Southside Times Year in Review

By Sara Gentry

Before we ring in the new year, we can take a look back at what made news in 2009. From January to December, here are some of the stories that made headlines in The Southside Times this year.

Greenwood, WRT fill merger committee

Seven members of the study committee responsible for exploring the feasibility of a merger of White River Township (WRT) and the City of Greenwood were appointed in the first weeks of 2009. The WRT board voted on Jan. 6 to appoint Forrest Chamber and Paul Reed, both Republicans, and Dale Tumey, Democrat, to the reorganization committee. Greenwood selected Dr. Eric Kapke (D), David Payne (I) and Pat Sherman (R). The seventh member appointed was Don Hanlin. [ad#single-post] Should the merger would become a reality, the City of Greenwood (population 47, 700 in the latest census) would nearly double with the addition of the estimated WRT population of 42,000. That would make Greenwood the sixth-largest city in the state. White River Township board president Mark Messick said the merger would “drastically change things.”

UIndy's Stam crowned Miss America

After weeks of preparation and success on the TLC miniseries Miss America: Countdown to the Crown, Katie Stam was crowned Miss America. “Honestly, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if she won,” her academic adviser, communication instructor and broadcasting veteran Scott Uecker had said. “Occasionally we see a student who makes us say, ‘I’m going to be working for her someday.’ She is definitely one of those students.”

BG couple celebrate inauguration with Obama

Mike and Cheryl Fisher had a New Year’s Eve phone call that popped the cork on a stunning new year. They were invited to the Inauguration of the 44th president of the United States. And would they please join the presidential train ride from Philadelphia into Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Jan. 17? And would they also attend the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball? President-elect Barack Obama would like them to share the stage with him. The Beech Grove couple didn’t have to think a long time about their answer: it was yes.

Local restaurants offer specialties at 2009 Taste of the Southside

They came by the hundreds, tasted food and drink by 45 local restaurants and left with tummies full and a new appreciation of exciting new foods. For the 17th year, the Taste of the Southside was held at Valle Vista Conference Center in Greenwood Sunday. And it was a royal feast. “We were ready with 700 pounds of Johnson County-grown pork,” said Joseph Hewett, who refers to himself as chef de cuisine at Richard’s Kitchen in Franklin.

Long's crowned best doughnut by SST experts

Our trek to find the best doughnut included Southside mainstays, Mom and Pops and national chains. Each were given a level playing field; two original glazed doughnuts were purchased from each shop, quartered and then tasted in a blind test. Tasters rated each selection and gave their comments. While doughnuts can be purchased other places, the six chosen establishments were singled out due to their emphasis on either doughnuts or baked goods. The idea was to find the best single doughnut an individual Southsider could walk in and buy — no minimum orders allowed. With a five-doughnut rating, Long's Bakery came out on top.

Amtrak rides again

The 2009 stimulus package included about $82 million for train repair and upgrades. Vice President Joe Biden and Seventh District Congressman Andre Carson announced the stimulus award March 13 in Washington, D.C. Eighteen of 68 railroad passenger cars would be repaired in order to return them to service. Some of the cars have sat for years or were in accidents. Beech Grove Mayor Joe Wright said, “Amtrak has been a longtime employer for the Beech Grove community. We look forward to the progress the stimulus funds will provide in terms of job creation and improvements to the facility itself.”

SST names best weekend getaways

In celebration of the springtime gas-price reprieve, we at the Southside Times narrowed down the four best bets for weekend getaways. To keep driving time minimal, we selected destinations within the state line. These attractions — French Lick, Amish Country, Santa Claus and Indiana Dunes — can be reached on Friday night and enjoyed all day Saturday. No airfare necessary. The runner-up? Madison.

