Michelle Momper

During the last seven days, I’ve come dangerously close to taking out a child’s kneecaps, causing mayhem in the middle of Target, and offending dozens of senior citizens. I think that’s a personal record. Here’s what happened:

I recently had surgery on my foot. It was to save a ruptured ligament or tendon or something of the sort. I really didn’t care what was ruptured, I just wanted it fixed. I wanted to be pain-free, and able to walk like a human, and not some wretched creature from a Sci-Fi film.

So in I went, with my trusted surgeon, an anesthesiologist/comedian with wonderful narcotics, and a dressing gown no thicker than a paper towel. Four hours later, I was relaxing peacefully at home with a bound-up foot the size of a watermelon, and an arsenal of pain medications.

A week later, I was ready to face the world. I had a temporary handicap tag for my car, and I had mastered what I like to call the Igor Shuffle (thud, scraaaaape, thud, scraaaaape). So off I went to Target, with children in tow, to take advantage of a swimsuit sale.

For starters, let it just be said that one of my pet-peeves is when people take advantage of handicapped parking spaces. You know, when you see someone park, then waltz, tap-dance and gallop their way into the store. So driving up legitimately to a blue space was a little daunting. I exited the car as if a S.W.A.T. team was waiting for me. Hands up in the air, I discreetly pointed to my temporary tag and stuck my boot-bound foot out.

“I’m getting out of the car,” I yelled at the top of my lungs. “I really am hurt … I can hardly walk. Please put your weapons down,” I added, just in case any law-abiding activist/sniper was spying on me from afar. I told my kids, “If anything suddenly happens to mommy, just run in and get help.” There’s nothing like sparking fear in a child right before a shopping trip.

Once safely inside, I limped straight to the motorized scooters. Since this was my first time, I had to take pause to figure out what to do. I knew I had to unplug it (Duh! Scooter 101), but I wasn’t sure how to get it to go. After a short tutoring session with my seven-year-old, I got the baby revved up and ready to go.

I want to go on record and say Target’s motorized carts are to die for. They are fast, they can turn on a dime, and the seat is very comfortable. So as we head out to conquer our shopping list, my nine-year-old daughter is rolling her eyes and praying that we don’t run into anyone we know. I’m giggling, because well, I’m having fun. My son is trying to hold my hand while I try to maneuver through the pharmaceuticals. I soon realized I was in for a challenging experience.

First of all, my giggling and joking was, quite frankly, offensive to a group of Seniors who were shopping for wares. And rightly so. They looked at me as though I was a piece of gum on their Naturalizers, and I don’t blame them. I’m sorry for being glib as I experienced my first excursion. Please forgive me.

I then tackled the girl’s swimsuit section. This is where it got nasty. My daughter, being my daughter, darted and scrambled from clothing rack to clothing rack, salivating over two-pieces with matching skirts. I tried to keep up. I took out a rack of spring dresses, and then while reversing out of the mess (beep…beep…beep) I ran into my son. Whack! Right on the knees. He started crying, my daughter was wailing, and the sales clerk called for security. I maneuvered the scooter out into the aisle where I side-swiped an orange cart, tried to make a u-turn and knocked a row of silky pajamas to the floor. Security was closing in.

“Quick, kids. Grab the suits and run,” I said as I throttled the cart and deserted the scene. I’m pretty sure I’m banned from the children’s department forever.

Ultimately, I made it out of the store with purchases and children intact. I was flustered, and had a new respect for all who have difficulty getting around. So if you happen to see me out and about with my booted foot, I have one thing to say. Run.

Enjoy our first-ever custom crossword puzzle for Geist and Carmel Community Newsletter readers! Print this page and test your knowledge of local people and businesses!

