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In this issue

2 • Lt.Governorlaunchesnewagency

3

The TorchispublishedmonthlybytheStatePersonnelDepartment

andisavailableonlineatwww.in.gov/spd

Submityourstoryideasto:spdcommunications@spd.in.gov

Follow us on:

5

6• Amusementparkdiscountsforsummer2013

• BiketoWork• Resourcesforbeginningbikers

Got a story?

If you see something, say something: Hoosiers asked to report suspicious activity

May 2013

• CollegeChoice529plan

• FMLpolicyrenewel

4

• RecoveryNutrition• Visitfarmer’smarket

TheIndianaDepartmentofHomelandSecurity,IndianaStatePoliceandtheCityofIndianapolisDepartmentofPublicSafetyaskHoosierstoreportsuspiciousactivity.Thisisespeciallyimportantatlargeevents.

Suspiciousactivityreportsareoneofthebestdefensesagainstviolentacts.CamerasusedbyprivatebusinessesandatipfromacitizenwerekeyintheidentificationofthetwoBostonMarathonbombingsuspects.

Local,stateandfederalagenciesadvocatethe“IfYouSeeSomething,SaySomething”campaign.Citizensareoneofthebestpartnerspublicsafetyprofessionalshaveagainstviolentsituations.Theaveragepersonneedstoknowthattheirinputiscriticalinpreventionandfindingperpetrators.

Afewimportantpoints:• Donotfeelembarrassedfor

reportingsomethingoutoftheordinary.Ifitdoesn’tseemright,reportit.

• Whenreportingsuspicious

behavior,itisimportanttotakenoteofseveralkeydetails,suchaswhenandwhereyouwitnessedthebehaviorandanydescriptionofindividualsinvolvedsuchasgender,age,physicaldescriptionanduniquecharacteristics.Alsotakenoteofanyvehiclesinvolved,makeandmodelofthevehicle,anditsdirectionoftravel.

• DONOTconfrontanyonewhoisexhibitingsuspiciousbehavior.

• Toreportsuspiciousactivity,contacton-sitesecurity,locallawenforcement’snon-emergencylineortheIndianaIntelligenceFusionCenterat1-877-226-1026.Ifviolenceisimminent,call9-1-1.

• ProgramthenumberfortheFusionCenterintoacellphone.

• Examplesofsuspiciousactivityincludemonitoringpersonnel,testingsecurity,unusualorprolongedinterestinsecuritymeasures,orpurposelyplacingobjectsinsensitiveareastoobserveresponse.Forexample,apersontakingphotosatahighprofileeventisnotunusualinitself;butifthatpersonisonlytakingphotosofsecuritycamerasorpersonnel,thatactivitywouldbesuspicious.

Formoreinformationgotoin.gov/iifcorgetprepared.in.gov.

The Torch 2

Lt. Governor launches Indiana Office of Defense Development

New agency

OnGovernorPence’sfirstdayinoffice,theIndianaOfficeofDefenseDevelopment(IODD)wascreatedthroughanexecutiveordertoprovideafocusedeffortongrowingthedefensesectorbusinessinIndianaandcreatingjobsforHoosiers.

DuaneEmbree,whoservedtheNavywith35yearsoffederalcivilianserviceandthelast13ofthoseyearswasamemberoftheSenior

ExecutiveService,wasappointedasthedirectoroftheIndianaOfficeofDefenseDevelopment.ThisnewofficeispartoftheLt.Governor’sfamilyofbusinessagencies.

“OurgoalwiththeIODDisafocusedeconomicdevelopmentefforttogrowdefenseindustrybusinessinIndianaandcreatejobsforHoosiers,”saidEllspermann.“Ourgoalisnotonlytopreserveandprotecttheassetswehavetoday,buttoalsoopenourdoorstostrategicallyseekoutorphanactivitiesandattractthosecross-functionalopportunitiesfortrainingandinnovativecompaniesinterestedinexpandingdefensetechnologies.Indianahastomarketitselfasopenformilitarybusiness.”

IODDwillfocusonfourmaincomponentsofeconomicdevelopmentwithinthedefensesector:First,topreserveandgrowourcurrentmilitaryassetsandinstallations.Second,topromoteandstrengthenthedefenseindustriesinIndiana.Third,toattractdefenserelatedindustriesthroughlocal,stateandregionaleconomicdevelopmentorganizations.Andfinally,topromotetheuseandcommercialization

ofdefenseandfederalintellectualpropertytocreatenewproducts,companiesandjobs.

