Indianapolis Business Journal articles from October 2006

Indianapolis Business Journal archives from October 2006

School colors: trademark ruling lets colleges protect hues used on merchandise.
October 2, 2006... Indiana University's "IU" and Purdue University's Boilermaker have long been protected by federal trademark law, but now Old Gold and Black and Cream and Crimson are protected, too. And that could help IU, Purdue and other universities...

Benefits overhaul for Lilly: following national trend, local drugmaker makes shift to consumer-driven plans.(health coverage for employees)
October 2, 2006... Eli Lilly and Co. plans big changes to the insurance benefits it will offer U.S. employees next year, as the drugmaker follows a trail blazed by other large companies looking to control health care spending. Lilly will eliminate several...

Shiel Sexton buying entire city block: plans uncertain for near-downtown site sold by VanAusdall & Farrar.(Shiel Sexton Company Inc.)
October 2, 2006... Locally based construction firm Shiel Sexton Co. Inc. has agreed to buy an entire city block near downtown, but says it hasn't decided what to do with the property. Options for the block bounded by 12th, Meridian, 13th and Illinois streets...

Welfare rolls too high: Ivy Tech called in to help before state loses federal funds.
October 2, 2006... Indiana's social services agency will tap Ivy Tech Community College campuses statewide in a scramble to train and put at least half of the state's 120,000 welfare participants into the workplace within a year. The consequences for...

New CEO sizes up stores: Marsh Supermarkets' boss wants to create 'theater' in the produce aisle.(interview with chief executive officer Frank Lazaran)(Interview)
October 2, 2006... Frank Lazaran is the first executive to lead Marsh Supermarkets Inc. who isn't from the Marsh family. He became president and CEO last week after Boca Raton, Fla.-based Sun Capital Partners completed its $88 million purchase of the...

Small-town chambers band together: biz groups in east-central Indiana team up to carry regional banner, learn from each other.
October 2, 2006... The folks who ring up the grub down at Ernie's Superette, in Knightstown, are about to get a bigger sign, of sorts. Same for Morristown's Kopper Kettle, where if you don't like the fried chicken some would reckon you're as sorry as a $2...

Failed retailer alleging auditor altered paper trail.(Paul Harris Stores Inc.)
October 2, 2006... Remember Paul Harris Stores Inc., the once-mighty women's apparel retailer that flamed out in bankruptcy court five years ago? No doubt, officials with Paul Harris' outside auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers, wish they could forget. For years,...

Sportswear giant gets a sweet deal from city; tax break lures Steve & Barry's to Washington Square.(Sportswear won a tax break)
October 2, 2006... Most city incentives for redevelopment along East Washington Street have helped revitalize empty, unsightly big boxes or vacant mall anchors. But the city's latest tax abatement in the area is unusual: It's helping transform six small-shop...

Julian Center sees gift gusher after plea; not-for-profit's long-term operational concerns remain.
October 2, 2006... More than $300,000 has flowed into The Julian Center since Executive Director Ann DeLaney made a public plea for help in August to address a budget shortfall. The crisis triggered a donation influx that yielded a pair of $100,000...

Monster marketer: The Promotion Co.'s wheels keep on turnin' as founder takes path less traveled to prosperity.
October 2, 2006... In 1977, Bruce Hubley had his sights set on the bright lights of New York and Los Angeles. Armed with a degree in performing arts, management and administration, and a resume featuring stints at the Indiana Repertory Theatre and Starlight...

Startup sics Lilly invention on head lice: tiny firm attempts to put crop insecticide to new use.(Eli Lilly and Co., ParaPRO LLC)
October 2, 2006... A local pharmaceutical startup that's developing a technology licensed from Eli Lilly and Co. has reached a crucial milestone. Carmel-based ParaPRO LLC is preparing to enter phase three clinical trials for a new treatment for children's...

Business can help solve welfare woes; state is wise to take bold action.(Editorial)(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... It stinks to be last. But that's exactly where Indiana ranks nationally in its ability to get people off welfare and into jobs (see story on page 3). Indiana's number of welfare recipients dropped only 25 percent from 1995 to 2005,...

Small towns, big ideas.(EDITORIAL)(Editorial)(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... Communities like Fortville, New Palestine and Rushville might not have big-city glitz, but their leaders aren't sitting on Main Street complaining about it. Instead, they're banding together to make the most of their resources. Chambers of...

White deserves our praise, support.(Eugene White )
October 2, 2006... It's been a little more than a year since Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Eugene White took over the job of battling the flames at IPS. We should all be grateful he did. He is a special man. "It was like going into a burning...

Corrections.(EDITORIAL)(Correction notice)
October 2, 2006... * An article about ExactTarget Inc. in the Sept. 11 Fastest-Growing Companies publication contained inaccuracies. ExactTarget had three founders: Scott Dorsey, Chris Baggott and Peter McCormick. Dorsey was not an independent consultant before...

What defines Hoosiers--faith or fear?(EYE ON THE PIE)
October 2, 2006... On Sept. 24, Liberty Methodist Protestant Church, in northwestern Monroe County, celebrated its 175th anniversary. One of the original members rode to Baltimore to find the church's first minister. Liberty has a loyal, but small and declining,...

Dickerson, domestic violence and irony.(Commentary)
October 2, 2006... I've seen a lot of bizarre things in my last 16 years in government and politics, either as a reporter or political operative. However, nothing was so bizarre as the recent controversy involving Eric Dickerson, the Republican candidate running...

Primary-care work is worth the hassles.(Letter to the editor)
October 2, 2006... In reply to your article "Coming up short" [in the Sept. 18 Health Care and Benefits Magazine], I agree with the bleak [outlook] today and tomorrow of primary care. I am an internal-medicine physician who practices in Carmel. There is no...

Local ownership breeds local content.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
October 2, 2006... [In response to a Sept. 18 story] I applaud the efforts of [Hamilton County publication leaders] Brian Kelly, Mike Corbett and Tom Britt. As an individual who works and lives in Hamilton County, I enjoy seeing and reading about events and...

Tobacco companies smoked out of IRL.(ON THE BEAT)(Indy Racing League )(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... For the first time in more than three decades, there will be no tobacco companies' names or logos emblazoned across open-wheel racing cars or team officials' uniforms. Officials for Virginia-based Phillip Morris recently announced that the...

Groups build pet houses to benefit Humane Society.(ARTS)(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... Local architects, artists and builders have paired up to design and create dog houses and "cat creations" that will be auctioned off to benefit the Humane Society of Indianapolis. The design contest, dubbed Sheds, is the brainchild of...

Gates grant to give IPS teachers more data, guidance.(Bill Gates, Indianapolis Public Schools )(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... Microsoft founder and really rich guy Bill Gates is giving some Indianapolis Public Schools staff members a half day away from the little darlings each month. A $2.3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will help pay for...

Law clinic has new director.(LAW)(Mark E. Need appointed at Entrepreneurship Law Clinic at Indiana University)(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... The Entrepreneurship Law Clinic at Indiana University in Bloomington embarks on its second year of operation with a new leader at the helm. Mark E. Need, 40, returned to 1U earlier this year to lead the upstart initiative that puts...

Avatar signs two big deals.(MEDIA & MARKETING)(H.H. Gregg gives contract to Avatar Communications Group )(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... H.H. Gregg recently hired locally based Avatar Communications Group to provide the electronics and appliance retailer with media and public relations services on a statewide and regional basis. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed....

Indianapolis charity office to benefit from 'Helping Hands'.(Indiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation )(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... Each year, the Indiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation lends a helping hand to more than 800 people living with the disease, Now, the organization is receiving some help itself. The Indianapolis not-for-profit will get a $15,000...

Lacy Leadership Association.(PHILANTHROPY)
October 2, 2006... Lacy Leadership Association is accepting registrations through Oct. 3 for its fall Leadership Education and Development series. Classes begin Oct. 6 at the Gene B. Glick Junior Achievement Center, 7435 N. Keystone Ave. The five-week...

Noodles in the Ripple.(RETAIL)(planning to open the local restaurant in December)(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... Sagamore Dining Partners inc. will open a Noodles & Co. restaurant at 927 Broad Ripple Ave., the former site of the Mezza Luna Ristorante that closed two months ago. Bloomington-based Sagamore already operates two area Noodles & Co....

IRL in Montreal?(SPORTS)(Indy Racing League )(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... Canadian Race promoter Normand Legault Sept. 26 announced details of the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series race that will be held Aug. 4 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, leaving open the possibility of an Indy Racing League event the same...

Testostorama shelved amid scheduling difficulties.(TOURISM)(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... Testostorama Men's Expo, which drew more than 10,000 spectators to the Indiana State Fairgrounds for its inaugural show last November, will not be held this year. Ray Compton, one of the event's creators, said due to Indianapolis Colts...

Republic looking for more crew.(Recruiting employers)
October 2, 2006... Locally based Republic Airways Holdings sometimes complains it's ignored by the local media, which is often more interested in coveting the ups and downs of Indianapolis-based ATA Airlines Inc. That danged ATA doesn't even have scheduled...

Chuck Gearhart has joined Salin Bank & Trust as assistant vice president-regional sales manager.(BANKING)(Jim Wark appointed as vice president)(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... Chuck Gearhart has joined Salin Bank & Trust as assistant vice president-regional sales manager for the Indianapolis and southern Indiana areas. * Jim Wark has joined as vice president, commercial loan officer.

N. Jeanne Wade has joined Union Savings Bank.(BANKING)
October 2, 2006... * N. Jeanne Wade has joined Union Savings Bank as senior vice president of private banking.

Wells Fargo's Private Mortgage Banking.(BANKING)
October 2, 2006... * Travis Conlon has Wade been named manager for Wells Fargo's Private Mortgage Banking office.

Michael Reed has joined First National Bank & Trust.(BANKING)
October 2, 2006... Michael Reed has joined First National Bank & Trust as vice president-commercial banking officer for Indianapolis and surrounding counties.

Regions Bank.(BANKING)(Jason Bear promoted to senior vice president and group credit director)(Brandon Williamson promoted to credit analyst)(Katie Smith promoted to portfolio manager)(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... * Jason Bear has been promoted to senior vice president and group credit director at Regions Bank. Brandon Williamson has been promoted to credit analyst, and Katie Smith has been promoted to portfolio manager.

Dawn Morley has joined Monroe Bank.(BANKING)
October 2, 2006... Dawn Morley has joined Monroe Bank as vice president and chief investment officer.

Charter One Mortgage Corp.(BANKING)
October 2, 2006... Brett Boston has been promoted to senior vice president at Chatter One Mortgage Corp.

Mary Ann Derr has joined Messer Construction Co.(CONSTRUCTION)
October 2, 2006... * Mary Ann Derr has joined Messer Construction Co. as health care director.

Matt Herman has joined Stenz Construction Corp.(CONSTRUCTION)
October 2, 2006... * Matt Herman has joined Stenz Construction Corp. as a project manager.

Paragon General Contractors.(CONSTRUCTION)
October 2, 2006... Mandy Wehrley has been named project coordinator for Paragon General Contractors.

Dr. Daniel H. Spitzberg has joined.(HEALTH CARE)
October 2, 2006... * Dr. Daniel H. Spitzberg has joined Whitson Vision.

Keely D. Allen, O.D., has joined.(HEALTH CARE)
October 2, 2006... * Keely D. Allen, O.D., has joined the Indiana Eye Clinic.

Benefit Associates Inc.(INSURANCE)
October 2, 2006... Benefit Associates Inc. has added the following: Katrina Emond, implementation coordinator; Shaun Hurm, marketing coordinator; and Nicholas Scott, client service team.

