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Founded Jan. 29, 2008, Noblesville, IN
Vol. XIX, No. 18
Copyright 2026
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By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Sports-related businesses will be the focus of the City of Westfield’s Market Court Level Up Incubator development at 18160 Market Court.
During the May 18 Westfield Redevelopment Commission meeting, Jenell Fairman, Westfield executive chief of economic and community development, presented an update on the concept, which the commission began publicly discussing in December 2025.
The vacant building at the site, was once the home of a Tractor Supply Store and most recently used for storage by Westfield Washington Schools. The Westfield Community Development Corp. — a city-run entity — is the developer for the business incubator.
“We think this is a really great op-
Rendering of the Market Court Level Up incubator development at 18160 Market Court in
portunity for the city to get involved in cleaning up an area that needs some improvement and then also providing an opportunity for businesses to grow within our city,” Fairman said. She said the project will aim to attract businesses that focus on sports or support the sports entertainment industry.
Fairman said the Westfield Com-
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munity Development Corp. is paying $20,000 per month to lease the space and that the city plans to buy the building in July for $4 million. A $4.4 million grant approved by the RDC in late 2025 would cover the cost.
Also during the meeting, the RDC unanimously approved a construction manager as constructor agreement for Meyer Najem Construction to renovate the property.
RDC member Steve Latour requested that the front of the property indicate that this is a City of Westfield project.
“This will be a differentiator for us in this county in the next decade,” Latour said. “I believe having this will be something that will set us apart from our other communities, and so the more that we can celebrate that and get the community to buy into it, it’ll be wildly successful.”
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
The Bridgewater Club in Westfield has completed a renovation of its 18hole championship golf course. The club at 3535 E. 161st St. hosted an opening weekend May 16 with members trying the improved greens in a shotgun start.
Pat Perry, the longest tenured member at Bridgewater, got the celebration started as she was the first to tee off.
Highlights of the renovation include reconstruction of the greens and green complex, revitalized bunkers, seven
new forward tees, advanced turfgrass varieties customized for regional conditions, cart path paving and expanded tee boxes and practice green.
The project was led by golf course architecture firm Tim Liddy + Associates and its founder, Tim Liddy, fellow of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and a longtime Pete Dye collaborator. Liddy helped modernize the course while preserving its original character and championship design.
“This renovation is an incredible example of our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our members on the golf course and throughout
the entire club,” stated Mike Gardner, chief operating officer of The Bridgewater Club.
Dye, a longtime Carmel resident who died in 2020, designed the 18-hole championship course, which was completed in 1999.
“We paid attention to every detail, including new turf to compete with Indiana’s climate and evolving playing conditions while preserving the championship-caliber experience our club is known for,” Gardner stated.
For more information on The Bridgewater Club and its extensive amenities, visit thebridgewaterclub.com.
Now featuring more produce, more local vendors, and more to explore every Thursday. Fun for all ages, the market o ers something for the whole family to enjoy!
MAY 7–SEPTEMBER 3 ( THURSDAYS) GRAND JUNCTION PLAZA | 225 S. UNION ST.
Presented by Community Health Network
Harris named Assistant Director at ELC — The Westfield Washington Schools Board of Trustees recently approved the appointment of Asheley Harris as Before and After care assistant director at the Virginia F. Wood Early Learning Center. Harris will support students, staff and families through leadership at the ELC and BAC programs while helping strengthen learning experiences for WWS’s littlest Shamrocks. Harris currently serves as a K-5 Instructional Coach at White River Elementary in Noblesville, a role she has held since June 2021.
Movies in the Plaza begins May 27 — Westfield’s Movies In The Plaza is set for select evenings from May to August at Grand Junction Plaza. The free summer series will feature outdoor movie nights featuring popular films for all ages. Movies will begin at 7:30 p.m. Here is the 2026 schedule:
• May 27: “Lilo & Stitch” (2025)
• June 10: “Ghostbusters” (1984)
• June 24: “Kicking & Screaming”
• July 22: “Brave”
• Aug. 15: “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
Williams Creek partners with Parks on environmental events — Williams Creek Management is partnering with the City of Westfield’s Parks and Recreation Department for upcoming events focused on outdoor recreation, sustainability and ecological stewardship.
• Creek Stomps will take place every Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. May 28 to July 30 at Grand Junction Plaza and Wetland Amphitheater
• Fishing with Friends will take place from 9 a.m. to noon June 6 at Simon Moon Park
For more, visit williamscreekmgt.com/ about-us/.
Al Hambach Memorial Golf Classic
— Meals On Wheels of Hamilton County will host its third annual Al Hambach Memorial Golf Classic presented by First Merchants Bank June 8 at Chatham Hills Country Club in Westfield. The event includes a round of golf, breakfast, lunch, a silent auction and an awards ceremony. Funds raised from the tournament will help feed vulnerable Hamilton County residents and allow them to remain living independently in their own homes. To register, go to mealsonwheelshc.org/ golf-outing/.
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Petitioners for The Lakes at Freemont Planned Unit Development presented several changes during the May 18 Westfield Advisory Plan Commission workshop.
The 108-acre project in northwest Washington Township is being developed by Grant Communities with Fischer Homes as the builder.
The most significant change to the site was the elimination of 70 alley-fed lots that would have faced Freemont Moore Road in the center of the development. Homes will now face away from Freemont Moore Road. The alley-fed homes were replaced in the revised plan with 1,500-square-footplus homes that could have two to six bedrooms.
The space opened by the elimination of 70 alley-fed homes allowed for the addition of 26 3,100-square-foot-plus Grand Estate home types and four more 2,000-square-foot-plus Masterpiece style homes. There is also an additional six acres of open space.
In total, the number of proposed residential units dropped from 220 to 190.
Roads inside the development were reconfigured in the northwest part of the development to provide more tree buffer space, and playground space was added.
APC members expressed concerns about a retention pond in the eastern portion of the development, the large
of the revised Lakes At Freemont development. (Screenshot from APC agenda packet)
number of stub-end streets leading out of the development and possible enhancements to Freemont Moore Road. The recently-passed Westfield comprehensive plan was also a topic of discussion, as it was during the April public hearing. Some property owners in the area have expressed opposition to continued development in this part of Westfield and Washington Township.
“The community has sent a message that Westfield is going to grow residentially from where it exists today … (west) to Lamong Road,” said Jon Dobosiewicz, a land use specialist from the law firm Nelson and Frankenberger, who spoke on behalf of the petitioners.
APC member Victor McCarty, a Westfield City Council member who voted against the comprehensive plan, said 50 residents have signed a petition expressing concerns about the development.
