Table of contents for May 2020 in Indianapolis Monthly

I don’t think of myself as a rah-rah guy. Yet, this is normally the time and place where I write some rah-rah stuff about the Indianapolis 500, its place as one the city’s defining cultural institutions, and why spending time anywhere else in May seems unnatural. But these are unnatural times. One of our contributors, magazine writer extraordinaire Tom Chiarella, became COVID-19-symptomatic while working on this month’s cover story about Roger Penske (p. 56), then put himself into isolation away from his family and friends. Just as Tom somehow managed to turn in a draft, the race was rescheduled for August. And then. And then. And then. You know the rest of the story, because you’re living it, too. Putting together a monthly magazine has never been an easy task,…

AFTER THE END of the Civil War in 1865, there was suddenly more time for fun—like the national pastime, baseball, which started picking up steam around that time. But black players were denied entry to white leagues almost from the start. African Americans soon established their own amateur leagues, but with no paychecks, playing in them was a labor of love. Indianapolis has the distinction of both hosting the debut of what would become known as the professional Negro Leagues, and later maintaining the last all-black pro baseball team in existence. Back when black baseball was still relegated to amateur play, a pitcher named Andrew “Rube” Foster dominated the games, and in the early 20th century moved into managing teams. He had his sights set higher for black baseball players.…

At the end of the month, a storage space for HGTV’s Good Bones in Bates-Hendricks plans to fling open its door as Two Chicks District Co., a boutique inspired by the fixer-upper show. Good Bones host Mina Starsiak chose the motto “Find Your Vibe” for the shop because there will be something for every taste—modern, bohemian, industrial, glam. Expect everything from velvet sofas to Starsiak’s signature hammer necklace (above), locally made by Twigs and Twine Jewelry. Other merchandise has also been seen on TV—for instance, eagle-eyed viewers might recognize a dramatic black beaded chandelier from Season 5. 1531 S. East St., 2chicksandahammer.com…

NASHVILLE, TN DISTANCE 415 miles DRIVE TIME 4.25 hours ON A SUMMER DAY in 1920, 24-year-old Rep. Harry T. Burn hid in the attic of the Tennessee State Capitol as an angry mob of anti-suffragist lawmakers raged below. He still wore a red rose that identified him as an opponent of ratification of the 19th amendment, but at the last minute, he had gone rogue with his vote—because his mother told him to. She had urged him to “be a good boy” and say aye. He did, vocalizing the tie-breaker that delivered the 36th state needed to complete a two-thirds majority and enfranchise American women. Centennial events will shine a light on the Volunteer State’s pivotal role in the ratification of the amendment. The Hermit  age Hotel (231 6th Ave. N, 615-244-3121,…

Discovery Tawana Gulley preps healthy keto and low-carb meals for athletes and trainers to keep them on track during the week. Come Friday (her “cheat day”) and the weekend, Gulley’s pickup and delivery options from her Black Bowè Bistro & Bakery include all the decadent soul-food recipes she inherited from her mother and aunts. Think shrimp and grits enriched with sweet peppers, kale, and spicy turkey andouille over a bed of smoked gouda grits. Or tender, savory salmon cakes served with crisp-edged fried potatoes and al dente green beans. A supervisor at the Veterans Administration Medical Center by day, Gulley has long been catering and cooking up five-cheese macaroni, seafood fries, and bone-in pork chops for church and community events, giving this hefty cuisine a bit of lightness with as…

MAYBE YOU, TOO, were lucky enough to have a Grampa who, on especially sweltering Indiana days, dragged the ice cream maker out of the garage and become a hero. Mine would unfold his lawn chair beside the whining electric bucket, sweating through his undershirt as he heaved layers of bagged ice and rock salt into the machine’s churning maw. Finally, after an excruciating buildup, he’d unplug the extension cord, lift the metal core out onto the grass, and tell all the cousins to go get their bowls and spoons. Nothing has ever tasted so sweet. But whatever your gold standard for ice cream, Indy’s small-batch creameries and hometown scoop shops take that same simple formula—dairy and sugar mixed as they freeze—and work some magic of their own. From French vanilla…

