A lot of stuff

Public art displayed between two museums in Indianapolis

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Downtown Indianapolis is home to several attractions, including the Eiteljorg Museum of Native American and Western Art and the Indiana State Museum featuring natural and civilization history.  On display between the two is a striking piece by a native Hoosier artist.

“Rhino Arch” by Jerald Jacquard


This area is part of the White River State Park, named for the large river flowing through the city heading south. Indy has successfully planned and finished trails, parks and other examples of public art throughout the metropolitan area.

Columbus Indiana’s award winning Mill Race Park

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Columbus Indiana’s Mill Race Park is located on a flood plain on the west side of downtown. The award winning design takes that in account, for example, the restrooms are made to allow the annual flooding to flow through the glass block buildings with no damage.

Inside showing bridge trusses

One of my favorite parts of the park is the beautiful relocated covered bridge. Originally built in 1840 over the White River, it was rebuilt in 1995 at Mill Race Park. It remains the only Long Truss Structure in the state.

Newly discovered 2000 year old Roman frescoes in Pompeii

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CBSNews reports: Stunning Roman frescoes have been uncovered by archeologists in Pompeii, the ancient city destroyed by an eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 AD. Experts say the newly discovered frescoes are among the finest ever to emerge at the renowned archeological site. … The works of art line the high walls of what was once a large banquet hall. The walls themselves were painted mostly black, and the figures on the frescoes appear to emerge from the shadows.

A fresco discovered on the wall of a banquet hall in the volcano-destroyed ancient Italian city of Pompeii depicts the mythological meeting of Prince Paris and Helen of Troy. Photo courtesy BBC-Jonathan Amos

The recent excavations have revealed that at the time of the eruption a construction project was ongoing at the property. Tool and building materials were found waiting for workers to continue work. The destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD, while it was deadly at the time, has provided amazing archeological sites for the study of Roman life of the times.

 

FAA investigates collision close call on runway at JFK New York

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CBS News New York reports: A close call last week at John F. Kennedy International Airport could’ve been a potential disaster involving several planes. Officials say just before 5 p.m. on April 17 a Swiss Air flight bound for Zurich was moments away from takeoff when the pilot spotted other planes crossing the same runway. The Swiss aircraft had just begun its taxi for takeoff and aborted the procedure upon seeing the crossing traffic. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident. 

Photo courtesy Swiss Air

The report quotes a professional air safety investigator who used to work for the National Transportation Safety Board as saying that the Tower Controller cleared the Swiss Air for take off. At the same time the Ground Controller cleared three aircraft  to cross the active runway. The Swiss Air pilot hitting the brakes avoided what could have been a multi-plane collision disaster. Once again scary news makes one pause when thinking about traveling by air.

 

 

 

 

 

Columbus Indiana historic Crump Theater

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The Crump Theater began its long history in 1871 as a two story building named Keith’s Arcade. The Crump name came into the scene when John S. Crump purchased the building in 1889 and turned it into a large modern theater.

Crump marquee

Ticket booth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next big event took place in 1920 after a massive remodeling job that basically gutted the building and started from scratch. This work started at the stage and went to the 3rd Street sidewalk. The next work was another massive remodel in 1941 that resulted in the art deco exterior and interior styles you see today.

Crump History

Fund raising event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After several years of disuse, the Crump is currently in the midst of an active “Save The Crump” campaign including fund raising and live concerts on stage. This fine old facility is hopefully back on tract for a resurgence of activity.

Front entrance, ticket booth

As a footnote, it should be noted that stories of ghosts and other “paranormal” activities have been part of the Crump story for decades. Several investigations have taken place in the Crump. One ghost, known as “The Lady In Black”, is reported to make regular appearances on the same stairway.

Supreme Court to rule on legal steps against homeless

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NPR WFYI Indianapolis this morning announced:  Today, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a major homelessness case for the first time in decades, with arguments over whether people can be punished for sleeping outside if there’s no shelter available. The decision could have sweeping implications for the record number of people living in tents and cars, and the cities and states struggling to manage them.

Tents cover an open space near the Steel Bridge in Portland, Oregon, on July 7, 2023. (Hannah Ray Lambert/Fox News Digital)

The current case before SCOTUS today is from Grants Pass, Oregon, said to be a symbol of how widespread homelessness has become across the country. The debate before the court goes back to two rulings by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, one in 2018 and one in 2022. Both said that under the Eighth Amendment  it would be cruel and unusual to impose criminal and civil penalties on  someone for sleeping on public land. Today’s case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, challenges those rulings.