March 12, 2024 — Carmel

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Complaint: Holistic doctor misled patients

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

The Indiana attorney general’s office is asking the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana to consider disciplinary sanctions for a holistic doctor in Carmel accused of using false or misleading advertising, failing to inform patients of potential side effects and ordering tests and treatments not indicated for conditions present in multiple patients.

DISPUTE

The attorney general’s office filed the 13-count administrative complaint regarding Dr. Clifford Fetters in May 2023 after receiving at least four consumer complaints between 2017 and 2021 and determining the allegations “had merit.”

Fetters operates Health and Wellness of Carmel at 11900 N. Pennsylvania St. According to its website, its services include care for a variety of cancers and autoimmune disorders and IV therapy. It also sells supplements.

Fetters did not respond to a request for comment. Taunie Nungester, Health and Wellness of Carmel administrative operations manager, emailed Current a statement addressing the situation.

“We are handling this matter professionally with the attorney general and the medical board, and we are confident that it will be resolved in a favorable manner,” Nungester said. “At this time, we have no further statements.”

The administrative complaint does not identify by name patients treated by Fetters and includes redacted versions of the con-

sumer complaints.

One complainant, whose father went to Fetters for treatment of pancreatic cancer, stated that “Fetters is preying upon the sick and elderly who have cancer.” He stated that after already paying $15,000 for vitamins and supplements, his father was told that if he paid an additional $12,000 for a new dendritic treatment it could give him a 30 percent chance of survival.

“He has no proven history of curing anyone’s cancer or any factual evidence that his treatments work, but he continues to tell people he can cure them and give them false hope while he is clearing out their bank accounts in the process,” the consumer complaint stated.

Another complainant said his father sought alternative treatment for advanced cancer from Fetters after other forms of aggressive treatment did not work. The complaint states that “Fetters has been truly negligent in the care of my father.”

“He has also convinced my father that patients under his treatment do not need opioid pain medication,” the complaint stated. “My father is no longer following his pain regimen, causing him to be in severe pain, only being able to sit for minutes at a time without needing to reposition or stand.”

In another consumer complaint, the complainant states his wife, who had Stage 4 brain cancer, sought holistic treatment with Fetters in addition to receiving traditional care. The complaint states that Fetters told the couple “he felt pretty sure” his therapies

Arrest at library — Police arrested a 42-year-old woman March 4 after she purportedly disrobed in the Carmel Clay Public Library and walked around naked while under the influence of marijuana. According to a probable cause affidavit, a library employee told Carmel police that the woman, identified as Carmel resident Gwyn Cornell, stood on a bench as she took off all of her clothes and then began walking through the facility. The incident happened at approximately 6 p.m. on the second floor of the library. Cornell was

charged with public nudity, possession of hash oil and possession of marijuana, all misdemeanors. A trial is set for May 30.

Coloring contest kickoff — The 500 Festival and STAR Financial Bank have announced the launch of the 2024 Kickoff to May Coloring Contest. The contest invites children 12 and under to participate. The coloring sheet and entry form can be downloaded at 500Festival. com/Color. The two grand prize winners selected will receive a scholarship of

could have the patient back to work.

“This caused (my wife) to be so hopeful that she was actually extremely stressed by this comment, because she had been a respiratory therapist and had let her license lapse because the oncologist had informed us on her initial diagnosis that she would never be capable of returning to work again,” the complaint states.

The complaint also states that Fetters frequently added new supplements to the patient’s treatment plan that could only be purchased through his office.

“When Dr. Fetters saw how desperate my wife was to have a glimmer of hope of improvement, he took advantage of us and conned us for thousands of dollars,” the complaint states. “More importantly, however, he gave my wife false hope and during his course of treatment advised her to discontinue the medications that were best controlling her symptoms while requiring a restricted diet and excessive supplements, IV treatments and exercise. He robbed (her) and her family of the best quality of life she could experience in her final months.”

In addition, in September 2020 Fetters received a notice from the Federal Trade Commission that stated it had determined he was unlawfully advertising certain products that treat or prevent COVID-19 without “competent or reliable scientific evidence.” He was ordered to immediately cease making such claims.

The medical board is scheduled to hear the matter at its May 23 meeting.

$500, courtesy of STAR Bank, and a free one-year membership to the INDYCAR Nation Rookie Program courtesy of INDYCAR. All entries must be received by noon April 8. For more about the contest entry rules, visit 500festival.com/ kickoff-to-may-coloring-contest-rules.

Legion fish fry — Carmel American Legion Post 155, 852 W. Main St., is hosting its annual fish fry from 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays through March 29. The event is open to the public.

Arts commission replaces CPAAC

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

In light of Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam issuing an executive order Feb. 20 establishing the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Arts, the Carmel City Council voted unanimously March 4 to abolish the Carmel Public Art Advisory Committee.

CITY NEWS

The council formed the committee in 2018 to provide nonbinding input on proposed locations for public art installations. In 2020, the committee’s scope expanded to also include issuing advisory opinions on proposed public art purchases greater than $5,000.

In recent years, however, members of the committee questioned the group’s relevance, as some public art pieces were brought to the group for review after the city had already committed to purchasing them. Committee members also said they did not have an opportunity to weigh in on other projects that they believed were within their purview.

The committee often clashed with then-Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, who said in August 2023 that it “should never have been formed.”

During her mayoral campaign, Finkam, who became mayor Jan. 1, said she supported changing the process for vetting and gathering input on public art.

“The establishment of the arts commission marks the realization of my commitment to fostering increased community engagement in our arts initiatives and public art acquisitions,” Finkam stated.

Laura Campbell, who served on the Carmel City Council from 2016 to 2023, will chair the commission.

According to the executive order, the arts commission shall:

• Review annual arts grant applications and recommend funding.

• Develop a master plan for public art

• Work with city departments and art consultants to determine appropriate acquisitions and locations for public art

• Provide feedback on arts programming

• Receive and report input from the community on the city’s public art acquisitions and performing art programming Commission members are Campbell, Beth Glynn, Chandrika Patel, Tina Mangos, Jill Dunn, Julia Saltsgaver and Ashley Ulbricht.

Council to initiate review of city’s debt

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

The Carmel City Council announced plans at its March 4 meeting to spend up to $20,000 for an independent review of the city’s debt.

Council President Tony Green said the review isn’t in response to decisions or strategies made by the city’s existing financial advisors but rather an opportunity to bring in a fresh set of eyes who can review Carmel’s position with objectivity.

Among the reasons for instigating the review was the council learning in late 2023 that water and sewer rates would need to rise in part to allow Carmel Utilities to cover payments set to begin on debt acquired nearly 20 years ago to fund system

“We got hit with a balloon payment that most people didn’t know was going to happen after the election, and as councilors (we frequently) get questions about the

The city’s legal department is reviewing a scope of work agreement for the review, Green said, and a contract has not yet been signed.

“We’ve targeted somebody that we think would be really good and is completely independent of who the city already has on contract,” said Green, who did not disclose who the city is looking to hire for the review.

Councilor Matt Snyder said hiring an independent firm to conduct the review will lead to greater transparency. He said he is aware of other governing bodies using their legal counsel to hire a financial group to conduct a review, a process he does not support.

“The only reason I can think that they do that is because then it becomes privileged information,” Snyder said. “We intentionally, I believe, did not do that because we do not want whatever the findings are of this independent audit — good, bad, indifferent — to have any protection behind it. It will be a public document, not hiding behind attorneys.”

The review will be funded through the city council’s budget. The council did not announce a timeline for the review, but Green said the findings will be released to the public.

Man arrested for child porn

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

A Carmel man was arrested Feb. 29 for allegedly disseminating and possessing multiple child sexual abuse videos.

