City, park closures – Carmel City Hall is closed to the public until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic. City business will continue through online resources or over the phone. Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation has closed the skate park at Central Park. Access to the facility is through a common gate and the park’s size limits the amount of social distancing possible. CCPR officials are strongly advising against using the artesian well, which cannot be turned off, at Flowing Well Park. Learn more at carmel.in.gov.
County offices closed – All Hamilton County government offices are closed to in-person public activity until at least April 7 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. County employees will work remotely whenever possible and continue to provide core functions online and by phone. All public safety functions will continue. The lobbies of the sheriff’s office are closed to the public, but anyone issued a court order or legally required to be at the jail will be expected to show up.
Humane Society closes – In response to the increasing concern with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Humane Society for Hamilton County has closed to the public and has ceased adoptions. The HSHC will continue accepting any of the county’s lost, stray or unwanted animals. To surrender an animal, bring in a stray or look for a lost pet, call 317-773-4974. HSHC hours will be 8 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. The HSHC is asking for monetary donations or donations from its wish list available at amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1MGI1R3B4ZZSF/ref=cm_sw_su_w.
Homework help – Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is extending hours for the AskRose math and science tutoring helpline this spring to help middle and high school students better understand math and science homework problems. Free homework help is available from noon to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays through a phone call, email or chat session. Connections can be made at 877-275-7673 or AskRose.org. The site also offers more than 500 resources available through videos and downloadable reference materials.
Animal welfare updates approved – The Carmel City Council on March 16 unanimously approved strengthening its animal welfare ordinance. The updates include requiring pets to be microchipped or wear a collar with the owners’ contact information, sets limits on tethering and bans puppy mills.
Orr Fellowship winner – Elizabeth Johns of Carmel is among five DePauw University seniors to receive an Orr Fellowship, which will place them in jobs in Indianapolis for two years after graduation. Johns will work for Greenlight Guru, which designs software for medical device companies. She is majoring in English writing with a minor in political science.
Art competition – The office of U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks is seeking submissions from high school students in the 5th District for a chance to have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year. The winner and one guest will receive complimentary airfare to Washington D.C. for recognition. Submissions are due by April 17. For competition details, visit susanwbrooks.house.gov/services/art-competition.
Tru Direction scholarships – Tru Direction, Inc. will award scholarships of $500 to $2,500 per qualified applicant (maximum $5,000 this calendar year) as determined by the scholarship committee. Scholarships may be used for any related expenses for college, university, trade school or technical school. Applicants must be attending school a minimum of nine hours, or the equivalent, per semester. Preference will be given to those attending at least 12 hours. Applications are due by March 31. Learn more at trudirection.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.
Construction scholarship –Old Town Design Group of Carmel has established the Orchard Project Scholarship to provide tuition assistance to a Hamilton or Boone County student preparing for a career in the construction industry. For the 2020-2021 school year, the Orchard Project will award two $2,500 scholarships. Hamilton and Boone county high school seniors or undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll in a construction related program at an accredited college, university or technical school may apply. For more information or to request an application call 317-816-3151 or email [email protected].
Woody’s launches curbside menu – Woody’s Library Restaurant, 40 E. Main St. in Carmel, has begun offering a curbside menu available from 4 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Customers may call 317-573-4444 to place an order for lunch or dinner and make a payment. Restaurant staff will bring the order to cars in the parking lot. Learn more at woodyscarmel.com.
Stratford now hiring – Carmel retirement community The Stratford is looking to hire qualified workers amidst current unemployment trends. To support those who are looking for new careers, the community has set up a dedicated hotline to speak directly to the community’s HR director as a quick way of connecting. Additionally, the team has implemented Daily Pay, a way to cash out the hours that have been worked that day. The Stratford offers benefits including medical, dental, vision insurance, wellness program, flexible PTO options, emergency loan options and more. For more, call 317-342-9009 or apply online at Stratford-living.com/careers.
New hire – The Plaid Agency, a full-service marketing firm in Carmel, has hired Baker Wright as visual designer. Wright joins Plaid’s team to creatively collaborate on a variety of client projects and produce design across different mediums. Wright is a multidisciplinary designer that brings years of passion and experience for brand creation, UX design and traditional media to PLAID. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design and advertising from Western Kentucky University and most recently served as multimedia creative for Imagewest.
Hotel jobs shrinking – According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Indiana is projected to lose 10,991 hotel-related jobs and a total of 44,855 jobs supporting the hotel industry as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. in expected to lose more than 1 million hotel-related jobs and nearly 3.4 million jobs supporting the hotel industry because of the pandemic.
Silver Lining Award – West Bend Mutual Insurance has given its Spirit of the Silver Lining Award to Kevin Mandrell, director of employee benefits for WalkerHughes Insurance. The award honors West Bend agents and the nonprofit organizations they support for their dedication to delivering a silver lining to those in need. Mandrell was presented the Spirit of the Silver Lining Award for his work with Bosma Visionary Opportunities Foundation. Additionally, West Bend donated a $10,000 grant to the organization.
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.
Hearing loss group – The Indianapolis Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America holds meetings from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month at Irvington Public Library, 5625 E. Washington St. in Indianapolis. Learn more at hlaa-indianapolis.org.
