Carmel Monthly-September 2022

MONTHLY

20 COVER STORY

The End of An Incredible Era: Mayor Jim Brainard on His Decision to Not Seek Reelection

Mayor Brainard announced on September 13 that he will not seek reelec tion in 2023, inking the end of an extraordinary tenure that has com pletely redefined and reimagined the city of Carmel. And love him or not, you simply cannot deny Brainard will go down in history as one of the nation’s most influential mayors — not to mention the mayor that put Carmel on the global map for infrastructure improvements, for building walkable cities and of course, as the roundabout capital of the U.S.

And for these reasons, we are honored to feature Mayor Jim Brainard on this month’s cover.

Cover Story Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photo // Laura Arick

CARMEL MONTHLY

PUBLISHER / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803

PUBLISHER / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418

DIRECTOR OF SALES / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418

HEAD WRITER / Janelle Morrison janelle@collectivepub.com / 317-250-7298

Join Us in Raising a Glass to Carmel’s Own

Joe Kempler!

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Paola Williams

Those of us who have been in the building and real estate industries in Carmel for the last few decades know Joe Kempler as a staple and leader in his field. Upon the announcement of his stepping down from his leadership role at West Clay Realty and into retirement, we thought it prudent to acknowledge Kempler’s contributions to the city and community that he has served and express our sincere thanks for his support of local businesses over the years.

Come Have a Drink with Joe!

Throughout his real estate career, Kempler has built a reputation for his attention to detail, first-rate customer service and expertise on the Village of WestClay and the Carmel real estate markets. Kempler built the West Clay Realty [WCR] brand alongside fellow Carmel residents and real estate experts Scot and Dawn Pollard over the last few years.

The Pollards are poised to take over the day-to-day operations of WCR but not before hosting a community gathering in honor of Kempler on October 13 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Danny Boy Beer Works in the Village of WestClay.

Scot and Dawn are inviting members of the community, clients and friends of Kem pler and WCR’s to come out and celebrate.

“We’re going to hang out and celebrate Joe,” Scot stated. “We’re hoping that the neighbor

hood shows up and people from throughout the Carmel community show their apprecia tion for Joe. I’ve often said that if you have a problem with Joe, the problem is you. He’s a good guy and treats people the right way. So, we’re planning on having lots of people coming by Danny Boy on October 13 to say hi to Joe, shake his hand and thank him for a career well done.”

Stepping into Even Bigger Shoes

Scot, a former NBA player, and his wife Dawn [Pollard] have big shoes to fill with Kempler’s departure from the WCR office — and that’s saying a lot, considering that at 7 feet tall, Scot already has an impressive shoe size!

All jesting aside, Scot and Dawn are com mitted to continuing the level of service that Kempler has provided his clients through out his career. The Pollards shared how they are ready to take what they have learned from Kempler and contin ue growing the WCR brand while providing first-rate, high-touch cus tomer service that their brokerage has a solid reputation of providing.

“Joe’s been such a great mentor, and he’s dripping with knowledge about real estate and marketing,” Scot shared. “We’ve relied on him heavily for that [education]. You can pass the [real estate] test, take all the classes, but when you have to learn how to be an agent, manage people and expectations — Joe’s really set us up for success and has taught us how to be exemplary agents.”

The Pollards also spoke about Kempler’s commitment to the WestClay neighborhood outside of his professional services and how philanthropic he is towards the community at large.

“WCR is a platinum sponsor of the con certs here in the neighborhood,” Scot said. “And a portion of every one of our [real es tate] transactions goes towards the MIBOR Foundation, which fights homelessness. So, to the point of giving back and being active members of the community, we learned the importance of that from Joe.”

Surviving all the ebbs and flows that the last several years have brought to the U.S. economy and real estate markets — includ ing a global pandemic — Kempler has sailed through turbulent and challenging waters in his local markets. His keen perspective on situations and his ability to come out on the other side better for it are specific skills that

the Pollards have taken copious notes from Kempler on.

Scot added, “Patience and his overall de meanor when things don’t go well are some of the things I’ve learned from Joe. I’ve learned a lot about not just how to handle fluctuating market conditions but client conditions as well. Real estate transactions can be very emotional [transactions] sometimes, and I’ve watched Joe, from early on, how he manages things that aren’t going that well in the market and how he advises his clients. He manages things with patience. And that really is the most intelligent way to do it, because you can’t be your best if you are reacting emotionally to every situation that presents itself in our business.”

The Pollards also commented on Kem pler’s extraordinary work ethic and commu nication skills.

Dawn said, “Joe works seven days a week, and Scot and I plan on being [in the office] a lot more. We get a lot of walk-ins at the office. People from the neighborhood come in to say, ‘Hi’ and share information about things that are going on the neighborhood.

So, they can still walk in and expect to see us there. Joe is keeping his license and we are going to get referrals from him, and he will work with his clients that still want to work with Joe — he just won’t be ‘in’ the office.”

Scot added, “We are going to continue to give the service that they expect from Joe Kempler and the same attention to detail. We are not part-time Realtors®. This is our [full-time] job, and we’re 100% focused on our clients just like Joe has been. We’re also adding a couple of agents to our team under the West Clay Realty umbrella.”

The Pollards emphasized that in addition to high-touch service and attention to details, buyers and sellers alike can expect prompt responses to their inquiries and communica tions throughout their real estate transac tion. And when you work with the Pollards, in addition to their real estate expertise, you get four eyes instead of just two watching over the real estate transaction throughout the entire process, making sure that it’s the best experience possible for their clients.

For more information on West Clay Realty brokered by eXp Realty, visit WestClayRealty.com or contact Dawn and Scot Pollard, Broker Associates, Dawn at: 303-669-4425 or Scot at: 317-900-3500 or via email at: thepollardrealtors@gmail.com.

West Clay Realty would like to thank Joe Kempler for his years of dedication to his family, his work, and the community.

He will be greatly missed at WCR in the day to day operations. Dawn and Scot Pollard will continue to provide the real estate needs for the Village of West Clay and beyond while acknowledging the large shoes that they have to fill with Joe stepping back from real estate and moving forward onto retirement. We all wish Joe and Joey the best and we know that they will continue to be huge pillars in the Village of West Clay community.

FEEL FREE TO STOP BY

TIKI

dditionally, the CFM volunteers and winter vendors create an exceptional winter market that offers fresh and local produce and products beginning this November through March of 2023.

ENJOY “FRESH” ALL WINTER LONG

There is no better time of year to get creative and adventurous in your kitchen than in the winter months! If you have never frequented the Carmel Winter Market, you will be pleased to learn that you can still enjoy fresh produce and products from local farmers throughout the winter season.

You can get many of the same products that you get from the summer market, from fresh produce, French-inspired baked goods, meats and poultry to country-fresh eggs and small batch jams and jellies in a warm, cozy and somewhat funky setting at the market’s winter home, The Wire Factory (510 Third Avenue SW) in Carmel, Indiana.

From hoop houses and other [farming] innovations, CFM Winter Market vendors can produce fresh, local and straight out of Hoosier soil.

Need some creative and helpful tips on how to properly store and/or prepare your purchases from the Winter Market? Talk with the winter vendors about their prod ucts and favorite recipes, and be sure to ask them for tips on successful canning and cold storage methods.

Cold storage does not mean storing veg etables in a refrigerator but rather it refers to storing large quantities of just-harvested vegetables in cool environments such as cool, dry basements and/or root cellars.

Cold storage produce — such as apples, potatoes, onions, hydroponic and green house greens and herbs, sustainably produced meat, dairy and egg products — and a plethora of locally produced and prepared foods are in abundance at the Winter Market, and with a few easy tips from the pros, you can prepare your pantry for this winter season and meal plan using fresh and local ingredients while supporting the local economy and local providers.

Be sure to follow the Carmel Farmers Market on Facebook for updates throughout the winter market.

Please join us inside the Winter Market at 510 3rd Avenue SW every Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. from October 15 through March 25.

other market-related information, visit carmelfarmersmarket.com.

Symphony Orchestra Presents:

Masterworks 2

CSO is poised to have its most magnificent season to date, and I spoke with both Janna Hymes and Alexi Kenney about the importance of creating an energy that is welcoming and captivating to all ages and walks of life when programming and performing.

PROGRAMMING FOR THE COMMUNITY

“It’s all about the community right now,” Hymes expressed. “This season is a very different season — I came at it from a different angle. This season is about acknowledging that we are here in Carmel, in this beautiful place, and we have people from all over the world in the community. So, what we want to do is represent everybody — not just specific parts of the community but everybody in the community.”

Hymes shared how she continues to listen to the community and that what she hears and learns from the com munity plays a large part in how she programs a season.

“I’m not thinking about what I want, I program for the community,” Hymes said. “CSO has a great team of people who get the vision, and yes, we have all these amazing guests performing this season, but the orchestra will be shining on their own. That’s very important that we don’t ever lose sight of that, and I always want to feature the ‘band,’ so to speak.”

EXPERIENCE THE WONDERS OF ITALY WITHOUT A PASSPORT

Experience the exceptional as Carmel Symphony Orchestra under Artistic Director Janna Hymes welcomes acclaimed violinist Alexi Kenney to the Palladium stage. The young California-born musician appears with major orchestras throughout the U.S. as well as abroad and recently released his inaugural recording. The New York Times praised a Kenney performance, noting “… he made it seem … as if this were the only possible way to play the music.” Experience his genius for yourself as he joins the CSO for the “Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1.” Also on the program are “Colas Breugnon Overture” (Kabalevsky) and the glorious “Pines of Rome,” the tone poem for orchestra by Respighi, written as a tribute to various scenes in and around Italy’s beloved capital.

“We’re having a lot of fun this season,” Hymes stated. “Our second concert is more of a classical concert featuring the ‘Bruch Violin Concerto,’ which is gorgeous, and we open up with a sizzling ‘Colas Breugnon Overture’ [Kabalevsky] and then we do the ‘Pines of Rome’ [Respighi], which is a huge orchestra piece — four movements — and it’s about different places in Rome and the different landmarks. You feel that you’re in Italy when you hear this piece!”

Alexi Kenney graciously shared some of his thoughts on playing with CSO, the cathartic attributes of music and the

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of CSO

importance of performing in front of live audiences again.

“God knows we all have a lot on our minds and on our plates,” Kenney said. “I definitely do, and that is why I do what I do, to heal myself and others through

music. That is how I approach everything I do. The particular piece that I’m playing [‘Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1’] is one of the most beloved pieces in the violin repertoire and one of the most recognizable. It is one of the most joyous, deep

and love-filled pieces that I can think of. There’s a lot of fireworks for the violin and a lot to listen for and to look at both in the violin solo — which is playing through most of the piece — but also for the orchestra. [The piece] interweaves the lines between the solo violin and at times the rest of the string section, who will join in with me or will respond to me at times. The oboe, flute and clarinet will do the same. It’s kind of a perfect com position in that way, and not all concer tos are that collaborative. It sparks a collaboration with the orchestra as well as with the conductor, and I think that’s really fun and moving for an au dience to see. Which is why we play live music — to find that human connection, that spontaneity and vulnerability that you can only get in the moment of a live performance.”

For more information on the Carmel Symphony Orchestra and to purchase tickets, visit carmelsymphony.org.

Performing Arts

Two acclaimed artists are hitting the road together to celebrate classic albums. Madeleine Peyroux will perform songs from her 2004 release, “Careless Love,” reissued in a deluxe edition in 2021, which included the original song “Don’t Wait Too Long” alongside tunes by Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and other writers.

Paula Cole will perform songs from her 1996 breakthrough, “This Fire,” which included the hits “I Don’t Want to Wait” and “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?”

n 1996, Paula Cole released her self-pro duced second album “This Fire.” It was incendiary, a double-platinum smash.

The first single, “Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?” catapulted to the Top 10.

Her songwriting was loved by tradition alists, feminists, the LGBTQIA community, the whole world. Cole was nominated for 7 Grammy awards and was the first woman to be nominated as Producer of the Year with no collaborators. Her second single, the anthemic “I Don’t Want to Wait” dominated charts for a year and then lived again as the well-loved theme song for “Dawson’s Creek.”

Cole pushes boundaries and touches hearts and minds with her songwriting. Her live performanc es are movements of passion. She was a seminal figure in the formation of the first Lilith Fair and has performed the world over, from performing for the troops in the Persian Gulf to coffee houses in small towns across America to stadiums with Peter Gabriel to elegant theaters.

Now, 25 years later, Paula Cole will perform songs from her ground-breaking album, “This Fire,” in select cities. This is a rare opportunity to witness her historical work.

Paula Cole joins Madeleine Peyroux in the celebration of her breakthrough album, “Careless Love.” Two legends. Two legendary albums. One tour together.

Janelle Morrison: When “This Fire” debuted in 1996, I had just graduated high school, and the world was mine for the taking. Now, as a mother of an 18-year-old daughter, I view the world as a much more challenging place for her. You continue to be a voice for the marginalized, and I’m excited for the younger generations to experience your energy and music. In that spirit, what’s the genesis story behind you and Madeleine [Peyroux] collaborating on this tour?

Paula Cole: Thank you for that. I feel like you really understand what we’re doing. I’ve known Madeleine, and we have a lot of people in common between us. And now, we share a manager. I love touring with Madeleine. I’m difficult to place in a genre or with any label, and she’s more straight ahead, but we’re both lovers of lyrics and we’re both progressive women trying to make the world a better place. There’s a lot of mutual respect for our music and our commitment — we’re both middle-aged and still doing it.

So, it’s wonderful to share the road with someone who has that level of commitment to music. I watch her sets, and she watches mine. I love her music and her voice, and there’s a lot of dedication and passion for the music itself. It’s not a commodity for us — this is our life. We are dedicated, and we worship at the altar of music itself.

When you’re out on the stage, you’re in the music — it’s a prayer. It’s a beautiful transcendence and celebration with the audience. And that’s what if feels like for both of us.

JM: We’re starting to see a return to the foundation of American music — the jazz standards — and even here in Indianapolis, we’re seeing a resurgence of popularity among younger people and younger artists. Please share with me your own personal evolution with this genre and the impact jazz has had throughout your career.

Cole: It is the Great American art form and is one of the only original things that America has contributed to culture. Jazz is largely an African American art form, really, and so we should be humbly aware of that — always. The standards are kind of subconsciously emblazoned in us, whether we hear them in the grocery store or in elevators.

A lot of artists tend to acknowledge the masters at some point if they have a long career in music. Jazz is like a foundational subconscious material for all of us, musically.

I grew up in a highly musical family and played a multitude of instruments. When I was a small child, my father had a gig on weekends and played bass in a polka band. Even though some people laugh at that kind of music, it is folk music, and

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of the Center for the Performing Arts

he really had a serious groove on his instrument. He had great ears and great time. He would come home from a polka gig and would play Duke Ellington on the piano and the folk songs on the guitar and harmonica. It was a giant blend of music that I was exposed to, and it was all joyful. He got me singing and playing early, and I just didn’t care about labels moving forward.

