September 5, 2023 — Carmel

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Founded October 24, 2006, at Carmel, IN Vol. XVIII, No. 40

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Workers of the world...

Meet the South Central District candidates

Compiled by Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

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Opinions

The views of the columnists in Current in Carmel are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.

ELECTION

Incumbent Republican Tony Green is facing a challenge in the Carmel City Council’s South Central District from Democrat Jessica Irvine.

Green, who is deputy director at Indiana Public Retirement System, joined the council in 2017 after winning a caucus and was unopposed in the 2019 general election. Irvine, senior environmental manager for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, has not previously held elected office.

What are your top three campaign issues?

Green:

1. Protecting the unique character of Carmel’s family-residential neighborhoods

2. Investing in Carmel’s existing infrastructure, especially outside of downtown Carmel

3. Investing in Carmel’s police and fire departments so that the departments keep up with the demands of the increasing population growth

Irvine:

1. Environmental sustainability

2. Smart development

3. Fiscal transparency

What are Carmel’s greatest strengths? Where do you see areas of improvement?

Green: Carmel’s strength is the high quality of life maintained by our outstanding schools, city services and amenities. Areas of improvement are the lack of a long range plan to maintain the high quality of life that we have in areas such as public safety, infrastructure and parks.

Irvine: Carmel’s greatest strengths lie in its strong sense of community, exceptional

schools and parks, public safety and opportunity for economic growth. Areas of improvement include being more transparent in our city’s spending habits, fostering more affordable housing options, and preserving green spaces when possible to ensure our city’s sustainability for future generations.

How would you describe Carmel’s financial health?

Green: Carmel is in strong fiscal shape today. This is because of the increasing stream of revenue as Carmel continues to build out and up, becoming more dense. However, the increasing stream of revenue will not last and begin to taper off while expenses to maintain services and infrastructure for a much larger population continue to grow. A plan and vision is needed for the next phase of Carmel.

Irvine: Carmel’s financial strength stems from a robust local economy, though recent debt increases slightly lowered our credit rating and may affect interest rates. To secure a stable future, reducing debt, staying within budget and investing in high-return projects are vital.

What should be the city’s role in supporting its senior citizen residents?

Green: The city should collaborate and build stronger partnerships with organizations supporting senior citizens such as PrimeLife Enrichment. With input from those organizations, the city should encourage events and activities for senior citizens while ensuring that they are accessible, affordable and safe.

Irvine: Carmel should provide accessible health care, social programs and transportation options to ensure senior citizens’ well-being, independence and active engagement in the community. Also, I would support collaborations with local organizations like PrimeLife Enrichment for partnership opportunities to help provide some of these services.

How do you determine if a proposed development or redevelopment project in Carmel is something you would support?

Green: I solicit input from citizens living

near or impacted by the proposals. I have done that by attending HOA meetings and having town hall meetings. I look at each individual proposal to determine if it is consistent with the unique character of the surrounding neighborhoods. If the density of the proposal is dramatically different from the surrounding areas or destroys large wooded areas without any mitigation, I do not support the project evident by a number of projects that I have voted against that can be found on my website.

Irvine: I would support projects that align with the long-term vision of Carmel. This includes projects that enhance our community, prioritize sustainability and green space preservation, and respect the character of the district. Collaborative engagement with residents, ensuring proper infrastructure planning and evaluating the potential economic and social benefits are key.

What do you most want voters to know about you?

Green: I have been a public servant for most of my life, being the only veteran among all the candidates having served in the military for over 30 years. I have a proven record on the city council of being an independent critical thinker who has expressed their opinion not only in words, but by actual votes consistent with my words. With a new mayor and at least six of nine first time councilors, I feel it is important to provide some continuity and continue serving the people in my district.

Irvine: With 30-plus years in Carmel, I’m a Carmel Clay Schools alum, holding degrees in public financial management and environmental policy and am currently serving as a senior environmental manager for the state. I am invested in the well-being of our community. I’m running to contribute back to the city that’s meant so much to my family. My goal is smart, efficient investment to keep Carmel thriving.

How can voters learn more about you?

Green: tonygreen4carmel.com

Irvine: irvineforcarmel.com or info@irvineforcarmel.com

You have united & decided to eat Puccini’s. We thank you.

CCS dress code aligned

By Ann Marie Shambaugh • AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

At its Aug. 28 meeting, the Carmel Clay Schools board of trustees voted to align the middle and high school dress codes, discussed leasing property for a wireless communications tower and held a public hearing on a lease rental bond.

What happened: The board voted 4-1 to approve updates to CCS school handbooks.

What it means: The biggest change was deleting the middle school dress code and replacing it with the high school version. Board member Greg Brown voted in opposition, saying he found the high school dress code “more liberal” and “rather nebulous” when compared to the middle school version. He also said he’d prefer to see the dress code “based on modesty,” which he described as “clothes that are not revealing” and “that are not exhibiting any particular characteristic of a person.” He cited female students wearing very short dresses or shorts as an example of immodesty. Board member Jennifer Nelson-Williams responded to Brown that she believed his opinion was “sexualizing girls.”

What’s next: With the middle and high school dress codes aligned, school administrators plan to continue their policy of being in communication with students and their parents to address violations.

What happened: During the public comment portion of the meeting, CCS parent Jim May presented information about a statement signed by 850 Carmel residents — including Mayor Jim Brainard — supporting the district’s school libraries, existing criteria for content selection and current process for challenging specific items.

What it means: May said he created the statement in response to Indiana HEA 1447, legislation enacted earlier this year that prohibits school libraries from providing harmful materials to students. He said “anti-public-education groups” have elsewhere attempted to use similar laws to “remove non-obscene materials” to silence specific viewpoints and groups, and the statement is an attempt to “get out ahead of the issue to help avoid it becoming a problem in our excellent school system.”

What’s next: The full statement is available to view at carmelschoolsdad.com/ ccslibraries.

What happened: The board discussed the possibility of leasing CCS property for a wireless communications structure.

What it means: The approximately 100-foot-tall tower would be built near Shelborne Fields, which is used by the Carmel Dads’ Club on property owned by CCS east of Shelborne Road and south of 126th Street.

What’s next: The Ohio-based company seeking to build the tower, which the district has not publicly named, would need approval from the City of Carmel and CCS.

What happened: The district held a public hearing on the issuance of up to $71.5 million in lease rental bonds. No members of the public spoke during the hearing.

What it means: The bounds would fund upgrades at the CHS football stadium, Cherry Tree Elementary, Creekside Middle School, Carmel Middle School, new technology equipment and miscellaneous repairs throughout the district.

What’s next: The board will hold another public hearing at its Sept. 11 meeting before taking a vote.

What happened: The board approved a change order adding $149,920 to an existing contract with JBM Contractors Corp.

What it means: In April, CCS determined it needed to add two classrooms to accommodate growth in the early childhood program at Woodbrook Elementary. After receiving quotes from multiple contractors, CCS awarded the project to JBM, which is already under contract to renovate the playground at West Clay Elementary. The change order adds the work at Woodbrook to the contract for the project at West Clay. Work to reconfigure two existing classrooms to early childhood classrooms was completed over the summer.

Hearing officer approves plans for Merchants Bank HQ expansion

A two-tenant building is planned in the heart ofdering from documents to the City of

2-tenant tavern approved

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

Plans for a tavern at the heart of The Proscenium received approval Aug. 24 from a Carmel Plan Commission hearing officer.

PROSCENIUM

The 4,500-squarefoot, one-story building is expected to house an Italian steakhouse and wine-coffee bar, although specific tenants have not been identified.

At the hearing officer meeting, Tim Hill, director of design and development for Novo Development Group, said a tavern had always been planned for the Proscenium and

that delaying its construction has allowed planners to refine the design and exact footprint of the building.

“This is like the little jewel at the center,” Hill said.

Construction on the building is expected to begin later this year. An opening date has not been announced.

Mike Hollibaugh, director of Carmel’s Department of Community Services, served as the hearing officer.

The Proscenium, on the northwest corner of Range Line Road and Carmel Drive, is an $85 million mixed-use development with office space, residential units and public green space.

County proposes offsetting state income tax to help seniors

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

tax rate will decrease incrementally from the current 3.15 percent to 2.9 percent over four years.

GOVERNMENT

The Hamilton County Council has approved an ordinance that would increase the county’s homestead property tax credit, effectively lowering property taxes for some residents, but at the same time would increase the county’s income tax.

To be implemented elected governing bodies representing more than half of the county’s population must approve it. Each community has a share of votes that reflects its population.

The county council holds 6.25 percent of LIT votes. The other communities and their share of the votes are Arcadia, .44 percent; Atlanta, .20 percent; Carmel, 28.71 percent; Cicero, 1.53 percent; Fishers, 28.49 percent; Noblesville, 20.03 percent; Sheridan, .89 percent; and Westfield, 13.36 percent.

The ordinance calls for raising the county income tax by .1 percent annually and using the revenue from that additional income tax to go toward the county’s homestead property tax credit.

The ordinance states that the new tax rate would first be applicable in 2024 and would continue until it is rescinded or modified. Hamilton County Councilmember Brad Beaver, who came up with the plan, said the intention is for the county tax increase to accompany a state income tax reduction.

State lawmakers in 2022 voted for a gradual income tax reduction over seven years. During this year’s session, however, they amended that to speed up the time frame, and now the individual state income

Beaver said the county’s income tax increase would essentially offset the state’s tax reduction, so county residents wouldn’t pay more overall than they have been.

He said the primary goal is to offer relief to senior homeowners through the homestead property tax credit. During a presentation of the ordinance to the Westfield City Council, Beaver said throughout the county, assessments continue going up. That means property taxes are rising even though the rates are not.

“The county has not raised rates in over a dozen years,” he said. “It’s my feeling that the people that are impacted the most through the double-digit (assessment) increases we’ve had over the last two to three years — who is mostly impacted by this is retired people on a fixed income.”