“Wewillworkcloselywithstateandeconomicdevelopmentagenciesandthestategovernment’sofficeinWashington,”

saidEmbree.“Wewillhavetolearntospendourmoneybetterandmakeadjustmentsaswegoalongtocertainprograms.”

TheIODDwillworkwithallexistingdefenseassetsinthestate,andhassignedapartnershipagreementwithNSWCCrane.ThisagreementisthenextstepinleveragingtheincredibleassetsatNSWCCraneandotherdefenseinstallationsalongwithIndiana’sindustryandacademicassetsforeconomicdevelopmentandmakesthemostoftaxpayerfundedcapabilitiesandresearch.

Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann appointments Duane Embree as the Director of the Indiana Office of Defense Development (IODD).

CelebratedthefirstweekofMaysince1985,PublicServiceRecognitionWeek(PSRW)istimesetasidetohonorthemenandwomenwhoserveournationasfederal,state,countyandlocalgovernmentemployeesandensurethatourgovernmentisthebestintheworld.

TheStatePersonnelDepartmentthanksallstateemployeesfortheirservice,commitmentanddedicationtomakingIndianathebeststateinthenation.

Evenduringdifficulttimes,youcontinueworkingtofindinnovativesolutionstocomplexissues.Yourhardworkdoesnotgounnoticed,andwewantyoutoknowthatweareproudtoservewithyou.

May 5-11, 2013

Artwork by Jerry Williams

The Torch3

Recovery nutrition is essential following physical activity, like a smoothieRecoverynutritioniscrucialaftertakingpartinextendedphysicalactivity.Whenexercising,thebodyusesagreatamountofcaloriesor“fuel”toprovideenergy,andpromoteoptimalperformance.Itisimportantafterastrenuousworkouttore-fillenergystores.Recoverynutritionisthekeytore-stockingtheseenergystores,andtoensureyouarereadyandfeelinggoodforthenextchallengingworkout.Whenproperrecoverynutritionislacking,youmayfeellowonenergy,tiredandexperiencelessthanoptimalperformance.Itisalsoessentialforrebuildingandrepairingmuscletissuethathasbeenbrokendownduringintenseworkouts.

Toreceivethemostbenefitsfromrecoverynutritionadheretothisruleofthumb:consumeasnackwithin30minutesofrigorousphysicalactivity.Thisisknownastherecoverywindow.Alsobesuretograbasnackthatcontainsacombinationofcomplexcarbohydratesandleanproteins,thiswillaidinoptimalrecovery.Aimforasnackormealthatcontainsa3:1ratioofcarbohydratestoprotein.Ifyouareanenduranceathlete,youmayneedtobumpthatratioupto4:1toadequatelyreplenishyourfuelstores.Herearesomeexamplesofexcellentrecoverysnacks:• 1cupGreekyogurttoppedwith

strawberries• 1cuplow-fatchocolatemilk• 1Banana+1tbsppeanutbutter• Stringcheese+6-8crackers• Ahalfofapeanutbutterandjelly

sandwich

Tailoryourpost-workoutrecoverysnacktoyourneeds.Dependingon

thedurationandintensityofyourworkoutandyourperformancegoals,youmayneedmoreorlessrecoverynutritionafterexercise.

Lookingforaquickrecoverysnack?Tryoutthiseasy-to-makepeanutbutter-bananasmoothie:1. 1frozenbanana2. ½cupmilk3. 1tbsppeanutbutter4. 1scoopvanillaprotein5. AdashofcinnamonPlaceallingredientsinablender,blenduntilsmoothoruntilyourdesiredconsistencyisreached.Addateaspoonofcocoapowderbeforeblending,ifyouwantahealthychocolate-ytreat!

ThankstotheIndiana Dietetics Associationforthis

submission.Checkouttheirwebsite,http://eatrightin.org/formoretipsandinformation.

OnMay23,theStatehouseMarketreturnstoRobertD.OrrPlazaDrivewithmoreoptions.Thisseason,themarkethosts10producevendorsand10ofIndy’sfavoritefoodtruckseachThursdaythroughOctober10.That’s20datesforyoutoeatafreshlunchandshopforahealthydinner.

