Clay Terrace Mall | Carmel, Indiana

March 25, 2010 By David Leave a Comment

Clay Terrace is a middle-sized shopping mall in Carmel, Indiana, just north of metropolitan Indianapolis, Indiana, between Zionsville and Lawrence, with Lebanon, Noblesville and Anderson flanking its northern border. This unique mall lays claim to being the very first “outdoor lifestyle shopping center” in the entire state. The popular Indianapolis shopping mall houses more than 70 shops along its wide pedestrian walkways, many with vintage-look storefronts, and is just off U.S. 31.

The people-friendly layout of Clay Terrace Mall is simple, with shops lining either side of an enormous public walkway. The venues that occupy the mall sport homogeneous storefronts designed to sweep visitors back to the earliest days of Indianapolis shopping centers, when life was slow enough to truly enjoy shopping. Antique lighting and pleasant landscaping lend to the Town Square feel.

A visit to Clay Terrace Mall, then, becomes a delightful stroll into nostalgia. Who knows? You might even go there to relax! Shop, eat, slow down and meander, that’s what Clay Terrace Mall is all about.

Here is a list of all the stores, shops and eateries contained in Clay Terrace Mall, organized by category:

Accessories at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Ann Taylor Loft – suits, dresses, separates, accessories and shoes for the feminine professional
  • Claire’s Boutique – all things glittery for young girls, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Chico’s – casual to dressy and sophisticated apparel and accessories, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse – hot styles in footwear and accessories for men, women and children (located in the northeast corner, at Clay Terrace Mall)
  • Eddie Bauer – clothes, shoes, accessories and luggage for men and women
  • Gifts to Go by Basket Case – gift store par excellence, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Lids – athletically branded headwear, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Pier 1 Imports, at Clay Terrace Mall)
  • Sunglass Hut – fashion branded shades at good prices, in Clay Terrace Mall
  • Vera Bradley – handbags, accessories, rugs, stationery, china and home furnishings

Cards / Books / Gifts / Stationery at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Gifts to Go by Basket Case – gift store par excellence, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Vera Bradley – handbags, accessories, rugs, stationery, china and home furnishings
  • White House / Black Market – all things black and white, plus jewelry and accessories

Children’s Fashions at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Clarks – unique footwear hand-sewn by South Africans to help fight AIDS
  • Gifts to Go by Basket Case – gift store par excellence, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Gymboree – head to toe clothing for babies to teens, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Limited Too – lifestyle clothing and personal care stuff for girls
  • Old Navy – apparel and accessories for everybody, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Stride Rite Shoes – offering high quality kids’ shoes for almost a century
  • The Children’s Place – kids’ clothes and accessories, at Clay Terrace Mall

Entertainment at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Color Me Mine – coming soon to Clay Terrace Mall

Food – Specialty at Clay Terrace Mall

  • The Pop Ten – Popular gourmet popcorn (located just east of Delias, at Clay Terrace Mall)

Grocery / Deli at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Jimmy John’s, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Whole Foods Market, at Clay Terrace Mall

Health and Beauty at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Bath & Body Works – all things apothecary, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • David & Mary Day Spa – a chief draw for this Mall, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Glace Nail Salon – decorate your nails!
  • Trade Secret / Beauty Express – full service beauty salon where you can also try out and purchase beauty products
  • Victoria’s Secret – all things secret, at Clay Terrace Mall

Home Décor at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Drapery Street – easy custom drapes, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Gifts to Go by Basket Case – gift store par excellence
  • HOMExperience – all things homey, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Kirkland’s – one-stop home decoration and accessorizing
  • Norwalk – The Furniture Idea – the custom furniture specialists

Home Furnishings at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Baker Furniture
  • Drapery Street – easy custom drapes, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • HOMExperience – all things homey, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Kirkland’s – one-stop home decoration and accessorizing
  • Norwalk – The Furniture Idea – the custom furniture specialists
  • Orvis – catalog company for the country lifestyle tradition
  • Pier 1 Imports, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Three Chairs – furnishings for the discerning homeowner
  • Vera Bradley – handbags, accessories, rugs, stationery, china and home furnishings
  • Yves Delorme – French couture collections for your beds, your table, your bath and home
  • Z Gallerie – home and office furniture and accessories, at Clay Terrace Mall

