Founded March 20 2012, at Zionsville, IN Vol. XIII, No. 51
Copyright 2023
Current Publishing, LLC
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525 North End Dr. Ste. 175 Carmel, IN 46032
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Opinions
The views of the columnists in Current in Zionsville are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.
Kroger plans Zionsville marketplace, Whitestown fuel center
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The Zionsville and Whitestown boards of zoning appeals approved several variances March 5 and March 6 for a proposed Kroger grocery store and fuel center. The variances are among several steps the grocer needs to take before a construction schedule can be made.
DEVELOPMENT
Kroger is proposing to develop a 118,337-square-foot marketplace on 12.9 acres along Whitestown Parkway, north of Royal Run and east of I-65. The development would include 560 parking spaces, 14 designated online pick-up spaces and a pharmacy.
“The store itself would have expanded departments,” Kroger zoning consultant Anne McBride said. “It’s going to have a Starbucks. It would have the Murray’s cheese store and so many of the features that Kroger has brought out since the original store here in Zionsville was built.”
The variance petitions are related to outdoor storage and a reduction in the size of the loading dock space.
McBride said the outdoor storage component would accommodate seasonal displays at the entry of the store.
“Storage, to me, kind of denotes a contractor’s storage yard, pallets of mulch or something like that, which is not what this is going to be,” she said. “It will occur only on the front elevation on either side of the main entryway into the store. The types of materials that would be displayed there would be things that are more seasonal in nature. If you’ve been to one of the larger new Kroger stores, for example this time of year they’re getting ready to bring out the plants, but other times of the year they might have pumpkins there, wreaths during the holiday season and sometimes during the summer they’ll have vegetables, kind of creating a farmer’s market type appearance there. It will not be interfering with the customer access to the store.”
Zionsville Associate Planner Johnathan Smith said the number of the loading berths — areas where trucks can unload — will be reduced from the required eight areas to three. Smith said the zoning requirement that sets the standard for eight is outdated.
The proposed Kroger store would be a 118,337-squarefoot marketplace with a pharmacy. (Images courtesy of Town of Zionsville)
“Kroger knows the needs of their business,” he said. “It seems unreasonable to require the petitioner to build an additional five loading berths next to residential homes when the need and the demand is not there.”
The development would include a fuel center on property located in Whitestown along Whitestown Parkway and Center Road, formerly Big O Tires.
The Whitestown BZA heard an application March 6 from Kroger seeking a reduction in height and size for the structure and canopy and an increase in the size of the signage. The fuel center would include seven fuel islands, a 277-square-foot kiosk and three access points.
“It’s going to include the demolition of the existing vacant building, which we think is an improvement for the community,” McBride said.
The BZAs of Whitestown and Zionsville approved all variance requests.
McBride said there are no plans to close the Kroger store in Boone Village in
Zionsville.
The Kroger marketplace would be built in Zionsville while the fueling center would be built in Whitestown.
Kroger has not yet applied for a primary plat or development plan approval for the marketplace in Zionsville. The application will be required to go through the town’s primary and secondary platting approval processes, as well as receive development plan approval from the Zionsville Plan Commission.
Smith said Kroger can apply for approval of their primary plat and development plan at the same time and both petitions can be heard during the same plan commission meeting. The secondary plat will be approved administratively, but only after the primary plat has received approval from the Zionsville Plan Commission.
McBride said Kroger held a community meeting with residents of Royal Run. She said tree buffers are planned between the store and the residential area.
The store and fuel center are expected to be constructed at the same time, although a groundbreaking date has not been determined.
DISPATCHES
Adventures at Puddle Pond at Hussey-Mayfield library — Local authors Pam Brettenacher of Zionsville and Jillinda Stella of Carmel will share their children’s books about the imaginary world of Puddle Pond at 10:30 a.m. March 22 at Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library, 250 N. 5th St. in Zionsville. The pair are teaching partners at West Clay Elementary School in Carmel, where they created the story of Fritz the Frog and Birdie Bee in Puddle Pond for their students — and later adapted the pair’s adventures into two books. The free event includes activities, songs and a take-home craft. Register at hmmpl.org/libcal.
Environmental education series — Boone County Solid Waste Management District is hosting a multipart educational series at Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library in Zionsville. Topics include conservation and natural resources, March 24; composting, April 21; waterways, May 15; and understanding your carbon footprint, June 12. The series is open to school-age youth and adults. Register at hmmpl.org under the events tab.
Community foundation recognizes outstanding community members — Nominations are open for the 2025 Aaron Stookey Spirit of Philanthropy Award and the Lionel Dubay Youth Sports Award through the Community Foundation of Boone County. The Aaron Stookey award recognizes individuals or businesses that participate in exemplary philanthropic activities. The Lionel Dubay award recognizes someone who has made an ongoing commitment to any youth sport serving the Zionsville area, such as coaches, team parents or anyone in a supporting role. Nominations close April 7. Nomination forms are available at tinyurl.com/5n6vttd9.
Educational Scholarships available — Boone REMC awards post-secondary scholarships to students who are dependents or legal wards of Boone REMC members each year. Ten $1,000 scholarships will be awarded via random drawing from all eligible applications at the Boone REMC annual meeting April 24. Eligible students must be current high school seniors or college students who will be enrolled full time in a post-secondary institution during the 2025-26 academic year. The application deadline is April 22. Learn more at bremc. com/youth.
Zionville allows cigar lounge exception to smoking ban
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The Zionsville Town Council recently approved an amendment creating an exception for the town’s no-smoking rule for private clubs, but not without objection.
TOWN NEWS
The town’s ordinance on smoking includes exceptions for some designated facilities. The amendment adds private membership cigar lounges to the list of exceptions. The change was requested by Wheelhouse Social Club on 106th Street.
The amendment requires cigar bars to meet specific requirements, including ventilation systems to exhaust air separately from nonsmoking areas of the club. The amendment also restricts the use of any other tobacco products besides cigars defined as “any roll of tobacco that has a wrapper or cover consisting only of tobacco.” Cigar lounges also must be licensed by the Indiana State Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.
But some argued against the change.
Stacy Collins, executive director of Breathe Easy Hamilton County, and Taylor Williams, advocacy specialist with American Lung Association of Indiana, spoke during public comment this month to ask the council to reconsider the amendment.
Collins said Zionsville and Boone County were among the first in the state to institute smoking bans, and the amendment represents a step backward.
“Even with restrictions, allowing an exemption for cigar bans weakens (Zionsville’s) strong protections,” she said. “It risks undermining the leadership this community has developed and sets a precedent for more rollbacks.”
Williams said an exception for Wheelhouse Social Club normalizes the myth that cigar smoking is not as bad as smoking other tobacco products.
