December 31, 2024 — Westfield by Current Publishing

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

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LOOKING AHEAD

Westfield’s outlook for 2025 focuses on infrastructure, investment / P10

unbothered by

protestors / P3

Beckwith

Westfield

Riley opens new Westfield/ Carmel location / P5

‘Secret’ Santas make holiday bright / P7

Beckwith unbothered by Westfield protestors during high school visit

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

About two dozen parents and community members held a protest at Asa Bales Park across from Westfield High School Dec. 20 as Indiana Lt.

CONTROVERSY

Gov.-elect Micah Beckwith sat down for a planned visit with high school agriculture students.

While the protestors stood outside, Beckwith said he was focused on the kids. He will serve as the state’s secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development when he is sworn in Jan. 13, prompting the visit.

Beckwith’s visit to Westfield High School was originally planned for November but was canceled after several parents complained to the administration. Beckwith appeared on the “Kendall and Casey” radio show on 93.1 WIBC-FM Nov. 21 and said he had been “disinvited” to the district.

“The principal (Alicia Denniston) is super-far left, she’s a wokeist,” Beckwith said on the program. “The superintendent Paul Kaiser is a coward… It’s the left, woke mob doing what they do, and then you have cowards like Kaiser and then the school board in Westfield, they’re cowards, too.”

Beckwith pointed to a visit to WWS in 2023 by first lady Jill Biden, and claimed he was “not welcome on the Westfield grounds because (he’s) a Christian and a conservative.”

After the program aired, the visit was rescheduled to Dec. 20 and included Beckwith, Westfield Mayor Scott Willis and District 25 State Rep. Hunter Smith.

“The students were really impressive,” Beckwith — who comes from a family background in the dairy industry — said after the visit. “The students talked about what they were doing with agriculture and being the secretary of agriculture, from day one the intention was to connect with state resources and the department of ag with these students.”

Beckwith said he wasn’t focused on the protestors outside.

“What matters to me is how to make our state a better state,” he said.

Rebecca Rudolph-Burleigh helped organize the protest. She said Beckwith

has spread vitriol on social media aimed at Westfield and Westfield Washington Schools families, and questioned why the district would have any interest in having him speak to students.

“(Beckwith) has gone on Facebook Live and other social media to talk about Westfield parents and schools and said some pretty horrific things, like we’re destroying our students and we’re being destroyed by wokeism and pretty heavily (suggested) defunding public schools,” she said. “We as a community feel that it’s just pretty inappropriate to allow somebody with that intention into our schools to have access to those schools — especially somebody who is so for parental rights — now that we’ve raised our concerns as parents, those concerns were silenced. Our hope today is to show solidarity with the communities that the rhetoric that (Beckwith) says is harming and to really just create community and solidarity with our students.”

On whether there is common ground to be found, Beckwith and Rudolph-Burleigh remained on opposite ends of the spectrum.

“I always look for common ground,” Beckwith said. “I don’t have an issue with them — they have an issue with me. I really

don’t spend too much time worrying about that group. It’s a very small group. They’re very loud and they say how awful of a person I am, but they’ve never met me… I’ll work with anybody if it’s something I believe in.”

Rudolph-Burleigh said Beckwith’s actions indicate he isn’t willing to listen to everyone. A live video posted to the Micah Beckwith For Indiana Facebook page after Beckwith’s initial invitation to the school district in November was rescinded appears to have been removed.

“He went on Facebook Live and talked about Westfield as a community (and) said we were destroying our children and that wokeism was destroying our schools,” Rudolph-Burleigh said. “I think at this point, I’m actually not sure if there’s much common ground to be had. Something that I do want to make clear is that we can have respect for the office without necessarily having respect for the office holder. Especially one that has expressed so much hate. It’s not about party affiliation, it’s not about the actual office itself. I think students getting involved in politics is great, they’re adults, they’re part of a mature society. It’s more so about that this individual has a history of hateful rhetoric.”