Jewelry at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Aeropostale – clothing and jewelry in youthful styles, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Andrews Jewelers – original and shiny custom made jewelry
  • Helzberg Diamonds – heartfelt diamonds since 1915
  • White House / Black Market – all things black and white, plus jewelry and accessories

Luggage at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Vera Bradley – handbags, accessories, rugs, stationery, china and home furnishings

Men’s & Women’s Fashions at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Aeropostale – clothing and stuff for kids from 14 to18, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • American Eagle Outfitters – cool fashions for those from 15 to 25 years
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods – complete line of sporting goods, including clothing and shoes
  • Eddie Bauer – clothes, shoes, accessories and luggage for men and women
  • Express – sexy apparel from New York designers, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Finish Line – inspiring footwear, accessories and apparel for the action addicted
  • Hollister Co. – all Californian style apparel for teens, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Indigo Nation – all things denim for men and women, and much more
  • Lids – athletically branded headwear, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Old Navy – apparel and accessories for everybody
  • Orvis – catalog company for the country lifestyle tradition
  • PacSun – casual clothing in the California style

Men’s Fashions at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Aeropostale – clothing and stuff for kids from 14 to18
  • American Eagle Outfitters – cool fashions for those from 15 to 25 years
  • Eddie Bauer – clothes, shoes, accessories and luggage for men and women
  • Hollister Co. – all Californian style apparel for teens, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Indigo Nation – all things denim for men and women, and much more
  • Jos. A. Bank – unique menswear at competitive prices
  • Lids – athletically branded headwear, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Old Navy – apparel and accessories for everybody
  • Orvis – catalog company for the country lifestyle tradition
  • PacSun – casual clothing in the California style, at Clay Terrace Mall

Men’s Specialty Fashions at Clay Terrace Mall

  • MW Tux – rentable elegance, at Clay Terrace Mall

Miscellaneous at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Champion Martial Arts – family-friendly dojo
  • Fitwize 4 Kids – all things fun and fit for kids
  • MW Tux – rentable elegance
  • Jazzercise – a wide spectrum of all things aerobic, at Clay Terrace Mall

Music / Electronics / Video at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Sprint Store – all things cellular, at Clay Terrace Mall

Optical / Eyewear at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Revolution Eyes – all things optical, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Sunglass Hut – fashion branded shades at good prices

Photography at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Celebrity Kids – professional portraits for kids and their folks

Restaurants (counter service only) at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Bella Pizzeria – a New York Style eatery, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Cold Stone Creamery – specialty ice cream, yogurt and Italian sorbets
  • Gelato Da Vinci Bistro – authentic Italian delicious
  • Jimmy John´s, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Paradise Bakery & Café – fresh-baked heaven
  • Qdoba Mexican Grill – delicioso, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Starbucks – everything Starbucky
  • Whole Foods Market Café – smoothies and snacks like sushi and pizza, plus supplements, herbs and oils (located on the Monon Trail)

Restaurants (table service) at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Bar Louie – huge sandwiches, hip jumbo martinis and more
  • Kincaid’s – all things savory, including fish and steaks, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Kona Grill – an epicurean Island adventure (located in the Amenities Center)
  • Mitchell’s Fish Market – fresh fish and more fresh fish
  • Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. – family friendly and fun
  • Ted’s Montana Grill – 21st century comfort food, at Clay Terrace Mall

Services at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Celebrity Kids – portrait studio for kids and their folks
  • Champion Martial Arts – family-friendly dojo, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Classic Cleaners – classic dry cleaning since 1995
  • David & Mary Day Spa – a chief draw for this Mall
  • Fitwize 4 Kids – all things fun and fit for kids
  • Glace Nail Salon – decorate your nails, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Jazzercise – a wide spectrum of all things aerobic
  • MW Tux – rentable elegance, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Old National Bank – all things monetary (located in the Clay Terrace Financial Center)
  • Revol – unlimited anytime minutes equals freedom
  • Sprint Store – all things cellular, at Clay Terrace Mall

Shoes at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Ann Taylor Loft – suits, dresses, separates, accessories and shoes for the feminine professional
  • Clarks – unique footwear hand-sewn by South Africans to help fight AIDS, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse – hot styles in footwear and accessories for men, women and children (located in the northeast corner)
  • Eddie Bauer – clothes, shoes, accessories and luggage for men and women
  • Finish Line – inspiring footwear, accessories and apparel for the action addicted
  • Orvis – catalog company for the country lifestyle tradition, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Stride Rite Shoes – offering high quality kids’ shoes for almost a century

