Local Section at Muncie Free Press - Delaware County Indiana

Animal Shelter Superintendent Announced

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:07:06 +0000

MUNCIE, IN - Mayor Sharon McShurley recently appointed Ron White as the new Superintendent of the Muncie Animal Shelter. Mr.
White will manage all aspects of the Muncie Animal Shelter including the day-to-day operations of the shelter, public relations, and oversight of
animal care and control. Mr. White replaces Karen Gibson as the previous director.

Ron White brings a wide-range of experience to the position of superintendent. He has managerial experience and is active in the community. He currently is serving on several boards including the Unity Center, Weed and Seed, and Industrial Neighborhood Association.

Mr. White also owns and operates White's Martial Arts here in Muncie. White has expressed his dedication to the City of Muncie and the Muncie
Animal Shelter.

"I am excited the mayor has shown faith in me. I want to collect ideas and best practices from different shelters including the Humane Society to continue to move our shelter in a positive direction."

Source: City of Muncie Press Release

Were You or a Family Member this primary a first time voter? If so, how was your experience?

volunteer47305 — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:54:20 +0000

Muncie Mayor Sharon McShurley Interview - April 2008

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:19:18 +0000

[AD] Warrior's Heart Summer Day Camp

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:54:26 +0000

Make your child a Summer Warrior!

Much more than day care

Choosing an activity for your children this summer just got a LOT easier. Instead of wasting the summer on video games and television, your child will reach new heights of fitness, focus, self discipline and respect. How can a "karate" class do all of this? Read further for more information. (If you have already heard enough and want to head straight to the Registration Page, just click HERE.)

How we work

We start by teaching new students about respect. They learn to respect the school (facility, teachers and staff), each other, their parents, and most importantly, themselves. That's lesson number one. Lesson number two is that respect means nothing unless they SHOW it. In martial arts we do that by honoring (or bowing - the meaning is something between a salute and a hand shake). At home they show respect by addressing parents as Sir or Ma'am. Now, we're not in the military here, but we think that parents are special enough people that they deserve to be shown respect, and this is how it starts.

Put Self-Confidence And Concentration At The Top Of Your Back-To-School List

It’s no secret that the school system today is lacking in important areas of education and is more dangerous than ever. That’s why millions of parents are adding martial arts to their children’s education. We specialize in helping children uncover their true potential and develop their self-confidence in the face of mounting peer pressure.

Carleton University, in a study reported in Psychology Today found that children in martial arts have:

a higher sense of self-esteem,

a higher level of social intelligence,

lower level of anxiety,

an increased sense of responsibility,

a decrease in the willingness to take foolish risks,

and were less likely to be radical.

Parents report their children in our school experience these five important benefits:

1. Our reward system improves children's self-esteem

Martial arts are not like team sports because the emphasis is on developing the individual's self-esteem not the team’s winning record. The belt system is the key. When kids earn their belts it gives them a great sense of accomplishment that really improves the way they feel about themselves.

2. Our program teaches children discipline

On of the things parents appreciate most about our classes is the improvement in their child’s self-discipline. We have a wonderful staff of patient instructors who love to work with children, but are also very clear about limits. We enforce good rules of behavior in class, and we expect the same good behavior at home and in school.

3. Our activities channel children's aggression

Many doctors actually prescribed schools like ours for treatment because of the positive outlet it gives the kids for all their energy.

4. Our confidence classes enhance children's self-esteem

We believe confidence is one of the most important things we can give kids. That’s why every class we teach has confidence-building drills included.

5. Our program teaches children essential self-defense skills

We teach practical, proven self-defense methods. We also teach the kids that the moves they learn in class will work, so they don’t go home and try them on their sister, the neighbor, or the dog.

If you’d like your children’s summer education to include self-confidence, self-control, focus and concentration, then click here now.

Get Started!

By the end of the summer, your child will be a yellow belt! She will be well on her path to black belt and making good choices that will follow her for her whole life. He will be starting to understand the concepts of self-defense that we teach, and will begin to apply those concepts in his daily life. The bottom line is that we give our students a standard of behavior to follow, and then make it very easy for them to do that. If you want to know more, feel free to write at Info@WarriorsHeartMA.com.

Our Martial Art Summer Day Camp runs the entire summer vacation. You have the option of joining and paying week to week, or paying for the entire summer at a discount. We are limiting enrollments, so be sure to get your reservations in now! To cover the initial investment of a uniform and t-shirt there is a $125 registration fee per new student.

Here are the payment plans:

	Normal Cost	Sign-up Special! Register by 4-30-2008 to Save! (Before 4/31/2008)
Week to Week	$125 per week	$112.50 per week (Save $137)
Week to Week Additional Siblings	$100 per week	$90 per week (Save $110)

Entire summer (11 weeks) Paid in full	$1100 (Save $275)	$990 (Save $385)
Entire Summer Paid in Full Additional Siblings	$880 (Save $220)	$792 (Save $308)

To reserve your child's spot in this exclusive and forward thinking Summer Day Camp right here in Muncie, please click HERE!

Info@WarriorsHeartMA.com
Copyright © 2008 Kuk Sool Won™ of Muncie. All rights reserved.
Revised: 04/14/08

Questions for Muncie Mayor Sharon McShurley?

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:51:48 +0000

Last month, at MFP's sister site - Anderson Free Press - I started a monthly feature where I gather questions from the audience and take those to the Mayor to be answered on video in an interview. I just heard today that Muncie Mayor Sharon McShurley is interested in doing this here at Muncie Free Press.

So, if you have a question for the Muncie Mayor, leave it here. I can't guarantee all questions will be asked, but I'll see what I can do.

Here's the video for the first one at Anderson Free Press.

Muncie's Old Sow N Sew

volunteer47305 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:45:51 +0000

It's not too much to look at, but it is mine to use.

1806-08 East Jackson St. Property Tax Assessment is What?

volunteer47305 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:11:55 +0000

I ask you now? Does this look worth 37,500.00 in Tax Assessments? I mean I paid $9,000.00 in the 11980's and it isn't any better off.

