Tuesday, July 30, 2024
COMMUNITY HARVEST
Teter Retreat and Organic Farm prepares for annual fundraiser / P10
Common council approves ordinances for developments / P3
Board of Commissioners holds bid opening, approves initiatives / P8
Groundbreaking scheduled for new Public Safety Center / P17 INSERT INSIDE
Common Council approves ordinances for new developments
By Jessica Todd • jessica@youarecurrent.com
The Noblesville Common Council met July 23 and approved several ordinances regarding new developments and received an annual report from Noblesville Creates Director Ailithir McGill. The next common council meeting is at 7 p.m. Aug. 13.
What happened: The council received an annual report from Noblesville Creates.
What it means: Noblesville Creates is the only local arts agency in Hamilton County with full-time professional staff, according to McGill. She said the organization grew in 2023, including booking 30 concerts at the Fishers District, coordinating an interactive community mural project during the 2023 Noblesville Street Dance, helping design permanent art installations on the Pleasant Street Bridge and Trail, rebranding and more. So far in 2024, the organization has coordinated events for the eclipse, started planning a districtwide art crawl, won the Noblesville Education Foundations’ Internship Host of the Year award and more.
What’s next: Noblesville Creates recently added three new committees that McGill hopes will help expand corporate engagement, program planning and strategic growth.
What happened: The council approved an ordinance to adopt a special consideration for an indoor pickleball facility within the Cumberland Pointe planned development at 9847 Cumberland Pointe Blvd.
What it means: Plans for the facility, known as The Picklr, were introduced to the Noblesville Common Council June 11 for the 57,000-squarefoot indoor recreational facility, which will be one of The Picklr’s largest facilities. By approving the special consideration, the common council allowed the use of an industrial/flex building to include recreational use. Councilmember Aaron Smith previously stated the proposed use of the pickleball facility was not included in the building’s original zoning plans, so the project had to be approved by the Noblesville Common Council and the Noblesville Plan Commission, who also unanimously voted in favor of the project.
What’s next: The Picklr plans to move into the building when construction is complete.
Rendering of where The Picklr building will be located. (Rendering courtesy of Noblesville Common Council)
What happened: The council approved an ordinance on first reading to adopt a change of zoning from R3 Single and Two-Family Residential to R3/PD Residential Planned Development, including a preliminary development plan for approximately 43 acres in the 17000 to 17300 block of Hazel Dell Road, and south of the Midland Trace Trail.
What it means: The change allows for 111 single-family courtyard-style homes, to be known as Courtyards at Hazel Dell. Noblesville Senior Planner Amy Steffens said the homes by developer EPCON Communities will be single story and owner occupied. Church Church Hittle & Antrim attorney Matt Skelton said although the community is not age-restricted, the average age of occupants in the home style will be 70. Homes will range from $450,000 to $1 million. Private amenities include a pickleball court, bocce ball court, pool and community garden. A connection to the Midland Trail and a public art installation are expected to be provided for the public, as well as amenities such as a shelter house and benches. However, the public amenities are still being determined. The Noblesville Plan Commission also gave the project a unanimous favorable recommendation.
us Founded Sept. 15, 2009, at Noblesville, IN Vol. XV, No. 46 Copyright 2023 Current Publishing, LLC All Rights Reserved. 525 North End Dr. Ste. 175 Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444
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LATE BOARD OF WORKS EMPLOYEE HONORED
Mayor Chris Jensen, left, joins Larry Stork’s wife Sally and his daughters Erica and Cara July 16 as the City of Noblesville honored and remembered Stork’s life on what would have been his 88th birthday with the dedication of a park bench. Jensen also proclaimed July 16, 2024, as Larry Stork Day. Stork served 35 years on the Noblesville Board of Works and Public Safety and was re-appointed by four different mayors. He also served on the Noblesville Common Council from 1980 to 1984. Stork served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1958 to 1964. He moved to Noblesville in 1962 before Firestone Industrial Products sent him to Canada from 1966 to 1968, but he returned to the city in 1968 and lived there until he died in 2019. Stork’s wife and daughters joined Board of Works members John Elmer, Rick Taylor, Laurie Dyer, Jack Martin and John Ditslear for the bench dedication in Forest Park. (Photo courtesy of Robert Herrington)
Conservation officer: ‘Every day is different’
By Conrad Otto conrad@youarecurrent.com
PROFILE
(spent) checking our constituents, (who are) our fishermen, hunters and boaters.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Billy Doss is an Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officer. He is assigned to District 4, which encompasses 11 counties, including Hamilton. Conservation officers have statewide jurisdiction and full police powers.
