Tuesday, January 21, 2025
CHAMPIONING WESTFIELD
Master plan unveiled for Grand Park district / P15
Maximum pricing established for WFD Station 84 / P4
County coalition aims to prevent veteran suicide / P5
Township expands towards preschool options / P7
Fishers fiber enthusiasts plan debut FIBRuary
By Cassie King news@youarecurrent.com
Fiber arts enthusiasts have a new reason to celebrate this winter with the debut of FIBRuary Fest, a festival dedicated to all things yarn and fiber.
ART
The event, organized by Fishers businesses Color Me Happy Fiber Arts Studio and RoseGold Yarn, is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 1 at Forest Park Inn, 701 Cicero Rd., in Noblesville, followed by a two-week yarn crawl across central Indiana.
Michelle Salyers, co-owner of Color Me Happy Fiber Arts Studio in Fishers, said she came up with the idea after hearing interest from crafters during a weekly Sit ‘n Stitch group in Noblesville. Around the same time, Salyers and Maddie Kellner, co-owner of RoseGold Yarn, discussed the concept during a fiber arts conference.
“The idea really took shape after a few days of brainstorming,” Salyers said. “We realized a February event could bring fiber lovers together during the winter lull and offer a sense of community and creativity.”
The festival’s name is an acronym for fun, inspiration, bonding and relaxation, and draws inspiration from the online yarn community. Fiber enthusiasts worldwide participate in the “Fiberuary challenge” each February.
“We wanted to bring that online energy into an in-person event,” Kellner said. “It’s a time when people are looking for something to do post-holidays and before spring festivals kick off.”
Vendors will showcase yarn, fiber, and crafting tools, while yarn trucks parked outside will add to the vibrant scene. A separate space will feature coffee, snacks and communal crafting tables.
“We’re aiming for a ‘cozy crafting’ vibe,” Salyers said. “We’re even planning a ‘yarn doctor’ table where people can get help with their projects or watch demonstrations by local yarn shop representatives.”
The festival will feature artisans and vendors from across Indiana, selected based on expertise and connection to the local crafting community.
“For this first year, we focused on vendors we’ve met through other festivals and word-of-mouth recommendations,” Kellner said.
Following the festival, a two-week yarn crawl from Feb. 2 to 17 invites participants to explore yarn shops within a 60-mile radius of Indianapolis. Each shop will provide
exclusive experiences, such as limited-edition yarns, discounts and giveaways.
“Participants will receive a passport to track the shops they visit,” Kellner said. “Completed passports will be entered into a grand prize drawing, encouraging people to explore new stores and connect with fellow fiber lovers.”
The timing and structure of the crawl aim to accommodate winter travel conditions and provide ample opportunity for crafting.
“We think the two-week timeframe will give participants plenty of time to visit stores while allowing for cozy crafting days at home,” Salyers noted.
A key goal of FIBRuary Fest is to support local yarn shops and artisans, particularly during the slower winter months.
“Small businesses are critical to local economies,” Salyers said. “This event encourages people to come together, support small businesses and share their love of fiber arts.”
Kellner echoed the importance of fostering community.
“Many local stores offer classes and experiences for different budgets,” she said. “We hope attendees will not only shop but also build relationships with store owners and fellow crafters.”
Salyers and Kellner both have strong ties to fiber arts. Salyers first learned to knit at age 8 and has since expanded her skills to include crochet, weaving and natural dyeing. She recently retired from her career as a psychology professor to focus on fiber arts full-time.
“Fiber art has always been central to my life,” Salyers said. “It’s a tactile experience that brings peace and a sense of achievement.”
Kellner discovered her passion for fiber arts later in life, starting with a knitting class.
“I was hooked right away,” she said. “Yarn is just so pretty, and I love exploring new stitch patterns and colorwork.”
Salyers and Kellner hope FIBRuary Fest will become an annual tradition and have plans to expand it in future years.
“We’d love to include more vendors and workshops and possibly move to a larger venue,” Salyers said.
For now, the focus remains on creating a memorable first-year experience.
“We’re excited to see how the community responds and to hear their ideas for the future,” Kellner said.
For more about FIBRuary Fest and the upcoming yarn crawl, visit fibruaryindiana. com or instagram.com/fibruary_indy.
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Linda Williams of Color Me Happy Fiber Arts works on a project during a recent fiber crafts event. (Photo courtesy of Maddie Kellner)
Maximum pricing established for Westfield Station 84
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
A contract outlining the maximum price for Westfield’s next fire station has been finalized between the Westfield Board of Public Works and Safety and Envoy Construction Services, LLC. The board approved the guaranteed maximum price of $11.4 million during a special meeting Jan. 13.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Deputy Mayor Danielle Carey-Tolan said the guaranteed maximum pricing was the last document needed for the formalization of terms and conditions for a build-operate-transfer agreement — or BOT — between the city and Envoy for construction for Westfield Fire Department Station 84.
“It’s hard to keep it under budget these days,” Carey-Tolan said. “The total price of the project is a little over budget. The total project is — with the owner’s contingency — $11.4 almost $11.5 a million. We were trying to do $11 million (but) with just the increase of pricing and just getting things kind of under control and getting all of the
contingencies where we needed it, that’s where we kind of landed.”
The GMP is the maximum sum the city is responsible to pay for the completion of the project, subject to any change orders.
Station 84 will be built at 191st Street and Chad Hittle Drive. The two-story, 20,000-square-foot building will include three apparatus bays, living quarters, sleeping quarters and a museum. The station will house up to 12 fire department
personnel for 24/7 shifts.
The station will serve the U.S. 31 corridor, Grand Park and Chatham Hills. Once complete, the WFD expects the station to reduce response times to those areas by approximately two minutes.
A construction timeline for Station 84 has not been released.
The city also is working on plans to construct Station 85 — a one-story, 16,000-square-foot building expected to
house up to 10 fire personnel — near Ind. 32 and Centennial Road/W. 31st Street. Carey-Tolan said the expected GMP for Station 85 is expected at $10 million. That contract will come before the board Jan. 22.
“There is no museum in Station 85, so it should be less expensive,” she said.
Construction of Station 84 and Station 85 is in response to rapid growth in the City of Westfield. Learn more at westfieldin.gov/198/Fire-Department.
A guaranteed maximum price of $11.4 million has been established for construction of Westfield Fire Department Station 84. (Image courtesy of City of Westfield)
Hamilton County coalition aims to prevent veteran suicide
By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com
In 2022, the Hamilton County Health Department reported that the number of veterans who died by suicide had increased 28 percent from the previous year.
WELL-BEING
After learning about the increase, A Healthier Hamilton County: Systems of Care, a network of those who live in and serve the community, created Stronger Veterans, Stronger Communities, a coalition that works to prevent suicide among service members, veterans and their families and caregivers in Hamilton County.
