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.
CCHS hosts virtual Holiday Home Tour — The Carmel Clay Historical Society’s Holiday Home Tour’s virtual tour began Dec. 10 and will run through Jan. 30, 2021. Four of the homes are in Carmel and one in Madison. For more, visit carmelclayhistory.org.
Donation drive assists veterans — Residence Inn, 11895 N. Meridian St., and SpringHill Suites, 11855 N. Meridian St., in Carmel are collecting donations to support veterans at the Dr. Otis Bowen Veteran House and the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing of Indianapolis. Items to be collected through Jan. 15 include laundry detergent pods, paper products, coffee K-cups, individually-wrapped breakfast items and small household items. Items may be dropped off in the hotel lobbies.
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].
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.
Centier Bank recognized — 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 ranked 11th out of 85 banks in the U.S. Learn more at americanbanker.com and centier.com.
Case Design/Remodeling employee honored — Megan Heidel, an interior design group leader at Case Design/Remodeling, has been named to the “30 Under 30” group by the National Kitchen & Bath Association. The NKBA 30 Under 30 program recognizes talented kitchen and bath professionals under the age of 30. Nominees were evaluated on their career or educational achievements, commitment to excellence in the kitchen and bath industry and leadership within their organization. Heidel joined Case Design/Remodeling in 2015, where she has specialized in 3-D modeling software to help clients visualize their future remodel and prepare the production team for a successful build.
Home sale prices rise — In November, Carmel saw one of its most dynamic residential real estate markets in recent times with homes leaving the market rapidly and prices increasing significantly. According to F.C. Tucker Company, the average sale price for a home in Carmel was $528,579, a 38.6 percent increase from November 2019, and the highest average home sale price in central Indiana. Carmel homes also sold quickly, leaving the market in just 17 days, 23 days faster than this time last year. Carmel homes also saw increases in the average price per square foot, an increase of 39 percent, to $205.64, compared to November 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.
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.
COVID-19 testing site moves — Aria Diagnostics has moved its COVID-19 testing site from Carmel United Methodist Church to Faith Apostolic Church, 1212 E. 116th St. in Carmel. Testing is available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Aria also operates a testing site at Trader’s Point Christian Church in Whitestown.
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.