Beaver said the income tax increase and homestead credit increase would be phased in over the same timeframe. By the end of the process, he said, the county would have an annual revenue increase of $53 million to apply to the homestead property tax credit. That credit is available to people who own and live in a home on land not exceeding 1 acre. Rentals, commercial property and farmland are not eligible.

He plans to talk to the governing bodies of each municipality in the county to answer questions about the proposed ordinance. He said it would need approval from a majority of the county’s LIT by Oct. 1 to take effect in 2024.

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Senior striker seeks to lead Noblesville to third straight state title

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville High School boys soccer player Sam Holland, a senior striker, is taking his role as captain to heart.

“I’ve had to become a little more vocal with a younger team,” said Holland, who is one of four captains. “I’ve been trying to push everyone to their limits and make everyone be the best they possibly can to lead to another state championship. I hadn’t really done a lot of leadership (before this season). This year, I’ve taken over that. I’ve been focusing on the team more than myself. I’m trying to get them to work together because success matters more than one person.”

The Millers are seeking their third consecutive Class 3A state title.

“As a senior, the younger guys are looking up to him,” Noblesville coach Kenneth Dollaske said. “As a captain, he is getting everyone else to buy into our program

MEET SAM HOLLAND

Favorite subject: Psychology

Favorite athlete:

Favorite TV show:

Favorite musician:

culture and success. We are still figuring out who works well with Sam up top. We are young. Our other strikers are a junior, a sophomore and a freshman. He is required to do more offensively as his fellow strik ers get up to varsity speed.”

Holland led Noblesville with 13 goals last season. He has seven goals and three as sists in the first seven games for the Class 3A No. 2 Millers (4-0-3).

“He has been our offensive workhorse,”

Noblesville High School senior striker Sam Holland leads the team in goals through the first seven games. (Photo courtesy of Kyle Klimek)

go. He has good hold-up play as a striker so other players can make runs off him. His vision is quite good, and he uses his speed so well to beat defenders.”

Holland said freshman Ben Hewitt helps him as a striker. Hewitt has five goals. Holland said his club season with Indiana Fire helped prepare him for the high school season.

“We went pretty far, winning regionals and nationals,” Holland said. “We were playing a lot harder opponents and it helped me prepare for this.”

Team members are hungry to win another state title.

“When I leave, I want Noblesville to be known as a dynasty, winning three years in a row,” Holland said. “I feel with the talent we have we can pull off another title.”

Holland, who started playing at age 5, wants to play soccer in college but is still searching for the best fit.

Holland played hockey for nine years but gave it up his sophomore year. He said he didn’t want to get hurt in hockey and jeopardize missing his soccer club season and chances for college coaches to see him play.

Holland

Dollaske said. “Even when he isn’t scoring, he is the catalyst that makes our offense

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Lacrosse Coach remembered for dedication

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School boys lacrosse coach Jack Meachum was devoted to the sport.

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IN MEMORIAM

“I’ve never seen a person more dedicated to growing the sport and working with kids, True Lacrosse (travel club program) kids and kids in Carmel,” said Keith Allen, who was Meachum’s CHS assistant coach. “He was 24/7 about lacrosse. He had many conversations with many other coaches and players he used to work with about different strategies. He was tireless in supporting lacrosse in Indiana, not just Carmel.”

Meachum, 31, died in a car accident Aug. 22 on Ind. 38 near Six Points Road while driving to play hockey when his car was struck by a vehicle driven by Brennan Smith. Meachum, a Sheridan resident, died at the scene. Smith was transported to Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, where he died. Initial Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office reports indicate Smith’s vehicle, which was heading westbound, struck Meachum’s vehicle head on after crossing the center line.

CHS captured its first Indiana High School Lacrosse Association state title in eight years in June, beating Hamilton Southeastern 9-7 in the Class 2A championship. Meachum had recently been named the 2022-23 CHS Coach of the Year by his peers. He was director of True Lacrosse for Indiana.

Allen served as Meachum’s assistant for his six seasons as CHS head coach.

“I have kids nearly his age, so it hits home, not only losing him but realizing what his wife and parents are dealing with,” Allen said. “I have three boys, and my oldest is 26. My two younger boys, Mark and Erik, played for Jack (at CHS).”

Allen was suggested by other lacrosse parents to help Meachum when he started and didn’t have a complete staff. Meachum was trying to handle approximately 90 students at an opening practice.

Continued on Page 15

Meachum

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EXPERIENCE

Carmel High School lacrosse coach Jack Meachum speaks to his team. (Photo courtesy of CHS athletics)

Continued from Page 14

Meachum said other area high school teams, including Westfield, Guerin Catholic and Hamilton Southeastern, came to a vigil held Aug. 23 at Murray Stadium on the CHS campus.

Guerin Catholic boys lacrosse coach Charlie Barry helped Meachum at True Lacrosse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Barry is president of the IHSLA board while Meachum was the secretary.

“He had a great passion for the game and was very positive about it,” Barry said. “He believed in the kids more than the kids believed in themselves and believed in other coaches more than they probably believed in themselves. He believed in me more than I believed in myself at times. That’s a rare quality for any human to have. He’ll be greatly missed.”

Barry said their relationship started as just talking lacrosse.

“As time went on, it grew into a friendship. If he was having a bad day or I was having a bad day, we would reach out,” Barry said.

Shortly after winning the state title, Meachum married longtime girlfriend Bethany Best.

Meachum, who grew up in Naperville, Ill., played lacrosse at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis.

More than $63,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe account to help his widow deal with funeral and other expenses. The goal was $60,000.

For more, visit gf.me/v/c/qjzs/ jack-meachum.

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COMMUNITY

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The Children’s Art Gallery Main & Range Line For more info, call 317.571.ARTS CarmelArtsAndDesign.com

Bicentennial exhibit — The Hamilton County Bicentennial Commission traveling exhibit will be in Carmel Sept. 9 to 15 at the Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St. The exhibit celebrates the five themes of the bicentennial and showcases events, places and people. Learn more at hamcoturns200.com/events.

Learn about environmental resilience — Carmel Green Initiative is partnering with the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute to present information on a new book series focused on environmental change. Gabe Filippelli, executive director of the institute, will speak about how communities and individuals can help build a more sustainable and resilient planet during the free event, set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Carmel

Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St. Learn more by visiting carmelgreen.org.

Golf scramble fundraiser — The third annual golf scramble to benefit the Scotty Michael Foundation is set for 1 p.m. Sept. 8 at Plum Creek Golf Club, 12401 Lynnwood Blvd. in Carmel. The foundation is dedicated to assisting families after the sudden loss of an infant. Learn more and register at ScottyMichael.org.

Create What You Crave — A new series of pop-up social events will launch Sept. 7 to build a community of creatives. The inaugural Create What You Crave is set for 5:30 p.m. at Kuaba Gallery, 404 W. Main St. in Carmel. Guests can mingle with like-minded individuals looking to

explore the topic of creativity and community. The event will include a panel discussion with Alyssa Baker, owner of Riot Media and Aura Self & Soul Care; Iman Tucker, a DJ and creator of Believe Brand Co.; Jayne During, owner of Kuaba Gallery; and Anne O’Brien, panel moderator and founder of Create What You Crave. Tickets cost $22 and are available at bit.ly/45ztgn0.

Auxiliary sets world record — The Carmel Fire Auxiliary set a world record for the most people wearing red plastic fire helmets at the CarmelFest parade this year. On July 4, 14,834 parade attendees donned red plastic fire helmets and looked to the sky as a drone flew over taking a tally of participants. The total was certified by Record Setters.

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A TRULY UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE FOR THE SEASON Outdoor dining grows in popularity

Nestled next to Market District in Carmel, Osteria is a rustically refined eatery by celebrity chef, hospitality developer and TV personality Fabio Viviani. This signature venue offers seasonally inspired dishes, including elevated takes on his favorite comfort foods, as well as local craft drafts and cocktails. Osteria features housemade pastas, Neapolitan-style pizzas, barrel select bourbons, and an extensive wine list.

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By Mark Ambrogi

There may not be scenic ocean views, but the outdoor dining experience continues to grow in popularity in the Indianapolis area.

Jason Benish is vice president of operations for Huse Culinary, which includes Harry & Izzy’s on the north side of Indianapolis and HC Tavern + Kitchen and 1933 Lounge in Fishers. Huse Culinary also operates St. Elmo Steak House and Harry & Izzy’s in downtown Indianapolis.

“We used to have no overheard shelter,” Benish said of Harry & Izzy’s on 82nd Street. “It was simply sun and umbrellas. We struggled with umbrellas for a number of years. They don’t look great after a while.”

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, patrons felt safer to dine in open-air restaurants. Benish said the desire for outdoor dining started before the pandemic but grew fast in its wake.

Benish said they invested in a louvered roof system at the northern Harry & Izzy’s first and then the two Fishers restaurants.

“We can open and close the louvre based on sunlight and direction,” Benish said. “That was a great first step. From there, we found it’s still very cold in the winter outside. We took the next step to install vinyl-paneled walls in the winter months. The following season, we put in 15 outdoor heaters out there. We started to get some traction, and most of that was happening during the peak of COVID. So, there was definitely a strong interest in outdoor dining. We had a lot of success. On one of the COVID Christmas Eves, we brought in more heaters and people liked it. I think things have normalized a lot from an outdoor perspective. It’s a popular place to dine when the weather is lovely.”

There are cooling fans as well during the summer.

Benish said 18 months ago, the restaurants installed outdoor carpet to soften the space. Then they started dressing the tables with white tablecloths. “We really tried to create the comfort of the indoor dining experience and try to elevate that,” he said.

Benish said they purchased new bar stools for the high-top tabletops outside at Harry & Izzy’s.

Benish said it’s around three seasons of outdoor dining at Harry and Izzy’s and all four seasons at HC Tavern and 1933 Lounge, except for the three or four coldest weeks of the year.

Claudio Bertolini, co-owner of The Smart Pergola, said his company has installed about 40 pergolas at restaurants in Hamilton County and the north side of Indianapolis with a few more planned.

