Let's Keep This Week Going

In the past seven days, TeamReed has seen:

• The BoSox win the World Series the day before Jeff's birthday,
• Both Jeff and my fantasy football teams won their matches,
• Jeff did a stellar job arguing before the Indiana Supreme Court, and 
• Alison had some awesome moments on the sports, academic and social scenes. 

Then, this morning, on a walk after breakfast, Jeff and I saw a line of people filling the sidewalk in front of a strip mall that includes a Planet Fitness and a discount department store. At the far end of that strip was a polling site. The line started at the polling site, crossed the full length of the strip mall, and looped around so it looked like the returns counter on December 25th. And people were still strolling up to vote early.

It's too early to tell, of course, whether these awesome Americans are voting on my side of the ballot. But just the idea that they were out to vote -- and that voting is at an all-time high here in Indiana -- was enough to increase the bounce in my step.

But let's pause for a moment to officially laud the Captain, who hit a career high with his appearance before the Indiana Supreme Court.



You can watch it here, or you can trust me that he did a terrific job articulating why the court should agree with his side of Case No.18S-EX-0047593A02-1711-EX-02735, NIPSCO Industrial Group v. Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor which concerns Cause No. 44733-TDSIC-2 before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

If the title of the case isn't enough to dissuade you from watching it, you can fast forward 19 minutes to see him argue. It's been 20+ years since I was in a hearing room where he was working, but I was glad I went. Thanks to Andy Siewert for making time to sit in and others who watched it in live stream. Jeff had prepared really well, but the good vibes probably helped, too.

We had another record year of raising money for the local Ronald McDonald House at the annual Taste gala. Thanks to Peter Dunn for emceeing and support from IndyNewYears.com, Borshoff, Neal Brown Hospitality, Jack and Karen Shell and everyone who helped out. I just realized I didn't take any pictures there. It was a fun night and such a wonderful cause. If you ever find yourself with too much cash on hand, feel free to give to the House. It's an amazing place.

In other fun news, our friends Nick Wangler and Anna Zumbrun had a moment in the sun from WISH-TV, which highlighted their use of the beautiful and historic Union Station for a New Year's Eve party that's going to be THE place to be to ring out 2018. Get your tickets here. 

It's not just a good party, they're raising money for Dream Alive, there's an arts component via a partnership with the Harrison Center for the Arts and even more entertainment options. Check out the Indy Masquerade via Brenna Donnelly's Facebook live hit, where you get to know Nick and Anna, too.

Or, in case you missed WISH live, check out some more here.  If you're thinking you can't ballroom dance so you can't take advantage of all the things at Masquerade, folks from Indianapolis Ballet will be there to help you bust the right move.

For you Indianapolis folks, keep your eye out for art from Abi Ogle, which will signal a surprise, pop-up "Masquerade Moment" from now until the end of the year. 

The most important thing you can do this week, though, is vote. If you want advice on who to support, I'm full of ideas. But you're smart. You care about other people. You want America to be the place anyone can find a fair opportunity. Keep those things in mind when go stand to cast your ballot and you can't go wrong.

Then, ask yourself, "What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve....