A lot of new activity near 109th and Olio Road at Geist Reservoir - and Tom Britt invites Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and Parks Director Sarah Sandquist into the Towne Post Network studios to discuss the future 5,000 sq. ft. waterfront restaurant, Citizen Reservoir, and Phase 1 of the Geist Waterfront Park. 

Tom Britt and KJ hook up once again after 11 years to record their first podcast show together. In this episode, they discuss Spark Fishers return to downtown Fishers, the 146th St. interchange off of St. Rd. 37 reopening, extended interview with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and Parks Director Sarah Sandquist talking about a new waterfront restaurant and park at Geist Reservoir, Race Away from Domestic Violence 5K on June 5, and five new local listings posted to TownePost.com. 

Tom Britt invites Fishers City Councilor Brad DeReamer and local navy veteran El Ahlwardt into the Technology Interiors studios to talk about the city's newest monument coming to downtown Fishers. Brad and El are working with an all-veteran committee to raise $60,000 for the Gold Star Memorial Monument - only the third of such monuments in Indiana. Be a part of history by making a donation via the Fishers Parks Foundation website (click here).

January is National Mentoring Month, and today I spoke with Big Brothers & Big Sisters Chief Program Officer Amy Essley about the need for big brothers and big sisters in Central Indiana. Specifically, Hamilton County is in dire need of over 100 volunteers that would like to mentor a child between the ages of 8 and 14 years old. We talked about the time commitment, Covid-19 impact on recruiting and training, outcomes, and just the overall need the children have for adult mentors in their lives. Visit their website for more information - BeBigForKids.org.

IU School of Medicine researchers Dr. Bryan Schneider and Dr. Milan Radovich have discovered a DNA marker to predictively tell a woman diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer whether or not she will have a recurrence. This research study is part of the IU Precision Health Initiative, a $120 million investment by IU Health to research cures and treatments for the world's 5 most dreaded diseases: Breast cancer, Alzheimer's Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Multiple Myeloma, and Pediatric Sarcomas. Both Schneider and Radovich are gaining national recognition for their research and their findings are now furthering other cancer research and treatments.  

In this episode, Tom Britt talks with Bruce Cooley, Engineer and Project Manager for Citizens Energy Group charged with the conversion of the former IMI limestone quarry to the new Citizens Reservoir near the public boat ramp on Olio Road. Bruce talks about the early days of Geist Reservoir, how former droughts like the one in 2012 forced Citizens to explore capacity needs, converting the 280' deep pit into a reservoir, whether or not the public will be allowed to fish or recreate on this reservoir, and a timeline for when he expects the reservoir to fill with water. He also explains just how big this reservoir is in comparison to other Indy landmarks. A video was produced (click here) showing drone video of the open pit and the tunnels constructed to pump water out of the Citizens Reservoir into Geist Reservoir. There are also several historic photos, time lapse images, and details about the new Citizens Reservoir available on their website (click here).

Tom Britt hosts and chats with The Milk Bank Executive Director Freedom Kolb, board president Courtney Jones from Community North, and a recent benefactor of donated breast milk Lyndsay Krauter from Westfield (with baby Lyla). The Milk Bank supports moms struggling with breastfeeding, working with local hospitals to provide critical nutrition for our most vulnerable Hoosiers: Preemies and newborn babies. An upcoming virtual trivia night called "Pints for Preemies" on October 15 at 7:00 pm is a great way for you to help their cause, learn a little more about their mission, and maybe win some prizes from local businesses like Four Day Ray or O'hana Donuts & Ice Cream. 

Tom Britt spoke with Alex Perry - Operations Manager of the new RotoShovel headquartered and birthed here in Fishers, Indiana. Inventor Rick Goren, owner of Technology Interiors at 116th and I-69, conceived the idea for the world's first handheld auger two years ago and is now primed and ready to hit retail shelves soon.  Selling now through Amazon.com direct, Alex is fulfilling orders at their new warehouse in Technology Park. Costco is placing an order and several other hardware and specialty stores are already showing interest. 

After years in the banking industry, John DeLucia takes a job with a bank he had never heard of in downtown Fishers called Citizens State Bank. He gives Tom Britt a first-hand account of how the PPP funding process opened the doors for smaller regional banks like Citizens State Bank to show their strength. 

Tom Britt hosts Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness in the new Towne Post Network studio to talk about the Geist Park progress, Nickel Plate Trail, his prediction for tonight's Mudsock Game between Fishers and HSE High School, fireworks after the game, and his new challenge to get 500 Fishers residents to go through "Interrupting Racism Training".