“During COVID, the restaurants were calling us because due to the social distance, they had to utilize as much space as they could,” Bertolini said. “Now, they are calling because restaurants are extremely busy and outdoor dining has boomed and become more and more popular.”

Some of the restaurants include Woody’s Library, Bar Louie and Muldoon’s in Carmel. Noblesville restaurants include Ford’s Garage and Livery at Hamilton Town center.

“Our patio has been very popular from spring going into fall,” Bar Louie bar manager Sydney Brothers said. “We have the option of having the patio enclosed and kicking on our outdoor heaters to keep the patio warm during those cool fall nights. Along with having a warm spot to sit during the cooler months, we have multiple fans that keep the space cooled off for those warmer summer days.”

HC Tavern’s outdoor dining area is popular in Fishers. (Photo courtesy of Huse Culinary)

“BestSauvignon”Cabernet

3UP will now be open Saturday afternoons. Guests can watch college football games at the rooftop bar in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of 3UP)

Sports fans have plenty of options to watch

By Mark Ambrogi

football

There are numerous options for those wishing to watch football this fall. Parks Place Pub co-owner Matt Whitlow said there are more 50 televisions at his Fishers restaurant.

“Football season is definitely the best time to come watch a game,” Whitlow said. “Saturdays and Sundays are equally packed. Colts games are the most sought after seat. We have increased steadily through the first 25 months. We are expecting 100 percent occupancy for football season this year.”

Fox 59 named Parks Place Pub the best sports bar in 2021. Whitlow said it was based on total experience.

“We have amazing food, 23 draft beers, 180-plus bourbons and 50-plus tequilas,” she said.

Anthony Lazzara, owner of Anthony’s Chophouse and 3UP in Carmel, said he expects 3Up to become a popular place to watch college football on Saturdays this fall.

“With three TVs, two indoor and one outdoor, we can accommodate all the Saturday games now that we open at noon,” said Lazzara, who said 3UP began opening at noon on Saturdays in May.

The rooftop bar is closed on Sundays.

Bar Louie is another popular spot to watch games in Carmel.

“We do have 10 TVs inside surrounding our bar and one upstairs in our mezzanine,” Bar Louie bar manager Sydney Brothers said. “We do play the sound to highly requested games. Being an Indiana bar, we always play the sound to every (Indiana) Pacers and (Indianapolis) Colts game.”

Brothers said Saturday night college games and NFL on Sunday afternoons are the most popular.

“While sitting indoors there is a view of every TV,” Brothers said. “We play every game, making it the most enjoyable for our guests who either come to watch their favorite team or root for their fantasy football players. Our mezzanine is a highly requested space for March Madness, along with the Super Bowl. The mezzanine space is the perfect spot for our sports fans to have their own private space to watch and listen to their favorite team.”

Other popular places to watch football include Joe’s Grille in Westfield and Fishers; Fox + Ale House, Brockway Pub, Danny Boy Beer Works and Pint Room in Carmel; and Birdies Grill House and Sports Bar in Westfield, among others.

There are Wolfies Grill locations in Noblesville, Fishers, Geist and Carmel. The Fishers location is a 21-and-older restaurant/bar.

Although football — and the NFL, in particular — is king, there are plenty of soccer fans who show up at Chatham Tap in Fishers to watch their favorite sport.

Where to wing it

Commentary by Mark LaFay

I love good chicken wings, and we in central Indiana are fortunate to have numerous options to get excellent wings without having to travel too far. Everyone has their own way to make wings, but often it comes down to the sauce. So, if you are looking for a great place to catch a football game and get your fingers messy, I have a list of some great options for you. If you are a boneless wing eater, a.k.a. you love chicken nuggets, never fear, you can get your fix at all these wing spots.

Fork + Ale in Carmel has a large menu with several unique and scratchmade items that can make it easy to overlook their wings, but don’t do that. Get your wings bone-in. They are naked and lightly smoked before being deep fried. It has several house-made sauces like mango habanero, Parmesan garlic and maple bacon.

Moontown Brewing in Whitestown makes delicious beers. Its crispy pilsners are lights out and a great option for washing down some tasty eats. The Moontown menu is often changing to keep things interesting, and that includes wings. Expect something seasonal and delicious here. Currently, you can expect to enjoy a naked dry-rubbed smoked wing tossed in house hot honey mustard and served with a roasted garlic aioli dipping sauce.

Crafters Pizza and Brewhouse in Carmel is always packed and for good reason. Its pizza is great. Owners Bryan and Alexis Hall love to make funky pizza topping combinations, and they are often switching out their wing sauce recipes as well! Their bone-in wings are naked, deep-fried and dry rubbed. Dip your wings in a variety of sauces, including buffalo garlic parm, Tennessee honey or sweet Thai chili. You should check out the PB&J hot wing.

Fat Dan’s in Carmel is a great place to get hot sandwiches, smoked brisket and killer fries. It is also a great spot for grabbing some wings. Fat Dan’s wings are smoked to tender perfection and dry rubbed before being tossed in the fryer to crisp up a touch. These wings are smokey and delicious, not one to miss. Enjoy these wings by watching a Cubs game. Fat Dan’s may be a Chicago-style deli, but you won’t find many White Sox fans there.

Ale Emporium is about as Indianapolis as Monument Circle. This neighborhood pub was opened in 1982 by Marc Luros, who was later joined by Herman Perryman and his daughter and son-in-law. The pub is famous for wings. It serves a deep-fried naked wing with several sauce options, but if you are eating wings at Ale Emporium, try the Hermanaki-style wings, named after Herman himself. It is a secret recipe that can only be found here.

Mark LaFay is a butcher, certified sommelier and founder of Old Major Market, 4021 Millersville Rd., Suite 107A, Indianapolis

Everyone has their own way to make wings, but often it comes down to the sauce.

(Stock photo/Unsplash)

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St. Elmo executive chef Holmes embraces his dream job

By Mark Ambrogi

Jeremy Holmes understands he is blessed to be the executive chef at perhaps the most well-known restaurant in Indiana.

“We’ve been here since 1902,” Holmes said of St. Elmo Steak House in downtown Indianapolis.

“I definitely wear that badge proudly and I don’t take it for granted,” the 45-year-old Fishers resident said. “I know that I have a job that a lot of people want. I come to work every single day proud of that and make sure I do my best to my ability to keep that. You never know who is going to walk through the doors. I’ve seen (everyone) from Ciara to Shaquille O’Neal to John Travolta.”

Holmes enjoyed meeting former San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

“He and I had a deep conversation because I saw one of his pieces on HBO, how he was raised in the South,” Holmes said. “His family grew up on a plantation, and that kind of resonated with me. So, I talked to him in the 1933 Lounge (in the upstairs of the restaurant) about how his piece touched me and he reminded me of my hometown (in Mississippi), you know, so he and I connected a little bit for that short period of 15-minute conversation.”

Holmes also has appreciated his interactions with former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning through the years.

“He’s such a down-to-earth guy, really cool, really nice,” Holmes said. “(When) word gets out when Peyton is in town, we get a crowd forming outside.”

One of his favorite customers is CBS sports broadcaster Jim Nantz.

“He’s a great guy,” Holmes said. “He’s a fan of St. Elmo. He talks it up on the air and put it in his book. When he’s in town, he makes it a point to come in here, and he and I are on a first-name basis.”

Holmes has been at St. Elmo for 24 years. He moved to Indianapolis with his cousin in 1996 from Mississippi, the day after he graduated from high school.

“I had three older brothers living here, and two of them were in the restaurant industry,” he said. “So, we technically had a job waiting on us when he moved here. Taco Bell was my first job.”

He worked at Taco Bell for about a year before picking up a second job at an Arby’s. He then moved into a prep cook role at an Outback Steakhouse.

“One of my brothers was the assistant kitchen manager (at St. Elmo) and recruited me here in April of 1999, and I’ve been here ever since,” he said.

Holmes started as a pantry chef and worked his way around all the stations. He was a sous chef at the catering business for about two years. He got the position of lead boiler cook before moving into the executive chef position in 2010.

Holmes said his specialty is pasta.

“On my days off, I make some kind of pasta dish,” Holmes said. “It’s not typically something you should eat every day, but it’s my guilty pleasure.”

Holmes, however, cooks plenty of steaks.

“I’m still one of the best grill cooks here, if not the best,” he said. “Every once in a while, I have to get back there and show them who is the top dog.”

His biggest duty is overseeing the entire operation.

“Lately, I’ve been working the grill with the guys because we got understaffed a little bit or somebody called in sick or for whatever reason,” he said. “So, I jump in and then when I’m back there, it’s like being back home. I do kind of miss it a little bit. But I’m not missing doing it five days a week anymore.”

St. Elmo is a place where many employees stay for years, Holmes said. The Legends room features paintings of employees who have been there 30 years or more.

“Every year, we have dinner for those (who have been) here 20 years or more and it’s like 30 people,” he said. “People typically don’t leave because Steve and Craig (Huse) are great owners to work for. Their goal is to make each person feel they are part of something great and what we’re building here.”

Jeremy Holmes is the executive chef at St. Elmo Steak House. (Photo courtesy of Huse Culinary)

Bier Brewery gears up for fall celebrations

By Mark LaFay

Bier Brewery has been making popular beer since 2010. Founded by Darren Connor with the support of his father, Jerry Connor, the brewery initially launched with a 55-gallon brewing system and quickly won the hearts and palates of Indiana beer drinkers.

The brewery’s incremental approach to growth has created success for the Connor’s. Patience is a key ingredient to longevity, especially in the beer business, which is often considered congested. Bier’s brews can now be found in stores, bars — including its Carmel pub location and restaurants across the state.

Bier Brewery Carmel pub is the brewery’s first expansion outside of its home base of Indianapolis. The brewpub has a neighborhoodbar atmosphere and a full menu of food options provided by Fox Lane. It is a unique approach to operating a brewpub, one that allows the craftsmen to focus on their respective crafts.

Besides indoor seating, Bier Carmel has a spacious patio that can accommodate 50-plus guests. It also has heaters and a fire pit.