“It was decided that we wanted to put a coalition together in the county to help prevent not only veteran suicide, but also service members and the families,” said Kristen Ludeker-Seibert, director of coordination for A Healthier Hamilton County: Systems of Care.
Anyone is welcome to join the coalition and its mission to prevent suicide. Its members are from a variety of backgrounds, including other veteran-serving organizations, nonprofits, local government and other entities throughout the county including volunteers, veterans and service members.
A major way the coalition is reaching veteran populations and working to reduce veteran suicide is through the Governor’s Challenge, a partnership between A Healthier Hamilton County and with the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Governor’s Challenge has three pillars.
“The first is identification,” Ludeker-Sie-
bert said. “We want to identify the service members, veterans and then families within our county, and that will then naturally move over into connection, which is pillar two. The second thing we want to do is connect those folks to resources, benefits, programs, those types of things, so that they feel connected to one another, their families, themselves, wherever they need to find connection.”
The third pillar is promoting safety for those considering suicide.
“That pillar is working on how we can give to the community when it comes to keeping people safe who are in a suicidal crisis,” Ludeker-Seibert said. “How can we help out there?”
As Stronger Veterans, Stronger Communities reaches out to neighborhoods, it uses a QR code that asks residents if they or a family member have served, which will then direct them to resources based on other questions. The coalition also presents booths at various events around the county to raise awareness for its cause and connect veterans and their families with resources to help prevent suicide.
“We want to continue to build upon the availability of resources for service members, veterans and their families,” Ludeker-Seibert said. “We know that in Hamilton County, we are a very resource-rich county. We just struggle in getting that information out to everyone. We want to be able to reach those service members, veterans, etc. who may not be actively involved in the VFW or the American Legion, but we want to let them know that these other things are out there.”
Learn more at hamiltoncountyphhc.org/ stronger-veterans-stronger-communities.
Kristen Ludeker-Seibert presents information about Stronger Veterans, Stronger Communities to raise awareness for the coalition and its cause. (Photo courtesy of Kristen Ludeker-Seibert)
Carmel Winter Games
J anuary 2 4 – 25
This event builds real team spirit through on-ice, non-skating competitive games like:
Human Hungry Hippo
Human Curling Ice Trike Relays
S enso r y-Friendly Skate Day
Wednesday, January 29
A sensory-friendly event for families, especially designed for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder or any type of special need.
Free admission and skate rental for the entire family. Wheelchairs are welcome on the ice and ice walker supports are available to share. Rink will be closed to the general public. Guardians must accompany on ice.
Destination Westfield projects continue through winter
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Construction on Westfield Washington Schools’ latest Destination Westfield projects continue through the winter. Representatives from Core Constriction told members of the WWS board of school trustees in December that window and exterior work at the Virginia F. Wood Early Learning Center is expected to be complete by the end of this month.
CONSTRUCTION
Exterior work at the Virginia F. Wood Early Learning Center is expected to be complete this month. (File photo)
The expansion, which broke ground in June 2024, will add 13 new classrooms, multi-purpose rooms, offices, storage space and an enclosed playground and will accommodate 200 to 230 additional children ages infant through pre-K.
The renovation includes upgrades to the athletic fields next to the learning center, with significant improvements planned for the soccer, rugby and baseball fields. The baseball fields are being turfed. Softball field surface installment is com-
plete. Parking lot and site utilities also are complete. Rugby fields are expected to be turfed in spring.
Core Construction representatives also said the building to support the new tennis court facility at Westfield High School should be substantially completed later this month, prior to the start of tennis season. The 15-court tennis complex opened for athletic use in August 2024.
Destination Westfield is the district’s strategic plan for growth. Funding for construction projects comes from the debt service fund.
Westfield Washington Township expands preschool options
news@youarecurrent.com
Westfield Washington Township recently announced an expanded schedule of daily preschool offerings for children ages 3-5. The expanded schedule offers daily opportunities for children to engage in interactive enrichment programs. Sessions include unique themes to keep the experience fresh and exciting for the children.
EDUCATION
in our preschoolers.”
Township Trustee Jamie Goetz Mills said the expansion is an exciting opportunity for Westfield Washington Township families.
The preschool program is led by the township’s director of education, Kristy White. She has worked in youth education in the township for 18 years.
“My goal has always been to create a fun, engaging environment where kids can learn and grow,” White stated. “I can’t wait to continue providing interactive, hands-on experiences that foster curiosity and excitement
“Mrs. White’s preschool enrichment programs have been a staple in our community for nearly two decades, and we’re thrilled to offer families even more opportunities to participate,” Goetz Mills stated. “Her dedication has positively impacted countless young learners, and this new schedule will make her programming even more accessible to the families we serve.”
Drop-off classes are available most days of the week. Preschool timeslots include 12:30 to 2 p.m. Monday and Friday; 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and varying times on Wednesday. Registration is open for the spring session at tinyurl.com/ WWT-preschool.
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DISPATCHES
Food truck permits for HOA events — The City of Westfield recently updated rules for food trucks that operate within the city for 2025. While permits are required for special events, including special events within HOAs, city leaders said a cutout was added to the ordinance to simplify the process for those HOAs that host multiple events each year. Per the ordinance, entities that host events with food trucks more than two times per calendar year, such as HOAs, may serve as a temporary use/event permit holder. In those instances, a permit would be obtained for a specific location. An HOA can hire any licensed food truck without further permitting needed, except for mobile food vendors that serve alcohol. The temporary use permit is good for three years. HOAs can contact the city at 317-8043150 for more information.
Feed Our Neighbor food drive — Benge’s ACE Hardware of Westfield and CrossRoads Church will collect food donations for families in need at the store, 3400 Nancy St. near Ind. 32 and Grassy Branch Road from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 24, 25 and 26 during Feed Our Neighbor Food Drive weekend. Donations will help stock the CrossRoads food pantry cabinet at 191st Street and Grassy Branch. Donors are eligible for ACE’s “fill a bag discount” of 10 percent. Learn more at FeedOurNeighbor.org.
Hospital beds donated — Riverview Health recently donated six hospital beds to the Westfield Washington School District. The beds will be utilized for training within medical classrooms at the new Ascension St. Vincent YMCA in Westfield. The district will utilize seven classrooms at the YMCA for programming including its Certified Nursing Assistant program, which supports up to 90 students per year. WWS officials said the donation represents a total of about $15,000. The WWS board of school trustees approved the donation in December.
Golf cart listening tour — Westfield City Council members will host public events to listen to constituents on their thoughts on expanding the city’s golf cart ordinance to include named and perimeter trails. Listening tour events include 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at Viking Meadows Clubhouse, 15757 Viking Meadows Dr. with councilors Noah Herron and Victor McCarty; and 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at The Club at Chatham Hills, 1100 Chatham Hills Blvd. with Councilor Joe Duepner. Listening tours are open to all city residents.
AES opens Westfield location
NOW OPEN news@youarecurrent.com
Zionsville-based AES Restaurant Group recently opened their first local Arby’s restaurant near the entrance to Westfield’s Grand Park.