2013StatehouseMarketVendorsinclude:• VanAntwerpFarmMarket• GrandpaJay’sPork• WildflowerRidgeHoney• Ludwig’sFarmsteadCreamery• Posey&Pumpkins• OberweisDairy• MelonAcres• RedBarnMeats• BryantFarm• Morevendorsstilltocome!

Andmorethan40ofIndy’sfavoritefoodtrucks.

LookformoreinformationaboutthemarketinSPD’sAround the Circle newsletteroremailspdcommunications@spd.in.gov.

AccordingtotheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA),movethan170farmer’smarketsareoperatinginIndiana.Tofindamarketnearyou,clickthefollowinglinkhttp://search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/

Visit a farmer’s market this spring

The Torch 4

Do you need some help to start biking? workagaininthefuture.Ultimately,

themorepeoplewhobiketowork,thegreaterthelong-termbenefitsonthehealthofthoseindividualsinadditiontopositiveeffectsonourcommunity(i.e.improvedairquality,

lesscongestion,improvedlivability).

Ifyou’veeverthoughtaboutridingabicycletoworkbutneedalittleextraincentivetogive

itatry,markyourcalendarforMay17.Seewebsitefordetailsandtoregisteryourcommutevisitindycog.org/events/bike-to-work-day-2013.

MayisNationalBikeMonthandadvocatesacrossthecountryarepreparingforBiketoWorkDay,onFriday,May17.SincetheinauguralIndianapolisBiketoWorkDayinthemid-90s,theeventhasattractedanincreasingnumberofparticipantsandsponsors.In2012,roughly1,500cyclistsparticipated,withapproximatelyhalfofthemattendingthemaineventattheIndyBikeHubYMCAlocatedattheIndianapolisCityMarket.Theeventfeaturesahealthybreakfast,coffee,sponsorbooths,andsince2010,liveremotesbyFOX59TV.

Earlyindicationsshowthatthisyear’sIndianapolisBiketoWorkDaywillbeevenlargerduetotheincreaseinbicycleusersandcommuters,aswellasanincreaseinbicycle-relatedfacilitieslikeGreenways,IndianapolisCulturalTrail,50+milesofbikelanes.Thereisalsoanincreaseinthenumberofbicycle-friendlybusinesses(A1Cyclery,Angie’sList,BicycleGarageIndy,KIB,EliLilly,andStorrow,Kinsella&Assoc.).Addtothatmix,isthenewCompleteStreetsordinanceandthesoon-to-beintroducedIndianapolisBikePlan,andit’slikelywe’llseearecord-breakingBiketoWorkDayagain.

Thoughtitsimportanttosupportandshowcasepeoplewhoalreadybiketowork,akeyfocusofthisyear’seventisencouragingnovicestotrybikingtowork.AcasualbicyclerwhohasneverbicycledtoworkbuttriesitonBiketoWorkDayismorelikelytobiketo

Bike to Work Day is May 17, plan now

Jointhegrowingcommunityofbikecommutersanddiscoverthefunandfreedomofbicyclingandthehealthbenefitsitbringsaswell.Belowareafewresourcestohelpyoustartthisnewhobby.

Beginning bicyclists helpful guidelinesAreyounewtobikingortobikecommuting?Thisresourcecompilessafetytips,helmetguidelinesandtripplanninginaonepagedocument.Theseguidelinesforbikingsafetyandroadetiquetteprovidethefoundationofyourbicyclingskillsandknowledge.

The Right BicycleChoosingtherightbicycleisveryimportantforanybicyclist.Therearemanyfactorsthatcontributetowhichbikeisbestforanybicyclecommuter.Thisresourceillustratestheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofdifferenttypesofbicycles,whilealsoprovidingsomeinformationonsizing.Ifyouareplanningonpurchasinganewbicycle,thisguidewillhelpyoupurchasetherightbike.

Safety TipsSafetyisthemostimportantaspecttoconsiderasanovicebicyclistontheroad.Youmayhavequestionslike“wheredoIrideifthereisnobicyclelane”and“whataresomeofthemorecommonrisksthatIshouldwatchoutfor?”Thisdocumentprovidesthefundamentalsafetyinformationthateverybicyclistshouldbeawareofaswellassomehelpfultipsformotorists.

