County surveyor receives stormwater award—Hamilton County Surveyor Kenton C. Ward recently received the Indiana Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management Presidents Award. The award was presented to Ward at the Associations Annual meeting for his outstanding leadership, service and contribution to the association as the INAFSM Legislative Liaison from 2006 to 2017.
Leadership award given – Every year the FBI presents the Director’s Community Leadership Award to one person or organization in each state that has made extraordinary contributions to education and the prevention of crime and violence in their communities. This year, that award went to Carmel-based Ascent 121, a trauma recovery service for teen survivors of domestic trafficking.
Superbowl ticket winner – Carmel Elementary teacher Stephanie Borlik was selected out of 15,000 participants for the United Way of Central Indiana’s Superbowl contest. She won a round-trip ticket to the Superbowl with all expenses paid. Anyone who made an undesignated donation to United Way of at least $10 between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30 was entered to win.
Sertoma award winners – The Sertoma Club of Broad Ripple recently honored Fred Winters and Jay Abbott, both of Carmel. Winters was named the Sertoman of the Year for his outstanding contributions to the Club during this past year. Abbott was presented with the Service to Mankind Award.
Roundabout record – Comedian Dave Dugan, a Carmel resident, will attempt to set a world record for laps on a Carmel roundabout Feb. 2 to raise funds for Cancer Support Community. To donate, visit cancersupportindy.org/dave-dugan/. It will be a busy weekend for Dugan, who will perform at Crackers Comedy Club in Indianapolis Feb. 2-3.
Jury duty scam – A scam involving the threat of arrest for missing jury duty has hit Hamilton County. A victim answers the telephone and the caller says a warrant is being issued for not appearing for jury duty (or paying taxes or another offense). The caller may give the name of a courthouse employee, a deputy, or a name similar to an employee. The victim is then told to pay money to avoid arrest. These calls are fake. Arrest warrants in Hamilton County are never served by telephone.
Addiction support group – Parents of Addicted Loved Ones is a support group for parents who have children dealing with drug addiction. Meetings are on Monday nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Carmel Christian Church, 463 E. Main St. The meetings are for those over the age of 18, no exceptions will be made for anyone under 18. There is no charge to attend.
Coat distribution – Coats are still available through the Hamilton County Kids Coats program. Upcoming dates include: Feb. 3 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.; Feb. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Feb. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. These are walk-in hours at Merciful H.E.L.P., 1045 W. 146th St., Carmel. For more, call 317-324-8818.
Civil War Roundtable – The Hamilton County Civil War Roundtable invites members and guests to bring their spouses to its February meeting to hear Michael B. Murphy talk about a Scott County Indiana family and their war efforts by sending 33 of its family members to war. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Carmel Clay Public Library. Since the meeting is on Valentine’s Day, a special surprise will be presented to the members, spouses and guests.
Amateur radio class – The Central Indiana Amateur Radio Association will host a free, one-day class followed by testing for a federal amateur radio license. The class will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 17 in Conference Room “B” of St.Vincent Carmel Hospital, 13500 N. Meridian St. The class will be a review of material found in the Ham Radio License Manual. The test immediately follows the class. For more, call 317-224-9433.
World War I stories wanted – Do you have a local ancestor who served in World War I? Then we want to share his or her story. The Carmel Clay Historical Society is hosting the traveling exhibit, “The Great War,” from ration lines to the front lines from April 11 to May 16. As part of that, we will celebrate the locals who served in the war. Please contact Katherine Dill at kdill@carmelclayhistory.org if you have an ancestor’s story to share.
Winter reading program – The Carmel Clay Public Library is having a winter reading program for adults. The program will run from now through March 12. Participants can earn restaurant coupons for reading, with a chance to win a $50 gift card to a local business or restaurant. For more, call 317-814-3987.
Suicide prevention training – Chaucie’s Place, 4607 E. 106th St., Carmel, will host QPR training from 5:30 to 7:30 Feb. 20. QPR stands for Question.Persuade.Refer. The method was developed to detect and respond to anyone exhibiting suicide warning signs. QPR is an evidence-based prevention program backed by 30 years of research. Cost to attend either of the stand-alone sessions is $15. Register online at EventBrite.com.
Stewards of Children – Parents and adults who work with children can learn how to prevent child sexual abuse by registering for Stewards of Children. This program teaches adults how to prevent, recognize, and react to child sexual abuse. Chaucie’s Place, 4607 E. 106th St., Carmel, is offering this program from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Cost is $15. For more, visit chauciesplace.org.
Genealogy classes – The Carmel Clay Public Library offers a variety of genealogy classes and workshops. Genealogy labs are open Thursdays in February from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 to 8:45 p.m. – drop in and use the genealogy database with help from volunteers. Newspaper Archive class, 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 20 – learn how to search for ancestors in the newspaper archive. For more information, call 317-844-3362.
Design Showcase event – The Indiana Design Center is pleased to announce the 2018 LUXE Design Showcase event line-up and design celebrity guests, to be held Feb. 9 and 10. The two-day event is designed to inspire and be the resource for home design, remodeling and custom building projects. Full details can be found at indianadesigncenter.com/luxedesign.
Youth workers training – The Indiana Youth Institute and its community partners will host a training session to help youth workers practice self-care when working with youth. The workshop is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 2 in Room 500 of Hamilton Heights High School at 25802 State Road 19, Arcadia. The seminar and lunch are free, but reservations are required. Attendees may RSVP by going to Iyi.org and clicking on the calendar tab to navigate to the event.
Celebrations series – The Museum of Miniature Houses presents its Celebrations of Creativity and Craftsmanship series on Wednesdays at noon. The next session will be held on Feb. 14 and will be led by Pam Newell, pastel and oil paints artist. Newell has a passion for plein air painting but also works on indoor studio pieces as well.
Sustainability update – Carmel Green Initiative presents Indiana’s Path to Sustainability from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Carmel Clay Public Library. Janet McCabe, Assistant Director for Policy and Implementation at IU’s new Environmental Resilience Institute, will discuss the many positive environmental efforts underway in Indiana and how residents can get involved. For more, visit carmelgreen.org or call 317-815-9941.
Envirothon contest now open – Registration is open for high school students for this spring’s Central Region Envirothon contest hosted by the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District. Each team will study resource problems in five environmental areas. Teams may consist of members from a variety of organizations: clubs at school, Scouts, home schooled students, and 4-H Clubs. The deadline for Envirothon coaches to register their teams is Feb. 23. For more, visit hamiltonswcd.org/envirothon.html or contact Ginger Davis at 317-773-2181.
Spring art contest – The Carmel Arts Council is taking entries from students in grades pre-K to 12, Peer Program & PALS for its spring art contest. Entries must be spring-themed, original works of art on 8.5” x 11” inch paper and submitted to The Great Frame Up, 21 1st Street SW, in Carmel. Only one entry per artist will be judged. The deadline is Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.
Town hall meeting – State Sen. John Ruckelshaus (R-Indianapolis) will host a bipartisan town hall meeting during the 2018 legislative session with State Reps. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) and Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis). The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. March 1 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th St., Indianapolis.
Kindergarten registration – Carmel Clay Schools’ kindergarten registration for the 2017-18 school year is open. The online registration form can be accessed at forms.ccs.k12.in.us/ParentPortal/pages/login.aspx. Parents/guardians are encouraged to have students enrolled by March 9.
Snowplow painting – INDOT East Central District invites high schools to paint a snowplow blade with original artwork to represent their school. In addition to being seen in service during winter months, the blades may be used at events within the school’s community to enhance public awareness, promote safety and foster greater appreciation of both INDOT and the school’s art program. Applications are due March 15. For more information, visit in.gov/indot/3427.htm.
Citizens Academy – Applications are being accepted for the spring session of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy. The 12-week course is held on Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:30 with classes running from March 8 through May 24. There is no charge for participants to attend the academy which is open to area residents 18 years of age and older. More information and applications are available at hamiltoncounty.in.gov/546/Citizens-Academy
Casino night – Congregation Shaarey Tefilla, 3085 W. 116th St., will hold its 18th Annual Casino Night & Silent Auction at 7:30 p.m. March 10. Tickets are $25 per person and include Las Vegas style gambling, a $10 voucher towards silent auction, drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Visit ShaareyTefilla.org to order tickets.
Summer camp registration – Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is accepting registrations for its 2018 Summer Camp Series. Camps begin June 4 and take place Monday-Friday through August 3. Parents can enroll their children in just one week of camp or the full summer based on their needs and availability. Camps fill up quickly, so parents are encouraged to register online at carmelclayparks.com soon.
Heart Center named in top 50 – The St.Vincent Heart Center has been named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by IBM Watson Health for the seventh time. St. Vincent Indianapolis also was named a Top 50 Teaching Hospital with a cardiovascular residency program. Additionally, the St.Vincent Heart Center earned a five-star rating – the highest – from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
New gift shop to open – Clay Terrace will welcome Artful Living in March to its line-up of more than 80 retail, dining and entertainment options. Artful Living will be a boutique gift shop with unique and special gift items. The store will be located at the south end of Clay Terrace next to Orvis and Revolution Eyes.
IMCU supports CHS – Indiana Members Credit Union recently presented a check for $1,801 to Carmel High School Athletics as part of an ongoing school spirit debit card program. The partnership allows members to show their school spirit and support the athletic program by signing up for a Carmel Greyhounds themed debit card.
Century award nominations – 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 a demonstrated a commitment to serving the community. Applications are due by Feb. 16. Visit iedc.in.gov for more information or to apply.
Entrepreneurship series – Carmel Clay Public Library will host Selecting Your Business & Kitchen Table Entrepreneurship from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26. Join speaker Saidah Pearsall, founder of Shea Bodyworks, as she shares her journey from a transforming a kitchen table business to a retail and online store.