Tom Schafer has joined General Casualty Insurance Co.(INSURANCE)
October 2, 2006... Tom Schafer has joined General Casualty Insurance Co. as commercial lines manager

Indiana Insurance.(INSURANCE)
October 2, 2006... * Michael D. Connell has been named president and chief executive officer of Indiana insurance.

Mike Johnson has joined Conseco Inc. as vice president.(INSURANCE)
October 2, 2006... Mike Johnson has joined Conseco Inc. as vice president, information technology risk management.

Joseph L, Rhodes has joined H.J. Spier Co. Inc.(INSURANCE)
October 2, 2006... Joseph L, Rhodes has joined H.J. Spier Co. Inc. as an all-lines insurance account executive.

Cassie Franzman has joined SIHO Insurance Services as account manager.(INSURANCE)
October 2, 2006... * Cassle Franzman has joined SIHO Insurance Services as account manager, Indianapolis office.

Gregory & Appel.(INSURANCE)
October 2, 2006... Gregory & Appel has added the following: * Steve Appel, vice president, marketing & business development, and * Andrew Appel, account executive, property & casualty practice.

Arthur J. Usher IV has joined Krieg DeVault LLP as a partner.(LAW)
October 2, 2006... * Arthur J. Usher IV has joined Krieg DeVault LLP as a partner. * Christopher J. Lukaatt and * Brion G. St. Amour have joined as associates.

Brian Jent has joined the health law practice.(LAW)
October 2, 2006... Brian Jent has joined the health law practice at Hall Render.

Looking into health care's future: industry experts disagree over whether a universal system could solve the problems of rising costs, uninsured.(Focus: HEALTH CARE/CORPORATE WELLNESS QUARTERLY)(Discussion)
October 2, 2006... Spirited discussions about universal health care coverage, preventive care and marketplace competition were among the highlights of a Health Care & Insurance Power Breakfast hosted by Indianapolis Business Journal. Panelists were: *...

Hospitals try new medication safeguards; bar-coding seen as one way to reduce overdose risk.(Focus: HEALTH CARE/CORPORATE WELLNESS QUARTERLY)(errors in prescribing, dispensing and taking medications)(to prevent errors the drugs are used with a scanning system)
October 2, 2006... Clarian Health Partners CEO Dan Evans said he's unsure whether new technology meant to prevent medication errors could have helped to avert the recent deaths of three premature babies at Methodist Hospital. But he is certain the systems...

MindGent plans hundreds of pharmacy-based clinics; minor-care concept could boost drug store business.(FOCUS: HEALTH CARE/CORPORATE WELLNESS QUARTERLY)(MindGent Health Care Clinics)
October 2, 2006... Hamid Abbaspour is well aware that it takes more than just writing prescriptions to survive in a consolidating industry dominated by mega drugstore chains. To keep pace, the owner of Dr. Aziz Pharmacy on East 82nd Street has for years...

Med school site gets a makeover.(FOCUS: HEALTH CARE/CORPORATE WELLNESS QUARTERLY)(Indiana University School of Medicine )(www.medicine.iu.edu)(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... The Indiana University School of Medicine debuted a cleaner, user-friendly look for its Web site last month. The Web site, www.medicine.iu.edu, is an attempt to develop "visual consistency" among the school's 150 departments, centers and...

Indianapolis-area hospitals (1).(FOCUS: HEALTH CARE/CORPORATE WELLNESS QUARTERLY)(Company rankings)
October 2, 2006... Indianapolis-Area Hospitals (1) (Ranked by 2005 average staffed beds) 2005 AVG.: 2005 AVG. STAFFED BEDS CHARGE (2) RANK HOSPITAL ...

Largest Indianapolis-area physician group practices.(FOCUS: HEALTH CARE/CORPORATE WELLNESS QUARTERLY)(Company rankings)
October 2, 2006... Largest Indianapolis-Area Physician Group Practices (Ranked by number of local physicians) LOCAL FTE EMPLOYEES ...