Civic Duty: a Rock Show to Benefit Muncie Civic Theatre

kpaul.mallasch — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 02:44:32 +0000

Help support the Muncie Civic and rock out at the same time.

The Barack Obama Workout: Inhale hope, Exhale Hype

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:09:42 +0000

By Tolu Olorunda

Saturday, April 12, 2008, a monumental day in Muncie, Indiana. No, Sharon McShurley didn’t resign and turn-over the Mayorship to Jim Mansfield (the legitimate winner), but Senator Barack Obama, the much-talked about presidential candidate, stopped by to shed some direly-needed light on the state of national and international politics. As expected, Muncie showed up in all its splendor.

Coming off with an unbiased mixture of old and young, male and female, Republican and Democrat, but most impressively “rainbow-coalitioned. “ The venue was packed full, rendering irresponsible late-comers like myself no seating-chances, but nevertheless a balcony with enough room to breathe. With a crowd rumored to exist between 2,500 and 3,500, the dreaded “Obama-Virus” seems to have found haven in the quiet city of Muncie. Taking the freezing temperature into consideration, there’s no doubt that the attendees did a little “storm-weathering” to guarantee a safe seat in the not-so massive Ball State Irving Gym.

The Senator spoke widely, but esoterically on issues ranging from The War and Peace report, to peasantry in small towns, to the receding economy, and the polluted environment etc. What seemed to most excite the already pumped crowd, was the constant hammering of the tragedies oozing out of a failed Iraq War strategy, and the promise of a reversal of those calamities, with an Obama Presidency (of course). He also lamented and expressed a deep concern for the un-availability of jobs in Indiana, and the immoral shipping of local employemental-opportunities overseas.

All specificity aside, one can’t help but marvel at the unmistakable bubble and joy, worn on the faces of the, as stated earlier, widely diversed audience. It is unprecedented to have one man, capture the hearts and spirit of an assorted group of people. An admission of that reality is an act of political-humility and not necessarily partisanship. Nonetheless, such an anomaly resurrects critical questions that must be approached with sincerity and objectivity. A couple being: What experience preluded this sudden desire for a radical change in the political-system, and does this hunger entertain/stimulate the propaganda and hyperbole that politicians are used to supplying gullible electorates?

It seems to me, that most “Obamamanians” consciously disregard his identity as a politician, and seek to transform him into a demiurge or deity. This act, while satisfying and pleasant, can become a threat to the fundamental foundation electoral-politics is structured upon: Governmental-Accountability. I find it hard to believe, that of the 3,000+ crowd, 30 (which is 1%) have concrete knowledge of the level of persistence and perseverance, needed to bring the presidential promises of Barack Obama into fruition.

If the present administration has taught the American people anything, it lies on the conscience of exerting a substantive amount of progressive-pressure upon a cabinet that naturally operates un-challenged. In the long-end, I believe Muncie is being given a rare opportunity to elevate its standards vis-à-vis the appointment of local politicians. Hopefully, this event marks the dawn of a new day for a slumbering electorate.

Peace!

Second Harvest: Private vs. Public

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:38:48 +0000

By Lois Rockhill

Dr. J. Larry Brown, Harvard School of Public Health, made a presentation to the Maine Nutrition Council last month. He explored the question, “How do we end domestic hunger?” slanting his answer toward his firm belief that the federal government is responsible to do so.

Brown is remembered by some as a student at Anderson College (now University) 40 years ago. Since then, he has dedicated his life to justice issues and national hunger concerns. In his speech last month he pointed out that hunger in America can be ended and ended quickly. It can be done not by charities but by the national government.

While Brown recognizes that food banks, food pantries and meal programs stand between needy people and severe hunger, he challenges these same charities. He tells us that feeding the hungry is not the way to end hunger.

We have heard the story United Way promotes about rescuing babies from the river. This story appears to be a variation of a fable Brown created years ago. In his version, it is farmers caught in a fast flowing river. Much effort goes into rescue work involving platforms and ropes to pull people from the river.

At some point, a delegation goes up river and finds that the path to the fields was so close to the river that occasionally victims slid off the bank and into the river. Soon they changed the route of the path, and from that time on, no one fell into the river again. The rescue work was no longer needed.

I agree with Brown that private charities have nowhere close to the capacity of the government to address hunger. I agree that any thought from our government leaders that the private charitable network can pick up more responsibility for feeding hungry people is absurd. We have yet to fill the gap between federal nutrition programs and pressing need. The increasing need that we now face is almost irrelevant in light of never having had enough resources to adequately address hunger in our communities.

Brown has some radical suggestions for steps to take to end hunger in America. He believes that the federal programs already in existence would end hunger if strengthened. This would include food stamps, child nutrition programs and elderly feeding programs. He estimates that this would take an addition of only $10 billion to $12 billion a year. If you would like Brown’s complete speech, please contact me and I will get a copy to you.

I read Brown’s speech and reviewed some supporting research as I was on my way to a national meeting of executive directors of the food bank network. At the meeting, we were energized by a network strategically working to raise awareness of hunger and find more food and funds. Rather than planning to cease operations in 4 years as Brown suggests as a catalyst to push the government to end hunger, our network is deeply into plans to feed a million more Americans this year and a million more next year.

We honored Nancy Montanez Johner, United States Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services and two of her colleagues for implementing a creative plan to barter surplus stocks for food for the hungry. This initiative delivered 1,412 truckloads of food to the food bank network, with more expected in a second round.

Brown seems to fear that celebrating these partnerships will take the pressure off decision makers in the federal government who must take the major steps necessary to provide enough food to end hunger for Americans.

Perhaps Brown is right. Ending hunger for Americans is the job of the federal government. More money for nutrition programs is certainly important and would solve the challenges of the local pantries and kitchens futilely trying to meet the need with restricted and often dwindling resources.

