On Feb. 24, 2022, the world as soon as once more got here to a standstill and watched in gaping horror because the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine in a barbaric and unprovoked escalation of the continued Russo-Ukrainian Battle. The world continues to look at because the Russian navy intensifies its marketing campaign in an try to annihilate the nation of Ukraine — creating the most important armed battle in Europe since WWII in addition to an ongoing refugee disaster.
For me, personally, it’s an all too acquainted and tragic storyline that tells the story of my very own German relations who have been murdered beneath the direct order of a vile dictator. Having struck a deep nerve, I had a fateful dialog with Franc D’Ambrosio a number of months again whereas he was visiting in Indiana.
D’Ambrosio is thought greatest for his long-running function because the Phantom within the Phantom of the Opera and for his emotional portrayal of the opera-singing Anthony Corleone, son of Al Pacino and Diane Keaton’s characters within the Academy Award-nominated movie “The Godfather III.” He performs all through the nation and at worldwide concert events and shall be returning to Feinstein’s at Lodge Carmichael this August after an unforgettable three nights in August of 2021.
I used to be conscious that D’Ambrosio was sharing his abilities and was working with Polish Dominican Friars — with whom he has a private connection — to lift consciousness and funds to offer humanitarian assist for the Ukrainian refugees crossing the Poland-Ukraine border that the friars are caring for — firsthand. The Dominican Friars have a 501(c)(3) arrange, and all the financial donations are going proper into the fingers of those friars, who’re actually on the entrance strains providing meals, shelter, medical and psychological well being care to Ukrainian refugees and their kids.
Advertisement
A Name to Motion
D’Ambrosio and Olympic determine skating champion Brian Boitano have held many intimate fundraising occasions for the Dominican Friars at private and different non-public residences in California and Pennsylvania.
With this information, I recruited my publishers, Neil and Lena Lucas, and a handful of locals to help D’Ambrosio along with his fundraising efforts. For individuals who don’t know, Lena [Lucas] is Ukrainian, and she or he has been experiencing the devastation and carnage by her relations who have been residing in Kyiv, Ukraine, when the struggle broke out. Fortunately, Lena’s household has been spared bodily casualties, however the psychological influence and materials losses are incomprehensible for many who have by no means skilled struggle and displacement.
And so, with the facility of networking throughout the extraordinary philanthropic neighborhood that resides in central Indiana, the publishers of Carmel Month-to-month [the Lucases] and I are honored to be working with an impressive planning committee comprised of Amy and Ryan Wright of Indianapolis, Neal Burnett and Karen Bender of Indianapolis, Jeanne Martin of northern Indiana, Senior Director of Development at Dominican Friars [Western Province] Bryan Fegley, Franc D’Ambrosio and Brian Boitano. Collectively, we’re coordinating a night of leisure, dialogue and fundraising for the Dominican Friars’ 501(c)(3). And 100% of the proceeds from tickets, in addition to further income introduced in from a powerful dwell public sale, will go to the friars and instantly to the help of the Ukrainian refugees the Polish Dominican Friars are helping. This exceptional invitation-only occasion will happen on the non-public residence of Amy and Ryan Wright on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.
Amy and Ryan WrightNeal Burnett and Karen Bender
The night will characteristic small plates — donated by Ryan and Amy Wright and ready by Amy, and Lena’s mom Valentyna Ossinna who was a chef in Kyiv — sampling a few of Ukraine’s hottest and delectable meals, in addition to a nationwide and native celeb leisure lineup — plus a particular video message and efficiency from one other celeb artist who has lately graced the stage at Feinstein’s Lodge Carmichael.
A Noble and Obtainable Aim
The planning committee is proud to announce the incomparable Franc D’Ambrosio because the night’s headliner and a particular efficiency by Don Farrell and Terry Woods, and Indiana Ballet Conservatory that includes Ukrainian ballet! Attendees can even hear from representatives of the Dominican Friars, Western Province, who will present updates on the help that’s being administered on account of the generosity of individuals from across the globe.
The objective of the night’s fundraiser is to capitalize on bringing in a few of our nation’s and state’s best abilities to not solely entertain us however to lift consciousness of the struggle that the Russians are relentlessly waging in opposition to the Ukrainians and to contribute to D’Ambrosio’s objective of elevating $1 million by the top of 2022. With the earlier fundraising occasions mixed, D’Ambrosio and Boitano have raised greater than $500,000.
Advertisement
“For the time being the struggle began, I known as them [Dominican Friars] instantly and requested them, ‘What can I do?’” D’Ambrosio shared. “They mentioned, ‘We have to get cash into the fingers of our fellow brothers, and 100% will go in the direction of the well being care, medical wants and psychological wants of the refugees and their kids.’ The Polish Dominican Monks on this Dominican order roll up their sleeves and work tirelessly — they don’t simply communicate with their mouths, however they communicate with their actions. One in all my priest associates advised me that he’s turned his parish right into a pediatric oncology ward as a result of life nonetheless goes on and these kids want their most cancers therapies.”
Anybody who needs to donate to the Dominican Friars’ 501(c)(3) doesn’t need to attend the fundraiser in October to play a significant function within the Ukrainian refugee assist efforts. You’ll be able to merely go to the Dominican Friars web site and donate on to their 501(c)(3).
“The struggle and refugee disaster are now not the highest information gadgets,” D’Ambrosio said. “We have now to work even tougher now in an effort to elevate cash for these people. The struggle isn’t ending any time within the close to future, and as a matter of truth, Russia is doubling down on their brutality, so these refugees want much more cash and assist.”
D’Ambrosio paused and with conviction, mentioned, “It’s crucial that we care for the [Ukrainian] refugees and the youngsters and deal with the bodily and emotional wants. These kids are the way forward for Ukraine — if they aren’t wholesome and powerful, there is no such thing as a future for Ukraine.”
Keep tuned for extra particulars and associated info on the upcoming fundraiser hosted by the planning committee and sponsored by Carmel Month-to-month. You would not have to attend the occasion in particular person to take part! You may make a distinction right now by donating to the Dominican Friars through their web site at https://opwest.org/indianadonation.
Advertisement
We wish to thank Franc D’Ambrosio for his time and efforts, and we hope to see lots of you there at considered one of his two performances to be held at Feinstein’s at Lodge Carmichael on Aug. 26 and 27. Tickets for these reveals are on sale at feinsteinshc.com.
A pair of AP Top 25 teams look to bounce back from their first letdowns of the season on Thursday when No. 3 Gonzaga takes on No. 14 Indiana in the Battle 4 Atlantis event from The Bahamas.
The Bulldogs (5-1) were less than 30 seconds away from advancing to the semifinal round before West Virginia mounted a swift comeback in the final seconds behind Tucker DeVries, who sunk two free throws in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime. The Mountaineers held the Zags to 2-of-10 from the field in the extra period to come away victorious, 84-78, over the No. 3-ranked program in the country. Gonzaga also led by eight points at halftime and by double-digits at the 18:35 mark in the second half.
Braden Huff’s 19 points led his team, followed by Khalif Battle with 16 points. Javon Small scored a season-high 31 points for West Virginia, which went 14-of-28 (50.0%) from the field in the second half.
The Hoosiers (4-1) are looking to rebound from Wednesday’s 89-61 loss to Louisville in their Battle 4 Atlantis opener on Wednesday. Malik Reneau led Indiana with 21 points while former Zag Oumar Ballo recorded 11 points and six rebounds.
Advertisement
The Bulldogs and Hoosiers have met four times before, all at neutral sites, with the series split at 2-2. The two last met in the 2008 Hartford Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana, where the Zags came out on top, 70-54.
The winner of Thursday’s game plays at noon PST on Friday in the third-place game. Loser plays at 8 a.m. PST in the seventh-place game.
HOW TO WATCH GONZAGA VS. INDIANA
Who: Gonzaga and Indiana meet in the consolation bracket of the 2024 Battle 4 Atlantis
When: 11:30 a.m. PT/2:30 p.m. EST | Thursday, Nov. 28
Where: Imperial Arena at Atlantis Resort | Nassau, Bahamas
Advertisement
TV: ESPN2
2024 Battle 4 Atlantis Schedule:
Nov. 28 – Semifinals
Noon ET – Louisville vs. West Virginia
2:30 p.m. ET – Gonzaga vs. Indiana
5 p.m. ET – Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner
7:30 p.m. ET – Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser (consolation bracket)
Detroit Pistons (8-12, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (9-10, seventh in the Eastern Conference)
Indianapolis; Friday, 8 p.m. EST
Advertisement
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Pacers -8; over/under is 228.5
BOTTOM LINE: Indiana will try to keep its four-game home win streak alive when the Pacers face Detroit.
The Pacers are 1-1 against division opponents. Indiana has a 4-3 record against teams over .500.
The Pistons are 0-4 against the rest of their division. Detroit gives up 112.0 points to opponents and has been outscored by 2.5 points per game.
The Pacers make 48.6% of their shots from the field this season, which is 3.1 percentage points higher than the Pistons have allowed to their opponents (45.5%). The Pacers average 109.5 points per game, 8.0 fewer points than the 117.5 the Pacers allow.
Advertisement
TOP PERFORMERS: Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 17.4 points and 8.8 assists for the Pacers.