“Bier Brewery Carmel has some new things coming this fall that we are excited to announce,” said Leah Conner, co-owner of Bier Brewery. “We are hosting our first Oktoberfest parking lot party in October, and we will officially be open on Mondays starting Oct. 2 with Kolsch service.”

This fall, guests need to try Bier Brewery’s seasonal märzen, a German amber traditionally served at the Munich Oktoberfest. The brewery’s pumpkin ale is also a seasonal favorite and has often been compared in flavor to be like drinking liquid pumpkin pie. The Oktoberfest party is Oct. 7. There will be fest-style food, Oktoberfest beer, stein-holding contests, dog races, live music and more. Guests are encouraged to wear lederhosen or dirndl.

Bier Brewery Carmel is planning an Oktoberfest party Oct. 7. (Photo courtesy of Bier Brewery)

Tuttle Orchard celebrates 95 years of fall fun

By Ann Marie Shambaugh

After 95 years in business, Tuttle Orchard in Greenfield has built a generational fan base.

“We have so many customers that it’s their family tradition to be out there every fall,” said Kelly Wenning, the orchard’s marketing coordinator. “Things have evolved over the years and changed as we’ve added new opportunities, but it’s always fun hearing the stories and the memories they have.”

This year, many traditional favorites — such as apple picking, a pumpkin patch, corn maze and Tractor Town play area — have returned. Fall hours in September and October are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and for the first time the grill will be open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Previously, it only operated on Saturdays.

Some offerings at the orchard, which is in its fourth generation of family ownership, vary by the week. For example, sunflowers tend to peak in late August or early September, Wenning said, while the pumpkin patch won’t be available until Sept. 22. Most of the best apples from the orchard are gone by October, she said.

Playdates at the Orchard are set for Sept. 5 to 8. The event includes a discounted combination pass for the play area, hayride, corn maze and flower picking

garden. Tuttle Orchard does not have any school groups or other field trips scheduled to visit that week.

“If (families) are wanting to play in a quieter atmosphere, that’s a good week to come,” Wenning said. “(Participants) can do a free apple-themed kids craft, and we’re doing an apple-themed storytime at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. every day.”

Tuttle Orchard has special events scheduled throughout the fall, including the Caramel Apple Festival on Sept. 9 and 16. The store carries the dipped treats throughout the season, but during the festival guests can create their own caramel apple combination and roll it in a wider variety of toppings than usually available.

Tuttle Orchard is open year-round, but Wenning said fall is its busiest season.

“Fall is definitely the biggest time around here,” she said.

Cost to visit the sunflower fields, Tractor Town, corn maze and hayride is $7 each. Combination passes to visit all attractions are $14 each. Season passes valid for September and October cost $30. General admission and parking are free.

Tuttle Orchard is at 5717 N 300 W in Greenfield. Learn more at IndianapolisOrchard.com.

Area orchards and pumpkin patches

DULL’S PUMPKIN HARVEST

1765 W. Blubaugh Ave., Thorntown

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday Sept. 23 to Oct. 29; also open 1 to 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays starting Oct. 5

Learn more: dullstreefarm.com/PumpkinHarvest

STUCKEY FARM

19975 Hamilton Boone County Rd., Sheridan

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

Learn more: stuckeyfarm.com

PINEY ACRES FARM – FALL ON THE FARM

1115 East 1000 North, Fortville

Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday Sept. 23 to Oct. 30

Learn more: pineyacresfarm.com/fall-fun

RUSSELL FARMS

12290 E. 191st St., Noblesville

Hours: Vary by day.

Learn more: russell-farms.com/admission.html for details.

SMITH FAMILY FARMS

7055 W 675 S, Pendleton

Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October

Learn more: smithfamilyfarms.com/pumpkin-patch

WISEWOOD FARM

50 W. 250 S. Lebanon

Hours: Fall Fest from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 1, 8, 15

Learn more: wisewoodfarm.com

Tuttle Orchards offers a variety of caramel apples during the fall season. (Photo courtesy of Tuttle Orhcards)

Local wineries offer homegrown Hoosier options

By Leila Kheiry

The Hoosier state might be known for pigs and corn, but it’s also home to more than 100 wineries, some growing their own grapes in addition to importing fruit from more established wine-producing states.

Native Hoosier grapes have natural resistance to Midwestern weather, and scientists at places like Purdue University have crossed traditional varieties from Europe and the West Coast with native grapes to create vines than can handle Indiana’s cold winters and produce grapes during the area’s comparatively short growing season.

Locally, there are quite a few businesses to choose from that offer Hoosier-made wine. In the Geist area, for example, is Daniel’s Family Vineyard and Winery, 9061 N. 700 W., McCordsville.

Winemaker Blake Trobaugh said the vineyard has about 22 acres of vines, and it — like other vineyards in the state — grows hybrid grapes that can handle Indiana’s weather.

“Your more traditional varieties like cabernet, they’re not cold-hardy enough, and they don’t have any sort of (local) disease resistance,” he said.

Daniel’s also grows native grapes, Trobaugh said, such as Concord and traminette. Both produce sweet wines. Daniel’s offers dry wines from their hybrid vines and imports whole fruit from the West Coast to make traditional wines like cabernet or pinot noir.

Daniel’s wines can be bought at the vineyard, which also has a tasting room and event space, and at various liquor and wine stores in the area.

Trobaugh said with fall fast approaching, he recommends their Gewurtztraminer, a semi-sweet white wine. He said the acidity and the slightly sweet notes pair well with a heavier meal, such as Thanksgiving.

“Also, if you’re having anything spicy in the fall, whenever it’s football season, you got the pregame chili on or whatever, it’s a great kind of balance for that too,” he said.

For red-wine fans, Trobaugh said they will have a pinot noir available in November, adding that their canned wines and wine spritzers are perfect for tailgate parties. For more, visit danielsvineyard.com.

Sugar Creek Winery, 1111 West Main St. in Carmel, is another local winery that grows its own grapes, albeit on a smaller scale. Co-owner David Phillips said their vineyard totals about three acres in Montgomery County east of Crawfordsville.

Phillips said they had their first commercial harvest in 2015 and opened their tasting room in September of 2018. They offer wine by the glass, bottles for sale and guided tastings for those who aren’t sure what they want.

Sugar Creek Winery has front and back patio space, live music on the weekends, trivia nights and music bingo, and offers the space for events. They don’t have a kitchen, but customers can bring carryout or buy some of the limited snack items.

Like other Indiana wineries, Phillips said Sugar Creek grows hybrid varieties, such as Brianna.

“It’s a hybrid out of the University of Minnesota,” he said. “It makes a very floral, nice white. All of the ones that I grow. I make them either semi-sweet or sweet. I think that those varieties, in my taste, tend to work better (for sweet wine).”

Sugar Creek imports fruit or juice to make its other wines. Whole fruit is better for reds, he said, because fermenting with the skin helps the flavor.

Phillips said white wines are preferable in the summer because they’re served slightly cold. For the upcoming cooler fall weather, he recommends Sugar Creek’s Holiday Wine. That’s a spiced red wine, which is not the same as their mulled wine.

“Our mulled wine has a base of apple cider with wine added to it and a bunch of a bunch of seasonal spices and we serve it hot,” he said. “Whereas the Holiday Wine is a true wine that’s been fortified with small amount of port. We call it Christmas in a glass. It’s what everybody’s grandmother’s kitchen used to smell like in the holidays.”

The Holiday Wine is a nice red with hints of cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Phillips said they will introduce that wine at their Carmel tasting room in October. For more, visit sugarcreekwinery.com.

Other local wineries to try:

Fall is a great time for a glass (or two) of wine. Here are a few more local wineries to check out that aren’t too far from home:

PEACE WATER WINERY, 37 W Main St, Carmel

URBAN VINES WINERY, 303 E 161st St, Westfield

SPENCER FARM WINERY, 7015 E 161st St, Noblesville

HOPWOOD WINERY, 12 E Cedar St, Zionsville

COUNTRY MOON WINERY, 16222 Prairie Baptist Rd, Noblesville

Winemaker Blake Trobaugh of Daniel’s Family Vineyard and Winery in McCordsville examines grapes that are almost ready to harvest (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

David Phillips of Sugar Creek Winery in Carmel holds a glass of their popular spiced Holiday Wine. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

Where to celebrate Oktoberfest as fall approaches

Commentary by Mark LaFay

Nothing kicks off the start of fall quite like Oktoberfest, but do you know what Oktoberfest is all about? The original event was a celebration of the marriage of German Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on Oct. 12, 1810. To celebrate their nuptials, they invited the public to join them for a massive party. Every year since, more events, activities and celebrations were added for anniversary celebrations. The event ultimately grew to become an annual event and the date was pushed forward to September to take advantage of longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures.

Oktoberfest has evolved through the years to become a celebration of agriculture, friendship, German culture, food, family and life in general. The event still pays homage to its roots. Each year since 1850, to kick off the party in Germany, a parade proceeds through the streets of Munich to the Oktoberfest grounds to honor the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.

Oktoberfest has become popular in Western cultures in recent decades. Coupled with the explosion of beer culture in America and our penchant for co-opting the traditions of our cultural heritage, Oktoberfest celebrations have begun to pop up in greater concentration domestically.

“Moontown Oktoberfest is first and foremost a celebration of beer, especially German beer,” said Bobby Mattingly, proprietor of Moontown Brewing Co. in Whitestown. “Lager is a passion of ours and we show it by tapping a handful of them, including our awardwinning Oktoberfest lager. On top of the beer, it’s a gathering of friends, family and a big portion of the Whitestown community. We’re proud to have this event every year. It’s my favorite event we do at Moontown.”

What’s not to love about food, friends, family, beer and the fall season?

We have done our best to assemble a comprehensive list of Oktoberfest celebrations in the area. Grab your lederhosen or dirndl and head on out with family and friends to enjoy food, beer, live music and the commencement of fall in the Midwest!

CARMEL OKTOBERFEST

Location: Carmel City Center

Date: Oct. 6

Time: 6 to 10 p.m.

