Hoosier lore

Indiana 8th District Rep. Brad Ellsworth has found a way to have a town hall meeting on health care reform without having to actually deal with those obstinate and obnoxious creatures known as constituents:

"Privacy ain't what it use to be" department. First I read this story on our Web site about how to find the old folks who wander off:

The state doesn't need to require adults with dementia to wear tracking devices because voluntary programs already offer electronic monitors for those likely to wander away, advocates told state officials looking into the matter.

[. . .]

Whenever there's gun violence in Indiana, Paul Helmke can usually be counted on to blame the state of the law more than the actions of the shooter:

When Daniel Mola shot Christopher Elkins outside a Winfield bar last month, the killing became the town's first homicide.

The president of a national gun-control group says Indiana's lax laws could be part of the problem.

PETA people are usually pretty silly, but, after all, we should show respect for other opinions, right? I'm just sorry I couldn't be in Evansville to offer my support in person:

It's not everyday that two naked women shower together on the sidewalk. Covered only by a banner that was exactly what happened in downtown Evansville Wednesday. Two nude PETA members showered together to show the impact eating meat has on the planet.

For the "sometimes you can't win" file: Some of the bars in Franklin have a special liquor license that allows customers to buy a closed container of alcohol inside and then take it outside to drink. More people than ever are apparently taking advantage of this ability since the city's smoking ban went into effect earlier this summer. And -- surprise, surprise -- this doesn't please some people:

Oh, for goodness' sake:

While weddings may bring to mind images of white, the color "green" is also becoming part of the big day for couples who want more eco-friendly celebrations.

Demand for sustainable weddings has grown across the country, including in Indiana, as more couples strive to make their events more like their everyday lives.

Today's "Let's spend good research money to demonstrate the obvious" story comes from Purdue University, where an exhaustive study has shown that people can, indeed, worry themselves to death:

Pay attention, cheapskaes. Indianapolis has come in fifth in the Match.com list of most affordable cities for dating:

 The survey does not say how much it costs for a casual dinner and two movie tickets in Indy, but it's somewhere between the cheapest date in Pittsburgh costing $77.80 and the most expensive evening in Los Angeles for $126.06.

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce  (pdf file) has issued its report on how the recent session of the General Assembly went on "issues important to business and the state's economy," and folks there don't seem too happy:

It was politics as usual -- with common sense often checked at the door.

One person's economic downturn is another person's opportunity:

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - A University of Notre Dame business expert says repair shops and discount stores are riding high in the recession even as other businesses struggle.

John Michel says consumers have turned frugal in the recession and have been shopping for the lowest-cost goods they can find at deep discount stores. They're also having their possessions repaired, rather than buying new items.