HSAs can create cash-flow woes for medical providers.(VOICE FORM THE INDUSTRY)(health savings accounts )
October 2, 2006... How have health care providers, their staff and their billing and collection policies and procedures changed since Health Savings Accounts were introduced? Hopefully, practices have made significant changes to better manage their accounts...

Investing in quality firms pays off--eventually.(BULLS & BEARS)(Statistical table)(Column)
October 2, 2006... A watched pot never boils. There's no point in sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring. Patience is a virtue. Maybe the last time you heard those sayings, your mom's or, heaven forbid, your spouse's index finger was pointed at your...

Is commodities party winding down? Not necessarily.(INVESTING)
October 2, 2006... Oil is going down and there's celebration in the streets. After a solid three-year run, the energy sector is in the midst of a 25-percent correction. And because oil makes up such a large portion of the stuff traded in Chicago, the commodities...

Enough complaining now: taxes here aren't that high.(Indiana)
October 2, 2006... No one seems to challenge the oft-heard assessment that high taxes are a serious problem in Indiana. Stories abound in the media about families struggling to deal with high tax bills, or about businesses that have closed or moved away, citing...

Blue River Bancshares Inc.(PROXY CORNER)
October 2, 2006... Blue River Bancshares Inc., 29 E. Washington St., Shelbyville, 46176 (www.shelbycountybank.com) is the holding company for Shelby County Bank. Shelby County Savings operates in Shelbyville, Morristown and St. Paul. For the quarter ended June...

Does your site comply with the Disabilities Act?(National Federation of the Blind sued Target Corp.'s online site )
October 2, 2006... In a new twist on the phrase "blind justice," a California federal judge recently ruled that the National Federation of the Blind can sue Target.com, an e-commerce site, for non-compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This should...

Chicago bank to buy Hasten-owned First National.(Stories reported in IBJ daily: Thurs., Sept. 21-Wed., Sept. 27)(First National Bank and Trust of Kokomo acquired by Harris Bankcorporation Inc.)(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... First National Bank & Trust of Kokomo will be acquired by Harris Bankcorp Inc. for $290 million, the Chicago bank announced Sept. 27. Harris expects the deal to close in January. First National is owned by the Hasten family of Indianapolis....

Johnson & Johnson sues over Guidant deal.(Stories reported in IBJ daily: Thurs., Sept. 21-Wed., Sept. 27)
October 2, 2006... Johnson & Johnson has filed a lawsuit against Boston Scientific Corp., Abbott Laboratories Inc. and Guidant Corp. claiming it lost a bidding war over Guidant because the trio illegally shared information. J&J is seeking $5.5 billion in...

Indianapolis car dealer to see delay in Chery cars.(Chery Automobile Company Ltd. distribution agreement with Chery Automobile Co.)(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... Local car dealer Dennis Reinbold and others who paid $2 million for a stake in a company that plans to distribute Chinese cars in the United States may have to wait two years longer than they expected before they can start selling cars made by...

Kite, Prudential form joint venture.(Stories reported in IBJ daily: Thurs., Sept. 21-Wed., Sept. 27)
October 2, 2006... Kite Realty Group Trust is joining with Prudential Real Estate Investors to develop or buy $1.3 billion of shopping centers across the United States. Indianapolis-based Kite, which wanted Prudential's muscle to help cut borrowing costs, will...

ATA renews key military contract.(Stories reported in IBJ daily: Thurs., Sept. 21-Wed., Sept. 27)
October 2, 2006... ATA Airlines Inc. says it has snagged an important contract from the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command to carry troops. The Indianapolis carrier is guaranteed $29.5 million, plus the right to bid on as much as $325 million in expansion...

Internet directory.(Directory)
October 2, 2006... ACCOUNTABILITY BUSINESS TRAINING--QBQ! QBQ! The Question Behind the Question[TM] is a four session, eight hour facilitated video training program that helps eliminate blame, complaining and procrastination. Results include improved morale,...

