Trade invasive species for trees – Via a trade-in program, Hamilton County property owners can show proof of removal of an invasive species on their Hamilton County property and receive up to three, three-gallon native trees or shrubs for free. Landscape plantings of callery pear species, burning bush, Japanese barberry and Norway maple are the preferred species for removal, but any from the Official Indiana Invasive Species Council Invasive Plant List is acceptable. Trades are limited to one per address. Learn more and apply at hcinvasives.org.
HCSO Bicycle Rodeo – The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Bicycle Patrol Team will host a Bicycle Rodeo from 2 to 5 p.m. July 28 at Forest Park in Noblesville. The event is for children ages 4 to 12 years old. HCSO deputies will promote safety equipment and the rules of the road. Several obstacle courses with orange cones will be set up to improve riding skills. Participants need to bring a bicycle and a helmet. Sign up at signupgenius.com/go/904084faea62ea5fe3-hcso1.
Sidewalk Repair Grant funds available – In 2020, the Carmel City Council established a Sidewalk Repair Grant program to help keep residential sidewalks across the city in good shape and safe. This program was initially funded by a $50,000, non-reverting fund and there are still funds available for property owners to apply for assistance with sidewalk repairs. The fund assists residents who own and occupy their homes with the expense of repair/replacement of sidewalks and for removal of trees located on their private property that are affecting sidewalks by reimbursing up to 50 percent of the project cost, up to $3,000. Learn more and apply at carmel.in.gov/government/departments-services/community-services/sidewalk-repair-grant.
Mini-mini set for Aug. 21 – Registration is open for the 500 Festival’s mini-mini kids run. The event for children ages 5 to 12 will take place Aug. 21 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Race distances range from a half mile to 3 miles, based on age and ability. Registration is $20 and may be completed at IndyMini.com/minimini.
Church rummage sale – The Presbyterian Women of Orchard Park Presbyterian Church will host a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 28 and 9 a.m. to noon July 29. The event will include a $5 bag sale. Proceeds benefit women’s ministries locally and abroad.
Evan R. Hansen Golf Outing – The Evan R. Hansen Legacy Foundation Golf Outing is set for July 30 at Pebblebrook Golf Course in Noblesville. The goal at the fourth annual event is to raise $50,000 to establish a perpetual Evan R. Hansen Legacy Nursing Endowed Scholarship at Marian University. Learn more at erh32.org.
Arts & Culture digital passport – The recently launched Indiana Arts & Culture digital passport encourages visitors to discover new places and enjoy some of Indiana’s creative spaces. Sign up online for the passport and receive custom prizes for visiting multiple destinations across the state. Visitors need to check-in from a smartphone at one of the designated passport locations. Participants earn more by visiting more locations. For more information, visit VisitIndiana.com/arts or follow Visit Indiana on social media at @VisitIndiana on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Photography contest – The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting submissions for its eighth annual photography contest from amateur photographers throughout the county. Youth and adult photographers can submit up to five entries showcasing the contest theme, “Indiana Conservation in Color.” Digital files and entry forms must be submitted by June 24. Photo entries will be showcased at the Hamilton County 4-H Fair. Entry forms are available at hamiltonswcd.org/photo-contest
Military Veterans Hall of Fame — The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for the Class of 2022 through Aug. 1. To be eligible, the nominee must have been born in Indiana, entered military service from Indiana, lived in Indiana for a minimum of five years and have no felony convictions. A nomination form can be found at imvhof.com/nominate. To learn more about the organization or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit imvhof.com.
Hamilton County Democratic Women meetings— The Hamilton County Democratic Women meet every third Saturday of the month at the Delaware Township Trustee Building 9090 E. 131st, Fishers. Conversations begin at 9:30 a.m., the meeting is from 10 a.m. to 11. All Hamilton County women are welcome.