I kind of blend it all together in my cauldron in my mind, in my heart and in the music that I make — it’s really diverse. Most of the musicians that play with me are deeply rooted in jazz. They’re the ones that can actually play my music, because it’s really complicated music. I fell in love with jazz and thought that I was going to be a jazz singer, but ultimately, I really needed my own lyrics and that’s

what pivoted me from being a jazz singer to writing. I needed to write my own truths. In my early 20s, after a year or two of therapy that really helped me, I had a feminist realization and an individuated realization, and that’s what started me writing my own original music.

JM: Throughout the years, I have heard you say in past interviews that it was important for you to have control over your work in the production of it. Why is having 100% of your DNA in that part of the process so important for you? And how rare are female producers in the music industry?

Cole: The role of women producing in music and even just women being in the music business — which is a bastion of patriarchy — is reflective of women’s roles in society at large. You mentioned the Lilith Fairs in the ’90s, and I try to imagine those times in history when women came together to say, “Enough of this bullshit.” I think of the 1970s and the NOW march and the incredible women from the second wave of feminism … they provoked change and conjured the ERA which still has not passed.

So, here I am, just a girl going into the music business, and my father always treated me with

respect and I was just an individual — a genderless soul in a female body — conceiving my ideas, and then I started to realize that people were patronizing me because I was a young woman. That was unacceptable to me. I had to be very stubborn, which is not necessarily a nice quality to be around, but I had to be tough, and hey, I’ve not always won my battles.

I didn’t win all of them, but in the realm of pro duction, if I lose in the “deals,” at least I know that I’ve made good art. That is something I was not willing to compromise on, and I learned a lot from my first producer, Kevin Killen, who is amazing, and then it was time for me to branch out on my own. And that was radical at the time, and I didn’t even realize it was [radical] until I was nominat ed for a Grammy for it, and they told me after I was nominated that I was the first woman to be nominated as the sole producer. Then it dawned on me: that’s why I had gotten so much flack and why I experienced all those roadblocks. It had been done by Kate Bush — she was self-produc ing — and I thanked her when I won my Grammy. So, imagine all the women’s voices that have been kind of changed and marginalized by producers’ voices. And we have to keep fighting. It’s historical truth. Whether it’s for our rights through the ERA, production or record deals — it’s all the same. We can’t stop fighting, and we can’t stop believing. And we need to mindful of the women that came before us to role model that bravery.

// LET’S TALK ABOUT GARAGE STORAGE

The Guilded Leaf Book & Author Evening

Has a New Home!

Janelle Morrison

BOOK & AUTHOR EVENING

The Book & Author Evening will be held for the first time at the Main Library at 425 E Main Street. This sophisticated event takes place on Wednesday, October 19, and features book talks, signings and an online silent auction along with appetizers, wine and craft beer. At the Book and Author Luncheon on Thursday, October 20, at the Ritz Charles, the authors will share insights into their lives and their writing. A raffle, online silent auction and book signings will also take place at the luncheon.

AN INAUGURAL EVENT FOR THE NEW COMMUNITY ROOM

CCPL Foundation Director Elizabeth Hamilton spoke about this year’s Guilded Leaf Book & Author Evening being the inaugural event in the newly constructed Community Room.

BOOK & AUTHOR LUNCHEON

“This will be the first event that will be held in our new Community Room,” Hamilton proudly stated. “It will be a catered event, and the authors will speak to 200 of our guests. It will be just like past [Book & Author Evening] events, but it is coming home to the [CCPL] library. The Book & Author Luncheon will have the same format that we’ve had in the past, with the six authors speaking to 500 guests. Ice Miller is this year’s sponsor of the evening event, and Pierce Jewelers is the jewelry sponsor. Carmel Monthly is our media sponsor, and Printing Partners is our printing partner for both events again this year.”

THE IMPACT OF THESE TWO ANNUAL EVENTS

For those who have attended these two annual events in previous years, you already know how much fun the eve ning event is and how extraordinary the luncheon is the following day. For those who are considering attending this year, it is guaranteed that you will enjoy the authors and their presentations as well as the food, drinks and time spent with fellow supporters of the library.

In JENNIFER COBURN ’s gripping historical novel Cradles of the Reich, three women’s fates are irrevocably intertwined. Based on untold historical events, this novel explores the World War II-era Lebensborn maternity homes where thousands of babies were taken from their mothers to be raised as part of the new Germany. This powerful and moving book shows that in a dark period of history, the connections women forge can drive them to immense heroism.

Uncovering a dark family secret sends one woman through the history of Britain’s World War II spy network in The London House, the latest novel by bestselling author KATHERINE REAY. When Caroline Payne learns that her great-aunt Caro may have been a traitor a generation earlier, she pours through family diaries and letters to uncover the truth. Was Caro truly a traitor and Nazi collaborator, or is there a more complex truth buried in the past?

