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In this issue
2 • Lt.Governorlaunchesnewagency
3
The TorchispublishedmonthlybytheStatePersonnelDepartment
andisavailableonlineatwww.in.gov/spd
Submityourstoryideasto:spdcommunications@spd.in.gov
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5
6• Amusementparkdiscountsforsummer2013
• BiketoWork• Resourcesforbeginningbikers
Got a story?
If you see something, say something: Hoosiers asked to report suspicious activity
May 2013
• CollegeChoice529plan
• FMLpolicyrenewel
4
• RecoveryNutrition• Visitfarmer’smarket
TheIndianaDepartmentofHomelandSecurity,IndianaStatePoliceandtheCityofIndianapolisDepartmentofPublicSafetyaskHoosierstoreportsuspiciousactivity.Thisisespeciallyimportantatlargeevents.
Suspiciousactivityreportsareoneofthebestdefensesagainstviolentacts.CamerasusedbyprivatebusinessesandatipfromacitizenwerekeyintheidentificationofthetwoBostonMarathonbombingsuspects.
Local,stateandfederalagenciesadvocatethe“IfYouSeeSomething,SaySomething”campaign.Citizensareoneofthebestpartnerspublicsafetyprofessionalshaveagainstviolentsituations.Theaveragepersonneedstoknowthattheirinputiscriticalinpreventionandfindingperpetrators.
Afewimportantpoints:• Donotfeelembarrassedfor
reportingsomethingoutoftheordinary.Ifitdoesn’tseemright,reportit.
• Whenreportingsuspicious
behavior,itisimportanttotakenoteofseveralkeydetails,suchaswhenandwhereyouwitnessedthebehaviorandanydescriptionofindividualsinvolvedsuchasgender,age,physicaldescriptionanduniquecharacteristics.Alsotakenoteofanyvehiclesinvolved,makeandmodelofthevehicle,anditsdirectionoftravel.
• DONOTconfrontanyonewhoisexhibitingsuspiciousbehavior.
• Toreportsuspiciousactivity,contacton-sitesecurity,locallawenforcement’snon-emergencylineortheIndianaIntelligenceFusionCenterat1-877-226-1026.Ifviolenceisimminent,call9-1-1.
• ProgramthenumberfortheFusionCenterintoacellphone.
• Examplesofsuspiciousactivityincludemonitoringpersonnel,testingsecurity,unusualorprolongedinterestinsecuritymeasures,orpurposelyplacingobjectsinsensitiveareastoobserveresponse.Forexample,apersontakingphotosatahighprofileeventisnotunusualinitself;butifthatpersonisonlytakingphotosofsecuritycamerasorpersonnel,thatactivitywouldbesuspicious.
Formoreinformationgotoin.gov/iifcorgetprepared.in.gov.
The Torch 2
Lt. Governor launches Indiana Office of Defense Development
New agency
OnGovernorPence’sfirstdayinoffice,theIndianaOfficeofDefenseDevelopment(IODD)wascreatedthroughanexecutiveordertoprovideafocusedeffortongrowingthedefensesectorbusinessinIndianaandcreatingjobsforHoosiers.
DuaneEmbree,whoservedtheNavywith35yearsoffederalcivilianserviceandthelast13ofthoseyearswasamemberoftheSenior
ExecutiveService,wasappointedasthedirectoroftheIndianaOfficeofDefenseDevelopment.ThisnewofficeispartoftheLt.Governor’sfamilyofbusinessagencies.
“OurgoalwiththeIODDisafocusedeconomicdevelopmentefforttogrowdefenseindustrybusinessinIndianaandcreatejobsforHoosiers,”saidEllspermann.“Ourgoalisnotonlytopreserveandprotecttheassetswehavetoday,buttoalsoopenourdoorstostrategicallyseekoutorphanactivitiesandattractthosecross-functionalopportunitiesfortrainingandinnovativecompaniesinterestedinexpandingdefensetechnologies.Indianahastomarketitselfasopenformilitarybusiness.”
IODDwillfocusonfourmaincomponentsofeconomicdevelopmentwithinthedefensesector:First,topreserveandgrowourcurrentmilitaryassetsandinstallations.Second,topromoteandstrengthenthedefenseindustriesinIndiana.Third,toattractdefenserelatedindustriesthroughlocal,stateandregionaleconomicdevelopmentorganizations.Andfinally,topromotetheuseandcommercialization
ofdefenseandfederalintellectualpropertytocreatenewproducts,companiesandjobs.
