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Our Town

Four intriguing locals talk about Indy, past and present.

BY MATT GONZALES
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANE LUITJENS

Tom Ridley
DOCENT, MADAME WALKER THEATRE CENTER
4 YEARS ON THE JOB

Ridley, 86, is a vast repository of Indiana Avenue knowledge. "The Avenue," as he calls it, was a regular stop for jazz and blues artists in its heyday. Today, it remains home to the historic Madame Walker Theatre, built by the daughter of the first black female millionaire, cosmetologist Madame C.J. Walker.

What do you enjoy most about giving tours? "Meeting people. So many people are interested in that period of time when jazz was very popular, and they want to see places where it occurred."

Is it true that you saw the first movie ever shown at the theater, The Magic Flame, in 1927? "That's the way I was told by my family. I was only about 5 years old at the time."

What else do you remember? "Vaudeville was still going. Big bands would play. I got to see a lot of the great acts and performers of the day: Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Lena Horne. There was hardly a big name from that time I didn't see."

Angie Hicks Bowman
FOUNDER, ANGIE'S LIST
14 YEARS ON THE JOB

Bowman started her business by knocking on neighbors' doors for reviews of local contractors. Nearly 15 years later, more than 750,000 people subscribe to Angie's List, a service that lets members rate contractors, medical professionals and plumbers.

Is it strange having such a large company named after you? "It's a little surreal at times. It's kind of funny because I was always a very quiet, shy person. But it helps create a personal relationship with our members and reinforces the brand."

Your company's success is all about word-of-mouth. Are there any under-the-radar restaurants visitors may not find? "Off the beaten path on the Eastside is Rock Cola 50's Café (www.rockcolacafe.com; 317-357-2233). It's a little diner with great food. I love to go to Mug-n-Bun (www.mug-n-bun.com; 317-244-5669), the drive-in by the speedway where they still put the tray on the window. There's also Evalee's Country Diner (317-637-2252), a little diner on Washington Street."

Bobby Plump
OWNER, PLUMP'S LAST SHOT
14 YEARS ON THE JOB

In 1954, Milan High School basketball player Bobby Plump hit a last-second shot in Hinkle Fieldhouse (located on the Butler University campus) that gave his team a state championship over Muncie Central. You might know the story from the movie Hoosiers. Now, more than 50 years later, Plump and his restaurant, Plump's Last Shot, are Indy institutions.

Do you think the Milan game contributed to Indiana's fascination with basketball? "This should give you an idea of the enthusiasm Hoosiers had for basketball back then: Hinkle Fieldhouse seated just shy of 15,000 at the time, and people were scalping tickets for 50 bucks. That was a lot of money in 1954."

Where's the best place to catch a basketball game? "From a historical standpoint, without a doubt it's Hinkle Fieldhouse. It was built in 1928, and it was the largest in the world when it was built. We played in the state finals there in 1953 and 1954. So many great things have happened at Hinkle. John Wooden played in the first state tournament ever held there. It's still a great place to watch a game."

Tasha Jones
POET AND EDUCATOR
7 YEARS ON JOB

Tasha Jones has traveled the world as a performer, lecturer and poet. But her biggest passion is high school education. With "You are beautiful" as her mantra, Jones teaches inner-city youths lessons of love, critical thinking and self-respect.

How do you get kids interested in poetry? "You have to start with kids where they are. It's easier for us to start with Eminem and Tupac, and then go to Shakespeare. We still study Robert Frost and Yeats and all of the great poets, but first you have to put it in their terms."

What has your work taught you about the local youth? "They have a lot to say that is very poignant, if you just listen."

Where are the city's best spoken-word venues? "There's Kafe Kuumba (which takes place Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm at Scott United Methodist Church) and the Midtown Café (317-253-1141), and Earth House (www.earthhousecollective.org) has a great poetry series. And on every third Friday, the Starbucks in Broad Ripple hosts a great open mic."

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