“Secondhand cigar smoke contains the same toxic chemicals as secondhand cigarette smoke,” she said. “Cigars are
Wheelhouse Social Club on 106th Street will be permitted to have a cigar lounge inside its private club. (Photo by Marney Simon)
just depicted as exclusive, but they’re not. It harms the message that all tobacco products are dangerous. Across the country, the increasingly well-organized cigar industry has been pushing for cigar bar/lounge exemptions in strong local and state smoke-free laws, peeling back life-saving protections designed to maintain indoor smoking and boost industry profits, all while putting workers at risk.”
Councilor Sarah Esterline Sampson said that while she had some reservations about the change, she was pleased at how the amendment narrowly defines what a cigar lounge is, and what specifically can be smoked inside one.
A cigar lounge is defined as “a private membership paid to a private club that has a designated area specifically for cigars only purchased at the cigar lounge or brought on the premises by a member or the member’s guest.”
“I do want people to remember the health problems that come with smoking, but as adults, people are — rightfully so — able to make their own choices, and that is why I am voting yes,” Sampson said.
The smoking ban still prohibits the use of hookah, cigarettes and vapes in public-serving businesses. Smoking in bars and restaurants remains prohibited.
The amendment passed with a 4-2 vote, with councilors Brad Burk and Craig Melton voting no.
“I appreciate that it’s been as narrowly defined as it can be (but) I do worry that it normalizes cigar smoking and tobacco smoking in general,” Burk said.
Tax preparation assistance — A program that provides free tax preparation services is open through mid-April in Boone and Marion counties. Indy Free Tax Prep is available to people and families with a household income of $66,000 or less in 2024. United Way of Central Indiana has administered the Indy Free Tax Prep program since 2015. Over the last decade, volunteers have prepared more than 48,900 tax returns, helping people get back more than $44 million. Make an appointment at indyfreetaxprep.com.
Zionsville earns ‘Indiana Main Street’ designation
news@youarecurrent.com
Indiana Main Street and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs recently announced the historic brick Main Street in the Village in Zionsville has earned the prestigious ‘Indiana Main Street’ designation.
TOWN NEWS
Indiana Main Street is an initiative that encourages community-driven revitalization of downtown areas in Indiana municipalities. Revitalization is addressed with a four-point approach — organization; promotion; design; and economic vitality. The program supports local communities in efforts to enhance their historic districts, promote small businesses and improve the overall quality of life for residents and visitors
The designation opens the door to resources and expertise to implement targeted strategies to strengthen the local economy.
“Receiving the Main Street designation is more than just a title; it represents a collective effort in creating a vibrant, livable space for everyone,” Main Street Zionsville founding board president Erica Carpenter stated. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our local stakeholders, including businesses, residents, volunteers and organizations that
and Rural Affairs. (File photo)
share our vision for a thriving downtown.”
The Main Street Zionsville program works to enhance the visual appeal of the downtown area, support local businesses, facilitate community events that draw visitors and foster a sense of pride and ownership among residents. Zionsville is one of eight communities added to the Indiana Main Street program, now in its 40th year.
“The Indiana Main Street program continues to grow and help communities prioritize downtown revitalization, transform their main street corridors and fuel local engagement,” OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn stated.
Learn more about the Main Street Zionsville organization at mainstreetzionsville. org.
Martin to speak at YMCA breakfast
EVENT news@youarecurrent.com
Zionsville resident and former Indianapolis news anchor Brooke Martin will deliver the keynote address at the 56th Annual YMCA Good Friday Breakfast.
Martin is the author of the memoir “Controlled Burn: Rising from the Ashes to Forge an Unshakable Faith,” in which she documents how the death of her daughter 21 minutes after her birth from anencephaly — a rare fatal condition where the baby’s skull does not develop — led to a spiritual journey of transformation, beauty and resilience.
Martin said the memoir grew from her understanding of pain and how it grows: Pain is like fire — it can destroy everything in its path, but when controlled, it can create nutrient-rich soil.
The YMCA Good Friday Breakfast is 7:15 to 9 a.m. April 18 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and YMCA of Greater Indianapolis president and CEO Gregg Hiland also are scheduled to speak.
Tickets are free but seats are limited. Reserve individual tickets at tinyurl. com/5uwuswwj. Martin
2025 SUBARU FORESTER
Main Street in Zionsville is the recipient of the Indiana Main Street designation from the Office of Community
Whitestown man sentenced to 123 years for child molestation
CRIME news@youarecurrent.com
A Whitestown man was sentenced to 123 years in prison March 5 for multiple felony convictions of child pornography, child molestation and child exploitation.
John Eric Peterson, 54, was sentenced by Boone County Circuit Court Judge Lori Schein.
assault on his cell phone.
Officers secured a warrant to search Peterson’s Whitestown residence May 31, 2022. That search yielded the discovery of a cell phone with videos that matched the description of the juvenile’s complaint.
Peterson pleaded guilty Feb. 19 on six counts of child molesting; one count of possession of child pornography; one count of child exploitation; and one count of neglect of a dependent.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Peterson was arrested in May 2022 after Whitestown police interviewed a juvenile at Sylvia’s Child Advocacy Center in Lebanon. The juvenile told investigators that Peterson — her mother’s boyfriend — had sexually assaulted her for several years between the ages of 4 and 11. The victim said Peterson recorded at least one
“Our office extends its profound gratitude for the extraordinary strength and courage exhibited by the victim in this matter,” Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood stated. “Her bravery empowered our team to relentlessly pursue justice and ensure the defendant was held account able, guaranteeing that he will never be in a position to harm anyone again. We are extremely thankful that his sentence ensures that he will spend the rest of his days on this earth in prison.”
Cases of suspected child abuse can be reported to the Indiana Department of Child Services’ Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline, 800-800-5556.
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Zionsville deputy mayor takes over economic development
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The Zionsville Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance March 3 to amend the duties of deputy mayor to include oversight of economic development.
TOWN NEWS
Although Zionsville has an Economic Development Commission, there is no specific department of economic development. Those duties were previously assigned to the planning department.
mayor, I think that’s going to (be) the next best way to accomplish this goal.”
Although the deputy mayor will oversee economic development, he or she will not serve as a department head. Economic development will be incorporated into the administration department under the direction of the mayor.
“The goal and the intention would be to have a department of economic development when the town is ready and when the administration and the council have both come to an agreement,” Deputy Mayor Justin Hage said. “That’s an important new department to create to really address development in our town. But as an interim solution, having these responsibilities be part of the responsibilities of the deputy
The amendment adds to the list of the deputy mayor’s general responsibilities “supervise the economic development activities of the town and any staff assigned to support such functions.” Other powers of the deputy mayor include assisting with the coordination and direction of all town operations; assisting in the administration and enforcement of ordinances, policies, directives and annual budgets of the town council; serving as advisor to the mayor; and ensuring that sufficient staff resources are provided to support the town council. The deputy mayor also performs administrative functions of the town government and carries out the will of the mayor on a dayto-day basis.
The council also approved an amendment to the 2025 salary ordinance to move a position from the planning department into an economic development role under the department of administration.
As deputy mayor, Hage also now oversees the activities of the Zionsville Redevelopment Commission. The commission’s previous director, Corrie Sharp, left the director’s role at the end of 2024.
Zionsville to address subdivision alleyways
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The Zionsville Town Council approved a $200,000 appropriation for the Department of Public Works for contractual services March 3.
ROAD WORK
The work will take place in the Inglenook subdivision off of Zionsville Road, just south of 106th Street.
Councilor Evan Norris said he was approached by the Inglenook HOA regarding a safety issue at its homes. Norris said the permeable paver systems — which make up parking alleys and street parking areas within the subdivision — are failing. Residents said the developer had backed out of their obligation to address the issue,
but the HOA has exhausted all avenues for relief.
“A permeable paver system is not cheap whatsoever,” Norris said. “It’s very expensive. It’s not like just putting in blacktop. To me, this raises serious issues and concerns. These people can’t get in their garages. We cannot get emergency vehicles down the alleyways to this neighborhood.”
Norris said an agreement to address the alleyways was made after negotiations between members of the town council, public works, the town’s legal department, Boone County and the HOA.
Zionsville Director of Finance and Records Cindy Poore said Boone County will reimburse $25,000 of project costs upon completion.
Hage
Ale Emporium sweeps wings, pizza, bar food categories
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Ale Emporium, with multiple locations in central Indiana, won three categories in the 2025 Current Best Of Suburban North Indy contest — best bar food, best chicken wings and best pizza.
Co-owner Tony Kwiatkowski said the business is honored to be recognized.
“Winning best wings and best pizza, and then winning best bar is a true compliment based on how many really nice and great bars there are in Hamilton County,” he said, noting that the business offers a sports-bar atmosphere with live music in addition to its signature menu. “The combination of our menu, our service and then the sports environment — and then on top of that, you do live music on the weekends — there’s a lot going on there that makes us pretty popular.”
Ale Emporium’s original bar opened in 1982 in the Castleton area, 8617 Allisonville Rd. Kwiatkowski said they expanded first to Fishers in 2018, 11501 Geist Pavilion Dr., and in 2019 opened a Greenwood location, 997 E. County Line Rd. B. They plan to open a fourth location in Avon this summer.
“(We’ve) been around a long time but our growth has really just come in the last seven years or so,” Kwiatkowski said. “We’re kind of famous for our wings and our wing sauces — our famous sauce is called Hermanaki.”
Hermanaki sauce, which is teriyaki-inspired, is one of the “Herman” series
developed by Herman Perryman, who joined the team in the late 1980s.
“Those main sauces are our most popular sauces,” Kwiatkowski said. “There are multiple contests throughout the year that we get submitted for best wings — a lot of it’s based on the Hermanaki sauce, which we win a lot of awards for, but … all those Herman sauces kind of put us on the map as far as wings.”
He said they refer to their pizza as “honest,” because they don’t skimp on the toppings.
Kwiatkowski said part of the Ale Emporium’s appeal is that it’s a local, family-owned business — started by Marc Luros and now co-owned by Luros’ son-in-law, Scott Baun and Kwiatkowski. While the Castleton business is 21-andover, the Fishers and Greenwood locations are family friendly.
Kwiatkowski added that the business helps raise funds for many area nonprofits, especially youth sports programs, and customers appreciate their community support.
For more, visit aleemporium.securetree.com.
Ale Emporium in Fishers is one of three locations owned by the Indianapolis-based business. (Photo courtesy of Ale Emporium)
Sara H., patient
Service makes the difference for Khamis Fine Jewelers
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
For Mary Khamis-Rowe, it’s the service that has kept her business going strong for three decades.
Khamis Fine Jewelers, which was named Best Jewelery Store in the 2025 Current Best Of Suburban North Indy contest, is celebrating its 30th year in business, having opened in November 1995.
Khamis-Rowe said two jewelers do the repairs and custom pieces. Khamis-Rowe performs appraisals. She is a certified gemologist and a certified appraiser of personal property.
Khamis-Rowe
“We were really excited to get the (award) and we appreciate all our customers voting for us,” Khamis-Rowe said of her store at 9763 Fall Creek Rd. in Indianapolis. “We enjoy helping people enjoy important milestones in their life by helping them pick the right piece of jewelry. We’ve become part of the neighborhood and the Indianapolis area — Carmel, Fishers and the surrounding area. We try to give the best service that we can.”
Khamis-Rowe said custom jewelry is an important part of the business.
“It’s a family piece that was handed down to you, which happens a lot these days, and it’s just not your style but you want to do something with the stones,” she said. “We can create a new piece where the customer would wear it and enjoy it.”
“I not only have training in the gemology aspect of it but also on the appraising aspect of it,” Khamis-Rowe said. “There are only two or three of us in the state that have that designation. I do a lot of appraisals for attorneys, for banks, for the FBI and for insurance.”
The service the store provides allows Khamis-Rowe to have more of a personal relationship with her customers.
“I get invited to weddings,” she said. “A lot of customers have become friends of mine. I’ve got customers texting me at 10 o’clock at night. Pretty much any jewelry store can sell anything or make anything, but it’s the service you give the customer that is going to bring them back to the store. That’s what I always tell my employees. We just need the best service and that’s what we strive for.”
Khamis-Rowe, a Geist-area resident, has been in the jewelry business for 47 years.
Khamis Fine Jewelers has four employeea. It is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Sunday and Monday.
For more, visit khamisjewelers.com.
Khamis Fine Jewelers received Best Jewelers in the 2025 Current Best Of Suburban North Indy contest. (Photo courtesy of Mary Khamis-Rowe)
Rejoicing Vine celebrates wine, sustainability
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
A family-owned north Indianapolis business that specializes in sparkling wines won top honors for Best Winery in the Current Best Of North Indy 2025 competition, only two years after opening.
Rejoicing Vine owners Brent and Frances Kumfer met in Connecticut. As they got to know each other, they toured local wineries in that state and talked about opening their own winery someday. After relocating to Carmel — and when their kids were old enough to be in school — they looked into how they could make that dream come true.
Brent Kumfer had left his corporate job to stay home with the kids. His former career focused on launching products, so he had a business background that complimented his more earthy interests of wine making and gardening. They said it took two years of searching before they found the right location at 8440 W. 82nd St., just south of Zionsville.
“It used to be one of the biggest orchid farms between the coasts, but it had closed down about a decade before we ended up coming here,” Frances Kumfer said. “Everything was overgrown — like, we had our son out in the field and the grasses were higher than his head.”
She said their Realtor was more than a little surprised when they decided to buy the spot, but it had everything they wanted — a building, a greenhouse and plenty of space. It just needed work — about two years’ worth of work, to be precise. They did a lot of the interior demolition themselves and cleared the field for grapes.
“It’s just a really kind of serene property,” Frances Kumfer said of the site, which is close to Eagle Creek Park. “It feels like you’re out in rural Indiana, but really, you’re only 20 minutes from downtown. It’s right off of 465 and 65, so it’s easy access to get to. We kind of really lucked out in finding this property.”
