It’s fall festival time!

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Where did the summer go?  As a Realtor, my business is so busy, especially during the summer months, I am surprised to realize it’s almost Labor Day and another summer has passed us by…and my friends will tell you it’s just because I’m getting old, I turn 50 on Sunday!

Make the most of your fall and visit a few of these great events:

• Greekfest: An event featuring live music and dancing, authentic food and pastries, Greek wine and craft brews. 4 to 10 p.m. Aug. 22; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 23; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 24. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 3500 W. 106th St., Carmel. Info:greekfest.org. Cost: Free.  New this year is a cafeteria-type line will be featured for one-stop shopping at all the food booths, and craft beers will be offered from Quaff On!, Oaken Barrel, and Sun King.

• WarmFest: A four-day music festival. Varied hours, Aug. 29-Sept. 1. Broad Ripple Park, 1550 Broad Ripple Ave. Info: Warmfest.org. Tickets: Starting at $10 for a single-day pass.  This year will feature tented spaces for private gatherings, stocked with coolers of bottled water and other amenities.

• Zionsville Fall Festival: This festival kicks off with a carnival and includes a pet pavilion, beer garden with live music and a car show. Sept. 6-7, Lions Club Park, 115 S. Elm St., Zionsville. Info: zionsvillelions.com. Free.

• Heartnut Festival: A festival named after Heartnut trees planted in Johnson County Park, Nineveh. Includes food, music and a historic encampment. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.,Sept. 6; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 7. Info: jocoparks.com, (812) 526-6809. Free.

• Penrod Arts Fair: In its 48th year, Penrod features five entertainment stages, hundreds of artists and food and beverages. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 6, Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road. Info: penrod.org. Cost: $15 advance; $20 at the gate.

• St. Joan of Arc French Market Festival: A festival of entertainment and food featuring beignets, quiche, Provencal chicken and other delicacies. Noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 6, St. Joan of Arc Church, 4217 Central Ave. Info: sjoa.org/frenchmarket. Free.

• Back to the Fifties Festival: A community festival featuring a street dance, children’s activities and a car show. 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 12; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 13, downtown Lebanon. Info: fifitiesfestival.com. Free.

• Indy Irish Fest: A celebration of all things Irish including food and entertainment. 4:30 to 11 p.m. Sept. 12; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 13; 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 14. Military Park, 601 W. New York St. Info: indyirishfest.com. Cost: Adults (advance) $10 per day (gate price) $15 per day; students (5-13) and military, $5 per day; children (4 and younger), free.

• Festival of Machines: A festival celebrating the history of automobile manufacturing and sports. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 13-14, Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, 13400 Allisonville Road. Info: connerprairie.org. Admission: Free to members. Non-members: Adults, $15; seniors, $14; youth 2 to 12, $10.

• Fair on the Square in Danville: An annual event sponsored by Tri Kappa Sorority featuring food and crafts.10 a.m. to 6 pm. Sept. 13; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14, Courthouse Square. Info: danvilletrikappa.org. Free.

• Jazz Festival: Three jazz bands and food come to Main Street, 2 to 9 p.m. Sept. 14, 12th and Main Streets, Speedway. Info: indyjazzfest.net. Free.

• Plainfield Quaker Day Festival: A carnival to raise funds toward construction of a handicapped accessible playground. Sept. 19-21, 105 S. East St., Plainfield. Info:quakerdayfestival.weebly.com. Free.

• Fiesta Indianapolis: A cultural event featuring arts and entertainment celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month.Noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 20, American Legion Mall, 700 N. Pennsylvania St. Info: (317) 890-3292. Free.

• Harvest Moon Festival: A carnival, classic car show and 5K run walk, 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 18-20; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 21,Biddle Memorial Park, 610 E. 10th St, Sheridan. Info: sheridanharvestmoon.com. Free.

• Speedway Spectacular: A chili cook off, pumpkin and face painting and hayrides are part of this event, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20, Leonard Park, 1450 N. Lynhurst Drive, Speedway. Info: townofspeedway.org. Free.