Across
1 Environmentally friendly color
4 This junior high school participated in the Carmel Symphony Orchestra "Family Fun Musical Petting Zoo"
8 They put on historical Adventure and Art Camps (2 words)
10 Trip
12 Deli order
13 George Washington's dream
16 This medical facility has relocated its outpatient services in Fishers
19 Suffix with book or bull
22 Accounts receivable, for short
23 Liquorish flavor
24 Relating to financial matters
28 ____ Handyman are giving free kitchen and remodeling seminars in Carmel
29 Where it's ___!
30 Brown color
31 Publisher of atGeist.com and atCarmel.com (2 words)
35 Slant
37 __ and off
38 Whistle-blower
39 It's a break that happens every year!
40 Shapiro's is one in Carmel

Down
1 Geico promoter
2 Surrealist painter Max
3 Compass point
4 File transfer protocol, abbr.
5 Vivid red
6 "My name is ___" show
7 Plant beginnings
9 Cleaning essential
11 Indian bread
14 Indianapolis Senator Jim
15 Local career coaching specialists (2 words)
16 Gym wear
17 Brandy letters
18 Reciprocal piece in a machine
20 Mary-Kate to Ashley
21 This school corporation along with FTCSC and MCS filed a suit against the state over school funding
23 Temperature control
25 Tech executive
26 Pen point
27 Dr. Seuss character
32 Glove compartment item
33 Profit for short
34 Bed-and-breakfast
35 Flower garden
36 Initials of a school with the nickname, the Stormin' Express!

Solution

Naomi & Robert Liu, the owners of the new restaurant Wild Ginger on 116th, have managed to balance all these elements perfectly with delicious results.

We live in Hamilton County, so we were drawn to this location because of the proximity to where our home is, comments Naomi Liu, as this location is perfectly situated between Carmel and Geist, and, right in the middle of Fishers, so it is perfect for attracting foot traffic.

Positioned on the corner of the Fishers Town Commons on 116th Street, the dining room of Wild Ginger has a very modern and clean vibe, decorated in rich reds and calming tans with the outlines of giant wild ginger blossoms adorning the walls. The newest addition to the space is a large vibrant chandelier handmade by the Lius from origami cranes.

We started our lunch with a crisp green salad and miso soup. The peanut dressing for the salad was tangy and tart, which set off the cool greens. Fans of the menu at Wasabi, which the Lius previously owned, will be very pleased to find many of their popular rolls on Wild Ginger’s list, including the mistake roll ($7) which Liu often describes to customers as Sushi 101. This spicy tuna roll pairs the crunch of tempura with the heat of the spicy sauce and is a terrific introduction to sushi for a novice. My order of the chicken teriyaki combination platter ($10) arrived with a generous portion of chicken, tempura vegetables, and a California roll. The chicken was aromatic and the roll was fresh and beautifully plated. However, the highlight of the meal can be summed up in two words: Spiderman roll. The Spiderman roll ($15) contains softshell crab, hot peppers, and ponzu sauce. It is indeed the superhero of sushi rolls! The subtle smokiness is delicately layered over slightly sweet and savory flavors, and the crispy crab is an excellent partner to the soft rice. Our meal ended with a dessert treat called banana tempura with ice cream ($8), two scoops of ice cream with your choice of ginger, mango, plum, green tea, coffee, or red bean nestled on top of crunchy banana tempura drizzled with honey.

Our goal was to have people walk in here and have no memory of what might have been in this space in the past, says Naomi Liu. With the excellent balance of great food and a pleasing atmosphere, the Lius have already far surpassed this goal.

Wild Ginger on 116th
8235 East 116th
Fishers, IN 46038

Jodi with daughter Jessica showcasing the Wallababy.

Wallababy is the perfect name for the Fishers, Indiana, company that produces sling-like baby carriers, having taken a cue from Mother Nature and how wallabies carry their young. Jodi Marchal and husband, Christophe, are the brains behind Wallababy, the home-based firm the couple launched in 2001 after Jodi lost her job as a language translator. Unemployed and a new mother, Jodi carried on with day-to-day activities, all the while holding her son, David, in a sling hanging from her neck encasing the infant.

Dissatisfied with the commercial product, Marchal began experimenting with her own creations, and when other new moms expressed interest, Marchal wondered if she might have a business on her hands. After selling ten of her slings in just a few minutes at a hospital support group meeting, she had her answer. Sales of the baby carriers took off in gift shops and area boutiques, and later online. With virtually no investment other than fabric costs and her time, Marchal had a cottage industry with a real purpose.

“Research shows that babies and toddlers benefit from being closely held,” says Marchal. “They are comforted by warmth, by the sound of a caregiver’s heartbeat, even by mom’s unique smell.”

Wallababy slings are suitable for kids weighing up to 35 pounds – a one-size-fits-all sling; and a pouch, extra small to extra large. Each carrier is reversible with a colorful print pattern and coordinating solid fabric.

Jodi says the marsupial-inspired moniker came to her one night as she lay in bed. “Babies want to be held and rocked, but moms are busy people,” says Marchal. “When a child is in the Wallababy pouch, kangaroo-like, your hands are free to get things done.”

Marchal still sews each sling herself. Before the economy tanked, Wallababy sales were about $4,000 a month, and Jodi anticipates the company doubling in size within a year. But money isn’t her primary motivation. “I’m passionate about sewing and ‘baby wearing’, and I just love helping new moms figure out how to better care for children. I think it’s extremely important to hold and comfort them while also being able to take care of other things,” says Marchal.

For now, Jodi is content being home with her young children, but envisions a day when Wallababy might move into full-blown product manufacturing. “It’s not my goal yet, maybe in five years. Stay tuned.”

Dick Wolfsie

I’m a sucker for anything that might make me a better husband, so when an email appeared in my inbox with the subject: WHAT WOMEN WANT, you can be sure I clicked on it. I knew there was a chance this was an ad for something embarrassing (enough said), but there was also the possibility I was about to get valuable insight into the female psyche.

So what do women want? Apparently, they want Dr. Hess Udder Ointment, a concoction created over 100 years ago that makes your hands smooth and feet callus-free. For years, I tried being sensitive, considerate, romantic. This is how little I knew about the opposite sex.

With a name like Udder Ointment, it should either be something you spread over that specific part of the bovine anatomy or, at the very least, it should come from the cow’s udder. For example: Vegetable oil comes from vegetables and baby oil is for babies. On the other hand, there’s Lucas Oil and Olive Oyl. I could make fun of both of those names, but I like my seats on the 40-yard line and I’d never antagonize a woman whose boyfriend has huge forearms.

So how did they come up with this udderly ridiculous name? (I tried to resist that pun, but I am a weak person.) Dr. Hess introduced his original product to turn-of-the-twentieth-century farmers who lamented that their cows’ udders were extremely raw and chapped. The fact that the farmers’ wives and children were huddled next to the wood-burning stove, withered from the harsh Midwestern blizzards, was of little concern. But those chafed udders? How unsightly. Something needed to be done.

So the farmers applied Dr. Hess’ emollient cream to the cows’ semi-privates. Soon it was discovered that those doing the milking also benefited. Just what a guy needs when he’s tilling his 300 acres of corn: softened hands. Not only that, but after a session in the barn milking Elsie—and shoveling out the manure—farmers found that their silky touch made their wives eager for romance. Dr. Hess was to become a very rich man. And a godfather several times over.

The Dr. Hess enterprise was not content with producing just the ointment. They later developed a lip balm called the Udder Stick. Can you think of a product whose name better says: Spread that on my kisser? It’s marketing genius.

The company that Dr. Hess founded in 1898 has been in several hands over the years. Those hands were always soft and delicate, but a few of them might have gotten caught in the cookie jar, so now ownership is back in the family, with the founder’s great-granddaughter.

In an act of humanitarianism, the newly owned company donates Udder Ointment to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Generations of soldiers have enjoyed care packages from home that included posters of Betty Grable, Farrah Fawcett or Britney Spears. Chocolate also hit the spot. Often, a good cigar was tucked away in a pair of socks. But can you imagine the rapture that unfolded when a year’s supply of Udder Ointment first hit the runway in Baghdad?

A product’s name can make a big difference in its success. I am working on a new toothpaste for guys and am thinking of calling it either Pig Paste or Goat Goop. What a refreshing way to start a morning. And, after all, isn’t that what men want?

Jon C. Thompson, Psy.D., HSPP, Clinical Services Manager of the Department of Neuropsychology at St. Vincent Neuroscience Institute

It is an unfortunate fact, but one that can not be ignored: most of us know someone whose life has been afflicted by dementia. It could be a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or a spouse. Dementia is devastating because it is so personal; it robs a person of the very essence of what makes them unique.

When the symptoms of dementia strike someone we love, it can make us feel powerless. Understanding this condition and the diseases that cause it can at least arm us with information to help us deal with the condition.

According to a Mayo Clinic blog written by Angela Lunde (click here), “The term dementia refers to a set of symptoms, not the disease itself. These symptoms might include language difficulty, loss of recent memory or poor judgment.” It follows then that the symptoms of dementia are actually caused by other diseases. Jon C. Thompson, Psy.D., HSPP, Clinical Services Manager of the Department of Neuropsychology at St. Vincent Neuroscience Institute, highlighted several of the more common causes of dementia, although many others exist.

