2015, the year of the Ford homestead acquisition

I believe 2015 will be marked in the history of the Ford family as the point in time where we doubled down on our commitment to Indianapolis. We made a strategic move with the purchase of a  house up the street. Moving five houses up to this property will enable us to dabble with that we just couldn't experiment with in the old house. We will watch this city grow from this new house and from here, will play our part to make it a great place.

We found this house on a different corner of the same block on which we are currently living, so we are really setting ourselves up to be the old-school family living on this particular block for decades. We do love the old house and had many, many good time there. We lived there for 12 years and saw three children born there. The memories and connection to the old house is undeniable.

The house that we've just moved into, as of 12/31, has more bedrooms, more entertaining space, and a much larger backyard. Living in this house allows us to continue living in the city and in the south east corner of Meridian-Kessler while respecting the fact that we have three children who need to get out and have some space to play. As a farmboy I can appreciate having a little bit extra breathing room, but I am essentially a city slicker now so this house in this property or a good compromise.

Later this month, I'll be posting on the rehab work on this old house we facilitated. Wow, how things changed between us closing and move in. It's exciting!

TL;DR -- The thirty thousand foot view  story of 2015 is that we bought an old house on a big lot that we'll be using as our vantage point to experience Indianapolis for the next couple of decades.

Think Kit Day 1 - Being a Hype Man for Indianapolis Through My Year in Pictures

I'm using my year in photos post to hype up a few things I like about my city. As an added benefit for friends and family (28% of which would be interested in seeing pictures of my family), you get some pictures of my awesome family.  Besides, the only way to make family photos interesting to strangers is to frame them up against some of my favorite aspects of our great city.

Downtown Carriage Ride

For Margot's birthday, we took a horse drawn carriage ride around the downtown area.  The ride was a first for us.  For as much time as I've spent near the circle, that was a nice angle to experience the area.

Victory Field

What a great minor league park we've got.  The outfield experience is ideal for our group of friends and family.

Pappa Roux

This is a two for one photo.  I get to promote this east side restaurant as well as give you a glimpse into my awesome dad time.

Downtown Comics

Great selection and great staff.  Note my use of My Little Pony comics as a gateway drug.

Holliday Park

We own a bunch of city parks on the north side.  And Holliday park could have topped the list this year.  We love it for its nature center, playground, its "ruins", and the river front.

My Street

We've lived in the south east corner of Meridian-Kessler for over ten years now.

St. Joan of Arc's French Market

Year after year, this is our favorite festival on the summer circuit.

100 Acre Wood (and all the outdoor IMA grounds)

What a great way to spend a random weekend afternoon.

This post is part of ThinkKit by Smallbox. Today’s prompt: “Share your year in photos. Was there a moment of unrestrained happiness? An unexpected encounter?”

Visualize Indy - Fountain Square Infographic

Indy's Fountain Square is pretty great.  From the eateries, to the bars, to its art scene, this neighborhood just south east of downtown has got some cool things going on.  I think the recent leg of the cultural trail has created an appealing corridor of restaurants and residential development connecting it to downtown.  As a result, the neighborhood is more connected to the other areas of the city we find really appealing while maintaining its identity. For years now, Fountain Square has been a place where the Fords are likely to spend an evening.  When out of town friends and acquaintances need recommendations, Fountain Square is on my short list.

I chose to create this infographic because I have a soft spot for city planning.  While I'm not an Indy native, I have heard plenty of stories about what Fountain Square was like twenty years ago.  To compare those stories to what we've got now in this neighborhood is pretty impactful.  As I collaborated with some folks from LISC on this infographic, I discovered that this neighborhood's development was not happenstance.  Like most success, it was the result of careful planning with dedicated and passionate people working hard to make things happen. cheers to that.

Click here to view, download, and share the infographic

Visualize Indy - Indianapolis Waterways Infographic

I'd like to present the first of four infographics created from the first wave of my Visualize Indy project.  It's been really neat to see people's reaction to the project.  I've met a lot of passionate people who love this city and I consider them kindred spirits.

This particular infographic was a result of a collaboration with Reconnecting Our Waterways, a nonprofit that is a "collaborative initiative to embrace the waterways that weave our neighborhoods together." My hope is that my fellow Indianapolis denizens will read this and walk away with a larger appreciation for an aspect of the city that often doesn't get its due.

Click here to get to the goods. View the infographic. download it. print it. share it.  It's yours.

Who Knew a Bacon, Jalapeño, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Could Be Good? Patachou Does.

I just ate the most bizarre sandwich in recent memory. Looking to recuperate from New Year's Eve, we strolled up to Cafe Patachou to remedy the situation.  As we approached, I saw a window advertisement for a new sandwich, named the 'Full Bellied Pig' or the 'Patachou Foundation' sandwich as it was referred to when I it arrived to our table.  Our server's reaction to my order was enough to know that I'd made a good decision.  Twice, she told me that she was so excited for me.

She was excited because of the unique sandwich, but also because of the related non-profit foundation the proceeds from the sale of the sandwich support.  The Patachou Foundation was formed in 2013 with the primary goal of feeding children affected by homelessness. A laudable cause, for sure.