Details: Beer, food, live music, all ages welcome

GRAND JUNCTION OKTOBERFEST

Location: 1189 E 181st St, Westfield

Date: Sept. 9

Time: Noon to 10 p.m.

Details: Music, beer, food, contests and activities for kids. All ages welcome

BIER CARMEL OKTOBERFEST

Location: 13720 N. Meridian St, Carmel

Date: Oct. 7

Details: Bier-stein holding contest, dog races, live music and more

MOONTOWN BREWING OKTOBERFEST

Location: 345 S. Bowers St., Whitestown

Date: Sept. 30

Time: 2 to 11 p.m.

Details: Live music, food, stein-holding contest, best dressed contest

ST THOMAS ACQUINAS PUMPKIN FEST & OKTOBERFEST

Location: 1870 W. Oak Street, Zionsville

Date: Oct. 7

Time: Pumpkin Fest 2 to 6 p.m.; Oktoberfest 6:30 p.m. to Midnight

Details: Pumpkinfest will have food, hayrides, face painting, pumpkins for kids. Oktoberfest starts at 6 p.m. with food, dancing, and music for guests 21 and older.

PRIMEVAL BREWING OKTOBERFEST.

Location: 960 Logan St., Noblesville

Date: Sept. 8-9

Time: 4 to 11 p.m. Sept. 8, noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 9

Details: Food, beer tapping, live music, wear traditional apparel, indoor/ outdoor games, all ages welcome

GUGGMAN HAUS BREWING OKTOBERFEST

Location: 1701 Gent Ave., Indianapolis

Dates/times: 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15, 1 to 9 p.m. Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 17

Details: Live music, stein-holding contest, cookie decoration, run, food, beer

Oktoberfest started as a marriage celebration in 1810. (Photo courtesy of Moon Town Brewing)

Women speakers to share inspiring stories

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Katie Vigil learned about “That’s What She Said” when living in Champaign-Urbana, Ill.

Jennifer Johnson, Cicero; Brandi Bruemmer, Indianapolis: Heather Hughet, Mooresville; and Becca Goldsberry, Greenwood.

The first show was in Champaign-Urbana, Ill., in 2013. Several other cities have held shows through the years.

“Being on stage with so many amazing women was something I didn’t want to pass up. I’m hopeful that by doing so, other women feel empowered to share their stories.”

EVENT

“It’s women from all walks of life with very inspiring, uplifting stories,” she said.

So, when Vigil moved to Zionsville in 2019, she determined she wanted to bring it to the Indianapolis area.

Vigil is the regional producer of the “That’s What She Said” program, set for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The show is the first in the Indianapolis area. The program is part of The She Said Project.

Ten speakers will present for 8 to 10 minutes. Part of the proceeds will support Kids Voice Indiana.

“The purpose is to elevate women’s voices,” Vigil said.

Besides Vigil, the speakers are Cara Dalton, Fortville; Kelli Caughman, Fortville; Myra Levine, Noblesvile; Lisa Brandenburg, Westfield; Michelle Derleth, Noblesville;

Vigil

“I’ll be talking about some of the personal struggles that I’ve had that have led me to where I am today,” Vigil said.

Levine said she will discuss what she describes as her “ridiculous path” to motherhood.

“I feel honored to be in the program and tell a story that means so much to me,” she said. “When I was 10 years old, I accepted that only pretty, thin, blonde girls get to be wives and mothers, and sadly I would have to be satisfied with fabulous wealth. I turned out to be wrong on all counts.”

A former Westfield resident, Levine moved to Noblesville last year. In 2022, she spoke at “Listen to Your Mother,” a Mother’s Day show in Indianapolis.

Brandenburg said she was asked by Vigil if she would share her story.

“When she explained the premise behind the show, I was all in,” Brandenburg said.

Brandenburg tells the story of moving to Indiana during the pandemic.

Dalton said she loves the concept and mission of The She Said Project.

“I have attended multiple events in Champaign where the program originated, while living there for 10 years,” Dalton said. “I will be talking about my story of motherhood.”

Derleth said she wants to share how a positive mindset can change the outcome.

“I was paralyzed from the neck down 22 months ago following a back surgery that triggered an auto-immune response in my body, Guillain-Barré syndrome,” Derleth said. “I have persevered through after a neurologist told me I would likely never walk again. Guillain-Barré syndrome has not kept me down. I am walking today, with the assistance of a cane and a heck of a lot of hard work. I’m on a journey to finding the new me.”

For more, visit shesaidproject.com. For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION CLINICS

September 13 and 27 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Hamilton County Health Department

18030 Foundation Drive, Noblesville

Those interested in participating are asked to register in advance at: patients.vaxcare.com/registration

• Parents need to enter the code IN15561 and then select their preferred date.

• Families should provide insurance information if available.

• There is an eight-dollar administration fee per vaccine for those who are uninsured or underinsured.

• Clinics are open to children ages five and older.

Indiana school children going into kindergarten, sixth grade, and 12th grade are required to receive age-specific immunizations prior to school starting.

A full list of immunizations required and recommended for school can be found here. https://ow.ly/ztEe50PekAK

ON THE SAME PAGE

PAC urges community to unite in support of renewing Carmel Clay Schools’ operating referendum

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

In recent years, certain aspects of public education have led to deep partisan divides. In Carmel, a newly formed political action committee is working to make sure the school district’s operating referendum isn’t one of them.

Yes for CCS PAC is chaired by Nicki McNally, a Democrat, and Stephanie Flittner, a Republican, who both feel it’s important for the community to do its part to help keep Carmel Clay Schools among the best in the state.

“The referendum should be nonpolitical. Supporting our schools and agreeing they’re a backbone and one of the pillars of our community is pretty much a non-partisan issue,” Flittner said. “We didn’t want to turn (the referendum) into a political battleground.”

On Nov. 7, Carmel residents will vote on whether to extend the CCS operating referendum for eight years, which would maintain the existing referendum tax rate of 19 cents per $100 of assessed property value. That rate has been in effect since 2017, when nearly 90 percent of Carmel voters approved it. It equates to approximately $433 annually for a home valued at $400,000.

McNally said she expects the political climate to lead to more pushback on the referendum this time around and hopes at least 70 percent of voters approve the renewal.

“The political landscape has shifted and schools have been politicized,” McNally said. “What we’re trying to show by working together as two people with polar opposite views on other political issues is (supporting schools) is really important to everyone in our community.”

The operating referendum produces $24 million annually for CCS, which is approximately 20 percent of the education fund primarily used to pay teachers and provide benefits. Without the referendum, CCS would be forced to make deep cuts to its

teaching staff, significantly increase class sizes and cut a variety of programs.

“When it comes down to taking $25 million away, it comes down to pay and benefits,” CCS Supt. Michael Beresford said. “There’s nothing we could cut outside of employees that would amount to $25 million.”

CCS receives the second-lowest amount of funding from the state per pupil, an amount based on a formula that heavily factors area poverty rates. Most other school districts in Hamilton County have referendum tax rates, and the total CCS tax rate of 86 cents per $100 of assessed property value will remain the lowest in Hamilton County even if the operating referendum is renewed.

In 2018, the first year CCS collected taxes from the operating referendum at its current rate, the district received $17.6 million. The total collected by the district has increased each year as property values have

risen, even as the tax rate has remained the same. Roger McMichael, CCS associate superintendent of business affairs, said the constant rate helps CCS keep up with inflation and that if assessed values continually grow more than expected — as they did this year — the district would consider collecting only a portion of the referendum tax.

McNally said top-ranked schools are a major factor in why many people move to Carmel and help property values remain strong. That’s among the reasons the Carmel City Council approved a resolution Aug. 7 in support of the referendum, which has also been endorsed by the OneZone chamber of commerce.

Despite the public support for the referendum, Beresford said two major concerns.

“There’s a tendency in a district like ours to think, ‘Oh, I don’t need to vote. The schools will be OK. This is Carmel.’ I can guarantee people who are against (the ref-

VOTING INFORMATION

To cast a ballot in the general election, voters must register by Oct. 10. Visit hamiltoncounty.in.gov/383/ Voter-Registration or call 317-776-9632 to learn more. Early voting begins Oct. 11. Voters must show identification (Indiana driver’s license, state ID, passport or military ID) to cast a ballot. Check voter registration status at indianavoters.in.gov.

erendum) show up and vote. So it’s really important our community isn’t apathetic about this,” he said. “The other part is misinformation. I imagine there will be a lot of misinformation kicked around.”

Beresford said he’s not aware of organized support against the referendum. He encourages anyone with questions or concerns to reach out to CCS or visit its operating referendum website at ccs.k12.in.us/ services/business/referendums/operating.

OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN MORE

Carmel Clay Schools will hold community meetings at 6 p.m. Sept. 20 (Clay Middle School), Sept. 21 (Carmel Middle School) and Sept. 28 (Creekside Middle School) to provide information about the referendum and answer questions. Registration is not required.

The Yes for CCS political action committee will hold a volunteer kickoff meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 12 at COhatch, 38 W. Main St. in Carmel.

Volunteer roles include delivering yard signs and providing information at community events and polling locations. Learn more about the PAC at YesforCCS.org.

McNally

Flittner

Beresford McMichael

ON THE COVER: Kristen Leonard, left, a teacher at Carmel Middle School, works with sixth-grade student Madison Bowers. (Photo by Adam Seif)

Carmel Middle School teacher Leslie Karpiuk, left, works with an eighth-grade student. (Photo by Adam Seif)

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Carmel Chick-fil-A nears opening

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Evan Williamson began working at the Chick-fil-A in Noblesville while in high school. The 2007 Noblesville High School graduate then worked summers there while in college.

COMING SOON

“I developed a passion for it and loved every day coming to work and serving our guests and working in a fast-paced environment,” he said. “I thought I could do this the rest of my life. I went into the corporate world for a little while and realized there was nothing quite like Chick-fil-A.”

Williamson, a 34-year-old Zionsville resident, will open the first Chick-fil-A in Carmel at 9965 N. Michigan Rd. in late September or early October.

