Category: Letters

Don’t Fear Good Debt

Due to massive asset loss, many Americans purchased debt at an alarming rate over the past decade. MarketWatch reports that at the start of 2019, total consumer debt reached $14 trillion. That’s $66,945 per adult American, surpassing pre-recession levels by more than $1 trillion. Given the sheer volume of debt owed, it’s not surprising that Americans are beginning to fear debt—opting for debit cards over credit cards, renting over owning, and ride-sharing over vehicle ownership.

IU Prof Is ‘Thought Leader’ In the Fight for Cyberpeace

In September 2019, an international consortium with corporate funding launched the CyberPeace Institute, an independent nongovernmental agency created to address the growing impact of cybercrime. The institute is based in Geneva, Switzerland, but Indiana University is helping define its mission and programs. Among its thought leaders is Scott Shackelford, an associate professor at the IU Kelley School of Business.

Police Social Worker Helps Those in Need Find Services

Melissa Stone’s gray polo shirt has a Bloomington Police Department (BPD) badge on one side and the words “Social Worker” on the other. She says it’s important that she gain the trust of the people she approaches. “I’ll introduce myself and say ‘I’m not an officer. I’m just a social worker. I can’t arrest you,’” Stone explains.

New Special Victims Unit For Sex Crimes & Domestic Violence

When Erika Oliphant stepped into her new role as Monroe County prosecutor in 2019, she wanted to improve the experience of sex crime and domestic abuse victims within the criminal justice system, as well as the experience of those who work to prosecute their offenders. “These are difficult caseloads,” Oliphant says. “They’re very emotionally draining. I thought it might be better to try more of a team approach.”

Globe-Trotting With Brooke Bierhaus: Morning Meditations on Jerusalem’s Western Wall

You might not believe it, but 6:45 a.m. is my favorite time of day. It has been since I was 13 years old. Waking up while it’s still dark and watching my surroundings come to life as the sun casts its light on the world is my meditation. After traveling to and living in 28 countries, I have found that these early morning moments are the best way to really understand a city, town, or land.

Bloomington Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 50 Years Making Music

In 1969, when Geoffrey Simon and Tamás Ungár were students at the Indiana University School of Music, they noticed a lack of performance opportunities for musicians in Bloomington and set out to establish a community orchestra. While Simon actively recruited musicians, Ungár managed behind-the-scenes operations. The result was the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra (BSO).

Rish Naran: From Zimbabwe To Bloomington

At 18, Rishel “Rish” Naran traveled from his home country of Zimbabwe to Texas, his heart set on a career as a professional golfer. Unfortunately, he suffered a back injury during a soccer game, making a golf career unattainable. Changing paths is what eventually landed him in Bloomington where, at 29, he works as the general manager of Andy Mohr Honda.

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Business & Finance
  • Community
  • Fashion & Shopping
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Fitness
  • Home & Family
  • Our Town
  • Science & Education
  • Web Exclusives
Hoosier Farmers Show New Interest in Hemp

Hoosier Farmers Show New Interest in Hemp

Jan 5, 2020

For the first time since the 1930s, Indiana farmers have been harvesting hemp. Owen County’s Trietsch Farms was one of a select group approved to grow hemp in 2019 as part of a research trial. Co-founders Jim Trietsch, his son, Ty, and Justin Daubenspeck grew more than 100,000 hemp plants for cannabidiol (CBD) oil and smokable CBD.

Lee Loves

Lee Loves

Jan 9, 2020

Old Man Winter is whistling at our keyholes, but Bloomington businesses are amply stocked with items to keep us warm and cozy.

d’Vines – A Wine Experience You Can Taste Before You Buy

d’Vines – A Wine Experience You Can Taste Before You Buy

Jan 8, 2020

Many people don’t know what they are looking for when buying wine. They may choose a wine based on a clever name or an attractive label or by price. And they have absolutely no idea what the wine tastes like until they open the bottle.

How One Farmhand Got Land for His Own Farm

How One Farmhand Got Land for His Own Farm

Jan 11, 2020

After working other people’s farms for a dozen years, Grant Pershing, 44, was ready to start farming for himself. Unfortunately, finding a bank that was willing to loan him the money wasn’t so easy. “I was a pretty poor risk, so I could either find a dilapidated house with enough land or a nice house with no land,” Pershing says. “When it came down to buying something, it just wasn’t going to happen.”

Kathleen McLean: Bassoonist Professor

Kathleen McLean: Bassoonist Professor

Jan 6, 2020

When she joined the school band in her hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, 11-year-old Kathleen McLean wasn’t really interested in playing the bassoon. Her first choice was the trumpet. But she was assigned the tall, thin woodwind and, she says, “Then I fell in love with the sound, so akin to the human voice.”

Help Save the Birds

Help Save the Birds

Jan 12, 2020

Using data gathered in part by citizen scientists, researchers recently determined we’ve lost nearly three billion birds since 1970. Birds across the United States and Canada are in trouble. These include many migratory birds, as well as common species like warblers, blackbirds, and finches. And—spoiler alert!—like the veritable “canary in the coal mine,” such avian losses signal trouble for humans, too.

Wedding Guide

Bloom’s 13th Annual Wedding Guide

Bloom’s 13th Annual Wedding Guide

Feb 5, 2019

Each of the four couples featured here found ways to express their individuality even as they upheld the wedding traditions of their communities and families. We hope their creativity can help you find ways to express yourself on your special day.