The sandwich ingredients themselves aren't unusual.  Ample layers of peanut butter and jelly on wheat bread surround the plenty of bacon and thick cut slices of fresh jalapeños.   Yes, there's a bit of heat to this sandwich, but the PB&J cools things down a bit.  The couple glasses of water also helped.  The sandwich also benefits from the classic sweet and salty combination created by the jelly and bacon.

I've never felt compelled to write about a sandwich before. But this Full Bellied Pig was a really unique experience.  It was a surprisingly delicious experience.  I hope it becomes a mainstay on their menu and I hope you try it.

Think Kit Dec. 23rd - The Depressing Broad Ripple Whole Foods Fiasco

Yes, this is underutilized

Posting this entry a day late as I was being a good little elf till late yesterday evening.  We're prompted to re-examine a familiar spot in our lives - in our home, neighborhood, etc.  As I was picking up some carry-out from Indy's best mexican restaurant, La Piedad, I drove past the proposed site of the new Whole Foods grocery store.  I've been a resident of the greater Broad Ripple area for over ten years, so I've come to really know this neighborhood.  While I spend a lot of time and money on Mass Ave. and Fountain Square, I spend more in Broad Ripple (and it's southern College corridor that I refuse to call SoBro).  While these other two districts provide more appealing shops, restaurants, and social scenes, Broad Ripple provides a more complete package.  What I'll refer to as the "Greater Broad Ripple Area" has appealing housing options (i.e. it's safe, charming, and relatively affordable) and well rounded commercial development (i.e. grocery stores, banks, restaurants, and I suppose that sprawl over there on Keystone).  Couple this with the confluence of the Monon trail, the canal tow path, and the surrounding parks and you've probably got the best Indianapolis has to offer. That being said, the core of the neighborhood, Broad Ripple avenue, leaves a little to be desired.

So as a 10+ year resident with an affinity for the area, I can say this WholeFoods grocery store debate is painful to watch.  For the record, I'm in favor of further development but am puzzled as to why and how another grocery store is a good fit for the "village".

It looks pretty, but it doesn't have to be a
Whole Foods?

Preserve Broad Ripple.  Really?For those of you not connected to Broad Ripple, you sometimes here this rallying cry from residents. Some feel that we're losing the small, quirky village feel that's apparently been a defining trait. I hate to break it to you folks, but you lost that character when you let all of those meat head bars infiltrate Broad Ripple avenue.  When we moved to the area a decade ago, I thought the trifecta of Rock Lobster, the MineShaft, and Land Sharks was a wasteland of boring, run of the mill bars that over saturated a strip that already boasted the Vogue, Broad Ripple Tavern, Union Jacks, a BW3s, and some random nightclub that Jermaine O'Neal used to own.  I was genuinely surprised to see Brothers show up and honestly said to myself, "really?  Another frat bar?"  And then you let in Kilroy's.  Kilroy's the frattiest bar of frat bars from Bloomington, now in the heart of Broad Ripple?  My friends I don't know what local character you think you're trying to preserve in this neighborhood, but you lost that battle years ago.  Now, when someone wants to develop a relatively under utilized stretch of road on College, you want to break out the campaign to preserve the neighborhood? Isn't it too late for that rallying cry?  As a relative outsider who really loves this area, am I the only one to see this? Am I really allowed to ask this many questions in a single paragraph?

Now don't get me wrong, there are still a number of local shops I frequent in Broad Ripple proper.  I've found a consistently excellent barber at Bogie's, we give our money to the Monon Coffee Company and BRICS, and we do a respectable amount of our grocery shopping at Good Earth. We frequent both Indian restaurants and appreciate being able buy a good IPA growler on Sunday at 3 Wisemen.  There is local charm in these shops, but they've been pushed to the back streets in lieu of a Starbucks, a Subway, a couple banks, and all those bars I mentioned above.

Progress for the sake of progress?Don't get me wrong.  I'm pro development when it's smart.  The bike lanes?  A good idea.  The parking garage?  An even better idea.  That high end housing by the Monon trail where the liquor store used to stand?  Sure.  However, I can't see how a WholeFoods can be justified.  Within a mile or so, you can find Good Earth, a SafeWay, a Kroger, a Fresh Market, Locally Grown Gardens, an excellent seasonal farmers' market, a marsh, and a Target.  Hell, there's even another Whole Foods, not more than twenty blocks north of this proposed site.  Is this really the best use of space?  Yes, the design of the related residential housing and it's integration into the tow path look really nice.  But let's find something else to compliment this area.

To make matters even more unfortunate is that the most profitable grocery store in the country is leveraging a public financing program to save money.  That seems inappropriate.  So, that's what I saw when I traveled through my neighborhood, trying to take a fresh perspective. I see a public debate with two sides that I can't seem to identify with arguing over a neighborhood I call home.

Think Kit Dec. 20th - My 2013 Top Ten Indianapolis Restaurant / Dining Experiences

Revolucion in Fountain Square - now with bonus
Tiki bar in the rear.

