Circle the City with Lisa Whitman

Autumnal Renewal

2010-09-08T16:35:08Z

I rarely make New Year's resolutions; too many holiday goodies cloud my thinking.

For me, new beginnings commence when our giant poplar shrugs off it's first leaves.

Mother Nature breezes in; crisp, cool and brilliantly efficient. She claps her hands and says, "Let's make a to-do list!"

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My Autumn Resolutions look like this:

Do something for others.
Do something for family.
Do something for self.

A "Fall To-Do List" is definitely a group project, so I polled my friends, "How do you celebrate the arrival of Autumn?"

Jenn: DePauw football game with my college sweetheart. (her husband)
April: Harvesting the veggies in my garden and preparing the beds for spring.

Mica: Lunch with a friend at The Herb Barn nestled near Brown County.

Rachel: Mums for our entryway.
Tina: Apple Works, bikes on the Monon and Bazbeaux's pizza.

Michelle: I look forward to a time of reflection.

May this season of change inspire your own renewal, refreshment and resolutions.

Never Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen

2010-08-30T16:39:34Z

My friend Kerry is a gorgeous, fiery, energetic redhead.
She's a single mother of six, that's right, six kids...and she is, hands down, the best baker I've ever met.
When she was 8-years-old, she would get up early and make breakfast for her siblings...and I'm not talking about Captain Crunch.
Egg strata, fresh juice and the most amazing coffee cakes.
She's ridiculously talented. It's kind of depressing.

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She whips up birthday cakes for neighbors, and brings surprise loaves of banana-cranberry-walnut bread to friends.
Not long ago, she decided she wanted to sell her baked goods.
My taste buds wholeheartedly encouraged it.

One problem: where to find a commercial kitchen available to make large batches of strudel?

Enter Indy's Kitchen.

A fabulously appointed commercial kitchen that the ENTIRE Indianapolis community can rent by the hour.
It's clean, it's well-lit, and it has everything a baker, aspiring chef, or group of spaghetti-hungry friends needs to make delicious cuisine.

Perfect for girl's night out, family get-togethers, and especially...for passionate bakers.
(Indy's Kitchen even has one of those industrial mixers thingys that make most bakers start swooning)

Check out the article on Indy's Kitchen in the August issue of Indianapolis Woman (page 48).

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/05b30be3#/05b30be3/48

And, if you need someone to sample your fare....I'm available.

WAMMfest

2010-08-18T13:11:59Z

You've taken the kids to the waterpark, visited your relatives at the family reunion and now, it's time for you to relax, unwind and enjoy the best event of the summer.

Picture yourself sipping wine, sharing a meal with friends and listening to amazing live music.

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Let's talk about the music: Her voice is unmistakable, her songwriting is sheer poetry and if you haven't heard of locally-grown Jennie DeVoe, be prepared to become an ardent fan from her first powerful note.

She is taking the stage at WAMMfest in Greenwood, August 21st, along with some of Indy's best talent....

WAMMfest stands for Wine, Art, Music, and Microbrew and it is THE event to share with friends this summer. Several restaurants will be offering their fare, along with selections from central Indiana's best wineries and microbreweries. There will also be art, ceramics, pottery, and jewelry available.

The best part of the entire event is that ALL the proceeds will support local charities, thanks to the main sponsor of WAMMfest, The Sertoma Club of Greenwood.

For ticket information and to check out all the events of the day, go to:
http://www.wammfest.com/

http://www.jenniedevoe.com/?section=music=

Make a Splash

2010-08-05T16:14:32Z

When we were kids, summers were punctuated by two distinct memories: oppressive Indiana heat, and the Elk's Club Pool in Vincennes. My grandparents belonged to "the Elk's" which afforded them golf privileges (they didn't golf), dining privileges (Friday night fried chicken), and a pool membership. The pool was a highly chlorinated, peeling, cinder block facility with a small snack bar serving orange Fanta and The Bee Gees serenading us through loud, raspy speakers...it was absolute heaven.

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I maintain that when kids (and parents) get cranky, the best thing to do is put them in water.

Here in Indianapolis, there are several great places to splash, play, float and swim.