Ifyoudecidetobiketowork,theIndianaGovernmentcampushasconvenientbikelocklocations.TheINBikePorthas42bikelockersindowntownIndianapoliswhichareaccessibleviacellphone.Withthesebikelocks,yourbikeisoutoftheweatherandsafe.Yourhelmetcanbestoredwithoutergarmentsthroughouttheday.

Onceyouarearegisteredmember,thecostis$5.95forayearlysubscription.Clickhereformoreinformation.

TolocateDowntownbikelanes,useIndianapolisDowntownInc.’sNeighborhoodMap.Ifyouarelookingforadditionalbikeracksandlockers,hereisacompleteDowntownMap.

Need a bike lock?

The Torch5

Theroarofcarsatthetrackandthousandscelebratingthe“GreatestSpectacleinRacing.”That’swhatmostassociatewithMayinIndiana.AndalthoughthereisnothinglikewatchingtheIndianapolis500there’smoretobecelebratedinMay:5/29CollegeSavingsDay.

What’sthatyouask?It’sadaytocelebrateplanningandpreparingforthemostimportantinvestmentyoucanmake–aneducation.YoucandothisbyopeningorcontributingtoaCollegeChoice529SavingsPlan.TheCollegeChoice529Planisatax-advantagedwayforanyHoosiertosaveforalovedone’seducationexpenses.Or,youcanevensaveforyourown.

Studieshaveshownthatthetypicalbachelor’sdegreerecipientcanexpecttoearnabout61percentmoreovera40-yearworkinglifethanthetypicalhighschoolgraduateearnsoverthesameperiod.There’snobettergiftforalovedonethanhelpingthempreparingforsomelevelofhighereducationalattainment.

TheCollegeChoicePlanworksforanyHoosierbecauseit’seligibleformorethanyour2or4yearuniversitiesandcolleges.Technical,vocationalortradeschoolsqualifyas

Race to college savings with 5/29 planFrom the Office of the Treasurer

well.Sowhetheryouaresavingforyourtoddlerathomeorforcareerretrainingforyourself–itworks!Andevenbetter-savingforthefuturegivesyouataxbenefittoday!AnyHoosierthatcontributestoaCollegeChoiceiseligibletoreceivea20percentstateincometaxcredit,upto$1,000,ontheircontribution.That’sanimmediatetwentypercentsavings,fasterthanthequickestpitstopimaginable!

Ourcountry’sfuturedependsonaneducatedworkforce.It’sprojected

thatby2018therewillbe930,000jobvacanciesinIndiana,accordingtotheIndianaCommissiononHigherEducation.ThosearejobsthatHoosierswantandneedtofill,butrequirepost-secondaryeducationortraining.

That’swhyit’smoreimportantthaneverthatyoustartplanningandpreparingnow!Don’tputthebrakesonyourfuturebynotsavingnow.Helpusspreadthewordbytalkingtoyourfriends,familyandemployersabouttheCollegeChoice529Plan.Weallneedtobeinvolvedinmaking5/29CollegeSavingsDayaturningpointinourcommunities!

Helio,Dario,TK,andSimonamayseelifeflashbyat220mph,butyoudon’tneedto.Finishtheraceawinnerbysavingtoday!FormoreinformationontheCollegeChoice529SavingsPlan,visitwww.collegechoiceplan.com.

Areyouready?Ifyouhavereasontobelievetheneedforanyintermittentorreduced-schedulefamilymedicalleave(FML)alreadyapprovedinthecurrentfiscalyearwillextendintoFY2013-14(July1,2013throughJune30,2014),thenyoumustre-apply.

Toensurethereisnogapincoverage,usethefollowingchecklist:• May-visityourhealth

careproviderforanexam,evaluationortreatment

• June1-submitnewRequest&Certificationbasedonthosevisits

Remember,a30daynoticeisrequiredforforeseeableabsences.IfyouhaveFMLforachronicconditionnow,theneedforthoseabsencesmaycontinueinthefuture.Thisrequiresanewrequestandcertification.

FailuretotimelysubmitdocumentationmayresultinunauthorizedleaveforabsencesafterJune30,2013.Ifyouhavequestions,pleasecalltheFMLCallCenterat317.234.7955ortoll-freeat1.855.SPD.INHR(1.855.773.4647)andchoosetheFMLprompt.

