Tinsel & Tails goes virtual — The Humane Society for Hamilton County has canceled the in-person portion of the Tinsel & Tails gala scheduled for Nov. 19. HSHC already planned on offering a virtual option for Tinsel & Tails in addition to the in-person gala. Since the in-person gala was canceled, all efforts will be shifted to the virtual event. Event emcees Dean Metcalf and Jamie Little will present the event from 502 Event Centre at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19. The virtual portion of the event is free to watch, but HSHC encourages interested attendees to register to bid on silent auction items. Learn more and register at visit hamiltonhumane.com/programs/events/tinsel-tails/tinsel-from-home.
Jubilee Spree Sale — The Jubilee Spree Sale is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 20 and 21 at Carmel Christian Church, 463 E. Main St. Items for sale are handmade by women in Western Kenya, and proceeds will be used to support them through the Jubilee Village Project.
Arts grant applications — The City of Carmel is seeking applications for 2021 City Arts Grants, a program designed to support local arts organizations. Since 2004, more than $13.6 million in arts grants has been awarded. The deadline for the initial round of applications is Nov. 20. Find a copy of the 2021 Arts Grant Application on the City of Carmel website at carmel.in.gov/our-government/mayor/carmel-arts-grants.
No Shave November — Officers and employees of the Carmel Police Dept. are participating in No-Shave November to raise awareness about cancer and collect donations to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. CPD’s fundraising goal this year is $5,000. CPD Chief Jim Barlow is relaxing the department’s grooming standards regarding facial hair for employees that make monetary donations. Family, friends, and members of the community are also welcomed to donate. Donations can be made at charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/carmel-police-department-no-shave-november-2020 or by dropping off cash or checks.
Donut 5K race moves — The Donut 5K will relocate from Carmel to downtown Indianapolis for its 14th running. The event is set for 9 a.m. Dec. 19 in Military Park, 601 W. New York St. A post-race party will take place at Metazoa Brewing. A virtual race option is also available, with participants receiving a race hat, shirt and medal. Learn more at Donut5KRun.com.
Bulk item pickup fee increase — Republic Services has increased its fee for bulk item pickup from $10 to $20 and raised the fee for bulky landscape waste from $10 to $45 per pickup. This does not affect the free weekly pickup of up to 20 bags or bundles of landscape waste offered from Oct. 15 to Dec. 15 and in April and May. Schedule bulk item or bulky landscape pickups by calling 317-917-7300.
Operation Belt Up — The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is conducting Operation Belt Up through Nov. 29. The overtime patrols, occurring statewide in the top 30 Indiana counties for unrestrained crashes, are funded through National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds. Indiana law requires everyone in the vehicle to wear a seat belt. To learn more about Hamilton County Traffic Safety Partnership, visit hamiltoncounty.in.gov/502/Traffic-Safety.
Modern Woodman program — Jordan E. Kartman of Carmel, administrative assistant for Modern Woodmen of America, has completed a three-day educational program through the organization’s home office in Rock Island, Ill. The program provided an introduction to Modern Woodmen, exposure to home office departmental operations and functions and basic computer training. Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal financial services organization that offers financial products and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.
Invasive species ranking — The Hamilton County Invasives Partnership recently released results of a survey ranking the most problematic invasive species across the county. The top five spots in the ranking went to Asian bush honeysuckle, Callery pear, wintercreeper, Canada thistle and garlic mustard. Learn more and view complete results at hamiltonswcd.org/hamilton-county-invasives-partnership-hip.html.
Best and Brightest nominations — Junior Achievement of Central Indiana is seeking nominations for its 17 annual Indy’s Best and Brightest event, which will honor 100 of central Indiana’s most outstanding young professionals, age 40 and younger, in 10 industry categories. One winner from each category will be announced in March 2021. Visit indysbestandbrightest.org to make a nomination through Nov. 20.