These are a few:

Indy Parks Spray Grounds: FREE
Indy Parks Aquatic Parks: $1.50-$6.00
Forest Park Pool: $3-$5 Noblesville
Franklin Memorial Park Pool: $3-$3.50 Franklin
Eagle Creek Park (beach, paddle boats, nature center): FREE-$4.00 Eagle Creek
Monon Community Center Waterpark: $5-$8 Carmel
JCC Pool: membership facility fees Indianapolis
Indy YMCAs: membership facility fees Indianapolis
Holliday Park (creek stompin', nature center): FREE, Indianapolis

Many of the water parks/pools offer evening and nighttime hours to accommodate working families. They are also available for birthday, group and corporate parties...a cool destination for a family reunion or company gathering!

So grab your beach bag and beat the heat!

Question, Quiz, Q-factor....

2010-07-26T17:37:27Z

What restaurant was originally named after a cat and then changed it's name to mean absolutely nothing?

It's one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in the nation and it has a completely made-up name!

Here's another hint: it started in Colorado, inspired by San Francisco cuisine, and is the home of a burrito almost as big as your head...

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Qdoba!

Fast Fresh and Friendly...that's the motto for Qdoba restaurant. It's one of my top three favorite restaurants AND it's popular with my five children (including my 13 month old daughter who absolutely LOVES munching on their burrito chicken and rice)!

You know those restaurants that are so good, you never get tire of eating there? Qdoba is THAT kind of restaurant

Qdoba is also the food sponsor for our Fox59 Habitat for Humanity home, and it's no wonder that they give back to the community...their friendly staff is known for being helpful and courteous.

If you've never tried Qdoba, check out their locations at Qdoba.com. Need a recommendation?

Naked chicken burrito, black beans, double rice, extra lettuce. Chips and Guac on the side. That'll get you started....

cap, cover, lid, bonnet, chapeau. hat.

2010-07-22T14:06:22Z

I have a friend who laughs hysterically at me whenever we go to a pool or beach.
Everyone around us is lying face-up or face down trying to capture every last molecule of the sun's rays, while I am wrapped in a full-length sarong applying 70 SPF.
And I always, always wear a huge hat.
Amidst the chuckles, I tell my friend that I am fashionable. In 1940's society.

]]> I love hats.
Not the nasty, sweat-encrusted Northwestern baseball cap that my husband wears to mow the grass; but the beautiful 'go-to-meetin' headpieces that have long gone out of everyday fashion.
Hats, I've been told, give you an added boost of confidence.
I'm not sure if I truly stand straighter and speak more clearly when wearing a hat, but I do know that I'm more inclined to use words like 'splendid' and 'that would be lovely' and 'allow me'.

Two weeks ago, I met a real life milliner; an artist who makes hats.
Her name is Emily Clark and she is, in my opinion, brilliant.
She takes everyday objects; feathers, ribbon, placemats (not kidding)...and turns them into veritable works of art.
Art you wear on your head.

http://www.fox59.com/videobeta/481fed7c-8891-4c60-b4d4-67b8d43b508b/Shopping/Indianapolis-Woman-Emily-Clark

Hooves & Hogs

2010-07-19T17:17:59Z

Saddle up the horses, pull on your boots, throw the kids in the wagon and come on up to Spyke's Harley Davidson's 2nd annual trick-riding, barrel racing, bronco buckin' real-life Rodeo Stampede in Frankfort on July 30th and 31st!

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If you've never been to a Rodeo, this is your chance. It's the Real Deal: the thunder of hooves, the cheer of the crowd, the energy of country music...it's all coming to Spykes! Lonestar is performing Friday night and up and coming country star Christa Marie sings on Saturday.

I have a few friends who ride motorcycles, but, quite honestly, I'd never actually BEEN in a motorcycle store until yesterday. I went to Spyke's to talk with owner Dan Bell about this Rodeo Stampede he's hosting. I asked him what made him decide to host a rodeo. Know what he said? "Cuz it sounded like fun!" Dan was instantly my good friend.

He told me that he wants folks to get on their Harleys or their horses and come spend the weekend at his place. He's even inviting everyone to bring their tents and trailers and camp overnight. Knowing Dan, he'll probably be manning the grill and serving up burgers. He's just that kind of guy.

The weekend will start with a skydiver sailing down with the American Flag, and then the fun begins: Cowboys, cowgirls, country music, a rockwall, pony rides, food and fun for the entire family!

On Saturday, wear something pink! It's "Pink Day" at the rodeo where people are asked "Are You Tough Enough to Wear Pink?" All the rodeo contestants, guys included, wear pink to raise money for Breast Cancer. There will be raffles, contests, and they're even auctioning off an authentic, autographed fiddle played by Charlie Daniels. (Rodeo Trivia Fun Fact: It is a FIDDLE. Not a VIOLIN. A violin plays classical music. A fiddle plays "The Devil Went Down to Georgia". Just sayin'.)