Specialty Food at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Cold Stone Creamery – specialty ice cream, yogurt and Italian sorbets
  • Gelato Da Vinci Bistro – authentic Italian delicious, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Paradise Bakery & Café – fresh-baked heaven, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • The Pop Ten – Popular gourmet popcorn (located just east of Delias)
  • Starbucks – everything Starbucky, at Clay Terrace Mall

Specialty Shops at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Bath & Body Works – all things apothecary
  • Color Me Mine, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • David & Mary Day Spa – a chief draw for this Mall
  • Gifts to Go by Basket Case – gift store par excellence
  • Lids – athletically branded headwear
  • Sprint Store – all things cellular, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Sur la Table – everything for the gourmet kitchen
  • The Pop Ten – Popular gourmet popcorn (located just east of Delias)
  • Vera Bradley – handbags, accessories, rugs, stationery, china and home furnishings
  • Victoria’s Secret – all things secret, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Yankee Candle – all things decorative, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Yves Delorme – French couture collections for your beds, your table, your bath and home

Sporting Goods / Active wear at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Dick’s Sporting Goods – complete line of sporting goods, including clothing and shoes
  • Finish Line – inspiring footwear, accessories and apparel for the action addicted
  • Lids – athletically branded headwear, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Orvis – catalog company for the country lifestyle tradition

Women’s Fashions at Clay Terrace Mall

  • Aeropostale – clothing and jewelry in youthful styles, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • American Eagle Outfitters – cool fashions for those from 15 to 25 years
  • Ann Taylor Loft – suits, dresses, separates, accessories and shoes for the feminine professional
  • Chico’s – casual to dressy and sophisticated apparel and accessories, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse – hot styles in footwear and accessories for men, women and children (located in the northeast corner)
  • Eddie Bauer – clothes, shoes, accessories and luggage for men and women
  • Christopher & Banks – women’s apparel for work and play
  • dELia*s – clothing for the young at heart, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Eddie Bauer – clothes, shoes, accessories and luggage for men and women
  • Hollister Co. – all Californian style apparel for teens, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Indigo Nation – all things denim for men and women, and much more
  • New York & Company – sexy branded clothing from New York designers
  • Old Navy – apparel and accessories for everybody, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Orvis – catalog company for the country lifestyle tradition
  • PacSun – casual clothing in the California style, at Clay Terrace Mall
  • Victoria’s Secret – all things secret
  • White House / Black Market – all things black and white, plus jewelry and accessories

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Clay Terrace Mall
14390 Clay Terrace Blvd
Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: (317) 566-0011

Visit the website

Filed Under Carmel Indiana, Local Articles

Verizon Wireless Music Center

March 21, 2010 By David Leave a Comment

The Verizon Wireless Music Center (formerly known as Deer Creek Music Center) is an outdoor amphitheater owned by Live Nation located in Noblesville, Indiana. The center is the largest outdoor music venue in central Indiana with 6,000 seats under a pavilion and 18,000 general admission lawn seats. It is used mainly for large concerts but is frequently a host for high school graduations and as recently as October 17, 2008, a public speech venue for Alaska Governor and 2008 Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin.

Verizon Wireless Music Center is a large open-air concert venue capable of hosting live, high-profile concerts. This facility is capable of hosting outdoor music festivals, such as Ozzfest, Van’s Warped Tour, and Farmaid.

When it was known as Deer Creek Music Center, the Grateful Dead performed on July 2, 1995, in one of their final concerts before their last venue at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, on July 9, 1995. During the Dead’s visit, a number of fans stormed a rear fence, attempting to enter without paid admission. As a result, the Dead’s last concert at the facility on the following night was canceled. Musician Keller Williams memorialized this gate-crashing event in his song “Gate Crashers Suck.” This is where Rush’s Snakes & Arrows Tour ended.

Verizon Wireless Music Center was ranked 5th in the nation for ticket sales in 2006.

On December 28, 2006, Live Nation, the owner of the music center, confirmed they were putting up for sale the 203 acres (0.82 km2) of land that currently holds the Verizon Wireless Music Center. Regardless of the sale, Live Nation said it was committed to the 2007 concert season.

As of June 9, 2007, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported, “But no acceptable offers have been received, and several local brokers say the unofficial asking price of more than $40 million is outrageous.”