The fast-food restaurant, 1399 Chatham Commons Blvd., serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Besides the restaurant, AES has committed funds to Westfield by way of a donation to the police department.
In July 2024, AES Restaurant Group donated $25,000 to the Westfield Police Department to secure a new K-9, named RB. The dog, which was provided by Westfield-based Ultimate Canine LLC, is specially trained in narcotics detection, tracking, criminal apprehension, evidence search and recovery.
AES Restaurant Group owns and operates 188 Restaurants in 16 states, including sites in Lebanon, Kokomo and Lafayette. The Westfield restaurant is the company’s first in Hamilton County.
“We are so excited to finally have a restaurant in our own backyard,” AES Restaurant Group president Jay Bedrosian
stated. “With multiple members of our leadership team residing in Westfield, we cannot wait to share the AES Restaurant experience with the community.”
A grand opening event is planned for spring.
AES Restaurant Group is one of the largest franchisees in the Arby’s system and was recognized as the Franchisee of the Year in 2019, and serves local communities through the AES Foundation. Learn more at aesfoundation.com.
COUNTY RECEIVES NEW RECEPTACLE FOR RETIRED FLAGS
Veteran Service Officer Tom Logan, left, and former Hamilton County Surveyor Kenton Ward, who retired at the end of 2024, stand beside a new receptacle for retired U.S. flags. The receptacle was provided by the National Association of Counties and distributed to Indiana counties by the Indiana Association of Counties. The receptacle was presented to Logan by Ward, who is a member of the national and state association’s board of directors.
The receptacle is in the Veteran Service Office on the first floor of the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center in Noblesville at 1 N. 8th St. (Photo courtesy of Pam Louks)
David Weekley Homeowners Libby & Chris Phillips, Ben & Heather Muser, and Andrew & Rebecca Barrilleaux
Arby’s is now open at 1399 Chatham Commons Blvd. in Westfield. (Photo by Marney Simon)
Community foundation launches new strategic plan
The Hamilton County Community Foundation, a $100 million public foundation working to mobilize people, ideas and investment in the community, recently announced the launch of its new strategic plan that went into effect Jan. 1.
IMPROVEMENTS
“This transformative roadmap reflects HCCF’s commitment to addressing Hamilton County’s most critical challenges, empowering all residents to thrive in a growing and inclusive community,” HCCF Director of Marketing Kelsey Singh stated. Singh said based on a comprehensive needs assessment conducted in 2024, which included extensive community conversations and analysis of over 2,000 data points, HCCF identified five key areas of improvement for Hamilton County:
• Affordable housing
• Education and training
• Social services
• Child care solutions
• Transportation “Hamilton County has experienced rapid growth, and our needs assessment revealed that it is a tale of two counties,” Danielle Stiles-Polk, interim resident of the HCCF, stated. “Though many community members are thriving, significant concerns exist about accessing essential services. This strategic plan underscores our dedication to addressing the county’s most pressing needs, leveraging strategic leadership, intentional investments, and meaningful partnerships to drive lasting impact.”
HCCF’s strategic plan centers on four key goals:
• Leading and convening: “HCCF will position itself as a leading convener, bringing together diverse voices to develop collaborative solutions,” Singh stated. “By broadening engagement, leading discussions on critical issues and clearly communicating nonprofit needs and impact, we aim to strengthen connections across the community.”
• Grantmaking: “HCCF’s grantmaking strategy will focus on priority areas to drive meaningful impact,” Singh stated. “By aligning donors and partners, streamlining processes and making targeted investments, HCCF aims to create lasting change that addresses the identified needs of Hamilton County residents.”
• Nonprofit ecosystem development and health: “To ensure a sustainable and effective nonprofit ecosystem, HCCF will support capacity-building efforts, foster collaboration and create a centralized data resource hub,” Singh stated. “This approach will enhance transparency, drive informed decision-making and amplify the collective impact of the nonprofit sector.”
• Donor relationships: “HCCF is committed to increasing donor impact through deeper engagement and exceptional donor experiences,” Singh stated. “By expanding co-investment opportunities, raising awareness of HCCF’s role in local philanthropy and implementing a donor-centric approach, we aim to strengthen connections between donors and the causes that matter most in Hamilton County.” Singh said HCCF will continue to support its fundholders by helping them invest in areas that align with their passions, interests and values.
“When opportunities arise that align with the foundation’s new focus areas, fundholders will receive tailored support to maximize their impact,” Singh stated. HCCF has unveiled a refreshed logo in tandem with the strategic plan, symbolizing a new chapter in the foundation’s journey.
For more, visit hamiltoncountycommunityfoundation.org.
Donations accepted at Menards — Menards stores are serving as drop sites for local food pantries through the end of March. The company announced that stores also offer nonperishable food items for sale that can be donated. Menards has stores throughout the Midwest, including Carmel, Fishers and Indianapolis.
The Hamilton County Community Foundation’s new logo. (Logo courtesy of Kelsey Singh)
COMMUNITY
DISPATCHES
Blood donations sought — Versiti Blood Center of Indiana has issued an emergency plea for blood donations. Donors can give blood six times a year. Although all blood types are needed, O negative — the universal blood donor type — is in lowest supply. Donors must be 16 or older and in good health, and parental consent is required for donors aged 16 to donate. Versiti Blood Center donation sites include 726 Adams St., Suite 150 in Carmel; 11005 Allisonville Road in Fishers; and 3450 N. Meridian St. in India-
Kathleen A. “Kathy” Knott, 77 of Carmel, passed away at her home on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 surround by her loving family. Kathy was born July 4, 1947 in Springfield, MA to the late James and Catherine Gray.
napolis. Schedule at appointment at Versiti. org. Walk-in donors are also welcome.
Melt the Trail registration open — Registration is available for the 10th annual Melt the Trail 5k run/walk race at 10:30 a.m. March 1 at Grand Junction Brewing Co. in Westfield. Registration includes a long sleeve race shirt, finisher’s medal, post-race snacks and drinks, one free drink ticket for participants 21 and older, and a timed route. Register at westfieldwelcome.com/melt-the-trail.
OBITUARIES
and traveling with her husband. Family was a very important part of her life; she loved being a mother and grandmother.
Kathy was a nursing graduate of St. Luke’s Hospital, Pittsfield, MA. She was a nurse for 50 years. From 1987-2012 she was a nurse at St. Vincent Carmel Hospital. Before moving to Carmel, Kathy was a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Kathy loved helping people, nursing was a natural fit.
Kathy enjoyed spending time at the beach
Bettieann Ahern, 92, of Westfield, IN, was called home to the Lord on Monday, January 6, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at St. Vincent Carmel Hospital. She was born on July 19, 1932, in Ottawa, IL, to Frank and Marie McGrath.