“Wewillworkcloselywithstateandeconomicdevelopmentagenciesandthestategovernment’sofficeinWashington,”
saidEmbree.“Wewillhavetolearntospendourmoneybetterandmakeadjustmentsaswegoalongtocertainprograms.”
TheIODDwillworkwithallexistingdefenseassetsinthestate,andhassignedapartnershipagreementwithNSWCCrane.ThisagreementisthenextstepinleveragingtheincredibleassetsatNSWCCraneandotherdefenseinstallationsalongwithIndiana’sindustryandacademicassetsforeconomicdevelopmentandmakesthemostoftaxpayerfundedcapabilitiesandresearch.
Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann appointments Duane Embree as the Director of the Indiana Office of Defense Development (IODD).
CelebratedthefirstweekofMaysince1985,PublicServiceRecognitionWeek(PSRW)istimesetasidetohonorthemenandwomenwhoserveournationasfederal,state,countyandlocalgovernmentemployeesandensurethatourgovernmentisthebestintheworld.
TheStatePersonnelDepartmentthanksallstateemployeesfortheirservice,commitmentanddedicationtomakingIndianathebeststateinthenation.
Evenduringdifficulttimes,youcontinueworkingtofindinnovativesolutionstocomplexissues.Yourhardworkdoesnotgounnoticed,andwewantyoutoknowthatweareproudtoservewithyou.
May 5-11, 2013
Artwork by Jerry Williams
The Torch3
Recovery nutrition is essential following physical activity, like a smoothieRecoverynutritioniscrucialaftertakingpartinextendedphysicalactivity.Whenexercising,thebodyusesagreatamountofcaloriesor“fuel”toprovideenergy,andpromoteoptimalperformance.Itisimportantafterastrenuousworkouttore-fillenergystores.Recoverynutritionisthekeytore-stockingtheseenergystores,andtoensureyouarereadyandfeelinggoodforthenextchallengingworkout.Whenproperrecoverynutritionislacking,youmayfeellowonenergy,tiredandexperiencelessthanoptimalperformance.Itisalsoessentialforrebuildingandrepairingmuscletissuethathasbeenbrokendownduringintenseworkouts.
Toreceivethemostbenefitsfromrecoverynutritionadheretothisruleofthumb:consumeasnackwithin30minutesofrigorousphysicalactivity.Thisisknownastherecoverywindow.Alsobesuretograbasnackthatcontainsacombinationofcomplexcarbohydratesandleanproteins,thiswillaidinoptimalrecovery.Aimforasnackormealthatcontainsa3:1ratioofcarbohydratestoprotein.Ifyouareanenduranceathlete,youmayneedtobumpthatratioupto4:1toadequatelyreplenishyourfuelstores.Herearesomeexamplesofexcellentrecoverysnacks:• 1cupGreekyogurttoppedwith
strawberries• 1cuplow-fatchocolatemilk• 1Banana+1tbsppeanutbutter• Stringcheese+6-8crackers• Ahalfofapeanutbutterandjelly
sandwich
Tailoryourpost-workoutrecoverysnacktoyourneeds.Dependingon
thedurationandintensityofyourworkoutandyourperformancegoals,youmayneedmoreorlessrecoverynutritionafterexercise.
Lookingforaquickrecoverysnack?Tryoutthiseasy-to-makepeanutbutter-bananasmoothie:1. 1frozenbanana2. ½cupmilk3. 1tbsppeanutbutter4. 1scoopvanillaprotein5. AdashofcinnamonPlaceallingredientsinablender,blenduntilsmoothoruntilyourdesiredconsistencyisreached.Addateaspoonofcocoapowderbeforeblending,ifyouwantahealthychocolate-ytreat!
ThankstotheIndiana Dietetics Associationforthis
submission.Checkouttheirwebsite,http://eatrightin.org/formoretipsandinformation.
OnMay23,theStatehouseMarketreturnstoRobertD.OrrPlazaDrivewithmoreoptions.Thisseason,themarkethosts10producevendorsand10ofIndy’sfavoritefoodtruckseachThursdaythroughOctober10.That’s20datesforyoutoeatafreshlunchandshopforahealthydinner.