• Alzheimer disease
• Vascular dementia
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Dementia secondary to Parkinson’s disease
• Dementia secondary to Huntington’s disease
• Dementia secondary to head trauma

Of those, the two most common causes of dementia are Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia; the general public is often the most familiar with Alzheimer’s disease because it accounts for over 50% of the cases of dementia. The symptoms, the treatment and the prognosis vary depending upon the underlying cause of dementia. Unfortunately, some estimates indicate that fewer than 50% of people with dementia will be officially diagnosed with a disease. Even after diagnosis, many people with dementia struggle to take their prescribed medications appropriately.

Alzheimer’s Disease
Regarding Alzheimer’s disease, doctors diagnose this condition based on symptoms, because a positive diagnosis can not be verified until the brain is examined after death. Dr. Thompson says that a brain of a patient with Alzheimer’s type dementia will exhibit characteristic physiological markers of the disease including the development of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. These plaques and tangles cause pathological changes that prevent the neurons from communicating in the brain. In fact, the number and distribution of neurofibrillary tangles in the brain is directly related to the severity of the dementia.

Over the years, researchers have tried to pinpoint the causes of Alzheimer’s; for awhile studies seemed to point to links between aluminum and mercury toxicity and Alzheimer’s, but Dr. Thompson says that a strong link for that does not exist today. Rather, right now the best that research can do is to establish risk factors for Alzheimer’s.

According to epidemiological research, advanced age is the most consistently identified risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s type dementia. In fact, the risk for developing Alzheimer’s type dementia doubles every 5 years after the age of 65. In addition to age, several other risk factors have been identified. These risk factors include a family history of Alzheimer’s type dementia, low educational achievement, a history of head injury, and female gender.

Vascular Dementias
Vascular dementias differ from Alzheimer’s type dementia in several ways. First, the risk factors of Vascular dementia are easily identifiable, and in some cases, controllable. Strokes, TIAs, hypertension, smoking, high cholesterol and diabetes can all contribute to vascular dementia due to the fact that these conditions can create lesions, or area of damage in the brain, that prevent the appropriate circulation of oxygen and glucose rich blood in the brain. As a result, neurons will not receive the nutrients and stimulation they require to survive. When this happens in the central nervous system, the damage is permanent because neurons in the central nervous system do not regenerate.

However, Dr. Thompson points out that this type of dementia may be more easily managed. “The hope or the expectation in vascular dementia is that if you manage your risk factors well and you are able to avoid additional cerebrovascular complications, you may be able to maintain your current level of functioning. In other words, your overall cognitive status may stabilize and there is a chance that you will not experience additional and significant cognitive decline in the future.

Overall Brain Health Important
An important question that many people wonder about is what, if any, prevention strategies we can implement in our lives to protect against dementia. While nothing is proven to prevent dementia, Dr. Thompson emphasizes the importance of overall brain health. “As we age,” he says, “the neurons in the brain require two different things to stay healthy and active, stimulation and the presence of neurotrophins. The more often neurons are stimulated, the more they release neurotransmitters and general neurotrophins, which are neurochemicals that help support the health and function of the neurons.”

Dr. Thompson explains that as people age, sometimes the tendency is for neuron stimulation to decrease because people may fall into behavioral patterns—in other words, they repeat the same routines, habits and patterns in their lives that they have cultivated over the years. It is important for people to challenge themselves with new and different mental activity. He points out that working a crossword puzzle can be an effective mental stimulation until it becomes routine for someone. Crossword puzzles tend to repeat the same questions. So, add some new mental challenges, such as learning a musical instrument, or studying a new subject. Becoming a life-long learner may go a long way to helping our brain health.

The second component Dr. Thompson recommends to keep our brains healthy is exercise. “There has been some research suggesting that when people engage in consistent physical activity, they actually perform better than matched controls on various aspects of memory and new learning,” he said.

In addition to maintaining brain health, Dr. Thompson suggests that those who have risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s should maintain a good relationship with their primary care physician and possibly a neurologist, especially if they are exhibiting symptoms of memory loss. While medication can not reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, it can slow the progression of the disease. Therefore, it is important to meet with your primary care physician or neurologist as soon as there are signs of dementia in order to determine which types of medications may be best suited to treat your symptoms in the context of your specific medical history.