Teachers, parents surprise BG band

One Monday night, as the Beech Grove High School band played their final concert of the year, a group of adults waited on the other side of the auditorium door, preparing to surprise the students with the enormous, gleaming, black and orange answer to their prayers. Last fall, the band announced a large-scale fundraising project. All year, the students, teachers, parents and alumni crossed their fingers, hoping to raise enough money to replace their large equipment trailer — bought in 1977 — and smaller uniform trailer, which they had outgrown. Somewhat miraculously, the secret stayed under wraps, and, as far as band director Cory Wynn (himself a former Marching Hornet) could tell, not a single student knew the trailer was waiting just outside the door.

Police changes bring unrest to Southport

In a stormy public meeting, about 100 Southport residents wanted to find out if their police department was going to be changed or even eliminated. “You’re an idiot!” an older man yelled at the mayor. “Liar!” a woman shouted. Mayor Rob Thoman kept his cool throughout the two-hour open meeting, and assured the crowd that he was not trying to eliminate the police department or reduce their pay.

An Ironman in the making

From December to July, Beech Grove High School teacher and coach Oskar Vuskalns pushed his body to new limits in preparation for the Ironman Lake Placid competition on July 26. The triathlon requires contestants to swim 2.4 miles, run 26.2 and bike another 112 in 17 hours or less.

Buckley hangs up helmet

"I didn't apply anywhere else," former Beech Grove fire chief Dennis Buckley said of his hometown station. "I didn't want to work anywhere else. There's something about serving on the fire department of the city you live in." Buckley attributes the department's many successes, including being the first in the state to be nationally accredited in emergency service, to being attentive to good policies and procedures, practicing personal accountability and being conservative. "The citizens came first with me, to meet their needs." Buckley said.

SST takes a trip back in time

The Aug. 20 issue included a B section dedicated to historical photos and stories celebrating the history of both the newspaper formerly known as The Perry Weekly and the south side itself. The Churchman house, "Hillside," was located where Dollar General stands at Emerson and Churchman. The house was completed in 1872.

Greenwood's 'Annie' heads to Broadway

Kara Oates’ dream is coming true. The 10-year-old fifth grade student at Center Grove Elementary, who performed the title role in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Annie this summer, was chosen to perform on Broadway. Kara is one of the 12 ballerina girls in Billy Elliot, the musical about a the son of a coal miner. The boy dreams of becoming a ballet dancer, even though his father wants him to become a boxer. Through a connection made at Beef & Boards, Kara secured an agent and traveled with her mother to New York City in July to audition for the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Billy Elliot. She estimated there were a few hundred girls at the initial audition. Billy Elliot runs through February at the Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th St., between Broadway and 8th Ave.

City Hall mold controversy continues

Beech Grove's City Hall building has stood at the corner of Main Street and 8th Avenue for 81 years. Unfortunately, over the past few years, the building has begun to show its age. A leaky roof and drainage issues have resulted in a mold problem — and the mold problem has resulted in a political controversy.

Southside school referendums see mixed results

The once-lauded property tax cap reared its ugly head when the time came for school budgets to be tabulated. In Beech Grove, a shortfall threatened the school system's buses and technology, but hopes ran high, and BG won the funds in the end. Perry's shallow pockets weren't deepened, however, and the administration had to put a hold on any building projects or updates. Franklin Township faces severe cuts after failing to pass a referendum in their area, meaning layoffs will abound and budgets will be strict.

Unbalanced BG budget spawns contempt and accusations

As far back as early September, the Beech Grove grapevine was ringing with rumors of a tightened budget with no room for the city's dispatchers. At the annual Fall Festival, the Beech Grove Democrats Club warned fair-goers of what could be reported come budget-approval time. The council held a meeting that was to include the first reading of the proposed budget and a public hearing regarding it. As the Hornet Park Community Center meeting room filled, more chairs had to be added to the seating area. Mayor Joe Wright struggled to be heard over the din of complaints as he called the meeting to order. "Beech Grove city government does what its citizens expect it to do," said Wright, "And that's live within its means."

SST gains new gardening columnist

Our Oct. 8 issue featured weekly gardening columnist Carol Michel.

