Articles by Mike Rhodes

Delaware County Nonprofits Receive $617,750 From Community Foundation

By: Eunice Whitlock— Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, Inc. is awarding $617,750 to 17 nonprofit organizations during the first Quarterly Competitive Grant Cycle of 2016. The Community Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County for this generation and generations to come. To that end, Quarterly Competitive Grants are awarded to fund projects for which there is a demonstrable community benefit in one of the following areas of interest: arts and culture, human services, economic development, education and community betterment. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County,…

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Cornfed Derby Dames Announce Season 6 Game Dates

By: Jessie Irwin— Muncie, IN – Muncie’s own Cornfed Derby Dames have spent the last four months preparing for their sixth season. In 2015 Cornfed climbed 83 spots in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association rankings and this year they’re hoping to go further. The dames have added a “B Team” to better accommodate and train upcoming skaters; also enabling all home bouts in 2016 to be double headers. The first home bout of season six will be Sunday, February 28 at Gibson Arena, 2610 S. Mock Ave. Doors open at 3 p.m. with a 4 p.m. start time. The…


Summer of Love Concert: Songs of the Woodstock Generation Performs at Emens

By: Kristi Chambers —  (MUNCIE, IN)  The Summer of Love Concert is a concert experience that has audiences reliving the memories and celebrating the songs of the Woodstock generation–the music that changed the world. Note-for-note and absolutely live, Summer of Love Concert will be at Emens Auditorium on Friday, February 19, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available now at the Emens Auditorium Box Office, charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.com. The Summer of Love Concert features iconic rock music from the period of time between the release of The Beatles revolutionary album Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band in…


Cornerstone to Hold Ribbon Cutting for New Solar Energy Initiative

By: Jessie Irwin— Cornerstone Center for the Arts is celebrating Leap Day, and a leap into the future with a new solar power system, by hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Monday, February 29, at 4:30 p.m. The ceremony, with light refreshments, will take place in the Colonnade Room on the first floor of Cornerstone. There will be brief remarks made from Cornerstone’s leadership, as well as National Energy Control and OJS Building Services. The ribbon cutting ceremony will celebrate and showcase the following improvements: -150 kilowatt roof-mounted solar array producing clean, sustainable energy -Updated HVAC, mechanical, and electrical systems…


Ivy Tech Community College to hold Go Ivy Day Event at Muncie Housing Authority

By: Shawn Carmichael—  Muncie, Ind—Ivy Tech Community College East Central region will be holding a Go Ivy Day event on February 18 at the Muncie Housing Authority – Price Hall.  Prospective students will be able to learn all about Ivy Tech Community College including admissions, financial aid, new student orientation, and career services. Go Ivy Day Muncie Housing Authority – Price Hall February 18 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 704 South Madison Street Muncie, IN 47302 Appointments are required and can be made by contacting Seth Davidson at (765) 289-2291 ext. 1440.   About Ivy Tech Community College Ivy Tech…


ARF to Hold Valentine Adoption Event at PetSmart®

By: Dee McKinsey— (Muncie) – ARF (Animal Rescue Fund) will hold an adoption event at PetSmart®, 3450 N Morrison Rd, Muncie, during the Valentine Weekend. Several ARF rescued cats and dogs will be available to PetSmart® during the three-day event, Feb. 12, 13 and 14. ARF will have a “Kissing Booth,” where adopters can have their picture taken for a small fee. Or those shopping at the store can have their pictures taken with their animals, or humans just with each other. Founded in 1998 by animal activist Terri Panszi, The Animal Rescue Fund (ARF), Muncie, is a private non-profit,…


Whitely Community Council Introduces Improvement Initiatives

By: Isaac Reynoso— MUNCIE, Ind. – At the Whitely Community Council monthly meeting on Monday, goal committees introduced several exciting new initiatives for the Whitely neighborhood. Perhaps the most ambitious initiative is the “Year of Color” campaign introduced by Richard Ivy, co-chair of the Beautification committee. This project aims to extend the pastel color palette of the Centennial Place apartments throughout the Whitely community, creating a “language of color” for the neighborhood through a series of painting, planting, and beautification projects. With the cooperation of the residents, local government, and business owners, this initiative hopes to extend the pastel colors in…


Project Leadership’s Ice League Kicks Off With Draft Day

By: Brenda Morehead— MUNCIE — The 2016 season of Project Leadership’s ICE League launched Saturday with a Draft Day for more than 100 middle school student athletes at Muncie Central High School. The day featured students taking part in skill drills showcasing their basketball talents, as well as motivational speeches by Muncie Central basketball coaches. The Project Leadership Inner City Educational (ICE) League, in its second season, is an innovative initiative that motivates participants to be strong student athletes as they move toward high school and post-secondary educations. The ICE League ties in closely with Project Leadership’s mission to assist…


BSU Center for International Development Needs Host Families

By: Hanna DelaGardelle— Jacob Okomo, a 17-year-old student from Rusinga Island, Kenya, traveled over three days last spring to visit the United States. Jacob, among 23 other students, were selected by the U.S. Embassies in five different countries to participate in the Pan-Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP), funded by the U.S. Department of State. David and Hanna DelaGardelle, residents of Muncie, accommodated Jacob in their apartment for two weeks while he studied at Ball State University. After two consecutive years, the Center for International Development (CID) at Ball State was awarded another grant to host 72 African high school students…


“Get Your Business Online” Workshops by East Central ISBDC

By: Christy Ragle— Research shows that 97% of consumers search the web to find local goods and services, but only 37% of businesses have claimed an online listing. The East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) wants to help businesses claim their listing and is offering a series of “Get Your Business Online” workshops in the region. During each workshop, participants will learn about the importance of local search in reaching customers. East Central ISBDC advisors will walk participants step-by-step through the process of establishing an online listing. The sessions are in partnership with Google and aim to bring…