Published: November 16, 2009 09:11 pm      

EVENING NEWS BRIEFS — Tuesday, Nov. 17

Shop With a Cop donations needed

Clarksville Police Department’s Fraternal Order of Police No. 144 is seeking donations to help fund its annual Shop With a Cop program.

Officers and members of the department will purchase gifts with children in need Dec. 13 at Wal-Mart in Clarksville. The retailer has donated money to the effort.

To help, drop off funds at the police department, 1970 Broadway, or mail check or money order to Shop With a Cop, P.O. Box 2034, Clarksville, IN, 47129.

Call Shirley Makowsky with any questions at 812-945-7073.

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Parks offers third session of Turbo Kick

The Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department will offer Turbo Kick session three for adults from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 1-29 in the aerobics room, Clarksville Community Center, 2000 Broadway, Clarksville.

The registration deadline is Nov. 25. Turbo Kick mixes kickboxing and simple dance moves with music for fun and weight loss. The unique Turbo Kick movement patterns, combinations and techniques work together to give participants the ultimate cardiovascular workout, which consists of a sport specific warm-up, higher paced intervals, easy to follow combinations, kickboxing specific strength/endurance training and a mind/body like cool-down designed to maximize weight loss. The instructor is Paula Hepp.

Cost is $45 for eight classes. Contact the parks office at 812-283-5313 or info@clarksvilleparks.com to register.

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Borden, Henryville schools get grants

Borden and Henryville high schools received a $1,500 grant from the Clark County Community Foundation to purchase books in an mp3 format in an effort to offer students and teachers another resource for increasing literacy on their campuses.

With this grant, the schools will be able to offer students books in an audio format. This is cutting-edge technology intended to spark interest in reading among those who are not checking out books from the school libraries. In both schools, audio books will be circulated to students along with a print copy of the book in the hope that these two resources together in the hands of reluctant readers will generate a completely new and enjoyable experience with reading, a press release says.

Within the next two months, the titles will be selected, ordered, and prepared for circulation to Borden and Henryville students and the audio books will be available to students early in 2010.

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Public comment sought on water rates

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is inviting public comment as it reviews Stucker Fork Conservancy District’s request for changes to its water rates and charges.

The OUCC — the state agency representing consumer interests in cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission — is reviewing the utility’s request and has not yet taken a position in this case. Currently, the OUCC anticipates completing its review and filing testimony with the commission Jan. 8. According to its testimony before the IURC, the utility is requesting additional revenues because of proposed infrastructure improvements, including new wells, main replacements and new fire hydrants.

Current water rates for Stucker Fork Conservancy District - which serves portions of six Southern Indiana counties — including Clark — were approved in June 2006. The utility’s pending request, if approved, would increase the monthly charges for a residential customer using 5,000 gallons from $24.45 to $25.50.

An IURC technical evidentiary hearing in this case is scheduled for Feb. 2 in Indianapolis. While evidentiary hearings are open to the public, participation is typically limited to attorney and commission questioning of technical witnesses that have filed testimony on behalf of the proceeding’s formal parties. Consumers who wish to submit written comments in this case may do so via mail, fax, or the Internet:

• Mail: Consumer Services Staff; Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor; 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South; Indianapolis, IN, 46204

• Fax: 317-232-5923

• E-mail: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov

• OUCC Web site: www.IN.gov/OUCC

Written comments should include the consumer’s name, mailing address, and a reference to “IURC Cause No. 43780.” The OUCC needs to receive all comments in this case no later than Dec. 31.

Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff toll-free at 888-441-2494. For additional information on this case, including a copy of the utility’s testimony, please visit the OUCC Web site at www.in.gov/oucc/2579.htm

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Wednesday is deadline for cards

Wednesday at noon is the deadline to drop off cards to be sent to our country’s servicemen and women.

“Hoosier Cheer For Our Heroes” is aimed to give Hoosiers the opportunity to send their thoughts and prayers to U.S. troops spending the season away from their homes and loved ones.

In the past, Southern Indiana residents, schools and businesses have written and contributed thousands of cards and letters to this campaign — more than any other area of Indiana. The Evening News and The Tribune are working together once again to ensure our military men and women are not forgotten during the holidays.

Both newspaper offices — Tribune, 303 Scribner Drive, New Albany, and Evening News, 221 Spring St., Jeffersonville — are available as drop-off points for cards and letters, along with the offices of One Southern Indiana — 4100 Charlestown Road, New Albany.

Contact Carol Dawson, The Extra Miler, with questions at extra.milers@newsandtribune.com.

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‘Raw’ Thanksgiving meeting Tuesday

With dishes such as butternut squash salad, cranberry relish and raw nog, the Louisville Area Raw Food Meetup group is having its 10th consecutive monthly gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving “in the raw.”

The group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Core Wellness, 246 Spring St., Jeffersonville.

The raw food lifestyle is often adopted by those with life threatening illnesses and degenerative diseases, but is getting traction as a lifestyle to enjoy optimal health and minimize the environmental impact of the current energy intensive food manufacturing and delivery system.

Raw food advocates generally adopt a plant based diet and eat mostly vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and legumes that are never heated above 118 degrees, the temperature which the food’s enzymes are destroyed.

The “living food” is more nutrient dense and delivers less calories, making it perfect for weight loss and improving energy and overall health, a press release says.

The local group is now 99 members strong after being started by Dr. Steve Hoffman of Core Wellness in March 2008.

E-mail Hoffman at drsteve@gettoyourcore.com or call 812-280-8170 for more information.

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Opening Gates hosting open house

Opening Gates Inc. — which runs an equine assisted counseling and learning program — will hold an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday in Jeffersonville.

Some children helped by the program will demonstrate skills they have learned. Refreshments will be served. Opening Gates is located at 5006 Charlestown Pike. Visit www.openinggatestherapy.org for more information.

Reservations are requested by calling Audrey at 502-552-3428.

— Contributed