Around Towne with KJ + Tom

KJ and Tom are both recovering from a flurry of Independence Day "fests" and now look to outdoor concerts to entertain locals, including the Nauti Yachtis tonight at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater, Billy Joel vs. Elton John at Conner Prairie this Friday and Saturday (tribute bands of course), Henry Lee Summer coming next week, and Pop Con coming to the Indianapolis Convention Center this weekend. Special guest this week was Dr. Trond Seland of Seland Chiropractic and Living Well Center here in Fishers talking about their new Nauticus Laser Therapy and Wellness Center which treats Peripheral Neuropathy without drugs or surgery, red light therapy for weight loss and mood enhancement, and doctor supervised weight loss.

Special guests include QB Darla with our Indy 500-themed "motivational minute", Scott Buchner + Suzanne Peterson with a new membership-based nail salon opening off of Michigan Road called Prose Nails, KJ tries to convince Tom to adopt a cat using scientific logic/reasoning, it's national "Adopt a Cat" month and Megan Davis with the Hamilton County Humane Society talks about their $10 special this month, the official kick-off to summer is the St. Simon Festival and Steve Powell joined us from the "big tent" to talk about the concert line up, and Tom talks about his interview with Colts quarterback Carson Wentz where he asked him about his twin Prince Harry.

Tom Britt caught up with Indy's new quarterback Carson Wentz on his way home from workouts at the Indianapolis Colts complex. Tom asked Wentz to debunk the rumor that he and Prince Harry are the same person and challenged him to get Prince Harry to a home Colts game so we could put this rumor to bed once and for all. Since being traded to the Colts in March, Indianapolis has rolled out the "blue" carpet for the former Philadelphia Eagle that earned a Super Bowl ring, Pro Bowl appearance, and still holds 9 franchise records. Colts head coach Frank Reich was Wentz's former coach at Philadelphia, and Carson talks about reuniting with his old coach and his excitement to work with him again. Wentz talks about his home state of North Dakota, moving to Indy, his love of the outdoors, and his faith. He talks extensively about his AO1 (Audience of One) Foundation and the various ministries he is involved in to help underprivileged youth and disabled military veterans. Wentz, his wife Madison and one year-old daughter Hadley have moved to Indy's northside already and are settling in to their home.

Still recovering from last week's debacle, Tom asks QB Darla - a local LinkedIN influencer and motivational speaker - to provide a Motivational Minute. Local Fishers Arts Council artist Jessica Hancock joins KJ and Tom to discuss the new Al Huda Mosque which opens next month here in Fishers. Glamerica 80's band reached out to KJ and talked about their July 4th performance coming up at the Fishers Nickel Plate Amphitheater - starting a hashtag #AllNightLongFishers. Carmel Parks & Recreation opens their splash pads this Saturday throughout Carmel, Tom spoke with Director of Recreation & Facilities Eric Mehl about their Covid precautions and excitement to be open again this summer. Memorial Day will feature a dedication of the new Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in downtown Fishers. And starting June 1, 116th St. will be closed at the Nickel Plate Trail to build the underground tunnel, Tom has the idea to put in a toll booth on North St. to monetize the inconvenience.

Our first live episode starts out a little rocky as Tom struggles with Google Chrome and airs his depression over the Geist Half Marathon not running this year, Mecum auction car-gazing, CarmelFest changes for 2021 including not one but two nights of fireworks, Fishers Parks Touch a Truck and Farmers Market this Saturday with a Health & Wellness Expo, and the state's first peony festival.

KJ talks with CarmelFest 2021 Chair Steve Krusie about this year's event on July 4th and 5th. Big changes this year including the parade moving to the 5th, fireworks both nights, expanded footprint, and a special salute to healthcare workers!

Geist local Beth Berry put an innocent post on NextDoor in early February asking if any women in the area had interest in forming a ladies only beginners golf league. After a month of fielding emails and phone calls, she had 104 women signed up for what is now called the "Geist Golf Ladies League." KJ had a chance to talk to Beth about their opening season which meets every Wednesday night at Gray Eagle Golf Club.

Towne Post Network founder Tom Britt and co-host KJ decide to take the show LIVE starting with next week's show - video streaming to the Fishers Magazine Facebook page starting May 18 at 11:00 am. In this episode, locals sound off on what restaurant they would like to see at Geist Reservoir next, KJ talks with Beth Berry about a new "Ladies Only" golf league forming at Gray Eagle Golf Club, several events of interest coming in Fishers this weekend, Dana Mecum Spring Auction starts this Friday, St. Simon Festival is back on June 3-5, Ruoff Music Center's first summer concert featuring Jimmy Buffet kicks off on July 10, and Tom interviews Fishers resident and former Fishers Police officer Robert Bowling about his upcoming book "Wicked Fishers" which covers the "whiskey lovin' history" of our city highlighted by a 2-day bar fight that made national news.