One of 214 Indiana conservation officers within the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division, Doss said he primarily works in the Noblesville and Geist areas, which include Morse and Geist reservoirs.
Doss, who is coming up on 15 years of service, recently answered the following questions for Current about the challenges of his job.
How would you describe your job?
It’s unique. Every day is different. It’s a lot of liberty, solely based on us not only filing complaints in our community and county, but (also) addressing ongoing issues in the field. The rest of the time is
How did you end up working in District 4?
It’s been different in the past. When (I was) hired, the ideology was that they wanted us to learn the job away from our family and friends. I was stationed in the Fort Wayne district for almost two years. I did that (to) learn the job without any influences from the community or friends.
What’s the job trail to get to where you are?
You have to meet the minimum requirements, (including) being 21 years of age, to carry a gun for the state. It’s a high school diploma or four years of active military time. There must be a very high experience in hunting and fishing. The hiring process is about 8 months or so. You do a background investigation, a physical test, a fishing test, a written test and then there are several interviews. If you make it through that, you get selected to go to the recruit school. If you can make it through physically and mentally and graduate, you make it to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
There isn’t one. I might go from a drowning call to a house on fire that I’m close to, to an ATV crash, to a problem at one of the state parks.
What are the best parts of your job?
Occasionally, we arrest people or address a situation and educate someone, and we get thanked for it. I can recall several people I’ve arrested and taken to jail for drunk driving on a lake or in a car, and I see them at the gas station, and they’re in tears. They want to thank me because it changed their life.
What are some of those tough parts of the job?
You work in the community and take an oath to enforce the law. There are people you arrest who are family, friends, acquaintances and important people in the community. It’s always a touchy situation. The other thing is the number of deaths. There are a lot of accidents in nature. We’re the ones that deal with that and notify the families. That weighs on a lot of officers.
NOBLESVILLE AUGUST CALENDAR
SUMMER FEST
Each year, Janus hosts a day of summer fun. This year’s Summer Fest will begin at 8 a.m. Aug. 16 at 1555 Westfield Rd. in Noblesville. It will include outdoor water games, a dance party, food and a special appearance from local first responders. For more, visit janus-inc.org/events-2.
CELEBRATION OF HOPE
Join Prevail for a formal evening with a live auction, dinner, dancing and an opportunity to support Prevail’s life-saving services from 6 to 11 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Embassy Suites in Noblesville, 13700 Conference Center Dr. For tickets, visit prevailinc.org/events/gala-2024/.
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
Join Hamilton County Parks and Recreation for a visual evening experience from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 23 at Potter’s Bridge Park in Noblesville, 19401 Allisonville Rd. The historical bridge will be decorated with luminaries, and the event will have live music, food trucks and a beer truck, and lighted canoes will be visible from the bridge. This event is free and open to the public. For more, contact hamilton.parks@ hamiltoncounty.in.gov.
FRONT PORCH MUSIC FESTIVAL
20 bands will perform on 12 porches on Logan Street in historic Old Town Noblesville from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 24. Festival goers will be able to walk up and down the street listening to a variety of music. Admission is free. For more, visit noblesvilleporchfest.com/bands.
SALSA ON THE SQUARE
The fourth annual Salsa on the Square will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Aug. 30 on the square in Noblesville, 933 W. Logan St. This is a ticketed event for people 21 and over. The event will include an intro salsa lesson by the Latin Expressions Dance Company, music by DJ Mambo Sound, food trucks, a cocktail garden, beer on tap and more. For more, visit facebook.com/ events/849550660364699.
CAR SHOW
The 12th annual Lucky Teter Rebel Run Car and Vintage Motorcycle Show will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 31 at Forest Park in Noblesville, 701 Cicero Rd. This is an open show for all cars and vintage motorcycles pre-1981. Food and event shirts will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit The Noblesville Masonic Angel Fund. For more, contact luckyteterrebelrun@att.net.
