Megan Darnell with Owner Pamela Portee (L to R) next to Pamela's late mother's favorite red suit at Francina's boutique in Geist.

Francina – the inspiration behind the name of a new boutique in town – was a woman who never got to work a day in the shop she knew she would adore. Nor, did she have the opportunity to see the Grand Opening of the shop that bears her name. Francina died after a three year battle with bladder cancer –two months shy of the opening of her daughter’s boutique in the Kroger complex at 116th & Olio roads.

“She was so excited about the shop,” says daughter and owner Pamela Portee. “Clothes brought her a lot of joy and I hope this boutique will do the same for many other women.”

Portee –who actually is a cancer survivor herself—picked up the fashion bug from her mother and studied fashion merchandising in school. She and her family moved to the Geist area over ten years ago and brought her mother here to care for while she was sick. They began talking about a store and putting all their years of shopping department stores, boutiques and consignment shops into one unique idea for a shop – a boutique style shop with new and used under one roof!

“I want women to experience shopping in a nice boutique for the clothing that makes them feel good, all at a price they can afford,” says Pamela. “I think that is what makes women smile.”
Shoppers may smile over some of the labels found in Francina’s too; Prada, Missook, Gucci and True Religion jeans, all in the new clothing section at the front of the store.

The consignment section carries a variety of labels including Ellen Tracy, Nine West, Moschino, Michael Kors and Coach, all in a wide variety of prices.
Pamela says the consignment bags are a bit hit, too. “A Burberry bag and a Louis Vuitton bag sold the day I got them in the store!” say Pamela.

The Portees say they will also donate unwanted items that don’t sell in a certain period of time. “The community has been overwhelming to us in their support” says Pamela. “We want to give back in any way we can.”

Francina’s is open seven days a week. If you would like to learn more about Francina’s or how you can bring your items for consignment, give them a call at 317-288-5467 or look them up on line at www.facebook.com/FrancinasFashionsAtGeist.

The family business of the Fort Grille in Fortville, owned by the Dowless family (left to right) Michele, Rachel, James, Cameron and Caleb.

In a small, simple building on the outskirts of Fortville is perhaps one of the finest restaurant destinations in the Geist area. The Fort Grille, the last stop on your left as you leave Fortville headed towards Pendleton, has quickly become a favorite of locals and the word is spreading.

“I grew up working in Baltimore in our family’s 250-seat supper club,” said head chef and owner James Dowless. “I was only 14 when I started as a busboy in the back, learning the kitchen from the ground up. My uncle always wanted me to be a bartender or work the front of the house, but I fell in love with cooking and wanted to stay in the kitchen.”

Fried green tomatoes, a yummy appetizer.

While in college, Dowless met his now wife Michele, a salad station employee at an O’Toole’s restaurant. He continued his culinary career and Michele began working for Eli Lilly & Company as a cancer researcher which landed them in Durham, North Carolina.

Life was going along great in 2004, the Dowlesses were finishing up the bulding of their dream home and Michele had just given birth to their third child, Rachel. Then, a chain of events occurred that brought the Dowlesses to Indianapolis. Within a few weeks of Michele learning that Eli Lilly was closing the Research Triangle Park, James began having severe headaches.

“I could have taken a severance package, but we weren’t sure what was wrong with James,” explained Michele. They soon found out that the headaches were from a brain tumor and would be removed at Duke University Hospital. After the surgery, Michele accepted a transfer to the Eli Lilly campus in downtown Indianapolis and the family moved to the northeast end of Geist Reservoir.

The special of the night: Baked campanelle.

A few years later, another brain tumor surfaced and James again faced a tricky surgery to have it removed. After he recovered, his itch to get back into the kitchen resulted in the purchase of a struggling restaurant called Robbie’s in Fortville which the Dowlesses reopened in May 2011 as the Fort Grille.

“I just decided I’m not going to live in fear,” said James about his recurrent brain tumors. “I want to do what I love to do.”

The Fort Grille is a true family restaurant. While James runs the kitchen in the back, Michele works the front in the evenings and prepares most of the homemade desserts. Occasionally you’ll see one of them leave out the back door to pick up their sons Caleb and Cameron from lacrosse practice or you’ll spot their youngest, Rachel, waiting tables.

