For more information about events and activites in Carmel, visit ExperienceCarmel.org
Event details are subject to change. Visit the City of Carmel, Indiana Government on Facebook for the latest event updates or cancellations due
Artomobilia
Carmel PorchFest
Oktoberfest
Chinese Mooncake Festival
COMMUNITY
Retiring Hamilton County Tourism CEO leaves legacy of leadership
By Tirzah Rowland news@currentincarmel.com
Growing the tourism industry in Hamilton County has always been more than a job for Fishers resident Brenda Myers. It’s been a passion.
ACHIEVEMENT
When she took the helm as CEO of Carmel-based Hamilton County Tourism 19 years ago, the county and its attractions were on the cusp of rapid growth. Her dedication to in-depth research and data analysis multiplied the tourism industry to receive more than 5 million annual visitors.
“Our community is truly a unique blend of five communities, each with different personalities, attractions, amenities, experiences, vibrant downtowns and outdoor recreational opportunities. That diversity makes it unique,” said Myers, who plans to retire within the next several weeks. “It’s just hard to even explain how fun it is to have the privilege of supporting and promoting this community. We’re so fortunate that we have this critical mass of leadership and amenities and ability to problem solve.”
Before joining HCT, Myers, 64, worked for Tour Indiana, the Indiana Division of Tourism, Conner Prairie and the Indiana Historical Society. She said she applied her experience in the tourism industry to move beyond simply counting “heads in beds” as the main tourism metric during her time at HCT.
As a Fishers resident, Myers also had a vested interest in managing tourism to keep Hamilton County an exceptional place to live.
“I wasn’t looking for a job and was very happy at the Indiana Historical Society, but I think it was the openness of the (HTC) board to rethink destination development that really made it attractive to come and take this position,” Myers said.
HCT was looking beyond marketing to become more of a catalyst for change within the community and a partner to local tourism drivers, she said.
While working at Conner Prairie from 1984 to 1997, Myers served on the formation team to adopt the tax that would fund Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. and had also served on the HCT board.
“I want to applaud (former State) Sen. Luke Kenley because he was one of the many masterminds of the lodging tax,
which is why a county can — without legislation — adopt a 5 percent lodging tax. And I want to applaud the hotels, because they allow themselves to be taxed,” Myers said.
Myers calls it “give-back tourism” because the funds generated from the tax benefit the entire community and provide more reasons for people to visit and need hotel accommodation.
“I think it’s sort of like a rising tide lifts all boats. If we can support all these other things in the community, then ultimately you will end up selling more hotel rooms. And that’s exactly what’s happened,” Myers said.
When she started as HCT’s CEO, the county had 1,800 hotel rooms. Now, it has 5,000. The HCT budget has grown from less than $1 million to $10 million annually. Her staff has grown from five to 19.
“With so much of consumer travel planning and booking occurring online, Brenda saw the value of collecting market data to better inform decision making,” said Karen Radcliff, HCT vice president and chief strategy officer. “She grew HCT’s business intelligence program in support of making Hamilton County a better place to live and visit.”
Myers credits Radcliffe with initiating a movement toward what HCT could provide to the community. Radcliffe was instru-
mental in attracting youth sports events to the county at a time when golf was the main tourism driver.
The entire HCT team worked to find new tourism opportunities for the county.
“Brenda was an early adopter of tourism product development,” Radcliff said. “This led to supporting brick-and-mortar projects across the county. Two legacy projects she leaves are Nickel Plate Arts, now Noblesville Creates, and Nickel Plate Express. Both attractions are highly regarded for the work they do and the visitors they attract.”
Sarah Buckner, HCT assistant director of community engagement, has worked closely with Myers since becoming her executive assistant in 2016.
“Brenda has such a clear vision,” she said. “Not only is she smart with this great vision, but she also has an idea on how to execute anything that she comes up with. And she also surrounds herself with really smart people. So, she makes sure that things get done.”
Myers said she is optimistic about the future of tourism and the organization’s contribution.
“We built a deep bench here, I’m very proud of that. We have an extraordinary team that really is forward thinking,” she said.
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Founded October 24, 2006, at Carmel, IN Vol. XVIV, No. 40
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Hamilton County Tourism CEO Brenda Myers at the 2018 grand opening of Nickel Plate Express. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Buckner)
JULY
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School board OKs new superintendent contract
By Tirzah Rowland news@currentincarmel.com
Carmel Clay Schools board of trustees voted unanimously July 22 to approve a contract for Thomas Oestreich, who will become the school district’s superintendent effective at the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year.
GIVING
board wanted the absolute best for Carmel Clay students, staff (and) the community, and we were set out to look for that wherever that may be.”
The board began its search internally and one of the applicants was Oestreich.
“Our theme this year is ‘Love Where You Lead,’ and Dr. Oestreich truly loves Carmel Clay Schools,” CCS Superintendent Michael Beresford said. “He understands that it takes a collaborative team of educators, parents, students, all working together to make the magic happen.”
It was previously announced that Oestreich would succeed Beresford following the current superintendent’s retirement at the end of the coming school year. The contract allows Oestreich and Beresford to move forward with transition planning.
“This spring, Dr. Beresford approached the board letting us know his plans to retire at the end of the 2024-2025 school year,” said board member Katie Browning, who led the search. “He let us know that, if it was possible, that he would love to do a successor-type position, which I think was very innovative.”
The board outlined the hiring process and benefits to the succession plan.
“Viewing the superintendent as a face of Carmel schools, within local, community and state levels, we were seeking a leader whose style is proactive, inclusive, adaptable to the changing dynamics of educational leadership,” Browning said. “This
Board member Greg Brown said that the board unanimously agreed there was no need for an external search because Oestreich had been interviewed and his references contacted. Brown also cited his excellent reputation within the district.
“While our policy does mention the solicitation of applications for a wide geographic area, it was not mandated as a sole approach,” Browning said.
“I just want to congratulate the board on choosing a perfect leader for Carmel Clay Schools moving forward,” Beresford said. “You thoughtfully took on the responsibility with a professional process (and) due diligence like no other.”
Oestreich will serve as successor superintendent until June 30, 2025, and will take the helm as superintendent July 1, 2025.
“I absolutely love this district, our students, our staff, our families, our parents,” Oestreich said. “I love this community and I want the best for Carmel Clay Schools. I’m grateful to the board. I’m grateful to the community. I look forward to the transition this year and let’s continue the phenomenal work that this district does each and every day.”
The three-year contract states Oestreich will receive $189,000 for his year as successor superintendent and a $210,000 base salary annually with a $1,000 per month travel stipend starting July 1, 2025.
Oestreich
Simple steps can prevent distracted driving
Commentary by CPD Chief Drake Sterling
Driving a motor vehicle is a routine activity for many of us, so it can be tempting to multitask when behind the wheel. Yet driving while distracted can lead to costly — even deadly — results.
SAFETY
What is distracted driving? It’s any activity that pulls your attention from the road, such as talking or texting on your phone, talking to others in your vehicle and adjusting the entertainment or navigation system. Perhaps less obvious but also dangerous, other activities include reaching for a dropped item, daydreaming, eating and drinking.
Texting or reading a text is perhaps the most dangerous of all distractions because it typically takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. This often-cited example helps you visualize the danger: If you’re traveling at 55 mph, it’s like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
According to the National Safety Council, a staggering 1.6 million motor vehicle accidents annually are linked to phone use while driving. And nine people in the nation are killed every day in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports.
The statistics are daunting, yet simple steps can help keep us safe.
Parents, educators and care providers should lead by example: Never drive distracted. Talk with the young people in your life about the responsibility of driving. Be vulnerable and acknowledge your own history with distracted driving as well as the steps you took to stop. Some families, social groups or friend circles have all members sign a pledge to drive distraction free.
NCS offers resources related to distracted driving and features a variety of other topics, as well.
is chief of police of the
Previously with the Zionsville Police Department, he served in a SWAT capacity for more than 10 years as well as in support services, investigations and uniformed services.
Drake Sterling
Carmel Police Department.
CPD: Motorists, cyclists urged to be mindful of each other
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
Anna Baron will never forget the shock she felt when her husband told her their 14-year-old daughter had been hit by a vehicle.
SAFETY
The teen had been bicycling past the entrance of Coxhall Gardens in Carmel when a car turning out of the park onto Towne Road grazed her leg. Thankfully, her injuries were minor.
“I think the trauma of (the experience) was more impactful than the actual hit of the car,” Baron said.
In the last several months, two other people in Baron’s circles have been struck by vehicles while bicycling in west Carmel. Both went to the hospital but did not have life-threatening injuries, she said. And in May, an 85-year-old bicyclist was killed at the nearby intersection of Towne Road and Main Street after being hit by a vehicle.
Incidents between vehicles and bikes and pedestrians typically increase in warmer weather, according to D.J. Schoeff, deputy chief of administration for the Carmel Police Department. He said there have been similar accidents throughout Carmel this year and that they have not been clustered in a single area.
“The weather is nicer and people are maybe being less attentive,” he said.
Some of the busiest pedestrian areas also tend to be some of the safest, Schoeff said, such as the Monon Crossing at Main Street in the Arts & Design District.
“That’s an area where people are very mindful and paying close attention,” Schoeff said. “If we use that same philosophy at all of those other areas, we’re
creating a safer opportunity. So, our heaviest (pedestrian) area, oddly enough, is not seeming to be a problem. It’s these outskirt areas where people might be a little bit more complacent.”
Schoeff said it’s important for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians to take responsibility for protecting each other.
“It’s easy for motorists to try to point the finger at cyclists, or cyclists to point the finger at motorists,” Schoeff said. “We all need to take it under our responsibility to be mindful of what’s around us and use caution, whether we’re on a bike or in a car.”
Baron is urging drivers to be patient and make sure they are fully aware of their surroundings.
“There definitely needs to be a little bit of an alarm for people,” she said. “Just take a stop and a breather and drive a little slower. Enjoy the summer without having any more accidents.”
DISPATCHES
Commission on veterans, military families launched — The City of Carmel has launched the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Veterans and Military Families, an initiative dedicated to addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by veterans and military families within the community. City Councilor Matthew Snyder will serve as chairperson of this commission, a volunteer body composed of up to nine members, appointed by Mayor Sue Finkam. Members were chosen from a diverse cross-section of the armed services veter-
an residents and business owners of Carmel. For more on the commission, contact the mayor’s office at 317-571-2401.
Sewa International 5K — The Sewa International 5K Run/Walk for First Responders is set for 8 a.m. Aug. 3 at Prather Park, 12575 River Rd. in Carmel. Proceeds will benefit local first responders and Sewa’s International Sponsor a Child program. Cost is $20. Register at sewausa.org/ event-5730046.
A bicyclist on the Monon. (FIle photo)
New state law banning cellphones in classrooms not expected to change much
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
When Hoosier students return to school for the fall semester, cellphones will not be permitted in the classroom thanks to a new state law that went into effect July 1.
EDUCATION
In Carmel Clay Schools, not much is expected to change, according to Superintendent Michael Beresford, because the district already bans cellphones during class.
the same page. We’ll reinforce the idea that cellphones should be put away.”
Exceptions to the ban on cellphones and other communication devices include use for educational purposes with teacher approval, during emergencies or when needed because of a disability or health issue.
Beresford said that most students in CCS willingly put their phones away when asked but some have a tougher time abiding by the policy.
NEW LITERACY LAW
Another new state law requires the IREAD standardized literacy test to be ad ministered starting in second grade rather than third grade. Students who haven’t passed the test by the end of third grade will be required to repeat third grade, with some exceptions.
The retention requirement received much debate before it became law, and Beresford said he is concerned about potential longterm consequences of requiring elementary students to repeat a grade level.
“We have our policies. I don’t know if they’ll need any tweaking at all, because we’ve always been in the position of no cellphones during instructional time,” he said. “But I do think this law gives us an opportunity to reset and get everybody on
“There might be some kids that will really struggle with it, because these cellphones are addictive,” he said. “I think (the new law) is a good wake-up call for the school and parents to get a hold of this thing. Because the information that’s come out about the impact (of cellphone use in schools) on kids is not good.”
“When a kid turns 18 their junior year in high school, school is a hard place for them,” he said.
Beresford also said that he would have preferred to address literacy by focus ing on earlier interventions rather than through a “punitive piece which may have a negative effect.”
School assistance for children of veterans — Operation Back to School provides financial assistance to Hoosier veteran families experiencing financial difficulties. Applications are accepted through Aug. 30 at in.gov/dva.
Beresford
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Input sought for Hamilton County’s CDBG long-term plan
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Hamilton County is in the process of finalizing its 2024-2029 Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Plan, the planning document that serves as the overall guide for how CDBG funds are used.
SERVICES
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The Noblesville Housing Authority administers and provides housing and community development services for all of Hamilton County. Community Development Program Manager Michelle Westermeier updated the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners on the consolidated planning process July 8. The housing authority partnered with Prosperity Indiana and Usona Development to gather the data presented in the plan.
Westermeier said the Consolidated Plan identifies and updates community needs and priorities in areas of community development and affordable housing and proposes strategies on how to best use the resources available to meet those needs. The plan is a requirement to apply for CDBG funds, which are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and designed to meet the needs of low- and moderate-income residents. CDBG funds support housing and social services for low-income residents, inducing home repair, public facility construction and rehabilitation, demolition of unsafe structures, summer youth programs, employment training and senior services.
“The intent is that it benefits households that are living with a low to moderate income, and that is up to 80 percent of what the area median income is,” Westermeier said, adding that more than 30,000 households in Hamilton County qualify for assistance.
To create the draft plan, the housing authority held a series of meetings with stakeholders including local government agencies, social service agencies and housing providers.
“We tried to get as much input and robust feedback as we could on the concerns (stakeholders) have with the clientele that they serve and any ideas on what we can possibly tweak or offer as we move forward,” Westermeier said. “Affordable housing was the number one priority. Even our public service organizations,
while they may be serving low-income folks with their programs and providing that firsthand assistance, they all across the board did feel that the CDBG funds would be best utilized focusing on affordable housing projects.”
ADDITIONAL PROPOSED PROJECTS INCLUDE:
• Community land trust — A capacity building fund of $100,000 was recommended, with funds earmarked to kick start housing land trust activity to assist with an affordable housing pilot project.
• Acquisition of land — $1.2 million would be allocated to acquire existing rental units throughout Hamilton County and placed in a land trust to remain affordable in perpetuity. Rent receipts would return to land trust for additional acquisitions, and funds may also be made available to nonprofit developers.
• Baker’s Corner — The recommendation utilizes $552,110 for infrastructure costs for acquisition and infrastructure for development in northern Hamilton County. The county began water and sewer infrastructure expansion at Bakers Corner last fall, the area west of U.S. 31 from 216th Street 296th Street.
• City infrastructure projects — The project proposed $2.2 million earmarked for projects in Noblesville, Westfield, Fishers and Carmel, including streets and sidewalks, flood drainage and ADA modifications. The plan proposed would provide one large award to each city over the five-year period instead of five annual awards. Learn more at gonha.org/cdbg.
Community Development Block Grants can be used for programs such as this sidewalk project in Westfield. (Photo by Marney Simon)
Former Clay Middle employee sentenced, must pay restitution
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
A former Clay Middle School employee accused of stealing nearly $95,000 from the school in cash and unauthorized purchases received a two-year sentence July 18 and is ordered to make restitution payments.
COURTS
financial losses on the school’s athletic department funds. It states that Nowlin was “unable to explain or justify” errors and inaccuracies identified in the report.
Aletta Nowlin of Carmel pleaded guilty to corrupt business influence and official misconduct. As part of the plea, Hamilton County Judge Jonathan Brown dismissed 18 counts of theft.
Nowlin was an administrative assistant at Clay Middle School from July 2012 until her termination in 2021. She also served as the building treasurer.
According to court documents, school officials became aware of the missing funds in 2021 after being asked to run financial reports to explore the COVID-19 pandemic’s
The affidavit states that nearly $75,000 in cash was found to be missing from the Athletic Fund, Music Fund and Make-A-Wish Foundation Fund within the CMS Extracurricular Activities Account between April 10, 2019, and March 1, 2021. During that same time frame, nearly $20,000 in unauthorized purchases were made on a Sam’s Club credit card.
According to the affidavit, Nowlin told investigators that she used cash for personal gain rather than depositing it into the ECA account, and she admitted that she used the school’s Sam’s Club credit card for her own personal use “quite a bit” to buy groceries and items for her children. The affidavit states that unauthorized purchases on the credit card include jewelry, makeup, household items, gasoline, gift cards and more.
Carmel celebrates summer with Brews on the Boulevard
By Ken Severson news@currentincarmel.com
Fun has always been a summer theme and will continue when the third annual Brews on the Boulevard returns to Carmel from 5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 3, rain or shine.
EVENT
“This event increases exposure to our local breweries and wineries on our Brews and Barrel Trail,” Kelly Douglas, marketing director for the City of Carmel, stated in an email. “This fun evening of tastings helps draw the public to the brick-and-mortar locations of these participating vendors throughout the year. It’s a great way for our breweries to try new flavors and for the public to find a new favorite beverage. All while listening to great music in a cool, fun location.”
The event is at Carmel’s Midtown Plaza near Monon Boulevard North and South. Breweries from across Indiana will be on-site to provide samples to those who purchase tasting tickets. Beer also can
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be purchased directly from the breweries. Tasting tickets are $30 and include a souvenir tasting glass and program.
Additionally, a limited number of VIP prime-hour tickets is available for $50. Prime hour is 4 to 5 p.m., and the tickets include early entry and sampling, along with an insulated backpack.
The Wallow Hollows, an American folkrock band from Indianapolis, will be the Main Stage headliners starting at 8 p.m.
The Walker Band will open for them, beginning at 5:30 p.m. There also will be other musical entertainment.
Food and merchandise vendors will be on-site, including Allied Solutions, All things Carmel, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreations, the Carmel Fire Department booth, the Carmel Police Department Safety booth and Sugar Creek Winery, among others.
Guests of all ages can enjoy the vendors and music for free. There is no cost to enter the festival. To purchase tasting tickets, visit ontaptickets.com. Tickets can be purchased at the festival by credit card.
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Nowlin
Carmel police officer trains CrossFit Games competitor
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Lexi Neely embraces the different challenges in CrossFit competitions.
COMPETITION
“I love pushing myself and getting better each day and seeing the progress over these last years on how much stronger and fitter I’ve gotten,” the Fishers resident said.
Neely will compete in the CrossFit Games Aug. 8-11 in Fort Worth, Texas. Neely, 21, will compete in the elite women’s division for the first time. She is coached by Carmel resident Chase Larrison, a Carmel police officer.
There are three stages to qualify. From the open tournament, the top 25 advance to the quarterfinals. Then the top 40 in each region move on to the semifinals. The open and quarterfinals are determined by a submitted video workout. From the region, the top 11 qualify for the CrossFit Games, based on a scoring system from the workouts. Neely finished 11th to get the final spot in the region May 31 to June 2 in Knoxville, Tenn. There were six workouts over the three days.
Larrison said most of the stages of the CrossFit Games will take place at Dickies Arena.
“But they’ve announced we’ll be outside (at night Aug. 9) in the Texas heat at a high school,” Larrison said. “There’s also a swimming event. There could be anywhere
between 12 and 15 events. It’s way more volume and way more competition, because it’s the top 40 women from all over the world.”
Neely, a 2021 Hamilton Southeastern High School graduate, competed in the CrossFit Games in 2018 as a teenager. She qualified in 2020, but it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“She is the first female from Indiana to qualify for the CrossFit Games in the open
division, ages 18-35,” Larrison said. “There has only been one other (Indiana) male to do the same thing. We are considered the hardest region (North America East). Women who made it in the past from our region didn’t make it this year.”
Larrison said some of the workouts are strength-based and some are cardio-based.
“It’s a mixture of everything. It can be swimming, running, bicycling, anything
under the sun is what CrossFit encompasses,” Larrison said.
Neely, who majors in health care and business at Butler University, said her strengths are gymnastics and weightlifting. She has competed in CrossFit for 10 years. She previously competed in gymnastics.
Larrison, a 2010 Carmel High School graduate, owns Black Dog Fitness in Indianapolis. His wife, Mackenzie, serves as a fitness instructor.
“We have classes every day, and it’s all instructor-led,” Larrison said.
Neely serves as an instructor as well.
“Chase does all my programming and coaching,” Neely said. “All my training is around classes we do.”
Larrison said he works with Neely to train almost every day.
“It’s been a big learning experience for both of us,” he said. “It’s been a lot of work in and out of the gym, building that chemistry. I think she has a bright future in the sport.”
Larrison has served as Neely’s personal coach since January 2023. Neely has worked at Black Dog Fitness since it opened.
“He’s very direct and straightforward in his coaching, which is what I needed,” Neely said. “He’s there to support me and help me grow, but also make me better. We just try to keep pushing to get better and moving forward. Even when things are tough, he’s pushing me to move forward.”
Swanky fundraiser benefits Make-A-Wish
By Jennifer A. Haire northindy@yoaurecurrent.com
The second Wine, Women and Shoes event benefiting Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 16 at Lucas Estate in Carmel.
GIVING
MAW Director of Donor Advising Leslie Scott said the event “brings together up to 500 of central Indiana’s women of influence (to fulfill their) promise to grant wishes for local critically ill children who are already waiting for their wish to be granted.”
Guests can enjoy select culinary samplings from local restaurants and visit wine stations throughout the property. VIP ticket holders will also have access to a private bar and reserved lounge seating.
The event includes a runway fashion show.
“The fashion show this year is hosted by Macy’s, and they’re showcasing their highend brands,” Scott said.
Longtime wish granter and friend to Make-A-Wish, Nicole Pence Becker, owner and operator of Pence Media Group, will serve as emcee.
Local high-fashion clothing retailers will be on-site with their latest items available for sale. Moyer Fine Jewelers will bring its most popular pieces.
“Twenty percent of the proceeds that they raise, they donate back to Make-AWish. So, ladies are shopping with a purpose,” Scott said.
The afternoon includes remarks from Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam and Carmel resident and MAW alumna Elizabeth Miller, who will share what the wish experience meant
to her.
Additional activities include a live auction, 100-bottle “wine wall” raffle, and a Key to the Closet raffle where one winner will go home with up to $20,000 in prizes. Each raffle entry receives a Moyer Fine Jewelers $100 store credit.
Guests are encouraged to dress in their best fashion-forward attire to be eligible to win prizes for “Best Dressed” and “Best Shoes.”
There are currently 224 promised wishes for central Indiana children.
“They are counting on us,” Scott said. “We look to our guests in attendance to help us try to grant as many as 40 with the event.”
To purchase tickets, donate or become a sponsor, visit one.bidpal.net/wws24/ welcome.
This years fashion show is hosted by Macy’s and will showcase its high-end brands. (Photo courtesy of Make-A-Wish)
Lexi Neely and her coach, Chase Larrison, at the CrossFit Games semifinals in Knoxville, Tenn. (Photo courtesy of Chase Larrison)
Carmel Christkindlmarkt to debut Wundernacht
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
A new event hosted by Carmel Christkindlmarkt will help kick off the holiday season with flair.
EVENT
The nonprofit organization will debut Wundernacht, a ticketed event for adults 21 and older to experience an exclusive preview of the annual Christkindlmarkt a few days before the popular holiday market opens to the public Nov. 23.
Vice President of Communications Hannah Kiefer said Wundernacht general admission ticket holders will have access to the market grounds and amenities, along with special entertainment and complimentary food samples from vendors.
“We’re also hoping to engage some outside partners for specialty cocktails and things like that, that won’t be available at any other time,” she said. “VIP (ticket holders) will get all of that stuff, as well as access to the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts, where there will be some extra activations inside.”
Kiefer added that there will be spon-
Tickets are available now for the Nov. 20 Wundernacht, an exclusive preview to the popular Carmel Christkindlmarkt. (Photo courtesy of Carmel Christkindlmarkt)
sorship opportunities for businesses to reserve private space in the Palladium for guests.
Proceeds from ticket sales will support the Carmel Christkindlmarkt’s mission, which is “to engage and educate the community in German culture and Christmas tradition through an authentic, magical
holiday experience,” Kiefer said, adding that all participants can dress up in a fun, festive manner.
Christkindlmarkt CEO Maria Adele Rosenfeld said she hopes the new event is successful enough to expand the nonprofit’s ability to promote cultural exchanges.
“I was an exchange student,” she said. “I won a scholarship to go to Germany and live for a year. With seven brothers and sisters, there’s no way my parents could have ever afforded that. And so, for me, cultural exchanges and scholarship programs … for those who could never afford that are super important to me.”
Rosenfeld said if Wundernacht is as successful as she hopes, the proceeds will be used for cultural-exchange scholarships.
She noted that Indiana has a strong connection to Germany through the many German immigrants who historically settled in the state. Carmel Christkindlmarkt celebrates that heritage with German arts and crafts, food and drink, live demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Tickets for the Nov. 20 Wundernacht went on sale July 25. For more, visit carmelchristkindlmarkt.com.
DISPATCHES
Preschool Splash Bash — Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation will present the Preschool Splash Bash from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 5 at The Waterpark, 1195 Central Park Dr. West. The event is for children age 6 and younger. Cost is $15 per child; accompanying adults are free. Register at bit.ly/4bTauJy.
County honored for tech practices — The Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties ranked Hamilton County among the top 10 counties with a population of 250,000-499,999 in its 22nd annual Digital Counties Survey. The survey identifies the best technology practices among United States counties, including initiatives that streamline delivery of government services, provide data analytics, enhance cybersecurity and apply innovative and emerging technologies to county priorities. The top 10 winners were honored at an awards event during the National Association of Counties annual conference on July 12 in Hillsborough County, Fla.
SHALL WE DANCE?
Carmel ballroom group provides social outlet for adults with intellectual disabilities
By Tirzah Rowland news@currentincarmel.com
Ballroom dancing brings groups of up to 50 adults together three evenings per week at the Carmel Ballroom Dance Studio. Participants share a special bond, as they all have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Benefits of Learning Dance, Inc., or BOLD, a nonprofit established in January 2023 by veteran dance instructor Sean Gehlhausen, provides a social and intellectual outlet for adults with disabilities seeking engagement with a community.
Each meeting touches on eight ballroom dancing styles (waltz, foxtrot, tango, rumba, cha-cha, swing, hustle and salsa) and encourages participants to learn both lead and follow positions. Besides dance, Gehlhausen, caregivers and volunteers guide students to practice social skills and build relationships.
“Dancing is such a unique type of therapy,” Gehlhausen said. “Learning to dance engages so many parts of the brain simultaneously that it is an enhancement to both the body and the brain.”
Gehlhausen fosters an environment where each student greets one another by name with a handshake or hug and builds confidence through learning to dance together.
“The most immediate benefit is the social component of just being around friends, and also because ballroom dancing involves physical touch, there’s an amazing amount of healing therapy that goes on just by simply touching – respectfully –another person, and dancing and being in contact,” Gehlhausen said.
Gehlhausen brings more than three decades of dance instruction to the group. Inspired when his nephew Leo Mays, 13, was born with Down syndrome, Gehlhausen began to study the benefits of dance therapy and started a group for adults with intellectual disabilities at CBDS in 2019.
The first meeting had six participants but quickly grew through word of mouth.
“There are so few resources like this. It is truly a remarkable experience for all involved,” said Jane Hornett, whose daughter, Taylor James, 25, is autistic and start-
ed attending the group in early 2020.
“It’s about learning skills and applying them and making friends,” said James, a group leader who likes making new students feel welcome.
BOLD dancers participate in monthly dance parties at CBDS and several performance opportunities in the Indianapolis area each year. They recently performed a dance routine to “The Greatest Showman” theme at the Fishers farmers market and the same routine at the Indy Dance Festival at Butler University.
“We’re not going to cure any diseases. What we can do is have somebody experience learning, and maybe they can carry that into other aspects of their life,” Gehlhausen said.
Repetition and patience, Gehlhausen said, lead to eventual results, “and it’s beautiful to see.” He emphasizes improvement with each practice over perfection.
“It’s OK to make mistakes,” James said.
INAUGURAL SHOWCASE
The public is invited to join volunteers and students of BOLD for its inaugural showcase and fundraiser from 6:30 to 10 p.m., Aug. 9 at 502 Event Center, 502 E Carmel Dr. in Carmel. Drinks and appetizers will be provided.
The evening will feature 15 performances from BOLD dancers, including two full-group numbers to the theme of “The Greatest Showman” and “Feel this Moment.”
A “Dancing with the Stars”-style competition will feature students dancing
“It’s OK to be nervous.” Classes cost $5 each and are from 5 to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Carmel Ballroom Dance Studio, 111 Medical Dr. Gehlhau-
the foxtrot, hustle, waltz and salsa.
Professional ballroom dancers from Indiana will also perform, and attendees will have opportunities to dance and see firsthand the benefits of dance.
General admission tickets are $75. Proceeds will benefit the group’s efforts to provide dance instruction to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Learn more at bolddance.org or contact Sean Gehlhausen at 414-839-0118.
sen also provides private lessons. For more, visit bolddance.org
ON THE COVER: Michael Sharkey and Jessica Grief-Sharkey practice a dance for the showcase. (Photo by Adam Seif)
Sean Gehlhausen instructs the BOLD dance group. (Photo by Adam Seif)
Antonia Bennett eager for jazzy Carmel Symphony Orchestra performance
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Antonia Bennett had the benefit of learning from the best.
Not only did the jazz vocalist perform with her legendary father, the late Tony Bennett, since she was young, but she also was exposed to many of his famous friends.
“Especially in Beverly Hills at that time, there were a lot of talented people that lived (nearby), like Ella Fitzgerald and Rosemary Clooney,” she said. “Our neighbor was songwriter Sammy Cahn, who lived right across the street. Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire were within walking distance. When my parents would have parties, they would all be there and get us to sing around the piano. There was a lot of exposure to people who were at the top of their craft who loved what they did and got to do it. It just became a possibility for me.”
