The following is an e-mail from a viewer who objected to the handling of our interview with Michael Feinstein, the Grammy-nominated performer.  He is now also the Artistic Director of the Performing Arts Center under construction in Carmel. 

That was really a cheap shot on Michael Feinstein. Your interview with him asking his income was not appropriate. I am in the business of discovering incomes and needs. Asking this Feinstein fellow about his income when he politely had mentioned to stay away from certain questions was a cheap shot. What  show did you intereviewer think he was on Chris Mathews. I thought I would give you a try this morning only to get the weather sorry I was disappointed.

Since the sender may not be the only person feeling that way, here is my response to that viewer. 

Dear Mr. _____, 

Maybe part of our report on Michael Feinstein was not sufficiently clear.  I did the interview.  So, I know the question that was replayed on the newscast.   

First, as we try to determine whether Mr. Feinstein is being paid with public funds, asking about his income is appropriate.  Before the Friday interview, there had been several print and broadcast reports addressing the interest in the salary — believed to be $500,000 – going to Mr. Feinstein.  So, “cheap shot” it was not.  

Second, in arranging the interview, one local official suggested that we not dwell on the subject of Mr. Feinstein’s salary.  His words were, I believe, to avoid asking Mr. Feinstein “to defend his salary.”  I knew that, if I were to make that my only line of questioning, it would be an unproductive interview.  So, I asked one question about it: What does he make of the attention to his salary?  I can imagine several possible answers to such a question — which did not demand a defense of his paycheck.  

Our report also allowed Mr. Feinstein to describe his plans for the Performing Arts Center under his leadership as Artistic Director.  That was by far the biggest element of the story.  And, considering the investment in that project, it’s important to know how he intends to make it a success.   It’s unfortunate that this disappoints you.  

Best wishes,  

Eric     

I understand the sensitivity to salary issues.  But, I also know that people who are following the Performing Arts Center project would be aware of Mr. Feinstein’s paycheck.  I tried to find a polite way to present the issue.  He politely chose not to answer it and we continued the conversation.

Some of the fog has slid into the metro area, as the airport has visibility has dropped to a quarter of a mile in some locations.  It has been changing constantly, so just watch for spots of dense fog for another hour or 2.

What a great way to wrap up the work-week! Sunshine all around the state of Indiana for this afternoon. A few more clouds located in Southern Indiana, but our skies will stay bright and blue for the rest of the afternoon. Temperatures are pleasant and mild at this hour in the mid – lower 70s.

A college professor says “democracy requires a different kind of education.”   NPR offered a podcast of its interview with Mark Slouka from the University of Chicago.  He said he worries that our schools aren’t doing enough with the humanities.  

It’s a personal matter for Slouka.  He’s a professor of English.  But, he said this should also be a public concern.  He said education “has become about the GDP and we are raising a nation of workers — not citizens.”  He wants children who can participate in the ”American tradition” of skepticism.  That means directing students to courses that may challenge them or even “disturb” them. 

Slouka admitted “humanities don’t pay off in a way that’s visible.”  But, he told NPR he fears economic demands for job production and higher incomes are “taking the essence out of education.”  What’s wrong with valuing economic production?  “Johnny’s not going to just work in a cubicle all his life,” Slouka said.   The humanities serve other human needs.

Slouka said his goal requires a different way of thinking.  ”We need to start considering that maybe the rising tide of demagoguery in America is, kind of, a warning sign … A true humanistic education is sort of the perfect antidote to demagoguery.”  In his view, such training would “further what’s best about our democracy and forestall what might be coming down the line.”

You can read more of his thoughts in the September issue of Harper’s magazine.

The stock market must be like sports.  Fans of either one can find a statistic for just about anything.  I say that because, over the weekend, I read a market analysis from Rusty Vanneman of E*TRADE Capital Management. 

Vanneman said September “easily ranks as the worst performing calendar month of the year” and “has the largest average loss.”  He goes on to say that the potential reasons for the poor performance are not “entirely convincing.  Some just write it off as a market superstition.”

