Thanks to the fabulous efforts of the Rocky Ripple Community Association, the 12th Rocky Ripple Art Festival was again a huge success! Thank you for everyone who attended, sponsored, organized or volunteered–this festival would not be here without you! And because of the Festival, Rocky Ripple’s Town Parks will continue to benefit from funds raised. If you haven’t been to our parks, drop by some time. We think you’ll enjoy what you see.
Parks & Facilities
IMA/White River Survey
The Indianapolis Museum of Art is about to embark on a project related to the White River, and needs your opinion. They have partnered with Randi Korn & Associates, Inc., a museum planning and research firm to develop the survey. You will have a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card. If you have questions, call toll-free 1-888-396-0376.
Follow the link to complete the survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QQ6NW77
If you know someone who needs a printed copy of the survey, contact Angela Herrmann or Karen Stone.
Town Council Updates
Attend the Festival this Saturday!
Hohlt Park will be home to Rocky Ripple’s 11th annual Art Festival from 11 am to 6 pm. To find out more, visit the Community Association Web site.
THANK YOU to the Community Association and the many community volunteers who make the Festival and so many other events possible in Town!
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Fountain Park Update
Thanks to an IPL Golden Eagle Grant, made possible earlier this year through the Center for Urban Ecology at Butler University (CEU@BU), ecological restoration is in process at Fountain Park, located at 53rd Street and Patterson. So far, mulched trails have been created, some native plant seed has been scattered, and invasive honeysuckle has been removed from the interior of the park. Benches and a new sign will be installed, and educational programs will be scheduled for the community. This property was originally donated to the Town by Butler University and has been rezoned as a park.
As the work continues in the park, residents are invited not to dump debris or build fires in the park.
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Continued Dry Conditions Require Extra Care
Mayor Announces Burn Ban
With Rocky Ripple having received only just over 1/2 of an inch of rain since the beginning of August, residents are urged to take care not to accidentally spark a fire. According to Indiana officials, “seemingly harmless actions such as driving over or parking on dry grass, or dropping a lit cigarette on the ground could cause a sizeable fire.”
For more information on how to prevent fires, read the notice issued last week by government officials:
http://www.in.gov/portal/news_events/57515.htm
Despite Wednesday’s scattered showers, a burn ban has been declared in Marion County.
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Update on Jansen Case
Last Wednesday, Anne Jansen was convicted of two counts of D felony theft. She had been accused of stealing money from the Town of Rocky Ripple and the Rocky Ripple Community Association (RRCA), respectively, when she served as Clerk/Treasurer and Treasurer. The guilty plea comes nearly two years after Council President Robert Tomey filed an embezzlement report against Jansen after he was notified by Jansen’s family that she had committed the crime to support her gambling habit over a number of years while in service to the community.
According to Matthew Bavender, deputy prosecutor at the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, Jansen plead guilty to both charges and that the sentences for both counts will run concurrently. He said the judge had full discretion on all sentencing, handing Jansen one year probation minus the time she had already served.
Mitigating factors in the case included the unlikelihood that Jansen would commit this type of crime again, Jansen’s age as well as her lack of prior criminal history. Aggravating factors included the position of trust Jansen once held in the community as an elected official.
Bavender added that Jansen is required to seek help for her gambling addication while on probation. He added that final restitution to the Town and RRCA has not been determined, noting that the money she already has returned to the RRCA and the $30,000 bond that was paid to the Town will be subtracted from the total amount of money she owes.
Jansen was accused of taking $60,320.90, according to the State Board of Accounts (SBOA) report. (That amount does not include that which was taken from Community Association accounts.)
Rocky Ripple Town Council Updates
Minutes are posted
Visit the Meeting Minutes & Budget page to read the latest minutes.
The next Town Council meeting takes place July 13, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.
Trash Collection Schedule Adjusted for Independence Day
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works would like to remind residents that there will be no residential trash, heavy trash, or curbside recycling service on Monday, July 5, in observance of Independence Day. All residential trash, heavy trash, and curbside recycling routes will run one day behind for the entire week, with Friday routes being serviced the following Saturday.
All services will return to normal schedules on Monday, July 12.
Residents can find information about their trash schedules at www.indy.gov/dpw.
Hearing again rescheduled
The trial of Rocky Ripple’s former clerk-treasurer is has been rescheduled.
Move Mulch at Fountain Park Saturday
Residents are invited to move mulch and create trails in Fountain Park Saturday June 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. So far, Butler staff, alums, and faculty have removed invasive weeds (a previous work day had been rained out). Rocky Ripple’s own Simple Man’s Tree Service donated time and labor to chip the honeysuckle that J.F. New and Associates cut down.
Turtle Time with Travis
Everyone is welcome for an afternoon turtle adventure. Travis Ryan, associate professor of Biological Sciences at Butler University, will share some information about local turtles. Following the presentation, everyone will head out to the White River and Central Canal to go turtle hunting. Common local species include, red-eared sliders, map turtles, and soft shell turtles.
Meet at the Town Hall Saturday June 19 at 3 p.m. The program ends at 5 p.m. Download the Turtle-Time flyer.
Owl Night with CUE
Join Butler University’s Center for Urban Ecology staff at 7:45 p.m. April 9 at the Rocky Ripple Town Hall to learn about owls found in and around Rocky Ripple.
Species we’ll likely encounter:
-Eastern screech owl (two color morphs, very distinct call too!)
-Barred owl (‘who cooks for you’ call)
We might encounter:
-Great Horned Owl (typical long hoot call)
If we’re lucky:
-Northern Saw Whet Owls ( so very tiny!)
To learn more about owls before April 9, visit:
Fountain Park restoration begins April 24
On April 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., join Butler University’s Center for Urban Ecology staff, Butler students and alumni, as well as Rocky Ripple residents as everyone works together to restore and beautify Fountain Park, located on the corner of 53rd and Patterson Streets. The first priority is to remove the invasive honeysuckle.
Work includes pulling smaller invasive shrubs such as bush honeysuckle. Large honeysuckle will be cut and chipped on site to mulch a trail. Volunteers will flag the cut stumps. Volunteers should dress appropriately and bring work gloves, shovels, loppers, and any other appropriate tools. Provided will be trash bags, some tools, water, and a grab and go lunch.
Town of Rocky Ripple 
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