Guilded Leaf authors announced – The Guild of the Carmel Clay Public Library Foundation has announced the authors taking part in the 18th annual Guilded Leaf Book and Author Events. The six novelists are Jennifer Coburn, Iman Hariri-Kia, Lynda Cohen Loigman, Kristina McMorris, Kyle Mills and Katherine Reay. The Guilded Leaf opens with the Book & Author Evening on Oct. 19. For the first time, this evening event will take place at the Main Library. At the Book and Author Luncheon at the Ritz Charles on Oct. 20, the authors will share insights into their lives and their writing. Book signings, a raffle, and the online auction will also be part of the luncheon festivities. Tickets may be purchased at carmelclaylibrary.org/guilded-leaf.
Sorority regional director installed – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the nation’s oldest and first Greek-letter organization for college-aged African American women, has installed Kiahna W. Davis as its 31st central regional director. Davis, a Carmel resident, is the CEO and owner of MYB Accounting, Tax, and Consulting. In March, she was elected to the position during Alpha Kappa Alpha’s 88th Central Regional Conference in Chicago and officially installed during the organization’s 70th International Boule’ Conference in July in Orlando. Davis will oversee 8,000 graduate and undergraduate sorority members.
Midtown redevelopment recognized – The Monon Boulevard and Midtown Plaza project was among 12 developments in cities across America to earn national honors by the Urban Land Institute’s 2022 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence. The Carmel project received honorable mention. After being named a finalist earlier this year, ULI judges visited Carmel to see the development in person and to meet with Carmel redevelopment officials. The judges noted: “Monon Boulevard and Midtown Plaza is a bold example of strategic investment in visionary public space as a catalyst for economic development, public engagement, civic pride, celebrations, artistic expression and personal and environmental wellbeing.” Learn more at uli.org/gae.
Supplies sent to Ukraine, Latvia – The City of Carmel and IU Health partnered to send 20 pallets of emergency medical supplies to hospitals in Ukraine and in Jelgava, Latvia, one of Carmel’s new international Sister Cities. IU Health provided the supplies and Carmel Professional Firefighters Local 4444 along with the CFD Auxiliary made a donation to cover the $4,000 cost to ship the supplies. The donation was coordinated by Mayor Jim Brainard, Fire Chief David Haboush and Andris Berzins, the honorary consul for the Republic of Latvia to the State of Indiana and the chairperson of the Carmel and Jelgava Sister Cities partnership.
Same as U Golf Tournament – The second Same as U Golf Tournament is set for 11 a.m. Sept. 23 at Pebble Brook Golf Club, 3110 Westfield Rd. in Noblesville. Check in begins at 10 a.m. A box lunch will be provided by Divvy’s, and dinner will be from Big DOg’s SMokehouse BBQ. Learn more and register at sameasu.org/golf-outing-2022.
Care-oke to benefit United Way program – United Way of Central Indiana is hosting a karaoke competition this fall to benefit its ReadUP childhood literacy program. Registration is open for soloists and musical groups interested in competing for a spot to perform live at Care-oke on Nov. 9 at Old National Centre in Indianapolis. The top 12 fundraisers will automatically qualify for the finale, and the remaining performers will be selected at random. Individual performers commit to raising at least $250, and groups commit to raising $500. The competition is open to singers across the state of all ages. The deadline to register is Oct. 10. Learn more at uwci.org/careoke.
Squirrel stampede fun run – In 1822, a great squirrel emigration swept across Central Indiana. Carmel Clay Historical Society has partnered with Hamilton County Tourism to commemorate that event with a fun run called the Great Squirrel Stampede. The event, which features a 1K and 3K race, is on Sept. 17 at Coxhall Gardens. Proceeds will help fund construction of the new Carmel Clay History Museum, scheduled to break ground near Midtown this year. Tickets are $30 per individual or $50 per family. Visit carmelclayhistory.org for more information.
Golf outing to benefit Indiana Donor Network – ALO Property Group will host the inaugural Brian Bondus Memorial Golf Outing at 11 a.m. at Prairie View Golf Club, 7000 Longest Dr. in Carmel. A light breakfast, box lunch and beverages will be provided. The event will conclude with a cocktail hour and awards reception beginning at 4:30 p.m. Tickets for the golf outing and reception or the reception alone are available. Proceeds will benefit the Indiana Donor Network in memory of Bondus, an ALO Property Group employee who died in 2021 after a severe reaction to a peanut allergy. Learn more at golfgenius.com/ggid/alobondus22.
Trade invasive species for trees – Via a trade-in program, Hamilton County property owners can show proof of removal of an invasive species on their Hamilton County property and receive up to three, three-gallon native trees or shrubs for free. Landscape plantings of callery pear species, burning bush, Japanese barberry and Norway maple are the preferred species for removal, but any from the Official Indiana Invasive Species Council Invasive Plant List is acceptable. Trades are limited to one per address. Learn more and apply at hcinvasives.org.
Sidewalk Repair Grant funds available – In 2020, the Carmel City Council established a Sidewalk Repair Grant program to help keep residential sidewalks across the city in good shape and safe. This program was initially funded by a $50,000, non-reverting fund and there are still funds available for property owners to apply for assistance with sidewalk repairs. The fund assists residents who own and occupy their homes with the expense of repair/replacement of sidewalks and for removal of trees located on their private property that are affecting sidewalks by reimbursing up to 50 percent of the project cost, up to $3,000. Learn more and apply at carmel.in.gov/government/departments-services/community-services/sidewalk-repair-grant.
Mini-mini set for Aug. 21 – Registration is open for the 500 Festival’s mini-mini kids run. The event for children ages 5 to 12 will take place Aug. 21 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Race distances range from a half mile to 3 miles, based on age and ability. Registration is $20 and may be completed at IndyMini.com/minimini.
