Opera is, by any description, an example of high art.  If you are looking for an opera to attend nearby, you are most likely to find live productions at a major university. The opera company in Indianapolis has struggled but is planning a new season.  If you want to see opera at a high level, one would likely attend the local movie theater productions beamed live from the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center in New York.

There is a group in Fishers attempting to bring opera to our fair city.  They call themselves Projekt:Opera and plan their first big production Saturday, 7pm, October 17th, at Christ the Savior Lutheran Church, 10500 Est 126th Street.  Their inaugural show will be Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

I do not profess to be any kind of opera expert, but there are 2 I have seen performed and enjoy.  One is Bizet’s Carmen.  The other is The Magic Flute.  If you have never seen opera performed live, The Magic Flute is a good place to start.

One thing that puts off American audiences is the fact that most famous operas are performed in German or Italian.  The producers of the October 15th production promise this will be shorter than the usual Magic Flute (some can go on for 3-4 hours, and this one won’t be anywhere near that long).  There will also be a narration throughout the opera, making it easier to understand.

If you are ready for your first opera experience, or if you have seen opera and want to attend this production, tickets are $20 and can be ordered at this link.

This Fishers arts community is growing rapidly.  This is your chance to support local artists.

Here’s the latest on the Sunday morning activity at the Fishers 96th Street Walmart, from WTHR at this link.

Fishers road construction continues in full force during the work week beginning Monday, October 5th.  The full listing from the city is below:

LANTERN AND COMMERCIAL INTERSECTION

Lantern Road will remain closed the week of October 5 from Commercial Drive to North Street.

106^th STREET & ELLER ROAD

Construction on the 106^th Street and Eller Road turn lane will continue the week of October 5th. During construction, periodic lane restrictions will be implemented between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Lane restrictions will continue through mid-October.

116^th STREET

There will be moving lane restrictions between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on 116^th Street from Allisonville Road to Olio Road for utility work. Arrow boards will be displayed to help direct traffic and caution is appreciated while traveling in the area.

131^st STREET

We appreciate your patience as shoulder work continues along Parkside and Cumberland Road. Please use caution when traveling through the area.

136^th STREET

136^th Street will have restrictions west of Cyntheanne Road for shoulder work, asphalt milling and resurface work through the week of October 5.  Cyntheanne Road, south of 136^th Street, may see shoulder work for asphalt milling and resurfacing.

My latest commentary on Indiana Forefront explores how the online news Web site Politico could change up the Central Indiana journalism scene.  You can read my commentary at this link.

The Fishers Redevelopment Commission approved an increase of $1.4 million in bonding authority for capital spending, such as the purchase of land in the downtown area for economic development projects, using County Option Income Tax bonds. Fishers Assistant Director of Economic Development Tim Gropp told commission members Wednesday night that there are no immediate projects in the offing, the city is only asking for the authority if needed.  The city already has $4.8 million under this bonding authority and the commission approved the $1.4 million in addition, if city economic development possibilities arise.

In other Redevelopment Commission news form the September 30th meeting:

–Approved resolutions allowing the city to continue construction improvements to the new Launch Fishers building and a sublease agreement between Launch and Eleven Fifty.

–Voted to approve the economic development agreement and ground lease for the new Four Day Ray craft brewery and restaurant coming to the Nickel Plate District in downtown Fishers.

Fishers Police are asking for help in identifying the man in the picture above.  He is described as a “person of interest.”  If you have any information on the person’s identity, you are asked to contact Detective Rob Baker at 317-595-3300.

When the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns looked at cities with a population over 50,000, it found the most green municipality to be Fishers.  The city was given the award at a September 30th luncheon.

“Striving for environmental sustainability is a priority among all departments,” stated Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness in a city news release. “I’ve challenged my team to make smart decisions today that lead to a vibrant community in the future, and this award validates many of those smart decisions being made in Fishers.”

In applying for this honor, city officials cited several items, including:

–plans for high efficiency HVAC replacements and installations

–a pesticide management policy promoting eco-friendly practices

–real-time modernization of traffic signals

–a rain barrel program

–a no idle policy for city fleet vehicles

–sustainable growth plans for our trail system,

The City looks to once again provide the annual fall recycling day, scheduled to take place on Halloween.

A lady living in a home on Milton Road in the Avalon neighborhood of Fishers (near 126th Street and Olio Road) got a big surprise early Tuesday morning.  She found a person in her garage and called 911 at about 1:40am.  Police responded to the report of a burglary in progress, but the suspect fled once discovered by the resident.

