WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, January 27th, 2025.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Gabe Gloden, the managing director for Constellation Stage and Screen. Constellation is hosting two interactive film screenings this February: The Room and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. More in today’s feature report.
That·s Cecilia Meneghini from Best Buddies at Indiana University, a companionship program for people with autism or Down Syndrome. Hear more about Best Buddies later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council Approves Outdoor Dining Program
The Bloomington City Council met on January 22nd. Councilmembers discussed Ordinance 2025-02 which establishes an outdoor dining program. According to council documents, this program is meant, “to promote vibrancy along Kirkwood Avenue, the City staff will collaborate with Kirkwood businesses and local partners to organize strategic street events throughout the seasonal parklet program.”
Many members of the public shared their thoughts on the program, highlighting a number of different hopes and concerns. Member of the Kirkwood Community Association Susanna Quilla believes that keeping Kirkwood closed consistently will lead to economic growth.
President of Kirkwood Community Association Bob Costello added that much of the support goes beyond just economics.
Former City Councilmember Steve Volan echoed these sentiments about building community.
Others were more concerned by the implementation of this program. A written statement submitted to the council and read by Council Attorney Lisa Lehner stresses the impact continued closures could have on the elderly and those with physical disabilities.
Councilmember Asare, who co-wrote an amendment to the ordinance, emphasized that future consistency of the program was not only key to its successes, but to its ability to address the aforementioned concerns.
The ordinance establishing the outdoor dining program passed by a unanimous vote. Given persisting concerns over accessibility, Councilmember Sydney Zulich says that she will be holding a listening session to gain a better understanding of the positive and negative effects of the Kirkwood closure on February 3rd at 5:30pm.
The City Council will hold its next regular session on February 5th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Gabe Gloden, the managing director for Constellation Stage and Screen. Constellation is hosting two interactive film screenings this February: The Room and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Gloden touches on what audience goers can expect at these upcoming screenings. We turn now to that interview on the WFHB Local News.
Developing friendships at any age can be challenging, and few groups of people understand this more than those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Autism, Down syndrome, and accessibility issues can all be barriers to making friends in a college town. Cecilia Meneghini is the Indiana University chapter president of Best Buddies, an organization on a mission to end the social and physical isolation that those with disabilities face. Through monthly group social events and one-on-one companion pairings, Cecilia hopes IU Best Buddies can help Bloomington be a more inclusive community. She joins us now to ask for your help on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Laurie Frederickson, Tom Mucherheide and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Thomas Crow through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
