Indianapolis Business Journal articles from November 2005

Indianapolis Business Journal archives from November 2005

Groceries go global: ethnic food stores surge in popularity, number.
November 7, 2005... Salsa outsells ketchup. Tortillas fly off the shelves almost as fast as white bread. And if you're looking for these new staples of the American diet, Indianapolis is increasingly a good place to find them. Sixteen years ago, there were...

Critics want IPL answers: utility cut $10M settlement after agency suggested accounting was misleading.(Indianapolis Power & Light Co., Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor)
November 7, 2005... Groups representing Indianapolis Power & Light Co. customers want to know if the utility has deliberately underreported income to regulators and overcharged customers. Their concerns were sparked by a cryptic settlement IPL reached with...

Kite flies third plan for Nora project: developer scales back condos, dangles Whole Foods Market.(Paul Kite )
November 7, 2005... Developer Paul Kite is back for a third round in his battle with Nora residents to develop a condominium/retail project on the last undeveloped corner of 86th Street and Keystone Avenue. In plans submitted to the city and to neighborhood...

Health care crusade: physicians push for universal health coverage in Indiana.
November 7, 2005... Some heart muscle had already died by the time family members coaxed the 50-something uninsured man into visiting Bloomington Hospital a few weeks ago. The patient had suffered severe chest pains two days before his hospital visit but...

Winona troubles spread: ex-owner of closed hospital seeks bankruptcy protection, dampening creditors' hopes.(Winona Memorial Hospital)
November 7, 2005... Winona Memorial Hospital's former owner filed for bankruptcy last month, a move that's likely to hinder efforts to recover millions of dollars for the defunct Indianapolis hospital's creditors. Texas-based Leland Medical Centers Inc. filed...

Liquor chain looks online for growth: 21st Amendment to launch e-commerce site.
November 7, 2005... Jim James drinks scotch. Just don't pour him a tumbler from the well at the local tavern. Reach for the bottle on the top shelf with the Blue Label. And make it neat. Connoisseurs don't waste a good single-malt on a frozen tongue. James...

Feds say exec pilfered passport, but judge isn't convinced.(BEHIND THE NEWS)(American Public Automotive Group)
November 7, 2005... Here's a new twist in the already surreal saga of James T. O'Neal Jr., the Carmel native preparing to stand trial in Orlando on charges he swindled millions of dollars from executives here and in Florida. In late September, a new court...

Sometimes hot growth is not a good thing: study to explore how to cut cooling expenses.
November 7, 2005... The definition of an "urban heat island" in Indianapolis would be incomplete if limited to, say, the hot air emanating from the Statehouse during the session. To Qihao Weng, an urban heat island refers to how an entire city remains up to...

Less empty office space downtown? Don't count on it: local market experts cast doubt on national report.
November 7, 2005... A recent report lauding the health of Indianapolis' downtown office market over the next two years may have caused a few bursts of excitement, but they were likely short-lived. New York-based Cushman & Wakefield cited Indianapolis'...

Ice Miller experiment turns financial corner: IMSS is only area sports agency licensed by NFL, NBA.(IM Sports Services LLC )
November 7, 2005... At a time when many sports agents are getting squeezed out by mega-agencies with Shaquille O'Neal's mass and New York Yankee-like resources, a small Indianapolis firm is becoming a real player. A curious experiment launched in August 2001...

Could race teams bridge divide without series' blessing? Ganassi pushing for IRL-Champ Car cross-pollination.(Indy Racing League)
November 7, 2005... The pull of some Champ Car markets is so strong, it has the owner of a prominent Indy Racing League team talking about launching a cooperative effort with a team from the rival open-wheel racing series. And he's urging other IRL teams to do the...

Omnicity making inroads among the dirt roads: rural areas served by wireless broadband provider have grown nearly six-fold.
November 7, 2005... An Indianapolis company that provides wireless broadband service from atop grain elevators, water towers or darned near anywhere the warbler roosts is expanding at a rapid clip and plans to launch Internet-based phone service in early 2006. ...