I'm a pretty non-judgmental restaurant diner.  While my list of top ten Indianapolis restaurant dining experiences is filled with foodie level establishments, I'm known for eating White Castle, truck stop 'food', and damn near everything at the State Fair.  So for those of you that feel this is a privileged, food elitist's top ten list, yes you're right but know that my life isn't always pricey farm-to-table grub or food served on comically small plates.  Well, enough with the identity crisis, let's bring on the list. 

1. Bluebeard | It's a random assortment of dishes and I'm not joking when I say that there hasn't been a single tiny plate that I haven't licked clean.
2. Black Market | A 'farm to table' styled restaurant.  The starters are pretty good and when I haven't had the daily special, I've eaten the duck and the pork chop - both are excellent.  and have a pickle as a pre-appetizer appetizer.
3. Bakersfield | I've found that I really like the limited menu restaurants. To me, it means you're focusing on a few items to perfection.  This is a taco and liquor joint and man is it great.  They make their own margaritas from scratch.  I don't exactly know what a 'from scratch' margarita is, but you really can taste the difference.
4. Cafe Patachou | Our Patachou is on 49th/Penn and we always walk or ride our bikes, which is helpful because I'm a huge fan of their broken yolk sandwiches. I can't speak to their lunch menu as we only dine there for breakfast.
5. Taste | Another breakfast/brunch joint in the neighborhood.  I've had the truffle egg toast more than any other item on the menu.  Plus, their smoothies are pretty good.
6. Siam Square | Standard issue Thai cuisine in Fountain Square.  I run up and down the menu and I haven't ever really been let down.
7. Good Morning Mamas | The only bad part about Good Morning Mamas is that I'm not a huge fan of their coffee. Their Loco Mocos are good. The '1940s' comes with fried spam.  Don't judge it before you've tried it.  Also, their eggs Benedict is top notch.  
8. India Garden | We eat Indian food like it's going out of style.  Vegetable malai kafta with a side of garlic naan is my go-to dish. 
9. La Piedad | The most inexpensive, consistently delicious mexican food in the city.  It's low key without a hint of 'pinkies up' while you eat.
10. La Revolucion | Me and the Rev have a really good relationship together.  I recommend this place to as many people as possible. I take my out of town guests there and it never disappoints.  While technically more a bar than a restaurant, they serve four different tacos and I've only had the beef and the pork varieties.  If you're going out in Fountain Square, get started here.

Think Kit Dec. 17th - A Stand Out Moment: Hoosiers Watching Hoosiers

I'm very fortunate to have many stand out moments in my life.  It's not that I lead some rock star life (though my life for years now, has been great).  It's more that I'm able to really make something memorable out of a somewhat mundane experience.  Take for instance, watching Hoosiers at the IMA's summer nights series.  

The IMA summer nights movie series, for the uninitiated, is great in part due to the classic movies they play.  Classics like Gone With The Wind, Aliens, and The Breakfast Club are examples of movies that have played to audiences over the years.  These movies are the absolute classics of my generation.  That's the great thing about modern movies.  Old movies are not lost on the newer generations. Each generation ahead of us is lucky to have yet another generation worth of classic movies to enjoy and add to their personal library.

The annual event at the IMA is also memorable because of the venue.  You're watching movies in quality Indiana summer weather, i.e. heat and humidity.  The outdoor amphitheater itself is relatively secluded and quite.  Because of its popularity and first come, first serve seating you have to get there early.  This only means that you have to bring a lot of food to picnic with and drink lots of SunKing to wash it down.

But what is probably the most appealing aspect of this annual movie season is the audience it draws. These movies attract the super fans, the fans that know every line and are there to watch the flick for the hundredth time. Hoosiers is no different.  Allison and I had shipped the kids off to my parents farm, had our delicious spread of food before us, and reveled in the nostalgia. While I obviously didn't grow up in the period of the movie, Indiana basketball was engrained in my person.  Because of my parent's ties to the school system, we attended every home Jay County boys basketball home game.  I'd been to the largest and second largest high school gyms in the world numerous times, New Castle and the now shuttered Anderson Wigwam, and didn't think much of it.  The final game of the movie is based on a game against the 'big city' Muncie Bearcats, a neighboring rival the Patriots played annually.  I've been a part of a community that rallied around its high school basketball team.  I'm now rambling on about some alleged street cred to paint myself as some expert in high school basketball and to a point, I'm right.  But that's the beautiful thing about this one evening at the IMA, I wasn't alone.  Countless others in the audience are able to say the same story, slightly tailored to their hometown.

As you would guess, there was cheering during the movie.  lots of it.  And you know that slow clap scene in the locker room?

Yeah, we did that too.  There was the guy sitting next to us explaining the importance of Indiana high school basketball and the pertinent scenes to his woefully ignorant, likely out of state college girlfriend. We didn't mind the tourist, we were attending an evening worship service and all were welcome.  We were Hoosiers watching Hoosiers and it was a glorious night.