• CANvitational: A canned craft beer festival with music and food trucks. 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 20, Georgia Street and Pan Am Plaza, Downtown. Info: canvitational.com. Cost: $60 in advance and $75 day of event.

• Festival of the Turning Leaves: A street fair celebrating 40 years with a parade, food court and car show,noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 26; 8 a.m.-midnight Sept. 27; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 28. Main Street, Thorntown. Info: thorntownfestival.org. Free.

• Brewfest: A 21-and-older event featuring beer sampling. 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 27. Forest Park, 701 Cicero Road, Noblesville. Info: forestparkpool.org/Brewfest. Cost: $25 in advance (tickets can be purchased from Vintage Spirits, Runners Forum or Forest Park Pool), $30 at the door.

• Carmel International Arts Festival, an event featuring more than 130 juried artists. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 27; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 28, Carmel Arts & Design District, at the corner of Main Street and Rangeline Road, Carmel. Info:carmelartsfestival.org. Free.

• End of Summer Festival: A chance to end summer with canoeing, crafts, gaga ball, and horseback riding. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14, Happy Hollow Camp, 3049 Happy Hallow Road, Nashville. Info: (317) 638-3849. Cost: $25 a person, ages four to 17, $10, three and younger, free.

• Pioneer Fair: A re-creation of an 1822-1865 pioneer village.10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20, noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 21, Shelby County Fairgrounds, 500 Frank St., Shelbyville. Info: (317) 392-4634. Cost: $3 at the gate, over age six. Free parking.

• Stonycreek Farm Pumpkin Harvest Festival: A celebration of the season with hayrides to the pumpkin patch. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27-Oct. 31, Stonycreek Farm Nursery & Landscaping, 11366 State Road 38 East Noblesville. Info:stonycreekfarm.net, (317) 773-3344. Cost: Parking $5.

• Fishers Oktoberfest at Saxony: An art and music festival featuring German food and beer. Noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 27. Witten Park, 13578 E. 131st St. and Olio Road, Fishers. Info: fishersfreedomfetival.org. Free.

• Fall Harvest Festival: Hayrides to the pumpkin patch and a petting zoo are part of this event. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 27-Oct. 31. Waterman’s Family Farm. Two locations: 7010 E. Raymond St. features straw mountain climb and maze; 1100 N. Ind. 37, Greenwood features a bounce house and activities for younger children. Info:watermansfamilyfarm.com. Free.

• Holy Name Oktoberfest: The church’s main fund raising event with lively entertainment including the Flying Toasters and Polkaboy. 5 p.m. to midnight Oct. 3-4, Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 89 N. 17th Ave., Beech Grove. Info:holyname.cc/parish/oktoberfest, (317) 784-5454. Free.

• Scottish Highland Games and Festival: This event features nearly 50 amateur athletes competing in highland heavy athletic events including the caber toss. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 11, German Park, 8600 S. Meridian St. Info:indyscotgamesandfest.com. Cost: Adults (13 and up), $15, children (five to 12), $5. Family packages area available for $35 (two adults and up to three children five to 12 years).

• Pumpkinfest at Country Market: Hayrides, farm animals, face painting and a moo train are part of this fun festival. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, every weekend in October. *To celebrate the 15th anniversary, the festival will also be open Sept. 27-28 and Nov. 1-2, 795 S. US Hwy 421, Zionsville. Info:thepumpkinfest.com, Cost: Adults, $10, ages three to 15, $9, under two, free.

• Riley Festival: An annual event celebrating the birthplace of poet James Whitcomb Riley. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 2, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 3-4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5. Downtown Greenfield. Info: rileyfestival.com. Free.

• Heartland Apple Festival at Beasley’s Orchard: Live entertainment, hayrides to the pumpkin patch and a kid’s zone are part of the event. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 4-5 and Oct. 11-12. 2304 East Main St., Danville. Info: (317) 745-4876. Cost: $5 per a carload.

• Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival: An event celebrating the last original covered bridge in Hamilton County.11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 4, Potter’s Bridge Park, 19401 Allisonville, Rd., Noblesville. Info: (317) 770-4407. Free.

• Franklin Fall Festival: A community festival with food, crafts and free concerts. 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 4, downtown Franklin. Info: franklinparks.org. Free.