New fiscal year for FML starts July 1

FML deadline: June 30

The Torch 6

Lookingtotakethefamilytoanamusementparkthissummer,checkoutthesediscountsfirstandsavesomemoney.InIndiana,wehaveoffersfromHolidayWorldandIndianaBeach.AlsoSixFlagsinSt.LouisandKingsIslandhavemadeoffers.KingsIsland,opennow,isfinalizingtheirdiscountofferandtheinformationwillbepostedontheentertainmentdiscountspageonceitbecomesavailable.

Indiana BeachLocatedinMonticello,IndianaBeachoffersdiscountsofforgateadmissionandseasonpassesforemployees.Followtheinstructionsbelowandyoucangetnormalgateadmission(FundayTicket)for$26.95perperson,$9offnormalgateprice.TheparkopensMay11.1.Visitwww.IndianaBeach.com2.Clickon“BuyOnline”inthetop

leftcornerofthesite.3. LookunderOption2andclickon

“PromoCode”4.Typethecode:2013stateemp

Holiday World HolidayWorldandSplashin’SafariinSantaClaushasprovidedFunClubSavingsCouponsagain,goodfor$5offofmaingategeneraladmissioninMayandJune.Thecouponsaregoodfor$4offfortherestoftheseason,exceptSaturdaysinJulyandAugustwhenthecouponsare$2off.Onecouponisgoodforuptoeightdiscounts.TheparkopensMay4.DiscountcouponsareavailableinW161inIndianaGovernmentCenter(IGC)Southwhiletheylast.Ifyoucan’tpickupacouponattheIGC,youcanbringanyemptyPepsicanorBunnyBreadwrappertoaHolidayWorldticketboothforadiscounton

uptoeightadmissiontickets(percanorwrapper).AnyPepsiproductorBunnyBreadwrapperwillwork,andthecanorwrapperdoesnothavetohaveacoupononit.Foradmissionpricesandotherdiscountinformation,checktheHolidayWorldwebsitefordetails.

Six Flags (St. Louis)SixFlagsinSt.Louisoffersanonlinepurchaseprogramwithnotonlysubstantialsavings,butallowsyouto“printandgo”soyouhaveyourticketinhandwhenyougettotheparkwithnowaitinginthelinetopurchasetickets.SixFlagsoffersafewdifferentpromotionsontheticketsite.ThemainofferistheECRegularOneDayfor$35.99perticket.Youcansaveanadditional$2perticketifyoupurchaseyourticketswithinthreedaysofyourvisitwiththe3-dayECGeneralAdmissionoffer.

ThereisaBuy3,Get1Freeofferupnow,butpleasenoteifyoupurchasethroughthatoffertheticketsmustbeusedbyMay26,2013.IfyoupresenttheofferafterMay26,youwillhavetopayanadditionalgateadmissiononthefourthticket.

Purchaseticketshere:https://shop.sixflags.com/clients/sixflags/affiliate/index.php?m=18052Username:INSTATEPassword:SixFlags8(casesensitive).

Great Wolf Lodge offer available year-roundClearyourcalendar,packyourswimsuits,andheadtoGreatWolfLodge!Save20percentoffthebestavailableroomratesatGreatWolfLodgeinMasonorSanduskyOhiowhenbookingusingthecodeINDI462B onlineatwww.greatwolf.comorwithareservationistat1.800.905.WOLF.Bookearlyforthebestratestosavethemost!Restrictionsapplyandyou

mustpresentIDuponcheckin.Offerisbasedonavailability.Viewflyerformoredetails.

Cincinnati RedsGetdiscountedticketsforfiveCincinnatiRedshomegamesduringthe2013season,thefirstofwhichisaMay26gameagainsttheChicagoCubs.Discountticketsforthisoffercanbepurchasedonlineatwww.reds.com/indiana.Theonlinepromocodeforthisofferis:indy(alllowercase).HerearetheSundaygamedatesofferedinthediscount:• May26vs.ChicagoCubs• June9vs.St.LouisCardinals• July21vs.PittsburghPirates• Aug.4vs.St.LouisCardinals• Sept.8vs.LosAngelesDodgers

Indianapolis IndiansTheIndianapolisIndianshaveofferedupspecialratestofivegamessofarthisseason.ThefirstgameavailableisonSunday,May12andticketscanbepurchasedonline,byphoneorbymail.Enjoyaspecialrateof$4offofthegatepriceavailableonlytostateemployees.