Firefighter placed on leave
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
In the early hours of July 20, the Lapel Police Department arrested 55-year-old Noblesville Fire Department Capt. Brett Etherington on a preliminary charge of domestic battery.
CRIME
Trevor Hash, division chief for NFD, stated Etherington was off duty during his arrest. Hash said per NFD policies and procedures, Etherington — who has since been released from custody — was placed under administrative leave pending further investigation and will remain on leave until further notice.
According to court documents from the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office, a Lapel police officer was dispatched to the 7th and Clara streets area for a wellness check. An Uber driver called 911 and reported he dropped a man off and believed he saw him assaulting a woman inside a home.
A police officer stated he located the female at the back of the house. She said she and Etherington had attended a concert and then left for a bar. When they re-
turned home, they argued, and Etherington left the home to go to the fire station.
After leaving, the woman said she believed Etherington had taken her phone and followed him to the station. The woman took Etherington’s truck keys before leaving, stating “he was intoxicated.” and she “didn’t want him to drive.”
Etherington took the Uber home, which is where the alleged altercation broke out. The woman said he had “grabbed her face,” and the officer found scratches on her face and back.
Etherington confirmed that he and the woman fought after she took his keys. He said the woman was responsible for the destroyed house, stating she “went crazy like she always does and destroyed the house.”
Court documents state Etherington said he “never once touched her” when asked about the female’s scratch marks.
A breathalyzer test reported Etherington’s blood alcohol level at 0.8. He was booked into the Madison County jail, and according to the Anderson City Court, he was released from custody on the morning of July 23.
County named for digital success
news@currentnoblesville.com
Hamilton County has been recognized as one of the best digital counties in the nation by the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties.
TECHNOLOGY
The Digital Counties Survey ranks Hamilton County among the top 10 counties in the United States with a population of 250,000 to 499,999 for utilizing best technology practices, including initiatives that streamline delivery of government services; data analytics; cybersecurity; and innovative and emerging technologies.
This is the 22nd time Hamilton County has received the recognition, according to Hamilton County Director of Information Technology Chris Mertens.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized as a top digital county,” Mertens stated. “This accolade is a testament to the support provided by the county commissioners and council and the IT team’s
dedication to data-driven decision-making, strengthening our cybersecurity measures, and fostering an inclusive digital environment. This recognition motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve for our community.”
According to the Center for Digital Government, the survey highlights how counties are responsibly embracing new technologies such as artificial intelligence in its various forms and other digital tools and platforms to respond to top priorities of constituents and elected officials.
The top 10 winners were honored at a special awards event during the National Association of Counties annual conference July 12 in Hillsborough County, Florida.
The Center for Digital Government has developed a number of specialized programs and initiatives to provide the private sector with a large-scale approach to target and engage specific subsets of the gov/tech market. Learn more at govtech. com.
I S C O V E R Y O U R
DREAM HOME
Board of Commissioners open bids, approves initiatives
By Jessica Todd • jessica@youarecurrent.com
The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners met July 22 at the Government and Judicial Center in Noblesville. It approved a handful of measures and opened bids for the 2024 Community Crossings Matching Grant project.
What happened: Bidding opened for the 2024 Community Crossings Matching Grant project.
What it means: The Community Crossings Matching Grant Program provides funding to cities, towns and counties across Indiana to improve roads and bridges. Bidding was opened for a contract resurface project for Washington and Fall Creek Township roads. Bids were received from DC Construction Services, Milestone Contractors LP, Calumet, Midwest Paving, Rieth Riley and E&B Paving.
What’s next: Joel Thurman with the Highway Department announced that it awarded E&B Paving the contract in the amount of $2,806,257.57.
What happened: The board approved a memorandum of understanding between Hamilton County and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department for a national sexual assault kit initiative and collaboration.
What it means: Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison said this collaboration is for DNA testing for the human remains recently found at Fox Hollow Farms in Westfield. Jellison said the federal government provides grants to the IMPD and has offered assistance in paying for the DNA testing.
What happened: The board approved the addition of a public automated external defibrillator at the Courthouse Square in Noblesville to help in the event someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest.
What it means: The request for the public AED came from the county’s safety and risk manager and the health department director. The AED would be accessible to the public because of the number of events that take place annually at and near the courthouse. The Hamilton County Health Department said it has funding available to help purchase and install the AED. Steven Rushforth with Safety & Risk Management said the unit will have several security measures in place, and once the unit is opened, it will immediately dial 911.
What’s next: Once installed, the AED will be on the north side of the property once a specific location is determined.
Childcare Employer Survey — Complete a survey by July 31 to share how childcare imapacts your workforce. Questions cover hiring, work hours and operational needs for employers in Hamilton County. To complete the survey, visit s.surveylegend. com/-NxwHE1Z9DzKCslO9-JC.
DISPATCHES
Sweepstakes — AAA Hoosier Motor Club is giving away two tickets to the Imagine Dragons concert Aug. 20 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville. Along with the tickets, the winner of the promotion will receive exclusive access to the AAA Hoosier Motor Club VIP Party Deck. The sweepstakes will run until Aug. 12. For a chance to win, visit hoosier.aaa.com/discounts/ concert-sweepstakes.
Shepherd’s Center social program — Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County hosts free social programs for residents 55 and older. The Together Today program is an opportunity for seniors to play cards, enjoy games, engage in conversations and attend educational programs. Lunch is provided free of charge by donors. No reservations are required. Together Today meets throughout Hamilton County. Monday sessions begin at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Church, 504 E. 146th St. in Noblesville. Tuesday sessions begin at 9 a.m. at CrossRoads Church, 19201 Grassy Branch Rd. in Westfield. In Carmel, the group meets Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 1605 E. 106th St. Thursday sessions take place in Fishers at 10:30 a.m. at Christ The Savior Lutheran Church, 10500 E. 126th St. The Friday group meets at 9:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1207 Conner St. in Noblesville. Learn more at shepherdscenterofhamiltoncounty.org.
School assistance for children of veterans — Operation Back to School — also known as the Military Family Relief Fund Back to School Program — provides financial assistance to Hoosier veteran families experiencing financial difficulties. Offered by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, the program offers $500 of assistance per qualified dependent for back-toschool supplies and other school-related expenses. Applications are accepted through Aug. 30. Learn more at in.gov/dva.
Free shred days — Community First Bank of Indiana will host two free community shred days in Hamilton County. The Noblesville event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept 24 at the CFB branch at 17661 Village Center Dr. Donations will be welcome to support Family Promise of Hamilton County. Both events are drive-thru with a limit of five boxes per vehicle. All documents will be shredded on-site by PROSHRED Security and 100 percent of the paper is recycled. Learn more at CFBindiana.com/shred.
COMMUNITY HARVEST
Teter Retreat and Organic Farm prepares for annual fundraiser
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Teter Retreat and Organic Farm, an outreach mission of Noblesville First United Methodist Church, is a nonprofit that grows more than 40 varieties of vegetables, fruits and cut flowers to increase access to healthy food in the community.
Teter Retreat and Organic Farm at 10980 E. 221st St. in Noblesville supplies a significant portion of fresh produce to the Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank for distribution to local pantries and food programs that serve more than 32,160 food-insecure people in Hamilton County. It also sells community-supported agriculture co-op shares and produce at farmers markets.
The farm is gearing up for its annual Farm To Table dinner fundraiser Sept. 27 at Delaware Township Community Center in Fishers, 9094 E. 131st St.
“The Farm To Table dinner is one of the highlights of the farm year,” Operations Director Katy Rogers said. “We’re on track to raise and donate 45,000 servings of fresh organic produce to Hamilton County residents in need.”
Individual tickets for the event are $85 and include appetizers, a three-course meal with a choice of chicken or a vegetarian entrée, and two drinks, including beer and wine. Sponsorship packages are available starting at $500.
This year’s event, supported by Mission Partners Daystar Directional Drilling and Jackie and Dave Cox, will provide a culinary experience featuring fresh vegetables from Teter Organic Farm.
“We provide all the vegetables for the dinner, the salad and the side dishes,” Rogers said. “We are also experimenting with harvesting strawberries, which will help make the sauce for the dinner’s dessert.”
Rogers said the event, being presented for the seventh year, is the farm’s largest fundraiser. She said proceeds are used for various projects, depending on the farm’s needs
“Sometimes, we have a capital project we are working on, and funds will be put toward that. Other years, they go to general operations,” Rogers said. “It fluctuates, but mostly, it is to keep our mission going and growing.”
The evening will feature a program moderated by Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen and a panel of guests, including the leaders who created Teter Retreat and Organic Farm: Pastor Aaron Hobbs, the first farm director; Jonah Tabb, Teter’s first farm manager; and Rogers, who has been the director since 2020. The program will celebrate the origins of the farm’s mission to increase access to healthy food and provide ecological education while sharing its path to expansion.
“We want to increase our capacity in our
fields and maximize what we’re doing with this space,” Rogers said. “We’ve brought on more labor and created more efficiencies in the system.”
Pam Boyd, a Teter Retreat and Organic Farm volunteer, said major infrastructure items the facility needs are a four-season wash pack and a produce barn, which would make processing vegetables and washing produce easier in the colder months.
Rogers said the farm also needs a place to store fruit.
“We’ve got an orchard out here with 280 trees in it, and that fruit is going to come in,” Rogers said. “We’ve tried really hard to get varieties that would come in over the course of a three-month period because we know we can’t store that many trees worth of food. The food bank also can’t store it.”
The Hamilton County Community Foundation is a sponsor and community partner in Teter’s food security mission.
“We are grateful to support Teter Organic Farm as they work to increase access to healthy food for those who are food insecure throughout Hamilton County,” said Jeena Siela, senior community leadership officer for the Hamilton County Community Foundation. “They are a vital partner in the Hamilton County Food Resource Coalition, led by the Hamilton County Community Foundation, in which they lend their time and talent to strengthen the emergency food systems throughout Hamilton County so that every resident has access to
healthy food. On behalf of the foundation, we are happy to support the incredible impact that Teter Organic Farm has on our community and encourage others to attend this fundraiser to do the same.”
Teter Retreat and Organic Farm is open to the public during daytime. For more, visit TeterOrganicFarm.com/FarmToTable.
ON THE COVER: Teter Retreat and Organic Farm volunteer Pam Boyd with one of the farm’s chickens. (Photo by Jessica Todd)
MORE TO FIND ON THE FARM
Teter Retreat and Organic Farm in Noblesville grows food because it believes everyone deserves to eat healthily. It grows certified organic produce for local food pantries, food banks and feeding programs and farmers markets, including the Noblesville Farmers Market.
The farm also offers tours, farm stays and environmental education and hosts outdoor weddings, retreats, corporate outings and family reunions. The farm is always looking for volunteers for its flower fields, peace garden and several other areas. It recently added limited mobility-accessible garden beds. To volunteer, visit app.betterimpact. com/PublicOrganization/fdddc6ebd597-4fa8-82b0-591586427ddd/1.
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.
Ruoff Music Center
12880 E. 146th Street
*Times vary by artist Tickets available at www.livenation.com
08/02-04 – Phish
08/06 – Slipknot
08/07 – Cage the Elephant
08/08 – Thirty Seconds to Mars
08/10 – Creed
08/16 – Five Finger Death Punch
08/17 – The Doobie Brothers
08/20 – Imagine Dragons
08/23 – Glass Animals
08/25 – New Kids On The Block
08/26 – Pearl Jam
08/30 – Sammy Hagar
08/31 – Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper
Free Movies Returning to Federal Hill
The Noblesville Parks Department invites residents to enjoy outdoor movies together as a family this summer. The 17th annual Movies in the Park Series, presented by Logan Street Signs & Banners, has something for all ages to enjoy – from animated favorites to legendary sequels and fantastic journeys.
“The Movies in the Park Series is a timeless tradition for many Noblesville families. Attendees can enjoy free family-friendly movies, bring a blanket, dinner or snacks and enjoy an evening of cinema at Federal Hill Commons,” said Recreation Program Coordinator Erin Hinshaw.
The movies will take place at Federal Hill Commons, a centrally located park, which will give Noblesville families easy access to the free movies. All movies will begin at dusk. This year’s schedule includes:
Friday, Aug. 9 – Barbie (PG-13, 2023, 114 min.)