• Fishers Renaissance Faire: Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this faire is all about Medieval merriment. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 4-5, 13578 E. 131st St. Fishers. Info: Cost: Ages 13 and up, $12, ages five to 12, $5, four and under, free. Info:fishersrenfaire.com.

• Fall Foliage Festival: A festival featuring a carnival, quilt show, car show, artisan market and Mayor’s breakfast, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 9, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 12, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 13. Parade at 1 p.m., Oct. 12. Downtown Square, Martinsville. Info:morgancountyfallfoliagefestival.com. Free.

• Headless Horseman: A seasonal event when the grounds are transformed to “Conner Scairie.” 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 10-12, Oct. 16-19, Oct. 23-26, Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers. Info: connerprairie.org. Cost: Thursdays and Sundays – $10 presale, $12 at the gate, free to members. Friday and Saturday $14 pre-sale, $16 at the gate. Pre-sale tickets are available at Mainstreet Marsh and O’Malia’s locations.

• Traders Point Creamery Oktoberfest: The grounds and barns come alive with seasonal food and entertainment, noon to 7 p.m.Oct. 11, Traders Point Creamery, 9101 Moore Road, Zionsville. Info: (317) 733-1700. Cost: $8 pre-sale attraderspointcreamery.com and $10 at the gate. Children under 10 are free.

• Germanfest: A family-friendly event celebrating all things German. noon to 8 p.m. Oct. 11, Atheneum Ratskeller Biergarten, 401 E. Michigan St. Info:athenaeumfoundation.org. Cost; Adutls $8 in Advance, $10 at the door; children 1-12, $2.  This year The Athenaeum is partnering with the Pickled Peddler, beer bikes. Discounts will be offered to festival participants.

So which ones will you visit?

Vicki Reedfall festival pics

 

 

We have a new DOWNTOWN Indy!

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Well, at least a new name. What used to be IDI – Indy Downtown, Inc. has become Downtown Indy. Due to all the new residential and commercial building going on, they needed an update too. The new brand has a refreshed logo, tone and new colors. I try to keep up on what’s happening since I work downtown. My building overlooks the Circle and there’s always something going on and my co-workers are sure to ask me – “so, what’s the crowd on the Circle doing?”. I usually go to the Indydt website to check out the day’s activities. I pick up current editions of Nuvo and UP Downtown too. Just keeping up with the ever changing restaurant scene is almost a full-time job. We tried the new Labor District Café recently and was very pleased: good food & service at a reasonable price. We’re headed to the Bangkok Thai Restaurant on Friday to check it out. Reminder: Devour Downtown is happening through Aug. 31. It’s an easy on your budget way to try something new or re-visit an old favorite. I like to know what conventions are in town so I’ll know who’s parking in “my” garage; go to the Indiana Convention Center site for all the details. Who knew there was Tibetan Cultural Event or National Association of Broadcasters meeting?
Here’s some links to get you started on your adventure in Downtown Indy:
http://www.indydt.com/downtownindy.cfm
https://www.icclos.com/upcoming-events.aspx
http://www.devourdowntown.org/

Pajama pants are not pants!

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It’s not just the “People of Wal-Mart“, it seems to be the world…pajama pants are not pants…DO NOT WEAR THEM IN PUBLIC!

I miss Stacy London and Clinton Kelly and their weekly wisdom of “What Not To Wear“!

Driving home through the city streets from downtown Indy after showing homes…it’s 6:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, I see no fewer than 6 people walking down the street wearing pajama pants…

Have you done it?  Gone to the store in your jammies?  Maybe you just needed milk for your morning cereal or you really like how your pajamas feel and believe you look like Hugh Hefner…but deep inside – in the place that determines the difference between right and wrong — you know it’s just not appropriate.

Are we, as a culture, on a downward spiral of style?  Do we in the midwest simply not care how we look?  So what changed? Do we no longer face the same social pressures they would have centuries ago, or even a couple decades ago.

That social pressure, the unwritten rules about how someone should or should not dress, has always existed.  How we look is a signal and communicates how we feel…when we know when we see an appropriate outfit and when something doesn’t look quite right…we notice that too!  It’s called a social norm and the norms around fashion incorporate the function of clothing as well as cultural attitudes.