The bestselling author of The Two-Family House and The Wartime Sisters, LYNDA COHEN LOIGMAN returns with The Matchmaker’s Gift, a heartwarming mutigenerational story. Though Abby’s career as a successful Manhattan divorce attorney seems very different from her grandmother’s profession as a Lower East Side matchmaker, both women defy expectations to utilize their unique gift of seeing soulmates in the most unexpected places.

New York Times bestselling novelist KYLE MILLS has traveled the world researching ideas and settings for his thrillers. In Oath of Loyalty, he reintroduces

IMAN HARIRI-KIA

KRISTINA

Although these are all valid reasons to attend these two events, there is an even more important purpose behind each ticket purchased.

“Every dollar raised at these events goes towards the cost of programming at the Carmel [Clay Public] Library,” Hamilton shared. “And with the expansion of our main branch, moving into 2023, we know that we’ll have expanded programming for the community. Just before the pan demic, we were offering just over 2,000 free programs to the community, and we were touching just over 70,000 people through our [free] programs alone. Going into 2023, we know that we will touching even more of the community and the surrounding areas, as all of our free pro grams are available to not just the Carmel residents but to everyone who comes to these programs. We want to benefit as many people as possible, and so, every dollar raised at these events goes towards that programming budget.”

Hamilton added, “It truly is an opportu nity to impact everyone in central Indiana

through the [free] programming that the library is able to offer and is CCPL’s oppor tunity to truly make a difference.”

Don’t miss this year’s Guilded Leaf Book & Author Events! Join us for an unfor gettable evening in the new Community Room for the Book & Author Evening and

then the following day for an exquisite Book & Author Luncheon at the Ritz Charles in Carmel!

For more information about the Guilded Leaf Book and Author Events, call 317.814.3905 or email ehamilton@carmelclaylibrary.org.

EDWARDS TWINS PRESENT: THE ULTIMATE VARIETY SHOW VEGAS TOP IMPERSONATORS

Remember all the wonderful Variety shows we all grew up on in the 70’s & 80’s? Now is your chance to see them live and re-created by Las Vegas’ number one impersonators of all time. Anthony & Eddie Edwards use state of the art make-up to look and sound like the superstars of today and yesterday. All your favorite legendary Superstars come alive in An Evening with The Stars. The NBC Today show says “it’s one of the most extraordinary shows we have ever seen.” Sonny & Cher, Billy Joel, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Olivia Newton John, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Frankie Valli, Tom Jones, and many many more hosted by THE EDWARDS TWINS FROM LAS VEGAS.

Class Cabaret at Carmel City Center

ATI LIVE! PRESENTS: BILLY STRITCH - CY COLEMAN REVISITED

Billy Stritch is delighted to present a brand-new show spotlighting the music of legendary tunesmith Cy Coleman to Feinstein’s at the Carmichael. Cy was one of Broadway and pop music’s most versatile composers and his dozen Broadway scores covered an amazing range of musical styles. The show will include Cy’s biggest pop hits (“The Best Is Yet To Come”, “Witchcraft”), songs from his Broadway shows (“Sweet Charity”, “City Of Angels”) and many undiscovered and unknown gems.

NICOLE HENRY

Powerhouse jazz vocalist Nicole Henry will return to Feinstein’s Carmel to celebrate the release of her 8th CD, Time to Love Again, an eclectic mix of jazz standards and reimagined pop tunes by a diverse group of iconic composers including Anthony Newley, James Taylor, Rodgers & Hart, Buffy St. Marie, Ned Washington, Stevie Wonder and Joan Armatrading.

DECEPTION

DECEPTION is a magic & mind reading show, hosted by magician David Ranalli. David creates an unforgettable evening by combining world-class sleight of hand, witty banter, and mysteries of the mind. Guests are invited into an intimate, industrial space where surprises lurk in every corner.

GOLDPARK KINGS AND QUEENS

For the members of Goldpark, the best music comes from true collaboration. The Nashville-based alternative rock trio, which formed in 2019 , finds inspiration from bands like Coldplay, Kings of Leon and Death Cab For Cutie–groups known for thoughtful song writing paired with lush soundscapes. Goldpark’s songs are a point of connection not only for the band, but for the listener too. Even as the musicians examine the highs and lows of human existence, they also lean towards that optimism. In hard times, music can be what guides us back to ourselves.

From Aretha to Britney, Elvis to Prince, Barrett (Wicked, Doctor Zhivago, FX’s Fosse/Verdon) & Spector (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Jersey Boys, The Cher Show) cover the gamut of musical royalty, proving how this select group ascended to their respective thrones and created the most iconic and beloved hits of all time.

Ghosts & Goblins 2022?

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Joe Gilbert

Get your family, friends and teams together and join thousands of Carmel Education Foundation (CEF) supporters for the 14th Annual Ghosts and Goblins race to support Carmel Clay Schools (CCS)!

This year’s Ghosts and Goblins will kick off on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. at Carmel High School, 520 E. Main St., Carmel, Indiana, and runners or walkers may choose to participate in either a 5k or 2k race, both of which are timed. Prizes will be awarded for the 5k.

RACE DAY LOGISTICS

Courses begin and end at Carmel High School, where there will be music, refreshments, prizes and entertainment. Registration includes a timed entry bib. Strollers are welcomed on either

course, but pets are not allowed for their safety.

