Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2022 i Indianapolis Monthly

USUALLY, THIS SPACE is reserved to highlight or promote things that you will see in the magazine. This month, I’m dedicating it to something you won’t see in these pages moving forward—or, at least, not as much as you’re used to: Megan Fernandez. After 16 years and five months as an editor here, Megan is leaving us to build a career in marketing. When she walks out of the Emmis building at the end of the month, her departure will bring to a close (a temporary one, at least) the phenomenal tenure of one of the best magazine talents I have ever known. (Megan’s swan song is this month’s cover story, “Living Large,” p. 48). During her time here, no one generated more great ideas, argued more passionately about what…

SCOUTS HONOR Video crews don’t just show up cold and start shooting. Weeks prior to the event, the people at Visit Indy will put together an exhaustive, updated list of potential locations—from IMS to Plump’s Last Shot—for the network scouting crew that arrives ahead of the game. “We’ll give them as much as they could possibly use,” says Morgan Snyder, director of PR with Visit Indy. “It might be as simple as refreshing the flyover and updating B-roll of the skyline.” IN THE CAN Though it’s certainly made to look as though we are peeking in live on what the city is doing during the game, almost all cutaway footage is shot in the days leading up to the event—if not earlier. Crews are careful to get shots appropriate for the season…

I imagine the usually staid work of economic development has been more intense lately. What’s your typical workday like? Most of my day involves working with companies looking to relocate to Indy. If the business is a good fit, I can connect them to resources, real estate, and incentives like tax abatements. We thought this might be a slow year for that, but it’s just booming. It’s like COVID-19 caused a clog in the pipeline, and now it has been cleared. Why did you decide to get involved in this sort of work? Both of my parents have been involved in community development and the arts here for a long time. They inspired me to be an active participant in the community. And I realized that the opportunities at Indy…

WHEN JULIA WHITEHEAD, executive director of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, approached comedian Lewis Black at a book-signing event and asked if he was a Vonnegut fan, she had no way of knowing that a few short years later, he would be head of its board of directors. “He gave me contact information for his assistant and said to stay in touch,” she says. “I wasn’t sure how seriously to take that because people sometimes act interested in our organization, but they’re just being polite.” As it turns out, Black, whose acerbic persona earned national attention on The Daily Show and in streaming specials, not only was a longtime Vonnegut fan, but also was heavily influenced by him. “His work had a profound effect on the way I saw…

YOU GO OUT TO BRUNCH A LOT. When my husband and I first started our blog, Indy Brunch Couple, we went almost every day. Now we go once a week or so. HOW DO YOU STAY COZY IN THE WINTER? I’ll wear leggings and a sweater, pop on a cute little hat and some boots. That way, I can fill up on all the food I’m gonna eat. FAVORITE LOCAL SHOPS? Magnolia Boutique and Dottie Couture. WHAT DO YOU ORDER FOR BRUNCH? If it’s savory, any kind of avocado toast. If it’s sweet, I love waffles. They’re way different than pancakes.…

Keep the holiday glow going with a road trip to see NORMAN ROCKWELL: STORIES OF EMOTION at the Dayton Art Institute, with original works by the Americana illustrator (synonymous with the Indy–based Saturday Evening Post) who masterfully blended nostalgia and humor—what we now call the “warm fuzzies.” $15, daytonartinstitute.org…

CRAIG BARNUM may be known for the stick-to-your-ribs fare his crew serves up at his rollicking Matt the Miller’s Tavern, the Ohio-based pub that opened in Carmel in 2012. But Barnum has long loved the bright tropical flavors of Hawaii, where he owns a home. So when he eyed a second fast-casual concept around the corner in Carmel City Center, he wanted to pay homage to dishes that get rare treatment in landlocked Indiana. Vibrantly attired with graphic textiles, wood grains, and painted surfboards, Manelé Café, which opened this fall, features breakfast skillets, avocado toasts dressed up with mango, and energy-packed, fruit-heavy açaí bowls, as well as classic huli huli chicken and ahi tuna poke. 703 Veterans Way, Carmel, 317-218-7877, manelecafe.com…

ALONG ONE wall of Hotel Indy’s street-level restaurant, The Hulman, a row of vintage black and whites recall a few long-ago photo ops at the Indianapolis 500, and there are no cutoff shorts in sight. Instead, everyone looks handsome and Hollywood tan as they cut their celebratory ribbons and smile for the camera. The spectators are pulled together in the same way that people used to wear business suits on airplanes. If they were around today, those race fans might be dining on Ora King salmon and Moroccan-spiced meatballs in this very dining room that pays tribute to auto racing’s VIP tradition. The overall look of downtown’s newest aspirational spot, which takes its name from Indiana royalty (the Hulman family that owned the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1945 to 2019),…