Walking into the Fort Grille, I felt like I was walking into a diner along Route 66 somewhere in Missouri. Two waist-high counters with bar stools on the right, a row of newly upholstered booths on the left. In the rear of the restaurant, a large open room with more free-standing tables for seating. The restaurant is decorated very simply with nods to the local railroad history and works by a local artist. Nothing out of the ordinary.

However, when our teenaged waitress handed us our menu, we realized this was no ordinary diner.

The Fort Grille’s “eclectic” menu features entrees like the Veal Saltimbocca, Chicken Marsala, and a family favorite of Shrimp ‘n Grits. To round out the menu, they also carry a broad range of moderately priced sandwiches, salads, soups, and a $.99 kids menu.

For our visit, Jeanne and I sampled the Fried Green Tomatoes, Broccoli Cheddar soup, and then shared the daily special, Baked Campanelle. Neither of us have ever tried fried green tomatoes and we were both impressed with not only the taste, but the presentation, served on greens with a balsamic vinaigrette, pesto and goat cheese drizzle. The baked campanelle was amazing, made very rich and creamy with gorgonzola cheese. I thought I could eat it all but realized quickly a take home box was in order.

The unassuming Fort Grille appears like any other roadside diner.

Michele wouldn’t let us leave without a dessert, so we tried the mint chocolate cheesecake which featured small bits of York Peppermint Patties on top. Simply amazing.

“We make everything homemade,” says James as he points back to the bustling kitchen. “Even the bread we serve is homemade. We take the crumbs from the bread and use it for breading on our fried green tomatoes. You can taste the difference.”

The Fort Grille closes each night at 9:00 pm and is open for lunch at 11:00 am Monday through Saturday, serving brunch only on Saturday mornings starting at 10:00 am. My recommendation is to pay a visit for dinner so you can have the full experience with appetizers, entree, and a homemade dessert. To see their full menu, visit www.FortGrille.com.

If you are looking for a true family restaurant with gourmet food, take the 10 minute drive east to Fortville and pay the Dowlesses a visit. You’ll quickly become part of their growing fan base of loyal customers.

Plaintiffs in the Indiana State Supreme Court suit against the Town of Fishers await a verdict to see whether or not residents will be able to vote for the City of Fishers' first mayor. (Left to right) Glenn Brown, Mike Kole, and Joe Weingarten.

In 1990, the Town of Fishers was an exit off of I-69 with a McDonalds, gas station, and only 7,200 residents. According to 2010 census data, the town has grown to 76,794 residents, nearly 10 times the size in just 20 years. In the Indianapolis metro area, Fishers is second in size only to the City of Carmel which has 79,191 residents.

With this in mind, a group of Fishers residents thinks that it’s time for Fishers to change from a town form of government to a city. Spearheaded by Geist resident Joe Weingarten, “City Yes” collected 1,700 signed petitions asking the Town of Fishers to put the question on the ballot in the form of a referendum last Fall. Petitions were filed in May of 2010, and three days later the Fishers Town Council announced they were going to reorganize, buying them six months to propose an alternative plan.

During that time, the Town of Fishers commissioned an independent study group to look at ways to consolidate local government and possibly reorganize. In December 2010, the Town Council proposed and adopted their reorganization plan, which on the surface seemed like a step in the right direction. However, buried in the details of the plan were some changes that take away the rights of voters to elect their own city mayor and appoints the current town council members as the city’s first council members.

Some Fishers residents are crying foul.

Weingarten, along with fellow Fishers residents Mike Kole and Glenn Brown, took their grievances to the Indiana Supreme Court. Local Geist resident Steve Greisemer, an attorney with Lewis & Kappes, PC, is representing the residents of Fishers.

Steve Griesemer, a Geist resident, is the lead attorney representing the Fishers residents in their case against the Town of Fishers.

“We would be perfectly fine with the reorganization plan,” said Greisemer, “if we only had the voting rights that came along with being a city. If this holds up, we’d be the only city in the State of Indiana that has a city council voted at large with an appointed mayor.”

Mark Crandley, attorney for the Town of Fishers, claims that Indiana Code 36-1.5-1, also known as the “Reorganization Act,” gives the Town the ability to change elected positions into appointed positions or vice versa.

“By and large, the study group found that most residents are comfortable with the current town style of government,” said Crandley during his Indiana Supreme Court testimony. “The residents don’t want radical change.”

Town government structure allows for town council members to be voted in at large, and then those town council members nominate and choose the town council president. Currently Scott Faultless, a 16-year town council member, is the town council president. In a second class city form of government, according to Indiana Code 36-4-5-2 and 36-4-6-3(i), officials are elected by their own districts, not at large, and the mayor is then voted on by all the voters in the city.

“This is how every city in the State of Indiana elects their mayor,” explains Greisemer.

Faultless contends that the Reorganization Act, which was legislated a few years ago in the Indiana State assembly, gives Fishers the ability to create what he calls a “modernized” or “hybrid” form of a Class II city. Under the Town’s current plan, the current Fishers town council would appoint themselves as the first city council and then they would appoint the mayor.

“We feel that all the residents of the city should be able to elect the mayor,” said Mike Kole, a plaintiff in the case.

The issue of becoming a city will be on the ballot in November in the form of two questions. The first will be whether or not the Town should adopt a Class II city per the petitioners’ request last year. The second will be whether or not the Town should adopt the “modernized” city plan.

Weingarten feels that having two questions will only lead to confusion and result in neither being adopted.

A verdict in the Indiana Supreme Court case (No. 94S00-1112-CQ-692) is likely to be handed down soon. (click here to watch the oral arguments online)

Dr. Philip Dulberger stands in front of the newly opened IU Health Saxony Hospital just off of Exit 10 at I-69.

Just across the interstate from Hamilton Town Center, IU Health Saxony Hospital is now open for business with a local anesthesiologist at the helm. Dr. Philip Dulberger, or “Dr. Phil” as his friends and colleagues refer to him, shared an idea six years ago that took him from the operating room to the second floor administrative offices at Fishers’ first specialty hospital with services focused on cardiovascular, orthopedic, spine care and emergency services.

In October 2005, Dulberger was in between surgeries when he decided to call IU Health (then called Clarian Health) CEO Dan Evans.

“I have an idea about a different approach to deliver health care,” Dulberger told Evans. “Hospitals traditionally wait for people to get sick and come in. I propose that we should establish a campus that focuses on helping people live a healthier lifestyle and keeping them well, so that when patients do become sick, we have developed that relationship with the patient, and they choose IU Health as their partner.”

Dulberger often times sports his lab coat and makes his rounds to check in on the IU Health Saxony “partners”.

Evans listened, agreed, and discussions continued for about six months with others within IU Health. After Dulberger returned from a spring break vacation in 2006, the decision was made to move forward with the plan. Dulberger traded his lab coat for a hardhat and wound down his anesthesiology practice.

Being a doctor, Dulberger brought a unique perspective to the planning process. He believes that the future of health care will be based on two things: Patient quality outcomes and service experience. Dulberger, with a team of architects and designers, created a hospital centered around the healing forces of nature. Everything from the natural stone and walking paths outside to the 11-by-24 foot mural in the lobby entitled “Hope Around the Bend” creates an atmosphere that feels more like a resort than a hospital.

Upon entering the hospital, what’s most impressive is what you don’t see. Borrowing Disney theme park concepts, patient support and custodial services are all conducted “off stage”, out of view from patients or visitors in the hallways. Patient rooms feel like a deluxe suite at the Conrad, complete with oak cabinetry designed to hide all the hoses, gauges, and monitors that can intimidate anyone.

Dr. Philip Dulberger stands in front of a 24 foot wide mural entitled “Hope Around the Bend” which welcomes visitors and “guests” to IU Health Saxony. Indiana native Forrest Formsma was commissioned to paint this oil on canvas to signify hope for patients and families.

“My goal is to have people walk out of here and say ‘that didn’t feel like a hospital’.”

