This device makes my work and productivity SO much easier. I never thought I would use it as much as I do.
I have had a friend tell me for years when I finally go with an Apple product (other than my 80GB iPod classic) that I will never want to go with a PC product again. My friend Jason might have been right on. My dad was recently going on about the iPad and he wanted to check them out. We went to the Apple Store in Keystone on December 18th for him to make his purchase – I was just along for moral support. As my dad kept talking with the salesman about the iPad and all the cool stuff it had – my uber geek fanboy mind started racing. I want an iPad!!!
So…after some thought and a very nice zero percent financing for one year – I purchased my first BIG apple product. Wow. Rad. Amazing. Unreal. Can I tell you that it has really almost changed my life?! I love it. I use it everyday. I want to get an iPhone now (well I already wanted that, but more now). I have a small Dell netbook that used to go everywhere with me, no longer! My iPad makes the netbook seem bulky, slow and not good enough anymore for a presentation on the go. This device is so streamline, small and can connect very easily to the internet.
I’m already using this for grad school, the calendar, presentations, watch movies , check-in on Foursquare and SO much more. Thank you Apple. My next step will be to get an iPhone when my cell contract is up. I can’t wait. I’ve been done with my Blackberry since about one month after I got it. Jason People if you read this…my next computer will be an Apple.
My favorite features: FACETIME (This is SO much better than Skype), two sides camera, fast dual core processor, magnetic cover.
This is one of my favorite times of the year – Devour Downtown. The local restaurant showcase happens every summer and winter to give Indianapolis a flavor of the best food in the urban city.
$30 gets you a GREAT meal at some of the best restaurants in Indianapolis. Even better – a few are 2 for $30 and available at lunch! DoItIndy is a proud sponsor for the second time of Devour Downtown Indianapolis! Doesn’t get any better than this… www.DevourDowntown.org
Director KC and I ate some wonderful food from The Oceanaire last August.
I recently had the opportunity to be a judge of the Devour Downtown Signature Drink competition. Awesome. This was my second time to help choose what fine beverage you can try at every DD restaurant! Who wouldn’t want to do this, right? It was fun to try some fantastic mixes that the local bartenders came up with! Many thanks to Grey Goose Vodka, 1800 Tequilla and Canadian Club Whiskey for being the gracious drink sponsors this winter. All the drinks were comprised of one of the three spirits along with mixers. The final result=they all were delicious.
Nothing but the best for the Signature Drink of Devour Downtown Winter 2012!
Devour Downtown gives me the opportunity to visit some of the best restaurants that urban Indy has to offer (I normally would never be able to afford some of these too)! My list to date includes: Morton’s, Fogo de Chao, Palomino, 14 West, Smokehouse on Shelby, St. Elmo, The Oceanaire, Creation Cafe and Scotty’s Brewhouse. I’m already excited to try some new editions for this go-around! Remember – every winter and summer this culinary treat is around for two weeks. Here is a link to the Devour Downtown Winterfest 2012 menus: www.devourdowntown.org/winterfest/index.htm
Thanks again to Devour Downtown and National Wine & Spirits for the great competition.
Eat Up Indy! Be urban. Have fun…try something new. $30=a great time in the city. I guarantee you’ll eat well Indianapolis!
Every year of your life is interesting in my opinion, just some are much more noteworthy than others. Sitting back this evening and thinking about what direction my life has taken makes me think this was a VERY interesting year! I have lived a great life over the past 12 months and I am very thankful for what God has given to me. You never know what is going to happen, so try to make the most of every day!
Over the past year, I’ve been privileged to attend some of the absolute best events that Indianapolis offers. I thought it would be cool to post some of my favorite 2011 pictures. These are my memories from going out in the inner city of Indianapolis (inside the 465 Loop). Enjoy. Let me know what you think. 2012 will bring some new and exciting things! Stay urban and get out and DoItIndy!