Brent Kumfer, who is at the winery pretty much every day, said customers seem to appreciate the hands-on, personal nature of the business.
“Customers have direct access to the
Award-Winning Catering!
owner, to the winemaker, and I think they find that exciting and love to learn about the stories,” he said, adding that they like to stress the importance of sustainability. “I felt like this was a calling from God to help the community. I kind of call wine our Trojan horse. So, we get people in the door and we talk about sustainability, we talk about our faith and things that people normally wouldn’t just openly discuss.”
To promote sustainability, they keg many of their wines rather than bottling them, which significantly reduces their carbon footprint. They also donate to local charities that help people get better access to fresh produce and they promote other small businesses through partnerships with local florists, cheesemongers, coffee roasters and bakers, among others. They also use a regenerative farming technique, which promotes natural diversity to improve the health of their crops — which leads to better tasting wine.
Grapes that do best in Indiana’s climate work well for sparkling wine, which is why Rejoicing Vine primarily offers the bubbly stuff. Unlike most wineries that have many still wines and just one or two sparkling varieties, Rejoicing Vine has about seven bubbly selections, with just one nonsparkling wine on the menu. For more, visit rejoicingvine.com.
Zing! Cafe is a Gold Winner in Catering and a top coffee shop nominee! As a locally owned, woman-run cafe, we serve quick, casual breakfast and lunch, plus expertly crafted coffee. Stop by for a fresh brew or a delicious meal and see why we're an awardwinning favorite! Visit
I’m honored to be chosen the Gold Winner in Travel Services for Suburban North Indy! I truly cherish helping families create Magical Vacation Memories. If you’re planning a Disney Vacation, I’d love to assist — let’s make your dream trip a reality! Danielle Ott danielle@hihovacations.com 317-750-0450 /totheparksandbeyond www.hihovacations.com Thank you for your votes!
As we mark the 20th anniversary of the opening of IU Health North Hospital, we celebrate the team members, providers and volunteers who have dedicated their lives to serving others. From broken bones to broken hearts, from miracles born to miracles made through innovation and medical advancement, we’re proud to care for our neighbors and call Hamilton County home. We look forward to continuing to serve with skill and
Frances and Brent Kumfer of Carmel are the owners and operators of Rejoicing Vine in northwest Indianapolis. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)
8
March 18, 2025
Food quality, customer service top priorities at Joe’s Butcher Shop
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
It’s been nearly 20 years since Joe and Kathy Lazzara launched Joe’s Butcher Shop at 111 W. Main St. Since then, it’s become a destination for both hungry diners in search of a fresh sandwich and those seeking premier ingredients to cook at home.
Joe Lazzara answered the following questions from Current about the business and its long-term success in the Arts & Design District. Learn more at JoesButcherShop.com.
Why did you decide to open Joe’s Butcher Shop?
I traveled quite a bit with my previous career and made a hobby out of visiting James Beard-nominated restaurants. I learned that what made many of the restaurants and chefs great was sourcing clean, sustainably raised, fresh proteins. We felt there was a gap in the Carmel market for a butcher shop and fish market that provided higher quality proteins
for the home chef.
How would you describe the shop to someone who hasn’t been before?
A local butcher shop and fish market committed to customer service that serves the finest, most sustainable proteins they can source. We sell products from over 20 truly local providers and serve up what many believe are the best tasting sandwiches in central Indiana.
The staff is friendly and the butchers knowledgeable. Both care about serving your needs and keeping your business. What makes the shop unique?
The first is the quality of the beef and the expert way it’s cut for the customers’ needs. When it comes to fresh fish, it would be difficult to find somewhere that cares more about marine stewardship while providing a superior product. Our deli and sandwich area has a full kitchen where we craft our sides and sandwiches from over 140 unique fromscratch recipes.
What is your favorite item and why?
Wow, I have so many favorites! I can start with our incredible fresh reserve Salmon and move through our beef case from our vacio/flap steak to our reserve filet mignon. On the grocery side, it’s got to be Heidi Ho’s Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies. They are wickedly sinful. Sandwich-wise, it’s tough to beat our Evan’s IPA Braised Beef Sandwich, incredible. We dry-age our own beef and pork, and lately I’ve become obsessed with our double thick cut 14-day dry aged pork chop. It eats more like a great beef steak
than a pork chop. It’s just outstanding. What do you enjoy about operating in downtown Carmel?
We took a risk establishing a store downtown when the Art & Design District was in its infancy. Downtown Carmel has become a hub of great events and a true community place to gather. We’ve had a front seat to what might be the most beautiful, successful growth experience of any city in the U.S. over the last 20 years. What’s not to enjoy?
What do you most want people to know about the shop?
That we are committed and focused on serving our customers to provide the best quality proteins and experience possible. That we love serving our community not just through our work, in and outside of Joe’s, but in how we take care of our 18 full-time and 32 part-time employees.
Anything else you want to share?
How honestly humble and amazed we are every day that our customers and community have made the choice for nearly 20 years to support our employees and what we do.
Joe’s Butcher Shop sells products from more than 20 local providers. (Photo courtesy of Joe’s Butcher Shop)
BAKERY
Taylors Bakery
taylorsbakery.bakesmart.com 317-596-2253
Le Petit Gateau lpgbakery.com 317-408-5500
BAR
Ale Emporium aleemporium.securetree.com
317-288-7394
3UP
3uprooftop.com
317-740-0930
BBQ
Big Hoffas Smokehouse bighoffas.com 317-867-0077
City Barbeque citybbq.com 317-660-8369
BREAKFAST
Rosies Place rosiesplace.net 317-688-7350
Cafe Patachou cafepatachou.com 317-569-0965
BREWERY
Sun King sunkingbrewing.com 317-843-6250
Bier Brewery bierbrewery.com 317-444-8500
BURGER
Gold
BRU Burger Bar bruburgerbar.com 317-975-0033
Roots Burger Bar rootsburgerbar.com 463-273-2004
CATERING
Zing Cafe zingcafecarmel.com 463-248-6340
City Barbeque citybbq.com 317-660-8369
GOLD AND SILVER WINNERS
CHICKEN WINGS
Ale Emporium aleemporium.securetree.com 317-288-7394
The Friendly Tavern friendlytavernzionsville.com 317-873-5772
CHINESE FOOD
China Wok 161chinawok.com 317-896-8786
Kings Garden carmelkingsgarden.com 317-573-9999
COFFEE SHOP
RIVET Coffee Bar and Roastery rivetcoffee.com 317-763-0007
The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers thecakebakeshop.com 317-257-2253
Graeters Ice Cream graeters.com 317-810-1673
DISTILLERY West Fork Whiskey Co. westforkwhiskey.com 317-763-5400
Four Finger Distillery North fourfingerdistillery.com 317-804-5675
DONUTS
Titus Bakery and Deli titusbakery.com 317-763-1700
Pana Donut
Coffee & Boba Tea panadonut.com 317-757-3933
FINE DINING RESTAURANT
Anthonys Chophouse anthonyschophouse.com
317-740-0900
Harry & Izzys harryandizzys.com
317-915-8045
GREEK / MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT
ATHENS ON 86th athenson86th.com
317-879-8644
Canal Bistro canal-bistro.com
317-254-8700
The Great Greek Mediterranean thegreatgreekgrill.com/ carmel-in-medical-dr 463-273-1311
HAPPY HOUR
Gold 1933 Lounge by St. Elmo 1933lounge.com
317-758-1933
Kona Grill konagrill.com 317-566-1400
INDIAN RESTAURANT
Amber Indian Restaurant indianindy.com/amber-carmel 317-580-0828
The Monks monkscarmel.com
317-564-8266
ITALIAN RESTAURANT
The Italian House italianhousedining.com
317-804-5619
Capri Italian Restaurant capriindianapolis.com
317-259-4122
JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Nori Japanese Steakhouse noriwestfield.com
317-763-9903
Sakura indysakuraexpress.com
317-259-4171
COME BY OUR SHOWROOM
Restore Your Core Physical Therapy aims to individualize care
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
In Current’s inaugural Best Of Suburban North Indy contest, which recognizes businesses that make local communities thrive, Restore Your Core Physical Therapy won the top honor for physical therapy provider. Restore Your Core Physical Therapy, which has locations in Carmel, Zionsville and Greenwood, offers pelvic floor physical therapy, such as birth preparation, dry needling and cupping, among other services.
ligaments and joints to improve musculoskeletal function and reduce pain, sets it apart from other physical therapy facilities in the area.
“We employ many different treatment techniques and provide individualized exercise programs,” Robinson said. “A lot of the times when you go to physical therapy, they give you exercises to do, and then you come back and do those same exercises. We don’t do that. We check the exercises, but then we give clients new ones. So, everything is very individualized.”
Dr. Amy Robinson, a physical therapist who opened Restore Your Core Physical Therapy in 2016, said it is an out-of-network practice, which means it provides services outside of a health insurance plan’s network.
“I chose to be an out-of-network practice because we get to spend more time with our clients 1-on-1,” Robison said. “We can work our clients through an entire plan of care versus in the insurance-based world, where you can only get patients good enough, and then they make you cut them free. In our business, we see patients until they are better and build some resiliency within their system so (that) their symptoms don’t return.”
Robinson said the practice’s manual therapy, a hands-on treatment that involves manipulation of muscles, tendons,
Robinson said Restore Your Core Physical Therapy staff are specialized in pelvic floor therapy.
“We look at the pelvic floor in a very functional manner,” Robinson said. “When you go to physical therapy school, you’re lucky to get an hour lecture in the field of public health, and you have to go back after physical therapy school to get that education. At our clinic, two of us have nearly 30 years of practice, and we don’t just look at our patients lying on a table. That’s not functional.”
Robinson said the goal is to show patients that Restore Your Core Physical Therapy cares about them as individuals.
“My business has personally grown more from word-of-mouth referrals and less from marketing,” Robinson said. “It feels good that our patients see that we are different from other similar places.”
For more, visit restoreyourcorept.com.
Robinson
LATE NIGHT EATS
The Mill Tavern barwestfield.com 317-399-6972
Melt N Dip meltndip.com 317-827-2120
MEXICAN RESTAURANT
La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant lahaciendaindianapolis.com 317-577-2689
Los Agaves losagavesgrill.com 317-804-9240
PIZZA
Ale Emporium aleemporium.securetree.com 317-288-7394
Bazbeaux Pizza bazbeaux.com 317-848-4488
SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Monterey Cuisine montereycuisine.com 317-853-2280
noah grants grill house & oyster bar noahgrants.com 317-732-2233
The Shooting Academy, formerly Tim’s Shooting Academy, is more than just a shooting range and licensed firearms dealer.
Located just south of Grand Park in Westfield, The Shooting Academy is a destination for those who shoot and those who are looking to learn.
With the recent rebrand to The Shooting Academy comes a larger selection of firearms and accessories and expanded training course offerings. The indoor range includes 15 total lanes — five dedicated for rifles and 10 for handguns.
In addition to shooting practice, The Shooting Academy offers a number of training courses, including one-on-one training with certified instructors. One of the more popular classes is a ladies-only basic pistol training course.
The main focus at The Shooting Academy is safety — providing proper training on weapons so patrons learn not just how to shoot, but how to be comfortable around their weapons.
Typical customers bring their own guns to the range and purchase ammunition and a target on-site, or they can rent a gun for use within the facility. People who want to purchase or are considering purchasing a weapon can rent one of 50plus guns to try it out on the range and see what feels most comfortable.
The Shooting Academy is open to the public and offers a variety of memberships, ranging from $29 to $65 per
The Shooting Academy has 15 total lanes, with five dedicated for rifles and 10 for handguns. (Photo courtesy of The Shooting Academy)
month. Lanes can be rented for 30- or 60-minute sessions.
The number one benefit of The Shooting Academy over other shooting ranges — the Westfield location is indoors. That means people can participate in practice or training year-round.
The Shooting Academy is at 17777 Commerce Dr. in Westfield. The range is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. The range is closed on Mondays.
The business also considers itself an entertainment destination. Families, including children 12 and older who are accompanied by an adult, are welcome on the range to practice.
While the facility is undergoing rebranding to The Shooting Academy, information is available on the website under its former name, timsshootingacademy.com.
March 18, 2025
Best of Suburban North Indy youarecurrent.com/BestOf2025
GOLD AND SILVER WINNERS
Winners were picked by readers at youarecurrent.com from Jan. 29-Feb. 11 with
GYM/FITNESS CENTER
Roundtripper
Sports Academy roundtripper.com
317-896-2900 studio fitnez studiofitnez.com 317-225-1301
We’re beyond grateful to be voted #1 Yoga/Pilates Studio in Suburban North Indy! Your support means everything, and we’re honored to share our space with you.
At Fire & Flow Yoga, every breath, every movement, and every shared moment weaves us together. Here, you’re not just practicing — you’re part of something bigger.
As a thank you, text, email, or call us — tell us you saw this ad, and you AND a friend get one free class! See you on the mat, where we rise together!
- Greg & Cindi Odle
March 18, 2025
Current Best of Suburban North Indy youarecurrent.com/BestOf2025
Be Well Family Care offers unique patient experience
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
your vote!
Moms at Sea Travel is honored to be acknowledged as a family cruise resource by our Indianapolis area customers. We thank you for your support and look forward to helping you plan a lifetime of vacations.
Be Well Family Care, a medical clinic at 12430 N Clark St. in Carmel, won top honors for Best Doctor in Current’s inaugural Best Of North Indy 2025 competition.
The facility offers primary care services, such as physicals and pap smears, and introduces patients to community partners such as restaurants, chefs, health coaches and martial arts instructors as resources for healthy lifestyle changes.
