Tuesday, March 11, 2025
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SCOUTS’ HONORS
NASCAR helps Girl Scouts discover appreciation for STEM learning / P15 SCAN
WPD seeks public input on strategic plan / P2
Westfield City Council approves Grand Park DORA / P5
Westfield Fire Department welcomes new truck / P6
March 11, 2025
Current in Westfield
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Founded Jan. 29, 2008, at Noblesville, IN Vol. XVIII, No. 5
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West Clay at 131st & Towne Rd
Wishing you the luck of the Irish
WPD seeks public input on strategic plan
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
LAW ENFORCEMENT
The Westfield Police Department is asking the public to comment on a survey that will help shape the future of local policing.
Westfield Police Department Chief Shawn Keen said in the past year, the department has worked internally on setting goals for growth. Changes began in 2024 with the restructuring of the department. The next phase is creating a five-year strategic plan — a phase where public input plays a crucial role.
“A strategic plan is a more broad idea of what the community needs,” Keen said. “We need the community’s input for that. The strategic plan will be the culmination of input from the officers; input from the community; and then data.”
Keen said data will include projected crime rates across all types of crime as the city grows.
“It’s just like the comprehensive plan of the city,” he said. “Where do we want to be five years from now (and) what are the things that we need to do to get there?
If you don’t have a vision for where you want to go it’s hard to get there. So, where do we think we need to be five years from now and how does that align with the city’s overall comprehensive plan?”
Keen said the plan will focus on assumptions and change factors — how the population is expected to grow based on planned development and how the police department can appropriately prepare for that growth.
Keen said another change the plan will account for is the city’s transition from a third-class city to a second-class city. That change, which was approved by the Westfield City Council in 2023, will transition Westfield to second-class city status beginning Jan. 1, 2028. Under that status, the clerk-treasurer’s office will transition to an
Westfield Police Department is developing a five-year strategic plan. (File photo)
elected clerk only, and a mayor-appointed city controller will handle financial duties.
“That has implications for the police department,” Keen said. “We’ll have to have a city court, for example, which we don’t have now. So, that will also require some things from the police department, typically staffing for security purposes — we’ll have some responsibility as a police department for security for a city court.”
Keen said the department also needs to have plans in place as the city hosts more special events — such as the LIV Golf tournament and athletic contests at Grand Park — that require resources from the WPD. The strategic plan also will account for anticipated changes such as funding sources and the potential for more golf carts should the city’s golf cart ordinance expanding use of the vehicles be approved.
“We have staffing, security and traffic control. All those things will go into the strategic plan,” he said. “You could have more needs as we go forward, not necessarily always from a crime perspective, but things that are coming in the community that take more resources. We’ve got to look at that from the investigative standpoint. We look at ways that we can better serve the people here.”
Keen said Westfield has a low crime
rate, with most calls made to the WPD focused on traffic issues. He said the goal of the strategic plan is to keep it that way.
“We want to be prepared when we do have crimes,” he said. “One area of focus will be on fraud reports. Our community is more affluent (and) our members, the average household income is higher here. So, that makes (residents) targets of frauds. We want to make sure that we’re prepared for that. So, one of the things we did at the end of last year was we have a detective assigned to the FBI Financial Crimes Unit.”
Keen said the department will increase its participation in investigations task forces going forward. Officers also will focus heavily on training.
“Crime has an impact, but what impacts most people day to day are those quality-of-life things,” he said. “We want to hear from the public. What is it that you feel that we could do better? What resources would you like us to bring in? And obviously we can’t do everything for every single person, but if we see a trend within those surveys (we) can make that a focal point of our strategic plan.”
The survey is open through March 20. Residents can answer the survey at tinyurl.com/bdcd546b.
The
Keen
MARCH 15 | 12 - 2 P.M.
Grand Park DORA approved
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The City of Westfield has established the boundaries of its second Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA.
CITY NEWS
The DORA includes Grand Park, with boundaries generally west to east from Springmill Road to Chad Hittle Drive, and north to south from 191st Street to 186th Street, with a bump-out further south to John Dippel Boulevard.
DORAs allow people 21 and older to purchase alcoholic beverages from approved vendors and retail establishments and carry them outside within the DORA boundaries. The only vendor included in the initial boundary is the Grand Park Events Center.
The district must be approved by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission before it becomes active. Once operational, the DORA will be in effect year-round from noon to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday through Sunday.
Only specific plastic cups with the DORA logo are permitted to be used for DORA beverages, with a maximum of two bev-
erages served to one individual at a time. DORA beverages can only be carried within the DORA boundary.
“These are the same rules, including the operation times, that are stated in the (downtown DORA) ordinance,” Westfield Deputy Mayor Danielle Carey-Tolan said.
“This is the establishment (of the DORA) for Grand Park and once other establishments are built, we’ll be adopting those into the DORA as well. We’re establishing this to help the future amenities that are going to be there that we are creating along the corridor.”
Carey-Tolan said currently some people carry drinks outside the events center and around the Grand Park area — but not legally. The establishment of the DORA makes it legal to carry marked containers from the events center within the boundaries of the district. However, Bullpen Sports has its own rules prohibiting alcohol inside the baseball diamonds.
