On Sunday July 8th, 2018, Greg Humirchouser was out for a jog with his dog on the Monon Trail near Kessler at 62nd Avenue when a pit bull attacked his dog. I spoke with Greg who appreciated all the Good Samaritans that came to his help. Greg urges everyone to carry Mace on the trail. It can be purchased on line via Amazon or from Walmart. You can read his harrowing story on his Facebook page.

A local swim advocate and attorney encountered issues at the Broad Ripple Pool while trying to get signatures for a petition to keep the outdoor pool open. A guard came out and told him that he was not allowed to collect signatures in front of the pool and that he would have to leave. He also expressed his disappointment that neither BRVA nor Friends of Broad Ripple Park has come out against closing the outdoor pool.

The Friends of Broad Ripple Park sent a letter on the Master Plan proposal to IndyParks which stated in part: "A lazy river has the same issues of staffing and liability as a lap pool and we urge further consideration as to which feature - a lap pool or a lazy river - better serves the public."

Friends President Tom McCain also stated: "Personally, I consider it a mis-characterization to call it a "plan to close the outdoor pool." It is a master plan created during a months-long process that was thorough and inclusive and received many more comments from the public than most such efforts."

Joshua John, President of the Broad Ripple Village Association, also responded: "We have not been absent. The BRVA had 3 representatives who took part in the Broad Ripple Park Master planning steering committee and also had representatives at each public meeting. Ultimately it is what Indy Parks determines is feasible. The cost of an outdoor public pool is substantial combined with an ever shortened season due to balanced school calendars reducing available summer days. It is not just the maintenance cost and upkeep associated with a deep water outdoor pool-the cost and availability of life guards is a consistently an issue each year for the park. I believe the park is exploring options to have a smaller outdoor lap pool as part of their last drawing/rendering of the master planning process. Along with the option to upgrade/improve the facility to include an indoor pool at some point in the future if it is economically feasible and a desired feature of the park. The current outdoor pool is past it's useful life. Things deteriorate. So until the new facility is constructed, their only real option is to close the pool until that process plays out."

In other pool news, we checked in the rumor that the pool will close for good on August 5, 2018.

In response, the Chief Communications Officer of IndyParks issued the following statement: "As part of our regular process to get outdoor pools ready for the summer season, Indy Parks evaluates the status of pools, needed maintenance, and available lifeguards/pool staff to prepare the season operating schedule. Broad Ripple Park's pool will be included in the pool process for 2019. Currently,nothing has been confirmed to change this process for Broad Ripple and our remaining outdoor pools."

Closing permanently or not, the pool this year closes for the season on August 5 and also is closed every Monday. So get out and enjoy it while it lasts. And yes I oppose closing the pool. It is not past its useful life (the Jordan Y Pool is much older) but, as an Indy Masters pointed out at a recent hearing, it could be better managed (including hiring adult life guards, offering more classes, raising fees, and being open more hours).

No sooner had the Lime Scooters appeared everywhere in the Village, the electric scooters disappeared. However, you can still find electric scooters downtown, albeit a different brand. Apparently new fees and regs from the City Council caused their abrupt departure.

Several readers have asked about the two lots across from Public Greens and BRICS on Westfield Avenue. This is the old pool supply building which is scheduled to become The Line Apartments which is being built by JC Hart. Last week, the weedy lots were cleaned up. I spoke with Mark Juleen of JC Hart about the project. Due to complications in the design of the parking structure, the project was delayed a bit but they hope to close in financing this month at break ground at the end of the month. The complex will feature two separate buildings (with no bridge connecting them. Details can be found by Googling "The Line Apartments by JC Hart Indianapolis).

Per Evan Sharf, they are looking at an early to mid-October grand opening of this chain from Atlanta which will locate in the former Applebee's Restaurant on Broad Ripple Avenue.

Don't stress out on congested (and under construction) I-65 by driving to Chicago. The Amtrak train leaves daily at 6 am and returns from Chicago at 5:45 p.m. You can read, eat, sleep, talk, walk around, and more in first class style seating. The fares are a bargain Tickets and more information at www.amtrak.com.

Once in Chicago, try the new Hotel Versey at 644 W. Diversey Parkway in the trendy Lakeview East neighborhood. Close to the beach, shops, restaurants, and not far from Wrigley Field. Reservations at www.wyndham.com.