That boundary of what you wear around your home to what you wear in public is strongly influenced by what we see celebrities, one photo of a celeb wearing something inappropriate validates many people and they leave home wearing the same thing…whether it’s appropriate or not!

I’m very careful about how I dress outside my home…you might find me running around in shorts/sweats and a t-shirt at home, no make-up, hair messy…but I simply don’t leave the house like that…and friends…always call before you decide to stop by!

What are your thoughts!

pajama pants

Vicki Reed

 

Booze at the State Fair…

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For the first time in 67 years, alcohol is being served at the Indiana State Fair…in an exhibit hall behind the fried food and lemonade stands and across from the Coliseum, the new Indiana Beer and Wine Exhibition at the Indiana State Fair isn’t the spectacle of stumbling drunks opponents expected.

There are strict drink limits, those who wish to partake purchase wristbands with three detachable drink vouchers to spend as they please.  The choices are simple, a drink consists of a 12-ounce glass of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine or four smaller samples of beer or wine for those who want to try a variety.

The exhibit is a showcase of Indiana’s local breweries and wineries.  The offerings change from day to day, as Indiana breweries and wineries take alternating turns in the spotlight and the exhibit is geared toward a casual audience…sweeter wines and crowd-pleasing brews geared toward those who have never tried a craft beer.

Most are giving the exhibit rave reviews, the only negative I’ve heard is that there isn’t enough seating!

The state’s reluctance to serve alcohol may have been a blessing in disguise, the key to lifting the ban was that the product’s would all be from local, Indiana based wineries and breweries…no international brands allowed.

This is supposed to be an exhibit, apparently the “exhibit” leaves something to be desired on education, some servers offer in-depth explanations of their offerings; others don’t. There is a trough of hops in the entry and a teaser to a Prohibition exhibit at the Indiana State Museum but little else on display.

What do you think?  The Indiana State Fair is supposed to be about Indiana and with the increasing numbers of wineries and breweries, I think it’s a brilliant way to showcase these tax paying employers and hopefully increase their business which can only improve the economy over time.  Would love to hear from you!

Vicki Reedbeer and wine

So you think you know what I do?

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Great article about my chosen career and what it’s really like!

Debunking The Top 10 Myths About Realtors, And Why Being an Agent Isn’t All Roses All The Time

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We’ve all heard these questions or statements at one time or another, so I decided to answer them in an easy-to-digest list you can forward to all your associates and misinformed friends.

Whether buying, selling, leasing, or looking, many clients or prospective clients have offered at least one of these statements to us, and we’ve all done our best to suppress a vigorous eye-roll.

So read on for a thorough debunking of the Top 10 Myths About Realtors:

1) You’ll get a better deal if you buy directly from the listing agent.

Not true. In the majority of contracts, the seller has agreed to pay a set commission beforehand. If the buyer has their own agent, the commission is split between the listing agent and buyer’s agent. It makes little difference to the seller either way. In fact, it will likely help you, as a buyer, to have your own representative during negotiations.

2) Agents are paid the entire commission.

Definitely not. For most agents, they are splitting the commission with their broker. It can be as low as 50/50.

3) Agents get paid to drive clients around or show property.

Not so. We only make money when a transaction is closed and funded.

7210_Winedale_Open_Floor_Plan

4) If you’re not being offered as much as you want for your home, your agent just isn’t working hard enough.

Not really. An overpriced home just doesn’t sell. Also, unless it is a cash sale, your home will have to appraise. The appraisal will be based off comparable sales of similar homes in your area that have recently sold. Your agent has no control over this. Just because your neighbor is asking $50,000 more for his home still doesn’t mean that is what it’s worth, or what he’ll actually get for it when it eventually sells. A home that doesn’t appraise will not be financable. Also, an outdated home is not worth as much as an updated one.

5) All Realtors are rich.

