This piece is part of our INDYtoday Q+A series. Do you know someone we should interview? Nominate them here. |
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Will Hazen has been driving for IndyGo for about a year + a half and he comes from a long line of transit drivers, starting with his great grandfather’s role as a line superintendent for Santa Fe Railway. Since he started his career, he’s received a ROSE Award for his service to the biking community — with his own money, he’s handed out bike lights to bus passengers in an effort to curb bike accidents. He’s also a collector of transportation memorabilia, including a large number of historic images of Indianapolis streetcars.
We asked Will 10 questions about public transportation, local restaurants, and his dream job. Keep reading to find out how he spends a perfect day in Indy. |
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Will Hazen with his ROSE Award. | Photo by Christina Whitehouse |
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What would your ultimate goal or dream job be?
What I’m doing now, to be honest. It’s a lot of fun. There’s no better office in the city, regardless of what other people think. It’s the best office and I get to interact with a lot of my neighbors on a daily basis. It’s such a rewarding place to be.
What do you hope to see for the future of Indy’s public transportation system?
I really hope that we start to focus on transit-oriented development and build the development that we need along our bus lines to promote a healthy transit system and add services in that development like grocery stores and pharmacies. And focus on jobs in those corridors as well so that there are jobs along rapid transit lines and our local routes that people can get to from housing along those lines as well. You can only choose one local restaurant menu to bring with you to a deserted island — which one is it and why?
Steer Inn. The vibes are great. It’s so very 1960s and 70s and the food’s great too. Want to know more of Will's faves or how he likes to commute? Click the button below. |
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Today - Tails and Ales | Thurs., June 23 | 6-9 p.m. | Broad Ripple Brewpub | Free | Music, drinks, food + adoptable animals. 🐶
Friday -
Madison Cunningham | Fri., June 24 | 7 p.m. | HI-FI, 1043 Virginia Ave. #4 | $20+ | Two-time Grammy nominee Madison Cunningham will perform songs from her latest album “Who Are You Now.” 🎵
Saturday Home & Garden Tour | Sat., June 25 | 12-5 p.m. | Woodruff Place Historic Neighborhood | $20+ | Explore seven homes on this interactive tour with porch parties, a vintage fashion show + golf cart “taxis.” 🏘️ -
Garfield Park Art & Music Festival | Sat., June 25 | 3-10 p.m. | MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park | Free | Enjoy this outdoor festival celebrating music, art + the culture of the Circle City.
Sunday -
Every Brilliant Thing | Fri., June 17-Sun., June 26 | Various times | District Theatre Mainstage, 627 Mass Ave. | $20+ | Watch star Ben Asaykwee tell a story of depression, hope + uncertainty. 🎭
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We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends. |
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Weather - 89º | Sunny | 2% chance of rain
Traffic -
An investment of $10 million will be going toward road work this summer. Work is already underway on South Tibbs Avenue + East 91st Street, with a project in each city district. An additional $3 million will be designated for future residential roadway projects. See the list of roads getting a facelift. 🚗 (WISH)
- Uber’s shared rides are making a comeback in only a handful of cities — and Indy is one of them. The company put a pause on the service due to the pandemic, but the carpool option “UberX Share” is available to Hoosiers starting now. Get the details. (WISH)
Coming Soon -
The AMP at 16 Tech is staying cool this summer with the addition of a new ice cream shop called Scoopz. Victoria Beaty, who just opened The Botanical Bar plant shop, is partnering with Lori Kincy, owner of Capelli Studio Salons. Tentative shop hours will be 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday.🍦(IndyStar)
Number -
$34 million. That’s how much money the Lilly Endowment will be giving eight Indy-based human services organizations in funding. Individual grants will range from $1 to $7.5 million to strengthen their long-term financial sustainability plans. See the groups that were chosen. (IBJ)
Watch -
15-year-old Hoosier Jess Wombles will be competing on “American Ninja Warrior” soon. The Center Grove High School student is a budding pilot and spends her weekends at athletic competitions across the country. She also teaches courses at local gym Train Yard 317. Catch the episode Monday at 8 p.m. on Channel 13. 🥷(IndyStar)
Arts -
The library is looking for Hoosier authors to table its annual Indy Author Fair on Sat., Aug. 6 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Those who are accepted will get free table space to sell and share their work. The deadline to apply is Fri., July 1. 📚
Cause -
“Save the Steeples” is a campaign to raise money for the preservation of downtown’s historic St. Mary Catholic Church. It’s raised millions to finish work on its steeples + exterior, and it needs another $70,000 by the end of the month to qualify for a matching grant. Find out how you can help. ⛪ (WRTV)
Outdoors -
In Irvington, you can find a tree almost 500 years old — before the US even existed. It’s called the Kile Oak, named after a family that built their home by the tree. It’s currently 87 feet tall + is preserved by Irvington Garden Club member Ed Myers. Learn more and plan your visit. 🌳 (IndyStar)
A pet message from our sponsor -
“Whiskey the Rottweiler was given less than 24 hours to live, and the referring veterinarian was sure he was going to die. But I made one simple change that saved Whiskey’s life, and kept him healthy for years and years.” *
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There’s a lot to look at within this Garfield Park illustration — created by Nick Badman, a community planner living right here in Indy.
Nick is the person behind the Placemakers Store, a platform that makes and sells location-based artwork in Indy, Dayton, Oklahoma City + Upstate New York.
Pro tip: throughout the month of June, a limited-edition Indy Skyline Pride print will be available, with all profits benefiting the Indiana Youth Group. Order yours. |
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Editor's pick: Speaking of "American Ninja Warrior," does anyone remember when the show took over Monument Circle in 2018? I was there, front row + center and would love to see Indy host it again.📍 Missed yesterday's newsletter? Indy screams for ice cream |
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