Please also bring your outgrown or unwanted shoes to the race to donate to CEF’s national partner, Soles4Sou ls, where your shoes will be turned into opportunity by providing relief, creating jobs and empowering people to break the cycle of poverty. Soles4Souls repurposes products to supply its mi cro-enterprise, disaster relief and direct assistance programs. Since 2006, it has distributed more than 51 million pairs of shoes in 129 countries. For more infor mation, go to www.soles4souls.org.

WISH TV Morning Anchor and Carmel High School graduate Scott Sander is re turning as the official emcee and will help fire you up for a fun race!

Costumes are encouraged and have become a beloved tradition of the Ghosts & Goblins race!

THE IMPACT OF THE MONEY AND AWARENESS RAISED

CEF Executive Director Jennifer Penix spoke about the impact of the money and awareness raised from CEF’s fundraisers — including Ghosts & Goblins — has on CEF’s ability to award an array of scholarships and grants.

“We’re coming off a very good year [last year] based on what our [previous] Ghost & Goblins and Taste of Carmel

fundraisers accomplished,” Penix shared. “We have been able to start some new initiatives and provide resources for students to have lifelong learning opportunities. First and foremost, the success of that was made possible because we’ve had successful fundraisers and because the community supports us. Secondly, we have a dynamic leadership organization not only within our board, but our committees are strong with additional community volunteers.”

A strong testament to Penix’s statement about dedicated community volunteers is the return of one of original organizers of the first Ghosts & Goblins race that was held 14 years ago. Carmel resident Dana Green has returned to assist the planning committee for this year’s Ghosts & Goblins race. Green is still a staunch supporter of CEF’s mission and is excited to help grow this year’s race registration numbers to the target goal of 3,000.

“I joined the [CEF] board in 2011, and within a few years, I became chair of Ghosts & Goblins,” Green said. “I love the

whole idea of the race being centered around the students, the teachers and the mission of CEF. Teachers, parents and students know that we are here, walking alongside of them, and there a lot of peo ple behind the scenes on the foundation working for their benefit. Jenn [Penix] has done an amazing job taking this [race] to the next level, and leaders like Leslie [Teskey] and the other board members continue to raise funds and awareness, which is critical. And what they do with funds and the time and effort going to how the funds are spent really maximizes [CEF’s] resources.”

OPPORTUNITIES MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE LIKE YOU!

Penix announced that CEF launched a new student grant program earlier this year that has been dubbed the “Great Idea!” Grant program.

“We know that students are phenome nal idea generators,” Penix expressed. “We want to support them through this grant program that is open for K–12 students.

If a student has an idea that they think can improve any aspect of their school community, we invite them to share that idea with a teacher so the teacher can be their mentor through the grant process and help make their idea into a reality. We anticipate awarding up to 10 student grants this year.”

So, don’t wait! Register for this year’s Ghosts & Goblins race and let’s help break of record of 3,000 registrants! For more information and/or to make a donation to CEF, please visit ccs.k12.in.us/foundation.

The End of An Incredible Era:

Mayor Jim Brainard

on His Decision to Not Seek Reelection

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Laura Arick

As a journalist, I have covered seven-term Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard for well over a decade, and Carmel Monthly has covered many of the city’s major initiatives and developments since it began publishing in 2012. Through the years, we have had a remarkable seat to the dramatic changes that have occurred in one of the country’s most dynamic cities. Carmel has become a textbook for the evolution of a small, rural, midwestern city to one that annually is recognized repeatedly on national lists that recognize the cities that are the most livable, safest and best places to live, work and play.

Mayor Brainard announced on September 13 that he will not seek reelection in 2023, inking the end of an extraordinary tenure that has complete ly redefined and reimagined the city of Carmel. And love him or not, Brainard will go down in history as one of the nation’s most influential mayors — not to mention the mayor that put Carmel on the global map for infrastructure improvements, for

building walkable cities and of course, as the roundabout capital of the U.S.

And for these reasons, we are honored to feature Mayor Jim Brainard on this month’s cover.

A Contract with Carmel

In 1995, Brainard devised a “contract” that he shared with voters while campaigning for the mayor’s office. In that contract, he committed to focus on

“taxes, growth, spending, families and the future of Carmel,” and he vowed to focus on a wide breadth of issues facing the city at that time. These included areas of focus such as:

• Finding ways to acquire new park land and improve family-based recreational opportunities

• Proposing budgets that are realistic, frugal and goal-oriented

• Working closely with our schools to achieve a partnership that focuses our resources on our most important asset: our children

• Managing growth properly and responsibly

• Getting street improvements back on track

Growing Carmel into a WorldRenowned City

Over the past two decades, the city of Carmel, under the leadership of Mayor Jim Brainard, has grown from a rather typical north suburban car-centric city to a world-renowned city known for its infrastructure, development and redevel opment, arts and entertainment, diverse culture and, of course, roundabouts. Most cities would take a few centuries to achieve the milestones that Carmel has in 20 years. The city has become recognized as a model of modern urban planning around the world.