On August 15, 2007, the Indianapolis Business Journal had a new report stating “Noblesville’s Verizon Wireless Music Center is no longer for sale and will host a full lineup of shows in 2008, the facility’s general manager, Steve Finkel, told IBJ this afternoon.”

Verizon Wireless Music Center Official Website

Filed Under Local Articles, Noblesville Indiana

Carmel Arts and Design District

March 16, 2010 By David Leave a Comment

The newly redeveloped Carmel Arts & Design District is dressing up the small but upscale Indianapolis suburb of Carmel, Indiana to the nines. This area is nestled right in the heart of what is referred to as Old Town, in downtown Carmel, and has been receiving a grand scale facelift that will allow it to truly live up to its motto: “The Midwest’s Premier Arts and Design Destination.”

The Arts and Design District already houses a plethora of Indianapolis art galleries, interior designers, Carmel restaurants, antique stores, showrooms and specialty shops, inside a congenial neighborhood called “Old Town Shops.” An eclectic mix of retail establishments, Carmel businesses and residential town homes and condominiums, the Carmel Arts & Design District is considered a prime artists’ community in the Indiana.

The fresh but nostalgic idea behind the Carmel Arts and Design District is to create a Main Street of old. Some $10 million has been invested by Carmel to that end, going for distinctive features such as street lighting that looks like gas lamps decorated with live flower planters, brick sidewalks and charming signage and historic facades. Lifelike sculptures by J. Seward Johnson adorn the lamp post lined streets of the Arts & Design District.

There are now two highly visible and towering brick gateways to mark the boundaries of the Arts and Design District, one at Fourth Street South and Range Line Road, and the other at Fourth Avenue East and Main Street. Soon to come are similar gateways at the western and southern borders. Flanked by decorative brick columns, they consist of a graceful metal arch span with a large sign atop that reads “Carmel Arts & Design District.” You can’t miss it.

The Lurie Building, located at 30 Main Street, is to be one of the stars of the new Arts and Design District. With four stories encompassing 30,000 square feet of space, it is anchored by the owner’s Evan Lurie Fine Art Gallery, featuring contemporary Latin American and European artists, many of whom are signed exclusively to this gallery.

The event calendar for the Carmel Arts and Design District is already chock full of Carmel events to lure locals and visitors alike. Art exhibits galore, grand openings and re-openings, giveaways and promotions, live Indianapolis music at the authentic Irish pub Muldoon’s, and tons of programs at the local library are just a few of the ongoing Carmel things to do in the Carmel Arts and Design District.

The ever-popular Carmel International Arts Festival (CIAF), a yearly weekend event that draws local attendees as well as those from other nearby Indianapolis suburbs and Indy, takes place within the Carmel Arts and Design District, bringing much exposure and activity to the renovated area. This Indianapolis festival is a free, annual event that brings over 30,000 people each year. Summer ushers in the Rock the District festival, a free all-day celebration with live Carmel music, great food, and superb Carmel shopping. December in Carmel also warrants a stop in the district for ongoing events, holiday sales, and an amazingly uptown, hometown holiday feel.

At the end of 2008, more than 100 unique, attractive businesses were already up and running in the Carmel Arts and Design District. More redevelopment projects, they say, are in the works. Carmel, it seems, is determined to metamorphose into the star of Central Indiana.

Carmel Arts and Design District
Carmel Redevelopment Commission
111 W Main St, Suite 140
Carmel, IN 46032
317.571.2787
Fax: 317.571.2789
Website

Filed Under Carmel Indiana, Local Articles

Westfield, Indiana

March 16, 2010 By David Leave a Comment

Art in the Indianapolis suburb of Westfield, Indiana occupies quite a strong presence, as it does in its fast-growing sister suburbs, Noblesville, Fishers and Carmel. One of the main reasons is the new Gallery One 36, which is becoming a meeting place for the creative.

The gallery occupies a renovated, two-story house in a historical sector of Westfield. On exhibit there are many of the finest artists in the region. They also offer special events such as Poetry and Music Night, and workshops.

Other venues for the creative culture lover dot the area. Just about five miles away, the new Arts & Design District in Carmel, Indiana is attracting artists by the dozens. In fact, a broad spectrum of the arts can be sampled almost any day or night in state capital Indy, only ten miles away due south.

Westfield, while growing fast, is still a family town, and its attractions reflect that fact.

