Early voting – The Carmel Clay Public Library will serve as an early voting site. Hours are 2 to 7 p.m. May 1 and 2 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 and 4. Primary Election Day is May 7. Learn more at hamiltoncounty.in.gov/222/Current-Election-Information.
Carmel tops Midwest rankings – SmartAsset has ranked Carmel as the No. 1 city in the Midwest to raise a family. To compile the rankings, researchers looked at housing costs, poverty rates, unemployment and other metrics. Learn more at smartasset.com/checking-account/best-places-to-raise-a-family-midwest-2019.
National Day of Prayer – The annual National Day of Prayer event will take place from noon to 1 p.m. May 2 at the Carmel City Hall Gazebo at 1 Civic Square. This year’s theme is “Love One Another,” and people from all faith traditions are welcome. In case of rain, the event will be moved inside City Hall. Learn more at nationaldayofprayer.org or by contacting event chair Dave Forbes at [email protected].
CCPR promotion – Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation has named Eric Mehl recreation and facilities director. Mehl has worked with CCPR for nine years and most recently served as the Monon Community Center assistant director. Mehl’s responsibilities include logistics and operations throughout the park system.
Theft suspect sought – Carmel police are searching for a suspect who allegedly stole a cart full of merchandise at 8:42 p.m. March 23 from Meijer on West Carmel Drive. The subject is described as an African American male who is 5’9” and 190 pounds with short hair, a beard and a pierced left ear. He was wearing dark clothing with a black jacket. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Carmel Police Dept. at 317-571-2500 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
Holocaust remembrance – The City of Carmel will hold the 2019 Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony at noon May 3 at The Tarkington Theater, 3 Center Green. Holocaust survivor Esther Davidson will speak on “Never Again!” Davidson’s parents turned her care over to an elderly Polish woman before fleeing Poland during World War II. The family as reunited after the war ended. The program is free and open to the public.
Golden Hoosier Award – Nominations are being accepted for the 2019 Golden Hoosier award. The award honors Hoosier senior citizens for their lifetime of service and commitment to their communities. To be eligible, nominees must be an Indiana resident, age 65 or older and have been a volunteer in the community for the past three years. The deadline for submitting applications is April 29. Learn more and submit nominations at in.gov/lg/2532.htm.
Tennis camps – The sixth annual Clay Middle School Tennis Camp will return this summer. Elementary camp weeks are July 1 and 8, and incoming middle school camp week is July 22. Learn more at tiny.cc/0myx4y.
Veterans Hall of Fame – The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame seeking nominations for its sixth class of veteran honorees. The nonprofit organization honors Hoosier veterans for service during and after active duty. Up to 15 veterans will be honored for military service achievements and/or community contributions. The criteria and nomination packet are at imvhof.com/nominate. Nominations will be accepted through Aug. 1.
Ladies tea – Fellowship in Christ Church, 310 N. Range Line Rd., will host Coffee, Tea, and Thee for ladies from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. This is open to all women in the community and there is no cost to attend.
Creative writers meetings – Carmel Creative Writers wants to give writers of all levels and genres the opportunity to network, learn and share. Join us for our meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Hoosier Salon, 22 N. Range Line Rd. Guest speakers, a yearly anthology, and input on your writing samples are all part of our meetings. For more, email [email protected].
Newcomers Club – Newcomers Club of Carmel, a nonprofit social club, connects its members with friends, engages in fun activities and explores the community. Monthly activities include a welcome coffee, a luncheon event and 32 interest group meetings. Membership represents Carmel, Westfield, Fishers, Noblesville, Zionsville and Indianapolis. For more, visit carmelnewcomers.com or call 317-564-8349.
CCPR promotions – Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation has named Jennifer Brown as Extended School Enrichment and Summer Camp Series director. She has worked with the organization for 12 years and most recently served as the ESE and SCS assistant director. In addition, Tiffany Buckingham was promoted to ESE and SCS assistant director and Jackie Lazdins was hired as ESE and SCS administrative assistant.
New council districts – As a result of redistricting approved by the Carmel City Council in 2018, approximately 25 percent of Carmel precincts will move to a different district in 2020. Candidates are running in the new districts in the May 7 primary elections. Voters may visit carmel.in.gov/our-government/city-council/carmel-city-council-district-maps to see a map of the new districts.
Home sales rise – Homes in Carmel are flying off the market at increased prices. According to F.C. Tucker, the average sale price for homes sold in Carmel in March 2019 was $426,204 at an average of $155.69 per square foot, a 9 percent price increase. Homes in the city sold 18 days faster than this time last year at 57 days.
Merchants hits milestone – Mortgage banking firm Merchants Capital has reached a major milestone. As of Dec. 28, 2018, Merchants Capital, formerly PR Mortgage & Investments, now services loans in excess of $10 billion for Merchants Bank and other investors. Since its inception in 1990, Merchants Capital has originated and closed more than $13.8 billion in loans. In 2018 alone, Merchants Capital – which will move into its new headquarters in Carmel this year – closed approximately 207 loans and generated nearly $2.6 billion in new loan production nationwide. Learn more at merchantscapital.com.
Allstate gives back – Four local Allstate representatives recently earned $1,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grants for area nonprofits. They include Carmel Allstate agency owner Ranj Puthran, who will support the Carmel Clay Public Library Foundation; Carmel Allstate financial specialist Roy Lederman, who will support the Jefferson Awards for Public Service; and Patrick Terry, Sr., who will support Eagle Creek Little League.
Carmel attorney appointed – Carmel resident and Riley Bennett Egloff partner Kathleen Hart has been appointed to the board of directors of the Indiana Federal Community Defenders for a three-year term. IFCD’s mission is to provide high-quality, client-centered representation to indigent defendants charged with a federal crime and provide resources and training to Federal Criminal Justice Act panel attorneys.
Round Room announces promotions –Carmel-based Round Room LLC, the largest Verizon authorized retailer in the U.S., recently announced that Chad Jensen has been named president of the company’s wireless division and Katie Wiley has been promoted to chief strategy officer. Round Room leads and invests in companies serving the wireless industry and operates 1,160 TCC and Wireless Zone stores across 41 states. For more information on Round Room and its portfolio of companies, visit RoundRoom.com.
Counties ranked by generosity – SmartAsset, a financial technology company, recently conducted a study on which Indiana counties donate the most money. The study measured how much people donate as a percentage of their net income and the number of people giving charitable donations in the county. Hamilton County ranked first. Boone County was second.
IMCU benefits CHS athletics – Indiana Members Credit Union recently presented a check for $1,865 to Carmel High School as part of an ongoing school spirit debit card program. The partnership allows Carmel fans the opportunity to show their school spirit and support the athletic program by signing up for a Carmel Greyhounds-themed debit card. Learn more at imcu.com.