Basket bounty: demand for personalized gifts helps business grow.(SMALL BIZ PROFILE: Alexandria's Gift Baskets)
October 2, 2006... These are not your mother's fruit-filled gift baskets. No, the goodies Sally Trebing assembles for her customers are much more varied think Harry Potter's broomstick, a portable sling chair or even steak and potatoes. "Our baskets are so...

Calendar.(RECORDS)(Calendar)
October 2, 2006... Business-related calendar items should be submitted two weeks before event date. Contact bmaurer@ibj.com. Oct. 2, 7 a.m.: Business & Professional Exchange, Career Networking, North chapter, St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Fellowship...

Conventions.(RECORDS)(Calendar)
October 2, 2006... Oct. 1-Oct. 5, LABSCO (Laboratory Supply Co.,) Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. Estimated attendance: 250 Oct. 2-Oct. 3, Indiana Non-Public Education Association, Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome. Estimated attendance: 3,000 Oct. 3,...

Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana Inc.(FUND RAISING)
October 2, 2006... Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana Inc. to benefit from the sale of candy and nuts now through Oct. 9. Contact 767-7771 or spayneuterservices.org.

Eagle Creek Park Foundation Inc.(FUND RAISING)
October 2, 2006... Eagle Creek Park Foundation Inc. to benefit from its Images of Nature on Oct. 7-8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hideaway at Eagle Creek Park. Show is free. Fifteen percent of any artwork sale will benefit the foundation. Contact:...

American Public Media.(FUND RAISING)
October 2, 2006... American Public Media to benefit from Premiere Indianapolis Luxury Home Tour on Oct. 6-8, 13-15 and 20-22 from noon to 7 p.m. at the communities of Lochaven and the Village of WestClay. Tickets: $15 in advance or at hometour@greenspring.com,...

Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana Inc.(FUND RAISING)
October 2, 2006... Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana Inc. to benefit from 2006 Hair Ball Garden Party on Oct. 7 from 1-5 p.m. at the Robert Irsay Charity Pavilion. Tickets: $45 and $15 with children 16 and under free. Pre-registration encouraged. Contact 767-7771...

Chatham Arch Neighborhood Association.(FUND RAISING)
October 2, 2006... Chatham Arch Neighborhood Association to benefit from home tour Something Old, Something New, on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8 from 1-5 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance at O'Malia's, Midland Antiques and Vic's Coffee Cafe. Tickets $12 day of tour. Contact Barb...

Grants.(RECORDS)
October 2, 2006... Timmy Foundation received $1,000 from Northwestern Mutual. Center of Excellence In Leadership of Learning received $2.3 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for teacher improvement.

David L. Shank.(IN RECOGNITION)
October 2, 2006... David L. Shank will be inducted into the College of Fellows, PRSA.

David Kantor.(IN RECOGNITION)
October 2, 2006... David Kantor, Global Shred, was named Indy's Best and Brightest by KPMG and Junior Achievement of Central Indiana.

Audrey Satterblom.(IN RECOGNITION)
October 2, 2006... Audrey Satterblom received the Dick Lugar Health and Fitness Award.

James L. Cooper received the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana's Servaas Memorial Award in the individual/corporate category.(IN RECOGNITION)(Brief article)
October 2, 2006... James L. Cooper received the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana's Servaas Memorial Award in the individual/corporate category. Leora Brown School Inc. received the award in the not-for-profit category.

Homer Pearce and Chaun "Joe" Shih were named Heroes of Chemistry by the American Chemical Society.(IN RECOGNITION)
October 2, 2006... Homer Pearce and Chaun "Joe" Shih were named Heroes of Chemistry by the American Chemical Society for their discovery of therapy for asbestos-related cancer.

Patents.(RECORDS)
October 2, 2006... From the Aug. 29, 2006, Official Gazette of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Shu Lin, Donald Henry Willis, Indianapolis; Mark Alan Schultz, Carmel User interface and processing system for digital video, audio and ancillary data...