While real estate can be a big money maker, it’s also true that 20 percent of the agents do 80 percent of the business. It may seem like an agent makes a lot of money at once on a transaction, but real estate is a very expensive business to be in. Namely, yearly and monthly dues and fees to national and state associations, local MLS, local showing service, and your broker. Plus, the agents pay for gas, signs, advertising, key boxes, websites, professional photography, health insurance, etc. Pretty much anything real estate related comes out of the agent’s pocket. Most are lucky to walk away with 1 percent of a transaction.

LA-Hottest-Realtor

Not all Realtors have huge billboards and fancy cars!

6) Realtors are just trying to make a sale, and will lie or stretch the truth to do so.

Again, definitely not. Not only are there legal liabilities, a realtor’s business is based off referrals. They’d rather have you refer three friends than tell three friends about your bad experience.

7) An agent can only show his or her own listings, or those of their sponsoring broker.

Not true. A buyer’s agent can show any listing on the market. The agent makes no more money from their client buying a listing from their personal broker or someone else. That said, the agent will make “both sides” of the commission if they sell their own listing to one of their buyers. In Texas, this causes an agent to go into “Intermediary Status,” meaning they are no longer advising either client, as opposed to double agency where the agent is actually advising both sides.

8) Real Estate is an “easy” job since its just “driving around and looking at pretty houses.”

Real Estate is VERY hard. It is constant marketing, prospecting, and handling complex transactions. It can be a lot of time and effort with no guaranteed return. Agents are trying to make a living like everyone else. It can be extremely stressful. It’s very rewarding to find someone the right property, but until the transaction closes, it’s pretty high stress for the agent as well as the client.

It’s rarely part time. Agents are constantly answering calls, emails and texts. Nights, weekends and holidays included. And it’s not easy either. Agents work with people on the biggest financial transactions of their lives. It’s emotional and complicated.

Not just anyone can be an agent. An agent has to be a special person that is knowledgable, helpful, and very think skinned. We deal with emotional people, rude people and time wasters every day. We have to stay up to date with mandatory continued education classes and be great negotiators.

9) You do not need to talk to a lender until you have found a home to buy.

It is better to have financing worked out before you even start to look. If you do find a home you’d like to purchase, you’ll need a preapproval letter to place an offer. If your potential new home is in a popular area, it may get several offers on the first day. If you’re not preapproved, you could miss out. Plus, you want to know the amount you’ll qualify for, and not be looking at homes outside of your budget or possibly be able to afford more home than you originally thought.

Mortgage House Keys

10) Driving a fancy car or having a bunch of “million dollar listings” is a directly related to how good an agent is.

Not necessarily. Some agents have huge, very visible businesses. Some do not. There are plenty of great agents that provide wonderful, personalized service that do not have a billboard or magazine cover. Find an agent that you get along with, who understands your needs.

Kathryn Roan 1Kathryn Roan is an Ebby Halliday Realtor focusing on farms, ranches, and equestrian properties. Kathryn lives in Poetry with her 7 horses. Contact Kathryn at Kathryn@TexasEquestrianProperties.com

Want to talk about my business and what I do…call text or email me!

Vicki Reed

 

Interesting Development…

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From last week’s Indy Star:

GM plant sale could open door for new amphitheater

Jeff Swiatek and Chris Sikich12:04 p.m. EDT August 4, 2014
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Carmel developer REI Investments has agreed to buy the 102-acre former General Motors Stamping Plant site and is moving forward with efforts to develop a large outdoor amphitheater on the eastern half of the property.

As part of the deal, the city is exploring plans to build a justice center on the western half of the property that includes a new jail.

REI gained control of the property through a purchase agreement reached with the RACER Trust, the Michigan-based entity that has controlled the site since GM vacated it in 2011.

REI president Mike Wells said his company is exploring financing options — including forming partnerships — to build the 15,000-seat outdoor amphitheater. If REI can’t find financing, he said, building apartments, restaurants and retail on the site remains a back-up plan.

“We’re going to have to come up with a decision in the fall as to what direction we will go,” he said. “And then I think we would start construction probably in the second quarter (of 2015.)

Wells said the opportunity to acquire the property was too good to pass up, though, he said, REI’s involvement was somewhat accidental.