S.S. Purdue taking on water.(Purdue University needs state funding for collage's maintenance and repair)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Rome may have been burning but, in West Lafayette, Purdue University is leaking. The university has proposed a complex funding plan to address crumbling infrastructure resulting from declining state funding. Purdue President Martin...

Playing nice yields results: put politics aside for city's future.(EDITORIAL)(Editorial)
November 7, 2005... When the going gets tough--or a problem smells bad enough--politics yields to progress. The City-County Council on Oct. 31 passed by a vote of 25-3 Mayor Bart Peterson's $435 million plan to drastically reduce the billions of gallons of...

Creativity is right around the corner.(Commentary)(Editorial)
November 7, 2005... Don't know what to make of the city's new focus on public art? Talk to the hand. Or rather, talk about the hand. That's what people here should be doing later this month when a black-and-white image of a care giver's outstretched hand...

Correction.(EDITORIAL)(Correction Notice)
November 7, 2005... Theodore Boehm's title was incorrect in last week's Power Players in Entertainment and Hospitality feature. He is an associate justice with the Indiana Supreme Court.

Don't let a little suffering wreck holidays.(using tax funds for assistance, post disaster reconstruction)(Column)
November 7, 2005... I drove past the shrine at Clark and Addison in Chicago the day after the White Sox won the World Series. All was normal outside Wrigley Field. There was no evidence of the momentous event in Houston the night before. The White Sox and their...

Why not consider 'intelligent designers'?(Commentary)(Column)
November 7, 2005... I should fully disclose my religious beliefs before going any further. I was raised Islamic, but have become more agnostic in my older age. So I guess that means I still pray five times a day, but I'm not quite sure when to do it or what...

Marsh is generous corporate citizen.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
November 7, 2005... It is understandable that people are disappointed with Marsh's change of plans regarding the Atlas site. It is unfortunate that some choose to ascribe sinister motivation and call for boycott [in an Oct. 31 letter to the editor]. Marsh is going...

Marsh should be a good neighbor.(Letter to the Editor)
November 7, 2005... Thanks for your [Oct. 3 l editorial] ! Your column was illuminating. But I addressed exactly the same thought you did--Don't let the site become a garbage pit, and don't deny the neighborhood (upon whose support they will depend when and if the...

Why promote minority business?(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
November 7, 2005... I just got done reading the [Oct. 31] article about building a minority business. The question that's never asked is, why does this have to be done? I'm sure there were other do-gooder committees trying to alter market forces, but 1 guess it...

State to tout help for small business.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
November 7, 2005... The Indiana Department of Workforce Development has designated November as "Small Business Month." Our department's business consultants will make a blitz throughout Indiana, calling on small businesses and making them more aware of state...

Manufacturing jobs are going begging.(Letter to the Editor)
November 7, 2005... There aren't enough candidates to fill America's manufacturing jobs and the situation promises to get worse. The National Association of Manufacturers says four of five U.S. manufacturers struggled to fill jobs in 2003. The potential...

Home show taps national builder.(ON THE BEAT)(Centex Homes Corp. for Indianapolis Home Show)
November 7, 2005... For the first time in its 84-year history, the Indianapolis Home Show has hired a builder based outside central Indiana to build the Centerpiece Home, a full-size model constructed inside Expo Hall at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The...

Rolling Stones (songs) to be featured at Tonic Ball.(ARTS)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The chances of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards showing up at Radio Radio in Fountain Square Nov. 18 are slim to none, but 16 local musicians will attempt to evoke the spirit of the Rolling Stones at the fourth annual Tonic Ball/Tonic Gallery....

Bankruptcy numbers spike.(ECONOMY)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Who knew filing for bankruptcy could become so trendy? But it indeed did in the weeks preceding the Oct. 17 change in the law that makes it harder for consumers to erase their debts. In fact, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern...

Court ruling squashes 'diminished value' claims.(INSURANCE)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... A recent Indiana Supreme Court ruling will save car insurers a bunch on claims by eliminating compensation for diminished value. The state's highest court ruled late last month that insurers are not obligated to compensate for the decline...

