Indianapolis is My Home

29
Jul

Neil Diamond Turns On His Heartlight Tonight

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Concerts, Conseco Fieldhouse, Downtown

As a child I used to grab rummage through my parent’s album collections and listen to all my favorites as I’d play in my room or out in the living. Usually I was playing with Legos or building a card house, but many times the album I’d be listening to would be one of Neil Diamond’s.

I didn’t realize how prolific of an artist he really was until he was the guest on American Idol this past season. This guy has really produced some hits for himself and others and has been doing it a long time.

You can have the opportunity to see the legend perform tonight at Conseco Fieldhouse downtown Indianapolis.

You can get more information about the event from Eventful.com. If you’re already going, let me know what you think about the concert afterwards. Grabbing some fan photos would be great too! If you post them on your site or on flickr, just let us know.

30
Jan

Indiana Pacers Desperate for Audience

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indiana Pacers, News

I was just reading an article in the IBJ about the Indiana Pacer’s being in an ugly situation for attendance and revenue for the first time in well over a decade. It’s so serious that the NBA Commissioner, David Stern, is even keeping an eye on the situation. Rumor is they’ll even be asking the city for help.

But Pacers home attendance is a crippling financial factor. Sports business experts said a decline of the magnitude the Pacers are experiencing this year could cost the team $7 million to $9 million in ticket revenue alone. Lost parking, concession and other ancillary revenue that results from fewer fans’ attending games could easily put the loss in the eight-figure range.

Here’s an idea. Cut the crap!

When Chris Rock comes to town and jokes about not hanging out with the Pacers because they could "get you shot" would be hilarious if it weren’t so true!

I went to a game early in the season and tried to give them some benefit of the doubt, but less than a month later Jamaal Tinsley is involved in another downtown Indy shootout.

I’ve got to think the best move the team could make is some zero tolerance for about the next 5 years at least. I’m not sure if it could actually be accomplished, but I’d dump any player on the team that’s been involved in any court other than the one with goals and basketballs. I’ll bet they could garner some more fan support from 3rd string, hard-working college graduates than some of the players on the team now.

IBJ Source: What’s Pacers’ next play? Team falls into last place in NBA home attendance; league wants ’ship righted’

17
Jan

Harlem Globetrotters at Conseco Fieldhouse Saturday

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Comedy, Conseco Fieldhouse, Downtown, Sports, Things To Do in Indy

This could be a challenge this weekend. I’m taking my daughter to Pike PAC for "The Souls of Our Feet" as a daddy/daughter date. However, I just realized that the Harlem Globetrotters are going to be at Conseco Fieldhouse this weekend, Saturday at 2:00pm.

My son would love this and now I need to debate on whether or not I can swing taking my son to this on Saturday afternoon and my daughter to the other event on Saturday night.

If you’ve ever been to a Harlem Globetrotters game you know it’s a great time and very funny. My son would love it!

Decisions, decisions… can I afford the tickets?

26
Nov

A Little Caricature Error

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Art, Conseco Fieldhouse, Indiana Pacers, Local Artists

One of the things my son and I were able to do at the Pacer’s game this weekend at Conseco Fieldhouse was get our caricature drawn. It was really cool because it was free. I’m not sure if they’re always free or not, but afterwards I noticed one reason it could have been free. I might have to get someone a prize for the first person to comment on why it could have been free.

I’m not sure if the artist, Josh Smart, would ever find this post, but if he does I’d like to tell him “Thank You” again.

Josh did a good job of capturing the essence of how we look. Luckily my son recently got a haircut. He  looks pretty darn close to that image. I guess the picture of me looks pretty good as well, for some reason though I think my face looks like Paul Giamatti.

Speaking of local artists, do you know anyone that would like some exposure? If so, just send me their name and contact information. If they already have a website that’s even better.