I can’t see our network taking the kind of stand Brown recommends, but I hope we make rapid progress in persuading our government representatives to boldly take the lead in ending hunger. If they can reroute the path, local charities will have far less people to rescue.

Lois Rockhill is executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. She can be reached at lrockhill@curehunger.org.

Benefactors Donate Building to Teachers’ Store

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:15:23 +0000

Three Former Muncie Siblings Want to Help Teachers

MUNCIE, IN - The three children of Rolland E. Stephens, developer of the former Muncie Meadows shopping center in the 1950’s, have donated a building to the Back to School Teachers’ Store. The 9000 square feet building, most recently housing Bio Life, at 1318 South Madison Street, will soon be filled with classroom supplies, reading books, and teacher aids to be given free to county teachers.

Dream Come True

The teachers’ store, now located at 1803 W. Purdue off North Wheeling in the former Ross Pharmacy building, owned by Marsh Supermarkets, will move this summer to its newly donated building. Volunteer director Jackie Johnston said, “It’s a dream come true. We always knew we were in a temporary location, but we appreciated Marsh lending it to us rent and utility free. But owning our own building will allow us to set roots and grow as an important charity in Muncie. The South Madison location puts us closer to the center of town, nearest the teachers who need us the most.”

Like Father, Like Children

The donors are Beverly J. Stephens-Hubbell, Rolland R. Stephens, and Mark B. Stephens, all of California, but children of the late Rolland E. Stephens, a local grocer and shopping center developer. “Our father always made an effort to help hard-working families with small children by donating food from his grocery store. This is why we know he would be happy with the donation of this building to Back to School Teachers’ Store,” said Rolland Stephens, speaking for his sister and brother. All three siblings were born in Muncie, attended Royerton schools, and graduated from Indiana University. “Even though tough economic times caused our father to leave high school during the ninth grade, he encouraged each of his children to go through college,” said Stephens. Both Rolland and Mark are commercial real estate appraisers in the Los Angeles area. Beverly is active in music, dance, and theater. They live within a few miles of each other.

Location History

The store location on Madison Street originally housed a high-producing Haag Drug Store in the early 1950s. The property was then occupied as a blood plasma collection center run by Cutter Laboratories, then Bayer Inc. and finally Bio Life, which has since opened a new location in northwest Muncie. Local commercial realtor Monte Brown and attorney Mark Ervin of Beasley & Gilkinson LLP introduced the idea of the teachers store to the Stephens family and made possible the donation.

Current Store Still Open

Soon teachers from Muncie and Delaware County’s south side will have a shorter distance to travel to find free reading, writing, art supplies, science equipment, and classroom decorations. The Back To School Teachers’ Store takes donations from businesses and the public of items useful to teachers for their classrooms. The store is open for donations from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday through Thursday at the current location at 1803 W. Purdue Avenue. Cash donations and volunteers are needed for the upcoming move and on a regular basis during store shopping hours. Call 765-381-3625 for more information.

Second Harvest: Homeward Bound

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:33:55 +0000

By Lois Rockhill

Evelyn Goode is the spokeswoman for Homeward Bound for East Central Indiana. Her story serves to motivate community groups and individuals to raise funds for hunger and homelessness. It’s best to read her story in her own words. Go to our Second Harvest Food Bank website at www.curehunger.org, click on the ‘related links’ tab and then on Homeward Bound. Once on the statewide site, go to the map and choose East Central Indiana.

Evelyn tells the story of her own personal struggle as a young mother of five making the difficult decision to leave a marriage destroyed by addiction. “The breaking point was after Christmas of 1993. My children ranged in age from 4 years to eleven. With no tree, no presents, and no Christmas dinner, I decided to try and get help.”

From that point of action, Evelyn’s story goes on to recount challenges overcome by her own determination and with the help of others. Today she holds a university degree and a position of responsibility at a local bank. “I wake up everyday accepting that there are things in life I can’t control and knowing that it is how I choose to react that determines my destiny.”

Thousands of Hoosiers will choose to react to stories like Evelyn’s by walking this month in a statewide event called Homeward Bound. Here in our region the walk will take place in Chesterfield at noon on April 27. There are 14 agencies from Delaware and Madison County that are benefiting from the walk. All are looking for team members.

Second Harvest has broadened the field by encouraging all the agencies we serve in eight counties to form a team under our auspices. Their team will raise money to help leverage more food from Second Harvest. Pantries and meal programs getting food from Second Harvest help defray the food bank’s cost of obtaining, storing and delivering the products to them by contributing a portion of the total cost. Homeward Bound funds from designated teams will help them with this.

Other teams will raise money to help organizations provide housing, shelter and supportive services. This is an opportunity for businesses, schools, churches and other groups to support the work that goes on every day to provide for people in their moment of need. Evelyn’s story shared so bravely and generously, shows what a difference we make in the lives of others when we step forward to offer our support.

While you are putting dates on the calendar, please add a note to May 10. That is the date of the largest one day food drive in the nation! The Letter Carriers Food Drive requires very little from the community. They do it all for you!

All you have to do is select canned goods from your kitchen shelf, put them in a plastic bag and set it out by your mailbox that morning. Volunteers, letter carriers, rural carriers, post office staff will all be joining together to pick up your donations and see that they get to a pantry in your town.

Lois Rockhill is Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc

Help a Station Out...

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 03:48:02 +0000

By Tolu Olorunda

Those who depend on the mercies of the mainstream-media for Information and news-reporting, should understand the dire-need for an alternative and more reliable/dependable/accountable/responsible/un-diluted//unattenuated/un-controlled source! One need only look at Fox News, and shutter at the level of unabashed arch-conservatism, or attempt to contrast its nemesis MSNBC and instantaneously stagger from the un-concealed patriarchal/chauvinistic/anachronistic rhetoric of some of its paid-pundits. CNN is hardly an exception, with a neo-liberal agenda and a “The Best Political Team on Television” slogan that rarely lives up to its promise. The singular element that binds these incremental forces together, is the financial contributors who fund an assembly that assaults the moral conscience of Journalism.

