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SURF THIS: Put the i in iGoogle to personalize page

“What’s that?” she asked, looking over my shoulder as I logged into my Google account and opened my personalized page. When I told her that this was my iGoogle page, replete with all of the news, weather, stock quotes, information, blogs-everything-that I like to have at my fingertips, she was dumbstruck. “How did you get that?” she asked. I was dumbstruck, too. Is it possible that she-and, maybe, you-haven’t heard about iGoogle? Well, that changes today, and you can thank…

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Commentary: Chasing after the younger crowd

A couple of weeks ago, I ate lunch with an attorney friend who was telling me about his eldest daughter-born, raised and now living in Indianapolis. A 27-year-old registered nurse, she was preparing to move to Chicago because she thinks “there is nothing to do here” for people her age. This really hit home for me because I have two daughters in the same age range living here, and both are starting to talk about moving away for a while,…

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SPORTS: Hoosiers will finish the revival Coach Hep started

It’s just not fair. Life and death aren’t always. Nonetheless, I consider myself fortunate to have been among those on hand this year for what was one of Hep’s last public speaking experiences, at an NCAA function. Per usual, Hep was witty, inspirational and ultra-enthusiastic as he talked about his program. If I didn’t have season tickets already, I would have rushed out and bought some. My last memory of him is a great one. I knew Hep going back…

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FUNNY BUSINESS: Biz buzz like “at the end of the day” puts me at the end of my rope

As part of my ongoing search for things to make fun of, I’ve spent the last few years collecting Business Buzzwords-Biz Buzz, if you will. I now know why they’re called buzzwords: Because if you read or hear more than two or three in a single sen tence, you feel a buzzing sensation in the back of your skull. Followed shortly thereafter by a full-blown migraine. That is precisely what happened to me after receiving an e-mail in which two…

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SPORTS: Dome’s days are numbered, but memories linger

You know you’re getting old when you outlive buildings. First, it was Market Square Arena. I covered the first and last games there. Now, it’s the RCA Dome. In the summer of 1983, I went along with my then-boss, Indianapolis Star Sports Editor Bob Collins, to the roof of an old warehouse on South Capitol Avenue. From that vantage point, we watched-in awe-as the roof of the Hoosier Dome slowly inflated. While some might have hoped, no one knew for…

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Symbol of YWCA’s past may soon get new owner: Women’s organization carries on without building; new mission focused on scholarships, mentoring

The former home of the YWCA is about to change hands, but even without its own building, the organization once known for housing women plans to grow its scholarship programs and support other not-for-profits that advocate for women’s issues. The 4460 Guion Road facility is under contract to be sold “and we expect to close on it shortly,” said Greg Lynn, vice president of real estate for the Central Indiana Community Foundation. Lynn said he could not elaborate on the…

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Fascination with fans pays off: Fanimation’s unique designs sustain company amid tough competition

Try saying that three times fast. Or better yet, check out Frampton’s eclectic innovations at the local showrooms that stock them. Frampton, 51, is president of Fanimation Inc. in Zionsville, a designer and distributor of custom fans that circulate a cool breeze in ways rivaled only by his collection of bizarre antique models that often provide his inspiration. Foremost among his unusual creations of ceilingmounted fans is the futuristic Enigma, which sports a single blade and was featured in a…

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CHRIS KATTERJOHN Commentary: How about a Frozen Four in Indy?

Many city leaders are looking for the next big sporting event to fill the void left by our failed attempt to land the 2011 Super Bowl. How about the Frozen Four in 2013? For the uninitiated, the Frozen Four is the hockey equivalent of the NCAA Final Four in basketball. It ain’t no Super Bowl, to be sure, but the Frozen Four is an event that’s come into its own. The last bid package to host the tournament drew a…

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Pacers put no limits on Morris

The fact that Pacers Sports and Entertainment has tapped Jim Morris as special adviser shows how daunting the franchise’s
challenges have become, marketing experts say. They say the team’s problems on and off the court have shrunk its fan base
and weakened support among business and government leaders.

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SPORTS: Our Pacers could use all the help they can get

Morris has no point guard skills I’m aware of and, ultimately, it will be up to the new head coach, O’Brien, to improve the on-court product in a way that’s more palatable to the Pacers’ eroding fan base. But as a point person in engaging the community-in particular the corporate community-there are few, if any, people in this city who have both the contacts and the respect of which Morris can boast. Even after five years away from Indianapolis trying…

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Local music festivals struggle for footing: Is there any such thing as a consistent money-maker?