Think Kit Dec. 11th - Charting my 2013 Foursquare Activity

Today's prompt, chart your year. So, I pulled some of my stats from my Foursquare account and made this stellar bar chart.  Speaking of bars, I don't have a drinking problem despite what this chart may imply.  I have however, eaten my weight in Jimmie John's #6.  Plus, east central Indiana Pizza Kings rule them all so I'm obliged to include these check-ins as an honorable mention.  I'm such a good little consumer.

Think Kit Dec. 3 - That Strange Experience at the Hoosier Dome

photo via Artur Silva on nuvo.net

This past summer, I caught a show at the Hoosier Dome. Yeah, I thought it was a typo too when I first read about it.  One of my favorite bands of late, The Menzingers, came to town and I was really pumped up about it.  They came to play at he Hoosier Dome, a low key music venue in Fountain Square.  I use the term music venue loosely because the show could have been in an abandoned corner store and we wouldn't have known the difference.  With full disclosure about what we were getting into, my wife also attended making it a date night.  Yeah, I took my wife to a tiny, smelly all ages club for a date.  Don't get me wrong, she knew what she's getting into and was down for the experience.  This is the woman that I took to Rhino's in Bloomington, another all ages club, to see Against Me! while pregnant with our second child. She loved it and because of that show, loves Against Me! to this day. But I digress.  At both Rhino's then and the Hoosier Dome earlier this year, we were the oldest people in the joint (outside of the band).  It was a quick flashback to the 80s in that we were surrounded by surely teenagers and the Hoosier Dome was a real place.

Being a 35 year old in an all ages club like the Hoosier Dome is weird.

The Hoosier Dome, unlike its original namesake, is not known for its spacious accommodations. It's hilariously small.  If the place had a bathroom, we never saw it, and probably wouldn't want to use it anyway.  If you've not been to an all ages club nor have been around teenagers in awhile, you're going to either have a good time people watching or be really challenged with the experience.  We had a great time and as a result, I've got a soft spot for the Hoosier Dome.  I'd like to think most of those kids were decent, meant well, and were just trying to cope with adolescence.  Regardless, they're funny to experience in the wild.  The awkward cool things they say and do when they get together away from authority figures is something that I've been so far removed from, it's a little strange to experience.  When it got to be too much, I just looked through the crowd for the dude with the shaved head to obscure his male pattern baldness (i.e. one of the band members) and mentally projected a sympathetic connection.  This guy has probably seen dozens of 'Hoosier Domes' while on tour and that's...something.

This isn't meant to be a show review, but I do want to talk about The Menzingers.  They're a fantastic band and you should check them out.  The show itself was electric.  They seem like a group of guys in good spirits, despite some downer lyric material.  The crowd was animated, to the say the least.  All in all, it was a fantastic show.  They did not play one of my favorite songs, but I don't hold it against them.

Between songs, all the band talked about was going across the street to the bar and getting beers. Damn it!  They didn't have to keep reminding us that we're stone cold sober at a show, standing in what amounts to a cramped storage shed with a bunch of teenagers for a couple of hours.  Not to worry, we headed to La Revolucion for tacos and beers soon after the encore.  Away from the surreal all ages club experience we went and back to that tiki bar that had just appeared out of what seemed like thin air in the rear of La Revolucion.  That's another weird experience when you don't know it's there.  I went to the bathroom and before I walked in, I looked to my left and said, "hey there's a doorway to an entirely different bar - a tiki bar - that wasn't here the last time I was back this way."  For some unknown reason, it reminded me of Pee-Wee's Playhouse.  What a weird way to accentuate a strange evening at the Hoosier Dome.

Does Indianapolis Need a Public Seed Library?

Borrow -> Grow -> Return -> Repeat, facilitated by your local public library.  That's the basic idea behind a public seed library.  I've been contemplating and reading about the concept of late and think that it has some merit that could bear further due diligence and research.


This is different than a seed bank or some other related endeavor by its intent.  A public seed library is not looking to fan the flames of societal breakdown by collecting seeds to survive some environmental or social meltdown.  That's a cultural move that focuses on solitude and a less than optimistic outlook on our future.  The public seed library is quite the opposite.  It's meant to promote community involvement and development.  It also is an opportunity for you and your family to get their hands a little dirty learning about the natural world and the food we eat.

From what I've read, this country has about a dozen or so seed libraries in public libraries.  NPR ran a story on the phenomena with a rather dramatic title, "How To Save A Public Library: Make It A Seed Bank." Yes, I'm sure public libraries do need help these days trying to stay relevant in the world of Kindles and the Internet, but I wouldn't get that hyperbolic with it.  In addition to promoting food and environmental awareness, I think the seed library is a novel and engaging avenue a library could venture down in order to promote foot traffic.  So yes, I do think it would help 'save' a library, so long as the cost and resources incurred did not outweigh the benefit.  But you can say that for just about anything.

The idea to put a seed library in an existing public library does make sense from the standpoint of lending items other than books. Given that most libraries I've been to lend more DVDs and CDs than books, it seems librarians might be open to the idea.  Though DVD and CD late fees probably make digital media more appealing than seed packets to a budget strapped library.  Because of this, a key to adoption would be to ensure this has little impact as possible to a library (e.g. volunteer or student groups to help manage the seed collection).