FortheMay12gamedate,children14andundereatfree.Kidsreceiveavoucherforonehotdog,onewater,andonebagofchips.

Theremaininggamedatesarelistedbelow,alongwithalinktoaflyerthatcanbeusedformailorders.GotoIndyIndians.comtoorderyourtickets.Enterpromocode“state”inStep3of5toreceiveyourdiscount.• May12• June7• July13• August3• August30

Amusement park summer discounts are now availableEmployee discounts

The Torch7

Good work

Employee performs ‘shining example of service’ with origamiAttheEvansvillePsychiatricChildren’sCenter,BehavioralHealthRecoveryAttendant(BHRA)ZachMelbergknowsexactlywhentofold.Thankstohiscreativetalents,enthusiasmandinvestmentinthechildren’ssuccess,sixboysranginginagefromninetoeleven,areenjoyingtheancientartofOrigami(paperfolding).Origamiisnotusuallyonthelistofleisureactivitiesduetoitscomplexnature;buttheboysarepersistentandtheirskilllevelsareincreasingthankstoZachwhohaspatientlycultivatedagreatinterestinOrigami.

“Ifeelthatorigamihelpsthechildrenbuildskillsforlaterintheirlives,”saidZach.“Origamihasitsrootsinmathematics,thearts,scienceandspirituality.Allowingthechildrentoconcentrateonaparticularlydifficultorigamiallowsthemtobuildtheirpatience.”Hefurthernotedhereviews

threevirtueswiththechildreneverytimetheydoorigami.“Thefirstispatience,becausewithoutpatienceorigamiisdifficult.Thesecondisconsideration,becausethechildrenhavetobeconsideratetotheirpeers’creations,onlysayingconstructiveopinions.Lastly,isconcentration,becausenotbeingabletoconcentrateonorigamiwillcauseamisfold.”

Theboysexperienceagreatamountofpersonalsatisfactionwhentheyseetheirworkcometolife.WithZach’sguidance,theyhavemadeanimpressivevarietyoforigamiitems:birds(swallow,crane),tessellations,animals(hound,hedgehog,lion,rat),flowers(rose,lily,waterlotus,tulip),boxes,octahedron,rings,Ninjastar,coinpouch,gyroscopeandothers.

NotonlyisOrigamiauniqueleisure

skill,buthasapositiveeffectwithallthatparticipate.Staffmembersoftenengageinleisureactivitieswiththechildrenintheevenings;butLoriSchutz,RN,notedthat“whatZachisdoingisashiningexampleofserviceatitsbest.”

Zach Melberg, BHRA, assists a child with an origami project.

License plates

Save time and money while you commute to work Withspringuponus,there’snotimelikethepresenttocommittogettingtoworksomewayotherthanaloneinyourowncar.YouwillnotonlybedoingyourparttoGreen-Uptheenvironment,you’llgreen-upyourwalletbyeasilysavingover50percentinyourcommutingcosts!

Carpool,ridethebus,joinorstartavanpool,rideyourbikeorwalk!Allofthesewillsaveyoualotofmoneyandarehealthierwaystogettoworkthandrivingalone.

Andnotonlywillyousavemoney–youmayevenmakesome!CommuterConnectisholdingaCommuterChallengeduringthemonthofMay.RegisterwithCommuterConnect,logyouralternativecommuteseachdayinMay,andyouwillbeenteredfor

weeklydrawingsforgiftcards,andagrandprizeattheendofthemonthfora$500giftcard!

So,howdoyougetstarted?Ifyoualreadygettoworkanywayotherthandrivingbyyourself,makesuretogetsigneduponthewebsite.Ifyouwouldcarpool,vanpool,orrideyourbike,ifyoujustknewsomeoneelsewholivednearyou,CommuterConnectwillhelpmatchyouupwithothersyoucancommutewith.Getstartedtodayatwww.commuterconnect.us.