Vanneman noted an August investor survey revealed the return of  ”bearish” sentiments.  He goes on to explain a couple of reasons for the pullback.  One being “investors are human and aren’t always rational.”  The other is something called the “recency effect” which “basically states that investors tend to overemphasize the probability that a recent market event will repeat itself.”  He questions whether people are “overstating the risk of another dramatic sell-off”.

Here’s the point of his analysis: September might be a good time to “add to our stock market positions.” 

Of course, this comes with several caveats and disclaimers – which I will offer here –  ”The above Market Commentary may contain certain forward looking statements which should not be mistaken for recommendations or considered an offer to buy or sell specific securities.  None of the investment ideas or statements expressed should be viewed as personal advice.”

Saturday and Sunday look Fantastic! High pressure will build in and bring us dry and sunny conditions. We have several events going on across Central Indiana, just to name a few the Penrod Art Fair at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Great weather with mostly sunny skies and a high around 80º

And for Sunday, if you plan on Tailgating the Colts game.. you are in luck! The great weather will continue for Sunday afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s and Dry!! Hopefully the roof will be open!!

The dense fog advisory for most of Central Indiana has been extended until 11AM:

Some of our camera locations show the varying density of the fog, but visibilities are at zero in some areas, including Indianapolis:

The fog will slowly burn off through the morning…still a chance of a shower later today.

WHITE RIVER PARKWAY WEST DRIVE TO CLOSE DURING SEWER PROJECT Residents,
Commuters Asked to Alter Routes Northwest of Downtown

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) is
requesting that residents and commuters alter their driving in and
around the area northwest of downtown. This week, White River Parkway
West Drive is scheduled to close for construction of the Crooked Creek
Area Sewer Improvements Project (Belmont North Relief Interceptor).

CLOSURE LOCATION:
White River Parkway West Drive from 10th Street to 16th Street

CLOSURE DATES:
On or after September 10 through May 2010

DETOUR:
September 10-13: Michigan Street/White River Parkway West Drive to Tibbs
Avenue to 16th Street/White River Parkway West Drive

September 14 through May 2010: 10th Street/White River Parkway West
Drive to Tibbs Avenue to 16th Street/White River Parkway West Drive

BUS IMPACTS:
IndyGo travelers who typically use the White River Parkway and Sheffield
Avenue bus stop for Route 37: Park 100 will need to board at the White
River Parkway and Pershing Avenue bus stop.

Residents of Riverpointe Apartments will need to board at the 10th
Street bus stop.

OTHER CLOSURES:
Additional traffic restrictions will be needed during construction. To
receive traffic e-mail updates or to view project details, please visit
www.indy.gov/CrookedCreekSewer

DPW is constructing the Crooked Creek Area Sewer Improvements Project
(Belmont North Relief Interceptor) to resolve sewer capacity problems in
the existing Belmont North Interceptor. One of the city’s most
anticipated and largest initiatives to improve public infrastructure,
the new seven-mile Belmont North Relief Interceptor will be built from
10th Street/Miley Avenue to Juan Solomon Park near Grandview Drive/Fox
Hill Drive.

The Crooked Creek Area Sewer Improvements Project is part of the city’s
Clean Streams-Healthy Neighborhoods program, which is designed to curb
raw sewage overflows into rivers and streams, address chronic flooding,
eliminate failing septic tanks and improve quality of life in
Indianapolis neighborhoods. For more information about Clean
Streams-Healthy Neighborhoods, visit www.indycleanstreams.org.

You can vote for Angela Buchman.

You can vote for Gene Rodriguez

You can vote for Jeane Coakley.

Just vote in the Most Beautiful Eyes contest.  You will be asked to make a contribution to Prevent Blindness of Indiana.  This is PBI’s fundraiser to help support its essential eye care programs.

In the last few days, I’ve heard a couple of economic analysts make the same prediction: the success of Cash for Clunkers may lead to slow sales at Christmas.  The analysts say many of the buyers of those new cars didn’t have car payments — until now.  That means, now, they will have less money to spend for the holidays.

I asked local financial expert Peter Dunn what he thinks of that prediction.  Here’s his response: