Kubota Donates Tractor to Brandywine Creek Farms @BCFIndiana

By Bob Burchfield, Editor
AroundIndy.com, LLC

This morning I was at Brandywine Creek Farms north of Greenfield, Indiana, for a very special event involving Jonathan Lawler (Executive Director at the farm) and Amanda Mattix Lawler (Director of Volunteer Outreach).

Kubota Tractor Corporation presented Jonathan and Amanda with a donated Kubota L3301 tractor and a Land Pride implement in a special recognition ceremony for their dedication to growing and donating fresh produce to feed the less fortunate in our community.

The 58-acre Brandywine Creek Farms donates the food it produces to local food pantries, including Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana Inc., Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen, Flanner House of Indianapolis, and other such organizations.

The tractor was donated as part of the Kubota Cares program, dedicated to powering and empowering those who move the earth.

There were several guests present from the Board of Directors of Brandywine Creek Farms, Kubota Tractor Corporation, McCallister, and local media, including:

• Steven Payn
  Director, Northern Division Manager, Kubota Tractor Corporation
• Jeremy Cook
  District Sales Manager, Kubota Tractor Corporation
• Jon Brookbank
  Regional Sales Manager, Kubota Tractor Corporation
• Drue Gray
  Parts Merchandising and Training Manager, Kubota Tractor Corporation
• Tim Kinslow
  McCallister
• Gabe Nix
  Board of Directors, Brandywine Creek Farms

And I also found that Jonathan and I have a mutual acquaintance in Brandon Cosby! Small world!

Congratulations to Jonathan and Amanda on a most deserving award!

Portillo’s Launches Delivery Service via DoorDash

Image provided by Portillo’s and used with written permission.

By Ana Espinoza
On behalf of Portillo’s

Portillo’s, the fast casual concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today announces the launch of a new delivery service available at its Fishers location (9201 E 116th St.) and 94% of its locations nationwide.

The new delivery option is the result of a partnership with DoorDash, the on-demand restaurant delivery platform. Through the partnership, drivers on the DoorDash platform will fulfill delivery orders placed through both Portillo’s and DoorDash’s respective websites and mobile apps. Customers can visit portillos.com to find the delivery location nearest to them.

“Our new delivery offering continues the tradition of innovation set forward by our company’s founder Dick Portillo,” CEO Keith Kinsey says. “From our unique ordering system, to our double drive-thru lanes staffed with outside employees, Portillo’s has consistently innovated our systems to provide our guests with convenient ways to enjoy our iconic menu items. It was important that we partner with a company that could support Portillo’s high-volume restaurants, especially through our lunch and dinner service. DoorDash gives us flexibility and reliability to give our customers the convenience they want and the quality they have come to expect from Portillo’s. We are thrilled to roll out this service at locations nationwide.”

“For more than four years, DoorDash has prided itself in forming partnerships with the best restaurants in every city. Today we are proud to add another top restaurant to our platform by working with Portillo’s, a Chicagoland staple, to power their delivery across the country,” said Toby Espinosa, Head of Business Development for DoorDash. “As part of the partnership we have also expanded DoorDash’s footprint into 13 new cities, to ensure even more customers can order delivery from their favorite restaurants like Portillo’s.”

Delivery will be available from 49 Portillo’s locations across the country, including Fishers and Indianapolis. Portillo’s full menu of hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, burgers, and salads are available for delivery through both the DoorDash and Portillo’s apps and websites.

To help further improve the delivery experience, the two companies have worked to integrate DoorDash orders directly into Portillo’s point of sale systems, making it faster for restaurants to receive delivery orders while minimizing the instances of incorrect orders.

Portillo’s partnership with DoorDash continues its long history of using innovative technology to make it quick and easy for customers to order their food. Last year, Portillo’s partnered with Olo to launch online ordering via website and mobile app. The Portillo’s app is available for download online via iTunes or Android. All orders incur a $5 delivery fee.

For more information on the company, visit www.portillos.com or follow Portillo’s on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Christmas Gift and Hobby Show @indystatefair, Nov. 8-12, 2017

At the Christmas Gift and Hobby Show.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2016, all rights reserved.

By Tiffany Whisner
On behalf of the show

WHAT: The All-New Christmas Gift + Hobby Show is a place where thousands of people come together to experience a unique shopping event with one-of-a-kind finds. The show features more than 350 exhibitors along with a Holiday Entertainment Stage sure to put you in the holiday mood. Plus, get the chance to meet Santa!

The Christmas Gift + Hobby Show is produced by Marketplace Events, which produces 38 consumer shows in the U.S., 14 home shows in Canada, and six holiday shows. The 58 events collectively attract 17,250 exhibitors, 1.9 million attendees and another 2 million unique web visitors annually.

WHEN: 5 days: Wednesday, November 8 through Sunday, November 12, 2017

WHERE: Indiana State Fairgrounds – West Pavilion

FEATURES:

Search more than 350 vendors under one roof in this exciting five-day shopping event. There truly is something for everyone on your gift-buying list!

Merry Money is back! A winner will be drawn every 30 minutes throughout the show — all five days of the show — to receive $25 in Merry Money to use at any one vendor of your choice at the Christmas Gift + Hobby Show.

Show attendees can enjoy performances from a magician, local school choirs, singers, dancers and more on the Holiday Entertainment Stage.

Don’t forget to take your picture with Santa. He’ll be seated near the 40-foot live Christmas tree — a Norway Spruce courtesy of Hillcrest Christmas Tree Farm in Greenfield, Ind.

Do you or someone you know love to read? More than two dozen Indiana authors will appear at the Christmas Gift + Hobby Show to sell, sign and read from their works.

Pay honor and tribute to all our veterans on Saturday, November 11! All veterans and active duty military get FREE ADMISSION for the day. Just bring a valid ID, and come enjoy the Christmas Gift + Hobby Show!

Donate a toy on opening day ONLY, Wednesday, November 8, to Children’s Bureau, Inc., and receive a coupon for $4 off the price of adult admission at the box office.

Santa’s Elves of Indy are setting up their workshop at the Show, with volunteers at the coat check and gift-wrapping station. All proceeds go to helping the charity assist children and families in need this holiday season.

Hello, Neighbor! Daniel Tiger will be live at the Christmas Gift + Hobby Show on Saturday, November 11 from 12-2 p.m.

How much do you enjoy the Christmas Gift + Hobby Show? Would you like tickets to go every year for the rest of your life? Visit the Show Information Booth, and sign up to win!

TICKETS: $12 – Adult

FREE – Children 12 and under

$8 – Seniors (Box Office Only)

SHOW TIMES:
11/8-11/9 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
11/10-11/11 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
11/12 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

ONLINE DISCOUNT: Check out the Christmas Gift + Hobby Show website at www.ChristmasGiftandHobbyShow.com and get $2 off adult admission — good every day! Not applicable for senior tickets. Make sure to go online and save!

Veterans and Active Duty Military Free Admission Day at DNR Properties, Nov. 11

Clifty Falls State Park near Madison, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2016, all rights reserved.

Press Release
Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources

All veterans and active-duty military personnel, and everyone in their vehicle, will be admitted free to DNR state parks, reservoir properties and state forests on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. Veterans and military personnel should present ID or evidence of military service where entrance gates are in operation.

“We appreciate the sacrifices and service of our veterans and active-duty military and look forward to recognizing them with a day to explore some of the best outdoor places in our state,” said Dan Bortner, director of Indiana State Parks.

For proof of military status, gate attendants will accept:

—Discharge papers (veteran’s DD Form 214).
—Veteran license plates: Ex-POW, Purple Heart, Disabled Hoosier Veteran, Pearl Harbor Survivor.
—Veteran license plates also include:
—Air Force Veteran
—Army Veteran.
—Coast Guard Veteran.
—Marine Corps Veteran.
—Merchant Marine Veteran.
—Navy Veteran.
—U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Award Letter.
—Veterans hunting and fishing license.
—Documents showing veteran benefits with veteran’s name on document.
—Any other certificate or verification letter or form.

For general information about state park, reservoir and forest properties, visit http://dnr.IN.gov.

For information about interpretive programs at state parks and reservoirs, visit InterpretiveServices.IN.gov.

Temporary State Park Closings November 2017

Spring Mill State Park is one of the parks affected by this announcement.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2010, all rights reserved.

DNR Press Release

Multiple state park properties to close temporarily for deer reductions

Select Indiana state park properties will close temporarily to allow for controlled deer reductions in the coming weeks.

The dates for the temporary closings are Nov. 13-14 and Nov. 27-28, 2017.

The state parks affected are Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Clifty Falls, Fort Harrison, Harmonie, Lincoln, McCormick’s Creek, Ouabache, Pokagon and Trine State Recreation Area, Potato Creek, Shades, Shakamak, Spring Mill and Cave River Valley Natural Area, Tippecanoe River, Versailles, and Whitewater Memorial.

These properties will close to the general public the evening before each two-day reduction effort and reopen the morning after each effort.

Only individual hunters selected from the draw in September and their designated hunting partners may participate in the hunts.

DNR biologists evaluate which parks require a reduction each year based on habitat recovery and previous harvest rates at each park. The state parks are home to more than 32 state-endangered plants and numerous significant natural communities. The reductions help control browsing by deer to a level that helps maintain habitat throughout the state parks for all plants and animals.

Information on 2018 state park deer reductions, including online applications, will be available next summer at dnr.IN.gov/fishwild. The application deadline is usually the end of August.

Additional information on state park deer reductions is at stateparks.IN.gov/6289.htm.