“(The district) is really for the Grand Park master plan on the southern parcels,” Council President Patrick Tamm said.
The DORA was unanimously approved by the Westfield City Council last month.
OPEN HOUSE
/mo
Miller named Make-A-Wish OKI CEO — Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana recently announced Juli Miller as its new president and chief executive officer. Miller most recently served as chief mission delivery officer since 2021, where she was instrumental in driving transformational change and helping the chapter grant a record-breaking 1,205 wishes in fiscal year 2023. Miller lives in central Indiana with her husband, Dan and their four children. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services with a minor in management from Purdue University. The mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Learn more at wish.org/oki.
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Westfield’s second DORA encompasses most of Grand Park. (Image courtesy of City of Westfield)
Extravagant
Westfield fire welcomes new ladder truck
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The Westfield Fire Department’s new ladder truck is now in service.
PUBLIC SAFETY
The department conducted a pushin ceremony for Ladder 384 Feb. 28 at the old headquarters building on Dartown Road. Members of the department were joined by city officials to “push” the new truck into the bay.
Westfield Fire Department Chief Rob Gaylor said the ceremony is a longtime tradition in fire service.
“Back in the day when it was horsepulled, when the firefighters would get back to the station, they would unhitch the wagon, literally, and have to push that into the bay,” he said. “This new ladder truck is more than just a bunch of metal and hoses and ladders. It represents our readiness to respond and our ability to save lives. It’s our commitment to standing strong in the face of danger. And it symbolizes progress in the continued investment in the safety of our firefighters and our community.”
Gaylor said the ceremony represents a promise by the department to serve and protect the public.
“We’re grateful for your support and proud to be your first responders and your first line of defense,” he said.
The ladder truck was delivered in January. The $2.3 million Pierce apparatus — paid for via bonds — is a 100-foot midmount platform aerial device with water capacity of 2,000 gallons per minute. The truck also has Advanced Life Support capabilities.
The $2.3 million Ladder 384 truck will eventually be housed at Station 84.
Westfield fire and city officials participate in a blessing of Ladder 384. (Photos by Marney Simon)
Westfield Fire Department Ladder 384 receives a ceremonial “push-in” to the bay at the old fire station headquarters.
The ladder truck will be housed at Station 84 on 191st Street and Chad Hittle Drive upon completion of the new firehouse, expected in mid-2026.
Westfield students serve in Senate page program
news@youarecurrent.com
Four students from Westfield got an up-close look at how state government operates serving as pages this winter in the Indiana Senate.
GOVERNMENT
Westfield Intermediate School student George Hyatt; Westfield Middle School student Liam Cannon; Westfield Middle School student Harold Stach; and Cathedral High School student Bryce Jacobs were among six pages who served with State Sen. Jim Buck (R-Kokomo).
Pages spent a day touring the Statehouse; observing debates from the Senate floor; and interacting with their state senator.
“I always look forward to meeting with students from my district who have taken time out of their week to come learn about state government during our legislative session,” Buck stated. “These students get to see firsthand how the legislative process works for Hoosiers all around the state and in our local community. I encourage local schools and parents to take advantage of this unique educational experience.”
Students in grades six through 12 are eligible to participate in the program. Learn more at IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/ Page-Program.
DISPATCHES
Cookie decorating event — Decorate cookies for St. Patrick’s Day with Becky the Bakester at 6 p.m. March 13 at the Grand Junction Plaza Cafe pavilion building, 225 S. Union St. Kids of all ages will decorate six themed cookies with step-by-step guidance from the Becky the Bakester team. The event is $20 per cookie kit. Register at westfieldin.gov/231/Programming.
Volunteer opportunity — The Hamilton County Invasives Partnership — HIP — will host a strike team event from 9 a.m. to noon March 15 at Asa Bales Park, 205 W. Hoover St. Strike teams are volunteers who provide technical support and labor to remove invasive species at partner sites, such as parks, schools, land trusts and nature reserves. The HIP strike team will target woody stemmed species in the wooded areas of the park using herbicide.
Attendees are asked to arrive 15 minutes early to sign in and all participants must complete a virtual safety training prior to the event. Participants must be 18 or older. Register at tinyurl.com/yew7txx4.
Program to assist released inmates launched — Invest Hamilton County, Ivy Tech Hamilton County and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office recently launched the Educational Empowerment Program, an initiative to support inmates at the Hamilton County Jail as they reenter society. The six-week program focuses on equipping participants with personal, professional and career development skills, setting them on a path toward success. Classes address critical areas of career development including resume building, interviewing and employability skills.
Westfield Middle School student Harold Statch and State Sen. Jim Buck. (Photos courtesy of State Senator Jim Buck)
Westfield Intermediate School student George Hyatt and State Sen. Jim Buck.
Cathedral High School student Bryce Jacobs and State Sen. Jim Buck.
Township hosts discussions for parents
Westfield Washington Township will host a series of sessions aimed at promoting the well-being of youth in the community.
EMPOWERMENT
The series is a follow-up to the Strong Minds, Strong Choices event, hosted recently by Westfield Washington Schools. The event focused on empowering parents with tools to help their students make strong, healthy choices.