2013StatehouseMarketVendorsinclude:• VanAntwerpFarmMarket• GrandpaJay’sPork• WildflowerRidgeHoney• Ludwig’sFarmsteadCreamery• Posey&Pumpkins• OberweisDairy• MelonAcres• RedBarnMeats• BryantFarm• Morevendorsstilltocome!
Andmorethan40ofIndy’sfavoritefoodtrucks.
LookformoreinformationaboutthemarketinSPD’sAround the Circle newsletteroremailspdcommunications@spd.in.gov.
AccordingtotheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA),movethan170farmer’smarketsareoperatinginIndiana.Tofindamarketnearyou,clickthefollowinglinkhttp://search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/
Visit a farmer’s market this spring
The Torch 4
Do you need some help to start biking? workagaininthefuture.Ultimately,
themorepeoplewhobiketowork,thegreaterthelong-termbenefitsonthehealthofthoseindividualsinadditiontopositiveeffectsonourcommunity(i.e.improvedairquality,
lesscongestion,improvedlivability).
Ifyou’veeverthoughtaboutridingabicycletoworkbutneedalittleextraincentivetogive
itatry,markyourcalendarforMay17.Seewebsitefordetailsandtoregisteryourcommutevisitindycog.org/events/bike-to-work-day-2013.
MayisNationalBikeMonthandadvocatesacrossthecountryarepreparingforBiketoWorkDay,onFriday,May17.SincetheinauguralIndianapolisBiketoWorkDayinthemid-90s,theeventhasattractedanincreasingnumberofparticipantsandsponsors.In2012,roughly1,500cyclistsparticipated,withapproximatelyhalfofthemattendingthemaineventattheIndyBikeHubYMCAlocatedattheIndianapolisCityMarket.Theeventfeaturesahealthybreakfast,coffee,sponsorbooths,andsince2010,liveremotesbyFOX59TV.
Earlyindicationsshowthatthisyear’sIndianapolisBiketoWorkDaywillbeevenlargerduetotheincreaseinbicycleusersandcommuters,aswellasanincreaseinbicycle-relatedfacilitieslikeGreenways,IndianapolisCulturalTrail,50+milesofbikelanes.Thereisalsoanincreaseinthenumberofbicycle-friendlybusinesses(A1Cyclery,Angie’sList,BicycleGarageIndy,KIB,EliLilly,andStorrow,Kinsella&Assoc.).Addtothatmix,isthenewCompleteStreetsordinanceandthesoon-to-beintroducedIndianapolisBikePlan,andit’slikelywe’llseearecord-breakingBiketoWorkDayagain.
Thoughtitsimportanttosupportandshowcasepeoplewhoalreadybiketowork,akeyfocusofthisyear’seventisencouragingnovicestotrybikingtowork.AcasualbicyclerwhohasneverbicycledtoworkbuttriesitonBiketoWorkDayismorelikelytobiketo
Bike to Work Day is May 17, plan now
Jointhegrowingcommunityofbikecommutersanddiscoverthefunandfreedomofbicyclingandthehealthbenefitsitbringsaswell.Belowareafewresourcestohelpyoustartthisnewhobby.
Beginning bicyclists helpful guidelinesAreyounewtobikingortobikecommuting?Thisresourcecompilessafetytips,helmetguidelinesandtripplanninginaonepagedocument.Theseguidelinesforbikingsafetyandroadetiquetteprovidethefoundationofyourbicyclingskillsandknowledge.
The Right BicycleChoosingtherightbicycleisveryimportantforanybicyclist.Therearemanyfactorsthatcontributetowhichbikeisbestforanybicyclecommuter.Thisresourceillustratestheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofdifferenttypesofbicycles,whilealsoprovidingsomeinformationonsizing.Ifyouareplanningonpurchasinganewbicycle,thisguidewillhelpyoupurchasetherightbike.
Safety TipsSafetyisthemostimportantaspecttoconsiderasanovicebicyclistontheroad.Youmayhavequestionslike“wheredoIrideifthereisnobicyclelane”and“whataresomeofthemorecommonrisksthatIshouldwatchoutfor?”Thisdocumentprovidesthefundamentalsafetyinformationthateverybicyclistshouldbeawareofaswellassomehelpfultipsformotorists.