In this market of paid-pipers, a structure has continually risen to challenge the incompetence and sheer-inconsistency of its sibling. This structure is often neglected and forsaken, but the biting-reality remains true for a constituency upset while obsessed with the snap-shotting and sound-biting techniques overused by every arm of the mainstream-media. This structure of moral-fiber and veracity, is the only reason accountability is appropriated to the very much sacrosanct news-outlets. I speak of a structure that built a foundation of integrity and ethics, to engage in a rarely witnessed form of self-interrogation. This structure is known to many as: Independent Journalism. Indeed, this vital element remains as vibrant and effervescent as it ever was. Notable representatives of this vision are: Democracy Now! NPR, PBS, FAIR, Media Matters, Newshounds , Free-Press and many un-named others. This is especially note-worthy because of the profound dedication to the refusal of corporate-funds by these exemplars. To ensure utter-accountability, the majority of Independent Media is kept-alive by the generous and well-deserved contributions of every-day citizens.

I end this rather short piece, with a charge and challenge to every concerned and collected person, willing to ensure a balance to the rigid style of commercial-journalism presented by the corporate-owned stations. Support something that supports you. Support the very core of un-compensated truth-telling, by putting your money where your mouth should be. This is especially timely, as Indiana Public Radio is having a week-long donation drive to guarantee the quality of programming that stimulates and educates its listener-base. Do something worth doing, and invest in the future that awaits you. Peace!

To support IPR, Call 1-800-646-1812, or mail your pledge to:
Indiana Public Radio, Ball State University, Muncie IN 47306.

Meet the Artists at First Thursday in Downtown Muncie

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:04:06 +0000

MUNCIE, IN - Celebrate the arts in Downtown Muncie this First Thursday, April 3rd, from 5 to 8pm. Our many art galleries spotlight their exhibit openings on the first Thursday evenings of every month, with meet-the-artist receptions.

Some of the gallery events (in alphabetical order by gallery) at the next First Thursday:

The Artist Within ~ 313 S Walnut Street ~ 765-289-7895

"Wax and Water" will showcase the talents of several local artists during April at The Artist Within. This exhibit of experimental water colors and encaustics will occupy both the upstairs and main gallery space and is the collaborative effort of 21 artists, Marilyn Derwenskus and the Artist Within. The show runs April 1 through April 30 with an opening reception Thursday, April 3 from 5-8pm. Traditional water color techniques may be seen in the work of these advanced students, but it is the way that they push the boundaries that stands out and makes this such an exciting collection of work. The ages old medium of encaustic can trace its roots back to ancient Greece where it was used in decorative painting on mummy cases. Old techniques are approached in creative and innovative ways as these artists explore painting with wax. A demonstration of the process is planned for the opening night of the exhibit.

Artworks ~ 301 South Walnut Street ~ 765-288-2221

Artworks will exhibit "Totemic Spirit in Clay," a new exhibition by Judy Wojcik. An opening reception will be held during First Thursday, April 3, 5:30pm to 8:30pm.

Judy Wojcik received her MFA in Ceramics from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and her BS in Art Education from Ball State University. She is completing a one-year position as Visiting Assistant Professor in Ceramics at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. He recent work continues to explore altered stoneware vessels, surfaces and high fire glazing techniques.

Ongoing Exhibits: Jeanette Gilbert, watercolors, Heidi Hale, jewelry, Judy Krieger Wand – jewelry/metalsmith

ArtWorks Gallery Mission : we are a non-profit cooperative artist gallery. Our mission is to serve the Muncie community and provide local artists a facility to exhibit their art and to provide educational opportunities and affordable art for our community.

Artworks is an artist owned and operated sales gallery, featuring original works for sale by outstanding Indiana artists. Regular gallery hours are from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Gallery 308 ~ 308 E. Main Street ~ 765-289-8575

Gallery 308 welcomes Dan Burkholder's Photo Exhibit "The Color of Loss; An Intimate Portrait of New Orleans after Katrina" in April. Join us Thursday April 3 from 5-9 p.m. for his new exhibit and book signing. The show will run thru April 26th.

At 5pm at the Muncie Civic Theatre for a talk from Bill Gosnell, of the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency on disaster preparedness. We will also recognize volunteers who went to the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Dan will discuss his images at 6 p.m., then return to Gallery 308 until 9 to answer questions. His book will be available for purchase and signing at this time.

The American Red Cross and other agencies with disaster preparedness information will have tables set up in the Founder's Gallery at G308. Admission is free.

Dan will also be hanging out at Jack's Camera on Friday April 4 and teaching workshops in the Founder's Gallery on April 5 &6. Contact Sherry Powell or Tom Nahre at Jack's Camera 765-282-0204 or Gallery 308 at 765-289-8575 for more information.

Gordy Fine Art & Framing ~ 224 E Main Street ~ 765-284-8422

Gordy Fine Art & Framing will present "The Frame Show: Framus Fantasticus" on display through April. The Frame Show opens during the monthly First Thursday art event on April 3rd from 5 to 8 PM. Peter Blume will offer remarks about the framing at 6:30 PM. Light refreshments will be served and the public is invited to attend.

The exhibit includes works by local artists to show historically-matched frames for each entry. Jim Faulkner's scene of a Federal style house will be displayed in a Federal-style frame. Alan Patrick's landscape will be shown in an American Impressionist-style frame. The other featured artists will include Shonet Lambert Martin, Robert Farlow, Charlene George, Margie Prim, David Slonim, Carol Strock Wasson and the framer, Brian Gordy.

The exhibit may be viewed until April 26th during normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday, 9 to 3, or by appointment. Gordy Fine Art and Framing is located at 224 East Main Street, next door to Civic Theatre. For more information call 284-8422 or visit www.gordyframing.com.

Mitchell Place Studio ~ 301 S Walnut

Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts & Animation Student Art & Research Showcase
Thursday April 3rd, 5 p.m.

