Rain on Main returns – The ninth annual Rain on Main event, a painted rain barrel contest and auction, kicks off Aug. 11 with a display of 20 decorated barrels in the Carmel Arts & Design District. The barrels will remain along Main Street through the following week until they are relocated to the Carmel Farmers Market. The painted barrels will be displayed and judged by an independent panel of experts and the first, second and third place artists will receive cash prizes. The general public will also be given the opportunity to vote for their favorites.
Rugby try-on – The Carmel Rugby Club will present a free try-on event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 12 at the American Legion Post 155, 852 W. Main St. in Carmel. Boys and girls in grades 9 to 12 are welcome to attend this non-contact rugby clinic.
Synergize benefits Folds of Honor – Synergize’s 4:30 Meetup in July supported Folds of Honor Indiana, an organization that has awarded nearly $200 million in educational scholarships to spouses and families of America’s fallen and disabled servicemembers. Recently, Folds of Honor has expanded its mission to include first responders. Synergize raised $2,500 for Folds of Honor at the event. Learn more at SynergizeIndy.com.
Girl Scouts recruitment events — Girl Scouts of Central Indiana will set up camp from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 12 at various Dairy Queen locations to recruit new members. According to organizer Whitney Parker, some of the confirmed locations in Hamilton and Boone counties are:
- Carmel – 951 N. Range Line Rd.
- Fishers – 11976 N. Allisonville Rd.,13092 Publishers Pl. and 13647 Olivia Way
- Noblesville – 5625 Pebble Village Ln.
- Zionsville – 340 S. 1st Street
- Westfield – 940 Tournament Trail
Sister Cities art contest – The Carmel Cortona Sister Cities Committee has launched a contest for painters ages 14-19 who can create a piece of art that pays honor to Luca Signorelli, an Italian Renaissance painter from Carmel’s Sister City, Cortona, Italy. On the 500th anniversary of Signorelli’s death, a highly anticipated “Signorelli 500” exhibit has been planned in Cortona and the young artists of Carmel will have their winning selections included alongside others in Cortona. Cash prizes will be paid to the winning artists. Entries are due by Aug. 31. Learn more at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOLHVXoMu9cUZF6rqJZN7rEXxnBbnXy8eMrfFYFz_qNKNElA/viewform.
ALA Girls Nation senator – Ridhi Dondeti of Carmel is one of 94 high school seniors selected to attend the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation held July 22-29 in Washington, D.C. The weeklong program, founded in 1947, has provided civic education to thousands of students, teaching them about how the federal government works. Dondeti, an incoming senior at Carmel High School, was one of two participants who represented Indiana as a “senator” at ALA Girls Nation. At the event, senators participated in mock Senate sessions complete with caucuses and debating bills that range from personal to political interests.
White River Clean-up – The annual White River Clean-up will return Aug. 26. Participants will paddle along the river to pick up trash along one of three routes. The event is free but requires a $15 refundable deposit that will be lost if participants do not show up. Learn more at thewhiteriveralliance.org/programs/white-river-clean-up.
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 membership@alindy.org. Learn more at ALIndy.org.
Remove invasives, receive free plants – The Hamilton County Invasives Partnership and Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District will provide up to three, 3-gallon native trees or shrubs for free to Hamilton County residents who show proof of removal of an invasive species from their property. Learn more at hcinvasives.org.
Parks master plan survey – Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is inviting the community to participate in an online survey to provide input for the 2024-2028 comprehensive parks and recreation master plan. The survey is open through Aug. 23. The survey is an opportunity for the public to share feedback on CCPR’s current offerings as well as new park and recreation opportunities. The survey results will be incorporated into the final master plan. Every five years, the department develops a new parks and recreation master plan utilizing internal assessment, data collection and community input to help determine how to best serve an ever-changing and growing community. Take the survey at carmelclaysurvey.org/?mc_cid=d99c83f22f&mc_eid=5e87c92e87.
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 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.
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.
Lucas transitions from CEO to chairman – Lucas Oil Products, a distributor of automotive additives and lubricants, has announced the transition of Forrest Lucas from CEO to chairman of Lucas Oil. In his new role, Lucas, owner of Lucas Estate in Carmel, will step away from day-to-day activities and move into an advisory role to help guide the strategic direction of the company. The transition also allows Lucas more time to focus on the Lucas Cattle Company, the Lucas Ranch and other personal initiatives.
Telamon hire – Roger Sartain has joined Carmel-based Telamon Corporation as senior vice president of revenue in the Telecom Division, the largest division of the company booking over $500 million in annual revenue. Sartain has held several senior management positions and brings more than 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. He holds a bachelors degree in business administration, management and finance from Columbia College.
Free legal advice – Legal Line, a free legal advice call-in service, will be available from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 11 with local attorneys answering calls at 317-269-2222. Licensed Indianapolis attorneys participating in Legal Line are prepared to answer questions on topics like divorce, child custody, child support, landlord/tenant issues, wills, bankruptcy, personal injury, employment law and more. All calls are confidential.
Doctor joins Priority Physicians – Dr. Jacob A. Brandon has joined Priority Physicians in the Carmel office. The Fishers resident is board-certified in internal medicine. His undergraduate studies were at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, followed by medical school at Indiana University and Ross University School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency at Ascension St. Vincent hospital in Indianapolis, serving as chief resident his final year.
Immunization clinics – The Hamilton County Health Department will host Back-To-School Immunization Clinics as part of a statewide effort to help families easily access school immunizations prior to the start of the school year. Remaining clinics are from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 16 and 30 at the Hamilton County Health Department, 18030 Foundation Dr. in Noblesville. Register at patients.vaxcare.com/registration. Enter code IN15561 and then select preferred date. There is an $8 administration fee per vaccine for those who are uninsured or underinsured.
Forté debuts new technology – Dr. Stephen Ritter of Carmel-based Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics is the first surgeon in the state to use Stryker’s Q Guidance System with Spine Guidance Software for navigation and guidance in surgery. The system’s state-of-the-art camera and enhanced software can produce real-time, 3D models of a patient’s spine, enabling surgeons such as Ritter to guide their tools and perform critical tasks more precisely and efficiently than ever before. Learn more at ForteOrtho.com.
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 ktaylor@brightonhospice.com.