Ifyoudecidetobiketowork,theIndianaGovernmentcampushasconvenientbikelocklocations.TheINBikePorthas42bikelockersindowntownIndianapoliswhichareaccessibleviacellphone.Withthesebikelocks,yourbikeisoutoftheweatherandsafe.Yourhelmetcanbestoredwithoutergarmentsthroughouttheday.
Onceyouarearegisteredmember,thecostis$5.95forayearlysubscription.Clickhereformoreinformation.
TolocateDowntownbikelanes,useIndianapolisDowntownInc.’sNeighborhoodMap.Ifyouarelookingforadditionalbikeracksandlockers,hereisacompleteDowntownMap.
Need a bike lock?
The Torch5
Theroarofcarsatthetrackandthousandscelebratingthe“GreatestSpectacleinRacing.”That’swhatmostassociatewithMayinIndiana.AndalthoughthereisnothinglikewatchingtheIndianapolis500there’smoretobecelebratedinMay:5/29CollegeSavingsDay.
What’sthatyouask?It’sadaytocelebrateplanningandpreparingforthemostimportantinvestmentyoucanmake–aneducation.YoucandothisbyopeningorcontributingtoaCollegeChoice529SavingsPlan.TheCollegeChoice529Planisatax-advantagedwayforanyHoosiertosaveforalovedone’seducationexpenses.Or,youcanevensaveforyourown.
Studieshaveshownthatthetypicalbachelor’sdegreerecipientcanexpecttoearnabout61percentmoreovera40-yearworkinglifethanthetypicalhighschoolgraduateearnsoverthesameperiod.There’snobettergiftforalovedonethanhelpingthempreparingforsomelevelofhighereducationalattainment.
TheCollegeChoicePlanworksforanyHoosierbecauseit’seligibleformorethanyour2or4yearuniversitiesandcolleges.Technical,vocationalortradeschoolsqualifyas
Race to college savings with 5/29 planFrom the Office of the Treasurer
well.Sowhetheryouaresavingforyourtoddlerathomeorforcareerretrainingforyourself–itworks!Andevenbetter-savingforthefuturegivesyouataxbenefittoday!AnyHoosierthatcontributestoaCollegeChoiceiseligibletoreceivea20percentstateincometaxcredit,upto$1,000,ontheircontribution.That’sanimmediatetwentypercentsavings,fasterthanthequickestpitstopimaginable!
Ourcountry’sfuturedependsonaneducatedworkforce.It’sprojected
thatby2018therewillbe930,000jobvacanciesinIndiana,accordingtotheIndianaCommissiononHigherEducation.ThosearejobsthatHoosierswantandneedtofill,butrequirepost-secondaryeducationortraining.
That’swhyit’smoreimportantthaneverthatyoustartplanningandpreparingnow!Don’tputthebrakesonyourfuturebynotsavingnow.Helpusspreadthewordbytalkingtoyourfriends,familyandemployersabouttheCollegeChoice529Plan.Weallneedtobeinvolvedinmaking5/29CollegeSavingsDayaturningpointinourcommunities!
Helio,Dario,TK,andSimonamayseelifeflashbyat220mph,butyoudon’tneedto.Finishtheraceawinnerbysavingtoday!FormoreinformationontheCollegeChoice529SavingsPlan,visitwww.collegechoiceplan.com.
Areyouready?Ifyouhavereasontobelievetheneedforanyintermittentorreduced-schedulefamilymedicalleave(FML)alreadyapprovedinthecurrentfiscalyearwillextendintoFY2013-14(July1,2013throughJune30,2014),thenyoumustre-apply.
Toensurethereisnogapincoverage,usethefollowingchecklist:• May-visityourhealth
careproviderforanexam,evaluationortreatment
• June1-submitnewRequest&Certificationbasedonthosevisits
Remember,a30daynoticeisrequiredforforeseeableabsences.IfyouhaveFMLforachronicconditionnow,theneedforthoseabsencesmaycontinueinthefuture.Thisrequiresanewrequestandcertification.
FailuretotimelysubmitdocumentationmayresultinunauthorizedleaveforabsencesafterJune30,2013.Ifyouhavequestions,pleasecalltheFMLCallCenterat317.234.7955ortoll-freeat1.855.SPD.INHR(1.855.773.4647)andchoosetheFMLprompt.