One of the most elegant attractions in Westfield is the Bridgewood Club, a residential golf community that covers 750 beautiful sprawling acres. Upscale to the nth degree, this amazing community contains a championship golf course, a practice range rated among the top ten in the nation, distinctive homes and large lots, a retail and office center and one of the finest country clubs in the world.

Another Westfield attraction is the Wood Wind Golf Academy in Westfield. Considered one of the most popular golf courses in Indiana, it also offers professional lessons, banquets and tournaments.

The new Westfield Washington Historical Society & Museum is well worth a look. You will find pure nostalgia and authentic memorabilia within its newly-refurbished walls. And the Historical Society offers regular historic tours as well, such as the popular Underground Railroad Tour.

The Westfield Washington Public Library is one of the main hubs in the community, offering much more than books to borrow. At the library, residents can choose from any number of opportunities. They can, for example, take in a concert, learn how to run a computer or enter into a lively discussion with their peer groups. Or they can just pass some pleasant time reading a book.

Filed Under Local Articles, Westfield Indiana

Conner Prairie

March 15, 2010 By David Leave a Comment

Attendance is climbing at Conner Prairie, located in Fishers, Indiana, just north of I-465. Conner Prairie officials say the new exhibits are attracting more visitors than projected. Attendance for November is up by 11 percent compared to last year’s monthly totals. More people means more money for this Fishers business. Revenue is also skyrocketing, already 4 percent higher than total revenue from 2008.

Recent attractions at Conner Prairie drew in huge crowds. The recent Headless Horesman exhibit brought tons of Halloween guests. This year’s 1959 Balloon Voyage exhibit brought in triple the expected number of visitors, topping out near 21,000. There is no shortage of fun things to do in Indianapolis, but Hoosiers just keep coming back to this Indianapolis attractions.

The struggling economy isn’t keeping Indy visitors from spending quality time at Conner Prairie, but the economy could be the cause of a decline in donations. This year’s total giving is down by 10 percent compared to last year, but officials are hoping to bounce back with heavy donations for the upcoming holidays.

Conner Prairie is one of the biggest attractions for visitors to the Indianapolis area. Conner Prairie, named for the town’s original settler, is a living history museum that represents 19th Century life. Complete with a pioneer village and period residents, Conner Prairie receives visitors from all over, as well as group visits from local schools, scout troops, and other organizations seeking a fun, educational experience that makes history come alive.

Holiday festivities with Conner Prairie are remarkable. Guests can take a stroll through the gingerbread village, or see Conner Prairie by Candlelight all through December. There will be special Holiday on the Prairie event on Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As usual, guests may purchase lunches, or hearthside suppers while visiting this Indianapolis history landmark.

Conner Prairie is open throughout the Holiday Season, and closed on Mondays, Christmas Eve and Day. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Fishers, visit Indy’s living history museum, Conner Prairie.

Conner Prairie
13400 Allisonville Rd
Fishers, Indiana 46038
317.776.6006
Website

Filed Under Fishers Indiana, Local Articles

Zionsville, Indiana

March 14, 2010 By David Leave a Comment

Zionsville, Indiana in Boone County, is a suburb of Indianapolis. The small town offers a variety of attractions, arts, shopping, restaurants, hotels and more. It is just one of the small towns peppering the American Midwest.  In the 2000 census, Zionsville was recorded as having a population count of just under 9,000.

Quaint and cozy, Zionsville is a suburb of metropolitan Indianapolis, surrounded by many other outlying communities, such as Carmel, Fishers, and Westfield. It is situated just in between nearby Eagle Village and Eaglewood Estates.

Zionsville’s history, though not terribly dramatic, is an interesting one. Since its chartering in 1852, it has grown into what many residents hope is a community that will not grow much more. After all, with big city Indy and all its big city charms just a short drive to the south, it’s understandable if the pervasive local attitude is, “If it ain’t broke, why fix it?”

Downtown Zionsville is the jewel in the crown of this pretty little Midwest community. All along the brick-paved streets are unique Zionsville restaurants, shops and art galleries that delight the senses and activate the imagination.

The Zionsville Merchants Association and other city planners have made sure the downtown neighborhood remains attractive and homogenous in atmosphere, purposely reflecting the feel of bygone village days.

Main Street is the heart of it, brick-paved and lined with quaint streetlamps. Shoppers and sightseers are able to meander through this historic district, enjoying an antique shop here, a jewelry store there and maybe stopping for a bite at one of the many eateries.