See monthly showcase of recent, supported student art and research projects in association with First Thursdays downtown. For more information on this and other IDIAA programs visit www.bsu.edu/cmd/mps.

Other downtown Muncie businesses may have art exhibits or special events during First Thursdays include:

~ Cortex Hair Center, 112 W Jackson Street - 765-288-6685
~ David Dale Designs, Interior Designs & Fine Art Gallery, 421 S Walnut Street - 765-284-4987
~ FB Fogg, 418 E Main Street - 765-289-7464
~ Glitterati in the Rose Court on Charles Street
~ Minnetrista, 1200 N. Minnetrista Parkway - 765-282-4848

Additionally, all of Downtown's independently owned bars and restaurants will be open and ready to serve you. For more information, visit www.munciedowntown.com.

Click Here for More Downtown Muncie Events.

Please help keep us informed of any upcoming events or exhibits in Downtown Muncie. Email details to info [at] munciedowntown.com.

Ball State hosts fifth annual copyright conference

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:33:26 +0000

MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State University presents its fifth annual copyright conference, "Copyright in Oz: Over the Rainbow or I'll Get Your Little Dog, Too?" from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. April 23 at the Alumni Center.

The goal of the conference is to help attendees understand how to properly use copyrighted materials in an educational setting.

"This year's theme relates to using someone else's copyrighted intellectual property," said Fritz Dolak, conference chair and manager of Ball State's copyright and intellectual property office. "It pertains to some people's ideas of copyright being rather naïve, which can lead to consequences that can be threatening or detrimental."

Special guest speaker David Carson will present. Carson, associate register for policy and international affairs at the U.S. Copyright Office, assists the register of copyrights in advising Congress and executive branch agencies on domestic and international copyright policy matters.

Other guest speakers include:

· Dwayne Buttler, professor and first Evelyn J. Schneider Endowed Chair for Scholarly Communication at the University of Louisville, University Libraries

· Michelle Cooper, attorney in the Education Law Group at Bose McKinney & Evans LLP

· Kenneth Crews, director of the Copyright Advisory Office, Columbia University

· James Williams, attorney at DeFur Voran LLP.

Ball State has the only annual copyright conference in the Midwest.

The conference's sponsors include Bose McKinney & Evans LLP, DeFur Voran LLP, Paws Inc. and the Muncie Visitors Bureau, as well as Ball State's Digital Policy Institute, Office of University Advancement and J-Ideas.

For more information or to register, visit www.bsu.edu/library/conference/copyright. The cost for Ball State faculty and staff is $45. Others can register by April 8 for $95. Registration after this date or at the door is $125. Contact Dolak at 765-285-5330 for additional information.

Source: BSU News Center

Keeping Tabs on Spending Through TAB

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 23:32:43 +0000

By C.A. Bouslog

MUNCIE, IN - The public is encouraged to attend a special meeting of the Delaware County Council at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2008. This meeting has been called for a vote to adopt the ordinance to re-establish the County Board of Tax Adjustment (Tax Adjustment Board or TAB).

Although state government has touted the passage of the most recent property tax bill as a “sweeping change,” property taxes remain, and our esteemed legislators extended the move toward total property tax repeal for at least another two years. The upshot of this is that the focus now more than ever is on reduction and control of local spending.

Fortunately, legislation included in the bill allows for the County Board of Tax Adjustment to play a significant role in limiting spending. This is particularly significant in that the Capital Review Board that was supposed to begin 1/1/09 has been abandoned. In its place, the County Board of Tax Adjustment would be charged with review, possible revision and reduction of the budget, tax rate, and tax levy of each political subdivision filed with the county auditor. Such entities would include townships, schools, city, county, library, airport authority, etc. The statutory deadline for reinstatement of the County Board of Tax Adjustment is April 15, 2008.

Seven members will comprise this Board with one member each appointed from the County Council, the City (Mayor McShurley or her designate), and the Muncie Community School system. The remaining four members—county residents—will be appointed by the County Commissioners. All appointments must be made by April 15, 2008.

With foresight, Citizens of Delaware County for Property Tax Repeal (CDCPTR) began requesting the County Council to reinstate the County Board of Tax Adjustment three months ago. On February 26, the Council rendered a favorable vote of 4:3 to reinstate the County Board of Tax Adjustment. On March 25th, the ordinance required to reinitiate the County Board of Tax Adjustment was introduced, and that resulted in a favorable 4:3 vote as well. Following that, however, a motion to suspend the rules to adopt the ordinance failed for lack of unanimous vote.

The dissenting votes were cast, in ALL instances, by County Council members Ted Bowman, Chris Matchett, and Mary Chambers. Even the County Council’s own attorney, Don Dunnuck, endeavored to try to ‘make motions’ from his seat to have the ordinance tabled—perhaps in an attempt to become the eighth member of the Council. Dunnuck, acting far beyond his scope of responsibility and by way of making off-the-cuff remarks, asked questions, proffered observations, and questioned the authority of the County Board of Tax Adjustment to reduce budgets, tax rates, and levies without being an elected body itself. Following the failed vote, and in concert with the law, Brad Bookout called for the special meeting.

It has been rumored that there is, by some elected officials, resistance to the appointment of citizens to the Board. It is essential to realize that the County Board of Tax Adjustment, once in place, will be in a position to make economic decisions that individual political subdivisions often will not, leading to improved efficiency of the local taxing unit. After all, such judgments can be made by the Board without undue influence of special interest groups. In the pursuit of greater transparency and accountability in local government, citizen input might help defuse possible adversarial approaches and allow for greater nonpartisan participation. The presence of the Board would also serve to lessen finger pointing between state and local governments.

