Team WIBC Wins $5,000 For The Salvation Army at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Team WIBC Wins $5,000 For The Salvation Army

With The 2011 American Family Insurance 500 Festival Media Pit Stop

Competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

WIBC team members Denny Smith, Joe Ulery, Dan McGowan and Reed Parker 

Written by

Deborah Simon

Team WIBC raced to win the Media Pit Challenge at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Wednesday, May 25. In spite of impending severe weather and mechanical difficulties, local media teams competed to win the $5,000 prize for their chosen charity. For several years, WIBC has chosen The Salvation Army as their benefactor, in addition to the many other ways the station partners with us.

This year’s win came as a surprise following the challenge of rapid times from other teams. Mike Rowland, Media Director for The Salvation Army, sat in the driver’s seat as WIBC personalities worked to change two tires and beat the lowest time. Mike says, “The good thing about WIBC is that they’re not out here just to win bragging rights.They’re out here to win for The Salvation Army so that we can continue to help those in need.”

Team WIBC won with a time of just over 12 seconds.

Our thanks goes to WIBC team members Denny Smith, Joe Ulery, Dan McGowan and Reed Parker for being a fantastic crew!

Deborah Simon is Social Media Manager for The Salvation Army.
Photo furnished by Deborah Simon
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, music, restaurant and performing arts critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, on aroundindy.com, and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

My Favorite Things 2010

As the yule log burns to a smoldering ember, I ponder all I have tasted, seen and experienced this past year. Here is a list of my favorite things from 2010. They are listed in no particular order and are linked to the original review. A little walk down memory lane...

1. Broadway Across America-Jersey Boys: This high-energy tale of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons sweeps over you and you leave singing, ready to see it again.
2. Beef and Boards-A Beef and Boards Christmas: The re-invented, jazzed-up variety show hits all the right notes making it high on my list.
3. Papa Roux: Everyone needs a down-to-earth, good grub joint and this is it for me. Papa's proves that Po Boys can be served at reasonable prices without losing quality.
4. Morty's Comedy Joint: Bringing headliners, good food and a warm atmosphere to Indy's comedy scene, Morty's seems intent on providing a high-quality show, service and menu.
5. Hoosier Park & Racing Casino: I have been to a few casinos and horse tracks now and I stand by my opinion that this one is just plain FUN!
6. IRT-Becky's New Car: Stephen Dietz's play, starring Constance Macy and Nicholas Hormann is well executed and hilarious. I enjoyed it so much I went back again on my personal time.
7. The Cabaret-Amanda McBroom: Set in the elegant venue overlooking Indy's Circle known as The Cabaret, McBroom's depth of emotion and lifetime of experiences, softened with her effervescence, make her performance one for the scrapbook.
8. WIBC-Joe Ulery and Oscar Champagne Brunch: Joe invited me to be the entertainment adviser on his Saturday Morning News Show and we have so much fun with it. Popping the cork on-air with Amber and chatting about movies for the pre-Oscar brunch was also a highlight.
9. Owensboro: How do I put a whole town on the list? Easily. Bluegrass, botanical gardens, go-karts, performing and fine arts, burgoo, frozen hot chocolate, fudge and great shopping.
10. Richmond-Lantz House Inn and J&J Winery:  The positive outlook of Marica Hoyt, owner of the beautiful, historic B&B is contagious and her lemon-ricotta pancakes are addicting. Up the road, J&J manages to be cozy, festive and romantic all at the same time. The winery overlooks a scenic body of water, while the charming owners serve the best damn cheese and fruit plate.
11. Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra-Yuletide Celebration: Sandi Patty made this colorful variety-style show a must for anyone needing a holiday boost.
12. Devour Downtown: Local eateries reducing prices to showcase their food is a great idea which I enjoyed reviewing and tasting. I look forward to this year's menus.

The list ended with 12 by coincidence or fate, however you like to believe. It was difficult to narrow it down from my approximately 150 experiences this year. I hope some of your favorites are on here also. I look forward to 2011 and all the adventures coming our way. Happy New Year!

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer and theater critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook.

Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, West Side Community News, New Palestine Reporter, West Indianapolis Community News, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Wine Tips 101: Tim Gaiser, Master Sommelier

If you've read Gotta Go for any length of time, you'll know I enjoy a glass of vino now and again. Red in particular. It's a rare treat to meet a sommelier (wine expert) and even more rare to get the opportunity to have a talk with a master sommelier. With only 150 in the world, they are considered the best of the best.

I got just such an opportunity recently after stumbling upon Tim Gaiser's DVD Think Like a Genius: Wine Master. Gaiser is a master sommelier and current Education Chair for the American Chapter of the Court of Master Sommeliers. Translation: He knows his stuff.

The Genius method was created by Tim Hallbom, behavioral scientist, and deconstructs a genius while at his craft. Streamlining the process is Taryn Voget, CEO and co-founder of Everyday Genius Institute, San Francisco, California.