“The existing residents out there, they just feel disregarded,” McCarty said. “They would very much prefer to have the past comp plan, which was larger lots as we moved out to (the) northwest.”
APC member Omar Khan defended the new comprehensive plan.
“The city has spent a considerable amount of time, effort and energy to have a new comp plan, and from my understanding, unless I’m corrected, that is the guiding light for us all,” Khan said.
The Lakes at Freemont will be discussed at another APC workshop session in June.
Meridian Audiology LLC is a private Audiology practice, founded by Alison Wyss, Au.D. and Kira VonBlon, M.S. in 2021 after working together as Audiologists in an ENT setting for more than 12 years. The seasoned Audiologists strive to consistently provide premier care to patients with hearing loss, tinnitus and auditory processing disorders as well as those who want to protect their hearing from damage.
Kira and Ali are available to evaluate your hearing and walk through your many options if you are a hearing aid candidate. They will spend the time explaining the differences in hearing aids, the best options for the hearing concerns you have, and will even have their billing company call to verify if you have a benefit or discount plan for hearing aids through your insurance. We believe we can make the difference in you feeling comfortable and confident with your individual hearing loss action plan.
Important Note: If you experience a sudden loss of hearing in one ear in conjunction with a significant distortion of sound, get to an Audiologist or ENT asap. Treatment within 24-72 hours significantly increases your chances of fully recovering your hearing.
Y Your hearing is more important than you may realize: Research is consistently showing us that hearing loss is related to diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, autoimmune diseases and arthritis…and untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, loneliness, anxiety, falls and a quicker rate of cognitive decline in those predisposed to dementia. Hearing loss is an easily treated piece of your total health puzzle. Let us help you find your solution!
Meridian Audiology is proud to host our next Hearing Aids and then some program 6/11/26 from 1:30-3pm in the conference room next to our office Cost is $45 for 2 people to attend, and we encourage the hearing aid user to bring their communication partner with them to the class! We will talk about how hearing aids are only one piece of the communication puzzle and help you find solutions and talk through challenges you have with your current situations. Please RSVP by calling 317-731-5386 or email info@meridianaudiology.com.
Meridian Audiology is located in Nora and is open 9am-4pm Monday-Friday by appointment only. We accept most major insurances, offer convenient scheduling via phone or email and are independent of other medical practices or hospitals.
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
A minor injury was reported May 14 after a vehicle struck Westfield High School.
The Westfield Fire Department reported the incident on its social media channels. According to emergency logs, the incident occurred at 9:18 p.m.
“(The) Westfield Fire Department responded to a vehicle into a building incident at Westfield High School resulting in damage to the structure. Fortunately, no students were injured during the incident. One patient was treated on scene for minor injuries and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.”
The vehicle struck the east side of the school near the gymnasium. According to the Westfield Police Department, the driver was not a WHS student. The accident was considered to be minor and no charges were filed. The name of the driver was not released by either the fire
or police departments as of press time. Westfield Washington Schools declined to comment on the incident or extent of the damage.
This marks the second time a structure on the WHS campus has been struck this year. In February, a vehicle hit the WHS sign on the south side of the property on Hoover Street. That sign has since been removed.
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
A New York man was arrested May 14 by the Westfield Police Department and has been charged with promoting prostitution and possession of cocaine.
Chaopeng Chen, a resident of Brooklyn, N.Y., was in the Hamilton County Jail as of May 20 and was being held without bond.
The WPD Special Investigations Unit initiated an investigation May 12 into suspected prostitution activity being conducted from a residence in the 200 block of Beechwood Drive.
search warrant for the residence.
During the investigation, detectives determined that multiple adult males had traveled to the residence after agreeing to pay for various sex acts.
Investigators identified a man who was checking in male visitors arriving at the home. During the late evening hours of May 13, detectives obtained a
At 12:45 p.m. May 14, another adult male arrived at the residence to allegedly engage in prostitution. Ten minutes later, detectives and federal agents moved in to execute the search warrant. The male visitor exited the residence and two individuals allegedly responsible for the ongoing prostitution operation remained inside, initially refusing to exit. They eventually left peacefully. Chen and QingPing Chen were arrested. Detectives determined the pair had rented the residence through a short-term rental company for the purpose of conducting illicit activities.
During the execution of the search warrant, detectives discovered a combined $7,509 in cash, cocaine and other evidence of prostitution-related activity.
QingPing Chen was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor prostitution charge.
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Hamilton County Kids Coats, a nonprofit that partners with local communities to provide coats and winter wear for families, has appointed MaryEdith Malin as executive director.
Since its founding in 2004, the organization has been powered by volunteers, school support and partnerships with churches and local organizations.
“We did a little bit of fundraising and got to the point where we felt like we could bring on a part-time, paid position to have a dedicated resource making people aware about our mission,” HCKC Board President Rosanne Burge said. Malin, a Westfield resident, will focus on strengthening the nonprofit’s network through relationships with schools, community partners and local foundations. She said her initial effort is working on partnerships and fundraising to expand outreach in the community. Her long-term goal is to increase the number of families the organization serves annually.
lin said. “My goal would be to increase by 500 to 1,000 each year. The more we can partner with community organizations and get the word out, the more we can grow and develop.”
While she leads the organization, Malin is completing her Executive Mas ter of Nonprofit Administration at the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business, with a focus on strengthening organizational strategy and scaling community impact.
“This organization has always been about people taking care of each other,” Burge said. “MaryEdith is someone who can honor where we’ve been while helping us grow in a way that still feels personal and connected.”
During the fall, schools, businesses and churches host coat drives to build inventory, while fundraising efforts fill gaps by purchasing new coats in specific sizes. A dedicated volunteer team inspects every donation, washing or mending items as needed.
“We reach about 800 to 1,000 families from all of our distribution sites, as well as sharing with different organizations if we have remaining coats,” Ma-
The organization holds dedicated giveaway events directly within local school districts. Any remaining coats are moved to the Merciful HELP Center in Carmel for additional giveaway dates.
For more, visit kidscoats.org.
Correction — In the May 12 edition of Current in Westfield, the Community Spotlight feature misstated where Niharika Gopinath’s traveled from to visit medical specialists. The family was already in the U.S. and traveled throughout the nation for treatment.
Sensory Nature Walk — The Westfield Advisory Council on Disabilities and the City of Noblesville Advisory Council on Disabilities have partnered to host the second Sensory Nature Walk. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 20 on the Midland Trace Trail between Simon Moon Park in Westfield and Hazel Dell Elementary School in Noblesville. The Midland Trace Trail is ADA accessible, allowing individuals of all ages and abilities to take part. Participants
may park and access the trail from the three designated areas listed below and can walk as much of the 2-mile route as they wish. Resting spots will also be available along the path. Parking will be available at:
• Simon Moon Park, 3044 E 171st St.
