Indianapolis is My Home

09
Aug

Pan American Plaza by Polina Osherov

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Downtown, Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis History, Local Artists, Lucas Oil Stadium, RCA Dome, Real Estate

Polina Osherov is a local photographer here in Indianapolis and she recently shared this photo with me that she took of the Pan American Plaza area downtown. I just thought this was a great photo showing some of the history of sports in this city.

From the Pan Am Plaza that was built for the Pan American Games that the city hosted in 1987.

You can see the RCA Dome, home of the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts that was built in 1984 at a cost of $82 million.

Then in the background to the south you’ve got the soon to be opened Lucas Oil Stadium, the new home of the Indianapolis Colts and the home of the 2012 Super Bowl!

03
Jan

Hoosiers Among Those in Kenyan Turmoil

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Charities, General, Government, Indianapolis History, News, People, Politics, Volunteers

When news about Kenya arrives via the TV or Internet, I perk up a little more now than in the past. I’ve got a couple of web clients that are either directly located in Kenya or have strong ties to the area. My parents have been in some of the areas that are at the epicenter of these riots and turmoil as well. After college I had the opportunity to live in Nairobi and work for an undetermined amount of time at a local university there.

I came across an article in the IndyStar today that also let me know there are a number of Hoosiers that are also in the midst of the political strife happening right now in that country.

“I took heart in an ER this morning when I no longer needed to step over a body,” wrote Indiana University’s Dr. Joe Mamlin, who works at Moi University School of Medicine in the western Kenyan city of Eldoret, where about 50 people were burned alive Tuesday inside a church where they had sought shelter.

Hopefully things will calm down and everyone can get home safely. Hopefully the people and government of Kenya can get their own arms around this situation and determine the best solution to bring peace back to their country as well.

News Story: Dozens of Hoosiers stuck in Kenya
Photo Credit: Yahoo News

07
Dec

Indianapolis Gets Another Marathon in May

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Downtown, Indianapolis History, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, News, Outdoor Recreation, Special Events, Speedway, Things To Do in Indy

Indianapolis gets another event that I won’t be participating in anytime soon. An article in the IBJ says that organizers of a new mini-marathon for the city are adding it to the calendar because of the existing mini-marathon already being sold-out at 35,000 spectators.

I’ve got a number of friends that have run in the marathon and are hard-core runners I guess. I’m sure they’ll be extremely happy.

I believe this is a good move for the city. There should be more events that encourage physical exercise. I personally wish there were more cycling events in the city and opportunities to do them.

Of course there’s still the challenge of me getting my butt off the seat and actually going out and doing it. When I was in college and single, I’d bike about 80 miles a week. During my short stint working at Lowe’s on the south side I’d bike the 4 miles to work every day.

Good times. Good times.

Photo Source: The Auto Channel

05
Dec

First Snow of the Season

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Indianapolis History, Weather

We woke up this morning to our first real snow fall of the season and it looked nice. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve got a bit of the “adultitis” when it comes to snow these days. All I think about is the financial impact of someone crashing into my car on the snow and ice.

This morning was a little different though. As I pushed the couple of inches off of my windshield I appreciated the fact that this was a very nice “packing” snowfall. The thought even flashed through my mind about how much fun it would be to stay home from work and build a snow fort with my kids.

Reality set in though and reminded me that going to work wasn’t an option and I was already running a little bit late. It is Indianapolis after all, I’m sure we’ll have more.

Besides, now my biggest problem is risking life and limb to get on my roof and hang the Christmas icicle lights that my wife and kids have been asking me about.

Photo Source: Webshots

24
Jul

The Garrison Restaurant at Fort Benjamin Harrison

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Cultural Events, Dining, Indianapolis History, Special Events

This weekend was a special weekend for me in the city as I had the opportunity to dine at two completely new venues for me.

My first new meal occurred at The Garrison House restaurant at Ft. Harrison. We went with my immediate and extended family, including my wife’s parents and one of her sisters.

The Garrison offers a wonderful Sunday brunch buffet. Cooked to order scrambled eggs, omelettes, Belgian waffles, Eggs Benedict and loads of other delicious breakfast foods. If breakfast isn’t your cup of coffee, there are loads of other choices of meats and vegetables, along with salads and quite the plethora of desserts.

Here’s more information from the Indiana government site:

The Garrison Restaurant, formerly the Fort Harrison Officers & Civilians Club, features the Blue Heron Ballroom, with banquet capacity of 320. The ballroom offers a unique atmosphere including multiple, arched, glass doors opening out onto the patio above the practice green. It can also be divided into two smaller rooms. The Gates and Lawrence rooms are available for breakouts and each can accommodate groups up to 40 people. Our full service dining room grants a quiet sophistication in contemporary dining, great food, and a warm atmosphere coupled with gracious hospitality. (Serving lunch Monday through Saturday, brunch on Sunday, and dinner Friday and Saturday.)

If you’ve got a special event and would love a great meal, in a beautiful setting, add The Garrison House to your list of potential locations for your next meal.

Next I’ll have to save my pennies and make sure and setup a round of golf at The Fort course.

22
Jul

Indianapolis Racing History

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Indianapolis History, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy 500

If you’re conscious at all you probably realize that Indianapolis is considered the racing capital of the world right? I read a little bit of trivia this week that I didn’t know about the history of racing in the city.

The first long-distance race in the U.S. was held on May 30, 1911 at the Speedway. I’m not sure why I wouldn’t have thought this initially, but it just caught me off guard a bit. Perhaps just as interesting though is that the average speed of the racers back then was 75mph, which coincidentally is probably the average speed of the racers commuters on I-465.

Source: Coffee News Indiana

Photo Credit: IndyCar