Here's another Fun Fact: All the proceeds from Pink Day will benefit local breast cancer research. www.toughenoughtowearpink.com

Want to rope some tickets? Here's the info: www.spykeshd.com

Dinner and a Show

2010-07-07T17:00:37Z

Here's the challenge: Feed, entertain AND have 'quality time' with four children.
Wait. Not so fast. Here's the catch: all the kids have vastly different ages, interests and varying levels of "coolness".

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I found the answer.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theater.
If you've never been, allow me to sing it's praises...

First, the Food:
All you can eat (GREAT for my constantly hungry boys).
Really good Real food (my kids actually ate salads, veggies and baked fish!).
No dishes for me to wash (need I say more?)

Then, the Show:
Much to my oldest children's dismay, we're largely a 'G'-rated household. Therefore, it's virtually impossible to find a movie, videogame, etc. that appeals to everyone.
My suggestions are usually met with, "Seriously Mom?"
But, THIS is a place you can bring the entire family (moms, dads, grandparents, kids) and everyone has a great time.
My oldest son actually deemed it "Awesome". I about fell over.

This is what I love about going to Beef & Boards:
1. Well, obviously, first and foremost, it's dinner and a show. Which translates into "Kids are fed. Kids are happy." 'nuff said.
2. It encourages 'family time'. You sit, talk, laugh, and enjoy the show with each other. You talk about the show all the way home.
Act out hysterical parts of the show the next day. Laugh some more. You get the idea.
3. It's an intimate theater. This means every seat is a GREAT seat. And this means that every family member is happy. The result? Mom is a rock star.
4. The acting/singing/dancing talent is amazing. It's one thing to watch 'American Idol' on TV. It's a whole different experience to be in a theater listening to someone with an incredible voice singing just a few feet away. The look on my kids' faces is pretty priceless. And who knows? It might inspire them to try their hand at musical theater. PLUS, you get to SEE the band playing live during the show! A great music experience for my family!
5. The Staff is friendly, gracious and welcoming. They patiently refilled my kids' lemonades (for the fiftieth time), directed them to the restrooms and quietly cleared our plates (bless them!)
6. It's an affordable special evening out with your family. I have a friend who recently took their kids to the movies; tickets, popcorn and a shared drink cost MORE than an evening at Beef and Boards. The theater also offers season tickets, matinee pricing AND discounted family shows.

Indianapolis has some great treasures throughout the city. Beef & Boards is absolutely one of the gems.

www.beefandboards.com

Path of Least Resistance

2010-07-03T13:51:37Z

Living in Indy makes me feel a little sorry for other cities.

We have a veritable buffet of art, music, culture, museums, and, despite the 'cows and corn' reputation, Indianapolis also invites us to explore it's beauty in nature, woods and trails.

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Granted, summers here are a bit steamy, which makes us reluctant to go outside. But, you'd be surprised how cool and refreshing it is to walk beside rivers and underneath sycamores.

From the first sign of spring until the final leaf falls from the trees, you can find me (and my family) hiking Indy's ubiquitous trails.

Our favorites (traversed and deemed "Awesome!" by my crew) include:

White River Canal

Monon Trail and Toe Path

Fall Creek Greenway/ Skiles Test Nature Center

Eagle Creek Park

Fort Benjamin Harrison

Holliday Park

Southeastway Park

And, the newest piece de resistance: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park at the IMA.

Go for a walk. Take a hike. Because, after all, it's about the journey, not the destination....

A Bountiful Boutique

2010-06-26T19:05:44Z

I really dislike shopping. (I'd use stronger language, but we don't use "hate" in our family as my children would be quick to point out.)

I tolerate shopping for groceries, but I get positively anxious when shopping for clothes, shoes or handbags.
I know. I'm strange.

My sister considers shopping malls a 'spa-like' experience, and my husband could spend all day at the Apple store. But me? Not so much.

]]> However, there is one place that I adore. I have to steer clear of this particular shop because every single time I visit, and I mean EVERY time I visit, I purchase some great 'have-to-have' item.

It's called Butterfly Consignment and it is owned by a gorgeous and savvy gal named Niquelle Allen, an attorney who also loves fashion.