He and his wife, Lauren, a 2007 Carmel High School graduate, met while in high school and went to Indiana University. They moved to Denver for a corporate job but came back to Indiana when they wanted to start a family.

“We took over a Chick-fil-A from an existing owner in Terre Haute in November 2018,”

Williamson said. “But we wanted to get closer to him. We had this opportunity to open a brand-new restaurant in Carmel to be close to family. We gave up ownership of the Terre Haute restaurant July 31.”

Lauren owns the Carmel and Zionsville location of Pure Barre, a fitness studio, The couple met in eighth grade when they were both volunteering at Conner Prairie as interpreters and dated through high school. They have two daughters, Avery, 3, and Amelia, 1.

Let

us trick out your ride!

Michael Bogers Vice President, Commercial Banking 317-261-0248

Carole Veatch Vice President, Treasury Management

Jason Millet Vice President, Private Banking

Evan Williamson pauses in front of Chick-fil-A in Carmel, which is set to open in late September or early October. (Photo courtesy of Evan Williamson)

Ground broken for medical facility

By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.com

health needs addressed in a single building.

“We’ve always been about trying to integrate the services into one location so the patients aren’t out shopping for this (service) and that one,” Suh said.

THE BRIDGES

Officials from Cornerstone Companies and Urology of Indiana joined city leaders Aug. 21 to break ground for The Bridges medical office building at 11380 Illinois St.

Joining Urology of Indiana as tenants in the 50,000-square-foot building will be Northwest Radiology and Integrated Cancer Care. Ronald Suh, president of Urology of Indiana, said patients can have multiple

Taggart Birge, CEO and president of Cornerstone, said the company has been developing health care facilities for 40 years in 25 states. The Carmel project is expected to be complete by the fall of 2024.

“It’s going to be a dynamite project in a great location and serve the Carmel community for the next 30 to 40 years,” Birge said.

Officials break ground Aug. 21 on The Bridges medical office building. (Photo courtesy of Cornerstone)

Inconvenience of facing truth

Commentary by Terry Anker

“I want the truth,” demanded the zealous, perhaps conceited, Tom Cruise in the 1992 military courtroom drama, “A Few Good Men.” Jack Nicholson famously shouted back, “You can’t handle the truth.” Nicholson went on to lecture the much younger and more idealistic Cruise on the hard realities of protecting these United States from our very dangerous foreign enemies. Naturally, the crusading Cruise was unaffected and went on to win his point and the film’s female star, Demi Moore. In 120 minutes, our moral precepts were challenged and vindicated. We left the theater smugly secure that we’d make a good ethical choice even if it were to directly put us, our homes and families into harm’s way.

ESSAY

living rooms? It is easier to overlook that which we choose not to see. Still, there seems to be an intentional disconnect between our stated desire to associate with moral, right-minded folks and how we tend to live in the real world.

We vote for politicians who may not be the paragons of moral virtue we might hope them to be. We sing along with performers often accused, and too often convicted, of significant crimes. We spend our free time with our families watching sports stars whose own dedication to family values is notoriously in question. If the charming, then-young Cruise had been in the Nicholson role and vice versa, would the outcome have been the same? It feels good to claim moral superiority and also to win. But is it ever OK to intentionally not know the truth?

Maybe it was the result of Nicholson Academy Award-nominated performance, but his pushback also stuck with moviegoers. How much terrible are we willing to overlook to gain the advantage of superior competence? Do we tolerate more in Guantanamo Bay than we would in our own

A dog day afternoon

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

It never fails. Whenever my husband Doo goes out of town and I’m anticipating a few days of beautiful alone time, the proverbial stuff hits the fan. Kids, house, weather — some crisis ensues, and I’m left to deal with it. Recently, while my husband Doo was at his fantasy draft, it was our Lab Libby who frustrated my weekend.

HUMOR

Our younger son had noticed that she was acting weird. Labored breathing, constant licking of a bald patch on her dog elbow, and a warm nose. “But I’m headed downtown for a birthday party, so good luck, Mom!” When I got home from school, sure enough, Libby would not stop panting, even though she’d been lying around in the AC all day. She didn’t eat dinner and kept trying to crawl under tables. I was certain she was dying and wouldn’t survive the night. Naturally, I blamed Doo. How dare he leave me to deal with this! Rude.

Luckily, Libby made it to morning, but our vet had us go directly to the ER, fueling my worst fears. Two hours and $1,300 later, though, we left with a mostly healthy, albeit extremely irritable 80-pound dog, unable to walk straight due to a SETI-sized satellite

dish around her head. Apparently, she’s in good shape for an 11-year-old, except for a nasty ear infection and nagging arthritis. It took the rest of the day for the painkillers and antibiotics to work, and the poor thing kept getting stuck in corners and on doorframes, but she’ll live!

Unfortunately, my highly anticipated weekend of relaxation couldn’t say the same. And I completely blame Doo for leaving town. Just plain rude.

Peace out.

Danielle Wilson is a contributing columnist. You may email her at info@youarecurrent.com.

Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent. com.

“Two hours and $1,300 later, though, we left with a mostly healthy, albeit extremely irritable 80-pound dog, unable to walk straight due to a SETI-sized satellite dish around her head.”

– DANIELLE WILSON

Putting the squeeze on juicing

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

Several years ago, some guy 85 years old was hawking a contraption on TV. He said that because he drinks fresh-squeezed juice every day, he fathered triplets — not a motivating factor for me to start juicing. In fact, I’m going to lay off the juice when I turn 78. My wife, Mary Ellen, will be 74 at that point, but I’m taking the V8 away from her.

HUMOR

My long association with juice has made me a keen observer of some fruit juice conundrums. Let me share a few:

• Why is there no raisin juice? There is prune juice, which is from driedup plums. Why not raisin juice? Just dried up grapes. Sounds good.

• Why is there no plum juice? If you can get juice out of a prune, you sure can squeeze it out of a plum.

• How come apple juice has 100 percent vitamin C, but on the apple cider label, it says there is no Vitamin C? Where did the vitamin C go? Let’s get it back.

• If vegetables are fat free, why is vegetable oil 100 percent fat?

• How come there is no cantaloupe juice? Cantaloupes are just waiting to be squeezed. It’s cruel and inhumane, like not milking a cow.

• Does white grape juice stain like blue grape juice, but you just can’t see the stain? This will keep you up all night, so don’t think about it too much.

• There’s a lot of talk about acai juice, but I won’t order something I’m not sure how to pronounce. That’s why I’ve never had a gyro or aioli.

• Why can’t I get grape juice with pulp?

• Some orange juice has no pulp. What did they do with the pulp? I wouldn’t mind buying some extra pulp. I’d put

it in my grape juice.

• How did lemonade become such a hit? Who handled the PR for limeade, anyway? By the way, why is a lemon shakeup at the Fair $9? If you filled up your car tank with that lemonade, it would cost about $500.

• If the orange juice I buy is 100 percent juice, then what is concentrate? Five hundred percent juice?

• You can buy fresh orange juice and fresh grapefruit juice, but not fresh grape juice. You can also buy grape juice in a frozen concentrate. So, why not wine from frozen concentrate? “Shark Tank,” here I come.

• There is no banana juice. You can’t squeeze juice out of a banana. But there’s almond milk. Go figure.

• Guava and mango, those fruits make two great juices. I’m told that one is a good remedy for constipation, the other for diarrhea. I forget which is which. I better figure that out before we go to Mexico this winter.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES

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Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.

“There is no banana juice. You can’t squeeze juice out of a banana. But there’s almond milk. Go figure.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

Artmobilia motors into Carmel with new date and some new features

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Artmobilia returns with a new date and some new features.

‘GRUMPY OLD MEN’

“Grumpy Old Men” runs through Oct. 1 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

EVENTS

“Historically, it’s been the last weekend in August, and due to some general conflicts, we moved it to the weekend after Labor Day,” Artmobilia event director and founder John Leonard said.

Artmobilia, which started in 2008, is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 9 in the Carmel Arts & Design District.

“We may have interest in moving (it later) into the fall, but we’ll see how this one goes,” Leonard said. “Maybe it won’t be quite as hot. I’m also seeing a way to incorporate the Center for the Performing Arts. It’s not really available until the end of September, but the intent is to push it out a bit.”

One new feature is that there will be a variety of Mercedes-Benz cars on display. The Mercedes Monumental Classic Car Show is presented by the Mercedes-Benz Club of America.

“They are having a national meeting in Indianapolis around the time of the event,” Leonard said. “Their cars will be on the south edge of Range Line Road.”

Leonard said Artmobilia also has expanded into Midtown.

“We’ve been wanting to do that for a while because Midtown is gorgeous,” Leonard said. “We’re going to locate Lotus cars from the Monon Plaza to Main Street.”

There will be an awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 for Mercedes-Benz, Lotus, BMW and Porsche entries.

“We’ll bring up the best in group winner in each and then go through our standard award ceremony,” Leonard said.

There also is a change in the event before Artmobilia.

Veloce will begin at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 in the Jet Access Center at the Indianapolis Executive Airport in Zionsville. It replaces Fuelicious, which was previously held the night before Artmobilia.

“We wanted to make the event more accessible,” Leonard said. “In the past, the tickets have started at $250 and gone up. We decided to change it up. We want to do something a little less expensive. We changed the name to Veloce, which means speed in Italian. There will be planes and super-fast cars. There will be small plates and an open bar. It will be a lot of fun.”

Tickets for Veloce are $175.

“In the past, we’ve only sold tables, so you had to buy 10 tickets at a time,” he said. “This year, we’re selling (individual) tickets, tables and lounges.”

Leonard said if tables weren’t sold in the past, they might have sold individual tickets in the final two weeks before the

event.

“If you are into speed, that’s the event for you,” Leonard said.

The Shift Road Rally is set to start at 9 a.m., Sept. 10, starting at the Motor District, which is private garages in Westfield, and concludes at the Silo Auto Club and Conservancy in Indianapolis. The drive, which goes through Carmel, is about 200 miles.