Afraidtotryanotherwaytogettoworkincaseanemergencyrequiresyoutoleaveearly?Don’tworry!Allstateemployeeswhogettoworkinamannerotherthandrivingbythemselves,areeligibleforthefreeemergencyridehomebenefit.This

benefitisavailabletopeoplewhoridetoworkwithaminimumofoneotherperson(includingspousesandrelatives),peoplewhobike,walk,takethebusorvanpool.JustsignupwithCommuterConnecttogetthisbenefit.

“Icurrentlycarpooltowork,andpreviouslywasinoneofthevanpools.Icanpersonallytellyouthatitisagreatwaytogettoworkandahugemoney-saver.WearecurrentlylookingforpeopletojoinusinstartingasecondVanpoolfromtheCloverdalearea.,”saidChristiBunch,FSSA.

Ifyouareinterestedinjoiningthisvanpool,orjoiningorstartingavanpoolfromanotherarea,contactLoriKaplanatlkaplan@cirta.us.Formoreinformationortosignupvisitthewebsiteorcall317.327.RIDE(7433).

The Torch 8

Don’t let garden envy get the best of you: get out there and grow!

On April 20, Governor Mike Pence, Department of Homeland Security Director John Hill and Congresswoman Susan Brooks join Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight and to survey flood damage following torrential rains in north central Indiana.To see more pictures of Governor Pence visit www.in.gov/gov/2387.htm.

Oneofthebestpartsofsummerisallthefreshproduce.“Ilovewalkingouttomygardenandgrabbingfreshgreenbeansandhavingthemonmydinnerplatetwentyminuteslater”saidJenniferPinkston,IndianaStateDepartmentofAgricultureemployee.However,forthosewhodon’thavethespaceforagarden,thereisnoneedtosufferwithgardenenvy.Youcanbecomeacontainergardener.

Containergardening,orurbangardening,isagrowingtrendacrossthecountryandofferseveryonewithasunnyporchorrooftopthechancetogrowtheirownvegetables,fruitsandherbs.Youcantransformasmallapartmentpatiointoyourownproduceparadise.

Togetstarted,you’llneedsome

flowerpots,soil,seedsorstarts,andsomeplantfood(nutrientsvaryinpottingmixes,sobesuretoreadthebagofsoilandbemindfulofeachplant’sneeds-pottingmixforflowersisnotthebestforyourtomatoes).Whenchoosingthesizeofthepots,becarefulnottogotoobigortoosmall-thinkabouttherootsystemofeachplantandhowtalltheywillbewhenfullygrown.Also,ifyou’regoingtobeadventurousandgrownvineplants,suchasstrawberries,stickwithashorter,widercontainer.

Wateringcanbetrickywithcontainers.It’seasytooverwater,andlet’sfaceit,weallgetbusyandsometimesforgettowaterourplants.Enlistingthehelpofaneighbororfriendhelpsensureyourplantsstayhydrated.Also,ensure

yourpotshaveenoughholesforwatertoescapeoryoursoilbecomestoowetandtherootsrot.

Asyourplantsgrow,keepinmindhowmuchsunlighteachplantneeds.Youmayhavetorearrangethepotsasyourplantsgrowandcastshadowsonotherplants.Evaluateyoursunlightthroughoutanormaldaytoseewherebesttoputyourplants.Whateveryourstyle,thereareplantsthatcanworkforyou.Youjusthavetodoalittleresearchandexperimentationtofindwhatworks.Checkoutthiswebsiteformoretipsandgetoutthereandgrow!

Gardens at home

FloodingisthemostcommonnaturaldisasterintheUS.Local,stateandfederalofficialshavebegunconductingjointpreliminarydamageassessmentsinfourcentralIndianacounties(Howard,Madison,TiptonandWabashcounties)toevaluatedamagecausedbysevereweatherandfloodingthatbeganApril17.IDHSisstillencouraginganyonewhohasnotyetreporteddamagetopleasedoso.

HoosierswhosustaineddamagecausedbysevereweatherandfloodingthatbeganApril17canreportonlineatwww.in.gov/dhs.Inthemiddleofthepageunder“FeaturedTopics,”clickon“ReportDamagefromSevereStormsandFlooding-StartingApril17andcontinuing.”

Forquestions,contactyourcountyemergencymanagementagency.Localagency’scontactinformationisavailablehere.

Flood damage assessment has begun

IDHS

The Torch 9

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�����������������������������Your EASY Program Can Help

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