Bennett will perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 9 with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. She is the opening-night headliner for the Carmel Jazz Festival, set for Aug. 9-10. She will sing songs by George Gershwin and Duke Ellington. Saxophonist Bryan Thompson, who performs as B. Thompson, will have a one-hour set at 6:30 p.m.
The 50-year-old Bennett said she is excited to work with Carmel Symphony and Joel Smirnoff. Bennett said her relationship with Smirnoff goes back several years because he was good friends with her father.
“It’s nice to do something together,” she said. “To celebrate Ellington and Gershwin is very meaningful.”
Bennett said some of the arrangements are Smirnoff’s and some are her own. Smirnoff is working on an arrangement of Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing.”
In addition to performances, Bennett has plans to release a holiday album.
“We’re just finished that and are in the process of mixing it now,” she said.
A single will likely be released from it this fall, followed by a full release near the holidays.
“I’m excited about that because the holidays were always such a big deal in my family,” Bennett said. “I got to record a lot of the songs that I grew up singing. In a way, it’s a tribute to my father. He loved holidays so much and I think he made two or three holiday records over his career span.”
Bennett said she and her dad sang a duet on “I’ve Got My Love to Keep me Warm” on one of his holiday albums.
“Just to be able to redo some of those classic holiday songs helped me to honor him,” she said. “This is a way to keep him close to my heart.”
Tony Bennett died July 21, 2023, at age 96.
She has another album called “Expressions,” which she plans to release after the holiday album. One of her original songs, “Right On Time,” has already been released as a single. She said likely one more single will be released this year
“We’re going to maybe release one
more single this year and then at the beginning of the year, drop another single,” she said. “Then sometime in that year, we’ll release the rest of the record. That album is a really good reflection today of who I am as an artist because it’s half standards and half original songs. It’s a nice compilation and a very strong record of things that I love.”
Besides Gershwin and Ellington, Cole Porter is another of her favorites.
“I grew up with all those songs and watched a lot of musical theater and plays growing up,” she said. “My parents did a great job of exposing me to all the arts. I used to watch shows like ‘Oklahoma!’ and I would memorize all the songs in one weekend. I was doing that constantly because there are so many great musicals and songs. When you have such a rich library to pull from, there is always something new to do. You can do the same song over and over and it never gets old because the lyrics are so rich and meaningful, and the harmonies are so beautiful that you can tell the story slightly differently each time you do it.”
For more, visit carmelsymphony.org and carmeljazzfest.com.
‘LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL’
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” runs through Aug. 25 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
SYMPHONY ON THE PRAIRIE
Evil Woman: The American ELO will perform Aug. 2, and A1A: The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show will perform Aug. 3 at Symphony on the Prairie at Conner Prairie in Fishers. Both performances start at 8 p.m. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.
PHISH
Phish will perform at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2-4 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville. For more, visit livenation.com.
LIVE AT THE CENTER
The Live at the Center series will feature the Brandon Meeks Quintet at 7:30 p.m. July 30 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets are $10 or register for a free livestream at thecenterpresents.org.
DISPATCHES
Home Free set for holiday concert — All-vocal country group Home Free will perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts this holiday season on its “Any Kind of Christmas” tour. The a cappella quintet has amassed 750 million views and 1.7 million subscribers on YouTube. Tickets are on sale at thecenterpresents.org.
Broadway star to lead master classes — Best known for originating roles in “SIX” and “The Great Gatsby” on Broadway, Samantha Pauly will lead two in-person choreography master classes Aug 22 at Grace Church in Noblesville. Classes are recommended for ages 12 and up. Pauly will teach choreography from “SIX” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and from “The Great Gatsby from. 7:30 to 9 p.m. For more, visit discoveringbroadway.org.
Antonia Bennett will perform Aug. 9 with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra at the Palladium. (Photo courtesy of Antonia Bennett)
Clarinetist returns to Jazz Fest
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Dave Bennett started playing the clarinet at age 10.
CONCERT
“This is the honest-togod truth, when I started playing, I knew this is what I was meant to do in life,” he said. “I didn’t know beyond that, but something clicked perfectly. I started playing professionally when I was 13 and started touring when I was 14. It’s been an amazing life. Thus far, all my dreams have come true.”
The Dave Bennett Quartet will perform at 9 p.m. Aug. 9 at Carter Green stage on the Center for the Performing Arts grounds in Carmel. The free concert is part of the Aug. 9-10 Carmel Jazz Festival.
Bennett, 40, performed at the inaugural Carmel Jazz Fest last year.
“We had a wonderful time and the ovation was fantastic,” said Bennett, who is from Waterford, Mich. “They treated us really well. It’s a great honor to be coming back. We perform in Indiana quite a bit, so it’s like coming home. (Carmel is) a beautiful town.”
Most of Bennett’s songs are instrumental, but he said a few have vocals.
“We have a couple originals of ours that have gained popularity now,” Bennett said.
“As far as classic things, we have some (pieces) by Benny Goodman we’ve throw in. A lot of times we’ll close with a Jerry Lee Lewis song because it really brings the house down and it’s a lot of fun to do that.”
Bennett said it’s been one of his busiest years. He usually performs three or four times a week. He has performed at the Elkhart Jazz Festival for 22 years, which was held in June this year.
For more, visit davebennett.com and carmeljazzfest.com.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 TH , 2024 11AM to 3PM at Lucas Estate, Carmel, IN
Dave Bennett will play at Carter Green at 9 p.m. Aug. 9 as part of the Carmel Jazz Festival.
(Photo courtesy of Dave Bennett)
‘Golden Girls’ parody set
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
It’s easy for Robert Jones to pinpoint the best part of being in the cast of “The Indy Golden Girls.”
COMEDY
“My favorite part is just like the four women in ‘The Golden Girls,’ the four of us have built a very beautiful friendship and really enjoy doing this together,” Jones said. “‘The Golden Girls’ has a big following of people, obviously, (who) watch the reruns on Hulu and stuff like that. It’s really cool for them to see our interpretation of these four iconic women.”
“The Indy Golden Girls: A Drag Parody” will perform two original episodes Aug. 8-10 at Basile Westfield Playhouse.
“All of the episodes have been inspired by a real episode from ’The Golden Girls,’” Jones said.
Jones is the youngest of the four actors at age 35. He plays the part of Blanche. The other cast members are Jim LaMonte as Sophia, Thom Turner as Rose and Jeremy Tuterow as Dorothy.
The roles were played by the late ac-
tresses Betty White, Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty.
Jones said he and his castmates started performing as the “The Indy Golden Girls” about three years ago.
The Aug. 8-9 performances begin at 7:30 p.m. There will be two shows Aug. 10 at 6 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $20, and $35 tickets include VIP seating and a meet-andgreet with photo.
For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org/ special-events.
From left, James LaMonte, Robert Jones, Thom Turner and Jeremy Tuterow appear as “The Indy Golden Girls.” (Photo courtesy of James LaMonte)
FALL SESSION
ACTING MUSICAL THEATRE
Saxophonist excels on TV show
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Bryan Thompson received some rave reviews for his national TV debut.
The saxophonist, who performs as B. Thompson, made it to the next round of “America’s Got Talent” as all four judges gave approval in an episode that aired in early July.
MUSIC
eventually became the last one to give his approval.
Thompson, an Indianapolis native who now lives in Los An geles, will perform a one-hour set before Antonia Bennett’s show with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Bennett is the opening-night headliner at the Aug. 9-10 Carmel Jazz Festival.
