Indianapolis is My Home

17
Aug

Indianapolis Air Show Next Weekend

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Cultural Events, East Side, Outdoor Recreation, Special Events, Things To Do in Indy

A couple of year’s ago I went to the Indianapolis Air Show at Mt. Comfort airport a couple of years ago with my family and we had an absolutely great time! The kids loved it, it was a beautiful day and it was just an all-around great experience.

Last year we missed it, but there’s a great story even missing the event. We were at my son’s youth football game and at half-time, it just so happened that the Blue Angels flew right over our football field on their way to the Mt. Comfort airport. Not sure about you, but don’t know how many other youth football organizations get a fly-over (and they were low!) from the Blue Angels.

Getting back to the event though, they’ve got another great sounding line-up in store for us this year with the following acts scheduled to appear:

• U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight
• U.S. Navy Legacy Flight
• U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet East Coast Demonstration Team
• U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team
• U.S. Air Force Combat Command F-22A Demonstration Team
• Gene Soucy
• John Klatt
• Aldridge Airshows
• Greg Koontz
• and more

There’s also loads of planes and other air vehicles on the tarmac that you can see up-close and even sometimes take tours through and sit in. Another great memory for me and my kids were the pyrotechnic and explosion displays on the airfield. Just too much fun!

Here’s the deal though, I want to help promote this great event in the city and I’ve gotten contacted by the organizers and promoters to help do that. I want to hear about your experience at the Indianapolis Air Show. For the first 20 bloggers that write-up a post (or have already written a post) on their blog and link back to this site, I’ll get you a free pass to the event.

Just write-up a post, link back to this post and e-mail me if you have any questions. First 20 bloggers win!

Once I get notification of the posts, I’ll update this one with direct links back to your post as well.

Here are the current winners:

1. Indianapolis Air Show - BeingSavvy Indianapolis
2. Thank God for model airplanes… - Jennyese, My Language on Life
3. 2008 Indianapolis Air Show (Free Tickets) - Carry On Citizens by Jeff Stanger

We’d love to hear your comments about the show afterward so come back and let us know what you thought.

05
Aug

How Not to Promote the Indy Air Show by Zack Legend

Author: Jason Bean, Category: East Side, Outdoor Recreation, Special Events, Things To Do in Indy

Here’s a great video promoting the Indy Air Show, or maybe not promoting. Depends on your viewpoint and what you’re looking for out of Zack Legend the Indy Air Show.

I’ve been to this show and it’s a great event for the family, just put it on my calendar for this year so hopefully we can be sure and go again. I’d advise getting there early for the best seats. The show takes place August 22-24th this year out at Mt. Comfort Airport just east of Indianapolis.

Visit the Indy Air Show website for all the details on this year’s event.

30
May

Mid-East Classic Yo-Yo Contest

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Competitions, Downtown, Eiteljorg Museum, Special Events, Sports, Things To Do in Indy

Back when I was in high school I got the yo-yo craze going in two different high schools. I was a freshman at Adair County High School in Columbia, KY and my sophomore year I was at Butler County High School in Morgantown, KY.

For whatever reasons I decided to take a yo-yo to school and began playing with it in the hall between classes. A few people asked me where I learned how to do some of the tricks and I said I just practiced and taught them to myself.

For an extra credit project in French class I did the "Eiffel Tower" trick and got 100% for my efforts and originality. That turned out to be loads easier than baking authentic French bread the next semester (got 100% on that too though).

Pretty soon yo-yo’s could be seen by probably a few hundred or so students.

After moving to Morgantown, I repeated the fad there with more classmates.

All that leads me to the idea that I should really go check-out this yo-you competition at the Eiteljorg Museum this weekend.

The Eiteljorg Museum is proud to host the Indiana State Yo-Yo contest, spearheaded by Takeshi Kamisato (Ho Chunk).  This day will entail a gathering of 50+ yo-yo competitors showcasing their talents in one or more of five different class divisions. There will be free beginner’s workshops with Don Fisher, sales from yoyoguy.com on site, demonstrations throughout the day and a chance to learn about how yo-yoing has changed and where it’s going!

My son’s got two baseball games tomorrow, but maybe we can catch the freestyle competition on Sunday.

Mid-East Classic Yo-Yo Competition at the Eiteljorg

23
May

Gene Wojciechowski Can Stay Home in February

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Lucas Oil Stadium, Special Events

First Mr. Wojciechowski spends more than the first half of his article complaining about why Indianapolis shouldn’t be the host of the 2012 Super Bowl, but briefly inserts the following:

I’ve got nothing against Indianapolis. It’s a lovely place to hold car races, a Final Four, even an NBA All-Star Game every few decades or so. Plus, you can never go wrong at that downtown Steak ‘n Shake.

Nothing against? You mean like the first 10 paragraphs nothing against? Last time I checked some of the greatest teams in football were from colder weather locations. And each of those teams crammed out stadiums with fans who weren’t worried about freezing their butts off to support their team. Perhaps you would also like to outlaw any open air stadiums?

So, if you’re team makes it to winter vacation Super Bowl, then play the game and do what you were sent there to do.

Indianapolis will host one great Super Bowl. Now shut-up and do your job and report about sports. If I wanted your opinion on travel destinations I would have looked for your article in Frommer’s.

ESPN - Can’t quite warm up to cold-weather Super Bowl - Columnist

20
May

Indianapolis Wins Bid for Super Bowl 2012

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Business Entrepreneurs, Downtown, Indianapolis Colts, Indy Pro Athletes, Lucas Oil Stadium, News, Special Events

Great news for the city! Congratulations to everyone that participated and help secure this deal into reality. Can’t wait to see this thing come to the city and hopefully be a part of it in some way.