Evan R. Hansen Golf Outing – The Evan R. Hansen Legacy Foundation Golf Outing is set for July 30 at Pebblebrook Golf Course in Noblesville. The goal at the fourth annual event is to raise $50,000 to establish a perpetual Evan R. Hansen Legacy Nursing Endowed Scholarship at Marian University. Learn more at erh32.org.
Arts & Culture digital passport – The recently launched Indiana Arts & Culture digital passport encourages visitors to discover new places and enjoy some of Indiana’s creative spaces. Sign up online for the passport and receive custom prizes for visiting multiple destinations across the state. Visitors need to check-in from a smartphone at one of the designated passport locations. Participants earn more by visiting more locations. For more information, visit VisitIndiana.com/arts or follow Visit Indiana on social media at @VisitIndiana on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Hamilton County Democratic Women meetings— The Hamilton County Democratic Women meet every third Saturday of the month at the Delaware Township Trustee Building 9090 E. 131st, Fishers. Conversations begin at 9:30 a.m., the meeting is from 10 a.m. to 11. All Hamilton County women are welcome.
Weed Wrangles clear invasive species – The organizations of the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership are inviting volunteers to help clear local parks of invasive species by participating in Weed Wrangles. During the Weed Wrangle, teams of volunteers, supervised by guides, will locate and uproot unwelcome plants such as bush honeysuckle, garlic mustard, autumn olive, English ivy and winter creeper. Learn more and sign up to volunteer at hcinvasives.org.
River Heritage Park closed – River Heritage Park has closed for planned improvements as part of Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation’s Reimagining Parks initiative. Upgrades include wheelchair-accessible playground features, sensory-friendly interpretive signage, ADA-accessible trails and boardwalks with overlooks on the White River and more. The park is anticipated to reopen after construction is completed in the winter of 2022.
Monthly beekeepers meeting – The North Central Beekeepers Club meets the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000 E. 151st St. in Westfield. Meetings are free to attend by all levels of beekeepers located centrally north of Indianapolis. Those interested in becoming beekeepers are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com/ncbclub.
Telamon hire – Carmel-based Telamon Corporation has hired Sarah Reisman as chief financial officer. Reisman joins Telamon after rising through the ranks at Hillenbrand, a publicly traded Indiana-based firm. Reisman lives with her husband and children in Greensburg, where she is active with her church and Voices for Children, a non-profit dedicated to advocating for abused and neglected children. She completed her undergraduate work at Ball State University and her MBA from the Kelley School at Indiana University.
Summer Sip & Shop – Carmel City Center will host the Summer Sip & Shop Block Party 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 6. Visitors are invited to stop by and enjoy the festivities that include a DJ on the plaza, sidewalk sales, complimentary white wine and Raspberry Refresher cocktails at four of our participating shops, free airbrush tattoos for children, donation pop-up outdoor yoga and complimentary neck and shoulder massages.
Jail to present re-entry job fair – The Hamilton County Jail and the Transitioning Opportunities for Work, Education and Reality Mentoring Program will present the Re-Entry Resource and Job Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 12. For any questions about the event or to register a business representative to participate, contact Kelly Gunn at [email protected] or 239-989-2732. RSVP by Aug 1.
Eggs & Issues – OneZone Chamber of Commerce announces Eggs & Issues as their new monthly advocacy event. Starting in December, OneZone member attendees will hear about a variety of topics. From January to April attendees will hear from state legislators, what they are working on at the Statehouse, and how to get involved. Registration for the first Eggs & Issues will open in August.
Joint Pain Seminar – Franciscan Health will host a Joint Pain Seminar at 6 p.m. Aug. 2 in the conference room on the second floor of the Franciscan Health Orthopedic Hospital Carmel, 10777 Illinois St. The event is free and open to the public. Dr. Anthony Feher will explain the latest procedures in joint replacement and managing arthritis and answer questions about related treatment options. Registration is required because of limited seating. To register, call 833-788-1862.
Medical center tops ranking – For the 25th consecutive year, Indiana University Health Medical Center has been ranked among the nation’s top adult hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-23 list of “Best Hospitals.” IU Health Medical Center remains the No. 1-ranked hospital in Indiana and Indianapolis and the only nationally ranked adult hospital in the state. U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in 35 specialties, procedures and conditions to create its rankings.
Blood donors needed – Versiti Blood Center of Indiana has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations, as it has seen a drastic drop in scheduled appointments. The blood center anticipates the available inventory of blood to be at less than a one-day supply within the coming days. Versiti strives for at least a three-day supply of blood, so it can be ready to serve all patients, even during unexpected events. Versiti is seeking donors for more than 2,500 open appointments available at community blood drives and donation centers throughout the state. Donors can schedule an appointment to donate blood by calling 916-5150 or online at versiti.org/indiana.
500 Mile Challenge – Registration is open for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge, an online fitness program that encourages participants to complete 500 miles of physical activity, the same mileage drivers complete during the Indianapolis 500. Participants also have the option to complete 250 miles of physical activity in the Gasoline Alley 250 Mile Challenge. The challenges, which benefit the 500 Festival, kicked off June 13 and run through Oct. 31. Registration is $65 and includes a shirt, finisher medal, hat and more. Register for either challenge at IndyMini.com/500Miles.
Hospice volunteers needed – Anew Hospice is seeking volunteers to spend time with hospice patients throughout the Indianapolis area. Volunteers visit hospice patients to provide companionship through music, reading, doing puzzles, life review or just being a hand to hold. To learn more, call 317-300-2292 or email [email protected].