In the center of this relaxing hub lies a pleasant little “pocket park” at the corner of Main and Cedar. This green space, called Village Corner, offers benches to rest and landscaping to nourish the soul. The Village Corner park is where Santa Claus makes his annual appearance for Zionsville’s Christmas in the Village event. The park also boasts the town bell tower.

Filed Under Zionsville Indiana

Indianapolis to Host 2012 Super Bowl

March 13, 2010 By David Leave a Comment

In May 2008, Indianapolis beat both Glendale, Arizona and Houston, Texas as locations for the 2012 Super Bowl.  It will be both an honor and a privilege for the city of Indianapolis to host Super Bowl XLVI.

The Host Committee will serve as an extension of the NFL in the local community, as the ambassador to incoming football fans, and guests, and as a manager of local resources such as event venues and services, accommodations, and volunteers.

The Mission Statement of the Host Committee is “To have a lasting positive effect on the environmental behavior of Indiana residents, school and businesses by capturing the community excitement of hosting the Super Bowl and engaging all citizens to be involved with the event and the environmental initiatives.”

Super Bowl XLVI will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium.  Lucas Oil Stadium is the multi-purpose facility that replaces the RCA Dome as the home of the Indianapolis Colts. With its state-of-the-art retractable roof, the multi-purpose stadium features spectacular views of the Indianapolis skyline. The seven-level stadium, which seats 63,000 for football, can also be reconfigured to seat 70,000 or more for NCAA basketball, the Super Bowl and concerts. It covers 1.8 million square feet and will also host NCAA Final Four and Regional men’s and women’s basketball games, major conventions, trade shows, IHSAA tournaments, national band competitions, and local and national amateur sports events.

You can join Indiana Sports Corp (ISC) to volunteer your much needed services for the upcoming Super Bowl.  It will take many volunteers to make this a success.  Positions are also still available for the Super Bowl Host Committee as well.

Filed Under Indianapolis Indiana

Monon Trail – Carmel, Indiana

March 12, 2010 By David Leave a Comment

The Monon Trail in Carmel, Indiana is a spectacular people-friendly trail owned by the city and maintained by the Carmel parks system. Voted one of the best places to live in the United States and growing by leaps and bounds, Carmel attracts interest from all of Hamilton County and beyond, including Westfield, Noblesville, Zionsville, Fishers and Indianapolis.

The 5.2 mile Monon Trail was built with hiking, biking, trail walking, running and even cross-country skiing in mind. All along the way are great points of interest, since it follows alongside the new and old parts of Carmel, and from there connects with the Monon Trail North at 146th Street in Westfield and the Monon Trail South at 96th Street in Indianapolis.

Open from sunrise to sunset, the Monon Trail is one of the most beautiful, most active and safest such trailways in the United States. Constructed of asphalt, it has two lanes for opposing “traffic,” (whether foot or on wheels), and sports a cranberry red line down the center of the road. There are stations for parking, water and rest stops at 64th, 96th and 91st Streets.

Though getting active on the Monon Trail is lots of fun, it serves another purpose. Users can park and then reach many other destinations, such as the Holliday Park and the Massachusetts Avenue shopping and restaurant districts (both in nearby Indy) without hassling with automobile traffic.

Various groups and organizations, official and otherwise, come together to enjoy the lovely trails and green spaces that abound all over Central Indiana. Imagine rollerblading past the newly renovated buildings in active Old Town Carmel and coming upon one of the many historic bridges along the train. The Monon, in fact, runs right alongside the new pedestrian-friendly Carmel City Center and the Arts and Design District and serves to connect it all with beauty and panache.

The Monon Trail
Located between 146th St and 96th St
Carmel, IN
317.848.7275

Filed Under Carmel Indiana

America’s Most Affordable Suburb: Fishers, Indiana

March 10, 2010 By David Leave a Comment

The town of Fishers, IN scores highest in terms of livability, safety, education, and economic performance.

Source: Bloomberg Business Week

When Mario Massillamany and his parents left Sri Lanka in 1983, they landed in Indianapolis and eventually settled some 20 miles away in Fishers, Ind., a bustling community with ornamental street lamps, a train station, and clear roads during the snow season. Over the years, the fast-growing town attracted many young families, added new homes, and improved its recreational and entertainment amenities. Residents can drive from one end of town to the other in about a quarter of an hour, finding grocery stores, restaurants, and hospitals within minutes.

