Hershman resigns – State Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Buck Creek) resigned his position representing District 7 on Jan. 2 after 18 years of service in the Senate. His district included parts of Zionsville. He will join Barnes & Thornburg as a practicing attorney in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.
E-commerce Safe zone created – The Zionsville Police Dept. has created an E-Commerce Exchange Zone in the parking lot of ZPD headquarters and inside both the doorway entrance lobby and the police headquarters lobby. Residents who answer advertisements for online retailers such as eBay, Craigslist and other sites can finalize their transactions in a safe place. This zone is available seven days a week. The ZPD doorway entrance lobby is open 24 hours/day and the main lobby is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Winners announced – The SullivanMunce Cultural Center recently held its annual First Come, First Hung exhibition. The winners are “Koi Fish” by Alexis Clark of Sheridan in the youth division, an untitled work by Mary Raikos of Zionsville in the teen division, and “Bacchus,” revisited by Daniel Berry of Zionsville in the adult division.
Ten Point update – Representatives from the Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition will visit Zionsville United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. Jan. 18 to give an update on their work as they prepare to expand to the east side of Indianapolis and other cities. They will also speak about receiving the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.
Governor appointments – Gov. Eric J. Holcomb has announced the appointments and reappointments of several Hoosiers to various state boards and commissions. Margaret Daniels of Zionsville was newly appointed to the Indiana Commission for Women. Kelsey Harmer of Whitestown was appointed to the Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants & Toddlers with Disabilities.
Library programs – Read Box: The City of Ember, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 12. Eat pizza, discuss the book, see the movie and compare them. Book checkouts are available at the Youth Reference Desk. Open to students in grades 3 – 5, with an adult. Register at ZionsvilleLibrary.org.
Park Program – Secrets of Snowflakes, 1 to 2 p.m. Jan. 13 at Zion Nature Center. Discover the secrets of snowflakes; how they form, different types of crystals, and how to preserve them for viewing later. Bring warm clothes in case it snows. Register at [email protected]. Did you know the Zion Nature Center now has a gift shop? Stop in during weekend hours – Sat. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sun. from noon to 5 p.m. to check it out.
STEM fest 2018 – The Indiana Pacers will host STEM Fest 2018 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 11 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. This interactive event is open to students of all ages and their families. It is a great opportunity to learn how science, technology, engineering and mathematics are used in sports and other careers. Cost is $10 per person and includes admission to the Pacers game. Order online at nba.com/pacers/stem-fest-2018-family-orders by Jan 12.
Daddy-Daughter Dance – Zionsville Presbyterian Church will hold its third annual Daddy-Daughter Dance from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 20. Cost is $20 per couple and includes dinner, dancing, photo booth, prizes, and crafts. Girls may attend with a father, grandfather, uncle or other adult. Church attire is recommended. Register online at zpc.org.
Father-son breakfast – Fathers and sons are invited to Zionsville All-Pro Dad’s Day Breakfasts. These monthly gatherings provide some father-son quality time while hearing great speakers at the same time. Meetings run from 7 to 8 a.m. at Zionsville Community High School on the following dates: Jan. 18, Feb. 15, March 15 and April 19. Cost is $15 for each father-son pair, $3 for additional guests. RSVP to 317-345-3208.
Recycle Christmas trees – To recycle live Christmas trees after the holidays, residents have several options. Please bring only bare trees, not bagged. Trees are not to be dumped in any Zionsville parks.
1. Earth and Turf Partners – 317-733-6499
2. GreenCycle – 317-769-5668
3. Boone County Resource Recovery – 317-769-4223
Christmas lights recycling – From now until Jan. 27, Akard True Value will accept old Christmas lights whether they work or not. Gathered lights will be recycled with C.A.R.S. (Child Adult Resource Services) to help build a cleaner environment and create opportunities for people with significant disabilities who want jobs and take pride in what they do.
Coffee With a Cop – The Zionsville Police Dept. invites the public to Coffee With a Cop at 9 a.m. Jan. 24 at McDonald’s, 50 Brendon Way. Community members can meet with officers, ask questions and learn more about the department’s work.
Project Good – Current in Zionsville is looking to feature local residents doing good deeds in the community through the monthly Project Good photo column. If you have a suggestion or would like to be featured, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].
Substance abuse grants awarded – Drug Free Boone County has provided $10,200 to Youth & Family Health Network to help reduce and prevent substance abuse in Boone County. The grants will be used to bring speakers and prevention programs to the county, as well as to help cover treatment and intervention expenses.
Consumer Advocate award given – At its recent Heroes for Recovery event, Mental Health America of Indiana named Michelle Standeford its outstanding Consumer Advocate for her work as the founder and president of Boone County-based Youth & Family Health Network, an organization dedicated to preventing and reducing substance abuse. In early 2018, the organization will open a recovery home for women transitioning out of treatment or addictions-related incarceration, the first of its kind in Boone County.
Housing market update – Sellers in Zionsville continue to see their home values increase but stay on the market longer. According to F.C. Tucker, the average sale price for homes sold in Zionsville in November 2017 was $418,328 at an average of $153.06 per square foot, the highest in the area. This sale price represented a 10.1 percent increase from November 2016. However, homes in the city sold in 82 days, 18 days longer than this time last year.
INDOT internships available – INDOT is accepting applications for Governor’s Summer Internships paying $11.30 per hour. The internships focus on many areas of study, including engineering, business, communications, finance, project management, and construction. Students must have completed one year of college to be eligible. Application deadline is Jan. 12. For more, visit in.gov/spd/3165.htm.
