Indefinite city closures — As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, Mayor Jim Brainard has extended the closure of City Hall until further notice. The mayor will continue to closely monitor the situation and determine if City Hall can safely be reopened to the public in the coming months. In the meantime, all city services will continue and meetings will be held virtually unless specifically noted otherwise. The Household Hazardous Waste Center is also closed indefinitely.
Feed the Frontlines returns — Carmel is gearing back up its Feed the Frontlines initiative to help provide hot meals from local restaurants to frontline workers at IU Health North and Ascension St. Vincent Carmel Hospitals. Feed the Frontlines Carmel launched in April but was suspended in late May when the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations subsided. The program remains funded through community donations collected in the spring. The City of Carmel is partnering with the Rotary Club of Carmel and Rotary District 6560 Foundation to coordinate the program. Restaurants interested in participating may contact Teresa Lewis at [email protected].
Women in government — Laura Merrifield Wilson, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis, will examine why women are underrepresented in government during a virtual presentation set for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. The event is presented by the League of Women Voters of Hamilton County and the Westfield Washington Public Library. Register for the free event at eventbrite.com/e/have-we-come-a-long-way-baby-tickets-128287761147.
TriCo moves to new office — TriCo Regional Sewer Utility has consolidated its staff into a renovated and expanded 7,500-square-foot office at 7236 Mayflower Park Dr. in Zionsville. The administrative and field staff that had been located at the Hensel Government Center at 10701 N. College Ave. in Carmel but moved Nov. 2 into the new office at the Water Resource Recovery Facility, joining the wastewater operators and collection system staff. TriCo staff will be able to share more resources and build on efficiencies afforded by being in a common location. The new office project was in addition to the treatment capacity expansion at the WRRF. This expansion started in March 2020 and will be completed in late 2021.
Toy drive — Donatello’s Italian Restaurant is collecting unopened, unwrapped toys to benefit children at The Villages, a nonprofit children and family services agency. Drop off donations at Donatello’s, 9 W. Main St., during regular business hours through Dec. 10.
Spartz joins committee — Congresswoman-Elect Victoria Spartz has been elected to serve as a regional representative on the House Republican Policy Committee. The committee assists all House leaders and committee chairs in designing, developing and executing policy ideas within the Congress.
Hospital in need of toys – Riley Hospital for Children is in need of toy donations, but it is asking donors to donate online this year instead of visiting the hospital because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A drop-off must be scheduled in advance for in-person donations. Call 317-944-8705 for assistance. Purchasing directly from the Riley Cheer Guild Amazon Wish List at amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/XN9AQ13HNHDN?ref=cm_sw_em_r_wl_dp_DHiApT1KCaF3t will have the toys delivered to the Riley Hospital toy room.
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.
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].
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.
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.
Salon to join City Center — MY SALON Suite will open its first Indianapolis-area location at Carmel City Center in the summer of 2021. The new 5,677 square foot MY SALON Suite will be on the plaza of the United Fidelity Bank Building at 800 S. Range Line Rd., Hanover Place, Suite 290. The Carmel City Center location will be the second Indiana location for the company. MY SALON Suite provides beauty and wellness professionals across many specialties a location to build their business and talents. Featuring 27 single suites and one double suite option, MY SALON Suite offers the largest professional luxury salon suites in the industry. Those interested in leasing space at MY SALON Suite may call 317-385-9287 for more information.
Pet Valu closing — The Pet Valu stores in Carmel at 1374 S. Range Line Rd. and 11503 Spring Mill Rd., along with all other Pet Valu stores in the U.S., are going out of business. Visit the shops for specials as they clear their inventory.
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.
Women in construction — A report by Construction Coverage found that 29.3 percent of all construction workers in Carmel are women, ranking it second highest of all small cities in the U.S. Nationwide, only 13 percent of construction workers are women. Learn more at constructioncoverage.com/research/cities-with-the-most-women-in-construction-2020.
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.
Saliva COVID-19 test available — Aria Diagnostics has begun offering a COVID-19 test using saliva collections in addition to nasal swabs. The new process uses saliva dropped into a cup, decreasing the discomfort sometimes associated with the nasal swab and allowing those with injuries, or small children, to be more comfortably tested with equally dependable results. Aria’s testing site at Carmel United Methodist Church, 621 S. Range Line Rd., is open from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Learn more and make an appointment at ariadxs.com.
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.