For his “America’s Got Talent” audition, Thompson played a sax solo of “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” on the episode that aired July 9. Judge Sofia Vergara called his performance “sexy.” Vergara and judge Howie Mandel were the most enthusiastic about his audition. Simon Cowell
“He’s a tough cookie,’ Thompson said. “It’s hard persuading people the world deserves to see you in a few minutes. I’m grateful for the chance to do more. To give a captivating performance without giving your all is difficult to achieve. You want to have more for future rounds.”
Thompson has been performing as part of Babyface’s band. Kenneth Brian Edmonds, who goes by Babyface, also is an Indianapolis native.
Thompson has performed at the Palladium but has never played his own show with his own band.
“This will be the first time I can create something to entertain at the Palladium,” Thompson said. “It’s sort of my favorite venue in the Indianapolis area. I’ve seen a lot of favorite artists there (such as) Brian Culbertson, Kenny G, Boney James and Dave Koz.”
For more, visit bthompsononline.com and carmelsymphony.org.
Rail Trail celebrates history
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Deeply rooted by its connections to the past, the Big-4 Rail Trail provides nearly 9 miles of a flat, paved 12-foot-wide trail winding through Zionsville and Whitestown that is perfect for walking, running and cycling.
A connecting section between Whitestown and Zionsville was completed in 2023, providing continuous access between 500 E. in Whitestown and the Zionsville Road trailhead in Zionsville.
The Big-4 was previously home to railroad tracks operated by the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway from 1852 to 1962. On May 1, 1865, the body of Abraham Lincoln traveled through Zionsville and Whitestown as the assassinated president returned to Illinois for burial.
Historic references can be found throughout the stretch between Zionsville and Whitestown, including a marker where the depot once stood in Zionsville and a plaque honoring Lincoln and Whitestown namesake U.S. Congressman Albert Smith White in Whitestown.
The trail provides connections to mul-
TAKE A HIKE!
tiple neighborhoods and parks, including Starkey Park, Overley-Worman Park, Mulberry Fields and Heritage Trail and features two painted tunnels and benches.
Trailhead parking and amenities are available at Zionsville Road Trailhead, Nancy Burton Trailhead, Zionsville Town Hall, American Legion Trail Crossing, Carter Station, Heritage Trail Park and downtown Whitestown.
Learn more about the Big-4 Rail Trail at zionsville-in.gov/701/Big-4-Rail-Trail.
Yoga event debuts at Palladium
By Conrad Otto conrad@youarecurrent.com
The inaugural Yoga Dream event at the Palladium will offer participants two hours of yoga, meditation, live music and an art workshop Aug. 1. It will be in the Robert Adam room inside the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The event starts at 5:30 p.m.
The event is presented by Kara Goodwin Meditation, Michelle Qureshi Music and the Carmel Arts Council.
“(The event) is really about facilitating an environment that can spark community and connection,” said Susan Haigh, the yoga instructor for the event. “Just allow people to discover the power of yoga as a tool for their lives in terms of well-being, finding more calm, becoming more present, becoming more connected to their body.”
A Carmel native who teaches yoga in Madrid, where she works remotely for a tech company, Haigh returns to Carmel for two months each year to visit family. She planned her visit this year around the event because she wants to share her pas-
sion for yoga with the Carmel community. Haigh started practicing yoga after she broke her ankle in a mountain bike accident. She said yoga helped her recover from the injury. She became an instructor in 2022.
“I feel like (yoga) has followed me,” she said. “It really wasn’t something that I chose.”
Kara Goodwin is a meditation guide who lives in Carmel. She will lead a meditation session after the yoga session. She said yoga will prepare participants’ bodies and minds for meditation.
“I love the idea,” she said. “I love all of the elements of this. It’s a really beautiful way to let people experience many facets of themselves in one event.”
Haigh looks forward to the event.
“When we share our passions, that’s when magic happens in life,” she said. “Things just unfold how they’re supposed to.”
Space is limited. The registration fee is $49. For more, visit yogadreamsusan.com/ yoga-dream-at-the-palladium.
The Big-4 Rail Trail provides a continuous paved trail between Whitestown and Zionsville. (Photo by Marney Simon)
Networking group connects Carmel-area women in business
By Tirzah Rowland news@currentincarmel.com
The Carmel Women’s Networking Group meets monthly to discuss achievements, provide updates and share opportunities to support business owners in their latest ventures.
SUPPORT
“We’re a group of women trying to support other women and our businesses, to help us grow and to refer business to each other, only if it’s organically, and to know that we can refer business because we speak on a monthly basis,” said co-founder Melissa Olson, Guild mortgage loan originator.
Founded in February 2023 by Olson and FC Tucker Realtor Erin Martin Scott, the group aims to provide support beyond a typical chamber or corporate network. To that end, the group is “category protected,” according to Olson, meaning the group only allows one member from a profession or business type. The group aims to grow to 30 women-run unique businesses.
“Part of the category protection is having the intimate relationships,” Scott said. When group members consider referring, they automatically think of the businesses represented in their network.
Current members own businesses in categories that include boutique fashion, massage therapy, CPA services, dog concierge services, personal styling, organization and photography, among others.
“I think the women that we have, and the categories, are super exciting because we are your meat and potatoes, like your
builder, your mortgage person, your accountant,” Olson said. “But then we have really cool businesses that you would never have thought of that feel really unique and exciting.”
Group member Abby’s Garden Parties owner Abby Perry left her career in pharmaceutical sales to start her terrarium business.
“In leaving the corporate world, I feared losing my professional network,” she said. “Instead, I’ve gained an even more valuable one through this group of Carmel women.”
Olson and Scott said the selection process is simple: Dedication to an open market business and a desire to grow and support other women. They would like to see women from the house cleaning, landscaping and maintenance sectors as well as an attorney and insurance agent join the group.
“We want somebody who’s entrenched in their business, who wants to grow, because that’s the whole purpose. We want somebody who has some dedication,” Olson said. “We only meet 12 times a year. If you miss one meeting, it’s a big deal.”
The group meets at 9 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month in north Indianapolis unless a holiday falls on that day. Members keep in touch through a private Facebook page and support each other through attending events and spreading the word about each other’s businesses.
“We really, truly get to know each other and what our businesses offer,” Olson said.
For more, contact Olson at melissa.olson@guildmortgage.net or Martin Scott at erin@martinonthemove.com.
The Carmel Women’s Network Group. (Photo courtesy of Lydia Abdnoor, Little Lamppost Photography)
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
City of Carmel, Indiana
Department Board of Public Works and Safety
One Civic Square City of Carmel, Indiana 46032
Project: Project No. 21-SW-03: Orchard Park Drainage Improvements
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, 1000 S Rangeline Road, Carmel, Indiana (2nd Floor) until 4:00 EST on August 20, 2024 or at City Hall, One Civic Square, Carmel, Indiana (Front Desk) until 9:45 EST or in the Council Chambers between the hours of 9:45 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. EST on August 21, 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 – Project No. 21- SW-03 Orchard Park Drainage Improvements”
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:
In general, the project includes installation of storm sewers, hybrid ditches, inlets, driveway culvert removal, driveway culvert cleaning, and roadside swale cleaning in three (3) main areas within the Orchard Park neighborhood that are described herein:
Area 1: Improvements are mainly along the east side of Orchard Park Drive West and stretches from 10353 Orchard Park Drive West to 10017 Orchard Park Drive West. Storm sewers, hybrid ditch, and inlets are proposed to be installed within the right-of-way to help site drainage and convey runoff. Additionally, a 36” storm sewer is proposed to move runoff from Niman Court and connect to proposed storm sewer along Orchard Park Drive W. Existing ditch lines may have to be moved to accommodate drainage improvements and avoid existing utilities.