Bettieann moved to Indianapolis with her late, loving husband of 60 years, Jack Ahern. Together, they raised a family of six children, ran a local insurance agency for many decades, and were heavily involved in the St. Maria Goretti Catholic church community, where they were founding parishioners. Throughout the Westfield/Carmel community, Bettieann loved to share her gift of turning any stranger into a good friend -- but her greatest joy in life was her strong relationship with her family and God.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, January 23 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Flanner Buchanan-Carmel, where a service celebrating Kathy’s life will follow at 4:00 pm.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 53 years, Doug; sons, Matthew J. Knott and Brian D. (wife, Tatum Garofolo) Knott; granddaughter, Gemma Knott. She was preceded in death by her son, Adam D. Knott and her sister, Maureen Scanlon.
and cared for -- no matter who they were or how long she’d known them. To us, she was an angel on Earth, and now, she is our guardian angel in Heaven.
In addition to her parents, Bettieann was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; children, Mike Ahern and Sue Roller; brothers Bill (Jean) McGrath and Tom (Wanda) McGrath; and her identical twin, Johanna (Bill) Hawkings.
Survivors include her children, Jack (Brenda) Ahern, Tom Ahern, Lynn (Allen) Collicott, and Pam (Dave) Sidery; sister, Mary Hepburn; her beloved 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Let us all remember, “In the end, there are three things that last: Faith, Hope, and Love. And the greatest of these is Love.”
Bettieann would often say, “My favorite pastime is prayer.” She loved spending time praying, tending to her flower garden, and hosting lovely gatherings for her family and friends. Bettieann was a lighthouse to many people. She had a special quality of making anyone she encountered feel special, loved
Family and friends will gather on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10 am in St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, where the Memorial Mass will be conducted at 11 am. Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.
WHS plans for expansion
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The Westfield Washington Schools Board of Trustees held a project hearing and secondary preliminary determination hearing last month, committing funds for expansion at Westfield High School.
EDUCATION
The board approved a resolution for a maximum of $182.5 million for construction and other related costs for three projects.
The WHS addition is a $90 million project expected to break ground in summer 2026, with completion by winter 2027.
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Brian Tomamichel said the district has added almost 1,700 students in the past four years. While the district’s Destination Westfield plan addresses elementary, operations and transportation needs, Tomamichel said the high school expansion also is crucial.
“The major piece is expanding out the performing arts area. We’re expanding out the back of the auditorium to make it a (larger) stage. Then we are also creating a larger band room as our band continues to
grow,” Tomamichel said.
The second half of the expansion will add a three-story structure south of the football stadium.
“The first floor is locker rooms and some more athletic space for the high school athletic area,” he said. “The second and third floors are all academic areas. The expansion of academic areas here is vast — about 40,000 square feet.”
The projects are part of ongoing efforts of the district to keep up with rapid expansion in Westfield.
“Based on the final design, this (addition) helps get us to 4,000 (students),” WWS Superintendent Paul Kaiser said. “This puts off that discussion of a second high school unit way down the road. It’s critical for us to get started on this just because of the classroom-space needs as we continue to grow.”
The remainder of the funding will go toward $75 million in renovations at Westfield Middle School and Westfield Elementary School remodel. That work is expected to break ground in 2026 with completion by the end of 2029.
The bond-funded projects are anticipated to be tax-rate neutral.
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Eskenazi Health has been named Indiana’s top hospital for community benefit and health equity by the Lown Institute.
Walmart store in Westfield catches fire
Crews from Westfield and Carmel put out a fire at the Westfield Walmart Jan. 13. (Photo courtesy of Westfield Fire Department)
CITY NEWS news@youarecurrent.com
spreading into the building.
Crews responded to a fire at Walmart on 151st Street and Greyhound Pass around 4 p.m. Jan. 13.
According to the Westfield Fire Department, a large stack of pallets caught fire near the rear of the building. Crews quickly extinguished the fire and prevented it from
The building was evacuated as crews put out the flames. A thick cloud of black smoke was visible from the road for several miles.
The cause remains under investigation and no injuries were reported.
Westfield and Carmel fire departments responded to the call.
Why the numbers matter when pricing your
house
How homes are priced can significantly influence buyer behavior. Most buyers search for homes in $25,000 increments because the search platforms are structured this way. This pattern shapes their search parameters and their perceptions of value and affordability.
When listing a home, hitting those $25,000 marks—like $525,000, 550,000, or $575,000—can be more impactful than one might initially think. It’s about understanding buyer psychology. One psychological pricing technique that realtors often employ is the “left digit effect.” This strategy involves setting prices below a round number, like $499,999 instead of $500,000. The rationale behind this is based on how potential buyers perceive numerical values. The first digit to the left significantly influences their perception, making $499,999 seem substantially less than $500,000,
even though the difference is only $1.
The same is true when considering price reductions. If a home is priced at $556,000, adjusting that price to just under $550,000 could significantly broaden the pool of prospective buyers. This strategy isn’t about devaluing the property but about aligning the home’s price with buyer search behaviors to maximize interest.
These price points serve as psychological thresholds. Buyers often set their maximum budget at these round figures, and homes priced below these thresholds are perceived as better deals. Ultimately, in the real estate market, aligning your home’s price with how buyers search can substantially affect how quickly you sell your home and even the final sale price. If you are considering selling, let us help you strategically price your home.
Noblesville senior balances basketball, travel softball
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Brookelyn Grayson’s collegiate future is on the softball diamond.
But for now, she is enjoying her final season on the Noblesville High School girls basketball team.
“I love the girls and atmosphere,” said Grayson, who will play softball for Duke University next season. “We’ve been really successful, and this year we were kind of the underdog. A lot of people counted us out. We have a better record than we did at this time last year. This year has been fun to be a part of.”
Grayson, a 5-foot-5 backup guard, encourages younger girls to be versatile.
“You can be really good at your main sport, but if you enjoy basketball, or even another sport, you can still develop and play that sport,” Grayson said.
Grayson doesn’t play high school softball but concentrates on travel softball. She plays for the Indiana Shockwaves’ 18-and-under team, coached by her father Tommy Grayson. Her older sister, Cameron, is a sophomore pitcher for the University of
BROOKELYN GRAYSON
Favorite athlete: Sydney
McLaughlin-Levrone
Favorite TV show: “The Vampire Diaries”
Favorite musician: Rihanna
Favorite vacation spot: California
Brookelyn Grayson, who signed to play softball for Duke University, plays basketball for Noblesville High School and travel softball. (Photo courtesy of Callie Grayson) Minnesota.
During basketball season, Grayson and the Shockwaves practice Sundays at Indiana Baseball Academy.
Brookelyn Grayson primarily plays shortstop but also can play second or third base. She batted .570 for the Shockwaves last season as the team’s leadoff hitter.
“I like hitting leadoff because I’m the
first one out there,” she said. “I think my (softball) IQ is really high, so I can see the pitcher’s spin and what she’s trying to do, whether she is trying to work one side of the plate or try to mix it up. Even if I don’t get a hit or get on, I can try to help my teammates have an advantage when they come to bat.”