The clinic opened in 2017, and Dr. Swathi Rao is owner and medical director. She said her dream was to create a practice dedicated to partnering with patients on their medical journeys.
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WE ARE ALSO PROUD TO BE RECOGNIZED AS ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S CENTRAL PARTNER OF THE YEAR
“Oftentimes, you’ll go to family practices when you’re sick or once a year for a physical, but we are striving to find risk factors and treat them before disease happens,” Rao said. “We have much longer office visits with our patients and spend a lot of time getting to know them when they’re healthy, so they don’t get sick.”
The practice’s motto is to “Eat, sleep, move and cook well to be well.” The facility has a kitchen and offers cooking classes, yoga, discussions and a variety of events.
“We do group visits where we cook with our patients and have move-well visits with them,” Rao said. “We bring in local community partners that offer different ways to exercise, eat healthy and de-stress, and we do those classes
with our patients during the day or in the evening as group visits. For our patients, we bill those to insurance, but we invite nonpatients to come and join us in those classes as well.”
Rao said making the relationship between staff at Be Well Family Care into a partnership sets them apart from other area facilities.
“I think a lot of doctors are very authoritative, and we really try to meet patients where they are,” Rao said. “I feel like I only have a limited amount of time with patients to tell them how to improve their life and if I can use that time to help them understand what they need to change in their life, whether it be sleeping, stressing, eating or moving, then that impacts what we’re doing here. It motivates them to make changes, and they understand why they need to make those changes.”
For more, visit bewellfamilycare.com.
The teaching kitchen at Be Well Family Care. (Photo courtesy of Be Well Family Care)
CUSTOM HOME BUILDER
Old Town
Design Group
oldtowndesigngroup.com 317-816-3151
Wedgewood Building Company wedgewoodbc.com 317-669-6300
The Dink House thedinkhouse.com 317-564-0303 The Picklr thepicklr.com 317-936-3465
SHOOTING RANGE
The Shooting Academy formerly Tims ShootingAcademy timsshootingacademy.com 317-399-7918
Atlanta Conservation Club atlantaconservationclub.com SPA Woodhouse Spa carmel.woodhousespas.com 317-706-1300
Carmel Salt Caves carmelsaltcaves.com 317-533-1485
Noblesville junior forward’s improvement leads to honors
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Noblesville High School girls basketball coach Donna Buckley is convinced junior forward CC Quigley deserves all the honors she’s received.
“She had a great year for us,” Buckley said.
“She worked hard to be a really good post option as well as a player who could step out and shoot the 3-pointer. She really improved her shooting range from last season. Her efforts have been rewarded with postseason awards. She was named to the All-Hoosier Crossroads Conference’s first team and Indiana Basketball Coaches Association
Large School All-State honorable mention.”
Quigley, whose name is Caroline Cynthia Quigley but has been called CC since she was a baby, averaged 11 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for the Millers (19-5). She shot 55 percent from the field. She averaged 9.7 ppg and 5.2 rpg as a sophomore. After not taking a 3-pointer as a sopho-
CC QUIGLEY
Favorite TV show: “Gossip Girl.”
Favorite vacation spot: Costa Rica
Favorite athlete: Aja Wilson
Favorite subject: Photography
Favorite musician: Taylor Swift
more, she made 6 of 21 for 29 percent last season.
“I think I improved by creating a post presence for my team and also expanded my range by shooting more 3s,” Quigley said.
The 6-foot-2 forward plays for the Indiana Basketball Club on the 17U 3SSB team.
“My goals for the offseason are to drive to the basket more and work on creating my own shot,” she said.
The Millers will return three starters from this year’s team, which lost to Class
4A No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern in the sectional final.
“I am optimistic for my team next year with us each stepping into new roles,” Quigley said. “I am excited to play with this group and am looking forward to next season.”
Buckley said Quigley is working on being a more vocal leader.
“I’m sure she will be a more vocal leader as a senior,” Buckley said.
Quigley started playing basketball in sixth grade.
“I played travel soccer for five years and also ran track in eighth grade,” she said. However, she found her passion for basketball.
“I love the competitiveness and intensity of the sport and being able to play and work together with my teammates and friends,” she said.
Quigley has NCAA Division I scholarship offers from Kent State University, University of Buffalo, Wright State University and Central Michigan University.
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
Noblesville High School junior forward CC Quigley was named to the All-Hoosier Crossroads Conference’s first team. (Photo courtesy of Miller Athletics)
Quigley
‘FUR’
COMMUNITY’S SAKE
Humane Society for Boone County offers hope for a home for pets
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
For the volunteers at the Humane Society for Boone County, caring for animals is synonymous with caring for the community.
“We are a no-kill shelter (and) we are primarily volunteer run. We do not get any tax dollars,” Humane Society for Boone County Executive Director Kristen Pulice said. “Everything that we do here is because of the generosity of the community. We do get very small grants from other dog or animal-related programs, but they’re small. Everything really comes from the community. And that’s a lot of work for us to garner that support and raise that money. That is why we (host) events, so that we can continue to do our mission.”
Pulice said the organization operates differently from large-scale Humane Society services. Although the Humane Society for Hamilton County operates a large facility capable of caring for dozens of cats and dogs waiting for homes, in Boone County, the facility has less than a dozen kennels for dogs and a cat room for the handful of felines housed at the building..
“We’re a little different,” Pulice said. “We have a foster program, so most of our animals are in foster care which is great because they’re not stuck in a kennel. We will have (about) 10 to 12 dogs here and six to eight cats, but all the other animals are in foster care. We have probably over 60 dogs in foster and over 30 or more cats in foster. We’re very lucky that we have that option.”
Unlike larger facilities where people can visit during regular hours to meet with an animal, those interested in adopting a cat or dog reach out to the Humane Society’s animal leads. From there, people are connected with foster families who will either bring the animal to the Humane Society for Boone County facility or set up a “play date” somewhere for a meet and greet.
Like most facilities that offer pet adoption, the Humane Society asks that all family members attend that meet and greet. And for good reason.
“Sometimes, let’s say, if the parents come to see the animal and then they
don’t bring the kids, that dog might have a reaction or might not get along well with kids,” Pulice said. “Kids might (play too rough). So, you’ve got to slow down. And sometimes, it’s just not a right fit. You can sometimes tell right away if this person is not going to like this dog and then that’s going to be a problem. Maybe mom and dad love the dog, but grandpa hates the dog. So, how is that going to work out in your family? So, it’s to weed out what’s potentially going to be, because you want the dog or cat to succeed in the home. You don’t want to have them come back.”
The organization recently wrapped up its largest fundraiser of the year — The Fur Ball — raising money for operational needs that keep the animals safe, happy and healthy.
“All the money will go toward not only operations but also to various programs that we have here,” Pulice said. “We have a volunteer program; we have an outreach program; we have a community assistance
program that helps those that own pets that need help to spay and neutering them. It helps with the day-to-day care — food, medicines, all of it. Everything that happens in this organization is what this money helps.”