Friday, Aug. 16 – Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (PG-13, 2024, 115 min.)
Friday, Aug. 23 – Tolls Band Together (PG, 2023, 92 min.)
Friday, Sept. 6 – Elemental (PG, 2023, 109 min.)
Friday, Sept. 16 – Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (PG-13, 2023, 127 min.)
Light concessions will be available for purchase at all screenings. Free parking for up to four hours is available at Federal Hill Parking Garage at 196 Westfield Road. For more information, visit www.noblesvilleparks.org.
AUGUST
EVENTS
FRONT PORCH MUSIC FESTIVAL
AUGUST 24 | 1 to 7 p.m.
More than 20 bands will perform on a dozen porches at the free event along Logan Street between 10th and 14th streets.
Saturdays – Farmers Market, 8AM-Noon, Federal Hill Commons
08/03 – HCAA Art Fair on the Square, 9AM-5PM, Courthouse Lawn
08/03 – Flix & Float: Soul, 8:15-11PM, Forest Park Aquatic Center
08/06 – National Night Out, 6-8PM, Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville
08/10 – Music and All that Jazz, (Main Street), 5-7PM, Courthouse Lawn
08/10 – Concert at the Commons: Crush (Bon Jovi tribute), 7-10PM, Federal Hill Commons
08/17 – Noblesville BrewBQ, 4-10PM, Federal Hill Commons
08/17 – Flix & Float: TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, 8:15-11PM, Forest Park Aquatic Center
08/24 – Concert at the Commons: Tennessee Whiskey (Chris Stapleton tribute), 7-10PM, Federal Hill Commons
08/30 – Salsa on the Square, 6-11PM, Logan Street, Downtown Square
CLASSES FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE
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.
‘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.
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.”
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)
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.
Saturday, August 10, 2024 | Four Day Ray, Fishers Register at WoofstockRocks.com or scan below!
Race in-person or virtually
Fundraise for PAWsome prizes
Leashed & in-stroller dogs welcome
Shirt, medal and swag for all participants
Proceeds benefit HSHC's Survivor Program and hundreds of animals in need
Officials discuss mental health
news@currentnoblesville.com
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch joined Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen in Noblesville at Fire Station 71 July 18 for a mental health discussion with community leaders.
RESOURCES
Attendees at the private event included members of the Noblesville police and fire departments, the Noblesville Common Council, health care workers and other local organizations.
According to Lexie Rock, the City of Noblesville’s community director, attendees discussed the work they are doing at the local level. They emphasized the importance of partnerships between other community partners to help fill the gaps in care and services and how collaboration at the state, county and local levels is critical to proactively helping more individuals in a mental health crisis or before a crisis.
Jensen highlighted the work of the NobleACT team. Rock said the mental health collaboration strengthens community-based responses through partnerships
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.
TAKE A HIKE!
with the police and fire departments and area service providers.
“The NobleACT team is leading the way in statewide and community paramedicine,” Rock stated. “This program is a blueprint for the Indiana Community Cares Grant Pilot Program, passed by the Indiana General Assembly in the 2024 legislative session.”
Rock said Crouch spoke on the importance of the work the state is doing, including her work on the Indiana Mental Health Roundtable.
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 multiple
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.
Groundbreaking scheduled for new Public Safety Center
news@currentnoblesville.com
Hamilton County will break ground on its new Public Safety Center at 11 a.m. July 30.
CONSTRUCTION
The dispatch center will be on 22 acres at 18291 Presley Dr. in Noblesville, east of Ind. 37 and Ind. 38.
According to Hamilton County Communications Director Tammy Sander, the $85 million project will feature a three-story, 108,000-square-foot emergency operations center designed to house 911 dispatch and emergency operations. Plans also call for additional storage and the potential for a child care facility. Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman said Hamilton County Public Safety Communications has outgrown its space.
“Even if the county council gave us additional dispatchers, we simply wouldn’t have a place to put them,” Altman stated.
Sander said the 911 dispatch center shares the basement of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office with the Hamilton County Emergency Operations Center. The department dispatches for 17 agencies, including
Rendering of the new Public Safety Center at 18291 Presley Dr. in Noblesville. (Rendering courtesy of Tammy Sander)
seven police departments, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and nine fire and EMS agencies
“This new center will significantly enhance our ability to respond to emergencies and provide critical services to our residents,” stated Mike Hubbs, Hamilton County Communications executive director.