She said playing travel softball is an advantage because the Shockwaves play in tournaments in the South during the spring.
“Schools in the South play high school softball in the fall instead of spring,” she
said. “We get a team of girls who don’t play high school softball and we go down to Georgia maybe once every three weeks or once a month. I’m still getting live at-bats and more reps.”
Grayson said she chose Duke because it has strong academic and athletic programs.
“I was getting a top 10 education with a top 10 softball program,” said Grayson, who plans to major in biology and pursue a career in dentistry.
She is working on sharpening her softball skills.
“Once I get to Duke, I know I am going to have to prove myself, because they are at such a high level, I’m going to have to make an impact right away if I’m going to see playing time,” she said. “My goal is to work on my game and continue to be a leader on my team. From a hitting standpoint, I want to make sure I am hitting the ball hard.”
Grayson, a first-degree black belt in Taekwondo, began playing softball when she was 5 years old.
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
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CHAMPIONING WESTFIELD
Master plan unveiled for Grand Park district
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
When Grand Park Sports Campus opened in 2014, the consensus among local leaders was, “If you build it, they will come.”
A decade later, the park has outperformed expectations, drawing more than 5 million visitors annually compared to the estimated 250,000 the campus was expected to attract.
Looking to capitalize on Grand Park as a tourism asset, the City of Westfield has unveiled its Grand Park District Master Plan, a blueprint for design to expand the campus and create three specific destinations — the existing Grand Park Events Center; a proposed 10,000-seat stadium; and a four-sheet ice facility or a sports-related headquarters.
Branded “A Place for People Who Love Sports,” the proposal would connect those destinations with a Champions Way linear park plaza to include residential, retail and entertainment options, trails, a mini-recreational football field, Olympic-style podiums, play structures, splash pads, hammocks, swings and existing water basins converted to usable canals.
The plan would expand existing retention ponds into recreational lakes. In its initial form, the plan would include a Ferris wheel and urban beach with kayaking and paddle boating available.
Westfield Director of Economic Development Jenell Fairman presented the master plan to the Westfield City Council Jan. 13. The plan was funded by Hamilton County Tourism grants and grown through information provided in a feasibility analysis of creating a sports-entertainment district completed by Hunden Partners of Chicago.
The Hunden study showed Grand Park Sports Campus ranks No. 16 in the nation on the list of most-visited stadiums, arenas, convention centers and sports complexes, just behind the United Center in Chicago. Compared to competitive sports complexes, Grand Park ranks No. 1, ahead of Wild World of Sports Complex in Orlando. The report showed that 47 percent of visitors to Grand Park travel from 100 miles or further.
Fairman said the recent addition of the LIV Golf tournament to Westfield and consideration of Westfield as a home base site
for FIFA for the 2026 World Cup has accelerated the process to make improvements at Grand Park, to include a specialized entertainment and sports district with a full-service hotel and conference center and target industries including entertainment, agritourism, retail and a sports technology hub.
“We have proven that we have a demand for all of these things, creating a vibrant mixed-use district to support hospitality and gain recognition as the top youth sports destination in the U.S. We want to become a desirable destination for brands seeking high exposure,” Fairman said. “We’re bringing in gateway entrances from 191st street and 186th street along Grand Park Boulevard as well considering the relocation of a (baseball) diamond and potentially looking for locations for an ice facility.”
The economic development department has been working on the master plan with Speck Dempsey urban planners from Boston. over the past six months. The work began with surveys of the existing needs and existing infrastructure before moving to the creation of design concepts.
The development of Grand Park would include a Champions Way area with a plaza, amenities and retail and residential development. (Image courtesy of City of Westfield)
Representatives from Speck Dempsey said the design is a “park once” environment — meaning visitors will drive to the destination, but once they arrive, will park and opt to walk throughout the development.
“This is a place that’s a real regional destination and it was amazing for us to discover this very strange condition and this incredible opportunity,” Speck Dempsey partner Jeff Speck said. “You have 100 acres or more of sports to the east and 100 acres of more sports to the west and a very important (event center) to the north, and yet this space in the middle that was ready for development. It is a very bold move for Westfield to choose to create a new second town center in this location. We very much believe it’s the right move.”
Speck Dempsey designer Jeff Williams said the mixed-use environment creates a unique experience for visitors.
“It makes for an interesting walk, a very social walk, a slow street.” Williams said. “Into the center of the boulevard, we see places to play. (Traveling) along Champions Way, each block will have a unique personality that responds to the surrounding uses
MAKING GRAND PARK GRAND
The Grand Park Sports Campus master plan is anticipated for a 10-year rollout.
Phase 1 will focus on the immediate construction of a parking garage, a full-service hotel and mixed-use development. The plans also call for an expansion of Indy Eleven’s soccer operations headquarters.
In the first half of 2025, city officials will work with Keystone Group to refine the district’s design, budgets and schedules, focusing on creating a walkable, active and connected urban environment.
Development will require tax increment financing to fund infrastructure.
or the surrounding context. So, the closest to Grant Park event center the plaza itself will actually have a mini field and flexible seating around it; the retail facing it can also serve as a flexible event space.”
Williams said the design will encourage visitors to linger in some areas, while facilitating movement of larger groups through the area.
“The vision plan (includes) over 4,000 new residential units to really just create a hugely lively new town center — the second town center — and an incredible destination in this area that would include over 500,000 square feet of retail,” Williams said.
In its current form, the plan would include roughly 57 percent residential development. Mayor Scott Willis said that residential development is crucial to the success of the district.
“A big destination like a family entertainment center, people will drive here. But if you have a little restaurant or shop along that (corridor) that’s supposed to service Grand Park visitors, if nobody is there during the day or on off-days, those businesses won’t survive,” Willis said. “That’s why nothing has come (to Grand Park) to this point. You have to build in some level of density to feed those businesses yearround beyond the tournaments.”
The plans include at least 7,000 parking spaces within parking structures and surface parking. The city is researching a trolley system to serve the Grand Park area.
Willis said the plan offers a way for Westfield to stand out as leaders in the sports tourism industry.
“I can’t express how excited I am about this plan,” Willis said. “(This is) a vision and a development unlike anything that you’ve seen in Indiana at this point. We’ve traveled the country. We’ve looked at best practices. We have hired some of the best this country can offer in terms of urban planning to help us create this vision. And I just can’t say enough of how excited I am about the potential, what this is going to mean for our community and for the state of Indiana as a whole moving forward.”
ON THE COVER: The Grand Park district as presented would include existing basins converted into usable canals. (Image courtesy of City of Westfield)
Cheap Trick founder promotes vodka brand in Carmel visit
By Ken Severson editorial@youarecurrent.com
Even when he talks on the phone, Cheap Trick founder and lead guitarist Rick Nielsen wears his trademark baseball cap and jacket.
