US 31 & 161st Street Interchange Opens

Good news for traffic flow along the US 31 construction site as the new US 31/161st Street interchange opened yesterday. The former intersection has been closed since April as crews have been constructing a new overpass and roundabout interchange.

However, while the US 31/161st Street interchange is open, 161st Street remains closed west of Farr Hills Drive to allow the City of Westfield to continue work near the Monon Trail. This closure will allow the City to create a more pedestrian-friendly crossing in the future at a reduced cost with limited traffic interruption. This closure is expected to last through late October.

Ken Kingshill
Westfield, Indiana

Party on the Patio on August 21 from 5:00 to 8:00

By all accounts, Downtown Westfield Association's first two Parties on the Patio were a huge success. Estimated attendance at the inaugural party in June was 75 guests.  We think we had about 100 guests in July.  The next installment is Wednesday, August 21 and we're hoping for even more people to come out and enjoy the late summer evening with good conversation, music and light refreshments.

Westfield's own Brian Graham of Notch 8 Brewery will once again be sharing samples of his brew. Music will be provided by Hip Harp -- a duo consisting of harpist and conga drummer.  This event is sponsored by Tradewinds.

Please plan on joining us on Wednesday.


Ken Kingshill
Westfield, Indiana

Westfield Once Again One of America's Best Places to Live

Westfield has once again landed on CNN Money Magazine's list of America's Best Small Towns. In the 2013 edition of the list we are ranked first in Indiana, fifth in the Midwest and 18th in the nation.  In fact, Westfield was the only Indiana community that made the list.  You'll recall that Westfield was ranked 48th nationally on the same list in 2011.

You can bet that without such projects as the Grand Junction, Grand Park Sports Campus and the proposed Grand Towers at the intersection of 31 and 32, we wouldn't be making this list.  Of course, our excellent school system also is a major factor at play here.  Make no mistake, people and businesses take such things into account when they decide where to relocate.

Congratulations to Mayor Andy Cook, the City Council and to all the city employees for continuing to do such a great job.

CNNMoney.com is the world's largest business website, CNNMoney is the online home of FORTUNE and MONEY magazines, and serves as CNN's exclusive business site.  For the full list of America’s “Best Places to Live," visit money.cnn.com.
                                                                     

Ken Kingshill
Westfield, Indiana                                                                                      

Pasta Fest on Friday Evening

I hope you all have PastaFest on your family schedule for this Friday night, 5:00 to 8:00 at the Westfield High School cafeteria.   The menu is as follows:

Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce or Meat Balls

Penne Pasta in Alfredo Sauce with Chicken

Vegetarian Lasagna

Salad with choice of Dressings and Condiments

Garlic Bread and Bread Sticks

Brownies and Cupcakes

Cost is only $8 adults, $6 children 12 & under, and $30 max per family.

Where else can you go to feed yourself and your family as economically as this on a Friday night? And with such a variety of pastas? There is something to meet every one's taste. And no excuses for those of you who have given up meat for Lent.  We've got you covered.


Ken Kingshill
Westfield, Indiana

Have You Registered for the Underground Railroad Run?

The 15th Anniversary Westfield Education Foundation Underground Railroad Run will be taking place on March 23, 2003.  Now is the time to register.  You may do so here.  (Scroll to the bottom of the page to register.)

The Underground Railroad Run includes a 5K run and 3K walk starting at Westfield High School and winding its way through downtown Westfield.  Proceeds from the event benefit the Westfield Education Foundation.

The race starts at 9:00 a.m.  There will also be a Health Fair in the high school Multi-Purpose Instructional Facility before, during, and after the race.

On Friday, March 22, the evening before the race, join the Education Foundation and the Westfield Rotary Club as they host the First Annual "PastaFest."    It runs from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.  Reservations for the PastaFest are encouraged.  Please make your reservation here.

Hope to see you there!

Ken Kingshill
Westfield, Indiana

Local Baseball Organization is National Finalist for Lids "Tip the Cap" Award

Former Westfield resident, and personal friend, Mike Lennox is the Executive Director of Play Ball Indiana, a non-profit organization that provides baseball opportunities for inner city boys and girls in Indianapolis.

Play Ball Indiana is one of three national finalists for the Lids "Tip the Cap" Award of $50,000.  If they are successful, this will have a transformative impact on the 1500 boys and girls in their inner city youth baseball program.  But in order to win, they need our help to win a vote on the Lids Facebook page.

If you would like to help, please click here and then do the following:
             
1.  Watch the new short video that Major League Baseball produced about their program.
2.  Click on to the Lids page (right under the calendar) and vote.
3.  Pass this on.  Do you know some people that might support their project?

Note:  The voting is through Facebook, so you'll need to have an account.

Thank you.


Ken Kingshill
Westfield, Indiana

U.S. 31 Lane Restrictions on Monday, February 18

As part of the ongoing construction of the new U.S. 31 highway, INDOT will be closing one lane in each direction on U.S. 31 between Rangeline Road and Greyhound Pass on Monday, February 18. The left lane will be closed on the northbound side and the right lane will be closed on the southbound side. The closure will be in effect from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

In my opinion, the construction of the limited access highway has not been too burdensome so far.  INDOT has done a good job of maintaining traffic flow through Westfield. It seems to me that things could be a whole lot worse. Nevertheless, I'll be very happy when the whole project is complete.



Ken Kingshill
Westfield, Indiana