Pulice said even for those who are not interested in adopting an animal, supporting the shelter reaches well beyond the animals.
“We do a lot more than just animal work,” she said. “This work is really a lot about people, too. When somebody comes in that has to surrender an animal, it’s hard and there’s tears and there’s a lot of emotion involved in some of this.”
Pulice also said the Humane Society for Boone County assists people who might be going through personal hardships by offering assistance to keep their pets in their homes.
“We have a pet pantry,” she said. “We give people food for their animals so they don’t have to sacrifice keeping their dog
ABOUT THE HUMANE SOCIETY FOR BOONE COUNTY
The Humane Society for Boone County is a nonprofit dedicated to the animal welfare, rescue and education in Boone County.
The shelter — operated with the help of donors and volunteers — is a managed admission shelter, with a policy
that guides the acceptance of surrendered animals.
The Humane Society for Boone County is not associated with nor receives any financial support from the Humane Society of the United States. Learn more at hsforbc.org,
or (running out of their own food). We’re helping animals, but we’re also helping the community and the people in the community that need the help.”
Besides raising funds at the Fur Ball, the Humane Society for Boone County is hosting two major campaigns.
“We’re looking to get funding for a new play yard in the back (of the facility),” Pulice said. “Right now, we have kind of a hot mess of yuck, mud, muck, all the stuff back there. It’s not safe for our volunteers and it’s not safe for the dogs, because the dogs will run, and they can hurt their paws. So, we want that for safety and obviously for health reasons, too.”
The $65,000 campaign aims to replace the current open-space yard with a low-maintenance play structure and artificial turf.
The organization’s second campaign is to raise $55,000 in funds for a new outreach vehicle. The society’s transport van — The Furrari — recently broke down and is no longer operational. The van is used to bring adoptable pets to events throughout the year; pick up pets in need of care; and serves as a low-cost mobile vaccine clinic.
Pulice said the Humane Society for Boone County provides a critical service for pets — and their caregivers.
“Obviously, animals have no voice,” she said. “We want to be the voice for those animals that need help. People should know that animals, in fact, do suffer. And so sometimes we think of them as just animals. They’re on the side of the road. They’ll be fine. It’s cold out. Nope, they suffer. So, we want to be able to be there (and) raise money so that they know that there’s a safe place for them. They can get the care they need, and we can find them forever homes and loving homes.”
The Humane Society for Boone County will host an adoption event from noon to 3 p.m. March 22 at the shelter facility, 5366 S. Indianapolis Rd. in Whitestown, just west of I-65.
ON THE COVER: The Humane Society for Boone County will host an adoption event from noon to 3 p.m. March 22 at the shelter facility, 5366 S. Indianapolis Rd. in Whitestown. (Photo courtesy of Humane Society for Boone County)
Bella, a resident of the Humane Society for Boone County, enjoys a day in the sun. (Photos courtesy of Humane Society for Boone County) The Humane Society for Boone County facility includes outdoor dog runs.
Drummer Palmer brings music of ELP to the Palladium
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Emerson, Lake & Palmer is considered a pioneer of progressive rock.
The English supergroup formed in 1970 with keyboardist Keith Emerson, guitarist-vocalist Greg Lake and drummer Carl Palmer.
Emerson and Lake died in 2016, but Palmer is making sure the music lives on with the “An Evening with Emerson, Lake & Palmer” tour, which stops at 8 p.m. March 21 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
Palmer, who turns 75 March 20, plays drums with actual footage of his late bandmates on screens.
“It’s all in perfect sync. It’s something we’ve been working on for a long time,” he said. “We’ve played some classic songs like ‘Lucky Man,’ ‘From the Beginning,’ Welcome Back My Friends’ and ‘Paper Blood.’ It’s a great thrill playing with Keith and Greg again.”
The footage is from a DVD recording of a 1992 concert at Royal Albert Hall in London.
“We just removed the drums,” Palmer said. “The audio tracks were recorded separately, completely separately to the visuals, which meant I could edit all the visuals to get me out of the frame. Then I could replace the drums, which means, technically, (the concert) is being mixed live in every hall.”
Simon Fitzpatrick on bass and Chapman Stick and Paul Bielatowicz on guitar provide live support.
“It’s quite an immersive experience,” Palmer said. “It’s very new and no one else is really doing it in this capacity. I’m playing about six pieces with Keith and Greg. That part runs about 50 minutes. Simon plays ‘Pictures at an Exhibition.’ It’s quite an interesting show.”
Palmer plays “Tarkus” with Fitzpatrick and Bielatowicz. There are guitar and
Chapman Stick solos. There are three screens.
“We can take one of the screens and we can show some vintage footage of that time period,” Palmer said.
Palmer said one of the more time-consuming parts was removing himself from all the footage on the DVD. It took eight to 10 weeks of editing, two to four days each week.
“The first three weeks were a little difficult because seeing these guys on my computer was a little strange,” Palmer said. “It was emotional. But I didn’t want to use a hologram. I wanted to use these guys at their best and this is Keith Emerson and Greg Lake at their best. I think it’s the way they would have wanted it, which is even more important.”
Palmer said he ran the whole project by the families of Emerson and Lake to get their blessing, which he received.
“They love it,” Palmer said of the concerts, which began in late 2022.
“It’s got a quality to it. It’s genuine. It’s real. We’re getting a cross demographic. We’re getting some people in their late 20s. (Maybe) grandfather was a fan to start off with. I’m really enjoying it and
it’s great having Simon and Paul out there and playing the rest of the catalog with them.”
Palmer said he found a couple of other pieces he could add to the show but wants to check with the families first.
“We’re improving it all the time. It’s an ongoing project,” he said.
Palmer said he uses AI to clean up some of the graininess on the footage and get it in sync.
“Technology has been on my side,” Palmer said. “This is laying down a blueprint. I’m sure there will be other people if they are fortunate enough to have the material, the videos, the audio lines, other people might follow this way.”
Palmer was a member of Atomic Rooster and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown before ELP formed. He later became a founding member of Asia in 1981. ELP reunited in 1991 and recorded two more albums and toured between 1992 and 1998. The group’s final performance was in 2010 to mark its 40th anniversary.
For more, visit carlpalmer.com. For tickets, visit elptickets.com and thecenterpresents.org.
‘JERSEY BOYS’
“Jersey Boys” runs through April 13 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
CIVIC THEATRE
Civic Theatre presents “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” through March 29 at the Studio Theater at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre. org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
“I Want My 80s: A Totally Tubular Party” is set for March 20, followed by “Indy Nights with Ryan Ahlwardt and Friends” March 21 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Both performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
‘BOOKSTORE’
The Cat presents “Bookstore” from March 21 to 30 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.
TEGE HOLT
Carmel High School junior Tege Holt will hold an official album release party and performance at 7 p.m. March 20 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
GRUPO NICHE
Grupo Niche, a Colombian salsa orchestra, will perform at 8 p.m. March 22 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.