Dulberger will be the first to admit that form follows function throughout the design, but he adds that the most important element is the staff.

“Doctors are generally trained as individual care givers, not as teams. The only way to a successful facility is not through any one person, but through the team.”

To that end, Dulberger dons his lab coat and makes his rounds like any other doctor, checking in on his staff. Greeting each employee by name with a smile, Dulberger exemplifies the team spirit he feels is so important to patient care. As for the patients he checks in on, he refers to them internally as “guests,” citing “it gives us a different mindset and keeps us in touch with the experience.”

While the doors are now open on the hospital, construction continues. Dulberger still hopes that some day a future expansion will include a fitness facility-medical office building complex to fulfill the original vision of connecting health care and prevention. “Imagine treating a patient with borderline diabetes and high-blood pressure with a weight-loss program jointly developed by physicians and health trainers. Rather than the traditional prescription as a treatment, we would engage patients in a healthier lifestyle.” Dulberger plans to return to his anesthesia practice at least one day per week now that the hospital has opened to “keep you in touch” with his fellow team members.

Now that the stress of opening the facility has passed, Dulberger looks forward to spending more time with his Carmel High School sweetheart and wife, Carolyn, and his two children Lauren and Josh. Active members of the New Hope Presbyterian Church, Dulberger and his wife enjoy a glass of wine and their patio in the summer months at their Hamilton Proper home. You also might spot them at their favorite restaurant across I-69, Stone Creek Dining Company. This summer, they plan to take their family on a train trip out west to San Francisco to see the country as he did when he was a child.

“We did this trip when I was a kid and I’ve always wanted to do this with mine.”

The train trip out west and the experience Dulberger strives to deliver throughout the IU Health Saxony Hospital have a lot in common. While the destination can often times seem far away, the journey and outcomes can have a lasting impression.

The nine-person volunteer Geist Impoundment Board at their first meeting in the Fishers Town Hall to decide how to best spend $2.5 million on local improvements.

After a four-year fight by the Geist United Opposition, the unincorporated areas on the north half of Geist Reservoir officially became the Town of Fishers’ newest residents on January 1, 2010. A new voting district was formed to give these residents a voice on the seven-person Fishers Town Council and Pete Peterson, the former leader of the anti-annexation movement, won the seat in the November election. Furthering Fishers’ olive branch to the residents, the Fishers Town Council set aside an impoundment fund of $2.5 million for the newly annexed residents to spend on local improvements. A volunteer board of Geist residents will get to work on how to best utilize this fund, and they need input.

The Geist Impoundment Board is comprised of two individuals from each of the three annexed sections, along with three “at large” residents. The nine men and women went through an application process and were selected by the town council after a round of interviews. The Geist Impoundment Board is comprised of the following residents: Mark Jones, Jack Kowal, Jeff Lantz, Rachel Quade, Gary Batesole, Russell Bruce, Roger Kessler, Brad Johnson, and Anthony Najem.

While the council refrained from questioning the individuals’ personal opinions on the Geist annexation, the resulting selections were a mixed bag of pro- and anti-annexation residents. Rachel Quade, a member of the Geist Impoundment Board and former Geist United Opposition board member, commented, “I think it actually says a lot about the [Fishers] Council members in that they put some of the people who were involved in the Geist United Opposition on this board. I think it’s a good sign.” A diversity of opinions about the annexation will certainly be fertile ground for a lot of great ideas for the future.

The Geist Impoundment Fund was endowed through property taxes from the residents in the annexed areas and earmarked for capital improvement projects. “It’s a proxy fund that will be paid over three years. In two more years it should be a total of $2.5 million,” said Scott Faultless, Town Council President.

Their first order of business is to gather the opinions of their Geist constituents and flush out the best ideas. After they have selected the best projects, they will present them to the Fishers Town Council along with a cost analysis. The council will then decide if the project should be carried out or not, limited only by budget.

“The board will be active for the next three years, although residents can expect to see results much sooner than that,” said new Fishers Town Council member Pete Peterson. He insisted the Geist Impoundment Board could turn an idea around in just a few months if it hit all the right notes.

