Articles by Mike Rhodes

Fireworks Laws and Safety Tips Hoosiers Need to Know

By: Indiana Department of Homeland Security— Fireworks season has arrived, and the State Fire Marshal is reminding all Hoosiers to be mindful of fireworks laws when celebrating this summer. “Fireworks can be very entertaining to watch, but there are laws in place that are often overlooked when it comes to their usage,” said State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson. “We want for everyone to enjoy their summer, but we also want them to do so responsibly.” Hoosiers should remember the following laws…

Read More

Create Stunning Stained Glass Jewelry with Glass Workshop at Minnetrista

Muncie, IN—Create a stunning jewelry piece, embellished with tinned wire, at Glass Workshop: Stained Glass Jewelry on Thursday, July 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. During this exciting workshop, you will learn to cut, grind, and solder from a vibrant selection of colored glass of your choosing. “Let your artistic side sparkle with stained glass jewelry,” said Educator Karen Nickel. “Select from a variety of colored glass to create a mini-stained glass masterpiece of art to wear. Everything you’ll need…


First Youth Leadership Boot Camp Was Successful

Muncie, IN —Diplomacy, collaboration and networking were pegged as important attributes for some of Muncie’s most engaged community leaders, as they closed out a weeklong Youth Leadership Boot Camp Friday. Twenty-five students, grades 8-12, attended the weeklong residential program on the campus of Ball State University. The Boys & Girls Club of Muncie in partnership with Champions for a Safe Community and Ball State University, Office of Community Engagement which sponsored the clinic, which focused on everything from public speaking,…


Area Companies Receive Entrepreneurship Awards

By: Christy Ragle— Two area businesses recently received Entrepreneurship Awards from the Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC). A & P Quality Home Care won in the Emerging Business category, while LEAP Managed IT won in the Established Business category. The awards program was part of Indiana’s Entrepreneurship Week and took place in the Dallara Indy Car Factory in Speedway. Indiana Lieutenant Governor, Eric Holcomb, and the State Director of the ISBDC, Jane Rich, were among the featured speakers at the…


Muncie IT Firm Announces Inaugural “Website Thru The Nite Challenge”

By: Casey Stanley & Ashley Runkle— Muncie Innovation Connector to host benefit for Delaware County nonprofits January 21-22, 2017 eKeeper Systems, an IT consulting firm providing comprehensive technology services to companies throughout Central Indiana,  announced the first Website Thru The Nite (WTTN) challenge, calling for volunteers and nonprofit participants in Delaware County to come together at Muncie’s Innovation Connector, January 21-22, 2017. The challenge will bring technical volunteers with web development experience to the table at Muncie’s Innovation Connector, where…


Taking a Wok on the Culinary Wild Side

By: John Carlson— A beautiful new day of health and self-confidence has dawned for me, all without even buying a bunch of Richard Simmons’ workout videos, let alone actually watching one. What I bought, instead, is a wok. Well, my wife bought a wok, but I am taking credit for it. You see, we recently took part in a huge, four-family garage sale. What Nan did for this event was gather our sale items, clean them, price them, load them…


Makerspace Announces New Name and Launches Brand as Project Evolves

MUNCIE, IN— Formerly referred to as Gearbox:Muncie A Maker Hub, the makerspace project has changed its name to better fit its evolving brand. Located at the corner of Madison and Jackson Streets in DWNTWN Muncie, the creative collective will now be called Madjax, the Muncie Maker Force. Madjax will host a variety of maker, community and academic tenants. Since the inception of the project in Fall 2014, the scope of the Muncie makerspace has continued to grow exponentially. In this…


Free Cervical and Breast Cancer Screenings on July 21

Muncie, IN —Free Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening The Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital Foundation is sponsoring a free cervical and breast cancer screening at the IU Health Ball Memorial Family Practice Center on Thursday, July 21, 2016 from 6 pm to 8 pm. The screenings offered are a clinical breast exam, a pap test and an HPV test for the following: * Women ages 21-65 * Underinsured or uninsured * With no pap exam in the past year…


$2.2 Million in New Grants Reflect BBF’s Historic Interests

MUNCIE—Ball Brothers Foundation (BBF), marking its 90th anniversary in November, has awarded more than $2.2 million in grants to 21 organizations primarily located in Muncie, Delaware County, and East Central Indiana. With a nod to history, the grants support programs and projects that reflect the interests and priorities of BBF’s founders. “The dollars have escalated but the focus is the same,” says Jud Fisher, BBF president and chief operating officer. “As an example, one of the Foundation’s earliest grants in…


National Recording Artists to Headline 2016 Muncie Three Trails Music Series

By: Rick Zeigler— Muncie, IN—The Muncie Three Trails Music Series returns in 2016 for its 4th season and again features a stellar line-up of critically acclaimed national recording artists who will perform in a series of 4 free concerts in downtown Muncie. Full series information, including songs and videos of the performing artists, can be found at www.munciethreetrails.com. Bluegrass greats The Grascals will kick things off on Sat., July 9th at Canan Commons. The Grascals are two-time winners of the International…