Scholarships available — Midwest Academy has scholarship opportunities available for children in third through fifth grade. The population MWA serves generally includes students diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, high-functioning autism, receptive and/or expansive language or processing challenges resulting in school anxiety. A major change like remote learning can be extremely challenging for a student who has come to feel safe in their school environment. For more information about admissions at Midwest Academy, contact Katie Erdmanis at [email protected].
Comprehensive plan update –The City of Carmel’s Dept. of Community Services is launching a new update of the comprehensive plan for the city’s growth that will guide city planners and decision makers for the next decade or longer. The last update took place about 11 years ago. The public may provide feedback to guide the new plan by taking a survey at surveymonkey.com/r/GQNNTKJ.
Legislative internships — Applications are open for paid internships with the Indiana State Democratic Caucus. Interns are assigned to assist legislators and staff as they expand their knowledge of the Indiana General Assembly and legislative process. For more information and to learn how to apply, visit indianasenatedemocrats.org/opportunities/internships.
Free math, science homework help — Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s free AskRose homework helpline is available to help middle and high school students get a head start on understanding their math and science homework problems through a simple phone call, email or chat session. Rose-Hulman students are available Sunday through Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. during the school year to help youth in grades 6 through 12 review math and science concepts. Connections can be made at 877-275-7673 or AskRose.org.
4-H Photo Challenge – The 4-H Photo Challenge is open to youth in third through 12thgrade. Participants should take photos fitting the monthly theme and submit entries online at bit.ly/hamco4hcameracorp by the last day of the month. Monthly themes for 2020 include: November – Occupations; December – Holiday Happenings.
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.
Home sales — It was a seller’s market in Carmel in October 2020, with home prices increasing and homes leaving the market quickly. According to F.C. Tucker Company, the Carmel average home sale price was $510,240, a 23.6 percent increase compared to this time last year. Carmel homes also sold quickly, leaving the market 24 days faster than in October 2019. The average price per square foot for a home in Carmel also increased 13 percent, to $176.33, compared to this time last year.
New vice president — Nonprofit executive search firm Talbott Talent recently welcomed Erica Poff as its new vice president. Poff will implement internal business practices, contribute to company strategy, and manage nonprofit executive search and consulting projects, among other duties.
Centier Bank honored — Centier Bank has been recognized as the top-ranked “Best Bank to Work For” in the state of Indiana by American Banker. For each of the past eight years, Centier Bank has placed alongside financial institutions across the country on the nationwide list. Centier Bank also ranked 11th out of 85 banks in the U.S. American Banker publication creates the list based on extensive employee surveys and reviews employer benefits and policies.
Carmel business acquired — TA Services, a premier full-service logistics provider, completed the acquisition of certain assets of Top Gun Freight, Inc., a freight brokerage business in Carmel. As part of this acquisition, owner and President of Top Gun Freight Thomas Hosack will join TA Services as vice president of business development.
CE Solutions promotions — Carmel-based CE Solutions recently announced several promotions. Carrie Walden and Chip Bradway have been promoted to senior project manager positions, and Heather Cox has been promoted to director of marketing and client relations.
Board member appointed — Leonardo247, which specializes in remote monitoring of onsite multifamily operations, announced that Chief Operating Officer Suellen McFarling has joined its board of directors. McFarling, a Carmel resident, is the first woman to achieve this level of leadership in the company’s history. McFarling brings more than 20 years of proptech experience to the seven-person board.
COO appointed — Birmingham technology consultancy and software development firm MotionMobs has named Emily Hart, a Carmel High School and Samford University graduate, as chief operating officer. Hart has been with MotionMobs for six years and joined the company’s board in 2019.
Business name change — As a result of being acquired by O’Donnell and Naccarato in late 2019, Carmel-based McComas Engineering has changed its name to McComas/O’Donnell & Naccarato. Learn more at o-n.com/mccomas-engineering-joins-odonnell-naccarato/.
Mortgage loan officer appointed — Justin Schreiber has been appointed mortgage loan officer at Centier’s Carmel Branch. Schreiber joined Centier Bank in August, bringing with him more than seven years of experience in retail banking and online mortgage lending. He is NMLS licensed, as well as a licensed notary in the State of Indiana. The Westfield resident is an alumnus of Indiana University in Bloomington and holds a bachelor of science degree in management and a certificate in finance.