There also will be a Mercedes-Benz rally that goes in the opposite direction of the Shift Rally the same day.

The club also has a short rally Sept. 8, but those events are more specifically for Mercedes-Benz members, Leonard said. For more, visit artomobilia.org.

“A Collective Cy” Brittany Brumfield presents Baby Grand Dueling Pianos at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7, and Jeff Harnar presents his tribute to songwriter Cy Coleman at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7-8 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

RUSSELL DICKERSON

Country singer Russell Dickerson will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in Fishers. For tickets, visit npdamp.com/198/Russell-Dickerson

DISPATCHES

ATI announces 2023-24 season – Actors Theatre of Indiana’s 2023-24 season kicks off with “ATI’s Greatest Hits” Oct. 28 at the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The show will feature tunes from past ATI productions, several performed by the same actors who brought the hits to life. ATI’s annual fundraiser, Cocktails, Comedy and Costumes, returns Dec. 1. “ATI’s Christmas Show” is set for Dec. 13 to 17 with more details on the performances to come. The new season will wrap up with “Forbidden Broadway” from April 26 through May 12 at the Studio Theater. For more, visit atistage.org.

GHDT single tickets to go on sale Sept. 11 – Single tickets go on sale beginning Sept. 11 for the 2023-24 season of performances for the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre. The theater announced the upcoming season with the presentation of culturally inspired new artistic works as well as the return of audience favorites, including “Pinocchio!,” “La Llorona” and “The Wild Wild West” at two venues, The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel and The Florence inside the The Academy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel. For full schedule, vist gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

Artmobilia is set for 11 a.m. Sept. 9 at the Carmel Arts and Design District. (Photos courtesy of Beth Maier)

NIGHT & DAY

‘Ghost hunter’ to speak

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Amy Bruni’s interest in the paranormal started early.

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be examples of the evidence I’ve captured, stories of haunted locations,” Bruni said. “It will be super interactive. People can ask me anything about ghosts and hauntings.”

PRESENTATION

“I grew up in a haunted house and I became interested in what ghosts and spirits were at a young age,” she said. “My dad was an amateur paranormal investigator. It was a hobby that never quite went away. Years later, I had the opportunity to go out with ‘Ghost Hunters.’ I already had my own team. I met the guys from ‘Ghost Hunters’ and they asked me to join them for a show. That was the beginning of me being known in the public eye.”

Bruni, 47, will share her story in her presentation of “Life with the Afterlife: True Tales of the Paranormal with Ghost Hunter Amy Bruni” at 8 p.m. Sept. 16 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

“I tweak (the presentation) every year but this will be more focused on relaying haunting encounters I’ve actually had, so it will

Bruni is the co-star and executive producer of “Kindred Spirits,” which is on Travel Channel and Max. In addition, she produces the “Haunted Road” podcast.

She co-wrote “Life with the Afterlife: 13 Truths I Learned about Ghosts” with Julie Tremaine.

Bruni joined the cast of “Ghost Hunters” in 2008, starring in seven seasons.

Prior to becoming a full-time paranormal investigator, Bruni worked as a project manager for a health insurance company.

“On the weekends, I would go to spooky locations and look for ghosts,” she said.

Bruni said she thought she was irresponsible when she quit her job with benefits to hit the road looking for ghosts.

“I thought it would just be a year, but 15plus years later, I’m still at it,” she said.

The VIP package includes a meet-andgreet with Bruni, including photo opportunites. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Singer holds ‘A Collective Cy’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Jeff Harnar initially performed a show dedicated to Cy Coleman in 2006 in Michael Feinstein’s New York City club, which was then at the Regency Hotel.

CONCERTS

So, it’s only fitting that he brings the show to another Feinstein club after the release of his album.

“A Collective Cy: Jeff Harnar sings Cy Coleman” is set for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8-9 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel.

“It’s meaningful to me because the show was born at Feinstein’s in New York,” he said. “We had hoped to record it (in 2006), but the planets didn’t align until this year. It’s really been a wonderful experience for me to revisit these songs. The first time I did these songs I was in my 40s, and now I’m in my 60s, so these songs are profoundly more meaningful to me at this stage of my life.”

Harnar said he brought the Coleman tribute show back two years ago, and last year

he performed it at the Birdland Jazz Club in New York City.

“That was the impetus to make the recording finally happen, and obviously the money appeared, too,” Harnar said. “That was what was missing in 2006. A very generous executive producer appeared and made this album possible.”

Harnar said nearly all the songs on the album are in the show.

“There are some songs that belong in a live performance as opposed to what I hope is an easy-listening album,” Harnar said.

The album includes duets with Ann Hampton Callaway and her sister, Liz Callaway, and Nicholas King.

Coleman died at age 75 in 2004.

“I wish Cy Coleman was alive to hear me sing the album,” Harnar said. “He did come hear me sing in 1998 at a club in New York. When I sat down with him after the performances, he said, ‘Your professionalism made me weep.’ I really hope he feels (that way) about this album.”

For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Headings: BEVERAGES, DESSERTS, ENTREES, SALADS, SIDES, SOUPS; Cards: ACE, JACK, JOKER, KING, QUEEN; IMPD: INDIANAPOLIS, METROPOLITAN, POLICE, DEPARTMENT; Trees:

Bruni

Harnar

Baritone to make Indy Opera debut

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Everett Greene has performed with a variety of Indianapolis musical groups.

CONCERT

So, when asked to make his debut in an Indianapolis Opera event, the 89-yearold Indianapolis resident quickly accepted.

Greene will perform in the Opera in the Park at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at the MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park. The event is free but a $10 donation is suggested.

“I did a concert with a couple opera singers years ago and learned how to work with them,” said Greene, a baritone. “I like to do all kinds of music. I do jazz, gospel and blues.”

Greene will sing “Here’s to Life,” which he had heard numerous times before it took on a new meaning for him.

“I happened to really listen to the lyrics and it means so much,” he said. “At this stage of my life, I like to think I’ve had a lot of fun, been to a lot of places, but I’m not finished. ‘Here’s to Life’ became a special song for me.”

Greene has known opera soprano Angela Brown for several years. They will sing together on “Thank Heaven for You,”

“She is an excellent singer, and I can’t wait to do something with her,” Greene said. “I thought it would be a good duet song.”

Greene traveled with the Count Basie Band for several years and performed in some off-Broadway shows. He also has narrated some children’s books.

Alfred Savia will serve as the conductor

There will be selections from Indy Opera’s 2023-24 season from “Carmen,” “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird” and “A Little Night Music.”

“Opera in the Park is a vital part of our mission of introducing opera to the public,” Savia said. “We have some opera members that come every year, but we have some people who come out of curiosity. We’re exposing them in a large part to some of what we’re offering during the season.”

For more, visit indyopera.org.

Greene

Blueprint for Improvement: Basement overhaul in Carmel

Commentary by Larry Greene

Built in 2010 in Long Ridge Estates, this Carmel home included a finished basement that was bland and brimming with potential. We transformed this blank canvas into a multifunctional and modern retreat with space for everyone.

THE BLUEPRINT

• Luxury vinyl plank flooring replaced the carpeting, providing a more contemporary appeal and a more durable surface.

• A spacious gathering room is perfect for movie nights and game days, equipped with a large-screen TV, full bar and custom display space for collectibles and Lego creations.

• The bar area received a distinct herringbone treatment on the wood ceiling, adding warmth and modern appeal, while a drink fridge, dishwasher and ample storage make entertaining a breeze.

• Room for hobbies drove the design, with designated spaces for exercise, art, music, reading, studying and guests all included.

• Interior glass doors and thoughtful design around window wells ensure that this space has a luminous and airy ambiance, despite being below ground level.

Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.

Notice of Self Storage Sale

A visit to Wilbur Wright’s birthplace

Commentary by Don Knebel

Today, in our continuing visits to places within driving distance of Indianapolis, we stop at the birthplace of Wilbur Wright, about 7 miles east of New Castle.

Please take notice Prime Storage - Fishers Ford Dr. located at 12650 Ford Dr., Fishers, IN 46038 intends to hold a sale to sell the property stored at the Facility by the below list of Occupants whom are in default at a Auction. The sale will occur or otherwise disposed as an online auction via www. storagetreasures.com on 9/20/2023 at 12:00pm. Leslie Buckner unit #366; Lisa Hillebrand unit #728; Noelle Christy unit #960. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details.

TRAVEL

Milton Wright, ordained in the Church of the United Brethren, and his wife Susan lived in several places in Indiana before purchasing a 5-acre farm near Millville in 1865. On April 16, 1867, Wilbur, the Wrights’ third son, was born in the farmhouse, where the family lived until 1868. The family then lived in Hartsfield, Ind., Dayton, Ohio (where Orville and Katherine Wright were born), Cedar Rapids and Farm, Iowa, and Dublin and Richmond, Ind., where Wilbur and Orville attended, but did not complete, high school. The family moved permanently to Dayton in 1884, where Wilbur and Orville operated bicycle and printing businesses while working on designs for their flying machines.

In 1929, Indiana bought the Millville farm where Wilbur was born. In 1955, with increasing maintenance costs, the state demolished the farmhouse and erected a monument in its place. In 1973, Indiana rebuilt the house on its original foundation, attempting to duplicate its materials and designs. In 1995, the state donated the property to the Wilbur Wright Birthplace Preservation Society.

Today, the farmhouse includes period furnishings. The adjacent museum includes a full-scale replica of the plane the Wright Brothers first flew at Kitty Hawk, N.C., on De-

cember 17, 1903; a reproduction of the cabin they lived and worked in while in Kitty Hawk; and a recreated 1903 Main Street. The museum also includes pictures and memorabilia of the Wright family and copies of historic documents, including the telegram announcing the success of the first flight. Along one wall is a statement from then-Bishop Wright in the late 19th century, proclaiming that the dream that man would someday fly was “heresy; flight is reserved for angels.”