The follow-up sessions will provide an opportunity to dive deeper into key issues like child exploitation, healthy relationships and mental health resources.
“We are thrilled to offer these sessions to continue the conversation and provide even more resources to our community,” Westfield Washington Township Trustee Jamie Goetz Mills stated. “Our goal is to equip parents and caregivers with the knowledge they need to support the next generation in making safe, healthy and
informed decisions.”
Discussions on empowering parents to help their children make good choices are part of a threepart series hosted by Westfield Washington Township. (File photo)
All sessions begin at 7 p.m. at the Westfield Washington Township building. Sessions include:
• Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department discussion on the Hamilton County Metro Child Exploitation Task Force — March 12
• Prevail discussion on healthy relationships — April 2
• The Cabin Counseling & Resource Center discussion on mental health — April 30 Register for the series at tinyurl.com/ WWT-smsc25.
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Westfield Lions Club
news@youarecurrent.com
Members of the Westfield Lions Club are putting the finishing touches on the organization’s clubhouse at 1101 E. 169th St. The Lions will begin holding regular meetings at the clubhouse, which should be available for rentals in April.
DEVELOPMENT
The clubhouse has been under renovation for several months. The original building has been completely renovated,
including expanding the square footage for a new kitchen, conference room, ADA-compliant bathrooms and a larger meeting room. Technology upgrades, including WiFi, a projector, a security system and largescreen televisions also will be added. The Lions are finalizing steps to develop a building rental policy and rate.
A public open house is scheduled for May 3.
The Westfield Lions have been serving Westfield and Hamilton County since 1930. Learn more at westfieldlions.org.
Members of the Westfield Lions Club perform cleanup inside the new clubhouse. (Photo courtesy of Westfield Lions Club)
DISPATCH
Shamrock Drop returns March 15 — Westfield Welcome will host the annual Shamrock Drop from noon to 2 p.m. March 15 at Grand Junction Plaza. The free family event includes live Irish music, St. Patrick’s Day-themed carnival games with prizes, a Grand Junction Plaza scavenger hunt, games, crafts and more. Each attendee is eligible to win prizes donated by local Westfield businesses. Learn more at westfieldin.gov/392/Shamrock-Drop.
Greater Indianapolis Northside College Fair — High school students are invited to a free college fair featuring more than 100 colleges and universities from 6 to 8 pm. March 11 at Grand Park Events Center, 1900 Grand Park Blvd., Westfield. The event is sponsored by a consortium of high schools on Indianapolis’ north side in partnership with the Indiana Association for College Admission Counseling. High school students can meet with admissions representatives, learn about majors and explore campus opportunities. Registered students will receive a barcode to share with admission representatives electronically. Register at StriveFair.com.
Assessment forms available electronically — Hamilton County property owners can submit a request to receive their Notice of Assessment of Land and Improvements/Form 11 electronically. The Assessor’s Office traditionally mails forms in April, but will make forms available by email this year. Form 11 details the assessed value of a property, which serves as the starting point for calculating annual property tax payments. Requests for electronic copies are due by the end of day March 25 at hamiltoncounty. in.gov/2073/F-11-Email-Notification-Request.
Westfield Lions, SOS Club pancake breakfast — The Westfield Lions Club will partner with the Westfield High School Service Over Self Club for a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. March 29 at the WHS cafeteria, benefitting The Miracle League of Westfield. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, doughnuts, milk, orange juice and coffee. Breakfast is $8 for adults, $5 for children 12 and younger and free for children 2 and under. The event will raise funds and awareness for The Miracle League of Westfield — an organization that provides opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to play baseball. Learn more at miracleleagueofwestfield.com.
Westfield Washington Schools names new principal
news@youarecurrent.com
The Westfield Washington Schools Board of Trustees recently named Maple Glen Elementary Principal Mary Beth Fischer as principal of Midland Crossing Elementary — the district’s new elementary school under construction at Towne Road and 166th Street.
EDUCATION
Fischer joined WWS in July 2017. She graduated from DePauw University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and later earned her master’s degree in educational administration from Butler University. She worked as an educator at Hamilton Southeastern Schools and a principal at Noblesville Schools.
ership in 2022.
“As a proven leader and dedicated advocate for student success, Mary Beth Fischer is the ideal choice to lead Midland Crossing Elementary,” WWS Superintendent Paul Kaiser stated. “Her experience, leadership, and passion for education will create a strong foundation for our newest school, ensuring that students, staff and families thrive in a positive learning environment.”
Fischer
Fischer was recognized as the Indiana Association of School Principals District 5 Principal of the Year for outstanding lead-
Fischer lives in Westfield with her husband and five children.
“I am deeply grateful for my time there, where the support and kindness of the staff, students and families have meant so much to me,” she stated.
WWS officials are conducting a search for the next Maple Glen Elementary principal. Midland Crossing will open in August 2026. The elementary school will serve 800 kindergarten through fifth-grade students.
Junior guard helps trigger LN girls basketball team’s success
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Lawrence North High School junior Ke’Adriah “Keke” Butler has emerged as one of the top guards in the state this season.