Several projects are already being considered for the next few years, including:

• Fire Station 96 renovations
• New park at 101st and Cyntheane Road
• Roundabout at Brooks School Road and Fall Creek Road (scheduled to begin early this year)
• Roundabout at 106th and Geist Road (scheduled for 2013)
• Widening of 113th Street east of Olio
• Sidewalk along 96th Street from the Indianapolis Yacht Club to the entrance of Cambridge

To zero in on the best projects, the Geist Impoundment Fund Board will be polling their neighbors. The board will study all the different suggestions and consider them based on probability and how broadly they will benefit the community. The board could decide to use all of the money for a big project or spread the budget out across multiple projects.

Of the individuals interviewed, Peterson thought the watershed and water quality of Geist could use some attention. Blue green algae has been a persistent problem on Geist Reservoir. Faultless mused on the many ideas available; from intersection improvements to public reservoir access and pathways. Quade was also interested in walking paths and public parks. The possibilities are endless and citizens should see this as an exciting time to have their voices heard.

“Now that we are formally a part of Fishers, we have a voice, and a place to bring our voices to,” said Peterson.

This board has a large responsibility ahead of them. Their hard work could greatly affect the community and these dedicated citizens are certainly energized by the challenge. But the first step is starting the discussion on exactly what the area needs. Citizens can got to www.TownePost.com to start giving their suggestions and letting their voices be heard. Don’t hesitate to have a hand in shaping Fisher’s future!

Submit your ideas here!

X103 radio's "Deuce" was chosen to represent the station and broadcast downtown at NFL Superbowl XLVI.

The NFL Superbowl XLVI is coming to central Indiana in February and one Geist resident and local radio DJ is super excited about the big game coming to town!

“Deuce,” as he is known on radio station X103 weekdays 2 p.m. – 7p.m., has been asked to join radio ro broadcast downtown during the big event. “I just think it is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” says the 41-year-old jockey who lives close to his favorite haunts – Scotty’s Lakehouse and Jonah’s market.

“I know ESPN does this kind of stuff all the time, but for me, this is a big deal and I’m glad to be part of it!”

Details have not yet been released, but “Deuce” knows he will be broadcasting in and around the “NFL Experience,” which is a huge playground of games, autograph sessions and guest appearances, all housed in the newly remodeled convention center.

Media from all over the world will line Georgia street and the downtown area starting about a week before the game.

Fishers/Geist is also part of the Superbowl fun as one of the 17 designated communities in central Indiana to play host to visitors with special events planned, as well as an information site for restaurants and transportation. Local cheer and dance groups have been making welcome videos for several area hotels and stay tuned for other Hamilton county announcements which will add to the excitement.

Local businesses such as Gallery 116 in Fishers are jumping on board with special offerings during the week leading up to the Superbowl. Other businesses in outlying areas will announce their programs in January as well.

Noblesville and Carmel are also designated super sites and will have information for visitors at welcome centers in the Arts & Design District in Carmel located at 37 E. Main Street and, in historic downtown Noblesville located at 839 Conner Street.

Most area hotels are booked and some area restaurants have been rented for corporate events.

Craig Toby with Hotel Indigo Inn in Fishers says they have been booked for months and their employees have been taking the online Super Service training program (offered by the host committee) to better handle out of town visitors.

“We’ve had many calls and visits about restaurants in the area, transportation options and meeting rooms for rent,” says Toby. “We are ready for them,” he Adds.

It is estimated that more than 150,000 visitors will be coming to central Indiana with an economic impact to the area of $125,000 to $400,000 dollars. Since the crowd will have to fan out from downtown, Hamilton County is one community working “super” hard to make a great impression.

So with thousands coming to central Indiana and millions watching on television, Central Indiana needs to put their best foot forward and offer a warm greeting to all, even if it is well below zero during the NFL Superbowl XLVI! One thing you can be sure of is Indiana will offer a warm greeting to all!

You can learn more about the Superbowl festivities and get involved by going to www.IndianapolisSuperBowl.com.

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park owner Jeffrey Mast.