Perry grad captures Heartland Audience Award

Eric Jensen buys a cup of coffee every morning, except Eric doesn’t drink coffee. He’s enamored with the girl behind the counter. Unable to muster the courage to woo his love, an unlikely hero comes to the rescue — an eccentric homeless man with a heart of gold. "Grande Drip" producer Greg Wilson was born in Indianapolis and is a graduate of Perry Meridian High School and Taylor University. After a few showings with the Heartland Film Festival, "Grande Drip" grabbed the coveted Audience Award. Wilson and his fellow filmmakers (wife Emily Moss Wilson and friends Ryan Cheevers and Angelo Restaino) currently are working on turning the 21-minute short into a full-length feature.

SST names best horror flicks

Web guy and graphics guru Brandon Gentry is pulled from his regular duties only a few times a year — basically whenever it's time to review food (Best Doughnut, Best Ice Cream) or when we need some Halloween expertise. This year, Brandon listed his favorites from the hundreds of scary movies he's clapped eyes on, and rom-zom-com (romantic zombie comedy) "Shaun of the Dead" got top honors.

Marching Hornets head to state

For the first time in 19 years — and with a new trailer in tow — Beech Grove High School's marching band competed in the ISSMA state finals. The band finished fifth in Class C. Center Grove High School clenched a third-place ranking in Class A, and Greenwood High School marched to second in Class B.

Tommy Cash concert benefits Flags Over Greenwood

Musician Tommy Cash started playing music at 16, around the same time that his famous brother, Johnny Cash, was putting out "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues" with Sun Records. Each year he does quite a few benefit concerts like his October show at Jonathan Byrd's Cafeteria. "It's a lot of fun to play those," Tommy said. "It's good to see them raise a lot of money."

Go glam

People have been saying it for years: "The '80s are back." We've been wearing leggings and tunics for ages, but some of the more outrageous looks haven't quite reached the mainstream again. This season, fur coats, body con dresses, sequins and over-the-knee boots are back.

BG planners address Main Street concerns

On Oct. 29, a few dozen citizens, the redevelopment committee (RDC), CrossRoad Engineers Vice President Trent Newport and Schneider Corporation Landscape Architect Mike Krosschell gathered at Beech Grove's Hornet Park Community Center to talk Main Street. A complete renovation of the street, including storm sewers and drainage, sidewalks, parking, paving, landscaping and common areas is set for 2011.

Arlington 2nd graders clear up Santa stumpers

While the circumstances surrounding Santa Claus may mystify adults, the kids have a pretty clear idea about what goes on come Christmas Eve. What does Santa do during the rest of the year? "He plays with penguins." - Matthew L.

