2014 BIG RACE BEECH GROVE • CENTER GROVE • GREENWOOD • SOUTHPORT • FRANKLIN & PERRY TOWNSHIPS Pages 13-16 FREE • Week of May 22-28, 2014 Serving the Southside Since 1928 ss-times.com See INSIDE FACE TO FACE What is your most prominent memory of going to the Indianapolis 500? Page 2 ➤ Run For Riders Southside program needs volunteers to teach youth with developmental disabilities how to ride a bicycle. Page 2 ➤ XXX – A Striking League Beech Grove Special Rollers League enters its third year, now as a not-for-profit. Page 3 How are Southsiders working to keep Red Lights race fans safe at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway? Page 7 ➤ Government Watchdog Greenwood and Southport councils address overnight parking and & Rescues update outdated ordinances. Page 4 Photo by Nicole Davis 2 Week of May 22-28, 2014 • ss-times.com COMMUNITY The Southside Times Run for riders Southside iCan Bike program needs face to face volunteers to teach youth with developmental disabilities how to ride a bicycle Let your voice “We desperately need volunteers,” Jenkins FEATURE said. “We have the Roncalli volleyball team By Nicole Davis volunteering for one whole session. It’s a cool way to do it because it’s a team-building thing. be heard! Allison and Kristin Wietecha were 13 years They use it as their conditioning because they old when they learned to ride a bike. Because run behind bikes.” of their cerebral palsy, balancing on the bicy- There are five sessions, each filled with vol- Q: What is your most prominent memory cle was difficult. Through the program Lose unteers, including some previous participants the Training Wheels, now called iCan Bike, of going to the Indianapolis 500? they were riding with- in five consecutive days of instruction. "I would have to say "The thing I enjoyed “Being a physical my most prominent the most was seeing therapist, this is abso- memory I have of go- families come to- lutely the coolest pro- ing to the race was gether and have a re- gram I’ve ever had the Rick Mears taking the ally, really fun time. I pleasure of doing; the checkered flag. He volunteered there for look on the kids' faces was my favorite driv- a veterans association when they actually do er back in the 1980s. I for several years and this and the look on have lots of memories it was just fun to see the volunteer’s face,” of the atmosphere the grandpas and the said Stephany Jenkins, and the party, of all the hundreds and grandkids come together and it be a tra- physical therapist at thousands of people, and the rush of the dition. Many of them would come to our Physiotherapy Asso- green flag dropping. That is my favorite vender booth year after year and I actually ciates, 549 E. County part of the race." got to know some of them. It was really Line Rd., Greenwood. just a special time because of that." “Once they meet their Doug Herr, works in Perry Township kid they will help and Jana Denninger the bond that forms... of Beech Grove You teach a kid to ride Submitted Photo a bike and they can "When I was in high "Probably seeing Dan Kristin and Allison Wietecha during a previous ride a bike forever. It’s Lose The Training Wheels event now called iCan Bike. school and was able Weldon's last race be- the gift of giving them to go to the Indy 500 fore he died. Also, last such as Allison and Kristin who are current- something that increases their independence, because my dad was year's race with all the ly graduating seniors at Indian Creek High their self-esteem.” working security. He passes for the lead. School. This is the 6th year for iCan Bike program, was a state trooper There were 63 lead “My volunteer was good,” Allison said. though it was not held last year due to lack and we were able to changes." “One thing is some people don’t talk to their of funding. The program began when Allison go in early and sit riders. Don’t be shy. If you talk, it helps build and Kristin’s mother, Linda Wietecha, brought where the state troop- that trust.” the need to the attention of Jenkins. They be- ers' families sat. It Jenkins said she aims to have volunteers gan working to bring this program to the was really cold and so I had my elemen- Andy Henderson, property owner turn in their packets by June 1. There is a vol- Southside. A partnership formed with Rain- tary school sleeping bag. It was a Crayola in Franklin Township unteer meeting June 15. The program begins bow’s End