ONE OF THE most enjoyable aspects of being a minister is doling out advice, solicited or not. I have an opinion on just about everything and never hesitate to share it with others. On any given day, I might tell someone how to vote, what to think, where to live, who to date, and whether to marry. Sometimes, if people aren’t taking my advice as seriously as they should, I’ll throw in a Bible verse or two to bolster my argument. It seldom works, since most of the people I advise are Quakers, who are the cats of the spiritual realm and do what they want no matter what I say. After 36 years of trying to bend Quakers to my will with little success, I have decided to broaden…

The woman in charge of The Children’s Museum’s new Barbie exhibit never played with Barbie. The willowy blonde doll held no interest for Jennifer Pace Robinson, who wore glasses as a child and was something of a tom-boy. Instead, the museum’s vice president staged Star Wars action-figure invasions in her friend’s Barbie Dream House. “I loved comic books and superheroes,” she says. “I never had a strong connection with Barbie.” Pace Robinson knows she was firmly in the minority, though. Mattel, the company that makes the doll, estimates that at its peak in the 1990s, more than 95 percent of American girls between ages 3 and 11 owned at least one Barbie. By Barbie’s 50th birthday in 2009, Mattel had sold more than 1 billion of its leading ladies. Yet…

DOWNTOWN INCLUDES Fletcher Place, Fountain Square, Mass Ave, Mile Square Bazbeaux PIZZA As some of Indy’s most celebrated restaurateurs open pie places all over town, we haven’t forgotten where we first found artichoke hearts and goat cheese on our ’za. Bazbeaux has changed little since 1986, when it opened in Broad Ripple, and it hasn’t really needed to. Flat crust baked crunchy. Toppings you won’t find at Domino’s, like pine nuts and prosciutto. And the cheese—mounds of mozzarella blended with provolone and pecorino. `333 Massachusetts Ave., 317-636-7662, bazbeaux.com Beholder CONTEMPORARY A former car-repair shop just outside Woodruff Place sets the stage for a daring piece of performance art that has featured pig-skin noodles, granita-topped uni designed to melt on the tongue, grilled cucumbers, and other transfigured meats and veggies. Labor-intensive…

“Visit the Shrine Room at the Indiana War Memorial. I’m stunned by its beauty every time I go.”—LAURA KRUTY, SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR “Gardeners can venture out to Cox’s Plant Farm in Clayton to peruse 20 acres of flowers, vegetables, and trees.”—ANDREA RATCLIFF, SPECIAL SECTIONS DIRECTOR “Take a hammock to a state park, pack a picnic, and read a book.”—MEGAN FERNANDEZ, DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL OPERATIONS “I’ll be drinking beers in my driveway and listening to old broadcasts of the race on YouTube.”—DANIEL S. COMISKEY, DEPUTY EDITOR…

Negro Leagues baseball got its start and eventually drew to a finish in Indianapolis, p. 16. Speed Read Going Viral The White House Coronavirus Task Force, which is one-fifth Hoosier, has struggled with its, well, task. COVID-19 Task Force YES, THE 22-PERSON TASK FORCE IS 20 PERCENT HOOSIER. When President Trump officially formed it on January 29, it had just one member with strong Indiana ties: Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar. But as the pandemic gripped the nation, that number shot up. On February 26, Vice President Mike Pence was tapped to lead the task force, and Surgeon General Jerome Adams, the state’s former health commissioner, joined the group. A few days later, Pence added the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Seema Verma. Hoosiers…

Wanted Spring Vivre After bringing back jumpsuits as statement party pieces, we’re now warming up to the daytime version, a staple akin to a maxi dress. On the chicer side of the trend, the Happy French Gang jumpsuit fits right in at Kindred Bohème, an eco-friendly boutique that radiates modern purity. Handmade from naturally dyed cotton at a cooperative in India, the one-piece wonder caters to the growing demand for sustainably sourced clothing. Owner Christie Wright suggests layering it with a turtle-neck or jacket to help weather a fickle Indiana spring. It can also be styled up for work with a belt and some heeled boots, or worn with sneakers and rolled-up sleeves for a casual weekend look. Then, once that summer humidity hits, it’s so light and breezy, you’ll…

WHEN BRIAN GOSLEE began working as a mechanic for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2004, he frequently pulled parts from IndyCars that were as fresh to the sport as he was. “Because of the demands of racing, we only run the pieces for a short time,” Goslee says. “There are parts that we’re taking out of service after just 2,000 miles.” That always struck Goslee as a waste. With some experience welding, the Speedway-based gearhead decided to make things from the lightly used rods and pistons in his free time. Before long, he put his racing career in the rearview mirror and focused full-time on creating clocks, lamps, and tables under the name Second Shift Art. Today, Goslee ships his pieces worldwide. He also makes hundreds of trophies for car shows…

Get the scoop on summer’s essential food group, ice cream, from gourmet to not-so-plain vanilla, p. 36. Swoon Carb Days Chef Alan Sternberg has a history of spinning several plates at a time, and 2020 is no different. This year, he and his wife and business partner, Audra, launched I Heart Pasta, a multi-platform expression of the chef’s devotion to his favorite comfort food. In addition to pop-up dinners, the Sternbergs are doing in-home pasta-making classes, creating video content for a YouTube instructional channel, and producing local culinary events. “The reason I love pasta so much is it’s so primitive and basic,” says Sternberg. “It’s a couple of ingredients that can come together and be something magical to nourish the people you love.”…

Your dining bucket list begins on page 89, with IM ’s exclusive Restaurant Check out EGGSHELL BISTRO’s full description on page 96.…

ERIC RASMUSEN isn’t in the mood to talk, which is out of character for the IU economics professor. Until late last year, Rasmusen was a social media gadfly. His venue of choice was usually Twitter, where his tweets on everything from politics to academia largely went unnoticed. That changed on November 19, when a Twitter user with more than 475,000 followers retweeted a screenshot of one of Rasmusen’s posts. Suddenly, he was the center of attention—and not in a good way. The tweet in question included a link to an article headlined “Are Women Destroying Academia? Probably.” For his tweet, Rasmusen excerpted a quote from the article: “Geniuses are over-whelmingly male because they combine outlier high IQ with moderately low Agreeableness and moderately low Conscientiousness.” Later, Rasmusen told the Indiana…

1959–1963 During her first five years, Barbie made waves in the doll industry by stepping into the career world at a time when few women were working outside the home. The 1961 Registered Nurse Barbie came with a black-trimmed nurse’s cap, cat-eye glasses, a hot-water bottle, and her very own Barbie diploma. 1964–1967 Despite a return to domesticity in the second half of her first decade, Barbie still had some progressive careers. Though she played stewardess to Ken’s airline captain and served as a “candy striper” hospital volunteer, she didn’t always fall firmly within the confines of gender roles. The 1965 Astronaut Barbie, for example, preceded NASA’s first female astronaut by almost two decades. 1968–1984 Barbie stayed out of politics and the workforce when the Vietnam War took a turn…

BEFORE THIS CAMERA filmed the first televised broadcast of the Indianapolis 500 in 1949, locals weren’t exactly racing to buy a TV set. The only thing on the boob tube was a little national content—until WFBM, which became WRTV-6, built a mobile camera to suit its needs with the help of some CBS engineers. Not only did it pioneer broadcasting in Indy, it became the prototype for cameras used by other CBS stations throughout the country. “It led to an explosion of content,” says Indiana State Museum chief curator Susannah Koerber. “Station executives learned very quickly that people were interested in weather reports and sporting events.” Have an idea for a future Artifact? Drop us a suggestion at letters@IndianapolisMonthly.com…

Tom Chiarella Once a regular contributor to Esquire, freelance writer Tom Chiarella has interviewed many celebrities. But rarely has he been as impressed by a profile subject as he was by Roger Penske (p. 56). “He’s an elegant guy who holds a room with a titanic grace,” Chiarella says. “He’s a serious businessman, with 65,000 employees. But he keeps himself open to what everyone brings to the room.” Esther Boston Freelance photographer Esther Boston has often fantasized about living in 1920s—the subject of her fashion photo essay this month (p. 70). “I’ve always been drawn to the energy of the ’20s, the over-the-top parties with champagne and glitter and excess,” she says. “I picture driving around town in a sparkly beaded flapper dress, with a huge feather in my hair…