Weed Wrangles clear invasive species – The organizations of the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership are inviting volunteers to help clear local parks of invasive species by participating in Weed Wrangles. During the Weed Wrangle, teams of volunteers, supervised by guides, will locate and uproot unwelcome plants such as bush honeysuckle, garlic mustard, autumn olive, English ivy and winter creeper. Learn more and sign up to volunteer at hcinvasives.org.
River Heritage Park closed – River Heritage Park has closed for planned improvements as part of Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation’s Reimagining Parks initiative. Upgrades include wheelchair-accessible playground features, sensory-friendly interpretive signage, ADA-accessible trails and boardwalks with overlooks on the White River and more. The park is anticipated to reopen after construction is completed in the winter of 2022.
Monthly beekeepers meeting – The North Central Beekeepers Club meets the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000 E. 151st St. in Westfield. Meetings are free to attend by all levels of beekeepers located centrally north of Indianapolis. Those interested in becoming beekeepers are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com/ncbclub.
Centier Bank promotion – Centier Bank has promoted Laura Demeter to vice president, deposit product manager, at the bank’s Carmel branch, 568 E. Carmel Drive. Since 2014, Demeter has served as Centier’s regional sales manager, overseeing the bank’s initial retail expansion into the Indianapolis and Lafayette communities. Before coming to Centier, she served as a senior vice president of retail banking and marketing, public funds manager, regional manager, credit card service manager and branch manager at other financial institutions. Demeter is an Indiana University graduate and Westfield resident.
Kolache Factory contest winner – Grace Ravenna of Carmel has been named the bronze medal winner in the Kolache Factory’s fourth annual “Create a New Kolache” contest. Ravenna won free kolaches for three months. More than 1,000 fans submitted recipe ideas this summer. Ravenna’s entry, “It’s All Greek to Me,” featured gyro meat, feta cheese, diced red onion and tomatoes with Tzatziki sauce.
Jail to present re-entry job fair – The Hamilton County Jail and the Transitioning Opportunities for Work, Education and Reality Mentoring Program will present the Re-Entry Resource and Job Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 12. For any questions about the event or to register a business representative to participate, contact Kelly Gunn at [email protected] or 239-989-2732. RSVP by Aug 1.
Eggs & Issues – OneZone Chamber of Commerce announces Eggs & Issues as their new monthly advocacy event. Starting in December, OneZone member attendees will hear about a variety of topics. From January to April attendees will hear from state legislators, what they are working on at the Statehouse, and how to get involved. Registration for the first Eggs & Issues will open in August.
Summer Sip & Shop – Carmel City Center will host the Summer Sip & Shop Block Party 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 6. Visitors are invited to stop by and enjoy the festivities that include a DJ on the plaza, sidewalk sales, complimentary white wine and Raspberry Refresher cocktails at four of our participating shops, free airbrush tattoos for children, donation pop-up outdoor yoga and complimentary neck and shoulder massages.
Blood donors needed – Versiti Blood Center of Indiana has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations, as it has seen a drastic drop in scheduled appointments. The blood center anticipates the available inventory of blood to be at less than a one-day supply within the coming days. Versiti strives for at least a three-day supply of blood, so it can be ready to serve all patients, even during unexpected events. Versiti is seeking donors for more than 2,500 open appointments available at community blood drives and donation centers throughout the state. Donors can schedule an appointment to donate blood by calling 916-5150 or online at versiti.org/indiana.
500 Mile Challenge – Registration is open for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge, an online fitness program that encourages participants to complete 500 miles of physical activity, the same mileage drivers complete during the Indianapolis 500. Participants also have the option to complete 250 miles of physical activity in the Gasoline Alley 250 Mile Challenge. The challenges, which benefit the 500 Festival, kicked off June 13 and run through Oct. 31. Registration is $65 and includes a shirt, finisher medal, hat and more. Register for either challenge at IndyMini.com/500Miles.
Hospice volunteers needed – Anew Hospice is seeking volunteers to spend time with hospice patients throughout the Indianapolis area. Volunteers visit hospice patients to provide companionship through music, reading, doing puzzles, life review or just being a hand to hold. To learn more, call 317-300-2292 or email [email protected].