Optimist Club, Easter Seals Cross- sleeping bag and I was wrapped up in it. June 16 and runs Monday through Friday at roads and Indy Parks. The program teaches a They actually took a picture of me and put Perry Park Ice Skating Rink, 451 E. Stop 11 Rd. person with developmental disabilities such it in the Indy 500 magazine." “It’s a way of giving back that also gives you as autism, Down syndrome or cerebral palsy something in return,” Jenkins said. “From the to ride a two-wheel bike in five days, using a Holly Ison volunteer perspective, they gain a lot from it specially-designed roller that allows them to of Greenwood – it’s a lot of teaching, tolerance. They learn learn to weight shift and turn. In the past, it about the kids. They gain experiences of what has reported an 80 percent success rate. it’s like to be around children with disabili- “It was worth it,” Kristin said. “It was help- ties. They learn these are just regular kids that ful. If parents don’t know about it, they should want to learn to ride a bike just like they did. encourage their kids to do this... The balanc- You are giving these kids something that in ing at first was kind of difficult. Falling off another situation you would not be able to do. Visit us online and was a challenge, and running into things. You You get back so much more than you’ve actu- eventually get the hang of it.” post your community news! ally given to them.” This year there are 40 participants with spe- For more information and for the volun- facebook.com/ cial needs of all ages, 8 and older. It takes 80 teer form, visit eastersealscrossroads.org/i- TheSouthsideTimes volunteers to run behind bicycles and pair up can-bike. with the students. The Southside Times COMMUNITY ss-times.com • Week of May 22-28, 2014 3 Contact the Editor Have any news tips? Want to submit a calendar event? Have a photograph to share? Call Nicole Davis at 300-8782 or email her at ndavis@ss-times. com. Remember, our news deadlines are several days prior to print. Want to Advertise? The Southside Times reaches a vast segment of our community. For information about reaching our readers, call Brian Ruckle at 300-8782 or email him at [email protected]. Photo by Nicole Davis Gerald Sargent From left front, Beth Sloan; middle, Scott Seach, Anna Lee, Hunter Sullivan, Erica Redman, Harleigh Sullivan and Mike Lee; A product of Publisher Emeritus back, Lindzie Lee at a fundraiser held May 8 at Arby's. Rick Myers Publisher Brian Kelly Chief Executive Officer Nicole Davis XXX … a striking league Editor Carey Germana Production & Design Beech Grove Special Rollers League enters its third year, now as a not-for-profit Members of ers the kids are doing are making a difference. “She wasn’t able to play sports,” said Jim FEATURE We’re anticipating close to 100 kids this year.” Redman, father. “She tried but it was a lot By Nicole Davis The league was created in 2012 when Beech harder for her. We were looking for something Grove resident Anna Lee was trying to find a she could still be on a team like everyone else. Those involved with the Beech Grove Bowl sport for her son to play, but he couldn’t par- (The Special Rollers League) seemed like a re- Special Rollers League – children and adults ticipate in many of them due to his epilep- ally good way for Erica to meet new people alike – have actively gone out into the com- sy. Scott Seach suggested creating a league and find friends. It’s been better for her self- munity throughout the last year, letting peo- For more information, contact us at: at Beech Grove Bowl, 95 N. 2nd Ave., Beech esteem. It makes it a lot easier when you have ple know what the league is all about and rais- [email protected] Grove. They began working to get donations people like yourself.” ing money. and sponsors to make it affordable for any This year’s league will take place Saturdays Tel. 317.300.8782 Continuing those efforts, league members child wanting to participate. at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m., starting June 7. The fee of will have a car wash on May 31, 1-3 p.m. in the Fax. 317.300.8786 “I thought it was really sweet because my $60 includes two games of bowling for eight parking lot outside Kmart at Thompson Road brother can’t play sports,” said Lindzie Lee, 11. weeks, a t-shirt and shoe rental. There will be and Emerson Avenue, with proceeds benefit- 7670 US 31 S “He looks forward to it and so do I.