Matt Schleuter and two partners are opening the Parks Place Pub later this summer in the former Brixx Pizza location in downtown Fishers. Schleuter visited the Towne Post Network studios to talk about the history behind the name which harkens back 140 years to the original saloon that opened where the Nickel Plate Bar is located. Plans are in the works to add a smart pergola over the outdoor dining area, install open-air garage doors, and have 46 televisions to give downtown Fishers a local hangout to watch live sporting events.

Tom Britt speaks with local history teacher and former police officer Robert Bowling about his new book releasing on June 28 entitled "Wicked Fishers". Bowling talks about how his interest in history started, how he ended up on the Fishers Police Department, and some funny historical stories about Fishers including a 2-day bar brawl between two rival saloons that made national news. Pre-purchase his book online (click here).

In this second episode, KJ and Tom discuss the delicious peanut butter chocolate rabbit candy hustled by a grade school wrestler, interview with Shake Shack marketing director Hanna Yoffa about their grand opening in the Fishers District, Prodigy Burger re-branding in the former Detour American Grill location at Geist, interview with Parks Place Pub owner Matt Schluetter about his new restaurant going in where Brixx Pizza was in downtown Fishers, Wolfie's at Geist opens upstairs as "Broken Barrel" bourbon lounge, new Nicey Treat popsicle bar opens at the Yard, Cinco de Mayo promo with Verde Flavors of Fishers going on this week (hashtag #CincoatVerde to have a chance to win a prize bag), and the Fishers summer concert series announced with kick-off concert on June 25 with the Spin Doctors. New TownePost.com business listings last week included Prevail, Ares Elite Sports, Copper Trace, Barx Nutrition, and the Humane Society of Hamilton County.

Tom Britt and KJ hook up once again after 11 years to record their first podcast show together. In this episode, they discuss Spark Fishers return to downtown Fishers, the 146th St. interchange off of St. Rd. 37 reopening, extended interview with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and Parks Director Sarah Sandquist talking about a new waterfront restaurant and park at Geist Reservoir, Race Away from Domestic Violence 5K on June 5, and five new local listings posted to TownePost.com. 

Tom Britt invites Fishers City Councilor Brad DeReamer and local navy veteran El Ahlwardt into the Technology Interiors studios to talk about the city's newest monument coming to downtown Fishers. Brad and El are working with an all-veteran committee to raise $60,000 for the Gold Star Memorial Monument - only the third of such monuments in Indiana. Be a part of history by making a donation via the Fishers Parks Foundation website (click here).

January is National Mentoring Month, and today I spoke with Big Brothers & Big Sisters Chief Program Officer Amy Essley about the need for big brothers and big sisters in Central Indiana. Specifically, Hamilton County is in dire need of over 100 volunteers that would like to mentor a child between the ages of 8 and 14 years old. We talked about the time commitment, Covid-19 impact on recruiting and training, outcomes, and just the overall need the children have for adult mentors in their lives. Visit their website for more information - BeBigForKids.org.

IU School of Medicine researchers Dr. Bryan Schneider and Dr. Milan Radovich have discovered a DNA marker to predictively tell a woman diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer whether or not she will have a recurrence. This research study is part of the IU Precision Health Initiative, a $120 million investment by IU Health to research cures and treatments for the world's 5 most dreaded diseases: Breast cancer, Alzheimer's Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Multiple Myeloma, and Pediatric Sarcomas. Both Schneider and Radovich are gaining national recognition for their research and their findings are now furthering other cancer research and treatments.  

In this episode, Tom Britt talks with Bruce Cooley, Engineer and Project Manager for Citizens Energy Group charged with the conversion of the former IMI limestone quarry to the new Citizens Reservoir near the public boat ramp on Olio Road. Bruce talks about the early days of Geist Reservoir, how former droughts like the one in 2012 forced Citizens to explore capacity needs, converting the 280' deep pit into a reservoir, whether or not the public will be allowed to fish or recreate on this reservoir, and a timeline for when he expects the reservoir to fill with water. He also explains just how big this reservoir is in comparison to other Indy landmarks. A video was produced (click here) showing drone video of the open pit and the tunnels constructed to pump water out of the Citizens Reservoir into Geist Reservoir. There are also several historic photos, time lapse images, and details about the new Citizens Reservoir available on their website (click here).