Indianapolis officials had gone to great lengths to secure the 25,000 hotel rooms required by league bid specifications. They also hammered home the city’s strengths, including downtown connectivity and history of hosting big events, from the 1987 Pan Am Games to the Indianapolis 500 and NCAA men’s basketball Final Fours.

Indianapolis also came up with $25 million in corporate and individual support to fund various Super Bowl operations, including event hosting, transportation and building a practice facility. NFL sources said Indianapolis has more money secured to host the 2012 Super Bowl than either Phoenix or Houston.

I still think that working as hard to get back and keep events like the F1 should also have the same importance.

What do you think?

Indianapolis lands Super Bowl

30
Jan

Indiana Golf Show - Mark Your Calendar

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Convention Center, Downtown, Indianapolis Golf, Special Events, Things To Do in Indy

I know it’s hard to think about it now with the winds blowing like crazy and a 50 degree temperature drop in less than 24 hours, but the Indiana Spring Golf Show is coming to the Indianapolis Convention Center February 8-10.

Representatives from Titleist, Cobra and Wilson will be there with their new equipment for you to test drive.

Pick up everything you will need to start the season from new, used, and custom clubs and the latest in new golf technology. If you need it, we’ve got it.

Over $4 million in merchandise including apparel, shoes, equipment, and accessories to see, compare, and try before you buy. Merchandise at prices 30-70% off suggested retail.

Looking for a place other than Indiana to golf for you, your foursome, your group, or your family? We have booths with Resort and Travel information with destinations from coast to coast!

Participate in several daily competitions:
- $5,000 Long Putt Contest.
- Cash and merchandise prizes are awarded daily.

Win free golf trips for two!

We offer daily clinics coordinated by Indiana Section, PGA.

We are pleased to announce that there will be a drop off point for the Indiana Clubs for Kids charity.

If you’re a golfer then I’m sure you’ll be putting this on your calendar. If you’re a golfer in need of some new equipment, you’ll probably be camping out in line now to get first dibs on some of the discounted sticks and other equipment that will be available.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Friday, 02/08 from 12pm - 9pm: Indianapolis Convention Center - Hall B
• Saturday, 02/09 from 10am - 6pm: Indianapolis Convention Center - Hall B
• Sunday, 02/10 from 10am - 5pm: Indianapolis Convention Center - Hall B

Also, if you’re a golfer you’d probably be interested in GolfUS.com’s Tee Time Auction. You can bid for a tee-time at your favorite courses in the area at a great price! WARNING! You may have to take some unplanned vacation days to fit in all the golf you’ll be playing if you’re not careful!

24
Jan

Free Shawn Mullins Coming to Music Mill

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Concerts, Music Mill, Northwest Side, Special Events, Things To Do in Indy

I’m not sure exactly what it was about the song "Lullaby" released by Shawn Mullins back in 1998, but I absolutely loved it. It could have been that I was living in Nashville, TN at the time and there’s a little bit of a line about the city in the lyrics.

Shawn Mullins will be in concert at Music Mill up on the north side tomorrow night night.

The Atlanta native, who dipped into the pop charts with 1998’s "Lullaby" and earned a teen following by placing his "Shimmer" on the "Dawson’s Creek" soundtrack, has a very good train song of his own on his upcoming disc, "honeydew." Titled "See That Train," it seems to take Mullins on a trip into early Tom Waits territory. And it proves to be a journey worth taking.

Give yourself a great start to the weekend and take advantage of this free concert at Music Mill. Also performing, opening up the show is Jenn Cristy.

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

06
Dec

Christian Music Christmas Concert Tonight

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Concerts, South Side, Special Events, Things To Do in Indy

Hey everyone, I just found out about a concert taking place this evening if you like Christian music and are looking for something to do this evening.

The concert consists of the following groups/artists:

• Superchick
• KJ-52
• Jimmy Needham
• Starlit Platoon

The concert starts at 6:30pm at Indian Creek Christian Church. Tickets are $20 at the door.

05
Dec

Annual WZPL Make A Wish Request-a-thon Shoots for $200K

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Business, Charities, Local Media, Special Events, Volunteers, WZPL 99.5

I don’t listen to 99.5 WZPL as much as I used to but I always appreciated their Annual Make A Wish request-a-thon. It’s probably because back about the time they started doing it I was a volunteer for the Make A Wish organization here in Indianapolis and had an interest in other businesses that were also assisting with the efforts of the MAW organization.

We’ve set our most ambitious goal ever this year — $200,000 in 36-hours!  Our friends and longtime Make A Wish supporters at Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, UAW/GM, Panera Bread, and eTapestry have made significant pledges.  But, your help is what makes the difference!  Are you ready to share the power of a wish?

Every dollar counts towards the goal.  Take a few minutes to collect money around the office, school, or with your friends and donate as a group.  You can join the Wishmakers Club to spread a larger donation over the whole year.  And, of course, you can make a wacky request with your donation of $25 or more (we receive thousands of requests and will play as many as we can, it’s a lot of fun to play your requests but the Request-a-thon is more about helping children and their families get through a difficult time).

Take a moment tomorrow and for the rest of the week to switch on over to 99.5 and here the stories of some of the children and volunteers that have been rewarded by their involvement with this great organization. Oh, and why not call up and have them play your favorite song that doesn’t make the airwaves much anymore.