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Protesters at Asa Bales Park outside Westfield High School oppose visit to the school by Indiana Lt. Gov.-elect Micah Beckwith Dec. 20. (Photo by Marney Simon)

Beckwith

Senior living facility breaks ground in Westfield

MEMORY CARE news@youarecurrent.com

Construction has begun to transform a turn-of-the-century Westfield farmhouse into a 13-bedroom senior residence for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Sigma Builders and Legato Living held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the facility at 601 S. Union St. Dec. 19, kicking off construction at the memory care residential home.

Legato Living designs homes to help memory care residents maintain the lifestyle they were accustomed to while sharing the amenities and comforts of a single-family residential home. The company has completed similar projects in South Carolina, Texas, Iowa, Nebraska and Arizona. This is the first house in Indiana.

The converted homes are an alternative to larger memory care facilities that are sometimes too large for some individuals as the disease progresses. Sigma Builders is partnering with Legato Living to remodel and construct the residence, scheduled to open in 2025.

“Sigma Builders is proud to provide our services and expertise to the Legato Living team, which prioritizes resident A ceremonial groundbreaking at 601 S. Union St. Dec. 19, kicks off construction of a memory care residential home. (Photo courtesy of of Legato Living)

well-being through a holistic and comprehensive approach,” Sigma Builders founding partner Dave Berman stated.

“Our combined commitment to creating spaces designed for family moments and comfortable living align perfectly and we look forward to helping Legato Living welcome its first Indiana residents in a few months.”

Legato Living representatives said the location was chosen because of its accessibility and nearby amenities and Westfield’s public safety record.

“We are dedicated to building homes that provide warm and welcoming environments for residents,” Legato Living’s Westfield homeowner Andy Hein stated. “Our emphasis on communal spaces and innovative therapies, like music therapy, take the whole person into account so they can truly thrive and feel at home.”

The boutique model ensures each resident has a 5-to-1 caregiver-to-resident ratio on average and can benefit from the group’s extensive wraparound services, including physical and cognitive care, respite and adult daycare, health care services and hospice care.

A second, 10-bedroom facility is expected to open on 116th Street in Carmel in late 2025.

Riley Children’s Health opens

Westfield/Carmel location

news@youarecurrent.com

Riley Children’s Health recently opened a new medical office building at 14828 Greyhound Ct., Suite 100, that provides pediatric primary care and new pediatric outpatient rehabilitation services. The move relocates services previously available at IU Health North on N. Illinois Street to the Westfield/Carmel border.

HEALTH CARE

Services will support growing community needs and provide families access to highly skilled pediatric care close to home, according to Riley Children’s Health.

The new space includes additional exam rooms to cater to the increase in patients during high demand times and large spaces to serve patients with medical complexities. All pediatricians from the previous location are now at the new site with the addition of a nurse practitioner to the office. Providers include Dr. Christine Nix; Dr. Leticia Nunez De Perez; Dr. Elvira Payne; Dr. Joshua Richey; and Ellisa Bolton, NP.

Riley Children’s Health has relocated pediatric primary care and pediatric outpatient rehabilitation to 14828 Greyhound Ct. (Photo courtesy of Riley Children’s Health)

An additional pediatrician will join the practice in fall 2025.

Riley Children’s pediatric outpatient rehabilitation services also are located within the building in Suite 150. Those services include audiology, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and sports physical therapy. Pediatric radiology services, including walk-in X-rays, will be available in early 2025.

The new office location provides 24/7 online scheduling, virtual visits and more. Learn more at rileychildrens.org.

Lions put a bow on 2024

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SERVICE

The Westfield Lions Club held its annual Christmas program Dec. 19 at the Wyndham Hotel in Westfield, presenting several awards to Lions who have dedicated volunteer hours to the organization in 2024 and beyond.

