliday Park, can be purchased at the following locations: Holliday Park Nature Center, Kids Ink Children's Bookstore, Wild Birds Unlimited at Clearwater Crossing, Basile History Market at the Indiana State Library, the Indiana State Library and Historical Bureau, and IndyReads on Mass Ave.


Best Pothole Award
And the winner is-the crater in front of McDonald's on Broad Ripple Avenue. I've driven over and in it during the last three weeks. The best part-you can see all the way down to the brick street that was the Avenue back in the day.


Score One For Liquor, Zero For Transit
It really is an embarrassment to live here.
While our state legislators finally repealed the Sunday ban on alcohol sales (after decades of debate), they could not bring themselves to repeal the ban on light rail transit. (Yes, we are the only state to have such a ban. Worse, no light rail is planned by anyone anywhere in the state, although it should be.)
But they found time to debate the matter which looked like a sure thing since it was sold as a way to lure transit-friendly Amazon and the millennials that work there (and that don't like having to drive everywhere). Can you say disappointing?


ISBVI Spring Plant Sale April 30 - May 2, 2018
Did you make it to the ISBVI house plant sale?
If not, mark your calendar for the Spring Sale at their Greenhouse.
It runs from April 30 to May 2, 2018.

Attendees pick up some house plants at the recent ISBVI plant sale.
Attendees pick up some house plants at the recent ISBVI plant sale.
image courtesy of Bill Malcolm
Quan




Let's Celebrate A Birthday: Are You Up For Amazing?
Illinois is turning 200 and it's time to celebrate with a trip to the Land of Lincoln.
I took Southwest to Chicago's Midway airport (and took the Orange Line to the Brown Line) to my hotel, Hotel Versey (644 W. Diversey Parkway) in the trendy LakeView East neighborhood (think Broad Ripple on steroids). I enjoyed the amazing architecture (both old and new) in the Windy City.
Then I took the Amtrak train to Springfield (6 trains a day that go up to 109 miles an hour, tickets at www.Amtrak.com from $17). I explored the Abe Lincoln Home National Site. It's the actual village where Lincoln lived, complete with National Park Visitor Center. Then it was back on Amtrak to Normal (home of Illinois State University and the cute Uptown neighborhood (also like the Ripple) where I caught the Amtrak Thruway bus back to Indy.
And don't miss Starved Rock State Park if you are ever in the central Illinois area. Plan your trip using these great websites: www.enjoyIllinois.org, www.nps.gov/liho, VisitSpringfieldIllinois.com, www.Illinois200.com, and www.IL200Springfield.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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