This is what I adore about Niquelle's shop:
1. It's an upscale boutique with amazing clothes and even more amazing prices.
2. She offers Wine Wednesday for her customers (a night out while you're shopping!)
3. She is truly one of the most fashionable women I know and she always gives perfect fashion advice.
4. Her store is warm, inviting and beautifully organized.
5. She donates unwanted clothing to charitable organizations to help women.

Check out our video segment on Niquelle's website at Shop Butterfly: www.shopbfly.com
Better yet, go visit her shop! She's open 7 days a week during the summer!

In this economy, it's nice to find really great fashions for a really great deal.

Consider it your way of stimulating the economy one cute Kate Spade bag at a time!

Wedding (Giveaway) Day!

2010-06-13T01:53:15Z

I kept shaking my head.
Here was this gorgeous couple, Ja'Rell and Zsaranet, getting ready to get married...
on LIVE TV!

I would have been a lunatic. A complete disaster.
Most likely huddled in the fetal position.

Instead, Zsaranet looked like a queen. She had some wedding jitters, but was gracious, lovely and had the most radiant smile I have ever seen. Truly.

]]> The gorgeous bouquets from J.P. Parker,
The photographic genius of Brian McGuckin,
Incredible rings from Moyer,
Salon 01's hair and makeup magic,
The stunning venue of the Ritz Charles,
The tablescape transformations of A Classic,
And the breathtaking gown from Sophia's.

Angela, Ray and Sherman seamlessly shared the event with all of us on Friday morning, and my handy iPhone and I captured it from the corners of the chapel.
From the opening of the doors to the cheers of the announcement, it was indeed a beautiful wedding.
And yes, of course, I cried.

I cried because of their enduring love story.
I cried because their long awaited dream of a wedding was finally a reality.
I cried because of how much they adore their son.
I cried to see the support and happiness of their friends and family.
I cried because, despite being televised, it was a sweet, intimate reminder that true love prevails.

I know. I'm a sap.

Warmest congratulations Zsaranet, Ja'Rell and baby "Butter".
Thank you for letting us be a part of your wedding day.

Love of Libraries

2010-06-04T21:18:31Z

"Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest." ~Lady Bird Johnson

Blame my mother. She started it; this love of libraries.
It's where she would take us as a treat in the summer.
Our library was cool and quiet; we kids were hot and loud.
The library was her sanctuary.

]]> She's taught my own children to eagerly await "Second Hand Prose" book-sale weekends.
They excitedly fill their $2 bags with colorful picture books and 400-page historical novels that they'll never read but triumphantly put in their bag because, "It has a cool painting of a ship on the front!"
My children are becoming library lovers.
As they should be.

Our libraries amaze me.
Every month, each branch offers new special programs, activities, events and the opportunity to meet authors.
Authors like Newbery Award winner Lois Lowry, who recently visited the Glendale library.
A library which, sadly, along with at least 5 others, might be closing due to financial hardship.

Our communities need their libraries. And now, more than ever, our libraries need their communities.
It's a perfect time to visit your local library.

"Here is where people, One frequently finds,
Lower their voices, And raise their minds."
~Richard Armour, "Library"

Nothing rhymes with orange; but pink looks good with it.

2010-05-31T02:50:55Z

I've never considered myself a fashion diva, but I can find my way around a great pair of shoes and a handbag or two.
So when my seven year old daughter came downstairs wearing her favorite orange sundress and a bright pink cardigan, I said, "Um honey, I'm not sure those two things look very good together."
Hands on hips, she struck a pose and said, "Mommy, these two colors TOTALLY go together!"
Turns out, she is absolutely right.
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Fox 59 is giving away a wedding in June, and the amazing floral designers at JP Parker Flowers have created a gorgeous color scheme using, you guessed it, mandarin and coral, mango and cerise...or, for us laypeople, orange and pink. Owner Pamela Parker told me, in her gracious way, that not only do orange and pink 'go' together, but they are one of the most fresh, trendy color choices this season. Some artists use a canvas, Pam uses a vase. She and her staff are true artists and are brilliant at creating fragrant, modern, and surprisingly unique floral designs. Designs that incorporate large tropical leaves, willow branches, and blossoms that they handpick from their family-owned farm in Franklin.

Stop in their flower shop for ideas and inspiration. They have a downtown location and their farm and shop in Franklin.
And follow our wedding couple as they prepare for their 'big day' on June 11th.
The flowers are going to be just about as lovely as the bride.
And my daughter will be thrilled with the color palette.

my kds & i(Phone)

2010-05-20T01:09:48Z

I've lrnd 2 txt.
?
b/c I luv my kds.