Poker for Sight tournament chair Mike Birk recognized Lions Don Collins, Ted Engelbrecht and Bob Benson for their efforts to make the signature fundraising event a success. Collins received the Tournament Star Award for his work collecting donations for each tournament’s high hand 50/50 pots, raising on average about $2,000 per semiannual tournament. Engelbrecht runs the player registration table and Benson is the concession stand co-manager.

The top award a Lion can receive is the Melvin Jones Fellowship, named for Lions Clubs International founder Melvin Jones. Tracy Rogers and Mike Birk were the recipients. Rogers is recognized as the lead pit boss at Poker for Sight and Birk drives repeat business to that tournament.

Dave Sobczak received the Westfield Lions Club’s Life Membership Award for his work developing plans for the new Lions clubhouse. Sobczak has overseen the project through the regulatory and permitting phases. He also is the clubhouse project’s construction manager.

Jeff Larrison also was honored with the Life Membership Award for his years of service as the club’s secretary, a position he has held since 2010.

Lion Ted Engelbrecht was presented with a 50-year perfect attendance pin. Bob Benson received a 55-year pin.

The evening was catered by Westfield High School Foodies, with entertainment

by the Westfield High School Signature Sound Choir.

The Westfield Lions are actively looking for people interested in joining the club. Learn more at westfieldlions.org.

DISPATCHES

Westfield ice ribbon — The Ice Ribbon — a synthetic skating surface that uses no ice — is open at Grand Junction Plaza through Jan. 4. Ninety-minute skating sessions are available Thursday through Sunday by advance ticketing only. Sessions are Thursdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m.; Fridays from 4 to 5:30 p.m., 6 to 7:30 p.m. and 8 to 9:30 p.m.; and Saturdays from noon to 1:30 p.m., 2 to 3:30 p.m., 4 to 5:30 p.m., 6 to 7:30 p.m. and 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 per session for ages 11 and older. Children 10 and under are $10

per session. Purchase tickets at tinyurl. com/3k7hkf26.

Mornings with the mayor — Westfield Mayor Scott Willis invites the public to participate in Mornings with the Mayor on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Jan. 7 at 6 a.m. indoors at Grand Park Events Center. This event is a walk/run opportunity for anyone who would like to join to get some exercise while catching up on local news and events in Westfield. The events continue through the end of March.

Mike Birk, right, presents Ted Engelbrecht with a Lions Poker for Sight Special Recognition Award. Engelbrecht also was given a 50-year perfect attendance pin. (Photos courtesy of Westfield Lions Club)

Dave Sobczak, left, receives the Lifetime Membership Award from Lion Bob Benson.

‘Secret’ Santas make holidays bright in Hamilton County

GIVING news@youarecurrent.com

More than 500 volunteers gathered at the Meijer store in Westfield Dec. 14 to shop for holiday gifts for 81 local families in need, part of the 2024 Secret Families Day, organized by the nonprofit Secret Families of Hamilton County.

The annual one-day event supports families with children referred by local schools by providing presents for every member of the family, fully decorated live trees, food certificates and essential items.

Organizers said the “secret” name originated from donors wishing to keep their sponsorship of a family private. It also protects the identities of those who are being served. Secret Families of Hamilton County volunteers said because struggles can happen to anyone at any time, the event assists those neighbors with discretion and dignity.

“These are our neighbors — children whose parents are battling illness; families who have lost a breadwinner; or households facing the aftermath of a natural disaster,” Secret Families of Hamilton County Executive Director Jay Kern stated. “We exist to help these families experience the joy and hope of Christmas during their toughest days and at the same time show them that their neighbors care about them.”

Volunteers shopped for items at Meijer in Westfield. Teams of volunteers were assigned a family to shop for, working off

a list of needs and wants for each family member within an allocated budget.

After checking out, the volunteers moved to CrossRoads Church in Westfield, where presents were wrapped and additional items collected at toy drives throughout the year were added to each family’s donation. The gift package also included children’s Bibles, a bag of toiletries and household items, a gift card for groceries and a tree.