The student art show featured works from the You Are Beautiful campaign. I won a piece that now sits in the DoItIndy studio. Very cool to see the student's work!Devour Downtown - Happens every summer and winter. DoItIndy is now a proud sponsor of the event. Love great food for $30!Got to experience more dogs in one place than ever before at Mutt Strutt 2011! My dog Nala was done by the end - but we walked for a good cause. Dogs!We did a paranormal investigation of Si Greene's Pub. Unreal! I still can't believe what we've found. AND...more to this story coming soon in 2011!Soul Food Friday happens at the Madame Walker Theatre on Indiana Avenue. Amazing soul food from our city for a great price. This is a MUST if you have never experienced.The Talbot Street Art Fair is the oldest street art fair in the United States. Amazing vendors locally and from across the country bring their art to Indianapolis.The Woodruff Place Flea Market happens the first weekend of June every year. Amazing to see what people bring out to sale. Great food from vendors too!Tolin, Producer Asa and I grew our mustaches for prostate cancer and men's health. The Movember Indy movement has really started to take off! Join us in 2012 as we grow our big mustaches again.Proud sponsor of BrewBracket. A blind taste testing of Indiana Microbrews. Nothing better than that. Held twice each year - the next beer up is wheat!What a great time when ComedySportz Indianapolis won the ComedySportz World Championship! If you have never experienced one of their shows on Mass Ave - you have to TODAY!Nothing better than SIx Bands 4 Six Bucks! This in my opinion is the best local music showcase that Indy has to offer (and it is cheap). DoItIndy will be the lead sponsor again coming up in March. I'm pumped to be the emcee one more time!We are a sponsor of the 2011-12 Naptown Roller Girls season. AWESOME! This is some of the best entertainment/sports that this city has to offer. Fun for the whole family...sit in the suicide seat section (18 & over).
This Saturday night is one of my favorite events of the year. Last year DoItIndy had only been around for six weeks and we were fortunate enough to cover one of the coolest parties I had ever been too. The people are relaxed, the music is good, the beverages are a great price, and the NUVO VIP lounge is right on. It was a no-brainer for us to sponsor such a great event alongside Stella Artois, Paul Poteet, the Smiley Morning Show, HH Gregg and Nuvo. The Indianapolis New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball is the place to be.
The beginning of the night before all the great festivities in the Grand Hall at Union Station!
The venue is absolutely perfect, nothing like historic Union Station in downtown Indianapolis. I used to come to the former mall when I was a kid with my parents and love to hang out. The Grand Hall is beautiful and the HUGE stained glass windows give the perfect backdrop to bring in the new year! People dance, people walked around in wild costumes, face painting, people in masks…a very cool time. The thing I like was that some people wore costumes, some wore dresses, some were casual, other in full evening wear – everyone had fun no matter what!
My DoItIndy co-host Scott Tolin with the winner of last year's costume contest. He won the last two years!
Tickets are reasonable, you are in downtown Indy, NUMEROUS cabs, NUMEROUS hotels, there is no reason why you shouldn’t come to this party if you live in Indianapolis and be safe. AND…it sells out every year so get your tickets NOW. Here is where you go – the website www.indynewyears.com. DoItTODAY! 🙂 The band My Yellow Rickshaw will be playing and when they are done, a DJ steps in to give you all the tunes. PLUS…the emcee this year will be Dave Smiley from the 99.5 WZPL Smiley in the Morning Show and of course Paul Poteet will be in the house. Cool.
The Masquerade Ball fills up FAST! This picture was taken a little before midnight.
If you are interested in tickets, DoItIndy will be giving away 1 pair every day this week heading up into Saturday. You have to “Like” our Facebook page and “Follow” us on Twitter @doitindy and answer the short and easy question. That is the best gift to bring in 2012! Enjoy our video from the 2011 Masquerade Ball below. See you soon! 🙂
Always fun at the Indianapolis New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball
I wanted to take a second and say thank you Indianapolis. The past year has been a wild one both personally and professionally on SO many different levels. DoItIndy has really taken off and people like to know the cool events happening in urban Indianapolis. I’ve never had so much fun promoting the wonderful and awesome city we live in.
It is also been a time for me to look at taking that leap and bound – going the distance and finally becoming the Public Relations professional I aspire to be. Go time. This is going to happen…look for some truly great things to be announced in early 2012!
A picture taken at the Jolly Days Winter Wonderland exhibit taken at the Indianapolis Children's Museum.
Personally, I have continued graduate school at IUPUI, met some wonderful new people, loved and lost and learned more about who I am and what I need and want as the journey of life continues. As each year goes on I think about what life should truly be to for happiness and how I continue to evolve, learn and figure myself out. Been a great year for growing. I will get it all right in about 50 years, or at least I think I will.?!
I am very thankful for the good friends, family and others who have helped me along life’s path.
Thank you all. Enjoy your holiday season and have the best New Year in 2012! Be urban…and get out and DoItIndy!
The DoItIndy crew was out shooting pics and video. More to come soon!
What a wild 12 weeks it was with a mustache! I never thought it would bring as many discussions, looks and laughs. Sporting a mustache in 2011 just isn’t the normal thing to do. Especially a very long mustache as the one I had grown. I am very happy to say that we raised a total of $635 for the Movember charity. I had a great time wearing a mustache. And…I kinda miss it.
Movember is a worldwide charity that raises money for prostate cancer research and the LIVESTRONG Foundation. http://www.movember.com I would like to thank everyone who donated – it means very much to me and the rest of the DoItIndy crew. Tolin, myself and Producer Asa all three grew our mustaches out for the month.