Massillamany, 32, returned to Fishers after attending law school in Colorado and moved with his wife to the Brooks Chase subdivision, home to many newlyweds and first-time homebuyers. “Everything here is so new and close,” he says. Most important, he adds, Fishers’ excellent school system will be a great asset for his son, now 20 months old.

Fishers emerged as America’s best affordable suburb in Bloomberg BusinessWeek‘s 2010 report. Affordability is among the most important factors when selecting a place to raise a family, but it is far from the only consideration. In too many regions, low prices also translate to substandard services, poor schools, and high crime rates.

To identify those towns that offered both affordability and good quality of living, we evaluated 863 communities according to a range of metrics developed with New York-based real estate data company Onboard Informatics. These include living expenses, income, crime rate, schools, commute, local economy, racial diversity, and green space. We selected the highest scoring place in each state. (See the slide show for more about the methodology.)

Data from OnBoard shows that the average family income in Fishers is $108,086 and the average home value is $174,438, an attractive ratio compared with many other places. In comparison, the 2008 Census pegged the average U.S. family income at $50,303; the average home value was $173,200 in February, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Fishers: high points across the board

Gary A. Huff, town manager of Fishers, says: “We have a very diverse housing market and that enables people to buy within their income levels.” To support affordability, the town council has maintained a position to control the property tax rate—$0.51 for $100—the lowest rate in Hamilton County, according to Huff.

Favorable real estate values are not the only thing that Fishers has to offer. The town scored high points for livability, safety, education, and economic performance. Fishers’ unemployment rate was 6.5% in December 2009, compared to 9.8% statewide, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In addition, the rate of violent crime and property crime here is far below the national average.

Massillamany and his wife considered other suburbs that offered good home values, but felt they were no match for Fishers in terms of convenience and lifestyle. They bought a 3,100-square-foot house with three bedrooms and 2.5 baths, valued today at $162,000. They are now building a four-bedroom home, worth about $340,000, because they plan to have more children.

Like Fishers, this year’s diverse list of best affordable suburbs generally includes middle- to upper-middle-class neighborhoods with family-oriented environments, community organizations, sports leagues, and outdoor amenities.

Population size ranged from 58,856 in Fishers to 5,094 in Cave Creek, Ariz. Average family incomes went from $54,008 in Jefferson, La., to $116,345 in Newcastle, Wash. Some of the larger cities have pedestrian-friendly downtown areas in which businesses, government, and public life are centralized. Other suburbs tout historic, small-town ambience or mountain views. Some less-developed areas may be close to only a few franchise restaurants, supermarkets, and repair shops on main roads but have high-performing schools and reasonably priced homes.

Filed Under Fishers Indiana, Local Articles

The Vogue Nightclub

March 6, 2010 By David Leave a Comment

The Vogue Nightclub in located in the heart of Broad Ripple in Indianapolis, Indiana is one of the midwest’s finest music venues.  Although on weekends it is usually home to dance parties with techno, hip hop, and top forty; The Vogue is famous due to it’s rock and roll shows.

The Vogue originally opened as a movie theater in June of 1938.  Over the course of the next 30 years The Vogue was greatly successful.  In the 70’s The Vogue turned a bit more spicy when it converted into an X-rated movie theatre. Finally on New Year’s Eve 1977, The Vogue opened as a bar and music venue.  Indianapolis rock history was made as a band named Coal Kitchen played to a sold out theater.  Since that time thousands of bands have graced the stage at The Vogue.  Before The Dave Matthew’s Band played to sold out arenas and 20,000 seat amphitheaters, the band graced the stage of the Vogue.

The Vogue features a balcony that stretches half of the theater for optimal viewing.  The Vogue also features three bars, one in the front of the bar near the stage, one near the main entrance, and one in the balcony.  The Vogue has pictures of many of the famous bands and performers who have played the club proudly displayed on the walls. Be sure to checkout a concert in the Vogue nightclub, as it is an Indianapolis landmark that should not be missed.

Other notable performers that have graced the stage of The Vogue over the last 25 years include Warren Zevon, Bo Diddley, Willie Nelson, John Hiatt, Johnny Cash, Bonnie Rait, The White Stripes, The Flaming Lips, Cheap Trick, Little Feat, David Burn, Rusted Root, Bob Weir and Mickey hart of the Grateful Dead, Govt Mule, Keb’ Mo, The Ramones, and legendary 70’s Indianapolis punk rockers The Zero Boys.

Filed Under Broad Ripple Indiana, Local Articles
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