25
Nov

Me and Some Politicians Take In A Pacers Game

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Celebrities, Conseco Fieldhouse, Elected Officials, Government, Indiana Pacers, Indy Pro Athletes, People, Politics

A friend of mine (thank you Aaron!) called me on Saturday to see if I were interested in going to an Indiana Pacer’s game. He had tickets and wasn’t able to go. He said they were really good tickets and I figured it would be a good early birthday gift for my son.

I have been an anti-Pacer’s fan ever since there continued run ins with the law and less than common sense decision making.

I’ve got to say I’m pleased with their performance. They played the Dallas Mavericks and came out with a win. In the meantime, ending the Mav’s 5-game winning streak as well. I’ve got to say it’s a whole new team as well, at least from my memory. The vast majority of the players are new to me, the only names I really recognized as being around for awhile were: Tinsley, O’Neal (didn’t play) and Jeff Foster.

I’m not ready to go buy season tickets yet, but I’m pleased to say that my earlier opinion of the Pacers may be melting a bit. They looked good at the game and played well as a team. Hopefully Coach O’Brien will be just what the doctor ordered and get some discipline and restraint for our team and players.

The only person not showing some restraint at the game was Mav’s coach, Avery Johnson. He slightly disagreed with the Ref Salvatore on a call. He actually went after him, chased him down the floor to give him some more suggestions on how he should call the game. That got him ejected. Buh-bye.

There were also a number of big names in attendance, continue reading to see the photos of the people in attendance.

Read the rest of this entry »

23
Oct

High School Musical On Ice Tour Comes to Conseco Fieldhouse

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Concerts, Conseco Fieldhouse, Cultural Events, Special Events, Things To Do in Indy

If you haven’t heard of “High School Musical” or it’s sequel, then you probably don’t have young kids or in my case, a wife that also loves the show.

You now have the chance to make your kids and family happy by taking them to see the Disney’s High School Musical - The Ice Tour.

The tour will make its stop in Indianapolis November 30th through December 2nd at the Conseco Fieldhouse.

Purchase tickets and get more information at www.highschoolmusicaltheicetour.com or call the box office at 317-239-5151.

Ticket prices available:

• $14
• $18
• $23

High School Musical - The Ice Tour includes your favorite dances, music and storylines from both High School Musical TV movies.

09
Aug

Reggie Miller Pursues Comeback with Boston Celtics

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indiana Pacers, Indy Pro Athletes, People, Sports

Some of the news chatter this morning in the city revolves around the possibility of Pacer’s veteran, Reggie Miller, coming out of retirement to join the Boston Celtics for a championship run.

The story on ESPN has the details, but I’m not sure about the likelihood of the Celtics really having a chance to do it, even after their recent 7-for-1 trade to get Kevin Garnett on their roster.

Miller was all set to continue that job when Celtics general manager Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers asked him to think about joining their revamped team in a reserve role, playing about 15 minutes per game.

It’s a tough question for me. You work your entire career with one team in the effort to win a championship and things just don’t fall into place for you or the team. Yet, you’ve been loyal to the team for 13 years. For me, to come out of retirement and play for another team just doesn’t make sense for me.

I’m sure Reggie is making comfortable money as an analyst for TNT and doesn’t need the money. Is it just in pursuit of a championship? An un-realized dream? What if he gets injured? What if they don’t do it this year? Will he stay for another year?

The readers of ESPN seem to be a little torn as well.

24
Jun

Indiana Beats Kentucky Boys and Girls

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Conseco Fieldhouse, Sports

Being originally from Kentucky, this is a little hard to share with everyone, but it’s worth making a point out of because these students deserve some congratulations and credit.

The Indiana High School Boys and Girls Basketball teams beat their Kentucky opponents in the annual tournament. The boys team beat the Kentucky Boys team 104-87 at Conseco Fieldhouse. This is the 7th year in a row that the Indiana team has beaten Kentucky.

The girls team also came up winners this year over Kentucky. They won with a margin of 90-72 over the Kentucky girls.

• Indiana boys win 7th straight over Kentucky
• Indiana girls rally for win over Kentucky