The humidity and mercury are rising as a slew of summer music festivals tune up. There’s bluegrass in Brown County, jazz in Military Park. But all the music events-even those with years of history-struggle to break even. Blame uncertain weather, large price tags and fickle fans. “As a general rule, only very large pop music festivals make money,” said Christopher Hunt, a professor at Indiana University’s arts administration program. “Smaller festivals of every kind-jazz, pop, classical-almost always lose a good…

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Super rebuff builds pressure to attract even more events

With the 2011 Super Bowl galloping off to Dallas, pressure is building to bring in more of the marquee sports events the city’s
economy has come to rely on to keep hotels full, retail businesses humming and the national and international spotlight focused
on Indianapolis.

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AFTER HOURS: LAURA WILSON: Being prepared is more than a Scouting slogan

AFTER HOURS LAURA WILSON Being prepared is more than a Scouting slogan Longtime Boy Scouts volunteer Laura Wilson learned firsthand the importance of the scouts’ motto-“Be prepared.” A vice president of com munications at the Indiana Bankers Association, Wilson accompanied her two sons on a camping trip last year to New Salem, Ill., where the scouts went on a nearly 20-mile hike on the Lincoln Pilgrimage trail from New Salem to Springfield. Later that night, she learned the hard way…

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SPORTS: On Indy and other sports as another May passes

Thoughts of this, that and the other: So, just what would a retractable roof over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway cost? I was surprised that Colts quarterback Peyton Manning spent so much time practicing the waving of the green flag (much to the amusement and delight of the crowd) prior to the start of the Indianapolis 500. I figured he already would have studied hours of film of Pat Vidan. If you know who Pat Vidan is, well, you’re old. He…

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Media trainer becomes driving force at Speedway: Firm teaches athletes how to behave on camera

While most eyes were on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 2-1/2-mile oval this month, Kevin Long was more interested in what happened in the media room. Long is not a news reporter, but he’s been focused on every word spoken to the media this month by drivers, team managers and owners. It’s Long’s job to make sure those speaking into the mike maximize the benefit for themselves, their teams and sponsors. He owns and operates MVP Sports Media Training LLC, a…

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SPORTS Bill Benner: Likely results of a 2012 bid: Success or cruelty

Indianapolis was no less a great sports city the afternoon of May 22 than it was the morning of May 22. Without question, among most (but not all) of our citizenry, the disappointment of not being awarded the 2011 Super Bowl was profound, especially so for those who put all their heart, soul, creative energy and tiring effort into crafting the bid. And for those who have never liked Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones even a little bit-yes, that’s my…

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City gained momentum with Super Bowl bid

Indianapolis’ bid to host the 2011 Super Bowl missed by inches, but observers said the city nevertheless scored major points
that still could result in a victory. But not without suiting up again.

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CHRIS KATTERJOHN Commentary: ‘Rip’ is just right for CICP

It’s been 15 months since Central Indiana Corporate Partnership CEO Mark Miles wrote in these pages that he felt like Rip Van Winkle when he returned to the city after being away for 15 years. Miles has done anything but sleep since he got back. Neither has the CICP board of directors. That group should be congratulated for making an outstanding choice of a new leader and for taking bold steps forward. This seems to have been a perfect match…

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Is title sponsor in 500’s future?: Indy Racing League throttles up sales efforts, considers aggressive new marketing deals

The Indy Racing League is overhauling its sales effort, an initiative industry observers said could lead to an eight-figure annual title sponsorship and exponential growth for the league and its teams. Officials for the company tabbed to lead the revolution said there isn’t any sponsorship deal that won’t be considered by Speedway brass, including a title sponsorship for the Indianapolis 500, a sacred property once thought untouchable. Race fans have been focused on the Brickyard’s 2-1/2-mile oval this month. But…

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SPORTS: The great race isn’t as broken as some think

Recently, I served as a moderator for a panel that included Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian; Conseco Fieldhouse Executive Director and Indiana Pacers Vice President Rick Fuson; NCAA President Myles Brand; Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Joie Chitwood; and former Indiana Sports Corp. Chairman Jack Swarbrick. Except for the moderator, it was an all-star lineup, convened to discuss the impact sports has had on Indianapolis. It was both informative and inspiring as it captured the essence of the sports initiative and…

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