• Behind Red Habanero, 17417 Carey Rd.
• Hazel Dell Elementary School, 3025 Westfield Rd.
Police officers will assist with traffic control when the walk crosses over Gray Road and Carey Road. We request no bicycles are used during this program. In the event of inclement weather, the walk and all other booths and activities will be moved inside Hazel Dell Elementary. To learn more, visit westfieldin.gov/ wacd.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Mt. Vernon High School junior Parker Althoff is getting his first taste of high school baseball and he loves it.
Althoff was homeschooled until this year. Mt. Vernon coach Brad King said Althoff has been a nice addition to the program.
“Parker came in during fall workouts and immediately made an impression on our coaching staff,” King said. “He was present at each workout, brought the same work ethic each day and is receptive to coaching. Parker is athletic, versatile and brings a skill set not a lot of high school players have. Parker has played middle infield, outfield and is now in our pitching rotation. Offensively, he has hit throughout the lineup and been consistent at the plate and runs the bases very well.”
Through May 16, Althoff had a .279 batting average with three doubles and one home run. The right-hander
Favorite athlete: Ken Griffey Jr.
Favorite movie: “Interstellar”
Favorite subject: Math
Favorite genre of music: Country
Favorite vacation spot: Panama City Beach, Fla.
has a 1-0 record with a 3.36 earned run average.
He will play for the Central Indiana Arabians during the travel season. He previously played for USA Prime.
“I’ve always kind of wanted to play high school baseball and go to high school, but it hasn’t always been the best decision in my parents’ eyes, so we decided to start off with home school.
Then over the years, I slowly convinced them to let me go to high school, and a big part of that was the high school baseball program and how that would help set me up for the future.”
Althoff said the goal is to be a pitcher in college.
“At the start of the year, it was a little bit more pressure starting off for the high school team because it was my first time seeing that level of competition, because I’ve been homeschooled since middle school,” he said.
Althoff, who mostly plays second base when not pitching, said there was some added pressure, as he wanted to start varsity and the coaches didn’t know him well. He had known a few teammates from travel baseball.
“I’d say I’ve made the most improvement on the mound, honestly,” he said. His favorite pitch is curveball, and his fastball has been clocked at 87 mph. At 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, he is hoping to get bigger and stronger. Baseball is the only sport he has ever played.
“My dad played baseball and my mother played softball in high school,” Althoff said.
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By Brittney Dial Testin news@youarecurrent.com
The inaugural cohort of the Westfield Mayor’s Youth Council hosted a ribbon cutting May 13 to celebrate the completion of its civic project at Grand Junction Plaza.
The students added solar-powered picnic tables, which use the sun to power electronic charging ports in the gathering space. In addition, the students unveiled a plaque commemorating their endeavors.
“We’ve been working on this all year,” said Hannah Patterson, senior at Westfield High School. “We had to go through all the process of getting approved with the city council, getting approved by everyone who was a part of the planning committee. We worked with Parks and Recreation. Our solar-powered tables are a way for us to hopefully get more people to come to the Grand Junction Plaza because it is a wonderful place. We are trying to build up downtown. We also have three charging ports that are handicap accessible.”
Patterson plans on attending the University of Alabama to major in kinesiology. She felt honored to be involved with WMYC and help bring the new tables to the plaza.
“It’s something I definitely think people will use for years,” Patterson said.
The Westfield Mayor’s Youth Council was established in 2025 under the leadership of Mayor Scott Willis and Logan Charlesworth, WMYC advisor. It aims to provide local high school students with hands-on leadership and civic engagement experience.
Participants are current or incoming high school students who live in West-
field. They dedicate approximately 5 to 10 hours a week to WMYC. The inaugural class included 15 students, and applicants for the 2026-2027 school year have doubled.
“As I reflect upon all this council has accomplished in all this past year, I am reminded of the many people who have been with us every step of the way,” said Jack Clark, president of the 20252026 WMYC. “Mr. Willis has shown this council unwavering support in everything we have done, and through his leadership, has taught us how to become better men, women and people for others. Every step of the way, Mayor Willis has always been there for us, always encouraging us to dream bigger.”
Willis said he is proud of the inaugural WMYC cohort.
“When I came up with this vision, I wanted to have something where our kids could get more involved in our community,” Willis said. “The most impactful work is done at the local level.”
For more, visit westfieldin.gov/158/ Mayors-Youth-Council.
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Westfield Washington Schools showed off its new Shamrock Station during a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 12.
Shamrock Station is in the former Westfield Washington Public Library building at 333 W. Hoover St., between Westfield Middle School and Westfield High School. Building renovations began in 2024.
It includes an events center for up to 250 people. It houses Shamrock Catering and Events, a student-run catering business; Rocks Media House, the WWS in-house media production studio; the Rock Shop, the student-run merchandise store; and Shamrock Connections, a transition program designed to support young adults with disabilities as they transition into adulthood.
“This space represents the connection between our schools and our community,” WWS Superintendent John Atha said. “Currently, Shamrock Station is primarily a practice ground for students running events, offering catering services, telling stories through creative media and preparing for life beyond
member Mike Steele, WWS Board of School Trustees member Carrie Larrison, WWS Board of School Trustees President Rebecca Ogle, WWS Board of School Trustees member Amber Willis and WWS Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Greg Hunt cut the ribbon at Shamrock Station. (Photo by Todd Golden)
graduation. Over time, this facility will become more and more a community asset, a place for connection between our schools and everyone in Westfield through its events and services.”
WWS Board of School Trustees President Rebecca Ogle described Shamrock Station as a “beautiful facility” where students can experience many learning opportunities in one place.
news@youarecurrent.com
The Popcorn and Punchlines Free Comedy Showcase is coming to Westfield’s IMMI Center May 29.
The free event will feature eight family-friendly comedians from six states. Pre-comedy music will be provided by Peter Fulton. The IMMI Center is at 18880 East St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the comedy show begins at 7 p.m.
Comedians featured are June Colson, Christy Conder, Rhonda Corey, Tim Ketchersid, Leland Klassen, Brian Kohatsu, Dorie McLemore and Hoss Ridgeway.
Popcorn and Punchlines is part of CrossRoads Church’s For Our Neighbor program to bring people in Westfield together.
“We oriented all of our missions around helping to care for neighbors in
our area,” CrossRoads Church Lead Pastor Eric Lohe said in January. “One of the things we wanted to do for our community was to provide some free events where people could get together. There was no cost and we weren’t going to ask them for funds or donations.”
For Our Neighbor’s charitable efforts also provide pet food and offer home repairs for those in need. However, the primary mission is to create a neighborly spirit.