Kiefer, McGoff move on.(LAW)(Kiefer and McGoff merges with Bingham McHale LLP)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The Kiefer & McGoff law firm has disbanded and five of its eight lawyers, including founders Dick Kiefer and Kevin McGoff, have taken their practices to Bingham McHale LLP. Kiefer & McGoff built a niche defending executives accused of...

IEDC to shop for ad agency.(MEDIA & MARKETING)
November 7, 2005... The Indiana Economic Development Corp. will soon be shopping for an advertising agency to help with a statewide branding initiative. The IEDC, which is charged with attracting new businesses to the state and helping state-based companies...

Museums team up on catalog.(RETAIL)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Holiday shoppers will be able to order everything from a facsimile of the LOVE sculpture to the One Ring of Sauron with a single phone call or click of the mouse. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Conner Prairie, Eiteljorg Museum of...

Homeowners searching for a lightbulb for an antique ceiling fixture need not fret about Sullivan Hardware Inc.'s closing two of its four stores.(RETAIL)
November 7, 2005... Homeowners searching for a lightbulb for an antique ceiling fixture need not fret about Sullivan Hardware Inc.'s closing two of its four stores. The Indianapolis company is replacing two 10,000-square-foot stores on the north side with one...

BioCrossroads aims to augment K-12 math and science.(TECHNOLOGY)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... BioCrossroads and the University of Indianapolis' Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning want to develop a resource center to help Indiana improve the math and science education of its K-12 students. On Nov. 2, they released the...

Axis Architecture.(Jessica Ramage and Kerry Osborne appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... * Jessica Ramage has joined Axis Architecture as an interior designer. * Kerry Osborne has joined as a project manager.

BSA LifeStructures.(Jonathan Geels appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... * Jonathan Geels has joined BSA LifeStructures as a landscape architect.

The Skillman Corp.(Victor Landfair appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... * Victor Landfair has joined The Skillman Corp. as vice president/account executive.

Salin Bank & Trust.(Daniel Cobb appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... * Daniel Cobb has joined Salin Bank & Trust as vice president & commercial loan officer for their Indiana markets.

Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana Inc.(Stephen Montgomery appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Stephen Montgomery has joined Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana Inc. as new media and graphics specialist.

Special Olympics Indiana.(appointments)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Special Olympics Indiana has named the following officers: Jim Stanley, Cinergy Corp., chairman; Paul Reis, Drewry Simmons Vornehm LLP and Tom Shea, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, vice chairmen; Toby McClamroch, Bingham McHale LLP, secretary; and Bob...

Trotter Construction Co. Inc.(Marvin Baker,Dave Evans and Chris Pierce appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Trotter Construction Co. Inc. has added the following: * Marvin Baker, * Dave Evans and * Chris Pierce.

Stenz Corp.(Liz Raibley appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Liz Raibley has joined Stenz Corp. as an administrative assistant.

REI Construction Services.(David M. Ford appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... David M. Ford has been named executive vice-president of REI Construction Services.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Career Academies.(appointments)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The Indianapolis Metropolitan Career Academies charter high schools has named the following advisors: freshmen: Joseph Laycock, history; Dawn Merrill, government, history and world civilization; Jacqueline Peele, Anderson, sociology, economics,...

Sycamore School.(Glenna Lykens)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... * Glenna Lykens has been named head of Lower School at Sycamore School.

I U School of Physical Education and Tourism Management in the Department of Tourism, Conventions and Event Management, IUPUI.(appoints Amanda Cecil, Susie Benko, Susan Alvarez)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... I U School of Physical Education and Tourism Management in the Department of Tourism, Conventions and Event Management, IUPUI, has added the following: Amanda Cecil, assistant professor; Susie Benko, lecturer; and Susan Alvarez, lecturer.

Franklin College.(Susan Williams appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Susan Williams has been named to the Franklin College board of trustees.

Perry Township Education Foundation.(appointments)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Perry Township Education Foundation has elected the following officers: Carol J. Sewell, Conseco, vice president; Jim Head, president; Jerry McAfee, Power Presentations Inc., secretary; and Tom Sponsel, Greenwalt Sponsel & Co., treasurer.