Dr. Thompson also mentioned that nutritional deficiencies (such as thiamin deficiency) can cause memory impairment. So a nutritional work-up may be an important early step in getting a correct diagnosis. Deficiencies can be corrected with the proper supplementation.
Finally, for families dealing with dementia, Dr. Thompson recommends becoming involved with local support and educational organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association. This group can offer support and information for families. You may find their site here.

As in any challenging situation in life, you can help yourself by being informed, getting the proper medical care and surrounding yourself with supportive people.

For further information, check out the Nun Study, at this link. Dr. David Snowdon began the Nun Study in 1986 as a pilot study on aging and disability using data collected from the older School Sisters of Notre Dame living in Mankato, Minn. The goal of the Nun Study is to determine the causes and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, other brain diseases, and the mental and physical disability associated with old age.

For more information on dementia, including symptoms, see this Mayo Clinic site.

Rob Delaby of Shane's Landscaping.

It’s time to think ‘Green’ when it comes to Spring Clean-up for your landscaping. Once the warm spring weather arrives, our thoughts lean towards the outdoors and how we can spruce up our yards so we are rewarded in the summer. Rob Delaby, Carmel resident and owner of Shane’s Landscape and Design agreed to give us insider tips to get our yards looking like we hired a pro, without actually doing so. “With natural organic fertilizers, pre-emergents and some elbow grease, you will have the best looking yard on the block,” explains Delaby. “Just follow my easy steps below.”

Step 1 – Remove all the dead branches, sticks and dead leaves leftover from winter. It is imperative the leaves get picked up immediately, especially Oak leaves, as they do not let any plants or grass breath. Also take the time to look closely at your lawn – is there any evidence of moles? Also, if you have any channels that were burrowed in the surface of your lawn, chances are you have mice paying you a visit.

Step 2 – As soon as possible, you should spread a pre-merge weed killer over the entire surface of your lawn. This will kill any weed seed leftover in your lawn from last year and prevent dandelions from popping up as well as any other broad-leafed weeds. The pre-merge of choice is a natural product. It is called Corn Gluten Pre-Emerge and is handled by many farm and garden centers as well as many big-box stores. Be sure to read the label and get only corn gluten as this will not pollute your yard and will act as your first application of lawn fertilizer as well.

Step 3 – If you detect moles in your yard, or had moles last year, you should apply Milky Spore to your lawn first thing in the spring. This kills the grubs in your lawn naturally, which are the larvae of Japanese Beetles and is the natural food for the moles. Remove their food source and they’ll go away (maybe to your neighbor). Milky Spore is the most environmentally responsible thing you can use for moles and it is by far the longest lasting -more than any inorganic substance.

Step 4 – Spread a 2" to 3" layer of hardwood mulch in all of your landscape beds. Be sure to sprinkle the corn gluten down before you lay down the bark. Keep in mind that one cubic yard of hardwood mulch will cover about 150 square feet of bedding area. Dyed mulches will hold their color longer through the summer, and are safe for pets and landscape because they are colored with a vegetable base dye. Mulch will add a fertilizer component to your landscape beds as it decomposes. Be sure to “fluff-up” or turn over your bark by mid-summer to make it last much longer.

Step 5 – Lawn edging is your next step. If you like your beds to run right up to your lawn you can address this is a couple of ways. I prefer to use a small Troy-bilt rear-tine tiller, which cuts about a 12" clean, vertical path. This can give you a nice crisp line of freshly tilled edge to your lawn and is as easy as running the tiller over it just a couple of times a year. The second way is by the use of a lawn edger or a straight-bladed shovel. However, it is much more labor intensive.

Step 6 – Lastly, give your lawn a good soaking with your irrigation system or lawn sprinklers. This will activate the milky spore and the corn gluten.

“To help your landscaping look ‘fresh’ all summer long, don’t forget to turn over your mulch, edge your landscape beds and walkways, and trim your bushes every month,” says Delaby. “You might also consider planting some perennials to keep the colors bright too. Plant them in containers for your porch or plant them directly into your landscape beds.”

Still have questions? Contact Rob Delaby at Shane’s Landscape and Design directly on his cell phone at 317-557-6034 or at his office at 317-485-6514. You can also visit their website at www.shaneslandscape.com.