Since Brainard took office in 1996, sever al improvements to the city’s infrastruc ture, the development of the outlier areas and redevelopment of the inner core have been started and completed, and new major projects are in process as the city continues to grow and evolve.

In 1996, the city’s population was less than half of the current population of 100,777 and the city’s road system was more than antiquated. Those of us who have lived here prior to the redevelop ment of the Meridian Street corridor can remember a time when what is now West Main Street came to a halt at U.S. 31 [North Meridian Street] and the only option was to turn right onto the highway heading southbound. We also remember an abundance of stop signs and streetlights that made navigating the city a time-consuming chore. These have now been replaced by 144 roundabouts with more under construction. We also remember several blighted areas throughout Carmel — the most infamous being the Carmel Motel — that have been transformed into some of the city’s more attractive landmarks: The Monon Greenway, the City Center, Midtown, the Center for the Performing Arts and Clay Terrace.

NOTABLE OBJECTIVES

MET DURING BRAINARD’S TENURE

1995 - Brainard defeats incumbent Ted Johnson and wins election

1997 - Carmel’s first roundabout is constructed [126th Street and Hazel Dell Parkway]

2002 - First section of Carmel’s Monon Trail opens [96th to 146th streets]

2003 - Carmel completes its largest annexation

2005 - The unveiling of the Arts & Design District gateway

2006 - The Carmel City Center project breaks ground

2008 - Reconstruction of Keystone Avenue commences

2010 - Carmel annexes Southwest Clay

2011 - The Center for the Performing Arts opens

2016 - Carmel hosts events for the 84th Annual United States Conference of Mayors

2017 - Brainard and committee open Carmel Christkindlmarkt

2018 - Carmel annexes Home Place

2019 - Midtown Plaza opens

2020 - The Hotel Carmichael opens amid COVID-19 pandemic

2022 - City breaks ground on expansion of Carmel Police Department headquarters

Brainard explained that in 1997, there were a lot of unincorporated “holes” throughout parts of Carmel, and it made for inefficient delivery of services. “A blue car (Carmel city police) would go to the house on a street, and a brown sheriff’s car would go to the house next door,” Brainard explained. “A part of a street would be paved by the county, and the next half of a mile would be paved by the city. It made no sense at all. That’s one of the reasons why our tax rates have declined, because we’ve become much more efficient as a result of the earlier annexations. These improvements were

important to the tax base that we built over the next decade and a half.”

When asked about what he saw as key moments in Carmel’s development, Brain ard responded, “The Monon Greenway, the roads and infrastructure (including the roundabouts), maintaining low taxes and a good tax climate [and] our City Center and Arts & Design District, in addition to our great schools and library, are some of the amenities and projects that I am most proud of. All of our cultural amenities too, as it’s unusual for a suburb to have what we do. We have more diversity, and as a result, more corporate headquarters are locating here because they know that all of their employees will enjoy living here.”

Although Brainard’s seventh and final term as mayor will end in December of 2023, he continues to work on projects that are important to him, such as the infrastructure improvements in Home Place and the expansion of the city’s bike path system, among other projects throughout the city.

Reflecting on a Seven-Term Career

After winning his first mayoral election [by 10%], Brainard shared that he continued to seek input from his constituents and asked them what they wanted for their city.

“Over and over again, I heard that [resi dents] wanted a walkable city, restaurants and shows, a ‘downtown’ and parkland,” Brainard recalled. “These things have defined cities for centuries. I was learn ing more about city planning, and back in junior high when you were asked to write about what you might want to be, I wanted to be an architect. That was one of my three areas of interest in addition to history, and when I was first elected, I thought that in a way, I was going to get to be an architect.”

As a history major, Brainard has been a study of trends and has been able to look at things in a historical context and why particular trends happen.

“We didn’t get over 25% car ownership in this country until after World War II, and so what we [as a nation] had done — and I figured it out very quickly — is that we designed cities for cars, not people. So, how do you get a walkable, pedestri an-friendly, traditional city going, and

what were the legal and financial hurdles? My legal and financial background helped us figure that out — hence the public-pri vate partnerships.”

Lacking a guidebook on navigating a global pandemic, Brainard’s leadership saw the city through the unknowns of COVID-19, and the city continued to plan and push though the “Great Recession” of 2008 and any other turbulent or challenging times throughout his tenure. And the city has come through any and all events on the other side, stronger and even more resilient.

“I never thought we’d be dealing with something like this [pandemic] in my last term,” Brainard said. “There was no manual for that, but we came out of it as a community. We continued to work on some projects through it, and all of the construction that you see today were plans that were being made [at] the height of the pandemic. There were a lot of unknowns at that time, but we knew that we’d eventually come out of it.”

Making difficult decisions and taking a stand on social issues, albeit contro-

versial to some, has also been part of the job, and I reminded Brainard that he was the second Indiana mayor to speak out against Indiana Senate Bill 101, titled the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” (RFRA). In 2015, Brainard drafted an anti-discrimination ordinance as the city’s response to the senate bill when it was first proposed. The mayor’s anti-discrimination ordinance narrowly passed the city council 4–3 in October of 2015.

