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Page B5 Indianapolis Recorder Friday, January 24, 2025IndyCar Series, the road to financial viability remains a rocky one, which amazes a racing junkie like myself who has said for years that the product continues to display spirited competition along with unparalleled fan accessibility at every venue their cars line up at.While the Fox contract will certainly be a boon for the teams who need more national television exposure for their respective sponsors, it also has the same challenges that NBC Sports experienced, especially in terms of connecting with the coveted younger demographic.%u00a0IndyCar doesn%u2019t need senior citizens like me to raise their profile away from the house Tony Hulman built, and while the great racing it produces each weekend speaks for itself, it still hasn%u2019t quite lassoed the constant eyeballs it needs to remain both relevant and viable.%u00a0Just as it was at NBC, there%u2019s a boatload of talented people at Fox Sports, and l look forward to their efforts with great optimism. But the fact is they aren%u2019t playing with house money on this one, and it needs to work for everyone involved. Fox won%u2019t find better partners than Roger Penske and Bud Denker who have done wonders at Iowa, Milwaukee, and soon to be Long Beach and Nashville. The gazillion dollar question is can both Fox and Penske Entertainment come together to improve the series?Creating momentum before and after the Indy 500 is the key and it%u2019s not an easy task.%u00a0 Getting young people interested is of paramount importance instead of keeping diehards like yours truly content.It won%u2019t be easy, but it%u2019s not impossible either. The decision to go with Fox Sports was Penske%u2019s and he didn%u2019t become the financial mogul he is by making mistakes, so I%u2019ll simply say welcome to Fox and sit back as they embark on a new era, one that%u2019s hopefully filled with great racing. Let%u2019s drop the green and let the product speak for itself.Danny Bridges, who salutes the great job NBC did and is willing to do a curmudgeon report at the races for Fox Sports free of charge, can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.MINORITY BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTBETTING%u00a8Continued from B6City Business Integrated SolutionsBy NORAL PARHAM IIInoralp@indyrecorder.comCity Business Integrated Solutions (CBIS), established in 2022 by Steve Anderson, is a minority-owned enterprise based in Indianapolis. The company positioned itself as a versatile service provider, offering a comprehensive suite of services across environmental maintenance, waste removal, hauling and commercial and residential clean-up. Reflecting on the company%u2019s inception, Anderson remarked, %u201cYou would be surprised how a $115 business registration fee can change your life,%u201d highlighting the transformative impact of formalizing his venture. Drawing from his experience at Interstate Business Solutions, he sought to eliminate intermediaries and directly serve clients.%u201cI started my own business because as a minority, I wanted to cut out the middleman,%u201d he said.CBIS%u2019 extensive service portfolio includes janitorial services, dumpster rentals, power pressure washing, sanitary solutions, waste removal and specialized subcontracting in landscaping, trenching/excavation and painting. This diverse range underscores Anderson%u2019s belief that %u201cyou don%u2019t have to do construction to be in construction.%u201d The company%u2019s commitment to excellence is further demonstrated through its certifications, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) statuses. These credentials enable CBIS to operate within Indiana and on a federal level, extending its services to neighboring states such as Kentucky and Ohio. CBIS%u2019s mission is encapsulated in its motto: %u201cIf your environment is not your liking, change it!%u201d This philosophy drives the company%u2019s dedication to enhancing community spaces and ensuring client satisfaction. Operating from its Indianapolis headquarters at 5131 E 21st Street, CBIS is strategically positioned to serve a broad clientele. The company prides itself on being a %u201cone-stop-shop%u201d for business needs, striving to deliver fast, reliable, high-quality services. In a competitive market, CBIS distinguishes itself through its comprehensive service offerings and unwavering commitment to quality. As a minority-owned business, it is pivotal in promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry. With a foundation built on experience, certifications, and a client-centric approach, CBIS is poised for sustained growth and continued success in the years to come. %u201cYou would be surprised how far $115 to register your business goes,%u201d Anderson said.Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. If you would your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.Rendering of the new Indiana Fever facility. (Photos provided/Indiana Fever)Pacers Sports & Entertainment announce $78M Fever facilityBy NORAL PARHAM IIInoralp@indyrecorder.comPacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) announced plans for a $78 million Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center to set a new standard for women%u2019s professional sports facilities. Owner of PS&E Herb Simon shared a few sentiments about the partnership.%u201cWe are excited to partner with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to identify the perfect location for the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center,%u201d Simon said. %u201cThe city of Indianapolis continues to be a tremendous partner as we elevate our team, players, and community.%u201dThe three-story, 108,000-squarefoot facility in downtown Indianapolis connects to the Virginia Avenue Parking Garage and Gainbridge Fieldhouse via a skybridge.The performance center is designed with female athletes in mind, addressing critical aspects of training, recovery and overall wellness. Key features include two regulation-sized courts with ample natural light, cutting-edge strength and conditioning equipment, a yoga and Pilates area and a full-service kitchen. Recovery amenities include hydrotherapy pools, infrared light therapy, a sauna, steam rooms, heat studios and a float tank. At the same time, mental health and wellness spaces will cater to players%u2019 psychological needs. To enhance the lifestyle experience, the facility will feature a hair and nail salon, childcare services and a podcast and content production studio.PS&E CEO Mel Raines believes women%u2019s sports are on the rise, and Indy is smack dab in the middle of the action.%u201cWith the goal of Indianapolis becoming the epicenter of women%u2019s sports, this world-class sports performance center will be the preeminent place for players to train, recover, and push their boundaries,%u201d Raines said. %u201cIt%u2019s a game changer in terms of providing the ultimate player experience, and we can%u2019t wait for our team to reap the benefits of having an exclusive and unparalleled facility designed specifically for them.%u201dIn addition to serving as a training hub, the facility expands community engagement opportunities. Fans look forward to exclusive experiences and a Fever team store featuring unique merchandise. The Fever%u2019s training facilities within Gainbridge Fieldhouse are among the top in the WNBA. Despite this, Indiana Fever President of Basketball and Business Operations Kelly Krauskopf emphasized how a stand-alone complex will further elevate the player and fan experience.%u201cThis elite training center reflects our organization%u2019s ongoing commitment to ensuring that our players have the highest level of resources to be successful,%u201d Krauskopf said. %u201cAs we look to the future, the focus of creating a first-class player experience designed exclusively for women athletes will set us apart.%u201dThe performance center will be located on the west half of the former Marion County Jail site, near Alabama and Maryland streets. The city of Indianapolis plans to transfer the land to the Capitol Improvement Board (CIB) of Marion County, which will enter into an operating agreement with a PS&E affiliate. The facility will eventually be donated to the CIB after the agreement.Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett expressed enthusiasm about the project, noting its importance in advancing women%u2019s sports locally and globally. %u201cLast year, we experienced an unprecedented boom in interest and attention on women%u2019s sports around the world, led in large part by our very own Indiana Fever,%u201d Hogsett said. %u201cIndianapolis is proud to see this significant investment from Pacers Sports & Entertainment drive further momentum in women%u2019s basketball in our community and continue to elevate our status as a major league sports city.%u201dConstruction will be led by Shiel Sexton, with architectural design by Populous, a global firm known for its innovative work in women%u2019s professional sports. Senior principal at Populous Adam Stover highlighted the project%u2019s significance. %u201cOur team at Populous is honored to collaborate with the Indiana Fever and Pacers Sports & Entertainment to develop a cutting-edge, best-in-class training facility for one of the premier teams in the WNBA,%u201d Stover said. %u201cUnderstanding and designing for the players, coaches and staff, this facility will help lay the foundation for the team%u2019s future success, attracting new talent to the organization and providing worldclass amenities for the current roster.%u201dThe groundbreaking is slated for August, with the complex expected to open before the 2027 WNBA season.Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral.Connect with usVolume 129Number 49Two SectionsINDIANAPOLIS RECORDER USPS (262-660)Published weekly by: The George P. Stewart Printing Co., Inc., P.O. Box 18499, 2901 N. Tacoma Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46218. Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Indianapolis Recorder, P.O. Box 18499, 2901 N. Tacoma Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46218.Subscription price by mail or carrier: $39 per year; $19.50 for 6 mos.,75 cents per copy. National advertising representative: Amalgamated Publishers Inc., 45 W. 45th St., New York, NY 10036. Member: National Newspaper Publishers Association, Central Indiana Publishers Association, Hoosier State Press Association. SUBSCRIBERS BY MAIL: We are not responsible for replacing issues missed due to change of address or late renewals. Please allow two weeks when placing a new subscription or change of address order. Call (317) 924-5143.Follow Us!