Police Citizens Academy registration – Registration for the fall session of the Carmel Police Citizens Academy is now open. The free 11-week class allows citizens to get a better understanding of how the Carmel Police Department works. Participants will also get a closer look at the training our officers receive and learn about numerous topics including the SWAT team, K-9 Unit, Drone Unit, Criminal Investigations, Crime Scene Investigations and many others. The class will meet on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. starting Aug. 10. Learn more and register at carmel.in.gov/government/departments-services/police/community-resource-programs/citizen-police-academy.
CVS theft – The Carmel Police Department is investigating a theft that occurred the afternoon of June 29 at CVS at 367 W. 116th St. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the individuals pictured is asked to contact CPD at 317-571-2500 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477. Reference CPD case number 2023-45680.
Christkindlmarkt mug unveiled – The Carmel Christkindlmarkt has unveiled the 2023 design of the market’s boot mug. This year’s mug will be rose colored, with a dark red interior. Along with the updated color, this year’s mug features views of the Palladium, ice skaters on the Ice at Carter Green and the Glühwein Pyramid – one of the signature sights at the market. The mugs will be available for sale on-site at the market for $6 each, while supplies last. The market will be open Nov. 18 through Dec. 24. Learn more at carmelchristkindlmarkt.com.
Homemade pie contest – The Hamilton County Extension Homemakers will host a homemade pie contest during the Hamilton County 4-H Fair. Entries will be accepted from 1 to 2 p.m. July 22 in the Exhibition Center Hall B at the fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville. Individuals are asked to submit a homemade pie from a recipe handed down through generations and include the recipe with directions. No pies needing refrigeration will be accepted, while entries must also include 50 to 100 words telling how the pie became part of your family history. Judging will begin at 2 p.m. with prizes awarded to the winner. For more, call 317-776-0854.
Learn about Assistance League – Learn more about membership in the Assistance League of Indianapolis at an informational coffee meeting set for 10 a.m. Aug. 17 at the ALI chapter office, 1475 W. 86th St., Suite E, in Indianapolis. Membership in ALI, an all-volunteer philanthropic nonprofit, is open to residents in Indianapolis and surrounding communities. RSVP to Janine Bercovitz, vice president of membership, at [email protected]. Learn more at ALIndy.org.
Golf tournament fundraiser – The fifth annual Evan R Hansen Legacy Foundation Golf Tournament is set for July 29 on both 18-hole courses at Pebble Brook Golf Club in Noblesville. The foundation plans to use the proceeds to begin sponsoring nationally known mental health speaker presentations at local high schools as well as other causes related to its mission. For more, visit erh32.org.
Nature Keepers – Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is offering a new youth program this summer called Nature Keepers. This half-day nature program will be led by the CCPR Parks & Natural Resources team and hosted at different parks each week to provide an immersive, hands-on experience. Nature Keepers is designed for ages 5-11. Morning sessions are for ages 5-7, while afternoons are for ages 8-11. Each four-day Nature Keepers session runs Monday through Thursday and features a different theme. This summer’s themes include weather, water, wildlife, and wilderness survival. Each session is $100 per participant. The program will run weekly through July 27. Learn more and register at anc.apm.activecommunities.com/carmelclayparks/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&activity_keyword=nature%20keepers&viewMode=list.
Website connects residents to resources – The Hamilton County Community Foundation, Duke Energy, the Hamilton County Trustees Association and Good Samaritan Network have partnered to launch Help4HamiltonCounty.org to provide residents with a one-stop resource for support services. The new resource offers connection in the areas of aging and seniors, food assistance, medical and mental health, youth and families, housing and education and employment.
Kindergarten registration – Registration is open for the Carmel Clay Schools kindergarten class for the 2023-24 school year. Early registration helps CCS prepare for anticipated staffing needs and allows families to begin the kindergarten assessment process and receive communication from the district. Register for the Class of 2036 at ccs.k12.in.us/services/curriculum/kindergarten.
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.
Headquarters relocation – The BAM Companies, an institutional real estate owner/operator, has relocated its headquarters to Carmel. After several years of growth, The BAM Companies began its search for a new headquarters that would accommodate its rapid expansion while still aiming to remain geographically centralized. The new headquarters on N. Pennsylvania St. has more than 16,000 square feet of renovated office space with onsite parking, an employee fitness center and locker rooms, a training facility, multiple conference and huddle rooms, a fully functional kitchen, and an employee lounge.
Meet the manager – The Fresh Market, a grocery store that recently opened at 1392 S. Range Line Rd. in Carmel, will present an opportunity for shoppers to meet store manager Korey Mauer from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 22. Mauer will greet guests as they enter the store with free orange juice, coffee and pastries. The store will also offer samples in various departments during this time.
Most Purchasing Power – SmartAssest released its annual study on the places with the most purchasing power. The study measures the places where average living expenses are most affordable for people living there by measuring the cost of living relative to local income in each county. According to the study, Hamilton County has a $54,165 cost of living and a median income of $98,173, ranking it first in Indiana with a purchasing power index of 91.70.
Merchants Bank hire – Carmel-based Merchants Bank has hired John Douglas as assistant vice president in the bank’s Correspondent and Warehouse Lending divisions. Douglas will join this growing segment of Merchants’ lending platform remotely in New Jersey. Prior to joining Merchants Bank, Douglas served as president and CEO of eWise Home Lending, a company he founded. Douglas is an active member of the New Jersey Mortgage Broker/Banker Association and has participated in several MBA committees. He is a graduate of Catholic University.
Free home repair services – The Patch Boys of Northeast Indianapolis, a locally owned and operated home repair services provider, is offering free home repair services to an immediate family member of a fallen soldier in the area. The family will be selected based on the scope of repairs needed and the impact it would have on the family. Submissions will be accepted until May 26, and the winning family will be selected on or before Memorial Day. Learn more at thepatchboys.com/northeast-indianapolis.
Eliminate period poverty – Carmel Middle School student and Girl Scout Cadette Maren Sander wants to eliminate period poverty in her community. She has made it her mission to make sure no girls go without feminine hygiene products at her school. Carmel Middle School’s Pantry Packs program helps feed Carmel Middle School students that would otherwise go without. Select students are sent home with food for their families each Friday and over extended breaks. With Sander’s help, each pack will now include period products once a month. Sander has so far collected 43 boxes of tampons and 18 boxes of pads. If she collects enough, she could provide hygiene products for Clay and Creekside Middle Schools as well. An Amazon wish list has been set up for those interested in donating to the project. Access the list at rb.gy/6szm0.
My Healthy Baby – The Indiana Dept. of Health and Indiana Family and Social Services Administration have completed the rollout of My Healthy Baby, the state’s obstetrical navigator program that is designed to improve health outcomes for both mother and baby. Launched in January 2020, My Healthy Baby connects pregnant women who are enrolled in Medicaid with free home visiting services and support in their communities during their pregnancy and throughout their baby’s first year of life. Since its inception, the program has referred more than 12,000 women to local support through programs such as Nurse-Family Partnership and Healthy Families. Eligible women can be referred to My Healthy Baby by a provider or can refer themselves by visiting myhealthybabyindiana.com or calling 844-624-6667.
Hospice volunteers needed – Brighton Hospice in Carmel is looking for volunteers to help office staff perform a variety of office duties such as organizing admission paperwork, filing, preparing and sending mail, answering phones, stocking supplies and helping with special projects and events. Hours and days for this volunteer opportunity are flexible and training will be provided. To learn more, contact Katresha Taylor, volunteer coordinator, by calling 317-798-2160 or by email at [email protected].