“Keke Butler has been phenomenal for us all season,” Wildcats coach Stephen Thomas said. “I’m blessed to have her again as a senior next season. Her teammates know how to get her in her spots (to score) and she knows how to get her teammates in their spots and they all trust each other. Between Kya Hunt and Butler, I’m biased, but those are the two best in the backcourt in the state. They’ve guarded incredible guards throughout the entire year and they just continue to answer the call.”
Butler scored 20 points and had eight rebounds and two steals in Lawrence North’s 65-59 victory over Warsaw in the IHSAA Class 4A state championship game March 1 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Butler hit all four of her free throws in the final 25 seconds to help seal the victory.
KE’ADRIAH BUTLER
Favorite subject: Algebra
Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant
Favorite TV show: “Family Guy”
Favorite vacation spot: Florida
“We practice them all week, so I knew there was going to be a time when it was going to be a close game and I was going to have to shoot those,” Butler said. “I tuned out the noise and knocked them down one by one.”
They were needed as Lawrence North (19-8) saw an 18-point lead dwindle to three with 31 seconds left.
“They (Warsaw) were here for a reason,”
Lawrence North junior guard
Ke’Adriah “Keke” Butler was the top scorer for the state championship team. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)
Butler said. “We don’t think they are going to give up. We had to figure out what we need to do to get together.”
The Wildcats, who beat Class 4A defending state champion Lawrence Central in the sectional final, had eight losses during the regular season against top 20 teams.
“It means a lot because everyone doubted us and didn’t expect us to be here,” Butler said. “Overall, it feels great to know we worked all season for this and now
we’re getting the rewards. We continued to work hard. We didn’t let any comments bother us and no predictions bother us. We continue to stand tall, continue to work together and get the job done.”
Butler led a balanced scoring attack by averaging 13.9 points per game and 46 percent shooting from the field. She averaged 6.4 ppg as a sophomore.
“Everybody has continued to play their role and do what they are good at,” Butler said. “We have good players all the way down the bench and we knew there would be different players in different situations.”
Butler said she made the most improvement getting to her spot on the floor to shoot.
“I didn’t shoot a lot of mid-range shots (previously), but now I can get to the spot,” she said.
Butler has scholarship offers from Indiana State University, Indiana University Indianapolis, Morehead State University and University of Evansville, among others.
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
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DISPATCH
Ivy Tech Day — Ivy Tech Hamilton County will celebrate Ivy Tech Day, a day of giving and community impact dedicated to supporting student success, April 8. The Hamilton County campus has set a goal of raising $30,000 to fund programs, building upgrades and student resources — building on the $25,000 it raised last year. To help reach its fundraising goal, the campus is hosting several ticketed events. To purchase tickets or sponsorships, visit giveday.ivytech.edu/hamco.
Fit and Fun Walks in Westfield — The Westfield Department of Parks and Recreation will launch a new series, Fit and Fun Walks, on Fridays this month. The series includes a 2-mile, easy to moderate walk along the Midland Trace Trail. Along the way, participants will enjoy the fresh air, learn about the past and future of Westfield and visit the new Simon Moon Park expansion. All ages are welcome and leashed dogs are allowed. The program is free to attend. Walks begin at 10 a.m. at Grand Junction Plaza March 14, 21 and 28. Register at westfieldin.gov/231/ Programming.
Volunteers sought for Kiwanis of Westfield Avenue of Flags — The annual Kiwanis of Westfield Avenue of Flags fundraiser is a meaningful way to support local children while honoring important holidays. Volunteers are needed to help maintain flags or deliver them to neighbors. Avenue of Flags is Kiwanis of Westfield’s largest annual fundraiser. The 3-foot-by-5-foot American flags are placed on 10-foot poles, usually about 15 inches from a curb or business on five holidays — Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day. Those interested in volunteering can contact the team at westfieldavenueofflags@gmail.com.
Chamber of commerce to host golf outing — Tee up for the 22nd annual Westfield Chamber of Commerce golf outing May 12 at the Bridgewater Club. The event is open to all community members and organizations in Hamilton County, with a special discounted rate for Westfield Chamber Partners. The golf outing is an opportunity to network and discover what makes Westfield thrive in central Indiana. Prices for chamber partners are $1,600 for a foursome; $1,200 for three-player; $800 for two-player; and $400 for individual golfers. Register at tinyurl.com/42e96a44.
SCOUTS’ HONORS
NASCAR helps Girl Scouts discover appreciation for STEM learning
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Girl Scouts from across the Westfield community earned three STEM-related badges recently thanks to a partnership between the Scouts, the Ann K. Gotwald Foundation and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Girl Scout Juniors Troop 559 from Maple Glen Elementary School hosted three sessions March 1 at the Annie Gotwald Makerspace and STEM Lab at Westfield Washington Public Library. NASCAR Hall of Fame Director of Education and Public Programs Eliza Russell led 90 area Scouts through several hands-on activities designed to get their wheels turning — literally. The girls made cars out of clay, then shifted to an activity to create movable vehicles propelled by balloons they blew up themselves.
Russell said the activity is part of NASCAR’s outreach to inspire girls to consider careers in STEM — science, technology, engineering and math.
