Sheriff’s Office reaccredited – The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has received reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement. The accreditation status highlights a lengthy and exhaustive process of creating, maintaining, and complying with numerous policies, standards, and procedures. The Sheriff’s Office is one of only three such agencies in Indiana to carry such a distinction.
Top small cities – WalletHub took an in-depth look at 2016’s Best Small Cities in America. Using factors such as housing costs, income growth, crime rate, education levels, and more, experts rated over 1,200 small cities to determine which ones provide the best quality of life for their citizens. The City of Carmel was in the top one percent of all such cities.
Source: WalletHub.com
New board members elected – The Board of Directors of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana elected three new members at its annual meeting. Among the new members elected is Leo Dierckman, Managing Director of Oppenheimer Investment Management in Carmel.
Throw a bicentennial bash – Want to celebrate Indiana’s 200th birthday with your family and friends before the year is through? The Indiana Bicentennial Commission has some ideas for your bicentennial bash. The Indiana Bicentennial Commission has put together Birthday Bash – a guide filled with decoration ideas and recipes for your bicentennial party. Visit www.in.gov and type bicentennial birthday bash in the search box.
Carmel basketball artifacts needed – Love Carmel High School basketball? The Carmel Clay Historical Society is seeking artifacts that can be included in an exhibit next year about Greyhound basketball. The CCHS is interested in all basketball artifacts, including memorabilia from the 1977 State Championship. The exhibit coincides with the 40th anniversary of the 1977 championship. Contact [email protected]
Community Garden Accepting Applications – The Plots to Plates Community Garden is now accepting applications for plots for the 2017 season. The garden is located on the grounds of Carmel Middle School. Plots rent for $10 per season and are available for Carmel residents or CCS employees. For more information, contact [email protected].
Shoebox collection sites – Several local locations will serve as collection sites this year for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child – the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. During the week of Nov. 14-21, people can fill a shoebox with toys, hygiene items and school supplies. Boxes are collected and distributed to children in poverty stricken areas. For a list of collection sites and times, visit www.SamaritansPurse.org/occ.
Free ACT practice exams – College Tutors, 1 E. Carmel Dr., is offering free practice ACT tests for students wanting the experience. Upcoming dates include Nov. 19 and Jan. 14, Feb. 4 and Mar. 4. There is no charge to take the exam. Register online at www.CollegeTutors.com/carmelin.
Coat drive – Local orthodontist, David Judy, DDS, MS, and the Judy Orthodontics Team, are sponsoring Warm Up for Winter through Nov. 30. Donations of new or gently used winter wear such as coats, hats, gloves and scarves can be dropped off at the Judy Orthodontics office at 3965 W. 106th St., Suite 150. Donations will benefit the Julian Center.
Free parenting class – The Indiana Montessori Academy presents a parenting class titled Introduction to Love & Logic for Parents from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17. The class is free to attend. The Indiana Montessori Academy is located at 12760 Horseferry Rd. in Carmel. For more information, call 317-569-1290.
Tinsel and Tails – The Hamilton County Humane Society presents Tinsel and Tails from 6 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 17 at Ritz Charles. This celebration of the most remarkable adoption and survivor stories sells out every year, with over 600 attendees filling the ballroom. Tickets start at $105 and include cocktails, dinner, silent auction and more. For more information or tickets, visit www.HamiltonHumane.com
Poetry reading – Rosaleen Crowley, artist and poet, will read from her new book of poems and paintings, Point of Connection, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 17 at Black Dog Books, 115 S. Main Street. Crowley will share stories about Ireland’s rich culture and heritage, how the two cultures come together and the legacy of tradition and values to the next generation. Call 317-733-1747 to reserve your copy.
Newcomers Club meeting – Newcomers of Carmel will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 at Prairie View Golf Club, 7000 Longest Dr. Humor columnist Dick Wolfsie will be the featured speaker. Newcomers to the area are encouraged to attend and make some new friends. Even if you’ve been around for a while, come and help us welcome our newest neighbors. For more information, visit www.CarmelNewcomers.com.
Pet rescue supply drive – Highgarden Real Estate is holding an animal rescue supply drive. Donations will support Helping Paws, a local animal rescue group. Pet supplies can be dropped off at the Carrie Holle Group, 110 W. Main St. from now until Nov. 18.
Murder Mystery Dinner – Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation invites the public to its Murder Mystery Dinner from 7 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 18 at the Monon Community Center. The event is open to adults ages 21 and older and costs $30 per person. The registration fee includes a four-course meal and one drink ticket. Before the meal, guests will receive a character identity with a short script and diners will work together to identify which character is the murder suspect and solve the mystery. Register at www.CarmelClayParks.org.
Winter art contest – The Carmel Arts Council is announcing its winter art contest for artists in grades K-12. All entries must be winter themed original artwork on 8 ½ x 11 paper and submitted to SoHo, 620 S. Range Line Rd., by Nov. 20 at 3 p.m.
Bolt for the Heart 5k – The fifth annual Bolt for the Heart 5k run/walk will be held on at 9 a.m. on Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving Day) at the Palladium Center Green, 355 City Center Drive. All proceeds will go towards purchasing AEDs for Indiana State Trooper patrol cars. A virtual race option is available for those unable to participate locally. Visit www.BoltForTheHeart.com for more information.
Kids Count conference – The Indiana Youth Institute’s 2016 Because Kids Count conference is being held Nov. 29-30 at the Indiana Convention Center. Online registration is available through Nov. 14. Speakers of note include Sonia Monzano, known as Maria on Sesame Street, and country music singer Jimmy Wayne. To register for this year’s event, visit www.iyi.org/conference.
Stormwater and pond management – Several municipalities and utilities are partnering with the White River Alliance for an informational seminar to learn how to stay compliant with stormwater standards and avoid corrective action. Homeowners, HOAs and pond and landscape companies are invited to participate in this workshop, being held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the Monon Center. For more information or to register, visit www.TheWhiteRiverAlliance.org.
Giving Tuesday matching donations – Giving Tuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to kick-off the holiday giving season. At Janus Developmental Services, a generous donor has offered to match any donations made to the non-profit agency up to $10,000 during Giving Tuesday. For more information, visit www.janus-inc.org.
Scholarships available – Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Indiana Scholarship Program offers students the opportunity to apply for one of four scholarships honoring the applicant’s heritage to celebrate the growing diversity in Indiana. Applications are being accepted from eligible high school seniors in one of four ethnic categories: Asian, Hispanic, African-American, and all others. Applications are due by Jan. 18. For more information, visit www.rmhccin.org.
Burglary free zones – Home security company Protect America has assembled a list called Buglary Free Zones, indicating cities with the lowest number of burglaries. Using data from the FBI’s annual Uniform Crime Report, the company compiled a list of the top ten safest cities in terms of burglaries. Carmel was on the list, ranked eighth.
Source: Protect America