Obituaries for the week of 12.30.09

By Submission For The Southside Times

Marcus Eugene Anderson, Jr., 49, of Indianapolis, died Dec. 19, 2009, at Wishard Hospital. He was born August 7, 1960, to Marcus Eugene Anderson Sr., and Littie (Roe) Anderson, who preceded him in death. He was a truck driver for ABC Trucking Company. He is survived by his wife, Nancy L. (Gamstetter) Anderson; brothers, William (Michelle) Anderson and Anthony Anderson; sisters, Lillie Browning, Agnes (John) Duncan and Janet (Timothy) Duncan. Burial was held Dec. 23, 2009, at New Crown Cemetery Chapel. [ad#single-post] Charles Clifford “Chuck” Butcher, 84, of Indianapolis, died Dec. 26, 2009. He was born February 27, 1925, in Indianapolis to the late Charles and Leatha (Tharp) Butcher. Chuck worked for Independent Concrete Pipe for 45 years, retiring in 1987. He is survived by his daughters Lisa (Robert) McKinney, Barbara Butcher and Beverly Zweck; two grandchildren, Nancy Phillips and Robert McKinney Jr., nine great-grandchildren; and his sister, Bessie Wright. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Ruby Butcher, and son, Ronald Butcher. The funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 30 at G.H. Herrmann Greenwood Funeral Home, St. Rd. 135 and Olive Branch Rd. He will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. JoAnne Rose Bush, 83, of Indianapolis, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009. She was born February 28, 1926, in Indianapolis to the late William and Ruby Becker. JoAnne was a homemaker. She is survived by her children, Janet (Steve) Willey, Marianne (Paul) Sahm, John (Mary Diane) Bush, Jr., Joseph (Deborah) Bush, 12 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Her husband, John Bush, Sr., preceded her in death. Funeral services are private. Ruth “Ruthie” Ellen Porter Mathis, 61, of Indianapolis, died Dec. 18, 2009. She was born October 30, 1948, in Anderson, Ind., to Willard W. and Elizabeth Jean (Watson) Porter. She was a homemaker. Ruthie is survived by her husband, Everett Dale Mathis, Sr.; sons, Everett Dale Mathis, Jr. and Isaac Eugene Mathis; daughters, Helen Marie Mathis, Sandra Kay Mathis, Mary Ellen Mathis; sisters, Bertha (Harold) Schilds, Barbara Haynes, Luellen Porter, Rita (Bobby) Gobble; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Elizabeth O’Brien. Arrangements were held Dec. 27 at Fountain Square Mortuary. Richard Leroy Poole, 66, of Indianapolis, was born Oct. 5, 1943, to Richard I. and Oma (Stone) Poole Bastin who proceeded him in death. He worked in construction and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy 1961-1966. He is survived by sons Richard Leroy Baron Poole, Jr. and Scott Lee Poole, daughter Kathrine Lee Poole, former wife Mary Katherine (Cook) Poole, three brothers, four sisters and four grandchildren. Burial was held Dec. 23, 2009, at New Crown Cemetery Chapel. Margaret Pennington Sturm, 88, of Beech Grove, died Dec. 25, 2009. She was born July 18, 1921, in Tell City, Ind., to the late Frank and Mary Dauby. Margie was an Office Manager at Sales Force Companies for 35 years. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Harvey; son, Stephen Pennington; step-sons, David Shaw, Paul, Thomas, James, Mark, Phillip and Peter Sturm; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Burial was held Dec. 30, 2009, at Calvary Cemetery.

Which way to the revolution?

By Mike Redmond

I suppose this is as good a time as any to get started on some New Year’s Revolutions. Yep. Revolutions, with a v. I’ve come to the conclusion that New Year’s Resolutions, with the s, just aren’t cutting it anymore. They’re just promises to yourself (“This is the year I give up those miniature Hershey bars once and for all! Especially the Krackles!”) that you end up breaking by Groundhog’s Day (“Well, they were on sale”). [ad#single-post] So I’m going for Revolutions. Real life-changers — promises that I’ll keep past Groundhog’s Day and on through the rest of the year, or at least until Washington’s birthday. Revolution Number One: To get out of the house more. I work at home, you see, and there’s a tendency in a job like mine — and I use the word “job” loosely — to simply park one’s carcass in front of the computer and lose track of time. Of course, it wouldn’t be a problem if I were doing what I was supposed to be doing (writing) instead of monkeying around on eBay (“I wonder if anyone is selling a toy gun like the one Steve McQueen carried in ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’ …”) or searching for myself on the Weird Wide Web (“Alleged humorist from Indiana”) or, um, accidentally stumbling onto Web sites I had probably better not describe, except to say I wasn’t aware human beings could even get into such positions. Of course, I could just demonstrate a little more discipline. That would be revolutionary. It would also be unlikely. I mean, if it hasn’t shown up in seven years, I don’t expect it now. So the best thing I can do is get away from the source of the sloth and get out of the house. All I need now is someplace to go. Revolution Number Two: Dress like a grownup. This sort of goes with the first one. If I’m going to be in public, I should look nice. My mother never took us anywhere without first making sure that we had been sandblasted, scrubbed, combed and dressed in nice, clean clothes. And that was just to go to the grocery. For the last few years my wardrobe has been pretty much confined to T-shirt, jeans and sneakers. No, not the same ones every day. Pee-yew. If I’m going to go out into the world, seems to me I should snap it up a little. I’m thinking shirts with collars, for starters. And maybe shoes that have to be polished. I might even go for a necktie and a jacket, but let’s not get carried away. Revolution Number Three: I changed my mind about this one. Revolution Number Four: To watch something uplifting and inspiring on television once in a while. This one may be a little tough to keep. Revolution Number Five: To treat everyone as I would want to be treated, up to a point. I mean, I am not going to feed you caviar and hire a troupe of dancing girls from exotic lands to entertain you, which is what I’d prefer for myself. I will, however, jump-start your car and help you shovel your sidewalk. On alternate Thursdays. Revolutions Number Six through Ten: None of your business. I guess that’s it. Now I have something to do in 2010, which will be a refreshing change from 2009. Also 2008, 2007 and so on. Now hand me one of those Krackles, and let the Revolution begin.