“Staff is thinking about how we can do things and how we can make things better. And sometimes it gives us a challenge and that’s what racing is about,” Russell said. “There are lots of women who have been doing all the different jobs in (auto racing) — there are engineers, there are crew chiefs, there are drivers, there are specialists who work on tires and aerodynamics and designing all those race simulations. They do everything. They like it so much because it’s fun and they like to solve problems. That is the importance of STEM — how can we solve problems.”
Troop 559 leader Karen Grogan said the day was an innovative way to get girls interested and involved in something they might not have otherwise taken a liking to.
“Pairing the makerspace together with NASCAR’s Hall of Fame really created an outstanding opportunity for these girls to experience the problem-solving skills and creativity needed in taking something and making it into something new and really designing their own cars,” she said.
Grogan said the activities were tailored for each of three groups — participants were members of Daisies, Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts — to teach everyone
skills at the appropriate age level.
“There was this moment in Brownies where they were putting it together, but because it was discovering and building, they didn’t know how it would work,” she said. “They had to make it work. And when
one of the girls blew up her balloon and had it power her car, her face just lit up. It was great just seeing that discovery and that excitement that she made something, and it actually worked.”
Grogan said the older girls came up with
LEARNING FOR EVERYONE
The Annie Gotwald Makerspace and STEM Lab at Westfield Washington Public Library offers drop-in projects, individual STEM activities and scheduled classes. The space was dedicated in 2024 in honor of Annie Gotwald, a Westfield third-grader who died in 2024. Annie’s parents said she loved science and math and dreamed of one day becoming a NASA engineer.
Members of Girl Scout Troop 559 took advantage of the state-of-the-art space to learn about STEM and to remember their friend. Annie was a member of Troop 559 at the time of her death.
“This space is incredible,” Girl Scout Troop 559 leader Karen Grogan said.
“What the Gotwalds have created with Annie’s makerspace and STEM Lab has such potential for even future opportunities, whether it be Girl Scouts earning
badges in here or other kids around our community. This is an amazing space. I feel like it’s so important for us as adults to create opportunities like this within our communities. When there may be other things in our world that are hard or difficult or out of our control, we can always do something to make a positive difference in the lives of others.”
Annie’s parents said the space is a true community center for Westfield.
“It’s so diverse and there’s so many different options for people,” Lindsay Gotwald said. “Come out and give it a try and don’t be afraid to get something wrong, because Annie never was. We’re hoping to inspire more of that in the community.”
Learn more about the makerspace at wwpl.lib.in.us/services/makerspace.
more sophisticated designs.
“They took it to a different level with their creativity, with their design, really bringing other unique pieces to their cars,” she said. “Our junior girls also helped the Daisies and Brownies. When you see girls stepping up and becoming leaders for others and helping others, that was really exciting to see, too.”
Grogan told participants that the day was designed to give Scouts an opportunity to explore STEM on the way to discovering potential career opportunities.
“Maybe someday we want to keep doing STEM,” she said. “Maybe you will be inspired to do STEM; maybe you someday will be in a job where you need all the skills for STEM. Our world needs you. Our world needs more girls in STEM for sure.”
The activity was funded by the Ann K. Gotwald Foundation Fund for STEM Education through the Hamilton County Community Foundation.
The Annie Gotwald Makerspace and STEM Lab was dedicated in 2024 in honor of Annie, a member of Troop 559 who died in 2024 at age 9. Her parents said the STEM lab and activities like the Girl Scout STEM day are part of Annie’s legacy.
“It gives us a little bit of peace knowing that all this is happening,” Lindsay Gotwald said. “It’s just nice to see an impact being made and hopefully this sparks some curiosity and helps all of them realize that science isn’t scary and it’s not a boy thing. It’s fun.”
Grogan said the badge-earning activities were chosen by the Scouts of Troop 559 specifically to remember Annie.
“One thing we all know and loved about Annie is how curious she was,” Grogan said. “She loved STEM. She was very passionate and she asked so many questions. She always wanted to know more. So, we knew that we wanted to do something to remember her, but then also to inspire other Girl Scouts.”
ON THE COVER: Girl Scouts from across the north side participate in a STEM event at Westfield Washington Public Library with the NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum. (Photo by Marney Simon)
Girl Scouts learning how to build their own car powered by a balloon. (Photo by Marney Simon)
Wound care facility opens
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
A new wound care facility offering comprehensive and specialized care for a wide range of nonhealing wounds is now open in Westfield.
MEDICAL OFFICE
The Center for Advanced Wound Healing Westfield, 17300 Westfield Blvd. Suite 110, held its grand opening last month. The center treats chronic wounds, diabetic ulcers, venous/arterial wounds, surgical wounds, traumatic wounds, necrotic wounds, any wound at risk of tissue death and complex podiatric cases. The office includes five providers — two doctors and three nurse practitioners.
The facility includes two state-of-theart hyperbaric chambers for specialized wound care.
“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber,” Center for Advanced Wound Healing Westfield Program Director Andrea Hoycus said. “This process allows your lungs to take in more oxygen than at a normal air pressure, which is then carried
The Center for Advanced Wound Healing Westfield staff celebrate its grand opening last month. (Photo courtesy of the Center for Advanced Wound Healing Westfield)
by your blood to help heal wounds, fight infection, and improve overall health. Typical indications include — but are not limited to — diabetic foot ulcers, delayed radiation injuries, compromised or failed flaps, bone infections and plastic surgeries.”