U of I School of Business.(appoints Sheela Yadav and Rachel Smith)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The U of I School of Business has named the following: * Sheela Yadav, associate professor of business; and * Rachel Smith, assistant professor of finance.

IU School of Medicine.(Stephen Bogdewic promoted)(Indiana University)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Stephen Bogdewic has been promoted to executive associate dean for faculty affairs and professional development for the IU School of Medicine.

Eagle Creek Park.(John Easley appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... John Easley has been named park manager of Eagle Creek Park.

Indiana State Teachers' Retirement Fund.(appoints Cristy S. Wheeler)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Cristy S. Wheeler has been named director of the Indiana State Teachers' Retirement Fund.

Urology of Indiana LLC.(appoints Dr. Ronald S. Suh as urologist)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Dr. Ronald S. Suh has joined Urology of Indiana LLC as a urologist.

Joint Replacement Surgeons of Indiana at St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital.(appoints Dr. R. Michael Meneghini and Dr. James Bicos)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Dr. R. Michael Meneghini and * Dr. James Bicos have joined Joint Replacement Surgeons of Indiana at St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital.

Conrad Indianapolis.(Jan Chovanec appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Jan Chovanec has been named the general manager of Conrad Indianapolis.

TrueNorth Cos.(Susan Sturm and Bruce Henderson appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... TrueNorth Cos. has added the following in employee benefits: * Susan Sturm, account manager, and * Bruce Henderson, specialist.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance.(Anne Vermilya and Jon Sartain appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... * Anne Vermilya and * Jon Sartain have joined Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance as agents.

Irwin Union Insurance.(Steven Bartlett appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Steven Bartlett has been named personal insurance producer at Irwin Union Insurance.

Citizens and Hanover Insurance Cos.(Diana O'Brian appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Diana O'Brian has been named regional vice president of commercial lines Indiana/Ohio at the Citizens and Hanover Insurance Cos.

McGowan Insurance Group Inc.(Norma Boyd appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Norma Boyd has joined McGowan Insurance Group Inc. of Indianapolis as an account executive and select unit business manager.

Baker & Daniels.(LAW)(appointments )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... * Andrew Campbell, * Matthew Albaugh *Daniel Lechleiter and * Matthew Lesher have joined Baker & Daniels as associates. *Joseph Pettygrove has joined as an associate, downtown office, and * Derek Hamilton has joined the 96th street office.

Barnes & Thornburg LLP.(Aaron M. Staser, Hongsun Yoon, Alison Chestovich, Brad Schulz, Samantha Karn, Katie J. Stotler appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Barnes & Thornburg LLP has added the following associates: * Aaron M. Staser and * Hongsun Yoon, intellectual property department; * Alison Chestovich and * Brad Schulz, labor and employment law department; and * Samantha Karn, litigation...

ThemeVision LLC.(Christina Studebaker appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... * Christina Studebaker has joined ThemeVision LLC, a trial-consulting firm affiliated with Barnes & Thornburg LLP, as a litigation research analyst.

Holilngsworth Jocham & Zivitz.(Dori Wood, Cara Schaefer Wieneke and Catherine Michael appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Dori Wood, Cara Schaefer Wieneke and Catherine Michael have joined Hollingsworth Jocham & Zivitz.

Lewis and Wilkins PC.(Thomas A. John and Paul Mullin appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Lewis and Wilkins PC has added the following attorneys: Thomas A. John, shareholder, and Paul Mullin, associate.

Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC.(Katy Yang-Page appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... * Katy Yang-Page has joined Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC as of counsel.

ALFA International Employee Benefits Practice Group.(PROFESSIONAL/TRADE)
November 7, 2005... Jim Hamilton, Bose McKinney & Evans LLP, has founded the ALFA International Employee Benefits Practice Group.

American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery and its Foundation.(appoints Dr. Richard T. Miyamoto)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Dr. Richard T. Miyamoto, I U School of Hamilton Medicine, has been elected president-elect of the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery and its Foundation,

CPA Society.(Robin Chaplick appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Robin Chaplick has joined the Indiana CPA Society as conference & member event coordinator.