The Colts’ streak is over — I’ll start a new one

By Kevin Kane

In an effort to be more cliché, I decided I should write on either my New Year’s resolution or the Colts’ recent forfeit of history. Since the latter still makes me grind my teeth, I chose not to relive that traumatic experience and instead focus on my pledge for next year. This time 12 months ago, I issued a challenge to my facial hair, calling for it to come in fuller or stop growing altogether. That, like every other resolution I’ve ever made, wasn’t upheld. I’m still growing a faceful of hair with the same thick patches and random bald spots. [ad#single-post] Likewise, I know any resolution I make to eat healthier, exercise more or perform any other life-bettering change will either start a few weeks late or not even make it that far if began on January 1. I’m not trying to be pessimistic. I just know my tendencies. But I still feel like I should make a resolution. After all, it’s an American tradition. So I started brainstorming for a resolution that would actually be a fun challenge. I landed on one that may not make me a healthier, wealthier or wiser person, but it would at least be interesting. The solution I came up with was to make a resolution in my column, about my column. I enjoy making unusual references whenever possible. Even if it’s something with which most people are unfamiliar — like the gel-soaked hair of the guys on MTV’s Jersey Shore — I at least get some satisfaction out it. So for 2010, I’ve decided to test my ability to work in those uncommon references. For the New Year, my resolution is to mention of Dennis Franz at least once in every column, for as many consecutive weeks as possible. Yes, I said Dennis Franz. I’m not trying to give myself a cakewalk. This won’t be easy. We all may know Dennis Franz. He’s the short, bald, thickset, mustached actor who played Detective Andy Sipowicz for 12 years on NYPD Blue. Other than that, I don’t think anyone really knows much about him, especially me. Still, I’ve decided I’m going to try to make a reference to him or his character in as many consecutive articles as possible. “Why would you make such a stupid resolution?” some may be thinking to themselves. “Couldn’t he put this effort towards something better?” To answer those imaginary questions, I chose this resolution because I like to lighten things up, opting for personal entertainment whenever possible. Why kill myself at the gym for all of January, trying to look more like Kimbo Slice, when I could pick something just as challenging and have more fun? I know I won’t keep pumping iron all year, so by the time both of these resolutions run their respective courses, as with most people, I’ll be in the same position whether I vowed to lay off the red meat or continually reference Jimmy Smits’ old sidekick. Yes, this is a dumb resolution, but who cares? It’s just as interesting as it is pointless, and while it isn’t beneficial, it’s even less ordinary. Besides, I think I only watched NYPD Blue four times in my life, at most. I probably won’t even mount a streak as long as the Colts did this season, but at least I won’t pull back the reins. I’ve got my first one in the books. This was a freebie, like the St. Louis Rams of my schedule, but I’m not about to turn things over to Curtis Painter. I’m going to keep this bit of momentum going. On to the next article and 2010, full speed ahead.