Of course, you could introduce initiatives into a library that would integrate a seed library with other library services.  There are child and adult gardening groups that could be developed.  You could package seeds with books (we call that cross selling in my sterile work world).  Possible spin off programs are numerous, depending on the availability and willingness of the librarians and/or the availability of volunteer staff.

A fundamental question arises.  Could something like this thrive in Indianapolis?  Planting a vegetable garden or experimenting in pots is not necessarily the first thing a lot of people think about when it comes to their free time. Given that the popularity of libraries has diminished over the years, I would imagine participation would be slow going. But this town has surprised me before, maybe it would with a public seed library.



Related links:

• http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/02/02/170846948/how-to-save-a-public-library-make-it-a-seed-bank
• http://www.activistpost.com/2013/02/heirloom-seed-banks-come-to-public.html
• http://sjpl.org/blog/seed-banks-and-libraries
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep0_iwEYLtg

 

Visualize Indy - Request For Proposal

Calling all Indianapolis graphic artists and infographic wizards.  Let's celebrate this city and some of the things that make it great.  Join my Nice grant funded infograpic project.    If you're interested and capable, respond to my RFP here:

Visualize Indy RFP

I want to emphasize that this is a community based project which means no one but you, the graphic artist, receive direct monetary gain.  I only have a $1000 and want to try and produce as many infographics as possible.  So taking this into consideration when drafting your proposal will help ensure you and I and can maximize our contribution to the community.

Additionally, the participating artist(s) get:

• Exposure via Smallbox Web Design's PR Nice grants campaign
• Potential exposure at a public event (Sorry, I must stay vague on this for now)
• The satisfaction around promoting the great things about this great city!
• 
  

What more could you want?

My Infographic Project Comes to Life

Smallbox Web Design, a local web consulting firm, recently made real this wonderful little idea called "nicing" and brought it to the masses by means of a small community grant program.  It's a rather simple approach that involves spontaneous and surprising acts of kindness. In this case, it's creating a small grant program for local community projects. Smallbox, with the help of Angie's List, are nicing me by making my local infographic project a reality (I originally blogged about it here). I'm proud to say that of the 188 applicants, I was one of 10 awarded a $1000 grant.  From their site,

Jon Ford was seeking $1,000 to… Link up with a group of graphic artists to create a series of infographics to help visualize different aspects of Indianapolis! We love infographics, and cannot wait to see some of these prints for ourselves! Jon Ford, you have been NICED!  

Why infographics? I think there's great value in being data driven.  Let's make decisions and base opinion off of what we know.  The infographic helps us consume a lot of information quickly and effectively promotes complex themes and ideas, all rooted in data.  No, a community's problems are not all solved by the presence of data alone.  I don't presume that people will make rational decisions just because easily digestible data is available.  But I do think that it has the chance to influence and inform. Not sure what exactly is an infographic?  Check out a Pinterest collection of infographics I've collected.   While you're there take a look at my little Star Wars board too because, well, why not?

Behold, the infographic

What will this project look like?
I envision a series of infographics depicting various aspects of this city including our bike culture, craft beer in the city, food in our city, the art scene, the environment, and the tech scene.  I know that I don't currently have enough funds to see six infographics created, but you get the idea about where my head is at.  When this is all said and done with, the city and any interested person or organization will have open access to these infographics, either for electronic or physical distribution.  I'll create an online home for them to ensure accessibility.  

Lately, I've been meeting with a couple of really smart people whom I consider trusted advisors.  I'm getting some great input on where to find some content as well as graphic designer resources.  I've even had a tentative offer to display these infographics in a public gallery space to compliment another event already scheduled.  That's nice!

ThinkKit D22: A Mind Map For A Potential 2013 Project

Today's topic is to mind map a project we want to tackle in the coming year.  I love infographics (but I don't like USA Today, go figure). My project is simple.  I want to commission graphic artists (hopefully those with relevant experience) in the city to create infographics that visualize various aspects of this wonderful burg.  I would approach various groups, organizations, and non-profits in the city that could provide data and thought leadership on various facets and subcultures that make Indianapolis what it is.  

We would create these artifacts with the sole purpose of gifting them back to the community.  The organization would have free reign to use them as they would be openly licensed using Creative Commons.  I would stand up a website solely dedicated to these infographics so as to ensure their availability to the community.  

It's a project with little overhead and worthwhile return.  My mind map below outlines some of the subjects and sources that could be included in this project.  Probably my biggest unknown is building a pipeline of graphic artists.  It's certainly not insurmountable as I've got a few contacts in the art community that I think could provide some contacts.  If you're interested in this, have questions or insight, feel free to contact me at jonwillford <at> gmail <dot> com or on twitter @hoosierjonford. 

ThinkKit D18. Or, The One Where I Get All GOB Bluth on ThinkKit

"If money, time or other commitments were no obstacle in 2013, what would you do?" 