“We had a sense that in a world where we tend to be divided, think differently politically and all of those sorts of things, when we get together we tend to enjoy one another and get a different perspective on our community and the people who are in it,” Lohe said. “It’s an opportunity to meet, enjoy and serve our local neighbors.”
Learn more at ForOurNeighbor.Life.
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
VitaFlex +, founded by Westfield High School students Liv Bates and Sam Foster, won the sixth annual WHS Innovation Competition May 12.
The final round used a pitch competition, similar to the TV show “Shark Tank,” with local investors from around Hamilton County awarding three of the five finalists seed money to turn their concept into reality.
VitaFlex + won $7,500 for its kinesiology tape. The tape is made with non-adherent gauze, designed for athletes.
Vita Flex + won $8,800 overall during the competition.
Second place and $1,300 went to Templ, created by John Bunch and Nick McKeown. Their concept is massage therapy glasses. The glasses have sensors that will massage the user’s temples to reduce headaches.
Third place went to Clean Out & Cash In, created by Adrian Feltrinelli, who
cleans garages and splits their contents into three piles: keep, trash and sell. Items in the sell pile are sold in online marketplaces and Clean Out & Cash In splits the profits evenly with homeown ers. Clean Out & Cash In won $1,200. Neo Bait (Luke Moulder) and Pocket Polish (Andrew Carney, Keaton Chap man, & Austin Onda) also competed in the final round.
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By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Since the war with Iran began Feb. 28, fuel prices have risen sharply.
On Feb. 27, the average price of regular fuel in Indiana was $2.87 per gallon and $3.84 per gallon for diesel, according to the American Auto Club. On May 14, the average price of regular gas in Indiana peaked at $4.20 and diesel was $6.16. That average price of diesel is an all-time Indiana record.
While many individuals are feeling the pain at the pump, the City of Westfield and Westfield Washington Schools aren’t too worried about it — for now. If the spike in prices is a short-term problem, neither the city nor school district anticipate budget shortfalls, and services are not expected to change.
But if gas prices remain high, that could change. This is especially true when there are already external pressures, such as the effects of SEA1, on municipal bottom lines.
“If elevated fuel costs continue long term, additional operational measures may need to be discussed to help manage the financial impact while maintaining the high level of transportation service families expect,” WWS Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations Greg Hunt said.
For the last decade, the City of Westfield and WWS have partnered to buy fuel in bulk to lower the overall price. They negotiate costs jointly and store the fuel at the WWS Transportation Center.
“Purchasing fuel in larger quantities primarily creates savings through reduced delivery and trip charges,” Hunt said. “The more fuel that can be delivered and stored at one time, the more cost-efficient the process becomes. Fewer delivery trips help reduce the overall expense associated with transporting fuel.”
Hunt said that, on average, fuel is purchased every 10 days during the school year and at a slower rate when classes aren’t in session. Fuel price fluctuations are built into the budget ahead of time.
rants to reduce fuel costs.
Ultimately, however, there’s only so much any municipality can do.
“We track fuel down to the gallon and down to the penny every month, so we know what we spend on average,” Westfield Assistant Police Chief Billy Adams said. “We take averages and build in fluctuations to prepare for things like that.”
Still, budgeting for any city or school entity is done well before a gas price spike occurs, which can lead to cost overruns. Planners try their best to balance historical statistical data on prices versus the unpredictability of the global market.
“We’re incurring costs on gas now in 2026 that we were budgeting for in the middle of 2025,” said Johnathon Nail, City of Westfield executive chief of operations. “So the challenge is we ob-
viously don’t have any control on what the cost of gas is on a global level, and we have to utilize historical data to try and estimate what our budgets need to be for the following year.”
City bodies and WWS try to be as efficient as possible. Adams said WPD’s new district model patrolling system helps lower fuel costs because officers are not traveling across the city as much. Hunt said route optimization is vital for WWS, as buses use high-priced diesel fuel.
“For our inspectors on the engineering side, we try to group projects geographically, so they’re not crisscrossing the city, going from project to project,” said Nail, who also noted the street department works in geographical quad-
Westfield Fire Department Chief
Rob Gaylor said he isn’t yet concerned with the rise in fuel costs.
“We have spent $690 more this year than last year at the end of Q1 comparatively from 2025 to 2026,” Gaylor said. “We have seen a 16 percent increase in call volume in Q1 2026 versus 2025.”
Gaylor said WFD has spent 24.68 percent of the amount of funds budgeted for the first quarter of this year compared to 26.7 percent spent at the
same point in 2025. He expressed confidence that the city’s fuel purchasing partnership with Washington Westfield Schools will help keep prices as low as possible.
He said if fuel costs remain high, the anticipated higher call volume will work against the department.
“I think toward the end of the year we may see more of an impact,” Gaylor said. “At that time, it will be compounding: increase in call volume and an increase in fuel costs.”
“We’re kind of at the mercy of some global decisions when it comes to pricing,” Nail said.
Hunt, who said WWS uses a threeyear average of Indianapolis fuel costs when making projections, said an added degree of difficulty is that fuel is covered by the Operations Fund, which is funded by property tax revenue.
“The recent sharp increase in fuel prices has placed additional pressure on those projections,” Hunt said. “Because the Operations Fund is supported through property tax revenue, it is also vulnerable to circuit breaker losses. Rising fuel costs, combined with assessed value growth that is not keeping pace with inflationary pressures, can create significant financial strain on the fund.”
Nail said the city constantly monitors the amount of funds it has spent on fuel.
“Ultimately, if we get toward the end of the year and we are over budget, we would have to go back to city council to look for additional appropriation,” Nail said. “Fortunately for Westfield, we have done an excellent job on the fiscal side to make sure that we have some additional money for contingencies like this. We do have some rainy day funds that we could access if absolutely necessary, but we try not to.”
ON THE COVER: Gas prices in Indiana peak-
BLUEPRINT
Commentary by Larry Greene
This Hawthorn Hills addition in Fishers transformed a dark, closed-off layout into a light-filled family room designed for connection, comfort, and everyday living.
• Expanded the main living area with a spacious new family room addition.
• Added soaring ceilings with warm wood beams for architectural character.
• Floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace creates a bright, inviting focal point.
• Large windows and sliding doors flood the space with natural light.
• Seamlessly connected indoor living to the covered outdoor porch.
• Soft finishes and airy tones bring warmth, openness and modern simplicity.
Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy. com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
The 2026-27 Center Presents season will include two new series, some favorite repeat artists and first-time performers at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
A May 18 season announcement party at the Payne & Mencias Palladium revealed 71 shows for the season.