Top ten signs your company Christmas party bombed

By Torry Stiles

10. This year they invited spouses and kids ... and learned that the forklifts were not childproof. 9. They passed around the hat to buy the boss a present ... he got the hat. 8. John and Missy in the mailroom learned too late that the security camera is actually a Webcam and their spouses are now subscribers. 7. Somebody in Accounting had a little too much cheer and emptied the checking account buying ringtones. 6. What started out out as wassailing developed into wrassling. 5. Your Christmas bonus envelope held only your Unemployment Benefits application. 4. Thanks to a crockpot failure the potluck dinner wasn’t lucky for most. 3. The lighting of the tree was followed by the calling of 911. 2. There was more nog than egg. 1. Santa arrived in a sled and left in a paddy wagon.

Hot flashes are the devil’s work

By Sherri Coner-Eastburn

Yesterday afternoon, when I stuck my face against a bag of frozen yeast rolls inside the family freezer, I had to admit that my hot flashes are now a big problem. They are inconsistent and sudden and overwhelming. One minute, I’m living my life. And the next minute, I might as well be rolling around in the clothes dryer. Hot flashes bring out the worst in me. Frankly, I get meaner than a snake about the fact that, at any moment, my husband could fry an egg on my very flushed face. [ad#single-post] Prior to the big HF, I required sauna-type temperatures. The family thermostat hovered in the 80s. I was constantly cold. I lived my life in a pair of flannel, footed pajamas. Because my body so frequently catches fire, my farmer is wearing his winter coat — hood up, by the way — inside the house. He looks at me in awe as I dunk my head under the cold water faucet or drop an entire tray of ice cubes down the front of my shirt. He recently insisted that he is warmer in the barn than in the house. I can’t help it. I absolutely must sleep under the ceiling fan, at full speed. The household thermostat must dip in the low 60s. “I think I’d deal better with this if you could maybe explain the hot flash,” the farmer said as he grabbed a pair of hand warmers off the counter. “You’re freezing me to death and I might as well try to understand it.” “The only way I could show you how this feels would be to turn 10 blow dryers on high and aim them all over your body,” I said. “Or maybe I could roll you up like a burrito in an electric blanket, then drop you in the middle of the desert, or stick your entire body under a giant broiler.” “You’re getting that mean look on your face again,” he said. “Here I am, innocently asking you to help me understand why you’re a walking torch, and you’re getting mean.” “I’m thinking about the inequality of the hot flash,” I growled. “I’m thinking of all the ways your gender escaped the tortures that all females face.” “Believe me, I’m not unscathed,” the farmer said. “You might be the one with hot flashes. But I am now forced to live in an igloo with a chronic sore throat.”

Roker’s literary effort is fun, if not original

By Terri Schlichenmeyer - The Bookworm

One look in the mirror confirmed it: Yep, you looked as bad as you felt. Cold, flu or just some nasty bug? Didn’t matter. You croaked in sick to work, then hunkered down on the sofa beneath a warm blanket, with some daytime TV to sleep by. Could there possibly be a better place to recuperate? [ad#single-post] Did you ever wonder — once you felt better, of course — what goes on behind the scenes of those TV programs? In the new mystery, “The Morning Show Murders,” by Al Roker and Dick Lochte, Chef Billy Blessing works hard backstage on Wake Up America! but the chef’s goose is about to be cooked. Billy Blessing has his plate full. Folks across the country recognize him for his cooking segments on World Broadcasting Company’s Wake Up America! There’s a reality show in the works, and elite New Yorkers know Chef Billy by the signature dishes he serves in his restaurant. But Chef Billy hasn’t always been successful. His past is riddled with minor crimes and shady characters; so much so that it’s easy for the cops to make Billy the number one suspect when Rudy Gallagher, the network’s head man and Billy’s nemesis, is found poisoned. It didn’t help matters that the tainted food came from Billy’s bistro. But there are plenty of people who have reason to want Rudy dead. Gretchen, Rudy’s supposed-fiancée, doesn’t seem too mournful that her intended was killed. There are a lot of women who have been cozying up to Rudy — a new one every few days — and any one of them could be the murderer. And then there was that time Rudy was in a bar in Kabul, where he narrowly missed being in the middle of a bloodbath… When it becomes obvious that detectives don’t believe he’s innocent, Chef Billy goes in search of clues but soon wishes he hadn’t stirred the situation. Rudy Gallagher — and the other dead men who follow — was in plenty of hot water, and the evidence points to a mysterious international killer who calls himself “Felix the Cat.” And Felix is about to pounce on Chef Billy. Doesn’t it sometimes seem like every TV celebrity fancies him- or herself as an author? Guess what? Al Roker really is. “The Morning Show Murders” is a pretty decent whodunit with some nice plot twists and a few characters that are so unredeemable that you almost can’t wait to see them dead. I also thought it refreshing that Billy Blessing is a chef who happens to be on TV and just wants himself exonerated. Authors Al Roker and Dick Lochte didn’t make him out to be some part-time meddlesome detective wannabe, and I liked that. My sole complaint about this book was the ripped-from-the-headlines tiresome Middle Eastern tie. Lately, it seems like every mystery/action novel contains one and — hello! — it’s getting stale. Still, if you’re hungry for a reason to stay up late, reading on the sofa, this book will do the trick. “The Morning Show Murders” is delicious fun.