The center is not affiliated with any hospital.
“Cutting-edge treatments and our advanced technology for limb preservation is what stands us apart,” Hoycus said.
The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Learn more at cfawh.com.
Fitness competition coming to Grand Park
EVENT news@youarecurrent.com
Grand Park is the first stop on the inaugural World Fitness Project Tour this spring — an event designed to welcome elite athletes and thousands of fitness enthusiasts to central Indiana.
The World Fitness Project is a competitive fitness league with an inclusive platform for athletes of all levels.
The inaugural tour will make stops in Westfield, Mesa, Ariz., and Copenhagen, Denmark and feature three divisions — professional; challengers; and competitors. Participants will compete in various workouts and fitness challenges.
Participants include athletes from around the world.
“Grand Park is thrilled to host the kickoff event of the inaugural World Fitness Project Tour,” Grand Park Sports Campus Director Matt Trnian stated. “Our facility is designed to accommodate world-class
competition, and we’re excited to welcome elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts from around the globe. This event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase not only Grand Park, but also the vibrant sports culture of Westfield. We can’t wait to see the energy and excitement this brings to our community.”
Hamilton County Sports Authority Director Carl Daniels echoed the sentiment.
“We are proud to provide a world-class setting for an innovative, new competition,” Daniels stated. “This event provides an incredible opportunity to showcase our facilities and engage with the fitness community in different ways. We’re looking forward to supporting this event and seeing how it inspires both athletes and spectators.”
The World Fitness Project Tour visits Grand Park May 9-11. Single-day tickets are $50, and weekend passes are $100. Learn more at WorldFitnessProject.com.
Black Orchid Barbers continues big growth in small spaces
By Les Morris news@currentinwestfield.com
Travis Moore spends a lot of time on the phone talking to real estate brokers marketing commercial spaces in Hamilton County. That’s what happens when you are the owner and founder of a thriving business looking to grow and expand.
EXPANSION
And not just any space will do. Moore’s Black Orchid Barbers has found a niche in small “pocket” spaces of 500 to 1,000 square feet in unorthodox locations, like next to a bar (“Beers and beards,” Moore jokes). He has five locations, four of them located along a north-south spine from downtown Indianapolis’ Mass Ave to Carmel and wants more in high-growth areas like Westfield and Fishers.
Moore is attempting to turn the staid business of haircutting on its head, so to speak. His 19 barbers are employees with a matching 401(k) plan, not booth renters. Moore said that at least five of those employees earned more than $100,000 in 2024. They travel from shop to shop. Turnover is low for an industry plagued by rapid movement. Moore may spend a lot of time on the phone, but don’t try to make an appointment at Black Orchid on one – online reservations only.
Black Orchid grew revenues by 30 percent in 2024 from the year prior, according to Moore, and is on pace to match that mark so far this year. The latest Black Orchid to open was in December in the
Keystone at the Crossing area, and that store has already seen business above projections.
The 44-year-old Carmel resident is especially bullish on his hometown. The existing location at 820 E. 116th St. was the second shop to open in 2018 after the original opened the year before at 355 Indiana Ave.
“I think I could have two or three locations in Carmel, we’re that busy,” Moore said. “If a cool opportunity in downtown Carmel popped up, I’d be there in a heartbeat. I think downtown Carmel is definitely underserved.”
Moore has the hair business in his bloodlines. His parents were in the industry, and in his early 20’s he was employed in Chicago by Kenra, a hair products company headquartered and founded in Indianapolis in 1929. Kenra sold goods to distributors who in turn sold them to retail hair salons.
He was transferred back to central Indiana in 2008 – reluctantly.
“At the time, I wanted to stay in Chicago,” he said. “I asked them if I could work remotely, long before that was a thing, and they said ‘no.’”
It’s all worked out quite well for Moore, with no end in sight. Meanwhile he takes calls from real estate brokers and tours spaces – three in Fishers and two in Westfield just last week.
His small shops keep his real estate costs down but can be challenging.
“I’m your worst nightmare because my spatial needs are so small, I’m a waste of time,” he said.
Learn more at blackorchidbarbers.com.
Clients get haircuts at Black Orchid Barbers in Broad Ripple. (Photo courtesy of Travis Moore)
Comedian Shillue benefits from popularity of ‘Gutfeld!’ show
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Tom Shillue understands his good fortune of being a regular on a hit late night show.
Shillue, who appears on “Gutfeld!” on FOX News, will be a special guest on ‘Gutfeld Live ’25’ at 7 p.m. March 15 at the Fishers Event Center. Shillue and fellow comedian Jamie Lissow, a frequent “Gutfeld!” guest, will start the two-hour show with their stand-up routines.
Political satirist Greg Gutfeld, who also is a co-host of “The Five” on FOX News, then joins Shillue on stage.
Shillue, 58, has been in the comedy business since 1991.
“It took me about a decade to get going,” he said. “I did my first TV appearance on Conan O’Brien in 1999. I did a Comedy Central special in 2003.”
