Westermeier Commons closed – Westermeier Commons in Carmel’s Central Park at 920 Central Park Dr. W. is closed for a planned playground resurfacing project. The playground, splash pad, restrooms, community shelter, shelter No. 1 and the western half of the parking lot will be closed and fenced off during the project. The eastern half of the parking lot will remain open and trails to the lagoon will not be impacted. The park is expected to reopen in mid-May but is dependent weather and other factors.
Class of ‘74 reunion – The Carmel High School Class of 1974 will have its 50th class reunion from 7 to 11 p.m. Aug. 24 at the VFW Post 10003, 12863 Old Meridian St., Carmel. For more information or to RSVP, email Jocko Conley at [email protected] or call Jenny Johnson Rundle at 317-501-3034.
Assessing office move – The Clay Township assessing office is moving from its Carmel location in the Clay Township government building. Effective April 15, staff and operations will move to the Hamilton County assessor’s office on the second floor of the old courthouse at 33 N. 9th St. in Noblesville.
Hats Off to Spring fundraiser – The Hats Off to Spring fashion show and luncheon will be presented beginning at 10 a.m. May 1 at Ritz Charles, 12156 N. Meridian St. in Carmel. The fundraiser benefits the Little Sisters of the Poor who care for the elderly at the St. Augustine Home on W. 86th Street in Indianapolis. Proceeds will support ongoing operations of the St. Augustine Home for the Aged. Call 317-294-1955 for more information and an invitation. Learn more at staugustinehomeguild.org/st-augustine-home-guild/hots.
Giving Machine donations – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis leadership team recently accepted a portion of the $255,000 donated by 16,000 Hoosiers to support three local and four global charities as part of the Light The World Giving Machines inaugural tour in Indiana. Visitors to Clay Terrace in Carmel and Newfields in Indianapolis utilized the vending machine during the holiday season to purchase and donate items for people in need here in Indiana and around the world. Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis will utilize its share of the funds to provide winter accessories, breakfast items, sports equipment, sensory kits and more to club members.
Rising Star winners – The International Talent Academy’s third annual Carmel Arts Rising Star competition was held March 9 at the Monon Community Center. First-place winners from Carmel in the piano division are Nik and Olga Lukanstov, Namuun Baasanbold, Ada Deng, Alex Xiao, Aiden Zhang, Emily Wang, Audrey Zhang, Raymo Zhu, Ruby Huang, Joyce Xu, Allison Shen, Josephine Yeh, Saanvi Motycka, and Kevin and Demi Zhang. First-place winners from Carmel in the voice division are Selene Chen, Leena Meng, Krystal Wang and Sophia Pettee.
Aviation Hall of Fame class announced – The Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame has announced the individuals selected for induction in the Class of 2024. They are:
- Joseph P. (“Joe”) Allen IV, Ph.D., NASA astronaut
- John D. Riddle, Maj. Gen., USAF, decorated Vietnam combat pilot and military commander
- Wilbur A. (“Wil”) Davis, US Navy veteran, decorated Vietnam pilot and aviation entrepreneur
- Larry W. Gross, Purdue University educator, Indiana’s longest-serving FAA pilot examiner
- Dr. Worthe S. Holt, Jr., major general., USAF, physician and flight surgeon
- Edmond Soliday, U.S. Army veteran, airline pilot, system safety engineer and Indiana state representative
The honorees will be inducted at the Honors Banquet on Sept. 21 at the 502 East Event Center in Carmel. Learn more at inahof.org.
Mission Possible – The Assistance League of Indianapolis will present its Mission Possible fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. April 18 at Daniel’s Vineyard & Winery, 9061 N. 700 W. in McCordsville. The event will include a silent auction, raffle and more. Learn more about ALI and the event at ALIndy.org.
Ramaswamy to speak to county GOP – Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will be the featured speaker at the Hamilton County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner on May 2 at Embassy Suites in Noblesville. A VIP reception will begin at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Learn more and purchase tickets at hamiltoncountygop.org.
Brooke’s Place seeks volunteers – Brooke’s Place for Grieving Young People is looking for volunteers to serve as support group facilitators for its westside, eastside and northside program nights. Volunteers provide a safe and supportive environment for young people, ages 3-29, and their caregivers, to grieve. Facilitators engage groups through conversation as well as age-appropriate therapeutic activities such as crafts and games. Facilitators serve families twice a month on either Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays. To learn more about becoming a facilitator or to apply, contact [email protected] or visit brookesplace.org/grief-support-volunteer.
Congressional art contest – Submissions are being accepted for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Artistic Discovery Contest, which is open to all high school students. Winning artwork will be displayed for a year in the U.S. Capitol. Residents of Indiana’s 5th Congressional District may enter by dropping off entries by 5 p.m. April 16 at the Muncie District Office, 420 South High St., Suite 207, Muncie. Learn more at spartz.house.gov/services/art-competition.