525 N. Main St., Rushville REALTOR Terri Smith, Modern Realty Group, 317-474-5617 PRICE $425,000 YEAR 1900 With almost 12,000 square feet of living space and a separate guest house, this statuesque Bedford-stone mansion is brimming with favorite features like original hardwoods, travertine tile, pocket doors, and six Rookwood pottery fireplaces. Plan on cosmetic updates throughout seven bedrooms and more than five bathrooms. 1405 M St., Bedford REALTOR Angel Hawkins, Hawkins & Root Real Estate, 812-583-3425 PRICE $325,000 YEAR 1872 The history is rich and the possibilities are endless inside this 6,100-squarefoot brick beauty, complete with carved stone lions perched at the entrance. It’s being sold as-is and needs a lot of TLC, so if you want to tackle a full-blown renovation, here you go. 505 W. Columbia St., Greencastle REALTOR…

DOWNTOWN INCLUDES Fletcher Place, Fountain Square, Mass Ave, Mile Square Aroma INDIAN Familiar tandoori and tikka masala staples mingle with heartier, more elevated offerings at this elegant pan-Indian spot that opened in the former Rook location in early 2021. Lunchtime lamb and chicken rolls in crispy flatbread wrappers stand out, as do hearty chaat dishes dressed up with yellow peas, yogurt, and chutneys. An impressive lamb shank is the highlight of the chef’s specialties and easily feeds two or more. A full bar and an artful array of desserts help round out a special-occasion meal. Opt for the orange pudding, a creamy, lightly sweet rice pudding served in an orange shell with a chocolate tuille. 501 Virginia Ave., 317-602-7117, aromaindy.com Ash & Elm Cider Co. Restaurant and Cider Bar GASTROPUB…

A DOZEN YEARS AGO, our older son, then 18, built a screenhouse in our yard. We’ve enjoyed it so much that I recently decided to build one at our Southern Indiana farm. With my customary knack for timing, I undertook this mission when lumber prices were at an all-time high. So I had the brilliant idea to purchase raw boards from a nearby sawmill, stack them in our barn for three months to dry, and commence building in November, when Indiana screenhouse season is all but over. I don’t want to leave you with the impression that I did the work. Instead, I hired my friend and whiz carpenter, Ross Hutcheson, to build it for us. Ross and his crew arrived on a Monday morning, sunk six wooden posts four…

JEANA HARRIS Raised in a small town, freelance writer Jeana Harris jumped at the chance to report this month’s feature on Indiana’s small-town mansions (p. 48). “My mom used to take us on adventures where we’d drive to our favorite grand old homes and imagine what might be inside,” she says. “This took me back to those days dreaming of third-floor ballrooms and alcoves under the stairs.” DEREK ROBERTSON As freelance writer Derek Robertson built his career covering politics, he didn’t necessarily predict that college sports would fall under that umbrella. “But stories about sports are, after all, stories about our culture and institutions,” he says. In this issue, he strives to answer a question that has major local implications: Given the recent changes in college sports, why should the…

Q: WHO IS MARION COUNTY NAMED AFTER? A: Back in 1822, some one saw fit to name what would become Indiana’s most populous county after a Revolutionary War general from South Carolina with zero connection to the state. Called the “Swamp Fox” by his troops, Francis Marion terrorized the British by using unorthodox (for the time) tactics such as having his men hide behind rocks and trees during battles. This was good enough to earn naming rights to an Indiana county, especially given the lack of Hoosier heroes at the time. Indeed, most of the state’s 92 counties went with out-of-staters. Hamilton County, for instance, is named after Broadway sensation Alexander Hamilton. The love affair with Marion was nationwide. There are 17 Marion Counties across the U.S., along with numerous parks…

FAHRENHEIT 451 VINTAGE: 1953 Resides in IUPUI’s Center for Ray Bradbury Studies THIS MONTH, the Indiana Repertory Theatre stages Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. Just down the street, an extremely rare copy of the book itself sits on display at The Center for Ray Bradbury Studies at IUPUI. One of only 200 copies printed, the first edition was bound in asbestos—a noncombustible material intended as an ironic reference to the dystopian novel’s book burners. It was Bradbury’s personal copy of the edition, and he donated it along with thousands of other items to his friend Jon Eller, an IUPUI professor who established the Center. While it’s not clear if the author thought of the asbestos idea himself or if it was suggested by his publisher, it has become a prized collector’s…

Even Jay Gatsby would approve of these Art Deco–inspired “Soho” and “Tribeca” crystal bookends from luxe-gift retailer Addendum Gallery. Shop owner Shane Hartke stocked up on Danish brand Reflections Copenhagen’s colorful, geometric hand-cut glass after meeting designer Andrea Larsson on a recent trip to Europe. Add some asymmetry to your shelves with a mismatched set and call it a twist ending. “Soho” on left, “Tribeca” on right, $495 each. Addendum Gallery, Carmel City Center, 317-253-3400, addendumgallery.com…

