Submit questions for GOP debate – Current Publishing will present a debate between the Republican gubernatorial candidates for Indiana governor from 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 11 at the Palladium, 1 Carter Green in Carmel. Current readers may submit questions or issues to be considered for the debate by emailing Ann Marie Shambaugh, Current Publishing senior editor and debate moderator, at [email protected].
500 Mini Marathon seeks course entertainment — Registration is open for those interested in providing course entertainment during the 2024 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Selected groups will perform for a crowd of more than 20,000 participants, volunteers and spectators along the 13.1-mile course on May 4. Musicians, dance groups, bands, and family-friendly entertainers of all genres are encouraged to apply at IndyMini.com/entertainment. For those who want to register for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and to learn more, visit IndyMini.com/Register.
OPPC services, study – Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 1605 E. 106th St. in Carmel, will present Ash Wednesday services at noon and 6 p.m. Feb. 14. The church will host a Soup and Study Lenten series on the Psalms from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays Feb. 21 to March 20. For more information call 317-844-1107 or visit orchardpark.org.
Earth Day Art Contest – Carmel Green Initiative is inviting youth in kindergarten through 12th grade to enter the 2024 Earth Day Art Contest. Entries will be displayed at several community exhibits to inspire the community to live more sustainably. Entries are due Feb. 16. Learn more about the contest at CarmelGreen.org.
Sensory-friendly skate session – The Ice at Carter Green, the City of Carmel and the Carmel Advisory Committee on Disability will open the ice rink at 10 Carter Green for a sensory-friendly skate session from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 25. Walkers and wheelchairs are allowed on the ice during this time. There is no charge to skate. Visit TheIceatCarterGreen.com to learn more.
Silver Pen Writing Competition – The Stratford is presenting the 11th Annual Senior Living Communities Silver Pen Writing Competition. The senior living community will award cash prizes up to $3,750 to assist three local high school seniors with post-graduate plans. A panel will judge 1,000-word essays exploring the topic of what new subject the author proposes be taught for the rest of the school year. Essays must be submitted by Feb. 15. For the full rules and to submit an essay, visit Silverpen-SLC.com.
Environmental bills update – The Carmel Green Initiative will present a mid-session legislative report from Sam Carpenter, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council. The event, which will include information on Statehouse bills with environmental or energy impacts, is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St. Learn more and RSVP at CarmelGreen.org.
National History Day judges sought – The Indiana Historical Society is looking for 300 volunteers around the state to serve as judges for the 2024 National History Day in Indiana contests. NHDI is a yearlong program dedicated to enhancing history education in Indiana’s schools. Students in grades four through 12 explore a historical subject that fits under the annual theme. The Central Region contest will take place March 16 at Carmel High School. To learn more, visit indianahistory.org/historyday or call 317-232-1882.
Eclipse poetry – Indiana Humanities is looking to select an official poet for the April 8 eclipse, an event that will not happen locally again until 2044. Indiana is one of only a handful of states that are in the path of totality for the eclipse, and Hoosier poets everywhere are invited to submit an original poem inspired by this event. The poet who submits a poem that best reflects the significance of the eclipse will receive a cash prize of $500, the opportunity to read the poem during an eclipse watch party in Indianapolis and have their work featured on Indiana Humanities’ website and social media. Submissions should be emailed as a PDF attachment to Megan Telligman, director of programs, at [email protected] by Feb. 9. Learn more at indianahumanities.org/2024/01/04/eclipse24.
Apply for Governor’s Fellowship – Gov. Eric Holcomb is accepting applications through Jan. 31 for the 2024–2025 Governor’s Fellowship. The fellowship is highly selective and provides a unique experience in Indiana state government by placing fellows in various state agencies on a rotating basis throughout the year. The program is open to college graduates who receive their bachelor’s degrees beginning in either summer or fall of 2023 or spring of 2024. Fellows are paid, full-time employees who participate in the day-to-day activities of state government. Learn more at in.gov/gov/fellowship.htm.
Apply for city boards – Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam launched a new website for Elevate Carmel, Inc. featuring a portal for residents to apply for seats on boards and commissions active in City Hall. Carmel residents seeking involvement are encouraged to apply at elevatecarmel.com.
Operation School Bell – The Assistance League of Indianapolis is seeking donations to support its Operation School Bell program, which provides apparel and shoes for thousands of underserved students in Indianapolis. Each student receives a duffel bag that includes a winter jacket, socks, shirts, pants, toothbrush and more. Learn more and donate at alindy.org/operation-school-bell-mailer.html.
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 for all levels of beekeepers located centrally north of Indianapolis. Those interested in becoming beekeepers are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com/ncbclub.
Centier Bank hires new SVP, CMO – Brian O’Meara joined Centier Bank in early 2024 as senior vice president, chief marketing officer. O’Meara was most recently Old National Bank’s chief digital banking officer. Throughout his nearly 30-year career, he has demonstrated expertise in various aspects of digital banking and marketing and brings a highly diversified skill set to his new role, according to Centier Bank. His achievements in executive leadership span digital sales and service, call center management, product development, and ATM & card operations. O’Meara will lead Centier’s marketing strategy as the bank invests in new branches, technology and growing its presence throughout Indiana’s communities. For more about, O’Meara, visit linkedin.com/in/bomeara or email [email protected]. For more about Centier Bank, visit centier.com.
City hires marketing director – Rebecca Carl became the director of marketing and community relations for the City of Carmel on Jan. 23. She had served as interim director since Jan. 8. Carl has more than 25 years of marketing and communications experience in higher education and healthcare. She is an adjunct instructor at Butler University in the Andre B. Lacy School of Business, teaching international marketing. Carl received her Master of Business Administration from Butler University.
IMCU donates to CHS athletics – Indiana Members Credit Union recently presented a check for $1,500 to Carmel High School athletics as part of an ongoing school spirit debit card program. The partnership allows Carmel fans the opportunity to show their school spirit and support the athletic program by signing up for a Carmel Greyhounds-themed debit card. Every time the card is used as a signature-based transaction, Carmel athletics benefits. Since beginning the program in 2013, CHS athletics has earned $17,331 through this program.
Employer-sponsored child-care grants available — The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has expressed its support for the governor and Family and Social Services Administration’s recently announced grants for employer-sponsored childcare. Awardees can use the funds to support employees’ childcare needs in a variety of ways, including sponsoring dependent-care assistance plans, providing on-site or near-site child care or offering child care tuition benefits. For more, visit in.gov/fssa/carefinder/employer-sponsored-child-care-fund.
Gourmet Tastings at Regalique – Regalique, 110 W. Main St., Suite 120, in Carmel, is hosting Gourmet Tastings from 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays. At the free event, guests can sample gourmet products, including chocolates, honey, cheese and more. Learn more at Regalique.com.
Lung Support Group – Franciscan Health Indianapolis will host a monthly Lung Support Group hospital, 8111 S. Emerson Ave. in Indianapolis. The meetings will take place on the third Thursday of each month (beginning March 21) from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Cardiac Testing Conference Room. Meetings include a guest speaker and focus on lung education and treatment information. A light meal will be provided and shuttle bus service is available. RSVP for meeting and transportation a week prior to the event. For more, call 317-528-8901 or email [email protected].
Vaccines available – Kroger Health is offering vaccinations for flu, RSV and COVID-19 at Kroger grocery and Little Clinic locations, including in Carmel at 1217 S. Range Line Rd. and 10679 N. Michigan Rd. While customers can choose to walk-in to receive vaccines, they are also welcome to make an appointment. To learn more or to make an appointment, visit kroger.com/vaccinations.
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].