Tom Britt hosts and chats with The Milk Bank Executive Director Freedom Kolb, board president Courtney Jones from Community North, and a recent benefactor of donated breast milk Lyndsay Krauter from Westfield (with baby Lyla). The Milk Bank supports moms struggling with breastfeeding, working with local hospitals to provide critical nutrition for our most vulnerable Hoosiers: Preemies and newborn babies. An upcoming virtual trivia night called "Pints for Preemies" on October 15 at 7:00 pm is a great way for you to help their cause, learn a little more about their mission, and maybe win some prizes from local businesses like Four Day Ray or O'hana Donuts & Ice Cream. 

Tom Britt spoke with Alex Perry - Operations Manager of the new RotoShovel headquartered and birthed here in Fishers, Indiana. Inventor Rick Goren, owner of Technology Interiors at 116th and I-69, conceived the idea for the world's first handheld auger two years ago and is now primed and ready to hit retail shelves soon.  Selling now through Amazon.com direct, Alex is fulfilling orders at their new warehouse in Technology Park. Costco is placing an order and several other hardware and specialty stores are already showing interest. 

If you haven't heard already, TownePost.direct is the virtual media kit for the TownePost Network of hyper local magazines in Indiana and Kentucky. Two weeks ago, we launched the first-ever online store to purchase any and all of our print, digital, and social media marketing packages direct - with no sales people and no hidden fees. In this episode, CEO and Founder of the TownePost Network Tom Britt talks about his excitement for this new offering and how it will change and disrupt the print industry. For franchise information, visit franchising.townepost.com.

Longtime Geist resident and host Tom Britt talks with Matt Troyer, lead attorney for the Geist Lake Coalition, on the status of Senate Bill 430. In this episode, Troyer talks about the Citizens Energy's position on the CD, what a lake biologist and real estate expert said during their testimony. what the proposed boater fee would look like, tax caps, eminent domain, the timeline, and next steps. Sponsored by the Geist Magazine, check out their cross-platform marketing programs now! (click here)

This week, local artist and former Weimer Typesetting co-worker Chuck Horsman drops off his "Lady Victory" painting that Tom and Jeanne Britt commissioned at Penrod this fall. Tom and Dave talk about upcoming Christmas events in Fortville (Winterfest), Fishers (Winter Wonderland), and Carmel (Christkindlmarkt). Lights are "on" at Conner Prairie - relocated Reynolds Farm Equipment display. Longtime Fishers High School football coach Rick Wimmer announces his retirement. And a lot of local political news, including the next speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives Todd Huston (a Fishers resident) and deputy mayor of the City of Fishers Leah McGrath announcing her candidacy to fill Brian Bosma's vacancy next year. This show sponsored by Leadstra, who can help you design, produce, and distribute your very own podcast show in 2020!

Most people have gotten to know Leah McGrath over the last 4 years as the deputy mayor of the City of Fishers. During that time, we’ve seen Fishers grow, but also seen a local unknown step up and make a name for herself as a community outreach and government relations expert. Leah serves on the boards of Conner Prairie, the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability, and the Fishers Youth Assistance Program. Probably one of her most visible feats was organizing and leading the Spark Fishers pre-4th of July celebration in downtown Fishers during the transition from the Fishers Freedom Festival to the City-Run event in 2018. You might say her political capital stock has risen steadily over the last 4 years, so it was no surprise yesterday when she announced that she will run for the Indiana House District 88 seat being vacated by long-time republican leader Brian Bosma. Somewhat shocked at the news, I had to call and get the skinny from Leah herself. This episode is sponsored by Leadstra, who can help you with your own podcast in 2020.

Tom Britt and Dave Anderson talk about today's filing of the Geist Conservancy District petitions in Hamilton County. Tom talks to organizers about the day and the process: Brian Hall, Cory Peter, Matt & Kim Troyer. Special thanks to Ed Martin Nissan of Fishers for the intro.

Intro by Kathy and Mark Harrison from Ed Martin Nissan in Fishers - This week, Tom and Dave talk about their excitement for the upcoming holidays, two local 5K races on Thanksgiving Day at Saxony and the Fishers YMCA, places starting to open in the long-anticipated Yard, Small Business Saturday coming on November 30 in Fishers, Santa's Mailbox, and a memorial service this week for fallen K9 officer Harlej and ways you can help (click here)!

Last night's local election results were all close (with exception of the Indianapolis Mayor's race bloodbath). In Zionsville, Carmel, and Lawrence Township Schools, the schools are all celebrating their referendums that all passed. Fishers had perhaps the biggest of surprise victories putting two democrats in office for the first time in history: Sam DeLong in the North Central District and Jocelyn Vare at Large. Here is my interview with Jocelyn Vare who ran a campaign on disrupting the republican stronghold in Fishers.