CPD acquires breaching kits – The Carmel Police Dept. recently purchased tools to equip its 16 patrol supervisors with breaching kits, tools that officers can use to break down doors or barriers during a critical incident that requires an immediate response. Officers are trained to respond immediately and directly to the threat during a critical incident. The tools contained in the breaching kits will play a vital role in the ability of our officers to enter a secure building during a critical incident. The purchase of these breaching kits was made possible by a donation from The Cohen Family Foundation, Inc.
Statue returns to Main Street – One of Carmel’s most well known sidewalk statues, featuring a police officer, is back in place on Main Street at the Monon Greenway after spending a few months getting repaired and repainted. Professional artists at the Seward Johnson Atelier, from which the city obtained this and the other Seward Johnson statues, repaired a damaged antenna on the officer’s hand-held radio, then removed and replaced the paint and seal before returning earlier this month.
Princess Program applications – The 500 Festival is accepting applications for the 2023 500 Festival Princess Program. Applications are available at 500Festival.com/Princess. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Jan. 8, 2023. The program provides 33 women from Indiana colleges and universities with the opportunity to make an impact during their college years as ambassadors of the 500 Festival and its mission to enrich lives and positively impact the community. Each 500 Festival Princess will also receive a $1,000 scholarship.
CHS grad to conduct song – Mason Kniola of Carmel will conduct “Chofki” by Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate when the Manchester Symphony Orchestra opens its 84th season Oct. 9. Kniola is majoring in vocal performance at Manchester University. He is a graduate of Carmel High School. Tickets are $20 for general admission. Admission is free for anyone younger than 18. Learn more at manchestersymphonyorchestra.org.
Resounding Joy fundraiser – A ’90s Music Trivia Night is set for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at Bar Louie, 1111 W. Main St. in Carmel, to benefit Resounding Joy Indiana. The fundraiser will help Resounding Joy launch Sounds of Legacy at Morning Light Hospice, which will provide an opportunity for residents of the hospice to write songs based on their lives. Morning Light Hospice is a nonprofit that operates a free home in Indianapolis for low-income families needing hospice care. Learn more at resoundingjoyinc.org/indiana.
Church to distribute potatoes – St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 4780 E. 126th St. in Carmel, will distribute 40,000 pounds of free potatoes from 8 to 10 a.m. Oct. 8. The event is held in partnership with the Society of Saint Andrew, a nationwide organization dedicated to gleaning produce that would otherwise go to waste. Food pantries and other agencies should contact Stephanie Cohen, [email protected] to advise how many pounds of potatoes they need. Individuals may show up without registering in advance.
Salvation Army volunteer opportunities – The Salvation Army of Indianapolis is looking for volunteers for the Coats for Kids event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Families who wish to register to receive coats for their kids can visit centralusa.salvationarmy.org/indiana/coats-for-kids. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Kathy Dalla Costa with the Salvation Army at [email protected].
Christkind essay contest – The 2022 Carmel Christkindlmarkt Christkind essay contest is officially open for the 2022 market season. The contest provides a unique opportunity for a female high school or college student to participate in the Carmel Christkindlmarkt as the iconic Christkind, and winners are also awarded scholarships. This year’s essay prompt invites applicants to explore the traditions of Christmas cuisine. The essay question and qualifications can be found at carmelchristkindlmarkt.com/christkind-contest. Applications are due by Oct. 11 at 11:55 p.m.
Food truck festival – Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church will host a food truck festival from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sept. 29 on the church campus at 146th Street and Oak Ridge Road in Carmel. There will be 10 food trucks, games and inflatables for children, information about ministries and opportunities for fellowship. There is no cost for admission.
Submit candidate debate questions – The Indiana Debate Commission will host a single debate between U.S. Senate candidates Todd Young (Republican, incumbent), Thomas McDermott (Democrat) and James Sceniak (Libertarian) at 7 p.m. Oct. 16. Anyone can submit questions for consideration in this debate, which will be moderated by Laura Merrifield Wilson, an associate professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis, and also a commission board member. She previously moderated a gubernatorial debate in 2016. Questions can be submitted online through Sept. 30 at indianadebatecommission.com.
County bond rating affirmed – S&P Global Ratings recently affirmed its AAA long-term rating of Hamilton County, which is the highest rating that can be given. In addition, the agency assigned its AAA rating to the county’s bridge improvement bonds that are scheduled to close this month. The outlook is stable. The bond proceeds will be used to finance a new bridge project over the White River. This will be done in conjunction with the City of Noblesville. This is the second year the county has received a AAA rating. Hamilton County is the only county in Indiana that holds a AAA rating from S&P.
Ghosts and Goblins registration open – The 14th annual Carmel Education Foundation Ghosts and Goblins 5K/2K Race will kick off at 9 a.m., Oct. 22 at Carmel High School. Strollers are welcome and costumes are encouraged. Prizes will be awarded to age category winners. Proceeds from the race benefit CCS students and teachers through the award of CEF Great Idea grants. Learn more and register at GhostsandGoblinsRun.com.
Republican Women’s Club – The Hamilton County Republican Women’s Club will meet at Oct. 4 at Hamilton County FOP 103 Lodge, 7201 E. 196th St. in Noblesville, to hear a speaker from Prevail talk about domestic violence. On Oct. 24, the group will host a craft night to make Christmas cards for nursing homes and veterans. The craft night will be at Hamilton County FOP 103 Lodge.
Voting info for college students – The League of Women Voters of Hamilton County is reminding college students to plan ahead to be able to participate in voting on Election Day on Nov. 8. College students living away from home may use absentee ballots to cast their votes, but they should allow time for applying for the ballot and receiving it by mail at their campus location. The deadline to request absentee ballots is Oct. 27, but students are advised to request a ballot as soon as they have their campus mailing address. Students who opt to vote in local races in college towns must change their permanent address on their registration to that of their campus residence. Learn more and request an absentee ballot at IndianaVoters.org and Vote411.org.
State’s cutest dogs – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, the Indiana Destination Development Corp. and Indiana’s First Dog, Henry, are searching for adorable dogs in great locations across the state through the Visit Indiana Cutest Dog Photo Contest. A different winner will be selected every week for one year. Each winning dog will get a note from Indiana’s first dog, an exclusive ‘More To Discover IN Indiana’ dog bandana, a feature as one of the Cutest Dogs IN Indiana on the Visit Indiana social channels. To enter, upload a photo or video of your dog to Instagram, tag @VisitIndiana and use the hashtag #DogsINIndiana. Entries must include the location where the photo was taken.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Prevent catalytic converter theft – Jiffy Lube of Indiana and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Dept. have partnered to launch the Catalytic Converter Identification Initiative to combat a trend of catalytic converter thefts and support vehicle safety. Through this initiative, Hoosiers that visit a Jiffy Lube store in central Indiana can opt to have their technician engrave the last 8 digits of the vehicle’s VIN on the catalytic converter and add a stripe of high-temp paint, which adds an extra layer of protection to any vehicle at no additional cost (and no purchase necessary). Services will remain in effect indefinitely.
Winter seasonal hiring events – INDOT will host winter seasonal hiring events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 28 at 13 locations across the state. Winter seasonal positions run between Nov. 1 and April 1. Pay starts at $20 per hour for full-time operations and $14 per hour for snowplow-only operations. Job duties include performing general highway maintenance, traffic maintenance, snow and ice removal and other duties related to winter operations. A valid CDL is required to be considered for a seasonal role. Registration is not required to attend. For a list of hiring fair locations, visit bit.ly/INDOTHiring. Interested candidates may text INDOT Careers to 468311 to receive additional job postings.
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 runs 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].