They slowed Gaiser down, checked out his method and got it on tape. It was created to help novices understand what they are actually smelling, tasting, and seeing.

He was kind enough to share some wine tips with me, almost a Wine Tips: 101 class, if you will.

With Gaiser living in San Francisco, the interview between the wine wizard with 25 years of experience and me came via telephone. I asked and he answered. Ready?

Q: Is price an indicator of quality?
A: No; there are great wines at practically every price point.

Q: Name some bare essentials for someone starting out.
A: Decent glassware, a good beginning wine book, like Karen MacNeil's The Wine Bible, and wine-tasting classes.

Q: What is your opinion on which wines to use with cooking?
A: If it isn't good enough to drink; don't cook with it.

Q: What do you recommend to someone who wants to store wine without spending a large amount of money?
A: Don't. Wine needs to be stored at the correct temperatures. If you cannot store them properly, then buy a few bottles at a time and drink them; don't try to store them.

Q: Is the genius method good for beginners?
A: Yes. It makes people aware of the process of how they remember what things smell and taste like, their internal process.

Q: If there is one thing you would like people to remember about wine, what would it be?
A: Wine touches everything, ecology, archaeology, history. It's the great connector; it connects people.

Wine tastings narrow down which types and flavors you prefer. Wineries are a good place to check out some local wines. Remember, however, that wineries offer a specific grouping of wines...theirs.

To check out wines from around the world, a wine-tasting class and tastings at wine shops and restaurants help broaden the field. Once you are comfortable with wines, try out a food and wine pairing class or a wine-making class.

Bottom Line: Don't despair if you don't become an expert overnight. There is a wine for everyone, and you can always try, try again.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer and theater critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and at gottago.us. Comments can and questions can be sent to elizabeth@gottago.us.

*Special thanks to Taryn Voget, Everyday Genius Institute, CEO and co-founder, Tim Hallbom, behavioral scientist and co-founder, and Tim Gaiser, master sommelier for their input and information included in this column.

*Click on the following links for more details on the genius method, wine tips, The Wine Bible, and the WIBC interview between Tim Gaiser and Elizabeth J. Musgrave on Joe Ulery's Saturday Morning News Show.

www.everydaygeniusinstitute.com
www.timgaiser.com
www.wibc.com/weekend/ulery/
www.karenmacneil.com/winebible

Photo credits:
Submitted by Everyday Genius Institute
Photos by Izzy Evans

Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, West Side Community News, New Palestine Reporter, West Indianapolis Community News, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Beef and Boards: Church Basement Ladies

Church Basement Ladies, based on the writings of Janet Letness Martin and Suzann Nelson, is currently playing to sold-out audiences at Beef and Boards, 9301 N. Michigan Road. The setting is a familiar one to most of us: a church basement. The cast of five represents two elderly women, one middle-aged woman, her daughter and the pastor of a Lutheran church. The story begins in 1964, in a small town in Minnesota.

The plot is as old as time, the changing of the guard from one generation to the next. No one probably takes it harder than a woman whose identity is as strongly defined as that of a church basement lady.

Toiling through decades of potlucks, weddings, funerals and holidays, these women, under-appreciated and overworked, become territorial when younger generations want to change things up a bit. Add in the leader of the church with a new wife, one who clearly does not fit in, and the comedy of real life ensues.

The audience was kept entertained by the culture, food and language of our friends from the north, along with the antics of Mavis Gilmerson, portrayed by Karen Pappas who was last seen in High School Musical. With the heaviest Minnesotan accent among the cast, Pappas’ physical comedic abilities kept the performance flowing and the audience laughing.

Playing off Gilmerson’s zaniness were overly judgmental Mrs. Snustad (Licia Watson), mediator Karin Engelson (Katherine Proctor) and rebel college student Signe Engelson (Lisa Bark).

Caught between the upstairs congregation and the downstairs matriarchs was Pastor Gunderson, portrayed by Eddie Curry.

If it sounds a little like a northern version of Steel Magnolias, you’re almost correct. There are no frills, however, in the lower floor of the barely-making-it church with a need for a new furnace, a new maintenance hero and with meals to make on a shoestring budget. However, laughter still proves to be the best medicine.

Teachings of Norwegian foods, lutefisk, dried cod, rommegrot, a pudding, and krumkake, a cookie, are blended with common Minnesota sayings. Life lessons of humility, strength, courage and friendship are learned through laughter, fighting and cooking.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer and theater critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93.1 WIBC and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and at gottago.us. Comments can be sent to elizabeth@gottago.us

This column was originally published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, West Side Community News, New Palestine Reporter, West Indianapolis Community News, Pendleton Times Reporter, Fortville-McCordsville Reporter

Photo credit: juliecurryphotography.com
Visit online at beefandboards.com