Secret Families of Hamilton County serves families across all six public school districts in the county. The organization is supported by several local organizations including The Hotel Carmichael in Carmel, Wasson Nursery in Fishers, Sheridan Fire Department and Kiwanis of Westfield.

Secret Families relies solely on donations for the annual event and accepts monetary donations year-round. Learn more at secretfamilieshc.org.

An exclusive offer for members of the Indianapolis Bridge Center. Not a member? Join the Indianapolis Bridge Center for $50. The $50 fee is an annual membership fee and members get reduced game fees. Classes regularly $180.

Classes Start in January

Beginning Bridge

• Offered Sundays at 2 p.m., Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. or Thursdays at 9 a.m.

• 9 weeks

• $10 for the instructional materials; non-members price $180

Play of the Hand

• Offered Mondays at 2:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. • 9 weeks

shop for presents Dec. 14 at Meijer in Westfield.

Volunteers wrap presents during Secret Families Day Dec. 14 in Westfield. (Photos courtesy of Secret Families of Hamilton County)

CHS senior swimmer Shackell caps a golden year

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School senior swimmer Alex Shackell had a sweet cap to a special year.

Shackell, who earned gold and silver medals for participating in Team USA relays at the Paris Olympics, had a strong showing at the World Short Course Swimming Championships Dec. 10-15 in Budapest, Hungary.

Shackell was on the 4x100-meter freestyle relay team, which captured the gold with a world record time of 3:25.01.

“Being a part of the world record relay was the most unreal experience,” Shackell said. “Going into the race I had no idea what the world record was. It came as a total surprise. It was great to be able to represent a USA relay at finals again. I’m happy with the two golds I earned but that’s not how I base my success.”

Shackell earned a second gold medal for the 4x100 medley relay since she was a member of the relay in the preliminaries. She won a silver in the 4x100 mixed medley and a bronze in the 4x50 mixed medley and

ALEX SHACKELL

Favorite Athlete: Lilly King

Favorite TV show: “Criminal Minds”

Favorite subject: English

Favorite vacation spot: California

was fourth in the 200-meter butterfly.

“I am pretty proud of my 200 fly prelims swim,” she said. “I thought I swam it smart and was happy with the time. I was actually pretty upset with my 200 fly finals performance. The time I went in prelims would have gotten me on the podium, so I was pretty frustrated. I’ve been working on being able to finish my 200 fly better when

racing elite competition, so this is a good experience for me and the disappointment is only going to make me better.”

CHS boys and girls swimming coach

“Alex had some terrific performances and is now a world record holder,” Plumb said. “At the same time, getting experiences at the world level will continue to help her grow and develop.”

Shackell said Plumb did a great job of leading the national team.

“Although he was head coach, I didn’t really see him any differently,” Shackell said. “We both just kept things as normal as possible.”

Shackell decided to defer her college enrollment for a year and continue training with the Carmel Swim Club for a year after graduation. She originally committed to the University of California at Berkeley.

“Training at Carmel is working for me and I’m super happy with where I am, so for now taking the extra year is best for me,” Shackell said.

Shackell, who has won 11 IHSAA state titles, will seek to add to her total Feb. 15 at the 2025 state meet.

To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.

•

Carmel High School senior Alex Shackell won two gold medals at the World Short Course Swimming Championships Dec. 10-15 in Budapest, Hungary. (File photo)

Chris Plumb served as the USA head coach at the meet.

Westfield reminds residents of snowplow plans

news@youarecurrent.com

The City of Westfield recently issued a reminder to residents to be patient during winter weather as city crews work to clear streets.

WINTER WEATHER

The reminder outlines the city’s plans for clearing local roadways during adverse winter weather. That plan is followed in two parts:

PRIORITY AREAS

Main roads, emergency routes and high-traffic areas are first priorities during snow and icing events. The Westfield Department of Public Works monitors weather forecasts to prepare for snow and ice control operations ahead of anticipated precipitation and pretreats roads with

brine or salt solutions if conditions allow.