COURTS

Alex James Golden, 20, has been charged with five counts of child exploitation and 13 counts of possession of child pornography. He is being held in the Hamilton County Jail with bond set at $150,000.

“32 files of child pornography and 434 files of illegal CGI/Animated files depicting child pornography,” according to the affidavit.

Golden

According to a probable cause affidavit, a Westfield Police Department detective assigned to the Hamilton County Metro Child Exploitation Task Force began investigating after receiving information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a video showing child sexual abuse uploaded on Kik. The child in the video is estimated to be between 7 and 10 years old.

The detective subpoenaed the IP address used to upload the material, which led to Golden’s residence in east Carmel. A search warrant for the related Kik account revealed

The detective read more than 10,000 chats provided by Kik, and within those chats Golden states repeatedly that he is a “pedo” or “pedophile” to multiple users, the affidavit states. In the chats, he references babysitting as a way to “get paid” to be a pedophile and discusses plans to abduct a child from a public restroom, stating that “the only thing stopping me from making a move was his dad in the public bathroom with him.”

Police conducted a search warrant at Golden’s home Feb. 20 and seized a Google Pixel Android cellphone and computer in Golden’s bedroom. Police found multiple sexual devices in Golden’s bedroom that matched items in videos uploaded to Kik, the affidavit states.

A preliminary search of Golden’s phone located child sexual abuse videos, according to the affidavit.

An attorney for Golden did not respond to a request for comment.

A jury trial is set for June 10.

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

Townhomes, detached single-family homes and a commercial node are planned on the southeast corner of 146th Street and Towne Road as part of a mixed-use planned unit development proposed in northwest Carmel.

Lennar Homes has filed plans with the City of Carmel to develop Towne 146 on 16 acres of vacant land adjacent to the Saddle Creek neighborhood to the south and Ambleside to the east. The site is zoned S-1. If rezoned to a PUD, development standards will be specific to the site.

According to documents filed with the City of Carmel, Towne 146 is proposed to include 48 townhomes starting at approximately $375,000 and 47 single-family homes expected to cost between $425,000 and $500,000. A 15,000-square-foot commercial node is planned on the northwest corner of the site.

“The vision of this node is to serve as an amenity for the nearby residential areas with uses such as a coffee shop, restau-

from documents filed with the City of Carmel) rant, small retail or professional office, and similar uses,” according to a planning document filed with the city. “Uses not compatible with neighborhood integration or that generate high auto traffic levels are prohibited.”

The conceptual site plan includes three common open space areas and a community shared trail that would connect to the Ambleside neighborhood.

A public hearing on the rezone is planned for the April 16 Carmel Plan Commission meeting. If the project is approved by the city, Lennar aims to begin construction in the spring of 2025.

Carmel man named top high school swimming official

By Ken Severson news@currentincarmel.com

More than two decades ago, Joe Brozinick decided he wanted to remain involved with competitive swimming because of the difference the sport had made in his life. So, he became an official for the IHSAA.

ACHIEVEMENT

Last month, the Carmel resident was recognized for his efforts with the 2023-24 Interscholastic Athletic Official Award for excellence in the sport of swimming and diving. A committee representing 24 officials’ associations in Indiana selected Brozinick for the honor.

than officiating other sports like, football, baseball or basketball, in that he ensures everything is done on the level and there’s no unfair advantage.

Brozinick is also a member of the Fall Creek Officials Association and has assisted the organization’s swim chair with meetings and clinics for several years.

Brozinick

“The reason why I (officiate) is I did a lot of swimming and I want to give back to the sport,” Brozinick said. “Swimming has taught me work ethic and how to budget my time.”

Each year, the IHSAA, in cooperation with the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association, recognizes and honors an outstanding official in each sport. Officials selected for the distinction have gone above and beyond to serve their association, community and the IHSAA.

Recipients of the Interscholastic Athletic Official Award have demonstrated exceptional qualities of leadership, dedication and loyalty to the sport, student-athletes and fellow officials, according to the IHSAA.

Brozinick has been a licensed IHSAA swimming and diving official for 25 years. During his time with the IHSAA, he has been assigned to work 31 boys and girls sectionals, eight regionals and 10 state finals events.

Brozinick said his job is no different

Officiating tends to take up much of Brozinick’s time during swimming season.

“My wife always tells me she dreads February because she knows every weekend, I’m not going to be home,” Brozinick said. “Whether it’s doing a meet, training or going to the association meetings, you give up a lot of time, but most of us do it because we want to ensure the officiating is of high caliber and everyone gets a fair shake.”

Brozinick said he will continue to officiate because he enjoys working with students and coaches and helping them. He is also grateful for the relationships he has with his fellow officials, IHSAA staff and school administrators.

Brozinick also said a rewarding aspect is when the competitors come up to him and thank him for his efforts.

“It gives you a sense of accomplishment,” Brozinick said. “That makes you feel good that you’re doing something worthwhile.”

The Pennsylvania native was a competitive swimmer throughout childhood and swam for Penn Trafford High School in Harrison City, Pa. He then swam at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Brozinick is an executive director at Eli Lilly. He and his wife, Tammy, have two daughters, Ashley and Rachel.

OBITUARY

Timothy Wayne Almack, 69 of Westfield, passed away February 23, 2024. He was born August 29, 1954, to the late Earl Almack and Betty (Derry) Almack in Alexandria, Indiana.

In addition to his parents, Tim was preceded in death by his sister, Julie Terry.

Tim is survived by his wife, Leslie; children, Benjamin (Lauren), Isaac, and Nathan; 7 siblings, Regina (Tim), Mike (Cheryl), Bill (Jodie), Cecilia (Gary), Earl (Joan), Dave (Laurie) and Della

(Tom) as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was a 1972 graduate of Alexandria-Monroe High School, and Manchester University in 1976. Family and friends will gather Friday, March 1, from 2-6 pm in St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church. Please visit www. bussellfamilyfunerals.com to read Tim’s complete obituary. Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.

Promoting a more supportive, inclusive society

Commentary by Jeff Worrell

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which is particularly appropriate to the discussion of civility. An estimated 1.3 billion people, which represents about 16 percent of the global population, have a significant disability. In local terms, approximately 16,000 Carmel residents have some type of disability.

CIVILITY

This annual monthlong campaign seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.

How is this relevant to civility?

Practicing civility is about showing respect and consideration for others, making them feel valued and contributing to mutual respect, effective communication and collaboration. When it comes to recognizing and raising awareness about the challenges and achievements of people with disabilities, practicing civility plays a crucial role.

By treating individuals with disabilities with respect, empathy and understanding, we can create an environment that fosters inclusivity and equal opportunities. Practicing civility can help in promoting positive interactions, breaking down barriers, and encouraging open dialogue about the challenges and achievements of people with disabilities. This, in turn, can contribute to greater awareness and understanding of the issues faced by individuals with disabilities and help in creating a more supportive and inclusive society.

For more, visit nacdd.org/ddam1.

Jeff Worrell is a Carmel City Council member and a civility proponent. To contact him, you may email jeff4civility@ gmail.com.

Apply for city boards — Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam launched a new website for Elevate Carmel, Inc. featuring a portal for residents to apply for seats on boards and commissions active in City Hall. Carmel residents are encouraged to apply at elevatecarmel.com.

Greyhounds senior point guard grows as a leader

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School point guard Ryan Clevenger made his biggest strides in leadership this season.

“I had to take that role being one of the only seniors with experience from last year,” he said.

Greyhounds boys basketball coach Ryan Osborn said Clevenger filled the role quite well.

“Ryan was a vital piece to our team this season,” Osborn said. “He grew up in terms of leadership, accountability and production. Ryan brought a level of toughness to practice every day that challenged everyone in the gym. There aren’t many productive point guards out there that lead without saying a whole lot.”

Osborn said Clevenger learned how to lead the team when it mattered most.

“His teammates respected him and responded with the same level of competitive spirit,” Osborn said. “Watching Ryan grow into a humble leader over the last

MEET RYAN CLEVENGER

Favorite athlete: Paul George

Favorite TV show:

Favorite musician:

Favorite subject:

Favorite vacation spot: Beach, Fla.

four years is one of the biggest joys I’ve experienced as a head coach. He takes pride in doing things the right way and it was important to him that he left an im pression on our team and younger players that would resonate for years to come. He exceeded expectations.”

Clevenger averaged 9 points, 3.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game for the Grey

Ryan Clevenger was a key performer for Carmel High School’s basktball team. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Clevenger)

hounds, who finished with a 12-11 record.

“Going 8-2 in our last 10 games was a

fun experience as it turned our season around,” Clevenger said. “Especially with how hard those 10 games were, it was awesome to go 8-2.”

In that stretch, Carmel beat then-Class 4A No. 1 Fishers 54-46 Jan. 27 and then-4A No. 1 Lawrence North 42-35 Feb. 1. Both were home games for Carmel.

“Beating both two No. 1 teams back-toback was a great experience for us as we had great weeks of preparation leading into that, so we had total confidence going into the games,” Clevenger said.

Fishers got revenge by topping Carmel 54-41 in the Feb. 27 Class 4A sectional opener.

Clevenger said he still hasn’t made a college choice. He plans to major in business and is considering playing basketball in college.

Growing up, basketball was always his favorite sport to play, Clevenger said.

“I have played it ever since I can remember,” he said. “I also played football and baseball but stopped playing both of them to focus on basketball.”

He stopped playing baseball going into his freshman year.

Clevenger

Barrier-Free Theatre returns

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation Barrier-Free Theatre has become a popular fixture.

PLAY

“We are so fortunate to have a community who loves this program and helps it thrive,” said Sarah Fenster, CCPR Barrier-Free Theatre director. “We’ve also developed new ways to involve folks who are interested in the program, from stage crew to set painting to ushering and even directing — all aspects of our production are inclusive of people of all abilities.”

therapy that empowers individuals with and without disabilities to create and perform original stories together. The entire creative process takes about eight months to complete.

“The participants love the social aspects of rehearsals as much as they love the performance aspect,” Fenster said. “They enjoy collaborating to build a story, dreaming up characters that inspire and challenge them and feeling their hard work pay off when they perform in front of family, friends and community members. We also have a lot of fun bonding as a cast, playing theater games and celebrating our hard work.”

CCPR will present its sixth annual Barrier-Free Theatre performance in honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March. This year’s performance, “Mystery at the Rider Mansion,” will be at the Monon Community Center at 6 p.m. March 16 and at 2 p.m. March 17. An American Sign Language interpreter will be provided for the March 16 performance.

Barrier-Free Theatre is a form of drama

There are two directors, 20 participants and five volunteers. The plot of “The Mystery at the Rider Mansion” revolves around deep-seated jealousy and family conflict.

Fenster has been involved in the CCPR Barrier-Free program since 2019.

Tickets are $12 and are available for purchase online or in person at the Monon Community Center.

For more, visit bit.ly/4a1DVIC.

Fenster

MEET CPD’S NEW LEADER

Chief Drake Sterling plans to lead with energy, transparency

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

On Leap Day, Drake Sterling became chief of the Carmel Police Department.

A native of La Porte, Sterling most recently was a captain with the Zionsville Police Department and assistant SWAT commander for the Boone County Special Response Team. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico and has a graduate certification in criminal justice from the University of Virginia.

Sterling, 36, replaces Jim Barlow, who is retiring for the second time in two years. His career spanned 40 years with CPD.

“It has been an honor to serve the community of Carmel. I look forward to my retirement, and I look forward to the great things Chief Sterling will do for the Carmel Police Department,” Barlow said. “His passion, energy and leadership will be wonderful for the men and women at CPD and for our amazing community.”

The City of Carmel will hold a public swearing-in ceremony for Sterling at 6:30 p.m. March 12 at The Tarkington.

Two days before becoming CPD chief, he discussed his background and the upcoming transition with Current.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO BECOME A POLICE OFFICER?

When I was 16 or 17 years old, I had never really thought about law enforcement or what I wanted to do with my life. It was the middle of winter, and I went around a curve and my car slid off the road, and I didn’t know what to do. Before I could even pick up the phone to call a tow or to call a friend one of the LaPorte County sheriff’s deputies pulled up. He could have just kept going on down the road. He could have called a tow and just left me there. But he actually hooked me up and pulled me out himself. It was a really good interaction. Fast forward, a year later, he became the SRO at our high school, and I developed a friendship with him at that point.

But it went back to that moment where I saw that a police officer could legitimately help people instead of just being a tough figure. So, that’s when I fell in love with it.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE? SHOULD OFFICERS EXPECT TO SEE BIG CHANGES IN HOW YOU LEAD THE DEPARTMENT?

The main thing is that everything starts and ends with relationships. So, I really do hope to bring that mindset from my (previous) position where we have 46 officers in Zionsville, and I can know every single one of them and know their wives and kids and have at least a baseline friendship with each of them.

I hope that I can bring that here as well, because I think that being an empathetic leader and letting the guys and girls that are out there doing the hard work know that they have somebody who supports them and somebody who cares about them.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING CPD?

Not too long ago, (CPD) added a police district with the downtown district here in Midtown and the arts district because of the growth and obviously the growth up. With the parking garages, I know that there’s a concern for safety within those facilities. Adding that district and assigning dedicated manpower to this area is really important. I think doing so in nontraditional ways, whether it be foot patrols, bike patrols, being able to get out of your cars and not be just strictly stuck there will be a big thing.

WHY WERE YOU INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THE TOP ROLE AT CPD?

Living in Noblesville in the early 2000s and falling in love with the northside, I couldn’t see myself being anywhere else other than this area.

The entire state of Indiana, even the Midwest and nationally at some levels, has immense respect for the City of Carmel and the Carmel Police Department. So, I put (the CPD chief role) up there with the top three law enforcement positions in the state, with the Indianapolis police chief and the superintendent of the state police. I put Carmel right there with those two of who should be leading the charge and those who should be setting the example statewide. The opportunity to be involved in that in any capacity is something I can get behind. So, when this opened, it was a no brainer.

AT 36 YEARS OLD, YOU’RE ON THE YOUNG END AMONG THOSE LEADING A POLICE DEPARTMENT. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO QUESTION WHETHER YOU HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE TO LEAD CPD?

I feel as though I have the law enforcement experience. I feel as though I have the life experience, but I do understand that that’s going to be something I’m going to be faced with.

(Mayor Sue Finkam) asked me the same thing. She said,

Continued on Page 13

A THOROUGH PROCESS

Hiring a chief to replace the retiring leader of the Carmel Police Department was a top priority for Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam, who launched the search before taking office Jan. 1.

She formed a hiring committee in late 2023 to assist with the search by reviewing applications, scoring candidates and recommending finalists. In late January, the committee held in-person interviews with six finalists, a process that included the candidates responding in real time to three simulations, including a mock press conference in which Current in Carmel editor Ann Marie Shambaugh and POLITICO national reporter Adam Wren asked a series of scripted and unscripted questions.

Candidates also completed a questionnaire and written examination within 48 hours of receiving it. The process concluded with Finkam interviewing the final candidates before selecting the next chief.