“I got a lot of calls from concerned CEO’s during that time,” Brainard recalled.

“A community can’t thrive and grow un less everybody is welcome — it just can’t. We’ve been making that point from day one: that Carmel has to be a welcoming place for every faith, place of origin and background. That’s pretty much what the country was founded on, and the city of Carmel is no different. It all seems very basic to me.”

When asked if Brainard has met all or most of his benchmarks that he set for himself in this final term, he thoughtfully replied, “Generally speaking, yes. We’re far enough along in the downtown devel

opments, and those will continue. We’ve got this great park system in place that we didn’t have until 1996, and that’s going to continue forever. What I would like to see is some internal public transit in the downtown area. We’ve been studying it, have had a lot of discussions about it and we’ve been working with a consultant. So, I’d like to see that come to fruition at some point, and hopefully, I will have an opportunity to help whoever is the next mayor with some of those things.”

Brainard concluded, “We tried to go back to the basics, and when you look back through history at the empires and cities that were successful — like classical Rome — they figured out how to move goods and people around safely and effi ciently. That hasn’t really changed much. Designing cities is still about roads, mov ing people around and bringing people to gether from different backgrounds, [and] providing good educational opportunities, and that hasn’t changed in 2,000 years. We figured out how to get our suburb focused on building a traditional city, and that’s what made the difference.”

New Epcon Communities

in Carmel and Westfield Designed With 55+ Home Buyers In Mind

If you’re 55+, you may have gotten to the point in your life where your home just doesn’t fit your lifestyle any longer. Maybe your home has much more space than you really need or you’re just tired of spending so much free time working to maintain it. If this sounds familiar, Epcon Communities offers a perfect solution to your problem with its two new lowmaintenance communities, The Courtyards of Carmel and The Courtyards of Westfield.

Although Epcon Communities is new this year to the Carmel and Westfield areas, the home build er has developed more than 60 communities in the Columbus, Ohio, area since it was founded in 1986. In addition to Columbus, Epcon Communities is also currently building in Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, and will soon be launching in Nashville, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Anyone in the 55+ age demographic who has been looking in the Carmel/Westfield area for a new home has unfortunately discovered that there are very few acceptable options. Through extensive research, Epcon Communities has captured the features most desired by homeowners and through creative design has incorporated these features into its homes. Ultimately, Epcon Communities has taken the design of luxury ranch homes that feature single-story living to a whole new level. Specifically, Epcon Communities’ homes feature open floorplans, abundant natural light and private outdoor courtyards that are designed to be a focal point of the house.

Just as importantly, with Epon Communi ties, you will be able to throw out that snow shovel and get rid of that old lawn mower, because Epcon Communities offers homes that are low maintenance.

Designing and building homes with all the features homeowners are looking for is just the first step. Equally important to the design of the home is the feel of the community itself. Epcon Communities works incredibly hard to create an enjoyable community atmosphere for the 55+ homeowner and has incorporated first-class amenities in its two newest communities. These include a clubhouse, pool, fitness center, pickleball and a bocce ball court.

THE COURTYARDS OF CARMEL

The Courtyards of Carmel is a 55+ low-maintenance community with a plan to build 149 luxury ranch homes. It is ideally located on the east side of Keystone Avenue between 136th and 146th streets. Its location makes it extremely convenient for shopping and dining because it’s just minutes from Clay Terrace, downtown Carmel’s Arts and Design District and the Monon Trail.

Presently, construction is in full swing, with the completion of the clubhouse and the first homeowner closing expected this fall. Epcon Communities recently celebrated the grand opening of a model home in The Courtyards of Carmel, which is Epcon’s first in the Indianapolis area.

Pricing of homes in The Courtyards of Carmel will start in the upper $400k range. Even before the first model home was com pleted, sales in The Courtyards of Carmel have been very strong. In fact, 30 percent of the home sites in The Courtyards of Carmel have already been sold.

In The Courtyards of Carmel, Epcon Communities offers seven different floor plans. Depending on the floorplan, homes range in size from 2 to 4 bedrooms and 1,700 to 4,000 square feet.

For those interested in making a move right away, Epcon Communities plans to have homes completed this year for quick move-ins.

THE COURTYARDS OF WESTFIELD

Although it’s not specifically restricted to ages 55+, The Courtyards of Westfield offers 89 ranch homes with the same or similar amenities and designs as the The Courtyards of Carmel, including a club house, pool, fitness center and pickleball courts. In addition, The Courtyards of Westfield’s location at Towne Road and 146th Street makes it equally convenient for shopping and dining at Clay Terrace or for accessing the Monon Trail.

Although development work for The Courtyards of Westfield isn’t quite as far along as it is for The Courtyards of Carmel, Epcon Communities is actively selling home sites at its on-site Welcome Center and is currently offering some preferred introductory pricing for early purchasers. Now would be a great time to secure a preferred home site.

If you find that your current home doesn’t quite fit your needs, contact Epcon Communities and let them show you what the two hottest developments in the Carmel/Westfield area have to offer.