SECONDARY AREAS

Residential streets and side roads are considered secondary areas for treatment, which begins after main roads are cleared and when snow accumulation exceeds three inches. Secondary streets are not pretreated unless specific hazardous conditions — such as ice storms — arise.

Residents are asked to avoid parking vehicles on streets during snow and ice events; clear sidewalks adjacent to their homes; place trash and recycling bins at least three feet from the curb to avoid interference with plow operations; and to monitor communication from the City of Westfield for updates.

The City of Westfield provides an interactive snow plow map for residents at arcg. is/1bvL4D2.

Westfield year in review — Westfield Mayor Scott Willis will present a review of 2024 at 7 p.m. Jan. 15, 2025 at the Westfield High School auditorium. Tickets are free, but residents are asked to reserve seats in advance at ticketleap.events/tickets/city-of-westfield/Q1-Town-Hall.

LOOKING AHEAD

Westfield’s

outlook for

2025 focuses on infrastructure, investment

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

Westfield Mayor Scott Willis said there will be a lot of notable changes in the city in 2025. But much of that work likely will go unseen.

The City of Westfield enters 2025 with more than $40 million of projects ready to move ahead, plus additional road work anticipated to begin when the weather warms up.

The largest road project is reconstruction of Ind. 32 through downtown, set to add travel lanes in both directions between Westfield Boulevard/Poplar Street and East Street, including the addition of a roundabout at East Street and Ind. 32. The city and INDOT entered a cost-sharing agreement for the $22 million project in 2018, with the city controlling design while the state’s share covers land acquisition, utility relocation costs and construction.

Willis said the city remains focused on downtown revitalization.

“In the first quarter, we still have between a quarter to a half a billion dollars of announced investments coming to the downtown area,” Willis said. “Once those projects are announced and hopefully approved by the council, we will have phase one of our downtown revitalization plan completed certainly way ahead of schedule. I thought it would take my first four years in office to focus on that and we’re going to have it wrapped up within a few months of my second year.”

Park and Poplar — a planned unit mixeduse development for residential, retail and a public plaza on Park Street along the Midland Trace Trail — is expected to break ground in 2025.

“It’s hard to picture, but when it’s done, it’s going to be amazing,” he said. “It’s going to be an amazing corridor tied into the Midland Trace Trail right across from the library. It’s just going to be a really neat gathering area for our community. It’s exactly what we want in that area. “

Willis said the result will be something for everyone, not just downtown.

“When we do the revitalization projects downtown it’s going to create gathering places, amenities shops, restaurants, all the things right now that in my opinion

we lack in Westfield other than on Ind. 32 and near Grand Park, where there are a lot of fast-food restaurants,” Willis said. “We don’t have a lot of places where you can do family-style dining or have gathering places for an evening to entertain your family. We’re really focused right now on that component of the ‘live, work, play’ concept of our city and that Park Street corridor is really where that’s going to be built.”

Willis said the city will work on Grand Park expansion projects, including a parking garage, retail, residential, office space and additional sports-related projects, including the potential to add an ice rink and

outdoor stadium.

An underlying question for residents: Where are those tax dollars going?

“Infrastructure,” Willis said. “We dedicate a lot of money from our budget to help improve the roads. In our community, I think that’s something that everybody benefits from. Is it in your backyard? Maybe, maybe not. But when you look at all the projects we’ve got going on, roads (and infrastructure) are important. I don’t know how you live in Westfield and not get impacted by some of these projects that are going to happen next year. That’s something tangible.”

WESTFIELD’S SAFETY UPGRADES

As Westfield grows, the city has made investments in emergency services, including additional police and fire facilities.

A public safety building to replace the current police station will be constructed in Wheeler Landing just south of Grand Park. A construction timeline for that facility has not been announced.