Attorney re-elected — Indianapolis attorney and Carmel resident Mark W. Rutherford was unanimously re-elected chair of the Indiana Public Defender Commission for a two-year term. He has chaired the commission since 2007 and has served as a gubernatorial appointment to the commission under three governors. Rutherford is a shareholder at the Indianapolis law firm of Thrasher, Buschmann, and Voelkel, PC, where he focuses his practice on business law, business defense, litigation, and election law.
Real estate stats — The residential real estate market in Carmel accelerated in September. According to F.C. Tucker Company, the average home sale price in Carmel increased 19.4 percent, to $466,817, compared to September 2019. Homes in Carmel also left the market very quickly, selling 11 days faster than this time last year. The average price per square foot for a Carmel home increased 5 percent to $159.05 compared to September 2019.
New leader selected — Carmel-based public accounting firm Katz, Sapper & Miller recently announced the election of Tim Cook, a 17-year KSM veteran, as its next firm leader. Cook will succeed managing partner David Resnick, effective Jan. 1, 2021. As KSM’s new CEO and president and the first non-CPA to lead the 78-year-old firm, Cook will draw on both his training as an attorney and his experience growing two highly successful practices within the firm. Resnick will succeed Curt Miller, one of KSM’s namesakes, as chair of the board.
Uplift nominated for honor — Uplift Intimate Apparel in Carmel City Center is one of more than 300 nominees for the 2020 Best Retail Award by Intima Magazine, the global premiere industry magazine. The award ceremony will be a virtual event on Aug. 2. The recognition is given to the best performing lingerie specialty stores in North America under a variety of categories. Judging of the finalists is done by a professional jury composed of both domestic and international famous lingerie brands.
Bank offers educational series online — Centier Bank has launched the bank’s online financial educational series, “Centier To You,” online. Centier has hosted in-person community events about financial wellness and education in the past—at branches, local libraries and other locations in communities across the state. But now, Centier is offering the series online, so visitors can access them on their own time, from anywhere. The site contains financial tips, exercises and information on identity theft, homebuying, credit and more. Learn more at centier.com/financial-education.
Christmas Remembrance — Franciscan Health and Franciscan Hospice Bereavement are hosting a virtual online “Christmas Remembrance” at 7 p.m. Dec. 10. The event includes Christmas music performed by a guest soloist, the singing of Christmas carols, a guest ventriloquist for children and candle-lighting ceremony. Family members will also share their stories of loss, grief and healing. The event is free, but registration is encouraged at FrandiscanHealth.org/events and search “Remembrance Memorial.” For more information, contact Karla Riggs Norton at [email protected], or 317-528-2636.
Blood donations needed — Versiti Blood Center of Indiana is issuing an emergency appeal for blood donations as communities throughout the state face a potential crisis. Ideally, Versiti strives for a three-day supply of blood available to its partner hospitals. Schools and businesses are typically Versiti’s largest source of blood donations this time of year. Because of remote work and virtual schooling, many of those drives have been canceled. Compared to an average year, Versiti is down more than 50 percent in donations – or nearly 20,000 units of blood – from those key contributors. Blood donations may be made in Carmel at 726 Adams St., Suite 150. Make an appointment and view blood drives at donate.indiana.versiti.org.
COVID-19 complaint line — The Hamilton County Health Dept. has established a COVID-19 complaint line at 317-776-8237. Callers are asked to limit complaints to employees and staff at restaurants, bars and food stores not complying with the mask mandate. Complaints related to patrons of these establishments should be directed to the business owner.
Hospice volunteers needed – Anew Hospice is recruiting volunteers to visit patients in facilities in Carmel, Noblesville and elsewhere in the Indianapolis area. Volunteers provide assistance by listening and reminiscing, comforting, reading and playing music. For more information, call 317-300-2292 or visit AnewCare.com.
