WARMfest article with Dan and Lisa Ripley – Cover for August issue of the Broad Ripple Community Newsletter, BRip.com
This was a fun article for me to write because I love the environment, and to discover someone forward-thinking about capitalizing on the water use for the White River in Broad Ripple was exciting. When my husband and I were first married, we lived in Broad Ripple and I use any and all excuses to go back. Dan and his wife Lisa are easy-going people, and love the water and conservation – so much so that they created WARMfest to raise awareness of the White River. The fact that they have spearheaded such a large-scale music festival from inception amazes me. This concert didn’t just grow – it began HUGE and was a big success last year (inaugural) and will be this year, too. With Big Head Todd & The Monsters headlining, among others, this annual Labor Day weekend concert event is here to stay!
Funny story, so I drive a Hummer. It’s an H2 that has required hardly any repairs, I have driven it for over 10 years and 150,000 miles later the brakes are still in great shape. It is truly the BEST car I have ever had! So weighing financial costs of not having a car payment, driving minimally around town since I work from home, and the environmental factors of new car production – regardless of the model and make, I think I am maintaining my environmental edge, although I am easily judged to be quite the opposite until someone knows the full story. I have driven the Hummer for so long that I am completely immune to the dirty looks from Prius drivers and the like that occasionally misjudge me. After all, these people are not easy to spot since my vehicle is so large. So anyway, later the same day after our initial interview, I realize that I need to snap some shots of Dan and Lisa. I head over to their home, ready for a boat cruise on the White River and to take some pics. I pull up in the driveway, now keep in mind the interview and discussion was environmental in focus – and Dan sees me pull in and yells, “YOU DRIVE A HUMMER??!!!” I started laughing to the point of tears. He completely thought I drove a Subaru or a Prius, or God forbid a golf cart of a car like a SmartCar (no offense to owners of those, but go test drive a SmartCar and then a golf cart and I dare you not to make the comparison). WARMFEST.org