Sister City committee seeks volunteers – The Carmel-Seiffen Sister City committee is recruiting volunteers to serve in various capacities. The committee will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. April 21 at the Carmel Clay Public Library 425 E. Main St. RSVP to [email protected].
Breakfast at the Brickyard – Mario Andretti, the 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner and four-time IndyCar Series champion, will be the featured guest at the 2024 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc. The event will take place at 9 a.m., May 18 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Tickets are on sale to the public, with individual tickets priced at $100 each and Preferred Corporate Tables at $1,200. For more, visit 500Festival.com/Breakfast.
Free weather radios for hard of hearing – Hamilton County Emergency Management is giving away free weather radios to Hamilton County residents who are deaf and hard of hearing. Grant dollars allowed EMA to purchase hundreds of the radios that come equipped with a pillow shaker and strobe lights. Anyone who qualifies should contact Monica Peterson at [email protected] to receive a radio.
Coloring contest kickoff — The 500 Festival and STAR Financial Bank have announced the launch of the 2024 Kickoff to May Coloring Contest. The contest invites children 12 and under to participate. The coloring sheet and entry form can be downloaded at 500Festival.com/Color. Winners will be chosen based on creativity and originality. The two grand prize winners selected will receive a scholarship of $500, courtesy of STAR Bank, and a free one-year membership to the INDYCAR Nation Rookie Program courtesy of INDYCAR. All entries must be received by noon, April 8. For more about the contest entry rules, visit 500festival.com/kickoff-to-may-coloring-contest-rules.
Register for Rookie Run – Registration is open for the 2024 Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run, which will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 11 in downtown Indianapolis. The Rookie Run is designed to introduce kids ages 3 to 10 to the joy of running in a non-competitive and festive atmosphere. This family-friendly event offers a unique opportunity for children to experience the excitement of a start and finish line, surrounded by cheering spectators. Learn more and register at 500Festival.com/Rookie.
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.
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.
Book drive – KG’s Kids, Inc. and Bank of America are teaming up to host a book drive throughout the month of April to benefit Indianapolis Public Schools and Warren Township Schools. The goal is to collect at least 3,000 new or gently used books, primarily for elementary and middle school-aged children. Books can be dropped off through April 30 at BOA branches at 10800 N. Michigan Rd. in Zionsville; 11530 Illinois St. in Carmel; 9770 E. 116th St. in Fishers; and 8551 River Rd. in Indianapolis. KG’s Kids, Inc. is a nonprofit organization started by Indianapolis Colts tight end Kylen Granson with a mission to emphasize education, starting with reading, to create opportunities for all students to be successful in school. Learn more at kgskids.com
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.
New president at Carmel hospital – Chad Dilley has been selected to serve as president of Ascension St. Vincent Carmel, effective March 25. Dilley most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for IU Health Saxony Hospital in Fishers. Before this, he was the administrative director of the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel and service line administrator for IU Health Physicians General Surgery. Prior to his time at IU Health, he served as executive director of orthopaedics for American Health Network in Indianapolis and business manager of wound care and hyperbarics at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, Ill. Dilley received his bachelor of science and master of business administration from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois. Dilley is a Little League coach, youth soccer coach, member of the Zionsville Parks Board and active in the children’s ministry at his church.
Divas bicycle program returns – The second year for IU Health Momentum Indy Divas presented by VQ Labs, a women’s bicycle riding and empowerment program developed to foster a welcoming environment for women of all ages, experience and abilities, kicks off April 11. The program offers weekly rides (road and off-road) through September for women who are seeking a healthy, active lifestyle and an opportunity to connect socially with other women of all cycling levels and abilities. The group meets at 6:15 p.m. on Thursdays at Indiana Members Credit Union, 3975 W. 106th St. in Carmel. Membership is $150, and no woman will be turned away because of inability to pay. Learn more at momentumindy.org/divas.
RevolutionEYES hire – RevolutionEYES has added Dr. Angeline McLean to its practice in Carmel. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and she completed her residency at Indiana University, where she also served as adjunct faculty. She has been practicing primary care optometry in the Indianapolis area for 20 years. McLean is a volunteer with Gleaners Food Bank and Indiana Reading and Information Services. Learn more at revolution-eyes.com.
Women’s Running Festival expands – The Women’s Running Festival, the largest women’s running event in Indiana, has added a 10K race this year to complement its half-marathon and 5K. In addition, race organizers CRRG Events returned the event to its original date during Labor Day weekend. Set for Aug. 31 in Carmel, the late summer date allows women from across the country to participate in the 14th annual Women’s Half Marathon, Women’s 10K and Get a MOVE on Cancer 5K without conflicting with the fall marathon calendar. Registration for the events is open at WomensRunningFestival.com.
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 a 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].