If you are under 40 and don't know of the TV show Arrested Development, sorry, we can't be friends.  For those that make the cut, know that I feel like the eldest Bluth in the episode, "switch hitter." I'm using a particular scene from that episode as inspiration for this post.  In this scene, G.O.B. is working for Sitwell and fires off 6 months of (Michael's) ideas in a single meeting. What I have here is a list I've cultivated over the course of time and if I were a smart blogger, I would string all of these ideas out into fifteen blog posts. But no, you're going to get my list of projects and ideas that I would realize should my biggest obstacles disappear - time, space, and self consciousness. 

Food Related Things I would do For My Community

• I read about a grad student who staged a Food Book Fair in Brooklyn last year.  I want to organize one in Indianapolis.  Kind of like Food Con, but with more books, panels, and speakers.
• Another idea I read about awhile back described an interesting distribution model.  I would create a supply chain that would maintain small refrigerators with produce in convenience stores and gas stations in an area food desert. The produce would be locally and regionally sourced as much as possible.  My user experience tendencies kick in with this project as I think that, with emphasis placed on presentation and display, consumers would be drawn to these fruits and vegetables in neighborhoods filled with Frito Lays and Nestle products. 
• I love the idea of a pocket shop for urban farmers. I would start a little shop that focused on gardening, chickens, hydroponics, etc. I would sell supplies and educational material and foster a support network for people looking to get hyper local with their food.
• There's only one Indiana school participating in this farm to school program and I think that's kind of ridiculous.  I'd like to change that.

Personal Food Projects
Again, if time and money were not obstacles, I would focus on a few personal projects like:

• I would have a greenhouse built where I could practice growing food year round.
• I would restart my failed hops experiment.  My vision with this project has always been to grow hops and sell them to an Indiana brewery.  As part of the agreement, I would want the name and marketing for the brew named after my hometown, Dunkirk, IN.  Think "Speedcat IPA."
• I would build an aquaponics system near or in my newly constructed greenhouse.

My Experiments in Fiction Writing
These ideas are probably the most likely to be achieved, so long as I can muster the courage to share my amateur writings with the world.  My wife has been the only one to read any of my work and even then, it's only been a small sample as I haven't had time to edit and refine my drafts to a point where I feel comfortable enough to share them even with her.  She's suggested that I release some stories in a serial format here on my blog.  Then, at the conclusion of a story, I would collect the sections/chapters, have them bound, and try to sell a few.  I think it's a novel idea and is likely something I will explore in the coming year.
I would also like to serve as a producer / editor for some super hero comics with strong gender images for both boys and girls.  It's possible, I know it.  I strive to find this sort of material for my daughter, but always wince when I find some fault in the art or story of most work I come across.   

Long Term Projects
I suppose a lot of the above mentioned projects could be considered long term as they would either take a few years to achieve or would be projects without end.  Specifically, I would: 

• Run Walmart out of every small town that I could.  We don't need cheap Chinese imports and I feel we need to foster small rural business development.  This country needs a spirited campaign to disuade people of all socioeconomic stripes to just say no to Walmart.
• Create organic and boutique farm jobs where I grew up (again, Dunkirk, IN and the surrounding areas in Jay county).  I would create, nurture, and maintain a supply chain to Indy or maybe Muncie or Anderson, given the geographic location. 
• I would assemble an exploratory campaign to run for office.

Ambitious much?  Idealistic much?  you bet.  But why not, right?  These obstacles, like everyone else's are just in my head.  Zack de la Rocha creeps, "What better place than here?  What better time than now?  All hell can't stop us now."  Come on self, let's get this started.  

Obviously to accomplish even half of the projects listed here, I would have to bend space and time.  If any of you know how to do this and can teach me, that would be appreciated.  That aside, I'm open to suggestions and advice from anyone on any of these projects.  I wouldn't expect to realize success with any of these projects while in isolation.  I need guidance, expertise, and help.  Find me at jonwillford <at> gmail <dot> com or on twitter @HoosierJonFord.  Until then, I will look for opportunities to accomplish some of these ambitious goals and smash my obstacles into oblivions.  I will also continue to be content with my current kick ass lot in life and bring home the bacon for my unbelievably wonderful family. Now, it's time to go watch some more Arrested Development.

ThinkKit D16: 2012 Found Me Learning About Food And Community

Today, we reflect and write about what we've learned this year.  I for one, have had a successful 2012.  About this time last year, I was winding down my graduate degree and had gotten into the rhythm of allocating a few hours a week to some personal projects.  So, I sought out a couple of different opportunities to keep exploring, learning, and building on my experiences.

I learned a little more about our local food system.  I volunteered for Food Con 3, an event that weaves together food and art.  Sponsored by the Harrison Center for the Arts and Butler University, volunteering for the event allowed me to meet and work with some of the unique food players in our community including aquaponics aficionados, composting services, urban farmers, and a guy with a really unique hydroponics setup.  I also got a chance to learn a little about event planning.  While the rain dampened the turnout, it was still a success and I learned a lot.    