“It’s as robust as we’ve ever had at the beginning of the season,” Allied Solutions Center President/CEO Jeffrey C. McDermott said. “We’ll typically add a few shows during the season as well. We’re defining two new shows as well as part of the season.”
The two new series are the Spotlight Series and Tribute Series.
“We’ve done tribute shows in the past, and what we’ve tried to do is package them into one series,” he said. “We know there are a lot of people out there who enjoy a tribute show. We don’t go out and get any tribute artists and do these, we go out and make sure we get the top ones we can find.”
The tribute shows include Fleetwood Mac Tribute, Sept. 27; Billy Joel Oct. 8; Michael Jackson, Oct. 16; Paul McCartney, Jan. 30, 2027; The Beach Boys, March 5; and Steely Dan, April 2.
The Pop/Rock shows include first time appearances by Lou Gramm, who was Foreigner’s original lead singer, on Sept. 26 and Mavis Staples on Nov. 12. Staples is the only surviving member of The Staple Singers.
“Mavis has had a legendary career and we’re very excited to have her,” McDermott said. “She’s 86 and still performing and still putting new music out.”
Some other new performers include The War And Treaty, a new husband and wife soul duo, Oct. 28; Arrested Development, hip hop group, Feb. 5, 2027; and Marcus Miller, jazz bassist/ bandleader, Feb. 26.
Broadway legend Bernadette Peters returns Nov. 13. Among the returnees in the 2027 portion of the schedule are Mickey Dolenz with his 60 Years of the
Lou Gramm, the original voice of Foreigner, is set to debut Sept. 26 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium. (Photo courtesy of Allied Solutions Center)
Monkees Feb. 27 and Dionne Warwick March 20.
McDermott said the Spotlight Series are primarily non-music events,
“It doesn’t have to be music to be art,” he said. “The spoken word is an art form. We are bringing in comic actress and writer Amy Sedaris (Nov. 7), who is funny and brilliant. Something we’re doing is a screening of the movie ‘Hoosiers’ (Nov. 15) on its 40th anniversary of the release. We’ll have the actor who played Buddy and the actor who played Jimmy Chitwood and the writer and director to answer questions about the making of the movie.”
The Police drummer Stewart Copeland will bring his “Have I Said Too Much” show Aug. 2 to The Tarkington. The series includes cabaret and TV star Alan Cumming, from “The Traitors” Jan. 28, 2027.
McDermott said the two new series will likely draw fresh audiences.
“Our data shows when somebody comes here for the first time, there is an 80 percent chance they will return,” he said.
The artists enjoy returning as well.
“There’s a good reason for that is they like being here,” McDermott said. “Bringing (artists) back isn’t always easy because you have to get schedules to line up, but I think we’ve become a venue of preference.”
No one has appeared more than Michael Feinstein, naturally, since he is the Allied Solutions Center artistic director.
Instead of his usual concert in the spring near the end of the season, Feinstein will perform a Dec. 4 holiday concert.
“Michael is usually doing holiday shows in New York City, and this year we have asked him to do a holiday show here,” McDermott said.
Singer-songwriter Jon McLaughlin will return with his holiday show Dec. 11, followed by saxophonist Dave Koz the following day. Koz & Friends are scheduled to make a 13th appearance overall and 12th with the holiday show in Carmel.
Two comedians, Michael Blaustein (Sept. 24) and Becky Robinson (Oct. 9) will make their Carmel debuts.
“We love doing comedy here. Every time we bring a comedian here it brings in a new audience,” McDermott said.
One of the new concerts McDermott is excited about in the Classical Series is actor John Malkovich and the Vienna Academy Orchestra March 18, 2027.
“I think that is going to be a very interesting, unusual and a really entertaining performance,” McDermott said.
Violinist Itzhak Perlman will return to the Payne & Mencias Palladium April 8, 2027.
Following the Songbook Academy concert to open the season July 18, Harry Connick Jr. will perform July 20.
The Encore Series opens with Art Garfunkel July 24, followed by Gladys Knight, Aug. 8; Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Oct. 11: Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, Nov. 21 and Ben Folds with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, May 7, 2027.
For a full list of shows, visit thecenterpresents.org.
“Cinderella” is set for May 28 to July 12 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards. com.
“Now That’s Funny, Headlining Maggie Hughes DePalo” is set for May 28, followed by “All The Way Frank, A Sinatra Tribute” May 29 and “Thank You for the Music! An Abba Party” May 30 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
’THE
The Drama Department will present the school edition of “The Addams Family” May 29-31 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more visit thecat.biz.
‘SECRET
Main Street Productions will present “The Secret Garden” from May 28 to June 7 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.
New Works show set — Four Indiana performing artists and one visual artist have been selected to receive cash awards and public premiere opportunities through Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts’ annual New Works commission project, now in its fifth season. The 2026 New Works Premiere Performances will take place at 7 p.m. May 30 at The Tarkington and will be livestreamed on Allied Solutions Center’s website and social media accounts. Free tickets are available at TheCenterPresents.org and 1-317-843-3800. The event also will include the unveiling of this year’s winning visual artwork. Each winning proposal receives a $2,500 cash award and technical support in adapting the piece for the stage.
THE SONGBOOK ACADEMY® IN CONCERT
7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
HARRY CONNICK, JR.
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
ART GARFUNKEL: WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD CELEBRATION CONCERTS
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
BRIAN SIMPSON, JACKIEM JOYNER AND JESSY J 8PM | THE TARKINGTON
STEWART COPELAND: HAVE I SAID
TOO MUCH
7:30PM | THE TARKINGTON
GLADYS KNIGHT
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
“PSYCHIC” COMEDIAN PETER ANTONIOU
7:30PM | THE TARKINGTON
THE CENTER CELEBRATION 2026
FEATURING THE BACON BROTHERS
5PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
MICHAEL BLAUSTEIN: THE TASTE ME TOUR THE FINAL LEG 7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
LOU GRAMM: THE ORIGINAL VOICE OF FOREIGNER
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
RUMOURS ATL: A FLEETWOOD
MAC TRIBUTE
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
DEMOLA LIVE!