“I firmly believe this is the most important hire I will make. It is very unique in that most cities do not have such a thorough process,” Finkam said. “We created a methodical, multifaceted approach for the selection process, including valued partners at the table to ensure transparency and broad representation. The end result is that the process worked, and we were able to choose an excellent chief of police for our community.”

Carmel Police Department Chief Drake Sterling said the growth of Carmel’s central core presents new challenges for the department. (Photo by Adam Seif)

COVER STORY

Continued from Page 12 Hamilton County partners, and I plan to meet with the others. Immediately, I recognize how much collaboration there is within the county, and I think that’s amazing, because all of these communities are so similar. We’re all combating the same problems.

“How do you think your age is going to hurt or help you?” Well, I’ve realized very quickly, she’s high energy. She is always working. I don’t know when she sleeps. I told her, “The thing I’m going to bring is I can at least provide (similar) energy with my age and excitement.”

POLICE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE U.S. HAVE BEEN FACING STAFFING SHORTAGES, INCLUDING IN CARMEL. HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ADDRESS THAT?

We’ve been pretty lucky over in Zionsville that we’ve managed to maintain the same recruitment numbers. Now, we have had to work a lot harder per applicant to get them in the front door.

I think a way to solve that or work around that is to be open to new ways of recruiting, to be more active in social media and multimedia and just really trying to engage people and let them know what we do.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO BUILD BRIDGES AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN SURROUNDING MUNICIPALITIES?

I’ve already met with a couple of the

In Indianapolis, Chief (Christopher) Bailey, was one of the first calls that I got when I received the position. He’s going to be a great partner.

WHAT DO YOU WANT CARMEL RESIDENTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

The police department is not separate from the community. It exists within the community, so we will be committed to being good partners to all our stakeholders. Everybody external has an equal voice and we’ll be listening to it.

I have some really exciting ideas I hope to roll out within the first 90 days to try to develop some transparency and open those communication lines and make sure those who maybe feel their voice hasn’t been heard will have that opportunity to do so.

ON THE COVER: Carmel Police Department Chief Drake Sterling in downtown Carmel.

RECORD-SETTING RUNNER

As an administrator, Carmel Police Department Chief Drake Sterling isn’t likely to chase down criminals on foot in the streets. That’s good news for the bad guys.

In November 2023, Sterling set the record for the fastest FBI National Academy mile run with a time of 4:49:58. He had run track in high school and college but hadn’t trained seriously for about 15 years. When he realized that the mile record at the academy was within his reach, he began to prepare.

“Drawing on my experience in running, I thought, ‘I can do this,’” he said. “That six-week timeframe from going from basically no running to trying to run really fast was tough. But I tried to stay confident and had a lot of support from everybody.”

After becoming a police officer, Sterling coached track for 13 years, most recently coaching the girls team at Zionsville Community High School. He stepped down from coaching in 2021 upon becoming a captain with the Zionsville Police Department to devote more time to his wife and children, who are

The Carmel Education Foundation recognizes and appreciates our community partners for their part in the success of the 20th Annual

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Ed Martin Automotive

The City of Carmel

Drake Sterling, then a captain for the Zionsville Police Department, ran the fastest mile in FBI National Academy history in November 2023 with a time of 4:49:58. (Photo courtesy of the FBI)

now 8 and 6 years old, as they became more involved in sports and activities of their own.

“It was a wakeup call to set your priorities straight, focus on work and focus on home,” Sterling said. “My kids are my world, and my wife, as well. So, I’ve been trying to keep those two places happy the best I can, at work and at home.”

Sterling still runs occasionally, typically at a more casual pace.

“It’s a huge stress reliever,” he said, “an opportunity to flush the system and let your mind wander a little bit.”

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Dentistry on 116

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The Skillman Corporation

Party Time Rental

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Good Day Carmel

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Lovely Day Photo Booth Rental

Needlers Fresh Market

DeanDorton

Accolade Wealth Management

Pyatt Builders

State Bank

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Pedego Electric Bikes

The Current

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Town Planner

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Clay Terrace

Jolene Broad Photography

Kroger Gardis & Regas, LLP

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Centered by Mel

(Photo by Adam Seif)

ALI event to feature line dancing

By Tirzah Rowland tirzah@youarecurrent.com

Mission Possible, an annual fundraiser to benefit the Assistance League of Indianapolis, will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. April 18 at Daniel’s Vineyard and Winery, 9061 N. 700 W. in McCordsville.

FUNDRAISER

The theme, “step up for those in need,” encourages participation in the volunteer-run organization and frame the evening of dinner, line dancing, a 50/50 raffle and silent auction.

“This is our largest fundraising effort to gain the resources we need to continue serving children and adults in the central Indiana area,” said Julie Yates, ALI vice president of marketing. “I think the good thing about this year’s fundraiser is that it is in a great venue. The entertainment is a very fun, interactive group line dancing where you don’t have to be stellar.”

Auction items include a seven-night stay at a timeshare in Mexico; three-night Nashville experience; two-night Chicago experience with two Cubs tickets; and an overnight stay at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis.

For

Jephrey, a backache could have ended in heartache.

Casual attire is encouraged. Johathan Byrd’s catering will provide appetizers, a plated chicken dinner and dessert. A cash bar will be available. Entertainment and line dancing lessons are by 5 Star Dance Studio.

ALI provides clothes and shoes to children in need, bears to trauma centers and hospice facilities, and sends volunteers to nursing homes and adult care centers throughout Central Indiana. The nearly 200 members are mostly from Hamilton County and North Indy communities.

Mission Possible tickets are available online for $150 or tables of eight for $1,200. For more, visit alindy.org/mission-possible.html.

The sudden, shooting pain he experienced was caused by a life-threatening ruptured aneurysm. The expert team at Community Heart and Vascular Hospital responded with skill and compassion. Exactly the kind of care that makes a difference.

Learn more about screenings at eCommunity.com/vascularscreen

ALI volunteers pack and organize new clothes and coats for distribution. (Photo courtesy of ALI)

Cambri Builders expands

By Tirzah Rowland tirzah@youarecurrent.com

Indianapolis-based Cambri Builders acquired Electric Today in January and plans to open a new corporate headquarters at 6400 Technology Center Dr. in Zionsville, housing both companies, by early fall.

BUSINESS

A nationwide commercial builder, the acquisition of Electric Today brings a local connection to the growing business, and the new building will bring Cambri closer to home for owners Eric McKinney of Carmel and John Vyverberg of Zionsville.

“We specialize in commercial buildouts ranging from franchises to ground-up projects with national developers,” Vyverberg said.

McKinney and Vyverberg founded Cambri, currently in the Park 100 area, seven years ago and continue to look for ways to diversify their business.

“Early on, we realized the competitive edge of an in-house electrical division and have seen it grow along with the company,” Vyverberg said.

When McKinney and Vyverberg heard that

Electric Today, formerly of Muncie, was for sale, they determined it would be an ideal fit for their business plan.

“The price point was good and the volume of work they were doing was just spot on,” McKinney said.

Electric Today also installs EV stations, generators, service pools and spas and provides warranty work and some commercial work, but “residential is our sweet spot,” McKinney said.

For more on Electric Today or to schedule a service, visit electric-today.com. For more on Cambri Builders, visit cambri.com.

John Vyverberg, left, and Eric McKinney co-own Cambri Builders, which recently acquired Electric Today. (Photo courtesy of Electric Today)

CONVENIENCE REIMAGINED

Submitted by Box Market owner Vic Singh

Box Market was designed to be unique and offer items not found in other local stores. Now, Box Market wants to expand to offer more convenience beyond the 216 W. Main Street store.

After a successful launch in June 2023, Box Market in Carmel has gained a loyal customer base and continues to grow. Many Box Market customers are local business owners and employees. Students enjoy the store as well. Box Market has been honored to provide local sponsorships, too, and seeks more community involvement.