Restaurant of the Week

By Lindsay Irwin

If you’re anything like me, you need to have a cup of coffee in the morning to get you moving in the right direction. Furthermore, not only do you need a hot cup of coffee, but you can’t settle for just any gas station-worthy cup of Joe. We need something hot and rich, preferably with some type of pastry or breakfast sandwich on the side. It is for these exact reasons that I started frequenting the Hula Bean in Greenwood. I was tired of the same old thing and I desperately needed to change it up. [ad#single-post] Now, when I step into the Hula Bean I have a mental argument with myself when I try to decide between the Chai Latte, Kona Coffee, the Breakfast Panini or a flaky Croissant. Luckily enough for me, they open early and close late. This way, I can make multiple trips and satisfy all my cravings. Now, you’re probably asking why I would go to a breakfast café at night. Well, they actually offer many more options than just those of the breakfast variety, like the Tuna Melt, the Grilled Cheese and Bacon or different soups. This, in my opinion, is the perfect little shop for that person who needs a jolt of espresso early in the morning and that night owl who likes to sit around with friends while enjoying a light sandwich. I would recommend this local restaurant to anyone, so make sure you check it out for yourself.

Make specific goals with PLANTS

By Carol Michel

New Year’s Day is not a good time to make resolutions about gardening! It seems that whatever we resolve to do better in the garden, like maybe keeping up with weeding, we can’t really do until spring arrives. Then when spring arrives, it’s just as easy to forget those resolutions as we rush about preparing for warm weather. For better results, set some goals for your garden. This is a great activity for the winter months when there is time to dream, a chance to plan, and no pressure to start digging tomorrow. [ad#single-post] For good gardening goals, think “PLANTS.” Set goals that are: Pleasing to you. If you are going to do all that hard work to achieve the garden of your dreams, you should end up with a garden that pleases you. Listed. Write down your goals. Putting a goal in writing makes it more real and easier to share with others who can help you achieve it. Achievable. Start out with goals that are achievable given the resources you have. The more you achieve, the more you will want to do. Nature friendly. Set goals that are in harmony with nature. You will be more pleased with your garden in the long run if you aren’t fighting Mother Nature for it. Time bound. Give yourself a time frame so you aren’t always waiting for tomorrow. Plus when you have a time frame, you’ll know when you’ve achieved your goal and you can celebrate it. Specific. Be specific about your goals. A non-specific goal seems more like a resolution, and you know that no one keeps resolutions for very long. This year, of course I resolve to pull weeds when they are little. Every gardener does. But my goal is to mulch all the beds by early May so the weeds don’t have a chance. That would please me, and it is now written down. I know I can do it, it will be in harmony with nature, and I’ll do it by early May. It’s a specific goal!