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE & PABLO CRUISE
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
THE BILLY JOEL LEGACY: CELEBRATING THE PIANO MAN
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
BECKY ROBINSON: THE BEASTS IN ME TOUR
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
BRUCE HORNSBY & THE NOISEMAKERS: INDIGO PARK TOUR
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
THE WAR AND TREATY
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
THE SIXTIES SHOW
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
INVINCIBLE: A GLORIOUS TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
DANIEL EMMET: THIS THING CALLED LOVE
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
NILADRI KUMAAR: THE SPACE BETWEEN THE NOTES – HONORING ZAKIR HUSSAIN
7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
MICHAEL CARBONARO: WONDERBOY
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
THE SHARPE FAMILY SINGERS: THE BEST OF BROADWAY 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
HASTA LA MUERTE
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
BLKBOK
7:30PM | THE TARKINGTON
YEFIM BRONFMAN, PIANO
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
RYAN AHLWARDT: CRYING IN THE CANYON RELEASE PARTY
8PM | THE TARKINGTON
THE FOUR PHANTOMS IN CONCERT
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
BONEY JAMES
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
A CONVERSATION WITH AMY SEDARIS
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
SIMPLY THREE
7PM | THE TARKINGTON
MAVIS STAPLES
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
AN EVENING WITH BERNADETTE PETERS
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
HOOSIERS 40TH ANNIVERSARY
SCREENING WITH Q&A
3PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
PUNCH BROTHERS
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND: LEDBETTER HEIGHTS 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
GRAVITY & OTHER MYTHS: TEN THOUSAND HOURS
7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY’S WILD & SWINGIN’ HOLIDAY PARTY
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
LESLIE ODOM, JR. THE CHRISTMAS TOUR 2026
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN IN COMING HOME: THE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
HOLIDAYS IN HARMONY WITH GIRL NAMED TOM
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
JON MCLAUGHLIN & FRIENDS: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS TOUR 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
ALAN CUMMING: UNCUT
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
LIVE AND LET DIE: THE MUSIC OF PAUL MCCARTNEY FEATURING TONY KISHMAN
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
BIG BANG BOOM 3PM |
THE MONTEVERDI CHOIR AND ORCHESTRAS PERFORM BACH’S ST MATTHEW PASSION WITH MASAAKI SUZUKI
7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
MARCUS MILLER
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
MICKEY DOLENZ: 60 YEARS OF THE MONKEES
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE MÉXICO DE AMALIA HERNÁNDEZ
7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS WITH CONRAD TAO
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
THE MUSIC OF THE BEACH BOYS FEATURING PET SOUNDS LIVE 8PM | THE TARKINGTON
PAVLO AND BAND IN CONCERT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON
VICTORIA CLARK: IMPROBABLE INGENUE
MUSIC DIRECTOR, TED SPERLING
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
VITALY: AN EVENING OF WONDERS
8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
JOHN MALKOVICH AND THE VIENNA
ACADEMY ORCHESTRA: ROLL
OVER BEETHOVEN
7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
SPYRO GYRA WITH SPECIAL GUEST STANLEY JORDAN 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
KRUGER BROTHERS 8PM | THE TARKINGTON
DIONNE WARWICK: OVER AND OUT A FAREWELL TOUR 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
BROOKLYN CHARMERS: A TRIBUTE TO STEELY DAN 8PM | THE
CATS’
ITZHAK PERLMAN IN RECITAL 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Civic Theatre’s 2026-27 schedule will include some blasts from the past, some new shows and a surprise to be named later.
The 112th season opens with “Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill, The Musical” Oct. 2 to 17 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. All but one of the five shows will be at The Tarkington.
“White Christmas” in recent years.
“We’re struggling to get the rights to one of the three shows we have in the rotation,” Lasley said. “We talked for a number of years about ‘Annie’ being the obvious holiday alternative. It’s a family-oriented show and it ends with a Christmas scene. It certainly fits our brand.”
The musical is inspired by Morissette’s groundbreaking album and is about a modern family navigating love, identity, addiction and healing in an increasingly complicated world. The Tony Award-winning show features iconic songs including “You Oughta Know,” “Hand in My Pocket” and “Ironic.”
“The first show has become for us where we are doing the edgier, socially relevant or something like ‘Something Rotten,’ which is newer and was just a fresher piece than some of the things we do,” Civic Theatre Executive Artistic Director Michael J. Lasley said. “This is definitely relevant. It hits home for a lot of people about mental health and addiction and belonging and fitting into families and mixed feelings.”
The show is based on Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” album.
“There are not many albums like it that had so many hit singles,” Lasley said. “As jukebox musicals go, I think it does a better job of integrating songs into the narrative, not performing the songs the way they were written. There is a lot of choral work written into them.”
Filling the holiday spot is “Annie” from Dec. 4 to 26. Civic has been rotating “Elf,” “A Christmas Story” and
The last time Civic presented “Annie” was in 2017. Brent Marty, Civic Theatre director of music and education, said it also has the benefit of having children in the musical, which helps with Civic’s younger performers.
The 2027 portion will open with what Lasley described as a fun, new comedy Feb. 5 to 20. Lasley said the title announcement will come out in mid-October because of contractual issues.
“Steel Magnolias,” a story about deep friendships between six women in Louisiana and heartbreaks, is set for March 3 to 27 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center. Civic Theatre last performed the play in 2014. The off-Broadway play was turned into a 1989 movie, which featured Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah and Olympia Dukakis.
The season will close with “Mean Girls” from April 30 to May 15. This is the first main stage showing by Civic, however, Civic’s Young Artists Program presented it in 2023.
“It’s a great, fun piece of theater,” Lasley said. “The musical has not been around that long, but the movie came out more than 20 years ago.”
Subscriptions will be available beginning May 27 and single tickets July 23. Tickets can be purchased at civictheatre.org or by calling or emailing the Box Office of the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts at 317-8433800 or tickets@thecenterpresents.org.
IWS names Cox executive director —The Indiana Wind Symphony has named Tim Cox as its new executive director. Cox brings professional administrative experience in education, nonprofits, arts and mission-driven organizations, most recently serving the Indiana Wind Symphony as 2025-26 board president and performing in the ensemble on percussion. He serves as director of educational outreach for Music for All and as director of operations of the Indiana Arts Education Network. Cox replaces executive director Nicole Keller, who will continue to support the organization as media specialist.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Mike Lipphardt saw a production of “The Secret Garden, The Musical” when he was in high school.
“I immediately fell in love with the music and always wanted to perform in it,” he said. “Vocally, it’s just such an amazing challenge when it comes together.”
The Noblesville resident got his wish as he will play Archibald Craven in the Main Street Productions presentation of “The Secret Garden” May 28 to June 7 at Basile Westfield Playhouse.
“It’s one of the prettiest scores I think in musical theater and an amazing opportunity to sing some really good songs with the cast,” Lipphardt said.
Based on the 1911 children’s novel, the music is by Lucy Simon and book and lyrics by Marsha Norman.
“The story is very beautiful, but the music is where it really shines,” Lipphardt said. “I think ‘A Bit of Earth’ that Archibald gets to sing is one of the better male solos in the musical genre.”
Kata Ewigleben, a Geist resident,
plays the ghost of Lily.
