Clarification – In a Feb. 20 story about the Carmel Clay History Museum, the total amount of funding provided by the City of Carmel through the Carmel Redevelopment Commission was not up to date. The CRC is providing $1.4 million for construction costs and $100,000 for design for interior and exhibit space.
Submit questions for GOP debate – Current Publishing will present a debate between the Republican gubernatorial candidates for Indiana governor from 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 11 at the Palladium, 1 Carter Green in Carmel. Current readers may submit questions or issues to be considered for the debate by emailing Ann Marie Shambaugh, Current Publishing senior editor and debate moderator, at [email protected].
Flower Sale – Carmel Elementary’s annual Flower Sale will run from March 1 to 18. The sale benefits the Carmel Elementary PTO and its efforts to support students and staff at the school through funding field trips, classroom grants, playground equipment and more. Flowers and plants, from potted annuals to hanging baskets, will be available. Place orders at carmelflowersale.com.
500 Festival Princesses – Carmel residents Lauren Bailey and Kendrick Mernitz have been selected as 2024 500 Festival Princess, a role that includes educating Hoosiers about the iconic history of the 500 Festival through the statewide outreach program, celebrating the spirit of the Indianapolis 500 and serving their communities. Bailey is a Carmel High School graduate and sophomore at Purdue University. Mernitz is a graduate of Cathedral High School and a senior at Indiana University.
Mayor selects executive assistant – Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam has selected Mary Jo Rothenbush to serve as her executive assistant. A lifelong resident of Central Indiana, Rothenbush will serve as a liaison between the Mayor’s Office and the community and support all calendar scheduling and appearances at community and civic events. Rothenbush’s prior experience includes serving for eight years as executive assistant to the mayor of Lawrence and as the Blue Star Banner Coordinator, a quality-of-life program honoring active-duty men and women and their families.
Barrier-Free Theater performance – In March, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation will hold its sixth annual Barrier-Free Theatre performance in honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This year’s performance, titled “Mystery at the Rider Mansion,” will be held at the Monon Community Center at 6 p.m. March 16 2 p.m. and March 17. An American Sign Language interpreter will be provided for the March 16 show. Barrier-Free Theatre is a form of drama therapy that empowers individuals with and without disabilities to create and perform original stories together. Purchase tickets, which cost $12, at anc.apm.activecommunities.com/carmelclayparks/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&activity_keyword=barrier-free%20performance&viewMode=list.
Rising Star volunteers sought – International Talent Academy is seeking volunteers for a variety of roles for its Rising Star competition, which is set for March 9 at the Monon Community Center in Carmel. The competition features young pianists, singers, actors, dancers and freestyle performers from the Midwest. Learn more about the event, which includes music workshops for children led by college professors, and volunteer opportunities at internationaltalentacademy.org/events/carmel-arts-rising-star-competition-live.
National History Day judges sought – The Indiana Historical Society is looking for 300 volunteers around the state to serve as judges for the 2024 National History Day in Indiana contests. NHDI is a yearlong program dedicated to enhancing history education in Indiana’s schools. Students in grades four through 12 explore a historical subject that fits under the annual theme. The Central Region contest will take place March 16 at Carmel High School. To learn more, visit indianahistory.org/historyday or call 317-232-1882.
500 Mini Marathon seeks course entertainment — Registration is open for those interested in providing course entertainment during the 2024 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Selected groups will perform for a crowd of more than 20,000 participants, volunteers and spectators along the 13.1-mile course on May 4. Musicians, dance groups, bands, and family-friendly entertainers of all genres are encouraged to apply at IndyMini.com/entertainment. For those who want to register for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and to learn more, visit IndyMini.com/Register.
Apply for city boards – Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam launched a new website for Elevate Carmel, Inc. featuring a portal for residents to apply for seats on boards and commissions active in City Hall. Carmel residents seeking involvement are encouraged to apply at elevatecarmel.com.
Operation School Bell – The Assistance League of Indianapolis is seeking donations to support its Operation School Bell program, which provides apparel and shoes for thousands of underserved students in Indianapolis. Each student receives a duffel bag that includes a winter jacket, socks, shirts, pants, toothbrush and more. Learn more and donate at alindy.org/operation-school-bell-mailer.html.
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 for all levels of beekeepers located centrally north of Indianapolis. Those interested in becoming beekeepers are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com/ncbclub.
Lucas Oil promotions – Lucas Oil Products has promoted Morgan Lucas to chief executive officer and Katie Lucas to president, both Carmel residents. Morgan Lucas has served as the company’s president since May 2020, and prior to that he was senior vice president of sales. Katie Lucas previously served as vice president of strategy and philanthropy before stepping into the chief administrative officer role in 2022.
Venue open house – Two Ten Midtown, 210 Veterans Way in Carmel, will host a community open house 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 2. Complimentary cocktails and appetizers will be served. Event coordinators will be on site to answer questions, guide tours and assist with event bookings.
IMCU donates to CHS athletics – Indiana Members Credit Union recently presented a check for $1,500 to Carmel High School athletics 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. Every time the card is used as a signature-based transaction, Carmel athletics benefits. Since beginning the program in 2013, CHS athletics has earned $17,331 through this program.
State to recognize businesses longevity – The State of Indiana is accepting nominations for the Governor’s Century and Half Century Business Awards, which honor Hoosier businesses that have remained in operation for at least 100 or 50 years, respectively, and have demonstrated a commitment to serving the community. To qualify, businesses must have had continuous operations in Indiana for 100 or 50 years by Dec. 31, 2023. For full details or to apply, visit share.hsforms.com/1OgAMk9N2Rhi-L8zdd6ouFQnppbm. Application deadline is April 12.
Gourmet Tastings at Regalique – Regalique, 110 W. Main St., Suite 120, in Carmel, is hosting Gourmet Tastings from 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays. At the free event, guests can sample gourmet products, including chocolates, honey, cheese and more. Learn more at Regalique.com.
Dental health webinar – A free webinar to discuss dental health for children will take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 28, presented by the Hamilton County Health Department and Trinity Free Clinic. Topics of discussion will include when to schedule a child’s first appointment, tips for eliminating pacifiers and thumbsucking, as well as dental concerns for teens. Cindy Love, a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Trinity Free Clinic, will speak about the importance of preventive care. Register at tinyurl.com/childrens-health-webinars.
Lung Support Group – Franciscan Health Indianapolis will host a monthly Lung Support Group hospital, 8111 S. Emerson Ave. in Indianapolis. The meetings will take place on the third Thursday of each month (beginning March 21) from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Cardiac Testing Conference Room. Meetings include a guest speaker and focus on lung education and treatment information. A light meal will be provided and shuttle bus service is available. RSVP for meeting and transportation a week prior to the event. For more, call 317-528-8901 or email [email protected].
Vaccines available – Kroger Health is offering vaccinations for flu, RSV and COVID-19 at Kroger grocery and Little Clinic locations, including in Carmel at 1217 S. Range Line Rd. and 10679 N. Michigan Rd. While customers can choose to walk-in to receive vaccines, they are also welcome to make an appointment. To learn more or to make an appointment, visit kroger.com/vaccinations.
Hospice volunteers needed – Brighton Hospice in Carmel is looking for volunteers to help office staff perform a variety of office duties such as organizing admission paperwork, filing, preparing and sending mail, answering phones, stocking supplies and helping with special projects and events. Hours and days for this volunteer opportunity are flexible and training will be provided. To learn more, contact Katresha Taylor, volunteer coordinator, by calling 317-798-2160 or by email at [email protected].