About a year ago, he said, he attended a public meeting the RACER Trust held to discuss potential uses for the former stamping plant site. Wells said he didn’t have strong interest in the property at that time, but spoke up after several comments were made about reusing the stamping plant.

Reusing the plant, Wells recalls saying at the meeting, isn’t a viable option. He told the RACER Trust it should be torn down and the site should be redeveloped, perhaps as an amphitheater.

“This building is an eyesore and is not going to be reused in its current form,” Wells said.

He remained in contact with RACER and ultimately decided to place a bid for the property.

“The opportunity to acquire and redevelop an iconic property like the Indianapolis Stamping Plant doesn’t come along very often, and we’re thrilled that RACER selected our firm to write the next chapter in its history,” Well said.

The plant site is in a prominent location along the west bank of White River just south of Washington Street. GM closed the plant and transferred ownership to the Michigan-based trust as part of the automaker’s 2009 bankruptcy. The trust was created in bankruptcy court to clean up and sell for redevelopment about 89 former GM sites.

The amphitheater would compete with other local venues.

The plant is across the river from White River State Park, which since 2004 has hosted its own concerts at The Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn, with a capacity of 7,400 spectators.

The area’s premier outdoor venue, Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, seats 24,000.

Mayor Greg Ballard, who proposed the consolidated justice center at the site, still has to persuade the City-County Council to go along with the plan.

RACER said it won’t sell the site to REI if it isn’t able to negotiate a development agreement with the city.

REI was one of 10 companies invited to bid on the site. Four submitted proposals.

REI is a longtime commercial developer whose projects include the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.

Call Star reporter Jeff Swiatek at (317)444-6483. Follow him on Twitter: @JeffSwiatek.

What do you think…can Indianapolis support another concert venue?

Vicki Reed

 

Lucky Guy!

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Have you seen the latest Hoosier Lottery news?  Indiana Resident has won $1 million…TWICE in 3 months!  From the Indy Star…

Indy man wins $1M lottery prize for second time

Steph Solis, steph.solis@indystar.com10:51 a.m. EDT July 30, 2014
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The chances of winning a $1-million lottery ticket are slim. Winning the same lottery twice is unheard of.

Yet an Indianapolis man defied the odds twice, winning his second $1-million prize in three months.

Robert Hamilton claimed his $1 million from the Hoosier Lottery Commission July 22, according to a news release. He purchased the ticket in the $120 Million Cash Spectacular Scratch-off from a Speedway on South East Street.

After taxes, Hamilton collected $792,846.04, according to the website.

Hamilton won another $1-million prize in the same game three months earlier, on April 28. He told the commission he stopped by a Casey’s in Jasonville on his way to a conference and purchased the winning ticket there.

“It’s the icing on the cake,” Hamilton said, as he claimed his second prize.

The odds of winning the $1-million prize on that game are one in 2.1 million, according to the news release. Five of the $120 Million Cash Spectacular Scratch-off prizes remain unclaimed.

With his first prize, Hamilton bought a house with his wife Donna Hamilton, paid some bills, scheduled a vacation, bought a truck for his father and purchased equipment for his commercial trash hauling company.

This time around, Hamilton said he plans to buy a motorcycle.

Donna Hamilton said she and her husband wouldn’t let the winnings go to their heads.

“We’re just everyday, normal people,” she said.

Lucky guy!

Vicki Reed

In case you missed it…

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Tired of panhandlers, not only downtown, but at stop lights?  Check out this great column by Abdul-Hakim Shabazz (been a fan of his since his days on 1430 am when it was news radio), he always has a great take on Living in Indy…

Abdul: Turned down by Indy’s stingy panhandlers

Abdul-Hakim Shabazz2:19 p.m. EDT July 22, 2014

Panhandlers in Downtown Indianapolis are some of the most stingy people I have ever met.

I’ll give you a second to catch your breath.

Yes, I accused Downtown panhandlers of being stingy. Allow me to explain.

As someone who works and frequently plays in the Mile Square, I come across panhandlers every day. They include the “physically disabled” woman outside of Starbucks on Monument Circle who manages to haul around a shopping cart full of her stuff, the guy who has been trying to get enough money for gas so he can get his family stuck on the Eastside to Memphis, and the two guys who are “broke and homeless” but talked about their cellphone plans when they didn’t think anyone was listening.

