Siren testing suspended – With the onset of winter weather in central Indiana, Hamilton County Emergency Management has suspended the weekly testing of the outdoor warning siren system. During cold weather, testing is suspended to prevent potential damage to the sirens as a result of moisture freezing on the inner mechanisms. The sirens will still sound in the event of a weather emergency. Testing of the system will resume in spring of 2017 once outdoor temperatures are consistently above freezing.
Corrections officers needed – The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office will be hiring up to 13 new correction officers. Benefits for full-time officers include a competitive salary, health insurance, paid holidays, deferred compensation plans, pension plan and opportunities for advancement. For more information and to obtain a pre-application, visit in-hamiltoncounty.civicplus.com/595/Recruitment and click on the “Corrections and Youth Care” tab.
Santa to visit Bub’s – Santa is coming to Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream. Meet the Man in Red while enjoying dinner, crafts, face painting and fun. Santa will visit Bub’s in Zionsville from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 13. He will be at Bub’s in Carmel from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 14.
Engelking retires – Steve Engelking, director of administration for the City of Carmel, is honored by the Carmel City Council and Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, upon his retirement after 20 years of service to the city. “What I’ll miss most is the relationships,” Engelking said.
Torr reappointed – State Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel) was reappointed to chair of the House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee by House Speaker Brian C. Bosma (R-Indianapolis). The House speaker appoints committee chairs and caucus leaders biennially after each election. Visit indianahouserepublicans.com/clientuploads/PDF/2017Appointments.pdf to download the complete list of appointments.
Holiday light recycling – The ability to recycle used holiday lights will be offered at White’s Ace Hardware, 731 S. Range Line Rd., from now through the end of January. The Carmel Clay Schools Green Teams will be offering recycling at the individual schools through Jan. 5. For more information about the holiday light recycling program, call 317-571-2673.
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. Dec. 8 at the Monon Center. For more information or to register, visit TheWhiteRiverAlliance.org.
Free science lectures – Anderson University’s School of Science and Engineering is offering a series of lectures that are free and open to the public. The lectures start at 7 p.m. and are located in Hartung Hall (room 101). Upcoming topics include: Dec. 8 – The Birth and Life of Stars; Feb. 16 – What do the Pharmaceutical Industry and the Manhattan Project Have in Common? For more, contact the AU School of Science and Engineering at 765-641-4374.
Toy Drive – Donatello’s Italian Restaurant is hosting a holiday toy drive to benefit The Villages, Indiana’s largest nonprofit child and family services agency. Participants can drop off an unopened and unwrapped toy at Donatello’s, 9 W. Main St., from now through Dec. 10 during regular business hours.
Parks programs – Preschool Holiday Crafts, 9 to 10 a.m.Dec. 19. An adaptive program for kids ages 3 to 5 years old. Cost is $15 per child. Winter Break Camp, 1 to 4 p.m. from Dec. 19-23. For kids ages 5 to 10 years old. Cost is $20 per day. For more information or to register, visit CarmelClayParks.com.
Craft and cookie fair – Christmas Cookies, Crafts, & More! will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 10 at Cornerstone Lutheran Church (formerly Carmel Lutheran Church), 4850 E. Main St. The event features a cookie walk, baked goods, crafts and new-but-never-used items. For more, call Pat Nash at 317-844-2329.
Christmas musicals – St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 126th Street and Gray Road, has two musical presentations celebrating Christmas. “Bethlehem’s” will be presented by the church’s chancel choir and orchestra during the 8:15 and 11 a.m. worship services Dec. 11. Also Dec. 11, the children’s musical, “Our Annual Christmas Pageant,” will be presented at 2 p.m. For more, visit stmarkscarmel.org.
Christmas concert – Local children’s choirs, including the Carmel Children’s Choir, will participate in “Angels Sing” at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th St. Other participating choirs include the Fishers Children’s Choir, Cantantes Angeli, Bel Canto and others. Tickets are $15 at the door. Students, seniors and military can purchase discounted tickets for $13 each.
Free ACT practice exams – College Tutors, 1 E. Carmel Dr., is offering free practice ACT tests for students wanting the experience. Upcoming dates are Jan. 14, Feb. 4 and Mar. 4. There is no charge to take the exam. Register online at CollegeTutors.com/carmelin.
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, visit rmhccin.org.