For the fire department, Station 84 on 191st Street just east of Grand Park is expected to break ground in 2025. The city has budgeted $7.5 million for

two new fire stations, with Station 85 expected in the next two to three years.

“We’re increasing the fire department by 25 percent in head count, and that really just comes with the new fire station that we’re building,” Mayor Scott Willis said. “Seconds matter. They really do in that world, and we need people, we need a lot of this growth that we’re going to see in the next 12 to 24 months on the north side of the city up north of Grand Park.”

Willis answered critics who question whether Westfield’s growth will mirror cities like Carmel and Fishers a little too closely.

“We’ve got to be true to our roots, but we also have to look at the long-term health of Westfield,” Willis said. “Our downtown is a great example of that. When you compare downtown Westfield to the other three cities in Hamilton County, we’re the only city that’s actually seen a decrease in population. Our downtown is dying — we have got to change that trajectory because it’s not a healthy one for a city, long term. (We’re) not going to be Carmel exactly, but here’s the benefit of adding the same kind of amenities that these other Hamilton County cities have already added.”

Willis said the comprehensive planning process, expected to move to the public engagement phase in 2025, will help create a vision for growth in Westfield. The plan will include a vision for the entire township. Willis said he envisions a time — though not in the immediate future — when Westfield will consume all of Westfield Washington Township. He said the comprehensive plan will help the city steer into that growth, instead of being ill equipped for it.

As far as his top goal for 2025, Willis said he is focused on growth.

“Continuing to focus on business development and diversifying our tax base and bringing in more commercial investments into our community. That’s always number one on my mind,” he said. “We announced over a billion dollars of investments in my first 11 months in office. My hope is I can do that again in 2025. That’s a tough number to hit once, let alone back-to-back years. But I think we’re well on our way. We’ve got a pipeline right now in the first quarter that’s probably half a million dollars. So, I feel really good about where we’re at and that is going to be number one on my priority.”

Willis said the city is on the right track.

“I know how blessed we are to live in this city,” Willis said. “It’s truly an amazing place to live and raise your families.”

ON THE COVER: Road construction through downtown Westfield is one of the largest projects anticipated in 2025. (Photo by Marney Simon)

(Below) Park and Poplar and other downtown revitalization projects are expected to break ground in 2025. (Photo by Marney Simon)

(Above) Station 84 is expected to break ground in Westfield in 2025. (File photo)

currentnightandday.com

Coral Reefer Band veteran McAnally set to keep party going at Palladium

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The night before Jimmy Buffett died in 2023, he had a special message for band members Mac McAnally and Mike Utley.

McAnally said they all understood the end was near.

“He was in as good a spirit as someone who just won the lottery,” McAnally said. “He was smiling that smile Jimmy Buffett always had on his face and talking about what a hell of a ride his life had been. He specifically said, ‘Keep the party going.’ He never wanted anyone to be sad. He liked to spread joy. In his particular case, he left a body of work that is going to keep spreading joy for generations and we get to be part of that.”

McAnally, a longtime Coral Reefer Band member and frequent Buffett songwriting partner, will perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 10, 2025, at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The concert is nearly sold out.

“I give Mr. Buffett credit for selling tickets for me from the great beyond,” McAnally said. “A lot of Jimmy’s fans have graciously supported those of us who are still going on and playing.”

McAnally said the plan is for the Coral Reefer Band to play some shows later in 2025.

McAnally tours with percussionist Eric Darken, another former Coral Reefer member.

“He makes a drum kit out of pots and pans and auto parts,” McAnally said. “Eric brings a whole lot to the table. We did almost 80 shows, just Eric and myself. We love traveling together and making records together.”

The setlist includes a mix of Buffett songs and McAnally’s solo work.

“Sometimes, the mix gets influenced by a particular crowd on a given night,” McAnally said. “We try to be light on our feet. If it’s a night when everyone wants to sing Jimmy’s songs, we’ll do that.