To celebrate and thank the community, Box Market is working to partner with other businesses to provide out-of-the-box convenience, connecting customers to local businesses in new ways.

The newest venture for Box Market brings Costco Wholesale products to customer’s doorsteps within two hours. No membership required. Orders over $25 will qualify for free local delivery within the 46032 ZIP Code and must be placed through the newly launched website www.boxmarketcarmel.com.

In the first phase, customers will be

able to purchase select groceries, personal care, and paper goods. More items will be added as demand increases. The website will provide up-to-date inventory. Box Market employees will also source items from local warehouses as needed.

Customers have come to appreciate the unique offerings of this specialty convenience store, including European chocolate, energy drinks, tobacco products, and beer and wine selections. More than snacks and drinks, Box Market strives to provide the community with items they truly enjoy and support neighboring businesses by selling local products.

Currently, the store is partnering with Savor to offer 10 of the restaurant’s topselling wines for $15 per bottle. Box Market offers beer and wine delivery through phone call orders only.

Box Market will unveil new partnerships with local businesses in the coming months, including more delivery services.

Store hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 9 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday. The store has active social media sites and welcomes community engagement there.

Renovations reflect evolving trends

By Tirzah Rowland tirzah@youarecurrent.com

Since 1984, the White family has taken pride in serving the community and evolving their business to meet changing customer needs. White’s Ace Hardware at 731 S. Range Line Rd. in Carmel, originally built in 1989, is undergoing renovations set for completion March 17, with a grand-reopening celebration May 1.

RETAIL

“We want to continue Ace Hardware’s long history in the city, and we know that we have to continue to grow and reinvent ourselves in order to serve our great customers and to be a relevant business in our community,” owner Chris White said.

The store draws most of its customers from a 2- to 3-mile radius, and White said the team values the local store experience. From hard-to-find items to a locally sourced garden center, White’s Ace Hardware aims to stock items that continue to grow a loyal following, according to White.

Noting changes in customer purchases since the pandemic, White set out to renovate the Carmel store to better meet current trends.

White’s Ace Hardware at 731 S. Range Line Rd. is undergoing renovations that are expected to be complete in mid-March. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)

“We’ve seen a large uptick in demand for products both in outdoor living and outdoor maintenance (yard care),” White said. “With the remodel, we have adjusted our assortments in general hardware goods in order to expand our assortments in these areas.”

The store continues to operate, and no staffing changes have been made related to the renovations.

For more, visit whitesacehardware.com or stop by the store.

For the full story visit youarecurrent.com.

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

Former Indiana Pacer Scot Pollard walked out of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee Feb. 29 less than two weeks after receiving a new heart.

RECOVERY

Pollard and his wife shared a video on social media of the 6-foot-11 Carmel resident ringing a celebratory bell on his way out of the hospital.

“Today was a good day,” Pollard posted with the video.

Pollard was admitted to the medical center’s intensive care unit Feb. 7 when registering for a heart transplant. He received a

Pollard leaves Tennessee hospital with new heart Funding will help Hamilton County ‘Breathe Easy’

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

Some local nonprofits can now provide a boost to their programming thanks to more than $600,000 in grant funding awarded by the Hamilton County Health Department to bridge the gap in health care needs.

GRANT FUNDING

The funding was allocated to organizations that focus on issues including maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention and clinical care.

For recipient Breathe Easy Hamilton County, the award of $61,476 will go a long way to keep youth from picking up a common bad habit, according to the organization’s executive director, Stacy Collins. According to the CDC, 90 percent of all tobacco users start before the age of 18.

Collins said the grant will help the organization extend programming beyond what is available with state funds.

“With this gift, we can reestablish education for school staff and parents, support for National Days of Action, such as Red Ribbon Week, and most importantly, help area schools create their in-house club for students wishing to promote and advocate a tobacco-free life to their peers,” Collins said.

Breathe Easy Hamilton County runs the Hamilton County Vape-Free Schools Task-

new heart nine days later.

He had suffered from a genetic condition that caused his heart to beat more than it should.

force. The organization is also working on several current projects, including a pointof-sale audit with the Indiana Tobacco Control Department and CounterTools, a public health agency dedicated to helping communities become healthier.

The audit will survey 150 retail locations in search of tobacco advertisements that could appeal to children, as well as check that those retailers are in compliance with mandated placement of corrective statements near tobacco products.

Those interested in joining the Tobacco-Free Alliance or Vape-Free Schools Taskforce can contact Collins at SCollins@ BreatheEasyHamiltonCounty.com.

Breathe Easy Hamilton County is sponsored by the Good Samaritan Network and funded through the Indiana Department of Health Tobacco Prevention Cessation. Its mission, to create tobacco-free communities through education, advocacy, and promotion of tobacco-free living and to eliminate tobacco use and related diseases by helping adults and youth quit, preventing youth from starting and decreasing exposure to secondhand smoke.

Additional grant recipients include:

• Trinity Free Clinic – $386,898

• Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs – $17,400

• Partnership for a Healthy Hamilton County, Inc. – $16,900

Scot Pollard rings a celebratory bell at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on his way out.

(Screenshot from X video courtey of Dawn Pollard)

From left, Pierre Twer, president of Bolt for the Heart, and IMPD Chief Chris Bailey, who is holding an AED.

From left, Pierre Twer, president of Bolt for the Heart, with Kristin Toussing, who survived a cardiac arrest through the use of a defibrillator. (Photos by Adam Seif)

READERS’ VIEWS

Politics is emotive

Editor,

Mike Senuta wrote in a letter to the editor published March 5 in Current in Carmel that he was “booed and heckled by my fellow citizens” as he questioned U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz for her support of Donald Trump at a town hall meeting. He was even called a Communist.

He is aghast that Republicans act this way. Is such behavior endemic to Republicans?

Suppose in attending a town hall held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Andre Carson a questioner asked Carson about his friendship with (controversial Nation of Islam Leader) Louis Farrakhan. Would the audience turn on the inquisitor with the zeal faced by Senuta?  Or would attendees, likely Demo-

crats, say to each other, “My goodness, this questioner is really on to something?”

It’s often said that politics is a contact sport.

Yes, Senuta should be permitted to ask his question without harassment. Yet, when he observed the meeting room, he knew his question may be incendiary. Just as asking Carson about Farrakhan would be equally incendiary.

Politics is emotive. Having the sensory acuity to ask “tough” questions in a manner that does not incite may produce a better result.

And it can be done without reading a book about civility.

Sherm Johnson, Carmel

City planners should listen to neighbors

Editor,

At the first meeting of the Carmel Housing Task Force, Henry Mestetsky, director of the Carmel Redevelopment Commission, and Mike Hollibaugh, director of Carmel’s Department of Community Services, blamed small, vocal minorities of residents who oppose new “missing middle” housing options for the lack of affordable housing options in Carmel.

It’s very disappointing to hear city employees draw this unfair and untrue conclusion about Carmel homeowners. My experience is the opposite. The city is insisting on high-priced, dense housing. In my neighborhood, they put a luxury condominium development with units listed at $800,000.

This price point is well above the median for the city and our neighborhood.

We remonstrated, asking for something more in line with the price point of the neighborhood. The city ignored us and built the luxury development over our strenuous objections.

Moving forward, these actions would facilitate housing options for the missing middle:

Direct the Carmel CRC and DOCS to stop working with developers to impose high-priced housing in moderately priced neighborhoods.

Direct CRC and DOCs to work with neighbors. Listen to the residents. It’s their home.

Maureen Williams, Carmel

PUZZLE ANSWERS

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE:

Doubles: BOILER, DATE, ENTENDRE, JEOPARDY, PLAY, SPACE;

Ingredients: BELL PEPPER, CHEESE, EGGS, HAM, ONION; States: IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA; Blades: EPEE, FOIL, SABRE; Colors: CRIMSON, GREY; City: SHELBYVILLE

Choosing words carefully

Commentary by Terry Anker

Each day, we average humans deploy about 16,000 words. Of the species, females tend to use a few more, but for the most part, we are hitting about two hours, if it were contiguous, of daily talking. Most of us manage to speak at a pace of about 100 to 150 words per minute.

ESSAY

According to an analysis of TED talks, famed self-help guru Tony Robbins tops out at 201 words in the same 60 seconds. Auctioneers stand out at 250, and the fastest talker on record made it to 655. It seems that we have a lot to say.

American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson is known for lamenting, “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” If what we do is eminently more important, why do we have to talk so much about it? We all want to be trusted. There is a great advantage to it. It’s even conceivable to believe that most of us want to be trustworthy, although being such often leads to

folks lining up to seek our help and support. As such, are we using our many words to convince people of our virtue or to deceive them with our vice? If actions speak so deafeningly, why are we hearing all the chatter?

We deeply want to connect with others. So, even if actions speak most forcefully, they can often be misunderstood or misconstrued. Did we bring the bananas to the office pitch-in because we care about people and want them to be healthy, or because we thought the cake was too fattening for the already obese co-workers? Words can help to define our acts. But if it matters what we say and what we say matters, why aren’t we more careful about the words that cross our lips?

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

Sweet dreams of no teens

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

The Wilson family has reached a major milestone, friends. Our youngest turned 20 recently, marking us as officially done with teenagers! Huzzah! And while I’m ecstatic to be finished with that challenging phase of life and know that in reality nothing has changed, I’ll admit to already being nostalgic. My babies are adults now!

The middle school years, I do not miss. They are horrible for kids and they are horrible for parents. Bullies, periods, braces, acne, mean girls, band concerts and that godforsaken carpool line. Ages 13 and 14, no thank you!

But high school and those first few steps into independence after graduation? Those are the memories I cherish. Like the time when our oldest was 16 and called to tell me he’d been in a fender bender, four days into having his driver’s license. It was Mother’s Day. Classic. Or when we busted our other son with a girl he’d sneaked in through the walk-out basement. We immediately christened him the 17-year-old “Night Moves.” And I’ll never forget the trip to New York with his twin sister her senior year when we waited literally for hours in the freezing rain to get an overpriced-but-worth-it milkshake at a swanky SoHo joint. Of course,

“The middle school years, I

do not miss. They are horrible for

kids

and they are horrible

for parents. Bullies, periods, braces, acne, mean girls, band concerts and that godforsaken carpool line. Ages 13 and 14, no thank you!”

– DANIELLE WILSON

our fourth child has been our world traveler, spending most of her 19th year backpacking across three continents. The hundreds of FaceTime calls to hear about her latest crazy cab ride or hostel debacle have brought me immense joy.

What’s up next? Who knows. Grad schools, cool loft apartments, perhaps a wedding or, gulp, a grandbaby. Regardless, the Wilsons are saying farewell to teenagers! Huzzah!

Peace out.

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

HUMOR

Soprano Brown featured in Indy Opera’s ‘Charlie Parker’s Yardbird’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The role of Addie Parker was made for Angela Brown.

MUSIC

Brown debuted the role of Charlie Parker’s mother, Addie Parker, in June 2015 at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater. She will reprise the role in the Indianapolis Opera’s production of “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird,” set for 7 p.m. March 16 at Madam Walker Legacy Center in Indianapolis.

The story focuses on the legendary saxophonist and one of the inventors of bebop. The premise has Parker’s soul linger between life and death, and his spirit returns to his famous New York City jazz club called Birdland, where he is challenged to compose a final masterpiece.

The Indianapolis soprano said the story follows Addie from a young mother to the time of her son’s death from a heart attack at age 34 in 1955. Charlie Parker was a heroin addict.

“Addie is a role that was created for me, so I was able to put my fingerprints on her first and being able to draw from all of my ancestors like my mother and my grandmother and thinking about all the Black mothers in the community,” Brown said. “When I was growing up, that poured into me. I’m able to put flesh on the bones of Addy and just imagine how she felt having a son that was multitalented that she loved and adored, but that had vices in life and the fear and the anguish and the pains that she gets to come out four separate times in this 90-minute opera. She’s giving you frustration, she’s giving you joy and adulation. She’s giving you fear and she’s also giving you grief, so it’s been great to portray.”

Brown said she has reprised the role in all but two of the presentations. It was the first opera to be performed at the Apollo Theater in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. It’s also been performed in London.

“I never gave birth to a child, but I have three stepsons,” Brown said. “I know how much I love them and seeing them go through as Black men in America. This was a woman before the Civil Rights Movement who was proud of her son but she knew he was a drug addict. He also was married and had a child, but he also was playing around on his wife and he liked white women. She knew at that time she could be lynched or killed in Kansas City, Mo.”

Brown said the music is accessible to audiences.

“You hear the names of the different pieces that he made famous,” Brown said. “It was all scored on a saxophone. You feel the influences of bebop throughout the opera.”

Brown described the opera as a 90-minute “ghost story,” which opens with Parker dying.

“The premise is Charlie Parker is com-

ing back to write a symphonic piece that he’s always wanted to write,” Brown said. “He dies in a white woman’s apartment, his benefactor. So, he has been placed in a morgue as John Doe. He comes back in spirit form. While his spirit is writing this music, he is visited by his mother, his best friend Dizzy Gillespie and his three wives. They are all telling him he’s a genius, he’s well-loved but he has to get off the drugs. Finally, there is a funeral and he is set free.”

Brown can’t remember the last time she performed at Madam Walker.

“I’ve done special programs,” she said. “I’ve never done an opera or some type of stage play, but I’ve definitely sung there.”

Brown said it’s fitting to be held at Madam Walker because Parker performed at the jazz clubs nearby on Indiana Avenue.

For more, visit indyopera.org.

‘BEAUTIFUL”

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical” through March 30 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘DRIVING MISS DAISY’

Civic Theatre’s production of “Driving Miss Daisy” is set for March 15 to 30 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents. org.

‘BOHEMIAN DELIGHT & THE FIREBIRD’

Carmel Symphony Orchestra will present “Bohemian Delight & The Firebird” at 7:30 p.m. March 16 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Dan Hall and Steven Stewart will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 14 and Ryan Ahlwardt and his Friends are set to perform at 7:30 p.m. March 15 and vocalist Maddie Poppe March 17-18 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael. For more, feinsteinshc.com.

ST. PAT’S COMEDY AT THE CAT

St. Pat’s Comedy at The Cat, presented by Dave Dugan, is set for 7:30 p.m. March 15-16 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way. For more, visit thecat.biz.

DISPATCH

CSO, CCPLF present women’s program —

As part of Women’s History Month, the Carmel Symphony Orchestra and the Carmel Clay Public Library Foundation are teaming up to present “Preparing for Competition and Handling Pressure and Passion in our work: Perspectives from Female Musicians and Community Leaders” at 2 to 3:30 p.m. March 17 at the Carmel Public Library’s Community Room. It is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register online at carmelclaylibrary.org. The event will include brief opening remarks, a 30-minute performance and talk by Carmel Symphony Orchestra musicians featuring works by female classical composers, and a 45-minute panel discussion.

Angela Brown performs as Addie Parker in New Orleans Opera production. She will perform in Indianapolis Opera’s production of “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird” March 16. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Strout Photography)

Musical gives fresh look at crime

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

A chorus girl, actress and model, Evelyn Nesbit has been described as one of the first to be labeled an “It Girl.”