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

Docket No. PZ-2023-00194V, PZ-2023-00195V, and PZ-2023-00196V

Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on the 27th day of September, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Sq., 2nd Flr., Carmel, IN 46032, will hold a Public Hearing upon a Development Standards Variance application to:

1) allow for 2 signs facing Rangeline Road (west), 1 sign facing west permitted;

2) allow for a ground sign to be located with a zero foot setback from Rangeline Road, 5 foot setback required; and

3) allow for 14 on-site parking spaces; 21 on-site parking spaces required.

With the property begin known as 1361 South Rangeline Road.

The application is identified as Docket Nos. PZ-2023-00194V, PZ-2023-00195V, and PZ-2023-00196V

The real estate affected by said application is described as follows: Part of Section 31, Township 18 North, Range 4 East, Hamilton County, Indiana, more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at a point on the West line of said Section, distance 685 feet measured North 01 degree 04 minutes 45 seconds West along said West line from the Southwest corner thereof; running thence North 01 degree 04 minutes 45 seconds West and along the West line of said Section 378 feet; thence North 89 degrees 55 minutes East 250 feet; thence South 01 degree 04 minutes 45 seconds East 378 feet; thence South 89 degrees 55 minutes West 250 feet to the point of beginning. Except therefrom: Beginning at a point on the West line of said Section, distant 685 feet measured North 01 degree 04 minutes 45 seconds West along said West line from the Southwest comer thereof, running thence North 01 degrees 04 minutes 45 seconds West and along the West line of said Section 278 feet; thence North 89 degrees 55 minutes East 250 feet; thence South 01 degrees 04 minutes 45 seconds East 278 feet; thence South 89 degrees 55 minutes West 250 feet to the Point of Beginning.

The petition may be examined on the City’s website, through Public Documents - Laserfiche. All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above application, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place.

TM CROWLEY & ASSOCIATES

PETITIONERS

Notice of Self Storage Sale

Please take notice Prime Storage - Fishers Britton Park Rd. located at 13323 Britton Park Rd., Fishers, IN 46038 intends to hold a sale to sell the property stored at the Facility by the below list of Occupant who is in default at an Auction. The sale will occur or otherwise disposed as an online auction via www.storagetreasures.com on 9/20/2023 at 12:00PM. Branden Martin unit #C55; Kathy Brown unit #D1; David O’Neal unit #D3738; Elvester Tharpe unit #D41 contents: Car; Latasha Tillman unit #D78; Liz Walton unit #H11. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

City of Carmel, Indiana

Department Board of Public Works and Safety One Civic Square City of Carmel, Indiana 46032

Project: Multi-Use Path Along Haverstick Road. from 96th Street to 99th Street (20-ENG-06)

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Public Works and Safety for the City of Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana will receive sealed bids for the above described “Project” at the office of the Clerk Treasurer, One Civic Square, Carmel, Indiana (City Hall) until 9:45 EST and in the Council Chambers at the same address between the hours of 9:45 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. EST on or before September 20, 2023, and commencing as soon as practicable thereafter on the same date such bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Council Chambers of City Hall. No late bids will be accepted.

All bids and proposals shall be properly and completely executed on the proposal forms provided with the plans and specifications, which will include the non-collusion affidavit as required by the State of Indiana. The bid envelope must be sealed and have the words “BID – Multi-Use Path Along Haverstick Road. from 96th Street to 99th Street (20-ENG-06)”

A bid bond or certified check in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount bid must be submitted with each bid. A one hundred percent (100%) performance and payment bond will also be required of the successful bidder. It is intended that actual construction of all work divisions shall be started as soon as practicable, and each bidder shall be prepared to enter promptly into a construction contract, furnish a performance bond, and begin work without delay in the event the award is made to him.

The Project consists of, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:

Construction of a new 10’ wide multi-use path on the east side of Haverstick Road 96th Street and 99th Street. New storm sewers, curb and gutter and ADA ramps will be constructed at various locations in the project.

Contract Documents for the Project have been assembled into one bound project manual, which together with drawings, may be examined at the following locations: City of Carmel

Department of Engineering - 1st Floor One Civic Square Carmel, IN 46032 (317) 571-2441

Copies of such drawings and project manuals must be obtained from Reprographix (Reprographix.com). Payments and costs of Contract Documents are non-refundable.

Bidders shall assure that they have obtained complete sets of drawings and Contract Documents and shall assume the risk of any errors or omissions in bids prepared in reliance on incomplete sets of drawings and Contract Documents.

This Project will be funded by the City of Carmel.

A pre-bid conference for discussions of the Project, the bidding requirements and other important matters will be held on September 6, 2023 at 10 am in the Caucus Room on the 2nd Floor of City Hall (One Civic Square). All prospective bidders are invited to attend the pre-bid conference. Email chaitanya. mamidala@clarkdietz.com to request a virtual meeting invitation. The pre-bid conference is not mandatory. For special accommodations needed by handicapped individuals planning to attend the pre-bid conference or public bid opening meeting, please call or notify the city of Carmel, Engineer ’s Office, at (317) 571-2441 at least forty-eight (48) hours prior thereto.

No bidder may withdraw any bid or proposal within a period of thirty (30) days following the date set for receiving bids or proposals. The Carmel Board of Public Works and Safety reserves the right to hold any or all bids or proposals for a period of not more than thirty (30) days and said bids or proposal shall remain in full force and effect during said period. The City of Carmel reserves the right to reject and/or cancel any and all bids, solicitations and/or offers in whole or in part as specified in the solicitations when it is not in the best interests of the governmental body as determined by the purchasing agency in accordance with IC 5-22-18-2

Sue Wolfgang Clerk-Treasurer

Don Knebel is a local resident. For the full column visit donknebel.com. You may contact him at editorial@ youarecurrent.com.

Replica airplane at the Wilbur Wright birthplace. (Photo by Don Knebel)

___ Davis HS

QB’s

37. Indian garb

38. Murat Theatre performance

39. Food additive inits.

40. Entices

42. “___, Brute?”

46. Mitt Romney, for one

48. Indy 500 sound

49. Voicemail signal

50. ___ Lama

54. Recipe amt.

55. Indiana Secretary of State...and an anagram of 14and. 34-Across

58.

27. Enthusiastic

28. Hoosiers All-American Alford

31. Car dealer on Castleton Corner Drive

33. Soda bottle size

34. Elephant ancestor

35. Church musician

36. ___ Moines

37. Porn material

41. Cancel

43. Eiteljorg Museum carved poles

44. 50-50 chance

45. Victory Field arbiter

47. Shoe parts

48. Itinerary word

51. Surrounded by

52. Southwestern wolf

53. Venus de Milo’s missing pieces

56. Big bunch

6 Menu Headings

4 IMPD Words

5 Playing

2

1

Place with many fjord explorers

59. PC pioneer

60. Ostrich kin

61. Crash-probing agcy.

62. Uno + uno

63. DSL provider Down

1. Joan of Arc’s crime

2. “The Lion King” canine villains

3. Sewn edge

4. Weaken

5. Kind of code

6. WTHR’s Lindsey Monroe weather forecast, maybe

7. Hawks on a Pacers scoreboard

8. Westfield HS singing group

9. Wryly amusing

10. Whisk brooms’ companions

15. “Best in Show” org.

16. Strong wind

17. Pen name

20. Geist Half Marathon mo.

22. Pong maker

24. Oscar winner Cicely

26. WRTV schedule abbr.

3 Eagle Creek Park Trees

Kinds of Whales

Cards

“Crossroads of Southern Indiana”

57. Hula loop Answers on Page

ARMESON LECTRIC LLC

Brian

(317)414-9146

Owner/Master Electrician bharmeson@harmesonelectric.com Locally owned and operated in Hamilton County

VISA, MasterCard accepted. Reach 130,194 homes weekly For pricing e-mail your ad to classifieds@youarecurrent.com

LAWN CARE & LANDSCAPING

Locally owned/operated over 42 YRS

• SPRING CLEAN-UP

• MULCH

• MOWING

• FERTILIZING

• TEAR OUT / REPLACE

FREE ESTIMATES CALL 317-491-3491

C&H TREE SERVICE

FIREWOOD SALE

Topping – Removal

Deadwooding – Landscaping

Stump Grinding – Gutter Cleaning

INSURED – FREE ESTIMATES CALL STEVE 317-932-2115

GROUNDHOG STUMP REMOVAL

Professional & Economical

Remove tree stumps, ugly tree roots, stumps in and around chain link or wood fences. We also remove tree stumps that are protruding up onto sidewalks and around sidewalks. We grind them and/or remove. Please Call & Text at 816-778-4690.

TIRED OF CLEANING YOUR GUTTERS? CALL JIM WEGHORST AT 317-450-1333 FOR

WILL MOW LAWNS

WILL DO BOBCAT WORK

Trim/Remove trees & shrubs

Building Demolitions

Build Decks

Painting inside or Outdoors

Clean Gutters

Property Clean Outs

FULLY INSURED

Text or Call Jay 574-398-2135 shidelerjay@gmail.com www.jayspersonalservices.com

ROLL OFF DUMPSTER SERVICE CALL 317-491-3491 FOR INFO/DETAIL

ACCEPTING STUDENTS

Guitar

NOW HIRING Teacher Aid for Carmel

Preschool

5 days, 8am-2pm. Observes Carmel School Holidays. Text or Call 317-414-4458.

CHURCH

FULL TIME

Fishers area church seeks an experienced person who has servant/leadership qualities, proven organizational skills, and the ability to be open and flexible. This role is a great fit for a flexible, organizational thinker who is self-motivated and can function in a team setting that requires trust, oversight and motivational skills.

Oversight of these areas: Financial, Personnel, Property Management, Daily operations, Policies & Procedures.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with demonstrated high performance. 3-5 years with supervisory experience Interested persons email resume to mainoffice@christthesavior.org. Job summary, job description and application available at christthesavior.org

ARE

Integrity Automotive is looking for a full time automotive technician. In business for

“They’ve given me a new chance at life.”

With advanced technology and expert care, we’ll get you back to what you love.