Announcements
Feb 2nd to 5th ZBowl
February 16th (Thurs) VRA Family Friendly February Meeting at the Zionsville Fire Department; 7pm
March 3rd (Sat) VRA Garden Club Annual Planning Meeting; 6pm; Guinn and Marianne Doyle home
Letter From The President
The VRA’s first meeting of the year will be on a Thursday this year. We will be having the meeting at Main Fire Station on Ford Road. We are doing this for a number of reasons; a reason for you to bring the kids to a VRA meeting, we thought this would be a really fascinating look into something that probably goes unnoticed quite a bit, and we just love to learn more about our town and our neighbors and this does all that in many ways. Put that on your calendar, and we will have announcements and info for the first few minutes and then let the Fire Department do their thing.
Please remember that we are right in the middle of winter and it is as important as ever to keep your walks shoveled. While at this writing we have had a very mild winter up to now, our intrepid postmen, the dog walkers, exercisers and kids on their way to school all appreciate your shoveling your sidewalks whenever there is snow. If you have trouble shoveling let a neighbor know, or just let me know and I’ll help find someone to make sure your walk gets clear.
There is another meeting of the EDC Strategic Plan working group on February 9th at 8AM. At this meeting they will be discussing in depth the responses from all the surveys, and it is anticipated that this will be a long meeting. There are 75 pages of open-ended responses to the survey questions! I am so happy that so many people took the time to take that survey. If you would like to take a few minutes to go through these responses, they can be downloaded from the Town’s website:
http://www.zionsville-in.gov/2012/01/economic-strategic-plan-working-group-8-meeting-materials/
The new town website is much nicer than the old one and in most cases it is easier to navigate and find what you are looking for. This is especially good because so many of you are now going to some of the committee meetings and it is probably good to check the town’s website to make sure these meetings are still on before you head out. We will try and keep you updated when we can, especially with the bigger committees.
We also just had a bunch of meetings for lots of fun things happening in the VRA this year. So keep your eye on the Village Voice for all the news- some new contributors, some old contributors with new ideas, and lots of the best info from all around Zionsville.
Have a great February and we hope to see you on February 16th at 7pm at the Fire Station!
Chris Bucher
VRA President
ZBowl February 2nd to 5th
Zionsville has been selected as an official “Super Celebration Site”, allowing Zionsville to participate in the Host Committee’s Super Bowl efforts. There will be a shuttle running from Indy to Zionsville this week, brining traffic to Zionville. Zionsville’s events this week will be included in the host committee’s ads, apps, and marketing efforts. Go to www.zbowl2012.com for complete listings and to purchase tickets for special events.
Main Street
Visit the ZBowl Welcome Center at the Prudential Real Estate Building (15 S. Main Street)from Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get all the latest information and exclusive ZBowl insider guides.
Carriage Rides will be available from Thursday the 2nd through Saturday the 4th from 5-8pm along Main Street.
The National Art Museum of Sports (NAMOS) will be displaying special football themed works of art in selected local establishments. Locations and hours of business vary depending on each hosting establishment.” Robert Goodman Jewelers (106 N. Main), Watts Gallery (10 N. Main), Brown’s on Main (98 S. Main), Prudential Realty (15 S. Main), and Indianapolis Executive Airport (11329 East State Road 32). FREE
Football themed menu items featured at Zionsville dinning and food establishments throughout ZBowl festivities.
Dinner, Wine and Art at Serenity (135 South Main Street) will be on Thursday the 2nd . Come at 6:30 pm to look around as dinner will begin promptly at 7 pm.” $38 over 21 years
Indie Rock Concert at St. Alphonsus Liguori (1870 West Oak Street) on Thursday the 2nd. Get your head rockin’ and your toes tappin’ to some of the latest hits from Nashville artists: Keegan DeWitt, Roman Candles and Bryan Cates. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and performances start at 7 p.m.$20
Architecture and Apparitions Tour given by SullivanMunce on Friday and Saturday (3rd and 4th) evenings. Enjoy an enchanting evening of sites and stories as you venture out on an exciting walking tour along Zionsville’s historic brick street while discovering tales of ghosts and apparitions. The tours will occur at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $15
Traders Point Creamery
Known for the famous Indy 500, Indianapolis has strategically placed special festive Indy cars at each Super Celebration Site to show some Hoosier spirit surrounding the Super Bowl. Get your photo next to an exclusive car wrapped in NFL team colors. Free shuttle service will be provided to Trader’s Point Creamery to view the Indy Super Car. The 15 passenger ZCS school bus will run every 30 minutes Schedule: Thursday and Friday 9:30a – 2:00p AND 4:00p – 9:00pm Saturday Noon to 9:00pm FREE
Lions Park ZBowl Winterfest 2012
The 3-day long event in Lions Park starts on Friday February 3 and includes something for everyone. Friday is Mascot day; Saturday is Jersey Day; and Saturday is Spirit Day.