Grilled-cheese redo: Nothing lost in translation

By Wendell Fowler

Gosh, until recently I assumed everybody grew up eating grilled-cheese sandwiches accompanied by a steaming bowl of canned tomato soup. Alas, no. Twenty, 30 and 40-somethings are unfamiliar with this warm-and-fuzzy indigenous comfort food due to several generations of fast-food-oriented moms and dads indifferent to handing down tradition, opting instead for pre-made convenient, machine cuisine. [ad#single-post] Otherwise most of us adore the traditional American icon. As a youthful, freckle-faced short-order line cook, I made a bazillion of them. It was not unheard of to add thin slices of ham and tomato. Our family unit was weaned upon Mom’s crispy but gooey, skillet-browned version made with slabs of Velveeta jammed between slices of aggressively buttered white. Dad died of a massive coronary in 1964 before anyone associated poor quality food with chronic disease. What’s not to like about a mouthful of oily oral delight? Well, for starters: heart disease, diabetes, useless calories and superfluous tonnage. Before preparing the golden-brown square again with white bread, butter and Velveeta or Kraft singles, consult your tired heart and beleaguered pancreas. Nutritionally bogus white bread spikes blood sugar and encourages diabetes. White bread contains nothing of any nutritional significance — the model for the industrialized American diet of dead food. Your mind, body and mojo deserve better. Velveeta cheese, contrived in 1918, is concocted from milk-fat, whey, sodium phosphate, alginate, sodium citrate, apocarotenal, annatto, enzymes, benzoate and — oh yeah — cheese culture. America’s lust for gobs of gooey cheese on everything is largely responsible for the super-sized plague of diabesity in today’s America. I have some insensitive acquaintances who treat me like a leper for not eating full-fat cheese. “What are you, a Pinko?” However, after surviving a battle with terminal heart disease, for the sake of tradition I see neither logic nor good sense in tempting fate in the face of irrefutable American Heart Association research. The FDA classifies Velveeta gunk as pasteurized “processed” cheese spread. If you encounter it, be polite but flee hastily. A responsible cardiologist can inform you of the dreadful health outcomes resulting from eating full-fat dairy. Once performing research, I called Kraft HQ to ask them what they put into their slices; I got the run-around and an insincere scripted response but no intelligent answers. They wanted to know who I was and exactly why I needed the information. We can put these damaged folks in their place by not buying their products and by supporting local food suppliers who nurture morals and ethics. Substituting ingredients, however, renders the grilled hero a wholesome, pleasantly satisfying lunch without sacrificing flavor. My new-and-improved, grand kid-approved version employs Smart Balance margarine, zero-cholesterol Galaxie Soy Cheddar Cheese slices (they melt just like real cheese) found in nearly every grocery and Ezekiel bread from the freezer section of your grocery. If you don’t turn on the floodlights to make a big deal of the change, it might fly under the radar. Be cool. Red-and-white labeled, brand-name soups contain astronomical amounts of salt and MSG; plus the interior lining of canned foods from sea to shining sea contain BPA, a powerful carcinogen. According to the FDA, 17 percent of the American diet comes from cans. Many have an epoxy liner made with Bisphenol A (BPA), which mimics human estrogen and is linked to breast cancer and early puberty in women. How charmingly ironic when Campbell’s insanely comes out with a public relations, pink-label version supporting breast cancer research. Fear not, my hungry open-minded friends. Pacific brand organic, boxed soups at the grocers await your warm, selective hand. Their variety of full-flavored, clean and safe products is widely accessible. Prepare the classic sandwich in the traditional manner. Apply Smart Balance to the bread, lay the two pieces of whole grain bread butter-side down into the pre-warmed skillet, apply one slice of cheese per half and gently cook both sides at once over medium heat. This saves energy and reduces cook time. At this time I usually sprinkle some ground pepper, sea salt and fiberlicious ground flax seeds for the Omega-3 EFAs and efficient peristalsis. Please consider serving the deliciously satisfying, warm, gooey tradition with carrot and celery sticks, radishes or broccoli florets instead of a highly salty pickles and chips. Your temple will be thrilled.