Read More
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Don’t Fear Good Debt

Due to massive asset loss, many Americans purchased debt at an alarming rate over the past decade. MarketWatch reports that at the start of 2019, total consumer debt reached $14 trillion. That’s $66,945 per adult American, surpassing pre-recession levels by more than $1 trillion. Given the sheer volume of debt owed, it’s not surprising that Americans are beginning to fear debt—opting for debit cards over credit cards, renting over owning, and ride-sharing over vehicle ownership.

IU Prof Is ‘Thought Leader’ In the Fight for Cyberpeace

In September 2019, an international consortium with corporate funding launched the CyberPeace Institute, an independent nongovernmental agency created to address the growing impact of cybercrime. The institute is based in Geneva, Switzerland, but Indiana University is helping define its mission and programs. Among its thought leaders is Scott Shackelford, an associate professor at the IU Kelley School of Business.

Police Social Worker Helps Those in Need Find Services

Melissa Stone’s gray polo shirt has a Bloomington Police Department (BPD) badge on one side and the words “Social Worker” on the other. She says it’s important that she gain the trust of the people she approaches. “I’ll introduce myself and say ‘I’m not an officer. I’m just a social worker. I can’t arrest you,’” Stone explains.

New Special Victims Unit For Sex Crimes & Domestic Violence

When Erika Oliphant stepped into her new role as Monroe County prosecutor in 2019, she wanted to improve the experience of sex crime and domestic abuse victims within the criminal justice system, as well as the experience of those who work to prosecute their offenders. “These are difficult caseloads,” Oliphant says. “They’re very emotionally draining. I thought it might be better to try more of a team approach.”

Globe-Trotting With Brooke Bierhaus: Morning Meditations on Jerusalem’s Western Wall

You might not believe it, but 6:45 a.m. is my favorite time of day. It has been since I was 13 years old. Waking up while it’s still dark and watching my surroundings come to life as the sun casts its light on the world is my meditation. After traveling to and living in 28 countries, I have found that these early morning moments are the best way to really understand a city, town, or land.

Bloomington Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 50 Years Making Music

In 1969, when Geoffrey Simon and Tamás Ungár were students at the Indiana University School of Music, they noticed a lack of performance opportunities for musicians in Bloomington and set out to establish a community orchestra. While Simon actively recruited musicians, Ungár managed behind-the-scenes operations. The result was the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra (BSO).

Rish Naran: From Zimbabwe To Bloomington

At 18, Rishel “Rish” Naran traveled from his home country of Zimbabwe to Texas, his heart set on a career as a professional golfer. Unfortunately, he suffered a back injury during a soccer game, making a golf career unattainable. Changing paths is what eventually landed him in Bloomington where, at 29, he works as the general manager of Andy Mohr Honda.

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Business & Finance
  • Community
  • Fashion & Shopping
  • Features
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Fitness
  • Home & Family
  • Our Town
  • Web Exclusives
Don’t Fear Good Debt

Don’t Fear Good Debt

Jan 24, 2020

Due to massive asset loss, many Americans purchased debt at an alarming rate over the past decade. MarketWatch reports that at the start of 2019, total consumer debt reached $14 trillion. That’s $66,945 per adult American, surpassing pre-recession levels by more than $1 trillion. Given the sheer volume of debt owed, it’s not surprising that Americans are beginning to fear debt—opting for debit cards over credit cards, renting over owning, and ride-sharing over vehicle ownership.

Lee Loves

Lee Loves

Jan 9, 2020

Old Man Winter is whistling at our keyholes, but Bloomington businesses are amply stocked with items to keep us warm and cozy.

d’Vines – A Wine Experience You Can Taste Before You Buy

d’Vines – A Wine Experience You Can Taste Before You Buy

Jan 8, 2020

Many people don’t know what they are looking for when buying wine. They may choose a wine based on a clever name or an attractive label or by price. And they have absolutely no idea what the wine tastes like until they open the bottle.

How One Farmhand Got Land for His Own Farm

How One Farmhand Got Land for His Own Farm

Jan 11, 2020

After working other people’s farms for a dozen years, Grant Pershing, 44, was ready to start farming for himself. Unfortunately, finding a bank that was willing to loan him the money wasn’t so easy. “I was a pretty poor risk, so I could either find a dilapidated house with enough land or a nice house with no land,” Pershing says. “When it came down to buying something, it just wasn’t going to happen.”

Rish Naran: From Zimbabwe To Bloomington

Rish Naran: From Zimbabwe To Bloomington

Jan 15, 2020

At 18, Rishel “Rish” Naran traveled from his home country of Zimbabwe to Texas, his heart set on a career as a professional golfer. Unfortunately, he suffered a back injury during a soccer game, making a golf career unattainable. Changing paths is what eventually landed him in Bloomington where, at 29, he works as the general manager of Andy Mohr Honda.

Wedding Guide

Bloom’s 13th Annual Wedding Guide

Bloom’s 13th Annual Wedding Guide

Feb 5, 2019

Each of the four couples featured here found ways to express their individuality even as they upheld the wedding traditions of their communities and families. We hope their creativity can help you find ways to express yourself on your special day.

Read More
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