New fiscal year for FML starts July 1
FML deadline: June 30
The Torch 6
Lookingtotakethefamilytoanamusementparkthissummer,checkoutthesediscountsfirstandsavesomemoney.InIndiana,wehaveoffersfromHolidayWorldandIndianaBeach.AlsoSixFlagsinSt.LouisandKingsIslandhavemadeoffers.KingsIsland,opennow,isfinalizingtheirdiscountofferandtheinformationwillbepostedontheentertainmentdiscountspageonceitbecomesavailable.
Indiana BeachLocatedinMonticello,IndianaBeachoffersdiscountsofforgateadmissionandseasonpassesforemployees.Followtheinstructionsbelowandyoucangetnormalgateadmission(FundayTicket)for$26.95perperson,$9offnormalgateprice.TheparkopensMay11.1.Visitwww.IndianaBeach.com2.Clickon“BuyOnline”inthetop
leftcornerofthesite.3. LookunderOption2andclickon
“PromoCode”4.Typethecode:2013stateemp
Holiday World HolidayWorldandSplashin’SafariinSantaClaushasprovidedFunClubSavingsCouponsagain,goodfor$5offofmaingategeneraladmissioninMayandJune.Thecouponsaregoodfor$4offfortherestoftheseason,exceptSaturdaysinJulyandAugustwhenthecouponsare$2off.Onecouponisgoodforuptoeightdiscounts.TheparkopensMay4.DiscountcouponsareavailableinW161inIndianaGovernmentCenter(IGC)Southwhiletheylast.Ifyoucan’tpickupacouponattheIGC,youcanbringanyemptyPepsicanorBunnyBreadwrappertoaHolidayWorldticketboothforadiscounton
uptoeightadmissiontickets(percanorwrapper).AnyPepsiproductorBunnyBreadwrapperwillwork,andthecanorwrapperdoesnothavetohaveacoupononit.Foradmissionpricesandotherdiscountinformation,checktheHolidayWorldwebsitefordetails.
Six Flags (St. Louis)SixFlagsinSt.Louisoffersanonlinepurchaseprogramwithnotonlysubstantialsavings,butallowsyouto“printandgo”soyouhaveyourticketinhandwhenyougettotheparkwithnowaitinginthelinetopurchasetickets.SixFlagsoffersafewdifferentpromotionsontheticketsite.ThemainofferistheECRegularOneDayfor$35.99perticket.Youcansaveanadditional$2perticketifyoupurchaseyourticketswithinthreedaysofyourvisitwiththe3-dayECGeneralAdmissionoffer.
ThereisaBuy3,Get1Freeofferupnow,butpleasenoteifyoupurchasethroughthatoffertheticketsmustbeusedbyMay26,2013.IfyoupresenttheofferafterMay26,youwillhavetopayanadditionalgateadmissiononthefourthticket.
Purchaseticketshere:https://shop.sixflags.com/clients/sixflags/affiliate/index.php?m=18052Username:INSTATEPassword:SixFlags8(casesensitive).
Great Wolf Lodge offer available year-roundClearyourcalendar,packyourswimsuits,andheadtoGreatWolfLodge!Save20percentoffthebestavailableroomratesatGreatWolfLodgeinMasonorSanduskyOhiowhenbookingusingthecodeINDI462B onlineatwww.greatwolf.comorwithareservationistat1.800.905.WOLF.Bookearlyforthebestratestosavethemost!Restrictionsapplyandyou
mustpresentIDuponcheckin.Offerisbasedonavailability.Viewflyerformoredetails.
Cincinnati RedsGetdiscountedticketsforfiveCincinnatiRedshomegamesduringthe2013season,thefirstofwhichisaMay26gameagainsttheChicagoCubs.Discountticketsforthisoffercanbepurchasedonlineatwww.reds.com/indiana.Theonlinepromocodeforthisofferis:indy(alllowercase).HerearetheSundaygamedatesofferedinthediscount:• May26vs.ChicagoCubs• June9vs.St.LouisCardinals• July21vs.PittsburghPirates• Aug.4vs.St.LouisCardinals• Sept.8vs.LosAngelesDodgers
Indianapolis IndiansTheIndianapolisIndianshaveofferedupspecialratestofivegamessofarthisseason.ThefirstgameavailableisonSunday,May12andticketscanbepurchasedonline,byphoneorbymail.Enjoyaspecialrateof$4offofthegatepriceavailableonlytostateemployees.
FortheMay12gamedate,children14andundereatfree.Kidsreceiveavoucherforonehotdog,onewater,andonebagofchips.
Theremaininggamedatesarelistedbelow,alongwithalinktoaflyerthatcanbeusedformailorders.GotoIndyIndians.comtoorderyourtickets.Enterpromocode“state”inStep3of5toreceiveyourdiscount.• May12• June7• July13• August3• August30
Amusement park summer discounts are now availableEmployee discounts
The Torch7
Good work
Employee performs ‘shining example of service’ with origamiAttheEvansvillePsychiatricChildren’sCenter,BehavioralHealthRecoveryAttendant(BHRA)ZachMelbergknowsexactlywhentofold.Thankstohiscreativetalents,enthusiasmandinvestmentinthechildren’ssuccess,sixboysranginginagefromninetoeleven,areenjoyingtheancientartofOrigami(paperfolding).Origamiisnotusuallyonthelistofleisureactivitiesduetoitscomplexnature;buttheboysarepersistentandtheirskilllevelsareincreasingthankstoZachwhohaspatientlycultivatedagreatinterestinOrigami.
“Ifeelthatorigamihelpsthechildrenbuildskillsforlaterintheirlives,”saidZach.“Origamihasitsrootsinmathematics,thearts,scienceandspirituality.Allowingthechildrentoconcentrateonaparticularlydifficultorigamiallowsthemtobuildtheirpatience.”Hefurthernotedhereviews
threevirtueswiththechildreneverytimetheydoorigami.“Thefirstispatience,becausewithoutpatienceorigamiisdifficult.Thesecondisconsideration,becausethechildrenhavetobeconsideratetotheirpeers’creations,onlysayingconstructiveopinions.Lastly,isconcentration,becausenotbeingabletoconcentrateonorigamiwillcauseamisfold.”
Theboysexperienceagreatamountofpersonalsatisfactionwhentheyseetheirworkcometolife.WithZach’sguidance,theyhavemadeanimpressivevarietyoforigamiitems:birds(swallow,crane),tessellations,animals(hound,hedgehog,lion,rat),flowers(rose,lily,waterlotus,tulip),boxes,octahedron,rings,Ninjastar,coinpouch,gyroscopeandothers.
NotonlyisOrigamiauniqueleisure
skill,buthasapositiveeffectwithallthatparticipate.Staffmembersoftenengageinleisureactivitieswiththechildrenintheevenings;butLoriSchutz,RN,notedthat“whatZachisdoingisashiningexampleofserviceatitsbest.”
Zach Melberg, BHRA, assists a child with an origami project.
License plates
Save time and money while you commute to work Withspringuponus,there’snotimelikethepresenttocommittogettingtoworksomewayotherthanaloneinyourowncar.YouwillnotonlybedoingyourparttoGreen-Uptheenvironment,you’llgreen-upyourwalletbyeasilysavingover50percentinyourcommutingcosts!
Carpool,ridethebus,joinorstartavanpool,rideyourbikeorwalk!Allofthesewillsaveyoualotofmoneyandarehealthierwaystogettoworkthandrivingalone.
Andnotonlywillyousavemoney–youmayevenmakesome!CommuterConnectisholdingaCommuterChallengeduringthemonthofMay.RegisterwithCommuterConnect,logyouralternativecommuteseachdayinMay,andyouwillbeenteredfor
weeklydrawingsforgiftcards,andagrandprizeattheendofthemonthfora$500giftcard!
So,howdoyougetstarted?Ifyoualreadygettoworkanywayotherthandrivingbyyourself,makesuretogetsigneduponthewebsite.Ifyouwouldcarpool,vanpool,orrideyourbike,ifyoujustknewsomeoneelsewholivednearyou,CommuterConnectwillhelpmatchyouupwithothersyoucancommutewith.Getstartedtodayatwww.commuterconnect.us.