The crowd gathers as the Movember Gala mustache competition starts at the Tomlinson Tap Room
Thanks to all the cool people/businesses we met along the way: Bryan Kendall, Movember Indy, Flat 12 Bierworks & Bob, Red’s Classic Barber Shop (Rufus and the crew), and many more. Thanks for getting on board and helping the cause!
As the first week of December hit, we shaved our mustaches. Thanks to Tolin and Producer Asa for growing a mustache with me!
Donation list to the DoItIndy Movember Cause
Anonymous – “Keep that stache rocking Big Ben!”
Polly Willhite
Kelly Campbell – “Save the balls!”
Thunderlight Studios – “Ben – Love the “MO” – you are rockin’ it my friend!!!!”
Stefanie Wiseman
Jerry Maple
Rhianon Waltman
Katie Warner – “I think what u guys r doing is awesome! Yay for healthy men!!”
Ryan & Shannon McWaters – “We want “Mo”….yeah!”
Barb Risinger
Andy Frazier
Sara Nathan
Steve and Vicki Tolin
Genna Hughes
Kelly Campbell
Jon Pianki
Jennifer Vail
Brad Hall
Holly and Matt Sommers All the people who have donated for mustaches at Si Greene’s Pub: Devon Ashcraft, Steve Beasley, Sharron McKnight, Jammin Joe Hutton, 1st Place, Jake & Elaine, Brooke M., Robin Greene, Taylor K., Tanya, Joe Loyd, Biff, Mike W., Tammy G., Paige K., Jessi M., LeeAnn R., Eddie, W.W.T., Katie McKnight, D.O.I.D. 333, Ron Jeremy, The Bells Family, Dick Digger, Pops Greene, and Si Greene’s Staff with a $15 donation!
Cold is the New Hot: Downtown Indy Keeps Bustling During the Winter Months By Jordan Overton
Downtown Indianapolis continues to prosper. With a plethora of events and activities, local citizens and IUPUI students have the ability to take in a variety of events around the Circle City throughout the upcoming holiday season.
Fireworks light up the sky on Monument Circle after the 2011 "tree" was lit up for the season!
Though renowned for its fast cars, Indianapolis has recently reinvented Downtown’s bicycle and pedestrian experience by developing The Indianapolis Cultural Trail. In 2010, Indianapolis gained notoriety in the art world when the Indianapolis Museum of Art unveiled 100 Acres, the largest contemporary-art park in the country. Indianapolis is also able to boast about the Monument Circle, one of America’s great landmarks, located in the heart of Downtown.
Indianapolis residents flock to these locations, as well as such famous sites as the Indianapolis Zoo, The Children’s Museum and Lucas Oil Stadium. Now with winter approaching, a number of these Downtown attractions are looking for new ways to bring people in despite the harsh Indiana weather.
The front entrance of the Indianapolis Zoo - taken in May 2011 at the Zoopolis 500!
“There really are activities for everyone from children to adults in the downtown area,” said Ben Risinger, an IUPUI graduate student and co-founder of DoItIndy. “I will walk around White Rive State Park, the Canal and Monument Circle all winter as long as I can. Ice skating is great at Pan Am Plaza and you can always find a coffee shop in the inner circle of the city.”
DoItIndy utilizes social media to distribute a list of their top five best events in Indianapolis each week. Risinger founded DoItIndy to provide people with knowledge of the social happenings in Indianapolis.
“We will always be promoting events in inner city Indianapolis perfect for IUPUI students to take advantage of as we try to keep everything we do on the cheaper side,” said Risinger. “Downtown Indianapolis has a lot to offer college students; art, music, sports, culture, cinema and more.”
IUPUI is located minutes away from top Downtown destinations. But regardless of the many attractions around Downtown and despite the recent upgrades all over the city, some IUPUI students still struggle to embrace what Downtown offers during the cooler months. Throughout winter, seeing Downtown as a leisure option seems to fall by the waste side as students neglect to take full advantage of Downtown Indianapolis. As the temperature drops, so do the participation numbers.
“[Students] aren’t used to the downtown hustle or they just live way too far away for it to be economical. I know that a lot of students are commuters and live an hour or more away,” said Risinger.
IUPUI is a commuter college with a large percentage of the student body driving to campus from adjacent counties. So at times, the inclement weather can deter students from taking in all of Downtown. But high profile locations still offer a number of events around the Circle City despite the falling temperatures.
The downtown Indianapolis skyline
According to Brittany Smith, Communications Coordinator at Indianapolis Downtown Inc., people can still take advantage of Downtown no matter what the conditions.