And that’s what he’ll wear for his appearance from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Niemann Harvest Market in Carmel, to promote his new spirit, ROCK’N Vodka.
Nielsen will sign bottles of ROCK’N Vodka and possibly flick guitar picks at customers, too, another trademark of the veteran rocker who used to toss used picks at concert goers in the 1970s.
This isn’t the first time Nielsen has invested in a business.
An investor in the Hard Rock Casino in his hometown of Rockford, Ill., and a longtime owner of Piece Brewery & Pizzeria in Chicago, Nielsen partnered with ROCK’N Vodka founders Andy and Isabelle Roiniotis in 2020 to help the married couple establish the brand and lift the community.
“I wanted other people to have jobs,” Nielsen said. “And good quality vodka and ROCK’N Vodka is the hottest new vodka on the market.”
ROCK’N Vodka has won several awards for quality, which Andy Roiniotis attributes to a unique distilling process incorporating sugar cane.
“There’s only a few sugar cane vodkas in the world,” Roiniotis said. “Our customers are going to get a top-shelf vodka at a reasonable price.”
Nielsen initially started out as a spokesperson but is now an equal investor.
“He’s been amazing for our brand,” Roiniotis said.
Few bands in the world have toured more than Cheap Trick.
Formed in 1973 in Rockport, Ill., Cheap Trick has toured nonstop for six decades and performed more than 5,000 shows. Throughout its history, the band has
played venues ranging from bowling alleys to rib fests to Olympic arena.
“I’ve been playing longer than Cheap Trick,” said Nielsen, 76. “I’m too dumb to quit.”
Cheap Trick, whose hits include “Surrender,” I Want You to Want me” and “Dream Police,” was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
On the personal front, Nielsen recently finished playing some gigs with his family band, The Nielsen Trust, with his sons Miles and Daxx.
“I still play all the time and just played three straight nights,” Nielsen said. “I like what I do, and I like when other people like it.”
And he’s still throwing out those ubiquitous guitar picks of all colors and designs.
Cheap Trick returns to the area Aug. 9 when it opens for Rod Stewart at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville.
As for the Carmel event, Nielsen will sign bottles of vodka and visitors can bring their hat and jacket.
“I’ll be there,” Nielsen said. “Just take your cap and jacket off.”
IF YOU GO
WHO: Rick Nielsen, founding member of Cheap Trick
WHAT: ROCK’N Vodka bottle signing
WHERE: Niemann Harvest Market, 2140 E. 116th St., Carmel
WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 25
Customers are encouraged to arrive early and there will be a cutoff point. Prizes will be awarded. Nielsen will sign bottles purchased and one other item. For more, visit rocknvodkas.com
‘MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS’
“Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” runs through Feb. 9 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
‘EVOLUTION OF JONI MITCHELL’
“The Evolution of Joni Mitchell Starring Lauren Fox” is set for 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘DESCENDANTS THE MUSICAL’
The Drama Dept. presents “Descendants The Musical” Jan. 24-26 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.
‘BREAKIN’ CLASSICAL’
Carmel Symphony Orchestra will be joined by breakdancers from FLY Dance Company at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
WYNTON MARSALIS
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis is set for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
“The Magic of David Ranalli” is set for Jan. 23 with comedian-musician Heyward Banks Jan. 24-25 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All three performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, feinsteinshc.com.
DISPATCH
CIDE’s 25th anniversary gala set — To commemorate its 25th anniversary, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble will host an anniversary gala Jan. 25 at Iron & Ember in Carmel. The event will be emceed by Carmel City Councilor Jeff Worrell and will include refreshments and a performance by the senior company. Proceeds will support the future growth of the nonprofit. For tickets, visit cidedance.org/25th-anniversary-gala.
Cheap Trick founder and lead guitarist Rick Nielsen will sign ROCK’N Vodka bottles. (Photo courtesy of ROCK’N Vodka)
MUSIC
Pianist ready for Carnegie
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
For pianist Clare Longendyke, this won’t be just any concert appearance. The Fishers resident and flutist Lindsey Goodman will perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 24 in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in New York City.
“Carnegie Hall is such a recognized venue and name that every musician hopes to have their moment on the stage,” Longendyke said. “I’m excited (my moment) is aligning with a wonderful collaborative colleague in Lindsey and sharing music. It’s going to be a formative moment and I’m very much looking forward to it.”
past two years.
“This is the second project we’ve worked on together and the most extensive project we’ve been able to undertake together as far as number of performances (and) there was a CD recording,” Longendyke said.
This concert will feature selections from their 2024 Navona Records release, “In the Company of Music.”
“Navona is a very well-respected label for new recordings by living composers,” Longendyke said.
“They were able to prioritize this project and then get us a spot at Carnegie.”
Longendyke said there are pieces for flute and piano and pieces for solo flute.
Longendyke said Weill Hall is known as a chamber music hall.
“So, it’s a more intimate setting,” she said. “A duo is perfect for Weill Hall.”
Longendyke was on Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall stage as a Boston University choir member several years ago.
Longendyke and Goodman, based in Columbus, Ohio, have collaborated for the
“I’m doing a world premiere of a solo piano piece by Los Angeles-based composer Dika Chartoff, called ‘Retrospects in Reverb,’” she said.
Longendyke, who has a master’s degree and doctorate from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, has lived in Fishers since 2022. She previously lived on the north side of Indianapolis.
For more, visit clarelongendyke.com.
AAA Hoosier Motor Club named official partner of Devour Indy
editorial@youarecurrent.com
The Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association recently announced that AAA Hoosier Motor Club is the official partner of the Devour Indy Restaurant Week. The partnership highlights AAA’s commitment to supporting local businesses and enriching the vibrant culinary landscape of central Indiana and beyond, according to the organization.
DINING
Devour Indy Restaurant Week, the premier dining event in Indianapolis, brings together food enthusiasts to experience special menus and exclusive offerings from some of the city’s top restaurants. The event runs Jan. 20 to Feb. 2 and showcases the culinary talents of participating establishments while driving community engagement and economic growth.
“We are proud to partner with AAA Hoosier Motor Club as the official sponsor of Devour Indy,” stated Patrick Tamm, president/CEO of InRLA. “Their dedication to sup-
porting local businesses and enhancing the experiences of Hoosiers aligns perfectly with the mission of Devour Indy. Together, we’re creating an event that not only celebrates our city’s thriving hospitality scene but also strengthens our community.”
As the official partner, AAA Hoosier Motor Club will play an integral role in promoting Devour Indy, bringing its resources and extensive membership network to support participating restaurants. AAA members also will enjoy special perks, including a sneak peek of restaurant menus prior to the public launch.
“AAA Hoosier Motor Club has a longstanding tradition of advocating for local businesses and enriching the lives of our members,” stated Matt Goins, president/ CEO of AAA Hoosier Motor Club. “Partnering with Devour Indy is a natural extension of our commitment to the central Indiana community, and we are excited to help highlight the incredible culinary talent our region has to offer.”