Afraidtotryanotherwaytogettoworkincaseanemergencyrequiresyoutoleaveearly?Don’tworry!Allstateemployeeswhogettoworkinamannerotherthandrivingbythemselves,areeligibleforthefreeemergencyridehomebenefit.This
benefitisavailabletopeoplewhoridetoworkwithaminimumofoneotherperson(includingspousesandrelatives),peoplewhobike,walk,takethebusorvanpool.JustsignupwithCommuterConnecttogetthisbenefit.
“Icurrentlycarpooltowork,andpreviouslywasinoneofthevanpools.Icanpersonallytellyouthatitisagreatwaytogettoworkandahugemoney-saver.WearecurrentlylookingforpeopletojoinusinstartingasecondVanpoolfromtheCloverdalearea.,”saidChristiBunch,FSSA.
Ifyouareinterestedinjoiningthisvanpool,orjoiningorstartingavanpoolfromanotherarea,contactLoriKaplanatlkaplan@cirta.us.Formoreinformationortosignupvisitthewebsiteorcall317.327.RIDE(7433).
The Torch 8
Don’t let garden envy get the best of you: get out there and grow!
On April 20, Governor Mike Pence, Department of Homeland Security Director John Hill and Congresswoman Susan Brooks join Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight and to survey flood damage following torrential rains in north central Indiana.To see more pictures of Governor Pence visit www.in.gov/gov/2387.htm.
Oneofthebestpartsofsummerisallthefreshproduce.“Ilovewalkingouttomygardenandgrabbingfreshgreenbeansandhavingthemonmydinnerplatetwentyminuteslater”saidJenniferPinkston,IndianaStateDepartmentofAgricultureemployee.However,forthosewhodon’thavethespaceforagarden,thereisnoneedtosufferwithgardenenvy.Youcanbecomeacontainergardener.
Containergardening,orurbangardening,isagrowingtrendacrossthecountryandofferseveryonewithasunnyporchorrooftopthechancetogrowtheirownvegetables,fruitsandherbs.Youcantransformasmallapartmentpatiointoyourownproduceparadise.
Togetstarted,you’llneedsome
flowerpots,soil,seedsorstarts,andsomeplantfood(nutrientsvaryinpottingmixes,sobesuretoreadthebagofsoilandbemindfulofeachplant’sneeds-pottingmixforflowersisnotthebestforyourtomatoes).Whenchoosingthesizeofthepots,becarefulnottogotoobigortoosmall-thinkabouttherootsystemofeachplantandhowtalltheywillbewhenfullygrown.Also,ifyou’regoingtobeadventurousandgrownvineplants,suchasstrawberries,stickwithashorter,widercontainer.
Wateringcanbetrickywithcontainers.It’seasytooverwater,andlet’sfaceit,weallgetbusyandsometimesforgettowaterourplants.Enlistingthehelpofaneighbororfriendhelpsensureyourplantsstayhydrated.Also,ensure
yourpotshaveenoughholesforwatertoescapeoryoursoilbecomestoowetandtherootsrot.
Asyourplantsgrow,keepinmindhowmuchsunlighteachplantneeds.Youmayhavetorearrangethepotsasyourplantsgrowandcastshadowsonotherplants.Evaluateyoursunlightthroughoutanormaldaytoseewherebesttoputyourplants.Whateveryourstyle,thereareplantsthatcanworkforyou.Youjusthavetodoalittleresearchandexperimentationtofindwhatworks.Checkoutthiswebsiteformoretipsandgetoutthereandgrow!
Gardens at home
FloodingisthemostcommonnaturaldisasterintheUS.Local,stateandfederalofficialshavebegunconductingjointpreliminarydamageassessmentsinfourcentralIndianacounties(Howard,Madison,TiptonandWabashcounties)toevaluatedamagecausedbysevereweatherandfloodingthatbeganApril17.IDHSisstillencouraginganyonewhohasnotyetreporteddamagetopleasedoso.
HoosierswhosustaineddamagecausedbysevereweatherandfloodingthatbeganApril17canreportonlineatwww.in.gov/dhs.Inthemiddleofthepageunder“FeaturedTopics,”clickon“ReportDamagefromSevereStormsandFlooding-StartingApril17andcontinuing.”
Forquestions,contactyourcountyemergencymanagementagency.Localagency’scontactinformationisavailablehere.
Flood damage assessment has begun
IDHS
The Torch 9
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