A 0.1 percent public service local income tax will help pay for the new building. Construction is expected to start next month and will take two years to complete.
Noblesville Youth Baseball receives new sponsorship
news@currentnoblesville.com
Credit Union 1, a financial institution with a nationwide membership, recently announced its contributing sponsorship of Noblesville Youth Baseball.
SPORTS
According to Sarah Ryan-Lizee, director of communications for CU1, the financial institution “recognizes the pivotal role that spaces like Noblesville Youth Baseball play in a community, and the importance of providing young athletes and their families with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed both on and off the field.”
Ryan-Lizee said the sponsorship reinforces an ongoing commitment to fostering thriving communities and supporting student-athletes through crucial partnerships.
“We are thrilled to support Noblesville Youth Baseball,” Todd Gunderson, president and CEO of CU1, stated. “Our investment in this program reflects our broader mission
to enhance community well-being and help our youth build a foundation for a successful future. We believe that by supporting youth sports, we are contributing to the overall health and vitality of our community.”
Adrienne Colla, president of Noblesville Youth Baseball, said they are grateful for the support.
“Their commitment to our program will make a significant impact, enabling us to continue fostering a positive environment for our players,” Colla stated. “Together, we are building not just better athletes but also better community members. CU1’s sponsorship will contribute to NYB’s ability to maintain the facilities so that they remain one of Hamilton County’s top places to play youth baseball (and) continue to upgrade safety features at the park, including fencing, turf and netting.”
For more, visit creditunion1.org. or noblesvillebaseball.org.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 TH , 2024
11AM to 3PM at Lucas Estate, Carmel, IN
Editor,
READER’S VIEW
Thanks to Brenda Myers
I am writing to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Brenda Myers, president & CEO of Hamilton County Tourism. Her remarkable leadership has profoundly impacted our county, not just through the visible projects we encounter daily but also in the countless unseen ways she has shaped our community.
Brenda’s ability to bring people together has been instrumental in fostering a collaborative spirit across our county. Her responsiveness to every individual who has reached out to her — listening attentively and addressing concerns with genuine care — demonstrates her commitment to inclusivity and excellence.
Her mastery in using data to drive informed decisions has ensured that our tourism initiatives are both effective and forward-thinking.
Moreover, Brenda’s influence spans from the northern reaches to the southern corners and from the eastern edges to the western expanse of Hamilton County. Her
Brenda’s ability to bring people together has been instrumental in fostering a collaborative spirit across our county.
– JACK RUSSELL
legacy will undoubtedly be felt for years to come, as she has left an indelible mark on our community through both her visionary projects and her personal example of leadership.
Thank you, Brenda, for everything you have done for Hamilton County. Your impact is immeasurable, and we are deeply grateful for your service and dedication.
Jack Russell, president & CEO OneZone Chamber
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
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.
HUMOR
“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
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, consoling 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 well-
known 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.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES
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LIFESTYLE
1. “Moby-Dick” captain
5. Where to watch “House of the Dragon” 8. Colts foe 14. 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 23. Deploys 24. Indy Zoo beast
Guitar forerunner
___ and flows 33. University of Illinois locale 35. Burro’s kin
Grow dim
Tree part
Rebel Guevara
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
LAUNDRY / MUD ROOM
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 23 STATE OF INDIANA ) IN THE Hamilton SUPERIOR COURT ) SS: COUNTY OF Hamilton ) CAUSE No.29C01-2406-MI-006601 RE THE NAME CHANGE OF: ) )
Mursal Mikael Malik ) Petitioner )
NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME
Mursal Mikael Malik, whose mailing address is: 14254 mourning dove 1n. Ant #106 and if different, my residence address is: in the Hamilton County, Indiana, hereby gives notice that Mursal Mikael Malik has filed a petition in the Hamilton Court requesting that his name be changed to Mursal Rizwan.
Notice is fiirther given that the hearing will be held on said Petition on November 8, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Mursal Mikael Malik
Petitioner July 5, 2024
Date
Kathy Kreag Williams Judicial Officer
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