Therapists are booked up. How can people cope with depression in the meantime? “Start with the person you know the best. That’s usually your primary-care doctor. Maybe they can get you in with a counselor or get you on some medication or meditations. You’d be surprised by how many people come to me for a physical and when I ask how they are doing, they start crying.” Dawson is among the Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. Top Doctors. For the full list, go to Indianapolis Monthly.com.…

If your mom let you have a sandwich like this when you were kid, revere her. For the rest of us, the childhood lunch of our dreams is available at PB&J Factory. Owner Samuel Campbell, who opened the food counter inside The Amp last June, is the Willy Wonka of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, spreading joy (and Jif, though he plans to start making nut butters in house) in the form of nine wild twists on the classic. The Fluffernutter, pictured here, gets fresh banana slices, creamy or crunchy peanut butter, pillowy clouds of marshmallow fluff, and a healthy drizzle of Hershey chocolate on slabs of Texas toast. 1220 Waterway Blvd., 317-520-2814, pbandjfactory.com…

Builders Welcome Philip Gulley’s October column on the upside of development paved the way for some commentary. The question is, where do the residents of Danville want housing growth and population density to increase? The outcome can be allowed to occur randomly or with planning. You’re fortunate to have people in your community who are committed to hiring professional planners to address the dilemma you pose. LORA MYERS SCOTTVia Facebook Wonderful piece, Phil. I’m reminded of my own hometown, Franklin, and how much has changed (for the better) since I lived there. The downtown is revitalized with shops and eateries and restored architecture. DAVE BROWNVia Facebook I love the comment about “those people.” JEFFREY WELLSVia Facebook Our towns need to add density, including apartments. We need to preserve our farmland…

Arrive on time. The locally curated previews include a sketch by Know No Stranger, and are actually worth watching. Cocktails are welcome in the theaters, so no need to gulp down that Old Fashioned you ordered at the Brasserie. Speaking of the Brasserie, try chef Abbi Merriss’s CC Dip, which puts every other French onion dip to shame. Or top your popcorn with ramen, white cheddar, or butter milk seasoning. If you have inhibitions, go to the bathroom before you arrive. The cans at the Kan-Kan are unisex. Exit from the top of theaters 1 and 2 for a great view of the Brasserie and event space.…

IF YOU’RE ready to hunker down for the rest of winter, pick up a few stories for company at Indy Reads, an independent bookstore affiliated with the nonprofit of the same name. The beloved shop recently moved from Mass Ave to a marquee location in Fountain Square (its former public-library branch), and proceeds support adult-literacy classes, which have seen a jump in attendance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Perusers of used books will find a bargain, as only a few pre-owned options cost more than $10. Bigger budget? Check out the shelves of rare volumes with familiar names like Dostoevsky, Hawthorne, and Brontë on the spines, or the selection of books signed by their authors, including several by Indianapolis’s own John Green. Visitors are invited to plot their…

KATIE SLONIM spends her days as a nanny and her nights hosting private mixology group lessons for her cocktail startup, Mixo, an idea that took shape as she was searching for something to do during a friend’s bachelorette party. “Hey, I’m an amateur, so you can do this, too,” says Slonim, who learned much of what she knows about the craft from YouTube tutorials. She turned her cocktail-making interest into a business in June, charging $50 a head for her two-hour classes that she schedules through her Instagram page (@mixoindy). Because the details are important to her, Slonim arrives an hour early to set up wooden cutting boards, linen napkins, tools, and nice glassware for the guests, who will learn how to make two cocktails from scratch. But her true…

AS A CHILD, Victoria Beaty didn’t think a lot about where her food came from. In the food desert on Indy’s northeast side where she grew up, getting what the family needed for dinner usually meant stopping at the nearest Double 8 Foods, where fresh produce was scarce. “I was overweight as a child,” she says. “Our diet was heavy, lots of pork chops and fried stuff.” After she studied public relations at IUPUI, Beaty took a job in the very industry that targeted neighborhoods like hers, working in advertising, marketing, and event-planning for McDonald’s. But when she learned just how aggressively the company markets to certain segments of its customer base, Beaty realized it wasn’t the work she wanted to do. “It was messed up,” she laments. “I suddenly…

NINE YEARS AGO, Angela Hoffa and Ian Holloway moved out of an 800-square-foot basement condo in Washington, D.C., and looked to settle in Central Indiana. Though neither was from Greenfield, their Realtor recommended it as the perfect in-between town—close to both of their families with a convenient proximity to Indianapolis and an abundance of old homes. Part of Angela’s childhood was spent in a Victorian, and those special memories remained with her into adulthood. She knew she wanted another Victorian-esque home, and though Ian had never been bitten by the old-house bug, he was happy to go along for the adventure. When they laid eyes on the gorgeous Queen Anne man ing offer. “We thought, We’ll just take a look anyway, it’d be nice to see it,” Angela recalls. That…