Nesbit was at the center of what was billed as one the crimes of the century when, in 1906, architect Stanford White was killed by Nesbit’s husband Harry Thaw. Nesbit alleged White raped her when she was intoxicated or unconscious, but she later had an affair with him.

A reading, which includes musical numbers, of “Evelyn and the Eternal Question” is set for 2 p.m. March 16 at the Carmel Clay Public Library’s Community Room. Admission is free for the Actors Theatre of Indiana’s Lab Series program. A registration link is on atistage.org.

Scott said she knew the story of “Girl in the Velvet Swing,” and E.L. Doctorow’s “Ragtime,” both movies about Nesbit.

“I used to work at the Indiana Historical Society, and they had a tiny collection of books in the break room,” Scott said. “One

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Actors Theatre of Indiana Artistic Director Judy Fitzgerald was looking for several months for the right fit to replace Jim Reilly as executive director.

“Unbelievable that he was right under our noses,” Fitzgerald said.

Fishers resident Brian Frost, 74, has been named executive director of ATI, replacing Reilly, who retired at the end of 2023 after 12 years.

of the books in the collection was ‘American Eve’ by Paula Uruburu, which gave a more detailed account of Evelyn Nesbit’s life. I started reading this book at the beginning of the #MeToo movement and during the (Supreme Court justice Brett) Kavanaugh hearings, and a light bulb went off in my head. I saw the pattern of history repeating itself, particularly when someone speaks truth to power and gets damaged by it. Every popular reference to her is always told in cartoonish ways where we forget that Evelyn was a teenager put in impossible situations. The choices were limited then. So, I wanted to explore this story from a victim’s advocacy perspective. Not to judge her or make her a cartoon, but to demonstrate how easy it is to get trapped in these situations with dangerous people.”

At first, Scott was interested from what she described as a true crime nerd’s perspective.

“I love ‘Ragtime,’ and naturally, all of her photos are stunning, but I did not look too deeply into her life until I started writing this musical,” Scott said.

ATI two years ago.

“I’ve always had an interest in the theater and have absolutely no musical talent,” Frost said. “As I see it, we have all the people on the creative side who know how to put on the show. So, it’s my job to manage budgets.”

“As a board member, Brian already had an established relationship with ATI,” Fitzgerald said. “He stepped in and was helping during the hunt for the new executive director, and everything just seemed to fall into place. He is the perfect fit and the transition has been seamless. He has all of the qualities that we were searching for, and we are so grateful that when we asked, he said yes.”

Frost, who has attended ATI productions for 19 years, was encouraged by Marketing Director Meg Osborne to get involved with

Frost wants to improve internal communications between the board of directors and staff by improving technology used for communications.

“Fundraising is No. 1 on my list of priorities,” he said. “All arts organizations have struggled.”

However, Frost said ATI is benefiting from a major legacy gift of $687,000 from the late Christel DeHaan. Frost said it enabled ATI to create an endowment fund managed by the Central Indiana Community Foundation.

“It provided us with some operating funds, so we finally have a little bit of a cushion,” said Frost, who had been treasurer of the board of directors.

Frost worked at Fifth Third Bank for 25 years in the financial brokerage department as a financial advisor. He retired in 2017.

Scott

Frost

‘Idol’ winner set for Feinstein’s

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Winning Season 16 of “American Idol” made a huge impact on Maddie Poppe.

CONCERT

“‘American Idol’ opened more doors for me than I ever could’ve imagined,” Poppe said. “I learned so much since my win six years ago and have made so many amazing memories along the way.”

A singer-songwriter, Poppe will appear at 7:30 p.m. March 17-18 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Her boyfriend and guitarist, Gabe Burdulis, will join her.

“I like to play my original music, but I can’t help adding classics that are familiar with everyone in the room. Cabaret-style rooms are some of my favorite to play,” Poppe said. “I feel my music is best suited for small and intimate rooms. I like to feel like I can have a conversation with anyone in the room. One of my favorite parts of playing shows are the conversations and stories I get to tell in between each song. It’s the thing that helped me conquer my stage fright in the beginning of my career.”

Poppe is a multi-instrumentalist who

Maddie Poppe appears at Feinstein’s March 1718. (Photo courtesy of Maddie Poppe)

plays the guitar, piano and ukulele. She received a People’s Choice Award in the category of Competition Contestant for her “American Idol” performance.

Following her “American Idol” victory, Poppe had a hit that reached No. 2 on the iTunes Pop Charts.

After playing Feinstein’s, she will spend 11 consecutive days supporting singer-songwriter Joshua Radin on tour.

“One of the many things that makes me so excited about touring with Josh is how our music styles mesh together so nicely,” she said.

For more, visit feinsteinhc.com and maddiepoppe.com.

Women of Vision Luncheon

Join us in person for a luncheon where we’ll listen to motivational humorist and speaker Desi Payne. Desi, will share “The Incredible Power of Laughter.” As a breast cancer survivor, Desi understands the

Location: Ritz Charles, Carmel For questions, contact Polly Craig at pcraig@riverview.org or 317.776.7938. Register online by April 10 at riverview.org/24WomenofVision.

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing tour of Egypt, we visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, or GEM, which will soon bring Egypt’s most famous attractions within walking distance of each other.

TRAVEL

The Grand Egyptian Museum is on the Giza Plateau a little more than a mile from the famous Giza pyramids. The massive museum, the largest of its kind in the world, includes 20 acres of indoor exhibit space and a 7-acre courtyard. The cornerstone of the museum was laid in 2002 and completion was originally scheduled for 2013, at an expected cost of $500 million. A series

A visit to Egypt’s Grand Museum

of delays have repeatedly pushed back the official opening, now scheduled for this spring, and increased the cost to at least $1 billion.

ORDINANCE NO. D-2701-24

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA, AMENDING SUBSECTION (49) TO CHAPTER 8, ARTICLE 5, SECTION 8-47(a) OF THE CARMEL CITY CODE.

Synopsis: Ordinance amending parking prohibition on a section of Southbound 3rd Ave SW near its intersection with City Center Drive.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Indiana Code 9-21-1-3(a)(1), the City of Carmel, Indiana (the “City”) within the reasonable exercise of its police power, may by ordinance regulate vehicular parking;

WHEREAS, the City has previously regulated vehicular parking within its corporate limits, such regulations being codified, in part, in the City Code Section 8-47(a); and

WHEREAS, the City has previously constructed a roundabout at the intersection of 3rd Ave SW near and City Center Drive that rendered the parking prohibition on the west side of 3rd Ave SW obsolete due to addition of designated parking spaces, but necessitated the parking prohibition on the east side;

WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, now finds that it is in the interests of the public safety and welfare to amend parking prohibition on a section of 3rd Ave SW near its intersection with City Center Drive.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, as follows:

Section 1. The foregoing Recitals are fully incorporated herein by this reference.

Section 2. The following subsection of Carmel City Code Section 8-47(a) is hereby amended and shall read as follows:

“(49) On the east side of 3rd Avenue S.W. between City Center Drive and a point 391 feet south of the intersection of City Center Drive and 3rd Avenue S.W..”

Section 3. The remaining provisions of Carmel City Code Sections 8-47 are not affected by this Ordinance and shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 4. All prior ordinances or parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Ordinance are hereby repealed, to the extent of such inconsistency only, as of the effective date of this Ordinance, such repeal to have prospective effect only. However, the repeal or amendment by this Ordinance of any other ordinance does not affect any rights or liabilities accrued, penalties incurred or proceedings begun prior to the effective date of this Ordinance. Those rights, liabilities and proceedings are continued and penalties shall be imposed and enforced under such repealed or amended ordinance as if this Ordinance had not been adopted.