Winterfest will include a double Toboggan Run that is over 80’ long with manufactured snow! There will be a 50 person ice-skating rink on synthetic ice as well. A $5 band grants access for all day usage of rink and toboggan run. The rink will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Saturday and then from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The toboggan is open Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will also be a heated video game truck where up to 20 kids at a time can experience some of the coolest video games, for only $3 for 15 minutes worth of play. The Gaming Trailer will be open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be a place to warm up by fire-pits, and to enjoy refreshments daily.
All proceeds will go to benefit local Zionsville service organizations.
Friday February 3rd Special Events
First Friday Art Gallery Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. This should be an exciting night with many special events happenings in conjunction with First Friday. FREE
Experience the flavor of Zionsville as 18 local gourmet chefs “pop-up” in exquisite art galleries and boutiques, during the Art Gallery Walk, serving their special culinary creations. $20 in advance
Live acoustic artists performing at G. Simone’s lower level (112 S Main St.). A special selection of fine tunes will make for an evening of food, music and friends. Performances will take place between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. 21 and older FREE
First Come, First Hung Opening Reception at Sullivan Munce (205 West Hawthorne St) from 5 to 8pm. Selected sports themed masterpieces that come through the door will be displayed as part of this exclusive and limited time gallery. The exhibit will be open for viewing until February 25.FREE
Gone with the Wind Gala at Thomas Kinkade Gallery (104 S. Main St.) from 5 to 9pm. Y’all stop by, y’hear? See Thomas Kinkade’s new rendering of, arguably, the best movie of all time and enjoy a modern day Southern party. FREE
Phororealist painter John Mark Gleadow at Corner Vise Gallery Frame Shop (110 S. Main St.)from 5-8pm. See him in action and have your painting personalized.
Dave and Rae Performance at Plum’s Upper Room (112 South Main Street) from 8:30 to 11:30pm. Get your toes tapping with one of Indy’s favorite dance bands while enjoying an exquisite dinner. Dinner buffet from Plum’s Upper Room. Event and meal is $80. Over 21 years
Saturday February 4th Special Events
Walk and Roll Football Camp at Zionsville Middle School ( 900 North Ford Road) on Saturday the 4th from 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM. This special football camp will bring together children in kindergarten through 8th grade both with and without special needs. In addition to teambuilding exercises the camp will also include special appearances by major NFL, college and local high school athletes. $10
Tailgate Party with Weber Grill at Akards True Value (25 Boone Village) on Saturday the 4th from 11am to 1pm
Community Service Events
Super Kids Super Sharing Super Bowl donation project at Eagle Elementary. They will be collecting lightly used (or new) books, sports equipment and school supplies. Donated items will be distributed to low income schools and to programs that serve local children in need. From January 4th through the 18th you can bring those items to the school and place them in collection boxes located near the entrance.
Souper Bowl of Caring national initiative is held each year in conjunction with the Super Bowl to provide materials and other support to allow groups the flexibility to donate non-perishable food items or money to local causes. While supplies last, the State Bank of Lizton will provide participants with a reusable, refillable Souper Bowl of Caring cloth bag to fill and empty as many times as possible through Feb. 4 at one of the State Bank of Lizton locations. Drop off food pantry donations at the State Bank of Lizton in Zionsville (6529 East State Road 334)
ZVRA February Meeting: Family Friendly at the Zionsville Fire Department
The Village Residents Association is excited to announce an “up close and personal” tour of Station 91 for members of the VRA and their families only on Thursday, February 16th, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm. Chief Jamie VanGorder will lead the tour, answer your questions and – weather permitting – have another “up close and personal” surprise for us.