Shillue also appeared on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and then “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
“I was also working on Comedy Central (on ‘The Daily Show’) but it didn’t really translate to selling that many (stand-up comedy) tickets, but when I started doing ‘Red Eye’ with Greg, I started getting fans out to the club, who were fans of ‘Red Eye,’” he said. “When I took over ‘Red Eye,’ that was fantastic for the audience, but nothing compares to what ‘Gutfeld!’ has become in the last 18 months or so. I go out to clubs and I sell out and it’s really remarkable. The ‘Gutfeld!’ audience is very loyal.”
Shillue performs on average one weekend a month with solo shows and another weekend with Gutfeld.
“It’s basically a Q&A, but I’m the emcee,” Shillue said. “I’m not as much asking Greg questions as I am guiding him through a series of slides of different things, his colleagues at Fox, his dog. We kind of talk about them in a funny way. It’s personal stories and political stuff, too. He runs through different politicians.
We basically talk about whatever is going on in the world today. Greg likes to keep it loose. It’s the opposite of me with my stand-up. I write it ahead of time and I come out and deliver the jokes and Greg comes out and I have to roll with the punches.”
Shillue keeps his performance schedule light.
“If I’m out there two weekends a month, that is enough for me because I have the Fox News gig,” he said. “Jamie does an amazing number of dates. He’s on the ‘Gutfeld!” show and then he’s out doing the clubs because he makes his living doing the clubs. Since I’m on Fox with Greg all week, I don’t need to be a road warrior.”
Shillue previously did a show three hours a day on Fox News radio for two years. He now regularly appears as a guest or co-host on Fox News radio shows.
‘JERSEY BOYS’
“Jersey Boys” runs through April 13 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
CIVIC THEATRE
Comedian
Tom Shillue will be a special guest on ‘Gutfeld Live ’25’ at 7 p.m. March 15 at the Fishers Event Center. (Photo courtesy of Fishers Event Center)
“They keep (me) busy,” he said. “They always find me stuff to do at Fox.”
Shillue said his Joe Biden imitation was in frequent demand on “Gutfeld!” the past several years.
But Shillue said live performing is his first love, especially stand-up routines.
“I’m a storyteller,” he said. “I tell longform stories (on solo shows) about my family.”
Shillue no longer does commercials, but still does voiceovers. He wrote a book called “Mean Dads for a Better America,” in which he discusses his childhood, his family and the traditional values he embraces.
“It’s a memoir about growing up in the ’70s in a conservative Irish Catholic town,” said Shillue, who grew up in Norwood, Mass. “It’s funny stories about growing up.”
For more, visit tomshillue.com. For tickets, visit fishersevencenter.com.
Civic Theatre presents “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” from March 14 to 29 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Kevin Cole’s “Have Fingers — Will Travel: My Unbelievable Songbook Journey” is set for March 14, followed by “Dueling Pianos” March 15 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Both performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
COMEDY AT THE CAT
St. Pat’s Comedy at The Cat, featuring Dave Dugan, is set for 7:30 p.m. March 14-15 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.
HANK RUFF AND THE HELLBENDERS
Hank Ruff and the Hellbenders will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 11 in the Live at the Center series at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets are $10 in person or register for a free livestream at thecenterpresents.org.
‘APPALACHIAN SPRING’
Carmel Symphony Orchestra will present “Appalachian Spring” at 7 p.m. March 16 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.
DISPATCH
ATI Lab Series reading set — Actors Theatre of Indiana’s Lab Series returns with “Kannon Gets the Wiggles” at 2 p.m. March 15 at the Carmel Clay Public Library. The show is by Gavin Thomas Drew and Chapman Shields. The music is by Rolin Mains and the lyrics are by Drew and Mains. The show is adapted from the book “Sometimes I Get the Wiggles” by Andee Cooper. For more, visit atistage.org.
Indianapolis Opera celebrates 50th anniversary with gala
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Indianapolis Opera CEO David Starkey jokes that it’s taken 50 years for the organization to plan its 50th anniversary — but such a celebration does take a lot of careful planning, especially in the opera world, where everything is grand and extravagant.
MUSIC
This year’s anniversary season was designed to honor the Indianapolis Opera’s longtime supporters and alumni.
“Those 50 years are all built upon legacy families and there are many of them … that have been around from almost the very beginning,” Starkey said. “And then, as the opera company grew over Its years, it engaged, it hired, it promoted young and established singers that basically created their careers here in Indianapolis and went on to sing literally all over the world … that sung in the major opera houses of Europe and the United States — the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera, Chicago, San Francisco.”
Many of those alumni will return for the Indianapolis Opera’s March 22 gala performance, set for 7:30 p.m. at the Hilbert Circle Theater, 45 Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. The gala also will feature the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Starkey said it’s been about two decades since the two organizations partnered on an artistic project.
Indianapolis Opera’s Principal Conductor Alfred Savia will conduct the gala performance. He previously worked with the Indianapolis Symphony and regularly returns as a guest conductor for symphony performances.
“He’s leading up an extravagant array — we’re going to have 15 singers from all over the world that have come up through this opera company (performing) with the Indianapolis symphony, with our opera chorus of nearly 50, in the Hilbert Circle theater, and singing an extravagant gala of opera’s most popular and illustrious selections in a grand and extravagant way,” Starkey said. “This is bigger than any kind of opera concert the city (has) ever had.”