We’re always going to sing some, but we’ll steer that more if everyone enjoys singing along.”

McAnally said there might be a crowd that wants to hear some of McAnally’s solo songs or songs he wrote for other country artists.

“I’m happy to go in any direction,”

McAnally said. “I’m fortunate that I’ve had a lifetime of work that I’m not only proud of but fortunate to be connected to.

I’ve been fortunate to open shows with some of my heroes and make records with some of my heroes, then on top of that be able to tour several decades with Jimmy to the point that he’s just basically my big brother. It’s been truly a blessing and I’m just celebrating that every night I play.”

McAnally likely will play some songs from Buffett’s final album, “Equal Strain on All Parts,” which was finished shortly before he died.

“We’re always going to do ‘Bubbles Up’ because the fact that he wrote that song when he was going through the toughest time of his life and the hardest thing he had to deal with, he wrote such a positive message,” McAnally said. “I think it’s

as good as anything he ever wrote.”

McAnally said Buffett worked as hard as he had ever seen him work on the last batch of songs. Paul McCartney played bass on one of the songs, “My Gummie Just Kicked In.”

“You would be hard-pressed to find anyone in the music world or out of the music world that ever spent time around Jimmy that didn’t love the guy,” McAnally said.

McAnally said an example is the diverse group of performers who appeared in the Hollywood Bowl tribute show to Buffett in April. McCartney, Jon Bon Jovi, the Eagles, Kenny Chesney and Brandi Carlisle, among others, performed.

“His fans are loyal in the way that almost no one’s fans can compete with,” McAnally said. “There are Parrotheads clubs that are doing good charitable work based around his music.”

McAnally said the first song he wrote that Buffett recorded was “It’s My Job.”

“It’s the first song we sang together and it turned out to be the last song we ever sang together,” he said. “I’ll always have that in my show.”

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Story: The Musical” runs through Jan. 5 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

“Elton, Billy & Barry — They Write the Songs” is set for 7:30 and 10:45 p.m. Dec. 31 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

GREGORY’S XIT

Gregory’s Xit performs at 7 p.m. Jan. 4 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

Scharbrough makes children’s series debut

editorial@youarecurrent.com

Scharbrough

Professional musician-songwriter Sarah Scharbrough will make her first appearance in the “Peanut Butter & Jam” series at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 4 at the Studio Theater at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Scharbrough’s interactive show features singing, rhythm and movement.

“Our aim is to make this show both fun and instructional,” the Noblesville resident said.

Tickets to the program, which is designed for ages 1-7, are $10 per child and include two free adult admissions.

“It’s been an incredibly busy holiday season,” she said. “I kicked off the season with my annual Christmas shows at the Jazz Kitchen, then I hit the road with gospel music group Point of Grace for a national tour (which ended Dec. 21).”

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Singer-songwriter Mac McAnally will play at 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Mac McAnally)

A thrift in time saves dimes

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

Every year in late December, the Wolfsie family sits down and decides where we will donate money. We try to spread our giving to as many well-deserving charities as possible rather than giving a more considerable sum to only one or two.

One of my favorites is Centered Around Christ, or CAC, a service organization dedicated to helping those with food and housing needs. Two of our friends have dedicated much of their lives to this organization. When I wrote them a check, I knew it would be used for their mission, but my frustration with such donations is that you don’t know exactly how those in need benefit. That’s why I never pass someone on the street corner asking for money without giving. I know that’s a controversial issue, but I like the human contact. I ask their names and wish them luck. So, when I wrote a check to CAC, I stuck a $100 bill in the envelope with this note to my friends:

“Please use this cash to buy necessary items for those experiencing

homelessness.”

