Amanda Beam
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Hoosier. Mother. Mediocre Meditator. Freelance Journalist. Lover of all things Star Trek.
Articles by Amanda Beam
Drew Findling defends rappers, and he says their cases represent a microcosm of society’s challenges
Home Web First Beat the Rap: Drew Findling defends rappers,… Until three months ago, Atlanta lawyer Drew Findling didn’t have a website. He says that in almost 40 years of practicing law, he’s relied mostly on word of mouth. A criminal defense lawyer, Findling is known for representing rappers including Lil Durk and Waka Flocka Flame.
Former death penalty attorney creates stand-up comedy show with inspiration from clients
Home Web First Former death penalty attorney creates stand-up… Careers Former death penalty attorney creates stand-up comedy show with inspiration from clients Josh Pickar, an entertainer and lawyer who has represented people on death row, told a former client’s joke at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and it got laughs. (Photo by Steve Ullathorne) Not long before his debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August, death row lawyer-turned-comic Josh Pickar spoke with one of his former clients.
Meet the lawyer behind the Hallmark Hall of Fame holiday favorite
The Hallmark movie A Dog Named Christmas includes all the elements typical of the company’s feel-good formula: festive lights, a wholesome family and adorable dogs searching for their forever homes. Greg Kincaid, an Overland Park, Kansas, attorney, wrote the 2008 book that inspired the 2009 movie. The tale drew on his rural upbringing.
NAFC SPOTLIGHT: New Albany grad promotes hospitality with Wine Shop
Almost four years ago, Lauren VanCleave and her friends found themselves asking the same question: how could they make their corner of the world better for their kids? “We kept having this conversation about, do we all have to move away to find ourselves and the things that light us up? Or could we, as the adults, start investing in our community and make it what we want for our kids?” said the mother of Milo and Basil VanCleave. kAmt:89E >@?E9D =2E6C[ D96 2?5 96C A2=[ y2D@?
NAFC SPOTLIGHT: From hops to scents, Wortham has plenty brewing
Tanner Wortham isn’t your average chemist. Take, for example, a recent Derby party at Our Lady of Perpetual Hops, the New Albany brewery he co-owns. At the event, while others savored the taste of a Mint Julep, the 2012 Floyd Central grad zeroed in on its smell.
NAFC SPOTLIGHT: Denison leads Floyd County Parks to new heights
The NBA playoffs have nothing on the championship finals of the Floyd County Elementary Basketball League. Smoke cutting through bright, colorful lights. Fun and fast-paced beats. Each of the young players recognized, their names booming over the speakers. Jordan and James couldn’t ask for more. While he plans all this grandeur, the man behind the microphone could do without the attention.
NAFC SPOTLIGHT: Selfridge goes the distance for runners and her community
Ashley Selfridge grew up amongst shoes. Running footwear has surrounded the 2002 Floyd Central graduate since the age of 13, when her father, Mike Stallings, opened Pacers & Racers in New Albany, a store Ashley now co-owns. kAmw6C 525 =2F?4965 E96 3FD:?6DD :? `hhg 27E6C 8C@H:?8 E:C65 @7 92G:?8 E@ 4C@DD E96 3C:586 E@ {@F:DG:==6 7@C 9:D CF??:?8 ?665D] %92E D2>6 J62C[ pD9=6J 3682? 96=A:?8 2E E96 DE@C6 :?
Two young lawyers created a party game with questions about basic legal rights
Home Magazine Two young lawyers created a party game with… Games Two young lawyers created a party game with questions about basic legal rights The monotony and loneliness of studying for the bar exam inspired Joseph Kemp to create a card game focused on legal issues. Kemp, a 2022 University of Michigan Law School graduate, was joined in the endeavor by his longtime friend Latoya Bethune, a 2020 Vanderbilt Law School graduate. Together, they founded Games That Matter.
NAFC SPOTLIGHT: Toran continues a legacy of public service
When the bell blared from the neighboring firehouse, a young Tony Toran would rush out of his grandparent’s home and watch the firetruck roll by. Like most kids, he loved the shiny, red engine, but for Tony, the real hero was the man inside the truck- his grandfather- who rushed to save others in times of need. This strong family tradition of public service, combined with a profound devotion to God, helped shape the Floyd County Council member into the man, minister, and civic leader he is today.
NAFC SPOTLIGHT: Stiller transforms lives through care and criminal justice reform
Not too long ago, a woman approached Carrie Stiller while she was eating at a local eatery and asked if she could please give the Floyd Superior Court Judge a hug. “You changed my life. You gave me an opportunity when I thought the only life was using drugs,” the once defendant, now restaurant manager, said to Carrie. “I've turned everything around.
NAFC SPOTLIGHT: Bliss pursues his passion for philanthropy and the arts
Full circle moments abound for Tyler Bliss. Some are literal. Playing Don Lockwood, the lead character in the musical “Singing in the Rain,” the 37-year-old taps and croons his way around the circular stage at Derby Dinner Playhouse in Clarksville. Tyler knows this theater well. Since he debuted at Derby Dinner in 2007, he’s performed in roughly 20 shows. As candlestick Lumiere in “Beauty and the Beast,” he even fell for his feather duster onstage love interest Megan Bliss on this spherical dais.
NAFC SPOTLIGHT: Day uses voice to bring joy to worldwide audiences
After finishing a “Once on This Island” performance at Floyd Central, Kirsten Day returned home to resume her punishment. Her Chemistry grade, according to her mom and dad, was less-than-satisfactory, and so she was grounded. But when she entered the living room, Kirsten found her parents on the couch. Sam and Jackie Day had just returned from watching the musical and wept. But why were they crying?
This lawyer has no regrets about pursuing a career as a running coach
Home Magazine This lawyer has no regrets about pursuing… Inter Alia This lawyer has no regrets about pursuing a career as a running coach When people asked Lisa Levin why she stopped practicing law after investing so much time, money and effort into a Duke University School of Law degree, she wondered if she was racing the right course as a running coach.
NAFC SPOTLIGHT: Bringing smiles and opportunities to Floyd County kids
Not long ago, a mother sat teary-eyed in Dr. Danielle Periago’s New Albany orthodontics office. As is often the case for first-generation immigrants, children must translate English into their parents’ native language, so that they can make an informed decision. Fluent in Spanish, Danielle spoke directly with the mother; no go-between needed. Overcome with emotion, the woman broke down and cried.
NAFC Spotlight: Leaving a legacy of connecting people through great meals
When Marcy and Rich Doering began dreaming up names for their new restaurant, one word stood out. Legacy. kAm#:49[ 2 4967 H:E9 >@C6 E92? cd J62CD @7 4F=:?2CJ H@C=5 6IA6C:6?46[ =:<65 E92E :E H@F=5 9@?@C 9:D >2?J >6?E@CD H9@ 925 A2DD65 5@H?
NAFC Spotlight: Jake Heidbreder lives the Hoosier Hoop dream
Wander around the knobs of Southern Indiana, and you’ll spot plenty of folks wearing Louisville red, Indiana crimson and Kentucky blue. But this March Madness, you may notice some orange and purple making their way into the mix. The reason? Jake Heidbreder. kAm%96 a_a` u=@J5 r6?EC2= 8C25F2E6 A=2JD 32D<6E32== 7@C r=6>D@? &?:G6CD:EJ :? $@FE9 r2C@=:?2] ~? |2C49 a_[ 96 D4@C65 9:D 7:CDE\6G6C }rpp E@FC?2>6?E A@:?ED H96? E96 |4}66D6 $E2E6 r@H3@JD ?2CC@H=J 56762E65 9:D 7:7E9\D66565 %:86CD :?
Suburban Towing founder's widow continues legacy as CEO
Suburban Towing was involved following the daring rescue of the semi driver whose rig dangled from the Clark Memorial Bridge last year. When driving to his company’s headquarters each morning, Irvin Johns noted the passing vehicles. It was a good day when he spotted his distinctive orange, blue and white Suburban Towing Inc. trucks on the roads, he told Gina Johns, his wife of 24 years, and a bad day when he didn’t.
Southern Indiana Roller Derby empowers through inclusion and connection
Note: This story originally appeared in News and Tribune Sports magazine. On an icy January night, a group of athletes warm up in the Talmage Windell Agriculture Building of the Harrison County Fairgrounds. They stretch their quads, one leg at a time, and torque their bodies, as they sway past, over and over again. kAm~9[ J629] %96D6 =:>36C J@8:D 2C6 @? D<2E6D] }@[ ?@E E96 7C@K6? H2E6C <:?5[ 3FE E96 H966=65 G2C:6EJ] %96 EJA6 E92E C6>:?5D J@F @7 E96 @G2= C:?< 369:?5 vC66?EC66 |2== :?
NAFC Spotlight: Sean East II, taking his shot with the pros
When asked which New Albany High School teachers impacted his life, Sean East II exhales and considers his response. He’s not being cautious but considerate. The 2018 NAHS grad doesn’t want to leave any staff out. Toward the end of the phone conversation, Sean pulls up the school’s website, scans the staff list and mentions name after name. kAm“%96C6 H6C6 D@ >2?J E62496CD E92E 96=A65 >6 :?
NAFC LEGACY SPOTLIGHT: Ronyale Rankin brings comfort to the dying
Mother Theresa. That’s the nickname her mother gave to Ronyale Rankin, the child who always helped others even when inconvenient for herself.
NAFC LEGACY SPOTLIGHT: Floyd Central grad proves recovery is possible
When Lauren Benningfield signed up for the annual camping trip organized by The Breakaway Recovery Home, she didn’t expect to encounter the sacred. And yet, while coasting in her canoe during the outing, a quiet moment on the water brought just that and more. As the 2009 Floyd Central graduate gazed toward the sky, she noticed sunlight filtering through the leaves. An awareness overcame her, one that assured her everything would be alright.
Carrie Johns (FCHS ’99): Making it big with mural paintings and other art
Towering brick walls. Oversized bourbon bottles. Horse statues. Etch A Sketches. Through her art, Carrie Johns tells stories in transformative, albeit not always traditional, ways. kAm%2<6 7@C :?DE2?46 96C ?6H6DE 4@>A=6E65 >FC2= A2:?E65 @? }6H p=32?J’D EH@\DE@CJ %@<6? r=F3] ~? E96 @FE6C 6586D @7 2 w@<FD2:\=:<6 H2G6[ 2? @H= 7=:6D 2?5[ ?62C3J[ 2 362G6C C6DED[ H9:=6 2 8C66? 7:D9 7=@AD 7C@> H:E9:? E96 3=F6] x? E96 >:55=6[ E96 C2JD @7 2? @C2?86 DF?
Juan Dontrese Brown (NAHS ’91): More than just graphic design on this leader’s palette
Graphic design didn’t really seem like art when Juan Dontrese Brown first heard of it as a Georgetown College Sophomore. When painting or sculpting, or developing film, you get your hands dirty. Using a computer to do all the work seemed like cheating, he thought. kAmqFE E96? E96 492:C @7 9:D 4@==686’D 2CE 56A2CE>6?E 3C@F89E :? 2 8F6DE DA62<6C E@ E2=< 23@FE >@E:@? 8C2A9:4D]k^Am kAm“x H2D 9@@<65[” D2:5 yF2? s@?EC6D6[ H9@ H@F=5 ?@E @?=J 96=A E@ 4C62E6 v6@C86E@H? r@==686’D 8C2A9:4 56D:8?
El Chapo's attorney also sings for her clients
Home Magazine El Chapo's attorney also sings for her clients Law in Pop Culture El Chapo's attorney also sings for her clients Mariel Colón Miró exists in two seemingly separate worlds. Some days you will find the 32-year-old working as a criminal defense attorney out of her New York City office. In her seven years of practice, she has represented numerous high-profile clients in their criminal trials.
NAFC SPOTLIGHT: Nothing but clear skies for Marine One pilot Derek Cook Original
A Squadron Commander once told Derek Cook if you give someone enough rope, they either hang themselves, or they swing to great heights. Derek’s accolades and accomplishments, both personal and professional, prove not even the sky is the limit for the 2001 Floyd Central High School grad. The 42-year-old’s resume reads like a lead from a blockbuster action movie. 2005 United States Naval Academy graduate. Marine heavy lift helicopter pilot. Awarded five air medals.
'We are just like everybody else.' Indiana grads a couple in both love and business
NEW ALBANY, Ind. — Emotions travel through Treasure Lehman’s face like clouds across a noonday sun. Her openness and independence and strength can be seen every bit as much as her eyes and ears and mouth. But not at this moment. A strand of her brunette hair dangles to the side of her nose, covering her expressions ever so slightly.
'We are just like everybody else.' New Albany grads a couple in both love and business Original
NEW ALBANY – Emotions travel through Treasure Lehman’s face like clouds across a noonday sun. Her openness and independence and strength can be seen every bit as much as her eyes and ears and mouth. But not at this moment. A strand of her brunette hair dangles to the side of her nose, covering her expressions ever so slightly.
There’s no place like home - and community service - for NAHS alum
The homecoming part of New Albany’s Harvest Homecoming isn’t lost on Courtney Lewis. The festival beckons southern Hoosiers back home, and allows those who still reside here a chance at an impromptu reunion on sweet-smelling streets. “It's the best way to have a homecoming, right?” Lewis, a 2003 New Albany High School graduate, said. “It's everything in one place for a few days. It's the best way to celebrate fall around here, for sure.” Lewis would know.
Floyd Central grad brings fun to kids at Harvest event Original
When Miranda Zimmerman started planning the Harvest Homecoming Kids Day in the Park January of last year, she never thought she’d be absent from the festivities. The baby she carried would not be due until near November, plenty of time for her to see the fruition of all her hard work. But before the bands marched and the candy tossed at the annual Harvest Homecoming Parade, Zimmerman’s son entered the world earlier that morning. A friend joked the parade celebrated his birth.
There’s no place like home- and community service- for NAHS alum
The homecoming part of New Albany’s Harvest Homecoming isn’t lost on Courtney Lewis. The festival beckons southern Hoosiers back home, and allows those who still reside here a chance at an impromptu reunion on sweet-smelling streets. “It's the best way to have a homecoming, right?” Lewis, a 2003 New Albany High School graduate, said. “It's everything in one place for a few days. It's the best way to celebrate fall around here, for sure.” Lewis would know.
There’s no place like home- and community service- for NAHS alum
The homecoming part of New Albany’s Harvest Homecoming isn’t lost on Courtney Lewis. The festival beckons southern Hoosiers back home, and allows those who still reside here a chance at an impromptu reunion on sweet-smelling streets. “It's the best way to have a homecoming, right?” Lewis, a 2003 New Albany High School graduate, said. “It's everything in one place for a few days. It's the best way to celebrate fall around here, for sure.” Lewis would know.
BEAM COLUMN: Broadcast pros reimagine Jeffersonville High School media program
JEFFERSONVILLE — While the plethora of screens didn’t flash the words inside of vertical rainbowed bars, technical difficulties were being had in the Jeffersonville High School radio and television classroom on a Tuesday in early September. Students had attempted to upload their video assignments from their iPhones to an industry revered editing program called Adobe Premier Pro on school computers via a wi-fi connection. Only the school’s cloud network wasn’t quite able to handle the load.
'I'm supposed to be dead': Jake Zaepfel shares story of addiction, recovery and healing through photography
Almost twelve years ago, before all the nonstop business bookings and the destination weddings and the happiness and the joy, photographer Jake Zaepfel hit rock bottom. He sat in a Louisville jail cell, broke, isolated and alone. No one was to blame for this but himself, he’ll tell you. He stole from his family. He manipulated friends. All done to score that next hit, to chase the higher high.
BEAM COLUMN: The nuance of the abortion debate
CHARLESTOWN — For years and years, Treva Hodges declined to call the procedure that saved her life what it was… an abortion. All she knew at the time, after an emergency surgery, she no longer was pregnant. “I’m only alive today because I had access to abortive health care,” she said. “Period.” Treva wanted a child, to carry and give birth to a beautiful, healthy baby, but doctors warned a medical condition made that highly unlikely.
BEAM COLUMN: Caring canines help local foundation heal Original
At the age of 21, Kolton Kaiser wasn’t quite ready for a dog of his own. Yes, he owned his own home, having worked hard as the warehouse manager in his family’s business. And no doubt, he had the personality for a puppy. Anything and anybody would thrive through the joy he radiated, and the love he shared, available even to folks he just met. Yet, although he wanted a canine companion, the timing just wasn’t right. Kolton died young, last summer, before he was able to adopt a dog.
Local artisan saving treasures for Hadley Pottery, more (PHOTOS) - Louisville Business First
“I like to say it's magic, but it's really not because it's really her incredible skill and experience and talent that could fix something that was so broken and put it back together and let us see the design again.” Sunlight filtered in through the curtainless windows of Juliet Ehrlich’s Louisville living room. Bas-relief sculptures and other of her creations filled her bright yellow walls.
BEAM COLUMN: Two roads diverge on a mountain
"But do not ask me where I am going,
As I travel in this limitless world,
Where every step I take is my home." -Zen Buddhist Priest Dōgen Volcanic pebbles, some specks, some the size of a fist, fill the path on the Yoshida Trail that descends from Mt. Fuji’s peak. Barrel through the sea of Japanese rocks, and you most likely tumble. Gently place your foot slowly on the slippery slope, and you wobble. Use walking sticks? Like broken wings, they flop in the air as you collapse on your backside.
BEAM COLUMN: The doctor who makes and mends
When you enter Dr. Donn Chatham’s New Albany office, you notice a bin of walking sticks lurking near the door to his inner sanctum of care. Now and again, Dr. Chatham searches for long switches of fallen wood from the Mt. Saint Francis Center for Spirituality’s trails, and transforms them. He sells his carved walking sticks to patients for a reasonable fee and donates the proceeds to the above-mentioned center to help with their funding needs, a circular repository of conservation and goodwill.
BEAM COLUMN: Guarding the guardians
“May I have one of the strawberry blonde beers,” I asked the man behind the counter of the local movie theater. “Didn’t you order one earlier?” he responded. I should have felt bad about downing a few ales before 1 p.m. but didn’t. My friends and I were going to watch the third installment of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. And no one warned me about the emotions I’d feel when viewing it. Dear reader, I’ll spare you the same sorrow.
Off to the races: All-female auto series attracts drivers of all ages
CLARKSVILLE - Alaina Wilhoite comes from a family of car racers. A year after her father, Joe, returned to the track, the then 17-year-old decided to try her hand at it, too. New to racing, she began by entering the Powder Puff division at Sportsdrome Speedway in Clarksville. This all-female driver series runs stock Ford Crown Victorias around nine races a season, with points assigned to finishes in each of the 20 to 25 lap meets.
BEAM: The house that recovery built Original
Things came easy for Ty Romeo. And why shouldn’t they? As Ty said, he walked the straight and narrow. Not a drinker or a partier or even a curser, he put in the hard work, and success usually resulted. By 20 years old, the 1997 Floyd Central grad followed in the footsteps of his father and brother, and built his first contracted home. That one structure turned into a profitable business that brought him praise as a builder in the decades to follow.
Floyd family seeks to lessen funding gap for rare genetic disorder Original
Emma Fraley, in her 10 years of life on this planet, has spoken only one phrase. Bye. Bye. Sign language helps the Mt. Tabor Elementary School 4th grader express around 30 more terms. Some she’s learned. Other signals she created. Her stepfather, Michael Pierce, calls this Emma Sign Language. A light swipe of her lower wrist means music, the rhythm of which brings her comfort. Her hands alternating from front to back shows she’s all done.
'On paper, I shouldn't even be here': Local librarian gives to others during recovery Original
JEFFERSONVILLE — Two little swallows bounce around the front porch of the local Jeffersonville coffee house where Christa Thompson sat. “Hello, babies,” she said in a sing song voice. She offered them a few of her pretzels as they tweeted away. Family and friends see Thompson as a giver, someone who always supports them in the darkest of times. Be it a material necessity or a kind word, the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School librarian can be counted on for assistance and encouragement.
Benz retires after almost 26 years as Georgetown Elementary principal
GEORGETOWN — Rhonda Benz assumed many roles in her almost 26 years as principal of Georgetown Elementary School. Leader. Teacher. Cheerleader. Fixer. Friend. Yet during the final weeks before her retirement on Dec. 22, “Mrs. Benz” added another hat to the many already stacked on her 58-year-old head. Scavenger hunter. Her staff led the daily hunts, a network of puzzles, riddles and games that ferreted Benz both inside and outside of the school and into almost every classroom.
COOKING WITH HEART: Prosser instructor’s multicultural dishes tell her story Original
FLOYD COUNTY — Chef Vanessa Felix-Goode composes her dishes as a maestro fashions a symphony, her handpicked ingredients and classically trained technique the notes of her fare. But the beat of her craft, like the beat of her life, comes from her heart. “I cook with my heart. I cook to connect with people. I cook to create memories,” said Felix-Goode. “A dish from a chef tells a lot about their story.
'A perfect storm of injustice': New Albany native examines Camm case in new book
FLOYD COUNTY — History hangs on the walls of Gary Dunn’s Floyd County home. Old papers from New Albany’s past. Black and white photos of his ancestors. Framed antique wills listing items gone long ago. But the labeled boxes stacked in the middle of his office chronicle a more recent saga, that of the investigation, trials and eventual acquittal of David Camm in the 2000 murder of his wife and two children in Georgetown.
'A perfect storm of injustice': New Albany native examines Camm case in new book
FLOYD COUNTY — History hangs on the walls of Gary Dunn’s Floyd County home. Old papers from New Albany’s past. Black and white photos of his ancestors. Framed antique wills listing items gone long ago. But the labeled boxes stacked in the middle of his office chronicle a more recent saga, that of the investigation, trials and eventual acquittal of David Camm in the 2000 murder of his wife and two children in Georgetown.
'A perfect storm of injustice': New Albany native examines Camm case in new book
FLOYD COUNTY — History hangs on the walls of Gary Dunn’s Floyd County home. Old papers from New Albany’s past. Black and white photos of his ancestors. Framed antique wills listing items gone long ago. But the labeled boxes stacked in the middle of his office chronicle a more recent saga, that of the investigation, trials and eventual acquittal of David Camm in the 2000 murder of his wife and two children in Georgetown.
'A perfect storm of injustice': New Albany native examines Camm case in new book
FLOYD COUNTY — History hangs on the walls of Gary Dunn’s Floyd County home. Old papers from New Albany’s past. Black and white photos of his ancestors. Framed antique wills listing items gone long ago. But the labeled boxes stacked in the middle of his office chronicle a more recent saga, that of the investigation, trials and eventual acquittal of David Camm in the 2000 murder of his wife and two children in Georgetown.
Stuart ready for next act after cancer diagnosis
SOUTHERN INDIANA — J.R. Stuart measures his life not in days or hours, but in shows. Four-hundred productions buttress his memories and tether them to distinct places in time. Since 1990, that’s been mostly at Derby Dinner Playhouse, where he continues to enchant audiences under the warm stage lights with his extensive character portrayals and rich singing voice.
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