Please RSVP your intention to attend and the number who will be attending to VRA vice-president, Kathy Scales, at vp@zvra.com by Monday, February 13.
For those attending, please park at Boone Village and use the crosswalk due to limited parking at Station 91.
Village Voice Arts
by Sarah Zack
Village People, Meet Your Neighbor: Heather Lusk, Hawthorne Street
by Beth Bugbee
Do you share your lovely home with anyone?
Yes. I live with my husband, Scott, and our two daughters, Mara (6) and Annabel (3).
How long have you lived in Zionsville and why did you decide to move here?
We moved here from Broad Ripple two years ago. We needed a bigger home and my husband asked where I would consider moving. My criteria was that there had to be shops and restaurants within walking distance and the house had to be built before 1930. Our home fit the bill. I must say the schools were also an attraction.
What do you like best about Zionsville?
I like the small town feel with the easy access to a large city, Indianapolis. We also feel very safe here.
What is your profession?
I graduated from the University of Richmond in marketing and international business. I came to Indiana for a position for a position with the Colts organization and have subsequently worked for Roche and Lilly. Currently, I don’t work outside the home.
What are your interests?
My passion is travel. I try to go on an international trip once a year. The last trip was to Iceland which I truly enjoyed, but my favorite trip was to Kenya.
What is your favorite shop or restaurant in the Village?
That is a tough question to answer. My favorite would probably have to be Plum’s. I love the food, as well as, the atmosphere.
What is your favorite movie?
That is impossible to answer. There are so many movies in so many categories.
What is your favorite book?
Again, what a difficult question! If I had to pick, it would be a tie between The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck and Animal Farm by Orwell.
Who would you most like to meet either dead or alive?
Thomas Jefferson would be my choice. He was such an interesting person and he loved travel and wine, just like me.
Give me a few words that describe your perfect day.
Earnest — Togetherness–Accomplished
What are your plans for the future?
In addition to raising my girls, I would like to get back into writing.
What is your best advice for other villagers?
Explore or revisit the shops in the village. You might be surprised what you can find and the store owners are so knowledgeable and helpful.
Civic Engagement: 1st Street Project Update
The First Street Enhancement Project had an update at a meeting on January 25th at Town Hall. At this phase of the project, the designers have put together a plan that adds substantial landscaping and sidewalks to much of the west side of First St from Sycamore to Oak and evens the sidewalks and landscaping on both sides from Oak to Walnut.
Although this is much of what many of the residents of the village had asked for, the amount of landscape and sidewalks will eliminate a substantial amount of parking spaces on First St, as well as on the side streets going west into the village. While engineers had yet to actually get in and measure exactly how everything was going to fit together, many business and building owners from along First St were very concerned with losing so many parking spaces.
It appears as though there will be some additional refining to the plan and it sounds like there may be one more public meeting to discuss how we can get some more parking into the plan and still make First St more pedestrian friendly and better looking. Feel free to take a look at what is going with this plan by going here…
http://www.reasite.com/firststreet/
…once you have taken a few minutes to see what there is; let someone know what you think. You can email the VRA and we will forward it along, or contact the Street Dept or your Town Council Representative directly. They all want to know what you think!
president@ZVRA.com
Lance Lantz llantz@zionsville-in.gov
Steve Mundy smundy@zionsville-in.gov
Elizabeth Hopper ehopper@zionsville-in.gov
Upcoming Town Meetings pertaining to EDC
The VRA is encouraging the people of the village to attend town meetings to make sure our voices are heard. This is the current list of possible “Hot Topic” meetings. Due to recent cancellations and date changes, please check the town website the day/week of the meeting to ensure it is still being held: http://www.zionsville-in.gov/
Feb 6th (Mon) Town Council Monthly Meeting; 7pm; Town Hall Bev Harves Room
Feb 9th (Thurs) EDC Working Group Meeting #9; 8am; Town Hall Community Room
Feb 15th (Wed) EDC Monthly Meeting; 7pm; Town Hall Community Room
Feb 27th (Mon) Zionsville Redevelopment Commission (RDC) Monthly Meeting; 6:30pm; Town Hall Conference Center
Feb 27th (Mon) Plan Commission Monthly Meeting; 7pm; Town Hall Bev Harves Room