Bill Ayres, pitching instructor at Sandlot (3 Up, 3 Down Pitching) gives private lessons to 10-year old left-hander Alex Jeffries.

In a few months, we will hear those two exciting words coming from the umpires as they yell, “Play Ball!” Many boys and girls are working hard to prepare themselves for their upcoming baseball and softball seasons. Some kids are working out with their teams, while others show the initiative to train solely by themselves as they try to perfect their swinging, pitching, running speed, and/or fielding skills. Two local indoor facilities offer year-round convenience and top-notch instruction to all those who train “outside the diamond.” Both facilities have a vast array of quality instructors from which to choose whether you are looking for group or private instruction.

Sandlot Baseball & Softball Academy

The Sandlot offers softball hitting instruction.

If you live in the Lawrence area, you may wish to visit the Sandlot Baseball & Softball Academy of Indianapolis. This 11,000 square foot facility is located at 9220 Harrison Park Court off of East 56th and North Post Road. One of the main goals of Sandlot Academy is to instill a life-long learning system for both mind and body within its unique baseball/softball setting.

“We’re the only facility in the state of Indiana with the virtual reality ProBatter and K-Zone technology,” says Marty Sterrett, vice-president and co-owner of Sandlot Indy, with his wife, Pam Sterrett. The ProBatter, a state of the art video pitching machine, allows a batter to input various bits of information into a computer screen such as, age, height, right/left-handed pitcher preference, and desired speed ranging from 40-100mph. This system will then make adjustments based on these entries before releasing balls from a simulated pitcher. Another marvel is the K-Zone machine, which utilizes a simulated catcher for pitchers, allowing them to work on certain mechanics. For example, if a pitcher wants to work on a curve ball down and in, the simulated catcher will automatically adjust its position. What’s more, the system will chart ball velocity in mph and ball-placement accuracy by printing out a graph tailored to each individual.

The Sandlot training approach is practiced in all twenty-four of its locations spreading from California to New York. This instruction (based on five attributes that scouts typically look for when evaluating players), includes running, fielding, throwing, hitting for average, and power hitting. However, Sandlot offers a sixth element that represents the core of the Sandlot Baseball & Softball Academies training and how they differentiate themselves from the competition. This sixth element that Sandlot works to develop in athletes is the overall makeup of a player’s character (attitude, dedication, level of respect and self confidence).

“As a father and a coach, the convenience of Sandlot Indy along with the quality of both softball pitching and hitting instruction, keeps us coming back repeatedly,” says Scott Goodwin, pitching coach for 12U Red Cats in Fishers, and father to Kaitlin Goodwin who pitches for this Red Cats team.

The kids aren’t the only ones who gratify from this academy. For instance, Bill Ayres, instructor at Sandlot (www.3up3downpitching.com), reflects a true appreciation for his job, his kids, and his connection with Sandlot. He says in a passionate manner, “Marty and Pam (owners of Sandlot) are excellent baseball and softball people to work with. They both put in many hours at the facility and ALWAYS take very good care of me. I sometimes forget to call them when I have a lesson scheduled and yet, every time, they find me available space. I am able to train some of the Best Pitchers in the Midwest, thanks in no small part to Sandlot Indy and the entire staff.”

If you can’t get enough baseball talk, then you will be excited to hear that the Sandlot Radio Network is coming to Indy soon. This one-hour program will feature interviews from MLB legends, current MLB players, managers, scouts, and other executives talking baseball and about their experience as young players. Each local market will have fifteen minutes of the one-hour show in order to feature scores, highlights and updates from various leagues and school associations around each market area.

Sandlot also provides Power Hitting classes on Saturdays. These classes are designed to enhance one’s ability to drive a softball/baseball. With each class registration, you will receive a SPB trainer (weighted) bat, Sandlot batting gloves and a free t-shirt. Secondly, Sandlot offers an indoor modified Softball League called “5 on 5” for 10U, 12U and 14U.

Incidentally, the Sandlot offers Birthday Parties, which are a hit for both kids and parents. The Birthday Party players have a chance to hit against the ProBatter. They also can choose to play a game of dodge ball, kick ball, wiffle ball, or blast ball. To learn more about Sandlot, visit www.sandlotindy.com or call 317-377-1406.