@indyrecorder1895 129th ANNIVERSARY 2024Indiana%u2019s Greatest Weekly NewspaperSince 1895Friday, December 6, 202475 centsPreparing a conscious community today and beyondwww.indianapolisrecorder.comSee ENERGY, A6%u00a8See WHITFIELD, A7%u00a8 See WICKED, A6%u00a8IMPD o%u009a cers on trial in death of Herman Whitfi eld III By FARRAH ANDERSONThe criminal trial for the police officers charged in the death of%u00a0Herman Whitfield III%u00a0started Monday, including testimony from a responding officer, a police supervisor and his father.%u00a0Whitfield, a Black man, died after being restrained face down by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers during a mental health crisis in 2022. His parents had called 911 seeking assistance.The jury will deliberate over the next five days to determine the fate of the officers.%u00a0In April 2023,%u00a0a grand jury in Indianapolis indicted%u00a0two of the six responding officers, Adam Ahmad and Steven Sanchez, on charges related to Whitfield%u2019s death. Both officers arrived at the courtroom in Indianapolis this morning wearing their IMPD uniforms.%u00a0The coroner%u2019s office ruled Whitfield III%u2019s death a homicide and further ruled he died from heart failure while under law enforcement restraint.The case has led to widespread coverage and a%u00a0local campaign%u00a0to fire the officers involved and%u00a0push for an investigation%u00a0from the U.S. Department of Justice into IMPD%u2019s practices.%u00a0The jury will decide if the officers are guilty of felony charges, including involuntary manslaughter, reckless homiREVIEW:%u2018Wicked%u2019 is a delight for the holiday seasonBy CHLOE McGOWAN%u00a0chloegm@indyrecorder.comI%u2019ve been anticipating the first part of the film adaptation of %u201cWicked%u201d for quite some time. I saw it over the holiday weekend. Let%u2019s talk about it.%u201cWicked Part One,%u201d which came out in theatres Nov. 22, is a film adaptation of the first half of the original Broadway musical of the same name. Written by Winnie Holzman with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, %u201cWicked%u201d debuted on Broadway in 2003, starring Kristen Chenoweth as Glinda and Idina Menzel as Elphaba.%u00a0The musical is an incredibly loose adaptation of Gregory Maguire%u2019s 1995 adult novel %u201cWicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,%u201d which is essentially a fanfiction of 1939 movie %u201cThe Wizard of Oz.%u201d That movie, which is an adaptation of the original 1902 stage play, is based off the book by L. Frank By HANNA RAUWORTHhannar@indyrecorder.comThe City of Indianapolis%u2019s Office of Sustainability is taking steps to become more energy efficient.Funding from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program from the U.S. Department of Energy gave the office $787,040 to lower energy use and decrease overall utility costs in municipally owned buildings. The goal of the project is to reduce climate pollution and improve public health for all Indy community members through healthier air quality.%u201cThe generous funding from the U.S. Department of Energy will open up new opportunities for innovation and efficiency within the more than 200 city-owned structures throughout Marion County,%u201d Mayor Joe Hogsett said. %u201cThis support from our federal partners is key in helping make sure Indianapolis can stay ahead of the curve when it comes to combating climate change and reducing carbon emissions locally.%u201dThe funding will support the following initiatives:A partnership with the Purdue University School of Engineering and Technology to deploy their learn-on-the-job workforce training program to perform energy audits on up to 200 municipal buildings.Utilization of energy management software to track internal energy benchmarking data.Building capacity with an energy manager who will interpret benchmarking data and develop an energy team made up of stakeholdersIMPD o%u0007 cers, Adam Ahmad, left, and Steven Sanchez during the fi rst day of their jury trial, which began on Monday, Dec. 2 at the Marion County Courthouse. (Photo provided/WTHR, Pool)Antron Brown wins NHRA championshipBy NORAL PARHAM IIInoralp@indyrecorder.comLegendary driver and owner of AB Motorsports Antron Brown won his fourth National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Top Fuel World Championship Nov. 20. The win marks Brown%u2019s fourth championship victory.Director of Partnership MarIndy O%u0009 ce of Sustainability awarded $787K for energy e%u0009 ciencySee BROWN, A6%u00a8Antron Brown next to his dragster at Rick%u2019s Boatyard ahead of the NHRA Nationals in Indianpolis, IN on Aug. 28, 2024. (Photo/Walt Thomas)%u201cWicked%u201d is in theatres now. (Image provided/Universal Studios via website)Getty IllustrationCity Business Integrated Solutions project in 2024 in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo provided/CBIS)