“Lily is still in the manor because Archibald, her husband, is still in love with her,” she said. “She is the keeper of the garden. She watches over things but she’s unable to interact physically. I think I have maybe five lines, but they are all from the past from Archibald’s memories. But most of the time Lily just sings.”
Ewigleben, 37, said this was one of the first musicals she ever saw.
“So, I have loved the musical since I was 10 or 11 years old,” she said. “I love the book. It’s really lush, beautiful music and a dream of mine to sing in any capacity in the show.”
For more, visit westfieldplayhouse. org.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Danny Kingston will take a turn in a different role in “Cinderella” for Beef & Boards.
After appearing as the Steward in 2011, Kingston will play the Herald from May 28 to July 12 at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis.
“(It’s) a really fun role,” he said. “I get to open the show with the song, ‘The Prince is Giving a Ball.’ I also get to be silly and dance with the stepsisters.”
small standout moment and to dance in the sweeping waltz scenes.”
While it’s just the second time he has acted in “Cinderella,” he choreographed a production of the classic musical for Carmel Community Players in 2007.
Kingston
Kingston, a 2006 Westfield High School graduate who lives in downtown Indianapolis, was a recent college graduate for the last “Cinderella” performance.
“I enjoyed being able to further my experience in professional theater,” said Kingston, whose legal last name is Keivel. “I was much younger and still learning all I could about performing. Playing the role of the Steward back gave me the opportunity to have a
Kingston has performed in more than 20 Beef & Boards shows through the years.
“I’ll never forget my first show back in 2009, ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,’” he said. “I had just graduated from the American Musical and Dramatics Academy (in New York City) and I was ready to start my career as a professional performer.”
Kingston said he has happy memories from performing in many of the Pyramid Players productions for children. Highlights include Joe in “Blues Clues” and Peter in “Pinkilicous.”
Kingston is a member of Indianapolis Men’s Chorus and works part time in the Beef & Boards box office.
For more, visit beefandboards.com.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
“Antony and Cleopatra” will have a fresh look when it returns to the stage. Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre first presented the piece in 2022.
“I am adding four characters that represent different Egyptian gods,” GHDT Executive Artistic Director Gregory Hancock said. “These gods appear throughout the concert in human form and interact with the characters adding to the concept that we as humans may not always be in control of our fate.”
GHDT will present “Antony and Cleopatra” at 7 p.m. June 5 and 5 p.m. June 6 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
Hancock wrote the performance to be gender fluid with company dancer Thomas Mason returning in the role of Cleopatra.
“The roles are designed so that any dancer can play them, as their character attributes and purpose for the storyline are more important than their sexual identity,” Hancock said “This allows audience members to connect with and see themself in any character, which assists in them melting into and becoming engaged in the storyline.”
Abbie Lessaris revives her role as Octavia. The role of Marc Antony is being danced by Isaac Jones, formerly of the Dayton Ballet.
Hancock said the other returning dancers are in different roles.
“This allows the dancers to stretch their wings and dig into a new character,” he said. “We also have new dancers in the company now as several dancers have retired since the original 2022 production. So, there are a lot of fresh fac-
es. The current company dancers have been together now for a full season, and they are moving as a dynamic team bringing new heights of artistry and technique to the stage.”
Hancock and composer Cory Gabel collaborated on the piece and also worked together on “The Casket Girls.”
“Working with Gregory is always a lot of fun, because he brings such a strong visual and emotional imagination to everything he does,” Gabel said. “At this point, there’s also a real level of trust between us creatively, which makes it exciting to keep building these productions together and pushing them into new territory.”
Gabel said he hasn’t made any dramatic tweaks to the music.
“The score remains very true to the original production, but we’ve revisited portions of the mix and mastering to give the music even more depth and clarity for this staging,” Gabel said.
Gabel said the music was recently released on Spotify. Hancock said it’s always great to work with Gabel.
For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.
Commentary by Dick Wolfsie
My wife says I’m not a spiritual person. The most spiritual thing I do is occasionally shop at Whole Foods, a place for people who seek organic, pure, chemical-free food. Personally, I prefer food that has preservatives. At almost 80 years old, I can use them, and they are cheaper than a facelift.
My wife loves Whole Foods. But for
Sealed proposals for Freedom Trail Park Improvements will be received by the City of Westfield, Indiana, at the Westfield Public Works Building, 2706 E. 171st Street, Westfield, Indiana, 46074 until 2:00 p.m., local time, on Friday, July 10, 2026. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Any bids received later than the above time and date will be returned unopened. No conditional bids will be considered.
Project generally includes construction of a park restroom building, pickleball courts, court fencing, sidewalks, asphalt and aggregate trails, signage, electric service, planting, and other site improvements, amenities, and furnishings. Bids shall be properly and completely executed on the Proposal Form obtainable at the office of the Owner. Each bid shall be accompanied by Form 96 Contractor's Bid for Public Works, including Non-Collusion Affidavit as prescribed by the State Board of Accounts, completely filled out, signed, and notarized as required by the statutes of the State of Indiana, Section III of Part II of Form 96 titled "Contractor's Financial Statement," and acceptable bid security. The bid security shall be a certified check made payable to the Owner or satisfactory bond by an incorporated surety company in good standing and qualified to do business in the State of Indiana in an amount equal to 5% of the bid, said deposit being for the purpose of ensuring the execution of the contract for which bid is made. Any bid not accompanied by the above required items shall be deemed to be a non-responsive bid by the Owner. No consideration for escalation on prices can be considered; therefore, contractors are advised to not include any such escalation clauses in their proposal for this project.
The Contractors to whom work is awarded shall be required to furnish a Performance Bond and a Payment Bond, each in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price, and they shall be acceptable to the City of Westfield, Indiana. No bidder may withdraw their proposal within a period of 60 days following the date set for receiving bids. The City of Westfield, Indiana reserves the right to retain the three lowest bid proposals for a period of not more than 90 days, and said proposal shall remain in full force and effect during said time. The City of Westfield, Indiana further reserves the right to waive informalities and to award the contract to the lowest and most responsible bidder or bidders, all to the advantage of the City of Westfield, Indiana, or to reject all Proposals.
The Contract Documents and drawings will be available to all interested parties from: Repro Graphix, 437 North Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or at eplanroom.reprographix.com. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at the Westfield Department of Public Works, 2706 E. 171st Street, Westfield, IN 46074 on Wednesday, June 17th at 2:00 p.m. Please direct all questions regarding this project to Chris McConnell, City of Westfield, Department of Public Works, 2706 E. 171st Street, Westfield, IN 46074, (317) 473-2917, cmcconnell@westfield.in.gov
By: Chris McConnell, City of Westfield
a long time, I wasn’t a fan. Whenever I was in that area of town, I always stopped by just to pass the big window in the front of the store and laugh at people eating tofu pizza. After all, it’s all about the journey, isn’t it? See, I’m getting more spiritual, already.