The Strike Zone

The Strike Zone Offers Team and Individual Baseball and Softball Instruction and Training.

If you live near Hamilton Southeastern Schools, you should visit The Strike Zone located at 12550 Promise Creek Lane off of 126th and Promise Road near Billericay Ball Park. The Strike Zone was founded in order to provide a first class facility where individuals and teams can train, have access to quality instruction, and generally improve their baseball/softball skills to the best of their ability.

“We have a staff of excellent baseball and softball instructors providing individual and group instruction,” says Rory Underwood, owner of Strike Zone. “We believe we have a lot to offer players that choose to take advantage of these exceptional instructors and their experience.”

In addition to qualified instruction, the Strike Zone offers 5,000 square feet of field turf, four collapsible batting cages, and mobile pitching mounds.The Strike Zone is proud to offer Annual Family Memberships. These Family Memberships are limited and offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. For families having more than one baseball/softball player, this membership can be economically efficient and convenient. Some of the membership benefits include: all immediate family members are included in your family membership; designated “Members Only” cages are reserved throughout the week; facility schedule is posted online for quick updates and availability, and you can have 24-hour access by secure coded entrance (live surveillance.)

“Although we are not members, we find the Strike Zone incredibly convenient in both location and scheduling lessons,” says Mark Westlake, father of 13 year old, Max Westlake, who plays for the HSE Royals 13U Travel Team. He continues, “We currently participate in individual hitting and pitching lessons and in group conditioning classes each week. I don’t think most people realize how much professional level instruction is available right here in our town with ex-players such as Jason Taulman, Rob Barber and Jim Reboulet.”

Many teams utilize the Strike Zone space to train in the off season. “I really like the availability the Strike Zone has to offer my team for practices, without the distraction of other teams or lessons being held,” says Lisa Lohrey, team manager of the 16U US Athletic Travel Team. “We are able to hold a practice, with access to all the cages, pitching mounds and/or a small throwing area, if we choose. This allows my players to concentrate better.”

The Strike Zone also offers Group Hitting Lessons and Winter Training Boot Camp (arm strength and health) provided by REB Baseball. These classes are at the Strike Zone and coached by Jim Reboulet, former professional player with the St Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Reb Baseball will be having a 4 week hitting class on Mondays, beginning Feb. 8 thru March 1.

4th-6th grade: 6:00pm- 6:45pm & 7th-12th grade: 6:45 pm-7:30 pm. To register for these classes, contact, Jim Reboulet at 317-753-7638.

Rob Barber (www.coachbarbs.com), General Manager of US Athletic Baseball (www.usathletic.com) and Instructor at Strike Zone, sums up the overall experience of this academy: “I think the Strike Zone has a great team of coaches and is the perfect place for the baseball and softball families of Fishers to develop or refine their skills. To me, the Strike Zone is almost like the Cheers of baseball! It’s definitely a comfortable, convenient and very friendly place to either get instruction with some great guys or to just work with your kid in a cage.”

However, other programs are offered by The Strike Zone, such as, The Cardinal Fitness Boot Camp. To register call Tracey Meister, boot camp leader, at (317) 590-0963 or email her at tracey@thefitnesswarrior.com.

Also, for young children, The Strike Zone offers Lil’Kickers, a nationally renowned program specially designed for boys and girls, ages 18 months to 7 years. This agenda introduces children to the concept of soccer, while not only developing movement and interaction skills, but also, using soccer as a tool to teach children about life.

By the way, Strike Zone is hosting “Nike Team Day” on Saturday, February 20th from 10:30am to 12:30pm. You can visit Strike Zone and save up to 20% on high quality Nike equipment and apparel. If you know of someone who needs a new bat, a pair of batting gloves, a batting bag, or any type of performance apparel, then send them to The Strike Zone on Nike Team Day to take advantage of this substantial savings.

To learn more about Strike Zone and its programs, visit this website:
www.thestrikezonellc.com.

Dick Wolfsie

Surveys show that most people hate at least one part of their body. I'm not happy with my ears, for example. I think they stick out more than they should. My wife says I'm crazy and to be that obsessed with my own looks makes me appear very elfish. I think she meant selfish. Freud wasn’t all wrong.