Some of the arias concert attendees will hear include the famous duet from Puccini’s “Tosca,” performed by Angela Brown and Jim Cornelison; selections from Pucci-
ni’s “Madame Butterfly;” and pieces from Wagner’s “Die Walküre.”
“We’re going to have five tenors sing an original version of ‘Nessun dorma,’ the famous tenor aria that was made famous by Luciano Pavarotti,” Starkey said. “You know, there used to be the famous Three Tenors, (Plácido) Domingo, (José) Carreras and Pavarotti? Well, we’re going to up it to five tenors.”
“Nessun dorma” is from Puccini’s opera “Turandot.”
Starkey said he’s humbled by the number of former Indianapolis Opera singers who were willing to return for the gala.
“I had no idea who could say yes and almost every single person has said yes in some form of fashion… that we invited because they were over the moon to come back and celebrate the company that established their career,” he said, adding that longtime former IO Artistic Director Jim Caraher was returning to the podium for the gala. “They’re coming back to celebrate him, too — that’s been a big part of the response, and he deserves it in a massive way.”
The lineup of performers can be viewed online at indyopera.org/50th-anniversarygala-cast.
Audience members can choose to attend just the performance, but organizers also have planned a gala dinner preceding the concert at the neighboring Columbia Club. Tickets for the dinner include premium seats at the concert, valet parking and a post-concert reception drink. Starkey said the dinner will honor many of the IO’s longtime supporters, including some that have been with the organization since its first decade.
For more, visit indyopera.org/50thgala concert.
The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
Soprano Angela Brown in a 2009 production of “Ariadne.” (Photo courtesy of Denis Ryan Kelly, Jr.)
Pianist to share stories, music
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Kevin Cole has worked with many of the greatest songwriters in Great American Songbook history.
CONCERT
So, it’s fitting he will share those stories at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Feinstein is the founder of the Great American Songbook Foundation.
The seven songwriters are George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, Hugh Martin and Marvin Hamlisch.
Harburg wrote the lyrics to many standards as well as all the songs for the film “The Wizard of Oz,” including “Over the Rainbow.”
“Kevin Cole: Have Fingers — Will Travel” is set for 7:30 p.m. March 14. It is part of the Don Farrell Presents shows at Feinstein’s. Cole had worked with Actors Theatre of Indiana co-founder Farrell on “Forever Plaid” and participated in the ATI Lab Series reading of “Mr. Confidential” in 2022.
Cole and Harburg collaborated on a song that was intended for Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. Harburg died in 1981, and the song never got to either Sinatra or Bennett. Farrell will sing it in the show.
“I was only 18 when I wrote the music,” Cole said. “I’ve sang it in my solo shows, but it will be nice to hear someone else sing it.”
“I had the experience of working with the great songwriters from a very early age,” Cole said. “As I tell the story of each one of the seven songwriters that have influenced my life or career, I play something that either I played for them or collaborated with them, so it’s all integrated together the story and music.”
The only one of the songwriters that Cole, 66, didn’t meet was Gershwin, who died in 1937. However, when Gershwin scholar Edward Jablonski heard Cole play at age 15, he told Cole he played like Gershwin. Jablonski and Cole are both from Bay City, Mich.
For more, visit kevincolemusic.com. For tickets, visit feinsteinshc.com.
LIFESTYLE
1. Fold in a fabric
Part of LGBTQ+
Storage unit 13. Kona Grill offering
One-time Hoosier Dome sponsor 15. Tortoise’s rival 16. Mar. 17th honoree 18. Wicked 19. Big ___ Conference
20. Soup bean
22. Zionsville’s Fright Nights mo.
23. Crib or cot 24. Tourist attractions
Hawaiian island 29. Cheese Shop choice 32. Manufactured items
Fan favorites
“___ only money”
Indy steak house 41. Word after “mai” or be-
fore “chi”
42. Cosmetician Lauder
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46. “Jane Eyre” author
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55. Mount McKinley, formerly
58. Swift: “Everything ___ Changed”
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63. Indy hospital, briefly
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70. Patronize 39-Across
Down
1. “Hey, over here!”
2. Guitar kin
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4. “Eureka!”
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6. Smile
7. Depositor’s holding (Abbr.)
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9. “Thar ___ blows!”
10. Mayhem
11. Fever guard Wheeler
12. Shoulder muscles, for short
17. Black out
21. French Foreign ___ 23. Pal
25. Atlantic catch
26. Mayberry boy
27. Carmel ___ & Design District
28. Emcee
30. Back of a Geist boat
31. Speck in the ocean
33. Cyberhandle
35. Instead, to a texter
36. Actress Turner
37. Spanish ayes
40. Breakfast cereal
43. Flow’s partner
45. Frosty
47. Black Sea port
49. Influences
50. Slightly ahead
51. IMS owner Penske
53. Bit of color
56. Aviation accident agcy.
57. Keystone and College (Abbr.)
58. Pacers foe
59. “___ and the King of Siam”
60. RBI or ERA, at Victory Field
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