I don’t like buying food at places where you can also buy a hammer, a microwave oven or an unassembled bed. So, I avoid shopping at Super Target, Walmart and Meijer. These are not whole-food stores; they are half-food stores.
At Whole Foods, most everything on the shelves is edible. Except for those things that are fat-free, sugar-free and gluten-free, which it seems is pretty much everything.
Last week, I was intrigued by a display touting a new organic product. I picked up the shrink-wrapped bar and tossed it into my basket. The next morning, after I showered, I told Mary Ellen I didn’t think the soap lathered well. “Of course not,” she said. “That wasn’t a bar of organic soap; it was a bar of organic cheese.” I must have smelled pretty
good, because when I went out for a jog, several mice followed me around the block.
Whole Foods has an interesting display of magazines. One selection featured the headline: THE ROAD TO RENEWAL. That intrigued me until I realized it was just an ad to get you to sign up for another year of the subscription.
My favorite was another new age magazine with the headline: WHAT TO TAKE ON YOUR JOURNEY.
I was finally starting to feel spiritual. What would be on this list? Self-reflection, a measure of introspection, and a positive attitude?
No, it was sandals, a swimsuit, underwear and plenty of sunscreen.
Congrats to Viking Cruises for a wellplaced ad!
On behalf of the women of Carmel Tri Kappa, I would like to thank the Hamilton County community for its incredible support of our inaugural Cutest Pet Contest. Thanks to that support, we raised over $15,000 and had 98 pet entries — far exceeding our expectations. We are also deeply grateful to the many local businesses that generously donated prizes and helped make this event such a success:
• Amelia Kramer Photography
• Coyne Veterinary Center
• Crate Escapes Dog Park & Bar
• Culvers at Bridgewater
• Danny Boy Beer Works
• Flix Brewhouse
• Greek’s Pizzeria, Carmel (West Clay)
• Hand & Stone Massage & Facial Spa, Clay Terrace
• Happy Dog Hotel & Spa
• Indianapolis Indians
• Penn & Beech Candle Co., Midtown Carmel
• PetSuites Westfield
• Prime 47
• Rivet Coffee Bar & Roastery
• Sahm’s Ale House
• Scenthound Carmel or Zionsville
• The Goat Tavern
• The Olive Mill
• Urban Apples Cidery & Restaurant Proceeds from the contest will directly support scholarships for students at Carmel and Westfield high schools, initiatives addressing food insecurity and other under-resourced charities in the Carmel and Westfield communities.
Sharon Salathe, president of Carmel
Tri Kappa
Yours and mine
15. Preserve, in a way
16. GPS reading 17. Mind-bending puzzle
19. “___ alive!”
20. Indiana locale of the “Limestone Capital of the World”
21. Ball State bigwig
23. Squeeze (out)
24. O. Henry: “The Gift of the ___”
26. 007 portrayer Roger
27. Unlit
29. Adam’s grandson
32. Flat Fork Creek Park winter coaster
33. Kimono sash
36. Poet’s “soon”
38. Current revenue
source
39. Indiana locale of the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World”
42. Salt & Light Wellness
44. Move, in Realtor lingo
45. Hawaiian garland
46. Difficult
48. BBs, e.g.
50. Some jeans
54. Computer key
56. Playground comeback
59. ___ Fridays
60. Hamilton County Court officer
63. Indiana locale of the “RV Capital of the World”
65. Notre Dame sports org.
66. Neighborhood shopping sites
68. Blues group, for short
69. Polar covering
70. “The Simpsons” girl 71. “Golly!”
72. Abhor
73. Right on an Indiana map DOWN
1. Went up and down 2. “Aha!”
3. Stock exchange worker
4. “In your dreams!”
5. Jordan tourist attraction
6. Anxious
7. Hoosier Dome sponsor
8. Brewer’s oven
9. Addict
10. Antitoxin
11. Doritos company
12. Spoken
13. Plants anew
18. ___ de plume
22. Distress signal
25. Out for days
28. Campground letters
30. Lennon’s love
31. Spirit
34. “Turn up the heat!”
35. Fishers furniture chain
37. Opposite of SSW
39. Proton or electron
40. Hoosier National Forest tree
41. Up to, briefly
42. The whole ___
43. Pizazz
47. NJ neighbor
49. Some Swiss watches
51. Latin list ender
52. Way out
53. Occupies, as a table
55. Unyielding
57. Caught some Zs
58. Approves
61. Confront
62. Guitar ridge
64. In good shape
67. Top card
ANSWERS ON PAGE 23
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DUTIES:
• Interacting and assisting customers in a furniture retail sales environment.
• Determining needs and advising customers on their purchases.
REQUIREMENTS:
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in sales. PAY: Competitive Disccused at interview.
LOCATION: Carmel Indiana CONTACT: Call 317-846-2535 ask for Nick.
Carmel area law firm needing Legal Assistant experienced in personal injury & medical malpractice.
5+ years of experience preferred. Must be reliable, have a positive attitude, understand legal & medical terminology, and can thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Salary at top of scale commensurate with experience, 401k with matching, fully paid health, dental, and vision benefits. Send resume to cyount@hovdelaw.com.
No phone calls or walk-ins accepted.
Automotive Window Tinter Pay Negotiable.
Work available 7 days a week
Apply via email: dan@dansdetail.com
Full-time receptionist needed for busy law firm located in Carmel. $20+/hour depending on experience. Previous experience working in the legal field required. Health, dental, vision, and 401k available. Send resume to cyount@hovdelaw.com. No phone calls or walk-ins accepted.
Seasonal Landscaping and maintenance position. Two available. Location: 146th St & Towne Rd. in Carmel
• Perform general landscaping duties including mowing, edging, trimming, and blowing
• Maintain lawns and garden beds by mowing grass to specified heights and ensuring a neat, professional appearance
• Operate and maintain landscaping equipment such as lawn mowers, string trimmers, edgers, and leaf blowers
• Assist with seasonal tasks including mulching, weeding, pruning shrubs, and debris removal
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team in various weather conditions
• Ensure job sites are left clean and customer-ready after each visit with an emphasis on quality over quantity. $15/hr, flexible hours with adequate notice. Email resumes to: kreg.fisher@gmail.com
Medical Offices Now Open!
• Women’s health
• Orthopedics
• Cardiovascular care
• Integrative medicine
• And more Westfield Campus U.S. 31 & 196th Street
Coming in 2027
• Ambulatory surgery center
• Emergency department
• Hospital patient tower