Section 5. If any portion of this Ordinance is for any reason declared to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance so long as enforcement of same can be given the same effect.

Section 6. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its passage and signing by the Mayor and such publication as required by law.

Section 7. The Carmel Street Department is directed to promptly add the appropriate signage to fulfill the mandates contained in this Ordinance upon its passage.

PASSED by the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, this 19th day of February 2024, by a vote of 9 ayes and 0 nays.

COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF CARMEL

Anthony Green, President Adam Aasen, Vice-President

Jeff Worrell Teresa Ayers

Anita Joshi Shannon Minnaar

Ryan Locke Matt Snyder

Rich Taylor

ATTEST:

Jacob Quinn, Clerk

Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of Carmel, Indiana this 20th day of February 2024, at 11:30 A.M

Jacob Quinn, Clerk

Approved by me, Mayor of the City of Carmel, Indiana, this 20th day of February 2024, at 11:45 A.M.

Sue Finkam, Mayor

ATTEST:

Jacob Quinn, Clerk

The GEM is now partially open, with visitors able to see a small part of the items that will eventually be there. The courtyard features a 50-foot-tall, 110-ton “hanging obelisk” mounted atop a unique plinth so visitors can walk under it and see the underside cartouche of Pharaoh Ramses II. Just inside is a colossal 3,200-year-old statue of Ramses II. The 83-ton statue, which previously stood in a Cairo square, was moved into the building during construction. Several important statues from antiquity are arranged on steps ending with a view of the Giza pyramids.

When the museum fully opens, it will include more than 100,000 items, many of

which will be on display. For the first time, visitors will be able to see all 4,549 items found in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in 1922, including the famous gold death mask. The GEM is expected to attract up to 15,000 visitors a day from around the world, three times the number who visit the crowded Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo that now displays some of the Tutankhamun treasures.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

City of Carmel, Indiana

Department: Board of Public Works and Safety

One Civic Square

City of Carmel, Indiana 46032

Project: Monon Boulevard Phase 3 – 22-ENG-01

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

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’s Office, 1000 S Rangeline Road, Carmel, Indiana (2nd Floor) until 4:00 EST on or before April 2, 2024 or at City Hall, One Civic Square, Carmel, Indiana (Front Desk, Delivered to Carol Dixon) until 9:45 EST on April 3, 2024, 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 – Monon Boulevard Phase 3”.

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:

The City of Carmel is proposing to extend a newly constructed boulevard along the Monon Trail. The proposed boulevard will be extended from W Walnut St to a proposed roadway called Plaza Street. The Monon Trail improvements will extend farther south to City Center Drive. The project will include the reconstruction of the trail, construction of the boulevard with permeable parking areas, storm sewer improvements including underground detention, and various pedestrian use facilities. All work is specified in the Construction Plans and Specifications for said 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 March 20, 2024 at 11:00 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. 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

Jacob Quinn

Clerk

The Giza Pyramids are near the Grand Egyptian Museum just outside of Cairo. (Photos by Don Knebel)

LIFESTYLE

Across

1. Like some WRTV newscast banter

6. Eli Lilly and Company inventory

11. “___ voyage!”

14. Deliberately mislead

15. Gold bar

16. Big name in ice cream

17. Send to the Indiana Senate

18. SUV at Bill Estes Chevrolet

19. Ages and ages

20. Michiana city that could be in the state’s menagerie

22. Poor imitation

24. Nary a soul

27. So-so

28. Seasonal Golden Arches sandwich

31. Rock genre

33. Lecherous look

36. FOX59 reporter Graves

37. Workshop items

39. Expunge

40. Peculiarity

42. Futuristic animated TV family

44. U-turn from NNE

45. Mario’s brother in video games

47. Wander

48. ___ Christian Anderson

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER

Docket No. PZ-2023-00294 V

Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer meeting on the 25th day of March, 2024 at 5:30 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 request a variance to UDO Section 5.09 (Fence and Wall Standards), which allows a maximum 42inch fence/wall in the front yard with minimum 25% visibility required. The owner is requesting a 44 to 66 inch tall patio wall with 0% visibility.

With the property being known as 1502 Mairn Ave (Clay Corner Subdivision, Lot 52).

The application is identified as Docket No. PZ2023-00294 V.

The real estate affected by said application is described as follows: Clay Corner Lot 52, Parcel Number 17-09-27-00-20-052.000.

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.

Cynthia Ackelmire (Petitioner)

50. Wildebeest

51. Grill brand

52. Chum

54. Chews like a beaver

56. John Roberts’ judicial grp.

59. Hamilton County city that could be in the state’s menagerie

64. Tuna type

65. Halley’s ___

68. Baby-to-be

69. Bar Louie spirit

70. Public persona

71. Amherst school, familiarly

72. Picnic pest

73. Interior design

74. Most of Santa’s mail

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER

Docket No. PZ-2024-00023 V

Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on the 25th day of March , 20 24 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall 2nd Flr, Council Chambers, 1 Civic Sq., Carmel, IN 46032, will hold a Public Hearing upon a Development Standards Variance application to:Seeking approval for 18 sq ft sign logo mark with 20” height letters when only 15 sq ft is allowed with 10” height letters

With the property being known as: 12801 E New Market St Carmel IN 46032

The application is identified as Docket No. PZ2024-00023 V .

The real estate affected by said application is described as follows: Tax ID 82-2617797 Village of WestClay Subdivision, Section 3004, Part Block D

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.

Jeffrey and Stacie Roberts PETITIONERS

Down

1. Sheltered, at sea

2. Shapiro’s pickle flavoring

3. Onion’s kin

4. Nagging desire

5. Garfield Park Conservatory garden type

6. “Same here”

7. Genetic letters

8. “Gross!”

9. Blunder

10. Power source

11. Marion County city that could be in the state’s menagerie

12. Fragrance

13. Big Apple inits.

21. Indy Zoo CEO Shumaker

23. ___ Speedwagon

25. “The Matrix” hero

26. Texting icon

28. What you’d be smart to join?

29. Northwest Indiana city that could be in the state’s menagerie

30. Hinkle Fieldhouse backboard attachment

32. Bullring cheer

34. Ocean vessel

35. Current big shots, briefly

37. Getting even with

38. Full of tension

5 Denver Omelet Ingredients

3 UND Fencing Team Blades

2 UIndy Colors

1 “Pride in Progress” City

40. Campfire residue

41. Carry with effort

43. Weep

46. Paintball shooter

49. Had a seat

51. Conflict that ended on Nov. 11, 1918

53. Clearheaded

55. Subsequent

56. Heroic tale

57. Goatee site

58. A few

60. Prefix meaning “half”

61. IND postings

62. Corrosion

63. Leaky tire sound

66. ___ and cheese

67. Self-conceit

Answers on Page 13

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024

CARMEL FISHERS

NOBLESVILLE WESTFIELD NORTHERNTOWNS

THE SKIES ALIGN FOR A SPECTACULAR SHOW IN HAMILTON COUNTY ON APRIL 8, 2024

Get ready to be mesmerized by a celestial masterpiece as the communities of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield and the Northern Towns become the perfect stage for the Total Solar Eclipse, when the moon gracefully dances in front of the sun and casts its shadow across the landscape.

Witness the magic of the cosmos with friends and family at official viewing locations like Carmel Civic Square, Conner Prairie, Cool Creek Park, Grand Park Sports Campus, Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center and Strawtown Koteewi Park.

Grab your Eclipse glasses, set up your cameras and join Hamilton County in this celestial celebration—it’s guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience!

VisitHamiltonCounty.com/Eclipse