Articles by Mike Rhodes

Conference participants of Muncie’s Neighborhood IDEA Conference at Ball State University. Photo Provided

Education March 21, 2016

Muncie Neighborhood Leaders Learn Best Practices at Ball State

By: Erin Moore— On a brisk Saturday morning in March, dozens and dozens of Muncie residents woke up early, streamed into Ball State’s Pittenger Student Center, and gave their entire day to attend keynote presentations and breakout sessions at the city’s first “Intentional Development and Education for Association Members” (IDEA) conference. The 130 participants represented diverse backgrounds, cultures, and every corner of Muncie, but they, along with conference sponsors Muncie Action Plan , Shafer Leadership Academy, Vectren Foundation, the City…

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A CASA volunteer and a child in court. Photo provided.

Non-Profit March 18, 2016

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

By: Ashley Soldaat—  Join Delaware County CASA’s commitment to helping victims of child abuse and neglect heal, and making sure all children feel safe and loved. Anytime a child is abused or neglected, it’s a tragedy – one that all too often scars victims for a lifetime. The latest statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are sobering: Child Protective Services agencies across the United States received some 3.6 million referrals of abuse or neglect involving 6.6 million…

Gracie, a 10-week old Shih Tzu/Dachshund Mix.

Non-Profit March 17, 2016

$8,000 Donated in Four Days for ARF Rescue Dog ‘Gracie’ UPDATED

By: Dee McKinsey— Muncie, IN—Tiny Gracie, an ARF rescue, is going to get her heart operation, thanks to the generosity of Hoosiers and the support of the news media. Gracie, a 10-week old Shih Tzu/Dachshund Mix with a heart murmur, sees a Purdue veterinarian cardiologist at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The estimate for Gracie’s operation is approximately $3,800. ARF originally thought the cost would be $2,000, but after consulting with Purdue’s veterinarians the cost increased. ARF did not have the…

The Charles W. Brown Planetarium

Entertainment March 16, 2016

MSO Chamber Concert Series Begins Saturday

Muncie, IN – In collaboration with Ball State University’s Charles W. Brown Planetarium, the Muncie Symphony Orchestra is pleased to present, Coming Soon to a Solar System Near You, to open its Chamber Concert Series. Experience chamber music like you never have before! Artistic Director/Conductor, Doug Droste, has developed an exciting program for the March 19th event that is sure to please audience members of all ages. Two shows are offered, 6:30pm and 8:30pm. Seating is limited. “This is another…

Members of the Islamic Center of Muncie, Mayor Tyler and his wife, and other community leaders gather on March 12th, 2016. Photo by: Bibi Bahrami

Non-Profit March 16, 2016

Celebration of Diversity Day at the Islamic Center was a Great Success

By: Jason Donati— Muncie, IN—The Islamic Center of Muncie partnered with R.A.C.E. Muncie to host a ‘Celebration of Diversity’ meet and greet at the Islamic Center on Saturday, March 12th. The celebration followed a recent resolution unanimously passed by Muncie City Council to promote religious freedom and respect for all beliefs in the City of Muncie. Nearly 140 community members attended the celebration on Saturday including Mayor Tyler, his wife Vickie, Police Chief Steve Stewart, Fire Chief Eddie Bell, Community…

Prairie Creek Reservoir. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit March 16, 2016

Foundations Bring Grantees Together to Share Lessons Learned, Visit Prairie Creek

MUNCIE—Two Muncie-based family foundations are hosting a summit this week that will bring together grantees focused on the environment, outdoor education, and outdoor recreation. Ball Brothers Foundation is the lead host of the summit which will introduce Muncie area grantees to like-minded organizations from the Leelenau area of northern Michigan which are supported by the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation. The two day event will be held on Wednesday and Thursday at the new Courtyard hotel in downtown…

Photo Illustration: Mike Rhodes

Business March 16, 2016

You Got the Job! Now What? Dorothy Douglass Provides Answers

By: Dorothy Douglass, SPHR, SHRM-SCP— I’ve shared with you a little about job-hunting and about acing an interview. Let’s chat about what to do once you’ve gotten the job. Below are some “pet peeves” that hiring managers might call HR about, or might push them to consider whether they made a good hiring decision, or even if they should let a new hire go. Do not ignore emails, voice mails or snail mail from your new employer that might contain specific…

Betty and Bill Retherford. Photo provided.

Health March 15, 2016

Early Detection is Key: Lung Scan Saves Veteran’s Life

By: Jacob Taylor—  “Nag them. Urge them. Love them. $49 Lung Scans.” Those are the words that Betty Retherford saw on a billboard while traveling to Muncie in late August of 2015. She instantly thought of her husband, Bill Retherford, and decided to register him for a scan at Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital. “As an RN, I knew the combination of Bill’s COPD and smoking history put him at a greater risk,” said Betty. “And, $49 was worth…

Business March 15, 2016

Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence Accepting Nominations

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is now accepting nominations for the 2016 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. The Indiana Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence is Indiana’s most prestigious environmental recognition award. Although IDEM accepts nominations from all Indiana citizens and organizations, the selection process is highly competitive and only one winner will be selected to receive this award. The award will be presented in September or October 2016. Examples of Eligible Projects The following provides examples of eligible…

Aerial image of the Ball State Campus. Photo by: Michael Wolfe

Education March 14, 2016

BSU Presidential Search Process Begins, Open Forums Planned

Editor’s Note: Another public forum has been added. It will be held Monday, May 23, at 7pm in Assembly Hall in the Ball State University Alumni Center, 2800 W. Bethel Ave in Muncie.  MUNCIE, Ind. — The Ball State Board of Trustees today announced initial steps in the search for a new university president. Board Chair Rick Hall said the campus community, alumni and the public are invited to attend any of a series of open forums to provide input…