Area 2: Improvements are on both sides of Orchard Park Drive South from 10284 Orchard Park Drive South to 10017 Orchard Park Drive West and consists of construction of storm sewers, hybrid ditches, and inlets to convey runoff and improve site drainage in the area. All work is to be done within right-of-way of Orchard Park Drive South. Storm sewers from areas 1 & 2 will connect to a proposed 48” outlet pipe at 10017 Orchard Park Drive West that ultimately discharges to Ream Creek and is to be installed by others.
Area 3: Improvements consists of storm sewer, hybrid ditches, and inlets beginning at 10424 Woodlawn Drive that collects runoff on both sides of Woodlawn Drive up to the intersection of Woodlawn Drive and Orchard Park Drive N. The storm sewer and hybrid ditch continue south of Orchard Park Dr N before traveling along the east side of Woodlawn Drive. The storm sewer then heads east at the intersection of Woodlawn Dr and E 106th Street until the storm sewer ultimately outlets to an existing dry detention basin at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church. All work is to be within Woodlawn Drive and E 106th Street right-of-way.
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 August 7th, 2024 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
Rebranding reflects values
Commentary by Jeff Worrell
“Of course, I didn’t actually mean it,” or “I know I said it, but I didn’t think you would take it literally.” Somewhere along the way, it became OK to not mean what we say. The bombastic or inflammatory rhetoric is too often used to capture attention, further eroding a sense of civility in our society. Words are powerful and possess the profound potential to shape our reality. In recent political discourse, language has played a critical role in influencing public behavior and opinion.
CIVILITY
Consider the contentious phrases attributed to political leaders: Did President Trump explicitly encourage the storming of the Capitol? Did President Biden suggest that opponents should be targeted with a bullseye? While these statements have
been debated, the essence remains clear –words, especially from influential figures, have weighty consequences. They can inspire unity or sow discord, incite violence or promote peace.
We must advocate for civility in our interactions. Choosing words that foster thoughtful dialogue and understanding is essential in a world where rhetoric can lead to tangible actions, for better or worse. By setting an example and being mindful of our language, we contribute to a more respectful and harmonious society, averting acts of violence and incivility.
READERS’ VIEWS
Fourth of July fun
Editor,
I wanted to pass on a quick story about a delightful experience on the Fourth of July.
For some years, it has been a family practice to watch the Conner Prairie fireworks from the parking lot of the Prairie Trace Elementary school in Carmel. (This year), whether intentional or not, the Carmel Clay Schools had made a change that made the event much more enjoyable for the 100 or so people who were there.
Orange cones blocked the parking lot
entry directly from River Road. Apparently, this was to facilitate the application of a sealcoat to the surface. However, what might be a new parking lot at the rear of the school was open.
The result was that those watching the fireworks parked in the rear and congregated in front of the school. Children and adults had free access to run around the front parking lot without concern for interference or safety.
This all made a special event even more memorable.
John Homer, Fishers
Easy step can help save lives of animals
Editor,
I was saddened to read the letter to the editor by Emily Peak from Westfield regarding the death of her dog. My neighbor told me a similar story about her daughter’s dog that had gotten into the trash and suffocated due to not being able to get a
chip bag off her head. After reading Emily’s story, I would like to encourage everyone to use scissors and cut open the sides of every type of bag so that no animal, dog, cat or wildlife will suffer the same tragic end.
Nancy Tatum, Carmel
Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 300 words sent in a Microsoft Word document or in the body of an email. Letters may not be of a campaigning or advertising nature. Letters should be exclusive to Current Publishing. Unsigned letters and letters deemed to be of a libelous nature will not be published. Letter writers will be given once-monthly consideration for publication of submissions. Current Publishing reserves the right to end published audience debate on any topic. Current Publishing reserves the right to edit and shorten for space, grammar, style and spelling, and Current may refuse letters. Send submissions to letters@youarecurrent.com; letters sent to any other email address will not be reviewed. Letters must include the writer’s full name, hometown and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only.
Jeff Worrell is a Carmel City Council member and a civility proponent. To contact him, you may email jeff4civility@gmail.com.
Tips and assorted rising fees
Commentary by Terry Anker
Some of us check restaurant bills very closely, as if we are expecting to find some hidden plot against our wallets. Others simply toss a credit card into the folder without a glance at the total, assuming no nefarious intent on the part of servers. Most of us fall somewhere in between. We scan the bill expecting an approximate range but don’t review the culinary choices and associated expense of our guests. Easy when the receipt is only for a drink or two, it becomes predictably more difficult with multicourse meals for multiple diners. We average the sum divided by those gathered and, if close, offer payment.
ESSAY
Sticker shock is precipitated by our own advancing years. How can a cup of coffee be $6 when we remember a time when it was a buck? Or in the short term, we might recoil at the rapid increases delivered by inflation. That $6 hot beverage was $5 last week. Still, we keep up nominally with the general price of things. Even
so, there are new obstacles to confront. When it was once anticipated to provide 10 percent for expected service and more only for exemplary, it is now routine for the bidding to begin at 20 percent. Selfhelp kiosks nudge us to give, one can only assume, to the unseen folks in the back who are making the drink. Now, we include automatic “donations” to causes selected by them. We can opt-out but must demand to be and then wait until the check can be recreated, being wrongly shamed along the way. Hotels bundle “amenity fees” whether we benefit or not. Quietly added without notice or option, many restaurants in our nation’s capital are including an “administrative fee” of 5 percent to offset the cost of recent increases in wage costs.
Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent. com.
Three remarkable people
Commentary by Dick Wolfsie
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION
Docket Number PZ-2024-00099 DP/ADLS
Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Plan Commission, at a meeting on Tuesday, the 20th day of August, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the Carmel City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Square, 2nd Floor, Carmel, Indiana 46032, will hold a Public Hearing upon an application to approve site plan and design for certain real estate located generally on the northwest corner of Spring Mill Road and East 116th Street within Jackson’s Grant Village in order to construct three new multi-tenant commercial buildings.
The application is identified as Docket Number PZ-2024-00099 DP/ADLS.
The real estate affected by said application is located generally on the northwest corner of Spring Mill Road and East 116th Street at approximately 11675, 11745 and 11785 Village Corner Court [PIN 17-09-34-00-20-050.000].
The petition and supplementary documentation may be viewed at the City of Carmel Department of Community Services, One Civic Square, 3rd Floor, Carmel, Indiana, 46032. 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, or may file written comments with the Department of Community Services prior to the hearing. The hearing may be continued from time to time as may be found necessary.
Kevin G. Buchheit, Krieg DeVault LLP, 12800 North Meridian Street, Suite 300, Carmel, IN 46032, (317) 808-5820.
HUMOR
Dr. Ruth Westheimer was a spunky 53-year-old who gave explicit sex advice to listeners of her radio show from her studio in New York City beginning in 1981. I was hosting a morning TV show, and while listening to her program on the way to work, I was so impressed with her candor that I encouraged my producer to book her as a guest.
When I interviewed Dr. Ruth, her first question to me was, “How is your sex life?” I kiddingly responded that it was not her business. We both laughed because the truth is, that’s exactly what her business was. Dr Ruth died recently at age 96. I first met Richard Simmons while hosting an evening talk show in Columbus, Ohio, in the late 1970s. My wife Mary Ellen was unsure about the exercise guru, questioning whether his public displays of compassion and empathy for those with weight problems were sincere. It seemed a bit showbizzy.