]]> Until four months ago, I had only owned a "dumb" phone.
My husband rolled his eyes. My kids shook their heads.
"Why", I protested, "do I need an iPhone? All I ever do is call people!"

And then, last year, my eldest became a teenager and I had my fifth baby!
Suddenly, I realized that I needed to embrace technology if I was going to stand a chance of keeping up with either of them (and the other three in the middle). Let me explain...

Long ago I decided that I wasn't cut out for motherhood. At all. And now? I have five high-energy kids. Me? A mother? Makes me chuckle almost as much as, "Me? With an iPhone?" But, I reasoned, I have these great kids and if I want to stay current in their lives, then I need to stay current with technology.

"You're going to love it honey!", my husband said, as he gleefully slid it out of it's sleek box and proceeded to demonstrate all of it's amazing functions with the voice of an overly exuberant infomercial host. I was skeptical (nervous actually...have I mentioned that I'm hopeless with technology?), until my children came swiftly around me, like moths to a flame, begging to see, touch, play with and "help" me with my shiny new gadget. "Mom", my eldest said sweetly, "I'll show you how to text, if you want". DEAL! Sold to the cute boy with the shaggy haircut! I'd never, and I mean never, texted in my entire life (please don't mock me...I'm being vulnerable here), but Hey!, if it helps bond me with my kids, I'm all in!

I never would have believed it, but, like Motherhood, I can't imagine my life without my iPhone. How in the world did I ever live without it? (My husband is smirking as I'm writing this.) I now take great delight in texting my teenage son, because not only does he text me back, (here's an example of our chats: Hi honey, how was school today? gd. Are you on your way to youth group? yep. How did you do on your science test? fine. gtg.) Okay, okay, it's only in abbreviated monosyllables, and quite honestly, I have to refer to the "texting language cheat sheet" I keep on my computer... but at least he's chatting with me. And that is huge in my book! Also, my phone is WAY cooler than his, which makes me a pretty hip mom! (Although I just used the term 'hip', which clearly isn't!)

My iPhone is truly my new best friend, because of how it helps connect me with my children: I take pictures of my kids with it (and use it as my "photo wallet"), I use it to shoot video of them, I sit on the couch next to my kids as they play games on it that they downloaded "for me". My iPhone keeps my baby happy on long car trips, and gives me an open invitation at any time to snuggle in next to my children and listen to their favorite music (even if all of it uses some new-fangled technique called 'autotune', which, in my opinion, doesn't seem to work).

Keeping my kids safe, insuring a happy and healthy future for them, and giving me unlimited access to their hearts?

If only there was an app for that.

Fit To Be Thai-ed

2010-05-11T18:39:52Z

I've eaten Thai food exactly three times.
I know.
Don't scoff.
I don't get out much.

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Recently, I met friends at the highly recommended Siam Square on Virginia Avenue in Fountain Square.

Perhaps it was the unusually sunny 67 degree day...
Perhaps it was the invitingly full restaurant with happy, chatty urban lunch goers...
Perhaps it was our attentive but not overly exuberant server who had the perfect combination of friendly "can I get you anything?" and non-pushy "I'll be right over here"-ness.
...but I am, without a doubt, completely in love with Thai food.

Or rather, the Thai food at Siam Square.

The lunch-sized portion was perfect. A nice zingy soup, a little spring roll and a meal that completely satisfied but prevented me from easily over-indulging.

There are two distinct camps when eating with others:
The first is the "this is my meal and I'd like to eat it all myself" camp.
Then there is the (much more sensical) "you order one thing and I'll order another and we can multiply our culinary pleasure" camp.
Fortunately, the two friends I ate with belong to camp number 2.

We women got the mild version of Drunken Noodles and Shrimp Pad Thai.
Our male counterpart decided on the manly medium spice of Chicken Pad Thai.
We all oohed and aahed over each bite and admired each other's plates as if they were newborn babies.
"Oh, yours looks delicious!" "You should try this one...it has a divine flavor!"

Giddy with the salty sweet carb indulgence that is far easier to order than to actually make at home (only my crazy foodie friends in Michigan who make chocolate martinis on random Thursday evenings have ingredients like Tamarind and Fish Sauce in their pantries...and no, sadly, I don't have a well-seasoned wok either), we thanked our server, stepped out into the unseasonably warm day, and deemed Siam Square to be our new favorite find.