I also gained some exposure to the complexities around childhood obesity.  I, along with a few friends and fellow graduate students at IUPUI, performed ethnographic participant observation at an area summer fitness day camp.  We embedded ourselves with preteen campers and their counselors as they embraced the difficult task of understanding and addressing the campers' obesity.  The stories we collected from the campers were enlightening, to say the least.  I can't speak too much about it as we were working with minors and it is an ongoing academic research project that demands anonymity.  While I only scratched  the surface of understanding this epidermic, I gained greater context and understanding. We are currently writing a research paper and when it is completed, I'll be able to share more detail.  As a nice bonus to this project, I gained more grant writing experience as our group wrote a grant that was accepted and provided funding for the project and the non-profit with which we partnered with.

So, my 2012 was full of new learning opportunities, even things I haven't really discussed in this post.  That is, my day job doing user experience at a corporate web development shop (I'll save that for a future post).  I've got some real momentum and am excited to see what 2013 brings.

ThinkKit D10: Start a Tradition

Today's ThinkKit prompt asks us to consider a tradition we wanted to start.  I believe that a tradition, at it's minimum, has to occur twice.  So if I want to start a tradition next year, I have to think about something noteworthy I did this year.  It just so happened that this past weekend, a new tradition was clearly presented to me.

Whenever the Christmas lights are strung from monument circle, I try to point it out to the girls.  Even if it's a second or two as we cross an intersection.  While calling this out to my oldest, a 4 and half year old, she responded by saying that that was the castle I took her to on her fourth birthday (earlier this year), right before we went to the comic book store (Downtown Comics). Say no more, tradition born.

I had never been to the top of the tower.  And we decided go on a whim and it was worth it. So, every April 14th from here till whenever, I'll take my daughter to the top of the monument circle, then to the comic book store (with a pit stop at the City Market for some Natural Born Juicers).  Hey, if it's going to be a tradition, it might as well be the true trifecta of events that it was.  This will be a great way to spend a birthday.            

The Capitol building to the West

Lucas Oil to the south west

Conseco Fieldhouse to the south east

Looking due south, standing at the entrance to the museum

ThinkKit D6 - My Home State Will NOT Institutionalize Hate

Today's question:
How do you want get involved in your community this year?




This coming year, I'll probably do something I've never done before.  Depending on the behavior of my state lawmakers, I will likely put feet on the ground and protest.  For those that know me, I'm a rather opinionated guy.  But I've never felt compelled to mobilize (right or wrong). It will likely be my entire family, including my 4 year old and my 18 month old.  I want to be a role model to my children and by not getting involved in my community by making presence felt in front of that state house when the time comes, I feel I will have failed them in some way.  I don't know the details yet, but soon after this past election I experienced a moment of clarity that it was not a matter of if, but when my elected officials will begin the process to institutionalize hate by banning gay marriage.  This is my community and I will be involved.

As my fellow politically attuned Hoosiers know, we're being governed by a Republican super majority.  Both legislative bodies as well as our governor are dominated by Republicans - rather socially conservative, libertarian shunning Republicans.  It is likely that these hypocritical big government types  just won't be able to help themselves and will look to begin the process of altering our state constitution to explicitly ban gay marriage.  There are already statutes on the books here in Indiana declaring that marriage can only be defined by a man and a woman.  But apparently, that's not enough.

I get where they're coming from in that their interpretation of the Bible tells them this is wrong. I'm not going to recite all of the oddball things the Old Testament also tells us we shouldn't do in order to marginalize that single verse in Deuteronomy at the center of this controversy.  Honestly, it wouldn't do much to sway opinions and I don't want to come off like I'm disrespectful.  You can believe anything you want.  You can even say just about anything you want.  That's what I love about this country.  But when you try to negatively impacting others' lives over something so basic and decent in order to satisfy some insecurity and you're using my government to do it, I'm going to get upset.  Besides, don't we all understand how hard it is for so many to find someone in life to truly love and befriend so much that you don't want to be with anyone else until your last breath?

respect and love will crush their hate and that's how I will get more involved in my community.

ThinkKit Day 1: My Year in Photos

The opening salvo in the 30 day ThinkKit blogger challenge is depicting my year in photos. They give us the option of one photo or a gallery.  For those of you that know me, I can ramble and get a little wordy.  So, it should be no surprise that I'm not content with just one picture describing my year.  

My Little Warrior Princess

I raise girls and when my oldest (above) was born, I vowed that I would raise them to be strong, smart, and self-determined.  Needless to say, I was a proud poppa when I witnessed this earlier this summer: a crowned, pink Minnie Mouse clad paladin wielding a sword and shield.  So far, so good. 

A Super View of the Super Bowl

I work downtown and have a heck of a view of downtown Indy.  I'm on the 9th floor of the OneAmerica building which means I'm across the street from the Indiana State House.  I snapped this picture during the Super Bowl and thought I had to include it if nothing more than my obligatory Super Bowl reference. 

State Fair Junkies

If you don't know, now you know: I try to maintain my Hoosier street cred by attending the Indiana State Fair three to four times a year for as long as I've lived here in Indy.  The agriculture displays, the 4-H, the people watching...I love it all.  I guess I'm a foodie, but despite fitting the description of a typical foodie, I devour the 'cuisine' that is State Fair food.  I don't know that I always try the weird deep fried novelty of the year.  But I'm known for eating a couple of dinners, and a dessert or two, given any one visit.  And I always start my State Fair food experience by eating at the Pork Tent.  Primarily because I love that magical animal, but also because I like saying Pork Tent.  I'm a simple guy like that.