Fishers, Noblesville and Hamilton County police formed a perimeter, but were unable to locate any suspect.  He remains at large.

Fishers Police Chief George Kehl asks residents to review these basic safety tips:

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1. Never leave your vehicle unsecured, even if you are only going to be away from it for a short time. Thieves only need a few seconds to open an unlocked door and retrieve valuables that are left in plain sight.

2. Secure valuables in the trunk before leaving your vehicle. Thieves will often take the time to look into windows before choosing a particular vehicle to break‐in. Unsecured items such as GPS devices, CD’s, computers, purses, cellular phones, audio systems, keys, and other items are often the targets of a thief.

3. Etch your driver’s license number on all items of value and that are removable, e.g., audio equipment, computers, GPS devices.

4. Park in your garage, if you have one. Don’t leave your vehicle in the street, in an alley or in your driveway. If you have to park in the street, avoid dark or isolated areas.

5. Install an alarm system that will sound when someone attempts to break‐in, move, or start your vehicle. Always activate the system when leaving your vehicle unattended.

6. Don’t leave spare keys attached to the outside of your vehicle or hidden inside your vehicle. An experienced thief knows all the hiding places.

7. Park in open, well‐lighted, and populated areas near your destination. Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, or other objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places. Avoid parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles.

8. Turn off your engine, roll up all your windows, lock all doors, and take your keys with you even if you are making a quick stop at a store or gas station, or even in your driveway.

As always if you see or hear something suspicious please call 911 immediately!

Fishers Police have released the names of those involved in two accidents Monday night, one resulting in a fatal injury and the other involving a serious injury.

Police say about 10:30pm, Katherine A. Milliner, 39, of Fishers, was struck and killed along the southbound lanes of State Road 37 near 135th Street.  She was allegedly hit by a GMC truck driven by William T. Coward, 61, from Elwood.

According to statements taken by officers from the driver and other witnesses, police say  it appears the GMC was traveling southbound on State Road 37 when the pedestrian suddenly appeared in the roadway.  There are no sidewalks in that area. The driver was unable to avoid striking the pedestrian, authorities say. Immediately following the crash, the driver stopped and called 911.  Police describe this as an ongoing investigation.

At 10:25pm, police received a report of a vehicle striking a bicyclist in the roundabout at Olio Road and Southeastern Parkway.  Police identify the injured bicycle rider as Isaac Leiker, 22, of Fishers.  His injuries were described as serious.

The driver of the vehicle, a Honda Accord, is identified as Junro Utsumi, 47, from Noblesville.

According to statements taken from the driver and other witnesses by officers on the scene, authorities say it appears the Honda was traveling in the roundabout and did not see the bicyclist. The Honda struck the bicyclist from behind. As a result of the crash the bicyclist was thrown off of his bike and suffered serious injuries.  Police issued no arrests or citations in the accident.  It is not believed that drugs or alcohol were involved in this accident.

Final exams at the two local high schools have been 2 days long, but if a proposal under consideration by the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Administration is approved, the exams would stretch over 3 days.  Superintendent Allen Bourff told the HSE School Board he needs to discuss this change with the local teachers association before moving forward. The proposal would allow most or all of the morning hours in those three days as preparation time for the exams.  Bourff said the only reason HSE Schools would have this option is because of its state classification as a high-performing school district.

The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation announced its grant winners at the board session.   Shannon FitzGerald, a senior as HSE High School and member of the foundation board, presented the award certificates.  Here is a list of the winners:

• Heidi Stan (RJH) with Stability for the Stanimals
• Emily Mitchell (RJH) with E Commerce Cards
• Angel Myers (NBE) with Second Steps
• Kristin Patrick (BSE) with Windows and Mirrors
• Jennifer Pope (FHS) with Why Try
• Lisa Lederach (District Wide for elementary schools) with Elementary Literacy
• Vince Lidy (HSEHS) with Improving Performance
• Beth Garrison (district wide) with Emergency Trauma
• Kathy Seitz (district wide) with Fitness Fuels Destination Imagination

Additional Awards:

• Janet Chandler (HSEHS) Church Church Hittle & Antrim Fund
• Steve Baney (FJH) with Organic Garden funded by Tri Kappa Organization
• Crissy Pogue (FHS Focus) with Studio of Opportunity

Dr. Bourff updated the board on his “listening tour” of school faculty on how the school corporation should move forward with a referendum.  Bourrf told the board he will have a more detailed report on what he has been hearing from the school staff.  He also plans to offer meetings with presidents of homeowners associations within the school district boundaries.

The board also approved its goals for the current school year.