Lauth Property Group.(REAL ESTATE)(appointments)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Property Group has added the following: * Brad Greeman, associate, corporate recruitment; * Viengdalone Gustin, desktop support administrator, IT; *Lucinda Wishon, senior accountant; *Steven Meadows, safety director, construction operations;...

Century 21.(REAL ESTATE)(Lorna Taken, Mike SerVass and Eric Reed appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... * Lorna Taken, Mike SerVass and * Eric Reed have joined Century 21 at the Crossing as new agents.

Marcus & Millichap.(Kahlil Kenneth Barnard appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Kahlil Kenneth Barnard has been named senior investment associate at Marcus & Millichap.

Summit Realty Group.(Richard F. Suja and Saimir Qalliu appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Richard F. Suja has joined Summit Realty Group as senior director, industrial advisory services. * Saimir Qalliu has joined as manager, operations & finance.

Bremner Healthcare Real Estate.(Randy Hayes and John Delks appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Randy Hayes has joined Bremner Healthcare Real Estate as property accountant. John Delks has joined as regional facilities manager.

Trammell Crow Co.(Scott L. Leopold appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Scott L. Leopold has joined Trammell Crow Co., Indianapolis office, as an associate, corporate advisory services group.

Re/Max United.(appoints Kelly Wood and Monty Mullins)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Kelly Wood has joined Re/Max United, Westfield, as a licensed assistant and executive administrator. * Monty Mullins has joined as a sales associate.

Re/Max Realty Mart.(appoints Angela DeDeaux)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Angela DeDeaux has joined Re/Max Realty Mart as a sales associate.

The Oceanaire Seafood Room.(promotes Jill Thomas )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Jill Thomas has been promoted to manager at The Oceanaire Seafood Room.

Hat World Corp.(Kenneth J. Kocher and Glenn Campbell appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Kenneth J. Kocher has been named president and Glenn Campbell has been named chief operating officer of Hat World Corp.

Johnstone Supply of Indianapolis.(appoints Mike Denzio, Kevin Hadley, Greg Hill, Ryan Kimbler, Dennis James)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Johnstone Supply of Indianapolis has added the following account managers: * Mike Denzio, south region, Kevin Hadley, north region, * Greg Hill, east region and * Ryan Kimbler, Terre Haute region. Dennis James has joined as brand marketing and...

Crew Technical Services.(William L. Haeberle and Andy Shiel appointed)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Crew Technical Services has added the following new board members: William L. Haeberle and Andy Shiel.

Construction materials costs set to soar: hurricanes, other factors lead to current or predicted shortages, price jumps in PVC pipe, copper wiring, cement.(Focus: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING QUARTERLY)
November 7, 2005... The ripple effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita are casting a wide and ominous net over a construction industry reeling from the high cost of building materials. Damage from the storms that slammed into the Gulf of Mexico continues to...

Rehab specialists learn value of flexibility: historic building projects require contractors who can adjust on the fly.(Focus: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING QUARTERLY)
November 7, 2005... For the ideal construction project, building owners and architects carefully develop a budget and a set of plans, then hire contractors to follow the plans to the letter, the budget to the dollar, and the schedule to the day. But when the...

Museum deemed monumental: expansion project earns two design firms top award.(Fink Roberts and Petrie Inc. and Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf Architects)
November 7, 2005... Indianapolis-based firms Fink Roberts & Petrie Inc. and Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf Architects won the Monumental Award for their work on the Indianapolis Museum of Art expansion project. The 28th annual A Monumental Affair was set to...

HVAC specialists see rise in energy-saving interest: anticipated price spikes spur demand for revamps.(heating, ventilation, and cooling)
November 7, 2005... Even before hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused natural gas prices to soar, an energy price problem was already in full swing. Engineering, construction and energy management firms were already addressing concerns from clients over how to...

Construction event set for Hilton North.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
November 7, 2005... The Second Annual Indiana Construction Management Summit is set for Nov. 9 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hilton North Indianapolis. The event will feature presentations from various industry experts, including Kenneth J. Hedlund, a CPA with...