I did this because my friends are geniuses at getting stuff like socks, cereal, candy bars, underwear and canned goods at incredibly low prices. They use coupons, beg from store managers and keep an eye out for overstocked items that a store might be happy to let go of at a rock-bottom price. I also knew they would keep me apprised of their negotiations and the specifics of their shopping purchases. By the way, I’ve added this up, and I think they still have a nickel left over. I hope they don’t squander it. With those 5 cents, they could treat me to a dozen Kit Kats.

Although they work as a couple, my buddy does most of the finagling (I love that word). I won’t tell you his name, but he’ll answer to any grocery store manager screaming, “Cereal, 10 cents a box!”

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

LIFESTYLE

Across

1. Victory Field snack

8. Banned pesticide

11. Where to watch “Family Feud” reruns

14. Horse back in the pack

15. “Days of ___ Lives”

16. Rock genre

17. 2025 Pantone color of the year

19. ___ King Cole

20. Part for a Civic Theatre performer

21. Guarantee

23. Use UPS

25. Ed Martin auto sticker inits.

26. Adel’s Gyros bread

27. First Hispanic Republican to serve in the Indiana House: ___ Kubacki

30. Fancy furs

33. Fury

34. ___ d’oeuvres

36. Bistro, e.g.

37. 2024 Pantone color of the year

39. Finally

42. Sprinkler attachment

43. I-465 sight

46. Word with “rapid” or “mass”

48. Make good as new

50. Poet Teasdale

51. Indy’s Landmark for Peace Memorial sculpted

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

figure

53. Margarine

54. Coffee-flavored liqueur

57. Firehouse Subs offering

59. PNC Bank cash machine

60. 2023 Pantone color of the year

64. Kawachinagano Japanese Garden pond fish

65. Laudatory verse

66. “Let’s Stay Together” singer

67. Before, poetically

68. Zionsville HS volleyball court divider

69. Fixed shoes Down

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (the “Authority”) will hold a public hearing at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on January 14, 2025, with respect to the proposed issuance by the Authority of its Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds, Series 2025 (Vita of Westfield Project) (the “Bonds”), in one or more series, with the maximum of Bonds which are federally tax-exempt not to exceed $22,680,066, the proceeds of the sale thereof to be loaned to Vita of Westfield, LLC (the “Borrower”) for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, installing, improving and equipping of a approximately 168-unit assisted living and memory care facility and certain functionally-related improvements located at 17748 Spring Mill Road, in the City of Westfield, Indiana, Hamilton County (the “Project”) and to the extent permitted, paying certain costs of issuance, paying a portion of the interest accruing on the Bonds and funding a debt service reserve fund, if necessary. The Borrower will be the principal user (within the meaning of Section 144(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of Project.

The Bonds will be issued pursuant to the provisions of IC 5-20-1 (the “Act”), and pursuant to the Act will not constitute a debt, liability or obligation of the State of Indiana or a pledge of the faith and credit of the State of Indiana but shall be payable solely from the funds pledged to the payment thereof. A substantial portion of the Bonds are expected to be issued as “exempt facility bonds” pursuant to Section 142(a)(7) of the Code.

The public hearing is being held pursuant to Section 147(f) of the Code. Pursuant to Internal Revenue Service Revenue Procedure 2022-20 (“Rev. Proc. 22-20”), the public hearing will be held via toll free conference call by the Authority using the following toll-free number: (833) 266-5144 and participant code 288034765#. The public is invited to submit written comments to the Executive Director of the Authority at 30 S. Meridian Street, Suite 900, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 on or before 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, January 13, 2025. For additional information regarding participation in the hearing or for emailing comments please contact Mr. Alan Rakowski at 317-233-1220 or arakowski@ihcda.in.gov

Dated: December 31, 2024.

INDIANA HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

/S/ J. Jacob Sipe

Executive Director

0143270.0790410 4895-8486-1935v3

1. Nonstick spray

2. “Evil Woman” band, briefly

3. Attribute

4. Zero chance

5. Russian range

6. Domesticated

7. ___-cone