The other morning when I was shaving, I tilted my head down to look at my receding hairline. For a long time people asked me if I was losing my hair. Not really. I knew exactly where it was. In the sink. About 15 years ago, I had a hair transplant. A hair transplant is sort of like what happens when a person dies. "He's gone to a better place," people often say. That's the same with my hair. I don't have more hair, but what I had, the doctor put in a better place.

While looking in the mirror, I noticed a chin that I had not been aware of before. I was pretty happy with the two I already had. Fortunately, that very morning I saw something advertised on TV that gave me hope. It’s called The Miracle Neck Slimmer, a device they claim was created by a world-renowned physiotherapist. I was all ears.

At first, I thought the contraption was a scam, but they said that the manufacturer guarantees a 68 percent reduction in neck wrinkles. I have achieved similar results by simply slinging my head back and looking straight up at the ceiling. The results are temporary, of course, and I have slammed into several doors, but it does work. Well, I think it works. It’s hard to look in the mirror in that position.

The apparatus looks like one of those slap-and-chop gadgets you pound with the palm of your hand to pulverize a Vidalia onion. With the Miracle Neck Slimmer, you place the apparatus under your chin, then bob your head up and down like common poultry. Springs in the device create tension. It’s like your neck and chin are getting a good workout on a tiny treadmill. You can see why I was hooked.

You also get a luxury faux-leather carrying case that has emblazoned on it: “Miracle Neck Slimmer”, which I am sure got everyone who was sitting on the fence to whip out their MasterCards. But why would you want to advertise you made this purchase? It might as well say: AARP Gift Bag.

The enclosed DVD gives you precise directions on how to properly jog your skull

to and fro. It looked to me like someone auditioning to be a bobble-head doll or a back-up for the San Diego chicken. They also throw in an accelerator cream. I think it’s an anti-aging lotion, but it could be an ointment to make your head go faster.

Finally, in the unlikely event you have resisted their sales pitch, they offer you a second Miracle Neck Slimmer for free. I had assumed that no matter how many chins I had, one device would be enough. Their website suggested the additional Slimmer would make an excellent gift to give to your spouse.

Gee, what could go wrong with that idea? “Mary Ellen, you know those luscious little neck wrinkles you have? Well, for just $19.95 plus shipping and handling...”

It’s easier to see my extra chins, now. I had my head handed to me.

Matt Newell of the Geist Watershed Alliance.

We should all care about the water quality of Geist Reservoir. We drink it. We swim in it. And it affects our property values.

Unfortunately, toxic blue-green algae (also called cyanobacteria) love Geist Reservoir as much as we do. The combination of shallow and calm water, moderate seasonal temperatures, sunlight, and a high nutrient load make Geist an ideal environment for toxic algae.

Nutrient load, the mass of nitrogen and phosphorus that drain into a waterway, comes from leaves, grass clippings, topsoil runoff, manure, septic tanks, and agricultural and residential fertilizer runoff. Algae are particularly fond of phosphorus.

Given a high nutrient load, algae will outcompete all other forms of aquatic vegetation in our reservoir. As it blooms, algae prevent sunlight from penetrating the water and inhibit growth of beneficial native aquatic plants. At night, algae consume dissolved oxygen in the water and can kill fish. Toxic algae can cause serious illness to pets, waterfowl, and humans. It looks bad, smells bad, limits reservoir recreation, and increases the treatment cost of our drinking water.

So while we can’t change some of conditions that affect the reservoir’s water (like the weather), we can reduce the reservoir’s nutrient load. An important first step is to change how we fertilize our lawns.

Most established lawns in Indiana already have enough phosphorous. By purchasing phosphate free lawncare products and services we can significantly reduce the reservoir’s nutrient load. Your lawn will not know the difference.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP – this spring, if you fertilize, please buy the bag with a “0” in the middle. For example, a bag with the label 29-0-5 contains no phosphorus. (The three numbers on a bag of fertilizer identify the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content). If you use a lawncare service, request a zero phosphate treatment. Waterfront properties should not fertilize within 15 feet of the water’s edge. Finally, consider replacing one fertilizer application with a mechanical aeration.

The EPA estimates that only 35% of lawn fertilizer actually makes it to the lawn. The rest is vaporized or leaches into the water. Zero phosphate fertilizer is an essential first step to a cleaner reservoir.

To learn about what else you can do to improve our reservoir, visit the Geist Watershed Alliance website at www.atGeist.com/water.

Your community thanks you.