For more, visit devourindy.com.
Longendyke
Cirque du Soleil shows set
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Emily McCarthy saw her first Cirque du Soleil performance when she was 12 and immediately knew she wanted to be part of it one day.
PERFORMANCES
By age 16 in 2012, she had joined the Canadian-based entertainment company.
McCarthy is an acrobat on Cirque du Soleil’s “CRYSTAL,” which will be on the ice Jan. 2326 at the Fishers Event Center.
McCarthy started gymnastics at age 6 and moved to acrobatic gymnastics when she was 11. She competed for the Great Britain team for acrobatics from ages 13 to 16.
McCarthy has been a part of the creation of “CRYSTAL,” which started in 2017.
“I play one of the Crystal. The male Crystal is an ice skater and I do an act called hand-to-trapeze, which blends the acrobatic skills and ice skating together,” McCarthy said. “It’s a beautiful number where Crystal gets to tell a piece of the story.”
McCarthy said the story is very relatable.
“Not just for young women, but for every human being that has felt like they
Emily McCarthy is an acrobat in Cirque du Soleil’s “CRYSTAL.” (Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil)
don’t fit in or feel misunderstood. That’s the narrative of Crystal’s story,” she said.
“She doesn’t fit in at school and her family thinks she’s a bit weird. The whole show she is trying to figure out who she is and find the love for herself and find the beauty of the quirks. I do love the show for that reason. I also get to blend my acro-sport background and my arial skills.”
Besides ice dancing, pairs and solo skating, synchro and extreme skating, there are more than seven Cirque du Soleil disciplines in the show, including banquine, handto-hand, acro/tumbling, juggling, trapeze, poles, chair balancing and aerial straps. For more, visit fisherseventcenter.com.
CSO presents ‘Breakin’ Classical’
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Growing up in Paris, Mélisse Brunet always stopped to watch the breakdancers in the streets.
PERFORMANCE
How-
ever, Brunet never dreamed she would conduct a concert with breakdancers.
The Carmel Symphony Orchestra will perform with FLY Dance Co., an all-male theatrical hip-hop group from Houston, for “Breakin’ Classical” at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Brunet is the guest conductor.
classical music with breakdance, so it’s interesting for me to combine the two with some of the most popular classical music,” she said. “It will be songs everybody knows, and then there is going to be some breakdancing on top of it.”
Brunet said to have hip-hop breakdance mixed with orchestra brings a lot of communities together.
“Breakdancing is an art form, which is real physical,” said Brunet, who will have three hours to rehearse with the dance company earlier on the day of the performance.
The music will be timed to give the dancers rest.
“It is mesmerizing to see two very distinctly different art forms combine for a totally new experience,” CSO Executive Director Anne Marie Chastain said. “This is exactly what is needed to ignite the senses during the winter months.”
Brunet said the breakdancing competition in the Summer Olympics in Paris last year renewed interest in the art form.
“I love dance, but you don’t see a lot of
“You cannot have them dance nonstop, otherwise we would have dead men instead of dancing men,” she said. “We’ll alternate with big classical tunes that people will know from movies or commercials or on the radio. (They are) very beautiful melodies.”
One piece will be Georges Bizet’s “Carmen Suite,” which celebrates its 250th anniversary in March.
For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.
Brunet
Blueprint for Improvement: Effortless elegance
Commentary by Larry Greene
Built in 1999 in Carmel’s Laurel Lakes neighborhood, this home’s kitchen was due for a contemporary facelift. Our team envisioned a timeless transformation featuring a classic palette, thoughtful storage solutions and strategic appliance placements, resulting in a functional and effortlessly elegant space.
THE BLUEPRINT
• A classic palette featuring tones of white, taupe and gray offers a versatile backdrop that adapts beautifully to evolving trends.
• Organic warmth is introduced through wood barstools, seagrass dining chairs and iron accents.
• Functionality is significantly enhanced by relocating the range off the island, providing additional prep and entertaining space.
• The removal of an impractical desk makes way for additional cabinetry, streamlining sight lines and increasing counter and storage space.
• The design is elegantly finished with a double-basin apron front sink, crown molding and brushed nickel hardware, bringing both charm and practicality to the forefront of this kitchen transformation.
Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.
Cheers to sparkling wines
Commentary
by
Terry Anker
Some among us are halfway through a journey of “dry” January. Whether it is overindulgence, a desire to meet the New Year’s resolution of lower body fat or a need to jump on the bandwagon, many are giving up their favorite cocktails, wine and even beer for the month. While some might argue that taking a pass on imbibing adult beverages for 2.5 days per month works out about the same, devotees are committed to the cause and talking about it.
ESSAY
As such, it may be the wrong time to opine about hooch. Abstinence is on the rise. We’re all hoping to be better versions
ADVERTISEMENT FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Proposals for the performance of the City of Westfield’s Round A Bouts Within The City of Westfield will be received by the City of Westfield, Indiana, at the Westfield Public Works Building, 2728 E. 171st Street, Westfield, Indiana, 46074 until 12:00 p.m., local time, on Tuesday, February 21st, 2025. Written confirmation of intent to bid is due on Thursday January 30th, 2025. A copy of the full Request for Proposals documents can be found on the City of Westfield website at http:// www.westfieldin.gov/439/Request-for-Proposals
Please direct all questions regarding this Request for Proposals to Ben Meier, Parks and Recreation Landscape Manager, City of Westfield, 2706 E 171st Street, Westfield, IN 46074, (317) 619-5813, bmeier@westfield.in.gov
of ourselves. This is necessarily good. Still, “Tiny bubbles in the wine. Make me happy. Make me feel fine.” How can we survive for a month without them? 1970s Hawaiian singer Don Ho indelibly imprinted these simple, almost sing-songy lyrics — and they have remained a hallmark of his era and of South Pacific culture. But did he tap into something more important? Why do bubbles make us happy? There have been few fistfights ever recorded in champagne bars. So, if whiskey tends to fuel our more aggressive natures (American author and champion drinker Ernest Hemingway once posited, “Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk -- that will teach you to keep your mouth shut.”), does sparkling wine make us a better version of ourselves?
Maybe it is the alcohol and only the alcohol that lifts our spirits. But unlike the hard stuff, where the intention may be inebriation, do sparkling wines lift our spirits more because of what they signal or the punch that they deliver? Is the cork pop a starting pistol for celebration?
Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent. com.
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Sealed proposals for 2025 Pavement Striping Project will be received by the City of Westfield, Indiana, at the Westfield Public Works Building, 2706 E. 171st Street, Westfield, Indiana, 46074 until 11:00 a.m., local time, on Friday, February 7th, 2025. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Any bids received later than the above time and date will be returned unopened. No conditional bids will be considered.
Project generally consists of long line painting, painting hand work, and thermoplastic hand work on various thoroughfares throughout the City of Westfield.