Cade Cunningham is averaging 23.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 8.9 assists for the Pistons.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 5-5, averaging 115.1 points, 40.4 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 9.3 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.5 points per game.
Pistons: 4-6, averaging 111.1 points, 47.2 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 6.3 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.5 points.
INJURIES: Pacers: Aaron Nesmith: out (ankle), Andrew Nembhard: out (knee), Isaiah Jackson: out for season (calf), James Wiseman: out for season (calf), Ben Sheppard: out (oblique).
Advertisement
Pistons: Bobi Klintman: out (calf), Tobias Harris: day to day (hip), Cade Cunningham: day to day (hip).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – He wasn’t here long, and he is one of several one-year Indiana wonders who have taken the Hoosiers to unprecedented heights in their 10-win 2024 dream season.
The brief and glorious ride that defensive tackle James Carpenter has been on in an Indiana uniform is close to its final act.
The final game of the regular season for Carpenter and his teammates is Saturday when Indiana hosts Purdue in a 7 p.m. ET kickoff.
It won’t be Indiana’s last game as the postseason beckons, but it might be the last chance for Carpenter to bask in the appreciation of home fans who have grown to love him and some of the other Hoosiers – new and old – who have taken Indiana to a possible College Football Playoff berth.
Advertisement
Carpenter will be out of eligibility after the 2024 season. Other prominent Hoosiers, transfers or not, such as quarterback Kurtis Rourke, running backs Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton, wide receivers Myles Price and Ke’Shawn Williams, center Mike Katic, defensive linemen Lanell Carr Jr. and Jacob Mangum-Farrar and safety Josh Sanguinetti, are among the senior-plus players who are nearing their post-college football futures.
For Carpenter, coming to Indiana and being an integral part of the Hoosiers’ 10-1 season has confirmed to him (and many of his transfer teammates) that they made the right choice to try their luck in the Big Ten after playing at a so-called lower level in the Sun Belt Conference.
“It’s really just having a chip on our shoulder. Most of us that have transferred here, we were under-recruited guys who didn’t get recruited by the schools we wanted to coming out of high school,” Carpenter said.
“So I think we’ve always kind of had that chip on our shoulder coming here, We saw a lot of stuff about how we were too small. We weren’t going to be able to play in the Big Ten. We’ve used that as motivation for us” he said.
Indiana’s James Carpenter (99) celebrates with Daniel Ndukwe (91) after Ndukwe blocked a punt during the Indiana versus Maryland football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
That fuel has pushed Indiana’s defense to impressive heights. The Hoosiers have the best run defense in the nation, giving up just 76.1 yards per game. Indiana is third in total defense at 261 yards per contest. The Hoosiers also rank third nationally in first downs allowed (167).
Advertisement
Carpenter said that defensive coordinator Bryant Haines keeps things fresh by adding layers to the defensive base principles each week.
“Coach Haines and Coach (Pat) Kuntz (defensive line coach) have definitely added a lot of different stuff. Different fronts, different pass rush schemes, a lot of different blitzes and unique looks,” Carpenter said. “They put a lot on our plate, and we welcome that.”
Carpenter – who has 29 tackles, including five sacks and nine tackles for loss – also cited a good rapport with fellow defensive tackle CJ West, himself a transfer from Kent State.
As they have grown accustomed to one another, Indiana’s run defense and push up front in pass rushing situations have become that much tougher for opponents to handle.
“In camp, we usually build upon the base level stuff. Then, each week, we’re putting in a bunch of new blitzes, different looks,” Carpenter explained. “A bunch of guys have been in the system long enough, we work well together. So they can throw a lot at us, and we’re going to go out there and execute.”
Advertisement
At a minimum, Indiana will have a bowl game after its regular season finale against Purdue. However, Saturday might be the last chance for Carpenter to play at Memorial Stadium, a happy place for him as he’s concluded a college career near the top of mountain after he was barely recruited out of high school in Roanoke, Va.
Indiana’s James Carpenter (99) celebrates his sack of Maryland’s Billy Edwards Jr. (9) during the Indiana versus Maryland football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Curt Cignetti believed in Carpenter. He was one of his first recruits at James Madison and brought him to Indiana, where both men have enjoyed career highs not known before.
Carpenter will walk on the Memorial Stadium turf on Saturday thankful for his time as a Hoosier.
“It’s definitely going to be a little bit of an emotional moment,” Carpenter said. “It’s been an incredible ride. It’s definitely going to hit me when I’m out there with my parents, but I’ll just save that for that moment.”
A moment Carpenter earned by covering himself in glory in his one season in an Indiana uniform.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25739950/247386_Elon_Musk_Open_AI_CVirginia.jpg "Inside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI")