Effective cuts in and control of spending is the goal of the County Board of Tax Adjustment. One only has to recall the 20-year Center Township Trustee who managed to hoard in excess of $5 million to understand the necessity of this Board’s function. The discovery of those resources was in fact a revelation of a previous County Board of Tax Adjustment. The Board’s ultimate demise by “political abolishment” could very well have been driven by the fact that certain political entities ultimately grew paranoid of that kind of “oversight” and saw to its elimination when the opportunity presented itself.

Thus, for the time being, the County Board of Tax Adjustment (or TAB) could be a very meaningful way to help keep a lid on escalating property taxes.

Taking Government to the People is Catching On

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 23:28:17 +0000

By C.A. Bouslog

Brad Polk, newly elected to the Muncie City Council representing District 4, has joined forces to bring government to the people. His first District 4 Quarterly Meeting with Polk will be held Monday, March 31, 2008, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Kennedy Library on McGalliard Road, Muncie.

For the first meeting, he has invited the Mayor, all Department Supervisors, and Council persons Jerry Dishman, Allison Quirk, and Linda Gregory.

Linda Gregory

Said Polk, “The meetings are informational and a great way for residents to find out what I (as their elected representative to the City Council for District 4) have been doing for them, and what I am going to do for them in the future.”

There will also be a question-and-answer period for citizen concerns.

Meetings will be held at the same time on a quarterly basis on the last Monday in March, June, September, and December.

The next Breakfast with Gregory will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on April 5, 2008, at Mac’s Restaurant (2323 South Madison Street, Muncie, Indiana). Breakfast with Gregory sessions are held the last Saturday of each month before the City Council meeting (for the month of April, April 7, 2008).

Upcoming City Council meeting agenda will be discussed, and attendees are encouraged to participate in a question and answer session regarding citizen concerns.

Brad Polk and Young Friends

Vote For my Mom: Chelsea Clinton and the art of persuasion.

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 03:29:43 +0000

By Tolu Olorunda

My Arrival: To see the looks of awe, “star-struckeness” and anticipation on the faces of the countless Ball State Students, one would think that Senator Barack Obama has a better and more realistic shot as a future Chicago-Bulls forward, than the actual Presidency of the United States. The room was engulfed by the attentiveness and Electronic-cameras of the numerous attendees, and filled to the brim with a number-count that only a political celebrity could aggregate.

All detail aside, the catch of the day was a peculiar appearance by Chelsea Clinton, fathered by former U.S-President, Bill Clinton, and mothered by New York Senator, and current Presidential Hopeful, Hillary Clinton. I stood to get a glimpse of the (special guest), but was stifled by my 5’8” height deficiency, and the group of giraffes who had conveniently arrived before me, and proceeded to obstruct my chances of capturing the historic moment with my naked eyes. I subsequently figured that she was only the heir-apparent to a political dynasty, and a “Nicodemus-stunt” would be utterly-comical and self-denigrating.

My Observations: I was altogether impressed with her swagger, and irrefutable sense of pride in the track-record and potentiality “her mom” has unabashedly flaunted ever since the campaign-lunch. I also witnessed an unusual ease with the College-age crowd, giving her self-acknowledged age mismatch. I was mostly stunned by the in-depth knowledge and confidence of “her mom’s” history, which funded the extemporaneous speaking that left me energetically-depleted.

My Assessment: Giving the praise-shower and commendation-fiesta entertained above, we have come to the segment of this article that reeks of constructive criticism and harsh-analysis.

(Parents put the kids to bed, and close the blinds—It’s about to get ugly.)

I was deeply disappointed in her inability to speak candidly of the tragic errors influenced by Mrs. Hillary Clinton’s poor judgment, which have cost 1000’s of innocent lives in Iraq, and left 10’s of thousand others irreparably injured. I was puzzled strongly on the issue of Civil Rights, and Chelsea’s unmistakable admiration of Mrs. Clinton’s portfolio in that regard, in spite of the 3-strikes’ bill signed by “her dad” former President Bill Clinton, and husband to Hillary Clinton. On Nafta, to hear Chelsea tell it, Mrs. Clinton has been a vehement opposer of the implement from the incipient, but a common internet-research argues otherwise.

In Conclusion: It inexpressibly gladdened me, to see the rare-engagement of our all-to-over-scheduled and over-burdened college students, in this phenomenon-like political season. I hope/pray that they can draw some inspiration and insight from this moment in time-line. Peace!

Mayor McShurley's Report City Council mtg 3-3-08

kpaul.mallasch — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:59:36 +0000

From: WatchingInMuncie via YouTube

Delaware County United Vets Council Meeting

kpaul.mallasch — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:16:51 +0000

GASTON, IN - The Delaware County United Vets Council March 25 Meeting will be held at the American Legion Post 387 in Gaston.

A final decissiion will be made regarding the Armed Forces Day/Memorial Day Parade.

Also, Mary Ann Estep will tell us about her Homeless Vets Program.

Chow will be served at 1700Hrs with the meeting at 1800Hrs.

Any questions call Joe Mansfield UVC CMDR 765-744-6393.

Cynthia McKinney, Our Media, and the Politics of Elitism

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:11:30 +0000

By Tolu Olorunda

With the poor and subpar political coverage presented by our “ever-dependable” media, the name Cynthia McKinney would resonate more as a one-time senator, and less as a present, vibrant and relentless 2008 presidential candidate.

Cynthia McKinney began her political journey in 1986 as a Georgia House of Representative hopeful, but was unable to muster a majority vote for election. Fortunately in 1988, with the same fire and fury, McKinney garnered a victory in that year’s House of Representative race. As the saying goes, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”, and this proved to be especially valid for the young woman, who was fathered by a beloved Georgia State legislator, Billy McKinney. Billy McKinney is a once Georgia House of Representative member who has acquired many honors as a result of his service, one of which is a personal Highway in Northwest Atlanta, named after him.

Cynthia McKinney grew as a respected and venerated politician, but didn’t fail to assemble a few adversaries as her fame increased. One would think that the controversial encumbrances that incessantly engulfed the majority of Cynthia McKinney’s political life would yield her “press-time/coverage/spotlight”, but not even such “rating-boosters” was persuasive enough, to divert “our” media’s attention from the romantic-relationship they have devoutly nurtured with a group known as: The Elites.

The Elites are an intricate part of American and frankly Universal Politics, and our negligence to challenge, in spite of their malnourishment has left us politically bankrupt. Limiting or diminishing political candidates, to the more popular and trendy choices, is in no way profitable to the citizenry or voter-base. It comes as no surprise that from the get-go, a Dennis Kucinich or Chris Dodd, can be over-looked unapologetically by the mainstream-media, and as a result forfeit any serious chance at election. Assuredly, the only media outlet encouraging novelty, is the all too forgotten industry of “Independent Journalism” which has fought vehemently to hard-wire assortment into the political sphere and eliminate mundanity from it.

As the political-clock winds down, we are left with miniature but enough time to re-educate ourselves about all the candidates and their policies. We can no longer subscribe or submit to the mainstream-media’s attenuated version of political coverage. We must harness the power of the internet and become independent thinkers through diligent, responsible and keen analysis of this historical and crucial presidential political race.

Peace!

Candlelight Vigil Downtown, Muncie

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:42:33 +0000

MUNCIE, IN - Tolu Olorunda is co-hosting a local Moveon.org Vigil this Wednesday in Downtown Muncie.

Birthday bash salutes former governor Otis ‘Doc’ Bowen

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:26:13 +0000

MUNCIE, IN - Former Indiana Governor Otis R. “Doc” Bowen will be the guest of honor at a tribute dinner March 28 in Indianapolis marking his 90th birthday.

The event, sponsored by Ball State, will take place at the Westin Hotel, 50 S. Capitol Ave. Bowen and his wife, Carol, will attend the dinner. Former President George H.W. Bush is the honorary chair of the event and current Hoosier Gov. Mitch Daniels will serve as master of ceremonies.

“For the adult portion of his nine decades, Doc Bowen has exemplified the best qualities of personal integrity and public service and we are thrilled to have this opportunity to honor him,” Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora said. “We are proud to have his name grace our Bowen Center for Public Affairs and hope that Doc Bowen’s legacy of concern for the people of Indiana will continue to inform the center’s efforts to improve government responsiveness to our fellow citizens.”

The former governor and U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary enjoys a long-standing relationship with Ball State. Most recently he donated his official papers as governor and HHS chief to the Bowen Center, which opened last March and provides university-based, nonpartisan research and training to public officials with the aim of improving the performance and delivery of government services.

Bowen, who received an honorary degree from the university in 1978, also has been active in Ball State’s Bowen Institute on Political Participation. A component of the Bowen Center now in its 27h year, the institute is managed by the university’s political science department. It is one of the oldest continuously operated civic engagement programs in the nation and provides an opportunity for people to better understand the political system.

A reception precedes the tribute dinner at 6:45 p.m. with the meal to follow at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available to the public for $250 per person; business attire is requested.

Reservations are due by March 14 to Stephanie Painter, Bowen Center for Public Affairs, North Quad 240, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306. For more information, contact Painter at 765-285-8982.

Source: BSU News Center

Indiana Statewide Mock Tornado Warning

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:46:08 +0000

This is the activation of the Delaware County Emergency Outdoor Warning Sirens for the Indiana Statewide Tornado Drill. The purpose of me going to Heekin Park here in Muncie is to see how well the system covers the park. The area I was at is more than a mile from the closest siren.

From: mwhackler via YouTube

Second Harvest Column: Helpful Volunteers

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:29:32 +0000

By Lois Rockhill

You may have watched Oprah Winfrey’s “The Big Give” this past Sunday. Participants compete to come up with the most creative ways to take a given amount of money and other resources and multiply them before giving them away to help others.

Contestants applied a year ago to be on the show. They range in age from 22 to 43 years. They will face many challenges as they strive to outdo each other for the good of others. The idea is to change lives in five days with the help of a lot of money and, of course, Harpo Productions.

The commercials for the show are appealing. At least one reminds me of people right here in east central Indiana who are giving big and changing lives. Their stories inspire me. There are so many people practicing “The Big Give” spirit in our community that we would be hard pressed to choose only 10 as Oprah has.

“We Can Care” kicked off last week. The month-long Madison County food drive was started by Greg Graham, now Anderson’s chair of the Board of Works. Greg heard that pantry shelves were empty following the holidays and our neediest residents had to do without enough food. He responded to that need by inviting community leaders to back a countywide food drive. Years later, the drive has generated well over 600,000 pounds of food. Hungry people are being fed, and good citizens are finding this avenue open to their own big giving.

Jeanne Lee knows how to mobilize a community. She has been involved in Girl Scouts, Alternatives, the Madison County Community Foundation and now with Second Harvest Food Bank. She is reaching into all areas of our east central Indiana service area to pull together resources that will keep the food bank strong and functioning for many years to come. She is changing lives as she encourages people with resources to help insure that we will keep up the good work.

I think of Carol Trimmer with Indiana Public Radio and how she connected Second Harvest and IPR. Because she connected the dots, IPR listeners are reminded and challenged to give big – of themselves and of their resources to end hunger and feed hope.

Then there is Ginnette Tavzel, executive director of the United Way of Jay County, and Jenny Dennis, executive director of the United Fund of Henry County. Both women have taken the issue of hunger very seriously. They have worked to mobilize volunteers in their communities to help at Tailgate distributions. These are events where Second Harvest provides a truck load of food for a drive through distribution — a real boon to residents in need and a big help to supplement the on-going work of the local pantries.

Speaking of pantries, and we could easily add kitchens, shelters, child care programs and senior programs — our list of people who give big will grow tremendously as we count the women and men involved at each. Some are paid staff, most are volunteers. They work tirelessly to end hunger and feed hope. They network in their communities, mobilize and inspire big giving.

I have named only a few of the many people who are change agents in east central Indiana. I like to think of volunteers, advocates, food donors, service donors, fund donors and community activist who are all big givers here in our community. I hope Oprah’s “Big Give” will touch her viewers and inspire people who need a nudge to join the ranks of people who step up to make a difference.

We have wonderful models living and breathing among us. With Oprah to help spotlight big giving, I look forward to seeing the rolls swell. And remember, big is relative. Do your best to make a difference. Whether it is a can of food or a semi trailer load, a handful of pennies or a six-figure gift, someone will be better off because you gave as big as you could!

Lois Rockhill is Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc.

Disenfranchised in Muncie.

Jim Arnold — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:24:44 +0000

Jim Arnold

The definition of disenfranchise is “deprived of the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote)”. There has been much concern about citizens who MAY have been disenfranchised in the recent Muncie elections. There have been claims of vote fraud in precinct 18 (and others) and the disenfranchisement that would result from that vote fraud. There have been protests of disenfranchisement due to 19 votes in precinct 46 that were not counted due to a missing signature on the absentee ballot applications. Now the Secretary of State is on the case.

Based upon the recent City Council meeting where close to 400 people were packed like sardines in a sweltering City Hall court room, I wonder if the citizens of Muncie standing in the back of the City Hall court room who left because they could not hear the proceedings or who left because they were unable to stand for extended periods of time due to health issues feel that they were deprived of their rights of citizenship. I also wonder if the citizens who were not allowed to speak at the council meeting feel that they were disenfranchised. Sam Marshall, are you listening?

Jim Arnold

Muncie Indiana

Storer Elementary Hosts Fifth Annual International Night

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:25:07 +0000

MUNCIE, IN - Storer Elementary will host its fifth annual "International Night" Thursday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. The international event is a school and community-wide celebration organized primarily by the Parent Teacher Organization that recognizes the diverse cultural background of the school's students and staff members. The various cultures of students, parents, and staff are celebrated with an international "fair" that is comprised of some 25 booths representing countries from around the world. Food sampling, artifacts, dancing, and hands-on activities are favorite attractions at the International Night.

The PTO also hosts foreign language clubs from Central and Southside high schools, foreign exchange student opportunities, and holds an elaborate style show of students and parents in original clothing indicative of their country of origin as well as a performance by the Folk Dance Club which ends the night of celebrating diversity when anyone is invited to the dance floor.

The Storer PTO entered its very successful "International Night" in the category of "Outstanding Outreach to a Multicultural Parent Base" and was awarded an honorable mention placing nation-wide in the September 2007 issue of PTO Today magazine.

"Through the work of our parents, the entire staff, and Johnny Carino's which serves an Italian buffet for a small family fee, we are able to host approximately 400 persons to celebrate the cultures of our school community," according to Principal Ingrid Grubb, who dresses in costume native to her parents' heritage. Her father was Lebanese and her mother was German, she explains each year at the booth she hosts at International Night.

Source: Muncie Community Schools Press Release

The Stereofidelics @ The Launching Pad

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:42:42 +0000

From: TheStereofidelics

via YouTube

Virgin Millionaires Acoustic Set @ MuncieGras [Adult Language]

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:38:32 +0000

From: locologan187 via YouTube.

Delaware County Common Construction Wage Hearings

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:50:36 +0000

Governor Mitch Daniels and Commissioner Lori Torres,

I only hope I can effectively express my disgust regarding the Common Construction Wage hearings that I attended here in Delaware County today (Thursday, February 28, 2008).

What I witnessed and participated in was nothing short of an abomination and an enormous injustice to the citizens of this county by the very government delegated with the responsibility to uphold the law and enforce the righteous will of the people.

In 2 of the hearings (of the 4 being heard), the CCW Hearing for the Muncie Redevelopment Commission demolition of a building and the Delaware Community School mechanical and electrical HVAC project, the composition of the appointments were not even legal. At neither of the 2 hearings was there a legal taxpayer appointment by the County Legislative Body and the issue was taken up, objected to and made a matter of the hearing record in both instances at the very beginning of both hearings. Inspite of those objections and the confessed illegality of the representations, the State of Indiana, by and through, its hearing officer, Kenneth Boucher, cast the tie-breaking and deciding vote in favor of Collective Bargaining Labor and against the wishes and votes of the project ownership thereby awarding the highest and most expensive of three wage submissions. Of the three votes cast in favor of, including the Governor's Representative, the Labor Representative and the illegal County Taxpayer Representative, not a single one of them pays a red cent to the cost of the project. Now, the question begs, where in the heck does an awarding agency, let alone the taxpaying citizens of the project, have a say in there very own community and its public building expenditures?

Let the facts reflect that the illegal County appointments, in both instances, were Collective Bargaining Labor "plants", designed to accomplish one thing and one thing alone. As if the fact that one of our very own governing bodies would try and sabotage our efforts of being fiscally responsible and exercising our rights to democratically make decisions that would have an impact upon our immediate economic futures is one thing. To have a Governor's Representative condone and endorse that behavior is a whole different animal. It is totally unacceptable. This, my elected, appointed and irresponsible representatives, is nothing short of a travesty and will be an issue that will be trumpeted far and wide. The disease of special interest corruption has obviously infected not only the local governing bodies of Delaware County, but the very core of our state government and its administrative offices.

Disgustingly,

Chris Hiatt, President
Citizens of Delaware County for Property Tax Repeal
765-289-7756
765-744-0809
www.propertytaxrepeal.com

What's in YOUR closet?!

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:08:02 +0000

MUNCIE, IN - Believe it or not, some the dresses in the photos below were fashionable at one time. Clean out your closet before your old formal dresses become out-of-style enough to be a joke on the internet!

Donate your old prom, bridesmaid or formal dresses to benefit local high school girls.

Blood-N-Fire Ministries is collecting gently-used formal dresses for the 2nd Annual Prom Dress Store. Dresses will be available for purchase by local high school girls for $20. Donations of shoes, purses, jewelry and new makeup will also be accepted.

Click here for drop-off locations and further information.