Bids shall be properly and completely executed on the Proposal Form obtainable at the office of the Owner. Each bid shall be accompanied by Form 96 Contractor’s Bid for Public Works, including Non-Collusion Affidavit as prescribed by the State Board of Accounts, completely filled out, signed, and notarized as required by the statutes of the State of Indiana, Section III of Part II of Form 96 titled “Contractor ’s Financial Statement,” and acceptable bid security. The bid security shall be a certified check made payable to the Owner or satisfactory bond by an incorporated surety company in good standing and qualified to do business in the State of Indiana in an amount equal to 5% of the bid, said deposit being for the purpose of ensuring the execution of the contract for which bid is made Any bid not accompanied by the above required items shall be deemed to be a non-responsive bid by the Owner
No consideration for escalation on prices can be considered; therefore, contractors are advised to not include any such escalation clauses in their proposal for this project.
The Contractors to whom work is awarded shall be required to furnish a Performance Bond and a Payment Bond, each in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price, and they shall be acceptable to the City of Westfield, Indiana.
No bidder may withdraw their proposal within a period of 60 days following the date set for receiving bids. The City of Westfield, Indiana reserves the right to retain the three lowest bid proposals for a period of not more than 90 days, and said proposal shall remain in full force and effect during said time. The City of Westfield, Indiana further reserves the right to waive informalities and to award the contract to the lowest and most responsible bidder or bidders, all to the advantage of the City of Westfield, Indiana, or to reject all Proposals.
The Contract Documents and drawings will be available to all interested parties from: Repro Graphix, 437 North Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or at eplanroom.reprographix.com.
Please direct all questions regarding this project to Chad Mills, City of Westfield, Department of Public Works, 2706 E. 171st Street, Westfield, IN 46074, (317) 439-6602, cdmills@westfield.in.gov
By: Chad Mills, City of Westfield
Blast from my comedy past
Commentary by Dick Wolfsie
Thanks to an old friend, Bob, who, while researching a story about our high school alma mater, New Rochelle High School, found online an old student newspaper where I had written a humor column — possibly the first I had ever attempted. Here it is, word for word. Be kind. I was barely 17 years old. Typos and misspellings are as they were. Catch any?
HUMOR
ROAMING AROUND
By Dick Wolfsie (Sept. 5, 1964)
Teachers at this school are distorting world history. Rome fell due to a traffic problem.
In 478 B.C., the problem created by thousands of chariots was unbearable. Maximus Speedlimit attempted the first solution to the problem—the license plate. Although many generals applauded the idea, the problem remained. Since Roman numerals were used exclusively, the plates were so long that everybody went into the snow plowing business.
(Note from me in the present day. I should mention here that it hardly ever snows in Rome, and no Roman Empire existed in 478 BC. Also, Mary Ellen told me no one would get that joke. I wish she had told me that 61 years ago.)
Unable to cope with the traffic problem, one famous general invented parking meters. However, soldiers wearing those funny skirts had no pockets for coins and often had their chariots towed away.
( A note from me: If I had that Google machine back then, I would have known that these skirts were called pteruges.)
The Romana then invented the stop sign. Traffic never moved. Romans waited for the sign to say GO. As you can see, nothing helped. They revoked all junior licenses and painted a white line down the Apian
“Here it is, word for word. Be kind. I was barely 17 years old. Typos and misspellings are as they were. Catch any?”
– DICK WOLFSIE
Way. They started breeding horses with less car power.
Finally, in the year 476, the Romans pleaded to their friends, The Huns, for help.
“Dear Huney,” Maximus wrote, “Please come to our aid.” The Huns’ plan called for an unmarked chariot to catch traffic offenders, but when that did not work, they decided to march to Rome. They were then confused by the funny-shaped signs telling them to stop. They were frightened by a brigade of snow plows, and the white line down the Apian Way confused them.
Soon, their friendliness returned to hostility. They saw slave girls standing near the meters. Some of the generals thought that for a few coins, the girls would go somewhere and park with them. This misunderstanding touched off the Gallic War. To sum up, our teachers at this school are teaching us baloney. This was the real cause of the fall of the Roman Empire.
***
I know the column isn’t very funny. I wonder if I have improved as a writer over 61 years. When Bob sent me the article, he mentioned reading my stuff weekly on the Internet.
“You haven’t changed,” he said. “You’re the same Dick Wolfsie you’ve always been.”
Well, I guess that answers my question.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES
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.
Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.
Across
1. “Who’s there?” reply
6. Fever or Colts, e.g.
10. Birth-related 11. Planets’ paths
14. *”No more delays!”
16. Circuit 17. F1 neighbor
18. Practice for the Indiana Golden Gloves
20. Boone County Fair barn mom
21. Pie ___ mode
23. Sends an invitation for 25. Ludicrous
27. “Sorta” suffix
28. King Wok soup
29. Chaos
31. Robber
33. *”My Heart Will Go On” singer
35. Disreputable
37. Leniency
38. White River snakelike fish
39. Letter #26
41. Giraffes’ cousins
45. Mason’s tool
47. FedEx rival
48. IND posting
49. Employ
50. Mass Ave public art: “___ Dancing”
52. Turn upside down
53. *116th St. bagel guys
57. Sketched again
58. Make ___ of (botch)
59. Lays down the lawn
60. “Old MacDonald” refrain...and a hint to the answers of the starred clues
Down
1. Visiting, so to speak
2. Some Chevy SUVs
3. Big first for a baby
4. Fire & Flow Yoga class need
5. Col. Lilly
6. Little piggies
7. Jong and Wheeler
8. Tummy muscles
9. Belarus capital
12. Rotation on some tennis shots
13. Wrap snugly 15. ___ culpa
16. Hawaiian garland
19. House top 21. Study closely 22. Jeans maker Strauss
24. Running gags, e.g. 26. Attention-getting sound
27. Frozen treat
30. “My treat!”
32. Georgetown athlete
33. Dieter’s concern
34. Let fall
35. Adam’s third son
36. Spookier
40. Tickled pink
42. First female Speaker of the House
43. “That’s correct”
44. Tree fluid
46. Meanders
47. Half of bi-
51. Defunct Indy newspaper
52. At no cost
54. Sellout letters
55. Scot’s denial
56. Fat stat, briefly Answers on Page 19
WE DO CONTACTLESS EXTERIOR ESTIMATES
Trim/Remove
Nationwide Homeowners Protection Agency LLC (NHPA LLC) is here to protect its members’ rights owning homes in an HOA. NHPA will force your HOA and/or Management Company to do the what’s expected of them. NHPA represents its members against all issues involving your HOA. Become a member today at www.nhpallc.com and Let us handle your HOA issues.
Grinding
Gutter Cleaning
kennel maintenance, and other duties, as assigned. Starting $15/hr. Exceptional customer service and good communication skills via in-person interaction. Team Member availability includes weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Interested candidates submit resume to: huntclubkennel@gmail.com.