Q: I’VE HEARD THE INDIANA STATEHOUSE SOMETIMES TREMBLES BECAUSE IT WAS BUILT ON SAND. IS THIS TRUE? A: If you believe this, the only thing shaky is your grip on reality. After speaking to several folks who work in the 132-year-old edifice, The Hoosierist is convinced that anyone who thinks it trembles either suffers from an inner-ear disorder or maybe had one martini too many with lunch. “I’ve been here for years and never felt anything,” says one of its denizens. The Statehouse’s steadiness is seconded by none other than Jeanette Goben, its tour coordinator. She’s full of interesting facts about the building, but the notion that it occasionally rattles is not among them. And for pretty obvious reasons. First, its foundation sits on rock, not sand. “And the building…

HOUSE SEVEN DESIGN SHOPPE 111 E. 49th St., housesevendesign.com DON’T MISS: The hand-loomed Indian throws. When the owners found a vendor who carried them, they snatched up all of the stock. MIDTOWN’S NEW adult on the block hopes to elevate Indy’s home decor scene and spark inspiration in the community, one vintage clay pot at a time. House Seven Design Shoppe might sound familiar if you follow the stylings of home blogger Anissa Zajac on Instagram or saw her family’s trendy black house in the pages of this magazine. As the House Seven Design brand took off with styling sessions, remodels, and bookshelf builds (Zajac’s partner is her carpenter husband, Brian), the duo opened the doors to their showroom at 49th & Penn and focused on filling it with something…

On the Market IN A SEA of beautiful homes in affluent Bridgewater, it can be difficult for any one to stand out. But this modern beauty gets plenty of double takes thanks to its contemporary Prairie-style exterior. Designed and constructed by Wedgewood Building Company in 2013, the front elevation is enlivened by tastefully simple landscaping that complements the natural stone texture. Floor-to-ceiling windows surround the front door, offering a preview of the bright, welcoming interior waiting on the other side. Combining 12-foot ceilings and tons of windows with a color palette of light gray walls and white trim, the 4,240 square feet of living space feels incredibly roomy. The open layout isn’t the traditionally boxy concept. Each room maintains its own identity when unobstructed doorways separate the areas. In the…

Cheers WOLFIE’S GRILL owner Scott Wolf has long dreamed of opening a bourbon bar. After years of bourbon-trail fandom and trips to inspiring dark-spirits bars in Chicago with his wife (and co-owner) Nyla, his dream came true this year with the opening of The Broken Barrel, a cozy, wood-paneled space next door to the Carmel location of the couple’s Wolfie’s Grill. The bar stocks 90-some options on any given day, divided into American, Irish, Japanese, and Scotch whiskey. The bartenders are given license to be creative, and have developed a cocktail list that begs for return visits. The New Old Fashioned is a smooth mix of rye whiskey, bitters, orange, lemon, and brown-sugar syrup. The Italian Cream Soda, with citrus vodka, blackberry syrup, lemon juice, cream, and hibiscus powder, was…

Tu Casa Restaurant Customers place their orders at the counter of this tiny restaurant serving all things Latin, where vats of Dominican soups and stewing meats gurgle behind the deli glass (and exploring the full menu is a bit easier if you know a few essential words of Spanish). Arepa purists will appreciate the straightforward fillings, like soft shredded beef flecked with green peppers and onions and a blizzard of soft, melting cheese crammed inside warm, crisp corn cakes. 2989 W. 71st St., 317-295-2644 Cumaco Arepa House Fat corn pancakes are split to hold the traditional fillings of chicken and beef, both seasoned and shredded to a pleasantly soft essence. But Cumaco, which started as a food truck, also whips up vegetarian and vegan arepas built around black beans, avocado,…

ROGER PENSKE, honorable member of the Handshake Generation, does not grandly sweep into the conference room at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, or even pause in the doorway for people to take a gander. He enters on a beeline, in a logoed navy pullover that matches the bespoke suit pants. No suit coat. He greets the room before sitting at the head of the table and gives a nod indicating he’s ready to go to work. Only then does his presence really register: Roger Penske, the 83-year-old racing legend, trucking mogul, owner of the Speedway, of the IndyCar Series. Known as “The Captain” to employees and fans alike, he looks fit, if you can say that about a man his age, alert, quick on his feet, silver-haired, and a little tan.…