Big Talk

Online magazine Limestone Post has been publishing long-form articles on local issues as well as arts, entertainment, and cultural topics since 2015. With the slow demise of local daily newspapers, Limestone Media, the magazine’s parent company, hopes to fill the void with an emerging network of independent news sources in and around Bloomington. The nonprofit (since 2019) will serve as …

For twenty years, Steve Volan represented the downtown district in Bloomington’s city council. His 6th district map was redrawn, largely due to his own efforts, and he was forced to run for reelection as an at-large candidate last year. He lost but swiftly shifted gears and now is running for Monroe County Commissioner in this year’s election. Volan talks about …

His story can be read as a mini-history of Bloomington from the 1960s through today. “Strats’s” involvement with the Ashram; The Tao, The Gables, and The Uptown Cafe restaurants; and his work on the film, “Hoosiers,” all are legendary landmarks in the chronicle of this town. An inveterate raconteur, Strats has been a teacher, an entrepreneur, an actor, a cook, …

They’re starting a new business in Bloomington but they’re not looking to become rich. Hannah Airiess and Micol Seigel are part of a collective opening a new book shop and gathering place in January 2024. They’ll open the doors of Redbud Books at 408 W. Kirkwood Ave. The nonprofit Redbud Books will be a community-curated book shop as well as …

Perhaps the only thing they love as much as music is teaching. Kleesattel and Williams get to do both as co-directors of the Bloomington branch of the New Horizons International Music Association. New Horizons Bloomington is an adult beginners orchestra that meets weekly at the Bell Trace Senior Living center. Newcomers to playing symphony orchestra instruments can learn the basics …

Her two books thus far have reflected her passions. After visiting Russia as a 16 year-old and becoming a devoted Russophile, Tristra went on to pen the epic historical fantasy “The Tomb and the Stone,” set in Siberia. Recently, she’s become entranced by the 19th century Indiana utopian outpost, New Harmony. Fittingly, her new book is set partly there. It’s …

His business card reads “Entertainer.” More specifically, Tim Reed is a composer, pianist, actor, writer, and piano & voice teacher. He’s putting on a big show Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater featuring performances by him, his friends, his students, and even members of the Indiana University ballet. The family-friendly program will include music, stories, and skits. Reed …

We continue our conversation with musician, performer, and teacher, Sarah Flint. The founder of WFHB’s Youth Radio, she continues to make music, live and recorded, and she offers music lessons online and in her Courthouse Square studio. Part 1 of our talk aired Thursday, October 26, 2023. Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.

She fell in love with music as a kid, listening to the bands playing late into the night in her family’s first floor restaurant. She obtained her FCC broadcaster’s license at the tender age of 14. Sarah Flint went on to become a well-traveled singer and guitar player. She founded Youth Radio at WFHB and today is one of Bloomington’s …

Co-publisher Piser and editor Beach crew the Bloomington editorial office of the humor magazine, Funny Times, along with co-publisher (and heiress to the empire), Renae Lesser. Founded by Renae’s parents Sue Wolpert and Ray Lesser in the Cleveland area in 1985, Funny Times continues to print a monthly magazine chock full of cartoons — many of them political — as well …