Volunteers needed for 19th annual Stutz Artists Open House

Susan Mauck Studio at the Stutz. Photo provided by JTPR, Inc. Used with written permission.

By Jen Schmits Thomas
On behalf of Stutz Artists Association
http://www.stutzartists.com/

The Stutz Artists Association is looking for volunteers for the 19th annual Raymond James Stutz Artists Open House on April 27-28, 2012, at the historic Stutz Business Center.

Volunteers who work at least one three-hour shift will receive a free event T-shirt and admission to the two-day event.  In addition to enjoying the art and atmosphere of one of the city’s premier cultural events, volunteers may give directions, assist artists in their studios or help entertainers move equipment.  Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and will be asked to attend a one-hour training session.

At the event, more than 70 artists will be in their studios showing work that ranges from paintings, drawings and photography, to sculpture, jewelry and furniture.  Hours are from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, April 27 and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, at the Stutz Business Center at 10th Street and Capitol Avenue downtown.

Admission is $12 at the gate.  Ticket proceeds support the Stutz Residency Program, a scholarship that provides free studio space and utilities for emerging local artists.

For more information or to complete a volunteer application, visit www.stutzartists.com.  Applications are due by April 1.

Editor’s Acknowledgment: JTPR, Inc.

Visitor Information for Horizon League Basketball Championship

By Ken Kosky
Indiana Dunes Tourism
http://www.indianadunes.com/

Indiana Dunes Tourism has joined Valparaiso University in welcoming the more than 10,000 visitors expected in Valparaiso for the Horizon League 2012 Men’s Basketball Championship.

Logo provided by Indiana Dunes Tourism and used with written permission.

The games, which are slated for this Friday and Saturday, March 2-3, 2012 — and possibly Tuesday, March 6 — at Valparaiso University’s Athletics-Recreation Center, feature the Valparaiso University Crusaders battling their conference foes for an automatic qualifying bid for the NCAA basketball tournament.

Indiana Dunes Tourism and Valparaiso University partnered to build a website landing page — www.indianadunes.com/horizon — specifically designed to assist the visiting teams and their fans.

The webpage has links to the Horizon League and to the Valparaiso University Athletics-Recreation Center. It also features Indiana Dunes Tourism’s dining, lodging, shopping and attractions listings in and around Valparaiso.

The webpage will also allow people to read online Porter County travel guides, map their trip, find coupons and get the latest information via Facebook.

In addition, Indiana Dunes Tourism will have a table set up at the Athletics-Recreation Center during the tournament to answer questions and to distribute brochures detailing Porter County’s businesses and attractions.

Indiana Dunes Tourism Executive Director Lorelei Weimer said she’s excited that Valparaiso University is hosting the tournament and bringing visitors to the area. Weimer said the average overnight visitor — which the teams and many of their fans are expected to be — spends about $93 per day, while the visitor in for the day spends an average of $40.

“Having the Horizon League tournament in Valparaiso will provide a big boost to the local economy,” Weimer said.

“We are excited to welcome more than 10,000 people to Valparaiso and provide them the information they need to find all the great hotels, restaurants, stores and attractions in the area.”

For more information, visit http://www.indianadunes.com/, or call 219-926-2255.

Indy Restaurant Pairings for the Big Ten Universities

Harry & Izzy's is the host for Penn State fans. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

By Brittany Smith
Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
http://www.indydt.com/

Downtown restaurants have paired up with Big Ten teams to make celebrating with like-minded fans easy during the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament (March 1-4) and the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament (March 8-11). Both events are scheduled at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 South Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Restaurant pairings are:

University of Illinois
Ram Restaurant and Big Horn Brewery, 140 South Illinois, 317-955-9900

Indiana University
Kilroy’s Bar & Grill, 201 South Meridian St, 317-638-9464

University of Iowa
Weber Grill, 10 North Illinois St, 317-636-.7600

University of Michigan
O’Reilly’s Irish Bar and Restaurant, 36 South Pennsylvania St, 317-974-0674

Michigan State University
Slippery Noodle Inn, 372 South Meridian St, 317-631-6974

University of Minnesota
Rock Bottom Brewery, 10 West Washington St, 317-681-8180

University of Nebraska
Champions Sports Bar & Restaurant, 350 West Maryland St, 317-405-6111

Northwestern University
Buffalo Wings & Rings, 111 West Maryland St, 317-822-8400

The Ohio State University
Champps Americana, 49 West Maryland St,  Circle Centre Mall, 317-951-0033

The Pennsylvania State University
Harry & Izzy’s, 153 South Illinois St, 317-635-9594

Purdue University
Scotty’s Brewhouse, 1 Virginia Ave, 317-571-0808

University of Wisconsin
Buffalo Wild Wings, 7 East Washington St, 317-951-9464

And if you haven’t visited the Indianapolis Colts Grille yet (110 West Washington St), now is the time! It is the official home of the Big Ten Conference. Enter for a chance to win $10,000 with FREE submission into the Grille’s bracket challenge.