2012: The Year of Weddings

This year was a great party wedding year.  My good friend and college roommate Jason got married out in Denver.  A really close friend, who might as well be a brother, Derek and his wonderful wife Suzanne also tied the knot.  My younger cousin Whitney's wedding was a great time.  Last, but not least, my brother got hitched to a wonderful girl.  Pictured above are this generation's Ford men (sans Dakota) with grandma at my brother's wedding.  Good times.

The Pride of Indianapolis  

Hats off to the city for taking advantage of the Super Bowl to further saturate this city in art.  This is one of my favorites for obvious reasons. This guy here is where it's at because he knows what this town is about:  

“All my jokes are Indianapolis...All my attitudes are Indianapolis. My adenoids are Indianapolis. If I ever severed myself from Indianapolis, I would be out of business. What people like about me is Indianapolis.”

Vonnegut circa 1986 

We love you too.

Closing The Door On My M.A.

Years ago, pre-kids, I was bored and had some extra time on my hands.  So, I signed up for a graduate class on a whim and ultimately chose to pursue an M.A. in Applied Communication at IUPUI.  My initial motivation was purely educational. My undergrad was at the Kelley school of Business down in Bloomington.  So, the notion of college level liberal arts classes was new to me.  It was a tremendous experience and I've met some unbelievably smart and inspirational people, including my adviser pictured above, Dr. Cathrine Dobris.  The crazy thing about my graduate studies is the relevance and connection to my work as a User Experience web designer.  It's dumb luck, really.  It's been really gratifying to be able to apply my graduate studies to my professional work.  Communication theory has the opportunity to bring a different and beneficial perspective to a User Centered Design practice.  There's more to come from me on this relationship.

Home

I'm from the corn fields of east central Indiana.  This is me wondering through the fields at my family farm.

Creative Food at the 2012 Indiana Artisan Marketplace

Hey folks, it's been awhile since I've last posted.   I've been trying to get some loose ends tied up with a thesis and some promised web work for StudioAMF.  I've got a few exciting things I'm working on this summer and am looking forward to sharing them with you.  I did take a few moments to write up some of my favorite food vendors at this year's Indiana Artisan Marketplace.  If you're looking for unique and local, value-added food additions to your pantry, consider some of my favorites below.

A taste  of bourbon with your pancakes?  I'm game.

Food artisans from Indiana and Kentucky descended upon the Indiana State Fairgrounds a few weekends ago (March 31st) for the second annual Indiana Artisan Marketplace.  A three day event, the Marketplace showcased a variety of regional artists that are Indiana Artisan.   Attendees enjoyed potters, painters, and jewelers in addition to experiencing a number of unique and delicious value-added foods and wines.

Brownsburg rising stars Hoosier Mama was on hand to provide samples of their popular and locally sourced bloody Mary and margarita mixes.  Of particular interest were their hot pickled carrots, a tasty alternative to what will always now be a boring celery garnish in your bloody mary.  Another favorite, 240 Sweet are masters at producing surprisingly delicious yet peculiar flavors of gourmet marshmallows and were presenting their Pomegranate Kick marshmallows.  For the more adventurous, 240 Sweet dish up a bacon, maple, and toffee flavored marshmallow.  Yes, bacon and yes, it's great.

The chilies sneak up on you, but it's pleasant

Salsa and sauces were also on display including Screamin’ Mimi’s sweet hot salsa and Crazy Charlie’s award winning salsa.  Attendees purchasing Best Boy’s sauces, which include a Carolina BBQ sauce and a hot chili fudge sauce enjoyed a well crafted product coupled with a philanthropic cause.  One hundred percent of their profits are donated to charity. 
 

There was no shortage of confection food makers among the attending artisans.  The sisters of St. Benedict, hailing from Ferdinand, IN, were on hand again selling almond flavored Almerle cookies as well as Hildegard cookies.  According to their website, the Hildergard cookie counters the aging process and “releases” intelligence.  Given the source, can one really question these skilled bakers at For Heaven’s Sake bakery?  Another returning confection artisan was Persimmon pleasures.  Hailing from Bedford, IN, this bakery uses locally grown persimmons in nearly all of their wares to produce a variety of cookies with a subtle and unique flavor.  The Best Chocolate in Town, offered various truffle flavors, caramels, and buttery toffee.

Abandon your celery, bloody Mary drinkers

Butler Winery, Winzerwald Winery, and Easley winery were not the only food artisan vendors serving alcohol themed wares. Howard’s Creek was on hand with their seventy year old, Kentucky River Valley spicy beer cheese. Burton’s Maplewood Farm presented attendees their unique bourbon infused maple syrup.   

In an attempt to nurture this growing food scene, Indiana Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman used the 2012 Marketplace event to announce her office’s newly minted Indiana Grown marketing campaign.  This program, intended to showcase Indiana food producers, coupled with success of food craftpersons at the Indiana Artisan Marketplace, ensure a bright future for local foodists.