A new Fishers franchise has customers jumping up and down. Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park just off of 121st and Cumberland Road (10080 E. 121st Street, Suite 182) in Fishers just opened a 25,000 ft2 facility boasting 16,000 ft2 of indoor jumping fun.

Founded in 2002 in Las Vegas, Sky Zone was originally designed to facilitate a professional indoor trampoline sport. According to Jeffrey Mast, owner of the local franchise and former senior executive with Stanley Steemer in Ohio, the original concept did not work out but a new business model evolved.

“While they were trying to get their financial backing in place, people lined up to bounce around on the trampolines. The owner literally put a coffee can out and solicited a $2 donation from the public. After the coffee can was filled for weeks on end, he decided to franchise the idea.”

The facility houses two dodge ball courts, an open jump court, a Sky Slam two-lane basketball court, and a three-lane Foam Zone complete with 10,000 foam blocks. Even the walls are trampolines around much of the space.

“Dodge ball leagues have become very popular in other cities, so we expect to keep those to be a big part of our business,” said Mast. “We are also offering several fitness and aerobic classes. They say you can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour and not even know it.”

First-time visitors are required to sign a waiver prior to hitting the trampoline surface. Mast recommends reading and signing the waiver online at www.SkyZoneSports.com as well as scheduling your preferred bounce time. Once the paperwork is completed, visitors are loaned special high top bounce shoes and given a briefing on safety. “Have fun, be safe” is the culture Mast insists on cultivating.

Cost is $13 per hour and includes shoe rental. Group and nonprofit rates are also available.

“The most popular jump times are :60 minutes. Some younger kids can go longer than that, but in most cases an hour is enough to wear you out,” Mast said with a smile.

With so much space, music, concessions, and private party rooms, Sky Zone is already a hit with youth groups, schools, corporate groups, and boy/girl scout troops. Dodge ball leagues, exercise classes, and teen-centric open jump nights are available for all ages.

For more information, visit www.SkyZoneSports.com or call (317) 572-2999. They are visible from I-69 just north of the 116th Street exit on the south side of the highway (10080 E. 121st Street, Suite 182, Fishers).

Homes along the north side of 96th Street between Mollenkopf and Fall Creek Road could be rezoned C2 commercial, opening the door to office buildings, drug stores, daycares, and banks.

Eight property owners along the newly improved 96th Street between Mollenkopf and Fall Creek Road have filed a petition with the Town of Fishers to rezone their properties from R2 residential to C2 commercial. Rezoning these homes would make way for businesses to build on the north side of 96th Street, and nearby homeowners fear this could lead to more commercial development in their backyards.

Ginny Cain, Indianapolis City Councillor that represents homeowners on the south side of 96th Street, feels that commercial development along this residential area could negatively impact residents in surrounding neighborhoods.

“This is not Marion County but a Hamilton County, Fishers decision. However, if this domino falls, it could negatively impact Geist Woods and the homes behind this strip of homes,” she said.

Neighborhoods adjacent to this stretch of homes include South Avalon Estates, Lighthouse Cove, Geist Woods, and Masthead.

UPDATE: The first hearing on the matter is scheduled for January 10th at the Fishers Town Hall (One Municipal Drive) at 6:30 pm. The Fishers Planning Committee will be reviewing this petition and public comment will be allowed. You may also email Ryan Crum (crumr@fishers.in.us), Senior Planner for the Town of Fishers, with your comments prior to the meeting.

Download Petition (PDF)

Students sort items purchased with proceeds from the Trick-or-Treat for Kids off Their Feet project before delivering them to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent.

The Harrison Parkway School Student Council recently collected just under $700 by holding a spirit week. HPE Students were encouraged to bring in spare change in order to participate in special dress-up days. The money was then used to purchase items for Trick-or-Treat for Kids off Their Feet benefiting patients at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St.Vincent.

This community service event allows student organizations to collect “treats” for children who are unable to trick-or-treat on Halloween night due to an illness, injury, surgery recovery or frail immune system. The Student Council was able to purchase 100 games and puzzles, 36 pairs of pajamas, 50 packs of silly bands, 35 coloring books with crayons and other items.