There is nothing more annoying than trying to enjoy a meal, cigar or just some quiet time and have people come up to ask for money. And since the City-County Council Democrats continue to block any meaningful proposal to get these guys off the streets, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I decided to turn the tables on the panhandlers and start asking them for money.

Now I had a couple of ground rules. I would not approach anyone who was just holding a sign. Instead, I decided to approach only those panhandlers who either walked up to me and asked for money or solicited cash when I walked by them. And I would ask for money only once it was clear that’s what they wanted.

It was a fantastic experiment.

On the first day, as I sat on the veranda at Nicky Blaine’s on the Circle having a cigar and cocktail, the first panhandler approached me. He went through the usual spiel and right before he asked for money, I interrupted and asked him for a dollar. His jaw dropped; so I asked again. He told me he didn’t have any money to give, and I told him that makes two of us. He walked away bewildered.

On the second day, I was approached by a young guy who is always on the Circle selling candy. Every day it’s a new organization that he’s selling candy for; unless the line he’s using that day is that he’s selling the candy to pay for summer classes at college.

As I walked by, he asked if I had money to buy candy. I told him I didn’t, but could he float me a couple of bucks so I could get lunch? He told me he didn’t have any money. I told him that he must be a horrible salesman to have been out on the Circle all day selling candy and not have any money.

That story repeated itself, no matter how many times I asked panhandlers for money. The answer was always no. One even went so far as to curse me out. He sounded like something out of an old Redd Foxx comedy bit.

What fascinated me the most was the fact that people who spend all day begging others for money had the nerve to get mad when someone did it to them. So maybe that’s the way we should deal with Indy’s panhandling problem: simply ask them for money.

Maybe they’ll get tired of us panhandling and then they will avoid Downtown so the rest of us can enjoy it. Just a thought. By the way, you got a dollar you can spare?

Shabazz is an attorney and the editor and publisher of IndyPolitics.org. Email him at abdul@indypolitics.org.

downtown

Vicki Reed

I’m back…

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Yes, I’ve been gone…so many things to update you on!

First and most importantly, I’ve moved!  Last year I wrote a few posts about helping my friend Kate purchase a co-op in Irvington and another couple about the Irvington area…well, now I’m a resident and Kate’s neighbor!

I now live in a townhome…basement, main floor has a living room, dining room and kitchen, second floor has 2 bedrooms…well, actually 1 bedroom and a dressing room (built in 1917 = no closet space, turned 2nd bedroom into a dressing room!) and a bath and lastly, the attic space has been finished and makes a perfect office!  I have a 1 car detattached garage and have finally stopped shutting the door while still sitting in the car, getting used to a garage NOT attached to the house has been one of my biggest challenges!

I love my new neighborhood!  Kate and I walked to dinner at Legend and stopped for ice cream at the new ice cream shop on Washington Street.  The very walkable lifestyle of Irvington is fantastic!  September is the Historic Home Tour…and I am participating – more on that another day.

In addition to moving, unpacking, etc., my business has been going very well, several closings over the months of June and July and many happy families.

Most importantly, an update on my beautiful nieces:  Allyson and Jordan graduated from high school, Michelle is engaged to Zack and I went on a short trip with Ashley, Riley and my Parents…it’s been a crazy couple of months and I have enjoyed every bit of it!  Ashley and Riley will be the first of them to see the new place (Sunday) can’t wait to hear what they have to say about it!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer and look forward to Living in Indy being back on track!

For Home Tour

Vicki Reed

Just a little funny to make you smile…

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Read this on Facebook last week and it made me smile, thought I would share…from The San Francisco Globe

THE SHOEBOX

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover.

In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife’s bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totalling $95,000.

He asked her about the contents.
‘When we were to be married,’ she said, ‘ my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll.’

The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two Precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two Times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with Happiness.

‘Honey,’ he said, ‘that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?’

‘Oh,’ she said, ‘that’s the money I made from selling the dolls.’

crochet dolls

 Vicki L. Reed