Indy’s Marquette Community Wins National NAHB Award

By Brooke Benschoter
On behalf of Life Care Services™
http://www.lcsnet.com/

Life Care Services™ logo provided by LCS™ and used with written permission.

Three LCS™ communities received recognition at the 2012 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National 50+ Housing Awards, which is the industry’s most prestigious national awards program honoring excellence in building, design and marketing of housing for boomers and beyond. The Best of 50+ Housing Awards are viewed as a showcase for innovation, emerging trends and quality housing for the mature demographic.

Sagewood in Phoenix, AZ, received both the Gold and Innovation Award for Best Outdoor Amenity for the pool and patio dining areas, and the Silver Award for Best Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). Sagewood is owned by LCS-Westminster Partnership 4 LLP and was developed by LCS Development™.

Opened in 2010, Sagewood fuses the casual nature of a desert community with the elegance of an upscale resort. The generous use of natural materials creates impressive yet comfortable surroundings, with every space fostering interest and engagement.

“We took advantage of the Sagewood location to feature outside amenities that our residents find valuable as they continue an active and vibrant lifestyle,” says Kent Larson, Senior Vice President, Director of Development for LCS Development.

WhiteStone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community in Greensboro, N.C., whose master planning and repositioning was directed by LCS Development, received a Silver Award for Best Repositioned Project. The repositioning at WhiteStone, originally built in 1913, created additional lifestyle spaces for residents to enjoy, and thus sparked additional sales.

“The stellar design and functionality of the renovated and repurposed common areas has led to increased resident use and satisfaction,” notes Mark Kolada, WhiteStone Executive Director.

Marquette, in Indianapolis, Indiana, a community managed by Life Care Services™, also received a Silver Award for Best Repositioned Project. 

“Marquette’s renovation and expansion includes a state of the art fitness and wellness center, complete with an indoor aquatic center and spa,” notes Marquette Executive Director Steven Still. “These amenities allow residents to remain active all year long and have made Marquette a standout in senior living in this market.”

About LCS™

Based in Des Moines, Iowa, LCS is a leading provider of high-quality senior lifestyle products and services. The company operates business lines focusing on planning and development, operations management, marketing and sales management for senior living communities, home health care and companion services, senior living community ownership, insurance, international senior living consulting services and national volume purchasing services. LCS is an equal opportunity employer hiring skilled and professional employees to better serve the customer. The company was established in 1971 and is a recognized national leader in senior living communities and aging services. For more information, visit http://www.lcsnet.com/.

Editor’s Acknowledgment: Strategic America.

Joan Rivers at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, Mar. 3

Indiana Roof Ballroom. AroundIndy.com staff photo.

By Rabbi Paula Jayne Winnig
Bureau of Jewish Education
http://www.bjeindy.org/

As Jewish children returned to Hebrew School at the Bureau of Jewish Education in the Fall of 2011  they became an essential part of American Jewish history as they entered the oldest, continually running, communal Hebrew school in the United States.   In 1911 the United Talmud Torah, founded by Rabbi Neustadt and supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis opened its doors to provide quality Jewish education by properly trained and adequately paid teachers.

While the name has changed several times from the United Talmud Torah to the Jewish Educational Alliance to the current Bureau of Jewish Education, its mission has never changed.  The BJE still provides quality Hebrew education to the Jewish children of Indianapolis.

The BJE also operates a pre-school and Kindergarten program.  In addition to teaching children, the BJE’s adult education program includes courses in Modern and Biblical Hebrew, Jewish thought and history,  Israel studies and so much more.   The Maurer Library of the BJE is a part of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. Residents of the area around the Jewish community campus use the library’s computers, check out or drop off books and materials and browse its Hebrew and Jewish studies holdings.

The BJE also provides a Holocaust Trunk program to provide educational aides to Indiana’s schools and teacher training to help incorporate Holocaust education into general school curriculum.

The highlight of the Centennial Celebration year will be the Purim Ball on March 3, 2012 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, 140 West Washington Street, in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring Joan Rivers. Ms. Rivers’ humor, wit and wisdom will enhance the festivities.  The evening, hosted by Laura Steele of Q95 radio, will honor past presidents and past Purim Ball Kings and Queens and will feature the crowning of a new Queen for the 21^st century.

For more information see www.bjeindy.org/joanrivers or contact:  Rabbi Paula Jayne Winnig, Executive Director pwinnig@bjeindy.org , 317-255-3124.