INDY OPERA
Indianapolis Opera’s 50th Anniversary gala concert is set for 7:30 p.m. March 22 at Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit indyopera.org.
DISPATCH
Marx to headline Center Celebration gala — Singer-songwriter Richard Marx will deliver a solo performance as headliner for the Sept. 20 Center Celebration 2025 presented by Ice Miller, the annual gala fundraiser for Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org
Drummer Carl Palmer will perform An Evening with Emerson, Lake & Palmer concert March 21 at the Palladium in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Carl Palmer)
Singer true to the blues
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
ZZ Ward was born into the blues.
“My dad did a deep dive into the blues with his garage cover band, discovering Muddy Waters, Big Mama Thornton and Son House,” she said. “I was daddy’s girl and impressionable. He and my mom would listen to blues records around the house and it’s what I grew up with. My dad would always encourage me to sing in front of people.”
By age 12, she was performing on stage with him.
Ward, 38, will perform as part of her “Dirty Sun” tour at 8 p.m. March 25 at The Tobias Theater inside Newfields in Indianapolis.
Her fourth album, “Liberation,” was due to be released March 14 by her label Dirty Shine and Sun Records. “Liberation” is a mix of covers and original songs. Dirty Shine has become a name for her fan base.
“It’s something that means being your
ZZ Ward will perform March 25 at The Tobias Theater at Newfields in Indianapolis (Photo courtesy of Charlie Ward)
authentic self, even if you don’t quite fit in,” Ward said. “Even if it’s dirty or rough around the edge, it means shining and being yourself.”
Ward, whose first name is Zsuzsanna, was familiar with Sun Records’ history.
“I knew a lot of the artists on Sun Records — Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Howlin’ Wolf and the legacy of Sun Records,” she said. “I made the album independently before a call from Sun Records was interested. It made perfect sense for the place I am in my music career.”
For more, visit tobiastheater.com.
‘Bagrock’ lands in Carmel
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
It’s billed as bagpipes with an attitude.
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are bringing their unique brand of “bagrock” to The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel for a concert at 7 p.m. March 23.
PERFORMANCE
The band mixes bagpipes with the covers of popular songs from all genres.
The band is known for performing reimagined classics like “Amazing Grace” and “The Hills of Argyll” or rocked-up anthems such as Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and AC/ DC’s “Thunderstruck.”
Willie Armstrong co-founded the Scotland band in 2002. The group’s popularity took off after winning the BBC talent show, “When Will I be Famous?” in 2007.
The nine-piece group features bagpipes, guitars, keyboards and drums. It recently released its ninth album, “Back to Roots,” which gives a nod to its original bagpipe roots with an added rock element. Armstrong said the group performs more than 200 shows annually.
Willie Armstrong is a cofounder of Red Hot Chilli Pipers. (Photo courtesy of Kerr Armstrong)
“We remain on tour constantly in America in this time period,” Armstrong said. “Nowadays, you can’t rely on your royalties and making money from your recorded albums because of the Spotify influence.
Armstrong said the group invites feedback from the audience on what songs they enjoyed the most.
“The show is always evolving and making sure the audience is getting looked after (is important) because they’re the ones that spent the money on the tickets and spent the time to travel to see the band,” he said.
For more, visit rhcp.scot. For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org.
Blueprint for Improvement: Zionsville master bath transformation
Commentary by Larry Greene
Built on 3 acres in Hunt Country Preserve, this home by Brad Bowman of Homes by Design needed a primary bathroom update to match its grandeur. Through a thoughtful renovation blending modern elegance with timeless charm, the result is a stunning space that enhances both aesthetics and functionality. The transformation has created a luxurious and inviting retreat, providing the homeowners with a serene sanctuary that elevates their daily experience.
THE BLUEPRINT
• The once dark and dated bathroom now boasts a sophisticated, airy design.
• Rich wood cabinetry was swapped for light oak, enhancing the soft, metallic plaster walls and adding depth as they shift in color with the light.
• The addition of gold accents, sleek mirrors and elegant lighting brings warmth and luxury.
• A refined quartzite backsplash and spacious double vanity create a spa-like retreat.
• Every detail was thoughtfully curated, turning this space into a timeless sanctuary.
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.
After
LIFESTYLE
Across
1. Prejudice
5. Butler frat letter
10. Ind., for one
14. Civil rights org.
15. Sophia of “Two Women”
16. Geist Reservoir marker
17. Hoosier Park jockey’s control
18. In debt
19. Ready, willing and ___
20. Two-time Masters champ
23. Celtics, on a Pacers scoreboard
24. Sales pitch
25. Caribbean island
27. Indiana State Fair wool-
ly beast
31. Slowly, in music
34. Letters before QIA+
37. Poses
39. Sow’s sound
40. ___ de cologne
41. “It’d be my pleasure”
43. Old AT&T rival 44. Set securely
CONSUME
Your northside guide to the most outstanding restaurants, bars, breweries and coffee shops publishing April 22
Delivered to 131,191 households in Carmel, Fishers, Geist, Noblesville, North Indy, Westfield, Zionsville and North Indy via U.S. Mail, you may seize this opportunity to reach a wide audience at an affordable price and explore the best tips and listings to make the most of your dining options. For advertisings opportunities by email ads@youarecurrent.com or call 317.489.4444
Space reservations due: Ad content due: Advertorial content due: April 11, 2025 April 14, 2025 April 14, 2025
46. Mideast title
47. ZCHS transcript stats
48. Nonconformists
50. The “)” in :-)
52. Similar
54. Tarkington play place
58. Caribou’s kin
60. Name on frozen ground beef patties at Meijer
64. Meaningless
66. Sierra ___
67. Deserve
68. Pressing need
69. Danish currency
70. PNC Bank machines
71. Fishers HS mid-term exam, e.g.
72. Guitar attachment
73. “___ we forget” Down
1. Zingers
2. Freeze over
3. Suspect’s defense
4. Snowbird’s destination
5. Road sign
6. Big Ten university
7. Pluck
8. High-IQ set
9. Kind of wool
10. Pacers’ first org.
11. Seafood chain inspired by a Hanks film
12. Tie type
13. Shapiro’s loaves
21. 100 percent
22. Gentle push
26. Noblesville’s Silver Dol-
lar, e.g.
28. Syst. with hand gestures
29. 1,760 yards
30. Physics units
32. Ancient Peruvian
Indiana’s “Star City”
33. Big name in elevators
34. Creepy look
35. Colts event
36. New burrito place on East 82nd Street
38. Do laps at the Carmel Waterpark
41. Go off script
42. X-ray alternative
45. White River snaky fish
47. “You can’t be serious!” 49. Moves stealthily
51. Baton Rouge sch.
53. “Your Movie Sucks” author
55. Precious stone
56. Lysol target
57. ___ & Young (accounting firm)
58. Give off
59. Traditional tales
61. Uncultured one
62. Palindromic girl’s name
63. Horn sound
65. Explosive letters Answers on Page 19
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