Mary Ellen came to the studio the night Richard was to appear. After the show, while searching for a restroom, she passed a dressing room where Richard sat with a young lady who was struggling with her weight. Richard was holding her hand, con-
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CITY OF CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION
Docket No. PZ-2024-00028 PUD
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Carmel Plan Commission will conduct a meeting on the 20th day of August, 2024 at 6:00 o’clock p.m., at the Carmel City Hall, Council Chambers, One Civic Square, 2nd Floor, Carmel, IN 46032, to hold a Public Hearing regarding an application identified by Docket Number PZ-2024-00028 PUD (the “Request”). The subject site is the parcel that is identified by the Auditor of Hamilton County, Indiana as Tax Parcel Identification Number 17-09-21-00-00-001.000 which parcel consists of 15.7 acres and is located at the southeast corner of 146th Street and Towne Road (collectively, the “Real Estate”).
The Real Estate is currently zoned S-1 Residential and the request seeks approval to rezone the Real Estate to the Towne 146 Planned Unit Development District (the “Towne 146 PUD”) in order to permit the development of mixed-use community that will include approximately 60 two-story townhomes, 16 ranch homes with a primary first-floor bedroom and 16 two-story detached homes, as well as a neighborhood commercial building consisting of a maximum of 15,000 square feet.
The Request and the associated plans and exhibits may be examined on the City’s website, through Public Documents – Laser Fische.
All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above Request are encouraged to submit written comments to bbutler@carmel.in.gov, up to 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting, via email to Bric Butler Administrative Assistant City of Carmel Plan Commission, and/or, present their comments in-person by attending at this Plan Commission meeting. The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time as may be found necessary.
City of Carmel, Indiana:
Bric Butler, City of Carmel Plan Commission Administrative Assistant Carmel City Hall
One Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: (317) 571-2416
Email: bbutler@carmel.in.gov
Attorney for Applicant Lennar Homes of Indiana:
Jim Shinaver, Attorney
Jon Dobosiewicz, Professional Land Planner
Nelson & Frankenberger, LLC
550 Congressional Blvd., Suite 210
Carmel, IN 46032
“When I interviewed Dr. Ruth, her first question to me was, “How is your sex life?” I kiddingly responded that it was not her business.”
– DICK WOLFSIE
soling her while she sobbed. That’s who Richard was.
Back in New York City the next year, I was on location preparing to tape a segment with Richard. A woman pulled up in her car and told Richard that her mom was a huge fan but was presently in the hospital. She requested an autograph to take to her. Richard jumped in the woman’s car and headed off to see the ailing mother. I was left there with my crew. That’s who Richard was.
A photographer saw Richard jogging with me in Central Park. The snapshot he took appeared on the front page of a wellknown tabloid. View it on my Facebook page.
Years later, Richard came to Indy. He arrived in a limo at my home, where I was doing my WISH-TV segment live at 5:30 a.m. Visit this link mail.aol.com/d/ compose/1643587137 and view David Barras, the morning anchor, convulsing in laughter. Richard appears at the end of the
edited clip.
Batting third for this column is the late Willie Mays, arguably the greatest baseball player of all time. His home in New Rochelle, N.Y., was only a couple of miles from my house. I never had the nerve to knock on the door for an autograph, even though I am sure he would have happily obliged. Willie had a touch of Yogi Berra in him. My favorite Willie quote went something like this: Never assume the other guy will never do something you would never do. That seems like too many negatives for one sentence.
But when I think about Ruth, Richard and Willie, I know they are three people I will never, never, never forget.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION Docket No. PZ-2024-00117 Z
Notice is hereby given, that the Carmel Plan Commission, at their regular meeting on August 20, 2024 at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 1 Civic Square, Carmel, Indiana 46032, will hold a Public Hearing upon a petition to Rezone property pursuant to an application on file with the Department of Community Services, as follows:
Rezone three (3) contiguous parcels on the north side of E Carmel Drive, adjacent to the stoplight intersection at AAA Way, from the B8 Business District to the C2 Mixed-use District.
The properties are also identified below:
16-10-31-00-00-023.000 452 E Carmel Dr Carmel 46032
16-10-31-00-00-023.002 502 E Carmel Dr Carmel 46032
16-10-31-00-00-023.102 508 E Carmel Dr Carmel 46032
Acreage 3.45 Section 31, Township 18, Range 4
Acreage 3.09 Section 31, Township 18, Range 4
Acreage 1.34 Section 31, Township 18, Range 4
The Application is identified as Docket No. PZ-2024-00117 Z: Carmel Marketplace C2 Rezone. The file for this proposal may be viewed Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM in the office of the Department of Community Services, 1 Civic Square, Carmel, Indiana 46032.
The materials may also be examined on the City’s website, at the Public Documents page via Laserfiche.
Any written comments to the proposal should be filed with the Secretary of the Plan Commission no later than 12:00 PM on the date of the Public Hearing. All written comments will be presented to the Commission. Any oral comments concerning the proposal will be heard by the Commission at the hearing according to its Rules of Procedure.
Bric Butler, Secretary Carmel Plan Commission (317) 571-2417
Dated: July 30, 2024
Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.
foe
Tijuana region
15. Noah’s boat 16. Family members
17. Carbon (on the periodic table) + dog show participant = Warrick County town
19. Gold (on the periodic table) + scorch = DeKalb County city
20. Barracks boss 21. Gab
Deploys 24. Indy Zoo beast
Guitar forerunner
___ and flows
42. Packed like sardines?
43. Geological time
44. Fiber-___ cable
46. Simon Property’s David Simon, briefly
47. Approximately
49. Sidekick
50. Scolding sound
51. Hall and Oates, e.g.
53. Dollar bills
54. Reject
55. Neither’s partner
57. Pacer foe
60. Depressed
62. Wipe clean
67. Holmium (on the periodic table) + former Indy mayor
Peterson = Lake County city
70. Tungsten (on the periodic table) + Victory Field area = Lake County town
72. Meeting plan
73. Wide shoe letters
74. Croaking critter
75. Strive to achieve
76. Summer hrs.
77. “Hamlet” soliloquy starter Down
1. Preschool lessons
2. “lol”
3. Slightly open
4. Blast sound
5. “2001” computer
6. US Supreme Court justice
7. Gumbo veggie
8. Nashville based awards org.
9. Texans, on a Colts scoreboard
10. Permeate
11. Outback birds
12. Hoosier Cab charge
13. Indiana tax IDs
18. Narc’s org.
22. Barry Bagels choice
25. “Bad gardeners are rough around the hedges,” e.g.
27. Albuquerque college, initially
28. No-no
29. Royal decree
30. Afflictions
31. Boron (on the periodic table) + chess piece = Newton County town
32. Glide across Geist
34. Vampire’s craving
35. Actinium (on the periodic table) + 2,000 pounds = Marion County community
36. “Rocky” actress
37. Splinter groups
39. Marry hastily
43. Awards statuettes in Peyton Manning’s trophy case
45. Ramen Ray menu item
48. Indy City-County Councilor Gibson
49. Dove call
52. Boxers and briefs, briefly 54. Imbibed
56. Hinkle Fieldhouse whistle blower
57. The last Indiana native to win the Indy 500
58. ___ stick
59. Lyft rival
61. Spellbound
63. Schism
64. Aviation prefix
65. Messy person
66. Upper hand
68. Nutrition fig.
69. Body art, for short
71. Westfield HS volleyball court divider
Answers on Page 27
Looking for p/t front desk manager for health care office in Carmel Indiana. Must have strong people skills to work in pleasant, low stress clinic setting. Competitive wages and retirement funding. Please email or fax resume to Terri at: Indyspinect@gmail.com Fax 317-817-9903