IDI is in charge of marketing and promoting Downtown Indianapolis. They also provide information to the public about Downtown businesses, events and activities with the goal of improving Downtown. Their efforts are designed to attract more people Downtown by increasing awareness and participation in events centered on arts, entertainment, sports, hotels, restaurants and retail facilities.
According to Smith, anyone can avoid the weather and still experience Downtown by visiting places like the Indy Winter Farmer’s Market as well as unique shops along Mass Ave for Christmas shopping.
All Indianapolis citizens, including IUPUI students, can view the Circle of Lights on Monument Circle and take in Christmas at the Zoo throughout the holiday season. On top of these attractions, Indianapolis hosts a variety of events indoors as well. Both the Eiteljorg and the Indianapolis Museum of Art will bring in fresh displays during the wintertime to attract a newer audience.
“As long as there isn’t snow on the ground, have fun,” said Risinger. “The great thing about Indianapolis is there is so much to do within a small radius area.”
Make Downtown a part of your holiday experience
The holidays always bring plenty of different activities to Downtown Indianapolis.
Circle of Lights Millions of sightseers take in the Circle of Lights throughout the holiday season, making the decoration of Monument Circle one of Central Indiana’s most popular annual traditions. The lighting of the circle will take place Friday, November 25 and will remain lit until after the New Year.
The Eiteljorg Museum This holiday season, The Eiteljorg Museum will be transformed. Opening November 5, model trains will travel around replicas of Indianapolis, including the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and Union Station, as well as the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore and Old Faithful.
The Indianapolis Museum of Art The Indianapolis Museum of Art will display the Art of the American Indians: The Thaw Collection Dec. 2 – Feb. 12. The collection is comprised of more than 800 Native American artworks and highlights the art created by the many different Native American cultures.
Indianapolis Zoo The Indianapolis Zoo’s annual Christmas at the Zoo runs from Nov. 25 – Dec. 23. The Zoo opens at noon with holiday activities from 5 – 10 p.m. each night. Santa will make appearances throughout the season. This year’s event will be brighter than ever due to the recent installment of energy efficient LED lights throughout the Zoo’s grounds.
City Market On December 8, Yelp will host Yelp’s Totally Bazaar shopping party at the City Market.Free and open to the public, the event will feature over 50 local artists and complimentary tastings from City Market vendors as well as their everyday menus.
I was recently interviewed by IUPUI student Jordan Overton about downtown Indianapolis and what it has to offer. The article was published the week of November 28, 2011 in the IUPUI newspaper.
Jordan Overton can be reached via email at jtoverto@umail.iu.edu
Photos courtesy of KC Goshert Photography – http://www.kcgoshert.com
Here we are at the last week of November – which I have been calling “Movember”. Men across the world have been growing mustaches for a great cause this month – men’s health! www.mobro.co/DoItIndy – DONATE!
My mustache as we enter the last week of Movember. Trying to hit our $1000 DoItIndy goal!
First…it has been a great experience growing my mustache the past 10 weeks. What an experience. A great conversation starter and people just like to look at it – especially when the Mo is waxed and pointy! Thanks again to all the people who have donate.
Anonymous – “Keep that stache rocking Big Ben!”
Polly Willhite
Kelly Campbell – “Save the balls!”
Thunderlight Studios – “Ben – Love the “MO” – you are rockin’ it my friend!!!!”
Stefanie Wiseman
Jerry Maple
Rhianon Waltman
Katie Warner – “I think what u guys r doing is awesome! Yay for healthy men!!”
Ryan & Shannon McWaters – “We want “Mo”….yeah!”
Barb Risinger
Andy Frazier
Sara Nathan
Steve and Vicki Tolin
Genna Hughes
All the people who have donated for mustaches at Si Greene’s Pub
Thank you all. This has become such a personal effort to me and every dollar counts. No donation is too small. We will cure prostate cancer.
A very in depth and informative blog post on growing a mustache in 2011 will be coming. I wanted to wait until the month of Movember is over until I wrote my deepest Mo’ thoughts.
I kept this until the middle of the month because it was very cool. Enjoy the video of Rufus giving me my first hot shave. I did this at Red’s Classic Barber Shop (www.redsclassicbarbershop.com) on Movember 1st to prep for the evening’s kickoff party. The dudes also showed me how to properly groom and wax my mustache. I’m a customer now.
DoItIndy is a proud sponsor/supporter of Movember Indy 2011! Grow on fellas...
Thank you for all the donations so far! We are still over $500 off our goal. Any help sharing or spreading the word would be VERY appreciated. Thank You. www.MoBro.Co/DoItIndy
Please enjoy our Movember Indy (@MovemberIndy) video compliments of Blevins, Wing Productions (@BlevinsWing)
Proud to wear our mustaches with other Mo Bro's and Mo Sista's at Flat 12 Bierworks
Ben Risinger 